DodgerHeads: NLCS Preview, Dodgers’ Strengths & Braves’ Weaknesses

The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the National League Championship Series for a fourth time in the past five years, and they awaiting them is a somewhat familiar opponent in the Atlanta Braves.

While the teams did not meet during the shortened 2020 season, they matched up in the 2018 NL Division Series, which the Dodgers won in four games. “Max Fried has really come on to be one of the elite pitchers in baseball,” manager Dave Roberts said.

“Ian Anderson, we haven’t seen him at all. I know it’s really good velocity but we just don’t have a lot of familiarity with him. I think their bullpen is a strength, and we’re familiar with some of these guys, but those guys collectively are very good and have been very successful.”

In the latest episode of “DodgerHeads,” DodgerBlue.com managing editor Matthew Moreno and editor Daniel Starkand joined host Jeff Spiegel to discuss the Braves’ pitching success in the postseason, and how much of that might be a factor of facing the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins.

The trio also touched on potential NLCS roster changes for the Dodgers, and how the starting rotation should be handled after Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw start Games 1 and 2, respectively.

The episode concludes with Moreno, Starkand and Spiegel each sharing one key for the Dodgers and making an NLCS prediction.

Braves vs. Dodgers NLCS schedule

Game 1: Monday, Oct. 12, 5:08 p.m. PT, Fox

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

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

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

Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 16, TBA, Fox or FS1

Game 6*: Saturday, Oct. 17, TBA, Fox or FS1

Game 7*: Sunday, Oct. 18, TBA, Fox or FS1

*if necessary

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