Currently locked into a tight battle with the New York Mets for the final National League Wild Card spot, every win matters for the Atlanta Braves.
Although their position atop the NL West is secure, the Los Angeles Dodgers have plenty to play for as well. Owners of the NL’s second-best record, LA’s quest to secure home-field advantage in the postseason hinges on a strong end to September.
The stage was set for a crucial matchup at Truist Park between two National League rivals.
Braves Come Up Clutch
Atlanta delivered one of its most impressive wins of the season, clobbering Dodgers’ pitching with ten runs on ten hits.
While Matt Olson ($5,300; 20 FPTS) got things started early with an RBI-double in the bottom of the first inning, the Braves would break the game open in the third. With the bases loaded in a tie game, shortstop Orlando Arcia ($3,300; 15 FPTS) smacked a bases-clearing double to right field, giving Atlanta a 4-1 advantage.
The offense didn’t stop there. After scoring two runs to start the sixth, Olson hit his second double of the night to drive in three runners. The Braves would tack on another run that inning to complete a dominant 10-1 victory.
Chris Sale ($10,800; 23.30 FPTS) continued his Cy Young-caliber campaign, tossing six innings while surrendering just one run on five hits against one of the best lineups in the game. Sale possesses a NL-best 2.35 ERA this season.
Atlanta’s win, and New York’s 6-4 loss to the Phillies, brings the two NL East rivals into a tie for the final Wild Card spot with just 14 games remaining for both teams.
Dodgers Feeling Blue
Friday was miserable day in general for Los Angeles. In the afternoon, manager Dave Roberts announced that All-Star pitcher Tyler Glasnow was “highly unlikely” to pitch again this season.
The news is another blow to a beleaguered Dodgers pitching staff. Los Angeles has dealt with injuries to multiple starters all season, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw.
Following their second-straight loss to the Braves, the Dodgers (87-61) are now two games behind Philadelphia for the National League’s best record. The Dodgers’ odds to win the World Series sit at +330 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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