3 takeaways for Dodgers from series loss vs. Braves

September 5th, 2023

This story was excerpted from Juan Toribio’s Dodgers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MIAMI -- Before the series against the Braves over the weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the club wouldn’t be too concerned about the results. Instead, the four-game series at Dodger Stadium was just an opportunity to “gather information” against a Braves team that will likely stand in the Dodgers’ way to the World Series. 

The Braves got the best of the Dodgers in the series, winning three of four and oftentimes looking like the better team. But obviously, what happened in that series will mean almost nothing once the postseason gets going next month. 

In the meantime, let’s take a look at three things we took from the four-game series against the Braves. 

1. Expect close games
If the Braves and Dodgers meet again in the National League Championship Series, you can expect close games between the two teams. 

Outside of an 8-1 win by the Dodgers on May 23, six of the seven regular-season meetings between the Dodgers and Braves were decided by three runs or fewer. Because of the amount of close games that these two teams play against each other, it could be up to the superstars to make sure they’re the difference in games. 

There’s no real argument that the Braves and Dodgers are the two best teams in the NL. It’ll be interesting to see if they’re able to meet in the NLCS for the third time in four seasons. If they do, make sure you’re prepared for high-stress games.

2. Starting pitching must improve
The difference in the regular-season meetings between the two NL powerhouses was pretty simple: Starting pitching. 

In order for the Dodgers to get past the Braves (and far in the postseason in general), they’re going to need improvement from the starting pitching. Clayton Kershaw hasn’t given up many runs since returning from a left shoulder injury, but hasn’t been able to get through more than five innings and the stuff hasn’t looked as sharp as he has spoiled everyone for more than a decade. 

Lance Lynn was a really good addition at the Trade Deadline, but he is still giving up home runs at a high clip. Then there’s Julio Urías, who was arrested on domestic violence charges Sunday night and won’t be with the team for the upcoming road trip. MLB is investigating the situation and we won’t know more until it gets more information. 

Kershaw and Lynn will need to shoulder a lot of the responsibility in the postseason and Bobby Miller, who had his best start of his career against the Braves on Sunday, will need to show that he’s ready to shine in his first taste of October. The wild card for the Dodgers could also be Walker Buehler, who pitched two scoreless innings in his first rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Buehler will need a few more outings to get built up, but he appears to be on his way. 

Conversely, the Braves know what they have in the rotation in Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton, giving them plenty of firepower.

3. Bullpen looks strong as ever
The biggest positive the Dodgers took from the Braves’ series -- and over the last few weeks -- is that the bullpen is starting to look more like the unit that has been a pivotal part of their success the last few seasons. 

Getting Shelby Miller back healthy proved to be a big boost against the Braves. Brusdar Graterol has been the best reliever on the team this season and Evan Phillips, though not looking as sharp as he did last season, is still one of the most effective pitchers in baseball. 

Against the Braves, the Dodgers’ bullpen rose to the challenge. Outside of Alex Vesia giving up a three-run homer and Gus Varland running into some problems, the unit was stellar. Given the question marks surrounding the starting rotation, the Dodgers are hoping for more of the same once the postseason rolls around.

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