Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves: Odds, Prediction, Schedule For 2020 NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have been the most dominant teams in the 2020 MLB playoffs, though one stands out as the clear betting favorite in the upcoming National League Championship Series.

LA has -220 odds to defeat Atlanta in the NLCS and clinch a spot in the World Series, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Braves are +175 underdogs to pull off the upset.

Game 1 of the series is set for Monday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The neutral-site venue will host every game in the series and there are no scheduled off-days.

Atlanta is in the midst of a historic postseason run. With a two-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card round and a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins in the NLDS, the Braves have pitched four shutouts in five games.

The Braves took control of the NLDS with a six-run seventh inning in Game 1, mounting a comeback to defeat the Marlins 9-5. Atlanta has outscored its playoff opponents by a combined score of 24-5.

The Dodgers outscored the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres 30-11 in five games. Los Angeles’ offense exploded for 12 runs in the NLDS clincher.

All season long, the Dodgers have been considered the National League’s best team. After Los Angeles failed to make a third straight trip to the World Series in the 2019 playoffs, the team traded for Mookie Betts, widening the gap between themselves and the rest of the league.

In the shortened 60-game season, Los Angeles finished with an MLB-best 43-17 record. The Dodgers ranked first in runs scored and ERA, winning their eighth consecutive NL West title.

The Braves went 35-25 to win the NL East for the third year in a row. Atlanta was second in total runs scored and 15th in the majors in ERA.

Winning the NLCS would put the Braves back in the World Series for the first time since 1999. Atlanta last played in the NLCS 19 years ago. The Dodgers eliminated the Braves in the NLDS in both 2013 and 2018.

If Atlanta continues to get lights out pitching, it will cruise to the Fall Classic. Ian Anderson has thrown 12 scoreless innings. Kyle Wright went six innings and didn’t give up a run in his only start.

The Braves’ 0.92 playoff ERA is unsustainable, especially against this Dodgers’ offense.

Betts has followed up an MVP-caliber season with .368/.435/.632 splits in the playoffs. Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger is hitting .316/.381/.579. Corey Seager has a .947 OPS with a home run.

Clayton Kershaw had another dominant season with a 2.16 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. Walker Buehler and Julio Urias help give Los Angeles the edge in starting pitching.

Atlanta will put up a fight, but Major League Baseball’s top team is the best bet to win a best-of-seven series with no days off.

NLCS Prediction: Dodgers in six

Schedule

Game 1: Monday, Oct. 12, Fox or FS1

Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 13, Fox or FS1

Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 14, Fox or FS1

Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 15, Fox or FS1

Game 5: Friday, Oct. 16, Fox or FS1 (if necessary)

Game 6: Saturday, Oct. 17, Fox or FS1 (if necessary)

Game 7: Sunday, Oct. 18, Fox or FS1 (if necessary)