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

October 19, 2021

Jonathan Willis
MLB Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Atlanta Braves head to California with a 2-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the clubs get ready for Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon. Opening pitch is set for 5:08 p.m. ET and will air on TBS from Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Predictions

The Atlanta Braves are on cloud nine after two walk-off victories against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first two games of the NLCS. Will Smith has two wins after pitching great in the ninth inning for the Braves, while Austin Riley came up big in Game 1 and Eddie Rosario delivered in the final frame in Game 2. A win on Tuesday night in LA would give the Braves a commanding 3-0 series lead, and only one team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit.

All-Star Walker Buehler should be able to deliver the Dodgers a victory in Game 3. Buehler has repeatedly come through for Los Angeles in the postseason during his four years with the team. He wasn’t at his absolute best against San Francisco in the NLDS, but Buehler will look much better in his first start of this series.

Score Prediction

Dodgers 6, Braves 3

Best Bets

Dodgers ML

Over

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Betting Odds

Game odds provided by DraftKings - subject to change

• Braves +150
• Dodgers -170
• Braves +1.5 -145
• Dodgers -1.5 +125
• Over 7.5 -105
• Under 7.5 -115

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won nine straight home games when facing the Atlanta Braves. (AP)

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Betting Resources

• Matchup: NL East vs. NL West
• Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
• Venue: Dodgers Stadium
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• TV-Time: TBS - 5:08 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Inside the Stats - Los Angeles Dodgers

• Record: 110-60
• Run Line: 86-84
• O/U: 73-86-11
• Runs: 830 (4th)
• Batting Average: .244 (11th)
• On Base Percentage: .330 (5th)
• ERA: 3.01 (1st)
• WHIP: 1.10 (1st)

Inside the Stats - Atlanta Braves

• Record: 93-74
• Run Line: 84-83
• O/U: 76-81-10
• 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)

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Probable Pitchers

ATL: Charlie Morton - RHP (14-6, 3.34 ERA, 216 K, 1.04 WHIP)

LAD: Walker Buehler - RHP (16-4, 2.47 ERA, 212 K,0.97 WHIP)

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

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Betting Analysis

In the 2020 NLCS, Buehler was sensational against Atlanta. He made two starts and pitched 11 innings against the Braves. He had a little trouble with his control, allowing five walks, but he struck out 13 Atlanta batters and allowed just one run.

Buehler continued to befuddle the Braves in the regular season, allowing just two earned runs in seven innings in his lone start against Atlanta. He was a Cy Young Award frontrunner through the first months of the season before a poor September ended those chances.

The Dodgers are missing Max Muncy this postseason. Muncy injured his elbow at the end of the regular season, and he has not been on the roster for any of LA’s playoff series to date. Will Smith is the only batter with multiple home runs for The Boys in Blue these playoffs with Muncy out.

Mookie Betts has thrived in the playoffs with 12 hits and four stolen bases. He is currently the only hitter on the Dodgers batting over .300, but a few players are overdue to break through. Trea Turner, Justin Turner, and A.J. Pollock have all had their share of struggles, but all three players could break out of their slump on Tuesday.

Charlie Morton will start his third game of the postseason for the Braves. Morton has thrown 9.1 innings, allowing four earned runs over his two starts. He has shown good stuff though, striking out 14 batters in that stretch.

'Ground Chuck' has changed up his style twice over the course of his career. He used to be a specialist at drawing groundballs, but he has had a K/9 over 10 in four of the last five seasons. Morton was solid in two starts against the Dodgers in the regular season, posting a 2.45 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.

Austin Riley has recorded at least one hit in every game this postseason. Riley leads the Braves with a 1.098 OPS although he has struck out eight times in 22 at-bats. That kind of split is not substantial though, so Riley should return to Earth again soon.

Former Dodger Joc Pederson has had a postseason to remember with three home runs in 14 at-bats. Atlanta fans are hoping that he can keep Joctober going strong, but there’s a reason he batted .228 with a .732 OPS in the regular season.

The only other Atlanta player with an OPS over .705 this postseason is Rosario. He has worked out well since the Braves traded for him, and his nine hits are the most on the team. However, Rosario has no power and doesn’t have an extra-base hit to his credit, putting him at a disadvantage against a leadoff batter like Betts.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 3 Betting Trends

• Atlanta has lost nine straight games when playing in Dodger Stadium.
• Atlanta has covered the run line in four straight games when facing Los Angeles.
• The run total has gone UNDER in four of the last five games played between both teams.
• Atlanta has gone UNDER the run total in six straight playoff games when playing during the daytime.