Steve Webb
Dodgers to face either Padres or Braves in NLDS
LOS ANGELES, CA — That was quite a day of baseball! In a crazy double header, the Mets and Braves split a double-header, which created the unique situation where BOTH teams qualified for the postseason.
The New York Mets secured a playoff berth in Game 1 with an intense 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Ozzie Albies put Atlanta ahead early with a two-run homer in the third inning, but the Mets rallied in the eighth, with Brandon Nimmo‘s two-run blast making it 6-3. However, Albies struck again, clearing the bases to give the Braves a 7-6 lead. Francisco Lindor responded with a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth, sealing the win for the Mets, while Edwin Díaz closed out the game to clinch the postseason spot.
In the second game of the twinbill,the The Atlanta Braves clinched their postseason spot with a 3-0 victory over the Mets. Pitching dominated the game, with reliever Guillermo Hernández delivering 1.2 scoreless innings and picking up the win. Marcell Ozuna provided the key offensive moment with a two-run single in the seventh, adding to Gio Urshela‘s second-inning RBI. The Braves bullpen was stellar, as Raisel Iglesias earned his 34th save by shutting down the Mets’ offense, which managed only three hits. This win vaulted Atlanta into second place in the NL East.
So with the split, last year’s pennant-winning team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, are on the outside looking in. Their failure to win the home series against the Padres, who had nothing to play for, looms large in their elimination, and today’s split was the last nail in the coffin. Sorry, Snakes. See you next year.
So the field is now complete in both leagues. The Padres already clinched the first Wild Card, and were just watching to see who would be their opponent this week. Turns out it is the Braves, who by virtue of their win in the second game, secured the fifth seed. They will be the visitor in Petco Park in the three-gamer that starts on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Mets fly to Milwaukee and take on the NL Central champs, the Brewers. So, as far as the Dodgers are concerned, no matter who wins, it’s going to be a chance for redemption. Either they will play the favored Padres, who knocked out the 111-win Dodgers in 2022, or the underdog Braves, who sent the 106-win Dodgers home en route to their 2021 World Series title. Sounds like interesting times one way or the other. Here we go!
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
