It’s another elite pitching matchup in the National League Championship Series. This time it’s Charlie Morton against Walker Buehler of the Dodgers. This series has not gone as expected and has had some 9th inning twists. The Braves won both games and home due to clutch walk off RBI singles in the 9th inning. In Game 2, Eddie Rosario delivered a two out game winning single to give the Braves a comfortable 2 game lead. The Dodgers need Buehler to put up a good performance like Scherzer did in game 2. The Dodgers also need to use their home field advantage to win this game to cut the Braves lead in half.
The Braves have been really good in both games. They’ve made comebacks and are finishing off in style. One player who really is struggling is Freddie Freeman. He is usually so good and doesn’t strikeout but has struck out 7 times in his last 8 at bats. He is hitless in both games and has provided the offensive injection he usually does. It will really help the Braves if he can get going and play like himself. One player who has been a gem for the Braves is Austin Riley. He delivered the game-tying homer in game 1 and hit the walk off single for the win. In game 2, he hit the game-tying double in the 8th inning for Atlanta. They are really playing well till now against the defending champs and have to keep that up as they are 2 games away from the World Series.
The Dodgers have been pretty good in both games but the 9th inning has ruined that greatness. The closers have to do better to finish the game and have to play better. I also think a little bit more hits can help them out. They have speedsters like Betts and Turner but they haven’t been able to use that much till now. They can be a little more aggressive with base-running in order to win the game. In Game 2, they had 4 hits which is very unlike them. They have so many amazing players and they have to deliver in this big stage of the postseason. I’m sure Dave Roberts will fix the missing piece and get his team to climb back into the series.
I think the Dodgers will win this game 3 by the score of 4-3. They can bounce back like they did vs the Giants and adjust the way they play. The Dodger fans will certainly help them and lead them to their 1st win of the 2021 NLDS. Buehler is really good and knows what is at stake. If they lose, they are in a hole so he will hopefully play like a World Series Game 7. It’s going to be another low scoring game as the pitchers are going to put up a clinic in LA.
The Dodgers can’t lose this game, it’s going to be tough to come back. Can the Braves come one win away from upsetting the Dodgers and going to the big stage or will the Los Angeles Dodgers finally win after some tough losses at Truist Park in Atlanta? We will find out from the West Coast on Tuesday Afternoon baseball in Dodger Stadium.
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