Atlanta Braves Playoff Reviews NLDS Game 2: Braves complete amazing comeback against Phillies to even the series

                   I got to be honest with you it looked hopeless through the 1st 5 innings of this game as Zack Wheeler was dominating and the Braves hadn't score through the 1st 14 innings of this series. As a Braves fan I was expecting a 2-0 series deficit. This comeback was amazing and much needed. 

                      Positives 

                      The offense finally woke up in the last 3 innings of this game. 

                      This offense looked dead through the 1st 14 innings of this series and Zack Wheeler was dominating our lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr scored a run off an error from Trea Turner after Ozzie Ablies got a base hit to give us our 1st run of the series. I felt like once we scored that run the team loosen up and starting playing like they are capable of. Travis d'Arnaud hit a big 2-run homer in the bottom of the 7th to get us back in the game.  

                       Austin Riley's big 2-run homer to give us the lead  

                       Austin Riley hit a big 2-run homer to give us a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the 8th innings. He came up with another clutch hit in postseason play like he did in 2021. He also made a pretty good defense play in the Top of that 8 inning. We got the big hit with RISP in that inning which we didn't get in all of Game 1. 

                        Michael Harris amazing defensive play to end the game 

                        Michael Harris jumping catch against the wall saved and ended the game to give us the win. If that drops the Phillies tied the game at 5-5 and who knows what happens in extra innings. Glad that his slumping at the plate in the postseason doesn't effect his play in the outfield.  

                          Bullpen shut down the door to make the comeback possible 

                          The bullpen went 5 innings allowed just 1 run and striking out 5 batters in the Phillies lineup. Without the bullpen holding the Phillies at 4 runs the comeback doesn't happen. Joe Jimenez, A.J Minter, Pierre Johnson and Raisel Iglesias all played their role in holding the Phillies at 4 runs to allow the offense to come back. 

                          Negatives 

                          Max Fried postseason struggles continued 

                          Max Fried struggled yet again in the postseason. He allowed 3 runs through 4 innings and threw 90 plus pitches. He is 2-4 with an era of 5.08 in the playoffs. Max Fried needs to be better in the playoffs if we are going to go far in this series and he'll likely pitch Game 5 because I believe this series is going 5 games. I know the excuses are gonna be he didn't pitch in 2 weeks, but this is becoming a trend in the playoffs now. 

                         Michael Harris needs to get going at the plate in the postseason

                         Has good as a defensive play he made in Game 2 tonight he needs to get going at the plate. Michael Harris was 0 for 3 tonight and is 1 for 18 at the plate in his postseason career which is an postseason batting average of .055. We're gonna need his bat if we are going to win this series because it can't be all on Acuna, Albies, Riley and Olsen.   

                          Stop platooning Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar 

                          The platooning of Eddie Rosario and Kevin Pillar needs to stop. Pick one guy and go with him. I would go with Eddie Rosario because he's proven he can carry us on his back in the postseason in 2021. If Brian Snitker wants more defense than go with Kevin Pillar because Eddie Rosario is not the greatest defensive player and that matters in the playoffs. Either way pick one so one of them can get into a rhythm because platooning them isn't working.  

                          Perspective 

                          I really think the Phillies let us off the hook by blowing a 4-0 lead. Our offense looked dead through the 1st 14 innings in this series. Trea Turner opened up the flood gates by committing an error that allowed Ronald Acuna Jr to score on that hit by Ozzie Ablies. Bryce Elder will likely pitch Game 3 even though he has not been named the starter yet. He pitched 7 strong innings in Philadelphia against the Phillies on June 22. Aaron Nola will go in Game 3 and he hasn't been as good in years past. I believe the Braves can take this momentum into Game 3.