It’s the fourth game for the NLCS and the Dodgers finally managed to get a win on the board, with the series now 2-1, in favor of the Braves. The Dodgers will be hoping that the home field advantage works for them again in the fourth games, so they can level up the series 2-2.
Look below to find our free MLB picks for tonight’s National League Championship Series Game Four between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers!
Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 4) – 8.08pm EDT
This series just keeps getting better and better! The Dodgers looked done for after the fifth innings, where the score was 5-2, in favor of the Braves, but a fabulous eighth inning where the Dodgers piled on four runs helped them get the win they so desperately needed. Can the Dodgers use this momentum and home field to their advantage to tie the series up?
Tim Newton
Thank goodness for Cody Bellinger! The Dodgers were looking down the barrel of a 0-3 series deficit but a three-run home run got them back in the game and then they were able to carry the momentum off that for the win.
It was a bit of a role reversal after the Braves stole the first two games out from under the Dodgers’ noses, but how does tonight’s game pan out based on the current situation. Given LA has Julio Urias starting for them, I think tonight goes in favour of LA. He is one of the best starting pitchers in the league, exemplified by his 1-0 record from three appearances, with two of those being starts. In those three games, he has pitched 10 innings total, allowing just four runs in that time.
Birthday boy bringing the 🔥@TylerMatzek | #BattleATL pic.twitter.com/Ve3y2wDkch
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 20, 2021
That clearly gives a massive advantage to Los Angeles, but the worry is that Atlanta hasn’t named their starter yet and it looks to be either Max Fried or Ian Anderson. Both of them have only given up two runs each, with Fried pitching 12 innings so far and Anderson pitching eight. No matter which way Atlanta goes, they have a good option starting for them and that means the runs should stay low here.
I want to go with the Dodgers, but this is about going with your head, not your heart or your gut, so the best play is the under for this game.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Under 8.5 (-118)
Katherine Mouradian
The Dodgers were under serious pressure, 0-2 down in the series, and were 2-5 down late in Game Three, but if there’s a will, there’s a way, and the Dodgers scraped together a win to prevent them from going 0-3 down in the series. They now will have more confidence and belief in themselves, and will also be playing again at home. Are things starting to turn around for the Dodgers?
Things were looking good for the Braves last time out, but you can never really count out a Dodgers team until the very last pitch. A brain fade by Jackson on the mound allowed the Dodgers to tie the game, and then eventually win it. The pitching will need to be on point for the enough game this evening, otherwise it is likely to result in another win for the Dodgers. The Braves have the fourth best run scorching defense in the MLB and will need to rely on this as well come Game Four.
Chills. pic.twitter.com/AKcC4NPXvB
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 20, 2021
The Dodgers have been struggling slightly with pitching throughout this series, but the man who fans are hoping can turn it all around is Urias. Urias will be looking for redemption after getting hit all around the park on Sunday against the Braves. Over the regular season, Urias has a record of 2-0 against the Braves, but as he already knows, the Braves in the postseason are very different to the Braves of the regular season.
I feel like the Braves have awoken the sleeping giants of the Dodgers, and they could very well be in serious trouble now. The momentum has shifted and I think the Dodgers are in with a great chance to win this game and level the series. They will need to be careful to not wait until the last minute to mount a comeback, but they should be good enough to get the job done.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-200)
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
