Dodgers vs. Braves Friday MLB props: Freddie Freeman with nearly 5-to-1 odds to homer in return to Atlanta

The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers played in Atlanta was Game 6 of the 2021 National League Championship Series. The Braves won 4-2 to complete the series upset on the way to the World Series title. Freddie Freeman walked four times in that game. Freeman isn't the best Braves player of all-time, but he was one of the team's most popular for years. The former face of the franchise returns to Truist Park on Friday night for the first time since signing with the Dodgers this offseason. LA is -130 at Caesars Sportsbook. (See tickets at StubHub)

The 32-year-old Freeman wanted to return to the only big-league team he had known, but he and the Braves couldn't agree to terms so Atlanta pivoted to a trade for a younger first baseman in Oakland's Matt Olson. Freeman, who is from the Los Angeles area, signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Dodgers. The issue between Freeman and the Braves reportedly was that sixth year. Freeman was a five-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, a Gold Glover and the 2020 NL MVP with Atlanta and ranks 12th in franchise history in WAR.

It will be interesting to see how Freeman is greeted by the sellout crowd Friday. One would think warmly, but Atlanta fans also booed legendary Braves pitcher Tom Glavine in his first game back with the New York Mets. That may have been more about Glavine choosing the hated Mets.

Freeman will get his World Series ring on Friday -- the caught a Dansby Swanson throw for the final out of the 2021 Fall Classic to beat Houston -- and presumably there will be a video tribute before the game.

Incidentally, Freeman homered in his first at-bat against the Braves in Los Angeles two months ago. He has never faced former Braves teammate Ian Anderson (6-3, 4.35 ERA) in a regular-season game and is +470 at Caesars to go yard tonight. Freeman enters on a seven-game hitting streak with three straight multi-hit and multi-RBI games. He's batting .303 (.291 entering this week) with eight homers and 45 RBIs (35 entering week) overall.

Atlanta's Anderson missed the Dodgers earlier this season and faced them twice in the NLCS, allowing three runs over seven innings. He took a no-decision in each outing.

Lefty Julio Urias (4-6, 2.56 ERA) starts for the Dodgers, who swept three games in Cincinnati to open this road trip. In the regular season, Urias is 2-0 in four appearances (two starts) against Atlanta with a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. He didn't see them earlier this year and struggled in the NLCS in his two appearances against Atlanta, allowing seven runs in six innings and losing Game 4. Freeman took him deep in that game. 

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