Dodgers and Braves offenses should have a field day with two questionable pitchers on the mound

It was not a very fun day on the diamond for me. The bullpens got me in both games last night, and I went 0-2. It was a very frustrating thing to watch. Basically, picture yourself building a tower of cards or popsicle sticks only for someone to come and take away the foundation right as you're about to finish the job. The Cubs bullpen gave up five runs over the final two innings, losing the game. And Mason Miller, one of the best closers in baseball, allowed a run in a scoreless game to give the Pirates a win. Sometimes you can't dodge bad luck. Hopefully, I get some positive play in my favor now. The Los Angeles Dodgers come into this one as just the second team in baseball to win 80 games. Although they will almost certainly win the National League West, they are still in a battle with the Brewers for the #1 overall seed in both the National League and the Majors. What is wild about the Dodgers is they aren't even playing with their best possible team. The pitching staff is finally looking a bit healthier than normal, but Will Smith is out, Kyle Tucker is playing poorly, Shohei Ohtani isn't pitching, and Dalton Rushing is also on the injured list. There is still another level the Dodgers can go to. The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd. Tyler Glasnow is their fifth starter on the depth chart — he would be the first for probably about 25 other teams. Due to the injuries and conservation of the staff, the team throws a sixth starter, Roki Sasaki. He is one of the younger guys in the rotation, and someone who it seems like the Dodgers are still trying to figure out how to use. He was outstanding in the postseason for them last year. This season, in 22 starts, he is 5-5 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has pitched fairly well in August, but Braves hitters have been decent against him with three hits in just 11 at-bats. The Atlanta Braves aren't too far behind the Dodgers, but they now must once again fend off the Phillies, who are hot on their tail. Two weeks ago, it felt like the Braves would coast to the postseason as the leaders in the National League East. Now they only have a 4.5-game lead, and most of that is due to the Phillies being hot, and less about the Braves struggling. However, over their last 10 games, the Phillies are 8-2, while the Braves are just 4-6. Still, the chances of either team missing the postseason are pretty low. Looking to complete the series win over the Dodgers is AJ Smith-Shawver. For the season, Smith-Shawver has made only two starts, allowing six earned runs in 8.2 innings. He has walked five batters while giving up nine hits in that span as well, so there has been plenty of traffic on the base paths. This will be his first home start, and that could be a benefit to him as young guys might need that home crowd behind them. This is actually his fourth year in Major League time, so he has faced two Dodgers hitters and they are 2-for-7 against him. Alex Call is 2-for-5 with a double and triple. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Braves have won the first game of the series, so if they can steal this one, they complete the series win of two teams that might end up in the National League Championship Series. It really doesn't mean much, but it would give Atlanta a little more confidence. I think this game likely sees some runs as both teams are gifted on offense and both pitchers look like they are more than willing to allow baserunners. I like the over 8.5 here. I also like the Dodgers to win the game. I'm playing the over, but I'll sprinkle the Dodgers money line as well. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024