Braves Win 2021 World Series: Highlights, Twitter Reaction to Celebration
Nov 3, 2021
Atlanta Braves' Jorge Soler celebrates a three-run home run with Ozzie Albies during the third inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Atlanta Braves are World Series champions for the first time since 1995.
It was easy to think they missed their chance when they blew a 4-0 lead at home with an opportunity to win the title in Game 5, but they bounced back with a blowout 7-0 victory over the Houston Astros in Tuesday's Game 6 at Minute Maid Park.
For the first time since 1995, the Atlanta Braves are World Series champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/K3XhSftKJf
Atlanta used the long ball to clinch the championship, as Jorge Soler's three-run homer in the third inning set the tone. Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman tacked on insurance runs with long balls of their own, and Freeman's RBI double in the fifth was the only run that didn't score on a homer.
Soler was named the World Series MVP after the win.
The Braves were three games under .500 on August 2 but rallied to finish first in the National League East and then disposed of the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Astros in the postseason.
A run like that is worthy of a celebration, and Atlanta certainly had one after the win:
No matter what happens for the rest of their careers, the players on the 2021 Braves will forever be world champions. They fought through plenty of adversity, including a season-ending injury to star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., and earned a celebration they will surely remember forever.
Braves Beat Astros in Game 6, Capture Franchise's 1st World Series Since 1995
Nov 3, 2021
Atlanta Braves' Jorge Soler celebrates a three-run home run during the third inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The Atlanta Braves have won the World Series for the first time since 1995 after beating the host Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 of the Fall Classic at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday.
Jorge Soler's mammoth 446-foot three-run homer off Astros starter Luis Garcia in the top of the third inning sailed over the Minute Maid Park railroad tracks and gave the Braves a 3-0 edge.
On the mound, Atlanta left-hander Max Fried shut down the Astros with six scoreless frames, allowing just four hits and striking out six. Left-handed relievers Tyler Matzek and Will Smith closed the Astros out.
Atlanta made the World Series five times in the 1990s, winning it all against Cleveland in 1995. The National League champions hadn't won the pennant since 1999, when they lost the title to the New York Yankees.
Now Atlanta is back on top of the MLB perch after taking the World Series in six games over the Astros, who have won the American League pennant every other year since 2017.
Notable Performances
Atlanta SP Max Fried (Win): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 K
Atlanta DH Jorge Soler: 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman: 2-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Atlanta SS Dansby Swanson: 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI
Houston SP Luis Garcia (Loss): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Houston OF Michael Brantley: 2-for-4
Houston 2B Jose Altuve: 1-for-4
Max Fried's Brilliance Propels Atlanta to Championship
The evening nearly turned into a complete disaster for Atlanta in the first inning after Astros outfielder Michael Brantley accidentally stepped on Fried's ankle as the southpaw was covering first on a close play.
Michael Brantley was called safe on a close play at first while stepping on Max Fried's ankle. pic.twitter.com/Jo4dZC4YwY
Fried then mowed down the Astros, facing the minimum amount of batters (12) over the next four innings.
Two runners got on thanks to a Martin Maldonado third-inning single and a Carlos Correa hit, but Fried got each of them off the bag with double plays.
Max Fried has rolled double play balls in in the 3rd and 4th innings. It's just the second time in his career that he had back-to-back innings with a groundball double play. The other time was September 25th, 2017.#WorldSeries
The groundball was Fried's friend on Tuesday, as it has been for his career. He sports a 53.5 percent career groundball rate, per FanGraphs.
Fried has made a concerted effort to induce groundballs, as noted by David O'Brien of The Athletic.
“Before, I would try to miss bats, I would try to be too fine," Fried said in October.
"Now I’m trying to attack the zone and get weak contact. If I can get weak contact and get a groundball, for me, that’s a win. A strikeout...is just icing on the cake."
Fried ended up getting six of those too as the Astros found no answers for the left-hander.
If Max Fried is done, that's the first scoreless start of 6+ IP in a potential World Series clincher since Freddy García's 7 scoreless IP in 2005 World Series Game 4...also against Houston
It was an excellent performance for Fried, who had allowed six earned runs over five innings in a Game 2 defeat. He also gave up five earned runs over 4.2 frames in his second start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
That meant Fried entered Tuesday with 11 earned runs in 9.2 innings under his belt, but none of that mattered as he bore down and displayed the talent that led to a 3.04 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this year.
I’m so glad the baseball world is getting to see THIS Max Fried on THIS stage. Because he really is that good… so much talent. Dude’s a star.
And that performance gave Atlanta more than enough breathing room to get the job done.
Houston's Power Outage Dooms Astros
Atlanta hit 11 home runs in this series, and Houston had two. All Astros not named Jose Altuve combined for zero home runs.
That pretty much sums up the difference when taking a macro look at this series, which featured Atlanta players hitting timely home runs as the Houston power bats couldn't get going.
The Astros couldn't even get a runner across on Tuesday, but the series-long power slump has been a problem as Atlanta kept hitting timely homers.
Game 1 set the tone for the entire series as Soler hit the first-ever home run in the first at-bat of a Fall Classic. Adam Duvall followed that up with a two-run shot in the third to give Atlanta a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-2 victory.
Game 3 saw catcher Travis d'Arnaud hit a solo homer to give Atlanta an eighth-inning insurance run in a 2-0 win.
Game 4 featured Swanson's two-run shot and Soler's solo homer to turn a 2-0 seventh-inning deficit into a 3-2 lead.
Meanwhile, the Astros only hit one homer that ended up mattering much, which would be Altuve's Game 4 blast to give Houston a 2-0 edge.
