The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers are making a tradition out of facing each other in the NLCS.
The two clubs met in NLCS in 2020, and they’re in the midst of another meeting this year.
Unfortunately for Braves fans, Atlanta doesn’t have fond memories of last year’s NLCS.
Despite taking a commanding lead in the series, the Braves ultimately weren’t able to get the job done.
This time around, a similar outcome might be in the works.
Shocking Similarities
In the 2020 NLCS, the Braves took a 2-0 lead on the Dodgers after the first two games of the series.
Atlanta felt good about its chances, and the team only needed to win two of the next five games in order to advance to the World Series.
The Braves inched even closer after splitting the next two games and taking a 3-1 lead in the series.
But unfortunately for Atlanta, L.A. refused to die.
The Dodgers put together three consecutive wins with their season on the line, eliminating the Braves in seven.
L.A. went on to win the World Series, putting even more salt in the wound for Atlanta.
When the 2021 NLCS started, it served as a chance for the Braves to redeem themselves for what happened in 2020.
Things got off on the right foot for Atlanta, as the club took a 2-0 series lead.
And just like last year, the two teams split Games 3 and 4, giving the Braves a 3-1 lead in the series.
But in Game 5, Atlanta was reminded of the nightmare it endured a season ago.
The Dodgers took the fifth game to cut their deficit in the series to 3-2, keeping their hopes of a comeback alive.
Dodgers force Game 6 and the Braves lead the series, 3-2 ⚾ pic.twitter.com/kaIu1HqkeV
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2021
If L.A. finds a way to win the next two games of the series, it’ll have successfully completed a virtually identical comeback to the one it pulled off last year.
One Key Difference
Let’s summarize: In the 2020 NLCS, the Braves led the Dodgers by series scores of 2-0 and 3-1.
L.A. ultimately came back.
In the 2021 NCLS, the Braves AGAIN led the Dodgers by series scores of 2-0 and 3-1.
L.A. is trying to pull off the comeback again.
2020 NLCS –
Game 1: Braves Win
Game 2: Braves Win
Game 3: Dodgers Win
Game 4: Braves Win
Game 5: Dodgers Win
Game 6: Dodgers Win
Game 7: Dodgers Win2021 NLCS –
Game 1: Braves Win
Game 2: Braves Win
Game 3: Dodgers Win
Game 4: Braves Win
Game 5: Dodgers Win
Game 6:
Game 7:— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 22, 2021
But this time around, there’s one key difference: home field.
Unlike last year’s NLCS, the Braves have home-field advantage in this year’s series.
That means Atlanta will have the luxury of finishing this series at home.
The Braves essentially have two chances to win one game, and both contests will be played at Truist Park.
That’s a major advantage that Atlanta didn’t have in 2020, and it could easily be the difference in the series.
Braves fans will surely show up with tons of energy in hopes of willing their team to a victory.
It has been an insane season for this team, and the group needs to do everything in its power not to let this opportunity slip away,
Atlanta is looking for its first World Series title since 1995 and first NL pennant since 1999.
Only time will tell if the team will check those boxes.
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