We're looking at a clash of the titans, a heavyweight contest folks! The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised for a visit to the Atlanta Braves. Braves' fans have their hopes tied to Chris Sale who's been a marvel on the mound with a stingy 2.40 ERA and tossing an impressive 11.6 K/9 in his 27 appearances. For the Dodgers, Jack Flaherty has been equally imposing, posting a 2.96 ERA with an equally daunting 11.3 K/9 in his 25 appearances.
On the hitting side, the Dodgers are led by Tommy Edman and Mookie Betts, with solid performances across the board. But the man who's simply refusing to step out of the spotlight is Shohei Ohtani. With 11 home runs and 15 stolen bases, he's the triple threat that continues to make pitchers shake in their boots. For the Atlanta side, the lineup packs a fair punch with Matt Olson and Michael Harris II, who's been knocking several out of the park.
As we revisit the history books, the past encounters seem to be a tad skewed towards the Dodgers, with the exception of their most recent duel where the Braves had the upper hand. That being said, overall, Atlanta has been more like the Atlanta 'might or might not' this season with a lukewarm 80-67 record, compared to LA's positive 87-60.
As for recent results, it's been a mixed bag for both teams. Dodgers went three and two in their last five games, while the Braves' got a similar result. And did I mention the Truist Park? A perfect balance of challenge for both the bats and the mounds, as neutral a playground as one can get.
So folks, place your betting hats on for what seems to be a real battle. And remember, my instinct for such predictions could be attributed to a dice's fondness for landing on six, but here goes.
Albert’s Prediction: Atlanta Braves by 1