The Los Angeles Dodgers come into their April 2, 2025 matchup against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium with the confidence of a team that has opened the season in nearly flawless fashion. At 5–0, the Dodgers have yet to lose a game, and they’ve looked every bit the juggernaut that was expected after a high-profile offseason headlined by the addition of Shohei Ohtani. With dominant wins over both National League and interleague opponents, the Dodgers are playing sharp, focused baseball and are one win away from a series sweep over a talented Braves squad that has yet to find its footing. Offensively, the Dodgers have looked borderline unstoppable. Shohei Ohtani has quickly become the centerpiece of the lineup, combining his patented plate discipline with elite exit velocity and a knack for timely hits. Batting alongside longtime staples like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, Ohtani gives LA a terrifying trio that pitchers must navigate early in every game. Freeman, who remains one of the most consistent hitters in the league, is not only producing at the plate but also offering valuable veteran leadership. Betts, meanwhile, remains the spark plug, getting on base, stealing bags, and making defensive gems in right field. Together, they’ve pushed the Dodgers’ run average to an impressive six per game over their first five contests. The bottom half of the lineup has also been productive, with contributions from Max Muncy, Will Smith, and up-and-coming rookies like Miguel Vargas and Andy Pages. Manager Dave Roberts has the luxury of a deep bench and versatile position players who can shift across the diamond, giving him flexibility with late-game matchups and double-switch options.

The offensive depth has made it difficult for opposing pitchers to get easy outs—every at-bat is competitive, and the lineup doesn’t give anyone a breather. On the mound, the Dodgers have been anchored by strong performances across their rotation, and in this game, they’ll turn to left-hander Blake Snell. After a solid debut where he threw six innings and allowed just two earned runs, Snell looks poised to build momentum and cement himself as a dependable rotation piece behind the likes of Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Snell’s ability to generate swings and misses with his devastating slider and changeup makes him a particularly tough matchup for a Braves lineup that’s pressing and struggling to find rhythm. If he can go deep into the game, it will take pressure off a bullpen that, while excellent, has already logged several high-leverage innings. Defensively, the Dodgers remain one of the most fundamentally sound teams in baseball. With elite gloves across the field—Betts in right, Freeman at first, and Gavin Lux showing range up the middle—the Dodgers rarely give opponents second chances. The defense has been instrumental in turning potential rallies into double plays and in preserving slim leads when the offense doesn’t break open the game. The Dodgers have already taken the first two games of the series and are now in position to sweep one of the top teams in the National League. A win would not only maintain their perfect record but also serve as an early-season statement that they are the team to beat in the NL. With everything firing—offense, pitching, defense—this Dodgers team looks every bit the World Series favorite they were built to be.