In pivotal Game 3, Braves call on Ian Anderson to deliver again
Braves pitcher Ian Anderson will start Game 3 versus Milwaukee Monday afternoon.
Emil Moffatt / WABE
Ian Anderson took the mound in the Atlanta Braves’ biggest game last October.
The Braves fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers that night in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, but Anderson gained extraordinary experience starting a big game. The 23-year-old says he carried it with him into this season.
“There’s not going to be those first time nerves because I did go through it last year and got that experience,” Anderson said. “So, I think it’s going to be channeling that energy from the crowd and not getting too over-hyped and just sticking to my game.”
The Braves won three of the four playoff games Anderson started in 2020, but last year’s games were played at neutral sites because of the pandemic. On Monday, the right-hander from New York pitches in front of a home crowd at Truist Park in Game 3 of this year’s division series with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Braves and Brewers split the first two games in the best-of-five game series, with Atlanta winning Saturday night.
Anderson had a strong September after missing half of July and most of August with a shoulder injury.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot repertoire-wise and delivery-wise, so I feel good going into it,” Anderson said.
Braves’ manager Brian Snitker continues to have confidence in Anderson.
“The kid has so much upside, and the make-up and how he handles things and the confidence in himself and just the realistic outlook he has on everything,” said Snitker. “I think he’ll use the emotion and energy that’s out there [Monday] to his advantage.”
Monday will be the Braves’ first home playoff game since 2019. The team finished second in the league in attendance this year, averaging 29,000 fans per game.
“It’ll be loud here and a lot of energy,” said Snitker. “It’s what these guys signed up to do. They appreciated all year long. The support we’ve had here at home has been really, really good.”
Game 3 Monday begins at 1:07 p.m. Game 4 of the series is on Tuesday, also in Atlanta. The winner of this series will face the Dodgers-Giants winner in the National League Championship Series.
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