Some notes from the National League East:
- The Braves turned to rookie right-hander Ian Anderson in tonight’s NLCS Game 2. The 22-year-old certainly earned the assignment, having turning in a 1.95 ERA/2.54 FIP in his first six major league starts. The former 3rd overall pick is now one of the most promising young pitchers in baseball, but he wasn’t seen as a lock to go in the top ten leading up to the 2016 draft. Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com looks back at Atlanta’s pre-draft process, crediting area scout Greg Mohrhardt for his steadfast belief in the New York high schooler. Mayo’s piece is worth a full perusal for Braves’ fans or those interested in a look behind the curtain at the process for evaluating top draft prospects.
- Homegrown players like Anderson are the backbone of the current Braves club. Nevertheless, Atlanta has done an excellent job of supplementing the roster in free agency, points out Nick Ashbourne of Sportsnet. The Braves’ one-year, $18MM deal with Marcell Ozuna was nothing short of a coup, as the 29-year-old was one of the top hitters in the National League this year. The Braves also hit on their two-year agreement with Travis d’Arnaud, who put together an elite season at the plate and has added a few key moments this postseason. Ashbourne runs through a few other instrumental additions that GM Alex Anthopolous and the rest of the front office have made to help push Atlanta to the NLCS.
- Mets’ fans are hoping likely incoming owner Steve Cohen will green-light a higher payroll than has become customary under the Wilpon family. Precisely where spending on the roster will land remains to be seen, but Cohen is already taking steps to improve the franchise behind the scenes. He’s expected to invest heavily in building the organization’s analytics infrastructure, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post. The Mets’ existing analytics and player development systems are “archaic,” hears Puma, who adds that the Wilpons never provided former (and probably future) baseball operations leader Sandy Alderson with the kinds of resources he desired to keep up with rival data-driven front offices around the league.
Hope they resign Ozuna. Fits in real well in Atlanta.
Doesn’t it look like he’s having the time of his life with the Braves? We’ll have to see if Anthopoulos and Ozuna can agree on something if Ozuna wants to stay.
No doubt. The team has developed a culture that fits him well. I doubt AA or liberty will put up the money that it will require to bring him in, but doesn’t mean I can’t hope he comes back
Don’t want him back myself. Look, he has had a great year, and he seems to be having fun, I get that. The problems take over from there:
1) This season is his best since 2017. He hit 50 points above his career average, 170 above his career slugging percentage, and .266 above his career OPS. Let’s put that more simply .. Rafael Belliard’s career OPS was .287 below Derek Jeter! Imagine Belliard having a single offensive season like Jeter’s average and then getting a big contract on it. Ewww.
2) He had the benefit of the DH. If that doesn’t come back you simply do not want him in the NL. His defense is woeful. The few times he played in the OF this year he made Kyle Schwarber look like Andruw Jones .. the young, lean, athletic Andruw Jones. If the DH comes back to the NL next year, then the argument for Ozuna would make more sense, but his value likely increases contract wise as well.
3) While buying low might not always work out, you certainly do not want to buy high on an aging vet that had already shown signs of downward trends. Ozuna will likely get a multi-year offer from someone in the range of 20 million a year. That might not seem too bad, but given the first two points and the next one, it just doesn’t make any sense for the Braves.
4) The Braves have solid options in the OF for 2021.
– Acuna is a lock
– Pache will almost certainly be a lock. He needs a more focused approach at the plate as he just looks disinterested and lazy, but his defense is as good or better than the pre-2020 Ender and his offense should be better.
– Duvall is in Arbitration, so his number will go up, but Braves likely keep him because he would still be cheaper and can at least give them average defense (some metrics have had him above average over the last few years).
– Ender will likely still be here as his salary is prohibitive to trading him and his value is low.
– Waters is on the way. Even if he doesn’t start the year with the team, chances are he comes up a month in unless he is really flailing or blocked.
Long story short, the Braves are going to have some decent options in the OF who are all significantly better defensively. The ‘x-value’, as in value above what they would have without him is not as big as the value they could get spending the money on a position where they have more need.
