True Blue LA - June 24: Dodgers 4, Braves 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2022-06-24T20:13:45-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/229463212022-06-24T20:13:45-07:002022-06-24T20:13:45-07:00Daniel Hudson likely out for season with ACL injury
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<p>Dodgers awaiting test results on RHP</p> <p id="PwdXk7"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> pitcher Daniel Hudson had to leave his appearance after just 11 pitches, injuring his left knee in the eighth inning <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182352/julio-urias-mows-through-tough-braves-lineup-in-dodgers-4th-straight-win">of LA’s win over the Braves</a>. He suffered an ACL injury, Dave Roberts <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1540531425564364802">told reporters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/juanctoribio/status/1540529899529715712">in Atlanta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1540529928629735424">after the game</a>, and is likely out for the season.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said Daniel Hudson hurt his ACL. They still have to get scans for a final diagnosis, but the early indication is that it’s a tear.<br><br>Roberts: “I don’t see how it’s not the end of [his] season.”</p>— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Harris/status/1540531234467610625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2022</a>
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<p id="UwWDRC">“From everything I hear, it’s ACL. Obviously it doesn’t look good, from all indications,” Roberts said after the game, <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1540534658982477824">as shown on SportsNet LA</a>. “Things can happen, but I don’t see how it’s not the end of the season. It’s potentially a huge loss for us.”</p>
<p id="mvF6UW">Hudson entered the series opener in Atlanta and got a groundout to open the frame. But on Ronald Acuña Jr.’s infield single up the third base line, Hudson’s delivery motion had him going toward first base, and when he tried to reverse course to potentially try to field the dribbler, Hudson’s knee appeared to lock up on the mound, and he crumpled to the ground in pain.</p>
<p id="HBIllu">Trainer Nathan Lucero and Roberts ran to the mound to tend to Hudson, who was writhing in pain. He eventually got up and limped off the field, but with some assistance.</p>
<p id="dc2OM1">Hudson has been one of the best Dodgers relief pitchers this season and probably their best out of the bullpen, with a 2.22 ERA in 25 games, with 30 strikeouts (a 31-percent strikeout rate) against five walks in 24⅓ innings.</p>
<p id="GmeEvm">He allowed runs just once in his last 14 appearances, and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=0&type=3&season=2022&month=0&season1=2022&ind=0&team=22&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2022-01-01&enddate=2022-12-31&sort=14,d">leads Dodgers relievers with 13 shutdown innings</a>, as defined by FanGraphs based on Win Probability Added.</p>
<p id="HAhqnc">Hudson signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Dodgers in November, that includes a club option for 2023. Hudson <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/12/2/22815055/dodgers-payroll-contract-options-2023-daniel-hudson">can earn $6.5 million if next year’s option is exercised</a>, or receive a $1 million buyout if it is not.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182481/daniel-hudson-acl-injury-left-knee-dodgersEric Stephen2022-06-24T19:44:53-07:002022-06-24T19:44:53-07:00Julio Urías mows through Braves, Dodgers win 4th straight
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<p>Freddie Freeman’s return to Atlanta was emotional</p> <p id="X4DzVp">It was an emotional series opener for Freddie Freeman in his return to Truist Park as a Dodger. A teary-eyed Freeman got a standing ovation and “Freddie!” chants at Truist Park in a pre-game ceremony when he received his 2021 World Series championship ring. Atlanta’s first baseman for 12 seasons also received applause and a moment of appreciation before his first at-bat at Truist park donning Dodger Blue.</p>
<p id="pDTdtL">Julio Urías shoved for one of his best starts of the season. He only allowed one run on three hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the Dodgers’ 69th game of the season, Julio Urías pitched 6 innings and struck out 9, and he retired 6 of his last 9 batters faced</p>— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericstephen/status/1540508410000551936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2022</a>
