Battery Power - NLDS Game 4: Dodgers 6, Braves 2Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2018-10-08T22:33:47-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/177177532018-10-08T22:33:47-04:002018-10-08T22:33:47-04:00Talking Chop Podcast Episode 136: Game 4 recap
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<img alt="Divisional Round - Los Angeles Dodgers v Atlanta Braves - Game Four" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0-JKHJAafjgZivZihfzwX6b4zaA=/5x59:1719x1202/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61698487/1047771778.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>The final playoff show. </p> <p id="xQEMrt">Good evening, folks. The 2018 MLB season is over for the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> and the Talking Chop Podcast wraps up the NLDS with Episode 136. </p>
<p id="5ATbP1">TC’s Scott Coleman joins us to discuss the following:</p>
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<li id="onnVSP">Remembering that the 2018 season was an unmitigated success for the Braves</li>
<li id="mGZc0X">The ups and downs of the evening began in the first inning</li>
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<span>Kurt Suzuki</span>’s two-run single and the optimism that ensued</li>
<li id="rdtfjJ">Things didn’t go well after that and it began with stranding the bases loaded in the fifth</li>
<li id="eJXNK0">The Manny Machado experience</li>
<li id="6wcNlt">The Braves missed a couple of home runs by (very) narrow margins in the final innings</li>
<li id="pxIh8P">Atlanta’s crowd took notice of the great work from the Braves and that was the right thing</li>
<li id="QMgAWh">Much, much more</li>
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<p id="BXbem4">Please check out the podcast via the <a href="https://itun.es/us/2IuGab.c">iTunes Store</a> (where we strongly encourage you to leave a five-star review and rating) or you can find us at our <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Ftalking-chop&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.batterypower.com%2F2018%2F10%2F8%2F17953796%2Ftalking-chop-podcast-episode-136-game-4-recap-nlds-atlanta-braves-los-angeles-dodgers-manny-machado" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">SoundCloud page</a> for all the latest.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17953796/talking-chop-podcast-episode-136-game-4-recap-nlds-atlanta-braves-los-angeles-dodgers-manny-machadoBrad Rowland2018-10-08T21:30:02-04:002018-10-08T21:30:02-04:00Snitker on Game 4, successful season by Braves and the future
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<p>A tough loss but the future appears to be bright for these Braves. </p> <p id="kqtNCJ">The 2018 season ended for the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> Monday evening with a 6-2 loss to the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>. Following the game, Brian Snitker reflected on the series and what can only be described as a great regular season by his club. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"They never quit. They never stopped fighting all year. ... I'm honored to have had the privilege to manage all those guys."<br><br>-- Brian Snitker puts a bow on <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> stunning 2018 season.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/0JIcel1Mc1">pic.twitter.com/0JIcel1Mc1</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049460719169679360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"They're a very powerful team. That's what they've done all year: they hit homers. We're not built like that yet."<br><br>-- Brian Snitker on challenge of facing Dodgers' potent lineup.<a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> <a href="https://t.co/znc7vxMoMi">pic.twitter.com/znc7vxMoMi</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049461027442589696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brian Snitker on watching Lucas Duda's near three-run home run in the eighth inning of Game 4.<a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> <a href="https://t.co/32qO9P5O4V">pic.twitter.com/32qO9P5O4V</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049461926688784385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I really am excited about the future of the Atlanta Braves with the young nucleus that we have here."<br><br>-- Brian Snitker sees a lot to like about his <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> team for years to come.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/XHqatOadIm">pic.twitter.com/XHqatOadIm</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049462456525811712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Until you actually experience it, the intensity, the electricity that's involved in that. ... I think it's been a great experience for all those young guys."<br><br>-- Brian Snitker expects young <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> to grow from their first postseason series. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/wyc9TukzGz">pic.twitter.com/wyc9TukzGz</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049463217951465472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17953756/video-brian-snitker-nlds-game-4-postgameKris Willis2018-10-08T20:18:29-04:002018-10-08T20:18:29-04:00Braves season officially over as Dodgers prevail, 6-2
