Braves on verge of World Series for 1st time in over 2 decades
Braves Fans watch batting practice before Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night as the Braves looked to clinch a spot in the World Series for the first time since 1999. Lefty reliever A.J. Minter was the first pitcher on the mound for the Braves, who are going with a bullpen day. The Braves took a 3-1 series lead over the Dodgers into the game in Arlington, Texas. Dustin May, like Minter a Texas native, started for the Dodgers. Minter had never started in the big leagues, in 139 regular-season games over four seasons or his five previous postseason appearances. He was the fourth of seven pitchers the Braves used in Game 2, when they held on for an 8-7 win. This is his fourth appearance in these playoffs after an 0.83 ERA over 21 2⁄ innings in 22 games during the regular season. May pitched 4 2⁄ scoreless innings in his previous
3 3 three appearances this postseason. —