Dodgers one step closer to third straight World Series. Were the Braves overmatched?
ATLANTA — Ghosts of October past could have haunted Andy Pages as he dug into the batter’s box with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh Wednesday night.
Read more Puna man charged with habitual DUI
ATLANTA — Ghosts of October past could have haunted Andy Pages as he dug into the batter’s box with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh Wednesday night.
Instead, he came through with one of the Dodgers’ biggest swings of the season.
Pages’ two-run single propelled the Dodgers into their third straight National League Championship Series, with a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the NL Division Series. Max Muncy’s solo shot in the ninth, his third this series and his 19th postseason of his career, served as the final blow.
It was less than a year ago when a woeful postseason-long slump left Pages benched for the final two games of the World Series. With one swing Wednesday, he doubled his RBI total from last October and pushed the Dodgers one step closer to becoming the first National League team in MLB history to win three consecutive World Series.
Andy Pages
proved clutch
Pages started the series 0-for-8 and had his ABS challenge privileges revoked, prompting questions for Dave Roberts. Given Pages’ dreadful past October, would Roberts consider sitting him?
“I’m gonna continue to give Andy leash,” Roberts said ahead of Game 3. “I believe in him. I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we’re gonna need him to be an active part of our team.”
Pages responded accordingly. His go-ahead knock was the Dodgers’ first hit with runners in scoring position all series (they’d been 0-for-15). It couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Dodgers will need consistent production from the bottom of the order, especially with Shohei Ohtani continuing to struggle. Pages was their most consistent right-handed hitter all year. If he’s found his postseason swing, an already dynamic lineup just got even more dangerous.
Glasnow
influence
The forgotten member of what Freddie Freeman dubbed the “four No. 1s” in the Dodgers’ rotation, Glasnow got through 4 2/3 innings by largely avoiding stubbing his own toe. The right-hander threw just 44 strikes in his 78 pitches and walked five.
Two of those walks came in the fifth, putting two runners on with two outs, when Roberts made a call to the bullpen. Left-handed reliever Alex Vesia needed one pitch to get out of it unscathed, as Matt Olson scorched a groundball right to Kiké Hernández at second base for what would be the final out of the inning.
Read more Bijan Robinson, Falcons spoil Saints’ homecoming anniversary
Glasnow allowed just one run on the day and kept the Dodgers in it despite not really having any feel for either of his off-speed offerings all night.
The first inning was emblematic of Glasnow’s outing, which featured elite stuff and little idea where it was going. Ozzie Albies was up with two outs and a runner at third when Glasnow threw the hardest pitch of his season to date, a 99.2 mph fastball. Glasnow spiked a breaking ball on the ensuing pitch, allowing Michael Harris II to break for the plate and score easily.
The Dodgers were not inclined to give Glasnow the leash they would with, say, Tarik Skubal or Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Especially with a rested bullpen that used only Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz in Game 3, and an off day looming on Thursday whether or not the Dodgers took Game 4.
Roberts has excelled over the last few postseasons at knowing the leverage points in a game and being decisive when to act. Vesia was warming as the lineup was turning over, and he was prepared with the right option at the right time to keep the game knotted at 1-1.
Fuentes in 7th
Fuentes entered Game 4 with one of the best postseason relief performances by a 21-year-old after delivering 3 2/3 solid innings in Los Angeles. But in front of the home crowd in Game 4, the right-hander recorded one out and left with the bases loaded. Robert Suarez took over and gave up a base hit that scored two runs, one of which was charged to Fuentes.
Fuentes’ velocity was noticeably down, and his command was shaky through the outing. He’s been arguably the Braves’ best option behind Raisel Iglesias, but given Suarez’s experience and familiarity against the Dodgers, having seen them so much while with the San Diego Padres, it’s fair to wonder if the spot should’ve been given to the veteran over the rookie.
Bring back
Tyler Mahle?
Tyler Mahle walked off the field to a strong ovation from fans at Truist Park for what could be his last game in a Braves uniform.
The Braves may not have added the pitching depth they expected at the trade deadline, but Mahle gave them more than anyone was expecting. The right-hander put up a 1.99 ERA in nine starts after being acquired for a minor-league depth arm in Anthony Molina.
Mahle pitching for the Braves in 2027 could happen. Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said the team attempted to sign Mahle in 2024, when he ultimately joined the Rangers. His price may have risen, but if the Braves believe he can remain consistent, he’s worth pursuing.
