Rival scouts put Dodgers on upset alert in NLDS against Braves: I like Atlanta

Somehow, some way, the Dodgers’ dynasty will inevitably end.They don’t think it will be this October, of course, as they come off a 100-win regular season and embark on their historic pursuit of a World Series three-peat.Around the sport, however, not everyone is so sure. Ahead of the team’s National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves this week, the California Post spoke to two rival National League scouts to break down the keys to the matchup and solicit predictions for the best-of-five showdown.In a surprise, both tabbed the Braves to pull off an NLDS upset.Ahead of Saturday’s series-opener, here’s why:The Dodgers’ biggest battle this postseason might be less against the Braves, or the Brewers or Padres, or whoever emerges out of the American League side of MLB’s playoff bracket.Instead, both scouts cited the team’s aging lineup, and the ample mileage that has come with their back-to-back championships the past two years, as perhaps their biggest impediment to winning it all again.There is a benefit to the experience the Dodgers boast, of course, with Scout 1 noting that “in these series, I just think they draw from their experience and age … They grind out at-bats when they matter.That’s what makes them dangerous.”However, there were times during the regular season when the Dodgers nonetheless seemed to be wearing down, slumping offensively for much of the second half of the campaign.“It’s tough to bet against those guys because of the track record,” Scout 2 said.

“But at some point, they’re just not going to be able to overcome the age.”The Dodgers were at their worst in July and August, when they struggled to generate power (ranking 25th in home runs and 23rd in slugging percentage over that stretch) or attack fastballs (ranking 20th in batting average and 26th in slugging percentage against heaters in that same period).And while September was better –– both in overall production (they ranked fourth in th...