Although we have 17 games on tap in the MLB on Tuesday, April 19, this National League clash at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles must be one of the most, if not the most intriguing. Check out the best Braves vs. Dodgers betting pick along with the latest odds update on MyBookie Sportsbook.

These National League rivals have met on 12 occasions last year, including the National League Championship Series, which Atlanta won 4-2. Each team recorded six wins in those 12 H2H meetings. The Dodgers are -148 favorites in this one, while the total is set at 8 runs.

Braves split the series with the Padres

The Atlanta Braves are still searching for last year’s form that got them the first World Series in this century. They split a four-game series against the San Diego Padres on the road and currently stand at a 5-6 record.

The final game of the series was the least interesting one; the rivals combined for only seven hits and three runs. The Padres won 2-1, mostly thanks to excellent Yu Darvish, who allowed just one run – it was a home run from Marcell Ozuna in the 7th inning. Bryce Elder allowed two runs on three hits with three K and 5 BB in 4.1 innings. Spencer Strider closed the game without letting a single hit.

Early in the season, the Braves scored 46 runs (7th in the MLB) on a .229/.316/.398 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, Atlanta’s staff has a 4.64 ERA (24th) and 1.24 WHIP (14th).

Dodgers swept the Reds at home

The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds in a four-game series at home and now are on a six-game winning run after losing two of the opening three games of the season to the Colorado Rockies. Along with their divisional rivals San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles has the best record 7-2 in the MLB.

Andrew Heaney had a fantastic start in a 9-1 victory over the Reds as he fanned 11 batters and walked three while allowing just one hit over 6.0 innings of work. Freddie Freeman was a star on offense with four hits that led to 3 RBI. He also scored a run.

In the opening nine games of this campaign, the Dodgers are 2nd in the MLB in scored runs with 51 on a .270/.350/.407 slash line, while Los Angeles’ pitchers have a 2.28 ERA (2nd) and 0.91 WHIP (1st).

Trends:

Atlanta:

  • 2-5 in the last seven road games vs. a right-handed starter
  • 0-4 in the last four games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30

Los Angeles:

  • 43-12 in the last 55 games as a home favorite
  • 55-17 in the last 72 during Game 2 of a series

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Pick

I like Walker Buehler over Max Fried in the matchup of starting pitchers. Fried is struggling early in the season and suffered two losses in his first two starts while registering a 5.73 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 9 K, and 1 BB in 11.0 innings.

Buhler experienced a better time in his two starts. He has a 1-0 record as he worked over 10.2 innings and recorded 3.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 9 K, and 5 BB. Both Fried and Buehler played very well against the Dodgers/Braves last year, but considering the current form and the fact that Los Angeles is the second-best pitching and hitting team, I am going with the hosts.

Pick: Take the Dodgers to win at -148

The Total

Los Angeles allowed only nine runs in the last six games, and given that Buehler is starting here, I seriously doubt the reigning champions can hurt the Dodgers, at least in the opening five or six innings. Maybe we will have more action later in the game when respective bullpens take the mound. Fried played well against the Dodgers last year, and this could be his redemption game after two poor starts.

Under is 4-1 in the Braves’ last five overall, Under is 5-1-1 in Atlanta’s previous seven road games, while Under is 14-4-2 in the Dodgers’ last 20 Tuesday games.

Pick: Go with Under 8 runs at -110