The Los Angeles Dodgers will get another opportunity to solve Chris Sale when they face the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains confident his lineup will produce a different result against the veteran left-hander after struggling in their previous matchup.
The Dodgers lost Game 2 by a 3-2 score, evening the series at 1-1 and shifting the matchup to Atlanta.
Sale has already given the Dodgers plenty to think about. During the regular season, he delivered a dominant performance against Los Angeles, creating an obvious challenge for a lineup that needs to rediscover its offensive rhythm.
The Dodgers managed only two runs on six hits in Game 2, continuing an inconsistent start to the series. Roberts now has to find a way to generate more production against one of the National League’s toughest starters.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will get the ball for Los Angeles in Game 3, giving the Dodgers an opportunity to counter Sale with one of their own frontline pitchers.
The matchup also puts added pressure on Los Angeles’ offense. The Dodgers have championship expectations, and another quiet performance could put them in a difficult position heading into the later games of the series.
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Roberts, however, is not dwelling on what happened the last time Sale faced his lineup. His confidence suggests the Dodgers believe adjustments can make a difference when the two teams meet again.
Now, Los Angeles has to prove it. With the series tied and the Braves holding home-field advantage, the Dodgers need their offense to make Roberts’ prediction come true.
