GDT 5-12-16: Braves vs. Phillies

[UNCBlue012]

PhiLOLies:

1. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
2. Andres Blanco (S) 2B
3. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
6. Cameron Rupp (R) C
7. David Lough (L) LF
8. Vince Velasquez (R) P
9. Peter Bourjos (R) RF

Braves:

1. Nick Markakis (L) RF
2. Ender Inciarte (L) LF
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Kelly Johnson (L) 2B
5. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
6. Gordon Beckham (R) 3B
7. Erick Aybar (S) SS
8. Aaron Blair (R) P
9. Mallex Smith (L) CF

Even with our early (and probably prolonged) woes, I get excited to watch our young guys pitch. Wisler had been fantastic with back-to-back 8 inning performances, Perez threw a gem last night, Folty's last start was pure dominance, Julio has been good for about 4-5 starts, Blair started well and Viz is just fun to watch.

Our offense is still trash, but It's great to see what a competent 1-4 can do.

I hope Blair can get better defense this start and get us a series win!!! GO BRAVOS!

[Preacher]

I don't understand the fascination with Markakis leading off now that Ender is back. Why?

[UNCBlue012]

I don't understand the fascination with Markakis leading off now that Ender is back. Why?

I have no idea. I'm completely happy with Kelly hitting cleanup though, since he actually has power opportunities. I switch Nick and Ender anyways.

[striker42]

I expect Wisler to fall back to earth at some point. He doesn't have the K numbers to keep up what he's been doing. He's been benefiting from a super low BABIP. His ERA should be in the low 4s. He's better than last year but he's not suddenly a number 2 starter.

I have high hopes for Blair. People keep saying he should be a number 3 starter but I think he has a chance to be a number 2. I don't see any reason he can't consistently produce an ERA in the 3.00-3.50 range.

[striker42]

I don't understand the fascination with Markakis leading off now that Ender is back. Why?

Superstition. We broke the losing streak to start the season when Markakis was moved to leadoff.

[UNCBlue012]

I expect Wisler to fall back to earth at some point. He doesn't have the K numbers to keep up what he's been doing. He's been benefiting from a super low BABIP. His ERA should be in the low 4s. He's better than last year but he's not suddenly a number 2 starter.

I have high hopes for Blair. People keep saying he should be a number 3 starter but I think he has a chance to be a number 2. I don't see any reason he can't consistently produce an ERA in the 3.00-3.50 range.

My sentiments are the opposite on Wisler. I think he'll fall back down to a certain extent, but I expect him to live in the number 2-3 starter range for him career. He's smart and his placement is really good. I think he's getting better with his pitches and learn to use his (surprisingly) improved fastball all over the plate. In his last start the guy masterfully placed fastballs. I haven't seen a Braves starter with the 1-hit dominance he showed two starts ago since Julio had his 2014 performance.

[nsacpi]

Expecting a yuge game from AJ.

[striker42]

My sentiments are the opposite on Wisler. I think he'll fall back down to a certain extent, but I expect him to live in the number 2-3 starter range for him career. He's smart and his placement is really good. I think he's getting better with his pitches and learn to use his (surprisingly) improved fastball all over the plate. In his last start the guy masterfully placed fastballs. I haven't seen a Braves starter with the 1-hit dominance he showed two starts ago since Julio had his 2014 performance.

I'm not saying Wisler isn't going to have a good career. I'm just saying he's not a low-3 ERA guy at this point. I expect him to regress as that BABIP starts to climb back as it pretty much has to. Even so, I expect him to be better than last year. He's taken steps forward.

Wisler still has a couple things that will determine how good he'll be. The first is whether he can limit the longball. That's plagued him in the majors. However I expect he'll figure that out. The other thing is finding an out pitch. He's either got to develop a new pitch to get Ks (maybe the changeup he's working on) or he's got to figure out how to use his good fastball and good slider to get swings and misses.

The more I see of Wisler the more I think that he has a chance (granted a slim chance) to be really, really special. He could be one of those guys that just gets better and better and becomes an ace in spite of not having overpowering stuff. I think middle of the rotation starter is more likely but if he can figure out some way to get strikeouts then he has everything else he needs to be a dominant pitcher.

[bravesfanMatt]

I just hate AJ catching just because it is a Righty on the mound... Frego has such a boner for righty/lefty matchups it is becoming annoying..

[Russ2dollas]

I feel like Julio is a solid 2

I think most of our young guys are going to be very good 3s elite 4s

We could do a lot with that. But we really need at least one of Newcombe and Simms to be at least Julio level.

In the next wave we have more shots at an ace with allard sorka freid. But they are prob 3 plus yrs away

[57Brave]

I don't understand the fascination with Markakis leading off now that Ender is back. Why?

.376 vs .286 OBP.

[Braves1976]

I expect Wisler to fall back to earth at some point. He doesn't have the K numbers to keep up what he's been doing. He's been benefiting from a super low BABIP. His ERA should be in the low 4s. He's better than last year but he's not suddenly a number 2 starter.

I have high hopes for Blair. People keep saying he should be a number 3 starter but I think he has a chance to be a number 2. I don't see any reason he can't consistently produce an ERA in the 3.00-3.50 range.

