Game One Preview
In 17 of their last 21 postseason games (dating back to 2018), the Brewers game score has been under eight runs. The Brewers have one of baseball’s best bullpens, and under manager Craig Counsell, they leverage their pitching staff in a way that minimizes big innings. That’s why they play so many low-scoring, close games in October.
The Brewers will start Corbin Burnes, a Cy Young Award candidate who has a 2.34 ERA over his last two seasons. Burnes allowed three runs or less in 22 of his 28 starts in ’21. He features a cutter, curve, changeup, and slider, but he throws the cut fastball and curve more than 70 percent of the time.
The Atlanta Braves are underdogs in this series, but they have the firepower in their lineup to possibly make this interesting. They feature three 30-HR bats: Austin Riley, Freddie Freeman, and Ozzie Albies. Shortstop Dansby Swanson gives them four guys in the infield with at least 25 bombs.
Charlie Morton will make his 13th postseason start, but his first for Atlanta, in Game One. He has a glimmering 2.70 ERA in four prior starts in the LDS. They call him “Ground Chuck” for his ability to coax a double play ball, or “Uncle Charlie” for his great curveball.
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