The Atlanta Braves look to extend their advantage over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday night. Los Angeles battled from a three-run deficit with a four-run eighth inning to take Game 3, 6-5.
The first pitch of Wednesday night’s contest is at 8:10 p.m. EST at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles is a heavy favorite (-210) at home in Game 4, and the over-under total is at eight runs.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
Atlanta was five outs away from taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series before a 3-run home run immediately wiped away that chance and shifted the momentum to the Dodgers. Now the Braves must pick themselves up and come back Wednesday night looking to move the series to 3-1. Atlanta is trying to return to the World Series for the first time since 1999.
On the mound for the Braves is expected to be right-hander Huascar Ynoa. This will be Ynoa’s first start in the playoffs and just second appearance. The 23-year old fired one inning in the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing two hits, two earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts.
The Braves offense is playing without the services of star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and the power of Jorge Soler. Former Dodger Joc Pederson has stepped up, smacking three home runs and driving in eight runs this postseason. Third baseman Austin Riley has had a solid playoff run at the plate, hitting .346 with a pair of home runs and four RBI.
What to Know – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers avoided a major loss with a stunning comeback victory Tuesday night and look toward Game 4 with a chance to even the NLCS series. Some LA fans had already exited the stadium when Cody Bellinger sent a 3-run home into the right-field seats to tie the contest. The defending World Series champions bring a lot of confidence into Wednesday’s tilt.
The expected hurling for the Dodgers is southpaw Julio Urias. Urias is making his fourth appearance in the 2021 postseason and second start. The 25-year old tossed one inning in relief against the Braves in Game 2, surrendering two earned runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Outfielder Mookie Betts is 14-of-34 (.412) so far in the playoffs, with a home run, five RBI, and five runs scored. Catcher Will Smith has three home runs, and shortstop Corey Seager and outfielder Chris Taylor leads the Dodgers with six runs driven in a piece.
The Pick is In
Although the Braves still lead the series, it feels like the Dodgers are in the driver’s seat after the late-inning heroics by Bellinger and Betts to put LA in front heading into the ninth. Atlanta has horses on offense to hang with the Dodgers, but Los Angeles has the edge in the Game 4 pitching matchup.
Each game in this series has been decided by one run, but the Dodgers open it up tonight and even the series.
Betting Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers +1.5
