Brian Snitker on the Dodgers’ pitching change, Ian Anderson

When the Atlanta Braves left Los Angeles, they were thinking that they would be facing Max Scherzer in Game 6. Brian Snitker said that they found out Friday night that Scherzer wouldn’t be pitching he was scratched due to arm fatigue. Snitker said that he didn’t think it would be a big deal for the Braves as they were preparing to face both Scherzer and Buehler anyway.

“We found out last night,” Snitker said. “You know what, they were prepared to face one or both the next two days, so like I say, it’s not that big a deal.”

Speaking of Scherzer, he was throwing on the field at Truist Park this afternoon. He told MLB Network’s Heidi Watney that he was feeling better and is hopeful that he could pitch in Game 7 should the Dodgers win Saturday.

Ian Anderson will get the start for Atlanta in Game 6 and will be looking to bounce back from a tough outing in Game 2. Anderson lasted just three innings and allowed three hits, three walks and two runs before being pulled for a pinch-hitter. Despite that short outing, Snitker thinks that Anderson will be ready to go Saturday.

“He’s been through this now a few times in his brief career and so he’s prepared for these games before of this magnitude so I think he’ll be ready to go,” Snitker said.

Anderson struggled with his command in Game 2. Corey Seager tagged him for a two-run home run in the first inning. He was able to minimize the damage from there but seemed to be walking the tightrope.

“Strike one, curveball’s got to play a part, didn’t much the last start,” Snitker said when asked what Anderson needed to do to be effective. “I told him, it’s okay, it’s still a baseball game and sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you want and you don’t have your good stuff. Hopefully he comes out today and like he did two starts ago, has everything going from the beginning and using his curveball good as well as the changeup because he’s got the weapons to be very effective.”

“I think he’s a very mature kid,” Snitker added. “In his young career he’s shown me a lot of maturity, ability to turn the page just like this team has done all year, and so I got every confidence in the world in him today.”

Jorge Soler was added to the Braves’ NLCS roster prior to Game 5 Thursday. Soler has been out since testing positive for COVID-19 prior to Game 4 of the Division Series. He spoke with the media for the first time prior to Saturday’s game.

Soler said it was tough not being able to be with the team but that he did the best he could to stay ready while he was away.

“After what happened I started wearing a mask after the fifth day and watching games and everything,” Soler said through interpreter Eddie Perez. “I was moving around. I was working out. I was doing a lot of running and stuff around my house with the mask on.”

Soler added that he never did have any symptoms but that the experienced changed his perspective and he is planning to get vaccinated as soon as he can.

“Yeah, I feel way different now. I feel bad about it and I’m going to get a shot as soon as I can.”