The Astros never scored from that point forward in Game 4, however, and Houston managed to go without a dinger over their last 23 World Series innings.
Granted, the Astros didn't need home runs en route to scoring nine and getting 12 hits in Game 5, but the lack of power in this series ultimately gave Houston little margin for much error.
The pitching couldn't get it done as Atlanta bats got hot in this series while Houston was shut out in Games 3 and 6 and scored just twice in Games 1 and 4.
Some individual batters failed to deliver despite fantastic resumes. Alvarez, the NLCS MVP, hit .100. Alex Bregman, a .281 lifetime hitter, hit just .095. Both are excellent players who guided Houston this far but could produce in the Fall Classic.
However, the entire lineup simply couldn't match Atlanta, who impressed even without superstar right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. as he recovers from a season-ending torn ACL suffered in June.
Much of the credit goes to Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who reloaded the outfield at the trade deadline by adding Duvall, Soler, Joc Pederson and NLCS MVP Eddie Rosario.
That gave Atlanta much-needed power and depth sans Acuna as the team overcame the favored Astros.
Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros: Latest World Series 2021 Predictions and Odds
Nov 1, 2021
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa celebrates their win in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. The Astros won 9-5. The Braves lead the series 3-2 games. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Sunday's come-from-behind victory kept the Houston Astros' dreams of a second World Series championship in five years alive as they return home for a crucial Game 6.
What are the odds ahead of the showdown in Houston, and what can you expect from the game between the two high-powered offenses?
Schedule
Tuesday, November 2: Atlanta at Houston, 8:09 p.m., Fox
Wednesday, November 3: Atlanta at Houston, 8:09 p.m., Fox
The Atlanta Braves could—and should, have wrapped up the series in Game 5. A decisive 4-1 series win would have left no question or any room for the exceptional. By allowing the Astros back into the series Sunday, they have created a scenario where the AL champs head back home with a chance to make the comeback and win the series on their home field.
It would be a catastrophic loss for a team that had a commanding 3-1 series lead, not to mention the best pitching and most consistent offense throughout.
Thankfully, this still feels like Atlanta's series to win, thanks in large part to the padded lead it gave itself in the series and strong defensive performances.
Even with a 3-2 lead, it appears highly unlikely that Houston can win the necessary three straight games to pull off their second world title since 2017. The Braves' pitching has stunted the Astros' high-powered offense.
The NL champions held Houston to two or fewer home runs in all three of its victories, completely shutting down an offensive arsenal typically fueled by Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Co. Braves pitcher Ian Anderson dominated Game 3 of the Fall Classic, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning before manager Brian Snitker pulled him, opting to rollout a parade of arms that secured the shutout win.
If the Braves win the World Series, it will be because ____?
"It'll be because of their pitching. Starting pitching, which they didn't have last year."
— HOF'er John Smoltz joins First Things First to preview the World Series! Game 1: Braves at Astros: TONIGHT at 7:30 ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/7fTn8VtX8C
It has not hurt that the Astros bats haven't come alive as one would expect from such a potent offensive team. Prior to Sunday's explosion, the AL club had gone 4-of-32 with runners in scoring position. Leaving that many potential runs on the board does not help efforts to fight back into a championship series.
Sure, Houston rallied back and put up nine runs Sunday on the strength of Altuve, Correa and Michael Brantley, but the question becomes whether they can replicate such a feat in the two consecutive games they would need to earn title No. 2 in the last five years.
If they can do so Tuesday, all bets are off.
Still, Atlanta has been the better team throughout. They have excelled in the necessary departments and done so more consistently.
Did they hit a roadblock by wasting Game 5 and the opportunity to celebrate their first World Series title in 26 in front of their home fans? Absolutely. They put themselves in a position of potentially going seven games when it could have avoided that pressure entirely.
Yet it is hard to deny that the Braves have out-performed the Astros in all facets leading into a pivotal Game 6 Tuesday. If they can summon the same oppressive pitching and prevent Houston's stars from beating them, they will hoist the Commissioner's Trophy.
All bets are off if the series stretches seven games, though.
Prediction: Braves in 6
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Astros Back from the Dead in World Series After Slashing Braves' Clinching Hopes
Nov 1, 2021
Houston Astros' Martin Maldonado celebrates after his RBI-single during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Before the first inning of Game 5 of the World Series was even over, Atlanta had a 4-0 lead on the Houston Astros, and Truist Park was generating the kind of noise that can only come from long-suffering fans finally staring a championship in the face.
But the longer the night went on, the more that face started to look like the pale, lifeless visage of a repurposed William Shatner mask.
There wasn't any one moment that turned this Halloween into the sort of nightmare with which Atlanta fans are all too familiar. It was more like death by a thousand cuts from knife-wielding slashers, as Houston's offense finally came alive to bang out 12 hits and draw six walks to turn its early 4-0 deficit into a 9-5 win.
If there was one cut that hurt the most, though, it was probably Marwin Gonzalez's go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth inning:
Though there was no Dr. Loomis to save the day for Atlanta on Sunday night, the club will at least live to fight another day.
All the Astros did was trim Atlanta's lead in the series from 3-1 to 3-2. As was the case going into Game 5, Atlanta still only needs one win the clinch the organization's championship since Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Co. won the World Series in 1995.
But now that the Astros are back from the dead, Atlanta may well come to rue not burying them when it had the chance.
Astros Players of the Game
PH Marwin Gonzalez: 1-for-1, two RBI. Though not the most important hit he's ever had for the Astros in a World Series game, his clutch single in the fifth was nonetheless his first hit of this postseason.
C Martin Maldonado: 1-for-3, BB, three RBI. He went into Game 5 with just two runs batted in through his first 14 games of the playoffs. He deserves all the credit for beating that number on Sunday, as he generated a bases-loaded walk and took two great swings for a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single.
