Battery Power - October 1: Braves 4, Mets 2Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2022-10-01T23:08:15-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/231459492022-10-01T23:08:15-04:002022-10-01T23:08:15-04:00Braves use familiar formula, homers and pitching to take down Max Scherzer and the Mets
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<p>The Braves use the same strategy that won them the World Series last year, great pitching and moon shots, to take the first two games against the Mets.</p> <p id="nUq1k1">Behind a solid start from Kyle Wright, the top of the lineup, and a terrific 4-inning, scoreless outing from the bullpen, the Braves beat Max Scherzer and the Mets and took the second game of The Series of the Year to grab a 1-game lead in the NL East for the first time this season.</p>
<p id="UPp5H0">The game definitely didn’t start the way Wright or the Braves wanted. He threw 17 pitches before he recorded his first out and threw 30 pitches total in the first inning after loading the bases and giving up the first run of the game. But give the 26-year-old, who turns 27 tomorrow, all the credit in the world for settling in and giving the Braves 5-innings with only two earned runs allowed. The game could've gotten out of hand very early and Wright made sure that didn’t happen and gave his offense time to work.</p>
<p id="bCad62">And work the offense did. It was apparent from the first inning that the Braves were seeing Scherzer well at the plate. Even though it was a 1-2-3 inning, the first included three well-struck balls that happened to find gloves and very little swing-and-miss from Scherzer. The Braves were clearly taking comfortable at-bats.</p>
<p id="PbSNVR">The score remained 1-0 Mets until the fourth inning when Austin Riley led the inning off with a double, bringing the red-hot Matt Olson up to the plate. Olson beat the shift with a ground-ball single right where the shortstop would be standing to drive in Riley and tie the game 1-1.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/mattolson21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mattolson21</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/austinriley1308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@austinriley1308</a> = Tie ballgame!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/41AemDPiyI">pic.twitter.com/41AemDPiyI</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1576371060194574336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="kwpeJM">After Wright gave up his second run of the night in the top of the fifth, the offense came back out in the bottom half, and picked up where they left off in the fourth. After Ronald Acuna Jr led off with a bloop single, Dansby Swanson absolutely destroyed a ball to left-center field for a 2-run homer, his second in two nights, and gave the Braves their first lead of the night at 3-2.</p>
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<p lang="fr" dir="ltr">DANS !<a href="https://twitter.com/LieutenantDans7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LieutenantDans7</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/UO3vnDN1Zu">pic.twitter.com/UO3vnDN1Zu</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1576378466060013568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="KfgVQn">The top of the order wasn’t done with their contributions for the evening as Matt Olson came back up to plate in the bottom of the sixth. With Scherzer on the ropes and clearly tiring, Matt Olson hit the second pitch of the inning, an 0-1 hanging change-up, out to right field for his second homer in as many nights, and gave Atlanta a 4-2 lead, one they'd never relinquish. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Matty O, party of one! Your dinger is ready."<a href="https://twitter.com/mattolson21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mattolson21</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/PN7Va94jRB">pic.twitter.com/PN7Va94jRB</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1576381979234562049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="bXOBRW">The reason the lead would never be relinquished is because the Braves’ bullpen came in and completely shut the door on the game. Dylan Lee, Jesse Chavez, Rasiel Iglesias, and Kenley Jansen each pitched a scoreless inning and the four pitchers gave up a total of 1 baserunner, Brandon Nimmo reaching on an error by Orlando Arcia in the seventh, and that was it. After the Olson homer, the Mets went quickly and quietly into the night. </p>
<p id="ymVxa8">With the win, the Braves finally have a full game lead in the NL East, the first time they've had that all season, and now need one more win against the Mets tomorrow to take the crucial head-to-head series, which serves as the tiebreaker for the division. A win tomorrow also means the Braves would be a full 2-games clear of the Mets AND hold the tiebreaker, giving the Braves the overwhelming odds of winning the division with 3 games left to play. Game 3 is the Sunday Night Baseball game tomorrow night with Charlie Morton facing Chris Bassitt, first pitch at 7:08 ET.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381907/braves-use-familiar-formula-homers-and-pitching-to-take-down-max-scherzer-and-the-metsStephen Tolbert2022-10-01T22:56:33-04:002022-10-01T22:56:33-04:00Braves vs. Mets live updates
