The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves meet in Game 1 of the NLDS in Turner Field, where the home team has ruled, possessing the best record when playing in front of their fans. However, with Clayton Kershaw on the mound, the Dodgers will look to make the Braves' home field advantage a non-factor. Check out predictions as the Braves and Dodgers meet at 8:30 p.m. ET in a matchup that should be nothing short of spectacular.
The one thing that could give the Braves hope in this one is Kris Medlen. The 27-year-old righty did not get the Braves this far last season, but he pitched well enough throughout 2013 to make it possible. 2013 did not treat Medlen quite well in the beginning of the season, but Braves fans should be confident since the he's won five of his last six starts. In this stretch, Medlen has going 43 innings, allowing just four earned runs for a 0.84 ERA and collecting 39 strikeouts along the way.
He's been better than Kershaw in his last six games as the Dodgers' lefty and the future undisputed 2013 N.L. Cy Young award winner has struggled. He is 3-2 in his last six starts, surrendering 10 earned runs over 37.2 innings for a 2.39 ERA, which is not bad at all.
When these two pitchers step off the mound and hand over the ball to their bullpens, chances are the score could be tied 0-0. The Braves strikeout too often, racking up 1,384 K's in 2013. This is bad news for Atlanta since Kershaw finished with the most strikeouts in the National League, retiring 232 batters via the punch-out. One problem, however, Kershaw has pitched gems in which the Dodgers do not provide run support. In his four of his nine loses and seven of his eight no-decisions, Kershaw did not allow more than two earned runs.
The Braves will have a chance in this one as long as their defense steps up and Medlen can provide consistency. Don't look for home runs; Fredi Gonzalez will have to manufacture runs, which is probably why he left Dan Uggla out of the NLDS roster. The Braves will send big boppers to the plate, but instead of swinging for the fences and attempting to provide fans with a prized souvenir, they should focus on making contact and putting the ball in play. L.A. committed 109 errors in 2013, the sixth most in baseball.
Finals Score Prediction: This one should be a close one in Turner Field. Medlen and Kershaw should have their best stuff tonight. The battle will probably fall on the shoulders of the bullpens, giving the Braves an edge.
Braves win 2-1
