*Photo from the Grand Forks Herald*
Atlanta wins series 4-2
Eddie Rosario did it again. The trade deadline acquisition that only cost the Atlanta Braves Pablo Sandoval has risen to the occasion again, like he's done so many times this postseason. Rosario homered, Austin Riley hit an RBI double, and the Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Saturday night.
With the win, the Braves have clinched their first world series appearance in 22 years, dating back to 1999, when they were swept in the world series by the New York Yankees. They haven't won the title since 1995. They clinched their latest appearance on a beautiful sliding play by shortstop Dansby Swanson, who quickly jumped up and fired to Freddie Freeman at first base to get the final out.
Braves manager Brian Snitker didn't believe it at first, saying that "One of them(coaches) was yelling in my ear. Instead of jumping up, Walt grabbed me and it took a minute, honestly, just to, it's like, ‘Oh, my God, this is really happening.’ What a special feeling though, my God. Yeah, it's pretty cool."
The Braves got to the world series by toppling the 95 win Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, and now the 106 win Dodgers in the NLCS. The Braves won the NL East with 88 wins, the fewest of any division winner in baseball this season, and they also didn't produce a record above .500 until August 6, which is the latest a world series bound team has gotten over .500 in baseball history.
It's an incredible story for the Braves for another reason. They were injured heavily this season. Ace Mike Soroka never threw a pitch this season thanks to aggravating the same injury twice. Ronald Acuna Jr tore his ACL on July 10, ending his season. Marcell Ozuna hasn't played since May after being arrested for domestic violence. Yet, somehow, they got it done.
In the first inning, Riley started the party for the Braves, with an RBI double down the left field line to make it 1-0 early on. In the top of the 4th, Cody Bellinger tied it for the Dodgers with an RBI single to left field. In the bottom half, with two on base, Rosario ripped a 3 run home run down the right field line, putting the Braves ahead 4-1. An RBI double from AJ Pollock in the 7th inning cut the deficit to 4-2, but that was all the Dodgers could score.
After the game, Rosario was awarded the NLCS MVP, after multiple 4 hit performances in the series, a couple multi homer games, and almost hitting for the cycle in game 4. In game 6, he went just 2-4, but his two hits drove in 3 runs, and he drew a walk as well.
Snitker said of Rosario's play that "It's just amazing how locked in he is. It doesn't matter what arm they're throwing with, he's just so locked in. I don't know that I've ever seen a guy like that for, this has been a long while now that he's been doing this."
Tyler Matzek picked up the win for the Braves, putting in two gutsy innings in the 7th and 8th, shutting out the Dodgers offense. Luke Jackson started the 7th inning, but allowed one run and couldn't record an out. Starter Ian Anderson lasted 4 innings in his start, allowing one run on 3 hits and one walk. AJ Minter threw two innings before Jackson came on, and Will Smith picked up his first save of the series.
Walker Buehler got the start on short rest for the Dodgers, allowing all 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, taking the loss while throwing 4 innings. The bullpen combo of Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Corey Knebel, and Kenley Jansen kept the Braves offense quiet after Buehler left.
The Dodgers are set up for some potentially big roster turnover this offseason. Notable free agents for the Dodgers include Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Jansen. Kershaw in particular will have to choose between re-signing, playing closer to his home in Dallas, or retirement.
Buehler said of the potential turnover that "It’s hard, because we’re at this little crossroads, where we have a lot of guys who have been free agents and a lot of guys that have been building blocks for this franchise for a long time. I hope everyone’s back, right, but that’s not the reality of the situation, and we’re going to have to build from within, like we always do, and bring some guys back."
The Braves start game one of the world series on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros, with Charlie Morton likely to start the opening game. The Dodgers head home for the winter, and look towards winning a title in 2022.
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