Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball: 2020 NLCS Game 1: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

NLCS Game 1: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Hello, and welcome to another edition of 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Tonight, it is Game 1 of National League Championship Series, between Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Braves returned to the NLCS, for the first time since 2001. They are hoping that Ronald Acuna, Jr. Freddie Freeman, and Ozzie Albies can get Atlanta back to the World Series. 

For the Dodgers, they are hoping that Mookie Betts can help Dodgers finally end their 32-year World Series Championship drought. 

Tonight's Starting Pitchers are left-hander Max Fried for Braves. While Walker Buehler will throw for Dodgers. 

It is Atlanta Braves taking on Los Angeles Dodgers, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Braves:
1. Ronald Acuna, Jr., CF
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Marcell Ozuna, DH
4. Travis d'Arnuad, C
5. Ozzie Albies, 2B
6. Dansby Swanson, SS
7. Adam Duvall, LF
8. Nick Markakis, RF
9. Austin Riley, 3B

Los Angeles Dodgers:
1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Corey Seager, SS
3. Justin Turner, 3B
4. Max Muncy, 1B
5. Will Smith, C
6. Cody Bellinger, CF
7. AJ Pollack, DH
8. Enrique Hernandez, 2B
9. Chris Taylor, LF

Braves are in their navy blue jerseys and caps, gray pants. While Dodgers are in their home white uniforms, with blue caps. 

Top of 1st Inning:
1. Acuna, Jr.
2. Freeman
3. Ozuna
Walker Buehler (RHP) now starting as Dodgers Pitcher.
​First Pitch at 7:09 pm CDT.
Acuna pops out to Hernandez. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Freddie Freeman hits a solo home run off Walker Buehler. ATL 1, LAD 0
​​Ozuna grounds out to Turner. 2 outs.
Earlier Today, Rays take Game 2 with a 4-2 Win Over Astros. TB Leads Series 2-0. 
d'Arnuad draws a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
Albies grounds out to Turner. 3 outs.
Braves get a run, off the homer by Freddie Freeman.

Middle of 1st Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Betts
2. Seager
3. Turner
Max Fried (LHP) now starting as Braves Pitcher.
​Betts gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Seager strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
​Turner hits a 2-out single to right center field. Runner on 1st.
Muncy with a 2-out walk. Turner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Smith strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves strand a pair of base runners.

End of 1st Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Swanson
7. Duvall
8. Markakis
Buehler currently at 18 pitches.
​Swanson strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Adam Duvall had to leave the game with some lower body injury. Duvall leaves with a 1-2 count. 
PINCH-HITTING: Cristian Pache pinch-hitting for Adam Duvall.
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: ATL 5, LAD 4
Pache draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Markakis strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Riley strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Bellinger
7. Pollock
8. Hernandez
Fried currently at 28 pitches.
​DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Cristian Pache stays in the game, to play center field. While Ronald Acuna, Jr. will move from center to right field. And Nick Markakis moves from right to left field. 
Bellinger grounds out to Albies. 1 out.
Pollock singles to right center field, against the shift. Runner on 1st.
Chargers Leading Saints 6-3; Start of 2nd Quarter 
Hernandez strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Taylor draws a 2-out walk. Pollock advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Betts flies out to Pache. 3 outs.
Dodgers strand a pair of base runners.

End of 2nd Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up;
1. Acuna, 0-1
2. Freeman, 1-1, HR, RBI
3. Ozuna, 0-1
Buehler currently at 38 pitches.
​Acuna strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Freeman draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Ozuna grounds out to Muncy, unassisted. 2 outs.
d'Arnaud lies out to Betts. 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Seager, 0-1
3. Turner, 1-1
4. Muncy, 0-0
Fried currently at 45 pitches.
​Seager gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Turner grounds out to Albies. 2 outs.
Muncy strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Top of 4th Inning;
Due Up:
5. Albies, 0-1
6. Swanson, 0-1
7. Pache, 0-0
Buehler currently at 57 pitches.
​Chargers Leading Saints 13-3; 5:48 Left in 1st Half 
Albies strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Swanson draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Pache at-bat, Swanson steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Pache draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: ATL 5, LAD 3
Victor Gonzalez (LHP warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Markakis gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Riley flies out to Bellinger. 3 outs.
Braves strand another pair of base runners.

Middle of 4th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up;
5. Smith, 0-1
6. Bellinger, 0-1
7. Pollock, 1-1
Fried currently at 57 pitches.
​Smith flies out to Acuna. 1 out.
Bellinger strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Pollock flies out to Pache. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.

End of 4th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Acuna, Jr, 0-2
2. Freeman, 1-1, HR, RBI
3. Ozuna, 0-2
​Buehler currently at 83 pitches.
Acuna gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Freeman grounds out to Seager. 2 outs.
Ozuna lines out to Turner. 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 0

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Hernandez, 0-1
9. Taylor, 0-0
1. Betts, 0-2
Fried currently at 69 pitches.
​HOME RUN: Enrique Hernandez hits a solo home run off Max Fried. ATL 1, LAD 1
​Taylor grounds out to Swanson. 1 out.
Betts grounds out to Albies. 2 outs
Seager hits an infield single to third base. Runner on 1st.
Turner grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice. Seager is out at 2nd. 3 outs.
Dodgers get a run, off the homer by Enrique Hernandez. 

