Atlanta Braves' Pitching Gamble Pays Off in Game 2 Win Over Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves took a major risk in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With many expecting veteran left-hander Chris Sale to start, the Braves instead decided to go with another bullpen game after having used Sale in relief in his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. This lined Sale up nicely for Game 3, but if Atlanta entered that game down 2-0, it is hard to feel as if that would have meant much.

Regardless, manager Walt Weiss took the risk by starting 32-year-old left-hander Ray Kerr, who once again thrived in the opener role, pitching 2.2 innings, striking out four batters while surrendering just two hits, one walk, and no runs. He handed the ball to Grant Holmes, who surrendered one earned run, which would be LA’s only run until the ninth inning.

That was largely due to the job done by right-handed reliever Didier Fuentes, who pitched 3.2 innings, surrendering just one hit, which was a solo home run to Max Muncy in the ninth inning with the Dodgers down to their final out. Weiss then went to the bullpen to bring in veteran closer Raisel Iglesias, who got rookie outfielder Josue De Paula to pop out in foul territory to third baseman Austin Riley.

Needless to say, this is a massive victory for the Braves, who even the series 1-1 heading back to Atlanta. The victory also steals home-field advantage for the Braves, who can take care of their business at home and keep this series from heading back to LA for a decisive Game 5.

Of course, a lot has to go right in order for that to happen, including a strong start from Sale in Game 3, but the risky move to preserve their ace paid off for Atlanta in a big way on Sunday night.

As for the offense, it was a big night from Michael Harris II, who delivered three hits, scoring a run and driving in another. On LA’s side, the bats were mostly quiet, as the Dodgers tallied six hits, two of which were solo home runs from Freddie Freeman and Muncy, but that was not enough, as LA went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven throughout the course of nine innings.

The Braves were not better in those spots, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding 11 runners total. But their bullpen did enough for three runs to hold up, sending this series back to Atlanta all knotted at one apiece.

Unless something changes in a big way, waiting on the other side of the bracket will most likely be the Milwaukee Brewers, who stunned the San Diego Padres and closer Mason Miller with a walk-off in the ninth inning earlier on Sunday to take a 2-0 lead over San Diego in that NLDS series.