The Atlanta Braves will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers who they defeated in the 2021 NLCS to eventually earn their first World Series title since 1995.
The Atlanta Braves are set to cross paths with a familiar opponent in the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers who they defeated in the 2021 NLCS to win their first World Series title since 1995.
Atlanta battled their way through a tough Philadelphia Phillies team during the Wild Card round, winning Game 3 on Thursday night 6-2. On the other hand, the Dodgers had the first-round bye after securing the No. 2 seed in the NL.
While both teams are still finalizing their rotations, Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal is a lock to get the ball for Game 1.
Skubal enters the series having compiled a 2.61 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 70 batters since being acquired by L.A. at the trade deadline from the Detroit Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Braves' potential options are JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver with right-hander Bryce Elder and veteran Martín Pérez on the 15-day injured list.
All-Star Chris Sale could be in line to take the mound for Game 2 after pitching 1.1 innings of relief on Thursday and 6.1 regular innings on Tuesday.
Sale has a career record of 2-3 in nine appearances against the Dodgers but should have a chance at turning the tables with L.A. likely to come out of the gates rusty due to their week-long rest.
Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is projected to be Sale's challenger after having yet another strong season, posting a 2.53 ERA while recording 182 punchouts in 185 innings pitched.
Tyler Mahle could get the nod for Game 3 following a strong performance against Philadelphia on Wednesday in which he struck out six batters and only gave up a single earned run through seven innings of work.
The Dodgers will likely trot out Blake Snell that same game who has compiled a 1.90 ERA in limited action after missing most of the season with elbow and shoulder problems.
Both teams are closely matched offensively with Michael Harris II leading Atlanta with a .294 batting average and 174 regular-season hits. For the Dodgers, former Brave Freddie Freeman has been red hot, batting .288 and recording a team-best 167 hits.
Matt Olson is another Brave worth keeping an eye on after the 32-year-old helped put Philadelphia away on Thursday with a clutch solo homer in the seventh inning.
On the other side, Kyle Tucker could have a breakout of his own following a solid second half of the year to bounce back from a rough start to the season. The right fielder has batted .233 while recording a .715 OPS and knocking in 70 RBI.
The Braves will look to get in the win column first on Saturday with the first pitch of Game 1 at Dodger Stadium set for 4 p.m. EDT.
