6/20/15: GDT - NY Mets @ Atlanta Braves

[Garmel]

Mets
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. Ruben Tejada (R) SS
3. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
4. Michael Cuddyer (R) LF
5. Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
6. Juan Lagares (R) CF
7. Dilson Herrera (R) 2B
8. Eric Campbell (R) 3B
9. Noah Syndergaard (L) P

Braves
1. Jace Peterson (L) 2B
2. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
3. Kelly Johnson (L) 1B
4. Nick Markakis (L) RF
5. Juan Uribe (R) 3B
6. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
7. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
8. Eury Perez (R) LF
9. Williams Perez (R) P

[WaitingFor2017]

At this rate, give Freddie Sunday off as well with the off day on Monday. Get ready for Washington.

[cajunrevenge]

Why is Markakis 4th and KJ 3rd? Would think we would want our 3 best OBP guys in a row followed by our best 2 power bats.

[Heyward]

At this rate, give Freddie Sunday off as well with the off day on Monday. Get ready for Washington.

That seems to be the plan.

[nsacpi]

Baby Harang gonna be huge tonight

[The Chosen One]

Expecting Williams to overshadow Wisler. Performance wise and in stature.

[thethe]

Expecting Williams to overshadow Wisler. Performance wise and in stature.

It is a high sun tonight?

[Garmel]

Adam Rubin ‏@AdamRubinESPN 2h2 hours ago

"Terry Collins said Jeurys Familia unlikely to be used tonight. Still feeling groin issue, although improved. May skip series."

[jsebe10]

Why is Markakis 4th and KJ 3rd? Would think we would want our 3 best OBP guys in a row followed by our best 2 power bats.

Yea.

Are we still on the Perez train?

[cajunrevenge]

Yea.

Are we still on the Perez train?

At this point I am afraid to hop on the bandwagon because I think as soon as I do he will come crashing down to reality. The Mets are a glorified AAA hitting team right now though.

[buck75]

Brian Jordan says once again, "Gotta lay off da slyydda" tonight.

[Braves1976]

Yea.

Are we still on the Perez train?

I think I may be driving it, lol. But I am pretty sure nsacpi is another poster that has been on it for some time now too.

That said, I don't expect him to keep up this pace but I do like his potential to be a solid number 5 starter or better.

[NinersSBChamps]

Makes sense. Bench CJ against a left handed pitcher.

[NinersSBChamps]

I think I may be driving it, lol. But I am pretty sure nsacpi is another poster that has been on it for some time now too.

That said, I don't expect him to keep up this pace but I do like his potential to be a solid number 5 starter or better.

I am on that locomotive as well. Saw his start against Boston. First time I saw him pitch. I like him a lot.

[chop2chip]

Makes sense. Bench CJ against a left handed pitcher.

That's a good post on the days we go against a LHP. Tonight is not one of those nights, however.

[buck75]

Makes sense. Bench CJ against a left handed pitcher.

Mets pitcher is RHP but bats lefty

[cajunrevenge]

Perez benefits greatly from the ridiculous infield defense we have.

[Garmel]

The Mets unis make my eyes hurt.

[Braves1976]

Perez benefits greatly from the ridiculous infield defense we have.

The great infield defense is why we should have more groundball pitchers IMO. In other words, make the most of such great defense up the middle.

[Julio3000]

Brian Jordan says once again, "Gotta lay off da slyydda" tonight.

I said that out loud and cracked up.

[buck75]

The loudmouth Mets fans are back in the outfield seats. Most will be drunk by 8:00 pm.

[Garmel]

The loudmouth Mets fans are back in the outfield seats. Most will be drunk by 8:00 pm.

Sounds like they already are.

[cajunrevenge]

If you were Mets fans you would be drunk too.

[buck75]

They were crazy obnoxious last night. I pity the Braves fan in the centerfield seats tonight. Hopefully the Mets fans will hush up if/when the Braves get the lead.

[blueagleace1]

This has been my concern with Perez all along, when you put/have so many guys on base you aren't going to continue to get lucky and strand guys.

Nice job of limiting damage though.

