Braves Seek Redemption Against Undefeated Dodgers After Rough Start

ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) – The Atlanta Braves face a challenging road ahead as they open a three-game series against the undefeated Los Angeles Dodgers following a disappointing start to their season. After dropping four consecutive games to the San Diego Padres, the Braves are in desperate need of a turnaround.

Starting Monday at 10:10 p.m. ET, the Braves will attempt to regroup against a dominant Dodgers team that boasts a perfect 5-0 record. The Braves struggled significantly with runners in scoring position during their series against San Diego, managing only one hit in 22 attempts. Their offensive woes were highlighted in a recent game where Padres starter Nick Pivetta shut down the Braves, pitching seven innings of one-hit ball, marking the first time in his career he accomplished such a feat.

As a result of their early-season struggles, every qualified Brave is currently batting below .225. Coming into Dodger Stadium, the Braves—who previously recorded consecutive 100-win seasons—need to shake off the memory of being outscored 17-7 by the Padres.

The starting rotation for this pivotal series includes prominent names like Cy Young winners Chris Sale and Blake Snell, and right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Dustin May for the Dodgers. Monday’s matchup features Grant Holmes, making his first start against Tyler Glasnow, who is returning from multiple surgeries and is eager to contribute to his team’s success after missing the entire 2024 season.

The Braves are taking the field against a robust Dodgers lineup that includes the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, who have excelled during the early part of the season. The Dodgers averaged nearly seven runs over their recent series against the Detroit Tigers, signaling the offensive firepower Atlanta will confront.

Braves manager Brian Snitker must navigate a lineup in distress as they face one of the most formidable pitching staffs in the league. Previous encounters with Dodgers pitchers have not been favorable for the Braves; their lineup has recorded a mere .149 batting average against Snell and .177 against Glasnow.

This series carries additional weight due to the teams’ recent playoff history. The Dodgers eliminated the Braves during the 2020 National League Championship Series (NLCS), while Atlanta avenged that loss in the 2021 NLCS en route to their own championship.

As the series kicks off, the Braves are under pressure to bounce back. Analyst predictions favoring the under for an 8-run total reflect the expectations surrounding Atlanta’s offensive capabilities. While the Braves cling to hope for a resurgence, the Dodgers aim to extend their perfect start and continue their momentum.

Despite the stacked Dodgers roster, the Braves remain optimistic about their chances for success in this crucial matchup. Each game in this series is essential as both teams look to assert themselves early in the season.