MLB
NLDS Preview: Dodgers and Braves
Tonight is the start of the NLDS with the Atlanta Braves at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Prior to the season starting, nobody was expecting the Braves to get to the postseason this year. However, with their talented youth stepping up, here they are about a year or two ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, going into the season everyone expected the Dodgers to repeat winning the division. However, the Dodgers had an incredibly horrible start to the season; partly due to a plethora of injuries and partly due to just starting off slow and leaving men on base. Either way, the Dodgers’ depth at every position is a force to be reckoned with and they battled their way to their 6th straight Division Title. Let’s take a look at what this series has in store.
Pitching Matchups
In tonight’s game-one matchup, the Braves will be sending 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz to the mound. Foltynewicz was 13-10 on the season, with a 2.85 ERA. Foltynewicz definitely had a breakout season. His location improved immensely from seasons past, yet hasn’t taken away from his velocity. Foltynewicz throws a 2-seam and 4-seam fastball, changeup, curve, and slider. He is definitely is a skillful pitcher and could give the Dodgers trouble.
The Dodgers will be sending the 31-year-old lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu to the mound. Ryu went 7-3 on the season with a 1.97 ERA. A groin injury sent him to the disabled list for a while. Had that not occurred, he could be in Cy Young talks. Since coming off the DL in mid-August, Ryu has bounced back nicely and has an incredible 1.88 ERA. Ryu throws a fastball, changeup, curveball, cutter, and slider.
Everyone was expecting Kershaw to get the game one start. However, Ryu has been pretty lights-out at home and that is one of the reasons he is getting the start tonight. The other reason is rest. According to Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts, he felt that game one is just as important as game two and that by having Kershaw start game two, it gave him an extra day of rest and the same rest as Ryu has going into tonight, so it made sense.
The rest of the matchups are as follows:
Game 2: Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 2.83) vs. Clayton Kershaw (9-5, 2.73)
Game 3: Walker Buehler (8-5, 2.62) vs. TBD
Game 4*: TBD vs. TBD
Game 5*: TBD vs. TBD
Who Didn’t Make the Cut?
The 25 man rosters were finally announced and most fans will notice a few notable players who are absent from both rosters.
For The Braves
For the Braves, fan favorite Shortstop Dansby Swanson didn’t make the cut. Swanson was one of Atlanta’s best defensive players this year. At the plate, Swanson was .238, with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs. However, Swanson tore a ligament in his left hand during one of the last series of the year against the Mets. That injury, unfortunately, caused Swanson to lose his spot.
For The Dodgers
For the Dodgers, the most notable missing men are Ross “Chicken Strip” Stripling, Chase “Silver Fox”, “Dad” Utley and Alex “Executioner” Verdugo. Stripling started the year in the bullpen then turned starter.
As a starter, Stripling excelled and helped the Dodgers get many wins, in addition to earning a spot on this year’s All-Star Team. However, after a trip to the disabled list, he just couldn’t bounce back to what he was. Stripling struggled and got sent back to the bullpen. His ERA in the month of September was 6.75, so he did not make the roster. One has to feel for the guy after pitching over half of the season so well.
With a .213 average, Chase Utley isn’t that much of a surprise to be left off. The veteran who is retiring at the end of the season just hasn’t been able to contribute on the field like he once did so dominantly. However, off the field is a different story. He has been a mentor to many of the young Dodger players, especially Kiké Hernandez who calls Utley “Dad” and credits the veteran with why he has the third-best batting average in the N.L. since the beginning of August.
Lastly is Alex Verdugo. Verdugo has bounced to and from the Majors this season. While up in The Show, he has batted .260 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs. He’s been awesome in the outfield and has a cannon for an arm. Should anyone get injured, it’s most likely that Verdugo would be the first man bumped back up.
Offseason Trades
During the offseason in mid-December, the Braves and the Dodgers played nice and made some trades. Two of the players involved were Matt Kemp, who the Braves sent back to the Dodgers, and in return they received Charlie Culberson. Both men have been a huge help to their respective clubs this season. Matt Kemp was having an MVP type year the first half of the year and although he has slowed down, is still doing well. When talking about Culberson, Braves Manager Brian Snitker said that “He’s probably been arguably maybe our most valuable player”. He’s filled in everywhere for them and has been productive, just like he did for the Dodgers in the postseason last year. With Swanson out, Culberson will be getting a bulk of the playing time at short. It will be interesting to see what each player contributes to their teams while playing in the NLDS against each other.
Both teams are highly talented and have several young and hungry players. This should be a good series!
Photo Credit: LWYang via Flickr
