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Braves' early hook on Mahle backfires as season ends vs. Dodgers

The Braves’ postseason hopes were dashed in Game 4 of the NL Division Series after a critical bullpen decision backfired. Tyler Mahle, who had pitched effectively in the regular season and Game 2 of the series, was pulled in the seventh inning despite still commanding the game—his fastball velocity in that frame was even higher than earlier.

Instead of continuing with Mahle, manager Walt Weiss turned to Didier Fuentes, who had already thrown 3 2/3 innings just three days prior. Fuentes struggled, walking two batters and allowing a go-ahead two-run single, sealing a 4-1 loss that ended Atlanta’s season.

Meanwhile, Chris Sale’s inconsistent performance as a reliever added to the Braves’ bullpen concerns, while Michael Harris II remained their lone offensive threat in the postseason.

The Dodgers’ bullpen and starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow stifled Atlanta’s offense, which managed just one run against them. Robert Suárez, who had shown promise earlier in the series, also faltered in relief, compounding the Braves’ late-game struggles.

The decision to remove Mahle early proved costly, as Fuentes’ fatigue and Suárez’s shaky return from injury left the Braves without a reliable late-inning option when it mattered most.

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