October baseball is here, and the Atlanta Braves have a massive problem to fix before the Los Angeles Dodgers crush them. The team just won a dramatic three-game Wild Card Series against Philadelphia, but that victory does not mean they are ready for a title run. Per CBS Sports, the Brewers were told to stop acting like “The Little Engine That Could” because they had the best record in baseball. The Braves need that same shift in mindset immediately.
Their recent win against the Phillies was gritty, but the next opponent is a juggernaut. According to FanGraphs, the Dodgers are trying to win a third consecutive World Series, a feat done only four times in MLB history. The Braves won the regular season series by taking five of six meetings, yet the source warns that beating the postseason Dodgers is an entirely different beast. Los Angeles is healthy now, and their roster is the strongest it has been since Opening Day.
The Pitching Gamble
Atlanta faces a tough choice with their ace pitcher. Manager Walt Weiss told reporters that Chris Sale could start Game 2, but the team would “err on the side of giving him (time to rest) if it’s even close.” Sale threw the final four outs of the Wild Card clincher, which may put him on short rest for Sunday but could be held until Game 3 for more rest. Since it would limit him to a single start in the series, pushing him too hard would significantly hurt the Braves chances.
The rotation depth is also thin. Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach were joined on the IL by Bryce Elder, Reynaldo López, and MartÃn Pérez, who all finished the season there. Tyler Mahle and Grant Holmes, having just pitched in the Wild Card Series, adds to the rotation being unsettled, Grant is an option for Game 1 while Mahle is expected to be available for Game 3. Before making his MLB debut in 2024, Holmes spent a decade in the minor leagues, following a uniquely winding path. Now 30, he made his postseason debut in the decisive win against the Phillies.
The Food and The Fun
While the pitching staff scrambles, the fans can enjoy the best ballpark food in the league. ESPN reports the Bat Flip at Truist Park features a 7-inch burger on toasted brioche, containing 2 pounds of seasoned beef patties, braised short rib, pork belly, melted cheese, crunchy onions, green leaf lettuce, sliced red tomatoes, and a fried egg. That is the kind of comfort food you need while watching a high-stakes game.
Truist Park also offers a massive canopy to keep fans dry. Reportedly, the 108,000-square-foot canopy stands as the largest in Major League Baseball. If you get caught in the rain, you will likely stay covered. This stadium was built for moments like this, even if the team still needs to find the right attitude to win the pennant. The franchise is trying to win its first NL pennant since 2021, and the pressure is on to change the results.
The Final Boss Reality
The Braves cannot afford to be nice or humble in these next five games. They need to act like the Big Bad Wolf, not the underdog. CBS Sports noted that manager Pat Murphy previously said the Cubs “don’t even know most of our guys’ names, so they’re never going to be intimidated by us, but we’re not looking for that.” That mindset worked in the regular season, but it will not work against a Dodgers team trying for a three-peat.
