The Los Angeles Dodgers (87-59) are set to continue their pursuit of a regular season series victory against the Atlanta Braves (79-67) in the second game of a four-game series on Saturday evening. The matchup will take place at Truist Park, beginning at 7:20 PM ET.
Jack Flaherty, holding a record of 12-6 with a 2.86 ERA, will take the mound for the Dodgers. In response, the Braves will send Chris Sale, who boasts a 16-3 record and a 2.38 ERA.
Los Angeles has a slight edge in their recent encounters, going 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against Atlanta.
**This preview reflects the situation prior to Friday’s game.**
When considering MLB predictions, the forecasts have shown reliability.
Dodgers Aiming to Recover from Recent Series Defeat
The Dodgers recently stumbled against the Cubs after a series win over the Guardians. Despite this setback, they maintain the best record in Major League Baseball and enjoy a five-game advantage over the Diamondbacks in the National League West. Earlier this season, Los Angeles swept the Braves in their previous encounter and will hope to replicate that success this Saturday.
Los Angeles is currently scoring an average of five runs per game. Their .254 batting average ranks sixth in the league, while their .331 on-base percentage is third and their .440 slugging percentage is second overall.
This season, Shohei Ohtani has emerged as a standout performer for the Dodgers. The frontrunner for the National League MVP is on track to achieve a historic milestone of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. He leads the team with a .291 batting average, 47 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 48 stolen bases.
On the pitching front, Los Angeles has been solid, allowing an average of 3.85 runs per game. Opponents have recorded a .235 batting average against Dodgers’ pitchers, placing them sixth in the league. Their team ERA of 3.88 is 11th, while their WHIP of 1.22 ranks seventh.
In his most recent outing, Flaherty demonstrated his skills by allowing just four hits and no runs over 7.1 innings, leading to a 4-0 victory against the Guardians. A similar performance will be essential for the Dodgers to secure a win.
Teoscar Hernandez (foot) is considered questionable for this matchup.
Braves Seeking to Sustain Playoff Aspirations
Following a series win over the Blue Jays, the Braves managed a split with the Nationals. Currently, they sit fourth in the National League Wild Card standings, trailing the Mets by just one game. A victory over the Dodgers would position them closer to the coveted playoff spot.
Atlanta is averaging 4.27 runs per game, with a batting average of .240, ranking 18th in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .306, placing them 20th, while their slugging percentage of .408 is 12th overall.
Marcell Ozuna has been a key player for the Braves, leading the team with a .303 batting average, 37 home runs, and 98 RBIs.
Defensively, Atlanta has excelled, giving up an average of only 3.47 runs per game. Opponents have a .239 batting average against Braves’ pitchers, ranking 14th. Their ERA of 3.50 is the best in the league, and their WHIP of 1.21 is sixth overall.
Sale’s last performance was impressive, as he surrendered just two hits and no runs over six innings, contributing to a 4-3 win against Toronto. Another strong outing will be crucial for Atlanta’s chances of success.
Whit Merrifield (foot) is also considered questionable for this game.
Strategic Bets for Dodgers vs. Braves
The Dodgers have secured victories in two of their last three road games, while the Braves have struggled at home, losing two of their last three contests. Offensively, Los Angeles has fared remarkably well during this stretch, scoring 17 runs compared to Atlanta’s nine runs.
Despite Sale’s recent dominance on the mound, having allowed only two runs in his last three home starts, the Dodgers have a favorable matchup. They have consistently performed well against left-handed pitchers, while Sale has struggled against them, recording an 0-1 record in two starts and allowing 10 runs in those matchups. Additionally, Atlanta’s bullpen has faced challenges, yielding six runs in their last three home games, which could spell trouble against the potent Dodgers’ offense.
On the other hand, Atlanta’s offensive performance may be hampered against Flaherty, who has been effective in his recent outings, allowing only four runs over his last three starts. He has previously limited the Braves to three runs in his last two games against them, indicating he could effectively manage their offense. Based on these factors, placing a bet on Los Angeles to cover the money line appears to be the strategic choice.
