Los Angeles at Washington

The L.A. Dodgers open the playoffs with their ace, but that's the only good news here. It's a 3,000 mile road trip for a team that had a losing road mark this season. The Dodgers were very good offensively last season but slipped to #14 in baseball in runs scored, #18 in slugging and on-base percentage in 2016. And let's not overlook Clayton Kershaw, who has been terrible in the playoffs at 2-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 13 career postseason appearances. The Dodgers are on a 5-16 playoff run away from home, plus 7-16 away against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. Washington is 50-31 at home, eighth in runs scored, #10 in on-base percentage, and #11 in slugging. Washington counters with ace Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96), and is in the race for another Cy Young award. The Nationals are on a 12-5 run at home, plus 20-7 when Scherzer starts. Take Washington.