2021 NLCS Predictions | Dodgers vs Braves Best Bets & Projections

Last Updated: Oct 17, 2021

The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on Saturday night, fresh off the heels of two exciting National League Division Series. The Atlanta Braves will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2021 NLCS.

LA made the postseason as a Wild Card team, where they beat a surging Cardinals team in the NL Wild Card game. In the NLDS, the Dodgers faced the San Francisco Giants who, like them, were a 100-win team during the regular season. The Dodgers won the series 3-2 with the final game an epic 2-1 showdown.

Atlanta made the postseason as the NL East champion. While the Braves hovered around .500 for most of the season, they finished strong and were able to win a weak division. In the NLDS, Atlanta was able to beat Milwaukee as a series underdog to advance to the NLCS.

To figure out the best NLCS bets, I came up with win probabilities for each team in each game based on lineups and starting pitching matchups.

Below I go over my model’s probabilities in all potential NLCS games, and then I go over what the prices should be on NLCS futures.


Sportsbook Play of the Day

Before making your next NLCS futures bet, you should know that Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best around. Take advantage of Caesars’ outstanding welcome bonus, which gives you a second-chance bet of up to $5,000 when you use our promo code .

Read Chris Wassel’s Caesars Sportsbook review for more insight and get your welcome bonus below, or continue reading this analysis for our best Dodgers vs. Braves bet picks.


Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Game Projections

NLCS Game 1: Los Angeles at Atlanta

Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34 ERA)

NLCS Game 1 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 51.7%

NLCS Game 1 Pick: Dodgers if +101 or better, Braves if +116 or better


NLCS Game 2: Los Angeles at Atlanta

Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46 ERA) vs. Max Fried (14-7, 3.04 ERA)

NLCS Game 2 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 56.9%

NLCS Game 2 Pick: Dodgers if -122 or better, Braves if +144 or better


NLCS Game 3: Atlanta at Los Angeles

Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34 ERA) vs. Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA)

NLCS Game 3 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 59.8%

NLCS Game 3 Pick: Braves if +162 or better, Dodgers if -137 or better

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers SP, removed from Game 4 during NLDS

Walker Buehler went just 4.1 innings in Game 4 of the NLDS and will again be tested against the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 NLCS. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)


NLCS Game 4: Atlanta at Los Angeles

Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34 ERA) vs. Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA)

NLCS Game 4 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 57.7%

NLCS Game 4 Pick: Braves if +148 or better, Dodgers if -126 or better


NLCS Game 5: Atlanta at Los Angeles (If Necessary)

Max Fried (14-7, 3.04 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46 ERA)

NLCS Game 5 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 62.8%

NLCS Game 5 Pick: Braves if +184 or better, Dodgers if -155 or better


NLCS Game 6: Los Angeles at Atlanta (If Necessary)

Julio Urias (20-3, 2.96 ERA) vs. Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA)

NLCS Game 6 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 53.9%

NLCS Game 6 Pick: Dodgers if -108 or better, Braves if +127 or better


NLCS Game 7: Los Angeles at Atlanta (If Necessary)

Max Scherzer (15-4, 2.46 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34 ERA)

NLCS Game 7 Projection (Kevin Davis Model): Dodgers 52.6%

NLCS Game 7 Pick: Dodgers if -102 or better, Braves if +121 or better


2021 NLCS Pitching Preview

Part of the reason why my model has the Dodgers as a favorite in every potential NLCS game is because of their strong pitching. During the regular season, LA’s bullpen had a 4.07 xFIP, which was the sixth best in MLB. Further complementing the Dodgers bullpen this postseason is their tendency to use starters like Max Scherzer, like they did to close out Game 5 of the NLDS.

As a result of a long, grueling regular season, several key Dodgers starters couldn’t make the postseason. This includes Clayton Kershaw, due to injury, and Trevor Bauer, due to non-baseball reasons. However, even without Kershaw and Bauer, the Dodgers still have a strong starting rotation, due to their loaded roster.

During the regular season, the Dodgers’ back end of the rotation came up short and they frequently used relievers to open games. However, during the postseason they have benefited greatly from a shortened three-man rotation of Walker Buehler, Max Scherzer, and Julio Urias.

