ATL-LAD Game 6 lineups, FAQ (FS1)

October 17th, 2020

After surviving one elimination game Friday night, the Dodgers will continue their uphill climb on Saturday in Game 6 against the Braves in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field, which Atlanta leads, 3-2.

In a rematch of Game 1, of the Braves will square off with of the Dodgers. Atlanta won Game 1, 5-1, by scoring four runs in the ninth inning off Los Angeles’ bullpen. That same ‘pen allowed Atlanta only one run in seven innings of relief in Game 5, in which the Dodgers rallied for a 7-3 win.

When is the game and how can I watch it?
The game will air Saturday on FS1 at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 PT. It is also available to stream on MLB.TV.

Who will be the home team?
The Dodgers, because they are the No. 1 seed, were the home team in Games 1 and 2, batting last. After serving as the away team in Games 3-5, they will be the home team once again in Game 6.

What are the starting lineups?
Braves: Freddie Freeman homered off Buehler in Game 1, and Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam against him during the 2018 NL Division Series. But while the Braves have created some big moments against Buehler in the postseason, they tallied just three hits against him on Monday.

Dodgers: With Chris Taylor out, Enrique Hernández will start at second base. A day after his big homer, Will Smith will be the designated hitter, and Austin Barnes will catch Buehler.

Who are the starting pitchers?
Braves: Fried delivered one of the better starts of his young career when he recorded nine strikeouts and allowed one run over six innings in Game 1. The lefty began this postseason by delivering seven scoreless innings against the Reds. He’s always been known for his curveball, but his slider has been the more effective breaking pitch this year.

Dodgers: Buehler will look to improve on his command after walking five in five innings in Game 1, despite allowing only one run on a Freeman homer. Buehler continues to deal with blisters on his right hand.

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Braves: The Braves are hoping they won’t need to line up their bullpen until the seventh or eighth innings. They will attempt to stay away from a few guys (including Shane Greene, A.J. Minter and Huascar Ynoa) after a bullpen game in Game 5. But manager Brian Snitker has made it clear he won’t be scared to use some of his pitchers three and possibly four days in a row, if necessary.

Dodgers: After using six relievers in Game 5, manager Dave Roberts said they’ll all be available for Game 6. That includes Kenley Jansen, the team’s former closer who struck out the side in the ninth inning of Game 5.

Are there any relievers who are unavailable?
Braves: Minter threw 42 pitches while serving as the opener on Friday, and Ynoa threw 94 pitches in relief on Wednesday. They are the only relievers who will definitely be unavailable. Also, Greene would likely not pitch on a fourth straight day.

Dodgers: No. Blake Treinen pitched two innings in Game 5, but he threw only 19 pitches.

Any injuries of note?
Braves: Adam Duvall was removed from the NLCS roster after straining his left oblique muscle on a swing in Game 1.

Dodgers: Taylor left the game shortly after rolling his ankle and hearing a pop. Roberts said he was scheduled to undergo tests after the game.

Who is hot and who is not?
Braves: Freeman is 8-for-18 with three doubles and two homers during the NLCS. Ozuna has also been swinging a hot bat, going 7-for-21 with two doubles and two homers over the past five games. Meanwhile, Swanson is 3-for-19 with nine strikeouts during this series.

Dodgers: Seager is having a record-breaking series with four home runs in five games, but Bellinger is 3-for-24 with 12 strikeouts.

Anything else fans want to know?
Braves: With an RBI single in Game 5, Pache joined Juan Soto as the only players 21 or younger to drive in a run in four consecutive postseason games.

Dodgers: The Dodgers will need to win three straight potential elimination games to take this series, a feat they have accomplished once previously in franchise history: the 1981 NLDS vs. Houston, in which they won three in a row after falling behind, 2-0, in the best-of-five series.