The Braves picked up an exciting win over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS and are looking to do the same Tuesday night.
Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves had trouble doing much of anything on offense in Monday’s NLCS opener. The teams had actual fans in attendance and a pitcher’s duel appeared to be the ultimate show.
That was until the top of the ninth when the Braves broke free with four runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Dodgers fans can blame the pitching all they want, but the offense needs to be better in Game 2. As for the pitching, a change has been made Tuesday.
RHP Tony Gonsolin will start Game 2 of the NLCS. LHP Clayton Kershaw has been scratched with back spasms.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2020
What to watch for in Game 2
Clayton Kershaw being scratched from the start is huge news. However, Tony Gonsolin is no slouch. He finished the year with a 2.31 ERA in nine outings and that mark jumped up from 1.77 at the end of the season because of a single four-run day.
Gonsolin also had 46 strikeouts in 46.2 innings of work. Losing Kershaw is never good. Having Gonsolin replace him in this scenario is still nothing to panic about.
Once again, the Dodgers are going to have to hit. Max Fried went six innings of one-run baseball Monday night and the bullpen combined for three no-hit innings. Now rookie Ian Anderson is on the mound. He has not allowed a run this postseason in 11.2 innings of work and has 17 strikeouts in that span.
It is also fair to say the Braves offense has to wake up. Two home runs in the ninth inning were exciting, but the bullpen may not be as perfect all series as it was in Game 1.
How to live stream Game 2
First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1. Fans can also find live streams of the game via the MLB streams subreddit.