The Los Angeles Dodgers (6-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-5) on Tuesday, April 1. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on SportsNet LA, FanDuel South/Southeast and can also be streamed on MLB.TV.
After a convincing spring, Dustin May will finally return to the mound for the Dodgers, who will be looking to move to 7-0 on the season. May will be opposed by 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale, who will look to lead the Braves to their first win of the season.
Continue below for my Braves vs Dodgers prediction and expert prop pick for Tuesday night, plus the latest public betting trends, injury reports and more.
Braves vs Dodgers Predictions
- Braves vs Dodgers picks: Dustin May 5+ Strikeouts +135 (Fanatics)
My Braves vs Dodgers best bet is Dustin May to record 5+ Strikeouts. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Braves vs Dodgers Odds, Lines, Predictions, Best Bet
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1.5 -178 | 7.5 +100o / -120u | +110 |
| Dodgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1.5 +150 | 7.5 +100o / -120u | -130 |
- Braves vs Dodgers Moneyline: Braves +110, Dodgers -130
- Braves vs Dodgers Total: 7.5 (+100o / -120u)
- Braves vs Dodgers Spread: Braves +1.5 (-178), Dodgers -1.5 (+150)
- Braves vs Dodgers Best Bet:Dustin May 5+ Strikeouts
Braves vs Dodgers Preview, Prediction
Braves Betting Preview: Offense Struggling
It's early, but things couldn't have started off much worse for the Atlanta Braves. Not only are they 0-5, but they suffered a big loss as Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games for a failed drug test.
The offense has struggled mightily in matchups versus the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers' quality pitching staffs. The Braves hold a 29 wRC+ and have struck out 28.9% of the time.
While it's obvious to say better results are on the horizon, it's also an unconvincing start from a lineup that wasn't entirely dominant in the second half of last season and is still without its best player in Ronald Acuna Jr.
Sale will look to offer a more dominant outing after allowing three earned runs and six hits versus the high-powered Padres' offense on Opening Day. While Sale didn't finish with a great stat line in that matchup, his stuff graded out tremendously well (112 Stuff+ rating), which suggests no real cause for concern.
Sale posted a 2.38 ERA and a 2.80 xERA across 177 2/3 innings last season. While it's unlikely he will be able to replicate that level of dominance, he is considered the eighth favorite to win the NL Cy Young this season.
Dodgers Betting Preview: Looking to Stay Hot
Due to a flexor tendon surgery and a Tommy John adjustment, May missed the majority of the 2023 season. Just as he was close to returning last July, he needed life-saving surgery to repair a ruptured esophagus after a freak incident. He will make his first MLB start since May 17th, 2023 in this matchup.
Despite all the time spent on the sidelines, May is expected to be a far better-than-average starter this season. He holds a 3.10 career ERA and the consensus from projection systems is that he will pitch to a sub-3.70 ERA this season. He worked 10 innings across four appearances in Spring Training and held a 3.60 ERA, with a WHIP of 1.00.
Pretty Pumped for Dustin May!
May was named the 5th starter, which just goes to show how talented this pitching staff is. He's a #1 when he's healthy and executing the way he is capable of.Last night
5IP 1H 1R 6K 2BB
To show how ridiculous his "stuff" is, both his 4 seam & 2… pic.twitter.com/tA6IXJrM7d— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 26, 2025
May's electric stuff looked true to form throughout the spring, and he offers yet another major reason the Dodgers might go back-to-back. He holds a Stuff+ rating of 113 in his career and a K-rate of 22.5%. In his final start during Spring Training, May threw 68 pitches and struck out six batters.
The Dodgers are off to an incredible start offensively, averaging 6.0 runs per game against a high-quality group of opposing starters. They hold a wRC+ of 126 and have slugged .505 across their first six matchups.
Freddie Freeman is listed as day-to-day after missing last night's matchup with an ankle injury, but the Los Angeles lineup is otherwise at full strength.
Braves vs Dodgers Predictions, Prop Bet Analysis
This appears to be a fairly volatile spot with May seeing meaningful game action for the first time in almost two years and going against a struggling offense that is obviously due for better results.
While it is a bit of a guessing game as to what we might see from May, at a price of +144, we are getting a good number to try and buy low on him in the strikeout prop market. He likely will top out at around 80 pitches and, given the quality of his stuff, that is enough to take a shot at backing him to record at least five strikeouts in this matchup.
Pick: Dustin May 5+ Strikeouts +135 (Fanatics, Play to +134)
Moneyline
My lean would be with the Brave, as they look to avoid going 0-6.
Run Line (Spread)
If I were forced to bet the run line in this game, I would bet the Braves to cover at -160.
Over/Under
A total of 7.5 looks fair in this matchup. Both Sale and May have the potential to be among the league's best starters this season, but a low total of 7.5 between two potent offenses seems to account for that effectively.
Braves vs Dodgers Betting Trends
Braves vs Dodgers Viewing Info: Channel, Tuesday Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Date: | Tuesday, April 1 |
| Time: | 10:10 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | SportsNet LA; FanDuel South/Southeast; MLB.TV |
Braves vs Dodgers Injuries
Braves Injuries
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| RHP Reynaldo Lopez | Right shoulder (15-day IL) |
| OF Jurickson Profar | 80-game PED suspension (OUT) |
| OF Ronald Acuña Jr. | Torn left ACL (10-day IL) |
| C Sean Murphy | Cracked left rib (10-day IL) |
| RHP Spencer Strider | Right elbow surgery (15-day IL) |
Dodgers Injuries
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| 1B Freddie Freeman | Right ankle (Possible return Tuesday) |
| RHP Tony Gonsolin | Back tightness (15-day IL) |
| RHP Shohei Ohtani | Right elbow (Return as pitcher TBD) |
| RHP Michael Kopech | Right shoulder (15-day IL) |
| RHP Evan Phillips | Right rotator cuff (15-day IL) |
| RHP Edgardo Henriquez | Left metatarsal (15-day IL) |
| RHP Brusdar Graterol | Right shoulder (60-day IL) |
