2020 MLB Playoffs: Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Game 4 odds and pick
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire)
October 15th, 2020
The Atlanta Braves had a chance to seize a commanding 3-0 series lead in the NLCS on Wednesday night, but the Los Angeles Dodgers put those dreams to rest in short order after an 11-run outburst in the first inning en route to a 15-3 triumph.
"We weren’t worried about anything," first baseman Max Muncy, who hit a grand slam in that historic first frame, told The Los Angeles Times after the game. "And tonight, we went out and showed what we can do."
MUNCY!! GRAND SLAM!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 14, 2020
And now we have history! The Dodgers' 11 runs in the 1st are the most runs scored in any Postseason inning in MLB history! pic.twitter.com/vxOLpLpn63
Will the Dodgers build on their momentum and tie the series at two games apiece, or will the Braves regain control and grab a 3-1 lead? Here’s our betting preview for Game 4 of the 2020 NLCS.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves, 8:08 p.m. ET, FOX
The Dodgers appear to have a significant edge in the starting pitching matchup in Game 4 as they’ll send Clayton Kershaw to the hill to take on the Braves’ Bryse Wilson. It would not be shocking to see L.A. win by multiple runs and tie this NLCS up on Thursday night.
Kershaw was supposed to start Game 2 of this series, but back spasms postponed his outingby two days. His postseason struggles are well-documented, but it seems as though he’s turned a corner in 2020. Kershaw struck out 13 Brewers in eight scoreless innings in the Wild Card round, then followed that up with a quality start (six innings, three earned runs) against the Padres. The Braves were an uninspired 14th in batting average against lefties (.248) during the regular season.
In Game 1 of the 2013 NLDS, @ClaytonKersh22 was dominant against Atlanta, striking out 12 over 7 innings. pic.twitter.com/2PhkGum4Cv
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) October 12, 2020
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s lack of rotation depth has come to the fore as they trot out Wilson for the Game 4 start. His major-league career has gone in starts and stops since 2018, and he’s tossed just 15 innings in 2020, none since Sept. 27. Wilson’s career ERA is a ghastly 5.91.
The Braves have been counting on a bullpen that had a 0.39 postseason ERA heading into Game 2 of this series, but the wheels appear to be coming off. Atlanta relievers have coughed up 14 earned runs in their last 13 1/3 innings of work.
The Dodgers’ lineup was the best in the big leagues in the regular season, plating 5.91 runs per game, and they haven’t cooled off in the playoffs. L.A. entered Game 3 having pushed across 38 runs through their first seven postseason games of 2020 (5.42 per game).
MLB Free Play: Dodgers run line
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