The last time the Atlanta Braves made it to the last dance was back in 1999. They are finally reliving that feeling this year with new players, same uniform. That feeling in 1999 was short lived as the NY Yankees swept the Braves (4-0).
This year the Braves are playing a common foe, but with realignment years back, the Houston Astros moved to the American League Central Division.
This Braves team has been nothing but remarkable this season. It only took 111 games this year to reach over .500. At the All-Star break this team seemed dead in the water but General Manager Alex Anthopolous didn’t give up. The Braves went on a nine game winning road trip playing teams they should beat; the Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, and Baltimore Orioles. After that three city, nine game road trip, the Braves found themselves above .500 and in first place of the NL East in which they didn’t relinquish the rest of this year.
The Braves finished off the Milwaukee Brewers in four games winning the series 3-1. Then the Braves had to face the Goliath of MLB, the winner of the 2020 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last year the Braves were up 3-1 in the best of seven in the NLCS and eventually lost the series 4-3. But in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. And in front of a sold out Truist Park of over 41,000 in the park and about 25,000 outside on the green last Saturday, the Braves beat the Dodgers in six games to earn a trip to this years World Series versus the Astros. This will be the second trip to the October classic in Atlanta Braves history, they beat the Cleveland Indians to take the crown in 1995. The Braves also won the 1914 World Series while in Boston, and the 1957 World Series in Milwaukee.
Players to watch out for: Well of course, left fielder and MVP of the NLCS Eddie Rosario. He only hit .570 with three homers, one of those homers the game and series winner versus the Dodgers. Look for right fielder Jorge Soler to put power in the lineup as a DH when playing in Houston. And of course the usual suspects; Freddie Freeman and the modern day Mr. October, Joctober himself, Joc Peterson.
I give the Braves a slight edge with their pitching staff. The consistency with Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and Ian Anderson as starters is remarkable. And reliever Tyler Matzek was unbelievable in the NLCS. The Astros will bring the bat as well with Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Carlos Correa, and Yordan Alvarez (ALCS MVP).
Side notes for the series: Braves Manager Brian Snitker’s son, Troy Snitker, is the Houston Astros hitting coach. There is one thing for certain, a Snitker is going home with the trophy. Hopefully it is the elder with the tomahawk on his chest.
Game 1 is tonight Tuesday, October 26 in Houston. First pitch scheduled for 8:08pm EST.
Header photo courtesy of Atlanta Braves
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