End of 5th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. d'Arnaud, 0-1
5. Albies, 0-2
6. Swanson, 0-1
Buehler currently at 94 pitches.
Brusdar Graterol (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
d'Arnaud singles to right field corner. Runner on 1st.
Albies singles to left field. d'Arnaud advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Brusdar Graterol (RHP) replaces Walker Buehler, as Dodgers Pitcher. Runners on 1st & 2nd. ATL 1, LAD 1
​Swanson flies out to Hernandez. 1 out.
Pache strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Markakis grounds out to Graterol. 3 outs.
Braves strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 6th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Muncy, 0-1
5. Smith, 0-2
6. Bellinger, 0-2
Fried currently at 82 pitches.
Tyler ​Matzek (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Muncy strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Dustin May (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Smith strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Bellinger pops out to Swanson. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Riley, 0-2
1. Acuna, 0-3
2. Freeman, 1-2, HR, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Dustin May (RHP) replaces Brusdar Graterol, as Dodgers Pitcher.
​Riley gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Acuna flies out to Betts. 2 outs.
Chargers Leading Saints 20-13; 3rd Quarter 
Freeman grounds out to Seager. 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning;
ATL 1, LAD 1

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Pollock, 1-2
8. Hernandez, 1-2, HR, RBI
9. Taylor, 0-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Chris Martin (RHP) replaces Max Fried, as Braves Pitcher.
​Pollock flies out to Pache. 1 out.
Hernandez flies out to Markakis. 2 outs.
Taylor strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

End of 7th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Ozuna, 0-1
4. d'Arnaud, 1-2
5. Albies, 1-3
May currently at 7 pitches.
​Ozuna doubles to left center field. Runner on 2nd.
d'Arnaud grounds out to Turner. 1 out.
Albies strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Dodgers elect to intentionally pass on Swanson. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: ATL 5, LAD 2
PINCH-HITTING: Pablo Sandoval pinch-hitting for Cristian Pache.
Sandoval gets hit by a pitch. Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Victor Gonzalez (LHP) replaces Dustin May, as Dodgers Pitcher.
​PINCH-HITTING: Charlie Culberson pinch-hitting for Nick Markakis.
DODGERS MOUND VISIT #4: MVR: ATL 5, LAD 1
Culberson strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves strand the bases loaded.

Middle of 8th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Betts, 0-3
2. Seager, 1-3
3. Turner, 1-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Will Smith (LHP) replaces Chris Martin, as Braves Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Pablo Sandoval stays in the game to play third base. Charlie Culberson stays in the game at right field. Acuna moves from right to center field. While Austin Riley moves from third base to left field. 
Betts fies out to Culberson. 1 out.
Seager grounds out to Albies. 2 outs.
Blake Treinen (RHP) warming up in Dodgers Bullpen.
Turner strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

End of 8th Inning:
ATL 1, LAD 1

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Riley, 0-3
1. Acuna, 0-4
2. Freeman, 1-3, HR, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Blake Treinen (RHP) replaces Victor Gonzalez, as Dodgers Pitcher.
HOME RUN: Austin Riley hits a solo home run off Blake Treinen. ATL 2, LAD 1
Mark Melancon (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Acuna doubles down the left field line. Runner on 2nd.
Freeman flies out to Bellinger at the Center Field Warning Track. Acuna advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
RBI-SINGLE: Ozuna hits an RBI-Single to right field. Acuna scores. ATL 3, LAD 1
​PITCHING CHANGE: Jake McGee (LHP) replaces Blake Treinen, as Dodgers Pitcher.
d'Arnaud flies out to Seager. 2 outs.
HOME RUN: Albies hits a 2-run homer off Jake McGee. ATL 5, LAD 1
Swanson strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves get 4 runs, in their half of 9th Inning.

Middle of 9th Inning:
ATL 5, LAD 1

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Muncy, 0-2
5. Smith, 0-3
6. Bellinger, 0-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Mark Melancon (RHP) replaces Will Smith, as Braves Pitcher.
​Muncy grounds out to Swanson. 1 out.
Smith grounds out to Sandoval. 2 outs.
Bellinger grounds out to Swanson. 3 outs.
Dodgers go down 1-2-3, to end Game 1.

Final:
ATL 5, LAD 1
ATL leads NLCS 1-0.
W: W. Smith (1-0)
L: Treinen (0-1)
PoG: Riley (ATL) 1-4, HR, RBI
ToG: 3:21

Final Thoughts:
Braves played like they had nothing to lose in Game 1 of 2020 National League Championship Series. It all went Atlanta's way in the Top of 9th Inning, as they scored 4 runs, highlighted by homers by Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies. 

As for Dodgers, they couldn't hit with the exception of the homer by Enrique Hernandez. 

Braves will throw right-hander Ian Anderson for Game 2. While Clayton Kershaw will throw for Dodgers, Tomorrow Night. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.