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The Cards pulled one out of the hat in Game 1. SP Jack Flaherty’s an even 4-4 on the road. We don’t see St. Louis taking two of two in Atlanta. It doesn’t matter, really. They’ve already neutralized home field for the Braves and now the pressure is on the Tribe.
This is how they stack up.
- Home: 50-31; Away: 41-40
- Starting pitcher: Jack Flaherty Home 7-4; Away 4-4
- Starting Pitcher ERA/WHIP: Home 2.37/0.79; Away 3.13/1.15
- Closer: Carlos Martinez Home 12 SV; 14 SVO; WHIP 0.92; 1.82 ERA/ Away 12 SV; 13 SVO; WHIP 1.44; 4.56 ERA
- Team Hitting: wOBA .314; wRC+ 95; Avg .245
- Best Hitter: Paul DeJong Home wOBA .301; wRC+ 90; Avg .219/ Away wOBA .343; wRC+ 110; Avg .247
- Pitcher vs. Best Hitter (Career): Jack Flaherty vs Ronald Acuna Jr. Avg .333; 7 AB; 1 R; 1 H; 1 RBI; 2 BB; 4 SO; .476 OPS
- Misc: Team WAR 41.9;
The Braves put in a very imperfect performance in Game 1 and cannot afford another. Their bullpen needs to step up. An 0-2 deficit would be disastrous. SP Mike Foltynewicz has been mediocre at home and that’s a cause for concern. That being said, we see them leaving home with a split. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing. Is today a must win? You can make a good case that it is. The Braves’s bats will need to increase their production.
This is how they stack up.
- Home: 50-31; Away: 47-34
- Starting pitcher: Mike Foltynewicz Home 3-3; Away 5-3
- Starting Pitcher ERA/WHIP: Home 4.58/1.31; Away 4.50/1.19
- Closer: Luke Jackson Home 6 SV; 10 SVO; WHIP 1.28; 3.41 ERA/ Away 12 SV; 15 SVO; WHIP 1.51; 4.23 ERA
- Team Hitting: wOBA .332; wRC+ 102; Avg .258
- Best Hitter: Ronald Acuna Jr. Home wOBA .369; wRC+ 125; Avg .281/ Away wOBA .369; wRC+ 128; Avg .278
- Pitcher vs. Best Hitter (Career): Mike Foltynewicz vs Paul DeJong Avg .364; 10 AB; 3 R; 3 H; 1 HR; 3 RBI; 1 BB; 2 SO; 1.064 OPS
- Misc: Team WAR 42.1;
Staff pick: Atlanta Braves
Vitamin Cee’s pick: TBD
IMAGE SOURCE: Creative Commons