Nationals vs. Dodgers NLDS Game 4 Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, California
When: Tuesday, October 11, 2016, 5:05 PM ET
Line: Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: MLB Network / FS1
Writer’s Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Betting on the Washington Nationals
Jayson Werth is the reason why the Washington Nationals are a victory away from advancing into the NLCS and winning their first-ever playoff series.
The left fielder blasted in a 450-foot homer in the ninth inning of Game 3, breaking open a one-run game that eventually allowed the Nats to come away as the victor, 8-3. That hit also tied Werth, who was 3-of-4 at the plate last night, with the great Babe Ruth for 11th all-time in postseason homers.
Game 4, which commences later this afternoon, is going to be unpredictable. The Dodgers are in a must-win situation, so you can expect them to play with a stronger sense of urgency. Firing in eight runs again will be easier said than done, but having a several hard-hitters like Werth, Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy, all of whom have performed solidly throughout the series, is such a huge luxury for Washington.
Murphy, despite going 0-of-4 in third game, can heat up at any given moment. His perfect effort in Game 2 (3-of-3 with two RBIs) is a reminder of that. Harper, of course, can be just as deadly. He’s currently on a five-game hitting streak.
With regards to the starters though, neither the Nats nor the Dodgers have specifically indicated as to who their sending out. According to Washington’s team manager, likely to receive the nod for them will be Joe Ross, who finished the regular season with a 7-5 record and 3.43 ERA. He only holds two career starts versus LA, a stretch wherein Ross went 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA.
Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers can’t lose here, which explains why they’re mulling over handing the ball to their reliable ace Clayton Kershaw, who successfully led them to victory in the opener.
Another option for the Dodgers is to stick to the schedule by putting their trust in left-hander Julio Urias. Urias finished the regular season with a 5-2 record and 3.39 ERA, and was arguably the team’s best starter during the second half of the season.
Sending out Urias, a rookie, to make his first-ever postseason start in a do-or-die game might not be such a wise move. Then again, the Dodgers will be playing at Dodger Stadium, a place where Urias is 3-0 with a 3.05 ERA across nine games (seven starts) this year.
Whoever starts for LA, he’ll need the offense to drive in some key runs to help them force a winner-take-all Game 5. The Dodgers have been held to five runs in the last two games, both of which resulted into losses.
Justin Turner and Corey Seager are 6-of-15 with three homers and four RBIs combined in the first three games of the series. Expect those two to swing in some big hits for their team later today.
Writer’s Prediction
LA forces Game 5.
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