The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves will battle in the second game of a four-game set on Saturday evening, in the first series between these two teams since last year's National League Championship Series.
Can Atlanta find a little home revenge following last fall's defeat to the eventual champion L.A. Dodgers? Find out in our best free MLB betting picks and predictions for Dodgers vs. Braves on June 5.
Dodgers vs Braves game info
• Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
• Date: Saturday, June 5, 2021
• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• TV: Bally Sports South, SportsNet LA
Dodgers vs Braves odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonAs of 5:45 p.m. ET, Los Angeles is a -139 favorite, down just a few cents from the -143 opener at TwinSpires Sportsbook. The Braves are taking 58 percent of moneyline tickets, while the Dodgers are drawing 62 percent of moneyline dollars. The total dipped from 8.5 to 8, though the lean is to the Over, at 66 percent of bets/55 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameDodgers vs Braves betting preview
Starting pitchers
Clayton Kershaw (7-4, 3.33 ERA): Kershaw has been solid enough for L.A. in 2021, though his numbers are a far cry from the three-time Cy Young award winner's peak. After stringing together four straight wins, Kershaw was handed the loss in his most recent start as he gave up seven hits and five earned runs in six innings against the Giants. Kershaw has allowed a home run in four straight starts.
Charlie Morton (4-2, 4.26 ERA): Morton has delivered some mixed results in 2021, with four starts of one-earned-run ball and another shutout, but several more rough outings, including not seeing the second inning vs. the Phillies last month. In his most recent start, Morton earned the win vs. the Nationals despite making it just five innings, walking three batters and giving up three runs off six hits.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Dodgers: OF A.J. Pollock (Probable), RP Jimmy Nelson (Questionable), SS Corey Seager (Out), RP Corey Knebel (Out), RP Tommy Kahnle (Out).
Braves: OF Marcell Ozuna (Out), C Travis d’Arnaud (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 6-1 in Charlie Morton's last seven home starts and 4-0 in Clayton Kershaw's last four starts on five days of rest. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Braves.
Moneyline pick
Last year's National League finalists went in opposite directions to begin the season, with the Dodgers in the mix in a crowded NL West, while the Braves sit below .500 at 26-28 (though hardly out of a weak divisional race).
Los Angeles has struggled recently, however, as it has played just .500 ball over its last 10 games. Their most recent series, against the Cardinals, has provided some reason for optimism, with two blowouts (9-4 and 14-3) on either side of a tight 3-2 loss.
However, for any recent struggles the Dodgers may have had, in addition to untimely injuries, they remain among the most balanced in the Majors. L.A. ranks in the Top-10 in runs per nine innings, batting average and on-base percentage, while limiting teams to the seventh-fewest runs per game and the lowest average and on-base percentage in the MLB.
Atlanta, meanwhile, is 6-4 in its last 10 with a lineup putting together a few excellent performances. Over their last six wins, the Braves have averaged 7.6 runs per game, up from their season average of 4.96.
With a pitcher on the mound in Morton who has struggled at times, however, the Braves' hope for a win will be out-pacing an excellent Dodgers lineup. Though Atlanta's coming on stronger as of late, we still like the road Dodgers to outdo the Braves in a repeat of last year's NLCS.
PREDICTION: Dodgers (-143)
Over/Under pick
Game two in Atlanta should provide a good test for the Dodgers' resurgent lineup, as they'll need to match what should be a positive day at the plate for the Braves.
Already a Top-10 team in runs per nine innings, home runs per game and on-base percentage, Atlanta excels even more vs. lefties such as Kershaw, with a higher team batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage against southpaws than vs. righties. Budding superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. is particularly threatening vs. left-handed pitchers, with four home runs and 11 RBIs, hitting .359 in just 39 trips to the plate so far this season.
The Dodgers, conversely, are considerably better against righties, such as Saturday's starter in Morton. L.A. sees its batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage take a big jump vs. righties compared to lefties. Though Morton has had a few strong starts on the year, he's also proven to be vulnerable quite consistently, and the Dodgers can get a chunk of production off him.
With a trend of Overs in recent starts for both Kershaw and Morton, and these two NL teams squaring off in the batter-friendly confines of Truist Park, we like the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 8.5 (-110)
Dodgers vs Braves betting card
- Dodgers (-143)
- Over 8.5 (-110)
Picks made on 6/4/2021 at 7:20 p.m. ET
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