Even though they got spanked in Games 2 and 3 by the Red Sox—giving up two grand slams in a 9-5 loss then another in a 12-3 loss—the Astros took their beating and just came back the next day.

And even though the Braves were shell shocked in Game 3—watching a 5-2 lead disappear with four outs to go and letting the Dodgers back in the series—Atlanta put that gut punch behind them and came out to win Game 4.

One of the fallacies of playoff baseball is that one game has anything to do with the next one. After all, the old adage that you are only as good as the next day’s pitcher is as true today as it’s always been.

Each game is its own entity. A humiliating loss one game is just that. One game.

One of the best examples of that was the 1960 World Series. It’s the one Bill Mazaroski mega famously won with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7. It was the only World Series Game 7 to ever be decided by a home run, so it took on larger-than-life status.

With that home run, Pittsburgh defeated the New York Yankees four games to three.

The three games the Pirates lost? They were 16-3, 10-0, and 12-0. Those were three old-fashioned butt whippings.

But they meant nothing in the end. Each game is a different entity.

The Red Sox found that out. That potent offense in Games 2 and 3 disappeared in Games 3 and 4. So, now they head to Houston for Game 6 on Friday. The fact that they were pummeled the past two games at home matters not at all.

Atlanta heads into Game 5 of their series today against Los Angeles up 3-1. Remember last year when they were in the exact same position and lost three in a row?

That was last year. It doesn’t matter. A whole new game will unfold today.

You’re only as good as that day’s pitcher. The Braves have their best pitcher going today.

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TODAY’S GAME: