The Atlanta Braves kick off a 10 game road swing tonight as they open a four game set with the Dodgers in Los Angeles. This evening's series opening dust up is scheduled for a 10:10pm ET start at Dodger Stadium. The latest MLB Odds have the visiting Braves listed as a -130 MLB Predictions favorite; the game total is set at 7 with the Under drawing favored status at -115 odds.
The Braves disappointing start reached 7-9 yesterday with a 3-2 loss to NL East rival New York at Turner Field. The setback,
Atlanta's fifth in its last eight games, relegated the team to fourth place in the division standings. Atlanta trails the third place Nationals, winners of three straight, by 1.5 games while the first place Phillies hold a four game edge over Fredi Gonzalez' squad.
Twelve year veteran Tim Hudson gets the call tonight from Gonzalez as he looks to record his third win of the season. Hudson was brilliant in his first two starts of the season, allowing 11 hits and three earned runs (14.2 innings pitched) in wins over the Nationals and Phillies, but he did not maintain that form in his last outing.
Hudson got lit up by the Marlins for seven hits and five earned runs last Wednesday as the Braves lost 1-5 to Florida at Turner Field.
The Columbus, Georgia native, who possesses a 3.48 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, will make his 13th career appearance against the Dodgers this evening. Hudson is 6-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 77.1 innings of work (12 starts) against Los Angeles.
The Dodgers (7-9), who snapped five game losing streak with yesterday's 2-1 win over the Cardinals, will counter Hudson with lefty Ted Lilly. Lilly has been lackluster through three starts, posting an uncharacteristic 6.00 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Maybe he can regain his form against the Braves, a team he limited to three hits and no earned runs in a 2-1 Dodgers win last August.
Lilly's performance lead to L.A.'s only win in its last four meetings with Atlanta.
Braves vs Dodgers Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+130), Over 7 (-105), -130 (Moneyline)
Los Angeles Dodgers +1.5 (-150), Under 7 (-115), +110 (Moneyline)
