Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

 

Over/Under: 8 Runs

Dodgers -150

For the 11th time in the 35 years of the National League Championship Series, a winner take all game will ensue for the right to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. Los Angeles last appeared in a winner take all contest in 2018 defeating the Brewers. In elimination games in team histories, the Dodgers own a 19-27 in them while the Braves possess a 14-22 record in them entering tonight’s match-up.

Dustin May will start the game as the “Opener” giving way to Gonsolin and even Julio Urias along with Clayton Kershaw could pitch as well. Since relievers Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen and Pedro Baez pitched the last two games while not appearing in three straight during the regular season further clouds the picture. Ian Anderson brings a 15.2 inning scoreless streak into Game 7 but issued five walks in four innings last time out versus the Dodgers. Can either starting pitcher in the showdown slate be trusted? Personally, not willing to pay the price tag to find out. 

*Keeping all of this in mind, please note players are ranked in order of preference in their spots. If a player is not listed that does not mean they are a full fade. 

MVP/Captain

Corey Seager, SS - Seager became the eighth player in MLB history with at least six home runs and 15 RBI in a single postseason after his home run in the first inning yesterday. He’s set NLCS records in home runs (5) and RBI (11) while his seven extra-base hits (two doubles, five home runs) tied the all-time record. If Seager adds two more total bases to his total of 26 in the NLCS, he will tie the record set by Albert Pujols and three would put him in first place by himself. Seager’s 14-for-42 (.333) this postseason with a robust .524 isolated power and 1.253 OPS. 

Freddie Freeman, 1B - Freeman carries an active seven-game hit streak in the postseason into tonight’s contest going 11 for his last 26 (.423). He’s also 9-for-22 (.409) with two home runs in this series. For his career, Freeman owns a .295 average (28-for-95) in postseason and crushed RHP in the regular season. If taking the Braves in the upset, then Freeman in the top spot could pay off. He knocked in two of the three game winning RBI for Atlanta in their wins over the Dodgers so far. 

Cody Bellinger, OF - Due to pricing, creating a lineup with Seager as the captain could be tough on Draft Kings, so a pivot to Bellinger could pay off in GPP’s. Bellinger went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Game 6 and he’s only 4-for-23 in the NLCS but with a double, triple, home run and four RBI with three walks in six contests. He’s also the team's third best hitter against the change-up. Anderson threw his change over 30 percent of his pitches in Game 2 putting Bellinger on tap for a potential extra-base hit, RBI and run if the Dodgers move on to the World Series. 

Marcell Ozuna, OF - Big game Marcell could power his team to a Game 7 upset. Ozuna’s been a bit of a boom or bust play but this makes him a game changer in a winner take all match-up. He’s 7-for-25 (.280) in this series with two home runs, in the same game. He leads the Braves in extra-base hits (6), total bases (28) and home runs (3) this postseason. 

Mid-Tier

Justin Turner, 3B - Leads the Dodger franchise with 71 career postseason hits, RBI (39) and doubles (15). In 65 postseason contests, Turner’s 71-for-241 (.295) with 10 home runs and his next dinger will tie Duke Snider for the franchise lead. Could it be tonight and if so, it would be in consecutive games for the “professional hitter”. 

Ronald Acuna Jr., OF - Uber talented Acuna Jr. can break any small slate due to his combination of power and speed. Acuna Jr.’s 21-for-77 (.273) through 20 career postseason games with three home runs and nine RBI. He’s only 4-for-21 in this series but only needs to be on base to produce points and also owns the power to lead-off this contest with a “ding dong Johnson”. 

Will Smith, C - Finished the regular season with a flurry hitting .348 over 18 games in September with six doubles, four home runs and 14 RBI. All eight of his home runs in the regular season occurred versus RHP and his 1.048 OPS the last month of play ranked seventh in the National League. He’s moved up to fifth in the lineup and could be a sneaky play in tonight’s deciding game. 

Travis d’Arnaud, C - Tallied two more hits yesterday but only 4-for-19 this series after swinging a hot bat against the Marlins. d’Arnaud has knocked in 10 runs this postseason and three versus the Dodgers in the NLCS. He’s another reverse splits hitter preferring RHP and with May along with Gonsolin slated to log the majority of innings this evening, d’Arnaud’s firmly in play. 

Dansby Swanson, SS - Perhaps emerging from a slump, Swanson racked up three hits in Game 6. He’s also driven in at least a run in five of his last nine games this postseason not shying away from the big moment. For those looking for upside at a reduced price, Dansby could be a nice pivot play, especially noting he hit .402 (41-for-102) against relief pitchers this year with 14 extra-base hits. 

Dart Throws

Nick Markakis, OF - Slashed a triple in Game 6, the veteran could pay off for those needing salary relief. He’s 4-for-14 (.286) in this series with hits in consecutive contests making him a candidate to score at least two times his price point with less risk than his teammate Austin Riley. 

Joc Pederson, OF - Free swinging young Joc only needs to run into a fastball to pay off as a long shot in a GPP. He also owns the second best weighted results against curveballs for Los Angeles behind Corey Seager if Anderson hangs one in this match-up. Pederson could provide a zero or launch a home run, hence his spot on the list.

Please note, these are Example Lineups, not meant to be plugged and played using the lineup generator along with information above. Best of luck!