Texas natives Minter for Braves, May for Dodgers in NLCS G5

© Provided by Associated Press Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May delivers to the San Diego Padres during the first inning in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Lefty reliever A.J. Minter will be the first pitcher on the mound for the Atlanta Braves, who are going with a bullpen day with a chance to get into their first World Series since 1999.

Atlanta took a 3-1 series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers into Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night.

Dustin May, like Minter a Texas native, was starting for the Dodgers.

Minter had never started in the big leagues, in 139 regular-season games over four seasons or his five previous postseason appearances. He was the fourth of seven pitchers the Braves used in Game 2, when they held on for an 8-7 win. This is his fourth appearance in these playoffs after an 0.83 ERA over 21 2-3 innings in 22 games during the regular season.

© Provided by Associated Press Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning in Game 2 of a baseball National League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

May pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his previous three appearances this postseason, including a start in the clinching Game 3 of the NL Division Series against San Diego when he pitched an inning in an opener role. He was 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in the regular season, starting 10 of his 12 games.

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