Atlanta Braves vs La Dodgers Dodgers Picks and Predictions September 13th 2024

There does appear to be a chance of light rain in Atlanta on Friday, where the Braves and Dodgers will face off at 7:20 PM ET. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs, and the Dodgers are the slight money line favorite (-109). You can always refer to the current MLB Odds to stay updated with the latest betting lines.

Friday’s matchup is an NL matchup, and the Dodgers are currently in 1st place in the NL West with a record of 87-59. The Braves are 3rd in the NL East at 79-67. APLTV is carrying this one on TV.

Los Angeles vs. Atlanta Key Information

• Teams: Dodgers at Braves
• Where: Truist Park Atlanta
• Date: Friday, September 13th
• Betting Odds ATL -110 | LAD -109 O/U 8.5

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Landon Knack gets the start for the Dodgers today as he faces the Braves on the road. He has made nine starts this season and has a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 3.00. Looking at his overall numbers, Knack has a WHIP of .96 and opponents are batting .191 this season. In his last outing, he took the loss, going six innings and giving up two earned runs on three hits. Before that, he had picked up the win and a no-decision in his previous two outings. Knack has made two quality starts this year.

Shohei Ohtani has been a force in the Dodgers lineup this season, as he is batting .292 with a team-high 47 home runs and 104 RBIs. Ohtani is also 2nd in the league in home runs and 3rd in RBIs. Teoscar Hernandez is also a big-time power threat for the Dodgers, as he has gone deep 28 times this season, which is 13th in the league. His 87 RBIs are also 2nd on the team.

Tommy Edman has been swinging a hot bat for the Dodgers, going 9/20 with four homers over his last five games. This has helped him drive in eight runs over that stretch. Miguel Rojas and Edman are also both on five-game hitting streaks.

• The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 5.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Dodgers are 6-4
• Looking back across the Dodgers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Los Angeles has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Dodgers have averaged 5.4 runs per game on offense

The Braves Can Win If…

Right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach gets the start for the Braves today as he faces the Dodgers at home. He has made 17 starts this season and has a record of 5-7 with a 3.78 ERA. Schwellenbach’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.12. In his last outing, he took the loss, giving up three earned runs in five innings of work. Before that, he had put together three straight outings without giving up a homer. Schwellenbach has allowed 12 homers at home compared to 10 on the road.

Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves’ top hitter this season, batting .303 with 37 home runs and 98 RBIs. His 98 RBIs are 7th best in the MLB this season. Matt Olson is also a big power threat in the Braves lineup, as he has 25 homers this season, but he is hitting just .237. Olson has been hot of late, going 8/22 in his last six games.

Overall, the Braves are 5th in home runs this season and are averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is 18th in the league. Their team batting average of .240 is 15th in the league, and they are averaging 9 strikeouts per game, which is 23rd. As a team, the Braves are batting .240, which is 15th in the league.

Before placing any bets, ensure you review our comprehensive MLB Betting Guide to make informed decisions.

• The Braves are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Braves are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Atlanta has an over/under record of 2-8 in their last ten games.
• The Braves have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Braves are 6-4
• Looking back across the Braves last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Atlanta has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Braves have averaged 5.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Need a pick for today’s Dodgers and Braves matchup? We would be leaning toward the Dodgers to come out on top, and we are also leaning toward the over. This game is projected to have the 9th most combined runs in today’s slate and the 3rd most home runs. Looking at today’s starters, we have Spencer Schwellenbach finishing with more strikeouts than Landon Knack for the Dodgers.

All Eyes on Shohei Ohtani as Dodgers Face Off Against Braves: A Historic Pursuit and Key Showdowns

The buzz is real as the Los Angeles Dodgers gear up to face the Atlanta Braves in an epic four-game series starting this Friday. The stakes are high, but all eyes are on one man—Shohei Ohtani—who’s chasing baseball immortality. With the Dodgers cruising at the top of the NL West and the Braves fighting tooth and nail for a wild-card spot, this series could be one for the history books. Get ready for intense showdowns, pivotal plays, and a thrilling race toward the postseason.

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Ohtani’s March Toward Baseball History

Shohei Ohtani, the two-time American League MVP, is on the verge of doing something no one’s ever done before. With 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases under his belt this season, he’s within striking distance of becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. Crazy, right?

