5:38 PM ET
On a Thursday that could view as numerous as four groups sent home from the 2020 MLB playoffs, the Atlanta Braves got things began with an NLDS sweep of the Miami Marlins in Houston. Will the Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers join them beforehand, or will the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres keep their seasons alive?
Here are the stars, turning points and takeaways from each of Thursdays games.
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Atlanta got airtight pitching, prompt defense and an offense that kept the scoreboard clicking both with and without home runs.
Still, from getting rid of an early-season COVID-19 break out to seldom seeing its home ballpark in the opening weeks of the campaign, the Marlins conquered a lot to get this far. Now Atlanta will move up in class after polishing off Cincinnati and Miami without breaking a proverbial sweat. By polishing off the Marlins in 3 games, now the Braves can make the short trip from Houston to Arlington and take pleasure in 3 days off before the NLCS begins Monday. The Dodgers and the Padres present a substantially more powerful test for Atlanta, but so far, the Braves appear to be more than prepared for it.
Atlanta Braves 7, Miami Marlins 0
What it implies: The gap between even two disparately matched groups does not always appear in a brief series, however it sure carried out in this one. The Braves throttled the underdog Marlins in every method you can possibly imagine. Atlanta got airtight pitching, prompt defense and an offense that kept the scoreboard clicking both with and without crowning achievement.
The Marlins did not look prepared for prime-time television, which really ought to have surprised no one. They were a 31-29 team during the season that was outscored by 41 runs. Miami has more work left ahead of it in its quest to construct a seasonal winner. Still, from getting rid of an early-season COVID-19 break out to seldom seeing its home ballpark in the opening weeks of the campaign, the Marlins got rid of a lot to get this far. Better days lie ahead, and developing an organizational identity as one of strength is not absolutely nothing for a franchise that has for so long lacked an identity of any sort. Kudos to Don Mattingly and his squad.
Now Atlanta will move up in class after polishing off Cincinnati and Miami without breaking a proverbial sweat. By polishing off the Marlins in three games, now the Braves can make the short trip from Houston to Arlington and delight in three days off before the NLCS starts Monday. Therefore, supervisor Brian Snitker and his staff can set up their pitching strategy nevertheless they see fit. The Dodgers and the Padres present a considerably more powerful test for Atlanta, however so far, the Braves appear to be more than ready for it.– Bradford Doolittle
Next up: Atlantas NLCS matchup with Los Angeles or San Diego will start Monday night in Arlington, Texas. Miami heads into the offseason with concerns to address after a surprising run has actually concerned an end.
More Thursday video games:
Video game 4: As- Astros, follow live
Game 4: Rays-Yankees, 7:10 p.m. ET
Video game 3: Dodgers-Padres, 9:08 p.m. ET
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