Prediction, Best Bets & Odds Dodgers vs Braves (5/23)

After failing to make the most of a hot start last night, the Atlanta Braves will look to get back in the win column tonight in the second game of their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (7:20 pm ET, TBS).

The Braves (29-18) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning at Truist Park, but the Dodgers (30-19) rallied for an 8-6 win, with former Braves star Freddie Freeman marking his latest return to Atlanta with a three-hit game and a three-run homer that put L.A. ahead 6-4 in the fifth.

Tonight, NL Cy Young Award hopeful Spencer Strider will look to help the Braves pick up their 30th win of the season, with MLB debutant Bobby Miller getting the starting nod for the Dodgers.

Who will take the win tonight in Atlanta? Read on for our prediction and best bets for today’s Dodgers vs Braves game.

Looking for More MLB Picks?

At Betting News, you can find aggregated MLB picks from a number of reputable industry sources for every MLB game.

And if you are interested in checking out MLB betting picks from other sources, there are a number of trustworthy sports handicapping services that we recommend.

One of those sources is Doc’s Sports, which has a great offer going right now.

Doc’s Sports offers a lot of free picks and content, but they also offer $60 worth of premium sports picks free for new premium signups.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Odds

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Dodgers +168
• Atlanta Braves -200

Over/Under

• Over 8.5 (-110)
• Under 8.5 (-110)

Run Line

• Los Angeles Dodgers +1.5 (-115)
• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-104)

Pitching Matchup for Dodgers vs Braves

• Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (MLB debut)
• Atlanta Braves: RHP Spencer Strider (9 starts, 4-1, 2.96 ERA)

Will Stellar Strider Steer the Braves to Success?

Last time Strider was on the mound, he didn’t have his best stuff. Against the Texas Rangers last Wednesday, he walked three, surrendered a season-high six hits, tied a season high by allowing four runs, and he gave up two home runs in a game for the first time in his MLB career.

Also, though he managed to log five or more innings for the 17th straight regular season start dating back to last season, he needed 88 pitches to do so and exited with the Braves trailing 4-2.

Fortunately, Atlanta rallied for a 6-5 win and improved to 8-1 in Strider’s starts this season.

On a positive note, Strider has now recorded at least seven strikeouts in 15 straight regular season starts, as he logged seven Ks in Arlington.

With Zac Gallen having an ugly start at Pittsburgh on Friday (3.2 IP, 8 R, 8 H, 4 BB), Strider enters tonight’s start against the Dodgers with the edge atop the latest NL Cy Young odds, coming in at +220 to Gallen’s +270, with Clayton Kershaw next in line at +1100.

Good run support spared Strider from a loss last Wednesday, and he should be able to rely on it again tonight. The Braves have scored five or more runs in all but one of Strider’s starts this season and in 15 of his last 19 regular season starts dating back to last season, including eight of nine home starts.

Miller is making his MLB debut after going 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA in four Triple-A starts this year. Those numbers aren’t anything to write home about, but minor league statistics are to be taken with a few grains of salt, and he came into the season as a top-30 prospect.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction for Dodgers vs Braves: Braves to win

Best Bets for Dodgers vs Braves: Braves -1.5 & Braves team total over 4.5 runs

Five of the Braves’ eight wins in Strider’s starts this season have come by one run, so it is a bit of a risk to take the -1.5 here. But it is a risk worth taking.