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

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

October 20, 2021

Jonathan Willis
MLB Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Atlanta Braves head to California with a 2-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the clubs get ready for Game 4 on Tuesday afternoon. Opening pitch is set for 8:08 p.m. ET and will air on TBS from Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 4 Predictions

Atlanta fans are used to heartbreak at this point, but it still hurt to see the Braves blow the chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.

The Braves took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning before Cody Bellinger hit an impossible pitch over the fence for a three-run blast. Mookie Betts hit a double to drive in Chris Taylor and give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead a few batters later, allowing Kenley Jansen to strike out the side in the ninth to give the World Series champions their first win of the series.

Even if the Braves pull off the upset in Game 4, the Dodgers won’t be too concerned after they erased a 3-1 deficit against Atlanta in last year’s NLCS.

The Dodgers are a sizeable favorite on Wednesday with 20-game winner Julio Urias on the mound. Atlanta has yet to announce a starter for Game 4, but it’s assumed that Drew Smyly and Huascar Ynoa will play a major role in what is likely to be a bullpen game. Urias should be a difference maker as the Dodgers even the series.

Score Prediction

Dodgers 7, Braves 4

Best Bets

Over

Dodgers -1.5

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 4 Betting Odds

Game odds provided by DraftKings - subject to change

• Braves +180
• Dodgers -220
• Braves +1.5 -110
• Dodgers -1.5 -110
• Over 8 -110
• Under 8 -110

The Atlanta Braves have lost the first inning in nine of their last 11 games when playing in Dodger Stadium at night. (AP)

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 4 Betting Resources

• Matchup: NL East vs. NL West
• Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
• Venue: Dodgers Stadium
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• TV-Time: TBS - 8:08 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Inside the Stats - Los Angeles Dodgers

• Record: 111-60
• Run Line: 87-85
• 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: 93-75
• Run Line: 85-83
• O/U: 77-81-10
• 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 4 Probable Pitchers

ATL: TBD

LAD: Julio Urias - LHP (20-3, 2.96 ERA, 195 K, 1.02 WHIP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gone UNDER the run total in six of their last seven games when facing the NL East at night. (AP)

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 4 Betting Analysis

Urias wasn’t great in his previous outing against the Braves in this series. Urias came on to pitch the eighth inning in Game 1, and he allowed two earned runs as the Dodgers lost a 4-2 lead and went on to drop the series opener.

He was sharp in both of his starts against the San Francisco Giants in the ALDS though. The MLB leader in wins during the 2021 season allowed just two runs while striking out 10 batters over nine innings. Urias had a 2.45 ERA in two starts against the Braves in the regular season, and all three earned runs he allowed were home runs. He will need to go at least five innings after the Dodgers used five relievers yesterday.

Mookie Betts has been superb throughout the postseason for the Dodgers. Betts is leading the team with a .412 batting average, and he is one of LA’s two hitters with an OPS above 1.0 these playoffs. Will Smith continues to rake with a 1.092 OPS, and Taylor is hitting very well too.

The emergence of Bellinger this postseason after a dismal regular season has given the Dodgers a boost, and they would be even better if either Justin Turner or Trea Turner could start hitting. Justin Turner has a .394 OPS, while Trea Turner has a .450 OPS.

Smyly or Ynoa is expected to start Game 4 although Atlanta manager Brian Snitker has yet to name an official starter. Smyly has yet to throw in this postseason, while Ynoa tossed an inning of relief against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Both players were decent starters in the rotation during the regular season.

Joc Pederson has been fantastic during the playoffs. Pederson leads the Braves with a 1.310 OPS, and he was the star of Atlanta’s win over Milwaukee in the NLDS. Austin Riley is hitting the ball very well too, although he now has 11 strikeouts in 26 at-bats and his production is likely to fall off soon.

Atlanta is hitting better in this series than it did against Milwaukee. Still, the Braves have a collective .690 OPS this postseason. They have had solid play from Rosario and Freddie Freeman, but only the four aforementioned players have an OPS above .700.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game 4 Betting Trends

• Dodgers have won 15 straight home games when playing at night after winning at home the game prior.
• Atlanta has lost 10 straight games when playing in Dodger Stadium.
• Dodgers have gone UNDER the run total in six of its last seven games when facing the NL East at night.

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