Dodgers vs Braves Pick: LA’s Sasaki Has His Game Going (May 3)

• Our Dodgers vs Braves pick assesses whether LA’s Roki Sasaki can keep his hot streak going after an initially rough transition to MLB
• LA is still grappling with the Giants and Padres for 1st place in the tough NL West
• Atlanta sends Spencer Schwellenbach to the mound as they try to inch closer to .500

Sasaki Has Pitched Well Since His Dreadful Debut

There was massive hype around Roki Sasaki amid questions about his experience and maturity as he sought to adapt to MLB. His first start against the Tigers, however, led to more questions. He only gave up 2 runs and 3 hits, but walked 4 in 1.2 innings.

Since then, he has steadily improved. Though he can still lose the strike zone, he undoubtedly has the stuff to be a big winner. And he’s only 23.

He has pitched 5 or more innings in his last 3 starts for 16.2 frames. He has given up 11 hits and 6 earned runs while striking out 11. He’s not lighting the world on fire, but he’s coming along.

He has never faced the Braves.

At the plate, the Dodgers are getting it together. Teoscar Hernandez is leading the league in RBIs. Shohei Ohtani is not driving in runs, but leads MLB in runs scored. Freddie Freeman is raking with an OPS of over 1.000. Max Muncy and Michael Conforto are struggling on the interstate.

Atlanta Sends Schwellenbach To Help Get Close to .500

After their hideous start, the Braves were again facing questions about whether their string of playoff seasons was coming to a close. After losing 13 of their first 18 games, they are inching towards .500 and playoff contention.

They send righty Spencer Schwellenbach to the hill. With defending NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and the rest of the Braves’ rotation scuffling, Schwellenbach has taken over as the team’s ace. He has a 2.87 ERA in 6 starts. Over 37.2 innings, he has given up 31 hits, 12 earned runs, walked 6, and struck out 33.

Schwellenbach has handled the Dodgers’ bigger bats well. Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman are a combined 0 for 8 with Freeman managing a walk. Hernandez is 1 for 3 with a double. Miguel Rojas is 1 for 2 with a home run.

Marcell Ozuna leads the NL in walks and has an on-base percentage nearing .440. Alex Verdugo has started hot despite not being able to find a job until late in the spring. He has an OPS above .800. Michael Harris is emerging from his slump. The team is awaiting Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return from injury.

Dodgers vs Braves Pick: Atlanta Makes Sasaki Work and Wins Behind Schwellenbach

The Braves’ hitters will be patient with Sasaki, draw him into favorable hitters’ counts, and put up some runs. Schwellenbach is an emerging ace who is heading for an All-Star berth. This one goes to Atlanta.