Braves announcer fires shot at Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani after series win despite 'disadvantage' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves just proved they are legitimate with the incredible road trip they had over the last week and a half. It started with a sweep of the Colorado Rockies in Colorado.
Even after losing their superstar in Ronald Acuña Jr., the Braves still managed to take a series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
“With wins in the final two games of a three-game set against the Dodgers, the Braves concluded a 6-3 road trip. They lost two of three in Seattle to suffer this season’s only series loss thus far. But thanks to impressive starts by Elder and Spencer Strider, they exited Los Angeles with MLB’s best record (28-13),” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote.
The Braves taking two out of three against the Dodgers was massive. After the game, Braves announcer CJ Nitkowski poked the bear.
“Final from Los Angeles… Wins: ATL 2, LAD 1. Runs: ATL 15, LAD 7. Payroll: LAD $392M, ATL $253M. Pitchers on the active roster: LAD 14, ATL 13. Despite the pitcher disadvantage the Braves take the series,” Nitkowski posted.
Nitkowski appeared to take a shot at the special Shohei Ohtani rule that allows the Dodgers to carry an extra pitcher. Nitkowski has been vocal about believing it creates an unfair advantage. The rule has been around since 2022, but he has recently made his feelings public.
“The other Ohtani rule, the one allowing him to remain in the game as a designated hitter after departing as a starting pitcher, also was introduced in 2022. It states in part, ‘In the event the starting pitcher will bat for himself, the player will be considered two separate people.’ Hence, the incongruity. Ohtani counts as one player when building the roster and two when managing the game,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote.
The Braves had a happy flight home after winning the series, and it seems like Nitkowski had some time on his hands. Atlanta now heads home to face the Chicago Cubs starting Tuesday night.
As for the Dodgers, they will eventually find their groove. Nitkowski trolling the Dodgers and Ohtani may not have been the smartest move long term. Whether the Ohtani rule creates an advantage or not, the Braves are the better team right now.
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