Bryce Elder and the Braves are looking at an uphill battle against Tyler Glasnow and the Dodgers in game 2
Bryce Elder will take the mound for Atlanta in what is a very lopsided pitching matchup on paper against Tyler Glasnow for LA. Glasnow has been one of the best pitchers in the league this season, with his high velocity three pitch mix of four-seamer, slider, and curveball. This will be especially challenging for Atlanta’s slumping offense, which may have to carry the evening with Elder on the mound. Weirdly, Glasnow’s slider is his most hittable pitch historically, even as it has a nearly 40% whiff rate. His curveball, on the other hand, is his best pitch and an incredibly potent one with a whiff rate topping 50% and very little damage done against it.
Elder will need to be on top of his game against the Dodgers’ formidable offense. Atlanta will be clear underdogs in this game, with the huge pitching disparity. This could be the game that the Braves are least favored in all season by betting odds between the pitching matchup, the talent level of the Dodgers, the game being in LA, and the slumping offense. To Bryce’s credit, he has only given up two runs in 12.0 innings this season, but has only accumulated 6 strikeouts in that time, with four walks (all in his last outing). I am quite nervous to see what Elder will look like against the talent that the Dodgers have at the plate.
Even as they may have the more talented offense, the bats have been well below their usual level for a decent stretch now, especially at the top with Acuna, Riley and Olson. Riley has looked the closest to breaking out of his funk, making a lot of loud contact, although Acuna has shows some signs of life himself at times. Both Riley and later Acuna hit homers last night, so hopefully that is something they can build on.
To show how vastly different the offense is right now vs earlier the season:
Braves scored 70 runs their first 10 games of the year.
Braves have scored 33 runs in their last 10 games.
— Stephen (@b_outliers) May 4, 2024
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, May 4, 9:10 p.m. ET
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
TV: Bally Sports South, MLB Network
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan