The NLCS is set after the Dodgers beat the Giants last night scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th inning.
The Dodgers are now set to travel to Atlanta for Games 1 and 2 to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
The Braves and Dodgers have quite the recent history in the playoffs with the Dodgers having eliminated the Braves twice in the last three seasons, including in 7 games in last years NLCS.
Facing off as much as these two teams have the past 3 years gives us a good look at what to expect from the expected starting pitchers from each team.
Here is how each team's top three starters have fared in their regular season and postseason career against the opponents:
Braves vs. Max Scherzer:
In his career in the regular season, Max Scherzer is just 10-9 against the Braves with a 3.88 ERA. This season Scherzer faced the Braves twice, getting no-decisions both times (Braves ended up losing both games however).
• • April 06 (with Nationals) he threw 6 innings giving up 5 hits, 4 of them solo HR’s (Acuna hit 2, Freeman and Swanson hit 1 each)
• • Sept. 01 (with Dodgers) he threw 6 innings giving up 3 hits and 0 runs.
Overall Max Scherzer hasn't had a winning record against the Braves since the 2016 season and he has just 1 win against the Braves since the start of the 2019 season. Scherzer has NEVER faced the Braves in the postseason
Braves vs. Walker Buehler
In his career in the regular season, Walker Buehler is 2-0 in 3 appearances against the Braves with a 2.79 ERA. This season Buehler faced the Braves just once, allowing a HR to Joc Pederson.
• • August 31 he threw 7 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 run, and a HR to Joc Pederson
Overall Walker Buehler has faced the Braves three times in the postseason, and while his record is officially 1-0, the Dodgers have lost 2 of his 3 starts.
• • 2018 NLDS Game 3—5 innings pitched, 2 hits, 3 walks, 5 runs, and a HR
• • 2020 NLCS Game 1—5 innings pitched, 3 hits, 5 walks, 1 run and a HR
• • 2020 NLCS Game 6—6 innings pitched, 7 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs and no HR’s
Braves vs. Julio Urias
In his career in the regular season, Julio Urias is 2-0 in 4 appearances (2 starts and 2 saves) with a 1.80 ERA. In 2021 Urias faced the Braves twice, winning both starts.
• • June 04 he threw 5 innings giving up 4 hits including a solo HR to Freddie Freeman
• • August 30 he threw 6 innings giving up 4 hits and 2 HR’s, both solo (Freeman/Soler)
In the playoffs Urias has faced the Braves twice in the postseason (only one start) and is 2-0 officially
• • 2020 NLCS Game 3—5 innings pitched, 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 run, and a HR
• • 2020 NLCS Game 7—3 innings pitched, 0 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, 0 HR (in this game Urias came out of the bullpen and closed out the game).
Max Fried vs. Dodgers
In his career in the regular season, Max Fried is 1-2 in 5 starts with a 4.30 ERA. This season Fried faced the Dodgers twice, winning 1 and losing 1.
• • June 06 he threw 6 innings allowing 6 hits, and 1 run
• • September 01 he threw 6 innings giving up 3 hits, 2 runs, both on solo HR’s
Overall in the postseason Max Fried has faced the Dodgers SIX times in the postseason, only 2 starts, 0-1 officially
• • 2020 NLCS Game 1—6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 walks, 1 run, 1 HR
• • 2020 NLCS Game 6—6.2 innings pitched, 8 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs, 2 HR
In the 2018 NLDS Fried faced the Dodgers 4 times (Games 1-4) out of the bullpen.
Charlie Morton vs. Dodgers
In his career in the regular season, Charlie Morton is 1-1 in 4 starts with a 4.50 ERA and he faced the Dodgers twice in the 2021 season
• • June 05 he threw 5 innings allowing 4 hits and 1 walk with 4 runs
• • August 31 he threw 6 innings with 3 hits and 2 walks giving up 1 run while striking out 8
Charlie Morton has faced the Dodgers three times in the postseason while with Houston and Tampa Bay.
• • 2017 WS Game 4—6.1 innings pitched, 3 hits, 0 walks, 1 run, 0 HR
• • 2017 WS Game 7—4 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, 1 run, 0 HR (out of bullpen)
• • 2020 WS Game 3—4.1 innings pitched, 7 hits, 1 walk, 5 runs, 1 HR
Ian Anderson vs. Dodgers
In his career in the regular season, Ian Anderson is 0-1 in 1 start with a 8.31 ERA, and he faced the Dodgers just once this season.
• • June 04 he threw 4.1 innings allowing 1 hit and 3 walks, giving up 4 runs without a HR (Sean Newcomb came in and walked in two of Ian Anderson’s 4 runs in the 5th inning after he shut the Dodgers out for the first 4)
Overall in the postseason Ian Anderson Anderson has faced the Dodgers twice (both starts in LA) and he’s 0-0 officially.
• • 2020 NLCS Game 2—4 innings pitched, 1 hit, 5 walks, 0 runs, and 0
• • 2020 NLCS Game 7—3 innings pitched, 5 hits, 2 walks, 2 runs, and 0 HR’s