Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series Sunday evening at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under clear skies and 75-degree temperatures.
The Braves (27-13) hold the best record in the National League and enter having split the first two games of this set. Atlanta rebounded from a 3-1 loss Friday with a 7-2 victory Saturday, powered by right-hander Spencer Strider’s dominant start: 6 innings, 1 hit, 0 earned runs, 8 strikeouts. Second baseman Ozzie Albies also drove in two runs.
Atlanta sends right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1) to the mound. Elder has been a steady presence in the rotation, but the Braves will be without Strider until his next turn after Saturday’s gem.
The Dodgers (24-15) have dropped three of their past four games. Los Angeles counters with left-hander Justin Wrobleski (5-0), who has yet to lose a decision this season. Wrobleski will look to keep the Dodgers close after their bullpen was taxed Saturday. Right-hander Paul Gervase worked 3 innings of relief in the loss, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts. Center fielder Andy Pages homered and drove in two runs for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers are favorites, installed at -1.5 on the run line, and Interstat’s ELO system gives them a 61.2% probability to win. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Braves victory.
Both teams begin homestands following this series. Atlanta returns home Tuesday for a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs, followed by three versus Boston. Los Angeles opens a four-game home series against San Francisco on Monday, then travels for three games against the Los Angeles Angels.