The Dodgers are finally playing at home, and now they have three games to try and turn their series 0-2 deficit around. The Braves are playing absolutely clutch in both the games in this series so far, winning both games in the bottom of the ninth. The Dodgers have been very close both times, losing by just one run each time, so they will be disheartened, but know they still have the ability to beat the Braves, especially now they have the home advantage.
Look below to find our free MLB Picks for tonight’s National League Championship Series Game Three between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers!
Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Game 3) – 5.08pm EDT
Just like in the first game, the Braves managed to win the second game in the bottom of the last innings, by just one run. It was yet another amazing game, especially if you’re a Braves fan, but things will change now as the Braves travel to Los Angeles for three games on the road. The Dodgers will really need to win this game, otherwise they will be in a series deficit of 0-3, which will be very hard to come back from.
Tim Newton
Surely luck will turn for Los Angeles with a return to Dodger Stadium. They have had their hearts broken in back to back games, falling down 0-2 in the series and facing must-win games at home, starting this evening. The Braves have obviously been playing exceptionally well defensively, keeping LA to just six runs across the first two games of the series, and had a better record on the road during the regular season, but the Dodgers were the best home team in all of baseball during the season and should show something here with their backs against the wall.
ATL ✈️ LA#BattleATL pic.twitter.com/EtW1TzCh1t
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 18, 2021
Walker Beuhler is getting the start for the Dodgers and despite his 0-1 record from his two games this postseason, he is a world-class starting pitcher and should give LA every chance to succeed here. He is opposing Charlie Morton, who had slightly worse season stats but is also 0-1 from two postseason appearances. Both pitchers have given up four runs from their two games, however, Buehler has pitched in 1.1 more innings than Morton; while Morton has recorded five more strikeouts.
This sets itself to be an absolute cracker of a matchup, however I am going to put my faith in Buehler and the Dodgers. The return home is a massive factor and they are also facing an 0-2 deficit, which they definitely won’t want to turn into a 0-3 one.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+110)
Katherine Mouradian
The same thing happened in both games! No team was able to get a real hold on the match, until the Braves scored the winning run in the final innings. Now, the Braves will be looking to pile on the pressure and take the series out to 3-0, making every win for the Dodgers a must if they want to defend their World Series title. But things are looking up for the Dodgers, they are playing at home, after having a fantastic season at home, their record, 58-23. Also, they were never really out of the first couple of games, they just needed to concentrate right until the end.
The Braves have played a few less postseason games compared to the Dodgers, and it is really showing. The team is looking a lot fresher and able to maintain their physical and mental strength right to the end, which has certainly helped them get the first two wins of this series. For this game we will see Morton on the mound, he will be making his third postseason start, where he is currently 0-1, which includes an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 0.964, with two walks and 14 strikeouts, across 9.1 innings. When it comes to starts against the Dodgers (this will be his fifth career start), Morton has a record of 1-1, which includes an ERA of 4.50, a WHIP of 1.409, eight walks along with 27 strikeouts, across 22 innings.
It’s starting to get a bit desperate for the Dodgers now, if they don’t win this game, then they will have to win the next four in a row to advance to the World Series. On the mound we will see Buehler starting for his third postseason game, where his record is 0-1, which includes an ERA of 2.28, a WHIP of 1.125, three walks along with nine strikeouts, across 10.2 innings. This will be the fourth time Buehler will start against the Braves, and his record currently stands at 2-0, with an ERA of 2.79, a WHIP of 0.672, two walks along with 17 strikes, across 19.1 innings.
Both starters had a successful regular season, but haven’t really been able to back it up and get their team the win during the playoffs. There is much more on the line for the Dodgers in this one, and they were so close in the first two games. I think this, plus the fact they are playing at home, will give them the edge for this one. The Dodgers can’t lose three postseason games in a row, can they?
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-184)
Mike Su
The Dodgers are a game away from elimination and have been beaten twice in the 9th by the Braves. The Dodgers will be looking to try and avenge 2 easy losses at the hands of a far inferior opponent. The positive for the Dodgers is that they haven’t started their best pitchers yet in this series but they aren’t making that mistake again.
The Dodgers will be starting Walker Buehler, the best pitcher on the team and in the league. Buehler had a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 212 strikeouts leading to a 16-4 record. Buehler also played well in his only game against the Braves with 2 runs allowed and 5 strikeouts. Buehler will need to provide a signature performance to keep this Dodgers team alive.
I’m sorry Mr. Jackson, Chris is for real. pic.twitter.com/KDey0aROdk
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2021
The Braves won’t be laying down to take defeat as they start Charlie Morton. Morton had a decent 3.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 216 strikeouts this season. Morton will be facing a tough Dodgers unit who have scored 5 runs in 11 innings against him this season.
I think the Dodgers may have left things a little too late to try to turn the tide of this matchup. It is possible for the Dodgers to win out, especially playing at home, but winning 3 in a row is tough for any team. The Dodgers need a win here and I think they’ll get it.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-184)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
