The Atlanta Braves bet on their bullpen and the management style of Walt Weiss to steal a game in Los Angeles and get the ball to Chris Sale in game three with a chance to take control. This is exactly how things played out as Atlanta escaped with a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in the second game of the series and are now back home with a chance for Sale to deal what would be an undeniable blow to a team attempting to win their third straight World Series.
Atlanta fans can't help but feel great about their chances with Sale on the mound after the veteran was able to get needed rest. The southpaw set the tone for the series against Philadelphia with a strong start and would return for the third game to get the final four outs and push the Braves into their current chance to take down the Dodgers.
Fans are no longer surprised by a roster that has found a way to go beyond expectations each step of the way. The year started by losing left fielder Jurickson Profar to suspension yet again, as well as an injury to Ha-Seong Kim and rotation issues that seemingly never stopped, leaving the Braves their two current starting options on the playoff roster.
If there is one saving grace, it is the fact that Sale is by far Atlanta's best pitcher and gives the fanbase confidence in a win no matter the opposing lineup. Adding to the Braves' hopes is the fact that the series is now flipped and in Atlanta, with a chance for the Braves to defend their home stadium and never have to return to Los Angeles.
Braves Ace Chris Sale Has a Chance to Hand Dodgers Potential Season-Ending Blow
Sale beating the Dodgers in game three clearly flips the series in favor of Atlanta, who was already playing with house money after their first-round win. Beating Los Angeles tonight hands the Braves a chance to desperately manage the fourth game of the series with two chances to end things and send the Dodgers home.
While it won't be Sale getting the final win in the series, the left-hander has a chance to completely turn the series and push Los Angeles to a point we haven't seen the overpaid roster in recent memory. The job is far from done, and the road is still undeniably difficult, but the Braves have pushed things in their favor.
Sale getting the ball with any series lead on the line is going to lead to ultimate confidence from Braves fans. Confidence that has a chance to be well-founded and put an end to a frustrating Dodgers run.
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