Since coming over from the Nationals in a trade deadline deal, Scherzer has been the undisputed ace of the Dodgers rotation. During the regular season with the Dodgers, Scherzer had a 7-0 record with a 1.98 ERA and 2.89 xFIP in 11 starts. During the postseason, Scherzer pitched decently in the NL Wild Card Game, seven innings in a 1-0 loss in Game 4 of the NLDS and closed out Game 5 of the NLDS.

Buehler and Urias are also solid starting pitchers who on most teams would be the ace of their starting rotations. I suspect that Buehler, who had a 2.47 ERA this season, will start Game 1 and Game 4 and split innings with Scherzer in a potential Game 7.

The Braves had a vulnerable starting pitching rotation this season, but they have benefited from having a smaller rotation this postseason. Led by Charlie Morton, Max Fried, and Ian Anderson, the Braves have a plausible chance to win as underdogs in any of their NLCS games against the Dodgers.

The issue for Atlanta is going to be how long Morton, Fried, and Anderson can pitch, as their bullpen is not a strength. During the regular season, Braves relievers had a 4.36 xFIP, which was worse than most teams. On an individual game-by-game basis, ATL bettors might be better suited backing the ATL first five innings moneyline than their full-game moneyline.

Lineup Preview

While Atlanta has a weaker pitching staff than Los Angeles, they can compensate with their strong lineup. During the regular season, the Braves averaged 4.86 runs per game, which was the second best in the National League.

With 1B Freddie Freeman, 3B Austin Riley, and 2B Ozzie Albies, the Braves hitters could potentially cause problems for the Dodgers pitching staff. The only issue for the Braves is that they have been without arguably their best hitter in OF Ronald Acuna Jr. since early July. However, the Braves have shockingly played their best baseball this season without him.

While the Braves lineup is good, the Dodgers have an even better one. According to my model, outside of Cody Bellinger, every Dodgers position player is above-average offensively. With Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Will Smith, and Mookie Betts, there is no way for Atlanta to pitch around them.

Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Futures Bets

Dodgers vs. Braves NLCS Winner Bets

Best Bet: Atlanta Braves to Win NLCS (+200) at WynnBet (would bet up to +200)

Wager: 1 Unit

My model has the Dodgers favored in all potential NLCS games, even though the Braves have home-field advantage. However, everyone and their mother, and their mother’s pet rock’s insurance agent, believes the Dodgers are a lock to win the NL pennant and that is why there is value on the Braves winning the NLCS.

Outside of WynnBet, every other regulated sportsbook has appropriately priced the NLCS odds. At +200, the Braves are worth a shot as they have a plausible path with home-field advantage to win the pennant.

With a strong lineup, the Braves could win the NLCS if their starters can last about six innings in each start. It won’t be easy for Atlanta, but by no means is LA a lock to win.

Personally, I am not betting on the series winner as I already have Braves World Series and pennant tickets from the beginning of the postseason and during the regular season. But if I didn’t have any outstanding futures, I would lay a small wager on them winning the NLCS.

Kevin Davis Series Winner Model Projection: Dodgers 63.8%

Author

Kevin Davis

Kevin Davis is a Betting Analyst at The Game Day residing in Hoboken, NJ. Previously a Bronx resident, Kevin got his start betting on sports at his local Bronx barbershop. When sports betting was legalized across the river in Jersey, Kevin was there on the ground floor making regular trips to the Hoboken PATH station or for soup dumplings in Fort Lee. Previously, Kevin has written for The Action Network, and Vegas Insider.

Related articles

Promotions

Get Up To $1,500 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets or $1k First Bet Safety Net

5 stars

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets

5 stars

Get A Bonus Bet Up to $1,000

5 stars

Bet $100, Get $100 in Bonus Bets Every Day for 10 days!

5 stars

Get A Bonus Bet Up To $250

5 stars

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY).

Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI).

All betting content on TheGameDay.com is exclusively intended for audience members 21 years and older who are permitted to gamble in legal states. The Game Day may earn revenue from site visitor referrals to betting services.

Responsible Gaming: Many sportsbooks offer ways to encourage responsible gaming, including the establishment of limits to deposits, spending, and time dedicated to betting.

The Game Day is a TGD Marketing Ltd. endeavor.