The Atlanta Braves did what few expected them to do Sunday night. They beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 at Dodger Stadium, even while using a bullpen game, and returned home with the National League Division Series tied 1-1.
That result has put Atlanta in an interesting position heading into Games 3 and 4. The Braves will have Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle lined up to pitch at home, while the Dodgers will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.
Given that setup, Braves manager Walt Weiss had every reason to feel encouraged. Still, his warning about what comes next may be overstated.
“We've got to face more Cy Young Award winners for them,” Weiss said via USA Today. “Every starter on their staff is a Cy Young guy. It doesn't get any easier, but I like the fact that we go back home even and we have Chris Sale.”
Article Continues BelowThe point is clear. Atlanta has earned an opportunity, but the Dodgers remain loaded with high-end pitching. Yamamoto is scheduled to start Game 3, and Glasnow is expected to follow in Game 4. A potential Game 5 would bring Tarik Skubal into the picture.
Atlanta's Game 2 victory also showed why the Braves cannot simply assume their pitching advantage will carry them through the series. Ray Kerr opened the game and delivered 2 2/3 scoreless innings before Didier Fuentes followed with nearly four shutout innings.
The Braves also got a major offensive contribution from Michael Harris II, who singled, doubled, and tripled while scoring and driving in a run.
The Braves now have home-field advantage in a best-of-three series, and that is a much better position than anyone expected them to be in after two games.