SS Carlos Correa and 1B Yuli Gurriel: They had five hits between them in this series entering Sunday. That number is now up to 11 after each collected three knocks in Game 5.
Atlanta Players of the Game
CF Adam Duvall: 1-for-4, HR, R, four RBI. His grand slam in the first inning seemed to ice the series for Atlanta. Emphasis on "seemed."
1B Freddie Freeman: 1-for-4, HR, R, RBI. It was ultimately for naught, yet his 460-foot solo home run in the third inning is still notable for being the longest home run of this postseason.
The Astros' Very Own Halloween: Resurrection
After losing Game 4 in heartbreaking fashion on back-to-back home runs by Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler in the seventh inning, probably what the Astros wanted most for Game 5 was to get off to a fast start.
Which is to say, not fallinto an early four-run hole on a grand slam:
According to FanGraphs, Atlanta had an 84 percent chance of winning Game 5 once Duvall crossed home plate. Given that the Astros had scored just two runs in Games 3 and 4 combined, even that figure perhaps understated how high Atlanta was riding.
Then the real Astros offense showed up.
It wasn't exit velocity that heralded the return of Houston's usual offensive might, as Atlanta still ended up with eight of the game's nine hardest-hit balls. It was more so that Astros hitters stopped trying to do too much. They worked six walks (though one was intentional) after drawing only 13 through the series' first four games and swung with a general emphasis on hitting the ball through the holes of Atlanta's defense rather than over the fence.
It's not exactly a virtue that the Astros didn't hit any home runs in Game 5, but that they nonetheless collected a dozen hits was a taste of their good ol' days of the regular season. They led Major League Baseball in hits and by an especially large gap over the next team with regard to non-homer hits.
With their collective approach back on track in Game 5, the Astros were finally able to get the line moving. They went into the contest with just four hits in 31 at-bats with runners in scoring position for the series. They're now 9-for-46 after tallying five knocks in such situations on Sunday.
You could make the case that such an effort was inevitable but spare some credit for Astros manager Dusty Baker too.
He rolled the dice with a significant lineup change for Game 5, moving Alex Bregman from the No. 3 down to No. 7 while also bumping up Correa to Bregman's old spot and Gurriel to Correa's former slot at No. 5. Perhaps it's a coincidence that all three looked more comfortable and confident on Sunday. Then again, perhaps not.
For Atlanta, one silver lining to be gleaned from Game 5 is that its five runs represent its second-best output of any game in this series. With Duvall's and Freeman's contributions tonight, it also stretched its overall home run advantage to 8-2.
More worrying, though, was the extent to which manager Brian Snitker saw his pitching fall apart in Game 5.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 31: Tucker Davidson #64 of the Atlanta Braves is taken out of the game by manager Brian Snitker #43 during the third inning against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the World Series at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Said pitching had allowed just 11 runs through the first four games of the series, with six of those getting charged to Game 2 starter Max Fried. Making his first start for Atlanta since June 15, Tucker Davidson didn't do much better in coughing up four runs (albeit just two earned) of his own in two innings.
Yet the game didn't truly turn until, after initially entering in the fourth inning, A.J. Minter came back out in the fifth and finally hit a wall:
First 7 Playoff Appearances: 11.0 IP, five hits, two walks, one run, 16 strikeouts
Game 5: 1.0 IP,three hits, two walks, three runs, two strikeouts
Because he's a part of the "Night Shift" trio along with fellow left-handers Tyler Matzek and Will Smith, Snitker must hope that Minter's flop will prove to be a fluke.
Neither of the alternatives bode well for Atlanta. Either Minter is running out of gas, or Houston hitters have him figured after getting good looks at him in Games 1 and 3.
Mercifully, Minter and the rest of a relief corps that had to pick up a bunch of slack in Games 3 and 4 will have a chance to rest during Monday's travel day. Since Snitker spared him from starting on three days' rest in Game 5, Fried will now get to go on five days' rest in Game 6 on Tuesday. If needed, Ian Anderson would be on regular rest for Game 7 on Wednesday.
At least to these ends, Atlanta has a leg up on the Astros even without injured ace Charlie Morton. Houston's Game 6 starter will likely be Luis Garcia, who'll be on short rest after coughing up three hits and four walks in 3.2 innings in Game 3. Even if the Astros force a Game 7, they'd have to hope that Jose Urquidy can bounce back quickly after pitching one inning in relief on Sunday.
But if the Astros offense can stay alive after emerging from its death-like state in Game 5, the upcoming pitching matchups may prove to be immaterial.
As it is, it's something of a moral victory for the Astros that they now have the edge in runs scored (20-18) in this series. Of course, they also have recent experience riding a hot offense to a come-from-behind victory. The Boston Red Sox hit the Astros hard in the first three games of the American League Championship Series, but then the Astros hit them hard right back as they scored 23 runs over the next three games to win the series.
If what everyone saw in Game 5 was the Astros offense tapping back into that very same mojo, they can ensure that Atlanta never wakes from this nightmare.
What's Next for Houston and Atlanta?
After an off day on Monday, the World Series will resume at Minute Maid Park in Houston for Game 6 on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET. The presumed matchup is Fried for Atlanta and Garcia for the Astros.
If the home team wins, Game 7 would be on Wednesday.
Braves' Clutch Homers, Astros' Blown Chances Have World Series All but Locked Up
Oct 31, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 30: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Four of the World Series at Truist Park on October 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the first six-and-a-half innings of Game 4 of the World Series, it was hard to escape the sense that the Houston Astros would be fortunate to actually turn their 2-1 lead over Atlanta into a series-tying victory.
