Both starting pitchers have now been announced for tonight’s Game 4 of the World Series, as the Braves have revealed that rookie left-hander Dylan Lee will get the ball to begin what is expected to be a bullpen game against the Astros. For Houston, manager Dusty Baker confirmed last night that Zack Greinke will start, with Greinke also likely in line for an abbreviated outing.
While both pitchers can probably be more accurately described as openers rather than true starters for tonight’s game, the Lee/Greinke matchup represents quite a contrast in experience. Greinke has 18 MLB seasons, 3110 regular-season innings, and 21 postseason appearances on his resume. On the other side of the equation, the 27-year-old Lee didn’t make his Major League debut until October 1, and he has thus far pitched a total of two regular-season innings and 2 2/3 postseason innings in his brief career in The Show.
Lee was included on Atlanta’s NLDS roster but didn’t see any action, and he wasn’t initially on the NLCS roster until Huascar Ynoa had to be replaced due to injury. Lee pitched two frames of relief in the Braves’ 11-2 loss to the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS, and he then pitched two-thirds of an inning against the Astros in Game 2 of the World Series.
Originally a tenth-round pick for the Marlins in the 2016 draft, Lee posted some solid numbers in his first four pro season, but Miami released him during Spring Training this year. The Braves inked Lee to a minor league deal, and he responded with some big numbers (1.54 ERA, 30.9% strikeout rate, and a tiny 3.4% walk rate) over 46 2/3 Triple-A innings.
Now, Lee finds himself on the hill in the Fall Classic, becoming the first pitcher to ever make his first Major League start in a Series game (as per the Elias Sports Bureau). Lee will face a probable top three of Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, and Alex Bregman, assuming the Astros stick with the same lineup they’ve deployed throughout the World Series.
Between injuries, two weeks on the COVID-related injured list, and a general lack of effectiveness late in the season, Greinke has been limited to two appearances during the playoffs. He tossed an inning of relief in Houston’s 12-6 loss to the White Sox in the ALDS, and then got the start against the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALCS. Though the Astros won that game by a 9-2 margin, Greinke only faced nine batters over 1 1/3 innings, walking three batters and allowing a two-run homer to Xander Bogaerts.
These recent results notwithstanding, “if anybody knows how to pitch in a big game, it’s Greinke,” Baker told reporters yesterday. “We don’t know how long he’s going to go. Just give us as much quality as you can, and then we’ll turn it over to somebody else.” Cristian Javier is probably the likeliest candidate to toss bulk innings tonight, as the righty has worked beyond one innings in each of his four postseason outings this year, including 1 1/3 innings against Atlanta in Game 2.
Dylan Lee? I didn’t see that coming. I figured it would be Tucker Davidson, Drew Smyly or Jesse Chavez. My guess is the Braves only use Lee for a couple innings. I would love to see them leave him in there if he does well though. They need all they can get from him with likely another bullpen game scheduled for game 5.
Not Smyly. They slaughter him.
A couple innings? Lee is going 1 inning bro. He’s not going to be the bulk pitcher. That will probably be Wright or Davidson still
ditto on this…no more than 1 inning. Snit likes the matchup vs. the top of the lineup then turn over to Wright/Tucker for length in the same way they’ve deployed Chavez as opener.
I think every pitcher is on a short leash for the all the games ahead (hopefully just 2)
Can you imagine the confidence boost (or break) an IP in the WS will be for a young pitcher?
He’s an opener. An inning. All the names you mentioned, and more, will be in play for tonight’s game.
Really don’t like starting a lefty with no experience against a deep and powerful lefty killing lineup. Was hoping for Wright or Chavez.
He was really good in the minors. My guess is they are just planning to use him as an opener on a short leash. I’m a little surprised in the decision myself though, too.
I just hope he can get past Altuve and doesn’t wake up Bregman’s bat.
Hopefully we tee off on Greinke. Our bats need to wake up.
Tons of respect for Greinke, great athlete, great career. Anxious to see how D. Lee does, & how the crowd reacts to Donald.
Start the lefty. Astros go RH heavy. Bring in righties rest of game till you need match-up advantage. Seems straight forward from the Braves side.
@MountainBraves. You’re looking at the Astros entire line up but Lee won’t go past the first three batters. Those are the guys who’s platoon splits you should pay attention to and they’re favorable with the exception of Bregman.