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Atlanta Braves’ improbable season came to an end Monday.</em></p> <p id="FMsxsx">Even with all of the unlikely magic that transpired during the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>’ 2018 season, there was always a feeling that the balancing act between talent and luck was bound to end with an unceremonious toppling off the proverbial tightrope.</p>
<p id="p5xV3F">The Braves’ balance finally gave way on Monday, as the Braves fell to the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, 6-2. This loss signaled the end of the NLDS, as well as the end of the Braves’ 2018 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> hopes.</p>
<p id="GyH20r">Today’s game was one of missed opportunities for Atlanta, as the Braves stranded base runners all game long. With the Dodgers’ late inning offensive surge, it might not have mattered, but failure to capitalize on provided opportunities in the playoffs can be a death sentence.</p>
<p id="paSBC9">Though he only made it four innings, <span>Mike Foltynewicz</span> gave a better showing today than he did in his first postseason start last Thursday. He only allowed one earned run during his time on the mound, and likely would have stayed in the game if the Braves had not been in the midst of a rally when his spot came up in the batting order. Even with improved results, command was still an issue as he struggled to find the strike zone. He wasn’t missing any one particular spot - he was missing all over the zone, as reflected by his four walks (one intentional).</p>
<p id="hUXNWK">He got into some trouble in the first, allowing a two-out, four-pitch walk to <span>Max Muncy</span> and an RBI double to <span>Manny Machado</span>. Just like that, the Dodgers were up 1-0. He put himself back in the soup in the second, putting runners on second and third with two outs before getting a huge strikeout from <span>Joc Pederson</span> and avoiding any damage.</p>
<p id="uyeTll">His day ended in the bottom of the fourth, but it was not in vain. After <span>Rich Hill</span> issued back-to-back walks to <span>Camargo</span> and Flowers to start the inning, <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> came on to pinch hit for Folty with two outs and delivered a two-run single. Hope was alive as it was suddenly 2-1 Braves.</p>
<p id="If4zAs">In the fifth, the Braves initiated a sequence that will likely haunt them throughout the offseason. A <span>Freddie Freeman</span> single (his second of the day) was followed by a walk to <span>Nick Markakis</span>. <span>Johan Camargo</span>’s ground ball to short looked like a surefire inning ending double play, but <span>Machado</span> bobbled it and loaded the bases with one out. With that, <span>Rich Hill</span>’s day was done. <span>Ryan Madson</span> induced consecutive pop outs from Flowers and Inciarte, leaving the sacks jacked and the score at 2-1. Of all of the missed opportunities, this is the one that stings the most.</p>
<p id="eEIM4D"><span>Jonny Venters</span> worked 1 ⅔ innings in relief - his longest outing as a Brave this season - and tied for his longest inning of the year. He left runners on the corners after a <span>Yasiel Puig</span> pop up fell between <span>Markakis</span> and <span>Ozzie Albies</span>, then was relieved by <span>Brad Brach</span>. <span>Brach</span> surrendered a two-run single to pinch hitter <span>David Freese</span>. The Dodgers lead, their second of the game, stood at 3-2.</p>
<p id="yr9Xn1">For all of the late inning heroics the Braves were able to muster all season, there was still hope abound that they could string together one of their patented rallies to even the series. Alas, much of the hope for such a comeback was allayed in the seventh inning when <span>Manny Machado</span> slapped a <span>Chad Sobotka</span> offering over the fence and into the visitor’s bullpen, making it 6-2 Dodgers. <span>Julio Teheran</span> came on to stop the bleeding, and got two strikeouts to end the seventh.</p>