Well, go figure that they didn't.
Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler made sure of that in the bottom half of the seventh inning, wherein they made the first lead change of this Fall Classic happen in style. First, Swanson went deep:
From there, Atlanta's bullpen locked down a 3-2 win by doing the same it's been doing throughout the postseason: shove. Luke Jackson retired the side in order of the eighth, and Will Smith did the same in the ninth to collect his sixth save in six tries for these playoffs.
Oh, the Astros had their chances Saturday night.
They seemed poised for a huge game when they loaded the bases with just one out in the first inning, and that was hardly the last time they had traffic on the bases. But in the end, all they had to show for it was an 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 11 men left on base.
Though far from the only one, that's a big reason that this series is now 3-1 in Atlanta's favor rather than tied at 2-2.
Atlanta Players of the Game
SS Dansby Swanson and PH Jorge Soler: Courtesy of ESPN's Jeff Passan, a fun fact about their long balls is that they're the first No. 8 and No. 9 hitters to ever hit back-to-back home runs in the World Series.
RHP Kyle Wright: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 R, 3 K. He wasn't perfect, but he provided clutch bulk innings for Atlanta after rookie Dylan Lee's first career start yielded three baserunners and just one out.
Astros Players of the Game
2B Jose Altuve: 2-for-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI. It's a lesser story now, but his solo homer in the fourth inning moved him into sole possession of second place on the all-time postseason home run list.
RHP Zack Greinke: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 3 K. After looking decidedly not good in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, the future Hall of Famer put forth a heck of a bounce-back effort to initially put Houston on the right track.
Only One of These Teams Is Playing to Its Strengths
At the outset of the World Series, the Astros had a fairly obvious path to what would have been (and, to be fair, still might be) their second World Series championship in five seasons.
In a nutshell: get just enough pitching and otherwise let the offense go to town like it did in the regular season and in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Houston outclassed everyone by scoring 863 runs amid the former, yet still outdid itself with an output of 67 runs in 10 games against the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. It wasn't all home runs either, though the Astros did average more than one of those per game. They more so had a relentless keep-the-line-moving thing going on, batting .340 with runners on base and .360 with runners in scoring position.
If you've watched the first four games of the World Series, you might be wondering just where the heck this Astros offense has gone.
Sure, Houston "erupted" for seven runs in Game 2. But Atlanta has otherwise held the Astros to two runs or fewer in each of the other three games. There's precisely zero flukiness going on here. The Astros have hit only two homers and they're 4-for-31 with runners in scoring position.
Individually, you can point a finger at pretty much anyone not named Altuve. After going a combined 1-for-9 in Game 4, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa are now 3-for-28 in the series. Yordan Alvarez, who was nigh unstoppable in the American League Championship Series, is suddenly 1-for-11 in his own right.
As for Houston's pitching, it's been...well, not bad. Atlanta has scored all of 13 runs in this series, and five of those were coughed just by Framber Valdez as he flopped out of the gate in Game 1.
But when a team isn't hitting, its pitching needs to be so much more than "not bad" for the wins to come. Ergo, the wins aren't coming for Houston.
For its part, Atlanta has also had its issues with runners in scoring position. After going just 1-for-5 on Saturday, Brian Snitker's offense is just 5-for-25 in that department during this series. Better than the Astros, maybe, but still not good.
What's making up the difference, though, is the same thing that got Atlanta's offense through the regular season: home runs.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 30: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Dansby Swanson #7 after they hit back-to-back solo home runs against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Four of the World Series at Truist Park on October 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta's offense generated more home runs than 27 other teams during the regular season, the Astros included. Though it is surprising that none have come from 30-homer boppers Freddie Freeman, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies, it's not the biggest shock that Atlanta would have the home run edge in this series, 6-2.
Oh, and did you see the leather that Rosario flashed in the eighth inning to rob Altuve?
As the man himself said, according to James Wagner of the New York Times: "I feel right now that I’m Super Rosario."
That points to another thing that Atlanta has done well this series, as its defense has allowed just a .273 average on balls in play compared to .333 for Houston. This is yet another throwback to how Atlanta played down the stretch, as only the Los Angeles Dodgers converted balls in play into outs at a better rate after the trade deadline.
Granted, starting pitching has been and still looks like it could be Atlanta's downfall. Without ace right-hander Charlie Morton, who succumbed to a broken leg in Game 1, manager Brian Snitker has a tough call to make for Game 5. Either he can start left-hander Max Fried on three days' rest, or he can opt for yet another bullpen game headlined by an uninspiring opener.
Whatever the case, it's no small comfort that the "Night Shift" relief trio of A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek and Smith will be standing by. Apropos of their nickname, they've been lights out this October:
The Night Shift in the playoffs: 34.7 IP of 1.04 ERA and .78 WHIP w/41 K, 9 BB, 18 H.
The catch right now is that Matzek and Smith have pitched in each of the last two games and therefore won't be fresh if and when they're needed in Game 5. But since they've thrown only 26 and 29 pitches, respectively, Snitker might just be able to get away with trotting them out for the third time in as many days if he sniffs a chance to close out the series.
To this end, Atlanta can hope to ride not just its homer-happy offense, lockdown defense and clutch pitching, but also whatever mojo that it's had at Truist Park of late. In seven games at its home digs so far in these playoffs, Atlanta has yet to lose.
Even if Atlanta doesn't win Game 5, it'll still have history on its side as the series shifts back to Houston:
Teams taking a 3-1 lead in all best-of-seven postseason series have gone on to win that series 76 of 90 times (84%). pic.twitter.com/pwQJDRiVSl
So, memo to the Astros: better wake up that offense, or else.
