Kinda a weird game tonight. Watching it pitch-by-pitch from the beginning, the Dodgers pitching has seemed near impenetrable, though somehow, Braves are scoring against them. Ian Anderson definitely had a rather pedestrian start: he barely threw more strikes than balls, and walked an incredible 5 men--the same as he struck out. Meanwhile, Gonsolin struck out 7 and only walked 3. Gonsolin went 1/3 inningt more: 4.1 to 4 innings, so both pitchers were pulled earlier than their managers would have liked.

So far, Globe Life field has given up a lot more home runs than it was rumored it would before this series started.

And, Braves vaunted bullpen definitely showing signs of cracks, now Dodgers have scored 4 runs as of bottom of 9th. Braves have definitely been living on the edge--you can tell these games have both been a lot closer than just the runs scored indicated.

Hits now almost even, 10-9, and it's 8-6 now in bottom of 9th after Max Muncy hits a two run dinger on a 2-0 fastball in, middle-inside. The Dodgers now within 2, and even worse for Braves, they are forced to bring in their closer, Melancin, in a game they really shouldn't have had to. Momentum definitely swaying to Dodgers, win or lose. I told ya'll they had nothing to worry about, even though they dropped Game 1.

And now an extra out given to Dodgers in Bottom of 9th, as Bellinger, 0-4, and 0-8 in series is up and can tie this game. Not good, Braves. Here come Dodgers... Now it's 8-7 on a triple by Bellinger. And you thought Braves had this...nope...tying run 90 feet away.

Dodgers come back to make it close but the Braves hang on. Atlanta is on some kind of roll right now. Seven straight playoff victories. All you can do is tip your cap.

(10-13-2020 09:16 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  And now an extra out given to Dodgers in Bottom of 9th, as Bellinger, 0-4, and 0-8 in series is up and can tie this game. Not good, Braves. Here come Dodgers... Now it's 8-7 on a triple by Bellinger. And you thought Braves had this...nope...tying run 90 feet away.

0-2 and Kershaw's not likely for game 3. I like the Braves in 6.

Braves get very lucky and hang on to barely win a must-win Game 2, 8-7.


Dodgers know they can win this series, and Braves now should know they can lose it.

Wow the Dodgers pen screws them again. Offense puts up 7, and the pen ends up giving up 3 in 4.2 innings.

Good news: Braves up 2 games to zero in a seven game series.

Bad news: Braves, ahead 7-0 in mid-seventh inning, allow Dodgers to come all the way back, and unless Albies, who was both the hero with the HR in top of 9th, but committed huge error in Bottom 9th, giving dodgers an extra out they used to crawl within 1 run, and 90 feet from tying game or even walking it off.

Braves cannot play that poorly and expect to win this series.

Braves have now won the two critical games they had to win to have a chance, but this series has only just begun. Braves now on downside of their pitching, and their bullpen has shown its weaknesses that Dodgers are salivating to exploit.

And here's the scary part: Braves were up 2-0 to Yankers on the road and came home to Turner Field (remember that place?) and lost the next 4 games and lost the series 2 games to 4.


Dodgers manager Roberts knows he has the advantage now in the series with the Dodgers pitching and now hitting finally working against the Braves.

Braves starting pitching likely begins severely falling off the cliff starting tomorrow. If/when Dodgers tie series 2-2, Braves will be in trouble.

Also, trivia note: Braves reliever Mark Melancin likely very first relief pitcher to catch two HR balls by same teammate in two consecutive NLCS playoff games: he barely had to move last night when he was warming up on the bullpen mound and reached up casually to catch Albies' HR, and then tonight, he sprinted to catch Albeis' 9th inning HR that won the game. Weird, very weird.

(10-13-2020 09:31 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Good news: Braves up 2 games to zero in a seven game series.

Bad news: Braves, ahead 7-0 in mid-seventh inning, allow Dodgers to come all the way back, and unless Albies, who was both the hero with the HR in top of 9th, but committed huge error in Bottom 9th, giving dodgers an extra out they used to crawl within 1 run, and 90 feet from tying game or even walking it off.

Braves cannot play that poorly and expect to win this series.

Braves have now won the two critical games they had to win to have a chance, but this series has only just begun. Braves now on downside of their pitching, and their bullpen has shown its weaknesses that Dodgers are salivating to exploit.

And here's the scary part: Braves were up 2-0 to Yankers on the road and came home to Turner Field (remember that place?) and lost the next 4 games and lost the series 2 games to 4.


Dodgers manager Roberts knows he has the advantage now in the series with the Dodgers pitching and now hitting finally working against the Braves.

