The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a highly anticipated series as the Atlanta Braves head to Chavez Ravine. This matchup has generated a lot of excitement among baseball fans; both teams are at the top of the power rankings and lead their division. It is a possible foreshadowing of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and a preview of who would represent the NL in the World Series.
The Dodgers and the Braves are the runaway leaders in their respective National League divisions. The Braves boast the best record in Major League Baseball (MLB) with an impressive 20-9 (.690), while the Dodgers hold the second-best win total at 20-13 (.606). Both teams have been on a roll recently, with the Dodgers winning eight of their last ten and the Braves dominating all season.
A Clash of Offensive Powerhouses
One of the key factors that make this series so intriguing is the offensive firepower of both teams. The Dodgers have been relentless in their offensive attack, led by former Braves standout Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Freeman, who has been having a phenomenal season, started the scoring for the Dodgers in their recent game with a two-run homer.
The Dodgers bats are hot going into the series; Betts and Shohei Ohtani have taken the 1-2 spots on the MLB’s Hitter Power Rankings. Betts has been on fire and closing in on a .400 average while running away with the NL MVP race, but the Brave’s Big Bear Marcell Ozuna may have something to say as he is tracking for 50 plus HR and 200 RBIs while batting .330. Both will be key players in this showdown of the Deep South meets Left West in La-La Land.
The Braves offense has been impressive, but it lacks power outside of Ozuna and the flukes by Travis D’nard. They have struggled to score runs in the last week, being held to just 15 while dropping three games to the Guardians and Mariners. The hitting struggles, Led by Ronald Acuna Jr., who is having a bit of a slump, hit just .235 in April with 31 strikeouts and just one home run.
Pitching Matchups to Watch
The Dodgers and Braves’ series will also feature exciting pitching matchups. On Friday, The Dodgers will send right-hander Gavin Stone to the mound to face crafty veteran Charlie Morton. Morton’s 3.60 ERA has the edge in this matchup, but the Bullpens will probably decide on the game.
In the following game on Saturday, the Dodgers will rely on Tyler Glasnow, who has an impressive 2.72 ERA, against the recent dominant return of youngster Bryce Elder, who has a 1.50 ERA. The Dodgers should be able to expose Elder like the Phillies did in last years NLDS and pick up the 6th win on the season for Glasnow.
The series will likely come down to James Paxton and Max Fried. Paxton is performing well with a 3-0 record and 3.51 ERA in 25 innings, but Max Fried is pitching for a big contract next year and fresh off a no-hit appearance. Edge tips slightly to Fried; this game and series will come down to the bats.
The upcoming series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves is shaping up to be a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams have been in exceptional form, boasting impressive offensive lineups and solid pitching rotations. This series has implications for the NLCS and will give us a deeper understanding of who is who in the NL. Expect an intense battle, great baseball and a playoff atmosphere between these two division leaders, with each team striving to come out on top and gain a psychological edge heading into summer.