What's Next for Houston and Atlanta?
Game 5 will get underway from Truist Park on Sunday at 8:09 p.m. ET.
Neither team has officially announced its starting pitcher yet, though it would be an upset if Valdez didn't get the ball for Houston.
If the Astros win Game 5, Game 6 will be at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday. If Atlanta wins Game 5, that'll be that as the organization will have claimed its first World Series title since 1995.
Jorge Soler HR Gives Braves Game 4 Win over Astros to Take 3-1 World Series Lead
Oct 31, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 30: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Four of the World Series at Truist Park on October 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are one win away from their first World Series title in 26 years after a 3-2victory over the Houston Astros in Game 4 on Saturday night.
The Braves sent rookie Dylan Lee to the mound for the biggest outing of his young career. The 27-year-old had pitched in only four games, including the playoffs. He did throw 0.2 innings in Houston's 7-2 win in Game 2.
Zack Greinke started for the Astros. The six-time All-Star had made just two relief appearances this postseason and hadn't pitched more than 2.1 innings since Sept. 19.
The Astros led most of the way, carrying a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Austin Riley got the Braves on the board with an RBI single. Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler turned the tide by hitting back-to-back solo homers in the bottom of the seventh.
Atlanta's patchwork pitching staff did a phenomenal job of keeping the Astros offense at bay. Manager Brian Snitker used six pitchers to get the win. Chris Martin, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson and Will Smith combined to allow just two singles over the final four innings.
Notable Game Stats
Dansby Swanson (ATL): 1-for-3, Solo HR, RBI
Jorge Soler (ATL): 1-for-1, Pinch-hit HR, RBI
Eddie Rosario (ATL): 2-for-4, 2B, run scored
Jose Altuve (HOU): 2-for-5, Solo HR, RBI, 2 runs scored
Zack Greinke (HOU): 4 IP, 4 H, 3 K
Late-Inning Power Surge Has Braves on Brink of History
Atlanta's pitching staff looked to be on shaky ground even before the game started. Lee's lack of experience seemed like a particularly bad matchup against an Astros lineup that can score runs in bunches.
I somehow missed Lee’s two postseason games. So he actually has 4 games. Still obviously quite a gap.
Sure enough, one of the worst-case scenarios for manager Brian Snitker happened. Lee allowed a single and two walks, though he did get Alex Bregman to strike out, before being pulled.
Braves starter Dylan Lee's night is done after he faced 4 batters and got 1 out in the 1st inning. pic.twitter.com/b2z8zqOvNe
Even though the Astros did get a run in the inning, that felt like a win for Atlanta all things considered.
The Braves' luck on the mound would continue throughout the game. Houston left 11 runners on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. This has been an ongoing problem for the AL champs in this series.
Astros have stranded seven runners in the first three innings and are 0-for-7 with RISP.
Just as A.J. Minter saved the Braves by throwing 2.2 innings in Game 1 after Charlie Morton's injury, Wright's ability to work his way out of trouble during his 4.2 innings of work was a huge boost to the pitching staff and keep things close.
Other than a rough first inning and Jose Altuve doing what Jose Altuve does, the Braves have done a really good job of keeping the Astros at bay.
I am once again asking the Braves lineup to score runs. 😐
It took until the sixth inning before Atlanta's offense was finally able to breakthrough. Riley's single got the team on the board. Swanson and Soler went back-to-back in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 3-2 lead for the Braves.
Jorge Soler is the first player with both a pinch-hit home run and a leadoff home run in a World Series career -- and he did it in the same series, within 4 games!
Once the offense did enough to put the Braves out in front, they needed one more great defensive play.
Altuve drilled a line drive into deep left field that looked like it was going to be a trouble, but Eddie Rosario was somehow able to snag the ball while simultaneously looking at the wall to make sure he wasn't going to crash into it.
Everything is working right for the Braves right now, as Rosario's catch seems to illustrate. Baseball can be a cruel game where things turn on a dime, so they can't afford to take their foot off the gas pedal right now.
The Braves have one more game in front of their home fans. Based on how this series has gone thus far, that could very well be all they need to put the finishing touches on this series and a surprise championship no one would have predicted after Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his ACL on July 10.
Bullpen Collapse Leaves Astros Scrambling for Answers
You couldn't have scripted a better start for the Astros in their quest to tie this series. They had the lead early and got a surprisingly strong start from Greinke. The right-hander had his best outing since tossing seven shutout innings Aug. 13 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Listen… that was some of the best pitching you will ever see!! Greinke was beautiful to watch tonight! 👏 #GoStros#ForTheH
Greinke's night came to an end when Dusty Baker sent Marwin Gonzalez up to pinch hit in the top of the fifth after Kyle Tucker singled and Yuli Gurriel was intentionally walked with two outs.
Gonzalez flew out to Rosario to end the threat and the inning.
Even though four innings doesn't sound like a lot by normal standards, Jose Urquidy is the only Astros pitcher with a longer start in the series (five in Game 2).
Unfortuanately, Houston's bullpen was unable to hold the lead. Phil Maton gave up an RBI single to Riley in the bottom of the sixth. Swanson tied it up with a solo homer off Cristian Javier in the seventh.
Another problem for the Astros has been how quiet their bats have been, outside of Game 2 when they scored seven runs.
One of the big takeaways from Game 3 was the limited impact Altuve was having in the series up to this point. The former AL MVP's struggles this season have often led to struggles for the Astros.
Altuve found his hitting stroke Saturday night. He's homered in two games this series.
Jose Altuve now has 23 #postseason HR, 2nd-most all-time.
