3 things to watch for in L.A. Dodgers-Atlanta Braves Game 7

3. Two teams going in opposite directions

Both the Braves and Dodgers are one win away from the World Series, but they got here in vastly different ways.

The Braves had a stranglehold on this series, with a 3-1 lead and a pitching staff that was shutting down the most potent lineup in baseball (with the notable exemption of the Dodgers’ 11-run first inning outburst in Game 3). Two straight losses, though, have the Braves facing the prospect of blowing that advantage for only the second time in franchise history (1958 World Series). Atlanta lost three straight games just once this season.

The Braves need more of a contribution from their uber-talented, 22-year-old leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna is just 4-21 in this series with no RBI. With Freeman’s powerful bat right behind him, getting Acuna on base would be a much-needed boost to a lineup that’s suddenly petered out the last two games.

The Dodgers have their own struggling leadoff hitter. Mookie Betts has made two highlight-reel catches to keep runs off the board the last two games, but he has no extra-base hits this series. He’s yet to hit a home run in the postseason after 16 in the regular season.

Los Angeles finished the regular season with the best winning percentage in franchise history. They’ve won the NL West eight straight years but have no World Series title to show for it. Another wasted opportunity seemed to await them after Game 4, but they’ve found new life the past two days.