The set-up: The LA Dodgers have won four straight NL West titles but have not advanced to the World Series in that stretch. In fact, the last time LA made it all the way to the Fall Classic was back in 1988, when they shocked the A's four games-to-one! The Washington Nationals earned homefield advantage in this series by winning 95 gamers to LA's 91 but the Nats, relocated from Montreal in 2005, haven't reached the World Series, either. The Nats are in the postseason for the THIRD time in five years but have been eliminated in the NLDS in both previous trips to the playoffs.

The pitching matchup: Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA) takes the mound for LA and Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA) for Washington. Kershaw may be the best pitcher in the majors but he takes the mound Friday with a career postseason record of 2-6 with a 4.59 ERA. The good news for LA is that Kershaw is 10-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 14 games (13 starts / Dodgers are 11-2) against Washington in his career. Scherzer hasn't lost since August 9, entering 8-0 over his last 10 stats (Nats are 10-0!). His career record against the Dodgers is nothing special, as he's 2-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 10 games, with eight starts (teams are 2-6).

The pick: Neither the Dodgers (more chances) nor the Nationals have recorded any recent postseason success but here in Game 1, it's hard to pass on the Nats with Scherzer on the mound at home (2.56 ERA). Kershaw's postseason record leaves much to be desired and taking the 1 1/2 runs with the Nats is a 10* play.