Trailing 2-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, the Atlanta Braves decided to make a starting pitching change for Game 3.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman was originally in line to take the ball, but Braves manager Brian Snitker instead decided to go with lefty Sean Newcomb, who tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Game 1.
“We had discussed other options after the game last night, and we all got together this afternoon, and we’re going to — you know, the situation is kind of dire right now,” Snitker said.
“We need to win. And not that Gausman doesn’t give us that opportunity. We like how Newcomb matches up with them and the success that he’s had against the Dodgers this year.”
Newcomb’s best outing of the year came against the Dodgers in July when he was one strike away from throwing a no-hitter. He ultimately settled for 8.2 inning of one-hit ball.
The Dodgers utilize platoons more than perhaps any other team in the league, so their lineup against Newcomb should look a lot different than it did in Games 1 and 2.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was originally planning a simulated game for the likes of Brian Dozier, David Freese, Matt Kemp and Chris Taylor to help them shake off any rust, but that is no longer necessary with all of them likely being in the lineup on Sunday.
Overall in four career starts against the Dodgers, Newcomb is 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, so outside of that July outing they have been able to find some success against him.
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