September 1999 – The National Championship series of Major League Baseball has begun. The Atlanta Braves are facing a red hot New York Mets, who have fought to get to this round from the depths of the Wild Card. After a well-fought out first 5 games, the series is in the Braves hand at three-two. A great offensive showing leads the Braves to victory, and thus an advancement to the World Series. The Braves would soon lose to the Yankees by total sweep, losing the first four games, but a great accomplishment overall. No one was expecting, however, the drought that would come after.

Since the team of 1999, solid squads for the Braves have come and gone, but none truly playing well enough to achieve the same success as the team before them. Tough national league opponents such as the Nationals and Astros are large obstacles that the Braves couldn’t seem to get past. However, in the 2021 season, this would all change.

Off the bat, it was clear the Braves would be a solid contender this year. With the combination of hardened veterans such as Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and power hitter Ronald Acuna Jr, and the mix with young, fresh talent, such as recent draft pick Dansby Swanson. Together, this team dominated their division, the NL East, for the majority of the season. Granted, competition wasn’t to terrible this year, with the next closest team being the Philadelphia Phillies with a near .500 record. The Braves themselves finished 88-73, while not being one of the best records in the league, it was enough to secure the team a playoff spot for the 2021 series.

To begin their playoff journey, the Braves were up against the Milwaukee Brewers, a young but solid program. After cruising the first couple games, the Braves lost one, leaving the series at two-one. A best five 5 series, if the Braves won this next game, they would advance to the next round. And in a hard-fought battle ending in a walk-off win, they did just that.

The next team, however, would pose to be much more of a challenge. The Los Angeles Dodgers. A dynasty in the playoffs for the past 10 years, the Dodgers always possessed great hitting power combined with a sizable pitching staff. This is mix of power all around always led the Dodgers to dominate the regular season and go considerable distances in the playoffs each year. The teams split the first four games, leaving each program two-two. However, game five would seem to be somewhat of an upset, as the Braves jump on the Dodgers with a 9-2 win at the Dodgers home field. Game 6 would be in Atlanta, giving the Braves every advantage they needed. After a huge three-run-homer in the fourth inning, this would be all the runs the Braves need to secure the victory, and advance to their first World Series in over 20 years. Many fans share optimism with the players in hoping the Braves win their first series since 1995. Their opponents, however, the Houston Astros, may have other ideas.