Altuve vs RP .862 OPS / vs LP .789 OPS
Brantley vs RP .924 OPS / vs LP .575 OPS
Bregman is a bit of a problem. He hit lefties better but it isn’t something overwhelming with an .839 OPS. I also know that Altuve’s OPS vs lefties isn’t THAT low but hey, it’s the world series. You just aren’t going to get many match ups where your advantage is as steep as though you are playing a team that’s hovering around .500 or worse.
Completely agree with salarycap’s point. And ironically, Bregman is the one who struck out. Gotta love baseball
Seems like there’s always one “out of nowhere” performance in the postseason. Maybe Dylan Lee will be that guy.
Astros lost. Greinke is not the same pitcher he was even a year ago. This is about to be a batting practice game for the braves
M’kay.
@RandyMarsh
Yet Greinke pitched a great game as he usually does.
If Greinke can go 2- plus innings for the Stros, through most of one turn in the Braves lineup, until they get to his spot in the batting order in an NL game, and give a shutout, Baker will certainly take that, and it’s possible.
Actually, if Greinke goes that far and the Stros already plate a run or two? Dusty could always consider leaving him in, but having a still short hook, and maybe a double switch after three or three plus innings.
Grenkie is a hitter. Baker even lists him as a pinch hitter on the lineup card when he doesn’t pitch.
Really hoping this means we’re saving Wright to start for game 5, but not a fan of have the starter and all bulk guys be lefties (Smyly and Davidson). Braves pitching has been lights out at home this postseason, so I’ll give Snit the benefit of the doubt here; but this feels like we’re accepting a huge disadvantage tonight in order to be in a better position for games 5, 6 and potentially 7. I hope he’s right.
Great. A bullpen game. 6 hours for a 3 to 2 final score. Same stupid commercials over and over.
Yummy.
They should probably put a runner at 2nd to start every inning, that way you stay interested. Start every hitter with 2 strikes. Probably better just play 7 innings now that I’m thinking about it. 9 is just too much.
I know your post is sarcastic, but on a serious note, I really wouldn’t hate a shorter season the more I think about it. 2020’s shortened season made the 2021 season feel even longer and more drawn out. Now, I really wouldn’t hate ~140 game season instead, and to compensate for that extra month of off-season they can schedule some of their events for the off-season instead of mid-season. Be that the draft or the all-star festivities. Make the regular season a little shorter and more impactful while also keeping the average fan from seeing the sport as completely dormant during the off-season. Average consumers don’t care about off-season roster moves, but putting a premier event in the off-season would make it seem like less of a dead period to some casuals.
Stop this talk
How does all that unspaced, garbled mess you suggest in your comment shorten a 4 hr game? Go away
I dunno. With all of the talk of 4-5 hour games, can fastpitch softball rules like 7 inning games, courtesy runners for the pitcher/catcher, re-entry of players and hour and a half time limits be far behind?
@Rangers29- I don’t have the words to properly state how strongly I disagree with you. Imagine the word “no” a lot, some colorful adjectives and lots of capital letters and exclamation points.
Please don’t give them ideas. I want the game to be left alone.
Average fans don’t care about offseason moves? I’d be interested to see the growth of the MLB portion of this site over the years vs. other sports. Granted, I’m biased, but the other major league sports (NHL, NBA, NFL) are mostly dormant in the offseason (NFL an exception), with MLB Network devoting shows to Hot Stove action. How much press coverage do the MLB winter meetings get every year? Sure, not by the NY Times and other major press outlets, but does anyone even know of offseason meetings of other major sports? Seriously, I’m asking. I think NHL meets at a Best Western in Paducah, KY each July for team building exercises including trust falls with executives with special guest singer: Michael W. Smith. I get that most of the traffic of this site is not your average MLB fan, but the proliferation of this site should at least serve as evidence of offseason interest, more so than other sports.
I have no problem with the game of baseball. Played it until I was 41, with mostly high school and college players. As a pitcher, I didn’t even mind when I had to hit. Which I can’t. At all. My problem is the endless commercials between every half inning. I mean the gecko is cute and all but I don’t need to hear how much money I can save. I spend decades pricing auto and homeowners insurance as an actuary. Enough already. Play the damn game.
Then don’t watch, nobody will miss you.
Damn, @hazee.
That is a Grumpy Old Dude take on par with the best I’ve seen on the board.
These past couple Series games are the first non-Yankee postseason games I’ve watched in years. I haven’t been bothered by the time(s) nor the onfield product.
