MLB Playoffs: Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Game 5 Picks, Predictions, Odds & Lines

Rosario drove in a run with a single, double, and home run last night, helping the Atlanta Braves to an important Game 4 NLCS victory and a 3-1 series lead.The Dodgers are now +360 underdogs to win the NLCS, up from +560 before Game 3. However, last year’s L.A. rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against Atlanta to capture the NLCS and eventually the World Series. Can the Dodgers replicate their improbable comeback of last season?

Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds & Line Movement

The Atlanta Braves are the current champions, and they hold all of the momentum in this series. However, it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers who opened as big -140 favorites at home for Game 5. The total for Game 5 opened at 8 and has not moved since. There is a little bit of juice on the OVER, but it’s still possible that some bookmakers hit 8.5 before the first pitch.

 

Notes On The Atlanta Braves

Max Fried went six innings in Game 1 of the NLCS, allowing just two Dodgers runs in a game that the Braves eventually won. The Dodgers did manage to get eight hits off Fried, who was able to fend off the damage. Fried has been excellent throughout the postseason so far. He’s 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 IP in his two outings this October.

Eddie Rosario had a home run in the 9th inning. He was close to hitting for the cycle. He didn’t get that triple, but he did get another home run.

The red-hot Rosario is 10 for 17 in the NLCS with two home runs and six RBI, bringing his season line to .338/.450/.638. He’s hit safely in each of Atlanta’s playoff games this year, batting .467 during the postseason.

In the first two games of the NLCS, Freddie Freeman was 0 for 8 with seven strikeouts. In games three and four, the 2015 NL MVP has found his groove and is 5 for 8 with a home run while batting above .300 in the playoffs.

Notes On The Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are expected to play a bullpen game in Game 5 and have yet to name a starter for Tuesday’s game. Corey Knebel has opened the postseason twice for the Dodgers already, and they may use him again. Knebel was not used in Game 4 on Tuesday. The 29-year-old righty has surrendered two runs in two games of the NLCS, totaling 1.1 innings.

In 44 at-bats in the postseason, Trea Turner struck out more than he hit (11 to 8). In the regular season, however, Turner batted over .328.

Last night, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Turner got together to go 0-11 with a walk. Only Betts (.214 BA) is hitting above .200 in this postseason among the three electric players.

Can The Atlanta Braves Win?

The Cubs won Games 1 and 3 at Wrigley Field, but the home team has always prevailed in this series. After losing Game 4 on Sunday, Atlanta chose to play a bullpen game in Game 5, putting Max Fried in action for the first time during the playoffs. Fried has been fantastic throughout the postseason so far, and another strong performance today may get the Braves to the World Series.

Although not the greatest baseball player on the planet, Rosario is presently the most effective. If Rosario and Freddie Freeman keep hitting the ball well in Game 5, the Braves might finally put their 2020 demons with the Dodgers to rest.

Can The Los Angeles Dodgers Win?

The Dodgers might need to use their bullpen today, but it is already good. There are three pitchers who had a really great season pitching from the bullpen. They might be able to help the Dodgers win the game and go back to Atlanta for another game.

Third baseman Adrián González and shortstop Javy Baez, on the other hand, continue to hit well. Betts, Seager, and Trea Turner are all elite caliber players who are presently mired in a slump. They may all break out at any time.