Braves were real winners of Giants-Dodgers marathon series

Although the Dodgers ultimately won over the Giants in Game 5, it is the Braves who are the real winners of the NLDS marathon series. 

The Dodgers may have won over the Giants during the NL Divisional Series, but both these NL West teams have been facing a serious disadvantage.

Even though these were the two best MLB teams in the regular season, an NL East opponent benefitted from their extended postseason battle: the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves, who celebrated their narrow Game 4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, Oct. 12, have had three full days of relief from postseason intensity. When they take on the Dodgers on Saturday, Oct. 16, they will enter Truist Park with more advantages than just home field.

Atlanta Braves were the real winners of an extended Giants-Dodgers NLDS run

Baseball is unique in that unlike other sports, athletes play almost every single day. Football players play once a week, while basketball players usually have three to four games in a week. Baseball is different: players are expected to play almost every day, which stresses the importance of bench depth.

It’s how the Giants and Dodgers were able to power through their electrifying Divisional Series, but it also gives the Braves a unique advantage. Coming fresh off three full days of rest could make all the difference for the Braves bullpen. With Max Fried set to pitch in NLCS Game 1, he heads a “formidable bunch” that includes Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson.

“We feel very good heading to the NLCS this year, regardless of who we’re playing,” Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “We’ve got a great pitching staff. Three studs on the mound. Shoot, all our guys are nasty.”

But in California, the pitching situation isn’t as ideal. Their last-minute switch to start Corey Knebel over Julio Urías all worked out in the end, but the in-game strategy isn’t enough to stun a team through a series.

The Dodgers have worn through their bullpen, having to rely on Max Scherzer and any number of relievers to close the game. While Scherzer got the last three outs of the game, it’s more wear on the Dodgers pitchers when they have just one day to prepare for their Saturday game.

Scherzer was expected to start in NLCS Game 1, but the starting lineup has yet to be finalized.

After beating the Braves at the championship level last season, the Dodgers enter this series as the betting favorite as well. But if Atlanta’s advantages make the difference, it’ll mean the Braves were the real winner of Game 5 after all.