Even with Matt Kemp's potent bat lurking in the on-deck circle, the Astros were willing to pitch around Freddie Freeman and load the bases while holding a two-run lead with two outs in the eighth inning of Wednesday afternoon's 4-2 win over the Braves at Minute Maid Park.
There's no way around the likelihood opponents will be continue taking gambles similar to this one, which proved fruitful when Kemp struck out against Will Harris. But the Braves can't afford to see the top of their lineup continue to deny Freeman the chance to maximize the value of his MVP-caliber production.