The Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet Sunday in MLB action from Dodger Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Atlanta Braves will start Max Fried here and Fried is 2-0 with a 4.02 ERA and 25 strikeouts this season. In his career, Fried is 3-2 with a 2.68 ERA and 56 strikeouts against the Dodgers. Los Angeles will trot out James Paxton here and Paxton is 3-0 with a 3.51 ERA and 15 strikeouts this season. This will be Paxton’s first career start against Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves Recap
The Atlanta Braves come into this one looking to salvage something from this series after falling short 11-2 in Saturday’s matchup, leaving Atlanta with back-to-back series losses after their series loss to the Seattle Mariners to start the week.
Braves Have Loaded Lineup Despite Recent Struggles
Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with 35 hits including 9 home runs and 32 RBIs while Orlando Arcia has a team-high 10 doubles while Ozzie Albies has 9 doubles, logging 30 hits as well this season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has a team-high 39 strikeouts but also leads the Braves with 14 stolen bases as well this season. Austin Riley and Matt Olson each have 8 doubles as well with Riley belting a pair of triples.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Max Fried Record this season: 2-0 ERA: 4.02
- The Braves have won each of their last nine games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- The Dodgers have lost each of their last seven games as home underdogs against NL East opponents following a win.
- The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last six day games against NL West opponents following a road loss.
Los Angeles Dodgers Recap
The Los Angeles Dodgers come into this one looking to complete another sweep and after securing their fourth straight series victory, knocking off the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Nationals in the last two weeks after trumping the Braves on Saturday.
Dodgers Stacked Lineup Fulfilling Expectations
Mookie Betts leads the Dodgers with 50 hits including 10 doubles, 6 home runs and a team-high 27 RBIs along with a .360 batting average and .464 OBP while Shohei Ohtani has 48 hits with 8 home runs, 22 RBIs and a team-high 14 doubles. Teoscar Hernandez also has 7 home runs with 24 RBIs and a team-high 48 strikeouts. Betts also has a team-high 8 stolen bases while Ohtani has 7 stolen bases.
Why the Los Angeles Dodgers will win
- Probable Starting Pitcher: James Paxton Record this season: 3-0 ERA: 3.51
- The Braves have lost each of their last seven road games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Dodgers have won each of their last six games against NL East opponents.
- The Dodgers have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against the Braves following a win.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against the Dodgers following a loss.
- The Braves have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Dodgers have won the first inning in each of their last three Sunday games as underdogs against the Braves.
Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction
I’m on the Braves here. I know it sounds insane but it’s just hard for me to envision the Braves losing three in a row and getting swept in such effortless fashion by the Dodgers who have made their first two wins of this series look like taking candy from a baby for the most part, especially Saturday. James Paxton has a nice ERA, but he’s really struggled with walks and while the Braves haven’t been the best at showing it, they have a lineup that can make you pay for any missed pitches and I think that the Braves avoid the sweep at Paxton’s expense. Give me the Braves.