Sunday Night Baseball features the Atlanta Braves (42-31, 24-16) battling the Los Angeles Dodgers (44-26, 24-14) in the final game of a three-game series between two of the top teams in the National League. The two teams split the first two contests, the Dodgers taking the opener, 4-1, and Atlanta winning yesterday’s contest, 5-3,
The first pitch of the series finale begins at 7 p.m. EST at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The line is even for Sunday’s contest, with the over-under total at 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles broke a four-game winning streak with Saturday’s defeat, but the Dodgers are 7-3 over their last ten games. L.A. is holding on to the top spot in the National League West with a one-game advantage over the San Diego Padres.
The expected starter for the Dodgers is right-hander Tony Gonsolin (9-0, 1.58 ERA, 0.82 WHIP). Gonsolin looks to keep his undefeated record intact and capture the league-best tenth victory. The 28-year-old took over a full-time role as a starter in 2022 and won his last five straight starts.
Even with one of the their top hitters, Mookie Betts, sidelined with a cracked rib, the Dodgers’ offense continues to score runs. Trea Turner is ninth in the MLB with a .320 batting average and leads L.A. with 52 runs driven in. Freddie Freeman is right behind Turner, sporting a .303 batting average and 45 RBIs.
Los Angeles is sixth in the majors with a .253 team batting average, scoring 5.1 runs per game. The Dodgers are tied with the New York Yankees with a 2.94 team earned run average.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
Atlanta looks to close out the final days of June strong, putting a bow on a month that saw the Braves with 14 in a row and climb back to second in the NL East, trailing the New York Mets by just five games. The Braves are 6-4 over their last ten contests.
Right-hander Spencer Strider (3-2, 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) is the probable starter for Atlanta. Strider is a 23-year-old playing in his first full season in the big leagues. After operating out of the bullpen to begin the year, Strider has transitioned into a starting role, surrendering 18 earned runs on 31 hits and 22 walks, with 72 strikeouts over 47.2 innings of work.
Five players in the Braves lineup have connected on ten home runs or more, led by Austin Riley with 18. Marcell Ozuna has 14, and Dansby Swanson has driven in a team-high 43 RBIs thanks to 13 home runs.
The Braves average 4.7 runs per game, backed by a .248 team batting average that ranks 11th in the MLB. Atlanta’s pitching staff sits eighth in the majors with a 3.74 team ERA.
The Pick is In
Gonsolin has had it going on the mound this season, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down. The talented pitcher holds the Braves through the first half of the game, letting the Dodgers offense do the rest.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers ML
