A potential NLCS preview headlines Thursday’s MLB slate. The defending champion Dodgers (80-53) are chasing history, hoping to become the third franchise ever to complete a three-peat. Standing in their way could be a familiar foe: the Braves (78-55). Atlanta, with a commanding lead in the NL East, has its eyes set on October. Adding to the intrigue will be this evening’s starting pitchers, All-Stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chris Sale. Which of these contenders will come out on top tonight in this must-watch matchup?
The Braves are favorites (-119) over the Dodgers; the over/under is set at 6.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Thursday’s showdown between Los Angeles and Atlanta on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Dodgers vs. Braves pick, best bet today
- Dodgers ML (+111): Sale will be difficult to score runs off of, but the same is true of Yamamoto. Los Angeles has shown a knack for hitting lefties all season, while the Braves are in the midst of a cold streak on offense. That makes the visitors difficult to pass up at plus money.
Dodgers vs. Braves prediction, preview
Yamamoto has been an ace since coming over to the United States back in 2024. This season has been no exception, leading a talent-laden Dodgers pitching staff. Through 151.2 innings (23 starts), the right-hander has notched a 2.61 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 145 strikeouts (8.6 K/9). It’s worth noting that the Japanese superstar has been even more effective on the road (1.99 ERA). Yamamoto’s Savant page is a model of consistency; the jack of all trades sits at the 70th percentile or better in almost every key advanced metric. Few pitchers in the game are better when it comes to limiting walks (2.1 BB/9).
Dealing with this Braves lineup is never easy, but this isn’t an unbeatable group. In fact, this might be the perfect time to face them. Atlanta has scored 30 runs over its last ten contests, tied for the fewest in baseball during that stretch. If this group has a notable weakness, it’s plate discipline. As previously mentioned, Yamamoto possesses terrific command of the strike zone. In comparison, the Braves are averaging the league’s third-fewest walks per game (2.92). Also of note: Los Angeles’ hurler hasn’t allowed a run over 10.0 career innings vs. Atlanta.
In this star-studded matchup, Sale will get the nod for the Braves. It’s been another fantastic campaign from the former NL Cy Young winner. Over 135.0 innings of work (23 starts), he’s recorded a 2.20 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 166 strikeouts (11.1 K/9). Even more impressive, he leads the National League with 1.9 BB/9 and 0.5 HR/9 ratios. The only way to generate consistent offense against Atlanta’s ace is stringing together base hits; easier said than done. Perhaps the Dodgers will catch the _-year-old on a rare off day. He’s allowed three earned runs in three of his last nine outings. That’s terrific for most pitchers, but a notch below Sale’s usual stat lines.
Even for a Hall of Fame talent, this Dodgers lineup is intimidating. After all, they’re third in runs scored (661), eighth in homers (168) and first in OPS (.762). In addition, the defending champs are averaging an MLB-best 5.60 runs per game on the road. Los Angeles also ranks fifth in the big leagues with a .748 OPS against left-handed pitching. If anyone can do some damage against Sale, it’s one of his former teammates. Mookie Betts owns a .357 batting average over 14 career at-bats against the southpaw.
Best Bet: Dodgers ML (+111)
It’s fair to call Sale the best starter in this matchup, but the difference is minimal at best. If anything, there’s more reason to back Los Agneles at the plate against a left-hander. The same reasoning doesn’t hold true for a struggling Braves lineup tonight. That’s especially true against one of the sport’s best pitchers in Yamamoto. It’s rare to see the Dodgers as plus money underdogs with their ace taking the hill. That makes this moneyline bet too difficult to pass up.
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