Charlie Morton's broken leg isn't the biggest story of Game One

 Game One of the World Series was like a grand master chess game. Game One had an old timey feel to it. The Braves stole home field and took a 1-0 series lead; however, they lose Charlie Morton for the rest of the World Series with a broken leg which is big for Houston later in the series. The Braves cool off the hot Houston bats but had to use five pitchers including using A.J. Minter for 2.2 innings and 41 pitches—both season highs for Minter.

It was a fantastic way to open the World Series.

As good as the game was, this game is on Dusty Baker. Baker left Framber Valdez in for the third inning when Valdez didn’t have his A stuff that we saw in Game Five in Boston. Of the 15 batters Valdez faced 10 of them hit the ball harder than 94 MPH, which is extremely hard contact, he was not fit for the task he was given.  Valdez had no business being in the game in the third inning. I don’t mean to pile on Baker who has been the subject of bullpen mismanagement in the World Series before, and finds himself at the center of the spotlight yet again…

The game was 3-0 through two innings after Valdez walked to the dugout and if your starter gives up five or more runs in a postseason game, the chances of you winning are extremely slim. Valdez was already on fumes as he walked over to the umpires to get his end of inning undressing. Jake Odorizzi threw the ball extremely well, why not turn to him in the third? Or Yimi Garcia who relieved Valdez after the Adam Duval two-run homer. This isn’t hindsight, Valdez clearly didn’t have good stuff and Atlanta was getting good swings and making great contact off those swings. Houston was already behind the eight ball when Jorge Soler led the game off with a laser to the short porch in left, you can’t afford to sacrifice any outs in the World Series and Dusty Baker did.

On the opposite side, the Braves simply played better. Atlanta kept a rising trend in postseason baseball this season, raising the record of teams who score first to 25-7. Atlanta also improves the record of teams who out homer the opposition which is now 22-1. Houston had to be better, and Baker let his guys down by waiting too late to give his team a chance. The Braves are 5-1 at home this postseason and have three games at home starting Friday already up one game. Atlanta has a couple of the hottest players in world that stayed hot. Eddie Rosario continues his postseason rampage getting two more hits and scores another run. Ozzie Albies was all over the base paths. He scored a run, stole a base after he beat out a ground ball (and won America free tacos), and forced Houston into an error. The Braves played winning baseball tonight. After not having a winning record for the first 111 games of the season; they showed that the stage isn’t too big for this group. Atlanta is one win closer to bringing home the city their first World Series title in 30 years. If Atlanta does win the title this year—Charlie Morton should get the World Series MVP. Charlie Morton largely is the story from this game. Morton got three huge outs after a 95 MPH line drive broke his leg!!! He struke out Jose Altuve, one of the greatest hitters of this generation (despite trash can banging and possible buzzers), on one leg! That was after he already walked back to the dugout after getting two outs prior to that, then sat around for a while watching his teammates drive out Valdez, before walking out and striking out Altuve. The only reason why Morton didn’t continue is because his body finally threw in the towel. Morton apologized to his team after he broke his leg because he can’t continue to help his team. What is absolutely insane about all of this is Morton didn’t even seem fazed by his broken leg. He was walking around the mound as if he only suffered a bone bruise. Charlie Morton is one of the biggest gamers who to ever live. If you disagree try to throw in the mid 90’s, spin a ridiculous curveball, and strike out a career .308 hitter.  

Everything in the World Series gets magnified that much more and for the next 23 hours and change, Dusty Baker’s non-decision to move on from his starter will be put on the highlight reel of what not to do managing for a chance at a championship. Jose Urquidy toes the slab tomorrow night to get back into the series. If Houston shows the same effort as they did last night, the Astros might have helped end their own season.

 

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