[Braves1976]

The pop up falling in for a hit and hit batter hurt that inning, so did that throw by Perez not hitting Simmons as it was a weak throw and if Simmons cuts it there's a play at home.

[cajunrevenge]

Mets broadcast "Markakis is a tremendous defender"

[keithlaw]

The loudmouth Mets fans are back in the outfield seats. Most will be drunk by 8:00 pm.

heh, amateurs

[NinersSBChamps]

Mets pitcher is RHP but bats lefty

I think this happens every night. Ef the Mets and their odd ass pitchers who bat the wrong way.

[Runnin]

LMAO!

How bout that sports fans.

[Runnin]

SIMBA!

[thethe]

Just keep putting it in play boys!

[keithlaw]

How does Thor's curve look? If its not an 80 pitch its a horrible waste of a nickname.

[thethe]

How does Thor's curve look? If its not an 80 pitch its a horrible waste of a nickname.

He hasn't really thrown it at all so far. At least not effectively. His fastball has been good tonight.

[thethe]

Only 1 run but a 30 pitch inning. That is huge.

[Runnin]

How does Thor's curve look? If its not an 80 pitch its a horrible waste of a nickname.

I don't know why he would throw it against Perez.

[Julio3000]

How does Thor's curve look? If its not an 80 pitch its a horrible waste of a nickname.

It's okay, but what you really have to watch out for is ...
...
...
DA SLYYDA

[chop2chip]

How does Thor's curve look? If its not an 80 pitch its a horrible waste of a nickname.

It's definitely not his ace pitch, but it's plus.

I love his arm though. Man, Mets fans have such a bright future.

[Garmel]

Looked like AJ was about to go into cardiac arrest while getting to 3rd base.

[Garmel]

Perez is wild tonight.

[buck75]

I don't know why he would throw it against Perez.

Perez might be one of our best hitters (over .200)!!

[keithlaw]

It's okay, but what you really have to watch out for is ...
...
...
DA SLYYDA

Yeah, you really can't trust Jerry O'Connell

[Braves1976]

Nice quick inning by Perez despite hitting Duda.

[Braves1976]

Peterson now has more walks than Freeman, he has been a walk and doubles machine lately.

[cajunrevenge]

Jace sets the pace!

[Braves1976]

Haha, that was funny. Peterson to third. :)

[Julio3000]

I don't know why he would throw it against Perez.

Dude's got raw power.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Nice defense, Mets

[Braves1976]

Tie game. Good job Peterson and Maybin again. Maybin almost beat that. He could've been called safe in fact.

[thethe]

Thank you Mets.

[thethe]

Peterson now has more walks than Freeman, he has been a walk and doubles machine lately.

Ever since he played everyday he has been one of the best players in the national league.

[Julio3000]

Peterson now has more walks than Freeman, he has been a walk and doubles machine lately.

His on-base percentage is climbing. Before long, it might rival thethe's on-Jace percentage.

[thethe]

His on-base percentage is climbing. Before long, it might rival thethe's on-Jace percentage.

Which is still below my on-Francouer / on-Gattis percentage.

[Julio3000]

Which is still below my on-Francouer / on-Gattis percentage.

Two out of three ain't bad.

[thethe]

Two out of three ain't bad.

Yeah, what was I thinking about with Gattis?

[Braves1976]

Great job by Perez, fast shutdown inning.

[blueagleace1]

Williams settling in nicely

[AerchAngel]

Perez doesn't mess around just like Mad Dog. Get ball throw it, get ball throw it. I bet the defense loves it.

[thethe]

Great job by Perez, fast shutdown inning.

Thta seems to be a recurring theme with him.

[chop2chip]

Perez has looked good tonight. He's been less wild his last couple of starts than he was early on in the year. I have less of a feeling that he's going to crash down to earth than I did 3 weeks ago.

[Braves1976]

Thta seems to be a recurring theme with him.

I like the kid, he can pitch IMO and seems a good kid too. He has a really good sinker with good movement and his change-up when he has it going is very good at times too. Plus more groundball pitchers like Perez make a lot of sense given our infield defense.

