At Stadium in Los Angeles, despite missing Chris Sale and facing the challenge of using two bullpen games against the ‘ two Cy Young Award winners, the Braves managed to leave Los Angeles with the series tied at 1-1 in the National League Division Series. Tarik Skubal, acquired by the before the deadline, performed as expected in Game 1, but Blake Snell struggled to maintain that momentum in Game 2.
The Braves patiently took advantage of Snell’s wild pitching during his short outing, keeping the powerful lineup to just one run until Max Muncy’s solo homer in the ninth inning cut the deficit. With the down to their final out, rookie Josue De Paula was called upon for his playoff debut, but Braves closer Raisel Iglesias quickly ended the game with a pop-up, securing a 3-2 victory.
Here are the key takeaways:
On the mound was a clear contrast: Blake Snell, a seasoned two-time Cy Young winner, versus Ray Kerr, a two-time junior college attendee. Surprisingly, it was Kerr who left the game leading 1-0. Kerr has become the story of this postseason, impressing fans and analysts alike with his calm and effective pitching.
Kerr, who learned he’d be starting the bullpen game only the morning of, approached the task with composure. Given his unusual journey—growing up in foster care, overcoming academic hurdles, working regular jobs, and finally climbing the ranks after notable minor league performances—it’s remarkable to see him shine on baseball’s biggest stage. After a two-year break due to Tommy John surgery, Kerr returned in 2026 for the Braves, delivering key outings including a strong performance in the wild-card series and an exceptional 2.2 scoreless innings against Snell in Game 2 of the NLDS.
catcher Drake Baldwin praised Kerr’s significant contributions, underscoring just how vital he has been to the Braves’ success in these crucial games.
Turning to the ’ rotation, Sunday night exposed vulnerabilities in what many considered an unstoppable postseason pitching staff. Snell, who dominated early in the 2025 postseason, appeared rusty and struggled with control, probably due to a nagging groin injury that limited his late regular-season workload. He issued five walks in just 3.2 innings and was clearly battling his mechanics, ultimately departing before the fifth inning after laboring through 90 pitches.
manager Dave Roberts noted Snell was battling his delivery throughout, beyond just the physical injury. Still, Snell did manage to hold the Braves to one run until the bullpen cleaned up, but it was a disappointing performance compared to his strong season finish.
On the offensive side, the ’ Freddie Freeman, who had been hampered by a right knee injury all season, rediscovered his postseason magic on Sunday. Known for clutch moments in past World Series, Freeman tied the game with a solo homer, energizing the crowd after a quiet night. However, Braves outfielder Michael Harris II quickly erased that momentum with a triple off reliever Kris Bubic, which eventually led to the go-ahead run thanks to a wild pitch. Harris’ solid day at the plate, including this key hit and other contributions, has made a notable impact on the Braves’ playoff run.
Looking ahead to Game 3, the pitching matchup promises to be electric. The Braves took a calculated risk by using Sale heavily in the wild-card series, which left him unavailable for the first two NLDS games but positioned to pitch on ample rest back in Atlanta. Manager Weiss stands by the decision, emphasizing the importance of winning that earlier series. Meanwhile, the will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP, aiming to carry forward his dominant postseason form.
Fan Take: This series highlights how unpredictability and resilience define playoff baseball, with underdogs like Ray Kerr stepping up alongside stars like Freddie Freeman. For fans, it’s a thrilling reminder that postseason success hinges not just on big names but grit and depth, which keeps the sport exciting and competitive at its highest level.
Source: www.foxsports.com
