NLCS Game 6 Recap

There will be no 3-1 collapse this time. After losing Game 5, the Braves dispatched of the Dodgers 4-2 in Game 6 to end the NLCS and send Atlanta to their first Fall Classic in over 20 years. Coming into the game, all the talk was on the Dodger side. Max Scherzer was scratched due to fatigue and proposed Game 7 starter Walker Beuhler was forced to start on 3 days rest.

The Braves got right to work in the first. After a double play, Ozzie Albies doubled to get in front of Game 1 hero Austin Riley who hit a ground rule double into right field to give the Braves the early 1-0 lead. The Dodgers came back in the fourth to tie the game on an RBI single by Cody Bellinger. But the fourth inning wasn’t over. In the bottom half, Travis D’arnaud worked a two out walk. With a runner on, Braves management went to their bench, replacing starter Ian Anderson with pinch hitter Ehire Adrianza who then doubled to right. That set the stage for the Braves hottest hitter Eddie Rosario. With the crowd chanting his name, Eddie lined one into the right field bleachers to make it 4-1 Braves, sending Truist Park into a frenzy. The Dodgers got one back in the 7th and brought the tying runs into scoring position. The Braves turned to reliever Tyler Matzek who came up in a huge spot, striking out the side to get the Braves out of the jam. After a scoreless 8th by Matzek, closer Will Smith got the side down in order in the 9th to end the game and the series.

Some final news and notes from the NLCS

• The Braves 88 wins were the worst of any of MLB’s division winners in 2021. They looked dead in July, but some great moves by the front office helped rejuvenate the team and they took off in the 2nd half, what a run it’s been.

• The Dodgers put up a valiant defense to their title in 2021, but ultimately it was injuries and a lack of depth that cost LA in the NLCS

• It’ll be the Braves and the Astros in the 2021 World Series. Game 1 will be Tuesday night in Houston. It should be one hell of a series.