[thethe]

Wow, that was TREMENDOUS baserunning by AJ.

[Braves1976]

That'll work. Good start to this inning.

[Garmel]

LOL! Bull**** hits with bad Mets defense.

[thethe]

The Braves are the essence of a 500 team. Will look good for a few games and then be bad afterwards. STill a lot of fun though.

[thethe]

EURY!!!

I kind of like this kid.

[Runnin]

How are those Mets fans in CF enjoying it now?

[thethe]

Keith Hernandez: "If you put the ball in play a lot of things can happen!"

[Braves1976]

Good job Perez. He deserved that after that close call going against him at first his last AB. I still like Perez because he can steal very good and if not a starter a good platoon candidate vs lefties and 4th outfielder.

[Braves1976]

Perez can still steal second, he has plenty of speed.

[thethe]

Braves have 4 of the top 60 players in the MLB with the most pitches per plate appearance (Markakis/Maybin/Jace/Freeman [in order]).

I love this philosophy.

[Julio3000]

Perez can still steal second, he has plenty of speed.

Huh?

/Chip & Keith Hernandez

[thethe]

Oh man, just got in enough against Jace.

Nice RBI kid.

[Braves1976]

Man, Peterson turned on that very good. Too bad not a hit but at least got the run home.

[Julio3000]

Nice job, Jace.

[Braves1976]

Perez needs to steal here.

[thethe]

Perez needs to steal here.

LIeterally no reason not to.

[WaitingFor2017]

The Braves are the essence of a 500 team. Will look good for a few games and then be bad afterwards. STill a lot of fun though.

With a competent pen, this team is at least 39-29 now instead of 33-35.

[thethe]

Seriously, that is bad managing. You HAVE to steal Perez there. The absolute worst thing that can happen is that you have Maybin LEADING OFF THE NEXT DAMN INNING!

[thethe]

With a competent pen, this team is at least 39-29 now instead of 33-35.

Thats a bit aggressive but I think we are right there with the Mets for first place.It makes you curious to see what happens come July when the reinforcements come in.

[Braves1976]

LIeterally no reason not to.

yea, esp. with his speed. He had something like 28-29 steals in AAA. I think that was near if not most in AAA or pro ball.

Surprised he didn't run there, think Fredi gave him the stop sign? He usually always steals in that situation if not sooner in AAA (just as his steal numbers suggest).

[Julio3000]

Wow, that ball just kept carrying.

[Braves1976]

Perez curveball ain't working, either it's a ball or like that one bad spot. He tried mixing it in this inning but needs to stick with his sinker and change-up IMO.

[Braves1976]

Wow, that ball just kept carrying.

yea, but still bad location on it. I thought it was an out off the bat though.

[WaitingFor2017]

NY fans are so insufferable.

[WaitingFor2017]

One more inning for Mr. Perez

[Heyward]

Thats a bit aggressive but I think we are right there with the Mets for first place.It makes you curious to see what happens come July when the reinforcements come in.

We've blown so many games with the bullpen, its really not that crazy.

Not saying its an elite team, maybe/probably they crash down as the season hits the dog days, but with a good pen, they have a very good record.

[Braves1976]

One more inning for Mr. Perez

Yea, he is at 86 pitches. So hopefully he can go one more and no more runs for another quality start.

[thethe]

Yea, he is at 86 pitches. So hopefully he can go one more and no more runs for another quality start.

All you want from the back end of the rotation.

[Braves1976]

All you want from the back end of the rotation.

Yep, plus it isn't realistic to expect him to pitch shutout ball three straight starts. :)

[WaitingFor2017]

Kelly might need a day off tomorrow (1 for his last 14) , but I hesitate placing CJ in there against Matt Harvey.

[Braves1976]

@DOBrienAJC 19m19 minutes ago
#Braves Peterson has 12 extra-base hits, 13 runs and 13 RBIs in his past 19 games

[CyYoung31]

"7 Line Army? Sign me up."

-Chip

[Braves1976]

Kelly might need a day off tomorrow (1 for his last 14) , but I hesitate placing CJ in there against Matt Harvey.

