Sunday might have been a season-saving performance for the Braves, who evened up the NLDS with a 3-2 victory. Even more impressive, Atlanta did so on the road while opting for a bullpen game. Now, the NL East winners will hand the ball to staff ace Chris Sale. To counter, the visiting Dodgers are handing the ball to an All-Star of their own in Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Which of these National League powerhouses will come out on top during Tuesday’s pivotal Game 3?
The Dodgers are favorites (-110) over the Braves; the over/under is set at six runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Saturday’s NLDS showdown between Atlanta and Los Angeles on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Dodgers vs. Braves pick, best bet today
- Dodgers under 2.5 team runs (+120): This bet is all about Sale, who comes into Tuesday with momentum. The veteran is one of the few pitchers in the game with notable success against Los Angeles. As an added bonus, the Braves wield one of baseball’s most dangerous bullpens.
Dodgers vs. Braves prediction, preview
There’s an argument to be made that Sale isn’t the best arm taking the mound tonight. Since coming stateside in 2024, Yamamoto has been nothing short of unhittable for the Dodgers. Among pitchers to toss 400+ innings during that time, he owns the league’s third-lowest ERA (2.61). As if that wasn’t dominant enough, he ranks within the 83rd percentile or better this season in xERA (2.94), xBA (.211), chase rate (33.9%) and walk rate (5.9%). Interestingly enough, the Japanese hurler has been more effective outside of Dodger Stadium. Yamamoto comes into Tuesday sporting a minuscule 1.77 ERA on the road.
The Braves have been successful primarily due to a terrific pitching staff. Still, there’s plenty of collective talent in this lineup. As a unit, they finished the regular season eighth in runs scored (742), seventh in home runs (204) and seventh in slugging percentage (.407). With that being said, the past few months haven’t been too kind to this group. Since August 1st, Atlanta has scored the league’s third-fewest runs (205). That’s carried over into the playoffs, where the Braves are averaging just 4.00 runs per game. It’s also worth noting that Yamamoto has been almost unhittable in this spot. Over three career meetings with Atlanta, the right-hander has allowed just one earned run (0.55 ERA).
As previously mentioned, Sale will toe the slab for the home team tonight. In a shocking move, manager Walt Weiss used his ace to help secure a win over the Phillies in Game 3 of the Wild Card Round. All things considered, with the NLDS tied up at one game apiece, the move seems to have paid off. It was another elite campaign from the veteran, still among the sport’s upper echelon pitchers. Through 162.2 innings of work (27 starts), he’s recorded a 2.16 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 200 strikeouts (11.1 K/9). Even more impressive, the southpaw posted National League-best 0.6 HR/9 and 1.7 BB/9 ratios. Sale is responsible for a phenomenal 1.66 ERA when pitching at Truist Park.
It’s no secret that the Dodgers are an offensive juggernaut. A lineup loaded with MVPs can make life difficult on any opposing hurler. Navigating a middle of the order with names such as Betts, Freeman and Ohtani isn’t for the faint of heart. In addition, the defending champs tend to perform well against opposing left-handers (.755 OPS). Regardless, this hasn’t been the most daunting matchup for Sale. In three of his previous four meetings with Los Angeles, he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer. That includes a remarkable nine-inning, five-hit shutout when these two clubs met on August 27th. Having enjoyed his normal four days of rest, there shouldn’t be any limitations for the former Cy Young winner tonight.
Best Bet: Dodgers under 2.5 runs (+120)
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if this one turns into a 1-0, 2-1 type of nail biter. Atlanta’s offense is especially difficult to predict against an arm of Yamamoto’s caliber. With that being said, the best wager on the board in terms of value might be fading LA’s lineup. After all, we’ve seen Sale take care of business against the Dodgers before. Supported by a lights-out bullpen, the lefty is capable of putting up a signature performance on Tuesday.
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