Ohtani wasn’t just a bystander in the Dodgers’ wild 10-8 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. He blasted one of four home runs in the first inning and added a stolen base in the second. The buzz around him is palpable. Dodgers catcher Will Smith summed it up perfectly: “We all know what’s happening. It’s fun to watch. I think he’ll get it done, but the main thing is, he’s helping us win games.”

It’s not just about the record for Ohtani; he’s been pivotal in keeping the Dodgers on track for the playoffs. His contributions on both sides of the game have been a major factor in the team’s success. So, while the history chase is exciting, Ohtani’s focus is clear—he wants to win, and that’s what makes him truly special.

Dodgers’ Division Dominance and Recent Form

Let’s not forget, the Dodgers have been steamrolling through the NL West. With an 87-59 record, they’ve got a comfy lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. But even with that cushion, the Dodgers have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, winning only three of their last seven games.

While Ohtani’s chase for the 50-50 milestone has grabbed the headlines, there’s been another name shining for the Dodgers—Tommy Edman. The guy’s been on fire, smashing home runs in back-to-back games. Even he’s surprised by his sudden power surge: “I don’t know if I’ve ever done that before, but I’ve locked into a good routine in the cage.”

The Dodgers are hoping to maintain their division lead and ride this momentum into the playoffs, where every game matters just a little bit more. With Ohtani and Edman in great form, it’s looking like a bright path ahead for L.A.

Atlanta Braves’ Wild-Card Struggle

The Braves, however, have a much tougher road ahead. Sitting at 79-67, they’re one game behind the New York Mets in the wild-card race. Their bats have gone cold, scoring only six runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of—yep, you guessed it—the Dodgers back in May.

Their struggles continued in a rough 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals, where the offense just couldn’t get anything going. Braves manager Brian Snitker wasn’t shy about his concerns: “We’re having a hard time putting runs on the board. We’ve been pitching well, but the offense needs to be more consistent if we’re going to give our pitchers the support they need.”

The Braves know what’s at stake. If they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll have to wake up at the plate, and fast. This series could be their last chance to right the ship before it’s too late.

Friday’s Pitching Matchup: Schwellenbach vs. Knack

Friday night’s game gives us a showdown between two promising young right-handers. The Braves are sending rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (5-7, 3.78 ERA) to the mound, while the Dodgers will counter with Landon Knack (2-3, 3.00 ERA).

Schwellenbach, just 24, had a tough outing last time out against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving up six runs on ten hits in five innings. Two of those hits were home runs, so there’s definitely room for improvement. But Braves manager Snitker still believes in the kid, saying, “This is another learning experience for him. He’s going to take something from this and grow.”

On the other side, Knack, at 27, has shown he can hang in the big leagues. In his last start, he struck out eight and allowed only two runs over six innings in a close 3-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Despite the loss, Knack showed he’s more than capable of delivering when the pressure’s on. Neither of these pitchers has faced the other team before, which just adds another layer of intrigue to what’s shaping up to be an unpredictable matchup.

Key Factors to Watch in the Series

• Ohtani’s Milestone Chase: The biggest storyline in this series will be Ohtani’s quest for the historic 50-50 club. Can the Braves slow him down, or will Ohtani power his way into baseball history and push the Dodgers closer to postseason glory?
• Dodgers’ Power Surge: With Ohtani leading the charge and Edman backing him up, the Dodgers are crushing it offensively. If they can keep that going, they’ll be hard to stop as they lock up the division and look ahead to October.
• Braves’ Offensive Woes: Atlanta’s struggles at the plate have been well-documented. They need to find their groove, and soon, if they want to stay in the playoff race. This series is a golden opportunity to turn things around, but time’s running out.
• Rookie Pitcher Duel: Schwellenbach and Knack are still learning the ropes, and this game could come down to which pitcher can handle the pressure better. Both guys have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key.

Final Thoughts: High Stakes on Both Sides

This four-game series is huge for both teams. The Dodgers want to keep their stranglehold on the NL West and carry Ohtani’s magic into the postseason. For the Braves, it’s do-or-die in the wild-card race. They’ve got to turn their offensive struggles around if they want to stay in the hunt.

As the series plays out, all eyes will be on Ohtani’s historic run and whether the Braves can find the spark they desperately need. Either way, this is a matchup between two talented squads that could deliver some serious drama, excitement, and maybe even a piece of baseball history.