The National League Championship Series

Being played at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. Home of the Texas Rangers, just opened this season.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Game 1 Tonight

7:08 CT, Max Fried vs Walker Buehler (Walker is a warrior, as is Fried of the Braves. Buehler pitched at Vanderbilt, which right now, is horrific in football, but has been spectacular at baseball for 18 years under the great Tim Corbin).

Game 2, Tuesday

Ian Anderson vs, Clayton Kershaw. Game Time to be announced. Fox Sports 1 will televise.

Game 3 Wednesday

Kyle Wright ( also Vanderbilt) vs. Undecided for Dodgers. Time and network to be determined FOX or Fox Sports 1 most likely FS1.

Game 4 Thursday, Game 5 Friday, if necessary, Game 6 Saturday and Game 7 Sunday, both if necessary

Head to Head

Hitting

Close, though I give the Braves a slight edge 1-9 in the order. Freddie Freeman, Marcel Ozuna, Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson (Vanderbilt, like Alabama in the NFL and Kentucky in the NBA, winning players), Travis d’Arnaud, give me the Braves slightly in that category over Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, etc… though it’s very close.

Edge: Braves

Starting pitching

With Buehler and Kershaw 1 and 2 that’s tough to defeat, though Fried and Ian Anderson matchup pretty well. Wright is a clear third option for the Braves, the Dodgers may use Dustin May, who throws it 98, but they’re unclear who they’ll throw. Starting pitching depth for game 4, I would have to go with the Dodgers.

Edge: Dodgers

Bullpen

The Braves bullpen has been lights out, and the Dodgers are not sure they can trust Kenley Jansen any more as their closer. Manager Dave Roberts said that last week. Give me all the Braves pitchers in the middle and Mark Melancon to close.

Edge: Braves

Defense

Both spectacular defensive teams. Swanson, Albies and Acuna up the middle are extremely strong. Bellinger in center for the Dodgers is excellent. Chris Taylor at short is very good. Max Muncy plays a lot of 2nd for the Dodgers, so I’ll take the Braves slightly with Albies over Muncy.

Edge: Braves

Resiliency

The Dodgers are so loaded, but the Braves ability to come back from major deficits is uncanny and phenomenal.

Edge: Braves

Prediction

This is the best matchup we’ve had so far in the playoffs along with the Yankees and the Rays. I give the Braves a slight edge in more categories, but it’s a razor thin advantage. Give me the ATL Braves to survive and advance a spectacular and make it to the Fall Classic which begins next Tuesday, October 20th. The World Series will be played at Globe Life Field.

Braves in 7

ALCS

Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros

Played at Petco Park in San Diego.

The Rays won game 1 last night over the Astros, 2-1 and play game 2 today at 3:07 P.M. on TBS.

I picked the Rays to play the Braves in the World Series before the playoffs started, so sticking with that.

Rays in 5