Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured the NL West title in the Game 163 tiebreaker and now move onto bigger things tonight as they open the NLDS at home versus the Atlanta Braves. Is a bet on Los Angeles as the favorites tonight the right play for bettors to make?
Game Snapshot
903 Atlanta Braves at 904 Los Angeles Dodgers
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Dodger Stadium at 8:37PM ET
TV: MLB Network
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Dodgers are a -171 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +161 underdog, while the over-under is set at 7 runs. As of Thursday morning, 56 percent of public bets have been placed on host Los Angeles. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Foltynewicz draws start for Atlanta
Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz was an All-Star this season and will take the hill in Game 1 tonight. He posted a 13-10 record with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP over 183 innings this season, spanning 31 starts. Foltynewicz struck out 202 batters and has allowed 17 home runs. In his last regular season start, he allowed one earned run on one hit with nine strikeouts and no walks over five innings in a 10-2 victory at Philadelphia. The Atlanta offense is led in part by first baseman Freddie Freeman as he posted a 4.9 OWAR with an .892 OPS. He hit 23 home runs with 44 doubles and four triples, driving in 98. Freeman also stole 10 bases. Ronald Acuna Jr. played in 111 games at the MLB level and recorded a 3.8 OWAR, hitting 26 home runs with 64 RBIs. He also had 26 doubles and four triples for an OPS of .917, while stealing 16 bases. Ozzie Albies (3.1 OWAR) and Johan Camargo (3.0 OWAR) are among the other top offensive contributors for Atlanta.
Ryu takes mound for LA
The start for the Dodgers tonight will go to Hyun-Jin Ryu after he turned in a strong season when healthy. Ryu comes in with a 1.97 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 82 1/3 innings, a total of 15 appearances (nine starts). He has 89 strikeouts and allowed nine home runs. Offensively, the addition of shortstop Manny Machado added to an already potent LA offense. In 66 games with the Dodgers, he hit 13 home runs and drove in 42 while posting a 2.0 OWAR. He also registered 14 doubles, two triples and had an .825 OPS in 267 at-bats with the Dodgers. Max Muncy came out of obscurity to lead Los Angeles with a 4.8 OWAR this season as he hit 35 home runs and drove in 79 in 395 at-bats. He reached base at a .391 clip and had a .973 OPS. Justin Turner battled a couple injuries this season for a 4.5 OWAR, posting a .924 OPS with 14 home runs plus 31 doubles and one triple in 365 at-bats. Yasmani Grandal (3.5 OWAR), Chris Taylor (3.5 OWAR), Cody Bellinger (3.4 OWAR) and Enrique Hernandez (3.1 OWAR) are among the other significant contributors to the LA offense.
MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta
The over is 8-1 in the last nine Braves playoff games. Atlanta is 10-25 in the last 35 meetings.
Los Angeles
The over is 6-2-2 in the last 10 Dodgers games overall. Los Angeles is 6-2 in its last eight home playoff games.
Prediction:
The Dodgers are loaded with talent and Ryu has been locked in this year when he hasn’t been on the disabled list. Foltynewicz can deal with bouts where he can’t quite harness his stuff at times and the adrenaline of a playoff start might make those matters worse. Expect LA to get to him for a few and ride Ryu plus the bullpen the rest of the way.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES DODGERS -171