House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves unleash the Joctober surprise, win Game 3

By Alan Carpenter

The Winning Blast: Atlanta Braves pinch hitter Joc Pederson hits a three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Winning Blast: Atlanta Braves pinch hitter Joc Pederson hits a three-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson was on point Monday, though seemed like he might have been removed at the right time. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

More about Joc

  • Pederson is hitting .286 lifetime in the playoffs with an OPS of nearly .900.
  • During 2020 for the Dodgers, he hit .382 in the post-season, and .400 during the World Series.
  • He’s now 3 for 3 for Atlanta and has 11 playoff home runs in 172 plate appearances.
  • Pederson has accounted for 4 of Atlanta’s 7 runs scored overall… in 3 ABs.

Yeah… that “Joctober” moniker isn’t just for show… even if he did steal (at least) a bat from Anthony Rizzo.

Not quite done – Tricky Tuesday

The Atlanta starters have now combined to outpitch Milwaukee’s vaunted trio by giving up only 2 runs over 17 innings while striking out 24 and walking just one Brewer.

Tyler Matzuk has been the bullpen warrior, but it would be tough to see him on the mound again in Game 4.  He’s been effective, though shown signs of having the Brewers figuring him out.

Yet Tuesday will be … different.  Charlie Morton could be used on short rest.  The Johnny Wholestaff approach could also be employed.

Either way, the Braves need to win on Tuesday to avoid sending the series back to Wisconsin for a Game 5 scenario (which would likely be against Corbin Burnes).

However Atlanta decides to proceed, they need to find pitchers who can continue to shut down the Brewer offense, which is batting just .176 so far.

For Milwaukee, if it’s Eric Lauer starting, know that he’s given up 2 or fewer runs in 13 of his past 15 starts… and usually got to the sixth inning.

He was blown up by the Dodgers during his last regular-season start (and as of now his last start, period), but it’s hard to take that one entirely seriously under the circumstances.

In other words, it’s yet another quality Milwaukee pitcher coming at us.

FINAL STAT:  teams winning Game 3 after breaking a 1-1 series tie go on to win only 54% of 5-game playoff matchups.  So it’s definitely not over yet… particularly with uncertain Braves pitching coming tomorrow.

Next. Keep your horses for the long term. dark

Game 4 begins at 5:07 PM on Tuesday as the Braves go for the series win.  If Game 5 becomes necessary, it will begin at the same time on Thursday.

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