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Atlanta Braves NLDS Game 1: Time to kick the door down

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 20: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 20: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on August 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 05: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 05: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Preview and Prediction

More from Tomahawk Take

I mentioned it in my 3 biggest concerns for the Atlanta Braves entering the postseason article, but we need Freddie Freeman to be Freddie Freeman in the playoffs.

We haven’t seen the real Freddie Freeman for almost a month now, but this is a great matchup for him to breakout.

Hopefully with the extra days of rest he’ll be as healthy as he can be right now on Thursday.

I hate to put this much importance on game one of a series, but with Jack Flaherty set to start game two, this is almost a must-win game for the Atlanta Braves.

They need to come out swinging in this game and get to Mikolas early.

I feel pretty confident Keuchel can work deep into this game (at least the sixth inning). If the Atlanta Braves can knock Mikolas out after five and make them get into that bullpen, that’s going to be a huge advantage in this series.

But what I didn’t mention above is that Mikolas has been very good lately going six innings or more in five of his last seven starts. And he hasn’t given up more than 3 earned runs in his past six starts.

Another key for Keuchel will be keeping the ball in the park. Obviously, his numbers are much better in games that he doesn’t give up a home run. And he’s going up against a team that hasn’t been great at hitting home runs this year.

Prediction: 

I think the Atlanta Braves will touch up Mikolas for 4 runs through 5 innings and get him out of the game, and I think Keuchel will go 6 innings and only allow 2 runs.

And look for Freeman to have a big game at the plate.

The Atlanta Braves take game one of this series by a score of 6-3. And again, I think this game is very crucial for the Braves with Flaherty waiting in the wings on Friday.

Next. Breakdown of Cardinals starting pitchers. dark

Let us know in the comments below how you think the Atlanta Braves will do against the St. Louis Cardinals in game one of the NLDS.

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