Plus CJ is a worse defender at first, makes a lot of little mistakes around the bag that KJ doesn't make as often. So no thanks. :)

[buck75]

NY fans are so insufferable.

I guess I slandered some of those Mets fans earlier. They have a whole lot more than last night and some seem sober tonight. They are tough to put up with though.

[thethe]

Damn, Darnaud is good.

[Braves1976]

What? How did that go out? The ball is jumping tonight.

[thethe]

What? How did that go out? The ball is jumping tonight.

Yeah, both HR's tonight you would expectto be warning track shots normally.

[Julio3000]

"7 Line Army? Sign me up."

-Chip

Outstanding.

[Braves1976]

Yeah, both HR's tonight you would expectto be warning track shots normally.

Yea, ball seems to be carrying more than normal. I thought he got under that too much and it never came back down.

[Julio3000]

Yeah, both HR's tonight you would expectto be warning track shots normally.

Eury broke directly to his left for a few steps before heading back to the fence.

[Braves1976]

Nice DP turn by Uribe and Peterson. Perez's line didn't end as hoped, but I thought he pitched better than his linescore. The popup falling in the first, HBP and throw by Perez not being cut off with a play with a plate cost him. But also thought at least one of those two homers usually don't go out like they did tonight.

[Braves1976]

AJ's bat hit Wisler but apparently not too hard.

[nsacpi]

Anthony John tormenting the Mets

[Braves1976]

Good start, maybe Perez can still get a win if we score here.

[buck75]

AJ is trying to become a hittin fool

[Julio3000]

Asshole Juggernaught.

Awesome Jerk.

Anthony John.

[Runnin]

A.J. is a really likeable guy.

[nsacpi]

Our bench could use an extra lefty or switch hitter. We had to hit Ciriaco against a righty last night.

[Braves1976]

Nice bunt by Perez!

[nsacpi]

Our 6-8 hitters are 8 for 9

[thethe]

Our bench could use an extra lefty or switch hitter. We had to hit Ciriaco against a righty last night.

The real option is just DFAing CJ. He is useless on this team now.

[Runnin]

A.J. could've scored easily.

[Braves1976]

Wow.

[thethe]

Hope both catchers are ok there.

[Braves1976]

Hope both catchers are ok there.

Yea, ball got there same time as AJ and boom.

Good job by Ciriaco again. Braves lead and now Jace has a chance to make the lead bigger.

[Braves1976]

Mets want no part of the red hot and clutch Peterson, hope Maybin makes 'em pay.

[CyYoung31]

A.J. is a really likeable guy.

Said no one ever.

[WaitingFor2017]

Maybin finds a gap here, and all 3 runners easily score. Very good speed out there.

[Braves1976]

Maybin finds a gap here, and all 3 runners easily score. Very good speed out there.

Yep. Plus both Peterson and Maybin have been huge in the clutch. So pick your poison Mets. :)

[thethe]

LOL, teams are now intentionally walking Peterson. Thats awesome.

Still not better than TLS.

[Braves1976]

LOL, teams are now intentionally walking Peterson. Thats awesome.

Still not better than TLS.

I'd walked him too if I were the Mets, he's been killing them plus sets up a DP. Maybin is easier to strikeout too, though I have faith in both Peterson and Maybin. They've both been great with RISP, etc.

[Braves1976]

That'll work. Good job Maybin making contact and getting a run home.

Edit: Looking at replay I think Mets had a play at home.

[AerchAngel]

LOL, teams are now intentionally walking Peterson. Thats awesome.

Still not better than TLS.

LaStella is awesome, did yo know that?

[UNCBlue012]

This offense makes me so happy.

[CyYoung31]

I want Johnson swinging here.

[thethe]

That'll work. Good job Maybin making contact and getting a run home.

Edit: Looking at replay I think Mets had a play at home.

They have really built a horrible defensive team aside from Lagares.Maybe overlooked by their saber front office.

[thethe]

This offense makes me so happy.

This type of offense is much more fun than last years. I LOVE that the organization went in this direction.

[Braves1976]

Campbell taken out by Mets, he had Simmons out at the plate if he goes there. That was a mental mistake but thanks Mets.

