Dodgers Open NLDS Against Braves With Tarik Skubal on Mound in Game 1 Heat The Los Angeles Dodgers open the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves with Tarik Skubal starting Game 1 amid a heat wave, while Atlanta deals with a depleted rotation. The Los Angeles Dodgers open their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, with Tarik Skubal taking the mound for Game 1. The Dodgers are listed at -230 to win the series. Saturday is expected to be the hottest day of a heat wave in Los Angeles, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 90s during the rest of the week. The harsh conditions are not expected to be as much of a factor in Game 2, which has first pitch set for 5 p.m. Sunday.According to a study by Jyh-How Huang, Yung-Chin Chiu and Chen-Kang Chang from the National Library of Medicine, extreme heat affects pitchers because they may struggle with grip and control of the baseball. The study also found that players health can be affected because they may play with an increased heart rate, sweating and fluid loss, all of which can lead to dehydration.Skubal, known as one of the more prominent power pitchers in the game, could find himself exhausting early if he relies heavily on his fastball in the heat. The Braves present another daunting task beyond the conditions. Atlanta finished the regular season fifth in the National League for slugging percentage at .409 and tied with the Dodgers at fourth for home runs with 204. Matt Olson led the Braves with a .502 slugging percentage and 41 homers.Behind him in slugging were Michael Harris at .491 and Drake Baldwin at .459. The Dodgers are expected to have an early advantage against the Braves, who used a lot of their rotation in a three-game NL wild-card series against the Phillies. Atlanta will likely have to turn to someone other than Chris Sale in Game 1 after using him to close out the Game 3 win over Philadelphia.If Atlanta manages to knock out Skubal early, it might level the playing field. The Dodgers obviously have a leg up on the Braves as they are able to set their pitching plans with the week off, and they will turn to Skubal in Game 1. That means he will be on full rest for a second start in this five-game series if it goes that long.That is bad news for the Braves, who went 33-25 against left-handed pitchers as opposed to 61-43 against right-handed pitchers this season. The Braves powered past the Phillies in the Wild Card Series and are now rewarded with a five-game series against the Dodgers in the NLDS. The Dodgers were one of baseballs 100-win teams this season, hitting the century mark in Game 162.However, their six games against the Braves did not add many wins to their total. Los Angeles won its first game of the season against the Braves on May 8, but Atlanta took the next five. That includes a three-game sweep at the end of August. The Braves also eliminated the Dodgers in their last playoff meeting, winning the 2021 NLCS in six games en route to their World Series title.The Dodgers had gotten the best of the Braves on the way to a World Series championship of their own the year prior. There were some questions surrounding the Dodgers earlier in September, but they finished the season strong enough and are still the team to beat. On top of that, the Braves were just 42-39 on the road this year, while the Dodgers are 51-30 at home and 49-32 on the road.The Dodgers bullpen finished with a 3.74 team ERA. The recommendation is to take the Dodgers at -230 in this series, although simply betting them to win the NL or World Series may be the better move at this point. Taking the Dodgers to win Game 1 and the series at even money is also worth considering to get that juice down, and that is probably the best bet.Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.