MLB · Tue, Aug 25 · 7:15 PM

Dodgers at Braves

O/U 8.5 · RL Dodgers -1.5 · Truist Park

Gary's pick

Braves +1.5-128

CONF 62%

Result

WCashedFinal 3-4

The read

The Dodgers are the stronger season-long club, but this matchup looks tighter than their six-game winning streak suggests. Bryce Elder has a 3.42 ERA at home, and six Dodgers bat left-handed tonight. Elder has held lefties to a .206 average and .650 OPS, compared with .286 and .780 against righties. He also gave Los Angeles 5.2 scoreless innings in May, holding the club to one hit in 18 at-bats.

Tyler Glasnow’s 2.72 ERA and 0.83 WHIP are better than Elder’s 3.92 and 1.23, but this is Glasnow’s first major-league start since May 6. The Dodgers say he has no hard limit, yet the long absence still introduces enough uncertainty that I do not want to lay a road price around him immediately.

Atlanta also owns the better late-game profile. Its current bullpen carries a 2.59 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, compared with 2.83 and 1.04 for Los Angeles, and both groups are available after the off day. I do not need Elder to repeat May or Atlanta’s cold offense to erupt. I need the Braves to keep this game attached through the middle innings and put their strongest arms in position to finish it. At -128, I’ll pay for the run and a half.

Props on this game

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