Best Atlanta Braves Playoff Moments: Fried's Fiery Performance in Game 6
By Austin Owens
With the Atlanta Braves 2023 playoff push set to begin on October 7th, we thought it would be a good time to look back on some of the most memorable moments in Braves playoff history. Today we are focusing on the game that clinched the Braves' first World Series title since 1995.
The Braves took a 3-2 series lead to Houston on November 2, 2021. With the Astros gaining home-field advantage to end the series, there seemed to be a momentum swing in favor of Houston. Atlanta did not want the fall classic to reach a game 7 so Max Fried and company did something about it.
The first inning seemed kind of shaky and did not look very promising for the boys from Georgia. The Astros first two batters reached base safely. Fried recorded a strikeout and a groundout to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs. However, it was not a routine groundout, it was a play where Fried was lucky to avoid a serious injury.
After Fried’s ankle had been stepped on in the very first inning and allowed the Astros to have runners on first and second with no outs. He was ultimately okay and it seemed to light a fire under him. He ended the first inning on a clutch strikeout that set the tone for the rest of his performance.
Max Fried’s final line from the World Series clincher was: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 6 K.
Arguably the most memorable moment from this game was Jorge Soler’s ridiculous 3-run homer that broke the scoring open. This iconic franchise memory often ends up overshadowing Fried’s effort. Atlanta ended up scoring a total of 7 runs on the night but thanks to Max Fried’s performance and three solid innings from the bullpen.
Two innings from Tyler Matzek and one inning from Will Smith. The Braves only needed one run to walk away victorious.
Atlanta enters the postseason down a starter with the Charlie Morton injury so they will need more of Max Fried’s playoff magic to make another push for a World Series Championship in 2023.