3 things Braves must do to stay alive in NLDS
Score, and score first
Sounds simple, right? It isn't. Dodgers starters
Hyun-Jin Ryu and
Clayton Kershaw shut down the Atlanta offense in the first two games to set the tone for the series, but maybe there would have been a different outcome in Game 2 if the Braves had capitalized on
Ronald Acuna Jr.'s double to lead off the game Friday. It definitely would have relieved some of the pressure on the young club.
Atlanta went 63-23 when it scored first during the regular season
Find a way to utilize Gausman
There was some talk Gausman would start Game 2 in Los Angeles before the club chose to go with
Anibal Sanchez. Then, Gausman was tentatively scheduled to start Game 3.
Now, it appears his biggest contribution to the series will come in relief. And the right-hander could prove to be a real weapon out of the bullpen.
Adjust on the fly
The Braves entered Friday's matchup against Kershaw with an aggressive approach, as four of the first seven batters of the game swung at the first pitch. They targeted his fastballs, and the left-hander served up breaking balls to keep them off-balance.
Atlanta could take a similar approach against Dodgers Game 3 starter
Walker Buehler, especially considering the rookie throws a first-pitch strike 63.6 percent of the time. It will also be important for the offense to adjust if or when Buehler does.
More here.
https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-must-do-3-things-to-stay-alive-in-nlds/c-297265158