The Atlanta Braves find themselves struggling in the 2025 MLB season, with a disappointing 33-39 record, trailing the National League East by 11 games. However, they have managed to secure victories in their first two games of the series against the New York Mets. Matt Olson has been a key player for the Braves, contributing with an RBI in both games and totaling six over his last five games. This trend aligns with betting insights suggesting that Olson is a strong candidate for the Over 0.5 RBI prop for Thursday's game.

In addition, the model has highlighted several promising player prop bets for Thursday, including Pete Alonso, who, despite a recent slump, leads the league with 63 RBIs and boasts a strong history against the Braves' probable starter, Spencer Strider. Manny Machado also stands out with a favorable matchup and a solid RBI tally in previous games. With the Braves' recent improvements and the betting odds favoring Olson, fans and bettors alike should keep a close eye on these player performances as the season progresses.

In a recent clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, tensions flared after a pitch from Dylan Cease struck Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages. Pages, visibly upset, voiced his frustrations, suggesting that Cease had intentionally thrown at him, citing the accuracy of Cease's pitches in previous at-bats. The incident led to a brief confrontation, but the umpires intervened to prevent escalation.

Despite the drama, the Dodgers secured a 6-3 victory, marking a strong start to the four-game series. The game also featured Shohei Ohtani's first pitching appearance since 2023, adding to the excitement. Following the game, Pages expressed regret over his reaction, attributing it to adrenaline, while Cease insisted that there was no intent behind the pitch. Manny Machado weighed in, commenting on the nature of the rivalry and the competitive spirit of both teams.

Shohei Ohtani made a highly anticipated return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching for the first time in over a year after elbow surgery. He faced the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium, pitching one inning and throwing 28 pitches, with 16 strikes. Although he allowed one earned run due to a sacrifice fly from Manny Machado, he recorded two groundouts to end the inning.

Ohtani also contributed offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the Dodgers' 6-3 win, extending their win streak to three games. His performance raised his batting average to .300 for the season. This outing not only marked his comeback but also demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities that make him one of the most exciting players in baseball.

Shohei Ohtani's highly anticipated return to the mound after 663 days was met with fervent cheers at Dodger Stadium as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the San Diego Padres. Despite initial struggles, Ohtani exhibited flashes of his former dominance, reaching 100 mph on his fastball. In addition to pitching, he made an impact offensively, hitting a double that tied the game at one. Despite the Dodgers’ successful season, injuries have plagued their pitching staff, with multiple players on the injured list. Ohtani's season has been historic, further solidifying his legacy with 25 home runs and a .297 batting average. He has signed a historic 10-year contract with the Dodgers and already won a World Series and garnered a third MVP award.

Shohei Ohtani made a highly anticipated return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his two-way prowess in a game against the San Diego Padres. The outing allowed him to pitch and hit in the same game for the first time since his injury, striking out in his first plate appearance after allowing one run in his pitching inning. Ohtani's fastball reached speeds of nearly 100 mph, and despite a wild pitch, he effectively used this start as part of his rehabilitation.

After undergoing his second elbow ligament repair, Ohtani's quick return to pitching signifies the Dodgers’ commitment to utilizing him as a dual threat. This tactical decision stems from Ohtani's feedback that swinging after extended pitching sessions was more taxing, prompting his integration into the lineup sooner than expected. The Dodgers and their fans are hopeful that Ohtani’s combination of speed and skill will lead to success in their upcoming games.