2013 MLB NLDS Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Odds and Predictions – Free MLB Playoff Picks

2013 MLB NLDS Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Odds and Predictions – Free MLB Playoff Picks: Using a monster second-half rally, the Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70) won the NL West. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves (96-66) controlled the NL East from start to finish en route to a division crown. Now, the two teams will meet in the National League Division Series with a trip to the NLCS on the line. The Braves won the season series 5-2, but the only thing that matters now is the best-of-five series that begins Wednesday night in Atlanta.

For the Dodgers, a season that seemed lost suddenly has the chance to be something special, and Los Angeles has a loaded roster. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke anchor a strong rotation, and closer Kenley Jansen is one of the best in the game. Meanwhile, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Carl Crawford and rookie sensation Yaisel Puig are among the big bats in the lineup. The offense would be even scarier if Matt Kemp was healthy, but the star outfielder has been ruled out for the postseason.

For the Braves, a roster loaded with talented youngsters finally put it all together this year. Mike Minor and Kris Medlen lead a rock solid starting rotation, and closer Craig Kimbrel is the anchor for an excellent bullpen. Atlanta’s offense is led by the steady bats of first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Chris Johnson, but with an outfield featuring the Upton brothers and Jason Heyward, the lineup can be explosive at times.

The Dodgers Win If:

If the Dodgers’ dynamic duo of Kershaw and Greinke deliver strong starts, Los Angeles is going to be in the driver’s seat. Between the two of them, Kershaw and Greinke could start three of the five games in the series, and if they take care of business, the series is essentially over. Offensively, the Dodgers’ stars need to make sure that they don’t try to do too much at the plate and start swinging for the fences every time up. If Los Angeles’ starting pitching performs like it should and the offense remembers that it doesn’t have to score a million runs to win, the Dodgers have the firepower on the mound and at the plate to win the series.

The Braves Win If:

If Atlanta is going to get past Los Angeles, a few things have to happen. The Braves need at least a few of their streaky players to perform well in the series. The Upton brothers, Heyward and second baseman Dan Uggla can all change the game with one swing, but they can also go ice cold. They can’t all go cold at once if the Braves are going to win this series. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s starters have to resist the pressure to try to match the Dodgers’ aces inning for inning and strikeout for strikeout and simply keep the Braves in each game. If Atlanta’s starters can hold Los Angeles to modest run totals, the Braves have the bullpen and enough offensive firepower to pull out three wins.

Bottom Line:

Having clinched a playoff spot a while ago, the Dodgers were able to line up their rotation and will have Kershaw on the mound in Game 1. Of course, this also means he can be back on the mound later in the series, as well. The fact that Los Angeles is going to have the chance to get two starts from the best pitcher in baseball in a series where they have to only win three games is huge. Not to mention the fact that the Dodgers’ offense has been steady throughout the second half of the year. Sure, Kemp is out, but he has basically been out all year. At the end of the day, the Dodgers have enough bats in their lineup to put some runs on the board, and more importantly, they have the arms on the mound to keep a streaky Atlanta lineup cold.

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers Win the Series

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