Will the Atlanta Braves be the Cinderella of a striking postseason?

How about these Major League Baseball playoffs! Close games, two grand slam home runs by the same team in one of them, and five walk-off victories, two in a row from teams both born in Boston.

The Red Sox dispatched Tampa Bay, the American League’s best team in the divisional series, and the Braves did the same to the Brewers from their first city after leaving Beantown. Then they took the first two games of the National League Championship Series over their old nemesis, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves struggled for most of the regular season, losing their star and MVP candidate Ronald Acuna with a severe knee injury. But they got hot at the right time and fought off the Phillies and Mets to run away with the National League East, returning to the playoffs they’ve made more than 20 times since 1991.

Over that span, they have captured only one World Series title, but they are positioned to win another if they can finish the job against the Dodgers after winning the first two games of the NLCS at Truist Field in dramatic fashion.

Both were ninth-inning walk-offs, the first with Austin Riley tying the game on a home run and his single in the ninth that scored Ozzie Albies with the winning run; and the next night using the same recipe. The Braves knocked Dodgers’ ace Max Scherzer out in the fourth inning and tied the game in the seventh.

Then, in a moment that will live in franchise history, trade-deadline addition Eddie Rosario drove in the game winner with his fourth hit of the night. Rosario was acquired from the Indians just in time to be eligible for the playoffs and has filled in nicely for Acuna, who will be back next season and make the Braves the odds-favorite for another National League pennant.

First, they must shake their own curse at Dodgers Stadium, where their recent record is 1-14. All they need is one win in the three games in LA to come back home with two games left to close out the best-of-seven series.

If they can do that, their stout pitching will favor them over the Astros or the Red Sox to bring a second Series championship to the ATL.

 

Photo via AP Photo/John Bazemore

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Slanted Series
There is a reason why the Astros and Braves won their divisions easily. Both league championship series have had wild swings and one dramatic comeback, but it sure looks like the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are headed for the World Series. The Astros seemed in trouble after Boston won the second and third games […]
Shohei Ohtani Surpasses 50-50 Milestone in Spectacular Fashion With a 3-Homer, 2-Steal Game
Written by ALANIS THAMES Shohei Ohtani looked up at a visiting crowd that turned out to cheer him and the Los Angeles Dodgers — and ended up getting to witness one of the greatest individual performances, and seasons, in major league history. Fans lifted their phones to capture the moment and chanted “M-V-P!” as Ohtani […]
Ohtani’s Interpreter Is Fired by Dodgers After Allegations of ‘Massive Theft’ From Japanese Star
Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft.
Former Orange High School Star Bryse Wilson Shines as Atlanta Braves Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of NLCS
Making his first ever playoff start on Thursday night, former Orange High School star Bryse Wilson was outstanding as he helped guide the Atlanta Braves to a 10-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series in Arlington, Texas. Wilson–a rookie who pitched just 15.2 innings during the […]
Chansky's Notebook: Comeback Kid
Fifteen years ago, Raleigh native Josh Hamilton lived the dream by hitting 28 bombs in the first round of the Home Run Derby.
Koh's Notebook: Pitch, Please
Art Chansky’s Sports Notebook is presented by The Casual Pint. YOUR place for delicious pub food paired with local beer. Choose among 35 rotating taps and 200+ beers in the cooler. Major League Baseball may have finally gotten something right. Since taking the MLB commissioner job in 2015, it’s safe to say Rob Manfred hasn’t […]
Chansky's Notebook: Never Count Them Out
The Astros are at it again, throwing in a no-hitter to boot. Despite the wild card Phillies becoming America’s darlings by wiping out the Cardinals, Braves and Padres in the playoffs, Houston had the best record in the American League for many reasons. The Astros’ pitching is the best kept secret in baseball and their […]
This Just In: When You're #1
This Just In – It’s great to be #1, but WHEN you’re on top does matter a little. Coach Davis would probably tell you straight up that he might have preferred that Carolina be ranked somewhere in the top 10, but not the very top in the pre-season. Being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated …okay, […]
Chansky's Notebook: Gotta Stay Hot!
The MLB playoffs are both fantastic and a bit unfair. Doesn’t it seem wrong for a team to play 162 regular-season games and then have to play its best baseball to survive and advance in these short playoff series? That’s the way it is, but how about the Braves and Dodgers and perhaps the Yankees […]
Chansky's Notebook: There Goes the Judge?
Why Aaron Judge may stay in New York, but with the Mets. As we head into a historic Major League Baseball playoff, with six teams from each league contending for World Series spots, the Yankees remain the biggest story of them all. And it’s all about their biggest name and body and what he’ll do […]
›