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<p>The Braves defeated the Mets to take over sole possession of first place in the NL East</p> <p id="8HMzJv">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> landed the first punch Friday night handing Jacob deGrom and the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> a 5-2 loss to pull into a tie for the NL East lead. The Braves again control their own destiny and can move a step closer to a fifth-straight division crown with a win Saturday. It won’t be an easy task as they will have to figure out how to solve Max Scherzer who will get the start for New York. The Braves will go with right-hander Kyle Wright. </p>
<p id="7ZYaDo">We will be updating this article with pregame and postgame coverage so be sure to check back throughout the day.</p>
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<ul><li id="vWl2Fw"><a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381797/mlb-standings-braves-mets-nl-east-playoff-picture-wild-card">Updated National League Playoff Picture heading into play Saturday</a></li></ul>
<p id="sYsrBo">The overall picture didn’t change, but the NL East race and the battle for the final two wild card spots tightened. The Braves pulled even with the Mets in the NL East race, but needs to win the next two games to secure the tiebreaker advantage. If Atlanta wins one of the next two, then they would need to finish ahead of the Mets in the standings to secure the division title. </p>
<p id="M9umHK">The Padres, <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> and <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> enter play Saturday separated by 1.5 games for the final two wild card spots. </p>
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<ul><li id="6fDDRU"><a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381823/braves-vs-mets-brian-snitker-austin-riley-postgame-comments-max-fried">Brian Snitker and Austin Riley discuss the importance of winning Friday’s series opener</a></li></ul>
<p id="Um4PHR">“To get the first one is huge. You just try to build as much momentum off of it as possible. You come out fighting and top to bottom did a great job. Arms did great, just a solid win.”</p>
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<p id="pZJkzG"><a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381771/thoughts-on-the-braves-key-5-2-win-over-the-mets-max-fried-jacob-degrom">Some quick thoughts on Friday’s big win including how Max Fried is using a five-pitch repertoire to find success</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="CgwNbM">One reason why Fried has been great this year? He is legitimately attacking hitters with a five-pitch mix. Yes, about a third of his pitches are four-seamers, but for the other two-thirds, hitters can’t sit on any specific offering.</p></blockquote>
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<p id="lg5kWF">Marcell Ozuna <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/23145943">will start at DH Saturday against the Mets</a>. Ozuna is hitting .310/.370/.524 with a 149 wRC+ in 13 games in September. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kyle_Wright44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kyle_Wright44</a> takes the mound tonight at <a href="https://twitter.com/TruistPark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TruistPark</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/xmXG0gkvwC">pic.twitter.com/xmXG0gkvwC</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1576282547759235074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wild Bill. <a href="https://t.co/5Aa7uIoQ0p">pic.twitter.com/5Aa7uIoQ0p</a></p>— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) <a href="https://twitter.com/grantmcauley/status/1576313174005252096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> Outfielder Nick Markakis is here with his kids talking to the Braves and Manager Brian Snitker . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/UgIFCQba0O">pic.twitter.com/UgIFCQba0O</a></p>— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlisonWSB/status/1576319854390685698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a>
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<p id="t4JvCw">Dansby Swanson and Matt Olson both homered off of Max Scherzer <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/23145948">as the Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Mets 4-2</a>. The win was Atlanta’s 99th of the season and moves them into sole possession of first place in the NL East standings. </p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381901/braves-looking-to-solve-max-scherzer-saturdayKris Willis2022-10-01T18:30:00-04:002022-10-01T18:30:00-04:00Braves vs. Mets game thread
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<img alt="New York Mets v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MIu8ca6yUdWQB22khqiVJ2VDyyo=/0x0:5664x3776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71441163/1243628539.0.jpg" />
