The weekend in Atlanta went against the Dodgers’ plans in just about every way. But in the midst of a tough weekend, they could take some solace in a much-needed encouraging start from Walker Buehler.
With the flurry of injuries to the starting staff, Buehler will almost certainly have a prominent role in the Dodgers’ postseason rotation. The right-hander, who has had a tough season, delivered a positive start on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) over six strong innings in a 9-2 win over the Braves at Truist Park.
Buehler’s strong start bought time for the Dodgers’ offense to strike, and it was their three Most Valuable Players — Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — who delivered the timely hits when Los Angeles needed them most.
Ohtani, who has struggled with runners in scoring position, was all of the Dodgers’ offense through eight innings, delivering a pair of RBI doubles. In the ninth, after the Braves intentionally walked Ohtani to put runners at the corners with two outs, Betts came through with the go-ahead RBI single. It’s the second time this month that an opposing team has intentionally walked Ohtani, and Betts has delivered with RBI hits both times.
Freeman kept the scoring going in the ninth with an RBI single of his own. Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman and Max Muncy then delivered the finishing touches on the seven-run ninth with back-to-back-to-back homers.
