Behind a strong pitching performance from former Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers took a crucial series opening game from the Atlanta Braves in the 2013 National League Divisional round. Scoring 6 runs to pad the lead for their ace, the Dodgers looked like a team fully capable of making a deep run in the postseason. Surrendering only 3 hits and 1 run in 7 innings of work, Kershaw provided manager Don Mattingly and his teammates with the early series lead against an Atlanta Braves team that is also extremely talented. After Kris Medlen failed to gift Atlanta with a Game 1 victory, the Braves will now turn to Mike Minor, who finished the regular season 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA, while the Dodgers hope Zack Greinke (15-4, 2.63 ERA) can send the Blue and White home with a 2-0 series lead.
"I hate putting labels on guys, especially young guys," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said about referring to Minor as the team's ace. "I think when you've got six, seven years in the big leagues and been successful, that's when I think we should put labels or say this guy is an ace or a No. 1, or you've won some hardware to back it up. But I think Mike Minor is a really, really good pitcher and he's capable of helping us win ballgames."
Don Mattingly, who managed the Dodgers to the 2013 National League West title and a 92-70 record, said recently that it's always comforting when you have guys like Kershaw and Greinke at the top of the rotation because it provides the rest of the team with a security blanket knowing that two of the best in the game will be on the hill. With a 1-0 series lead and another game on the way in Atlanta, the former New York Yankees first baseman is just happy to have Greinke on his side.
"You feel good when Zack is pitching," Mattingly said. "If we can put some runs up for him and make some plays, we're going to be in a position to at least be in a close game that you've got a chance to win."
NLDS Game 2: Dodgers at Braves - DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Friday, October 4
TIME: 6:00pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: TBS
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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