After getting annihilated Tuesday night by the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-17), the Atlanta Braves (22-23) will try to bounce back and avoid being swept in this three-game series. That’s going to be easier said than done, however, as they’ll be up against Zack Greinke, who’s been a dominant force on the mound thus far this season.
In another series finale, the Nationals and the Cubs play a rubber-match in Wrigley Field later tonight. You can click here for a detailed preview of that game.
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Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
When: Wednesday, May 27, 10:10 PM ET
Line: Atlanta Braves (+200) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-240); total: 6.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Atlanta Braves
[sc:MLB240banner ]After missing a previously scheduled start on May 21, Alex Wood is now slated to take the mound later tonight after a bout with a stomach virus. Prior to being scratched, Wood (2-2, 3.83 ERA) pitched his best game thus far this year, when he gave up just one earned run on seven hits over seven innings of action in a 5-3 Braves win over Miami on May 16.
Wood can make a successful return when he pitches against a Dodgers’ team composed of hitters he’s had little trouble of silencing before. Take for example the Dodgers’ top batter Adrian Gonzalez, who is 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in his career against Wood. Jimmy Rollins’ chances of improving his .201 average this season appears bleak later tonight, as he has a tragic 0-for-14 lifetime line against Wood. Overall, the Dodgers’ lineup is hitting just .103 in their collective career against the Braves’ lefty.
The Dodgers have also struggled when they’re up against lefties of late, as evidenced by their 1-4 record in the team’s last five games opposite lefty starters.
On offense, Atlanta will count on batters such as Nick Markakis, who is batting .385 (10-for-26) over the Braves’ last seven games. In addition, Markakis has career slashes of .294/.294/.647 with a home run against Greinke. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski is a .404/ 415/.635 with three homers opposite the Dodgers’ right-hander.
All Greinke does is win and lower his ERA this season. Though he didn’t get a win in his last start—a 2-1 win over San Diego on May 22—Greinke did pitch great in that game, as he allowed just an earned run on six hits in seven plus innings of pitching duty. Thanks to that strong outing, Greinke was able to reduce his ERA down to 1.48 (second in the NL) and maintain a 5-1 record (fifth in the NL).
Greinke looks to win one more before May ends as he takes on the Braves later tonight. In four career starts against Atlanta, Greinke is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 0.962 WHIP. Speaking of WHIP, Greinke is first in the NL thus far this season with a suffocating 0.87 clip
Greinke aside, LA’s backend pitching has been astounding, too. The Dodgers’ relievers are second in the league in ERA (2.56) and have the lowest collective FIP (2.41).
As for the team’s offense, center fielder Juc Pederson will carry his hot bat into tonight’s ball game. Pederson is batting .345 over the Dodgers’ last seven games. Adrian Gonzalez, meanwhile, is hitting .273 during the same stretch.
The Dodgers are 8-2 in their last 10 home games against Atlanta.
