Lineup, how to watch Atlanta's series opener in Los Angeles against the 1st place Dodgers

Is it safe to say this is the most anticipated regular season series remaining on the calendar?

The 87-45 Atlanta Braves kick off the first of four games against the 83-49 Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at Dodger Stadium. Atlanta's currently sitting four games up on LA for best record in the National League, which will decide homefield advantage for the postseason (and Tom Glavine just recently told us how important that is).

You've got the two highest-scoring offenses in baseball, led by the two favorites for NL Most Valuable Player in rightfielders Ronald Acuña Jr and Mookie Betts, backed up by power-slugging first basemen that are in that same MVP race themselves in Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson. What more could you want?

(A win. We want a series win.)

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, August 31st

Here's how the Braves will line up tonight against the Dodgers:

Los Bravos in Los Angeles 🔥#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/mPcm6DfA4t
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 31, 2023

If you were curious about Atlanta's infielders playing every single day down the stretch or if manager Brian Snitker would strategically give guys some days off, here's your answer: Ozzie Albies gets a "rest" day today, with Nicky Lopez playing 2nd base and batting 9th. That bumps Michael Harris II up to the #2 spot, with Sean Murphy behind the plate, batting 7th.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, August 31st

Starting for Atlanta in game one is Spencer Strider. 15-4 with a 3.46 ERA, he's the league leader in both strikeouts (236), strikeout rate (13.9 K/9), and FIP (2.79), while leading the National League in WHIP (1.057). Strider's 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his two career starts against LA, going six scoreless innings last year with five hits and seven strikeouts, while allowing four runs (two earned) in six innings of a May 23rd home loss to the Dodgers with eleven strikeouts.

Opposing the Braves is veteran Lance Lynn. The righty, acquired from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline, is 10-9 with a 5.56 ERA but has pitched much better since coming over via trade: 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA in his five starts, with a dramatically lower strikeout rate (from 10.8 K/9 to 7.5 K/9) but also a walk rate half of his White Sox numbers. His FIP is 4.68, however, so it's entirely realistic to think that regression will set in eventually for Lynn - Atlanta's hoping it's tonight.

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, August 31st

Put a pot of coffee on, because this is a late one - first pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 PM ET. The TV broadcast will be on Bally Sports Southeast throughout Braves Country and MLB.tv nationally. The radio call is available in the Atlanta metro area on 680 The Fan, across the Southeast on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, and nationally on MLB.tv.

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO