Dodgers vs Braves Game 2 Odds, Predictions, and Probable Pitchers
- The Dodgers are -172 road favorites over the Braves in NLCS Game 2
- Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46) will start for the Dodgers against Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58)
- The matchups and odds can be found below with a prediction
The Atlanta Braves will look to build off its series-opening win when it hosts the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at 7:37 p.m. ET Sunday at Truist Park.
The Braves won the opener 3-2 on Saturday night to open the best-of-seven series. Atlanta (92-74/45-38 home) has won four games in a row, six of seven and 12 of 14.
The Dodgers (110-59/50-35 road) have lost just three times in their last 14 games.
Dodgers vs Braves Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -172 | -1.5 (+100) | Over 7 (-120) |
| Atlanta Braves | +144 | +1.5 (-120) | Under 7 (-102) |
Odds as of October 17th at DraftKings.
The Dodgers opened as -180 favorites and the moneyline then took a slight downward turn. It will be a clear but chilly night in The Battery with the low temperature expected to be 46 degrees and north winds at 5-10 mph.
Probable Pitchers
Ace Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46 regular season) will start for the Dodgers against Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58).
Scherzer was originally supposed to start Game 1. However, manager Dave Roberts decided to give him an extra day of rest after Scherzer pitched the ninth inning Thursday night to save the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in the winner-take-all Game 5 of their NL Division Series.
Scherzer vs Anderson
| 15-4 | Record | 9-5 |
| 2.46 | ERA | 3.58 |
| 2.89 | xERA | 4.30 |
| 0.86 | WHIP | 1.23 |
| 6.56 | SO/W | 2.34 |
Scherzer’s last start came in Game 3 of the NLDS, and he took a tough loss at home Monday night. He surrendered only one run and three hits in seven innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
That ended Scherzer’s 21-start streak without a loss in which he was 11-0 with a 2.52 ERA.
10 Ks in his debut? Max Scherzer was electric. pic.twitter.com/hJvXKqWXdv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
Game 3 marked Scherzer’s first quality start in four outings. Overall, he has 18 QS in 32 games in 2021 and the Dodgers have gone 12-1 in Scherzer’s 13 starts since acquiring him July 30 from the Washington Nationals in a trade.
Scherzer is 10-2 on the road with a 2.57 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) and 7-3 with a 2.62 ERA at night in 19 games (18 starts).
Scherzer started twice against the Braves in the regular season and did not have a decision with a 3.00 ERA. He is 10-9 lifetime versus Atlanta with a 3.88 ERA in 27 games (25 starts). At Truist Park, he has a 3-3 record and 3.71 ERA in six starts.
This will be Scherzer’s 21st career postseason start and 26th appearance. He is 7-6 with a 3.18 ERA.
Anderson last lost July 11 to the Marlins in Miami before going on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Since being activated Aug. 29, he is 5-0 with a 3.13 ERA in seven starts.
Anderson pitched five scoreless innings his last time out to beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday at home in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. He yielded just three hits while striking out six and walking none.
Ian Anderson, Dirty 82mph Curveball. 😨 pic.twitter.com/2v9BvmTgF5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 11, 2021
Anderson has been nearly untouchable in postseason play with a 3-0 record and 0.76 ERA in five starts.
Of Anderson’s 25 starts this season, 11 have been quality ones. The Braves are 14-11 when he pitches.
In 12 starts at home this season, Anderson is 6-1 with a 3.26 ERA. He has a 2-3 record in eight starts during the day and a 3.38 ERA.
Anderson faced the Dodgers once in the regular season and lost June 4 when he gave up four runs in 4.1 innings. In three career starts versus Los Angeles, he is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA.
Bellinger Baffled
No Dodgers hitter has more than six career plate appearances against Anderson. First baseman Cody Bellinger has struggled, though, going 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.
Batting Averages vs Starting Pitchers
| Dodgers Batters | Batting Average vs Fried | Braves Batters | Batting Average vs Scherzer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Lux | .500 | Orlando Arcia | .600 |
| Mookie Betts | .333 | Eddie Rosario | .500 |
| Justin Turner | .250 | Ehire Adrianza | .333 |
| AJ Pollock | .167 | Johan Camargo | .286 |
| Will Smith | .167 | Freddie Freeman | .234 |
| Cody Bellinger | .000 | Travis d’Arnaud | .192 |
| Chris Taylor | .000 | Dansby Swanson | .184 |
| Corey Seager | .000 | Ozzie Albies | .160 |
| Trea Turner | .000 | Joc Pederson | ,154 |
| Austin Riley | .143 | ||
| Adam Duvall | .111 |
Bellinger, though, did deliver the game-winning hit in Game 5 of the NLDS after hitting .165 in the regular season.
CODY BELLINGER. pic.twitter.com/quEWBFR5hc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 15, 2021
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is just 3 for 28 (.107). However, he does hold the franchise record for postseason home runs with 13 in 79 ames
Scherzer has been tough on many of the Braves’ key hitters, including second baseman Ozzie Albies (4 for 25, 10 strikeouts), catcher Travis d’Arnaud (5 for 26, 10 Ks) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (7 for 38, 15 Ks).
Dodgers-Braves Pick
While the Dodgers are 4-3 against the Braves this year and 22-11 since the start of the 2016 season, Atlanta has won three of four games at Truist Park in 2021.
Chills.@austinriley1308 | #BattleATL pic.twitter.com/kKdWnZcI8m
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 17, 2021
It might not be quite a must-win game but the chances of the Dodgers repeating as NL champions would certainly be better if they can gain a split of the first two games of the series in Atlanta. The Dodgers have right man on the mound in Schilling.
The Picks: Dodgers moneyline (-172); Under 7 (-102)
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
