Call to the pen
Fansided

Dodgers Power Past Braves For Third Consecutive Trip to the NLCS

By Sarah Maninger

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate winning Game Four of the National League Division Series with a score of 6-2 over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dodgers won the series 3-1. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 04: Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) turns a double play as Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (13) slides into second base during Game 1 of the 2018 National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 4, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 04: Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) turns a double play as Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (13) slides into second base during Game 1 of the 2018 National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 4, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. /

GAME ONE:

MIKE FOLTYNEWICZ VS. HYUN-JIN RYU; FINAL SCORE: 6-0 LAD

The Dodgers, Joc Pederson specifically, wasted no time in this series, as Pederson led off with a solo home run. Mike Foltynewicz had a rough outing, giving up four runs and three walks in two innings. The Atlanta bullpen came on in the third, giving up only two runs (one earned) in the six innings that followed.

WHAT WENT RIGHT:

Though the Braves lost this game, they still got a good taste of postseason baseball for the first time in five years. No runs were driven in by Atlanta, but everyone in the 3-8 spots in their lineup got a hit, including former Dodger Charlie Culberson. In a best of five series, the first game is big. Not only does it start off your series on the right foot, but it also shows you can beat the team you’re facing before it’s too late.

The Dodgers had a lot more go right for them, simply because of who they had on the mound. Hyun-Jin Ryu doesn’t lose at Dodger Stadium. His ERA going into that game was 1.15 at home. He is virtually unhittable at Chavez Ravine, and the Dodgers could be relying on that come the NLCS.

Joc Pederson was another great storyline in that game. He’s hit 8 leadoff homers in 2018 and has been the Dodgers’ consistent leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching.

WHAT WENT WRONG:

This game could have looked a lot different if Mike Foltynewicz had a stronger outing. The Braves bullpen was pretty solid, and with his three walks in two innings, it gave the Dodgers plenty of opportunities to score the runs that they inevitably did.

In addition to pitching, the Braves scored zero runs on six hits. They struggled against Ryu, but shook off the loss, ready to try and bounce back in Game Two.

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