CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 22, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves have given themselves a surprising chance to pull off a major upset in the National League Division Series.
After splitting the first two games with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta returns home to Truist Park with the series tied and momentum on its side.
“The Dodger Stadium crowd was left in stunned silence Sunday, watching Atlanta celebrate on their home field with a 3-2 victory, but taking control of this National League Division Series,” Bob Nightengale, Andres Soto and Jesse Yomtov wrote for USA Today. “Oh, technically Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers are tied 1-1 in this best-of-five series, but suddenly, Atlanta has become quite the threat to end the Dodgers’ championship reign.”
That success is sure to draw plenty of fan attention when the Braves return to Truist Park on Tuesday evening, but the home crowd will have to make a demonstrative showing if those fans want to overcome a viral insult hurled by NBC broadcaster and former National League MVP Joey Votto.
NBC Broadcaster, Legendary Slugger Joey Votto Takes Aim At Atlanta Braves Fans
The Braves’ Game 2 win against the Dodgers came shortly after Atlanta saw a high-profile attendance issue during its Wild Card matchup with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies.
And the subject of Braves fan dedication became particularly notable after former MLB star and NBC analyst Joey Votto offered a blunt assessment of the Braves’ postseason crowds on social media.
“(Braves fans) don’t show up to playoff games,” Votto wrote in a reply on social media platform X, which has received more than 600,000 views.
Shortly after retiring, Votto has been an outspoken presence during NBC broadcasts during the playoffs, including during the Braves and Phillies series which saw some weak attendance at Truist Park.
“There has been a noticeable number of empty seats in Atlanta and Houston for day games during this week’s Wild Card Series, with the Braves drawing 30,127 fans for Game 1 on Tuesday that started at 2 p.m. local time, well below the 41,108 capacity,” David Brandt reported for the Associated Press.
Atlanta Braves Fans Under Scrutiny After Viral Joey Votto Jab
The attendance figure represented roughly 73% of Truist Park’s listed capacity, although the early-afternoon start was an obvious factor. Atlanta ultimately won that Wild Card series against Philadelphia and advanced to face Los Angeles, making the atmosphere around the team quite different as it moved into the NLDS.
Votto’s comments on social media also came after a notable on-air slight. During Atlanta’s Game 3 Wild Card victory over Philadelphia, he predicted the Braves would not score again after getting out to an early lead. Ozzie Albies homered moments later, Atlanta won 6-2 and advanced to the NLDS, and plenty of Braves fans let Votto know how they felt about that prediction on social media.
Now Atlanta has stolen home-field advantage from the Dodgers, and its fans have another storyline to follow. Votto may have taken a shot at their postseason attendance, but the Braves have made sure they will have another playoff game at home to fill.
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