[Runnin]

Said no one ever.
Said me. Much ado about nothing, imo.

Nice guys are over-rated anyway.

[Braves1976]

Double steal by Peterson and Maybin.

[Garmel]

Jace might be out.

[thethe]

Man, with his speed Jace should be better at that.

[CyYoung31]

I don't think there was enough evidence.

[Braves1976]

Jace might be out.

Looked safe to me, but hard to tell and since called safe how can you overturn it? Well, they did. Jace cannot buy a break on close calls stealing..

[WaitingFor2017]

I was hoping the call was inconclusive. Terry Collins has been such a buzzkill with challenges in Turner Field since its creation.

[Braves1976]

I don't think there was enough evidence.

Me either but any close call on Peterson and there's been a lot keeps going against him, lol.

[thethe]

Looked safe to me, but hard to tell and since called safe how can you overturn it? Well, they did. Jace cannot buy a break on close calls stealing..

Yeah, its frustrating but he was out.

[buck75]

Looked safe to me, but hard to tell and since called safe how can you overturn it? Well, they did. Jace cannot buy a break on close calls stealing..

Saaaafe!

[Braves1976]

All these fly balls are scary tonight with how the ball seems to be carrying.

[smootness]

That's where replay gets dumb to me. If a guy slides past the bag or does a horrible job and comes off, fine. But a guy who clearly beat the throw, whose body is over the bag at all times and only for a split second may have had his chest come off in the process of the slide while the guy is holding his glove on him?

That's a call that is safe every single time in real-time and is only possibly called an out on slo-mo video replay.

[Julio3000]

I thought one angle was inconclusive, but he looked to be out from the other.

Baserunning is the place where JP seems to have a lot of room for improvement.

[Garmel]

Avilan was sharp that inning.

[Julio3000]

He was Avilan tonight, not Evelan.

[Braves1976]

I thought one angle was inconclusive, but he looked to be out from the other.

Baserunning is the place where JP seems to have a lot of room for improvement.

I think he mainly needs to improve on reading pitchers and/or getting to know the MLB pitchers better (three or four times he's got a CS from that where pitcher goes to first and first base to second for the out) but most others bang bang plays where calls against him could've been called safe (at least two Fredi ought to have challenged IMO). He was getting these calls in minors but not so far in Majors. So basically a combo of that and also plenty bad luck too (such as that last CS).

[jpx7]

Baserunning is the place where JP seems to have a lot of room for improvement.

I've got the running down, but all your base are confuse to me.

[WaitingFor2017]

Kelly doesn't need to be hitting 3rd tomorrow

[Garmel]

Kelly doesn't need to be hitting 3rd tomorrow

Yeah, he's struggling right now.

[Julio3000]

I think he mainly needs to improve on reading pitchers and/or getting to know the MLB pitchers better (three or four times he's got a CS from that where pitcher goes to first and first base to second for the out) but most others bang bang plays where calls against him could've been called safe (at least two Fredi ought to have challenged IMO). He was getting these calls in minors but not so far in Majors. So basically a combo of that and also plenty bad luck too (such as that last CS).

I don't doubt that he'll improve when he gets a book on the pitchers.

[Braves1976]

Great play by Uribe!

[thethe]

Peterson is so smooth on the DP.

What a play by Uribe. Please stay for another year Juan

[Garmel]

Wow! I thought that was going to get through. Great play, Uribe!

[Braves1976]

Wow! I thought that was going to get through. Great play, Uribe!

Me too, thank God it wasn't CJ at third or he'd just watched that one go by hoping Simmons got it.

[thethe]

Jim Johnson has been really good.

At this point the Braves could get a huge boon with McKirkan and Viz coming back. Moylan has also been decent.

[CyYoung31]

That's where replay gets dumb to me. If a guy slides past the bag or does a horrible job and comes off, fine. But a guy who clearly beat the throw, whose body is over the bag at all times and only for a split second may have had his chest come off in the process of the slide while the guy is holding his glove on him?

That's a call that is safe every single time in real-time and is only possibly called an out on slo-mo video replay.

