SAN DIEGO – Fernando Tatis Jr. cranked a first-pitch fastball high and far into the San Diego sky, sending this crowd into a frenzy. Tatis held his pose on the swing and AJ Smith-Shawver could only watch, then attempt to regroup.
The Padres had a two-run lead after two batters against Smith-Shawver. It seemed like an ominous start to a postseason game on the road – the type of beginning that spirals into a blowout.
This did not happen, though. The Braves deployed their low-leverage relievers and those guys … kept them in the game!
The Braves did not lose Tuesday’s Game 1 of the wild-card series, 4-0, to San Diego at Petco Park because of Smith-Shawver or the relievers who followed him. They were defeated because of an offense that was dominated by Padres pitching.
And just like that, the Braves are facing elimination on Wednesday, when Max Fried takes on San Diego’s Joe Musgrove to attempt to save Atlanta’s season.
Recent wild-card history is not on the Braves’ side. But they’ve displayed resiliency this season.