The last time the Braves won the NLDS was back in 2001. John Burkett and Kevin Millwood were both in the starting rotation. Braves rolled over the Houston Astros three games to zero. Swing forward 19 years and the Braves found themselves back in Houston. But this time under different circumstances. Yes, the Braves were playing in the NLDS, but they were facing off with the Miami Marlins in a bubble due to the covid-19 pandemic.
After the Braves swept the Cincinnati Reds in Atlanta during the Wild Card Series, the naysayers were still out in force wondering if the ghosts of past postseasons would still haunt this team. But so far so good. In the two game series versus the Reds, the Braves pitching staff didn’t allow a run, and in five postseason games so far in 2020 versus the Reds and Marlins, the Braves have given up only five total runs with four shutouts of the five games. You have to go back to the 1905 Giants to find four postseason shutouts. The Braves have a combined 0.96 ERA during the five games so far. Rookies starting pitchers Ian Anderson and Kyle Wright have yet to surrender a run so far.
The MVP so far goes to the Braves entire pitching staff as well as catcher Travis d’Arnaud. d’Arnaud has called a great game behind the plate as well as being the offensive MVP so far. He has six hits out of 10 plate appearances as well as two home runs. The bats have come to life during the NLDS scoring nine (9-5), two (2-0), and seven (7-0) runs in the three game set.
This has been a tough time for all of us. In this sport, in our world, our city, our fanbase. I love the fact that we can give these people something to look forward to watch. And these guys are very entertaining. They play their hearts out every night and I’m so proud of them. – Brian Snitker, Braves Manager
The Braves advance to the NLCS and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers outlasted the San Diego Padres three to one games in their NLDS set. Both teams will stay in a bubble, but will travel to Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers Globe Life Field) for the Championship Series. The World Series will also take place in Arlington as well. First game of the NLCS is scheduled for Monday, October 12, time TBD.
Photo 1 Courtesy of Fox 5 Atlanta
Photo 2 & 3 Courtesy of Atlanta Braves
Quote Courtesy of Atlanta Braves Twitter
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