2010 NLDS Braves vs Giants Prediction

2010 NLDS Preview – Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

Series Odds: San Francisco Giants: -200, Atlanta Braves: +140

Series Schedule: October 7, 8, 10, 11, 13

Projected Starters: Braves: Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe; Giants:  Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito

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Series Overview: Both of these teams were fighting tooth and nail down the stretch so it will be interesting to see how much they have left in the tank for the playoffs.  For the Braves, they saw their lead evaporate once Philly got their act together while the Giants took advantage of the Padres late summer swoon then finished them off in the final game of the season.  Neither of these teams field fearsome lineups and the Giants have the far better pitching staff so they should win and have the pleasure of meeting the Phillies in the next round. 

Atlanta: I have been saying all season long that I did not understand how Atlanta was winning. I think the key for them is that they don’t really beat themselves and have an amazing ability to score just one more run than the opposition, which is all that it takes.  Entering the series they have only one reliable starter.  Tim Hudson, has been fantastic this year and should be ready for the bright lights of the playoffs.  They need him to be sharp to have any chance.  Backing him up is Tommy Hanson, who has as much talent as anybody but has been up and down this season after a promising rookie year.  Thankfully for the Braves he is in the zone right now – he has given up only one earned run in his last 18 innings.  The pitching should be solid but the Braves need the lineup to produce without Martin Prado, who scored 100 runs even though he missed about 20 games.  This lineup is not that imposing so I expect some low scoring games in the series.

San Francisco:  The Giants are comprised of two different groups.  Group A are the pitchers, a group that led the majors in ERA and strikeouts and was scintillating down the stretch.  San Franscisco is loaded with young power arms in the rotation, backed up by one of the best closers in the game Brian Wilson.  Group B are the hitters, who seem to enjoy forcing the pitchers to be almost perfect for the Giants to win.  Their best hitter is Buster Posey, their rookie catcher, and no one on the team hit more than 26 homers or drove in more than 90 runs (Aubrey Huff).  Their second most dangerous power hitter was Juan Uribe who was supposed to be a backup at multiple spots but forced his way into the lineup by hitting 24 homers with 84 RBIs even though his average was under.250.  Even though the pitching staff doesn’t have much playoff experience I expect it to show up.  If they can get just enough offense they might be able to power through the Braves.

Series Prediction: Somehow or other the Braves just keep finding ways to win games so why should it stop now.  I expect the series to go the max.  Braves win game 1 and win the series in 5.

Best Investment: Take the Braves on the ML when Hudson starts.  He was nearly unhittable in his start against SF in August and a repeat performance wouldn’t be a surprise.  Odds are not posted but you can probably get 2:1.

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Game 1: Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants Wed, Oct. – 7 9:30 PM EST on TBS
Game 2: Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants Fri, Oct. 8 – 9:30 PM EST on TBS
Game 3: San Francisco Giants @ Atlanta Braves Sun, Oct. 10 – 4:30 PM EST on TBS
Game 4*: San Francisco Giants @ Atlanta Braves Mon, Oct. 11 – 8:30 PM EST on TBS
Game 5*: Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants Wed, Oct. 13 – 9:30 PM EST on TBS