In Game 3 of the 2021 World Series, Atlanta Braves starter Ian Anderson stole the show with five no-hit innings against the Houston Astros. The Braves won the game and took a 2-1 series lead.
The Braves’ decision to go to the bullpen while Anderson was throwing a no-hitter was hotly debated, but Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said it was a personal feeling, not the analytics, that suggested Anderson shouldn’t face the top of the Houston lineup a third time.
“I was just like, ‘Ian, I’m going with my gut right here. Just my eyes, my gut,'” Snitker said about his decision to pull Anderson during the no-hit bid.
What’s the gut saying about Game 4? The numbers say a few things. The Braves are 6-0 at home this postseason. According to ESPN Stats & Information, only three teams have won seven straight home games in a single postseason. Those three teams — the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, 2015 Kansas City Royals and 2017 Astros — all won the championship. If the Braves make it to a record 8-0 at home, they’ll win the series.
This postseason, however, Houston has been at its best coming off a loss. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Astros are 3-1, averaging 7.3 runs per game following losses in the 2021 playoffs.
The Game 4 pitching matchup is one of the most unusual we will ever see in a World Series game. Braves starter Dylan Lee is easily the most anonymous, least accomplished pitcher to start a World Series game. Lee lasted only four batters and was pulled.
On the other side is Zack Greinke, who leads active pitchers in innings pitched. Greinke started once in the ALCS and lasted just four outs, inducing no swings-and-misses in the 37 pitches he threw. Frankly, he hasn’t pitched well since mid-August and while he’s a starter in pedigree, like Lee he probably won’t be expected to last long.
Indeed, let’s see how far each manager wants to go here. Expect lots of bullpen innings from both sides.
Guts? Numbers? More wine? Which will reign supreme? Here are the best moments from Game 4:
A rough start for the rookie
Well, that could have been a lot worse for the Braves. Rookie southpaw Dylan Lee faced four batters and gave up an infield single and walked the two left-handed batters he faced, but Kyle Wright came on with the bases loaded and one out and induced an RBI groundout from Carlos Correa then struck out Kyle Tucker on a 96-mph fastball up in the zone. Tucker would probably like another hack at a 1-2 fastball down the middle that he fouled off. It was a big gamble for the Braves starting a pitcher with just 4.2 innings in the majors, even if they were hoping to just get one inning out of him. In the end, Snitker is fortunate that it’s 1-0 instead of 3-0 considering both these pitchers weren’t even on the original playoff roster for the Braves in the NLDS. — Dave Schoenfield
Atlanta can rest easy
The pearl necklace worn by Braves outfielder Joc Pederson has become the accessory du jour for the postseason. The necklace got noticed in early October when Pederson was wearing it when he crushed a three-run homer to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the NLDS.
“I take them off when I sleep,” Pederson said on Oct. 11. “I got them through my jeweler. And, yes, they’re real pearls.”
But, in Game 3 of the World Series, the necklace broke. Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated reported that Pederson had his jeweler flown to Atlanta with a replacement.
And, to a sigh of relief to the superstitious, Pederson has his pearls for Game 4.
Rest easy Braves fans! The pearl necklace is on! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/KM1IuffAzU
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) October 30, 2021
Greinke in great company
In the National League park, the pitcher bats. Greinke will bat eighth in the lineup, ahead of catcher Martin Maldonado. That spot in the lineup puts Greinke in some rare company.
Zack Greinke is just the 2nd pitcher to hit above 9th in the lineup in the #WorldSeries.
The other is Babe Ruth in 1918 (Game 4), who hit 6th.
h/t: @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/GqYP3McMmJ
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 30, 2021
Greinke only had two at-bats this season. He is a career-.225 hitter.
Pregame looks
All good, new day, new game, let’s gooooooo #ForTheH 🍍 pic.twitter.com/VZLM5hXaSb
— Yulieski Gurriel (@el_yuly10) October 30, 2021
Checking in for Game 4.
Will Houston even the series tonight? pic.twitter.com/L6Kw0CFEYx
— MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2021
game cut
🤝
4 pic.twitter.com/rD5igexBV9— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 30, 2021