3 Bold Predictions for Nationals-Dodgers NLDS

The Washington Nationals have been tapped as a team with a proper chance to knock off the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are arguably the best team in baseball and looking to reach their third consecutive World Series. Washington certainly has the starting pitching to make a big postseason run, and they have some mojo after getting the proverbial monkey off their back in the Wild Card Game. For what should be an entertaining series, here are three bold predictions for Nats vs. Dodgers.

3. David Freese Becomes NLDS Hero for LA

The Cody Bellingers and Justin Turners of the world will get the headlines for the Dodgers, but as we know, it's the "other" guys who usually come through in a playoff series. That hero for the Dodgers will be David Freese, and to be honest, we shouldn't be all that surprised based off his postseason pedigree. Let's assume that Patrick Corbin and Anibal Sanchez get the first two games of the series because Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg pitched in the Wild Card Game; that would match up perfectly for Freese, as he's a combined 10-for-32 against those two with two doubles and three RBI.

2. Max Scherzer Continues Playoff Struggles

Every time Max Scherzer toes the mound, you think he can go the distance and shut down any opposing lineup. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case in October, as he had lost in seven straight postseason appearances aside from this year's Wild Card Game. That will continue in this series, as Scherzer has struggled since coming off the IL and this Dodgers offense is just too much.

1. Kenley Jansen Will Return to Old Form in the NLDS.

Kenley Jansen hasn't looked like his old, dominant self in 2019, as he owns a 3.71 ERA in 62 regular season appearances this year. The Dodgers need him now more than even to shut the door in the ninth, which he'll do against this Nationals team.