In Houston's last two trips to the World Series, Altuve has struggled to get going. He had a .303/.294/.394 slash line in seven games against the Washington Nationals in 2019. The 31-year-old entered this game with a .676 OPS through the first three games against Atlanta.
The Astros needed Altuve to step up because their lineup continued to struggle against Braves pitching. The stage was set nicely for this to be a blowout, especially when three of their first four hitters reached base in the top of the first, at which point Kyle Wright replaced Lee.
Carlos Correa did drive in a run on a groundout, but that would be all the scoring Houston could get in the inning.
Altuve was at his best in this game, but Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez combined to go 1-for-12 with four strikeouts.
Now that they will be playing elimination games for the rest of this series, the Astros need to get all of their big bats on the same page if they want to force a Game 6 back in Houston.
What's Next?
Game 5 between the Astros and Braves will be played at Truist Park at 8:15 ET Sunday night.
This article will be updated to
provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
Astros' Framber Valdez to Start Game 5 of World Series vs. Braves
Oct 30, 2021
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 5 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
The decision was no surprise after Valdez started Game 1 on Tuesday.
Valdez pitched just two innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in a 6-2 loss. After the game, he said he felt the pressure:
"It was my first World Series game, so I'm not going to tell you that I didn't feel the pressure, I didn't feel any kind of tension," Valdez said, per MLB.com's Anne Rogers. "But I did everything I could to lower that, lower the adrenaline, lower the emotion I was feeling."
The 27-year-old has had an up-and-down postseason. In Game 2 of an American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, he allowed four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings in a 9-4 win.
In a 5-4 Game 1 win over the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series, he allowed two earned runs on six hits in 2.2 innings. His best game of the postseason came in a pivotal 9-1 Game 5 win over the Red Sox. He allowed just one run on three hits in eight innings at Fenway Park.
Valdez is due for a solid appearance, and the Astros hope he can bounce back after his disappointing outing in Game 1. If Houston loses Game 5, it may need to win three straight games to clinch the World Series. Atlanta leads 2-1 with Game 4 set for 8:09 ET Saturday night.
The Astros won their first championship in 2017, though it was later marred by the revelation of the franchise's sign-stealing scandal. The Braves haven't won a Fall Classic title since 1995.
Braves' Brian Snitker 'Didn't Care About a No-Hitter' In World Series Game 3
Oct 30, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 29: Manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the first inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the World Series at Truist Park on October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker
said losing a potential World Series no-hitter was the last thing on
his mind when Houston Astros pinch hitter Aledmys Diaz dropped a
bloop single into left field to end the Braves' bid for history in
Game 3 of the 2021 Fall Classic.
Snitker, who pulled starter Ian
Anderson after five no-hit innings and handed the ball to his
lights-out bullpen, noted the more important fact was the Astros' first hit represented a critical baserunner in the eighth inning of a 1-0 game.
"Number one, I didn't care about a
no-hitter," Snitker told reporters after Friday's game. "I just care about the
tying run getting on. It happens."
The Braves held on for a 2-0
win to secure a 2-1 series lead.
Snitker, an old-school manager in a
sport increasingly reliant on analytics to help make key in-game
moves, said his decision to take out Anderson wasn't based on the
numbers.
Instead, he made the call based on what
the 23-year-old right-hander had done through five frames and the
fact that a potent Astros lineup was set to flip over for a third time.
"I told him, and he was like, 'Are you
sure? Are you sure?'" Snitker said. "But I was just like, 'Ian,
I'm going with my gut right here.'"
While Atlanta, playing its first home
game in a World Series since 1999, couldn't complete the no-hitter,
the plan otherwise worked to perfection.
Four relievers—A.J. Minter, Luke
Jackson, Tyler Matzek and Will Smith—each pitched a scoreless
inning and catcher Travis d'Arnaud added a solo home run in the
bottom of the eighth to an earlier RBI double by third baseman Austin
Riley to give the Braves the series lead.
"It was fine," Anderson said of leaving with a no-hitter. "I
have the utmost trust in Snit and the bullpen, those guys coming in."
Although the starter had mostly kept the
Astros in check, he allowed three walks and hit a batter while
throwing just 39 of his 76 pitches for strikes on a night when he
struggled to find the zone consistently with his off-speed stuff.
The Braves also couldn't afford to take
any unnecessary risks with a slim lead because of what looms ahead
over the next two days: back-to-back bullpen games after ace
Charlie Morton suffered a fractured fibula during his Game 1 start. A
loss Friday paired with that pitching setup could have put the NL
champions in serious danger.
Instead, Atlanta holds the advantage
heading into Game 4, and its rotation sets up so Max Fried would go
in Game 6 and Anderson in Game 7, if necessary.
The World Series resumes Saturday night, with the first pitch set for 8:09 p.m. ET on Fox.
Historic No-Hit Bid Fell Short, but Braves Are Now in World Series Driver's Seat
Oct 30, 2021
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 29: Travis d'Arnaud #16 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a one run home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Game Three of the World Series at Truist Park on October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
On Friday night at Truist Park, Atlanta came oh-so-close to giving Don Larsen some long-awaited company in the club for World Series no-hitters.
Alas, that didn't pan out. Yet Atlanta still ended up with a dandy of a consolation prize: not just a two-hitter but also a 2-0 win that puts it firmly in control of this Fall Classic by way of a 2-1 series lead over the Houston Astros.
Though it wasn't a banner night for Atlanta's offense, the fearsome fivesome of starter Ian Anderson and relievers A.J. Minter, Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek and Will Smith ensured it didn't need to be. To wit, the first three held the Astros hitless through the seventh inning, achieving a feat not accomplished in the World Series since 1967.
