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‘Sleeping beast’ Ray Kerr gets real on success after Braves’ Game 2 win vs. Dodgers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Four games into the postseason, and the Atlanta Braves’ pitching depth was already being stretched thin. In Game 2 of their NLDS clash against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Braves had to put together yet another bullpen game — with Ray Kerr being tasked to open the game for Atlanta.
Down 1-0 in this best-of-five series, Game 2 was as close to a must-win for the Braves as it can get. And Kerr helped set the tone for the Braves in their 3-2 victory over the reigning World Series champion to even up the series. In 2.2 innings of work, Kerr allowed just two hits and one walk, striking out four while allowing no runs.
This is now the second time in this year’s postseason that Kerr started for the Braves in a victory, doing so as well in their 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the Wild Card round. And Kerr is now brimming with confidence as he helped Atlanta head back home with the series tied.
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“It’s what I do. That’s all I can explain. I’ve been a sleeping beast for the last two years and now I’m gonna leave it all out on the field,” Kerr told Braves legend John Smoltz in his postgame interview, via the official MLB account on X.
“It’s what I do” 😤
Ray Kerr discusses his dominance on the mound so far this Postseason! pic.twitter.com/CiWljelr8o
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2026
Kerr is now 32 years of age, and he only has 72.2 big-league innings under his belt since debuting in 2022. In 2026, he only made nine appearances for the Braves, including one start, pitching 18.1 innings total. But it’s his undeniable belief in himself that has allowed him to achieve success in the grand postseason stage.
Chris Sale should start Game 3 for the Braves, while Tyler Mahle should be in line to start Game 4, so this should spare Atlanta’s bullpen from a heavy burden. But if push comes to shove and the Braves need to play Game 5, fans better believe that Kerr will be raring to have his moment once more.
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