Tony’s Take | Walt Dice | Well | Dawgs_Tide | Fun | Super 6 + 1 |Edition 115 

By Tony Duckworth, [email protected]

Walt Dice.  Walt Weiss rolled the dice for the Braves against the Dodgers in the NLDS opening weekend.  

Weiss pushed all the chips to the table in winner-take-all Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies.  As the dust settled from the short series against Philly, all indications are that the Braves Ace Chris Sale was not going to see action again until Game 3 of the NLDS.  Of course, in order to get to the NLDS, Atlanta had to end the season of their recent post-season nemesis, the Phillies.  As a result, Sale closed Game 3 following a dominant 9-strikeout, 6-inning performance to take a 1 – 0 lead. 

I will admit, following a loss to LA in game 1 of the NLDS, I felt Sale was the answer to avoid an insurmountable 0 – 2 start in this 5-game series.  Weiss was the smartest man in the room, as he  set up the Braves for their ace and #2 (Mahle) at home following a gutsy win over the Dodgers Sunday night.   

The Braves faithful will have the Battery chopping in the hopes of ending the Dodgers’ quest for a three-peat of the World Series. 

Well.  Despite the optimism of having a future Hall of Famer on the mound, Sale gave up 3 runs (2 HR’s) in 5 innings against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS. The domination that was expected, and needed, did not occur.  While Sale recorded 7 K’s, his inability to retire lead-off hitters led to traffic throughout his appearance and the Dodgers driving up his pitch count ended his outing. 

Post-season pitching generally dominates, and key Braves are not delivering in the box.  Acuna and Olson are each 2 – 12 at the plate; both are 0 – 3 with runners in scoring position, and neither has an RBI.  These two Braves stars have not delivered when opportunities have been presented, and these moments will haunt both in the off-season. 

Dawgs_Tide.  Recent history hasn’t gone well for UGA in Tuscaloosa.  While Kirby has a National and SEC championship win over the Tide, the Dawgs coach owns a 2 – 7 record against BAMA.  Whatever Smart says, this game matters to the coach and his program.   

Both teams enter Saturday’s game 5 – 0 | 3 – 0.  While the fan bases may view this matchup in Tuscaloosa as a “must win” contest, Kirby and Kalen know this game is a measuring stick but will not define the season.  Both teams average 50 points per game, but don’t anticipate 100 points between the teams.  Vegas predicts around 55 total points as BAMA is a slight favorite.  A 24 – 21 score seems reasonable with these two blue bloods.  

This match-up is a coin flip.  Being at home is an advantage for the Tide, but I like that UGA’s Gunner has more big-game experience than sophomore dual-threat sensation Russell.  I believe this game will be determined by the team that protects the ball best.  I’m not suggesting this game will be decided by a pick-six or scoop-and-score.  I do believe turnovers will flip field position, gain an extra offensive possession or two, or kill a key drive that will come into play.  The question is which team will be impacted the most by takeaways. 

Fun.  As high school fast pitch softball playoffs begin this week, I am reminded of a statement I heard earlier this season.  A fellow umpire told me that Terrell Academy baseball and softball coach (Coach Walker) told him this once.  Boys have to win to have fun, while girls have to have fun to win. 

As I observe high school sports, that may be the most accurate statement I have ever heard about HS athletics.    

Super 6 + 1.  #2 UGA @ #6 Bama | DUKE @ Ga Tech | #21 Ucla @ #13 OREGON | #7 INDIANA @ Nebraska | 49ers @ SEAHAWKS | Eagles @ JAGS | Ravens @ FALCONS |  Record 18 – 10 

Tony Duckworth is a Macon native and President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. He served as an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities after ten years as head men’s basketball coach at two colleges. eMail Tony Duckworth at [email protected].