NLDS preview and predictions: What you need to know about the Brewers-Rockies, Braves-Dodgers MLB playoff series

Best of Five

G1: Thursday/at Milwaukee, 5:07 p.m (FS1)
G2: Friday/at Milwaukee, 4:15 p.m. (FS1)
G3: Sunday/at Colorado, 4:37 p.m. (MLBN)
*G4: Monday/at Colorado, TBA
*G5: Wednesday/at Milwaukee, TBA
Head to head: Milwaukee won five of seven, including three of four in Colorado in May. This is their first meeting in the postseason.
About the Rockies: Charlie Blackmon's numbers are down from a year ago, but he's still dangerous atop that lineup. Has hit .369 since Sept. 9 … Colorado won nine of their last 10 and nearly won the NL West … Nolan Arenado (.297-38-110) led the league in homers and tied for second in RBI.
About the Brewers: First-year rightfielder Christian Yelich (.326-36-110) flirted with the Triple Crown and carried the Brewers to their second NL Central Division crown … Milwaukee has never been the 1-seed in the current playoff format … The Brewers bullpen is lethal. Three guys had can close and lefty Josh Hader had 143 strikeouts in 81.1 innings. Looking forward to him facing lefty Charlie Blackmon in this series.
The pick: Brewers in 5.

G1: Thursday/at Los Angeles, 8:37 p.m. (MLBN)
Foltynewicz (13-10) vs. Ryu (7-3)
G2: Friday/at Los Angeles, 9:37 p.m. (FS1)
TBA vs. Kershaw (9-5)
G3: Sunday/at Atlanta, 8:07 p.m. (FS1)
*G4: Monday/at Atlanta, TBA
*G5: Wednesday/at Los Angeles
Head to head: The Dodgers won five of seven, including three of four in Atlanta in July. L.A. outscored the Braves 35-18. They've met twice in the postseason, including 2013 when the Dodgers beat Atlanta in the NLDS. It was the last time the Braves were in the playoffs.
About the Braves: Game 1 starter Mike Foltynewicz gave up seven earned runs in 11.1 innings in two starts against the Dodgers this season … Leftfielder Ronald Acuna hit 26 homers, including 19 from the leadoff spot, and is likely the NL's rookie of the year … Slugger Freddie Freeman led the NL in hits (191) and doubles (44). He has eight hits in 20 career postseason at-bats (.400).
About the Dodgers: Closed the season on a 14-4 run, including a decisive win over Colorado in Monday's tiebreaker for the NL West … Max Muncy, who was signed off the street last season, started the year in the minors. He led the Dodgers with 35 homers … Manny Machado hit .273 with 13 homers in 66 games for L.A. He's a free agent after this season and the apple in the eyes of many Phllies fans … Closer Kenley Jansen is expected to undergo heart surgery for atrial fibrillation in the offseason. He was advised not to make a trip to Colorado in August because of it, and it's something that could come into play if the Dodgers play the Rockies in the NLCS.
The pick: Dodgers in 4.
*If necessary.

The ALDS starts Friday. The National League Championship Series begins on Friday, Oct. 12. The ALCS starts the following day. Game 1 of the World Series is Tuesday, Oct. 23.