ATLANTA, GA (SNN-TV) – They were ravaged by injuries early, dismissed as late as August and counted out at practically every juncture of these playoffs, but the 2021 Braves, with a new outfield at midseason and a depleted starting rotation by the end, are World Series champions for the first time since 1995 after defeating the Houston Astros in six games.
The Braves rode a dominant Max Fried, rolled after Jorge Soler’s prodigious home run and ended it on Swanson’s throw to Freeman on the Yuli Gurriel grounder, sealing the deal.
Fried, coming off a rough outing six days earlier, mowed down the Astros‘ high-powered offense through six scoreless innings, retiring 16 of 19 hitters after a scary ankle injury.
But it was Soler who put a jolt into an offense that ultimately cranked out four timely extra-base hits, three of which went over the fence.
Soler’s homer cleared the left-field train tracks, sailing 446 feet to give the Braves a three-run lead in the third inning, aiding him in winning the World Series MVP.
Braves longtime star Freddie Freeman spoke to the Braves journey making this moment that much sweeter. “This team went through everything possible – we hit every pothole, every bump you could possiblly hit on the road and we overcame every single one of them. What this team did, we were the best team in baseball – and we played like it in the postseason, that’s why we’re here.”
