Braves' pitching plan pays off, postseason Freddie and more NLDS Game 2 takeaways

LOS ANGELES -- Just like that, we've got ourselves a series.

The Braves pieced their way to a crucial 3-2 victory over the Dodgers in Game 2 on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium to even the National League Division Series at a game apiece.

There were plenty of key factors that not only impacted the outcome of Game 2, but have the potential to sway the series moving forward.

Let's dive in:

1. Kerr does it AGAIN as Braves' plan works to perfection

Regardless of whether you thought it was the right decision to hold back Chris Sale for Game 3, the Braves' plan for Game 2 ultimately worked to perfection.

And now, in a series that has become a race to get two more wins, the Braves have Sale in Game 3 and Tyler Mahle in Game 4 -- just the guys they want.

Oh, and both games are at home.

“We knew it was going to be a battle; we knew those guys weren't going to go down,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Expecting to see Sale in Game 3. We've got our work cut out. Now it's a three-game series.”

Atlanta's entire outlook changed drastically over the course of the past 24 hours -- and perhaps nobody is more responsible for that than Ray Kerr.

Just three days after throwing 47 pitches as the opener in Wild Card Series-clinching win over the Phillies, Kerr turned in 2 2/3 scoreless innings to start Game 2 of the NLDS. He retired Shohei Ohtani not once, but twice.

Kerr recorded only three fewer outs than Dodgers starter Blake Snell (more on that in a moment), and walked off the mound with a 1-0 lead. He's now turned in six scoreless frames over these two postseason starts, more than holding his own against veteran pitchers Aaron Nola and Snell.

2. Snell plan backfires ... but it's not all bad for L.A.

Similar to the surprise when Sale was not named Atlanta's starter for Game 2, many expected the Dodgers to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1 ... or at least Game 2.

Instead, Roberts went with Tarik Skubal in the opener and Snell in Game 2. He tabbed Yamamoto for Game 3.

"That just sets up the rotation and Yamamoto better looking forward," Roberts said prior to Game 1. "But not discounting this series, because you've got to win this series first."

Well, the bad news for the Dodgers is Snell didn't have his best stuff on Sunday night. He threw 90 pitches over just 3 2/3 innings, driving up his pitch count with five walks. Though only the Braves were planning on one, it quickly turned into a bullpen game for both teams.

The good news for L.A.? Those relievers all have Monday's off-day to rest, plus the Dodgers -- much like the Braves -- now get to roll out their well-rested ace in a pivotal Game 3.

“Look, we've got to face more Cy Young Award winners for them -- every starter on their staff is a Cy Young guy,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It doesn't get any easier, but I like the fact that we go back home even, and we have Chris Sale.”

3. Is postseason Freddie ready to take off?

Freddie Freeman stepped to the plate on Sunday night having not recorded an extra-base hit -- let alone a homer -- in more than a month. The last had come on Sept. 2.

But with the Dodgers trailing by a run, Freeman smashed a no-doubt solo shot to reset the game in the bottom of the fourth. Thirteen of Freeman's 17 career postseason home runs have either tied the game or put his team in the lead. Only Jose Altuve (14) has more such homers in postseason history.

It was an encouraging sign for Freeman, who hit just .167 (12-for-72) with 21 strikeouts and two walks over the final 18 games of the regular season. He's 3-for-7 with a homer and a walk in the first two games of the NLDS.

“I feel good, so I think we can be done with those questions,” Freeman said, when asked about his swing. “I've had a good work week, and obviously, the first couple games have been good, so hopefully I can carry it into the road [part of the] series."

If there's one thing we've learned about Freeman in his 17 big league seasons, it's to never count him out when it comes to the postseason. Don't forget: Barely able to move on a badly injured ankle in the 2024 postseason, all he did was win the World Series MVP Award after putting together one of the best Fall Classic performances ever.

4. Now that is what they expected

The Dodgers made a major splash last December when they signed highly sought after closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal. Just a few days later, the Braves signed Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million deal.

Neither move has panned out to this point.

Díaz struggled out of the gate, then missed four months due to right elbow and neck injuries. He returned in late September to a low-leverage role.

Suarez, meanwhile, missed three months after experiencing right elbow discomfort on June 19. He didn't return until the final week of the regular season.

But in Game 2, Suarez came on with two on and nobody out in a one-run game. He retired the Dodgers' 3-4-5 hitters in order to escape the fifth-inning jam.

“He looked like vintage Suarez tonight,” Weiss said.

Díaz then came on for the Dodgers and tossed a 1-2-3 sixth while striking out two and throwing his fastest pitch since the 2024 NLDS.

“This was a big spot,” Roberts said of Díaz. “He did what he needed to do. It looked great. So absolutely, you could see him closing, yes. I could see him closing.”

If either guy becomes an X-factor this postseason, their lost regular seasons will be quickly forgotten.