MLB Preview June 28: Dodgers, Braves Lead Elite Pitching Slate

OddsShift · Jun 29, 2026

The headliner tonight is Dodgers at Padres. Los Angeles sits at 54-30, the best record in baseball, and sends Emmet Sheehan to the mound against Michael King in a matchup that carries legitimate NL West weight. San Diego is 43-39 and in the hunt, but facing a Dodgers club that has been the most consistent team in the sport all season. This one has the feel of a tone-setter for the second half.

Braves at Giants is the other marquee pitching duel. Chris Sale takes the ball for Atlanta (49-33), and at this stage of his career he has been one of the better stories in the league. San Francisco is 35-48 and has been a tough-luck roster all year. Robbie Ray gets the start for the Giants, but Atlanta's lineup is a mismatch here. The Braves are one of three teams with a top-five record and should handle this one.

Cubs at Brewers is worth a close look for NL Central bettors. Milwaukee is 50-31 and one of the hottest teams in baseball. Brandon Woodruff starts against Chicago's Ryan Rolison. The Cubs are 46-38 and capable, but the Brewers at home have been a difficult equation for opponents all season.

Elsewhere, the Phillies (47-37) visit a Mets club that has stumbled to 35-49, with Jesús Luzardo going against Cionel Pérez in what looks like a significant talent gap at the starter position. The Yankees (48-34) face Boston's Sonny Gray, while Carlos Rodón takes the hill for New York against a Red Sox team at 35-46 that has not found consistent footing.

Tampa Bay (48-33) hosts Arizona with Drew Rasmussen on the mound, another spot where the home team's record and starter combination makes for a straightforward setup to evaluate.