Cobb Reporter

Braves rookie Ian Anderson allowed only six hits over five shutout innings against the Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, lowering playoff ERA to 0.76. 

The 23-year-old Anderson kept Brewers off-balance, registering four of his six strikeouts on changeups, according to MLB.com. Anderson strongly utilized the changeup with it making up 37% of his pitches. 

“Every situation, he’s handled beautifully,” Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson said after the game, according to MLB.com. “Even throughout this year with some of the adversity and the ups and downs and the little shoulder injury that had him on IL for a little bit; to come back and really find his groove, especially toward the end and into the playoffs, it’s just remarkable to see a guy compete like that. That's what it comes down to — the compete factor. I love being able to play behind him.”

Swanson continued to praise Anderson for his changeup.

“I faced it the other day” Swanson told MLB.com, talking about facing Anderson's changeup in batting practice. “It was [my] first time ever seeing it. It's pretty frickin’ good. And I think today, kind of like how Craig mentioned it, even sometimes when you're looking at it, sometimes it's so good it's hard to square up. I feel the location is really the biggest thing. And I feel like Ian was throwing it in good spots all day. And it's hard to hit when pitchers throw it where they want it, even if you know it's coming. Or if you're looking for it, it's tough.”

This was Anderson's fifth playoff appearance.

The only time Andersom was in a jam came in the fifth inning where the Brewers managed to get runners on second and third base with no outs. Swanson made a diving catch for the first out and two ground outs then ended the inning with no runs scored. The Brewers have not scored in 19 consecutive innings this post season.