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Atlanta Braves 2020 schedule: 5 series to circle, including Mike Trout and Angels

By Clint Manry

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels stands in the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels stands in the dugout before their game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 18, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

#5. June 12-14 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

at SunTrust Park

Since his first full season as the Braves’ manager in 2017, Brian Snitker is just 7-13 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, with a run differential of -30.

In 2019, Snitker and the Braves managed to go 2-4 against the Dodgers, recovering nicely and winning the final two contests after losing the first four in-a-row.

It’s no secret that the Dodgers have long been one of the Braves biggest bugaboos, the team that we Braves’ fans perhaps enjoy defeating the most. I mean, consider the fact that last year’s first matchup in Atlanta between the two teams (August 16) drew 41,413 fans to SunTrust Park.

Braves Country always loves a Braves-Dodgers matchup and simply the sentimental aspect of this series necessitates a top 5 ranking, in terms of most-important 2020 series.

However, it’s not all about the grief. There will be more to this series than the Braves desperation to finally dominate the Dodgers: this series should feature some outstanding baseball.

A damaged and possessed soul

The Dodgers will be all but possessed to win a World Series in 2020 after coming so dang close all these years. Similarly, but maybe not as crazed, the Braves will be seeking more than just another one-and-done season in the postseason and will also be an inspired team.

Sure, this series is in mid-June, meaning it’s not the most significant of games as far as impacting both teams’ seasons. But this will already be the final meeting between the two in 2020 (first meeting: June 1-3 at Dodger Stadium).

A lot can change between now and then, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Braves were facing either Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg in this June series, as LA will certainly go after both this offseason. It also wouldn’t be shocking to see free agent Anthony Rendon facing Braves’ pitchers in this matchup.

The point is, one of those three players (or even two) is likely to be a Dodger in 2020, adding even more value to this potentially exciting series. It may not be the most consequential matchup for the Braves this upcoming season, but it’s definitely one to look forward to.

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