hawaiitribune_herald
In a crucial Game 4 of the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night in Cumberland, Georgia. The victory sent the Dodgers to their third straight NL Championship Series and brought them within one step of becoming the first National League club in MLB history to win three consecutive World Series championships.
The game shifted in the top of the seventh inning when Andy Pages, who had begun the series 0-for-8, came to bat with two outs and the bases loaded. Pages singled to drive in two runs, giving the Dodgers their first hit with runners in scoring position all series after an 0-for-15 stretch. His timely hit doubled his RBI total from the previous October and provided the decisive blow. Max Muncy added a solo home run in the ninth, his third of the series and 19th of his postseason career, to seal the win.
Pages Proves His Worth
Pages' path to that moment was far from easy. Less than a year ago, a dismal postseason slump had left him benched for the final two games of the World Series. Manager Dave Roberts faced questions about whether to sit Pages again after his slow start, but Roberts remained steadfast. "I'm gonna continue to give Andy leash," Roberts said before Game 3. "I believe in him. I feel that for us to win the World Series this year, we're gonna need him to be an active part of our team." Pages responded with the biggest hit of the series, validating his manager's confidence. With Shohei Ohtani continuing to struggle, consistent production from the bottom of the order, particularly from Pages, who was the team's most consistent right-handed hitter all year, becomes even more critical.
Glasnow Grinds Through
Tyler Glasnow, often overlooked in a rotation featuring four No. 1 starters, battled through 4 2/3 innings despite erratic command. The right-hander threw only 44 strikes out of 78 pitches and walked five, including two in the fifth that put runners on with two outs. Roberts turned to left-hander Alex Vesia, who needed just one pitch to escape the jam, inducing a groundout from Matt Olson to end the inning. Glasnow allowed only one run, keeping the Dodgers in the game even without feel for his off-speed pitches. His first inning epitomized his outing: after firing a season-high 99.2 mph fastball to Ozzie Albies, he spiked a breaking ball that allowed Michael Harris II to score easily from third. The Dodgers' decision to pull Glasnow early was influenced by a rested bullpen that had used only Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz in Game 3, plus an off day looming on Thursday.
Braves' Bullpen Woes
Atlanta's bullpen faltered in the seventh. Rookie José Fuentes, who had impressed with 3 2/3 solid innings in Los Angeles, recorded just one out and left with the bases loaded. Robert Suarez took over and surrendered a base hit that scored two runs, one charged to Fuentes. Fuentes' velocity was noticeably down, and his command was shaky. Given Suarez's experience and familiarity with the Dodgers from his time with the San Diego Padres, questions arose about whether the veteran should have been summoned instead of the rookie. The loss highlighted the Braves' pitching depth issues, which they were unable to address at the trade deadline.
Mahle's Future in Atlanta
Tyler Mahle walked off the field to a strong ovation from the Truist Park crowd, possibly for the last time in a Braves uniform. Acquired for minor-league depth arm Anthony Molina, Mahle exceeded expectations with a 1.99 ERA in nine starts. Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos revealed that the team had attempted to sign Mahle in 2024 before he joined the Rangers. While his price may have risen, Mahle's consistency could make him a worthwhile target for Atlanta in free agency. A return in 2027 is not out of the question if the Braves believe he can maintain his form.
Originally reported by hawaiitribune_herald.