Sunday brings us just one game in Major League Baseball, but it’s a big deal. The Braves host the Dodgers for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. The Braves won in walk-off fashion in Game 1 to take a series lead and send youngster Ian Anderson to the hill against veteran ace Max Scherzer.
As has been and will continue to be the case, I’m doing the game picks over on SportsLine. I’ve gone 15-5-1 thus far in the playoffs — and that was after an 0-1-1 (moneyline and over/under pick) start in the AL wild card game — so hop on over there and subscribe.
In this space, we’ll focus on props, the over/under and other fun.
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Over 7.5, -120
Braves starter Ian Anderson had a 4.39 ERA in the last month of the regular season and while he threw well against the Brewers in the NLDS, that’s quite a different offense than this Dodgers one. The Dodgers led the NL in runs scored this season. They’ve been stifled a few times in the playoffs, but that has been due to Logan Webb and Max Fried being great and some fluky weather in Game 3 of the NLDS. They scored nine runs in Game 2 and seven in Game 4. They’re a sleeping giant again.
The Dodgers might be able to get us to the over on their own, but the possibility of Max Scherzer being tired and having command issues means we can feel a bit more confident.
Dodgers win first inning +275
Yes, I think the Dodgers are going to jump on Anderson in the first inning. Mookie Betts is due to bounce back from an uncharacteristic 0 for 4 game to start the series, I like the matchup for Trea Turner and I love it for Corey Seager, who hit .313/.405/.535 against righty starters this year.
Cody Bellinger homers, +450
A longshot? Yes, it’s a longshot. Bellinger had a lost regular season as he was ravaged by injuries and poor at-bats. Anyone watching him in the playoffs can see he’s slowly but surely starting to turn the corner, however. He went 4 for 12 with a double in Games 2-5 in the NLDS and collected a single in his lone at-bat in Game 1 of the NLCS. The power hasn’t come back yet, though, as he has just one homer since Aug. 11. Anderson allowed 10 homers in just 229 at-bats to left-handed hitters this season. Let’s get nuts and back Bellinger’s power return.
