In an interesting development, AJ Minter will serve as the opener for Game 5 of the NLCS.
On the mound tonight for your Atlanta Braves:#MixItUp | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/LsMawu4faA
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 16, 2020
I wrote about AJ Minter’s fantastic comeback story here. You could confuse someone beyond belief if you told them Minter would be starting Game 5 of an NLCS vs. LA one year ago. I’m beyond happy for him, and it’s clear Snitker wants to keep rolling out lefties to keep the Dodgers off balance. We discussed Matzek as an opener, but he worked an inning last night. However, I expect him to be used at some point today as well, providing the game is competitive.
I made a case for a Kyle Wright redemption game on Twitter, but Snit is going another direction.
Snit already said Fried is going game 6. Ynoa threw 80 pitches Wednesday. Tomlin almost blew game 2. Webb has 2 innings this postseason. Matzek didn’t throw many pitches tonight but like it or not, don’t be surprised up 3-1 if Wright gets the nod.
— SportsTalkATL.com (@SportsTalkATL) October 16, 2020
I thought it was worth seeing what Wright had in case he was needed if the Braves advance, but we still may see him tonight.
Minter finished the 2020 season with an impressive 0.83 ERA after a disastrous 7.06 ERA in 2019. He did give up one run in 2/3 of an inning in the near meltdown of Game 2, but he’s well rested and ready to go. He didn’t pitch in Games 3 or 4. Minter let the pressure get to him in 2019, but let’s hope the moment isn’t too big, and he puts the bow on an immaculate 2020 comeback tonight, sending Atlanta back to the World Series for the first time in over 20 years.
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