Tonight's Slate

Why the Dodgers. Over the full body of work, the Dodgers (100-62) grade out as the stronger club than the Braves (94-68). The Dodgers' relievers have the right stuff for this Braves lineup — the pitch-mix matchup runs their way late. The late innings tilt toward the Dodgers, whose available relievers carry a 3.33 ERA against 3.40 for the Braves.

The case for the Braves. The edge on the mound belongs to the Braves: Chris Sale (2.16 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 200 K) has been the better arm than Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.53 ERA, 0.87 WHIP).

Notes. Lineup buzz for Los Angeles Dodgers: T. Hernandez now expected in tonight's lineup. Los Angeles Dodgers note — Blake Snell: Snell didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of the NLDS against Atlanta on Sunday. He gave up a run on three hits with five strikeouts and five walks over 3.2 innings. Atlanta Braves note — Michael Harris: Harris went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, one RBI and one run in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday. Atlanta Braves' starter has looked sharper lately — missing more bats over his last 3 starts (36.6% called-strike+whiff rate, vs. 31.7% on the season). Freddie Freeman is running cold over his last 10 games, batting .225 — .263 wOBA vs. a .389 season mark. Will Smith is running hot over his last 10 games, batting .343 — .449 wOBA vs. a .376 season mark. Matt Olson is running cold over his last 10 games, batting .171 — .245 wOBA vs. a .390 season mark. Drake Baldwin is running cold over his last 10 games, batting .250 — .318 wOBA vs. a .393 season mark.

Why the Padres. Nick Pivetta's arsenal plays well against how this Brewers lineup has handled similar pitch mixes. The edge on the mound belongs to the Padres: Nick Pivetta (2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 42 K) has been the better arm than Dustin May (4.70 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). The late innings tilt toward the Padres, whose available relievers carry a 3.04 ERA against 3.11 for the Brewers.

The case for the Brewers. Over the full body of work, the Brewers (103-59) grade out as the stronger club than the Padres (91-71). The Brewers come in playing the better recent baseball, on both sides of the ball.

Notes. Milwaukee Brewers note — Logan Henderson: Henderson didn't factor in the decision after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits over five innings during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday. He struck out four and walked three. San Diego Padres note — Michael King: King didn't factor into the decision in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Brewers on Sunday. He struck out six, allowing one run on three hits and no walks over five-plus innings. Jake Bauers is running cold over his last 10 games, batting .229 — .278 wOBA vs. a .445 season mark. Jackson Merrill is running cold over his last 10 games, batting .263 — .268 wOBA vs. a .361 season mark.