The Los Angeles Dodgers open a 10-game road trip Friday night against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta. The Braves have played improved baseball since a slow start to the season.
Los Angeles swept Atlanta when the teams met in California earlier this year. However, the Braves have won nine of their last 12 games entering the series.
Friday's pitching matchup features the Dodgers sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound. He holds a 1.06 ERA over 34 innings pitched this season.
Atlanta counters with Grant Holmes for the series opener. Holmes enters Friday with a 2-1 record and a 4.50 ERA.
The Braves have shown stronger performance at home this season. The team's collective wRC+ is 127 when playing in Atlanta, compared to 100 overall. Los Angeles has struggled more on the road, with a 94 wRC+ away from home compared to 144 at home.
The series marks Freddie Freeman's return to Atlanta. The former Braves star won a MVP and a championship with the franchise before signing with the Dodgers.
Game dates for the series are May 2-4. Game times are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT Friday and Saturday, with a 7:10 p.m. EDT start Sunday.
Following the series at Truist Park, the Dodgers continue their road trip with stops in Miami and Phoenix. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts has suggested the team's pitching plans for the trip could involve a bullpen game.
Sunday's game is scheduled to feature Dustin May for the Dodgers against Bryce Elder for the Braves. Saturday's pitching matchup includes Roki Sasaki for the Dodgers and Spencer Schwellenbach for Atlanta.
Braves manager Brian Snitker believes the team is playing more like itself recently after the slow start to the year.
