The surprising Braves have a better offense than the Dodgers, are 10 games above .500 compared to LA's .500 record and drawing a rookie pitcher. 

Yet the Dodgers are a monster favorite here. I'm not buying this especially considering the situational aspects of this game. 

LA concluded a six-game road trip with an 8-7 victory against the Pirates yesterday. The Dodgers' bullpen is heavily taxed having pitched 14 1/3 innings he past two days. LA is in a fat and happy mood having won five of six during its road trip. 

While the Dodgers face the distraction of returning home without rest after being gone a week while playing in two different time zones, the Braves were idle on Thursday. They've been in Southern California since Monday. 

Atlanta is 20-14 on the road. The Dodgers are 14-17 at home. 

Braves starter Brandon McCarthy won't lack motivation pitching against his former team having played for the Dodgers from 2015-17. The 34-year-old McCarthy certainly brings an experience level Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler lacks. McCarthy has held foes to three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 12 starts.  

Buehler is a highly-rated prospect. So far he's living up to his hype with a 2.74 ERA in his first 46 innings. Buehler, though, figures to have ups and downs as the league gets more film and first-hand information about him.