The battle for the National League pennant continues Sunday night with NLCS Game 2 at Truist Park between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta won Game 1 in walk-off fashion thanks to Austin Riley on Saturday night. The Braves enter with four straight postseason wins after dropping Game 1 of the NLDS vs. the Brewers, while the Dodgers will turn to Max Scherzer in hopes of evening the best-of-seven series.
You can view the full postseason schedule by clicking here. With that throat-clearing out of the way, let’s get to the important stuff for Game 2.
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Oct. 17 | Time: 7:38 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park (Atlanta, Georgia)
TV channel: TBS | Live stream: TBS.com
Odds: LAD -177; ATL +162; O/U: 7.5 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Starting pitchers: RHP Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46 ERA) vs. RHP Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA)
Featured Game | Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Preview
The Dodgers and the Braves met six times during the regular season. The Dodgers won four of those six games, albeit while outscoring Atlanta by just four runs. In other words, expect another close contest.
Scherzer had his start pushed back from Game 1 after experiencing a tired arm following his relief appearance in Game 5 of the NLDS vs. the Giants. In 30 regular season starts, he compiled a 2.46 ERA and a 6.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Anderson is getting the nod over Charlie Morton because the Braves wanted Morton to have additional rest (Morton started Game 4 vs. the Brewers on short rest). Anderson appeared 24 times during the regular season, accumulating a 3.58 ERA and a 2.34 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Prediction
There’s the potential for a trap or letdown game here for the Dodgers if Scherzer’s tired arm impacts his pitching. Even so, we’ll give the nod to the Dodgers with the hope that we have as exciting of a series as possible.
Pick: Dodgers 3, Braves 2
2021 MLB postseason gear now available
The 2021 MLB Playoffs start Oct. 5 and 6 with the AL and NL Wild Card games. In celebration, 2021 MLB postseason gear is now available for select teams. Shop hoodies, shirts, and more here.
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