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<p id="zBz4Cq">The Dodgers quickly got their first two batters on with nobody out in the first inning. Ian Anderson walked Freeman, the man of the hour, after a leadoff Trea Turner single. Will Smith wasted no time with a RBI single, and the Dodgers took an early 1-0 lead.</p>
<p id="Kc2vz1">Anderson continued to struggle in the first frame. He walked Max Muncy to load the bases with nobody out. A sacrifice fly by Justin Turner added a second run to the board for L.A.</p>
<p id="id__hth1hpvfjo">Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr. hugged at first base after Acuña’s walk in the first inning, putting a rest to the internal rift the former teammates seemed to have over the offseason. </p>
<p id="HTZpav">In the bottom of the second, Matt Olson doubled. Again. He leads the NL with 29 doubles. The Braves weren’t able to cash in, stranding Olson at second base. </p>
<p id="GlJxfZ">Julio Urías opened the third with a throwing error at first base on a ground ball hit by Orlando Arcia. The Braves failed again to take advantage, and Urías was through three scoreless innings.</p>
<p id="clbPj2">Trea Turner hit a solo home run in the fifth, his 10th of the season. He waited on Anderson’s fastball after watching two straight changeups.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trea-run lead. <a href="https://t.co/c1RGR455I2">pic.twitter.com/c1RGR455I2</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1540495949960585216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2022</a>
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<p id="yCOQNW">Justin Turner grounded into a Fielder’s Choice, but the Dodgers added a fourth run to their tally. </p>
<p id="v3KRDK">The Trayce Thompson revival tour continued. The reunited old friend singled in the second and the sixth. </p>
<p id="wq71Id">Urías steamrolled through the tough Atlanta lineup and only allowed one hit through five innings. In the sixth, the Braves threatened on a couple of soft hits and a walk. The rally started when the Braves managed an Acuña Jr. infield single for their second base hit of the game off Urías. Thompson couldn’t get to a ball hit by Dansby Swanson in right field with a sliding attempt. Acuña Jr. didn’t score on the play, but Urías walked Austin Riley to load the bases. </p>
<p id="qR2wdi">The Braves finally got on the board on Olson’s sac fly, making it 4-1. Urías contained the damage to one run. He battled back and struck out Marcell Ozuna to end the inning.</p>
<p id="id__plyb7lgyhz">In the eighth, Daniel Hudson came into the game out of the bullpen after Evan Phillips took over for Urías. With one out, Hudson went down in serious pain after trying to make a play off the mound. Dave Roberts after the game said Hudson injured his ACL, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182481/daniel-hudson-acl-injury-left-knee-dodgers">and is likely out for the season</a>. Another key player is lost to injury for the Dodgers. </p>
<p id="AQjLZN">Brusdar Graterol took over for the injured Hudson with one on and one out. Acuña Jr. singled which brought the tying run to the plate with Riley. Graterol saved the Dodgers’ bacon by inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat. </p>
<p id="qH9Dx4">Craig Kimbrel got the ball for the bottom of the ninth and had to face the heart of the Atlanta order. After a bad call on a clearly foul ball, Kimbrel struck out William Contreras swinging for the second out. Adam Duvall flied out to Cody Bellinger in center field to seal the Dodgers’ fourth straight win on the road trip. </p>
<h3 id="4l9jPw"><strong>Friday particulars</strong></h3>
<p id="hfRaGV">WP — Julio Urías (5-6): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 94 pitches (62 strikes)</p>
<p id="JmBesK">LP — Ian Anderson (6-4): 4 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 88 pitches (48 strikes)</p>
<p id="lUUzxh">HR — Trea Turner (10)</p>
<p id="OPhWG8">S — Craig Kimbrel (13)</p>
<p id="0lerbd">Stolen Base Count: 45 (3rd in NL)</p>
<h3 id="i1fiRR"><strong>Up next:</strong></h3>
<p id="NjKtzc">The Dodgers will face Atlanta’s ace Max Fried (7-2, 2.77 ERA, 1.049 WHIP) on Saturday in the second game of the three-game set. Andrew Heaney, the scheduled Saturday starter, landed on the injured list again Friday. Mitch White (1-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.052 WHIP) will make the start instead. </p>
