Los Angeles Dodgers: How the Dodgers compare to the Atlanta Braves
By Jason Reed
Starting pitching:
Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are more than likely going to run a four-man rotation in the postseason. Five-man rotations are unheard of in the postseason and the Dodgers have four great arms to throw.
- Clayton Kershaw — LHP
- Walker Buehler — RHP
- Rich Hill — LHP
- Hyun-Jin Ryu — LHP
The emergence of Walker Buehler is huge as is gives the Dodgers a right-handed pitcher to throw in between three different southpaws, mixing up the look for the Braves.
With Buehler and ace Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers have one of the best one-two punches in the postseason. Kershaw has conquered past postseason demons and rode a hot second half into October while Buehler proved in game 163 that he can thrive in big spots.
Rich Hill is as experienced as it comes and has provided quality starts for the Dodgers in the last two postseasons. Hyun-Jin Ryu has been absolutely stellar while healthy this year, pitching to a 1.97 ERA in 82.1 innings pitched.
The rotation is going to be jumbled with game 163 taking place. Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu will likely take the ball in games one and two. Then, depending on where the Dodgers are in the series, Walker Buehler or Rich Hill are exchangeable for games three and four.
If LA is up two games to none or even tied, expect Hill to get the ball in game three. If the team is backed in some trouble, Buehler may get the ball in game three.
Atlanta Braves:
The Atlanta Braves have five starting pitching options to turn to and will likely use one of the arms out of the bullpen in the series. Those five arms are:
- Julio Teheran — RHP
- Mike Foltynewicz — RHP
- Sean Newcomb — LHP
- Anibal Sanchez — RHP
- Kevin Gausman — RHP
Despite having five arms to choose from, the Atlanta Braves rotation does not jump out as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation does.
Mike Foltynewicz has arguably been the best guy all season long but the ace of the rotation is still Julio Teheran, who has nasty stuff and a bad representation statistically.
Right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Kevin Gausman are both capable of great games and have been reliable for the Braves this season. Southpaw Sean Newcomb has success against the Dodgers and took a no-hitter eight and two-thirds innings deep against the Dodgers earlier in the year.
Thankfully for the Dodgers, the Braves only have one southpaw in the rotation. That is going to be a huge factor in this series.