Atlanta Braves vs La Dodgers Dodgers Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

There does appear to be a chance for light rain in Atlanta on Saturday, where the Braves and Dodgers are playing at Truist Park. The money line odds have the Braves at -127 compared to the Dodgers at +107. The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs.

First pitch for this NL matchup is set for 7:20 PM ET, and BSSE will be televising this one. Jack Flaherty is starting for the Dodgers, and he will be facing off against Chris Sale. The Dodgers are 87-60, while the Braves are 80-67.

Los Angeles vs. Atlanta Key Information

• Teams: Dodgers at Braves
• Where: Truist Park Atlanta
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds ATL -127 | LAD +107 O/U 7.5

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Dodgers today as he faces the Braves on the road. So far this season, he has made 25 starts and has a record of 12-6 with an ERA of 2.86. Flaherty has made 14 quality starts this year and is averaging 10.95 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, he pitched 7 1/3 innings, picking up the win and not giving up a run. Flaherty has won three of his last four starts. The right-hander has been much better on the road, coming in with a record of 7-2 and an ERA of 2.56 compared to 5-4 with a 3.37 ERA at home.

Shohei Ohtani has been a huge part of the Dodgers offense this season, as he is batting .290 with a league-leading 104 RBIs and 47 home runs, which is 2nd in the league. Teoscar Hernandez is also having a strong season, as his 87 RBIs are 14th in the league, and he is 2nd on the team with 28 homers. Ohtani and Hernandez come into the game on hitting streaks of 6 games. Tommy Edman has been red hot of late, going 10/27 in his last seven games with four homers.

Overall, the Dodgers are the 3rd highest-scoring team in the league, averaging 5 runs per game. They have been even better at home, also averaging 5 runs per contest. As a team, they are 3rd in home runs and have the 2nd best slugging percentage in the league. Their team OPS of .769 is also 2nd in the MLB.

• The Dodgers are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 4.6 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 2-3
• 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 5.2 runs per game on offense

The Braves Can Win If…

Chris Sale gets the start for the Braves today and comes in with a record of 16-3 and an ERA of 2.38. Out of his 27 starts, Sale has turned in 17 quality starts and is averaging 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Sale finished with a no-decision, going six innings and not giving up a run to the Blue Jays. Before that, he had won two straight starts. The left-hander has been tough to beat at home, coming in with a record of 9-0 and an ERA of 2.85.

Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves’ most consistent hitter this season, batting .306 with 37 home runs and 98 RBIs, which is 8th in the league. Matt Olson is also a power threat in the lineup, as he is 2nd on the team with 25 homers but is batting just .237. Olson comes into the game on a four-game hitting streak.

As a team, the Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game, which is 16th in the league. However, they have been better on the road, averaging 4.6 runs per contest. Overall, they are the league’s 5th ranked home run hitting team and have the 11th best slugging percentage in the league.

• The Braves are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Braves are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Atlanta has an over/under record of 2-8 in their last ten games.
• The Braves have an average of 4.6 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

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

The Lean

Our projections have this as a low-scoring game, but with the line sitting at 7.5 runs, we are still leaning towards taking the over. As for a straight-up pick, we are leaning towards the Dodgers to come out on top. Los Angeles starter Jack Flaherty has the 6th best strikeout projection among today’s starters, and Chris Sale has the 9th best odds to pick up a win.

Chris Sale Looks to Strengthen Cy Young Case as Braves Face Dodgers in Key Showdown

As the Atlanta Braves chase a playoff spot, all eyes are on Chris Sale, who will take the mound Saturday night to continue building his case for the National League Cy Young Award. The veteran left-hander has been a force this season, and with the Braves in a heated battle for the final wild card spot, every game feels like a must-win. This one’s no different, as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second game of a four-game series at home.

Chris Sale’s Dominance and Cy Young Campaign

Chris Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA) has been nearly untouchable this season. Leading the NL in both wins and ERA, he’s also second in strikeouts with 213. He’s been especially hot lately, going unbeaten in his last 12 starts. This month alone, Sale has thrown 13 scoreless innings, striking out 16 batters, which has only added to his already impressive Cy Young resume.

