Editor's Note: Jesse Chavez will serve as the opener for Atlanta in tonight's NLCS Game 4. Huascar Ynoa has shoulder inflammation.
Braves vs. Dodgers Odds
| Braves Odds | +180 |
| Dodgers Odds | -225 |
| Over/Under | 8 (-110 / -110) |
| Time | 8:08 p.m. ET |
| TV | TBS |
Cody Bellinger sure picked a good time to remember he is a former league MVP. Bellinger hit just .165 during an injury-riddled regular season and finished with the second-lowest WAR in the entire league among players with at least 300 plate appearances.
The 2019 MVP came up with the go-ahead RBI single in the ninth inning of Game 5 to give Los Angeles the series win against San Francisco. He came up clutch against Tuesday night, with a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game against Atlanta.
The Dodgers won 106 games during the regular season, and five more during the playoffs. None of them were more important than that one, as Los Angeles was able to avoid going down 3-0 in the series.
Now, as the Braves were about to put the Dodgers on the ropes, Los Angeles seemingly has some momentum back going into Game 4. Will Atlanta be able to bounce back, or can the Dodgers even the series at home?
Pitching Situation Precarious For Braves
The Braves have shortened their rotation and will go with a bullpen game in Game 4. We can expect to see Huascar Ynoa (RHP) for some innings. The 23-year old was off to a terrific start through mid-May before breaking his hand punching a bench and missing three months.
He struggled after returning from the injured list, finishing the year with a 4.05 ERA and that has left his role uncertain. He made one appearance out of the bullpen this postseason, allowing two runs in one inning of relief against Milwaukee.
The 23-year old will likely be piggy-backed by the 32-year old Drew Smyly. The veteran has not appeared in the postseason since 2013. His regular season didn’t provide much to smile about, as he posted a 4.48 ERA and 5.11 FIP. He finished the year in the bottom 20% of the league in xBA, xwOBA and xERA.
Atlanta’s lineup isn’t as potent as the rest of the teams left in the playoffs, but they still have guys who are plenty capable of doing damage. Joc Pederson and Eddie Rosario have been two of the hottest hitters in the postseason. Rosario is batting .400 and Pederson has three home runs and eight RBI in seven games.
Dodgers Turn To Urías To Even Series
Los Angeles will continue the assembly line of stud pitchers with Julio Urías (LHP). The 25-year-old was terrific in his sixth big-league season. He led the league in wins, going 20-3 with a 2.96 ERA. He has not taken a loss since June 21.
The youngster has already made 21 playoff appearances, going 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA and allowing just a .189 batting average in the postseason. He was terrific in his first two outings this postseason, allowing two runs in nine innings against San Francisco. However, in his relief appearance in Game 2 against Atlanta, he took a blown save after giving up two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Losing Max Muncy was a huge blow to the Dodgers' offense and it showed with their struggles to score early on. Luckily, their pitching staff is the best in the league, and the two players they needed to step up have done so. Former MVPs Mookie Betts and Bellinger have both come up big this series. Betts is second among all players with 14 hits this postseason.
Braves-Dodgers Pick
The Dodgers were able to avoid falling down 3-0 Tuesday night and seemingly took back all the momentum heading into Game 4. They have a chance to even the series in their home ballpark, where they posted the best home record in the league this season.
Los Angeles will have another stud pitcher on the mound while Atlanta is putting together a bullpen game. It's hard to lay such a big price with the Dodgers, so I will look to attack the total instead.
Both Ynoa and Smyly have really struggled down the stretch for the Braves, and neither inspire much confidence on the mound. Betts and Bellinger are finally performing like the former MVPs we are used to seeing and make this lineup incredible dangerous.
Urías has been great for most of the season, but Atlanta was able to do some damage against him in Game 2. With Buehler’s early exit in Game 3, LA was forced to use eight relivers, and could have some tired arms. Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly and Alex Vesia have pitched in all three games this series.
I expect the Dodgers to be able to do some damage against Ynoa and Smyly, and Atlanta will have a chance to chip in late against a tired Los Angeles bullpen. I will back the over 8 at -115 or better.
Pick: Over 8 (-110)
Editor's Note: The betting suggestion does not change with Ynoa's scratch, as the fact that the Braves are still employing a bullpen game strategy was already factored in.
