The Los Angeles Dodgers look to even things up with the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series Thursday at 8:08 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas (on FS1). As the top seed, L.A. will be the visiting team for two more games in the 2-3-2 format. Below, we analyze the Dodgers-Braves MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Best-of-seven series: Braves lead 2-1 after getting pummeled 15-3 in Game 3 Wednesday. The Dodgers scored a postseason, single-inning record 11 runs in the top of the first. They hit three home runs and had nine consecutive batters reach base after two outs.
Dodgers at Braves: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. RHP Bryse Wilson
Kershaw went 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA (58 1/3 IP, 14 ER) in 10 regular-season starts in 2020. The three-time Cy Young winner – a late scratch from Tuesday’s Game 2 start due to back spasms – is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA (14 IP, 3 ER) and 19 K in 2 postseason starts this fall.
- Last start (Oct. 7): Win, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K vs. San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the NLDS – Dodgers won 6-5
- Career vs. Braves in the regular season: 5-0, 1.78 ERA (75 2/3 IP, 15 ER) in 11 starts
- Career vs. Braves in playoffs: 2-0, 0.43 ERA (21 IP, 1 ER) in 3 starts
- Career postseason: 11-11, 4.23 ERA (172 1/3 IP, 81 ER) in 27 starts and 7 relief appearances
The rookie Wilson went 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA (15 2/3 IP, 7 ER) in 6 regular-season games, including 2 starts. This will be his first career postseason appearance.
- Last start (Sept. 27): No-decision, 3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K vs. Boston Red Sox – Braves lost 9-1
- Career vs. Dodgers: 0 appearances
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Dodgers vs. Braves: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 6:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Dodgers 7, Braves 1
Money line (ML)
The Dodgers (-223) are more than 2-1 favorites, which is no surprise considering Kershaw’s historical dominance of the Braves in both the regular season and playoffs, but the price is too high. I’ll PASS.
New to sports betting? Every winning $2.23 bet on the Dodgers ML profits only $1, where every $1 bet on the Braves ML (+195) profits $1.95 if they prevail.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Dodgers -2.5 (+105) | Astros +2.5 (-129)
With L.A. being such a big favorite, BetMGM posted a +/- 2.5 run line, which I won’t mess with. I will back the DODGERS’ -1.5 (-139) alternate line as my STRONGEST PLAY – which should be 1.5 your usual wager.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 9 (-106) is a small-bet suggestion – half your usual wager. Small only because of Kershaw’s back issue. The future Hall of Famer will dominate the Braves again and even this series at 2 games apiece.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 75-51-1 |
| 2020 MLB postseason / Strongest plays | 11-14 / 4-7 |
| 2020 overall record (all sports) | 117-85-3 |
| Strongest plays (all sports) | 58-34-1 |
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