Monday, October 8, 2018

NLDS Game 4: Remember When They Said The Series Was Over?

As the MLB regular season came to close and the Atlanta Braves had clinched the NL East Division, all the sports “experts” were flapping their gums about who the Braves would face, many declared no matter who their opponent would be, Atlanta would fare better on the road than at home in SunTrust Park based on their road vs at-home record.

That logic turned out to be a whole lot of hooey.

The LA Dodgers shut out the Braves 6-0 in Game 1 and 3-0 in Game 2.  Things were looking pretty dismal for Atlanta coming in to Game 3.  The fans were rocking the ballyard Sunday night.  Their enthusiasm was contagious.  I felt the excitement sitting in my den.  It brought back the treasured memories of those glory years of Smoltz, Glavine, “Mad Dog” Maddox and Chipper Jones.

Faced with elimination, Manager Brian Snitker masterfully used 7 pitchers to pound out a win.  He pulled Sean Newcombe out at the top of the third inning.  Then he brought in Kevin Gausman, Max Fried, Touki Toussaint, Chad Sobotka, A.J. Minter and closed with Arodys Vizcaino.

Snitker said he will start right-hander Mike Foltynewicz for this afternoon’s game.  Folty, I’m sure, will look to redeem himself after throwing 50 pitches and going just two innings in Game 1.

I’m not very good at predictions, but I’d have to say the Dodgers were definitely intimidated by the raucous fans chanting and chopping with their tomahawks.  I mean, what other ballpark dims the stadium lights so everyone can turn on the flashlight on their iPhones and send up a thunderous “warchant”?  It’s an impressive sight.

I say the Braves take Game 4 forcing Game 5 back in Chavez Ravine.  Then their penchant for doing well on the road will become a factor.
"My heart's still pounding," first baseman Freddie Freeman said, moments after the last out. "That's how we've been all year."
 

UPDATE:  The Braves were eliminated in Game 4 tonight.  This was not the ending they were hoping for, but it was one helluva ride.  See ya next year.  #ForEachOther #ChopOn

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