The 2021 National League Championship Series between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers will get underway Saturday night. The Braves dispatched the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 in the NLDS while the Dodgers got past the San Francisco Giants in five games. The series is a rematch of the 2020 NLCS where the Braves jumped out to a 3-1 lead only to fall in seven games.
Let’s take a look at the current line on the series and who is favored to win on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Dodgers vs. Braves series odds
Dodgers: -195
Braves: +165
Braves 4-0: +2500
Braves 4-1: +1200
Braves 4-2: +650
Braves 4-3: +475
Dodgers 4-0: +700
Dodgers 4-1: +360
Dodgers 4-2: +650
Dodgers 4-3: +475
As you can see, the Braves are an underdog in the series although the line has moved slightly in Atlanta’s direction since opening. The underdog status for the Braves isn’t surprising given that they won 88 games while the Dodgers totaled 106. Los Angeles took four of the six meetings between the two clubs in the regular season including a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium in late August.
The Brewers were also favored to beat the Braves in the NLDS but Atlanta got some excellent pitching performances from Charlie Morton and Max Fried along with a strong bullpen effort to hold Milwaukee’s offense in check. Freddie Freeman came through with a crucial home run off Josh Hader in Game 4 of the NLDS to punch Atlanta’s ticket.
Both teams will be missing some key players. Lefty Clayton Kershaw has already been ruled out due to a forearm injury. First baseman Max Muncy appears unlikely to play as well. Atlanta’s Jorge Soler tested positive for COVID-19 prior to Atlanta’s Game 4 win and is expected to miss the majority of the series.