<p id="yZZkIx">First pitch from Truist Park is at 4:15 p.m. PT on FOX.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182352/julio-urias-mows-through-tough-braves-lineup-in-dodgers-4th-straight-winStacie Wheeler2022-06-24T17:20:32-07:002022-06-24T17:20:32-07:00Freddie Freeman’s emotional return to Atlanta
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>“I’m just happy to be back.” Freeman said.</p> <p id="pipM0N">Freddie Freeman expected he’d shed many tears in his return to Atlanta, and that came to fruition in abundance on Friday night. </p>
<p id="iWzMc6">Emotions got the best of Freeman during his pregame press conference with media, then again when he received his 2021 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> ring from Braves manager Brian Snitker before the game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing but love for <a href="https://twitter.com/FreddieFreeman5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FreddieFreeman5</a>. <a href="https://t.co/bGEhFACLIf">pic.twitter.com/bGEhFACLIf</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1540473402900721664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very emotional <a href="https://twitter.com/FreddieFreeman5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FreddieFreeman5</a> reflects on his time with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> and being back in Atlanta.<br><br>Hear more from Freddie on SportsNet LA at 3 PM. <a href="https://t.co/KCLzldRque">pic.twitter.com/KCLzldRque</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1540444784942120960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p id="9wa6kP">Freeman in a pregame on-field interview to Kelly Crull of Bally Sports South, that was broadcast live to the fans at Truist Park, said, “This is one of the hardest days of my life, but one of the most amazing days of my life. Bear with me as I cry a lot during this game, tomorrow’s game, and the next game.”</p>
<p id="1wxlJM">Then he got a minute-long standing ovation from the Atlanta crowd before his first plate appearance, as Braves organist Matthew Kaminski played “We Are The Champions.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I know I've got a different uniform on, but I still love each and every one of you guys."<br><br>Freddie Freeman addresses the <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> crowd after receiving his World Series ring in this on-field interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/Kelly_Crull?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kelly_Crull</a>. <a href="https://t.co/FwJKdr9in8">pic.twitter.com/FwJKdr9in8</a></p>— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) <a href="https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1540474890171580417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Freddie Freeman's first at-bat back in Atlanta is everything you'd expect it to be <a href="https://t.co/RcfiOas276">pic.twitter.com/RcfiOas276</a></p>— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) <a href="https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1540476673849688064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p id="e8ob5O">Kris Willis of Battery Power, who is covering the game at Truist Park, <a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/6/24/23182275/freddie-freeman-comments-emotional-interview-braves-dodgers">has more from Freddie Freeman’s first game back</a>.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182281/freddie-freeman-atlanta-return-braves-dodgersEric Stephen2022-06-24T16:00:00-07:002022-06-24T16:00:00-07:00Dodgers vs. Braves Game IV chat
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Freddie Freeman returns to Truist Park as a Dodger</p> <p id="AGp5GO">The Dodgers continue their lengthy road trip with a three-game series at Truist Park on Friday. It will mark the return of the Dodgers to Atlanta where they were eliminated in the playoffs last October in Game 6 of the NLCS. Friday’s series opener will also be the first time Freddie Freeman, former Braves franchise player, returns to play first base at Truist Park in Dodger Blue.</p>
<p id="T0WCgz">Back in April, Freeman hit his first home run as a Dodger on his first at-bat against his former team. I couldn’t have written the script better myself. The Dodgers won the series at Dodger Stadium against the Braves with two victories out of the three games.</p>
