NLCS preview

*Photo from FanDuel*

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*

   Oh, it's time. Get the popcorn for this showdown, because you won't want to miss this showdown. A rematch of last year's NLCS, with one team looking to wash the bitter taste of a wasted chance, and another team looking to have the same result as last year. It's the Atlanta Braves. It's the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's the NLCS. Here's your preview.

   The Braves are back in the NLCS after making it in 2020. This time around, however, they are looking for a better ending, as last year, they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Dodgers, who eventually won the world series. If there is any team that can avenge that, it is this year's Braves. Resilience has been the name of the game all season for them.

The starters(Based off NLDS series)

C: Travis D'Arnaud(ATL), Will Smith(LAD)

1B: Freddie Freeman(ATL), Cody Bellinger(LAD)

2B: Ozzie Albies(ATL), Trea Turner(LAD)
3B: Austin Riley(ATL), Justin Turner(LAD)

SS: Dansby Swanson(ATL), Corey Seager(LAD)

LF: Eddie Rosario(ATL), AJ Pollock(LAD)

CF: Adam Duvall(ATL), Chris Taylor(LAD)
RF: Joc Pederson(ATL), Mookie Betts(LAD)

   The Braves hitting core is really deadly. Despite losing Ronald Acuna Jr for the season early on and just recently losing Jorge Soler to a positive Covid-19 test, they still have a lot of ways to beat you. The infield combination of Freeman, Albies, Riley, and Swanson in particular is very deadly with the bat, particularly Freeman and Riley. The outfield of Duvall, Rosario, and more recently Pederson can pick up the slack with the bat as well if the infielders are having an off night. 

   As for the pitching, the starters are a big 3 of Charlie Morton, Max Fried, and Ian Anderson, with Fried and Anderson likely to start games one and two, lining Morton up for game 3. After that, it gets a little trickier, but Drew Smyly would likely be the 4th starter, with Huascar Ynoa being relegated to the bullpen. The bullpen as a whole has been quite reliable, with Tyler Matzek, AJ Minter, Luke Jackson, and Will Smith rounding into form at the right time.

   The Dodgers have had a slumping lineup so far this postseason, but when they break out, they are deadly. Mookie Betts can still rake. Trea and Justin Turner bring speed and power. Bellinger has had some clutch hits these playoffs. They've also got Albert Pujols, Gavin Lux, and Matt Beaty available off the bench, because that's just how deep they are. AJ Pollock can also hit too.

   The pitching has been the star of the show this postseason. Walker Buehler, Max Scherzer, and Julio Urias have been the big 3, with Tony Gonsolin and David Price in line for spot starts if someone can't go, whether it be injury or rest related. The bullpen still has Kenley Jansen closing games, with Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol being dynamic high leverage guys. Corey Knebel has also regained form.

   If I had to offer a series prediction, which I do, I think this is a battle of the pitching staffs. The difference will come down to the offense, which I give the edge to the Dodgers. So my prediction is Dodgers in 7, and they will go to the world series once again.