Braves Look to Take Series After Toppling Houston 6-3

The Braves rolled into Minute Maid Park last night and promptly smacked the Astros around to the tune of 6-3, and now they're hunting the series win in game two. Atlanta's bats found their groove against Houston's pitching staff, and that's a dangerous sign for an Astros squad that can't afford to let visiting clubs get comfortable in their building down the stretch.

Houston needs to respond with urgency here. Getting outscored at home is one thing, but dropping consecutive games to a National League opponent in late September? That's how playoff seeding gets torched. The Astros have the firepower to bounce back, but they've got to actually execute—something they failed to do in the opener when it mattered most.

For Atlanta, momentum is a beautiful thing. They took the first punch, silenced the Houston crowd, and now they've got the Astros on their heels. If their starter can keep the ball down and the lineup stays aggressive early, this could get ugly fast for the home side.

The Astros are desperate, which makes them dangerous. But desperation doesn't always translate to wins, especially when you're facing a confident Braves club that just proved they can beat you in your own yard. Atlanta's got the edge until Houston shows otherwise.