I am not saying Ozuna’s bat will be missed, but to me, I spend that $20m somewhere else. IDeas:
– It could be used to sign Realmuto and go with him and Da’Arnaud as a one-two punch.
– It could be used to help offset bringing on a big salary in trade (Arenado rumors will be starting soon and the Braves not only have the organizational depth to make it happen, they have to now know they are in that perfect window to make a Maddux/Texiera/McGriff/Pendleton type of move).
– It could be spread across multiple players to upgrade this woeful bench.
– They also have a serious need for another left-handed bat. Pederson would cost about the same or less and fill that need very well. Not to mention he is solid on defense and it would weaken the Dodgers.
– Take another stab at a vet started as they did with Hamels and Keuchel. One worked out ok, the other did not.
– Keep this bullpen in top notch order as the new era of baseball requires a solid bullpen.
So .. to me .. as much as I think Ozuna has really helped this year, I would prefer the Braves use that money elsewhere. We all know they’re spending is limited.
Didn’t realize it was this long when I was typing it .. just .. don’t bother reading it. My bad.
A long, thoughtful, comprehensive post?
We need more of these, friend, not fewer.
I mostly agree with you, Steve- although I really wouldn’t advocate for trading for Arenado. I feel like it’s odd to worry about Ozuna regressing without acknowledging the fact that Nolan could be a lesser player outside of Colorado.
The Braves are going to have two main needs next year- a clean up hitter and possibly a LHSP. SP could be dependent upon how they feel about Muller and/or Davidson. A #4 hitter will be a must though. I’m a big fan of pursuing Pederson. I think a Duvall/Pederson platoon fills that.
Ozuna’s been great, but he’s a DH. I hope the DH goes. If it stays, he may make more sense.
Even thinking of adding Arenado depends on if you think Riley’s hitting will continue to improve. The man has gold glove skills at 3b. With a team that has financial limits, I don’t spend Arenado cash but use the money to add wherever needed.
Sorry, I don’t see Pache “disinterested and lazy” at the plate. He’s really been thrown into it with Duvall’s injury and there’s been only 1 AB where he struck out on 3 ABs (to, I think, Brusar Graterol 100-mph) that he looked overmatched. In his 1st game he had 2 walks and his second had a RBI-double, while looking as advertised in a spacious CF. He’s responded as well as you could have asked for, in light of the circumstances.
“3 ABs”…meant to say 3 pitches, sorry.
My desire to keep Ozuna is based on the DH remaining. But watching how well he has integrated is a good thing that we should want.
I just personally think the DH is here to stay.
Yeah, he’d be almost worthless to the Braves with no DH. I like how he has taken to that role. Some players can’t make the change from being a position player.
Then again, the dh IS looming.
Why doesn’t blackballed disgraced ex-GM John Coppolella get credit for the Ian Anderson pick?
LOL! I am speaking a bit tongue in cheek but you can’t ignore the moves he made even if some may want to. It’s crazy how quickly he has been written out of the Braves recent history, we’re giving a random area scout credit for that pick now?
Kinda interesting how the biggest prospect loss by the Braves (Maitan) in the whole thing hasn’t developed at all with LAA. Top 100 prospect as late as 2018, and was ranked 32 in 17 by MLB.com, and now he’s the Angels 24th ranked prospect.
and Soroka
I’m all for giving Coppy some credit, but not at the expense of the scouts attaching their time, energy and livelihoods with these prospects when they become what these scouts thought they could be. Now, if you want to take it from John Hart – go for it. Yuck.
Truth is, a lot of the current success and future young stars are Coppy’s doing. AA was handed the keys to a car that needed a basic tune up. I’d argue he hasn’t done a good enough job tuning it up, but I’m hoping he proves me wrong by the end of this postseason with a World Series win…
Dont forget Acuna and Albies from Wren.
