Atlanta Braves Series Preview: Measure of progress facing NLDS foe

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 08: The Los Angeles Dodgers pose together on the field after winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

After getting a much-needed sweep over the Marlins, the Atlanta Braves are off to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers, who have the best record in the National League.

This is the first time the two teams have squared since last season’s Division Series, where the Dodgers won the series in four games. This will be a good test for the Atlanta Braves to see if they’ve progressed at all since bowing out in the first round of the 2018 playoffs.

Los Angeles, which lost to Boston in the World Series, has picked up right where it left off at the end of last season.

The Dodgers are 22-14, which is the best record in the senior circuit and second best record in all of baseball. They’ve also won eight of their last 10 games, so the Braves are catching them while they’re hot.

They are second in Major League Baseball in runs scored, fourth in home runs, and sixth in OPS. The Dodgers have the 12th fewest strikeouts, while they lead the league in drawing the most walks.

That could be dangerous for a Braves pitching staff that has struggled at times with throwing strikes.

From a pitching standpoint, the numbers aren’t quite as dominating as they are 14th in runs allowed.

Sweeping the Marlins was huge for the Atlanta Braves, because the pitching matchups in this series are not favorable.

Getting out of Hollywood with one win would be good, and anything more than that would be a bonus.

On to the pitching matchups.

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