Starting games aren’t something A.J. Minter of the Atlanta Braves is used to
With a trip to the World Series on the line, the Atlanta Braves hand the ball to A.J. Minter.
It was going to be a bullpen game for the Braves after using Max Fried, Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson in Games 1 through 4 of the 2020 NLCS vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta is up 3-1 in this best-of-seven series with the luxury of going to a bullpen game to possibly close this one out. Minter has pitched great for Atlanta in relief this year, but this is uncharted territory.
How many outs will A.J. Minter need to get to be a successful Game 5 opener?
2020 has been Minter’s best season as a professional. In 22 regular-season games this season, Minter went 1-1 with a blistering 0.83 ERA. He struck out 24 batters in 21.2 innings pitched, surrendering only 15 hits and walked nine. Friday night will be his fourth appearance for the Braves this postseason, but his first as an opener since he played for the Texas A&M Aggies.
Minter hasn’t pitched more than 1.2 innings in a game this season, but has been very effective otherwise in most of his combined 25 appearances, regular season and postseason. Odds are Braves manager Brian Snitker wants one strong inning out of Minter, hoping he can retire Mookie Betts, Corey Seager and Justin Turner, one-two-three. It’s all about getting 27 outs tonight.
Though the Braves gave up 15 runs in Game 3’s blowout loss on Wednesday night, the team responded with another strong victory over the Dodgers in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead. The big key in this series has been the Braves’ ability to hit the Dodgers’ bullpen better than the other way around. However, this game will feel different for the Braves because it’s all bullpen.
Look for Minter to give it the proverbial college try when he opens for Atlanta in Game 5 tonight.