AA job is to put on the finishing touches and I still think that is still to come even if they win a WS this year. Get a top-line pitcher. Get another outfielder along with resigning Ozuna (if preferred) and they can be a perennial WS contender.
If by finishing touches you mean lock those 2 up for the most valuable contracts in the sport, then sure. Great job finding them. Better job keeping them here.
Maybe in any sport…
Truth is Max Fried pitched like garbage until the coaches got him on track
I really think you’re underselling what AA has done. “Handed the keys to a car that needed a basic tune up”…? Really? Remember he took over for a GM they threw out of baseball forever. Whether you believe every team did it or Coppy was the sacrificial lamb, ATL had some of the largest penalties levied against them in years, which pale in comparison to what the Astros got for — ah, ya know — enhanced in-game video coverage. AA still is working with international penalties, which some have reported is part the reason they haven’t pursued big trades involving some of that core talent that could leave some ranks of the farm vulnerable. Give credit to AA for his patience and NOT trading away core members when a majority of Braves Country == even this year (i.e. Tommy Milone) — wanted his head for not going all-in.
“Give credit to AA for his patience and NOT trading away core members when a majority of Braves Country == even this year (i.e. Tommy Milone) — wanted his head for not going all-in.”
You make a great point. I talked about this on a different thread, but we often don’t give teams credit for the moves they didn’t make. I’m glad they didn’t make any big moves and mortgage the farm. It would have really stunted the growth of Anderson and Wright along with depleting the farm system. AA got the best of both worlds, the young pitchers have performed better than anyone expected and they didn’t have to give up any prospects.
I think he’s done an excellent job of identifying talent, even while trading some of it away (Lucas Sims, Kolby Allard, Joey Wentz, Dan Winkler, Tristan Beck, Evan Phillips, Travis Demeritte, etc.).
I think he’s done a great job. Just look at what he did with the bullpen. Melancon, Greene and Martin all came over last season in trades. Smith was signed. They stuck with Minter, Dayton, and O’Day when they either had injury or performance issues. They brought Matzek out of the abyss. The Braves probably had the worst bullpen halfway through 2019, and now it’s one of the best.
And all those players above that were moved, while some still have potential and might be solid contributors, they really didn’t give up much or any long-term pieces for what they got back. Allard and Wentz were getting or were already getting passed by Wright, Anderson, and Wilson in the depth chart. The rest are just role players or depth pieces. Sims and Winkler had nice seasons, but I’m not holding my breath that they’ll have consistent success.
And Soroka, Wright, Acuna, Albies, Anderson, Trade for Swanson/Fried! We are so quick to give credit to the people in place. Look @ LAD, 80% of the roster was already in place!
He also did the Hector Olivera trade and the Andrelton/Newcomb trade.
If y’all watched last nights game against the Dodgers, there is a clear difference between us and them. We have zero depth, especially in starting pitching. That’s on AA for not making the appropriate moves at the deadline and arguably before the season. I hope my post doesn’t age well… but idk.
That’s Why Sandy is Coming Back; he was promised this the First Time Around but The WILPON’s RENEGED (BIG SURPRISE): This Time $$$$$ isn’t a Concern.
I can only imagine you Mets fans are really excited about what Cohen is going to do. Updating or even building a new analytics department is progress in the right direction.
Bryce Wilson is gonna start game 4, right?
Kinda hope so. They keep saying Ynoa will or it’s a bullpen game. But I think Wilson is the guy
Ynoa scares the crap out of me. I’d rather see Tomlin.
Na Tonkin had his chance
Thanks Captain Hindsight. I posted that before Tomlin went in. I’m really surprised it was him, I don’t know why Dayton or even Webb didn’t go in.
Not a pretty second half of the game, but a win is a win. The Dodgers have now thrown 58 more pitches as a staff than the Braves in the series. Unfortunately, they didn’t really use any of their big boys. If the Braves don’t win tomorrow, they need to at least keep it close and wear down the Dodgers stud relievers to get an advantage for game four.