Agreed.

[Braves1976]

Great game again Simmons.

[Garmel]

Why wasn't Eury bunting there?

[thethe]

Why wasn't Eury bunting there?

Strange for sure.

[Braves1976]

Why wasn't Eury bunting there?

Good question, why wasn't he stealing earlier? Fredi should've called both IMO.

[WaitingFor2017]

Uhh, Chip, why might we see Jonny Gomes in the lineup tomorrow against Matt Harvey? Gomes can't hit righties, so why would you start him against arguably the best one in baseball?

[thethe]

Damn, Gomes JUST missed that.

[Julio3000]

Uhh, Chip, why might we see Jonny Gomes in the lineup tomorrow against Matt Harvey? Gomes can't hit righties, so why would you start him against arguably the best one in baseball?

:FrediConfident:

[WaitingFor2017]

Uhh, Chip, last time Grilli saw the Mets was last night.

Not last Sunday.

[Braves1976]

Uhh, Chip, why might we see Jonny Gomes in the lineup tomorrow against Matt Harvey? Gomes can't hit righties, so why would you start him against arguably the best one in baseball?

Yep, plus Eury Perez had a two hit game tonight and is a ton better defensively than DH-type Gomes.

[Julio3000]

Uhh, Chip, last time Grilli saw the Mets was last night.

Not last Sunday.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[thethe]

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

http://comedycentral.mtvnimages.com/images/shows/chappelle/videos/season_1/CHAPPELLE_01_0108_TYRONE_640x360.jpg?

[jsebe10]

Uhh, Chip, last time Grilli saw the Mets was last night.

Not last Sunday.

Lol.

They really gotta start holding him accountable for his misinforming Braves country. I can understand missing a stat here and there, but forgetting that your closer threw last night?? Good grief.

[CrimsonCowboy]

http://i.imgur.com/P6x0U.gif

[Braves1976]

Good job again boys. Williams Perez is 4-0 now.

[WaitingFor2017]

A chance for .500 tomorrow against Matt Harvey.

Weird 5:05 start time tomorrow. Usually the Braves have those Sunday 5:05 games when the next day is a Holiday (Memorial and Labor Days).

[thethe]

Man, this team is so close to being good.

[The Chosen One]

Sigh. Julio pitching tomorrow.

[thethe]

So Simmons is quietly having a solid offensive season.

[Heyward]

Sundays matchup would be real good if Julio was actually pitching well.

[Heyward]

Man, this team is a power hitter, and a solid bullpen to being good.

Fixed.

[Runnin]

Nothing like beating the Mets.

This group of scrubs has only been shut out 5 times all year.

[chop2chip]

So Simmons is quietly having a solid offensive season.
Yup. He's been effectively an average offensive short stop. He's still our secret best player.

[Pugfan]

Fixed.

and julio teheran pulling head out of his ass

[Braves1976]

Yup. He's been effectively an average offensive short stop. He's still our secret best player.

Yea, if he's not an All-Star this year then they shouldn't have anyone at short. No one is better defensively and with his offense better he should make it barring a big slump, injury, or something like that.

[chop2chip]

Yea, if he's not an All-Star this year then they shouldn't have anyone at short. No one is better defensively and with his offense better he should make it barring a big slump, injury, or something like that.
They'll give it to Peralta and Crawford, but we all know who should really be there

[thethe]

Yup. He's been effectively an average offensive short stop. He's still our secret best player.

You mean other than Jace Peterson right?

[nsacpi]

We have a very solid foundation in Simmons and Freeman. Both are 4-5 WAR players. To have a competitive team you just need to surround them with a group of solid pros.

[chop2chip]

You mean other than Jace Peterson right?
Jace has certainly been better since the beginning of May.

[Braves1976]

Jace has certainly been better since the beginning of May.

True, plus Jace came into tonight with the second best WAR on the team, just behind Freeman and just ahead of Simmons.

[chop2chip]

True, plus Jace came into tonight with the second best WAR on the team, just behind Freeman and just ahead of Simmons.I still think Simmons is our best player next to Freeman (maybe the slight edge to FF). I think there is something to be said for track record.

