Dodgers vs. Braves: NLCS schedule, matchups, predictions
Dodgers and Braves are playing in the NLCS. The first game is on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Truist Park. Game 2 is Sunday at 4:30 p.,m., Game 3 is Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, and Game 4 is Wednesday at 2 p,m, at the stadium. If necessary, Game 5 is Thursday at 3 p,.m at Dodgers Stadium and game 6 is October 23 at 1 p..m,. at Trust Park, if necessary.
Dodgers are playing the Braves in the NLCS. The game's pitching matchup is Dodgers left-hander Max Fried vs. Braves lefty Max F Fried (14-7, 3.04 ERA).
Dodgers and Braves are playing in the NLCS. Winner advances to the World Series against the Houston Astros or Boston Red Sox. Loser is eliminated.
The Dodgers finished second in the NL West with a 106-56 record. They beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in wild-card game. The Dodgers also beat San Francisco Giants in a thrilling five-game division series.
The Dodgers won the season series 4-2. The Braves won two of three games in Atlanta on June 4 and 6. Dodgers swept a three-game series in Los Angeles from August 30 to September 1.
Betts is getting hot at the right time. Betts hit .450 in the division series. Bellinger has shaken off a brutal regular season to deliver several big playoff hits. Turner, Trea and Justin combined to hit just .095 in NLCS. Swanson could play a key role at top of the order for the Braves.
The key matchup for each team's bullpen is the defense against the offense. If the game goes to the final innings, the advantage will go to Dodgers' relief corps. Kenley Jansen has a better record than Braves' closer Will Smith. Atlanta's relief pitchers are Tyler Matzek and Luke Jackson.
Dodgers will win if they build rallies with singles and doubles, advance runners with productive outs and generate offense without relying too heavily on the long ball. Trea Turner, Justin Turner and the rest of the order will have to contribute more to improve their chances.
The Braves won the division series against the Dodgers. They hit 239 home runs this season, two more than the Los Angeles Dodgers (237). They also led the NL in scoring with a 5.1 runs-per-game average over the final two months of the season.
