There was no rest for the wicked with the Atlanta Braves going from Sunday Night Baseball to facing the Los Angeles Dodgers last night, and that series continues on MLB Network tonight. With such a high-profile matchup on the horizon, we’re here to break it down with our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions.

As you’d expect, that also means a best bet from our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions, and we’ll also explain how to use it to claim a guaranteed $150 DraftKings Sportsbook welcome bonus!

 

 

 

Braves vs. Dodgers Predictions For MLB On MLB Network, 4/1

On paper, and until the first handful of games played out, this matchup would be considered one of the most likely National League Championship Series matchups. Not only did it end up being a matchup of a NO-win Braves team and NO-loss Dodgers, but it’s also how it continued with LA’s 6-1 win last night.

Tyler Glasnow came through for our best bet with over 6.5 strikeouts, recording eight in just five innings or work. Having said all that, somehow, the bad news just keeps coming for the Braves. That would be the fact that newcomer Jurickson Profar, who was just facing his former team, the San Diego Padres, is now suspended for 80 games.

As you’d likely have guessed, it’s for PED use, and he was batting leadoff for the Braves. Of course, it’s not exactly the loss of a bat like Austin Riley or Matt Olson, it’s still a notable loss for a struggling Atlanta team.

It’s not one that is 100% swaying where we’re focusing the best bet from our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions, but it’s still one that has a role, and you’ll see why coming up!

 

 

 

Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale The Savior?

Entering the 2025 season without lefty Max Fried and with youngster Spencer Strider meant one thing for the Braves and Chris Sale - that he would have to be the savior of the rotation for the time being. However, the southpaw was unable to get a win for Atlanta on Opening Day.

It wasn’t for a lack of a solid outing, as he was still able to record seven strikeouts in just five innings or work. Therefore, he wasn’t credited with the loss, either. Despite the Dodgers being the defending champs, Chris Sale did get a win against LA last season in September, which was a convincing 10-1 win for the Braves.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May Makes His Return

In that aforementioned matchup, it wasn’t today’s Dodgers starter on the mound opposite of Sale. That’s because after some serious hype in 2022 and 2023, LA’s Dustin May underwent surgery last season. However, it wasn’t exactly the Tommy John surgery you may have expected.

While May did have that operation back in 2021, last year’s surgery was for a tear in his esophagus. Both a rare and serious surgery has fans hopeful for a successful return, and this is also a big opportunity for May. He’s getting this start with Shohei Ohtani still yet to be ready to toe the rubber, so a spot in the rotation may be on the line tonight.

 

 

 

How To Watch Braves vs. Dodgers Today

We mentioned right from the start that tonight’s Braves vs. Dodgers matchup will be featured on MLB Network, and you can see more on how to watch Braves vs. Dodgers tonight below:

  • Where: Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California
  • When: 10:10 PM ET on 4/1
  • Watch on TV: MLB Network, regional sports networks
  • Where to stream: Fubo, MLB. TV

 

 

 

Braves vs. Dodgers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

With Chris Sale on the bump for Atlanta, this was likely the closest that we’ll see the Braves vs. Dodgers odds for this series. However, the money line saw a massive shift from -130 to -180 for LA! Here are the latest lines at DraftKings Sportsbook:

 

 

 

Braves vs. Dodgers Best Bet: Under 8 Runs (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

When it comes to locking in a best bet from our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions, it’s such an intriguing process, even with it being a matchup so early in the season. Is LA’s lineup still absolutely loaded? Of course. Have the Braves struggled out of the gate this year? For sure.

However, we also mentioned Chris Sale’s win over the Dodgers, which came towards the end of last season as well. That game itself was also an interesting one, as LA was smashing lefties in 2024 with a league-leading .795 OPS against such pitchers. So, will Sale be the savior the Braves are hoping for or will the Dodgers prove themselves World Series favorites?

Well, let’s not forget the other side of this matchup. We’re going to be seeing Dustin May for the first time since Tommy John surgery, just 15 starts and then another major surgery. That’s unless you were able to see his spring training work - May’s curveball and breaking ball still had ridiculous movement.

So, there is admittedly a bit of a trust factor here since it hasn’t been real action just yet, we’re trusting that both starters will prove the oddsmakers wrong for setting this total just as high as last night’s with Atlanta starting Grant Holmes and not Chris Sale. Both lineups have undeniable power, but pitching staffs are still nice and rested this early in the year.

It may be a bit of a sweat, but we’ve still got the best bet from our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions on the under 8 runs (-108 at DraftKings Sportsbook).

 

 

 

Braves vs. Dodgers Injury Report & Starting Pitchers

We’ve noted the most significant injury news for both the Braves and Dodgers already, which is Atlanta having Spencer Strider starting the season on the injured list and LA having Shohei Ohtani still only hitting for right now.

As for other news, the Braves also have Ronald Acuna trying to get healthy, as well as Sean Murphy. Of course, the other major injury news in LA is starter Clayton Kershaw, who is starting the season on the very lengthy 60-day IL. So, let’s move onto tonight’s Braves vs. Dodgers starters:

 

 

 

How To Bet On Braves vs. Dodgers at DraftKings Sportsbook & Claim Your $150 Bonus

It’s up to you if you’d like to fade or follow our Braves vs. Dodgers predictions, but make sure you do so while snagging a GUARANTEED $150 bonus at DraftKings:

  1. Register here for a new DK account
  2. Make an initial deposit of at least $5
  3. Place your first bet for $5+ on anything

Guaranteed means that even if your qualifying $5+ wager loses, you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets no matter what! Take a chance on a big underdog for another huge payout, but secure at least 30 times your first bet amount by joining DraftKings today.