One more win. That is all that is left between the Atlanta Braves and their first championship since 1995. The ghosts of those dominant teams from the 1990s and into the 2000s, teams that were unable to take their place as a dynasty due to their inability to win in the postseason, may be exorcised.
The Braves did not make it easy in Game Four. They trailed 2-0 before the bats came alive. Austin Riley plated the first Atlanta run with a double, then homers from Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler were enough to complete the comeback as the Braves won 3-2.
Atlanta Braves in familiar postseason spot
That victory also put the Braves in a familiar spot this postseason. For the third time in as many series, they hold a three games to one lead.
Not every series has been created equal. The Braves eliminated the Brewers in the NLDS with their third victory of the series. The Dodgers were able to extend the NLCS to six games, but the Braves were able to advance. Now they are looking to become the first team to win the World Series at home since the Red Sox in 2013.
The fact that the Braves are even in this position is remarkable. They needed to completely remake their outfield due to injury and a lack of production. The Braves did not go over .500 at any point in the season until August 6, and were six games out of first as late as July 28. Given those issues, it should not be a shock that the Braves had the fewest wins of any team to reach the postseason this year, with two teams that missed the playoffs having won more games.
But none of that matters. The Braves caught fire when they needed to, getting enough wins to reach the playoffs. That torrid stretch has continued into October, where they are now one win away from capturing their first championship in 26 years.
The Atlanta Braves hold a 3-1 lead in the World Series. It is a spot that they have come to know quite well during this year’s playoffs.