Los Angeles Dodgers: The three-step guide to defeating the Atlanta Braves

1. Be patient at the plate

We have seen the Los Angeles Dodgers take up this approach before. For some teams it works, for others, it doesn’t and for the most part, the Dodgers seem to be a better overall offensive team when the team collectively takes a patient approach.

The Dodgers should at least start the series with a very patient approach at the plate. Make the Braves’ young arms prove they can throw a strike and make them throw a hittable strike two. Take the young arms deep into 2-2 and 3-2 counts. Try and foul off some pitches, try to get that pitch count to 75 pitches by the fourth inning.

Even if it only results in one run in the first four innings, it will get the Braves to call to the bullpen much earlier than the team needs to and that is when the Dodgers can start teeing off.

Plus, the team should be scoring runs with this patient approach. The Atlanta Braves’ starting pitchers had the third-highest BB/9 rate in the MLB (per FanGraphs). Braves’ starting pitchers averaged 3.62 walks per nine innings this season.

Grind them out. This is a young team and a young pitching staff that is not used to this spotlight. Take advantage of that, mixed with the adrenaline, so slow the pace down in your own favor and win every pitch.

At least through the first time in the order, there shouldn’t be any first or second pitch swings, unless they really leave a pitch over the plate and the Dodgers make them pay.