<p id="ksID2Z">The Braves put two runners on in the eighth, but in keeping with the theme of this game, they were unable to push them across and cut into the Dodgers lead.</p>
<p id="hrh0Iz">They can now turn their focus to the offseason.</p>
<p id="z7yCmv">“Outpacing expectations” and “being a year ahead of schedule” are both true narratives and easy talking points, but for this team to turn into a true contender, there are obvious holes which need patching going into 2019. However, as a counter to these speaking points, the good news is that this team is light years ahead of where we thought they would be when the season began. So, we’ve got that going for us. Which is nice.</p>
<p id="u2OouM">Even though it was not the result we had all hoped for, there is plenty to be proud of in this season, and even more to be excited about moving forward. Now as the offseason awaits, we can sit back and watch Alex Anthopoulos tweak the roster to prepare for a (hopefully) deep postseason run next year.</p>
<p id="jIZzAY">Until next time, Braves fans.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17953680/atlanta-braves-season-officially-over-as-los-angeles-dodgers-prevail-6-2Doc Herbert2018-10-08T20:17:27-04:002018-10-08T20:17:27-04:00NLDS Game 4: Dodgers vs Braves Live Thread
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<img alt="MLB: NLDS-Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gM8sC51JdfTX4VRyWlb8wB8taXk=/0x0:2647x1765/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61692681/usa_today_11373781.1539018399.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Bcift2">The Braves led 2-1 but the Dodgers scored the final five runs of the game for a 6-2 win. </p>
<p id="50NVfx"><em>(Newest updates will be at the top of the page so if you want to start from the beginning, scroll to the bottom and read up.)</em></p>
<h3 id="ObJmR4"><strong>Bottom of 9th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="Tw57Qf">Kenley Jansen came on to close out out for the Dodgers and worked a perfect ninth retiring Acuna, Albies and Freeman to nail down the win and the series for the Dodgers. </p>
<p id="Yf5kx9">It wasn’t the result we wanted but it doesn’t dampen what was truly a remarkable season for Atlanta. </p>
<h3 id="0RzrkB"><strong>Top of 9th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="1bL8lX">A.J. Minter worked a perfect ninth striking out Max Muncy and Yasmani Grandal while getting Manny Machado to fly out to center. </p>
<h3 id="X1k7tM"><strong>Bottom of 8th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="ovpj9O">Kenta Maeda took over on the mound for the Dodgers in the eighth and made things interesting but escaped without allowing any runs. Maeda struck out Camargo and got Flowers to ground out to start the inning. Inciarte followed with a single to center. He advanced all the way to third on a solid hit by Charlie Culberson. Lucas Duda came on to pinch hit and destroyed a 3-1 pitch that drifted just foul down the line in right. With a full count, Maeda retired Duda with a fly out to Bellinger in center to escape. </p>
<p id="YmZQlQ">Braves’ season is down to its final three outs. </p>
<h3 id="PkI30W"><strong>Top of 8th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="pYF80m">Matt Kemp pinch-hit to lead off the eighth for the Dodgers against Teheran. Kemp grounded to Camargo who showed off his arm with a long throw to record the out. Joc Pederson followed with a single to right center but was thrown out by Nick Markakis as he tried to stretch it into a double. The play was reviewed and upheld but it appeared the Braves caught a break. Teheran then got Justin Turner to ground out to Albies to end the inning. </p>
<h3 id="RccFM5"><strong>Bottom of 7th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="l2krER">Pedro Baez got Ozzie Albies to ground out to Hernandez at second and then was replaced by left-hander Caleb Ferguson. Ferguson retired Freeman on a ground out and then got Markakis to fly out to center to end the inning. </p>
<h3 id="CRnVsP"><strong>Top of 7th: Dodgers 6, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="jwd2g0">The Dodgers blew the game open in the seventh tacking on three runs against reliever Chad Sobotka. Justin Turner led off the inning with a single and moved up to second on a walk by Max Muncy. Manny Machado then launched a three-run bomb out to left to make the score 6-2.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh my, Manny. <a href="https://t.co/GJV2sjneDM">pic.twitter.com/GJV2sjneDM</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1049436383301984257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="N17XqR">Sobotka got Grandal to gound out for the first out but then walked Hernandez. Brian Snitker then turned to Julio Teheran who came on and struck out Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig in his first appearance of the series. </p>
