Atlanta Braves Series Preview: Measure of progress facing NLDS foe

Game 1—Kevin Gausman vs. Walker Buehler 

Kevin Gausman should be well rested after he was ejected in the second inning of his last start, after he threw at the Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena.

After allowing 10 earned runs in his last 10.1 innings, the Atlanta Braves need Gausman to figure things out like at the beginning of the season, when he allowed six earned runs in 21.1 innings.

Russell Martin, who played many years for the Blue Jays, is the only Dodger who has extended experience against Gausman.

He is 5-for-21 off the former Oriole.

Justin Turner is 2-for-5 with a home run and David Freese is 2-for-6 with a home run.

It has been a slow start to Buehler’s season, as he allowed five earned runs in two of his first three starts.

He has been better recently though, as he has allowed just six earned runs in his last 17.1 innings.

The sample size against Buehler is small, but I’m guessing we all remember this particular at-bat from Ronald Acuna from last October.

Hopefully Acuna is healthy after leaving Saturday’s game early and then sitting out on Sunday. He seemed to be getting back on track after going 4-for-4 before exiting Saturday’s blowout win.

This pitching matchup certainly does not favor the Atlanta Braves, so we need the offense to come up big.