Blevins come eleven. And Swarzak. And Dayton.
The three relievers could not hold a 2 run lead in the bottom of the 11th, as both Jerry Blevins and Anthony Swarzak contributed baserunners, and Dominic Smith ended it with a 3 run homer off Grant Dayton.
Smith’s heroics overshadowed the work of Adeiny Hechavarria, who will not stop trying to make Hech happen. Hechavarria’s 9th inning solo homer tied the game at 4, and his 11th inning solo homer gave the Braves a 5 – 4 lead. Hech also singled in Dansby Swanson in the 1st to give the Braves their first run.
The Mets countered with 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st, 2 of them on a J.D. Davis homer. Rafael Ortega tied things up in the 4th with a 2 run homer of his own, but Joe Panik put the Mets back up with a solo homer in the 8th off Shane Greene.
After allowing the 3 first inning runs, Mike Soroka settled in to finish the next 4 scoreless. Darren O’Day, Luke Jackson, Sean Newcomb, Mark Melancon, and Josh Tomlin all tuned up for the playoffs with scoreless outings. Adam Duvall went back-to-back with Hech in the 11th to give the bullpen some Used-Everybody-Else-Already Utility, but apparently the value of that particular constant has yet to be divined.
St. Louis wins the NL Central; the Cardinals come to town Thursday, on TBS for the rest of us.
The Braves pick before the Athletics, I’m guessing since Atlanta comes before Oakland alphabetically.
Nice recap! I’m sure we will get into this more throughout the week, but how does everyone feel about the Cardinals?
I personally think the Braves got a huge break with STL pitching Flaherty for 7 innings today, probably knocking him out for Game 1.
Kinda fitting that the season ends with a blown save. Not that it matters in the least. Let’s just keep the bullpen throwing clean inning in October please.
The Phillies finished 81-81 and sixteen games out of first place.
It will be a competitive division next year if the Nats and Mets get their acts together before June.
Braves 97-65
Nats 93-69
Mets 86-76
Phillies 81-81
Marlins 57-105
@2 I think the Cardinals will fight tooth and nail, and I fully expect it to go 5, but I think the Braves can take it.
I agree with you, only having to square off against Flaherty once is a huge boost.
If Freeman is 80%, we should handle the Cards
See you at the parade.
@7 Saw that as well, and even though it means absolutely nothing I still felt amazing about the playoffs all of a sudden.
@5 They actually would probably still see Flaherty twice, assuming they start him on regular rest for game 2, he would again be on regular rest for game 5. The advantage is that you have a much better chance of winning game 1, which historically has turned into something like 72 percent probability to win the series.
8 — Another reason why I hate pushing back Soroka to Game 3.
@9
Its the right decision, though. Kid has shredded on the road and would then be in line to go 2+ times in the NLCS. If the only games we plan on winning are the ones he pitches, we have bigger problems. I trust Dallas to give us a chance, and hope Folty is the same guy he’s been for the last two months. The real interesting question is who starts game 4.
I am so sick of the Cards, let’s beat them properly this time.
@7 That’s the attitude! Let’s go for it.
Dallas will start Game 4 if there is one. One side effect of the quick hook given to SPs in the playoffs is that it’s much more workable to throw them on 3 days rest. We did it last year with Folty. They’ll have Fried and JT in the bullpen, and Fried in particular will be useful as a LHP in potential early-inning high-leverage situations.
Then Folty starts on normal rest in Game 5, with everyone except Dallas available in relief.
I think they should rest everyone for the next few days. Including me.
El Capitán, Martín Prado
twenty five
so we will have to be that far back and still survive?
but look where you are now
April, the seeds, the planting, the Grecian plow.
Thank you, Rusty.
Go Braves.
You’re welcome coop. And thank you for your continuous support for all the recappers.
New thread:
An appreciation for Matt Joyce by Kirk H.