Article courtesy OddsShark (@OddsShark)
The Los Angeles Dodgers (82-49) blew an excellent opportunity to make up ground on the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West over the weekend and will now try to rebound starting on Monday when they host the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves (70-59) in the first of three games.
The Dodgers are listed as consensus -185 home favorites on the MLB odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com against the Braves for the series opener with Julio Urias (14-3, 3.17 ERA) seeking his 15th win of the year (how sports betting works).
Braves vs. Dodgers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Los Angeles dropped two of three to the Colorado Rockies at Chavez Ravine after earning a huge sweep over the San Diego Padres on the road. The Dodgers wrap up a six-game homestand next here versus a team they knocked out in the NL Championship Series last October after trailing 3-1. Atlanta got off to a rough start this season and was even still floundering below the .500 mark at the beginning of this month before winning 18 of 23 games.
Three of the five losses for the Braves since August 1 have taken place over the past week, yet they still own a 4.5-game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies atop the NL East. They will likely find it difficult to beat Urias in this spot considering he has not suffered a loss since June 21. Drew Smyly (9-3, 4.54 ERA) will oppose him though, and he has gone even longer without a setback. Smyly’s last loss took place way back on May 26, as he has won his past seven decisions.
Tuesday’s pitching matchup looks to be the best of the series with Walker Buehler (13-2, 2.02 ERA) toeing the rubber for Los Angeles opposite Atlanta’s Charlie Morton (12-5, 3.60 ERA). Then in Wednesday’s finale, Max Scherzer (12-4, 2.51 ERA) will try to stay perfect as a Dodger against Max Fried (11-7, 3.54 ERA) and the Braves. Scherzer is 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA in five starts for Los Angeles.
Atlanta has won the past two meetings since a four-game series skid that included last year’s NLCS. The Braves have won seven of the previous 12 over the Dodgers too, with the OVER cashing at sports betting sites in six of the last nine games between them.
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