GOT IT MINUTE MADE?
Atlanta’s first NL title since ’99 helps Houston avoid L.A. rematch, gain home-field edge
The Astros avoided a headline-grabbing rematch and will enjoy home-field advantage in a World Series with a nostalgic flair.
The Atlanta Braves defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Saturday to claim its first National League pennant since 1999. Los Angeles’ loss robbed baseball of a tantalizing rematch of the 2017 World Series, one Houston won in seven games after stealing signs at Minute Maid Park throughout the regular season.
Atlanta’s 88-73 regularseason record affords the Astros home-field advantage throughout the World Series. Game 1 is scheduled for 7:09 p.m. Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. Houston had home-field advantage during the 2019 World Series, too, but lost all four of its home games to the Washington Nationals.
The Braves and Astros have identical postseason records entering the 2021 Fall Classic. Atlanta required four games to vanquish the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS before dispatching the Dodgers in six.
The Braves lineup has a 100 wRC+ since the All-Star break. Their pitching staff had a 3.89 ERA during the regular season. Atlanta is buoyed by two ace-type starting pitchers, standout closer Will Smith, reigning National League Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman and a bevy of brilliant trade-deadline acquisitions by general manager Alex Anthopolous.
Atlanta’s playoff odds dipped as low as 24 percent on Aug. 8, according to Fan-Graphs. Superstar outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL on July 10. Major League Baseball placed outfielder Marcell Ozuna on administrative leave in September following a May arrest on domestic violence charges. Neither man will contribute in the World Series.
Atlanta acquired Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler at the trade deadline to compensate. Rosario struck 14 hits during the NLCS en route to Most Valuable Player honors. Pederson has three home runs during the postseason, too.
Starters Max Fried and Astros 2017 World Series hero Charlie Morton headline Atlanta’s starting rotation. Before signing with the Braves this winter, Morton
ended the Astros’ 2020 season with an overpowering performance during Game 7 of the ALCS with the Rays.
Morton’s presence is one of many reunions during the series. Braves manager Brian Snitker’s son, Troy, is a hitting coach on Houston’s major league staff.
Atlanta drafted Houston manager Dusty Baker in the 26th round of the 1967 draft. He made his major league debut as a Brave and played there until 1975, becoming best friends with Hank Aaron. Aaron died in January and his No. 44 is emblazoned in the outfield at Atlanta’s Truist Park.
The Braves and Astros matched up in five postseason series while both were in the National League. Atlanta won the NLDS against them in 1997, 1999 and 2001 before the Astros defeated them in 2004 and 2005.