LA-ATL Game 4 lineups, FAQ (FOX/FS1, 8 ET)
Coming off a convincing Game 3 win, the Dodgers will now attempt to even the National League Championship Series when they send Clayton Kershaw to the mound to face the Braves in Game 4 on Thursday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 12 | ATL 5, LAD 1 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 13 | ATL 8, LAD 7 | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 14 | LAD 15, ATL 3 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 15 | ATL 10, LAD 2 | Watch |
| Gm 5 | Oct. 16 | LAD 7, ATL 3 | Watch |
| Gm 6 | Oct. 17 | LAD 3, ATL 1 | Watch |
| Gm 7 | Oct. 18 | LAD 4, ATL 3 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: The Braves had won seven straight games to begin the postseason before their 15-3 loss on Wednesday. They’ll now turn to Bryse Wilson, who will be matching up against Kershaw, while making his first career postseason start.
• 15 stats, facts from NLCS Game 3 stunner
Here are a few of the other questions about Game 4:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
The game will air Thursday on FOX and FS1 at 8 ET/5 PT. It is also available to stream on MLB.TV with authentication.
Who will be the home team?
The Braves, because they are the second seed, were the visiting team in Games 1 and 2, and they were the home team in Game 3, batting last. They will be the home team once again in Game 4.
• No playoff team has done what LA did in 1st
What are the starting lineups?
Dodgers: Austin Barnes will catch Kershaw, while Will Smith gets the night off, with Edwin Ríos serving as the designated hitter. The start at second base goes to Enrique Hernández (single and a walk in Game 3) over Chris Taylor, who went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the Dodgers' rout.
1) Mookie Betts, RF
2) Corey Seager, SS
3) Justin Turner, 3B
4) Max Muncy, 1B
5) Joc Pederson, LF
6) Cody Bellinger, CF
7) Edwin Ríos, DH
8) Enrique Hernández, 2B
9) Austin Barnes, C
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Braves: With the Dodgers starting the left-handed Kershaw, the Braves sat Nick Markakis, meaning Johan Camargo will make a second straight start at third base, while Austin Riley again shifts to left field.
Rookie Cristian Pache significantly strengthens the outfield defense, and he showed the potential of his bat when he hit his first homer as a big leaguer on Wednesday night.
1) Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
2) Freddie Freeman, 1B
3) Marcell Ozuna, DH
4) Travis d'Arnaud, C
5) Ozzie Albies, 2B
6) Dansby Swanson, SS
7) Austin Riley, LF
8) Johan Camargo, 3B
9) Cristian Pache, CF
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Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: Kershaw, scratched on Tuesday with back spasms, is expected to take the mound Thursday, and manager Dave Roberts said his ace should be healthy enough to pitch deep.
• Can Kershaw reharness magic for Game 4?
That said, Kershaw experienced a significant velocity decrease in his fastball and slider, and he has little margin for error when that happens.
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Braves: Wilson will be the third consecutive rookie to start in this series for the Braves. The 22-year-old right-hander spent most of this season at the team’s alternate training site, but he impressed as he made his only two starts of the year over the regular season’s final six days. He threw an 88-pitch, six-inning simulated game on Friday in preparation for this start, his first since Sept. 27.
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How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Dodgers: Getting five innings from Game 3 starter Julio Urías rested the middle relievers, and the big cushion rested the back end. Matchups will dictate who pitches when, but Blake Treinen seems to get the heart of the order and Joe Kelly pitches out of jams. Once the lineup gets past the left-handed-hitting Freeman, Brusdar Graterol is as likely to close as anyone.
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Braves: If the Braves are forced to get into their bullpen early again, they may need to call upon Josh Tomlin. Each of their core relievers will be available. So they will once again attempt to gain a lead that they can ask Chris Martin, Will Smith and closer Mark Melancon to protect over the final few innings.
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Are there any relievers who are unavailable?
Dodgers: Pedro Báez and Alex Wood pitched in Games 2 and 3, so they probably won’t pitch in Game 4.
Braves: Huascar Ynoa will not be available after throwing four innings of relief on Wednesday.
Any injuries of note?
Dodgers: Walker Buehler’s blisters, though those won’t factor into Game 4.
Braves: Adam Duvall was removed from the roster after straining his left oblique in Game 1.
Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Who isn’t after scoring 15 runs? Seager has been hot all postseason, but it seems like Muncy, Bellinger and Pederson have all awoken at the same time.
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Taylor is in a 1-for-22 slump.
Braves: Freeman and Albies each homered in both of the first two games of this series. d’Arnaud has a 1.084 OPS through the first eight postseason games.
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Swanson has gone 2-for-12 with five strikeouts and Ozuna has gone 2-for-13 with four strikeouts in the NLCS.
Anything else fans want to know?
Dodgers: The Dodgers are the first team to hit five home runs in a game at Globe Life Field.
Braves: Wilson, Kyle Wright and Ian Anderson entered the postseason having combined to make 25 career starts. None of them had previously started a playoff game.