Atlanta Braves opener Tucker Davidson sat the Houston Astros down 1-2-3 in the first inning. He only needed 12 pitches.
Then Adam Duvall's grand slam in the bottom of the inning gave Davidson breathing room.
The second inning didn't go according to plan for Davidson, or the Braves. After a Yordan Alvarez fly out, Yuli Gurriel singled, Kyle Tucker walked, and even after a mound visit, Davidson allowed a line-drive double to Alex Bregman that plated the Astros' first run. A sacrifice fly brought in Tucker and the Braves' four-run lead was down to two.
When Davidson's spot came up in the second to bat, Braves manager Brian Snitker had his pitcher grab lumber and head to the plate. Davidson struck out and the Braves went down 1-2-3.
Davidson didn't record an out in the third inning as Jose Altuve reached on a Dansby Swanson error and Michael Brantley drew a walk. Jesse Chavez came in to relieve Davidson, leaving the question hanging about why the Atlanta pitcher hit for himself in the second inning instead of Snitker bringing in a pinch hitter.
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"We were going to try to stretch him as far as we could, and I think we did," Snitker responded when asked if he considered removing Davidson. Snitker had both a pitch count on Davidson and a reason why he wanted his opener to go as long as he could.
"Probably 75 pitches," Snitker said was the limit. "Even after two, that's just a lot of game to cover with some guys down."
The Braves' bullpen had been heavily used in winning Games 3 and 4.
Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson, and Will Smith all pitched both Friday and Saturday. Snitker's agenda was to eat innings before needing the back end of his bullpen.
Even though the Braves lost Game 5, Snitker likes where his pitching staff is heading back to Houston.
"I always feel good when Max [Fried] pitches," Snitker said about his slated Game 6 starter. "He always gives you a chance to win. Like I say, our bullpen's in good shape. Max has got full rest, and we should be good to go."
Matzek, Jackson, and Smith will all have had two days of rest if they're called upon in Game 6.