Pro tip: work on your salmon streamers or snow goose decoys during all the pitching changes. That way, no matter who wins or loses, you emerge from the night a winner yourself.
@DUCKY A white marabou streamer works really good on the Madison this time of year, You have the park to yourself. As long as the snow isn’t too deep
Noted, @Jacobson.
The coho & pink are running up on the north shore. So need to head up soon. Great ruffles & sprucies too. I typically use Durhams, speys, & toppys. I am unfamiliar with the Marabou pattern, but the google agrees with you. Looks fairly simple too.
I will give them a shot.
Thanks a ton! (& that’s how pitching changes become something to look forward to.)
Good times. Game under 4 hours. Toggle over to the football game when it gets bogged down. Even check out Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster on Svengoolie. All equally entertaining. Congrats to the Braves. And you’re welcome for nailing the final score. As you were.
bullpen game or not, dunno about committing to Lee taking an inning, much less the 1st.
In Snit we Truist?
Dylan Lee also turned down a chance to interview about the Mets front office job.
Bro. Enough already. You’re the 64th person to post this today.
yeah, but are they wrong?
Yeah, @DeMeo, these guys love their memes, or whatever. Won’t be going away any time soon. Perhaps never.
Any Yankee thread always has a “Yankee fans think they can trade Frazier & Andujar for Trout & Ohtani LOL” comment. Or a version of it. Always good for 5-10 upvotes. Boring as it is. I haven’t been here long enough to know how it originated. But: in the time I have been here, I’ve yet to see an actual Yankee fan propose trading those guys for…well anyone specific.
I will put money that I will see that “whit” again on the very next Yankee thread. The refusal to move on from any/all of those is all part of the fun at MLBTR.
The bigger question is will Albies still hit third and will Duvall be in the lineup?
Oops nevermind. Albies still hitting third and Duvall is still in the lineup. Truly a remarkable job by Snit to bench Soler despite putting out better at-bats than Duvall.
Snit must not have got on here to see what you changed your name to today.
My name has relatively stayed the same. Albies is still bad and Duvall is still terrible since the LCS. That hasn’t changed either!
Think you’re the only person here who thinks Albies should be moved down. He’s currently the braves 3rd best hitter
Albies has ZERO life in his bat right now and since the beginning of the LCS. Just look at his swings – big, loopy, and weak. When he doesn’t make weak contact, he is striking out. Most of his hits have come on infield singles. Soler would fit much better hitting third. Albies is an automatic out with Duvall and Swanson at this point.
Whatever, get this win today. Let’s DO THIS!
Soler starts against lefties and joc starts against righties. In baseball that’s called a platoon. Love that baseball is getting new fans. Remember if you go see a game bring your ball glove little man. You might snag a foul ball!!!
Of course, you can’t argue how bad Albies and Duvall have been, so you come up with another straw man for the sake of disagreeing. This lefty/righty nonsense is not working for the Braves. Albies is not hitting from either side right now. Likewise with L/R pitchers against Duvall. These are professional baseball players and we sure love making excuses for them. Either you produce or you sit. Soler is not lighting the world on fire but he is consistently putting out good at-bats even once that lead to outs. Duvall strikes out, hits a pop-up to right-center field, or homers. He is doing too much of the former two to keep in the lineup. All his at-bats are worthless and have zero competitiveness to them. I can go up to the mound, throw a terrible slider that does not reach the plate and I’m sure I will get Duvall to swing and miss. Clearly, Snit keeps sticking with him, so it is irrelevant. Hopefully, he gets it going.
Greinke, with all his experience, can’t go out and give his team 5 innings? That’s pathetic. These bullpen starts are crap.
He’s pitched at least 5 innings in one outing just once going back to August 29th. He had an ERA of 4.95 and FIP of 5.80 from July onward. He hasn’t had the smoothest of times lately and isn’t stretched out, especially if he needs 70-80 pitches to get through 5 innings.
Fascinating starting pitchers for fourth game of series Where is Bob Gibson coming back after winning game 1?
But, it will be extremely interesting to watch My guess is that Grienke gives up a couple runs and is pulled before the 4th inning. Lee will get through one inning – no runs and at least on strikeout.
“Where is Bob Gibson coming back after winning game 1?”
Our game 1 starter broke his leg.
why did we pull anderson after 5 (with or without no hitter)
why are we doing 2 BP games when we have wright available
why is the lineup still the same when this lineup has produced 2 runs each of the past 2 games?
pederson/soler
albies
freeman
riley
rosario
duvall
darnaud
swanson
Did you watch the game?
