The Los Angeles Dodgers (31-19) will have their work cut out for them against Bryce Elder at Truist Park on Wednesday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves (29-19) with the visitors in position for a sweep of the three-game series.
The Dodgers lead the series 2-0 after winning 8-1 on Tuesday. Bobby Miller went five innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out five, to get the win.
Jason Heyward was 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Will Smith went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. Sean Murphy went 1 for 3 with one run for the Braves.
ON THE MOUND
Tony Gonsolin (2-1, 1.13 ERA) is in line to start for Los Angeles. The righty threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-0 home win over the Cardinals on Friday.
He got the win, scattering one hit while striking out three and walking three. Gonsolin is making his first appearance against the Braves this season.
Over two starts against the Braves in 2022, Gonsolin was 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA over 11.2 innings. He had eight strikeouts and five walks. For Atlanta, righty Elder (3-0, 2.06 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers.
In his last start on Friday, Elder took a no-decision at home against the Mariners. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking one in the 6-2 victory. The righty ranks second in the NL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 6.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.5. Against righties like Elder this season, the Dodgers have a .789 OPS, second highest in MLB.
Max Muncy is the team’s most powerful hitter against right-handers with a .571 slugging percentage in 135 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.1 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.244/.287/.372).
The Braves have a .725 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.002 OPS over 140 at-bats, Ronald Acuna Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 14-12 away from Dodger Stadium in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 5.5 runs. Atlanta has gone 12-12 at Truist Park this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.0.
Atlanta is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Truist Park between the teams despite an average scoreline favoring Los Angeles (4.2-3.8).
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Dodgers lead the NL West by one games over the Diamondbacks. The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Mets.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-120)
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