Heroic might not begin to describe some of the accomplishments coming from the Braves bullpen during this postseason.
Will Smith, who recorded 37 saves during the regular season and struck out 11 1/2 batters per 9 innings, hasn't allowed a run in seven postseason appearances. He's thrown 15 1/3 innings and only given up six hits, only walked six batters, and struck out 15.
Tyler Matzek may never have to pay for another meal in Atlanta after his NLCS Game 6 performance for the ages. He struck out four batters, three of which came in the seventh inning after he entered the game with bases and loaded and no outs. Getting out of that jam proved epic.
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A.J. Minter, forced into the game after Charlie Morton broke his leg, threw 2 2/3 innings in relief in Game 1 of the World Series and joked after the game that maybe Atlanta should turn him into a starting pitcher. Tuesday's outing was Minter's fourth in seven days where he's thrown multiple innings.
Even Luke Jackson, who had about as rough a game as possible last week in Game 6 of the NLCS, was heralded after striking out three on Tuesday in 1 2/3 innings against the Astros.
Only twice this postseason has a Braves starter lasted 6 innings. Most outings from starters have lasted fewer than 5 innings. Atlanta's bullpen has done some work in October. No one knows that more than catcher Travis d'Arnaud.
"Every single person in that bullpen has a huge heart, has huge fight," said the Braves catcher. "I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but they've all got big n-ts too, and there's nothing more you want as a catcher is to know that everybody loves each other and everybody picks each other up and they're not afraid of anyone.
"Yeah, it's an honor working with these guys. They all fight. They all work hard every day, and they're all ready to throw every day."
Game 2 will be in Houston on Wednesday.