When you are down 3 games to 1 in the Series, playing in the other team's stadium which is on the verge of delirium, giving up a grand slam in the first inning while falling behind 4-0......and still coming back to win.......that is fucking gutsy.
No trash can banging tonight.
Gutsy win indeed by the Astros.
I would have played this game differently, if I were Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.
Once I gained the early 4-0 lead, I would have gone to my big guns in the bullpen and treated the second inning like the fifth or sixth innings.
Why allow Houston to rally to tie the game against subpar pitchers like Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez?
I thought Snitker had a chance to use big-time arms like Will Smith or Tyler Matzek as early as the second or third innings.
Heck, the Braves may have built on its 4-0 lead at a time when their big arms in the bullpen were frustrating desperate hitters from Houston.
The crowd was going crazy in the second inning and an appearance by closer Will Smith would have sent a message to both the Astros and the Braves.
When you have a chance to put your foot on the opponent's throat, go ahead and do it.
This is not a strategy to employ long-term in a non-descript game in June or July, but I think the unconventional approach works in this special circumstance when you have a chance to clinch the World Series title at home in October.