The Atlanta Braves made a strategic decision by holding back ace Chris Sale from Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a choice that proved beneficial as they secured a 3-2 victory. Now, as they return home for Game 3, Sale takes the mound with a chance to give Atlanta a 2-1 series lead over the two-time World Series champions.

Game Details:

• Date: Tuesday
• Time: 6 PM ET
• Location: Truist Park, Atlanta
• Weather: Sunny, high of 76°F, winds at 8 mph

The Dodgers are currently favored at -150 on the series line, with the Braves at +125. With a competitive atmosphere, L.A. has received 56% of the handle and 66% of the wagers, indicating a tight matchup anticipated by fans.

In Game 2, Atlanta’s bullpen strategy paid off, limiting the Dodgers to 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Manager Walt Weiss emphasized the importance of having a fully rested Sale, stating, "At the end of the day, we want full-strength Chris Sale."

Sale, who has a 2.16 ERA this season, pitched effectively in the Wild-Card Round, and his past performance against the Dodgers, including a complete game shutout on August 27, boosts Atlanta's confidence. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts Sale will pitch 5.9 innings with 6.9 strikeouts tonight.

On the other side, Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes his playoff debut for the Dodgers, boasting a strong regular-season performance with a 2.53 ERA. His previous outings in the postseason have been stellar, going 7-1 with a 2.25 ERA. The model forecasts Yamamoto to pitch 6.5 innings with **6.2 strikeouts.

Key players to watch include Freddie Freeman, who broke his slump with a homer in Game 2, and Michael Harris, who is already making his mark this postseason. As both teams vie for the series advantage, the stage is set for an exciting clash in Atlanta.