Braves' Bullpen Gamble Stuns Dodgers in Game 2
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Atlanta's relief-heavy strategy neutralized Los Angeles' stars, turning a potential series lead into a dead heat heading into Game 3.
OPINION: The Atlanta Braves didn't just win Game 2 of the NLDS; they played a high-stakes game of chess and left the Los Angeles Dodgers completely clueless. By opting for a bullpen-heavy approach, Atlanta exposed a Dodgers lineup that seemed incapable of adjusting to a rotating cast of arms, turning a potential commanding lead into a desperate fight for survival.
According to Sportsnet, the Braves secured a 3-2 victory on Sunday night to tie the series at one game apiece. The gamble began with Ray Kerr starting the game, a move designed to give ace Chris Sale extra rest before Tuesday's Game 3, as reported by MLB.com. The strategy paid off early; Mauricio Dubón delivered a two-out, bases-loaded single in the first inning to drive in Ronald Acuña Jr. for a 1-0 lead, per Sportsnet.
While the Dodgers attempted to fight back—highlighted by a solo home run from Freddie Freeman in the fourth inning—the Braves' relief corps systematically dismantled the L.A. offense. Sportsnet reports that after Mookie Betts walked and Shohei Ohtani singled in the fifth, Atlanta's bullpen retired 14 consecutive Dodgers hitters. Ohtani, a four-time MVP, struggled for the second straight game, finishing 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted to Sportsnet that his hitters struggled with "chase" at-bats and found it difficult to put good swings on balls outside the zone.
Atlanta's offensive pressure continued through Michael Harris II, who Sportsnet notes had three hits, including a triple and an RBI double. Harris' triple in the fifth led to the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by reliever Kris Bubic. The Braves' bullpen dominance forced the Dodgers to rely on a late-inning surge that fell short. Despite a ninth-inning home run from Max Muncy off Didier Fuentes to pull L.A. within one, closer Raisel Iglesias secured the win by forcing pinch-hitter Josue De Paula to foul out, as reported by Sportsnet.
On the mound for Los Angeles, Blake Snell struggled significantly. Sportsnet reports that the two-time Cy Young winner lasted only three and two-thirds innings—his shortest postseason start since 2022—throwing only 47 of his 90 pitches for strikes.
With the series moving to Truist Park, the pressure is mounting. MLB.com notes that winners of Game 3 in a best-of-five series tied 1-1 have gone on to win the series 71.6% of the time. The matchup will feature two aces: Braves LHP Chris Sale, who MLB.com notes posted the third-best ERA in the MLB this year (2.16), against Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP.