Dodgers vs. Braves Prediction & Picks: MLB Odds for Wednesday, Aug. 26

In the only matchup between the division leaders, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to rebound from their season-long winning streak while trying to take the middle game of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. My Dodgers vs. Braves prediction expects the home underdogs to pull off the upset, with Michael Harris II leading the way with a hot bat. But it is one of Los Angeles’ many All-Stars that I expect to go deep with the last of my MLB picks.

The starting pitching matchup is between Roki Sasaki and AJ Smith-Shawver, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET (MLB Network). The Dodgers are -130 betting favorites.

⚾ Dodgers vs. Braves picks & odds today

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Total wagered: 2.25 units | Max profit: 2.72 units

🏆 Who will win Dodgers vs. Braves?

Atlanta has been one of the most profitable teams in the league in the home underdog role. It is facing arguably the Dodgers’ most vulnerable starting pitcher, which tips the scales in its favor.

Score prediction: Braves 6, Dodgers 4

💰 Dodgers vs. Braves prediction & best bet

Braves ML (+117)

When Los Angeles trots out a starting rotation of Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and possibly Shohei Ohtani in the postseason, it will rival any of all time. However, Roki Sasaki is an arm opponents can take advantage of.

The Dodgers entered the week tied for the third-best ERA from starting pitchers (3.48), but Sasaki’s 4.42 ERA is nearly a run worse. The team is 6-2 in his last eight starts, but the two losses came against teams with winning records. Los Angeles is actually 2-5 in Sasaki’s last seven starts against teams over .500.  

🔥 Best Dodgers vs. Braves player prop bet

Michael Harris II Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-115)

Michael Harris II set a new single-season high with his 21st home run at the Little League Classic. He enters amid a ninie-game hitting streak, and yesterday's series opener marked the seventh straight game he has gone Over this projected total.

Harris II has more multi-hit games (six) than games where he has gone hitless in August (five). While that is the easiest way to cash this Over, he has also added an RBI in four straight and scored three runs in his previous six.

The lefty slugger can seemingly hit anything, as he entered the week tied for the third most hits on pitches outside the strike zone (43). He is in a great hitting split against Sasaki, as he has slashed .304/.324/.502 against right-handed pitchers.

💣 Dodgers vs. Braves home run prediction

Shohei Ohtani to hit a home run (+270)

Shohei Ohtani has put himself in a great position to take NL MVP votes away from Pete Crow-Armstrong given what he has done at the plate of late.

Ohtani entered the week on a power binge, homering eight times and adding five doubles and a triple in his previous 24 games. His home run odds are slightly lower than what they normally are since AJ Smith-Shawver has allowed just one extra-base hit in 34 opponents’ at-bats this season. 

Smith-Shawver’s xERA is nearly a half run lower than his actual ERA. But regression could be looming for the righty if he pitches anywhere close to the 50% and 50.8% hard-hit rates he finished the last two seasons with.

🚀 Dodgers vs. Braves same-game parlay

Even though backing Shohei Ohtani to record at least one base hit somewhat contradicts my Braves moneyline wager, there are plenty of avenues for him to reach base while Atlanta is still victorious. Ohtani has gotten the Barry Bonds treatment with six walks in his last five games, but I'm banking on Smith-Shawver to at least make one mistake to the slugger. It's fascinating to think that the Harris II leg of this parlay may be the safer of the two player props, as he has gone Over this projected total in seven straight games.

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💡 How I'm betting Dodgers vs. Braves: MLB strategy

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It would be difficult to fade Los Angeles with any of its top three healthy pitchers (Skubal, Snell, or Yamamoto) toeing the rubber. But with Sasaki taking the mound, it is easier to find value with Atlanta, especially when realizing just three games separate these teams in the standings.

Given Ohtani's recent power surge, I would certainly not put anyone off backing the Over 1.5 on his total bases (-105 at BetMGM is the best price), as eight of his last 14 hits have gone for extra bases. But since four of those were home runs, I'm opting for more value by making him my top player to homer.

📊 Live Dodgers vs. Braves odds

The betting splits and line movement suggest there could be some sharp action on the Dodgers as of early Wednesday morning. While just 59% of the early wagers backed the Dodgers, the line moved in their favor at most of the best sports betting sites, including a five-cent increase from -130 to -135 at BetMGM (which is the high end of the market).

The total sits at an O/U of 8.5 across the market, but looks ready to bust through to 9 given the -120 juice (54.55% implied odds) to back the Over. But with the betting splits just 55/45 in favor of the Over, sportsbooks would likely need much more one-sided action to raise the total a half run or more.

📈 Dodgers vs. Braves betting trends

🚑 Dodgers vs. Braves injuries

📺 How to watch Dodgers vs. Braves

• Date: Wednesday, August 26
• First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET
• Ballpark: Truist Park (Atlanta)
• TV: MLB Network
• Streaming: MLB.TV
• Dodgers starter: Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.42 ERA)
• Braves starter: AJ Smith-Shawver (0-0, 6.23 ERA)