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<p>Kyle Wright vs. Max Scherzer</p> <p id="8aIkfq">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will try to take the lead in the NL East division Saturday night when they continue a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> at Truist Park. Atlanta took the opener Friday, 5-2 and pulled into a tie with New York for the division lead. The Braves will have their work cut out for them against Max Scherzer Saturday night. Atlanta will counter with 20-game winner Kyle Wright. </p>
<p id="1kArAT">First pitch for Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on FOX. </p>
<ul>
<li id="e3fLBI"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/23145942">LIVE Pregame and Postgame coverage</a></li>
<li id="D9CNS5"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/23145937">Preview / How to Watch</a></li>
<li id="Fa6VTL"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/23145943">Lineups</a></li>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381905/braves-vs-mets-game-thread-discussionKris Willis2022-10-01T15:30:00-04:002022-10-01T15:30:00-04:00Marcell Ozuna returns to lineup, William Contreras sits
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Seattle Mariners" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XLG5yfuqtNGEyIUZIMfCeze46Zw=/0x0:3880x2587/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71440697/1422568631.0.jpg" />
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<p>Ozuna will serve as the DH for Saturday’s game</p> <p id="NQYPba">The long ball played a big part in the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>’ 5-2 win Friday night over the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> and they will be looking for more of the same Saturday. </p>
<p id="kX5Jtl">Michael Harris slots back into the third spot in the order for the Braves Saturday. Harris is finishing the season strong hitting .324/.343/.569 with a 151 wRC+ in 26 games since September 1. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kyle_Wright44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kyle_Wright44</a> takes the mound tonight at <a href="https://twitter.com/TruistPark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TruistPark</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/xmXG0gkvwC">pic.twitter.com/xmXG0gkvwC</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1576282547759235074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a>
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<p id="CcfqmT">The Braves entered this series needing its middle of the order combination of Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Matt Olson to get going. All three homered Friday night against Jacob deGrom. Swanson is hitting .225 with an 80 wRC+ since the start of September. Riley’s homer snapped a nine-game stretch where he hadn’t driven in a run. He has hit .206 with a 102 wRC+ in 26 games this month. Olson has been even worse hitting .169 with a 63 wRC+ but has seven hits in his last five games and has homered in three of his last four. Marcell Ozuna returns to the lineup as the DH and will hit seventh Saturday. </p>
<p id="nU7z7Q">Eduardo Escobar had two of Atlanta’s eight hits in Friday’s loss continuing his red hot September where he is hitting .340 while slugging .649. His 191 wRC+ during September is tops on the Mets. Francisco Lindor saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-4 night Friday. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mets Game 158 of 162, @ ATL<br>Saturday, Oct. 1, 7:20 p.m.<br>RHP Kyle Wright (20-5, 3.18)<br><br>Nimmo CF<br>Alonso 1B<br>Lindor SS<br>McNeil 2B<br>Escobar 3B<br>Vogelbach DH<br>Canha LF<br>Naquin RF<br>Nido C<br>-<br>Scherzer RHP (11-4, 2.13)</p>— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1576291923668586496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a>
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<p id="aEfReW">Daniel Vogelbach returns to the Mets’ lineup Saturday with a right-hander on the mound. Vogelbach had a .397 OBP and a 123 wRC+ through 19 games in September. </p>
<p id="rQ2eii">First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on FOX. </p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381902/braves-vs-mets-lineups-marcell-ozuna-william-contrerasKris Willis2022-10-01T14:00:00-04:002022-10-01T14:00:00-04:00Kyle Wright, Braves look to make it two-straight against Mets
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VM0uJPqFbpMblW7DiUduI6rRfIQ=/0x0:3066x2044/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71440459/1427024979.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Braves need a big start from Wright, who has struggled in two starts against the Mets this season. </p> <p id="AFoFso">After capturing a big win Friday night, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will face another stiff test Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>. Atlanta hit three solo home runs off of Jacob deGrom Friday night and held on at the end for a 5-2 win that pulled them back into a tie at the top of the NL East standings. With five games remaining, the Braves again control their own destiny, but will have to figure out a way to solve Max Scherzer Saturday night. </p>
