The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers finish up a three-game series in L.A. on Wednesday afternoon.
This has been a marquee matchup between the last two World Series winners and after splitting the first two games. MLB betting lines opened with the Dodgers as slim -130 home favorites for the finale.
Here are our best free MLB picks and predictions for Braves vs. Dodgers on April 20 with the first pitch scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET.
Braves vs Dodgers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The line for this game opened with the Dodgers installed as -130 favorites but has shortened to as low as -125 at some books as of 10 a.m. ET. The Over/Under has ticked down from 9 to 8.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
Braves vs Dodgers predictions
Picks made on 4/20/2022 at 10 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Braves vs Dodgers game info
• Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
• First pitch: 3:10 p.m. ET
• TV: MLB Network
Braves vs Dodgers betting preview
Starting pitchers
Charlie Morton (1-1, 6.10 ERA): Morton looked good in his first start of the year but was shredded in his second outing last Thursday, surrendering nine hits and five runs in five innings against the Padres.
The 38-year-old put together a strong debut season with the Braves in 2021, going 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 33 starts.
Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 1.29 ERA): The 27-year-old is coming off a strong outing where he limited the Reds to three hits in four scoreless innings. That said, he walked three batters in that contest, which has been his biggest issue throughout his career with Gonsolin doing a good job of limiting contact but struggling with control.
Gonsolin was ripped for four runs in just two innings in relief against the Braves in Game 4 of the NLCS last October but he was much sharper when used as a starter during the regular season.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr. OF (Out), Luke Jackson RP (Out).
Dodgers: Gavin Lux 2B/OF (Questionable), Blake Treinen RP (Questionable), Jimmy Nelson RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 18-7-2 in Atlanta's last 27 games versus a right-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Dodgers.
Braves vs Dodgers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Braves snapped the Dodgers' seven-game winning streak with a 3-1 victory last night. That improved Atlanta's record to 6-7 on the year as the reigning champs eagerly anticipate the return of star slugger Ronald Acuna Jr. in two weeks.
The Dodgers sit atop the NL West with an 8-3 mark and are currently atop the MLB World Series odds board as +500 faves to win the Fall Classic this year.
Tony Gonsolin will take to the mound for the Dodgers today and while he's not an innings-eater, he is a reliable starter who pitched to a 3.23 ERA with a .202 OBA in 55 2-3 innings last season. Gonsolin needs to reign in his control and be more accurate in the strike zone but Atlanta's free-swinging sluggers have walked just once in the last three games.
The Braves respond with two-time All-Star Charlie Morton. Morton continues to defy Father Time and is averaging 94.8 mph on his fastball this season while his curve is still one of the filthiest around. However, Morton is fresh off an ugly start where he surrendered nine hits and five runs at pitcher-friendly Petco Park.
Both teams feature imposing offenses — and have similar batting numbers on the year — but L.A. has fewer holes in its lineup (at least until Acuna returns) and has been generally more consistent.
The Dodgers have also been incredible at home, going 24-3 in their last 27 games (although two of those losses came against Atlanta). We'll back them as slim favorites to bounce back and win this afternoon.
Prediction: Dodgers moneyline (-125 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
The Braves and Dodgers are ninth and tenth in the majors, respectively, in OPS, but those numbers are still relatively low at .731 and .726. We're still in the early part of the season with hitters finding their rhythm after an abbreviated spring training and there's reason to like the Under here.
The Braves are struggling to generate consistent offense with a whopping 23 runs scored in two of their games this season and just 30 runs in their other 11.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are coming off a game where they managed just a pair of hits and if last year is any indication, they might not have much success against Morton. Morton made three starts against the Dodgers in 2021 and didn't allow more than two runs in any of them, pitching to a 2.82 ERA across 16 innings.
Although Gonsolin doesn't usually pitch deep into his starts, L.A. has a terrific bullpen behind him. Dodgers relievers have posted a 2.40 ERA with a 0.82 WHIP and a .185 OBA this season. They've shown that they'll be just fine despite losing All-Star Kenley Jansen, who is now closing games for Atlanta.
We're going with the line movement and taking the Under here.
Prediction: Under 8.5 (+105 at Betway)
Best bet
Freddie Freeman went 0-for-4 at the dish last night but the longtime Brave and 2020 NL MVP should be in line for a better performance tonight. Freeman signed with L.A. in the offseason and has been getting more comfortable in his new digs with every game.
Freeman homered in his first plate appearance against his former club on Monday and, despite going hitless yesterday, he's still batting .344 over his last eight games. He's also had plenty of success against Morton, going 6-for-12 with a pair of doubles and a dinger in his career. We're taking the Over 1.5 on his total bases today
Pick: Freddie Freeman Over 1.5 total bases (+140 at Caesars)
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