In one of the more anticipated series so far in the 2022 MLB season, the Atlanta Braves will meet up for a second time with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. It is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Braves-Dodgers prediction and pick will be unveiled.
The defending champions have failed to meet up to expectations thus far, as they are currently 5-7 through 12 games. The Braves will send out one of their best pitchers in LHP Max Fried, who is still working his way to regular season form after going 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in his first two starts.
After their win on Monday, Los Angeles now sits at 8-2 and on top of the NL West by a half-game over the Giants. Looking for an eighth straight win, LA will have just the man it wants on the hill in RHP Walker Buehler, who is coming off a steady performance against the Reds in which he only allowed two runs in five innings pitched.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Braves-Dodgers MLB odds.
MLB odds: Braves-Dodgers Odds
Atlanta Braves: +1.5 (-170)
Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+140)
Over: 8 (-106)
Under: 8 (-114)
*Watch MLB Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why the Braves Could Cover the Spread
On Monday, the Braves generated double-digit hits with 10 but only garnered four runs on the scoreboard. While four runs is sometimes good enough to get the job done, Atlanta needs more production from its lineup to hang with a team like the Dodgers.
A huge plus would be getting off to faster starts in the earlier frames, as Monday was not ideal after Los Angeles blanked the Braves during the first four innings of play. While there were certainly bigger problems to dissect, expect the Braves' bats to come out swinging for the fences in the second game of the series on Tuesday. So far in 2022, even though Atlanta is bashing only .233, the Braves are tied for fifth in the majors with 50 runs total.
An even bigger problem exists in the Gate City, and that has been the poor pitching efforts. Currently the 25th-best team when it comes to earned-run average at 4.89, the Braves have to find a way to be more effective on the mound if they want any chance in repeating as World Series champions. From the top of the staff to the very bottom all the way to the bullpen, Atlanta pitching has given up to many crooked numbers to the opposition.
For example, the game on Monday was well within reach before the Braves imploded by getting shelled for five runs in the bottom half of the fourth, which has been the case all too often in the season's opening games.
If Max Fried can return to his normal form and work the outside of the plate to perfection, then the Braves will have a decent shot in getting their revenge. The Braves are 8-1 in their last nine during game two of a series. Atlanta is also 4-8 ATS this season.
Why the Dodgers Could Cover the Spread
After losing their opening series to the Rockies, the Dodgers have marched on to the tune of seven consecutive wins, which is the longest winning streak in the majors during the month of April. There isn't much to be said about the greatness of this roster, as the Dodgers have exploited every possible weakness of each team they have squared off against so far. Los Angeles may be the one bunch in all of baseball that can dominate a team in every facet of the game for an entire nine innings, and this was certainly true in the Dodgers' 7-4 victory over the Braves on Monday.
During their 5-0 undefeated home start, LA has scored 33 runs during that span. In fact, the Dodgers are tied in scoring the most runs in baseball with 58 men crossing the plate, and they are raking .266 at the dish.
Shifting our focus to the pitching, and it has been just as good if not better than the offense. The Dodgers are proving why they're a serious World Series contender with their supreme expertise on the mound, as they are only allowing opposing hitters to hit .186 against them, by far the best mark in the majors.
Just when things couldn't get any better in the City of Angels, Walker Buehler is on the bump for the Dodgers, hoping to move to 2-0 on the year. The Dodgers will cover the spread simply because of Buehler getting the start, as Los Angeles is 13-4 at home when Buehler is the starting hurler.
Also, the Dodgers have been money against the spread in 10 games, matching their overall record at 8-2.
Final Braves-Dodgers Prediction & Pick
While most of America would love to side with the underdog Braves, the Dodgers are too stacked in this matchup. It is too much to ask for the Braves to consistently string together hits against one of the game's best pitchers in Walker Buehler, especially in the confines of Chavez Ravine. Lock the Dodgers in for covering the -1.5 spread.
Final Braves-Dodgers Prediction & Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+140)
Follow Us
Subscribe