2021 MLB Playoffs

[Ccook]

Max Fried vs. Jose Urquidy tonight. Fried had a less-than-stellar effort in game 5 of the NLCS but he maintains a postseason ERA of 3.78.  Urquidy's postseason ERA is 27.00, but Atlanta cannot take that lightly.

[whowouldeverhurtawhammy]

The World Series is tied 1-1 after game 2.
Go get em, Astros!

[Ccook]

Luis Garcia (1-1, 9.64) vs. Ian Anderson (1-0, 2.25) at Truist tomorrow night. There may be delays or even a postponement as rain is forecast in Atlanta the next three days.

[SeaBreeze341]

Game Two was pretty much a must win for both teams, including Atlanta despite still being on the road and already up 1-0.  Still feeling awful for Charlie Morton; never thought Ace and Charlie Morton would be used in the same sentence, but any rooting interest for Atlanta outside of my pick for them to win is basically gone.

Even though Atlanta has the ability to be "one away" from victory and still not get there, I don't think they would've blown a 3-0 series lead.  It wouldn't have been a shocker if they had given when Morton would've been slated to return.  Instead, given the fact that Atlanta lost him to a broken fibula, it's likely that the Astros won't drop another game, even with the next three being played in Atlanta.

Hopefully Atlanta can win at least one more (not because of my pick but for the purpose of having a good series).  It might be over for Fried, but their defense was supposed to be their strength, if not a nice asset

[Ccook]

Tucker Davidson, a lefty from AAA Gwinnett, will fill Morton's spot in the rotation. He was 2-2 at Gwinnett with a 1.17 ERA.

[PatrickRox80]

Atlanta takes a no-hitter into the eighth inning and holds on to win Game 3 2-0.

[Ccook]

Five Atlanta pitchers combine for the two-hitter. Tyler Matzek continues to be lights out, with postseason batters 2-44 against him.

[SeaBreeze341]

Tucker Davidson, a lefty from AAA Gwinnett, will fill Morton's spot in the rotation. He was 2-2 at Gwinnett with a 1.17 ERA.

Minor league success doesn't usually translate into the majors, but Davidson might be the exception.  Total optimism there, and Tucker doesn't need to be great.  Atlanta despite not have a true decent ace, is great defensively.  Rather deep.  I guess you could call it "pitching by committee"

[PatrickRox80]

Atlanta's bullpen takes over for the starting Dylan Lee after one third of an inning, and the bats do the rest. The Braves are one game away from winning their first World Championship since 1995.

[Ccook]

Not sure what the conventional wisdom was in starting Dylan Lee apart from him going 2/3 of an inning in game 2 (0 ER, 1 K) when Julio Chavez was slated at first. Good thing it worked out by the 27th out. Framber Valdez vs. Tucker Davidson for game 5.

[moneygamelover]

Alex Anthopoulos really went all in on this 2021 season at the trade deadline and it looks like its about to pay off. I'm not sensing a 3-1 comeback from the Astros like the Cubs had in 2016. The nanosecond Swanson hit that tying home run this felt a Braves game and sure enough Soler followed it up in the very next at bat. One thing is for certain, the relevance of starting pitching has really declined, for better, for worse, or for indifferent.

[SeaBreeze341]

Yeah, I don't think Houston will pull a 2016 Cubs either, but I might change my mind if the Astros escape with a win tonight.  As mentioned, I didn't think Atlanta would get it done (early in the process before picking them to beat Houston in the World Series), but it's amazing what they've done without Acuna.  The difference between Houston and Chicago is that the latter had to win both of their last three games on the road.  Houston going back home would be huge for them.  Not automatic, but that would be a big deal.  Nonetheless, I think it's over for them tonight

[Ccook]

Snitker says he'll use the same strategy. Use Davidson for an inning or two and then the bullpen takes over. For all I know, the Astros will pants the Braves and take their lunch money the next three games. I'll be in bed as I work ridiculously early (4 AM), but should I hear the din of people partying on highway 9 just a mile south of me, I'll know what happened.

[PatrickRox80]

Houston forces Game 5, posting 9 mostly unanswered runs after a grand slam. The Braves will have to clinch on the road.

[Ccook]

You mean game 6. And with Fried starting game 6, there will probably be a game 7 unless Fried gets his mojo back.