As the NLCS heads back to Atlanta for Game 6, the Braves are searching for a way to defeat the Dodgers. Can they finally send LA packing in an elimination game?
Atlanta Looks to Close out the Series at Home
The Braves recently received some good news heading into Game 6 as Max Scherzer has reportedly been scratched from the scheduled start. Regardless, the Dodgers offense has heated up, and momentum has swung towards them.
Game 6 figures to be a great ballgame, and it should be competitive throughout.
Let’s take a look at the game preview and MLB betting odds for Game 6 of the NLCS.
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Betting Odds & Betting Lines
Bovada has the Braves at -190, while the Dodgers are at +156. Betonline and BetUs have yet to release their betting odds.
Dodgers Preview: Find Offensive Consistency
Max Scherzer was reportedly scratched from his scheduled Game 6 start. Scherzer had mentioned he dealt with a “dead arm” earlier in the series, so it seems likely that may have something to do with this decision. In lieu of the Joe Kelly injury, David Price was added to the roster and might be a candidate to open Game 6 on the mound.
Regardless, the Dodgers offense was clicking on all cylinders in Thursday’s victory. However, their bats have tended to go hot and cold all season, so they will need to find consistency in this game.
Look for the Dodger bats to be aggressive early in an effort to take the energy away from the Braves’ home crowd.
Braves Preview: Remain on the Attack
The Braves need to remember who leads this series. Yes, the Dodgers came back from a 3-1 deficit last season, and that is certainly in the back of their minds. But the moment any doubt begins to creep in, that is when the Dodgers will strike.
Atlanta needs to remember who the pressure is on and remain on the attack. The offense needs to have quality at-bats and not press at the plate, and RHP Ian Anderson has to pitch aggressively to these Dodger hitters. If he finds himself falling behind in counts, the Dodgers will start taking big swings and looking to do damage.
Game 6 X-Factors?
When discussing Dodger’s expectations for Game 6, it is impossible not to mention Chris Taylor. Taylor went 4-5 with three home runs in Game 5 and also went 1-2 with 2 RBI’s in Game 2, which was the last time Anderson toed the rubber.
The fact is, when you are hot, you are hot, and that is exactly the case with the guy they call CT3 right now. Expect him to play a crucial role if the Dodgers hope to keep this series alive.
The Braves lineup is destined to be better at home in Game 6 than they were on Thursday, and one player who should also perform at a higher level is Joc Pederson.
While we don’t know who the scheduled starter for the Dodgers is going to be at the time of this article’s writing, Pederson is likely to come through in an important situation, even if it is in a pinch-hitting situation. He had two hits in Games 1 and 2, including a home run, so Pederson will likely feel comfortable heading back to Atlanta.
Prediction: Who Wins Game 6?
The Braves really should win this game. They are at home, up 3-2 in the series, and have a quality starting pitcher on the hill in Ian Anderson.
But the Dodgers have performed well all season with their backs up against the wall, and it would be foolish to bet against them. My MLB betting pick for Game 6 of the NLCS is the Los Angeles Dodgers to emerge victoriously and force a Game 7.