“The Mets’ existing analytics and player development systems are “archaic,” hears Puma”
Well there’s the shock of the century….
It’s not the Analytics, check out the personnel. Hire an Agent who represents a # of their players, have bad drafts, and an archaic front office, go figure!
It’s all of it.
In what world have the Mets had bad drafts? Every first rounder from 2010-2017 made the majors, 2 of them All-Stars and almost all of them regular starters at some point. (2018 was Kelenic…) They also drafted guys like deGrom, McNeil, and Lugo in later rounds. Van Wagenen only oversaw 2 drafts, but the reviews of those have positive. Criticize analytics, bad trades, and cheap FA spending all you like, but the draft has been the least of their problems in recent years,
Bad drafts? Based on WAR, the Mets are among the best (something like top 5 or better – don’t remember) in procuring MLB talent the past ten years through the draft — and they have been very good on signing young International FAs each summer. Van Wagenon followed Alderson’s drafts with two very aggressive drafts applauded by everyone.
“We’re going to rebuild the analytics” has become the new ‘We’re investing all of our money in player development”….and is about as equally believable.
The Mets are a dumpster fire because of their FO nonsense; no other reason. There’s some decent talent on the team, and actually an underrated farm system. Everyone has talked about a perfect landing spot for Dave Dombrowski; well, there it is.
I know, I know, he’ll deplete the farm system, and all you’ll get for it is a World Series trophy…….depends on your perspective.
The Mets are behind the curve in terms of analytics, that is part of the front office nonsense.
Dombrowski inherited a lot more in Boston than he would inherit with the Mets. The Mets need someone to build a modern front office. That ain’t Dombrowski.
Uh, Dombrowski did well in Miami when he built the Marlins from an expansion team to a World Series champion 5 years later, then trade for prospects again, which set up their second championship in 2003 with the pieces he brought in.
But a lot of teams ARE updating their analytics department. Cohen actually cares about the Mets too, so to me it sounds like you’re being skeptical for the sake of being skeptical.
You make it sound like GM’s not depleting the farm system is a bad thing. I’m a Braves fan and I don’t want THEIR farm to be depleted. I think the preferred method is to create a regularly competing club that spends less time rebuilding and more time competing.
The balance between going for the gusto and maintaining constant competitiveness is the rub, But flags fly forever, and you don’t get any trophies for having the best farm system.
Farm systems are to be replenished; you have a draft every year, you have the International market every year. And some outstanding players from the later signed for a bag of squid.
Farm system are one of the ingredients for success, but they’re far from the only ingredient. The Rays and Padres fans have had a pretty good year this year (the Rays’ year could very well get much better). But it took those organizations long enough.
Correct. And as has been stated often. Media and fans tend to overrate prospects — especially when trading for players with established MLB ability. Prospects are still suspects and their ability to help a team is tempered by: 1. the unpredictability of their development, and 2. how many years before they can help a team at a better than replacement level. GMs are constantly balancing between the needs of a team today, and the needs of a team down the road. Sometimes fans put the future ahead of today, but then whine their team is terrible. .
Dombrowski’s biggest talent is spending $. Yes he has a great baseball mind, but he has also landed in some pretty ideal situations. With the Marlins he got a team loaded with talent and potential. After that he was viewed a rising star and Illitch gave him pretty much an open check book. With the Tigers only 3 of his trades were real winners Miggy, Scherzer, and Fister. The rest were either a wash of Tigers swung and missed big time. From there he goes onto Boston with another open check book and a team loaded with talent. Point is if handed keys to a Ferrari and told to go fast, it is not that big of an accomplishment. Now developing the means to attain a Ferrari is a whole different story.
Ya DD’s best attribute is that he can spend money. The same can be said for the great Theo. And ya, , the three trades you mentioned are three any GM would have loved to make….can’t think of too many who have made 3 trades that had that much consequence.
