MLB Betting Odds: Braves and Dodgers Close Four-Game Series
Atlanta scored early and often in Sunday's 13-1 rout to cash as MLB odds favorites. Now the Dodgers look to gain a split in the four-game series Monday night at Turner Field.
If recent trends hold true for Monday's series finale in Atlanta between the Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, the game should be scoreless through the first seven innings or so.
A pitching rematch of a June 5 battle in Los Angeles between Chad Billingsley (12-10, 3.78) and Tommy Hanson (14-10, 3.51) is in the works for Turner Field. Both pitchers have seen their offenses take the game off in their recent starts, and that could have 'under' bettors lining up for this one. MLB oddsmakers opened Monday's total at seven runs, the sixth consecutive game between the two clubs this season to see a total below eight.
The money line started out with the Braves carrying 141-150 chalk, and that marks the eight-straight game between LA and Atlanta in 2010 to see the home club favored.
After the two squads split the first two games of the series on Friday and Saturday, Atlanta enjoyed a 13-1 laugher on Sunday as a 135 favorite. Troy Glaus' 3-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth sent the total 'over' the closing 7-run total and sent the Braves on their way to a 4-3 season record against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles has found scoring to be a very difficult part of the game since the break, and that continued Sunday. The Dodgers have scored three runs or more just 12 times in 30 games since the All-Star Game, a span of 30 games that finds LA 11-19. Joe Torre's club will head into the series finale 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
The Braves were also hitless with runners in scoring position the first two games before breaking out on Sunday by going 7-for-13 in the situation. A big question the past few days has been who will take over for Chipper Jones in the lineup after the Atlanta third sacker suffered a season-ending, and possibly career-ending, knee injury. Bobby Cox might have found the answer Sunday.
Hitting in the three hole, Alex Gonzalez drove in four with a single, triple and sac fly. The 2-run triple in the third really set the tone for the rout.
When Billingsley and Hanson faced off at Chavez Ravine in June, the Dodgers closed with minus 135 odds and took a short 2-0 lead into the top of the seventh before the bottom fell out. Glaus homered and Brian McCann slapped a 2-run double to fuel a 7-run frame for Atlanta who went on to a 9-3 triumph.
Billingsley was only charged with three of Atlanta's run through six full while Hanson was the benefactor of the big inning with six innings of 2-run ball for the win. If both teams total seven runs in this one, it will be out of sorts with the starters' recent work. Each pitcher has toiled a total of 33 2/3 innings their last five starts and each has allowed just five earned runs. Yet their two squads are a combined 3-7 in those games.
Umpire Crew P finishes a complete loop through its rotation in this series finale with Paul Emmel scheduled to work the plate Monday. Emmel beings a season mark that leans to the 'under' with a 12-10-2 record. However, four of his last five contests have finished above the number. Home favorites are 8-8 with Emmel south of the dish. Up to minus 140, that record is 3-5 with the 145-180 range seeing home teams a level 2-2.
The Weather Channel is listing a 30 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms in the Atlanta area for Monday evening. Assuming the wet stuff doesn't interrupt the game, expect a muggy start in the low-to-mid 80s with a very light breeze from the east (in from right field).
Los Angeles has a long flight home after this one before opening a 6-game homestand Tuesday with the first of three versus the Rockies. Clayton Kershaw (13-11, 3.17) is expected to make the start in the series opener for LA against Colorado's Jhoulys Chacin (5-7, 4.04).
Meanwhile the Braves remain in Atlanta where they will conclude their homestand with three against the Nationals. Game 1 of that series is Tuesday night with Mike Minor (0-1, 4.50) making just the second start of his major league career against Washington's Scott Olsen (5-6, 5.11).
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start.
Atlanta scored early and often in Sunday's 13-1 rout to cash as MLB odds favorites. Now the Dodgers look to gain a split in the four-game series Monday night at Turner Field.
If recent trends hold true for Monday's series finale in Atlanta between the Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, the game should be scoreless through the first seven innings or so.
A pitching rematch of a June 5 battle in Los Angeles between Chad Billingsley (12-10, 3.78) and Tommy Hanson (14-10, 3.51) is in the works for Turner Field. Both pitchers have seen their offenses take the game off in their recent starts, and that could have 'under' bettors lining up for this one. MLB oddsmakers opened Monday's total at seven runs, the sixth consecutive game between the two clubs this season to see a total below eight.
The money line started out with the Braves carrying 141-150 chalk, and that marks the eight-straight game between LA and Atlanta in 2010 to see the home club favored.
After the two squads split the first two games of the series on Friday and Saturday, Atlanta enjoyed a 13-1 laugher on Sunday as a 135 favorite. Troy Glaus' 3-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth sent the total 'over' the closing 7-run total and sent the Braves on their way to a 4-3 season record against the Dodgers.
Los Angeles has found scoring to be a very difficult part of the game since the break, and that continued Sunday. The Dodgers have scored three runs or more just 12 times in 30 games since the All-Star Game, a span of 30 games that finds LA 11-19. Joe Torre's club will head into the series finale 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
The Braves were also hitless with runners in scoring position the first two games before breaking out on Sunday by going 7-for-13 in the situation. A big question the past few days has been who will take over for Chipper Jones in the lineup after the Atlanta third sacker suffered a season-ending, and possibly career-ending, knee injury. Bobby Cox might have found the answer Sunday.
Hitting in the three hole, Alex Gonzalez drove in four with a single, triple and sac fly. The 2-run triple in the third really set the tone for the rout.
When Billingsley and Hanson faced off at Chavez Ravine in June, the Dodgers closed with minus 135 odds and took a short 2-0 lead into the top of the seventh before the bottom fell out. Glaus homered and Brian McCann slapped a 2-run double to fuel a 7-run frame for Atlanta who went on to a 9-3 triumph.
Billingsley was only charged with three of Atlanta's run through six full while Hanson was the benefactor of the big inning with six innings of 2-run ball for the win. If both teams total seven runs in this one, it will be out of sorts with the starters' recent work. Each pitcher has toiled a total of 33 2/3 innings their last five starts and each has allowed just five earned runs. Yet their two squads are a combined 3-7 in those games.
Umpire Crew P finishes a complete loop through its rotation in this series finale with Paul Emmel scheduled to work the plate Monday. Emmel beings a season mark that leans to the 'under' with a 12-10-2 record. However, four of his last five contests have finished above the number. Home favorites are 8-8 with Emmel south of the dish. Up to minus 140, that record is 3-5 with the 145-180 range seeing home teams a level 2-2.
The Weather Channel is listing a 30 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms in the Atlanta area for Monday evening. Assuming the wet stuff doesn't interrupt the game, expect a muggy start in the low-to-mid 80s with a very light breeze from the east (in from right field).
Los Angeles has a long flight home after this one before opening a 6-game homestand Tuesday with the first of three versus the Rockies. Clayton Kershaw (13-11, 3.17) is expected to make the start in the series opener for LA against Colorado's Jhoulys Chacin (5-7, 4.04).
Meanwhile the Braves remain in Atlanta where they will conclude their homestand with three against the Nationals. Game 1 of that series is Tuesday night with Mike Minor (0-1, 4.50) making just the second start of his major league career against Washington's Scott Olsen (5-6, 5.11).
NOTE: W-L records displayed for starting pitchers are team records in games the pitchers start.