The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves will square off in a battle of starting pitching this Division Series. The difficulty the Braves had winning the Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies may be the difference.

Braves manager, Walt Weiss, allowed Chris Sale to close out the series on a day’s rest, which should render him unavailable for at least four games against the Dodgers. By the time he is available to come back, the series could be over.

For Dodgers fans, it’s the third year the team goes into the playoffs with a glaring weakness. The two-time defending champs have lacked in starting pitching one year and relief pitching the next. The Dodgers won 100 games again this year…with a real struggle in situational hitting. Los Angeles was swept by Milwaukee, San Diego, and…Atlanta.

Don’t be fooled by the stat that says Los Angeles is 7th best in hitting with runners in position to score. The team was unable to take advantage of the third-best on-base percentage in baseball this year in part because they were also third best in hitting into double plays. “Best” in this case is not a compliment.

Against good teams, the Dodgers have figured out ways to lose games: bad defense, the aforementioned double plays, and relief pitching that has been unable to close the door. The starting pitching has been very good: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, and Blake Snell will likely be asked to carry the load for as long as the Dodgers are alive. Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, Alex Vesia, and Tanner Scott should be the short list for relief if needed

Edwin Diaz was awful to start the year. He’s been great since his return. Roki Sasaki was tremendous last year and injured this year. The leash will be short, but if there is a bullpen game, he might start.

For the Braves, Michael Harris II, Drake Baldwin, and Ozzie Albies can all carry the team, but the plan is to let Matt Olson hit bombs with any of the above on base.

On the mound, Grant Holmes, Martin Perez and Sale will try to keep the Dodgers at bay. Again, the decision to throw Sale twice in three days may sink Atlanta as Sale might get just one start in the Division Series. Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, and Raisel Iglesias are the short list of relievers. Robert Suarez has given up a run in two of his three appearances since coming off the Injured List. Ray Kerr

The time off should help the Dodgers bullpen. If they show any issues, though, the Dodgers will likely go starter-starter-closer and hope they can stop hitting ground balls to infielders with runners on base.

FORECAST: L.A. gets revenge for the last series. Dodgers in 4.