Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction & Picks: Game 2 NLDS Odds for Sunday, Oct. 4
The Dodgers send a second consecutive southpaw to the mound in Blake Snell while looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Braves, and my Braves vs. Dodgers prediction expects them to do just that.
I am, however, low on Freddie Freeman’s chances of contributing offensively, and I’m taking a flier on Ozzie Albies to homer for the third time this postseason with the last of my MLB picks. First pitch from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is set for 8 p.m. ET (FS1), and the Dodgers are a -150 betting favorite.
⚾ Braves vs. Dodgers picks & odds: NL Division Series Game 2
See all of our experts’ MLB picks based on the latest MLB odds.
| Pick | Best Odds | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers ML | -146 via DraftKings | 1 unit to win 0.69 units |
| Freddie Freeman Under 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs | -140 via bet365 | 1 unit to win 0.71 units |
| Ozzie Albies to hit a home run | +600 via bet365 | 0.25 units to win 1.5 units |
Total wagered: 2.25 units | Max profit: +2.9 units
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💰 Braves vs. Dodgers prediction & best bet
Dodgers ML (-146)
What a luxury it is to have Yoshinobu Yamamoto in your rotation, but not need him until Game 3 as you trot out two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal followed by another two-time Cy Young winner in Blake Snell.
Atlanta’s struggles against southpaws (22nd in wOBA, 24th in BABIP and wRC+) likely have a lot to do with that decision. Snell made four September starts and pitched to a 1.08 ERA over 16.2 innings with a 19:4 K:BB ratio. He is also third in opponents’ OPS since 2022, and had a .208 OBA in home starts this year.
📡 SBR Edge: Starting strong
Los Angeles improved to 13-1 in Game 1 of any postseason series at Dodger Stadium with Dave Roberts as manager.
🔥 Best Braves vs. Dodgers player prop bet
Freddie Freeman Under 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-140)
With Atlanta likely deploying a bullpen game and letting ace Chris Sale rest after using him twice in three games against the Phillies, it is difficult to project who Freddie Freeman will face in his at-bats. But with the way he has gone of late, especially in September, it shouldn’t matter much what collection of Braves relievers he hits against.
Entering this series since the start of September (20 games), Freeman slashed .184/.259/.224 with one extra-base hit, seven RBI, and 23 strikeouts.
Freeman’s struggles are heavily tied to his inability to do damage on inside pitches. On pitches thrown inside from March-August (170 PA), Freeman batted .333 and slugged .549 with a 21.0% whiff rate. In 22 plate appearances ending on inside pitches in September, Freeman batted and slugged .188 with a 35.8% whiff rate.
💣 Braves vs. Dodgers home run prediction
Ozzie Albies to hit a home run (+600)
Albies’ home run in Game 3 against the Phillies was his first postseason home run since Game 2 of the 2020 NLCS. That was the second-largest gap between playoff home runs in franchise history. But Albies didn’t have to wait long for another one, as he blasted a 432-foot bomb in the ninth inning yesterday.
Among second basemen, Albies tied for second in home runs, fourth in RBI, fifth in total bases, and sixth in runs. Snell may have only allowed three total home runs in 109 at-bats to current Braves hitters, but Albies could walk into one as he is a respectable 4-for-12 against the southpaw.
📊 Live Braves vs. Dodgers odds
With it looking more likely that Chris Sale is not getting the ball for Atlanta in Game 2, it will be interesting to see how much Los Angeles' moneyline odds continue to rise. They're already up five cents from an opening number of -145 to -150 at BetMGM, although 55% of early wagers are backing the underdogs (likely to get ahead of any Sale news if he is toeing the rubber). It could also have something to do with the Braves lighting up Snell for five runs over three innings in an earlier start this year.
The O/U is at 7 at all top sports betting sites except for FanDuel, which is a half run higher at 7.5. bet365 also bounced back and forth between 7 and 7.5 a couple of times on Saturday night after Game 1 ended.
🚑 Braves vs. Dodgers injuries
📺 How to watch Braves vs. Dodgers: Game 2
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- First pitch: 8 p.m. ET
- Ballpark: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
- TV: FS1
- Streaming: Fubo
- Braves starter: Undecided
- Dodgers starter: Blake Snell (Regular season: 4-1, 1.90 ERA)
