Similar to Game 1, Game 2 of the World Series lacked the usual tension and drama we love to see in the Fall Classic. The Houston Astros led 5-1 after two innings and the Atlanta Braves never really threatened after that. The closest they came to making the Astros sweat a little came in the top of the fifth when Freddie Freeman hit a two-out RBI single off Jose Urquidy to make it 5-2, but Urquidy got Ozzie Albies to ground out to first.
Max Fried’s pitching line looks ugly for the Braves with six runs in five-plus innings, but it was one of those games where the Astros kept hitting groundballs with eyes, especially in the four-run second when all five hits in the inning came on grounders. It was really just bad luck more than anything as only one of the five was a hard-hit ball. Brian Snitker did leave him for a couple batters too many, leading to another run in the sixth, but it’s hard to blame Fried too much.
The Braves’ defense has mostly been on lockdown mode this postseason, but that inning was helped by Eddie Rosario’s throw to third when nobody was covering, allowing Jose Siri to score, and later in the game Albies dropped the ball trying to turn a double play, allowing another run to score.
In one sense, the blowout score made things easier for Snitker, as he was able to stay away from his four top relievers, who had to combine for 20 outs in Game 1 after Charlie Morton’s injury. That means A.J. Minter, Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek and Will Smith will all be in good shape when the series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Friday. The Houston bullpen has been excellent in the postseason as Cristian Javier has now thrown nine scoreless innings and Phil Maton, Kendall Graveman and Ryan Pressly continue to look sharp.
The shift in venues also means the elimination of the DH, which brings the managers into the game a little more. Dusty Baker will also have to face a difficult decision on what to do in his outfield. If he wants to get both Michael Brantley and Yordan…
Source : espn
