For all who thought that the Dodgers had the National League wrapped up before the season began, the Braves have something to say about it.
There’s no slowing this Atlanta team right now as it holds an eight game lead on the NL East heading into Friday’s series opener against the reigning back-to-back World Series champions.
Chris Sale (6-1, 2.14 ERA) continues to prove his best years are far from behind him at 37. The 2024 NL Cy Young winner has thrown 49 strikeouts across 42 innings while riding a five-game winning streak. He’s relinquished more than one earned run in only one start all season and continues to generate elite swing-and-miss numbers.
The Dodgers send Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 5.23 ERA) to the bump, who has been untrustworthy. He’s looking to rebound from a loss to the Cardinals in which he was hit for four earned runs in under five innings. Although he flashes impressive strikeout ability, his tendency to allow hard contact puts him in a vulnerable spot against a Braves lineup that is hitting the stitches off the baseball as of late.
Yet, oddsmakers still hesitate in doubting the $413.5 million payroll in Los Angeles, pricing the Dodgers as slight -113 favorites.
Let’s address just how potent the Braves have been: they lead the league in runs (213), hits (353), and slugging percentage (.457). What’s worse for Sheehan, is that their overall .797 OPS against right-handed pitching ranks second in MLB.
Even without Ronald Acuña Jr., who is on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain, their lineup carries five regulars with an OPS above .800.
Matt Olson’s transformation at the plate has been the centerpiece. He leads the National League in runs (35), home runs (13), and OPS+ (194).
On the other side of the diamond, Kyle Tucker is hitless against Sale, who just struck out 11 hitters in his last start. Mookie Betts, who has hit well against his old Boston teammate, remains out of the Dodgers lineup, so the onus falls on Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani to carry the load against the dominant southpaw.
Atlanta’s bullpen has been lights out, too. It ranks within the top-five teams in both ERA and xERA.
It’s not often you can confidently fade the Dodgers these days, but with this torrid Braves run that’s pumped out a plus-79 run differential, follow the plus money.
THE PLAY: Braves (+102, FanDuel)
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
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