With the possibility of two 106-plus win teams facing off on the other side of the bracket, this matchup between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers would be the weaker of the National League Divisional Series. That doesn’t, however, mean either team is weak. Far from it.
The Brewers will host, as they had the better record in the regular season at 95-67. It was good for their second NL Central title in the last four years and third ever (they had two AL East titles in the early ’80s). They got here largely on the backs of their pitching, notably Cy Young contenders Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff along with fellow All-Star starter Freddy Peralta. Adrian Houser became an excellent four down the stretch and elite closer Josh Hader anchors the bullpen. Willy Adames has been the heart and soul of the offense since his mid-season acquisition from the Rays, Avisail Garcia has been the best power bat and we know about the potential Christian Yelich has, even off a disappointing season.
Things didn’t fully click for the Brewers until the middle of June. From June 18 to the end of the season, they went 57-35, a full season pace of 100 wins.
The Braves route here was pretty funny, though not necessarily in a “ha ha” manner. They never got over .500 until Aug. 6 (56-55). They were never alone in first until Aug. 15, but then they never gave it up. They were ravaged with rotation injuries and then Ronald Acuña, Jr., who was having an MVP-caliber season, tore his ACL. Along the way they lost the production of Marcell Ozuna, due to injury and then domestic violence charges. Outfielders Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario were added at the trade deadline and helped shore things up there while Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley hit like MVP-caliber players. Ozzie Albies deserves a nod as well. The top of the rotation is in order with Charlie Morton, Max Fried and Ian Anderson looking good, and Brian Snitker seems to have a handle on the bullpen.
The Braves won 36 of their last 54 games, so despite having the worst record of every playoff team, they are every bit a threat to win the World Series as anyone else.
The two teams split their six games this season with the Brewers winning two of three in Atlanta July 30-Aug. 1 being the most recent series.
Below, you’ll find all you need to know about the NLDS — the dates and times of each game, as well as the probables and the television carriers.
|
Game 1 – Fri., Oct.8 |
4:37 p.m. ET |
ATL: Charlie Morton; MIL: Corbin Burnes |
TBS |
|
Game 2 – Sat., Oct. 9 |
5:07 p.m. ET |
ATL: Max Fried; MIL: Brandon Woodruff |
TBS |
|
Game 3 – Mon., Oct 11 |
TBA |
TBA |
TBS |
|
Game 4 – Tues, Oct. 12* |
TBA |
TBA |
TBS |
|
Game 5 – Thurs., Oct. 14* |
TBA |
TBA |
TBS |
*if necessary
A fun wrinkle here is the Milwaukee connection. The Braves were in Milwaukee from 1953-1965, winning two pennants and the 1957 World Series. A good portion of Hank Aaron’s career was there, ditto for Warren Spahn’s and nearly all of Eddie Mathews’ was. There’s rich Braves history in Milwaukee. The Brewers arrived in 1970 and these two teams have never faced off in the playoffs.
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