It’s a rematch of a National League playoff series from last season when the Braves and Dodgers tip-off a three-game series at Chavez Ravine Monday night. Who do we like for our free MLB pick in this spot?
MLB Betting Odds
Monday’s MLB betting odds opened LA and Buehler at around -150 over Atlanta and Gausman, with an over/under of 7.5 runs. Both figures were holding steady in early betting action.
Braves vs. Dodgers Set-Up
Atlanta just swept three games from the Marlins in Miami over the weekend, winning Sunday’s series finale 3-1 in 10 innings. The Braves broke a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the seventh inning Sunday, let the Marlins tie the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth, then won it with two runs in the top of the tenth.
Just before that Atlanta split four games at home with San Diego. So the Braves are 6-2 over their last eight games. At 18-16 overall Atlanta sits in second place in the NL East, a game and a half back of first-place Philadelphia.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, just took two of three from the Padres in San Diego, losing Sunday 8-5 on a grand slam given up by closer Kenley Jansen with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. LA actually trailed the Padres early Sunday 4-0, rallied to take the lead, only to have Jansen blow it.
Just before that the Dodgers lost two of three at San Francisco. So LA is 3-3 over its last six games.
At 22-14 overall the Dodgers lead the NL West by one game over second-place Arizona.
This series is the first meeting between these teams this season. Last year Los Angeles took five of seven games from Atlanta during the regular season, then beat the Braves three games to one in an NL divisional-round playoff series.
Monday’s Starting Arms
Buehler is just 1/6 on quality starts this season and 0 for his last two. Last Tuesday he allowed three runs and six hits through 5 1/3 innings of a 10-3 Dodgers victory over San Francisco. And just before that, he allowed three runs and four hits through 5 2/3 innings of a 7-6 LA loss to the Cubs.
On the season the Dodgers are 4-2 with Buehler.
In two starts last year against Atlanta, one in the regular season and one in the playoffs, Buehler allowed four runs and six hits through 10 1/3 innings. Los Angeles split those two games.
Gausman is 2/6 on quality starts this season, but 0 for his last three. Last Friday he gave up one run through an inning and two-thirds against Miami, then got ejected for throwing at a batter. And over his last three starts, he’s allowed 11 earned runs and 14 hits through just 12 innings.
Atlanta is 3-3 with Gausman this season.
In his only appearance last year against the Dodgers, in that NLDS, Gausman gave up two runs and two hits in two innings in relief.
Monday’s Batting Splits
Atlanta is batting .258/.344/.432 against right-handed pitching this season.
Los Angeles is batting .262/.348/.469 against RH pitching this season. However, this lineup could be without its biggest stick as Cody Bellinger deals with a sore shoulder.
The Bullpens
The Braves bullpen owns a 4.22 ERA this season, along with a 1.48 WHIP and a rather average 138/73 strikeouts/walks ratio.
After blowing last night’s game, the Dodgers bullpen owns a 4.73 ERA but a 1.22 WHIP and a 127/41 K/BB ratio.
Totals Report
- Overs are 18-14 in Braves games this season.
- Overs are 18-17 in Dodgers games this season.
- Overs are 4-2 with Buehler this season.
- Overs are 3-2 with Gausman this season.
- Overs are 9-7 in games played at Dodger Stadium this season.
- Get more details: Atlanta at LA Dodgers MLB Match-up Stats
