The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing excellent baseball right now and are on the verge of reaching the NLCS for the third straight year entering Game 3 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Sportsbooks opened the Dodgers as -185 road favorites with a total of 8.
- The Braves are 5-0 SU in their last five home games.
- The UNDER is 5-0 in the last five meetings between the Braves and Dodgers.
- The Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last five meetings with the Braves in Atlanta.
Dodgers vs Braves Game Center.
Buehler, Newcomb set to take center stage
Walker Buehler and Sean Newcomb will get the start in Game 3 for the Dodgers and Braves, respectively. Buehler (8-5, 2.62 ERA) has been a constant in a rotation that’s been plagued by injuries this year, as the rookie has notched a 2.31 ERA in 23 starts while holding opposing hitters to a .185 batting average and .531 OPS. The 24-year-old is 4-2 with a 1.55 ERA, 87 strikeouts and 41 hits allowed over 75 1/3 innings in his past 12 trips to the mound.
Newcomb (12-9, 3.90) is getting the ball in place of Kevin Gausman, as the Braves saw how well the Dodgers fared against right-handers in the first two games of the series. Newcomb came within one strike of throwing a no-hitter vs L.A. on July 29, but the 25-year-old struggled after that game, giving up five or more runs four times in his next eight appearances. The hurler worked two innings of relief in game 1, allowing only one hit with two strikeouts while throwing 17 of his next 25 pitches for strikes.
Trends pointing to an improved effort from the Braves
The Braves couldn’t wait to get back to Georgia after failing to get the job done in California, and some home cooking might be just what the doctor ordered for Atlanta. The Braves are 5-0 in their last five home games and 5-0 in their past five in Atlanta vs right-handed starters. The Braves are also 5-1 in their last six at home following a road trip of seven or more days.
After Games 1 and 2 went below the closing total, is another UNDER in store tonight? Overall, each of the last five meetings between the Braves and Dodgers have gone UNDER the closing total. The UNDER is also 5-0-1 in Buehler’s last six starts.
My pick: take the UNDER
Buehler has been an absolute star for the Dodgers this year, and he’s proven to be a reliable UNDER wager on his own due to his dominance on the mound. The bats simply haven’t been there for the Braves, and it might be too little, too late for them to get back in this series. While I think the Dodgers have the edge on the moneyline, my money is on the UNDER in Game 3.
