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Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction and Odds for Monday, April 18 (All Eyes on Freddie Freeman vs. Former Team)

By Ben Heisler

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is welcomed back to the dugout by his teammates in the Battle for L.A. vs. the Angels.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is welcomed back to the dugout by his teammates in the Battle for L.A. vs. the Angels. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea/GettyImages
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Freddie Freeman is still in search of his first home run of the season, and man would it be fun to see him leave the yard against his former team on Monday night.

The L.A. Dodgers host the final MLB game of the night when they welcome the Atlanta Braves to Dodger Stadium as Clayton Kershaw matches up against Huascar Ynoa.

The former four-time NL Cy Young award winner was pulled after 80 pitches in his previous game where a perfect game was still in play; striking the attention of many baseball fans not too thrilled with Dave Roberts' decision to pull him out with only two innings to go.

Can Kershaw stay red-hot and carry the Dodgers to an opening series win?

Here's the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Braves vs. Dodgers Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

  • Braves +1.5 (-110)
  • Dodgers -1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Braves +183
  • Dodgers -207

Total:

  • 8 (OVER -110 / UNDER -110)

Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction and Pick

Our Iain MacMillan chose Freeman to leave the yard in today's Daily Dinger picks, but while Freeman will be fired up, the play I'm looking at is on the total as opposed to a side.

The over/under opened at 8.5 consensus, and has dropped down to 8, with even money on both the over and under for tonight's matchup. While I still like the under, I'm going to focus on the first five innings instead with what I feel is a better value under at 4.5.

I'm buying Kershaw's revitalization on the mound through his first few starts of the season. Per MLB Statcast, Kershaw has yet to allow a single barreled ball this year, getting hitters to swing under 75% of the time.

However, this is a good Braves offense that's improved from their World Series winning team from last year, and while Kershaw should get off to a good start, the third time through the order is what scares me away from the full game under.

As for Ynoa, he got rocked in his last start against the Nationals, but didn't really make too many mistakes up in the zone. Washington did get one to leave the yard, but it was the seven hits that cost him more so than the long ball.

Between Ynoa hopefully bouncing back and settling in early in a more pitcher-friendly park, as well as Kershaw's potential for trouble in the sixth inning and beyond, I think the safe spot here is on the under through five and get out before action picks up.

LEAN: UNDER 4.5 (1st five innings) -125

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