Braves @ Dodgers NLCS Game 7: Anderson vs. May (and friends) for a trip to the 2020 World Series

Photo: Stacie Wheeler

Things looked quite bad for the Dodgers after Thursday night’s drubbing that put them down 3-1 in the NLCS. Two straight wins have brought them to Game 7 when ***tired sports cliché*** anything can happen.

Anything, including starting Dustin May, because that’s what’s happening. He of the Game 5 start that saw him throw two innings and make 55 pitches. He’ll probably be on a similar workload today in an almost all-hands-on-deck situation for LA. He has given up two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 postseason innings thus far.

Image Image
5:15 p.m. Arlington
RF Acuna RF Betts
1B Freeman SS Seager
DH Ozuna 3B Turner
C d’Arnaud 1B Muncy
2B Albies (S) C Smith
SS Swanson CF Bellinger
3B Riley LF Pollock
LF Markakis DH Pederson
CF Pache 2B Taylor
P Anderson (R) P May (R)

I’d expect Tony Gonsolin, situation-dependent, to follow after May’s outing ends. There’s a chance Clayton Kershaw and/or Julio Urias could pitch today, but I’d rather not see either of them on the bump in case they’re needed to start the first two games of the World Series. Who am I kidding? Kershaw is 100% throwing today because Dave Roberts will make that decision. Let’s just hope it works out better than the last time he pitched in relief.

Walker Buehler‘s solid outing, combined with the Dodgers jumping on Max Fried early and some timely defense helped to set up this deciding game. The last time the Dodgers played a Game 7 in the NLCS, it was two years ago in Milwaukee. The last time the Braves played a Game 7 in the NLCS, it was 1996 against the Cardinals. None of that means much, but it’s just fun to note.

Buehler’s six innings yesterday allowed the Dodgers’ bullpen to get a little more rest. Everyone outside of Pedro Baez, Kenley Jansen and Blake Treinen will have an extra day of rest. We could see some big-time, high-leverage innings for guys like Victor Gonzalez, Brusdar Graterol, Jake McGee and, yes, Joe Kelly. Buckle up!

Chris Taylor is back after a night off. He hurt his right ankle making a throw from left field in Game 5, but he’s getting the call at second base. Joc Pederson draws the start against the right-hander, as per usual. The Braves are running out the same lineup in this winner-take-all contest.

Ian Anderson, the Game 2 starter who threw four scoreless innings, is on the mound for Atlanta. The Dodgers did draw five walks against him, but they could only muster one hit. The offense will have to be better than that if they hope to advance to the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

If you’re a fan of history and odds being on your favorite team’s side…

Would be neat to make some history.

Here’s a spot of good news for Dodgers’ play-by-play guy Joe Davis, who will be calling the game as a FOX play-by-play guy in place of Joe Buck.

Thank some random Week 6 NFL game for allowing Davis to call the first Game 7 of his broadcasting career.

Finally…

Don’t fuck it up.

About Dustin Nosler

Avatar photo
Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.