Simmons also had a 7 bWAR two years ago. The guy is a stud.

Edit: Simmons also has the edge on bWAR this year as well (2.1 to 1.6)

[Heyward]

They'll give it to Peralta and Crawford, but we all know who should really be there

Peralta and Crawford have had great years, no qualm with them making it.

[Braves1976]

I still think Simmons is our best player next to Freeman (maybe the slight edge to FF). I think there is something to be said for track record.

Simmons also had a 7 bWAR two years ago. The guy is a stud.

I wouldn't be surprised if Simmons proved our best overall this year actually. He is that great defensively so if the offense continues he could do that too.

[thethe]

I know it's been discussed a bunch already but how awesome is our infield defense?

[Heyward]

I know it's been discussed a bunch already but how awesome is our infield defense?

Jace and Simmons are like vacuum cleaners, and Uribe has been steady until recently at 3B.

[Braves1976]

I know it's been discussed a bunch already but how awesome is our infield defense?

Thanks mostly to Simmons and Peterson it's the best in the NL for sure IMO, at least when Freeman and Uribe both start too.

[VirginiaBrave]

Man, this team is so close to being good.

And getting better...

[Runnin]

We have a very solid foundation in Simmons and Freeman. Both are 4-5 WAR players. To have a competitive team you just need to surround them with a group of solid pros.You mean like AJ, Uribe and Markakis?

[nsacpi]

You mean like AJ, Uribe and Markakis?Yup. That's the formula. Two stars and a bunch of guys who will get you about 2 WAR each. Obviously in any given season, some with surprise to the upside and some to the downside. But as long as the upside and downside surprises are about the same, Freddie+Simba+solid pros equals a contending team.

It should be noted that we did not start out the season with that kind of team and we still have a serious bullpen problem. At the start of the season we had EYJr in center and CJ/Callaspo at third. We had a couple holes in the rotation that we were trying to fill with Stults and Cahill. The current team is significantly better than the one we started the season with.

[thethe]

Yup. That's the formula. Two stars and a bunch of guys who will get you about 2 WAR each. Obviously in any given season, some with surprise to the upside and some to the downside. But as long as the upside and downside surprises are about the same, Freddie+Simba+solid pros equals a contending team.

It should be noted that we did not start out the season with that kind of team and we still have a serious bullpen problem. At the start of the season we had EYJr in center and CJ/Callaspo at third. We had a couple holes in the rotation that we were trying to fill with Stults and Cahill. The current team is significantly better than the one we started the season with.

Plus Jace Peterson might be a 4 WAR player as well.

[nsacpi]

Plus Jace Peterson might be a 4 WAR player as well.

At this point I would classify him as one of the supporting players who is surprising to the upside. You'll get upside and downside surprises from this group in any given season. Teheran is obviously a downside surprise this year. I don't view him as a negative WAR player, which is what he has been so far. Going forward, I expect both Peterson and Teheran to be solid members of the supporting cast. They're both young enough that they might become stars like Freeman and Simmons, but I think the odds are against that.

[thethe]

At this point I would classify him as one of the supporting players who is surprising to the upside. You'll get upside and downside surprises from this group in any given season. Teheran is obviously a downside surprise this year. I don't view him as a negative WAR player, which is what he has been so far. Going forward, I expect both Peterson and Teheran to be solid members of the supporting cast. They're both young enough that they might become stars like Freeman and Simmons, but I think the odds are against that.

I would agree for the most part. I'm obviously in the camp that thinks Peterson can continue to perform at this level.

[Russ2dollas]

Right now ff simba and jace are all top ten war at their position in baseball per espn.

Terrible contract markakis is in top 15.

Prob is everyone else not so good. And pitching has some holes with Tehran being the long term worry

[thethe]

Right now ff simba and jace are all top ten war at their position in baseball per espn.

Terrible contract markakis is in top 15.

Prob is everyone else not so good. And pitching has some holes with Tehran being the long term worry

Teheran is certainly a long term worry. But I think the pitching as a whole is solid in the starting rotation as I believe that Teheran will at least bounce back to respectability at the very least.

