Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are set for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers enter the postseason looking to claim a third consecutive World Series title. Los Angeles earned the No. 2 seed in the NL postseason by posting a record of 100-62 during the regular season.
On the other side, the Braves defeated the Phillies 2-1 in the best-of-three wild card round. Atlanta went 94-68 in the regular season.
With each team looking to start the divisional round on a high note, who has the edge in Game 1?
First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Braves vs. Dodgers betting picks and predictions
Dodgers -1.5 (-110)
The Braves don't possess nearly as big of a threat to the Dodgers as originally anticipated. That's because Atlanta’s starting rotation has been heavily impacted by injuries.
They currently have just three starters healthy (Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, and Grant Holmes) and none of them will be available for Saturday's Game 1 in Los Angeles.
That means Atlanta will likely opt for a bullpen game, which presents many worrisome variables - especially when going up against Tarik Skubal.
Skubal is the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner and was dealt from the Tigers to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in July.
He is undoubtedly one of the best pitchers out there and has looked right at home in Dodger blue.
Through 10 starts with his new team, Skubal is 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over the course of 62.0 innings.
Los Angeles' bullpen is also well-rested after having the week off, while Atlanta's bullpen is more used after playing three games in the wild card round against Philadelphia.
Pitching is everything in the postseason and no matter how you slice it, Los Angeles' pitching situation is far superior to Atlanta's heading into Game 1.
Under 8.5 (-120)
Skubal is as good as it gets, and the Braves don't hit lefties particularly well. Over the course of the regular season, Atlanta ranked 21st in baseball with a team OPS of 696 against southpaws.
Skubal posted an ERA of 2.25 over five starts and 32.0 innings of work in September and racked up 33 strikeouts with just six walks in that span. He should give the Atlanta lineup plenty of problems.
Atlanta's pitching situation is in flux, but the good news is that the Braves bullpen has been reliable all season long. Their bullpen ERA of 3.44 ranked 4th in MLB during the regular season, and their 1.19 WHIP ranked 2nd.
The Dodgers haven't played in almost a week, so it's possible they may struggle to find a rhythm at the plate throughout this contest. Facing multiple pitchers in a bullpen game makes that effort even more difficult.
With the total listed at 8.5, look to the under.
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Braves vs. Dodgers odds
Braves | +190 |
Dodgers | -230 |
Run Line | ATL Braves +1.5 |
Total | O/U 8.5 |
Braves vs. Dodgers player props
Home run odds
Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) | +350 |
Will Smith (LA Dodgers) | +375 |
Mookie Betts (LA Dodgers) | +450 |
Max Muncy (LA Dodgers) | +450 |
Matt Olson (ATL Braves) | +450 |
Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL Braves) | +475 |
Braves vs. Dodgers team news
Braves
Bryce Elder (right knee) is sidelined until next season, while Martin Perez (back) and Reynaldo Perez (right shoulder) are out and Lane Thomas (rib) is unlikely to feature.
Dodgers
Blake Treinen (right shoulder) has been ruled out for the season, while Shohei Ohtani is not expected to pitch in postseason as he struggles with injuries to his right biceps and left knee.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
