The juice should be far more heavy for the Dodgers here. I truly believe the Braves are better than most 88-win teams, but they are still an 88-win team. They did a good job to get by a one-dimensional team in the NLDS in four games, but the Dodgers are head-and-shoulders better. Given the enormous difference in talent here, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Dodgers sweep this thing. For those wondering about a possible hangover effect in this one, I'll offer up this: The Dodgers are the defending champs and have had to hear for 11 months that the title wasn't real.

The Braves have won six straight behind Max Fried. His last four starts have seen only one earned run allowed. Yes, he’s on his best run of the season. Max Scherzer’s last start was a 1-0 loss in which he had 10 strikeouts. These two starters met on Sept. 1, and the Dodgers won 4-3 behind Scherzer, who was -205 in that game. Under is the top play.

I think there could be a minor letdown factor for the Dodgers off that incredible series against the rival Giants, plus having to travel across country. The rotation is a bit jumbled because Julio Urias and Max Scherzer were used in Game 5 and Walker Buehler was in Game 4. L.A. also remains without slugger Max Muncy. The rested Braves start Max Fried (14-7, 3.04), who led the majors with a 1.74 ERA after the All-Star break. Fried dominated the Brewers with six shutout innings last Saturday and also had a 2.25 ERA in two starts vs. the Dodgers this year. Totally understand John Bollman for taking Atlanta +115 for the outright win, but believe -140 is a very reasonable price for the safety of the runline (and probably will rise).

Max Fried will start for the Braves in Game 1 after Charlie Morton pitched on short rest on Tuesday. He has been on a dominant run and he already pitched two quality starts against the Dodgers earlier this season. The Dodgers struggled against lefties this season as most of their righties actually hit right-handed pitchers better and they should have Albert Pujols at first base and AJ Pollock in the outfield instead of Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger. In the NLCS last season, Fried faced the Dodgers twice pitching a quality start in each outing. Corey Knebel will open for the Dodgers with Tony Gonsolin most likely coming in for bulk relief. Gonsolin has struggled in playoff games in his career but he will be pulled at any sign of trouble with a rested bullpen. Take the Braves at home.

Neither of these teams exactly lit up the scoreboard in their last series but that is also in part because both have very good pitching staffs. Neither team has multiple guys going well right now either, and both teams will have a day off to reset their bullpens so I like the under.