Braves 9, Dodgers 2 – 2021 NLCS Game 4: Ghosts of the Game 2 decision haunt Dodgers, bats continue to absolutely suck

Following the thrilling comeback win in Game 3 that got the Dodgers right back into the NLCS against the Braves, the consequences of their actions in previous games came home to roost in a 9-2 loss to put them in the same 3-1 deficit as 2020.

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Max Scherzer had a dead arm in Game 2 of the series after pitching an inning of relief on his bullpen day to clinch the NLDS. Dave Roberts tried to have Julio Urias do the same in Game 2 of the NLCS and it backfired horribly, but that wasn’t why it was a stupid decision, it was because it could potentially impact him going forward, not only in this series but also later in the playoffs.

Well, Julio came out in the pivotal Game 4 and looked as bad as he has all year. His fastball velocity was down and flat, his command wasn’t there either, and he almost seemed lucky to only give up five runs given the amount of loud contact he was surrendering.

Back-to-back!!! pic.twitter.com/zoU0xTNoKN

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2021

Freddie!!! pic.twitter.com/BdDvK31PEY

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2021

It was the most homers he had surrendered all season, which is hard to look at as a coincidence.

Most homers Julio has given up in a start this year, but also had given up three or less homers in four of the six MONTHS this season.

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

To make matters worse, Urias was allowed to hit in the 3rd and arguably could’ve been taken out when it was still 3-0 to prevent extra runs. While tomorrow is a pen game … they also can’t just have a starter wear it while trailing a series 2-1.

Good lord, you could've validly argued he should've got him an inning or two ago.

Yeah, pen game tomorrow, but you can't give up in a 3-0/4-0 game in the playoffs despite my coping tweets.

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

Baffling choices.

I would be more okay with things if I felt Dave Roberts/Dodgers FO would learn not to do this again from this, but I don't think they will.

🙃

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

Offensively, the Dodgers couldn’t get anything done against the worst of the Braves pen, getting shutout by Jesse Chavez in the 1st and then Drew Smyly in the next three frames, partially thanks to Adam Duvall robbing Gavin Lux at the wall.

Duvall is doing it all! pic.twitter.com/2w6FmJ4p3u

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2021

Mood. pic.twitter.com/yRYNMwvoFn

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

But in the 5th the Dodgers made it a game again, with back-to-back singles from Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger knocking out Smyly. AJ Pollock then came up with a two-out two-run single against Chris Martin to make it 5-2.

But that’s about all she wrote, as there was no 5% comeback tonight.

Oh, and JT is hurt.

Bad. pic.twitter.com/2RewIH2PwA

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

They came back from 3-1 last year … but it was rare for a reason and needed a lot of Braves fuckups to happen.

Dodgers making Bellinger's homer look like a dead cat bounce.

— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) October 21, 2021

At the end of the day, they’re just getting beat by the Braves. Outplayed.