Comparing Atlanta Braves and LA Dodgers before trade deadline
Comparing pitching staffs
We’ll start by comparing the starting pitchers, where I’ll go ahead and tell you, the Dodgers are supreme. Other than maybe the Nationals, I don’t know anyone in baseball that has a better top three.
In game one of a series right now the Braves would likely send out Mike Soroka against Ryu. I love the rookie, but Ryu is winning that duel 8-out-of-10 times this season.
Dallas Keuchel would likely get the ball in game two for the Atlanta Braves against Kershaw.
The fact that both Keuchel and Soroka are ground ball pitchers could play well against the home run happy Dodgers. But the Atlanta Braves have to do a better job of aligning their infield defense.
It seems like the Dodgers are always hitting it where our players are not.
I actually like the Braves chances in this pitching matchup, but it’s certainly not a slam dunk.
In game three you’d have Buehler against either Julio Teheran or Max Fried. And this is why I think the Atlanta Braves need to trade for another starter.
Buehler would have a big advantage in this matchup — unless the Braves trade for a top of the rotation arm, or Folty regains his 2018 form.
Beyond the top three, the Dodgers have other capable starters in Rich Hill (expected back in September), Ross Stripling, and Kenta Maeda.
Bullpen
The Dodgers and Braves will be battling for bullpen help before the trade deadline.
Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen have been the two most reliable relievers for the Dodgers all season. But Julio Urias has been great since his move to the bullpen.
The Atlanta Braves have found success with Luke Jackson, Anthony Swarzak (could be back after the All-Star break), Jacob Webb, and Sean Newcomb at the back end of games.
A.J. Minter and Chad Sobotka have been much better since being called back up.
As far as the number of good arms goes, the Atlanta Braves hold the edge in the bullpen.
But overall, the Dodgers have a big edge in the pitching staff. Their starters consistently go deep into games so they don’t have to rely on their bullpen as the Braves do.