Game Thread: World Series Game 4, Astros at Braves

The Atlanta Braves are back in control of the 2021 World Series, with a 2-1 lead over the Houston Astros and the next two contests at their home field of Truist Park.

In Game 3 last night, the Braves tossed a two-hit shutout. Starter Ian Anderson went the first five innings and was lifted in the middle of a no-hitter, and the bullpen held strong the rest of the way, allowing just a pair of singles. The lineup only scored twice (including a solo homer by Travis d’Arnaud), but that was enough for a 2-0 victory.

• Recap from Talking Chop
• Recap from Crawfish Boxes

Game 4 tonight features a particularly lopsided pitching matchup. The Astros turn to Zack Greinke, a proper ace with a Cy Young on his career resume. He made a brief appearance in the ALDS, and then a short start in the ALCS in which he recorded only four outs. Greinke is batting eighth in the lineup, joining Babe Ruth in 1918 as the only pitchers ever to bat higher than ninth in a World Series game.

Meanwhile, the Braves will use a bullpen game, opening with Dylan Lee. This is the first start of Lee’s MLB career, and only his fifth appearance at all, between two in the regular season and two more earlier in these playoffs. He’s the first pitcher ever to have his first career MLB start come in the World Series.

Astros lineup (away)

1. 2B Jose Altuve (R)
2. RF Michael Brantley (L)
3. 3B Alex Bregman (R)
4. LF Yordan Alvarez (L)
5. SS Carlos Correa (R)
6. CF Kyle Tucker (L)
7. 1B Yuli Gurriel (R)
8. RHP Zack Greinke (R)
9. C Martin Maldonado (R)

Braves lineup (home)

1. LF Eddie Rosario (L)
2. 1B Freddie Freeman (L)
3. 2B Ozzie Albies (S)
4. 3B Austin Riley (R)
5. RF Joc Pederson(L)
6. C Travis d’Arnaud (R)
7. CF Adam Duvall (R)
8. SS Dansby Swanson (R)
9. LHP Dylan Lee (L)

How To Watch

• Date: Saturday, October 30
• Time: 5:09 p.m. PT
• TV: Fox