Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: A Statistical Showdown

Introduction

The rivalry between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers has been one of the most storied in Major League Baseball history. The two teams have met in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) six times, with the Dodgers holding a 4-2 record. In their most recent meeting in 2021, the Braves defeated the Dodgers in six games to advance to the World Series. The two teams are expected to be among the contenders for the NL pennant again in 2023, so let's take a look at how their players stack up statistically.

Hitting

The Braves have a slight edge over the Dodgers in terms of hitting, with a team batting average of .265 compared to the Dodgers' .258. The Braves also have more power, with 240 home runs compared to the Dodgers' 220.

Key Braves Hitters:

• Ronald Acuña Jr.: The reigning NL MVP is one of the most dynamic players in the game. He is a threat to steal bases, hit for power, and get on base.
• Freddie Freeman: The first baseman is a perennial All-Star and one of the best hitters in the league. He is a great contact hitter with power.
• Dansby Swanson: The shortstop is a rising star who has emerged as a key part of the Braves' offense. He is a good hitter with speed and power.

Key Dodgers Hitters:

• Mookie Betts: The reigning World Series MVP is one of the best all-around players in the game. He is a great hitter, fielder, and runner.
• Freddie Freeman: The Dodgers acquired Freeman from the Braves in the offseason, and he is expected to be a key part of their offense. He is a great contact hitter with power.
• Trea Turner: The shortstop is a former All-Star who is known for his speed and ability to get on base.

Pitching

The Dodgers have a slight edge over the Braves in terms of pitching, with a team ERA of 3.02 compared to the Braves' 3.24. The Dodgers also have a better strikeout rate, with 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings compared to the Braves' 8.9.

Key Braves Pitchers:

• Max Fried: The left-hander is the Braves' ace and one of the best pitchers in the NL. He is a great control pitcher with a nasty changeup.
• Charlie Morton: The veteran right-hander is a former Cy Young Award winner who is still a very effective pitcher. He is a good strikeout pitcher with a sinker that is tough to hit.
• Spencer Strider: The rookie right-hander is one of the most exciting young pitchers in the game. He is a power pitcher with a fastball that can reach 100 mph.

Key Dodgers Pitchers:

• Julio Urías: The left-hander is the Dodgers' ace and one of the best young pitchers in the game. He is a great control pitcher with a nasty changeup.
• Clayton Kershaw: The veteran left-hander is a three-time Cy Young Award winner who is still one of the best pitchers in the game. He is a great strikeout pitcher with a devastating curveball.
• Tony Gonsolin: The right-hander is a rising star who has emerged as a key part of the Dodgers' rotation. He is a good strikeout pitcher with a sinker that is tough to hit.

Defense

The Braves have a slight edge over the Dodgers in terms of defense, with a team fielding percentage of .986 compared to the Dodgers' .984. The Braves also have a better stolen base percentage, with 75% of their attempts being successful compared to the Dodgers' 68%.

Key Braves Defenders:

• Ronald Acuña Jr.: The center fielder is one of the best defensive players in the game. He has a great arm and range.
• Ozzie Albies: The second baseman is a good fielder with a quick release.
• Dansby Swanson: The shortstop is a solid fielder with a good range.

Key Dodgers Defenders:

• Mookie Betts: The right fielder is one of the best defensive players in the game. He has a great arm and range.
• Freddie Freeman: The first baseman is a good fielder with a quick release.
• Trea Turner: The shortstop is a solid fielder with a good range.

Overall

The Braves and Dodgers are two of the best teams in the NL, and their statistical matchup is very close. The Braves have a slight edge in hitting and defense, while the Dodgers have a slight edge in pitching. Ultimately, the outcome of their matchup will likely be decided by which team plays better in the clutch.

Conclusion

The Braves and Dodgers are two of the most storied teams in Major League Baseball history, and their rivalry is one of the most heated. The two teams are expected to be among the contenders for the NL pennant again in 2023, so their statistical matchup is worth watching.

Additional Stats

• The Braves have won the NL East division seven times in the past 10 years.
• The Dodgers have won the NL West division nine times in the past 10 years.
• The Braves have a winning record against the Dodgers in the regular season since 2013.
• The Dodgers have a winning record against the Braves in the postseason since 2013.

Table 1: Batting Stats

Table 2: Pitching Stats

Table 3: Defensive Stats