NLDS Preview: Game Four Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves
Time: 1:30 PM PT
Venue: SunTrust Park
Dodgers Lead Series 2-1
How are the Dodgers Doing?
After winning the first two games of the NLDS, the Dodgers dropped Game 3 in Atlanta. They trailed 5-0 through the second inning after Ronald Acuna hit a grand slam off Walker Buehler. The Dodgers tied the game by the fifth inning but a solo shot by Freddie Freeman in the sixth inning to put the Braves up, 6-5.
Why is this Game Important?
After dropping Game 3, the Dodgers can still advance to the NLCS with a victory on Monday. Their possible opponent for the next round of the playoffs has already been decided with the Brewers sweeping the Rockies.
Pitching Matchup
Rich Hill (11-5, 3.66 ERA) vs Mike Foltynewicz (13-10, 2.85 ERA)
Rich Hill will get his first crack at the 2018 Postseason in Game 4 in Atlanta. Hill won each of his final five starts of the year and won his only start at SunTrust Park this year. Hill posted a 2.55 ERA in the postseason last year.
Mike Foltynewicz will get his second round at the Dodgers in the playoffs. Round 1 did not go as plan for the Braves’ starter, who lasted just two innings in the series opener. Foltynewicz threw just 50 pitches in Game one but will be pitching on just three days of rest.
Matchup of the Day
Joc Pederson vs Mike Foltynewicz
Joc Pederson has turned himself into a quality at-bat in the postseason. After batting .222 with one home run over his first 21 career playoff games, he is batting .333 with four home runs over his last nine games. He has a hit in each game this series, including a home run against Mike Foltynewicz in Game 1.
Vegas Odds
FiveThirtyEight
Los Angeles: 56% chance of winning
Atlanta: 44% chance of winning
Fun Fact
At 20-years-old, Ronald Acuña Jr. became the youngest player to hit a playoff grand slam, passing Mickey Mantle’s 1953 World Series grand slam at 21-years of age.
[button color=”red” size=”big” alignment=”center” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”https://dodgersnation.com/episode-23-dodgers-playoffs-babe-ryuth-and-clayton-kurveshaw-blue-heaven-podcast-cp1085/2018/10/06/”]Episode 23 – Dodgers Playoffs: Babe Ryuth and Clayton Kurveshaw | Blue Heaven Podcast[/button]