Monday’s MLB schedule is highlighted by a rematch of the last two NLCS between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have gotten off to a fast start, while the Braves have gotten off to an uneven start. That has helped to make the Dodgers a -195 home favorite on Monday, while Atlanta’s moneyline is listed at +165 with the over/under set at eight runs.
Atlanta is just 5-6 during the early part of the season. The Braves have split both of their four-game series this year, although one of those came against the Reds, who have been one of the worst teams in the majors thus far. They also dropped two of three against the Nationals last week before splitting four games with the Padres over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have rattled off six straight wins since losing two of three against the Rockies to open the season. To be fair, Los Angeles has beaten up on the Twins and Reds during that winning streak. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have been able to keep pace with the Giants, who are also off to a fast start.
King Kersh
Clayton Kershaw gets the start on Monday night, fresh off the seven perfect innings he threw against the Twins in his first start. The lefty pulled himself from that game because he didn’t feel comfortable pushing his pitch count any higher. But he looked as dominant as ever, striking out 13 over seven innings.
Of course, Atlanta’s lineup won’t be easy to face, as Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies have already hit four home runs this year. Matt Olson has also been raking during his first couple of weeks with his new time. Several Atlanta hitters also have decent career numbers against Kershaw, including Albies, Austin Riley, and Dansby Swanson.
Do You Know?
Righty Huascar Ynoa will make his second start of the season on Monday. Ynoa got off to a brilliant start in 2021 but couldn’t keep it going after returning from a hand injury.
He also had his lunch handed to him in his first start of 2022, giving up five runs on seven hits over three innings against the Nationals.
Facing the Dodgers won’t be much easier, as Los Angeles is tied for the most runs scored in the National League thus far. Even without hitting for a ton of power, the Dodgers have scored plenty of runs this year, with a red-hot Trea Turner setting the table at the top of the order.
Ynoa and the Braves will also have to contend with longtime Atlanta hero Freddie Freeman, who is hitting .324 for the Dodgers this season.
No Visible Path
Outside of Ynoa bouncing back in a big way and Kershaw following up his near-perfect game with a disastrous outing, it’s difficult to see how the Braves can win this game.
Even with a nice payoff with a +165 moneyline, Atlanta still doesn’t have a ton of value in this matchup. Play it safe and bet on Kershaw and the Dodgers to win Monday’s series opener.
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