Atlanta Braves (92-73) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (110-59)
Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 7:38 pm
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Atlanta Braves. After a couple days of rest since recording the first save of his career in an incredible Game 5 against the Giants, Max Scherzer will be back to his familiar role tonight in Game 2 of the NLCS. Scherzer was arguably the best pitcher in baseball in the second half of the season, going 8-0 with a 2.21 ERA in 13 starts covering 81 1/3 innings since the break. Scherzer shouldn't feel any effects tonight from that successful relief appearance on Thursday, as he only faced four batters and threw 13 pitches in closing out San Francisco. The Braves will go with RHP Ian Anderson. The 23-year-old second-year rookie went 9-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 24 regular season starts covering 128 1/3 innings. But in his only start vs. L.A. this season, Anderson allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings and took the loss in a 9-5 Dodgers victory on June 4. In his last nine post-season appearances, Scherzer's teams (the Nats and Dodgers) are 8-1. And the Dodgers are 16-2 their last 18 off a defeat in their previous game. Take Los Angeles. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
Al’s Pick Los Angeles Dodgers: -175
AUTHOR: Al McMordie
Al McMordie is the most honored technical handicapper in the country. Overall, in the last 31 years, Big Al has garnered 52 NUMBER ONE awards in football, basketball, baseball and hockey; 216 Top 5 finishes; and 416 Top 10 finishes.