<h3 id="zywtFx"><strong>Bottom of 6th: Dodgers 3, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="CXCa00">Pedro Baez comes on to pitch for the Dodgers and works a 1-2-3 sixth retiring Culberson, Flaherty and Acuna. </p>
<h3 id="9rVYSQ"><strong>Top of 6th: Dodgers 3, Braves 2</strong></h3>
<p id="1f3IP9">Jonny Venters got Yasmani Grandal to fly out to start the sixth. Kike Hernandez singled before Cody Bellinger hit into a fielder’s choice but his hustle down the line prevented a double play. Yasiel Puig then dumped a fly ball in between Nick Markakis and Ozzie Albies in right for a single to put runners at the corners. Looked like there was some miscommunication between Markakis and Albies on the play. </p>
<p id="4aAQxi">Brad Brach replaced Venters to face pinch-hitter David Freese. Puig stole second as Freese worked the count full before singling just past Culberson at short to score two and put the Dodgers back in front 3-2. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s how the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> jumped back in front: <a href="https://t.co/XC6LT4ZGHJ">pic.twitter.com/XC6LT4ZGHJ</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049429990817841152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="zCNo1U">Snitker then brought in Max Fried to face Pederson who hit an absolute bullet to third that Johan Camargo was able to flag down for the third out. </p>
<h3 id="QJk1Mk"><strong>Bottom of 5th: Braves 2, Dodgers 1</strong></h3>
<p id="G5rPmb">Atlanta missed a huge opportunity to add to their lead in the fifth. Ozzie Albies popped out before Freddie Freeman handcuffed Justin Turner in the shift for an infield single. NIck Markakis walked bringing Johan Camargo to the plate with two on and one out. Camargo then hit what should have been a double play ball to Machado who booted it for an error to load the bases.</p>
<p id="OEfKon">That would be the end of the night for Rich Hill as Dave Roberts brought in Ryan Madson to face Tyler Flowers. Madson got Flowers to foul out to Grandal in foul territory for the second out and Inciarte popped out to Machado at shortstop to end the threat. </p>
<h3 id="SlbnCN"><strong>Top of 5th: Braves 2, Dodgers 1</strong></h3>
<p id="wgiJmF">Jonny Venters replaced Foltynewicz in the fifth and worked a scoreless frame. Joc Pederson struck out to start before Turner worked a walk. Max Muncy then hit into a fielder’s choice before Manny Machado grounded out to second. </p>
<h3 id="0yJpC5"><strong>Bottom of 4th: Braves 2, Dodgers 1</strong></h3>
<p id="BUFAaX">The Braves finally got to Rich Hill in the fourth. Johan Camargo and Tyler Flowers walked to lead off the inning. Ender Inciarte bunted them into scoring position. The Dodgers elected to pitch to Charlie Culberson who grounded to Justin Turner who was playing in preventing the runner from scoring. Kurt Suzuki came on to pinch hit for Folty and delivered a huge two-run single to left to put the Braves in front 2-1. Acuna grounded out to end the inning but Atlanta now has the lead. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kurt Suzuki is good at baseball.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/57r7qMelDW">pic.twitter.com/57r7qMelDW</a></p>— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1049419447021252609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Zuk!!! YAAASSS!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChopOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChopOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/VizWdJXstj">pic.twitter.com/VizWdJXstj</a></p>— 680 The Fan & 93.7FM (@680TheFan) <a href="https://twitter.com/680TheFan/status/1049418036145508352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="d3zFMM"><strong>Top of 4th: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="QUqGkf">Foltynewicz worked another scoreless frame in the fourth. Grandal popped out to Camargo at third to get the inning started. Kike Hernandez then grounded out to Culberson at short. Cody Bellinger worked another walk and then stole second. The Braves opted to walk Puig with first base open. It took ten pitches but Foltynewicz finally struck out Hill to end the inning. </p>
<h3 id="cO1fZ4"><strong>Bottom of 3rd: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="TITJmB">The Braves threatened again in the third but once again came away empty handed. Foltynewicz and Acuna struck out to start the inning before Albies reached on an infield single. Freddie Freeman walked to move Albies into scoring position but Nick Markakis popped out to Turner on the first pitch he saw to end the inning. </p>
