MLB Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers (17-22) and Atlanta Braves (22-18) will open up a three-game National League series at Turner Field Friday night, with the opening pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won four of their last five games

Los Angeles closed out its nine-game homestand with a 4-5 record, but four of those wins came in the final five contests, including a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals as -142 favorites Wednesday night. The Dodgers pitching staff allowed just a single run over the final 22 innings of their three-game series with the Nationals, while outfielder Matt Kemp is starting to come around offensively after a terrible April—hitting .282 on the season. Los Angeles is 16-19 as road underdogs of +125 to +150 the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 18-15-2 in that situation.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2, 3.40 ERA) is coming off a 7-1 home victory over the Miami Marlins last time out, as he allowed a single run and five hits over 6.2 innings of work. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 4.68 ERA in four road outings, issuing eight walks and striking out 25 batters in 25 combined frames. Ryu will be making his first-ever appearance against the Braves.

Atlanta has dropped five of its last six games, with the offense managing to produce just seven runs in those setbacks, as it looks to bounce back from a 5-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks as -111 road favorites Wednesday afternoon. The Braves opened their three-game series with the Diamondbacks with outfielder Justin Upton producing four hits in a 10-1 win, but totaled just three runs in dropping the final two affairs. Atlanta is 6-1 following an off day this season, with the OVER going 6-1 in those seven opportunities.

Braves starting pitcher Paul Maholm (4-4, 3.94 ERA) has dropped four of his last five starts, including a 10-1 road loss to the San Francisco Giants last time out, as he allowed six runs and eight hits over 4.1 frames. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 1.32 ERA in two home outings, with opposing hitters batting just .180 against him. In nine career starts versus the Dodgers, Maholm has tallied a disappointing 1-5 record and 4.91 ERA, but he did earn a 5-4 home victory in his lone appearance against them on May 4 of last season.