The Atlanta Braves (80-67) welcome the LA Dodgers (87-60) to Truist Park Saturday for the 2nd game of their 4-game series. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Dodgers vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Dodgers lead 3-1
The Braves beat the Dodgers 6-2 in the series-opening game Friday, closing as a -102 moneyline underdog.
Atlanta has traded off winning and losing over its last 9 games. It went 1-1 in its series before the Washington Nationals. The Braves are 41-31 at home this season and 68-79 against the spread (ATS). They have been hot offensively as of late, tallying 19 runs in their last 3 games.
The Dodgers have lost 3 of their last 4 games yet are 5-5 over their last 10. They lost 2 of 3 to the Chicago Cubs in the series prior. Los Angeles, which sits 1st in the NL West, is 39-33 on the road this season. The Dodgers are 73-74 ATS.
Dodgers at Braves projected starters
RHP Jack Flaherty vs. LHP Chris Sale
Flaherty (12-6, 2.86 ERA) makes his 26th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 through 148 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 4-0 home win over the Cleveland Guardians Sunday
- 2024 away stats: 7-2, 2.49 ERA (79 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 0.94 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 in 14 starts
- Career vs. Braves: 1-1, 4.32 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 1.08 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 in 3 starts
Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.00 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 through 166 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-3 home win over the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday
- 2024 home stats: 9-0, 2.33 ERA (81 IP, 21 ER), 0.98 WHIP, 10.8 K/9 in 13 starts
- Career vs. Dodgers: 0-1, 10.13 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 12 ER), 2.06 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 3 appearances (2 starts)
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Dodgers at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Dodgers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Braves -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Dodgers +1.5 (-200) | Braves -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Dodgers at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Dodgers 4, Braves 3
Moneyline
BET DODGERS (+110).
The Dodgers are the 2nd-best team in the majors following a loss at 36-23. They brought in Flaherty to be a capable postseason starter, and he delivered in his last start, going 7-plus innings and not allowing a run. He should be able to stay at that level Saturday.
While Sale has been terrific, the Braves haven’t been consistent enough to back. They scored 0 runs Monday then 12 Tuesday and 1 Wednesday. Expect them to come up short as they have been after winning the game prior.
Take DODGERS (+110).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There’s no good value here. The Dodgers are far too expensive as a run-line underdog, and the Braves are too risky as a run-line favorite with how well Flaherty has pitched as of late.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 7.5 (-105).
The Braves have gone Under in 4 of their last 5 games and are 2-10 O/U in their last 12. They’ve gone Under in Sale’s last 4 starts and are 54-88-5 O/U on the season.
The Dodgers have been inconsistent offensively as of late. They’ve scored 4 or fewer in 4 of their last 5 games. Los Angeles is 3-3-1 O/U in its last 7. It has gone Under in 2 of Flaherty’s last 3 starts.
Given the caliber of pitching on display, take UNDER 7.5 (-105).
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