<p id="zFfHCN">Both teams come into the series on a winning note. The Braves just walked off with two wins against the Giants to take two of three in the series. They come into the series having won 17 of their last 20 games. The Dodgers remain undefeated on their current road trip. The Boys in Blue broke out to a tune of 26 runs in the sweep of the lowly last-place Cincinnati Reds.</p>
<p id="M4O2zk">Julio Urías (4-6, 2.56 ERA, 1.024 WHIP) looks to build on his last two quality starts. He struck out 16 and allowed two earned runs on five hits in his last 12 innings of work. The left-hander has had success against the Braves in his career in the regular season. He’s 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA with 14 strikeouts in four career games (two starts) and 15 career innings vs. Atlanta. </p>
<p id="dsz9ZG">In the postseason, the story is much different. No one can forget last October when the Dodgers were up by two runs and needed six final outs to win Game 2 of the NLCS. Dave Roberts brought in Urías (Game 4 starter) out of the bullpen to everyone’s surprise.</p>
<p id="lP583C">As we know, the decision totally backfired. Urías served up two runs and allowed the Braves to tie up the game. The Braves took advantage of the poor managerial decision and ended up winning the game in the 9th inning with a walk-off hit. </p>
<p id="xHONZZ">For the other side, Ian Anderson (6-3, 4.35 ERA, 1.393 WHIP) toes the rubber for Atlanta Friday evening in the opener. The Braves have won five straight when Anderson starts. In his career, the right-hander is 0-1 with a 8.31 ERA in one start against the Dodgers. Last June 4, Anderson allowed four runs on one hit and three walks in 4 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings for the loss. </p>
<p id="QNMse1">It wasn’t all Anderson’s fault. The Braves were cruising through 4 innings and were up 1-0. Anderson hadn’t allowed a hit. The Braves then had one of their sloppiest innings that I can recall.</p>
<p id="quOgON">With one out in the 5th, Anderson walked Chris Taylor. Gavin Lux followed with a double, A.J. Pollock hit a chopper toward third baseman Austin Riley, who fielded the ball and tried to throw home to get Taylor. The ball hit Taylor’s back, and the Dodgers tied the game. Then Urías <em>bunted</em>. Anderson tried to flip the ball to home, but it was too late.</p>
<p id="twgQt9">The Dodgers scored eight runs on three hits in the 5th with five walks and two botched fielder’s choice plays. Anderson was charged with four runs. </p>
<p id="IZphYS">Urías won’t be bunting now that there’s the universal DH, but there’s sure to be plenty of action between these two top NL teams in the much-anticipated showdown.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Dodgers recalled RHP Reyes Moronta from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed LHP Andrew Heaney on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation.</p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1540426064878415872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<h3 id="Uy2euh"><strong>Game info</strong></h3>
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<li id="a58R2c">Teams: Dodgers (43-25) vs. Braves (41-30)</li>
<li id="NvLIKI">Location: Truist Park</li>
<li id="c7fNy3">First pitch: 4:20 p.m. PT</li>
<li id="4cIvJ0">TV: SportsNet LA</li>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182006/dodgers-vs-braves-game-i-chatStacie Wheeler2022-06-24T14:14:15-07:002022-06-24T14:14:15-07:00Andrew Heaney back on IL with shoulder inflammation
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<p>Dodgers recalled reliever Reyes Moronta before series opener in Atlanta</p> <p id="vM3cyz">Andrew Heaney won’t be starting for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Saturday against the Braves in Atlanta. The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with left shoulder inflammation, the same injury that wiped him out for 53 games over two months this season.</p>
<p id="nouBiR">Heaney was just activated off the IL last Sunday, allowing two runs (one of them earned) in five-plus innings against the Guardians at Dodger Stadium, striking out seven. While on the mound, Heaney has been incredibly effective, allowing three runs in his three starts, with 23 strikeouts and four walks in 15⅓ innings. Only one of those runs were earned. His 36.5-percent strikeout rate is the second-highest on the team, trailing only Blake Treinen who has pitched just three innings.</p>
