Braves vs Dodgers MLB Lines, Betting Analysis & Prediction

Written by on May 7, 2019

The Atlanta Braves will be looking for payback after dropping the opener of their three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. With the Braves looking to get back in the win column after having their modest winning streak snapped and L.A. looking to take care of business at home, let’s find out where the best value lies in this matchup of NL World Series hopefuls.

Braves vs Dodgers MLB Lines, Betting Analysis & Prediction

Starting Pitchers

  • Braves LH Max Fried (4-1, 2.11 ERA)
  • Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (3-1, 2.55)

Why Bet On Atlanta?

The Braves kicked off their 10-game road trip by sweeping Miami in their three-game set over the weekend, but Atlanta got tamed in their 5-3 loss to L.A. on Monday. Freddie Freeman smacked a two-run homer and Nick Markakis added a solo shot but it wasn’t enough as the Braves were limited to just five hits in the loss and starting pitcher Kevin Gausman gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits in just 4.1 innings after appealing a five-game suspension for throwing at Miami’s Jose Urena on Friday.

“It kind of seemed like wherever the pitch was, that’s kind of the direction they hit it,” Gausman said. “They did a really good job of staying in on the fastballs in, and the fastballs away just kind of hit them the opposite way.”

For this contest, the Braves will turn to left-hander Max Fried who will be looking for his second strong outing after limiting San Diego to one run and four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 5-1 win in his last start. The 25-year-old has issued only five walks over 36.2 innings this season and none over his last two starts spanning 12.1 innings.

Why Bet On Los Angeles?

Are the Dodgers a secure bet in the MLB lines?

The Dodgers have won three of four including their win over Atlanta on Monday. Second baseman Chris Taylor went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the Dodgers to victory while Justin Turner added another pair of RBI in the win. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler struck out eight while limiting the Braves to three runs in 7.0 innings.

“I was just better on first pitch is what I think was the biggest thing,” said Buehler, who reached 99 mph with his fastball for the first time this year. “With the way that I throw the ball, if I can get in advantage counts, it makes it tough on them.”

For this contest, the Dodgers will hand the ball to left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. The 32-year-old South Korean was phenomenal in his last start as he tossed a season-high eight innings while limiting San Francisco to one run in a narrow 2-1 the last time out. Ryu is 0-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three career starts against Atlanta.

Expert Analysis and Prediction for Braves vs Dodgers

I really like Atlanta and I picked the young Braves to win the NL East this season after doing so a year ago. Having said that, I’m going to urge MYBookie baseball bettors everywhere to back the Los Angeles Dodgers in this contest for a handful of reasons. First, L.A. has gone a blistering 13-4 at home this season. Then, there’s the fact that Hyun-Jin Ryu looked fantastic the last time he took the mound.

The Braves are just 3-8 in their last 11 vs. National League West and 1-4 in their last 5 road games against a left-handed starter. Conversely, the Dodgers are 5-1 in their last 6 games against a team with a winning record, 16-5 in their last 21 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 24-8 in their last 32 home games. L.A. wins a hard-fought brawl, but the Braves cover the Run Line in a one-run loss.

MLB Betting Pick: Dodgers 4 Braves 3