Well it’s here, the terrifying game 3 to decide whether the Braves’ season is over and against a division rival. They’ll have to go into it facing likely Zack Wheeler and without a true starting pitcher of their own. It is expected that Grant Holmes will play a major role and that Ray Kerr will have a role to play as a good matchup for the lefties at the top of Philly’s lineup before the back of the bullpen can take over. A lack of offseason/trade deadline starter additions plus a plague of injuries
and prospects not taking the leap led us here to the Braves having no answer for a game 3 starting pitcher despite having the luxury of lining their staff up for this series. If they win this issue won’t go away and if they lose it will be discussed for months of what could be a long offseason. Buckle up. Meanwhile, their one big starter addition in Tyler Mahle has given them more than they could have reasonably expected with two months of great pitching after the deadline and 7.0 innings of one run ball in game 2. He might be a good one to bring back to Atlanta.
Braves News
Walt Weiss discussed game 2 with the press after the fact, including in-game management and Tyler Mahle.
Tyler Mahle was great, but a lack of homers and a faltering bullpen lost the Braves game 2, sending them to a terrifying all-or-nothing game 3.
MLB News
The Cinderella White Sox booked their spot in the ALDS in what is a wide-open AL this year, eliminating the Astros.
The Yankees followed suit, blowing out their rival Red Sox.
The Padres are leading the Cubs at the time of writing, but their result will determine the timing of the Braves’ game 3. A Padres win send the Braves and Phils to primetime, but a Cubs win relegates them to their typical 2pm timeslot for this Wild-Card round.