<p id="SyprxG">But keeping him Heaney the mound has been the issue.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> manager Dave Roberts said Andrew Heaney felt discomfort while throwing his last bullpen session. Tests revealed a strain. He’ll be shut down for a few days, but they’re hopeful he won’t miss more than a couple of starts.</p>— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) <a href="https://twitter.com/juanctoribio/status/1540447557595414530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dave Roberts said an MRI revealed a left shoulder strain for Andrew Heaney. Will miss at least a couple starts.</p>— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1540447421771067392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a>
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<p id="SpiXLM">If the Dodgers didn’t backdate Heaney’s IL stint, the earliest he could return is July 9.</p>
<p id="R8YD9N">The immediate roster ramifications with Heaney on the shelf is an extra reliever for a day. Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Moronta in two stints in the majors this year with the Dodgers pitched in eight games, allowing two runs in his nine innings, with nine strikeouts and three walks.</p>
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<p id="YMw9BQ">The Dodgers still need a starter for Saturday, which <a href="https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Harris/status/1540446742977695744">will be Mitch White</a>, who is in Atlanta with the team. Since getting sent down to Triple-A allowed only three hits and two walks in 11⅔ scoreless innings over two starts, with 10 strikeouts.</p>
<p id="4SMDrW">White last pitched last Saturday for Oklahoma City.</p>
<p id="idB975">Friday marks the 15th day White has been on optional assignment in Triple-A, which means he can be recalled on Saturday without the need for replacing someone going on the injured or bereavement list, for instance.</p>
<p id="ZMYpH2">For the opener in Atlanta, Trayce Thompson makes his first start for the Dodgers, batting ninth and playing right field, against Braves right-hander Ian Anderson. Thompson did not start any of the three games in Cincinnati, but did appear in each game. He had a two-run double on Wednesday and a solo home run on Thursday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/24/23182177/andrew-heaney-injured-list-dodgers-left-shoulder-inflammationEric Stephen2022-06-23T20:12:22-07:002022-06-23T20:12:22-07:00Freeman’s return to Atlanta, and a series between contenders
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<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers and Braves get set for three in Atlanta</p> <p id="pKBzYv">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> are set to continue this long road trip with a visit to the grounds of their last playoff elimination. The first visit to Atlanta since that NLCS Game 6 loss last October would have plenty of layers of emotion on its own, but it’s likely to take a backseat to another storyline.</p>
<p id="O6oeeB">Braves franchise hero Freddie Freeman will play first base at Truist Park for the first time as a visiting ballplayer. The first series between these two clubs brought plenty of headlines in the reunion department as Freeman hit his first homer of the season on his first at-bat against the Braves.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIRST HOMER AS A DODGER? FREDDIE, SET, GO. <a href="https://t.co/w0cEUXCtiG">pic.twitter.com/w0cEUXCtiG</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1516242079831113728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2022</a>
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<p id="ReSlmA">Although Freeman’s return may be the primary storyline, one can’t afford to lose sight of the significance of this series. The Braves and Dodgers are the last two World Series champions and have been the two best teams in the NL in recent years.</p>
<p id="IAUU8H">Although the Mets and Padres pose threats to the division crowns, it’s basically a given that Atlanta and Los Angeles will play in October, and they could very well meet each other for the third straight year.</p>
<p id="guVNNy">Back home in Los Angeles, the Dodgers took two of three in a series in the middle of April. The Braves will look to return the favor. Atlanta is coming off a thrilling series against the Giants at home in which all three games were close and the Braves were victorious in two of them, both times with a walk-off hit.</p>
