Atlanta has a way to keep this game on its own terms with Tyler Mahle. His stronger stretch has come with a real change in how he pitches, and his length can hand a shorter game to Atlanta’s late relievers. The Braves have been drawing walks even while hits have been harder to find. That gives them a route to pressure Tyler Glasnow and make a close game count.
Mahle has leaned more on his splitter and less on his cutter since joining Atlanta. He allowed one run in seven innings against Philadelphia in his first postseason start. Dylan Lee, Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias are all expected to be available after him.
Atlanta drew 36 walks across its last 10 recorded games. Glasnow issued 11 walks in 22⅓ September innings, and the Braves scored three runs in five innings against him in August. The last meeting was settled by two Dodgers home runs off Chris Sale; Mahle brings a different pitch mix and a different route through this game.