After Aledmys Diaz broke up the no-no with a bloop single in the top of the eighth, Atlanta went into the bottom half looking to add insurance to its 1-0 lead. Travis d'Arnaud obliged with an absolute moonshot off previously untouchable right-hander Kendall Graveman.
If there's a bright side for the Astros right now, it's that they've been here before. They were also in a 2-1 hole after three games in the American League Championship Series, yet they snapped out of that funk to outscore the Boston Red Sox 23-3 in the next three games.
History, though, certainly favors Atlanta. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, before this year, there were 60 instances of the World Series being tied 1-1 after two games. In those, the team that won Game 3 went on to win the series 39 times.
Atlanta Players of the Game
RHP Ian Anderson: 5.0 IP, 0 H, 3 BB, 0 R, 4 K. Regardless of whether he should have been allowed to continue, he at least made history by becoming the first rookie since 1912 to pitch as many as five no-hit innings in a World Series game.
3B Austin Riley and C Travis d'Arnaud: On a night otherwise dominated by pitching, Riley's RBI double in the third and d'Arnaud's solo home run in the eighth proved to be more than enough offense for Atlanta.
Astros Players of the Game
RHP Yimi Garcia: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 K. Though far from the best option that manager Dusty Baker has in his bullpen (or "arm barn," if that wags your tail), Garcia was effectively the bulk guy for the Astros in relief on Friday.
PH Aledmys Diaz and 3B Alex Bregman: They got hits! Good for them.
It's Hard to Argue with Brian Snitker's Quick Hook
Even though Atlanta grabbed a win and the series lead Friday, what might have been if only manager Brian Snitker had stuck with Anderson a little longer is nonetheless a fascinating question.
Through five innings, the zero that the rookie right-hander had in his hit column was legit. The Astros really weren't touching him, as he had struck out four batters while also limiting Houston hitters to just 85.6 mph in average exit velocity when they did make contact.
The only thing remotely close to a hit that Anderson permitted was a 94.0 mph line drive off the bat of Martin Maldonado in the fifth inning. Fortunately for him, it found Ozzie Albies' glove for an out.
Beyond the fact that Anderson had his team on track for the first World Series no-no since Larsen's perfect game for the New York Yankees in 1956, Snitker had another powerful incentive to stick with him. With Game 3 set to be the first of three consecutive contests, fresh arms are going to be at a premium over the next three days.
But even knowing all this, Snitker made the right call.
Especially with his third trip through the Astros' batting order on deck for the sixth inning, it stood out that Anderson was living dangerously even as he was allowing no hits. He missed the strike zone with 37 of his 76 pitches, tallying three walks and a hit batsman.
From his perch in Houston's dugout, Baker saw what everyone else did:
Dusty Baker on Ian Anderson: “He was effectively wild.”
While 76 pitches isn't much of a workload in a vacuum, that's more than the 23-year-old had averaged through his first three outings of this postseason. He was therefore at risk of being overextended, and Atlanta simply can't take that risk after having already lost ace Charlie Morton to a fractured leg.
Granted, Anderson himself didn't want to come out. But when he asked Snitker if he was sure what he was doing, the sixth-year skipper told him: "Ian, I’m going with my gut right here.”
Because his gut ultimately had the right idea, Snitker's club won't be in that bad of a position even if the Astros bounce back and win Games 4 and 5. If Atlanta must head back to Houston, at least it'll have Max Fried and Anderson ready to go in Games 6 and/or 7.
As far as the Astros are concerned, there aren't many silver linings to be gleaned from their performance in Game 3.
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. takes relief pitcher Yimi Garcia out of the game during the sixth inning in Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Sure, it's not the worst thing that Atlanta used all four of its best relievers even with a bullpen game on tap for Game 4 on Saturday and another contest set to follow Sunday. However, the Astros aren't any better off in this regard.
Baker had to squeeze 4.1 innings out of his relievers Friday, and he'll almost certainly need even more out of his pen in relief of Zack Greinke on Saturday. The future Hall of Famer threw just 37 pitches in Game 4 of the ALCS, and it's now been over a month since he last handled a workload heavier than that.
As has generally been the case throughout the 2021 season, it'll therefore be up to Houston's offense to come to the rescue.
This is the same offense that led the majors in runs during the regular season, so this is plenty doable in theory. But in reality, the Astros offense just hasn't looked very mighty in this series. Through three games, it boasts all of one home run, one triple and four doubles to go with its nine runs.
Such things speak to the sudden challenge it's having with producing hard contact. So it went in Game 3, wherein Atlanta claimed six of the game's seven hardest-hit balls.
Of course, Atlanta can look at what Houston did to the Red Sox for evidence that its foot is best kept on the gas. But judging from how he handled Anderson and his bullpen Friday, this is the kind of advice that Snitker doesn't need to hear right now.
What's Next for Houston and Atlanta?
The Astros and Atlanta will return to Truist Park for Game 4 on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET.
While Baker has confirmed Greinke as his starter for Game 4, Snitker has yet to name a starter. Or, more accurately, an "opener." Because whether it's Jesse Chavez, Drew Smyly or someone else, whoever's first out of the gate for Atlanta on Saturday won't be out there for long.
Braves Throw Combined 2-Hitter to Take 2-1 World Series Lead over Astros
Oct 30, 2021
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Tyler Matzek #68 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Playing their first World Series home game since 1999, the Atlanta Braves gave their fans reason to cheer with a 2-0victory over the Houston Astros in Game 3 on Friday at Truist Park.
After splitting the first two games in Houston, the Braves sent Ian Anderson to the mound for his first start in the Fall Classic. His last appearance was in the clinching Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the 23-year-old allowed one run in four innings.