Despite his dominance this year, Sale hasn’t always had it easy against the Dodgers. In three career appearances (two starts) against L.A., he’s 0-1 with a rough 10.13 ERA. But right now, Sale’s in top form, and there’s no better time for him to flip the script on those struggles.

Braves manager Brian Snitker couldn’t say enough about Sale’s impact on the team. “How he does what he does is amazing to me,” Snitker said after Sale’s last outing, where he scattered two hits over six innings in a win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Braves’ Playoff Push: Every Game Counts

The Braves (80-67) are in a dogfight for the final wild card spot in the NL, trailing the New York Mets by just one game. They kicked off this series with a 6-2 win on Friday, thanks to two-run homers from Gio Urshela and Jorge Soler. That victory helped them keep pace with the Mets, who also won their game.

With the season winding down, the Braves are officially in “scoreboard-watching mode.” But their focus is simple: win each game and keep the pressure on the Mets. And having Sale on the mound Saturday gives them a strong chance to do just that.

Atlanta also got a boost with the return of Whit Merrifield, who had been out with a fractured foot. He came back swinging, collecting two hits in Friday’s win—just the jolt the Braves need as they make their final playoff push.

Dodgers Looking to Regain Their Groove

While the Dodgers (92-55) are comfortably leading the NL West, they’ve hit a bit of a rough patch, dropping three of their last four games, including the opener against Atlanta. Even though they’re still in a great spot for a high playoff seed, L.A. will want to snap out of this mini-slump and pick up some wins before the postseason.

Shohei Ohtani has been chasing history with 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases, but he had a rough night Friday, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Ohtani’s looking to become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, but he’s been stuck on those numbers for the past few games.

On the bright side, Tommy Edman has been red-hot for the Dodgers, extending his hitting streak to six games. Over those six games, he’s hitting .435 with four home runs and nine RBIs, giving L.A. a spark at the plate.

Pitching Duel: Sale vs. Jack Flaherty

Saturday’s game features a pitching matchup to get excited about, with Sale going up against Dodgers’ right-hander Jack Flaherty (12-6, 2.86 ERA). Since being traded from the Detroit Tigers, Flaherty has been lights out, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts for the Dodgers. In his last outing, Flaherty pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits in a win over the Cleveland Guardians.

While Flaherty’s overall numbers have been stellar, his track record against the Braves isn’t as dominant. He’s 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts against Atlanta, but his recent form makes him a tough matchup for any team.

High Stakes for Both Teams

For the Braves, every win is crucial. They’re not just playing for a wild card—they’re fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Sale is the key to Saturday’s game, and his ability to shake off past struggles against the Dodgers could be the difference. A win would not only help Atlanta stay in the playoff hunt but also give Sale a strong push toward that Cy Young Award.

For the Dodgers, a win would help them regain their momentum heading into the postseason. Flaherty has brought stability to their rotation, and a strong performance from him on Saturday could get L.A. back on track as they try to close out the season on a high note.

You can always refer to the current MLB Odds to stay up to date with the latest betting lines.

What to Watch For

Sale’s Cy Young Chase: Chris Sale has been dominant all season, and this game gives him another chance to strengthen his case for the Cy Young Award. He’ll need to overcome his rough history against the Dodgers, but his current form suggests he’s more than up for the challenge.

Braves’ Playoff Race: Atlanta is in a tight race for the final wild card spot, and every game matters. With Sale on the mound, they’ve got a great shot to close the gap on the Mets.

Dodgers’ Slump: The Dodgers have hit a rough patch, but with Jack Flaherty pitching well, they’ll be looking to get back on track and secure a win to maintain their lead in the NL West.

Pitching Showdown: Sale vs. Flaherty is shaping up to be one of the best matchups of the series. Both pitchers are in excellent form, and the winner of this duel could decide the game.

Conclusion

Saturday’s game between the Braves and Dodgers is set to be a crucial showdown for both teams. Chris Sale will be looking to build on his Cy Young-worthy season and lead the Braves in their playoff chase, while Jack Flaherty aims to keep the Dodgers on top of the NL West and break out of their mini-slump.

With both teams needing a win for different reasons, this pitching duel could be one of the most exciting of the season, and the outcome may have major playoff implications for both clubs.