It took the Los Angeles Dodgers five games in the National League Division Series round to survive their bitter rivals San Francisco Giants. They were down 2-1 after the first two games of that series but won the last two to score a date with the Atlanta Braves, who made quicker work in their own NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. Okay, moving on to the other team in this Dodgers-Braves prediction…

The Braves went 3-1 in the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers and will look to sustain their momentum going into Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at home. Which between these two teams will draw first blood in this series? Will it be the Dodgers, who must still be so pumped up after their win on Thursday in San Francisco? Will it be the Braves, who definitely want to avenge their loss to Los Angeles in last year’s edition of the NLCS?  With that said, it’s now time to read our Dodgers-Braves prediction and preview for the first game of the series.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for this Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Game 1 matchup.

MLB Odds: Dodgers-Braves Odds

Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+130)

Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-144)

Over 8.0 runs (-107)

Under 8.0 runs (-105)

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Why the Dodgers Could Cover

 After dispatching of their greatest rivals, the Dodgers turn their attention to the same foe they took care of in last season’s NLCS to reach the 2020 World Series. And for Game 1 of this NLCS rematch against the Braves, the Dodgers are expected to send Max Scherzer to the mound. Scherzer is also the last pitcher that saw action for Los Angeles, as he closed out LA’s 2-1road  win in Game 5 of the NLDS. In three appearances this postseason, including two starts, Mad Max has allowed just two earned runs on six hits and struck out 16 across 12.1 total innings. Scherzer also has good memories of the most recent time he faced Atlanta. 

That was on Sep. 1, when he blanked the Braves for six innings and fanned nine hitters in six innings of a 4-3 home win. In his career, he owns a 3-3 record to go with a 3.71 ERA in six starts at Truist Park. Moreover, he went 10-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 16 road starts in the regular season. Behind Scherzer in Game 1 will be the Dodgers’ offense that can look forward to a return to form of Trea Turner, at least in Game 1 of the NLCS. Turner is hitting just .192 in the postseason but is 7 of 21 lifetime with a career .404 wOBA against Max Fried. 

Why the Braves Could Cover

Fried might have forgotten how it feels like to lose a game. The 27-year-old southpaw has gone 8-0 over his last 12 starts. Over that stretch, he posted a 1.35 ERA. He was a master on the mound in his last start, giving up zero runs, no walks, and only three hits while collecting nine Ks in Atlanta’s 3-0 win in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although the Dodgers’ lineup can be an intimidating one, Fried has admirably allowed LA to score three runs off him in 12.0 total innings over two starts back in the regular season. 

Atlanta hitters know that Scherzer is always a big challenge, but the Dodgers ace hasn’t exactly looked unhittable of late. He has allowed four home runs while also allowing five walks in his last four starts. The Braves’ offense is being carried by FreddieFreeman and Austin Riley, who sport postseason OPS numbers of 1.086 and .908, respectively. Scherzer, who’s shown vulnerability against the long ball lately, can be beaten by the hot bat of Joc Pederson, who’s got two homers and a .429 batting average, so far in this postseason.

Final Dodgers-Braves Prediction & Pick

At this point, given their recent outings, I trust Fried more than Scherzer. The Dodgers are the more talented team overall, but that won’t manifest in Game 1, where the Braves will come with fresher bodies than the LA, which only has one full day of rest between their Game 5 win over the Giants and the NLCS opener. 

Final Dodgers-Braves Pick: Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-144)