8* LA Dodgers (5:08 ET): While the Dodgers are shockingly down 0-2 to the Braves in the NLCS, they have to feel like they could have won at least one, if not BOTH games in Atlanta. Games 1 and 2 were each decided by one run with the Braves winning both in walkoff fashion. The Dodgers out hit them 10-6 in Game 1 and then twice blew a 2-run lead in Game 2. This is just the second time LA has suffered B2B losses since the start of August. Over the L5 months, there have been just four occasions where they’ve lost three or more in a row. The last time they lost three straight to the same team was early July.

So I’ve got to back the Dodgers here in Game 3 as they return home and have Walker Buehler on the hill. Buehler has had a truly dominant year, going 16-4 in the regular season with a 2.47 ERA. Overall, the team is 23-12 in his L35 starts this season. Buehler is not only 2-0 (with a 2.79 ERA) in three career regular season starts vs. the Braves, but he dominated in LY’s NLCS as well, holding them to one run in 11 IP. Do not forget that the Dodgers also faced an 0-2 series deficit in LY’s NLCS. They overcame it despite no home games. They are 60-24 this year at Chavez Ravine.

I think most would agree that the Dodgers’ biggest issue in this series has been a lack of “clutch hitting.” They are just 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position, striking out nine times in that situation. I’m going to call for that to turn around today. This team is too good offensively to continue struggling like that. Charlie Morton starts Game 3 for the Braves and while he’s had a good year, as a member of the Rays he struggled against the Dodgers in LY’s World Series. Furthermore, let’s not forget visiting teams are hitting just .206 this year at Dodger Stadium. So the Braves are going to be the ones struggling to score runs here. Laying the hefty price is certainly justified for Game 3. 8* LA Dodgers