Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Predictions, Odds, Preview


October 17, 2021
Jonathan Willis
MLB Expert
VegasInsider.com

Game 2 of the NLCS sees the Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Dodgers after Atlanta won a tight Game 1 last night. Opening pitch is set for 7:38 p.m. and will air on TBS from Truist Park on TBS.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Predictions

Dave Roberts won’t be able to use Corey Knebel as an opener in Game 2. Knebel threw the first inning against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday and did the same thing against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. However, he will have the most dominant pitcher left in the playoffs in Max Scherzer, and that should be enough for the Dodgers to even the series on Sunday.

Ian Anderson.

Score Prediction

Dodgers 4, Braves 2

Best Bets

Under

Dodgers ML

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Betting Odds

Game odds provided by DraftKings - subject to change

  • Dodgers -190
  • Braves +160
  • Dodgers -1.5 -105
  • Braves +1.5 -115
  • Over 7.5 +100
  • Under 7.5 -120

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won three of their last four games when facing the Atlanta Braves. (AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Betting Resources

  • Matchup: NL West vs. NL East
  • Date: Sunday, October 17, 2021
  • Venue: Truist Park
  • Location: Atlanta, Georgia
  • TV-Time: TBS - 7:38 p.m. ET

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Inside the Stats - Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Record: 110-59
  • Run Line: 86-83
  • O/U: 72-86-11
  • Runs: 840 (4th)
  • Batting Average: .244 (11th)
  • On Base Percentage: .330 (5th)
  • ERA: 3.01 (1st)
  • WHIP: 1.10 (1st)

Inside the Stats - Atlanta Braves

  • Record: 92-74
  • Run Line: 83-83
  • O/U: 75-81-10
  • Runs: 790 (8th)
  • Batting Average: .244 (12th)
  • On Base Percentage: .319 (12th)
  • ERA: 3.88 (8th)
  • WHIP: 1.24 (10th)

Key Players to Watch

  • LAD: Trea Turner - 2B (.328 avg, 28 HR, 77 RBI)
  • LAD: Justin Turner - 3B (.278 avg, 27 HR, 87 RBI)
  • ATL: Austin Riley - 3B (.303 avg, 33 HR, 107 RBI)
  • ATL: Freddie Freeman - 1B (.300 avg, 31 HR, 83 RBI)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Probable Pitchers

LAD: Max Scherzer - RHP (15-4, 2.46 ERA, 236 K, 0.86 WHIP)

ATL: Ian Anderson - RHP (9-5, 3.58 ERA, 124 K, 1.23 WHIP)


The Atlanta Braves have covered the run line in four of their last five games when facing the Dodgers. (AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Betting Analysis

Originally, Scherzer was penciled in as the Game 1 starter according to local media reports. However, Roberts deferred for the second straight game after doing the same thing with Julio Urias in Game 5 against San Francisco.

There’s no doubt that Scherzer will get the start for the Dodgers in Game 2 though. Scherzer has been fantastic since coming over from Washington. He posted a 0.82 WHIP and a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts with LA in the regular season, and he has been even better in the playoffs. The veteran right-hander holds a 0.81 WHIP and a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 innings.

Will Smith continued to be the Dodgers’ most dangerous hitter on Saturday. Smith cranked his third home run of the postseason, and he is now carrying an OPS well over 1.0. He has limited his strikeouts while providing prodigious power, and he currently has as many home runs as the rest of the team combined.

Trea Turner continues to be boom or bust for the Dodgers this postseason. Turner has had three multi-hit games in these playoffs, but he has just one hit in 17 at-bats in Los Angeles’ other four games.

It’s unlikely that Mookie Betts is held hit-less again in Game 2. Betts went 0-4 in Game 1, but he had 11 hits through his first six games in these playoffs.

Anderson will take the mound for Atlanta in Game 2. Anderson can give the Braves a commanding lead with a strong outing, and he was sharp in his first postseason start. He struck out six batters and allowed just three base runners in five innings in a win over Milwaukee in Game 3.

Anderson was not good in his one start against the Dodgers in the regular season. He allowed four earned runs in 4.1 innings of work and struggled with his command.

The Braves have struggled on offense throughout the postseason. They had a hard time hitting against Milwaukee in the Divisional Series, and they had just six hits against the Dodgers in Game 1.

Austin Riley has been the best hitter for the Braves. He hit .333 against the Brewers in the last series, and he was the star of the show on Saturday. Riley hit a home run in the fourth inning and walked it off for the Braves in the ninth inning by driving in Ozzie Albies.

Albies had two hits for the Braves too, but every other hitter in the lineup struggled to get on base. That’s been a consistent issue for the Braves as Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, and Dansby Swanson are all really struggling at the plate.

It’s hard to imagine the Braves fix their offensive woes going against an S-Tier pitcher like Scherzer on Sunday.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Game 2 Betting Trends

  • Los Angeles has won 11 straight games when playing at night after losing the game prior.
  • Los Angeles has gone UNDER the run total in six straight games when facing the NL East at night.
  • Atlanta has covered the run line in three straight games when facing Los Angeles.
  • The run total has gone UNDER in five straight meetings.