I’ve wstched every postseason game.
I dont understand what you think I missed
You’ve obviously missed how teams manage the I dunno past 10 years.
Yes, overmanage. Doesn’t make it smart.
I wouldn’t mess with the lineup other than trying to get Pederson more ABs.
Pulling Ian was odd given how heavily they’re about to lean on the pen, but that’s unfortunately playoff baseball now. Guys have to be allowed to navigate an opposing order the third time through to learn to do it, and I think they should. That said, the WS probably isn’t the best time for that learning experience.
yea but anderson has plenty experience, looked comfortable despite the walks and was throwing a no no in the rain.
if we had at least one other dependable starter for todays game then that would be better but when you already know you are using your BP for the next 18 innings ….doesnt make sense
and here we are bases loaded in the first calling in the guy who should have just started the game.
although Lee did get hosed on a couple calls to be fair
still enjoying watching non-competitive at-bats from Albies and Duvall I see?!
Bold move by the Braves
What’s the over/under for pitchers appearing in Game 4? Twenty?
Grienke is now officially a better surfer than pitcher.
I hate bullpen games. It’s going to be a high scoring 4 hour game.
this aged well
LOL! Like milk. =)
I love baseball but the rapid decline of starting pitching is a real concern. Pitchers are supposedly stronger, and can throw harder, but get less outs. So much less is expected. It is sad to watch games when the guy given the ball is only expected to get 1-5 innings.
Yes. I don’t understand tonight’s decision AT ALL. What value is there to Lee going out there and opening? Why not just start Wright? Bullpen games are awful
Good lord. D’Arnaud is a liability with the ball in his hand. Great blocker, but terrible at throwing out runners. Future Braves DH?
Not at all. The running game has seriously declined making other qualities more important such as framing which he is very good at as well as blocking.
You just know John Smoltz is biting his tongue watching NO ONE go deep into a postseason game
Called Wright gem in game 4 — Check
Duvall and Albies still terrible Check
Soler should start Check
3/3 for me )
Please Snit, for the love of the game, DROP DUVALL from the lineup! PLEASE!
MOVE ALBIES DOWN!
START SOLER!!
“Albies is an automatic out with Duvall and Swanson at this point.”
Brrrrnnnnttt! Swanson, your automatic out, hit a huge home run. Hugh hew hue GGGGG.
Everyone bats 1.000 when they don’t count their outs.
Love the nit-picking for the sack of argument.
A player can go 0-99, and you are the type to run here and rebuttal with, “Brrrnnnttt. He is 1-1000 now”
But of course, you completely ignore Albies and Duvall’s production. Why? Because you can’t argue it. I’m still hoping we will see changes today. If not so be it. Just win 1 more game.
Zack Greinke pitched very well today. I would have left him in there for one more inning and I’m a Braves fan. Kyle Wright pitched very well too. Not sure what Snitker was thinking opening with Dylan Lee but it’s all good. Braves come back with one in the sixth and back to back jacks from Swanson and Soler. Will Smith has still allowed nothing in the playoffs and World Series. Hopefully it will all be over tomorrow. Go Braves!
You are pathetic. Despite, everything you clearly see from the two, your rose-colored glasses completely ignore it just for the sake of disagreeing with me.
Granted, if Duvall and Albies both produce AND (NOT or) Braves win, then 100% I will. Literally, through most of the postseason, these two have been awful.
Yep, pathetic. “FredMcGriff for the HOF” deleted his original post,
mfw Braves win the WS without MadBum
The Washington Nationals (WS Champs 2019) say: Good call Zak, enjoy rotting in Houston.
Now, more important: NOOOOO to the DH, do you think the MEN who came up with baseball and all its specifics did not understand that pitchers pitch? DO NOT LET THE LOONEY LEFT DISTROY BASEBALL THE WAY THEY WANT TO DESTROY THE USA!!!
The GOP has slid into first and felt something burst.
The earth is flat and the DH is a liberal plot too?
Talk about looney (sic).
The MEN who came up with baseball told pitchers to throw underhanded and let the batters hit the ball. The point of pitching back then was to put the ball in play and let the fielders try to get the runners out. There was no such thing as a curveball, and when it was first introduced, it was outlawed as unfair and unsportsmanlike. Baseball has always evolved and will always evolve. Either keep up or get out of the way.
In stead of doing the CHOP, bang trash cans tonight.