Granted, DD needs a certain milieu to succeed; so do most managers and General managers. The Mets job is interesting because of their vast revenues, rabid fan base, and the potential for so much more…I’m old enough to remember when Seaver and Company owned NY; the Spankees were “the other guys”. The Red Sox ownership has pretty much beaten every last penny out of Red Sox Nation; you can maintain it, but there’s no where to go but down. The Met-sises, OTOH, are a gold mine waiting to be explored.
Uh, in Miami didn’t inherit a team loaded in talent. He built the team from their expansion year and the expansion draft forward. Then, after building the 1997 champion, he traded them away and set the Marlins up for the 2003 championship team with the players he traded for, drafted and signed as minor league free agents.
There is no professional reason to let BVW go right now. He’ll get at least a one-year look-see from Alderson unless either Cohen or Alderson have some personal dislike for him — which I doubt. Alderson negotiated player contracts with BVW — whowas well-respected by GMs and players.
I’m quite amazed how the Braves are not giving Faulty nor Newcomb a spot in the rotation this postseason. As much as I don’t like them, I’d rather have one of them pitch rather than a bullpen game. How bad are they that the Braves are settling for a 3 men rotation?
I guess the Braves finally realize Folty sucks. Took long enough.
why would they bring Folty up from the alternate site now if they werent willing to during the regular season?
The Braves are probably surprised like the rest of us they are getting such production from Anderson and Wright. Bringing up Folty means all he needs to be is a #4 which he has always been.
he wasn’t a 4 when they outrighted him.
Dark side, why would we call up CC and put him in at what was the biggest AB in Braves recent history after dfa and not calling him up. Panda also… heck Pache was baseball abuse not playing him in the regular season. Based on those guys I could justify calling up Folty. I’m glad they didn’t.. just cause I can doesn’t mean I want to lol
It’s likely that it would end up being a bullpen game either way so why not just go with players you trust?
If it ain’t broke…?
I think Dtd is right, it’s about trust or lack thereof
Folty is likely a business decision and Newcomb might be in the same boat. I generally like the guys we have because they don’t hurt themselves with walks. So let Folty keep figuring things out and same with Newcomb. We can’t afford pitcher who like to get us in trouble quick
Well, Anderson continues having outings with high walk totals, but gets out of them most likely from weak contact. He is playing with fire though.
Yeah, that scares me a bit. As funny as it sounds to say when they’re up 2-0, I feel like game 3 is as critical to Atlanta as it is LA. I’m pretty much writing game 4 off as an L for Atlanta. So my mindset is if they can win gm 3, you can let Max try to close it out in 5. If they lose 3 & 4, then even if Max wins 5, they have to hope that Ian doesn’t get bitten by the walk rate in 6 and/or Wright keeps it up in 7.
Don’t go in there thinking that. G3 is critical if nothing else, you don’t want them to build on the momentum they started in the last 3 innings in G2. I don’t fault Snit for having to have the lesser arms eat innings to conserve, but Tomlin needs to have better location than that. That pitch to Muncy was really in the only area it shouldn’t have been. Same for Bellinger, who has been exposed (again) — throw him high and inside and he can’t adjust with that big swing. Seager looks like a stud and is their key to hitting the breaking ball — he’s the only one that has done well making adjustments and looks impressive.
It won’t be easy winning 2 of 5 against this fine Dodgers team so Braves have to give 100% each inning. That said it will be next to impossible for LA to win 4 of 5 against these Braves. After what happened to Gonsolin and Buehler there’s no given that Kershaw (9-11 playoff record) and Urías will shut them down. Pressure will always be on LA because of self-inflated superiority of franchise juxtaposed on 32 years of falling short. Braves have attitude, won’t lose their nerve.
And then look what happened…
Random… but have they announced when free agency starts this year? Can’t find it anywhere… appreciate it if anyone knows
It’s usually 5 or 7 days after World Series ends I believe. Not 100% sure. But clubs get short negotiating window then it starts
Side note:
Braves win again despite as always not making anything easy.
Yet, the storyline is not how great the Braves have been but instead how great the Dodgers are and that there is no way it doesn’t go at least 6 games.
