I expect the Dodgers to do their most important hitting after Atlanta's starter leaves. Ray Kerr was sharp against Philadelphia, but his outing ended after 3 1/3 innings, and the handoff to relief pitching decided the series opener. Blake Snell gives Los Angeles another left-handed matchup against a Braves lineup that hit lefties less effectively during the regular season. Those two pitching sequences are the heart of my call.
Dylan Dodd kept the Dodgers scoreless for three innings in the opener. Los Angeles scored all five runs against the pitchers who followed him, with Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy supplying the decisive power. Atlanta made a late push, but the Dodgers had already built the lead that mattered.
Snell's last start was four innings and 77 pitches after his groin issue, followed by extra rest. Dave Roberts has rested relief options behind him. With Kerr starting for Atlanta, I like how the Dodgers' lineup matches up across the innings that follow the opener.
