Dodgers vs. Braves Odds
| Dodgers Odds | -130 |
| Braves Odds | +110 |
| Over/Under | 9 (-120/+100) |
| Time | 7:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
We have the first matchup of this three-game series as the NL East's Atlanta Braves host the NL West's Los Angeles Dodgers. This is the fourth meeting between these two teams this season and the Dodgers have won two of the first three matchups.
Will the Dodgers win once again, or can the Braves even the season series?
Los Angeles Dodgers: Urias Has Struggled Against Atlanta
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter this contest in good form as they have won three straight games. However, they could be in a good fade spot as left-hander Julio Urias is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles.
While Urias is having yet another fine season for the Dodgers, he has struggled in his past few outings against the Braves. Over four appearances against Atlanta last season, Urias surrendered 10 earned runs on 19 hits over 17 innings.
Atlanta won two of those four outings. This season, the Dodgers have lost in seven of Urias' 10 starts.
Additionally, the Dodgers may not get much run support in this matchup as they are slated to go against right-hander Ian Anderson. Through 55 career plate appearances against Anderson, this current Dodgers roster possesses a mere .156 BA, .200 SLG, and .243 wOBA.
Atlanta Braves: Matchups Look Good For Atlanta
Like the Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves enter this series in good form as they have won 18 of their past 21 games (86%). As I mentioned above, right-hander Ian Anderson is slated to take the mound for Atlanta.
Through 13 starts this year, Anderson is 6-3 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. While those numbers are not great by any means, his metrics suggest positive regression is looming.
Anderson boasts a .320 xwOBA, .249 xBA and a .388 xSLG. In those 13 starts, the Braves have won nine times.
Following Anderson is one of the league's best bullpens. Since May 1st, the Braves' relief pitching ranks third in the league in ERA, 10th in BA, fifth in SLG and fifth in wOBA.
This pitching staff should get plenty of run support as the Braves are slated to go against left-hander Julio Urias. Since the beginning of May, the Braves rank eighth in the league in BA, first in SLG, first in OPS and second in wOBA when facing left-handed pitchers.
Dodgers-Braves Pick
If Urias has yet another poor outing against the Braves, that should be enough to get the job done for us. Both bullpens are spectacular so we will probably need a lead entering the later innings, which is more than doable considering how well the Braves have been hitting left-handed pitchers recently.
This lineup should give Anderson a good amount of confidence to attack Los Angeles hitters, which is a good thing considering his track record against this lineup. Mixing Anderson's success this season with how great the Braves have been recently — especially when facing left-handers — pushes me to take Atlanta as a short home underdog, despite facing a great Dodgers team.
Pick: Atlanta Braves ML (+110) | Play up to (-110)