You kinda justified it yourself
LA had to throw their 4th starter today. On 17 days rest lol. The Braves bullpen just had a helluva scare and is going to throw at least 1 bullpen day? Kershaw is still supposed to come back, in 4 as far as we know. It’s not hard to see this being 2-2 in 2 days. If it’s 2-2, then it’s at least 6
Gotta play the games though
No, I agree this can very easily go 6. But these analysts and tweeterers are just fixated on how great the Dodgers are. We don’t need to hear the obvious just to reassure yourselves that your predictions can still play out.
Kershaw mershaw. If the Braves has Soroka, this series could have easily ended up a sweep. Injuries happen unfortunately.
I’m just wondering where my buddy imindless is. I know he’s lurking in the dark like a cuck and reading all the posts. He won’t come out of his hole unless the Dodgers do something and win a couple of games.
Maybe, who knows SHA. it is a two way street though
Price was supposed to be the 3 for LA, but opted out. Ferguson likely would have pitched The 9th instead of Kolarek, but blew his elbow out at the end of the year. Albies HR decided it. Of course kershaw pushed back forcing the #4 into G2. Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports
@Laughing: I agree. Soroka is Atlanta’s best, and he’s not here. Hamels is injured. Foltynewitz had his health issues. King Felix was looking really good, but opted out.
The only story that matters is the Braves are undefeated so far.
Maybe win 1 game before talking about Game 6 when you’re already down 0-2
Feisty MJ
I’ve given numerous compliments to the Braves. Most of my posts tonight end with “you need to play the games” Or “Braves won the game”
You’re up 2-0. You don’t have to be so mad. Lol.
It’s all just speculation, like 95% of the comments on this site
Who cares about public storylines. The Braves know their story. The Dodgers are familiar with October deciduous.
If the Dodgers win tommorow the Braves are in trouble. They have to step on their throat.
Agreed. They need to take it to Urias, work the counts up and down the lineup, and get him out early. I’ve said it before and I’ll keeping saying it, the Braves need to continue to wear down the Dodgers bullpen. With no days off that cumulative effect is going to play big in games 5-7 if we get there.
Braves are up 2-0, but it feels like they’re down 2-1 or tied with a potential Kershaw/Wilson match up looming in game four. If the Braves lose game three, the series can quickly turn 2-2 with zero momentum for the Braves and only one more home game for them.
Kershaw playoff record: 9-11, 4.35 era. I don’t think the Braves are shakin by that.
Yes, but look at his last outing (13K) — it’s still Kershaw and he’s due to right the story — I hope it’s not against ATL.
Padres hit some bombs on him last week.
Oh brewers, always the troll
His era this postseason is 1.93 with a 19/1 SO:BB ratio. Including the almighty padres
Only an idiot would be excited to face that pitcher in a big game
His lifetime ERA in the playoffs is 4.35, record is 9-11. Last week against the Padres he gave up 3 earned runs in 6 innings. I know facts can be painful, but it’s well-known that Kershaw (who happens to be my favorite Dodger) can be had in the playoffs. You remind me of the Braves fan who got upset when I mentioned that Tony Gwynn had a lifetime BA again Maddux of 420 and called the stats a hoax.
There’s not a lot of context given to Kershaw’s playoff stats. Do you really believe he’s really a 4.35 ERA or is that ERA bound to regress with more IPs. Though I don’t follow Kershaw, I know he’s had an uptick in his velo from a visit to the ever-popular Driveline that has had an effect this year. He’s performed well against ATL and I really don’t want to wake a sleeping giant that plays for a franchise that is known for producing prodigious lefties.
You cling to playoff Career stats because that’s all you have
You keep claiming he’s such a mediocre pitcher. Yet he’s one of the best generational lefties and there’s endless stats to prove this. Keep trolling
Batting average against one pitcher? Yawn
Like David price in 18, once he wins a title, no one will care.
