Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Prediction 9-1-23 MLB Picks

The Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet in game two of their four-game set in MLB action from Dodger Stadium on Friday. Two division leaders go head-to-head in another marquee matchup, who takes this one? Let’s dive in and find out.

Braves Look To Maintain Hold At Top Of National League

The Atlanta Braves are trying to hold onto the top spot in the National League and the best record in baseball. Entering Thursday’s series opener, the Braves hold a record of 87-45, still 13.5 games up in the NL East. Heading into Thursday, Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 178 hits and a .334 batting average along with 61 stolen bases to lead MLB in that category. Acuna Jr. also has 29 homers and 79 RBIs while Matt Olson leads the Braves with 43 home runs and 112 RBIs this season. Austin Riley’s chipped in 31 homers, while Eddie Rosario, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy and Marcell Ozuna make up the other four Braves bats with 20+ HR so far this season. Max Fried will start for the Braves and is 5-1 with a 2.85 ERA and 53 strikeouts this season.

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won each of their last nine night games following a win.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last nine Friday games.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last six Friday night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Braves have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven night games against National League opponents.
• The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last nine Friday games.

Dodgers Chasing Braves And Trying To Lock Up NL West

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in pursuit of the top spot in the National League and home field into the World Series, entering the series with a record of 83-49 heading into Thursday’s series opener. The Dodgers sit 14 games clear at the top of the division ahead of the Giants. Entering Thursday, Mookie Betts leads the Dodgers with 36 home runs in addition to 94 RBIs while Max Muncy is right alongside with 31 homers of his own and 88 RBIs. J.D. Martinez has 25 home runs to go along with 78 RBIs while Freddie Freeman has a team-high 178 hits, 89 RBIs, a .338 batting average and a .413 OBP in addition to 25 homers and 51 doubles this season. Julio Urias will start for the Dodgers here and is 11-7 with a 4.41 ERA and 113 strikeouts this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers Team Facts

• The Dodgers have lost each of their last 10 Friday games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line each of their last 10 Friday games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Dodgers have led after 3 innings in five of their last seven games as underdogs.
• The Dodgers have led after 7 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Dodgers have won the first inning in three of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Los Angeles Dodgers ranks 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (754).
• The Los Angeles Dodgers ranks 2nd in the league for home runs this season (212).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for runs scored this season (778).
• The Atlanta Braves ranks 1st in the league for hits this season (1258).

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the under here. We will have to see how Thursday’s series opener shakes out in Strider vs. Lynn, but Fried vs. Urias on Friday is an equally solid pitching matchup, and while both of these teams are electric at the dish and have solid power against lefties, these are two starters that can turn this into a duel and two teams with solid bullpens as well. I’ll take the under here.