The Atlanta Braves walked through a gauntlet just to get to this World Series. Surviving a slow start to the year they battled back to win the National League East, then a playoff bracket that was stacked to end their great second half run . Just to face the best team in the American League. And they came out on the other side as World Series champions.
Your 2021 #WorldSeries champs! pic.twitter.com/tbfHCriToL — MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2021
For the first time since 1995, when last the Braves won the fall classic, Atlanta is once again a World Champion. The Braves didn’t just end they crushed the Astros hopes and dreams of a World Series with a Game 6 rout for the ages 7-0. The Braves take the series 4-2.
Atlanta, unlike in Game 5, didn’t start off strong. But their bats woke up in the third inning
SOLER HAS LEFT THE BUILDING. pic.twitter.com/IOc5wXreRb — MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2021
Wake up call
Jorge Soler came up in the third inning with two down and Ozzie Albies, Eddie Rosario on base. Luis Garcia battled him with everything he had left in that arm, an eight-pitch at-bat that ended with a knockout punch of a moon shot to left field and over the train tracks at Minute Maid Park.
The stadium shaking blast put the Braves up 3-0 and the Braves never looked back. Never even checked the rearview mirror.
Atlanta added to their leads in the fifth inning. Dansby Swanson homered to left field that rang the signs just above the deeper left field wall. The two-run shot gave Atlanta a 5-0 lead. Freddie Freeman added one more run in that inning with a double to score Soler. Adding salt to the wound, Freeman the reigning National League MVP hit a solo home run off Ryan Stanek. in what could be his last at bat for the only team he’s ever played for.
After 12 seasons in Atlanta, @FreddieFreeman5 has his ring! pic.twitter.com/D7Mi31Uyxu — MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2021
While the ball was popping off the Braves bats, the people of Atlanta received a clutch performance from Max Fried.
It looked like the Astros were going to get on Fried early. After giving up six runs on seven hits in five innings of work in Game 2, Fried started off a bit shaky in the first inning of Game 6. He allowed Jose Altuve to single and a defensive mishap allowed Michael Brantley to make it to first base.
When I saw Max Fried’s ankle like this I thought he was gonna exit the game pic.twitter.com/beon8k4Ay6 — hoodiegarysanchez (@hoodiegarysanc1) November 3, 2021
The Brantley play became a source of concern because it didn’t appear the outfielder stepped on first base but instead spiked Fried’s ankle. But he shook it off like he did his game two outing.
With two on and no outs, Fried fought back and struck out Carlos Correa, got Yordan Alvarez to ground out and struck out Yuli Gurriel. Fried buckled down after that. Allowing just four hits while striking out six in six innings.
Max Fried, 98mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/HK2jL90vMr — Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 3, 2021
Then as I said yesterday the pen took over for the Braves. Tyler Matzek would strike out four Braves batters then hand the ball over to Will Smith to close out the game.
The Braves win their first World Series since 1995 and their second since the team moved from Milwaukee for the start of the 1966 season. The franchise’s history dates back to 1876 when they were the Boston Red Stockings. The team was also known as the Boston Beaneaters, Boston Braves, Boston Bees. Had to get that history here someplace. oh and the aforementioned Milwaukee Braves. The franchise now has a total of four World Series titles.
Being a lover of this game I was worried I wasn’t going to enjoy this series. Being a lover of the Red Sox and a bit salty as to how they went out also worried me on this front. But this Braves team ended all those concerns early in this classic. Ad gave us all one to remember
#FreedyFreeman #MaxFried #MLB #HoustonAstros #AtlantaBraves #JorgeSoler #WorldSeries