Braves starting pitching likely begins severely falling off the cliff starting tomorrow. If/when Dodgers tie series 2-2, Braves will be in trouble.

Also, trivia note: Braves reliever Mark Melancin likely very first relief pitcher to catch two HR balls by same teammate in two consecutive NLCS playoff games: he barely had to move last night when he was warming up on the bullpen mound and reached up casually to catch Albies' HR, and then tonight, he sprinted to catch Albeis' 9th inning HR that won the game. Weird, very weird.

Are you a Braves fan trying to be uber cautious or a Dodgers fan trying to find the light in the darkness? This isn't the 2017 Dodgers, they have no bullpen. No lead is safe for them. First two games were critical for both teams. Dodgers picked up some momentum but without the W it means next to nothing. Braves are HUGE favorites now. Dodgers now face three must win games or the series is done.

Tough breaks. Two throwing errors going to end costing us the series.

(10-13-2020 09:37 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Are you a Braves fan trying to be uber cautious or a Dodgers fan trying to find the light in the darkness? This isn't the 2017 Dodgers, they have no bullpen. No lead is safe for them. First two games were critical for both teams. Dodgers picked up some momentum but without the W it means next to nothing. Braves are HUGE favorites now. Dodgers now face three must win games or the series is done.

Not cautious--realist. Remember, Braves won most games with their offense this short season--they had little to no pitching all season, and you're seeing it now with the last 3 innings tonight. No manager would excuse what happened tonight- Braves either got too full of themselves, or careless, but I also know the Dodgers are a lot stronger team than they showed in game1 and a half, and that the Dodgers bullpen is more experienced and locked down when it had to to give them a chance to come back.

Freak HR for Braves are the difference so far. Braves have regular power outages, and then what? Dodgers are just getting started. Dodgers are still the favorites in this series; or at the worst, even odds to win it, even down 0-2 games. Remember, they are the champs, Braves are glad to be here a year early. This is the Braves, who invent ways to lose playoffs games ("outfield fly" game a few years ago, Cardinals debacle last year, many unexplainable losses in their 14-year division run in the 90's/00's, etc...)

Do I wish Braves could win? Heck yeah. Do I expect it? Not playing like they did tonight I don't--they screwed their bullpen in this game, they showed tremendous weakness to a team they had on the mat and let get back up, and they have no pitching to speak of really left compared to Dodgers. I went out to watch at a local place tonight and left Braves up 7-0 in mid-7th. go to get some groceries, turn game on and whoa- 7-3, then 8-4, then 8-6, then 8-7??? You can;t be that bad and fall apart and expect to win against a team as deep as Dodgers, you just can't.

Who would you rather start: Urias or Kyle Wright? I hope Kyle can go 5 and not give up the farm, but what do you really expect tomorrow night (afternoon, actually, as Braves never get respect from the TV schedulers in playoffs.) If you've watched the Braves from their "America's team" days, you completely understand. The fact is this is the Dodgers series to lose, and if they do, it will be more on them. Next year, maybe it's a different story if Braves make it this far.

I mean, they're comparing Anderson's performance tonight to Christy Matthewson? Really? That's not a good idea after what happened tonight. Their manager needs to go in and kick some a$$ and take some names. Tonight's performance was inexcusable, and Braves youngsters need to come back to reality and realize they are facing a dangerous team that can roll 7 runs up in a few innings without breaking a sweat. Winning run at plate bottom 9th after 0-7 deficit in 7th? Tying run 90 feet away? Realist, not cautious. Nothing is a given right now. Maybe it would look a little better if we somehow win tomorrow, but take nothing for granted here.

Fair enough, but I'm looking at the way the pitching lines up for the Dodgers and its not good. Urias goes tomorrow, he's 4-5 inning guy. That means the Braves get at least four innings against the Dodgers pen in a must win game. Lose that series is over. Game four Kershaw goes, but if he's not 100% that means another long day for an already taxed pen. Additionally Kershaw going in game four instead of three means he's not likely to be able to pitch game seven (or if he does he won't be in there long). If they get it to a game five you obviously like Buehler to win game 5 but he'll probably need to go deep because the pen just isn't getting it done. Lack of rests days really make it tough to comeback from a deficit in these playoffs. No way to get your ace in three games and no extra recovery for key relievers.

(10-13-2020 09:37 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  This isn't the 2017 Dodgers, they have no bullpen. No lead is safe for them.

see below:

(10-13-2020 09:19 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  Wow the Dodgers pen screws them again. Offense puts up 7, and the pen ends up giving up 3 in 4.2 innings.

