The Atlanta Braves are on the road to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the start of a crucial four game series. This game will continue our MLB odds series as we hand out a Braves-Dodgers prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

The Braves are the current top seed in the National League when it comes to playoff seeding. That would obviously give them the advantage in the NLDS, and NLCS. Atlanta holds that advantage by four games over the Dodgers. The Braves are coming off a three game sweep over the Colorado Rockies, and they have won seven of their last 10 games. They have been playing great baseball, and their power numbers have been absurd all season. This past week, the Braves launched their 250th home run of the year. That puts them just 29 home runs away from the National League record, and 57 home runs away from the MLB record. With how the Braves have been hitting, I would not be surprised to see the National League record get broken.

The Dodgers, as mentioned, are chasing the Braves for the top seed in the National League. However, Los Angeles has already taken two of three from the Braves this season. That series was back in May, so both teams are very different heading into this matchup. The Dodgers are actually second in the MLB in home runs, so this game could turn into slugfest if either team is not careful. In fact, both teams are, without a doubt, a top-5 offense in the entire MLB. Los Angeles could gain some serious ground on the Braves if they happen to take three of four, or sweep this series.

Spencer Strider will get the ball for Atlanta while Lance Lynn starts for the Dodgers.

Here are the Braves-Dodgers MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Braves-Dodgers Odds

Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+114)

Los Angeles Dodgers: +1.5 (-137)

Over: 8.5 (-110)

Under: 8.5 (-110)

How To Watch Braves vs. Dodgers

TV: Bally Sports South, Spectrum SportsNet

Stream: MLB TV subscription

Time: 10:10 PM ET/7:10 PM PT

*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread

It is no question that Strider is one of the more electric pitchers in the MLB. However, he had a pretty bad (by his standards) June and July. August has been much better for him. This month, Strider has thrown 30 1/3 innings through five starts. In those starts, Strider has a 2.37 ERA, 37 strikeouts to 11 walks, and he has allowed just 17 hits. The Braves have won four of those five starts. If you take out his bad start in which he allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings, Strider has 27 1/3 innings pitched, a 0.33 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and just 12 hits allowed. That is an incredible stat line, but he does have his hardest challenge with the Dodgers in this game. If he can continue to pitch well, the Braves will cover the spread.

Strider already has a start against the Dodgers this season. The Braves lost that game, but Strider was fantastic. He gave up just two earned runs in six innings pitched, and struck out 11 batters. That will usually be good enough to lead the Braves to a win this season, but it was not the case back in May. However, if Strider can have that type of outing again, there is a very good chance the Braves cover the spread.

Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread

Lance Lynn has been very good on the Dodgers. It seems a change of scenery is exactly what the doctor ordered. Lynn was essentially batting practice when he was in Chicago, but that is not the case in Los Angeles. In five starts with the Dodgers, Lynn is 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA, 31 innings pitched, 26 strikeouts, six walks, and just 27 hits given up. 10 of those hits were allowed in his last start against the Boston Red Sox, but the Dodgers still got the win. Lynn Left Chicago with a 6.47 ERA, and 1.46 WHIP. He now has a 5.56 ERA, and 1.38 WHIP. He has seen every number get better, so the Dodgers have been doing something right with him. If Lynn can have another good start in Los Angeles, the Dodgers will cover the spread.

Final Braves-Dodgers Prediction & Pick

This should be a pretty good game. Both pitchers have some really good stuff, and they have both been pitching well in August. Personally, I think this game is going to be very close, so I personally lean towards the underdogs. In this case, that is the Dodgers. The Dodgers have also won four straight, and they hold the best record in August. I will take Los Angeles to cover the spread.

Final Braves-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Dodgers +1.5 (-137), Under 8.5 (-110)