The Atlanta Braves have slugged and pitched their way to a 2-0 series lead over the Dodgers in this four-game series. There have been fireworks every step of the way as LA has fought their way back in both games.
Bryce Elder gets a turn on Saturday evening to bounce off of great starts by Spencer Strider and Max Fried. He will face a very hot Dodgers squad who are just as potent offensively as the Braves. It surely won't be a cakewalk.
Third day in LA!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/jUKvOaAgLq
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 2, 2023
The Braves' pitching has been really good for the most part despite some hiccups from the bullpen in a couple of innings. The stark difference between these two teams right now is the quality of their starting pitching. Walker Buehler is just now working his way back for the Dodgers and they've had to really string together something this season.
The Dodgers have a collective 4.18 ERA as a staff and that has them 17th in all baseball. The starting staff has a 4.54 ERA while their relief core fairs much better at a 3.80 and that is 8th best in baseball. Clearly, their bullpen is a much stronger area when it comes to pitching
Tonight's game will be a bullpen game for Los Angeles as they send one of their prospects to the mound. His name is Emmet Sheehan and he was a 6th-round Draft pick by the Dodgers back in 2021.
He has recently been pitching at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He did pitch for the Dodgers earlier this season, appearing in 8 games. He had a 3-1 record with a 5.63 ERA through seven starts. His last appearance for the Dodgers was on August 3rd where he recorded a four-inning save before being optioned back to Triple-A after the Ryan Yarbrough trade.
He has a tough task ahead of him with how hot the Braves have been the past few days and the Dodgers will not want to burn through their bullpen if they don't have to. Atlanta could force Dave Robert's hand if they jump on the young pitcher early on.
Game Information
Where and when: Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA at 9:10 pm EST
Watch: Bally Sports Southeast
Listen: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan