LAD-ATL NLCS G5 lineups, FAQ (FS1, 9 ET)
Mark Bowman
@mlbbowman
Ken Gurnick
@kengurnickTwo of the game’s best offenses will battle yet again as the Braves attempt to secure a spot in the World Series and the Dodgers try to extend the National League Championship Series in Game 5 tonight.
After claiming a lopsided win in Game 3, the Dodgers were subdued in Game 4 by the Braves, who won, 10-2, and now own a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series.
Atlanta is bidding for its first trip to the World Series since 1999. The Dodgers have won two of the last three NL pennants.
Here are the answers to some of the questions you might have about Game 5:
**When is the game and how can I watch it?**
The game will air tonight on FS1 at 9 ET/6 PT. It is also available to stream on MLB.TV with authentication.
**Who will be the home team?**
The Braves, because they are the second seed, were the visiting team in Games 1 and 2, and they were the home team in Games 3 and 4, batting last. They will be the home team once again in Game 5.
**What are the starting lineups?**
**Dodgers:** In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers' starting lineup doesn't include Edwin Ríos, who accounted for both of their runs in Game 4. Although the Braves are starting lefty A.J. Minter, Joc Pederson gets the nod at DH with Minter, a reliever, set to hand off to the bullpen early.
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Corey Seager, SS
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Max Muncy, 1B
- Will Smith, C
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- AJ Pollock, LF
- Joc Pederson, DH
- Chris Taylor, 2B
**Braves:** With the Dodgers starting a right-hander, Nick Markakis returns to the lineup and Austin Riley is back at third base. Dustin May relies heavily on a power sinker that averages 97.9 mph.
Freddie Freeman has hit .438 (7-for-16) and Travis d’Arnaud has hit .538 (7-for-13) against pitches clocked at 97 mph or higher, per Statcast.
- Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Marcell Ozuna, DH
- Travis d'Arnaud, C
- Ozzie Albies, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Austin Riley, 3B
- Nick Markakis, LF
- Cristian Pache, CF
**Who are the starting pitchers?**
**Dodgers:** The rookie May and his wicked sinker get the ball, but the leash will be short as it’s all hands on deck in an elimination game.
**Braves:** The Braves will go with an opener, turning to Minter for what will be his first start since March 6, 2015, when he was pitching for Texas A&M.
**How will the bullpens line up after the starter?**
**Dodgers:** A strength all season, the bullpen has wobbled of late with the demotion of Kenley Jansen out of the closer role and no obvious replacement. If the game is close late, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen or Pedro Báez could be in play.
**Braves:** All of the key relievers are available. So, there’s at least a chance the Braves will follow the blueprint the Padres provided when they used nine pitchers to cover nine innings in the Game 3 win over the Cardinals in the Wild Card Series.
**Are there any relievers who are unavailable?**
**Dodgers:** All hands on deck.
Braves: Huascar Ynoa and Grant Dayton are not available. Both threw at least 60 pitches in Game 3.
**Any injuries of note?** **Dodgers:** No.
Braves: Adam Duvall was removed from the NLCS roster after straining his left oblique in Game 1.
Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Ríos, who missed the NL Division Series with a groin strain, has homered in back-to-back games. Turner had a pair of hits in Game 4. Betts is 2-for-14 in the series.
Braves: Freeman has gone 6-for-14 with a double and two homers in the NLCS.
d’Arnaud was hot in the first two rounds, but he is 1-for-12 with four strikeouts through the first four games of this series.