A nasty nine-game road trip starts off the second half of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-40 SU, -7.68 Units). Game six of this jaunt will be getaway day for the boys in blue as they play the Atlanta Braves (43-49 SU, +1.81 Units) for the last time this year in the Peach State.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Braves were legitimately in this race for the playoffs until recently. Heading into this series with the Dodgers, they were underdogs in 11 consecutive games. They've lost seven of their last eight, dropping 5.82 units in the process for bettors.
PITCHING MATCHUP
It's been a tough year for Julio Teheran. Last year, he busted onto the scene with a 2.89 ERA and four complete games, two of which were shutouts. This year, he is only 6-4 with a 4.53 ERA, and hasn't come anywhere near finishing what he started.
The Dodgers are going to counter with Michael Bolsinger, which could put a strain on their bullpen.
Bolsinger hasn't been bad this year, but he hasn't pitched more than six innings in a start since the first week of June. His last outing was only four innings long.
That said, this is still a man who is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA and nearly a 9.00 K/9, so the talent is here.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's been terrific. It's a nice piece to have that we didn't expect to have come spring training. We knew what kind of character and what kind of person Kelly Johnson was, but to come up with some big hits, especially now, it's nice. Good for us." – Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez on what Kelly Johnson has brought to the table this year for the team
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Jim Johnson has gotten his first test as the Braves' new closer, and he passed that test with flying colors, getting all three outs on just 13 pitches against the Cubs on Friday.
However, Johnson still scares us. He is 2-3 with a 2.05 ERA this year, and though he does have six saves, he's no Jason Grilli at this point in his career. Remember that this is a man who was run out of Oakland last year after posting a 7.14 ERA in 38 appearances.
PROP TALK
Of course, Johnson means nothing if the Braves can't score any runs. Ever since Freddie Freeman went down with a wrist injury, Atlanta's offense has been lifeless. The team is now on eight straight games scoring four runs or fewer, and this feels like another game where nothing is going to happen offensively. Fading this team on props offensively always makes a ton of sense.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Bolsinger isn't going to be able to throw more than maybe six innings in this one, but he isn't going to have to do so either. Remember that Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have made life really easy on this Dodgers' bullpen, and Don Mattingly can be a little more liberal with how he deploys his relievers on days where those two don't pitch because of it.
As long as the youngster doesn't get blown up, we have confidence that the Dodgers can scratch across a few runs against Teheran. As long as they do that, they should be alright.
Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 3
The baseball betting odds for this Wednesday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves will take place Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 12:10 p.m. ET at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. Catch the action live on the MLB Network.