Meanwhile: Braves pen gives up 7 quick runs in less than 3 innings...who has the worse pen? braves, right now; plus, Dodgers made Braves burn their closer two nights in a row in a game that he never should have had to enter. Braves will need their best relievers now going forward, but they screwed themselves tonight, and will have to overcome it somehow.

If Dodgers win tomorrow night, and they showed tonight they certainly can, I'd be really, really worried about this series.

(10-13-2020 10:34 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  Fair enough, but I'm looking at the way the pitching lines up for the Dodgers and its not good. Urias goes tomorrow, he's 4-5 inning guy. That means the Braves get at least four innings against the Dodgers pen in a must win game. Lose that series is over. Game four Kershaw goes, but if he's not 100% that means another long day for an already taxed pen. Additionally Kershaw going in game four instead of three means he's not likely to be able to pitch game seven (or if he does he won't be in there long). If they get it to a game five you obviously like Buehler to win game 5 but he'll probably need to go deep because the pen just isn't getting it done. Lack of rests days really make it tough to comeback from a deficit in these playoffs. No way to get your ace in three games and no extra recovery for key relievers.

I mean, an average Clayton Kershaw is better than whoever the Braves have to cobble together for games 4 or 5. And Kyle Wright or Urias? I mean, I hope he does well, but Kyle's not proven yet he's even close. I liked his start against Marlins, but I mean, the Marlins? You really gonna bet on Braves and wright over Urias? I hope I'm wrong, and I'll admit, their shakiness has even made it more compelling than those 90's-era games, but I'm getting tired of having a near heart-attack in games that should be over and done.

Right now these are the facts: your bullpen, though not perfect, is better. You have Bueller to come back; you have Kershaw (likely) in there somewhere. Your offense is crazy scarier than ours- granted ours has so far chipped away better. Our offense will stop one or two of these games, and we have zero answers for that. You have answers we don't this year. Our defense has shown it's weaker than yours, albeit close. You have been here 4 out of 5 years. You guys are motivated before your window begins to close (actually, it won't as you guys have the $$ to buy whatever you need and eat loads of bad contracts we can't.)

From a pure fan's perspective: this has been a great series so far of two relatively evenly matched teams. That likely changes tomorrow, as our starter problems might be too much for us to overcome. Hope not, but Urias or Wright?

(10-13-2020 10:35 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Dodgers made Braves burn their closer two nights in a row in a game that he never should have had to enter.

He threw seven pitches. If there's a save opportunity tomorrow you put him out there and let him empty the tank, because if you win tomorrow the series is basically over. I'd rather have a slightly more tired closer than be in the Dodger's position of not having one. Both pens have given up runs but the series sits at 2-0. If for no other reason edge Braves pen.

In other news...TB now up 5-2 in Bottom of 8th over Houstless...

(10-13-2020 10:48 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  

(10-13-2020 10:35 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Dodgers made Braves burn their closer two nights in a row in a game that he never should have had to enter.

He threw seven pitches. If there's a save opportunity tomorrow you put him out there and let him empty the tank, because if you win tomorrow the series is basically over. I'd rather have a slightly more tired closer than be in the Dodger's position of not having one. Both pens have given up runs but the series sits at 2-0. If for no other reason edge Braves pen.

maybe...but Jansen's fresh and ready. You have May, who, despite looking like Bozo the clown, throws 101, 102 and is crazy scary from the pen--he's a flippin' beast. Melancin's gone through warmups and in game 2 nights in a row...different than just warming up.

I'd disagree, the reason is Braves have hit more homers on select pitches, so far. And I emphasize that so far.

Look, Braves did what we HAD to do to have a chance. Dodgers always knew they'd still be okay after 2 games win or lose because of Braves pitching situation. I'll agree that Kershaw's hiccup slightly changes that. But Dodgers know who can start for them; Braves? Even before series started, who do you start Games 4 and 5? Plus, Braves lost Duvall-an integral part of their offensive success this season and ability to overcome their pitching woes, and replaced him with...Carmago? And I like Christian Pache's future, and he got his first hit tonight, but compared to Bellinger?

Rays trying to pull a Braves in tonight's game...Asterisks' have loaded bases bottom 8th and 2-0 count now to Tucker.

Tucker flies to right- fails to score run?

Wow--Gurriel grounded out to shortstop! Rays sneak by in 8th w/o letting them close ground. THAT's a bullpen.

How are you not tagging there?

(10-13-2020 11:11 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote:  How are you not tagging there?

No idea. You've got to try to get a run there. Crazy. It's Dustyball.