<h3 id="tABaHK"><strong>Top of 3rd: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="rOlzzE">Foltynewicz worked a much-needed 1-2-3 inning in the third. Turner worked the count but flew out softly to Inciarte in center. Max Muncy struck out before Machado lined to Inciarte to end the inning. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Folty, 96mph Fastball and 87mph Slider, Overlay. <a href="https://t.co/DtfyLz9jSs">pic.twitter.com/DtfyLz9jSs</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1049408953078218757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="5jcbdM"><strong>Bottom of 2nd: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="DGQNn8">Rich Hill worked through a quick second inning retiring the Braves in order. Tyler Flowers popped up to Muncy at first, Ender Inciarte grounded out and then Charlie Culberson struck out to end the frame. </p>
<h3 id="A5oNzM"><strong>Top of 2nd: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="hWb3DS">The Dodgers produced two more base runners in the second but Foltynewicz was able to wiggle out of the jam. Kike Hernandez flied to right to start before Cody Bellinger worked a walk. Yasiel Puig followed with a single in front of Acuna in left. Both runners moved up 90 feet on sacrifice bunt by Rich Hill. However, Folty came back and struck out Pederson to escape with no damage. </p>
<h3 id="igfUUj"><strong>Bottom of 1st: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="xhOx4r">The Braves put two runners on in the first but were unable to score. Ronald Acuna lined out to Machado at first to get the inning started. Ozzie Albies followed with a fly out to center. Freddie Freeman then dropped a bloop single in front of Cody Bellinger in center for Atlanta’s first hit. Rich Hill then walked Nick Markakis but Johan Camargo popped out to Muncy in foul territory to end the inning. </p>
<h3 id="IqrPNG"><strong>Top of 1st: Dodgers 1, Braves 0</strong></h3>
<p id="cjI7J3">A two-out walk comes back to haunt Mike Foltynewicz as the Dodgers jump out in front 1-0 after one. Folty struck out Joc Pederson to start the game and then got Justin Turner to fly out to center. He then walked Max Muncy who came all the away around to score on a double by Manny Machado. Yasmani Grandal struck out to end the inning. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17951906/nlds-game-4-dodgers-vs-braves-live-threadKris Willis2018-10-08T13:45:06-04:002018-10-08T13:45:06-04:00Ozzie Albies jumps up in the lineup for NLDS Game 4
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<img alt="MLB: NLDS-Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K3pkExTfgOaDQBC8ouuc_l4FE-Y=/0x148:4144x2911/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61693287/usa_today_11399103.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>The diminutive dynamo finds himself back in the second slot, while Tyler Flowers will catch Folty.</em></p> <p id="nQfFm8">As far as intangibles go, the hardest part of any playoff series is to shift momentum in a meaningful way. Following last night’s nail-biting win over the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, we will have a chance to see if the momentum will enthusiastically swing in the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>’ favor, or if last night was just a blip.</p>
<p id="IhyZoX">Ronald Acuña and <span>Freddie Freeman</span> did their part to get Atlanta’s offense back on track last night, and they reside in their usual lineup spots for Game 4 of the NLDS. Here is how Snitker will fill in the blanks:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big win last night. Let's get another one.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForEachOther</a> <a href="https://t.co/SfG6uDt1IA">https://t.co/SfG6uDt1IA</a> <a href="https://t.co/3hZ9o2iD7L">pic.twitter.com/3hZ9o2iD7L</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1049343742967259139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="5O9tge">Notably, <span>Ozzie Albies</span> will bat second, and <span>Tyler Flowers</span> will catch Mike Foltynewicz.</p>
<p id="Uh8sJx">The Braves will face <span>Rich Hill</span>, who brings a 5-0 lifetime record against Atlanta into today’s game, including a stellar performance against them on July 26. By virtue of Game Score, <span>Hill</span>’s 7-inning, 3-hit shutout performance on that July day gave him an 80 - his second best outing of the season.</p>