<p id="oBXbTM">The Dodgers, on the other hand, are undefeated in their current road trip coming off a rather uncompetitive sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in which the offense scored 26 runs in three games.</p>
<h2 id="eLMKFc">Friday, 4:20 p.m PT</h2>
<p id="KMPQ1S"><em>Julio Urías (4-6 2.56) vs.</em><em><strong> </strong></em><em>Ian Anderson (6-3 4.56)</em><br><em>TV: SportsNet LA</em></p>
<p id="Is6DLe">First and foremost, avid defenders of the pitcher win come and check out this matchup. Urías is experiencing the other end of the spectrum after a magnificent year of run support in 2021. The Dodgers’ lefty is coming off back-to-back quality starts with a total of 16 punchouts.</p>
<p id="HXJKP8">Ian Anderson is coming off three outings with at least six innings pitched in his last four, but the talented right-hander hasn’t been very consistent, allowing four or more earned runs in two of those games.</p>
<p id="NBYbVM">Neither starter pitched in the first series between these two ball clubs earlier in the year.</p>
<p id="PL6mFj">The Dodgers enter this series in a minor hot streak, but the Braves are also winners of 17 out of their last 20. It wasn’t too long ago that this team was boasting the best winning streak in baseball.</p>
<p id="kmufYG"><strong>Odds</strong>: Dodgers are -130 favorites to win the opener, <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ruxm?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D311393860%26wpcid%3D181974%26wpcn%3DInarticle%26wpsrc%3DVoxMedia%26wpcrid%3DMLB&pcid=181974&psn=Vox&pcrn=MLB&pcn=InArticle">per DraftKings</a>.</p>
<h3 id="rnXSTE">Saturday, 4:15 p.m</h3>
<p id="wT7EBQ"><em>Andrew Heaney (1-0 0.59) vs. Max Fried (7-2 2.77)</em><br><em>TV: Fox</em></p>
<p id="e4wHB5">In a battle of southpaws, the Dodgers send out Heaney for only his fourth start of the year, and his first road one since his Dodger debut in Minnesota. The bar will be very high as Heaney will go up against the Braves ace, one Max Fried.</p>
<p id="8rxVAT">While Heaney has had a very short 2022 hampered by injuries, Fried continues to establish himself as one of the better pitchers in the National League.</p>
<p id="1oBuv1">The Braves’ southpaw already has 87.2 innings under his belt and will make his 15th start of the year. Fried’s 3.2 bWAR is second in the National League, and he also has a top 5 FIP (2.71).</p>
<p id="mRknY5">The Dodgers know all too well about Fried’s capabilities, as he shut them down in Dodgers Stadium earlier in the year with seven innings of scoreless ball, allowing only two hits, zero walks, and with 8 strikeouts. The offense will look for better luck this time around.</p>
<h3 id="iwer3U">Sunday: 4:08 p.m.</h3>
<p id="xLYF1P"><em>Tony Gonsolin (9-0 1.58) vs. Spencer Strider (3-2 3:40)</em><br><em>TV: ESPN</em></p>
<p id="bNruQz">Gonsolin gets a nationally televised game for a season worthy of national attention. The Dodgers’ right-hander takes his undefeated record to the hill looking to cement a resume worthy of not only an all-star appearance but consideration to start the game for the NL as well.</p>
<p id="G4fGG8">Gonsolin was the winning pitcher in the last meeting between these two teams, he went six frames of scoreless baseball allowing only a hit with three walks and three strikeouts. That start on April 20th could very well be seen as the beginning of this journey for Gonsolin that has taken him into the national spotlight.</p>
<p id="P2DLFC">The home Braves will send out rookie sensation Spencer Strider. The talented Clemson alumn taken in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft began the season in the bullpen, but has transitioned into a starter role, and has a whopping 72 strikeouts in 47.2 innings pitched, that’s good for a 36.9 strikeout rate. For context, the MLB strikeout rate is 22.9 percent.</p>
<p id="fgOcro">In what figures to be a close series, it is important to point out that the Braves have fared much better than the Dodgers in 1-run games in 2022. Atlanta is 10-8 in these close affairs while the Dodgers are 4-8.</p>
<p id="1RpHrD">How much stock one must put in those numbers? Not a lot, but it’s still something to be noted.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2022/6/23/23180774/los-angeles-dodgers-atlanta-braves-series-preview-freddie-freemanEstevão Maximo