It’s a Familiar World to Braves: Trailing in a Postseason Series

Another October, another familiar fight for the Atlanta Braves.

They’re facing postseason elimination again, this time against the upstart Florida Marlins. The two-time defending National League champions are on the wrong end of a 3-2 deficit in the best-of-seven league championship series, with Game 6 here tonight at Turner Field.

The fifth-year Marlins have been confident and cool in their first playoff appearance. They are inspired by what they have overcome and what they have done to reach this point.

Florida is expected to start ace right-hander Kevin Brown, who has recovered from a stomach virus that prevented him from starting either Game 4 or 5. Brown is rested, and the Marlins insist he’s ready, giving the Braves more to consider, as if the list didn’t have enough on it.

Just another day in the playoff life of the team of the ‘90s.

“This team has been here before,” said left-hander Tom Glavine, the Braves’ starter tonight. “We’ve been written off time and time again and we keep coming back. We don’t panic or worry, we just go out and do our jobs.

“People talk about what experience means at this time of the year. Well, it means something when you’ve been through this as many times as we have.”

The last time was last season.

Atlanta overcame a 3-1 deficit and beat the Cardinals in the 1996 championship series. In the 1991 championship series, Atlanta trailed Pittsburgh, 3-1, with Games 6 and 7 in Pittsburgh. The Pirates didn’t score in the final two games.

The Braves have made five previous championship appearances in the ‘90s, playing seven games three times. Philadelphia was the only team that defeated Atlanta during that stretch, winning the 1993 series in six games.

“All we have to do is win two games,” Brave Manager Bobby Cox said. “We’ve done that a million times during the season.”

But not against the Marlins.

Florida finished second in the National League East to Atlanta, but the Marlins won the season series, 8-4. The Marlins won two of the three championship series games at Miami after learning that standout right-hander Alex Fernandez had suffered a career-threatening tear of the rotator cuff of his pitching shoulder.

And rookie Livan Hernandez gave the Marlins another shot of confidence Sunday with his record-setting, 15-strikeout performance.

“I didn’t think by any means we would give up because of our adversity,” said Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski. “I knew that we would battle because we’ve had that type of character all season.”

However, the Marlins aren’t thumping their chests or declaring the series finished. They know better.

Manager Jim Leyland managed the Pirates when they lost the championship series in 1991 to the Braves and again in ’92. Leyland has warned his players against being overconfident, and the Marlins are saying all the right things publicly.

“I’ve said all along that we have the utmost respect for the Atlanta Braves,” Leyland said. “The guys in my clubhouse understand that they’re facing a great team.”

Marlin reserve first baseman Darren Daulton was a member of the ’93 Philadelphia team that defeated Atlanta in the championship series. Daulton said the Marlins are similar to his former team in two key areas.

“These guys believe in themselves and they believe they can [reach the World Series],” Daulton said. “Against the Braves, those are the most important things.”