Dodgers vs Braves Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s MLB Game

The Atlanta Braves are set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first of a high-stakes four-game series. The Braves are fighting for their season, trailing the Mets by a game in the NL Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are just one back of the Phillies for the top spot in the NL.

My Braves vs. Dodgers predictions see the offenses shining through and several star bats making their presence felt. Let’s take a closer look with my MLB picks below. 

Dodgers vs Braves prediction

My best bet
Mookie Betts Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-135 at bet365)

Best odds available in your region

My analysis
Spencer Schwellenbach is a quality young pitcher but he’s looked more hittable of late. From his season debut in May until mid-August, he posted a .277 xwOBA and .674 OPS while allowing barrels only 4.6% of the time. His numbers were much better than the MLB average across the board.

That hasn’t been the case over the past month. Schwellenbach’s xwOBA has risen to .320 in that span while his OPS sits at .750, a below-average number that puts him in company with the likes of Erick Fedde and Bailey Falter over that same span.

In terms of simple results, Schwellenbach has conceded 2+ runs in six of his past seven games — including three spots against teams lacking firepower like the Marlins, Angels, and Blue Jays. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a completely different animal and Mookie Betts is among those leading the lethal attack.

Betts has cleared this line at a ridiculous 64% clip on the road this season. Hitting behind on-base machine Shohei Ohtani and in front of Freddie Freeman, he's in prime position to clear this line with one good swing any time he steps up to the plate.

It’s also worth noting Betts was quite a force in Atlanta a season ago, piling up 11 HRR over three games while clearing his line in each.

Shohei Ohtani pick: It's Sho-time

My best bet
Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 total bases (-118 at Pinnacle)

My analysis
Betts isn’t the only Dodgers star who finds himself in a great spot. The splits suggest Ohtani is primed to make plenty of noise against Schwellenbach, too. He's hitting .305 with a .388 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season. Those are drastically better than his numbers vs. lefties (.273 average, .215 ISO).

Perhaps more importantly, Schwellenbach’s had a miserable time against left-handed bats. He’s conceded a .277 batting average vs. lefties and his OPS is over .800. That’s a stark contrast from the .571 OPS he’s held righties to.

Ohtani is also swinging a scorching hot stick. He’s registered 2+ total bases in six of the past eight games and has piled up 23 in aggregate. With Ohtani firing on all cylinders, and the splits very much in his favor, this is a matchup where he should do real damage.

Dodgers vs Braves same-game parlay (SGP)

Mookie Betts Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI

Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 total bases

Marcell Ozuna Over 0.5 hits

+320 at bet365

I very much like the correlation of this play. If Ohtani clears his total base line, Betts will have a runner on base in front of him on two occasions or a runner in scoring position at least once. In either case, one good swing gets the job done.

Adding Atlanta’s most consistent bat to record a hit — something he’s done in 80% of home games this season — makes the parlay boost eligible at bet365 and brings a fruitful +320 payout even without it.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Dodgers vs Braves odds

Dodgers vs Braves live odds

Dodgers vs Braves opening odds

• Moneyline: Los Angeles -104 | Atlanta -104
• Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+156) | Atlanta +1.5 (-174)
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

Dodgers vs Braves moneyline and Over/Under analysis

• The two clubs opened at matching -104 price points at Pinnacle but the Dodgers are now slight favorites at -109.
  
  
• We have seen some fluctuation on the total. After jumping from 8.5 to 9, the market quickly bet it back into place at 8.5.
  
  
• The Dodgers have cashed the Over in 39 of their last 64 games for +15.00 units and a 21% ROI. That’s encouraging given we’re backing a couple of their star bats. 
  
  
• The Dodgers have stayed Under the total only 62 times in their last 143 games. 

Dodgers vs Braves trend

Mookie Betts has recorded a hit in 10 of the last 11 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Braves.

Dodgers vs Braves game info

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