How is everyone looking at today's MLB Wild Card matchup between Atlanta and Philadelphia? Looking at the flow of the previous games, the battle for momentum between both teams is really tight.
Atlanta took the first win, but Philadelphia answered back with a one-run victory in the next game, leaving the direction of the series completely up in the air. What I'm focusing on isn't just the surface record, but the 'timing' and tempo of both teams scoring runs and shutting down the opposing lineup.
Atlanta is a team that scores runs through extra-base hit power, but they seem unable to easily find their signature hitting rhythm against the relentless pitch mix from Philadelphia's mound. On the other hand, rather than their entire lineup exploding, Philadelphia is drawing out Atlanta's impatience with their focus on manufacturing runs when needed.
In a short series like this, it ultimately comes down to a battle of 'who can break the momentum first and bring it to their own pace.' The key will be whether the Atlanta lineup can regain their tempo by making hard contact from the early innings, or if the Philadelphia pitching staff will keep up their gritty flow. Rather than odds or simple win-loss records, watching the dynamic of which bench makes the first decisive move to shake up the momentum will be the fun part today! ⚾
