Braves Upset Dodgers in Game 2 of NLDS

Right from the get-go, the Atlanta Braves were committed to using a bullpen strategy for Game 2 of the National League Division Series. What they didn’t expect, however, was that the Los Angeles Dodgers would have to do something similar.

After a straightforward win in the opening game of this best-of-five series, things took an unexpected turn for the Dodgers on Sunday.

Blake Snell struggled mightily on the mound, unable to finish four innings due to poor control. He allowed only one run but issued five walks, making for a long day on the field. The relief pitchers were heavily utilized, turning what should have been a smooth night at Chavez Ravine into a grueling battle.

Things took a turn for the worse in the fifth inning when the Dodgers gifted the Braves a run. Teoscar Hernández misplayed a fly ball into a triple, and then Kris Bubic threw a wild pitch that let a run score. For the first time this postseason, the two-time defending champions found themselves in a tight spot.

Ultimately, the Braves claimed a 3-2 victory, which leaves the Dodgers feeling quite shaken. What seemed like a manageable series quickly turned upside down.

The Braves’ choice to reserve their ace, Chris Sale, for Game 3—a hot topic among analysts—seems wise in retrospect. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ decision to start Snell, rather than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, now raises eyebrows.

Both teams had to rely heavily on their bullpens, with the Braves using six pitchers to finish the game while the Dodgers followed suit in their losing effort. With Game 3 set for Tuesday night back in Atlanta, this 1-1 series feels wide open again.

“We anticipated a battle,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We knew they wouldn’t just roll over.”

It’s hard not to feel, though, that the Dodgers let the Braves rally after having them stifled earlier in the game. Roberts noted he felt good about their position but admitted they failed to execute as the game progressed.

The Dodgers got off to a rocky start, with Snell giving up a quick run in the first inning. The Braves loaded the bases due to a Ronald Acuña Jr. single and two walks from Snell. Mauricio Dubón managed to score a run with an infield hit after Mookie Betts made an error on a throw to first base.

Snell managed to minimize the damage, but his 27 pitches in that inning set the tone for a generally ineffective outing.

“He was battling himself with his delivery all game,” Roberts commented about Snell. “It wasn’t his groin; he just wasn’t sharp tonight.”

A notable issue for the Dodgers was their failure to effectively face the Braves’ bullpen, particularly Ray Kerr, the left-handed opener. Kerr, just days after a significant performance in a previous series, managed to navigate through the lineup without any damage, striking out four batters along the way.

“Against Shohei, if you watch his at-bats, there were a lot of chases,” Roberts noted, highlighting how Ohtani struggled. “He claims to feel fine physically, but perhaps he’s trying to do too much.”

In Kerr’s last inning, the Dodgers found some hope when Miguel Rojas hit a double. However, they faltered again as Tommy Edman popped up a bunt, Ohtani had another weak at-bat, and Will Smith struggled, contributing to the Dodgers’ overall hitless performance with runners in scoring positions. With seven men left on base, they went 0-for-8 in those moments.

Freddie Freeman pointed out that they need to find ways to score without relying solely on home runs. While he did hit one in the fourth, tying the game at 1-1, it was overshadowed by the late-game errors that put the Dodgers behind once again.

After Hernández misplayed a ball in the fifth, leading to a triple, the Dodgers found themselves trailing again due to Bubic’s wild pitch. It was just a series of missed opportunities as they faced one tough reliever after another.

In the ninth inning, the last pitcher the Dodgers encountered was Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, who came in after Fuentes gave up a solo shot to Muncy. The game ended with a pop-up from rookie Josue De Paula, leaving the Dodgers to reflect on their disappointments as the Braves celebrated their unexpected win.

“Getting a split here against these guys is huge,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said, feeling good about their chances now that Sale is lined up for the next game.

The Dodgers have lost their home advantage. As they gear up for a pivotal Game 3, the momentum feels like it’s shifted. Freeman recognized the stakes, emphasizing the need for a win on Tuesday.

By the end of the day, this series suddenly felt much tighter than it did at the start.