<p id="7BjlBt">As a testament to the Dodgers’ preposterous depth, manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> has tweaked LA’s roster into this configuration for today:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today's Dodger lineup at Braves: <br>Pederson LF <br>Turner 3B<br>Muncy 1B<br>Machado SS<br>Grandal C<br>Hernández 2B<br>Bellinger CF<br>Puig RF<br>Hill P<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LADetermined?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LADetermined</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Biofreeze?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Biofreeze</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pk3cId1Qwq">pic.twitter.com/Pk3cId1Qwq</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1049350478138499079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="sHR7Vm">After last Thursday’s less-than-stellar outing from <span>Foltynewicz</span>, he can only go two directions - straight up (which is preferable) or sideways (which is not). It will be interesting to track whether last week’s bump in the road was merely Folty adjusting to the playoff atmosphere, or if it is something grander.</p>
<p id="z1s4hY">First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 pm ET.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17952158/ozzie-albies-back-in-the-two-hole-for-braves-dodgers-nlds-game-4Doc Herbert2018-10-08T11:00:06-04:002018-10-08T11:00:06-04:00So you might (?) beat the Dodgers: Rich Hill edition
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EP7Dl2dGyxCRhAFKOERGv9Bp-Oc=/0x0:4556x3037/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61690723/usa_today_10987537.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Pick a pitch and try to kill it.</p> <p id="osJZiZ">I don’t know if <span>Rich Hill</span> is a complicated man. Baseball analysis does not shed any light into the hopes and fears of the athletes on our screens. But do I know whether <span>Rich Hill</span> is a complicated pitcher? No, not really. Some things say yes, some things say no. What I do know is that <span>Rich Hill</span> is starting Game 4 of the National League Division Series in another must-win (or go home) game for the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>. I also know that <span>Rich Hill</span> is unlike other pitchers in baseball. If the Braves can exploit his unique profile, a profile that’s nonetheless let him wend a 95 ERA-, 99 FIP-, and 91 xFIP- in his age-38 season, they might get to play a Game 5 in Los Angeles later this week. If they don’t, well, see you in 2019. The below is a couple of things you should know about Rich Hill, things which the Braves are hopefully learning about this morning before they face him this afternoon.</p>
<p id="ZdJ1V9"><strong>Rich Hill is a two-pitch* pitcher</strong></p>
<p id="2PHDgF">Yes, he has two pitches. He has a fastball. He has a curveball. That’s it. This season, he’s thrown a fastball 58 percent of the time, and a curveball about 40 percent of the time. The remaining two percent is all sorts of other stuff that’s basically never used, a cutter, a sinker, a changeup, a slider, all either attempts to do a heckin’ bamboozle as the kids say, or just a plain ol’ boring classification error.</p>
<p id="H4PktQ">You can slice-and-dice his usage of these pitches however you want — but as we’ve seen, this may not be that helpful. For example, we know that this season, Rich Hill has basically pitched very generically: he starts hitters off with fastballs, and once he’s got two strikes or is otherwise ahead in the count, he puts them away with curveballs. But, that doesn’t mean he’s tethered to this strategy, he could just as easily start hitters with curveballs and then throw fastballs. (This season, he’s pitched more “backwards” in this manner as the game has gone along, though he will still generally rely on the curve as an out pitch.) So, what’s the strategy? Well, guess fastball or curveball — you’ve got two choices, pick one, and then try to demolish the pitch if you guessed right. It’ll be bad when you guess wrong, and you’ll potentially look dumb. But when you guess right? Oh baby.</p>
<p id="TF0Bi6">Why do you have to guess? Well, because of this: </p>
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<p id="a1xzaC">I’m not going to say that’s the best tunneling ever, but he’s not exactly giving the game away with his release points.</p>
<p id="MUnDMd">Anyway, there was an asterisk up on the heading. That asterisk potentially matters. This is a plot of the movement on Hill’s pitches.</p>
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<p id="RJfQxr">The fastballs, well, they’re the fastballs. They’re bunched together to some extent. They’re not too consistent, because things differ: game conditions, arm strength, camera calibration, etc. But they’re kind of an ambiguous clump. The curves, though, look like there’s more going on. You’ve got your same horizontal movement but five-ish inches of difference vertically; you’ve got your same vertical movement but five-ish inches of difference horizontally. It’s not exactly every combination of curves possible, but you also have the curve wot doesn’t move as much towards the upper right, too. </p>
