Cody Snavely
Few teams in sports can match the same level of consistency and competitiveness that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have showcased.
The Dodgers have made the postseason every year since the 2013 season and have won the NL West every year since that date, except 2021, when they finished runner-up with 106 regular-season wins.
The Atlanta Braves have made the postseason every year since the 2018 season and have done so by winning the NL East every year since that date. Both teams are also in the midst of pure regular-season dominance. The Dodgers have won 100 or more games in each of the last four full regular seasons. The Braves have had back-to-back 100-plus win seasons.
Both the Braves and Dodgers, despite their recent World Series victories, have experienced the bitter taste of defeat. They faced back-to-back disappointing seasons, losing in the first round of the NL postseason to divisional opponents. Yet, they’ve shown resilience, bouncing back each time and proving their mettle.
As we step into the new season of 2024, the anticipation for the upcoming match is palpable. The same stars will be there to put on a show this weekend, with Ronald Acuna JR, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley facing off against the ‘new look’Dodgers, led by the dynamic duo of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. It’s a match that promises excitement and high-stakes competition.
Pitching match-ups
Game One: Gavin Stone (2-1, 4.68 ERA) vs Charlie Morton (2-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game Two: Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 2.72 ERA) vs Bryce Elder (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
Game Three: James Paxton (3-0, 3.51 ERA) vs Max Fried (LHP) (2-0, 4.02 ERA)
Game Times
Game One: 7:10 PM PT, SNLA, Bally Sports South, MLB Network (out-of-market)
Game Two: 6:10 PM PT, SNLA, Bally Sports South
Game Three: 1:10 PM PT, SNLA, Bally Sports South
Who’s in & who’s out?
The Atlanta Braves are relatively healthy entering this three-game series against the Dodgers. They also recently activated all-star second baseman Ozzie Albies from the 10-day IL.
However, the Braves will continue to be without 2023 all-star catcher Sean Murphy, who was placed on the 10-day IL due to a left oblique injury suffered early in the season.
Murphy has started to catch bullpens and is throwing at full strength, but he still may be at least a week away from being cleared to begin swinging a bat.
Another domino to fall for the Braves this year was losing Spencer Strider for the entire 2024 season after elbow/forearm soreness led to Strider ultimately having to undergo Tommy John Surgery.
The Dodgers will still be without Kyle Hurt, Brusdar Graterol, Emmet Sheehan, Bobby Miller, Connor Brogdon, and Jason Heyward. The Dodgers also added right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Brasier to the 15-day IL prior to the start of the Diamondbacks series due to a right calf strain.
In Brasier’s absence is right-handed pitcher Gus Varland, who made his MLB debut in the Cubs series at Wrigley Field in early April.
The last Dodgers pitcher whose availability remains in question is Walker Buehler. Buehler has missed the last two seasons recovering from his second career Tommy John Surgery. He made his sixth and final rehab start on Monday and will rejoin the team in the Miami Marlins series.
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