Braves' Chris Sale Faces Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan in NL Pennant Clash

Two National League contenders square off tonight as the Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams sit atop their divisions early in the season, with the Braves holding MLB's best record at 26-12 and the Dodgers at 23-14.

Atlanta has rebounded from last year's struggles. The team hits .270 with 213 runs scored through about a quarter of the season. Its pitching staff posts a 3.22 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Chris Sale starts for the Braves. The left-hander enters 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, all top-10 marks in the majors. He has allowed 10 earned runs this year, six in his only start in Los Angeles against the Angels. Sale delivered a quality start with one or fewer earned runs in his other six outings. Dodgers hitters are 11-for-69 lifetime against him.

The Dodgers, fresh off two World Series titles, added outfielder Kyle Tucker and reliever Edwin Díaz in the offseason. Injuries sideline Díaz, Blake Snell, Mookie Betts, Enrique Hernández and leave Tyler Glasnow banged up. Still, their deep roster keeps them competitive.

Los Angeles counters with Emmet Sheehan, a 26-year-old right-hander who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. This marks his seventh start. He has given up four or more earned runs in three of six previous outings. Sheehan faced the Braves before and limited them to three hits in 21 at-bats.