After a heartbreaking loss in Game 3, the Atlanta Braves bounced back in a big way in Game 4 routing the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2.
Once again, the Atlanta Braves are just one win away from returning to the World Series for the first time since 1999.
We all wondered how this team would respond after that difficult loss in Game 3, they answered in Game 4 as they have all year.
This is the most resilient team I’ve ever seen as they’ve taken punch-after-punch all year and just keep pushing through.
And they got some unexpected heroics in Game 4 as well, which you need in the postseason.
Braves: Drew Smyly Earns that $11 Million
A pitcher that many Braves fans had given up on in Drew Smyly came up huge in Game 4.
After the Braves had learned just shortly before the game started that their scheduled starter, Huascar Ynoa, had shoulder inflammation and would be scratched and replaced by Dylan Lee on the roster, Brian Snitker was scrambling to figure out how to get through this game.
Jesse Chavez got the start and was great with a perfect first inning.
Then Smyly came in and cruised through 3 innings, probably an inning or two more than even the most optimistic fan thought we’d get out of him.
In all, he gave up 2 earned runs on 2 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts over 3.1 innings. Just a great performance by Smyly to help bridge the gap to the back of the Braves bullpen.
Braves: Eddie Rosario is En Fuego
I don’t know what to say about Eddie Rosario at this time — he’s been incredible since joining the Braves.
In 33 regular season games with the Braves, he hit .271 with a .903 OPS and 7 home runs.
He already has 10 hits (10 HITS!) in the NLCS alone after going 4/13 with a couple of RBI in the NLDS.
Overall this postseason, he’s 14/30 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI. What an incredible addition to this team.
Braves NLCS: Postseason A.J. Minter
First of all, Brian Snitker made all the right moves on Wednesday and deserves recognition for that. From leaving Smyly in and allowing him to pitch while he was effective, and then doing the same with A.J. Minter.
We all know the story of Minter. He has the stuff to be the future closer but struggles with consistency.
For the past two months now, we’ve gotten the best of A.J. Minter.
Since being recalled on August 12 he’s allowed just 4 earned runs in 24.1 innings (including the postseason). Twenty of his last 23 appearances have been scoreless outings.
You could tell on Wednesday it was the good A.J. Minter and I was so happy Snitker let him come back out for a second inning.
If he can continue pitching as he has for a while now, this will be a huge weapon the rest of the way … and then we’ll see which A.J. Minter shows up in Spring Training.
What a great bounce-back game for this team, which should come as no surprise. Now they have Max Fried, Ian Anderson, and Charlie Morton set up for the next three games, but let’s hope Ian and Charlie aren’t needed.