Braves and Dodgers Pitching Duel Expected in NLDS Game 3
Ace pitchers Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are set to face off in a pivotal Game 3, with both teams showing strong pitching performances and struggling offenses.
The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are heading into a critical NLDS Game 3, with ace pitchers Chris Sale and Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated to start. This matchup promises a tightly contested game, as both pitchers have demonstrated strong performance this season and in the postseason.
The Braves' pitching staff has relied on strong performances, with the bullpen recently supporting the starters. After Chris Sale made a significant bullpen appearance in the Wild Card Series, six relief pitchers combined to hold the Dodgers to six hits and two runs in Game 2 of the NLDS. This allowed the Braves to set up Sale to potentially take a series lead in Game 3.
Sale, at 37 years old, has seen his performance surge late in the season, posting a 1.96 ERA over his final 24 starts and accumulating 200 strikeouts. He began the postseason by striking out nine batters in Atlanta's Wild Card Series win against Philadelphia. He previously faced Yamamoto on August 27, allowing just one earned run over 15.1 combined innings in a 1-0 Braves victory.
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto was surprisingly saved for Game 3 to maintain his pitching schedule. He has been particularly effective on the road, recording a 1.77 ERA over 81.1 innings this season. Yamamoto also boasts a 0.87 WHIP, ranking second among qualified MLB starters, and has a 2.25 ERA across 10 postseason appearances in the last two years.
Despite the pitching prowess, both offenses have shown signs of struggle. Freddie Freeman batted .167 in his final 18 regular-season games before hitting a home run, while Andy Pages is 0-for-7 in the postseason, and Tommy Edman is 0-for-5. For the Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr. is 3-for-18 with no extra-base hits, and Matt Olson is 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts.
Given the expected strength of Sale and Yamamoto, along with rested bullpens, oddsmakers anticipate a low-scoring affair. The total runs for the game is set at 6.5, with predictions leaning towards the under. The New York Post's betting preview suggests betting on Chris Sale to allow under 1.5 earned runs and the game's total score to be under 6.5 runs.