Also, Uribe is a middle of the pack third baseman and I would guess that Maybin for CF is as well.

[keithlaw]

I would agree for the most part. I'm obviously in the camp that thinks Peterson can continue to perform at this level.
Peterson has been playing roughly as expected with the exception of his ability to hit for average. Before the season his hit tool was graded 50, but he's hitting like its a 60. His average may drop, but the hit tool is the hardest to scout and theres a reasonable chance that the scouts got it wrong and this is his true talent level.

In fact I think we managed to "buy low" on all 3 of the position prospects in the Fat Upton deal because our scouts recognized their hit tool was better than everyone else thought.

[nsacpi]

Right now ff simba and jace are all top ten war at their position in baseball per espn.

Terrible contract markakis is in top 15.

Prob is everyone else not so good. And pitching has some holes with Tehran being the long term worry

Maybin has been good. Uribe has a track record that suggests he can be a solid member of the supporting cast. Grilli has done the job at closer. I'm good with the rotation as currently constituted.

The pen outside Grilli and Johnson is the main weakness at the moment. I think left and catcher are lesser weaknesses. This has been masked to some extent by AJ and KJ out-performing their projections. If the FO has an interest in improving this year's team chances of making the post-season, the pen, catcher and left are the most logical places to look to make an upgrade.

[nsacpi]

Btw, the question sometimes comes up of how many wins the pen has cost the team this year. I'm sure there are better and more sophisticated ways to get to this issue, but just adding up the numbers of the relievers with negative WAR, I come up with -1.6. If you add Cahill and Stults, you get to -2.1. So if we had merely gotten replacement level performances from those guys we'd be two wins better. Of course a decent pen is a bit better than replacement level, so I would say the pen has cost us 3-4 wins so far.

Since we are in the 6/20 game thread, wasn't it nice to see Avilan, Johnson and Grilli give us routine 7-9 inning performances. Nice to avoid the Perils of Pauline for one night.

[thethe]

Maybin has been good. Uribe has a track record that suggests he can be a solid member of the supporting cast. Grilli has done the job at closer. I'm good with the rotation as currently constituted.

The pen outside Grilli and Johnson is the main weakness at the moment. I think left and catcher are lesser weaknesses. This has been masked to some extent by AJ and KJ out-performing their projections. If the FO has an interest in improving this year's team chances of making the post-season, the pen, catcher and left are the most logical places to look to make an upgrade.

Whta are your thoughts on Viz/Mckirahan coming back? Reports are that Viz is throwing 100MPH again.

[thethe]

Btw, the question sometimes comes up of how many wins the pen has cost the team this year. I'm sure there are better and more sophisticated ways to get to this issue, but just adding up the numbers of the relievers with negative WAR, I come up with -1.6. If you add Cahill and Stults, you get to -2.1. So if we had merely gotten replacement level performances from those guys we'd be two wins better. Of course a decent pen is a bit better than replacement level, so I would say the pen has cost us 3-4 wins so far.

I think the cumulative effect of a bad pen day in and day out needs to be considered. For instance, because the pen is bad more pitchers have to be used and then those arms are not as fresh. If you had reliable guys to get you 3 outs an outing then everyone appears less which leads to more effectiveness. Just my opinion.

[nsacpi]

Whta are your thoughts on Viz/Mckirahan coming back? Reports are that Viz is throwing 100MPH again.

Viz should help. Not so sure about McKirahan. I actually prefer Greg Smith as a lefty option.

[thethe]

Viz should help. Not so sure about McKirahan. I actually prefer Greg Smith as a lefty option.

I suppose. I know very little of him but just liked what I saw early in the year. I don't know too much of Smith other thna his statlines.

[nsacpi]

I think the cumulative effect of a bad pen day in and day out needs to be considered. For instance, because the pen is bad more pitchers have to be used and then those arms are not as fresh. If you had reliable guys to get you 3 outs an outing then everyone appears less which leads to more effectiveness. Just my opinion.

Good point. There is an negative externality on the rest of the staff when one or more guys is not pulling his load.