MLB Betting – Braves Look To Stay Red Hot Against Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves held on for a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday night to extend their winning streak to nine games, which is also the team’s longest winning streak since 2000.

Their improbable run, which has coincided with the Philadelphia Phillies’ recent struggles, has Atlanta on top of the National League East division, two games ahead of the Phils.

Despite the loss to the Braves, the Dodgers are still within striking distance of the surprising San Diego Padres at the top of the National League West standings, and can close the gap between them and first place to less than one game with a win Friday night.

Baseball Game MLB Odds:

Atlanta Braves +135 Kenshin Kawakami – R

Los Angeles Dodgers -155 Clayton Kershaw – L

Total:

9 O + 110

9 U – 105

Run Line:

Atlanta +1.5 -155

Los Angeles -1.5 +135

• Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
• Game Time: Friday, June 4, 2010 – 10:10 PM ET
• TV: FSW, FSNW

The Week That Was: Braves

The Braves have carried their red hot finish from the end of May in to the beginning of June with three straight wins over both the Phillies and Dodgers to extend their win streak to nine games. A couple of one-run victories have come on the heels of seven straight wins by at least three runs or more, as Atlanta has found the perfect combination of pitching and hitting during their excellent run.

The Braves are getting contributions deep in to their order, including Eric Hinske and Troy Glaus, players that it seemed not many teams wanted, who have picked up their game over the last month.

Atlanta is 19-5 overall in its past 24 games, but will still have a tough task ahead of them trying to keep it up during this current nine-game road trip that will see it go through Los Angeles, Arizona, and Minnesota.

The Week That Was: Dodgers

The loss to the Atlanta Braves to open the series came on the heels of Los Angeles’ sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, which combined with their win over the Rockies to cap their series with Colorado, made it four straight one-run wins for the Dodgers.

The Los Angeles’ offense has stalled somewhat recently, with great pitching masking the hitting shortcomings in consecutive 1-0 wins over the Diamondbacks to open the month.

The Match Up:

The Los Angeles offense is in a bit of a rut, which is not a good thing. What is a good think however is that the Braves will be sending Kenshin Kawakami and his 4.66 ERA to the mound on Friday night. Kawakami is 0-7 on the season, and has never faced the Dodgers.

With Clayton Kershaw providing solid pitching for Los Angeles all season, this could be the game that finally snaps the Braves recent winning streak.

MLB Betting Pick: Dodgers