I have to tell you that I don’t feel great about about tonight. The starting pitching is in disarray for today. Chris Sale or Tyler Mahle won’t be able to help out. There’s Didier Fuentes, Brent Suter, Dylan Dodd and Robert Suarez as multi-inning options. JR Ritchie and AJ Smith-Shawver are also available. It will be a problem if the Braves start this series 0-1. I had the Dodgers in 4 in our preview. I would say either Braves or Dodgers in 5 if it weren’t for the quick turnaround for today. It’s
not fatalism. But that’s just like, you know, my opinion, man.
So what is your prediction for Braves versus Dodgers? I want to be moved toward supporting a Braves series win. The easiest route to a win is if the Dodgers don’t hit homers. Teams that outhomered their opponents typically win 70-80% of the time. It’s more like 80-90% in the playoffs. If you consider all active roster pitchers, the Braves have the second lowest HR/FB ratio. So that’s removing the “contributions” of say, Danny Young and Aaron Bummer. After that’s done, you have a decent route to victory. The Dodgers are eighth in this statistic, so it will be tough sledding.
Of course, that’s just one factor of several to consider. And you all may have a better gut feeling than I. So let’s hear your predictions.
