Following live scoring updates of the Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. Can't watch the game or listen to it online? Check out the live updates brought to you by MLB GameDay with stats and play-by-play.
There is some drama brewing in Atlanta following Dan Uggla's removal from the NLDS' roster. For Uggla, as tweeted by Mark Bowman, the team's beat writer, "It's disappointing and it hurts that (GM Frank Wren) doesn't think I can help the team." Unfortunately, after his 2013 campaign, it's hard to believe Uggla is doing the team any good. He committed 14 errors in 2013, tying him with fellow infielders; Chris Johnson and Andrelton Simmons. His 171 strikeouts led the team, 10 more than newly acquired Justin Upton.
The story now is that Uggla was about to go home, but reconsidered after having a brief discussion with Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez. As Bowman reports, Uggla will travel with the team to Los Angeles. Uggla is the second highest paid Brave, only behind B.J. Upton, who found himself in the roster, but hit .184 with only nine home runs in 2013. Gonzalez is probably hanving his head on Upton's explosive 2008 ALDS and ALCS performance where he hit seven home runs combined. Since then, however, B.J. has not hit a home run in 14 playoff games.
The Dodgers could take advantage of this, though the Braves' lineup will be making more contact with Uggla not playing at all and B.J. not a part of the starting lineup. The lineup lacks power with Elliot Johnson taking over second base. This will give starter, Clayton Kershaw, an easier bottom of the lineup to work through, with Simmons as the main concern as the young shortstop hit 17 home runs in 2013.
The Dodgers will worry about their offense. They don't have Andre Ethier in the lineup, their leader in on-base percentage. Look for Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez to step up big time on offense.