Expect a playoff atmosphere when visiting Los Angeles Dodgers And Atlanta Braves Monday begins a three-game series, the first meeting of the year between the winningest teams in the National League
Both clubs were the models of success in the league. THE Dodgers won the World Series in 2020 and the brave won the title in 2021. Last year, the Dodgers won 111 games and the NL West but was upset by San Diego in the NLDS. THE brave won 101 games and the NL East but was eliminated from the NLDS by Philadelphia
The teams are at the top of their division for more than a quarter of the season.
The series-opening pitching game features Atlanta’s Charlie Morton (5-3, 2.85 ERA) against Los Angeles rookie Gavin Stone (0-0, 9.00).
Stone and Bobby Miller, the two top pitching prospects in the Dodgersorganization, should be called up as replacements for Dustin May (forearm strain) and Julio Urias (hamstring strain). Miller would make his debut on Tuesday
“This is an opportunity for these two young pitchers,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “They are both talented. (The timing is) not what we expected, but it doesn’t really matter. The only way to look at it is you have to seize the opportunity to those guys.”
Stone made his debut on May 3 against Philadelphia and allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings. Since then, he’s made two Triple-A starts and allowed four combined runs (three earned) in 11 innings. Stone is expected to get at least three starts as a replacement for May, who could be out for seven weeks.
“The unfamiliarity, the novelty, he’s done it before,” Roberts said. “Also, I think he throws baseball better in general. Switching is better. Fastball control is better. I just think the second time around he’ll be a lot more comfortable than the first time around. “
Inexperience is no problem for veteran Morton, who will be making his ninth start of the season. In his last outing on May 15 at Texas, Morton got plenty of support in a 12-0 win and picked up his second straight victory. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed seven hits, one walk and 10 strikeouts, a season high.
“It was a big win,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “It was great to come out and swing the bats. And Charlie was great.”
Morton has made five career starts against the Dodgers, going 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA. He lost his only start at the Dodgers in 2022 when he gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings
Both clubs are among the best in baseball. THE Dodgers scored 38 runs in the first inning and the brave scored 37. The bravewith Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson batting one-two in order, scored 18 points this season in the first 10 shots of the game, the most at the majors
THE Dodgers won four of six games against Atlanta a year ago, winning two of three at home and on the road
–Field-Level Media