NLCS Game 1 recap
Game 1 of the NLCS and Austin Riley was the man of the moment as the Braves edged out Game 1 3-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Coming in, many saw this game as a must have for the Braves with the Dodgers elite pitching lurking in the background. The game started with the Braves using some small ball the same way they used so effectively in the Division Series against the Brewers. Eddie Rosario lead off the bottom of the first with a base hit, he then stole second on a Freddie Freeman strikeout, went to third on a ground out by Albies and made it home on a wild pitch to give the Braves the early lead.
The Dodgers had an instant response though. With two outs in the top of the 2nd, AJ Pollock got on base, he eventually scored on an RBI single from Wild Card hero Chris Taylor. The Dodgers then took the lead in the top of the fourth when Will Smith lead off the inning with a long home run to left field off Braves started Max Fried. Just like the Dodgers before them though, the Braves had an instant response as Austin Riley homered in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 2.
The game stayed level until the 9th. The Dodgers had a prime opprotunity in the top half. Chris Taylor walked with 2 outs and Cody Bellinger followed with a pinch hit single. Taylor got caught between second and third though and was tagged out to end the top half. In the bottom of the ninth, Ozzie Albies got a one out base hit on a blooper to the outfield. He then impressively stole second in a moment where pretty much the entire world was expecting hit. Enter Austin Riley who then hit a line drive down the line to end the game and give the Braves the win and the series lead.
Some other news and notes.
*Max Fried has not lost since July 28th
*Fried had another impressive outing going 6 innings and striking out five while only giving up two runs.
* The Dodgers had another bullpen start. Cory Knebel got the start and went one inning. The Dodgers then went in order, Bickford, Bruihl, Gonsolin, Vesia, Kelly, Jansen, and finally Trienen who gave up the walk off hit in the ninth.
* Gonsolin was supposed to be the long man for the Dodgers tonight but ended up only going an inning and two thirds, an appearance that including giving up the tying home run to Austin Riley.
* Tomorrow’s start will see Max Scherzer go for the Dodgers following his save in Game 5 of the Division Series. Ian Anderson will go for the Braves. First pitch is scheduled 7:38 EDT.