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The Atlanta Braves Just Got the Kiss of Death Courtesy of Charles Barkley

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Joc Pederson of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a single.

Charles Barkley should stick to the NBA — at least that’s what most Atlanta Braves fans are likely thinking. The Braves capitalized on a Gavin Lux gaffe in the fourth inning, erupting for four runs to take a 4-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The Braves looked to grab a 3-0 series lead, holding a 5-2 cushion in the eighth inning, but that’s when it all fell apart. And it coincided with Barkley’s comments.

The Atlanta Braves let one get away in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves Just Got the Kiss of Death Courtesy of Charles Barkley
Joc Pederson of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a single during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 19, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. | Harry How/Getty Images

The Braves were two innings away from taking a commanding 3-0 series lead against the high-powered Dodgers on Tuesday. They fell apart with six outs to go.

It seemed as if the Braves were giving the game away early when the Dodgers took advantage of four first-inning walks to take a quick 2-0 lead. Atlanta starter Charlie Morton tied a postseason record by issuing four walks on 34 pitches, according to CBS Sports.

The Dodgers, however, helped the visitors get right back in the game when Lux, an infielder-turned-outfielder, badly misplayed a fly ball that somehow went down as a double. Lux, battling a tough sun, got under a fly ball that hit his glove before bouncing off it, setting the stage for Atlanta’s four-run fourth inning.

The Braves added a run in the fifth and took a 5-2 lead into the eighth when Cody Bellinger delivered a blow to the Braves with a three-run home run to pull the Dodgers even. Mookie Betts then doubled in what turned out to be the game-winning run in LA’s 6-5 victory.

Charles Barkley put the curse on the Atlanta Braves

As Charles Barkley and his NBA crew were gearing up for the season-opening game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets, Barkley asked co-host Ernie Johnson what the score was in the Braves game. Johnson told him 4-2, and Barkley got a little excited.

“Oh yes,” Barkley screamed while in the studio. “Sweep. The Braves are going to sweep the Dodgers.”

Sure enough, Barkley was incorrect as Bellinger and Betts proved him wrong with their eighth-inning heroics.

Former MLB player Curtis Granderson, who does some baseball work for the TBS Postseason Show, stopped by the studio to tease Barkley about his prediction.

“Charles was going with the sweep and everybody bet the opposite,” Granderson joked.

Barkley then made another prediction that should scare Braves fans

Barkley was wrong. There will be no Braves sweep. He did, however, make another prognostication that Braves fans probably don’t want to hear after his sweep prediction.

He said the Braves will still win the series. Barkley then explained his reasoning.

“We just wanted to make more games for TBS,” he later said on the show.

Then, he didn’t just predict what will happen the rest of the series. He guaranteed it.

“The Atlanta Braves are going to win the World Series … GUARANTEED!” he said.

You have to love Barkley’s passion and his stubbornness to stick with his team — unless, of course, you’re an Atlanta Braves fan.

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Mike Thomas
Sports Editor

Mike Thomas spent 23 years on staff and 16 years as the sports editor at The Herald News in Fall River, Mass., before joining Sportscasting in 2020. Mike has a deep knowledge of and passion for the NFL and NBA, and he excels at interviewing sports celebrities to find out their Super Bowl picks. A New England Newspaper and Press Association award-winning columnist and an avid sports memorabilia collector, Mike enjoys keeping up with all the sports news and the works of former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly. You can find more of Mike's work on Muck Rack.

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Mike Thomas Sports Editor

Mike Thomas spent 23 years on staff and 16 years as the sports editor at The Herald News in Fall River, Mass., before joining Sportscasting in 2020. Mike has a deep knowledge of and passion for the NFL and NBA, and he excels at interviewing sports celebrities to find out their Super Bowl picks. A New England Newspaper and Press Association award-winning columnist and an avid sports memorabilia collector, Mike enjoys keeping up with all the sports news and the works of former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly. You can find more of Mike's work on Muck Rack.

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