Danielle: A walk-off single with two outs in the ninth. A pinch-hitter coming through in the biggest moment of the night. And now, the Braves have a chance to sweep the best team in the National League. That's what we're breaking down today on Beatline.
Eric: And after back-to-back one-run wins over the Dodgers, the vibes in Atlanta are electric. But can they close it out this afternoon? That's the big question.
Danielle: Welcome back to Beatline, the podcast where we talk all things Atlanta Braves. I'm Danielle, and as always, I'm joined by the one and only Eric. Eric, how are you feeling after that 6-5 thriller last night?
Eric: I'm feeling great, Danielle. That was a classic. Ha-Seong Kim, pinch-hitting, singles home Lane Thomas — that's the kind of win that can define a season.
Danielle: Absolutely. And today, we're looking at the series finale. The Braves can sweep the Dodgers, and we've got three things to get into: first, the pitching matchup and what to expect on the mound. Second, the key hitters and bullpen questions. And third, our keys to the game and a bold prediction.
Eric: Let's do it. And before we dive in, remember to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. Now, let's get into it.
Danielle: Alright, Eric, let's talk about today's game. The Braves are 78-55, sitting in first place in the NL East. The Dodgers are 80-53, first in the NL West. This is a huge series, and the Braves have already won the first two games. What's the pitching matchup looking like for the finale?
Eric: We don't have the official probables yet, but we can look at the rotations. The Braves have Chris Sale available, and he's been dominant all year. He's been the anchor of this rotation. On the other side, the Dodgers have a deep staff, but they've had some injuries to manage.
Danielle: Right, and we saw in Game 1 how important starting pitching is. Chris Sale went seven innings with eight strikeouts and got the win — that was a huge performance. If he's on the mound again, that's a big advantage.
Eric: Exactly. And like we said yesterday, Sale has been the Cy Young frontrunner all season. If he pitches today, the Braves have to feel good about their chances. But we also have to consider the bullpen, which has been a bit of a concern.
Danielle: Let's talk about that. The bullpen has been shaky, with guys like Reynaldo Lopez on the 15-day IL, Joe Jimenez on the 60-day, and Robert Suarez also on the IL. That's a lot of key arms missing.
Eric: It's been a challenge, but guys like Raisel Iglesias have stepped up. And last night, the bullpen did enough to keep the game close until the offense could win it. That's what you need in October.
Danielle: Absolutely. And speaking of offense, let's get into the hitters. We've seen some big performances in this series. Ozzie Albies drove in the winning run in Game 1, and last night, Ha-Seong Kim with that walk-off. Who else has been stepping up?
Eric: Well, you have to mention Ronald Acuña Jr. He's been dynamic, stealing bases and scoring runs. And Matt Olson has been a force in the middle of the lineup. But the key has been the bottom of the order coming through in clutch moments.
Danielle: Yeah, that pinch-hit by Kim was huge. And Lane Thomas scoring from first on that single — that's aggressive baserunning. That's the kind of play that wins games.
Eric: Exactly. And that's what we need to see again today. The Dodgers are a tough team, but the Braves have the momentum. Let's see if they can finish the sweep.
Danielle: Alright, before we move on, let's quickly recap the series so far. Game 1, the Braves won 4-3 on an Ozzie Albies single in the eighth. Game 2, they won 6-5 on a walk-off by Ha-Seong Kim. So they're up 2-0. Can they sweep? We'll talk about that after the break.
Danielle: We're back. So Eric, let's dig into the key hitters for today's game. We've talked about Acuña, Olson, Albies — who else needs to step up?
Eric: I think Austin Riley is due for a big game. He's been quiet in this series, and we know he can change the game with one swing. He's a guy who can carry the offense when he gets hot.
Danielle: And what about the catching situation? Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin are both on the roster. How do you see that playing out?
Eric: Murphy is the veteran, and Baldwin is a young guy with a lot of upside. It depends on the matchup, but both can contribute. The key is getting production from that position, and we've seen Murphy come up with big hits before.
Danielle: Now, the bullpen. We mentioned the injuries. Let's talk about who's available and what the concerns are.
Eric: The bullpen has been a patchwork. With Lopez, Jimenez, and Suarez out, the Braves have had to rely on guys like Dylan Lee, Ray Kerr, and Brent Suter. They've done a decent job, but you worry about overuse, especially in a tight series like this.
Danielle: And what about the starters? Chris Sale is the ace, but who else is in the rotation?
Eric: You've got Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider on the 60-day IL, which is a big blow. But guys like Tyler Mahle and Martin Perez have stepped in, and they've been solid. It's not ideal, but they've made it work.
Danielle: Right. And today, the key is to get a strong start, whether it's Sale or someone else. If the starter can go six or seven innings, that takes pressure off the bullpen.
Eric: Exactly. And the offense needs to keep doing what they've been doing — getting on base, being aggressive, and coming through in clutch situations. That's how you win series like this.
Danielle: Alright, so let's talk about the injuries on the Dodgers side. They've got a lot of guys on the IL too — Bobby Miller, Blake Treinen, Ben Casparius, Justin Wrobleski. How does that affect them?
Eric: It hurts their depth, especially in the bullpen. But they've still got a lot of talent, so you can't count them out. The Braves need to jump on them early and not let them hang around.
Danielle: So, key hitters for the Braves today — who are you watching?
Eric: I'm watching Austin Riley. He's due for a breakout, and if he hits one out, that could be the difference. Also, keep an eye on Michael Harris II — he's been solid in center field and can change the game with his speed.
Danielle: And what about the Dodgers' key hitters? Who do the Braves need to shut down?
Eric: You have to respect their whole lineup, but especially Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Those guys can hurt you in a hurry. The Braves' pitching has done a good job against them so far, and they need to keep that up.
Danielle: Alright, let's take a quick break. When we come back, we'll give our keys to the game and a bold prediction.
Danielle: Welcome back. So Eric, what are your keys to the game for the Braves to sweep the Dodgers?
Eric: First, the starting pitcher needs to go deep. If Sale pitches, he needs to give them at least six or seven innings. That keeps the bullpen fresh and gives the offense a chance to work.
Danielle: Second, the offense needs to be patient and work counts. The Dodgers' pitchers are tough, so the Braves can't chase. They need to get on base and put pressure on the defense.
Eric: And third, the defense has to be clean. No errors, no mental mistakes. In a one-run game, every play matters. We saw that last night — a good defensive play can be the difference.
Danielle: All right, time for a bold prediction. Eric, you've been pretty good with these. What's your call for today?
Eric: I'm going to say Austin Riley hits a two-run homer in the sixth inning. He's been due, and I think he breaks out today. That's my bold prediction.
Danielle: I like that. I'm going to say Ronald Acuña Jr. steals two bases and scores the winning run. He's been electric all series, and I think he caps it off with a big performance.
Eric: Those are both bold. If both happen, the Braves are definitely winning this game. But I think the key is to stay focused and not get complacent. The Dodgers are dangerous, even with their injuries.
Danielle: Absolutely. One game at a time. But a sweep would be huge for the Braves' confidence and their lead in the NL East. They're already 1st, but this would send a message.
Eric: And if they win today, they'll have taken three straight from the best team in the NL. That's a statement.
Danielle: Alright, so to recap: we've talked about the pitching matchup, the key hitters and bullpen concerns, and our keys to the game. Now, before we go, let's do a quick sign-off.
Danielle: Thanks for listening to Beatline. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Share it with your fellow Braves fans. And as always, go Braves!
Eric: Go Braves! Let's get that sweep!