The 2021 World Series is tied 1-1 after the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros traded blowout wins in Houston. The series shifts to Atlanta for Games 3, 4, and 5. Game 3 is Friday night. Luis Garcia gets the start for Houston and will face Atlanta’s Ian Anderson.
In Game 2, the Astros jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. Second baseman Jose Altuve hit his 22nd postseason home run, bringing him to No. 2 all-time. Astros starter Jose Urquidy struck out seven to get the win.
After two games, what do we know? Astros star Alex Bregman has gone hitless so far. The Braves’ pitching staff will need solid outings to replace the production of Charlie Morton, who was injured in Game 1.
What’s next? Anderson facing Astros shortstop Carlos Correa will be big in Game 3. Correa mashes changeups (1.066 OPS this season against the pitch) and Anderson throws a lot of them. That pitch could turn Game 3.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, in a tied World Series the winner of Game 3 has gone on to win the championship 69% of the time.
Here’s the best plays and moments from Game 3:
Braves bench red-hot rookie
The existential crisis about what’s best for winning and what’s entertaining for fans became front and center when Atlanta decided to take out Ian Anderson, who finished the night with five no-hit innings while walking three batters and striking out four. The only other pitcher in MLB history to go at least five innings in a World Series game and finish without giving up a hit was Don Larsen, who threw a perfect game for the New York Yankees in 1956.
.@ian_anderson15 is the first rookie with 5 no-hit frames in a #WorldSeries game since 1912. 🤯
📺: @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/SBxNfk3TIT
— MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2021
Me too Doggie 🐶!
— Marvin Freeman (@marvinfreeman84) October 30, 2021
The decision to take Anderson out of the game highlighted the trend in the 2021 postseason of teams depending heavily on their bullpens to get through games, with Atlanta scheduled for two bullpen games coming up. The desire for Anderson to not face the Astros for a third time through, when pitchers typically struggle against a lineup, undeniably played a role in Atlanta’s decision to pull its starter, but many in baseball took to social media to discuss the decision. Joon Lee
2 teams battling for the World Series. Tied 1-1 in games. Game score is 1-0 in the 5th inning. A game where both starters were dealing. Both starters have been removed from the game. Bullpen games are looming with lots of questions on how innings will be filled. I don’t get it.
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) October 30, 2021
Remember that Anderson is more than 100 innings past what he threw last year, and a whole lot of the other starters are even further beyond last year’s workloads. They’re fried (except Max Fried, who’s maxed).
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) October 30, 2021
Home team strikes first
Luis Garcia mowed through the Atlanta lineup through the first two innings of the game, but the Braves struck back in the third, scoring the first run. The inning started out with an Eddie Rosario walk followed by a single by first baseman Freddie Freeman, who hit a line drive single to center field, pushing Rosario to second base. Garcia then struck out Ozzie Albieson a 86.6 mph changeup for the inning’s first out, but Atlanta tallied its first run on the board with a double by third baseman Austin Riley, scoring Rosario and pushing Freeman to third base. A walk of Jorge Soler by Garcia loaded the bases, but the Astros got out of the inning with only a run scored after Adam Duvall popped out and Travis d’Arnaud struck out swinging.
AUSTIN RILEY 3:16 SAYS THE BRAVES STRIKE FIRST!#BattleATL | #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/Y7YabgpB5e
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 30, 2021
Honoring an icon
Before first pitch, Atlanta honored legendary Hall of Famer Hank Aaron with a tribute ahead of Game 3. Aaron’s widow, Billye Aaron, stood on the field, received a standing ovation and teared up from the crowd’s reaction. Hank Aaron Jr. threw out the first pitch, which was caught by Freeman, the winner of the 2020 Hank Aaron award. Astros manager Dusty Baker, who was on deck when Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th homer in 1974, joined the family on the mound and gave hugs to Hank Jr. and the rest of Aaron’s kids, Gaile, Dorinda and Lary.
The family of the legendary Hank Aaron was honored before #WorldSeries Game 3, along with a first pitch by Hank Aaron Jr.
What a moment. pic.twitter.com/drl3nSv0pG
— MLB (@MLB) October 30, 2021
Super Rosario
Atlanta outfielder Eddie Rosario wants to channel his inner Mario in the remaining World Series games.
In a collaboration between Stadium Custom Kicks and Chandler Bats, Rosario will use this “Super Rosario” themed bat in homage to the iconic Nintendo character. While Rosario can use the bat only during batting practice due to MLB rules, the stick features a striking design with nods to the original 1983 game, including Goombas, pipes, bricks and Piranha Plants. The bat handle is adorned with the words “Super Rosario” in the game’s font, and the bat also features a cartoon of Rosario dressed as Mario and a Puerto Rican flag. Rosario also received “Super Rosario” custom-painted cleats, which he can wear in games.
Atlanta outfielder Eddie Rosario will be using this Mario-themed “Super Rosario” painted bat – a collaboration between @stadiumck and Chandler Bats – during BP at the World Series pic.twitter.com/5luYTeY4xH
— Joon Lee 이준엽 (@joonlee) October 29, 2021
Seeing red
The Braves will be busting out the red jersey Friday night and Atlanta legend/Superstation god Dale Murphy is here for it.
🔴 Tonight’s jerseys 🔴#BattleATL | #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/HV7fmhZKRc
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 29, 2021
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/IlxZzSW9lV
— Dale Murphy (@DaleMurphy3) October 29, 2021
Atlanta record producer, executive and rapper is also in the spirit.
Game 3 !! @Braves pic.twitter.com/jQ1heKLyC3
— Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) October 29, 2021
Fans with a porpoise
Braves by a million if these sea creatures have anything to say about it.
Georgia Aquarium is HYPE for the #WorldSeries! ⚾️ We wanted to welcome the @Braves back to Atlanta in style. #ForTheA #BattleATL pic.twitter.com/UgWyJplCdO
— Georgia Aquarium (@GeorgiaAquarium) October 29, 2021
