Dodgers, Braves Ready to Rack Up the Runs

The Los Angeles Dodgers not only climbed back into the National League Championship Series, they made plenty of noise in doing so and now look to even the best-of-seven at two games apiece Thursday night. The Dodgers set an NLCS record with 11 first-inning runs in a 15-3 drubbing of the Braves on Wednesday and have their ace on the mound for Game 4.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Dodgers opened as whopping -200 favorites for Game 4, and that line has moved even further in L.A.’s direction at between -215 and -235 (the Braves are in the +185 to +200 range). The total has dipped from 9.5 to 9.

Starting Pitchers Analysis

The Braves are taking a risk with their Game 4 starter, sending right-hander Bryse Wilson (1-0, 4.02 ERA) to the hill. Wilson had six appearances (including two starts) in the regular season but hasn’t pitched in game action since September 27. He struggled for much of the season, allowing 18 hits (including a pair of home runs) while walking nine batters over 15.2 innings.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have to like their chances with Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2.16 ERA) getting the call. Kershaw was originally scheduled to pitch in Game 2 but was scratched due to back soreness. Members of the Atlanta roster own a .228/.256/.327 slash line in 164 at-bats against Kershaw, with just two home runs and a whopping 47 strikeouts.

Atlanta News & Notes

The game being decided in the first inning might have actually helped the Braves, at least to the extent that they were able to spare their bullpen. Atlanta employed just four relievers despite the lopsided score, after being forced to use seven pitchers in Tuesday’s wild 8-7 win. The Braves have allowed 22 runs in two games after permitting just six in their first six playoff games.

The one-sided result also allowed the Braves to give some of their starters a breather, including first baseman Freddie Freeman. He went 1-for-1 with a walk before being removed from the game, and is 4-for-9 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs through the first three games of the NLCS. Freeman is 6-for-22 with a home run and nine strikeouts lifetime vs Kershaw.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Dodgers showed why they were the top offensive team in baseball during the regular season, picking up where they left off after scoring four runs in the ninth inning of their Game 2 defeat. Los Angeles racked up all 15 of its runs over the first three innings while blasting five home runs; the Dodgers went into the game with just five long balls in the entire postseason.

The Dodgers’ recent offensive charge has been led by shortstop Corey Seager, who is 5-for-8 with a pair of home runs and seven RBIs over the past two games. He’s batting .367 with three homers and 11 RBIs in the postseason and is worth riding in daily fantasy even at an elevated salary given his hot streak and his prominence within the L.A. batting lineup.

Betting Pick: OVER 9 (-110)

Taking the OVER in a Kershaw start is a gamble, but the Dodgers should once again have their way with Atlanta’s pitchers and Kershaw is a major question mark given his back ailment, meaning he might not go as deep in this one as you might expect.