It All Starts Tonight

To say that last Saturday night, 10/23/21, was a good evening for the Braves' and their fans is an understatement. A huge understatement. While the Braves entered the post season as the winner of the NL East, they entered as an underdog with just 88 wins...the lowest amount of any of the post season teams. However the Braves were one of the hottest teams down the stretch and momentum means everything.

After taking out the Brewers in 4 games, the Braves took on the Los Angeles Dodgers...again. Two years in a row that these two teams met in the NLCS, however this time things were different. Thanks in part to the Dodgers having a hard fought Divisional series against the Giants, the Dodgers weren't 100% entering the series. Neither were the Braves. In July the team lost arguably one of their best players in Ronald Acuna, Jr. Combine that loss with Mike Soroka not even making it out of Spring Training. The Braves could have folded in July when Acuna went down, but they didn't. Alex Anthopolis pulled off some impressive deals at the trading deadline, including picking up an (at the time) injured Eddie Rosario for Pablo Sandoval...who was released a mere 12 hours after Cleveland acquired him!).

Rosario would go on to be the NLCS MVP as his explosive offensive performance helped propel the Braves past the Dodgers. Combine his efforts with that of Joc Petersen (Joctober!), Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler, all whom were also acquired at the trading deadline, and the Braves completely remade their outfield. It all magically came together in this post season...at least so far. While the Braves enjoyed home field advantage against the Dodgers in the NLCS, they will not have that advantage in the World Series against the Astros...however I'm not too worried. They split in Milwaukee to open up  the Post Season, but only won one of 3 games in LA. However they were undefeated at home...so I'm hoping for at least a split in Houston, then a sweep at home. 

Yeah, while I'd like to see that happen, I don't really seeing it unfold like that. I think this series easily goes 6 or 7 games.

Regardless of what happens, I'm super happy for two guys in particular....Manager Brian Snitker and...

Freddie Freeman. A lot of was made about his status at the beginning of the year after the Braves failed to resign him in the off season. Freeman said he would not let that be a distraction and would not talk about contract negotiations during the season. He lived up to his words. While Freddie may not have been able to duplicate his MVP 2020 season, to see the pure joy on his face as the he caught the final out of the NLCS. Freddie has toiled through a lot of tough seasons and it's fantastic that he's being reward with a trip to the game's largest stage.

While making it this far has been a long time dream come true, I don't want to be one of those fans that just satisfied with making it this far. I believe this is the Braves' year. It's their time. No offense to the Dusty Baker and the Astros, but 2021 will be the year of the Bravos.

To keep the post card related, Topps surprised me yesterday when they released 12 cards highlighting the positions between the Braves and Astros. In a year where I've only missed picking up one 2021 Topps Now Braves card, the Braves' success in the playoffs this year is getting expensive! However I don't know when the Braves will be back on this stage this gobbled up these 12 cards did I do. It'll be fun looking back on this season and these cards will help. Of course I hope the last few cards I put in my Topps Now binder are cards of the team celebrating winning the World Series, it's been a great ride.