<p id="QwlhKH">In other words, if you guess curveball, that doesn’t mean you sit and expect <em>curveball</em>. It means you sit and expect some specific curveball with some specific arc, sweep, and drop. Just be aware that the curveball you want may not be the curveball you get. “Think fastball and then adjust” may not be helpful advice against Rich Hill. But, is “think one type of curveball, and then adjust to another type of curveball” more useful? Maybe we’ll find out.</p>
<p id="SpkZOo"><strong>He’s old, he’s slow, but boy, that fastball</strong></p>
<p id="8LoEBt">Here’s some weird stuff about Rich Hill. Name a Braves starter with more than five starts and a higher strikeout rate than him this year. Here’s a hint: it’s not his Game 4 opponent, Mike Foltynewicz. It’s not anyone else in the rotation, either. Yes, Rich Hill has a higher strikeout rate than any Atlanta rotation stalwart this year. Now, here’s another riddle: name a Braves starter with more than one start with a slower average fastball velocity. Here’s a hint: it’s not the one Braves’ pitcher on the NLDS roster that hasn’t yet pitched this series (<span>Julio Teheran</span>). It’s not anyone else, either. Rich Hill’s 89.5 mph average fastball is slower than that of any starter the Braves have used this year, except for Kolby Allard. His fastball is the average of Allard and <span>Teheran</span>’s fastball velocity, which... yeesh.</p>
<p id="qcsDdY">Except, not yeesh!</p>
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<p id="j83qq6">Rich Hill gets a ton of whiffs on his fastball. So many whiffs. (By contrast, he gets relatively fewer whiffs on his curveball.) That’s probably not what you expected for a fastball-curveball guy, right? You probably expected guys getting over-anxious and swinging way too early at the breaking pitch. Instead, Hill has made a living this year blowing guys away with his slow-ish fastball when they’re potentially waiting on a slow curve and then trying to catch up. Here’s how Brooks Baseball’s landing page describes his fastball:</p>
<blockquote><p id="mfHGAA">His fourseam fastball generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers’ fourseamers, results in somewhat more flyballs compared to other pitchers’ fourseamers and has slightly below average velo.</p></blockquote>
<p id="M61UWf">What a weird, incongruous sentence.</p>
<p id="b5atJy">If you’re guessing curveball, don’t try to speed up and hit the fastball. You might not. On the year, Hill has only thrown about 59 percent of his fastballs in the zone. Sure, you’ll probably take a called strike if you see fastball and you guessed curveball. But you won’t always. Take the pitch, live to guess and swing another day (or, well, on the next pitch).</p>
<p id="B8JOOK">And, whatever you do, don’t hit grounders.</p>
<p id="P0Axbp"><strong>Small note: blast from the recent past</strong></p>
<p id="TnDrOa">Hill has had one prior start against the Braves this year, and it was one of his best of the year. He allowed just four baserunners in seven scoreless innings, while striking out eight. His overall strategy wasn’t too different, just refined: lefties basically got a steady diet of fastballs until the curveball was ready to put them away; righties got mostly the same, but with a more even split between the two. </p>
<p id="29S6Bm">The Braves can’t know, and won’t know, whether Hill will go back to that well again, or try something different. They can try to jump on fastballs early, but if he adjusts immediately, so should they. This isn’t the game or the time to be caught flatfooted, and despite his craftiness, I hope the Braves can handle Hill just fine.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17951052/so-you-might-beat-the-dodgers-rich-hill-edition-atlanta-braves-nldsIvan the Great2018-10-08T11:00:05-04:002018-10-08T11:00:05-04:00Go Big or Go Home: Braves tab Folty for NLDS Game 4
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<img alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ogn-iJlFBFwPOYWlzbbjwyPTNdg=/0x0:2889x1926/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61690743/usa_today_11269457.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>All eyes will be on Mike Foltynewicz as he makes his second start of the series</em></p> <p id="NnK5R5">Given new life, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> will turn to <span>Mike Foltynewicz</span> to see how far this October resurrection can go.</p>
