Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/24/2022

Time: 7:20 p.m. ET

Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Bally Sports Southeast

DraftKings: Check back later

BetMGM: Check back later

Caesars: Check back later

Dodgers: 42-25

Braves: 40-30

The honeymoon phase is over this weekend. Freddie Freeman got his welcome back to Atlanta. Now that’s over, and the Atlanta Braves are a much different team than the last time their former captain and MVP visited his former world champion teammates. And this series between the Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers will have a more big-fight feel this time around when the clubs begin a three-game series at Truist Park on Friday.

The Dodgers will come in with travel after taking the first two of three in Cincinnati with easy work over the Reds. The Braves, at the time of publishing, are wrapping up a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants having taken two of three following a 4-3 win on Wednesday.

We’ll start with the Dodgers, who have now moved into first place in the National League West over the San Diego Padres with their recent play. Despite losing two of three over the weekend to the red-hot Cleveland Guardians, they took frustrations out on the Reds by a combined tune of 16-6. The series finale wasn’t a walk in the park, with the Dodgers leading just 5-4 heading into the eighth.

But it was the newly acquired Trayce Thompson coming through with a pinch-hit two-RBI double to extend the lead to 7-4, and then Trea Turner added a sacrifice fly to make the lead seem insurmountable. Freeman gave the Dodgers that 5-4 lead with a solo home run in the top of the seventh.

 "We backed up a really good offensive output performance with another one," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Really good at-bats throughout the lineup. We have a superstar player out of the lineup. Up and down the lineup, guys are starting to pick up that void of Mookie."

Of course, Mookie Betts has been dealing with a cracked rib, but Roberts is hopeful his MVP candidate outfielder will return at some point soon. They’d probably like to have him back for this series against Atlanta, but at least that’s what they have Freeman for – to be that star presence to not look too far into it.

"I've been around for a long time and concentrate on each game," Freeman said. "I know what's going on this weekend, but it doesn't really affect me."

But you could make the case that no one would want to face the Braves right now considering all they do is make comebacks in the ninth inning and beat the Giants. For the second time this week, the Braves won in walk-off fashion with a three-run ninth inning that started with a Dansby Swanson homer and capped off with a game-winning RBI single from Adam Duvall.

This win happened despite three errors from Atlanta.

“It’s one thing to win games, but it’s another thing to win games when you are trailing,” Swanson said. "We’ve been good when we get out early. But coming back hasn’t necessarily been our strong suit.”

Julio Urias is expected to get the start for the series opener for the Dodgers. The 20-game winner a year ago hasn’t gotten the decisions to go his way (4-6) but he’s at a 2.56 ERA, which is still very good. He just needs run support. The Braves will send Ian Anderson to the mound, who is 6-3 with a 4.35 ERA.

With the Dodgers starting this with travel, it normally would be a problem. But the game has a 12:35 p.m. ET start time with a near-24-hour turnaround the next day. Plenty of time to get to Atlanta with rest and recharge, and send Urias to the mound with a good chance to get off the right foot. Dodgers win 5-3

Dodgers are 22-13 on the road this season, 94-58 the past three seasons.

Dodgers are 9-8 against NL East teams this season.

Dodgers are 38-21 the past three seasons when Julio Urias starts.

Braves are 9-15 this season when the line is between +125 and -125.

Braves are 18-6 the past three seasons when Ian Anderson starts.

Dodgers:
Trea Turner (R) SS
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) DH
Max Muncy (L) 2B
Chris Taylor (R) RF
Justin Turner (R) 3B
Gavin Lux (L) LF
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Austin Barnes (R) C
SP - Julio Urias

Braves:
Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Marcell Ozuna (R) DH
Matt Olson (L) 1B
William Contreras (R) C
Orlando Arcia (R) 3B
Adam Duvall (R) LF
Phil Gosselin (R) 2B
Michael Harris II (L) CF
SP - Ian Anderson

Batting average: Trea Turner -- .307

Home runs: Mookie Betts -- 17

RBI: Trea Turner -- 50

Wins: Tony Gonsolin -- 9

ERA: Tony Gonsolin -- 1.58

Batting average: Dansby Swanson -- .295

Home runs: Austin Riley -- 18

RBI: Austin Riley -- 41

Wins: Two tied -- 7

ERA: Max Fried -- 2.77