Thanks to walk-off wins in Games 1 and 2, the Atlanta Braves hold a 2-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. Austin Riley was the hero in Game 1 and Eddie Rosario was the hero in Game 2. Both provided walk-off singles in the ninth inning, and now the series shifts to Los Angeles.
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 3.
How to watch
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 19 | Time: 5:08 p.m. ET
Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
TV channel: TBS | Live stream: TBS.com
Odds: LAD -172; ATL +157; O/U: 7.5 (via Caesar’s Sportsbook)
Starting pitchers: RHP Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.86 ERA)
Featured Game | Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves
Preview
After back-to-back wins at home, the Braves now take a 2-0 series lead to Dodger Stadium, where they have lost 10 of their last 11 games, including getting swept earlier this season. That said, what happened in previous years or even this August has no bearing on this series. The Braves being 1-10 in their last 11 at Dodger Stadium tells us what has happened, not what will happen.
The Game 3 pitching matchup is about as good as it gets. Buehler and Morton are both starting with two extra days of rest after starting Game 4 of the NLDS on short rest last Tuesday, and both have proven themselves to be big game pitchers. These two squared off on Aug. 31 and were both dynamite. Their combined pitching line: 13 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 13 K. Expect more of the same in Game 3.
Prediction
I have a hard time believing the Dodgers will go down quietly, and they have the right pitcher on the mound to get them back in the series in Game 3. Morton is good, Buehler is better, and Mookie Betts has a WOW game at the plate and in the field to give Los Angeles the much-needed Game 3 win.
Pick: Dodgers 3, Braves 1
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