Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers SP Will Try to Close Out the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves (96-66) and Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70) will meet up in Game 4 of their 2013 National League Division Series Monday night at Dodger Stadium in Southern California.

Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are sending out SP Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest Monday night — The Los Angeles Dodgers are sending out SP Clayton Kershaw on three days’ rest Monday night

Atlanta is one defeat away from being eliminated from the 2013 MLB playoffs, as it suffered a 13-6 setback to Los Angeles as +121 road underdogs Sunday, while going OVER the betting total for the third time in as many games in this best-of-five series. “We’ve got to come back out with the same mindset we did today, and that is to win a ballgame,” stated Braves outfielder Jason Heyward. Offensively, the team scored its first seven runs in this series with two outs, which will be hard to accomplish against tonight’s opposing starting pitcher. Atlanta is 3-8 in its last 11 postseason games as an underdog.

Braves starting pitcher Freddy Garcia (4-7, 4.37 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 3-2 home victory over the Milwaukee Brewers last time out, as he allowed two runs and six hits over 6.2 innings of work on Sept. 24. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 5.74 ERA in eight road games (six starts), with opposing hitters batting .323 against him. In four career starts versus the Dodgers, Garcia has compiled a 1-1 record and 2.89 ERA.

Los Angeles is focused on trying to clinch a trip to its third NLCS in six years Monday, which is important to consider when looking over the pro baseball odds page. The Dodgers have been getting tremendous offensive production from shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is 7 for 13 with six RBIs in the series. He is 3 for 8 off Garcia with a home run and double in his career. In Game 3, the team set a franchise record for most runs in a playoff game. Los Angeles is 24-11 in its last 35 games against a team with a winning record.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83 ERA) picked up a 6-1 road victory over the Braves in the opening game of this series last Thursday, as he allowed one run and three hits over seven frames. The left-hander is 8-6 with a 1.54 ERA in 17 home outings, with opposing hitters batting .203 against him. Kershaw will be pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in his career.