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Atlanta Braves preview: the pivotal game three

By Jonathan Magel

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 04: Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves crosses home plate after a two-run homer off Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning in game two of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 04: Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves crosses home plate after a two-run homer off Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning in game two of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

After the Atlanta Braves split the first two games of the series game 3 is essential to ensure this series goes back to Atlanta.

THUS FAR:  Game one came as a disappointment as the Atlanta Braves lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6. The Braves carried 3-1 lead into the 8th inning until the Cardinals rallied for 2 runs in the 8th and 4 runs in the 9th.

The eighth inning was supposed to be pitched by deadline acquisition Chris Martin. However, after one warm-up throw on the mound, he immediately pointed to the dugout for the trainer.

He proceeded to be removed from the game for what was later released as an oblique strain. This ended up being huge as Luke Jackson was brought into the game. He gave up two runs in 0.2 innings pitch as Mark Melancon had to be brought in for the last out of the eighth.

However, the damage was already done as the Braves and Cardinals were tied 3-3. After a scoreless eighth inning for the Braves bats, Melancon proceeded to return in the 9th.

This ended up being disastrous as the Braves closer gave up four earned runs only pitching 2/3s of the inning. Sean Newcomb ended up having to come in for the last out.

The Braves would not go down quietly as Billy Hamilton led off the 9th inning with a walk and a blast by Ronald Acuña Jr. brought the game to 5-7.

After a close play at first (ruled an out) on a grounder by Ozzie Albies, Freddie Freeman proceeded to hit a home run as well making it 6-7. But that would be the end of the Braves late-inning noise as the Braves fell to the Cards 6-7.

Game 2 was a completely different story as Mike Foltynewicz and Jack Flaherty duked it out. The Braves got on the board early in the first as Josh Donaldson singled home a run.

However, after that, the game was scoreless until the seventh. With a man on first, Brian Snitker made the decision to bring in a pinch hitter for Folty, much to the ire of fans. However, Adam Duvall proved his manager right when he went on to hit a bomb to deep center.

This proved to be enough for the Atlanta Braves as Fried and Melancon close out the 8th and the 9th scoreless. But the true hero of this game is Folty.

After a tough game one loss, for him to come out and truly dominate with a 7IP 0ER 7SO 3H stat line is huge. Pitching seven innings is equally huge to give the bullpen some rest, making them ready to go for the rest of the series.

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