The Astros countered with Luis Garcia in the biggest start of his young career. The 24-year-old had his best start of the playoffs in the decisive Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox. He struck out seven and allowed just one hit in 5.2 innings.
Despite having to navigate rainy weather throughout the game, the Braves' pitching staff was on point throughout. They had a combined no-hitter through seven innings before Aledmys Diaz singled to start the eighth.
Austin Riley doubled in the first run for the Braves in the bottom of the third off Garcia. Travis d'Arnaud provided an insurance run in the eighth with a solo homer to extend the lead to 2-0.
Notable Game Stats
Austin Riley (ATL): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K
Ian Anderson (ATL): 5 IP, 3 BB, 4 K
Travis d'Arnaud (ATL): 2-for-4, Solo HR, RBI
Luis Garcia (HOU): 3.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Alex Bregman (HOU): 1-for-2, BB
Jose Altuve (HOU): 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Anderson, Bullpen Silence Astros Bats
Manager Brian Snitker didn't really have a difficult choice about pulling Anderson from this game.
The right-hander's five no-hit innings is impressive, but it doesn't tell the whole story about his performance. He threw 39 strikes to 37 balls, walked three and hit Carlos Correa with a pitch.
Despite being erratic overall, Anderson did put his name in the World Series record books:
Ian Anderson is tied for the 2nd-longest no-hit bid by a @Braves pitcher in a #WorldSeries game (Tom Glavine, 1995, Game 6).
He only trails Bill James who went 5 1/3 IP (1914, Game 2).
Ian Anderson is officially out of Game 3. He tossed five no-hit innings and is the first pitcher since Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956 to finish a World Series game with at least five hitless innings. Anderson threw 76 pitches, 39 for strikes, struck out four and walked three.
As Zach Kram from The Ringer pointed out, there was an argument to at least let Anderson start the sixth inning based on what the Braves are going to do in the next two games:
Fact 1: Ian Anderson has allowed no hits—and just one batted ball that even *might* have gone for a hit.
Fact 2: Anderson has thrown just 76 pitches.
Fact 3: Atlanta has bullpen games scheduled each of the next two days.
How can you possibly remove him in this situation?
Ultimately, Snitker went to A.J. Minter to start the sixth. The left-hander was phenomenal in relief of Charlie Morton in Game 1, allowing just one run over 2.2 innings.
Minter only went one inning in Game 3. He didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two of the three hitters he faced. Luke Jackson came on in the seventh and was perfect to preserve the no-hitter.
National League teams that have gone longer than the #Braves without a no-hitter:
Tyler Matzek, who has been Atlanta's ace reliever this postseason, was given eighth-inning duties. The first hitter he faced was Aledmys Diaz, who broke up the no-no with a bloop single into left field.
It took until the 8th inning, but the Astros officially have their first hit of the night. pic.twitter.com/YboiGGWEmk
Jose Siri, who came on as a pinch runner, gave the Astros their first scoring threat with two outs in the eighth. He stole second base and advanced to third when Travis d'Arnaud's throw went into center field.
Matzek was able to escape unscathed by getting Michael Brantley to pop out to end the inning.
D'Arnaud made up for his error in the bottom of the eighth by providing an insurance run with a solo homer.
Snitker turned to his closer, Will Smith, to finish the game. Alex Bregman greeted him with a single to right field. The left-hander responded by retiring Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa and Kyle Tucker to preserve the win.
This was a crucial victory for the Braves because they are going with bullpen games in Games 4 and 5. They did have to use their best relievers Friday night, but Snitker was able to limit them to one inning each. None of them threw more than 17 pitches.
Minter, Jackson, Matzek and Smith should have no problem being ready tomorrow, if needed. Things will get more difficult if they have to pitch Saturday and potentially on Sunday.
That's a concern for tomorrow. Today, the Braves can celebrate knowing they are two wins away from winning a World Series for the first time since 1995.
Astros' Lackluster Effort Leaves Them in Another Playoff Hole
In Houston's five wins since the ALDS, it has averaged seven runs per game. In its four losses during that span, the offense has scored a total of 10 runs.
Jose Altuve has to get going for the AL champs. The seven-time All-Star is off to a 2-for-13 start with six strikeouts in this series. Both of his hits went for extra bases (double, homer) in Game 2.
The Astros are 14-30 (including postseason) this year when Jose Altuve was held hitless. He is 0 for 3 after popping out in 8th.
Altuve hasn't done a lot of hitting this postseason. He is 10-for-53 overall, but seven of those hits have gone for extra bases.
The Braves' pitching staff was on another level in this game. Friday marked the first time that Houston has been shut out since Sept. 29 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It would be a mistake to suggest that this is some sort of drought for the Astros. They just scored seven runs in Game 2 when the Braves had their best starter, Max Fried, on the mound.
When Houston had its back to the wall in Game 4 against the Red Sox, it scored seven runs with two outs in the ninth to turn a tie game into a 9-2 blowout win. It went on to outscore Boston 14-1 in the next two games to reach the World Series.
Houston's problem in Game 1 of the Fall Classic was it failed to capitalize on opportunities. The offense only went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
The Astros didn't even have those opportunities in Game 3. They only had two at-bats with a runner in scoring position.
This isn't an unusual position for the team. Houston trailed the Boston Red Sox 2-1 in the ALCS before rattling off three straight wins.
No one in the Astros locker room is going to panic right now. But they do need to put pressure on the Braves early in Game 4, especially knowing they can tax the bullpen for Game 5, if they want to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.
What's Next?
The Astros and Braves will play Game 4 at Truist Park at 8:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, and the contest will be televised on Fox.
