It really makes sense to mention that winning the first game of a playoff series in baseball is very beneficial. While it has no sporting influence over seven matches as it does in more than five matches (or this year up to three), it still represents a major boost to the winner’s cause. Apart from simple math, the other advantage of a winning team is that it will likely overtake the best player of the opponent in most cases, so the ability to win in theory becomes easier.
But how big an advantage did winning Game 1 really have in recent history?
Every year since 1995, three seven-game series, the NLCS, ALCS, and the World Series, have been used to determine the best team in baseball out of the last four. During this time frame, 75 series were played. The team that won the first match has an overall record 55-22. Although the first game victory feature had a higher success rate in the World Series than in the Championship Series, there were only two seasons in which the two pennant winners won the championship series after losing the first game.
Simply, winning the first game does not guarantee victory; However, the odds and momentum are definitely improving for the winning team.
The brave people know this a fact on their recent history. Although it did not come in a series of seven games, it has been in the deciding four rounds that the Braves have participated since 2018, they lost the series when they lost Game 1 and won the series when they were victorious in the first game. Even now for a long time, they have a lot of knowledge of the importance of winning the first game.
The Braves are 5-0 so far this following season, they won in an important way due to the historic aiming and attacking that often resulted in additional core hits in time. It is true that between the Reds and Marlins, the braves faced an all-out competition that they were supposed to conquer. In NLCS, the Braves will find themselves in a different role as vulnerable as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Braves will definitely face a promotion in the competition, especially when it comes to Atlanta shooters who face Dodgers crime. However, while the Dodgers definitely have a very talented crew with a lot of depth, Braves has shown, in both the regular season and the playoffs of 2020, that they can definitely live up to the action against high-quality weapons.
Walker Buehler would take the hill in the Dodgers in Game 1. With two entries in the 2020 qualifiers, Buehler made eight rounds, allowing three rounds, five strokes and six walks, and produced 16 strokes. While it was effective, it certainly was not immune from prejudice. Given the fact that the Braves have faced talents like Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, and Sandy Alcantara over the past two weeks, they must have a plan to take advantage of opportunities once again as they emerge.
Of course, comparing Buehler’s ability to the shooters mentioned above is supposed to be a compliment rather than a way to dispose of his talent. Now, 26 years old, Buehler has already produced Rookie’s 3 Best Campaigns of the Year in 2018 and Top-10 Cy Young and All-star Selection in 2019. He also has a lot of qualifying experience, like over 44 1⁄3 In turns, Buehler produced 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and only 16 walks compared to 60 strokes. However, the last time he faced Atlanta, the braves outnumbered Buhler. Over five rounds, the Buehler allowed seven strokes, three rounds, and five drawn runs. The big hit, as we saw above, was Game 3 Grand Slam from Ronald Acuna Jr.’s bat that officially put him on the map as one of the MLB’s best stars of the present and future.
Braves will also feature a familiar face to Game 1 as Max Fried. Over 11 rounds over two rounds beginning in this post-season, Fried allowed 12 hits and four games earned. However, he did not go very well and produced nine hits. All four runs were allowed against the Marlins, who were much better against the Southern Paws than the right hand during the regular season. While Fried has suffered injuries over the past month, his level of dominance has slipped slightly. However, as his start to the qualifiers between the Braves, the Reds and Bauer showed, he was more than able to make a dominant start at this point.
Out of the start of the season against Atlanta, Buehler has been extremely effective the other two times he has faced the bravest of his career. He is 2-0 with 2.92 ERs, 12 hits, and .57 WHIP. The Brave produced .477 OPS against it in these two starts. Fried wasn’t so lucky against the Dodgers. After completing only 11 rounds in his three previous games against Los Angeles, Fried had a 6.55 ERA, 1.90 WHIP (thanks to 14 strokes and 7 walks) and 16 strokes. In terms of the opponent’s familiarity, Buhler was clearly the most effective shooter.
In terms of left-handed play, the Dodgers have been better than Braves this season, producing 113 wRC compared to 101 wRC + for Atlanta. Both teams produced a WRC + of 126 against right throwing this season, which has been tied for the best in a major with the New York Mets. Although both offenses are quite similar in terms of their production capacity, the Dodgers were slightly better against the left throw.
When it comes to kick-start throws, insults, and revolts, the simple truth is that the Dodgers have been a little better by far across the board this season compared to the Braves. This is clearly the reason why it’s such a favorite. However, as many players have mentioned, both the core team and the line-up at Atlanta appear to be well positioned, as they are confident and motivated to take advantage of an opportunity that the braves haven’t had in two decades. Although Buehler is a strong opponent, Atlanta spawned him a post-season victory just two years earlier. As a result, even though they are underpowered, the Braves definitely have the power to outrun the dodgers and progress.
A first game win would definitely be a big boost for the cause if Fried could produce such an ace tonight.
Game information
Game date / time: Monday October 12, 8:08 AM EST
Your location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
TV: Fox
radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network
Tv fanatic. Freelance thinker. Social media enthusiast. Total bacon lover. Communicator.