Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions, Odds & Picks (October 13)

• Can Kershaw come up clutch
• No pressure, rookie
• Dodgers offense looks to get going again

Braves vs Dodgers Odds

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Braves at Dodgers Predictions and Picks

The Dodgers offense is rarely held down two days in a row. But the Braves pitching staff has been flawless this postseason. Something has to give, so we will give the edge to the Dodgers. We like the Dodger’s money line and against the spread.

Picks:

Dodgers for the win -167

-1.5 +128

Betting record through 10/9/20 (44-41-1)

Trends

Braves are 6-0 in last six playoff games

Braves are 14-4 in their last 18 vs NL West

Braves are 5-0 in their last five games following a win

Braves are 19-7 in their last 26 games vs a team with a winning record

Braves are 5-2 in their last seven games as an underdog

Braves are 5-2 in their last seven games vs a left-handed stater

Braves are 6-13 in their last 19 playoff games as an underdog

Under is 5-1 in Braves last six overall

Under is 6-1 in Braves last seven vs NL West

Under is 9-3-1 in Braves last 13 vs left-handed starter

Dodgers are 5-1 in their last six playoff games

Dodgers are 9-3 in their last 12 games vs a team with a winning record

Under is 5-1-1 inn Dodgers last seven NLCS games

Under is 5-2 in Dodgers last seven overall

How to Watch Braves vs Dodgers

Can Kershaw Come up Clutch?

We have one of the most interesting pitching matchups of the entire MLB postseason on our hand, when one of the two best pitchers of this generation, Clayton Kershaw, faces up against one of the Brave’s top prospects, Ian Anderson.

Kershaw’s numbers speak for themselves: a lifetime 175-76 record, 2.43 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and upwards of 2500 strikeouts in just more than 2,300 innings. The eight-time All-Star has won three Cy-Young Awards and is one of just two pitchers since the turn of the century to win MVP of his league.

However, for all of his success, he’s equally been known for his strange inability to get the big win in the postseason. Kershaw has appeared in 13 NLCS games in his career, starting nine of themes and has just a 3-5 record to show for it. In those contests, his ERA is 4.61 over 52.2 innings.

But one reason to believe he will be better this time around is he’s not at the end of his rope. Pitching every five days for more than six months of the year can wear on you, but with this shortened season, he shouldn’t be too fatigued and should be able to work deep into the game if he has his “good stuff.”

No Pressure, Rook

Ian Anderson is in his first season as a professional big-league pitcher. All he’s done is exceed every already extremely high expectation that has been placed on him. Anderson was fantastic this year, going 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. And somehow, he’s been even better in the postseason.

The Braves have pitched shutouts in each of the two starts he’s made where he had almost identical showings. He went six strong against the Reds, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out nine in a 5-0 win. He went 5.2 innings against the Marlins, giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out eight.

Anderson uses a four-pitch mix but relies primarily on three: a four-seam fastball, changeup, and curve. His hard-hit rate against is n the 80th percentile, and his barrel and rate and expected slugging percentage against are both in the 99th percentile. Meaning, he’s not just getting fortunate breaks, he’s genuinely missing bats. We will see if that can continue against the best lineup he’s ever faced in the biggest game he’s pitched in.

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Can Dodgers Be the First to Solve Atlanta’s Pitching Staff?

It’s no secret why the Braves are cruising through this postseason, going a perfect 6-0 in as many games to start the 2020 playoffs.

Their pitching staff has been as close to perfect as it gets, giving up just six total runs in six games – a stretch of 58 innings. The Braves have shutout their opponent in four games and held them to one run or fewer five times.

But still, they’ve only seen the Dodgers one time and that came after an off day when their entire bullpen was rested. It’s still in good shape after game one, but keep in mind Los Angeles’ offense has rarely been slowed this year. The Dodgers only scored one run or fewer ONCE in 60 games this regular season and they followed that up with a 6-2 win.

The Dodgers offense will come to play tonight – let’s see if the Braves staff can still be up to the task.