Both of MLB’s League Championship Series are underway, with four teams fighting for their chance to advance to the World Series in a season like no other.
In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to take a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Astros after hanging on for a nail-biting 4-2 victory in Game 2.
Over on the National League side of the bracket, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers both took perfect playoff records into Globe Life Field in Texas, where they played in front of fans for the first time all season. Atlanta drew first blood thanks to strong pitching and a late offensive flurry, winning 5-1.
Here are five takeaways from Monday’s playoff doubleheader.
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Better late than never
Freddie Freeman put the Braves on top with a solo home run in the first inning, then Atlanta’s bats went mostly silent. The Braves worked their share of walks against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, but squandered all the baserunners.
With both offences floundering, Game 1 seemed destined for extra innings. Then the Braves exploded in the ninth.
It was an unlikely hero who restored the Braves’ lead, as No. 9 hitter Austin Riley crushed a monstrous home run to centre field to put the “visitors” up by one.
Atlanta’s offence erupted from there, getting hits from Ronald Acuna Jr. and Marcell Ozuna before Ozzie Albies iced things with a two-run shot to make it 5-1. The Braves flexed their firepower all season long, and it was only a matter of time before they hung a crooked number on the board.
Braves’ dominant pitching no mirage
Atlanta’s hurlers entered the NLCS with a minuscule 0.92 ERA and shutouts in four of five playoff games. Those numbers are obviously impressive, but they did come against the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins, who ranked 27th and 21st, respectively, in total runs scored this season.
In Game 1, the Braves proved their stingy pitching was not just a result of the opposition, as they completely shut down the high-powered Dodgers, who led MLB in runs scored and home runs in 2020. Max Fried drew the start and fired six innings of one-run ball, striking out nine Dodgers in the process.
Chris Martin, Will Smith and Mark Melancon took up the torch and finished things off with three hitless frames. Save for an Enrique Hernandez solo shot, Los Angeles never posed a serious scoring threat as Braves pitchers breezed through innings.
This pitching staff is absolutely dealing right now and the Braves will be impossible to beat if they keep it up. With no off days in this best-of-seven series, this group’s depth will be put to the test in the coming days, though.
Astros can’t find the big hit
The Astros came into the ALCS firing on all cylinders offensively. They teed off for 33 runs in four games against the Oakland Athletics in the previous round, and looked to have their bats peaking at the right time. Through two games versus Tampa, Houston hasn’t had much trouble putting men on base, but can’t come up with the big hit to cash them in.
After stranding 10 baserunners in Game 1, the Astros left another 11 on in Game 2. They had their chances early, but former Astro Charlie Morton danced out of trouble over his five shutout innings. Their best opportunity came in the ninth, when they loaded the bases for the top of the order with nobody out. George Springer promptly grounded into a double play that scored a run, but quelled the momentum. Houston loaded the bags again after a pair of walks, but Alex Bregman flied out to end the game.
All told, the Astros outhit the Rays 10-4 but couldn’t find a knock when it mattered most. Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. deserved a better fate, allowing just one earned run (more on that below) and striking out 11 over seven strong innings. At least Dusty Baker’s bullpen will be well-rested heading into Game 3.
You get back what you put in
Even though there were some ninth-inning theatrics, this game ultimately came down to a play that wasn’t made by the Astros in the opening frame. A shifting Jose Altuve fielded a ground ball in shallow right field but was far too casual with his throw, one-hopping it to first. Even though the toss was short, Yuli Gurriel realistically should have been able to scoop it for the final out of the inning.
The very next batter made Houston pay for the lackadaisical effort. Manuel Margot connected for a three-run homer to centre field, giving Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead that turned out to be all the offence it would need. Margot hit just one home run in 47 games during the regular season, but already has three through his first eight post-season contests.
The 26-year-old outfielder wasn’t done there. In the second inning, he painted the Astros a clear picture of what defensive effort looks like by tumbling over the wall in foul territory to make an incredible catch with two outs and two runners in scoring position.
Ji-Man Choi is Mister Fantastic
Is that Reed Richards or Ji-Man Choi playing first base for the Rays?
As has become his signature move, Choi made a pair of jaw-dropping stretches in Game 2 to save throwing errors for his fellow infielders. Who says first basemen aren’t athletic?
Aside from his acrobatics, Choi has been a constant source of entertainment during these playoffs. He hit an impressive homer off Gerrit Cole in the ALDS, and took us inside the Rays’ victory celebration after eliminating the Yankees last week. He even banged on a garbage bin to poke fun at the Astros’ cheating scandal. Stay tuned to see what he does next.
