The Atlanta Braves are the 2021 World Series champions, defeating the Houston Astros four games to two. It was a series full of entertainment and excitement, resulting in the Braves winning their first title since 1995.
How they got there?
Game 1 of the series saw the Braves beat the Astros on their home turf by a score of 6-2. Powered by trade deadline acquisitions, Jorge Soler and Eddie Rosario combined for four hits and two runs batted in (RBI). Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton fractured his fibula while pitching but powered through to strike out dangerous hitter Jose Altuve on a nasty curveball before being relieved by the bullpen. Reliever A.J. Minter impressed with 2.1 innings, leading the way to a game one victory for Atlanta.
Game 2 saw the Astros fight back, defeating the Braves by a score of 7-2. Houston jumped on Atlanta starter Max Fried early, scoring six runs off the lefty in the first two innings. Altuve was again the star of the Astros offence, collecting two hits, including a home run. Astros starter Jose Urquidy threw five excellent innings and the bullpen combined for four scoreless innings as they headed to Atlanta with the series tied.
Game 3 was the Travis d’Arnaud show. D’Arnaud, the catcher for the Braves, drove in both runs in a 2-0 victory for Atlanta. One with a double and a solo home run in the eighth inning provided an insurance run, guiding the Braves to a 2-1 series lead. Rookie pitcher Ian Anderson tossed five excellent innings allowing no hits while striking out four batters. The bullpen continued this trend allowing no hits as they took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before an Aledmys Diaz single broke it up.
Game 4 was a tight affair that saw the Braves overcome the Astros by a score of 3-2, putting Atlanta within one win of the World Series. Houston took an early 2-0 lead, with Altuve hitting his 23rd career post-season home run, which puts him second on the all-time list for post-season home runs. The Atlanta offence fought back as back-to-back home runs from Soler and Dansby Swanson gave the Braves the lead in the eighth inning. Closer Will Smith locked it down, securing the win for Atlanta.
Houston give Atlanta a problem
With the opportunity to win the World Series on their home ground, the Astros denied Atlanta the chance – winning game five by a score of 9-5. The game was written off in the first inning when outfielder Adam Duvall crushed a grand slam, giving them a 4-0 lead. But the Astros fought back, scoring five runs off the Atlanta bullpen, giving Houston hope heading into Game 6.
Twenty-six years of hurt over for the Braves
A dominant overall performance in Game 6 led the Atlanta Braves to the World Series win. In the first inning, the tone was set when Soler crushed a lead-off home run, his third of the series. The Braves scored seven runs, with both Swanson and Freddie Freeman hitting home runs also. Atlanta’s pitching dominated all game, Fried tossing six scoreless innings and closer Smith shutting the door on Houston.
This exciting and entertaining World Series draws the end to the 2021 season of baseball. A season in which many teams underperformed and surprise teams emerged from the shadows with much to prove in 2022. One thing to say is it will be an exciting off-season, and remember, only 100 days until pitchers and catcher report!
By Alex Worth
