The winless Atlanta Braves turn to their ace, Chris Sale, as they look to take down the unbeaten Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
The pregame narrative: Sale wields one of the sharpest arsenals in MLB, but I’m fading him tonight at plus money. I also like Mookie Betts to cross the plate for a fourth consecutive game.
Check out my Braves vs. Dodgers prop picks for April 1.
Braves vs. Dodgers prop picks
Best bet: Betts over 0.5 runs (+110)
A stomach virus put Betts on the shelf to start the year, but he’s taken plenty of healthy hacks since returning.
In three games, here’s what the seven-time Silver Slugger has accomplished:
- 5-for-13 (.385)
- 5 runs
- 1+ runs in 3 of 3 games
Betts bats in the No. 2 spot of a laughably loaded Dodgers lineup, with stars like Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez and Will Smith behind him.
That trio has combined to bat 15-for-49 (.306) with eight extra-base hits so far.
Freeman may not play tonight after tweaking his ankle and missing Monday’s matchup. But even if he’s unavailable again, L.A. has no shortage of RBI opportunists.
Also, Betts has a solid history in prior meetings with Sale: 4-for-12 (.333) with a pair of doubles.
Sale was hittable in his season debut, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk in 5.0 innings.
Key stat: Betts has a .305/.404/.576 slash line against lefties since the 2023 season.
Prop predictions
Sale under 17.5 outs (+108): The Braves (0-5) are surely hungry for their first win, and I’m sure Sale will try to do what he can to make that happen. But fading his outs total looks like a value play to me.
- Though he only went under this total in 10 of 29 starts last year, Sale hit this under in back-to-back outings to start 2024. And he went under in his debut this season.
- The Dodgers led MLB in team OPS last year (.781), and they’re off to another stellar start. Through six games, L.A. is averaging 6.0 runs while posting an .834 OPS.
- All six starters who’ve faced the Dodgers this season have gone under 17.5 outs.
Sale is a superb pitcher who landed on exactly 18 outs in his lone start against L.A. last season.
But given how rested the Braves’ bullpen is — four pitchers enter with at least two days off — I don’t see a need to push Sale if things get even a bit messy.
Braves vs. Dodgers prop picks made at 1:10 p.m. ET on 04/01/2025.
Looking to get started? Sign up here.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.