We have a Game Six! The Dodgers were just too good for the Braves last time out and proved they can perform under immense pressure. The series now moves back to Atlanta for this game, and Game Seven, if necessary. With the series currently standing at 3-2, to the Braves, this game is another must win for the Dodgers if they are looking to ensure this series goes the distance.
Look below to find our free MLB picks for tonight’s National League Championship Series Game Six between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves!
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves (Game 6) – 5.08pm EDT
Time and time again the Dodgers prove that when their backs are against the wall they can pull out the big win. This is exactly what happened in Game Five, when they dominated the Braves and won 11-2. The Dodgers still need to win this game to take the series to seven games, but this time they will have to get the win in Braves territory.
Katherine Mouradian
What a performance from the Dodgers, the Braves scored two runs in the opening inning and it looked like it was only going to get worse, but a mammoth fight back from the Dodgers, and they ended up winning the game 11-2. This game will be harder to win for the Dodgers as they are playing in Atlanta, and with the Braves having a second chance to close out the series, will they misstep again? It could turn into massive deja vu for Braves fans from what happened last year.
We will see Scherzer on the mound for the Dodgers, which will be his fourth postseason start. Throughout the postseason he has a record of 0-1, which includes an ERA of 2.16, a WHIP of 0.90, along with five walks, 23 strikeouts, across 16.2 innings. His last start was in Game Two against the Braves, and he threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, along with one walk and seven strikeouts. Scherzer will need to be at his best to keep the scoring from the Braves low, as the Dodgers batting has been a little inconsistent so far in the playoffs.
One game at a time. #RepeatLA pic.twitter.com/76GRENRW26
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2021
The Braves have Anderson on the mound, and this will be his third postseason start. Throughout the playoffs, he has a 1-0 record, with an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of 1.125, along with three walks and eight strikeouts, across eight innings. In his last start, in Game Two against the Dodgers, he threw three innings, in which he allowed two runs on three hits, along with three walks and two strikeouts. The Braves will be hoping for a good game from Anderson where he can pitch for a number of innings and be a major factor in the Braves getting the final win they need to progress through to the World Series.
The Braves will need to recover from a blowout loss to the Dodgers last time out, and also try to keep those creeping feelings of what happened this time last year, where they had a 3-1 series lead in the NLCS against the Dodgers, only to lose the last three games in a row, which saw the Dodgers through to the World Series. The Braves have struggled and continue to struggle when it comes to closing out the series. Now, with the Dodgers winning the previous game, the Braves will have even more doubts they can win this game. With that being said, I like the Dodgers to come through and win this game, to take the series out to seven games.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-176)
Mike Su
The Dodgers will now try to force a game 7 after getting a crucial win in game 5. The Dodgers weren’t shaken by an early 2 run lead by the Braves and powered on to score 11 unanswered runs. The Dodgers went deep into their bullpen to subdue the Braves, and this strategy proved just the treat as the Braves were held to their lowest run total for the series with just 2 runs. The Dodgers will now look to do so again, likely adopting a similar pitching strategy to keep the Braves batters guessing.
#MVFree | #BattleATL pic.twitter.com/jCWsPTWHfg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 22, 2021
The Braves will be heading home to try to finish off the series in game 6. They will be wary of a potential comeback from the Dodgers, just like they experienced in last year’s playoffs. The Braves will be starting Ian Anderson at pitcher to try to win it at home. Anderson has been decent this season with a 3/58 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9-5 record. Anderson has pitched just 4 innings this season against the Dodgers, where he allowed 4 runs and had 6 strikeouts. This won’t be good enough if the Braves want to beat the Dodgers, as another big run game could be on the card. Although the Braves have the series lead, I think the Dodgers can at least bring it to 7 games. However, I have to go on the overs here as almost every game in this series has gone over.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Over 8.5 (-110)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
