Atlanta Braves: Differences between the 2020 and 2021 NLCS

Bullpen

Braves: Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson, Jesse Chavez, AJ Minter, Huascar Ynoa, Drew Smyly

Dodgers: Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Corey Knebel, Joe Kelly, Tony Gonsolin, Phil Bickford, Alex Vesia

Many prominent relievers on both teams return from this series a year ago, which include many of the late-inning options.

The Braves closer is now left-hander Will Smith after Mark Melancon occupied the role a year ago. Smith however struggled against the Dodgers in the NLCS last season allowing three earned runs across 1.2 innings.

Joining Smith in the late-innings include Matzek and Jackson, with Matzek enjoying success in this series last season, and Jackson not seeing action. Atlanta also could use other names including Chavez, Ynoa, and Smyly, as well as AJ Minter who saw success against Los Angeles last season and right-handers Richard Rodriguez and Chris Martin should they be on the roster.

The Dodgers return their 8/9 inning duo of Jansen and Treinen. Jansen was lights-out during last seasons series, but Treinen did see some struggles at times.

Familiar faces such as Graterol, Kelly, and Gonsolin return, while the Dodgers also sport new faces in the bullpen including Knebel, Bickford, and Vesia. Knebel was used as Los Angeles’ “opener” in their Game 5 NLDS win over the Giants.

Los Angeles also lost a few notable relievers from last postseason including familiar names such as Floro, Baez, Gonzalez, Wood, Kolarek, and McGee, as well as Dustin May to injury.

The rosters between both the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers have seen some change since their meeting last October. When looking at the biggest potential impacts for the Braves however, don’t be surprised if players such Pederson, Duvall, and Morton in-particular make a difference.