<p id="Luafdt">It is hard to remember now, but Kyle Wright came into the season just hoping to lock down a spot in Atlanta’s rotation. He did that and has emerged as one of their most consistent pitchers and has fully established himself going forward. While pitcher wins and losses don’t mean as much as they used to in today’s game, Wright became the first Braves pitcher since Russ Ortiz to win 20 games in a season. Wright allowed two runs and struck out six in 5 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings in his last start in Philadelphia. He has faced the Mets twice this season and hasn’t had much luck allowing 16 hits and nine runs in 13 innings. Wright has allowed 19 home runs this season and five of them have come in two starts against New York. </p>
<p id="bpraxL">A sore oblique sent Scherzer to the injured list in early September, but he hasn’t missed a beat since returning. He tossed six perfect innings and struck out nine against Milwaukee in his first start back. He followed that up by allowing four hits and one run to go along with seven strikeouts in his last start in Oakland. Scherzer has been a pain in the side of the Braves this season posting a 2.21 ERA in three starts to go along with 28 strikeouts in 20 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. Atlanta has won four of five overall against New York, but that one loss came with Scherzer on the mound. </p>
<p id="GNW7rQ">Austin Riley tied Friday’s game with a solo home run in the second inning Friday night snapping a nine-game streak in which he hadn’t driven in a run. Riley is hitting just .206 in September, but said Friday that he feels like he is starting to come back around. </p>
<p id="HyB5tU">Matt Olson followed Riley Friday night with his 31st home run of the season to put Atlanta ahead for good. After a prolonged second half slump, Olson has hit in five straight and has homered in three of his last four games. </p>
<p id="qsdgbE">First pitch for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on FOX. </p>
<h3 id="6cccs8">Game Info</h3>
<p id="hHnFD0"><strong>Game Date/Time:</strong> Saturday, October 1, 7:20 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="efNCgp"><strong>Location:</strong> Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p id="2qmp8z"><strong>TV:</strong> FOX</p>
<p id="8Uwx5t"><strong>Radio:</strong> 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381896/braves-vs-mets-preview-time-tv-streaming-radio-kyle-wright-max-scherzerKris Willis2022-10-01T11:00:00-04:002022-10-01T11:00:00-04:00Brian Snitker, Austin Riley on Max Fried’s performance, Friday’s win over Mets
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<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Braves defeated Jacob deGrom for the second straight time to move back into a tie for the division lead. </p> <p id="kbPJdX">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> struck the first blow Friday taking the first game of a pivotal three-game series against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>, 5-2. That win pulled Atlanta back into a tie for the NL East lead. It was the second straight time that the Braves have defeated Jacob deGrom who struck out 11, but allowed three solo home runs and exited after the sixth inning. </p>
<p id="xuXErx">Max Fried went head to head with deGrom despite not feeling well when the game started. He allowed a single run in the second which came as a result of a misplayed fly ball by Eddie Rosario in left field. That inning could have gone sideways if not for a double play off the bat of rookie Francisco Alvarez. </p>
<p id="QDj6rN">Fried retired the last 10 batters he faced and then <a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/9/30/23381438/braves-vs-mets-max-fried-exits-game-sick">was caught on camera throwing up into a trash can</a> in the dugout after the fifth inning. Brian Snitker said that he didn’t find out that Fried was sick until after the game had started. </p>
<p id="W8ocvq">“Yeah, I don’t think he felt great when he started the game,” Snitker said. </p>
<p id="aBNgXu">It was hard to tell by his performance as he continued to battle his way through five strong innings and exited after throwing just 71 pitches. He allowed four hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter. </p>
<p id="jzgwqr">“He threw the ball really well,” Snitker added. “The velocity wasn’t where it normally is, but everything else was really good.”</p>
<p id="mlS7m8">The Braves have seen Fried step up at this time of the year and Friday’s performance got them off to a good start. After giving up the single run in the second, the Braves offense answered back with back-to-back home runs by Austin Riley and Matt Olson off of deGrom. </p>
<p id="DdGDRX">“Like I said, it’s that competitor,” Riley said when asked about Fried. “I think he felt sick probably the whole day and just was like, I’m not giving this one up. </p>
<p id="yKmTOl">“To get the first one is huge,” Riley added when asked about the significance of winning the first game in the series. “You just try to build as much momentum off of it as possible. You come out fighting and top to bottom did a great job. Arms did great, just a solid win.”</p>
<p id="Oe8UoS">While there has been a lot of talk about Olson’s recent struggles, Riley came into the game having not driven in a run in nine-straight games. He said before the game that <a href="https://www.batterypower.com/2022/9/30/23381309/austin-rileys-slumping-and-thered-be-no-better-time-to-break-out">sometimes you only need one barrel to get things going</a>. He got that in the second when drove a hanging slider from deGrom over the wall in center for his 38th home run of the season. </p>
