Brendan O’Sullivan dives into his pick and prediction for the Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game on Saturday, May 9.
The Braves and Dodgers play the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, May 9.
Los Angeles is a -186 moneyline favorite, while Atlanta is +153 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under 8.5 runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Braves vs. Dodgers game.
The Dodgers being one of the best teams isn’t surprising. This has been the case every year for the past decade. The Braves, however, are terrific despite Ronald Acuna Jr.’s underwhelming start. After a 76-86 2025 season, the Braves look like a contender once again.
It not only makes the National League more exciting, but the NL East race is even more intense. Atlanta hasn’t performed well recently, losing three of its last four, but that’s no reason to panic. These losses came against the Mariners and Dodgers, both World Series contenders in 2026.
Spencer Strider is making his second start of the season in this matchup. His first was forgettable: 3.1 innings, three earned runs, four hits, five walks and six strikeouts against the Rockies. Being his first start of the year after beginning the year on the injured list, it could’ve been a lot worse.
That said, Strider isn’t expected to be the Cy Young candidate he was in 2023. He also won’t have an 8.10 ERA all season, but his season doesn’t get easier with a matchup against the Dodgers. Even with Mookie Betts on the injured list, Los Angeles’ lineup is one of the best in the majors. It averages 5.24 runs per game, which ranks fifth overall.
Atlanta has the offense to compete, ranking second in runs per game (5.49), but it’s uncertain how the team will fare against Blake Snell in his season debut. The two-time Cy Young winner began the season on the injured list and will likely be limited in his first major-league start of 2026.
Both bullpens will likely get a lot of work on Saturday, which benefits each side. The Braves’ relievers have a combined ERA of 3.20 (the third best overall) and the Dodgers rank seventh at 3.38.
The Dodgers are heavy home favorites, but I’m not sold on them with Snell making his debut. He’s likely to be limited and rusty. Los Angeles’ bullpen is good but will have trouble slowing down Atlanta’s offense. There’s plenty of value in Braves moneyline, but over 8.5 runs is a solid choice, too.
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