Verlander is Statistically a worse pitcher in the World Series than Kersh. Omg it’s almost like pitching in the playoffs is hard. But I’m sure Preller would pass on both Verlander and Kershaw in his playoff rotation. Sure
I’m Laughing at you. I’ve never said Kershaw was a mediocre pitcher. I’ve said in many posts in the last few days he’s my favorite Dodger, and of a future HOFer. If you read the context of my comment, rather than drivel from your right brain, you’d see that I was responding to a Braves fan who commented that needed to win last night because Gm 4 versus Kershaw was given to be a loss. If I were a Braves fan, or Braves player, I’d not write off the game against Kershaw as hopeless, given the many times he’s been unsuccessful in the playoffs. In case you haven’t noticed, this is common global knowledge, not my theory. Trolls like you only wish to inspire hate, haha.
Please, no more Tomlinson, EVER!!
Tomlin
Him either.
Has Tomlin ever pitched the ninth? I would have even gone with Dayton over him.
I really believe that the only reason Snitker went with Tomlin was that the Braves had a decent lead at the time. I just can’t picture any scenario where Tomlin is your “go to” guy for an out. In very few cases would Tomlin pitch with the game on the line.
Agreed. I get the point of trying to save innings the best you can, but both Dayton and Greene haven’t pitched yet. Tomlin hasn’t pitched in a game since Sep. 27, so maybe Snitker was thinking this is the best chance for me to get a guy some work who hasn’t pitched in awhile and may have to throw some important early innings in games four or five.
Game 3 is going to be huge. If Braves can somehow get the win then Braves will go to WS. as whilst it’s possible the Doyers could win 4 in a row I just do not see that happening with all due respect to their team. There’s a long way to go before this series is over, and tomorrow is huge, I just wish the Braves hadn’t handed the Doyers some momentum today. I would have left O’Day in against Seager, as the guy loves the gas so Minter was right up his alley. Matzek was huge., Martin has also been excellent so far. Albies home run ended up being the winner, what a player.
Agree 100 percent. As crazy as it sounds I think whoever wins tomorrow wins the series.
This is why I love 7 game series. There can be multiple swing games, if it plays out
If atl wins tomorrow, even with CK in 4 and Buehler prolly in 5, 3-0 that’s a big mountain for LA. I agree it’s hard to expect either team to win 4 In a row based on these first 2. Tight games and each team has shown they can score quickly
I’d G3 goes to LA, then it’s G4. Probably CK vs bullpen day. So plausible it’s suddenly a swing G5. Then of course G5 winner either closes it out winning 2 straight again, or it’s G7. I love and absolutely hate game 7s.
Above all else, both teams gotta win tomorrow first
Tyler Matzek is the wild card in game 4 or 5. He needs the opportunity to start. Give the ball to him Snit. I have the utmost confidence in him!
Q: Which is the most important game in a seven game series?
A: The next one.
Albies – 2 ABs in the series vs. LHP = 2 HR. Looking forward to Urias and Kershaw.
I don’t have the numbers, but it sure feels like a mistake to attack him up in the zone
Urias and kershaw are the senior guys on the staff now in a funny way. I remember when both were handled with the utmost kid gloves. If anyone can make that type of adjustment, it’s them two
Albies… he’s been a big X factor so far
Albies historically crushes right hand pitching. Unfortunately he booted that 9th inning grounder when Melancon came in. THAT made the game definitely scary (I wasn’t too concerned that “garbage time” Tomlin gave up the dinger.)
Run, I never realized how much better and powerful Albies was from the right side until they talked about it on one of the games this season. It’s a stark difference. I think it was just before he went on the IL and they were talking about the idea of him stopping switch hitting.
I think the bottom of the Braves order is going to continue to be key. 1-5 is going to hit, it’s what the next four do that is important. Swanson finally got some hits and after looking awful in his first at bat maybe Markakis has figured it out. Riley is boom or bust, more bust, and if Pache can get on base or have one positive at bat a game I’ll be happy. Even if they aren’t getting on base, just don’t be easy outs, work counts and drive up the Dodgers pitches.