<p id="AQBxeD">“Luckily, he just left one over the plate, and I was able to put a good swing on it,” Riley said of the homer. “Guys like deGrom, you can’t miss those pitches. You saw the two at-bats after he painted and I got sent to the dugout.”</p>
<p id="a1Zt2W">Olson followed with his 31st home run of the season. He finished with two hits and extended his hitting streak to five-straight and has now homered in three of his last four. </p>
<p id="bwxDux">“It’s huge, just feeling that confidence,” Riley said of Olson’s home run and recent turnaround. “I think the hidden side of the game is you’re always trying to build that confidence. You’re always trying to put together consistent at-bats. I think that just builds on it. And then what he’s doing the last four or five days is nice to see.”</p>
<p id="ytCUdy">Collin McHugh replaced Fried in the sixth and the Braves bullpen allowed one run over the final four innings, although things again got sticky for Kenley Jansen in the ninth. </p>
<p id="73rmmA">Snitker talked about the versatility that McHugh and Raisel Iglesias have showed and how that is going to be an asset heading into the postseason. </p>
<p id="ZDEmbf">“They do a lot of things, they’re versatile guys,” Snitker said of Iglesias and McHugh. “Iggy likes to pitch, he’s always ready to go, he’s really good with being efficient where you don’t feel bad if he puts an inning down and then goes back out. Collin has been putting innings down, going back, giving us two or three.”</p>
<p id="g7rWxa">The Braves will face another tough matchup Saturday in Max Scherzer. Kyle Wright will start for Atlanta in what is sure to be another game with a playoff atmosphere at Truist Park. </p>
<p id="zrjeXC">“It is just how you come to expect it here,” Snitker said of the fans at Truist Park. “A lot of energy. The place is packed. This is kind of like a second playoff series here. A lot of energy in the ballpark.”</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381823/braves-vs-mets-brian-snitker-austin-riley-postgame-comments-max-friedKris Willis2022-10-01T09:00:00-04:002022-10-01T09:00:00-04:00Braves, Mets tied for NL East lead, Wild Card race tightens
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<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With just five games remaining, things are still unsettled in the National League’s playoff picture.</p> <p id="X9S0OD">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> and <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> are once again tied for the lead in the NL East division after Atlanta pulled out a 5-2 win against Jacob deGrom Friday night. The Braves will face another tough test Saturday in Max Scherzer, but once again, control their own destiny. The race for the final wild card spot remained tight and weather could play a big part over the next couple of days. Below is a look at where the National League’s playoff pictures stands heading into play Saturday. </p>
<h3 id="F2Zhyk">The Division Race</h3>
<p id="ti9mzf">Atlanta’s 5-2 win Friday gave them their fourth in their last five against the Mets and their second straight win against deGrom. Their one loss during that stretch came against Scherzer who they will see Saturday. Atlanta is 8-9 against New York on the season and needs to win the next two games to capture the tie breaker. If the Braves win one of the next two, then they will need to finish ahead of New York in the standings in order to win the division. </p>
<h3 id="bt3hOo">The Wild Card</h3>
<p id="8bEMSI">The Wild Card race in the National League tightened with both the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> and the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> making up ground on the Padres. San Diego dropped a 3-1 decision at home to the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> Friday. They now lead the Phillies by 1.5 games for the second wild card spot. The Phillies got up off the deck with a 5-1 win over the Nationals in the first game of a split doubleheader. The second game was postponed and is scheduled to be played Saturday weather permitting. The Brewers came out on top in a pitcher’s duel in Milwaukee as Corbin Burnes defeated Sandy Alcantara 1-0. Philadelphia enters play Friday with just a half game advantage over the Brewers. </p>
<h3 id="fymu1r">Playoff Picture</h3>
<p id="27nfCp">The overall playoff picture remains unchanged from Friday, but the two remaining races in the National League tightened again. </p>
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<p id="nN9drO">The winner of the NL East winner will earn the second seed in the bracket and will receive a first round bye. The runner up will be the top wild card and will be seeded fourth. If the playoffs started today, the Braves would face the Padres in a best-of-three series starting October 7 at Truist Park. The winner of that series would advance to face the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the best-of-five NLDS that will get underway on October 11. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2022/10/1/23381797/mlb-standings-braves-mets-nl-east-playoff-picture-wild-cardKris Willis