Those of us who grew up in the 90's in the Southeast understand just how "on fire" the Atlanta Braves were. Atlanta was a contender virtually every year from 1991 to the end of the decade. Then in the new millennium those deep postseason runs started to dry up and become fewer and farther apart. The Braves though will return to the World Series for the first time since 1999. Atlanta finished off L.A. with a 4-2 win Saturday to take the series four games to two.
It was a three run 4th inning that propelled the Braves to the win. Those three runs came on one swing. Braves LF Eddie Rosario turned on an inside pitch and hammered it down the right field line for a 3 run shot. That gave Atlanta a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 4th. Atlanta had scored in the 1st to lead 1-0 and L.A. had answered in the top of the 4th to tie it at 1.
Atlanta used a "by committee approach' with their pitching staff in game 6. Ian Anderson started, he worked 4 innings giving up just one run on 3 hits. A.J. Minter came in and threw two scoreless innings. In the 7th, Atlanta's Luke Jackson gave up a run and was replaced by Tyler Matzek. He came in an stonewalled the Dodger rally in the 7th. Matzek worked a scoreless 7th and 8th, holding L.A. hitless. Then closer Will Smith came in and got jiggy with it in the 9th for his 37th Save on the season. Matzek got credit for the win as Anderson didn't work the requisite 5 innings as the starter.
The Braves now take on the Houston Astros in the world series. The two teams have a rivalry going back to their days in the N.L. West. If you followed the Braves in the 90's, you can recall the two teams meeting in postseason play many times. The two have never met in the postseason since Houston was moved to the American League. There's a major gap on this stage experience wise, as Houston is in the World Series for the 3rd time in five seasons. In the 90's, it was the favorite Braves led by Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine versus good but underdog Houston squads led by Bagwell and Biggio. So this World Series, sees two teams that have history with one another, however this installment sees Houston as the perennial powerhouse.
Houston has homefield advantage so the Braves will travel to the H-town for the World Series opener. Game one is set for Tuesday, 1st pitch is set for 8:09 PM Eastern. Charlie Morton is expected to start on the hill for Atlanta and Houston is slated to go with Framber Valdez.