Even with the poor bullpen outing, most of them should still be fresh. Smith didn’t pitch. Martin has only thrown 24 in two games and Melancon 16. Minter threw 10. Greene and Dayton haven’t even pitched yet. It would be nice to find a way to give Martin and Melancon a rest tonight.
He’s always been much better from the right side. Hitting from the right side put too much stress on his injured wrist at the beginning of the season, which he eventually was on the IL for. Considering his height where most high pitches would be a ball, pitchers have to concentrate lower in the zone where more mistakes can happen – leaving them up where Albies can take advantage.
Wood trying to turn the momentum?
You know who I want to see pop his name up on this thread? NoMadbumequalsNONLCS aka acunastillOVERRATED aka divisiontitlesmattermorethanWSRINGS. Amazing how that guy is nowhere to be found when things are going right for the Braves but if a prospect is demoted or the Braves are on a loosing streak he is there to tell everyone how right he is.
Hello haha
Ahhh, so that IS you. Looks like the Braves are doing pretty good, yes?
Also aka200kpsuedostar. And a few others b4 that. Acuna sucks fried nothing more than a starter and he sure enjoys being right but has yet to ever admit when he was wrong.
Speaking as a Phillies fan, the Braves are up 2-0 in the NLCS and Brave fans wanna argue about which GM procured certain players! Who cares? Be thankful that you have them all.
Not a MLB team that wouldn’t want that kind of base. And Albies. Wow! What a super player.
And, yes. Ozuna does look like he’s on Cloud 9 playing for the Braves. Don’t wanna see you guys get him back, but I’d say the odds are way in your favor to do so.
Besides, you need a big bat to hit behind Freddie. Guys like Markakis, Riley and even Duvall won’t cut it. In a tough situation, I’m waving Freddie to 1B and taking my chances with any of those three. Ozuna batting behind Freddie? Nah, that’s a different story. Gotta suck it up and face them both.
I don’t doubt ATL needs Ozuna, but I don’t as much as you’re saying. They’ll make him a fair offer, but if a team like MIN last year with Donaldson, comes along and wants to make him a winner on The Price is Right — they’ll look at what’s behind Door #2. Batting Freeman in the 2-hole has been interesting. Not sure if they’ll do that more in 2021, but d’Arnaud has looked like Realmuto-lite in 2020. I don’t think they’re counting on Duvall being that big bat either, so who knows where it comes from. It’ll be interesting to see how they address it, though I’d think they’re more interested in bringing Ozuna back than they were with Donaldson (Ozuna is a few years younger, great in the clubhouse and with the young core (Albies, Acuna, Pache)) — if ATL has the DH at their disposal in ’21.
The NY Mutts are a disgrace. Can’t get anything right. Maybe, and aided by a whole lotta Cohen FA cheese, Sandy can turn things around and produce a winner.
There are more than a few solid contributors already in place, both with pitching and hitting. Gotta fill in the holes, and a good first step would be Trevor Bauer.
Assuming health (Always a big if with the Mets), a top three of deGrom, Bauer and Thor is very impressive. I actually like the bullpen, especially if they can add a quality LHP to the mix.
Catching is a big ?, But if the one of the big FA checks Cohen writes after the one he gives to Bauer has JT Realmuto’s name on it, well, look out. Mets would be, IMHO, the odds on favorites in the NL East.
I think after last night Tomlin has ruled himself out of any consideration for starting game 4 or 5.
Just like some batters can’t handle lead off, or cleanup, or DH, some pitchers can’t handle the 9th. I don’t think it was wise to put Tomlin in that spot. Long relief or a spot start suits him a little better.
I bet he was shocked when they said “Josh, you’re pitching the ninth”.
He needs to get rid of that Mike Maddox vintage moustache.
My skin crawled when I saw Tomlin’s facial hair. I understand going all-in on your Jack Sparrow Halloween costume, but man, someone get that man a stylist in the bubble. He looks like a Nazi henchman that rises after the killshot.