Thursday, October15, 2020, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas, 8:08 p.m. p.m. ET
Dodgers at Braves Betting Preview: Dodgers (-220), Braves (+188)
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are back in the National League Championship Series, and they did it in a big way with a record 11 first-inning runs. Most important, they looked like themselves for one of the few times in the playoffs so far, hitting five home runs in Game 3.
The Dodgers now turn to Clayton Kershaw in Game 4 after the veteran left-hander was a scratch in Game 2 because of back spasms. A final decision on his status will be made when team doctors see how he feels in the morning. Los Angeles got away with using just four relievers in the Game 3 blowout, all for one inning each, so the bullpen has plenty to back up Kershaw on Thursday.
The ninth-inning offensive outburst from Game 2 carried over into the first inning of Game 3, but the Dodgers were largely stagnant remainder of that contest. The issue now is to keep the bats rolling in Game 4.
Atlanta Braves
It was unlikely the Braves were going to sweep their way through the NLCS after they swept their wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds and their NL Division Series against the Miami Marlins. So for all the noise the Dodgers made early Wednesday, the reality is that it was just one loss and they still have a 2-1 series lead.
Rookie right-hander Kyle Wright was no match for the Dodgers in Game 3, and now Atlanta will send rookie right-hander Bryse Wilson to the mound. Wilson was 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA in six appearances (two starts) in the regular season. He appeared in nine games (five starts) over the previous two seasons but has never faced the Dodgers. The outing will be his playoff debut.
Game 3 was one to forget for the Braves, but they did get four shutout innings from right-hander Huascar Ynoa to help preserve the bullpen after Wright went just two-thirds of an inning. Atlanta hopes its two-run ninth inning will have a carryover effect as the Dodgers experienced following their late Game 2 rally.
NLCS Betting Pick for Game 4: Dodgers at Braves
The Dodgers’ 1-2 punch of Mookie Betts and Corey Seager combined for four hits and five runs in Game 3, and if the two are in sync, Los Angeles’ offense is, too. There is no telling what Kershaw will give. Would manager Dave Roberts be willing to let righty Dustin May pitch in Game 4 as well? May tossed 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings in Game 1.
The Braves will take what they can get from Wilson, with the bullpen ready to jump into the fray, but there will be no Ynoa to slow the tempo this time.
Dodgers at Braves Betting Pick:
Dodgers 7, Braves 5
NLCS Best Bet for Game 4: Dodgers at Braves
Kershaw went from 13 strikeouts in his wild-card outing against the Milwaukee Brewers to allowing two home runs in his NLDS start against the San Diego Padres. Now he has a back issue, and if it affects his command, he could be vulnerable to more home runs. The Dodgers looked as if a weight were lifted during their big first inning in Game 3, and more offense figures to be on the way.
Dodgers at Braves Best Bet: OVER 9.5 total runs (-102)
–Field Level Media
