Braves on Brink of Unwanted History in Clash with Dodgers

After winning a 2-1 pitcher’s duel in the series opener Friday, the Dodgers routed the Braves 10-3 Saturday. In Saturday’s game, Dodgers first baseman and former Brave Freddie Freeman hit a home run and tallied four RBIs against his old club.

Freeman’s strong performance rubbed salt in the wound for Altanta, and things could get worse if the Braves lose the series finale Sunday. The Dodgers can clinch a sweep of the season series with a win Sunday, which would mark an unfortunate first for the Braves.

The Braves have never been swept by the Dodgers in a season series dating back to 1890, the first year the teams met head-to-head. The Dodgers swept the Braves in Los Angeles in early April, so Sunday’s game marks the end of their regular season series and the last chance for Atlanta to salvage the season series.

To avoid a history-making sweep, Atlanta will need a strong offensive outing. The Braves are averaging just 2.2 runs per game against the Dodgers this season, which has led to their 0-5 record in those games.

With the Dodgers’ elite offense and struggling Braves pitcher Bryce Elder on the mound, Atlanta will need to score at a high clip to win Sunday. Right-handed pitcher Dustin May will start for Los Angeles, as he looks for his second win of the season.

In April, May pitched five innings and allowed one unearned run against the Braves in a no-decision. In his most recent start, May allowed three runs in 5.1 innings against the Miami Marlins.

The Braves face an uphill climb as they look to avoid the sweep. The Dodgers are playing some of their best baseball of the season and will look to make history Sunday. If Los Angeles does complete the history-making sweep, it’ll be another low point in Atlanta’s up-and-down season.