Braves vs. Dodgers MLB Preview and Best Bet

Two division races have tightened up significantly as the Atlanta Braves continue their series on the West Coast against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have won the first two games of the three-game series and have now won 15 of 18, shrinking the Giants’ lead in the NL West from five games to a half of a game. The Braves, meanwhile, have lost five of seven, and their five game lead in the East has been halved.

Let's analyze the MLB odds.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 10:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium

Two division races have tightened up significantly as one series reaches its end on Wednesday night. The Dodgers have won the first two games of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, winning by two runs on Monday and one run on Tuesday.

The close, competitive wins have shrunk the leads in the National League divisions on each coast. The Dodgers’ two wins have extended their hot streak to 15 wins in the last 18 games. The San Francisco Giants led the NL West by five games at the start of that stretch, but as of Wednesday morning, the Giants and Dodgers were separated by just a half a game.

The Braves, meanwhile, led the NL East by five games before losing five of the last seven games, to see their margin cut in half, to two and a half games.

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Scary Moment

The Braves led Tuesday’s game 2-0 before the bullpen gave up the lead in a 3-2 defeat, but as frustrating as the loss was, it paled in comparison to a scary moment in the fifth inning.

Ozzie Albies, who leads the team with 86 RBI, fouled a ball off of his kneecap and had to leave the game, with the team’s training staff carrying him off the field.

The team announced after the game that X-rays on the knee were negative, so Albies probably dodged an extended absence from the field. Still, he’ll likely be sore and may need to take some time off. He’ll likely be a day-to-day decision for the Atlanta lineup.

Despite losing five of seven games against the Yankees, Giants and now Dodgers, the Braves are trying to take solace in the fact that they’re competing.

“We’re a good club and we’re showing it,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Back to back, we’re playing with two of the better teams in the game.”

Max Fried gets the start for the Braves on Wednesday as Atlanta tries to avoid the sweep. He’s 11-7, 3.54 on the year. He won four of five starts in August with a 1.36 ERA.

Closing In On First

The defending World Champions haven’t had a share of first place in the National League West since April 28, and the Dodgers have spent the last 85 days in second place, chasing the Giants. They’re as close as they’ve been, cutting the San Francisco lead to half a game.

Back for a week after missing much of August on the injured list, Mookie Betts is finding his grove. He’s homered in both games against Atlanta and had two walks and made a spectacular catch in the outfield, saving extra bases on Tuesday night. He originally was scheduled to rest every fourth day upon his return from injury, but he’s played six days in a row. He came off the bench on Sunday, and the Dodgers have an off day on Thursday, so he’ll likely answer the bell for the series finale against the Braves.

While it’s been interrupted by two trips to the injured list, Betts has six home runs and 10 extra base hits in the last 14 games.

“Just to watch him play free again,” teammate Corey Seager said. “He runs into walls and doesn’t worry about it, scores from first, and hits a homer. He’s out there and just having fun playing again.”

The Dodgers will try to wrap up a sweep with Max Scherzer on the mound. The trade deadline pickup is 12-4, 2.51 on the year. He’s 4-0, 1.55 as a Dodger.

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/AFP

The Pick

Once again, the Dodgers are an expensive MLB pick, especially playing one of the National League division leaders. It’s hard to ignore the hot hand, though, and none have been hotter than the Dodgers or the man they have on the mound on Wednesday.

MLB Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.