Braves vs Dodgers Prediction & Picks (Aug. 31): Potential NLCS Preview

Thursday, Aug. 31's MLB schedule features a potential NLCS preview as the Atlanta Braves begin a four-game series with the LA Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles won two of three games at Truist Park back in May, leaving time to tell if the home team can replicate those results this week.

The Braves and Dodgers begin a 4-game series tonight and some history could be made:

– Ronald Acuña Jr.: needs 1 HR to become 1st player ever with 30 HR and 60 SB in a season

– Freddie Freeman: needs 1 double to match most in a season in Dodgers history pic.twitter.com/qUKTTJnEO5

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 31, 2023

The Braves head into tonight's action following a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on the road. Meanwhile, the Dodgers search for their fourth straight victory following last night's one-sided 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Betting News has got your back when it comes to your Braves vs Dodgers needs. Keep reading for the game's latest odds, a matchup preview, and the top betting options.

Braves vs Dodgers Tonight (Aug. 31)

ATL vs. LAD Game Information

• Matchup: Atlanta Braves (87-45, 43-23 Away) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (83-49, 46-21 Home)
• Venue & Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
• Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023
• Game Time: 10:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• Where to Watch Braves vs Dodgers: MLB Network, SportsNet LA, Bally Sports Southeast, MLB.TV

Braves vs Dodgers Odds

Game odds as of Thursday, August 31 at 11:30 a.m. ET, courtesy of Bovada. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+120)
• LA Dodgers +1.5 (-135)

Over/Under

• Over 8.5 Runs (-115)
• Under 8.5 Runs (-105)

Moneyline

• Atlanta Braves -145
• LA Dodgers +124

Braves vs Dodgers Probable Pitchers

• Braves: Spencer Strider (26 starts — 15-4, 3.46 ERA)
• Dodgers: Lance Lynn (26 starts — 10-9, 5.56 ERA)

Braves vs Dodgers Betting Trends

• Atlanta is 5-1 straight up in its last six road games.
• The Dodgers are 5-2 straight up in their last seven games against Atlanta.
• The total has hit the over in nine of Atlanta's last 10 games on a Thursday.
• The total has hit the under in 10 of the Dodgers' last 15 NL matchups.
• The under is 6-2 in the last eight Atlanta-LA matchups.

Braves vs Dodgers Game Preview

As mentioned before, we have a potential NLCS preview on our hands tonight. Bovada lists the Braves (+120) and Dodgers (+145) with the best odds to win the National League this fall.

For reference, the Philadelphia Phillies have the next-best odds at a distant +750.

The Braves might be the MLB's No. 1 club, but they've struggled against the Dodgers over the last few years. On top of losing five of its seven previous matchups against Los Angeles, Atlanta has lost nine of its trips to Dodger Stadium, finishing with three or fewer runs in eight of those encounters.

Unfortunately for the Braves, they might have a tough time scoring runs tonight with Lance Lynn starting for the Dodgers.

After going 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA with the White Sox, Lance has looked like a new man since getting traded to the Dodgers. The 36-year-old veteran hurler is 4-0 in five starts since donning the Los Angeles uniform, pitching to a 2.03 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 31 innings.

Furthermore, he's 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last four starts against the Braves, which includes a victory back on July 15.

On the flip side, the Dodgers' bats could struggle if Spencer Strider continues playing like one of the NL's best pitchers. His +170 odds on Bovada to win the NL Cy Young only trail the San Diego Padres' Blake Snell (-105).

Strider is 3-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 37 strikeouts across five starts in August. He's only allowed one run over his last 21 innings and only gave up two runs on four hits with 11 Ks when he faced the Dodgers back on May 23.

Even if Lynn is at the top of his game, it's going to be tough for him to out-duel Strider.

Braves vs Dodgers Prediction and Best Bets

• Braves vs Dodgers Prediction: Braves 5, Dodgers 4
• Braves vs Dodgers Best Bets: Dodgers -1.5 (Best Value: -135 on Bovada) & Freddie Freeman to Hit a Home Run (+425 on Bovada)

In a matchup that could go either way, I'm taking the Braves to win. They're the best team in the Majors and the World Series favorite for a reason, plus Strider gives them the best opportunity to win anytime he starts a game.

Having said that, I will take the Dodgers on the spread. While Atlanta is just 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games, Los Angeles is 8-2 ATS during that span. Dave Roberts' club has also won five straight games at home, so I see them keeping things close here.

As far as a Braves vs Dodgers player prop goes, I'm backing Freddie Freeman to hit an anytime home run (+425). After homering twice in his last three games, I see Freeman hitting another round-tripper considering that he's batting .361 with three HRs in nine previous meetings against his former team.

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