Wednesday, October 20, 2021

2021 NLCS Game 4 Thread: Oct 20 vs. Braves

The scene at Dodger Stadium, well after the come-from-behind 2021 NLCS Game 3 Los Angeles victory. Dodgers 6, Braves 5.

Urias vs. TBD, 5p.

Momentum, anyone? Unbelievably, the Dodgers are now basically 50-50 odds to win this series, based on an unexpected outcome to Game 3. I can't believe it--we were around 25-30% going into Game 3--and I know the statistical models don't get influenced by the emotional wave that overcame Dodger Stadium last night. On paper, we should be in good shape, even with emotion aside.

However, Game 4 with Julio Urias starting is pivotal, and the game hinges on how strong his left arm will be. Urias was used--ineffectively--in NLCS Game 2 Sunday, for 14 pitches. Scherzer was used for 13 pitches in the clinching NLDS Game 5 against the Giants, which was effective (and great). But then Scherzer's arm was dead in his NLCS Game 2 start, only lasting 79 pitches (4.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Ks and 1 BB). And every arm in our bullpen was either used or warmed in the effort on Tuesday afternoon.

The Braves will counter with a bullpen game (which we will probably have to run in Game 5). For Game 4, the Dodger offense will determine whether we can even this series and keep our momentum.

We win this game, and it's all even. We lose, and we're down 3-1 just like last year. The volatility of the narratives in this series has been so high, swinging from "Dodgers win in a cakewalk" to "Well, that was lucky but we got Game 2" to "The Dodgers are doomed" to "The Dodgers are BACK." I can't tell what narrative comes next. This series is bananas.

GO DODGERS!!!

21 comments:

QuadSevens said...

GAME 4

Mookie Betts RF
Corey Seager SS
Trea Turner 2B
Will Smith C
Justin Turner 3B
Gavin Lux CF
Cody Bellinger 1B
Chris Taylor LF
Julio Urias P

Steve Sax said...

I’ve got calls through most of this one today, kids. Cheer on Sax’s behalf!

karen said...

I'm a little surprised Julio got out of that without giving up a run.

karen said...

I wonder how long Doc is going to leave him in.

QuadSevens said...

Back to back bombs in the second for the Braves. Sucky!

QuadSevens said...

Lux hit one to the wall. Long out.

QuadSevens said...

Now Freeman goes deep. Urias does not have it tonight. 3-0 ATL.

QuadSevens said...

Joc dumps a hit into center and drives in another run. 4-0.

QuadSevens said...

Through three innings and we don’t have a single hit.

Steve Sax said...

Well, so much for that momentum stuff.

meanwhile urias trots out there, again

let's go, boys

QuadSevens said...

Progress! In the fourth inning we got a walk! Still 4-0.

QuadSevens said...

Sac fly makes it 5-0 now. This is painful.

karen said...

Finally something for Dodgers fans to cheer for.

QuadSevens said...

We string together some hits and get 2 runs!

karen said...

AJ single brings in 2.

QuadSevens said...

Bottom of the seventh coming up. Need some more hits! Down 5-2.

QuadSevens said...

JT pulls up running to first. Hammy. Probably done for the postseason. Ugh.

QuadSevens said...

Braves score four in the ninth. 9-2 only one out. Goodnight.

Steve Sax said...

Oh man. This is going to be textbook for why you shouldn't use starters in relief situations, except for winner-take-all or elimination games. Yikes.

Steve Sax said...

That said, it was the bats that failed us

quiconaegle said...
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