The Daily Chop: Adam Duvall comes through again

Dansby Swanson and Adam Duvall came up clutch again on Sunday as the Atlanta Braves rallied in the ninth to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1. The win gives the Braves their first series lead since 2002 and is their first time with multiple postseason wins since 2004.

Swanson went 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles including one off of Carlos Martinez in the ninth that scored pinch runner Billy Hamilton to tie the game. Swanson struggled after returning from the injured list over the final month of the season but has rebounded nicely in the NLDS. Swanson has a hit in all three games and is 5-for-11 in the series.

For the second straight game, Duvall came up in a big spot and delivered for Atlanta. He fell behind 0-2 before punching a single to center that scored Swanson and pinch runner Rafael Ortega to put the Braves in front for good. Duvall discussed the key moment after the game and said that he is just trying to put together solid at-bats. Duvall may not have delivered after being acquired last season from the Reds but that trade has paid huge dividends this season.

Brian Snitker wouldn’t tip his hand as to what his pitching plan will be for Game 4. Signs seem to indicate that Dallas Keuchel may get the start on short rest with Julio Teheran also an option.

Atlanta Braves Podcasts

Talking Chop Podcast Episode 189: NLDS Game 3 Recap

Brad, Eric and Scott recap Atlanta’s thrilling comeback win in Game 3.

Atlanta Baseball Talk: Show #459: A Wild Game 3 Brings A Lead in the NLDS

More Braves notes

• Mike Foltynewicz’s success in Game 2 was all about his slider. He relied on it and the result was one of the best starts of his career.
• The Braves acquired reliever Mark Melancon at the trade deadline in a deal with the San Francisco Giants. While Melancon knew he was coming to a first place team, he didn’t realize just how good this young Atlanta squad was.

“I don’t think I realized how good this team was until I got over here,” he said. “And all three of us that came in the bullpen together, we all just kind of looked at each other and were laughing for the first two weeks, just, wow, this is impressive.

MLB Playoffs

• The Los Angeles Dodgers scored seven runs in the sixth inning to propel them to a 10-4 win over the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the NLDS.
• Nationals’ outfielder Victor Robles was not in the starting lineup for Washington in Game 3 after he tweaked his hamstring late in Game 2. Michael A. Taylor started in centerfield in place of Robles.
• Dodgers’ Manager Dave Roberts announced on Friday that Rich Hill will get the start in Game 4. Hill has been limited to just 5 2/3 innings since June 19 due to left forearm and left knee injuries.
• ESPN’s Jeff Passan goes deep on Gerrit Cole’s dominant performance for the Astros in Game 2 of the ALDS.

MLB News

• As expected, former Cubs manager Joe Maddon will interview for the Angels’ vacant managerial opening on Monday per MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi. Maddon spent three decades with the Angels organization.
• Maddon’s former team is busy looking for his replacement. Bench coach Mark Loretta interviewed for the position last week and talked with a Chicago radio station on Saturday about what areas he thinks the Cubs need to improve on to return to the postseason.

“We have three or four areas where we need to improve,” Loretta said. “We certainly had trouble in the bullpen early and late in the season. The defense, for sure, I think it could have been much better. On the offensive side, we struck out way too much.”