The Atlanta Braves announced their NLCS roster against the Dodgers. Who is in and who is out?
The Atlanta Braves have officially announced their NLCS roster. Who will the Braves run out against the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Your 2021 Atlanta #Braves NLCS Roster:#BattleATL pic.twitter.com/Vcn18qUTqg
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 16, 2021
The main core from the NLDS is still there, but there were a few changes.
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The big omission is Jorge Soler due to a positive COVID test. There is a chance he could return if he can test negative, but the Braves are preparing as if he will not be available in the NLCS which will be a big loss.
Terrance Gore was brought on for the NLDS as a pinch-running option late in games but was only used once. The Braves elected not to bring him back for the NLCS.
Dylan Lee made his major league debut in September for the Braves and found himself on the postseason roster. However, after not being used in the series against the Brewers, he finds himself off for the series against the Dodgers.
The Replacements
The big replacement is Cristian Pache who takes Soler’s spot. Pache was given an opportunity to be the Center Fielder for the Braves early this season but was sent to Gwinnett after struggling at the plate.
He did hold his own at the plate in AAA, hitting .265/.330/.414 11 HR, 50 R, 44 RBI, 9 SB, and a 100 wRC+. He will most likely only be used for defense and pinch running late in games.
Johan Camargo takes the place of Gore on the NLCS roster. Camargo is a regular on the Gwinnett shuttle and spent most of his year with the AAA squad. However, a 155 wRC+ in Gwinnett shows he was seeing the ball well in AAA and the Braves hope his bat makes the trip to the postseason.
The Braves appear to value an extra bat off the bench over Gore’s speed threat late.
Chris Martin makes his return on the NLCS roster, replacing Lee. Martin had been a reliable arm for the Braves over the past few seasons, but since the crackdown on foreign substances used by pitchers, he has not looked like the same guy. Lee was not used in the NLDS, so one wonders what role Martin will play.
There it is! The roster and changes for the upcoming NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Some may have thought the Braves would have added a 13th pitcher with it being a longer series, but they elect for an extra position player instead.
Hopefully, this is the collection of guys needed to get the club into the World Series!