<p id="437oay">After Sunday’s electrifying 6-5 win, the Braves stayed alive in the NLDS, closing the series gap to 2-1. Looking to tie the series and send it back to Los Angeles for a decisive Game 5, Atlanta will tab Mike Foltynewicz to the mound.</p>
<p id="EuCgzA">As you likely recall, Folty’s first career postseason start took place on Thursday, and it was one of his most unsightly outings in a Braves uniform. Not only did he only make it a career-shortest two innings, he allowed four runs on three hits (two home runs), hit a batter, and walked three. Today, he looks to reward the Braves’ faith in him by reversing his playoff course and giving his team a chance to even things up at two games apiece.</p>
<p id="PFxDcN">If there is a silver lining to Folty’s subpar Thursday start, it is that he only threw 50 pitches, roughly half his usual count. After four days of rest, along with a truncated workload from Game 1, it is possible he could make it into the later innings if his control is on point.</p>
<p id="PwZevp">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will counter with <span>Rich Hill</span>, who has given Braves hitters fits in the past. </p>
<p id="FG1o2D">Even with last night’s win, the Braves’ offense is still scuffling at the plate. Ronald Acuña’s grand slam accounted for ⅔ of the Braves’ runs with one swing, and the collective offensive effort was enough to pull a victory, but the team was only able to muster four hits. <span>Walker Buehler</span>’s inability to find the strike zone for much of the second inning served as the catalyst for the Braves’ rally, but the team could serve themselves well by stringing together a few hits. </p>
<p id="nlGEe7">Regardless of how it happened, one thing is for sure - getting this crew back in front of their hometown crowd was just what they needed to get their mojo working again. Even with the offensive struggles, and the pitching staff’s control woes, it was clear there was a different level of intensity amongst this young squad than what we saw out West. </p>
<p id="pVX6fG">All season, the Braves have made a show out of prevailing when their backs are against the wall, and last night was no exception. It wasn’t pretty, but they got it done. Today, with the season on the line again, the same theme could prevail - it doesn’t matter <em>how</em> they get it done, as long as it results in a victory. </p>
<h3 id="fmgvdm"><strong>Game Info</strong></h3>
<p id="wgvIg2"><strong>Game Date/Time:</strong> Monday, October 8, 4:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="HFVjUt"><strong>Location:</strong> SunTrust Park, Atlanta, GA</p>
<p id="bAVvfs"><strong>TV:</strong> FS1 / FOX Deportes</p>
<p id="RTM8XB"><strong>Streaming:</strong> Fox Sports Go</p>
<p id="LomXIg"><strong>Radio:</strong> ESPN Radio, 680 AM / 93.7 FM, WYAY 106.7, Braves Radio Network, La Mejor 1600 / 1460 / 1130 AM</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17951132/go-big-or-go-home-atlanta-braves-tab-mike-foltynewicz-for-nlds-game-4-against-dodgersDoc Herbert2018-10-08T00:19:11-04:002018-10-08T00:19:11-04:00Mike Foltynewicz will start for Braves in Game 4
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<img alt="MLB: NLDS-Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tZffr78cw7Cnnsl9seyBB4hfDr4=/0x0:3434x2289/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61687445/usa_today_11373825.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Braves will go with Mike Foltynewicz as their Game 4 starter</p> <p id="6XgdVU">As expected, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will go with <span>Mike Foltynewicz</span> as the team’s starter for Game 4 of the NLDS on Monday. Brian Snitker confirmed that Folty would start shortly after Sunday’s Game 3 win over the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Snit confirmed Folty will start tomorrow</p>— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1049149641869148160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="r5iBca"><span>Foltynewicz</span> will be working on just three days rest but he threw just 50 pitches in Game 1 after allowing four earned runs in just two innings. He allowed three hits, two of which left the ball park. </p>
<p id="KHHk4h">Atlanta used seven pitchers in Sunday’s Game 3 win. <span>Sean Newcomb</span> worked 2.2 innings while <span>Kevin Gausman</span> two innings in relief. Additionally, <span>Arodys Vizcaino</span> needed 31 pitches to nail down the victory in the ninth which would put his availability in doubt for Monday’s game. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2018/10/8/17950110/mike-foltynewicz-game-4-starter-atlanta-braves-nldsKris Willis