New Look Dodgers Battle Braves in Possible Playoff Preview
- The Atlanta Braves sit 1.5 games back of the Phillies for first in the NL East
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have a 0.5 lead over the Diamondbacks for first in the NL West
- First pitch is at 7:35 PM EST from SunTrust Park
The LA Dodgers continue their road trip with a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Game time is 7:35 PM EST from SunTrust Park.
The Braves and Dodgers enter the series fighting for the top of their NL divisions. This series has the makings to be a dog fight.
The LA Dodgers
The new look Dodgers with perennial All-Star Manny Machado roll into Atlanta on a losing skid. The Dodgers after the break won two of three against the Brewers but then faltered against the Phillies losing two of three games.
The Dodgers are being chased by the Diamondbacks who are 0.5 game back, and the Rockies who are 1.5 games back. Machado and co. will need to string together wins to keep their division rivals at bay.
The Dodgers are being chased by the Diamondbacks who are .5 game back and the Rockies who are 1.5 games back.
The Machado addition adds another layer to a roster that is one of the deepest in the MLB. The team is confident and knows the possibilities that Machado can bring to the Dodgers. Matt Kemp sums it up nicely: “you throw a guy like that in our lineup, with the already dangerous [group] we already had, it makes it dangerous for the other team.”
Matt Kemp comes to Atlanta for the first time since being traded to the Dodgers in the off season. The trade has revitalized Kemp, who is having a breakout year hitting .315, with 17 home runs and 64 RBI.
Rich Hill takes the mound sporting a 4.26 ERA. The lefty has been inconsistent over his last two starts, allowing six runs in 12 innings of work.
The Atlanta Braves
After four losing seasons the Braves are on the verge of making the postseason. Ronald Acuna, and Ozzie Albies may be the best 23 and under players in the MLB. Freddie Freeman could be a MVP candidate, and Mike Foltynewicz is pitching like an ace.
Albies has been hitting .385 since June 17th and is among the league leaders in doubles (30), and extra base hits (53). Albies is one of the only players in the MLB to be in double figures for home runs (20) and stolen bases (10).
Anibal Sanchez enters the game with a 5-2 record with a 2.76 ERA. In his last start against the Nationals Sanchez went six innings, limiting the Nationals to three runs for the win.
Team Stats
| 56-46, 28-22 away | RECORD | 54-44, 25-20 home | |
| Rich Hill 3-4, 4.26 ERA | STARTING PITCHERS | Anibal Sanchez 5-2, 2.76 ERA | |
| 2-3 | LAST 5 GAMES | 3-2 | |
| 139 | Team HR | 106 | |
| .246 | Team BA | .261 | |
| 1.20 | WHIP | 1.29 | |
| .235 | OPP BA | .232 |
Opening Odds
| MONEYLINE | RUNLINE | O/U RUNS |
|---|---|---|
| -126 Dodgers | – 1.5 (+126) Dodgers | O 9 (-115) |
| +124 Braves | + 1.5 (-135) Braves | U 9 (+105) |
Dodgers vs Braves Score Prediction
The Braves lost the last series in LA and are looking for redemption. Count on Sanchez to pitch six innings and for the Braves to support him with runs.
Braves 5 – Dodgers 3
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From hockey to football, to basketball, baseball, soccer, and rugby, Cory is on top of it all. He grew up playing sports, has worked around them ever since (including as a talent scout), and is one of SBD's most experienced bettors.