I agree with you on both Wisler and Blair here. However, I will say that Wisler being such a fly ball pitcher could continue to benefit from having Inciarte and Smith in the same outfield.

[Braves1976]

AJP is a treat to watch, lol.

[msstate7]

If Blair isn't gonna strike guys out, he better not walk batters

[chop2chip]

elite 4s
I know what you meant by this, but still... it's either an oxymoron or all encompassing of the fiscal year ended 2016 Atlanta Braves.

[Garmel]

Forgot to cover 3rd? Gotta be kidding me.

[Garmel]

As bad as Blair was that inning he only gave up one run.

[Garmel]

I wonder how many times we K tonight. Two already in the first inning.

[Braves1976]

As bad as Blair was that inning he only gave up one run.

He also continues to get little to no help, stolen base and not covering third. Plus he has to throw to AJP...

[Braves1976]

85 pitches after 5 innings isn't only too high and too much in Braves country, lol.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Someone sign that fan up.

[Braves1976]

Someone sign that fan up.

Yea and ask him if he'll back-up third. :)

[UNCBlue012]

Blair looks horrible against a horrible lineup lol

[USMA76]

Yea and ask him if he'll back-up third. :)

Even better yet, ask him if he can catch a ball thrown from the outfield at home plate.

[Braves1976]

Even better yet, ask him if he can catch a ball thrown from the outfield at home plate.

Haha, I cannot argue that. That is the greater need right now.

[The Chosen One]

Chip saying AJP is best defensive catcher ever cause his fielding %.

[Braves1976]

Chip Carey going on about AJP defense again citing errors and even talking HOF, what a moron.

[bravesfanMatt]

yep.. then said they Phils got Chris Apple in the Giles trade... heard apple was pretty good.

[UNCBlue012]

Chip doesn't know baseball. Dude is just dumb!

[Braves1976]

AJP is a joke, he lost the ball thinking the runner was going again. How can he throw anyone out when he cannot hold on to the ball long enough to throw it? Maybe he can throw out Mallex in CF again, lol.

[Braves1976]

Blair should've had that K to end it a pitch earlier, if Flowers catches that it's looks better. That was a strike made look worse by how AJP catches.

[Braves1976]

Blair breaks up the no hitter with his first MLB hit, lol.

[The Chosen One]

AZ must have drafted blair because of his motion being similar to Webb's. Such a shame Brandon Webb had to call it quits early because of injury

[msstate7]

Good meeting, aj

[USMA76]

Down 3-0 with this team feels like 10-0.

[Braves1976]

AJP pep talk helped, lol.

[msstate7]

Down 3-0 with this team feels like 10-0.

Yeah, it's ballgame. Another nail in fredi's coffin

[UNCBlue012]

Good lord. And against all these horrible hitters 😂😂😂

[GovClintonTyree]

Good lord. And against all these horrible hitters 😂😂😂

As has happened so often before, Freddy Galvis with the decisive blow from his bat.

[UNCBlue012]

That being said, I bet he's fine if flowers is catching. Having AJ literally cripples his abilities.

[Braves1976]

Aybar sucks, this is a lot of bullcrap hits because we have no range up the middle. Now Blair is out? Really? I am out of here, stupid bull****...

[The Chosen One]

Lol Aybar.

[msstate7]

Pretty terrible start for Blair

[nsacpi]

Looks like my concerns about the pen getting rusty will be alleviated tonight.

[msstate7]

Looks like my concerns about the pen getting rusty will be alleviated tonight.

Ogando definitely needs some work

[The Chosen One]

Looks like my concerns about the pen getting rusty will be alleviated tonight.

I figured you'd Blair it out. Just don't let that Aaron your head get to you.

[UNCBlue012]

Why take him out already? I know he's at 77, but am I missing something?

[thewupk]

Are we going to win a home series this year? Perfect send off for Turner Field.

[The Chosen One]

Are we going to win a home series this year? Perfect send off for Turner Field.

We haven't hosted the Marlins yet.

[The Chosen One]

Damn Kelly. I love you but man that's just awful.

[Braves1976]

Why take him out already? I know he's at 77, but am I missing something?

It's the new Fredi rule.

[UNCBlue012]

Lol, how awful.

[thewupk]

Why take him out already? I know he's at 77, but am I missing something?

So EOF can dominate that lefty matchup....oh wait

[smootness]

Fredi needs to be fired, if for no other reason than we can stop acting like every game is the deciding game in a playoff series. Blair needs to keep pitching through trouble, and Mallex needs to face lefties. We don't need a manager trying to save his job in a year like this. Fire him.

[Julio3000]

Right now the team is showing the Ted exactly how much love the organization showed the Ted.

[Dalyn]

Why take him out already? I know he's at 77, but am I missing something?

:FrediPuzzled:

[CrimsonCowboy]

Good grief Fredi. He's not going to learn to get out of jams on this level if you don't let him try

[Braves1976]

Fredi needs to be fired, if for no other reason than we can stop acting like every game is the deciding game in a playoff series. Blair needs to keep pitching through trouble, and Mallex needs to face lefties. We don't need a manager trying to save his job in a year like this. Fire him.

I turned the game off, plus Blair with some defense and a decent catcher could have still had a quality start tonight. Way to show faith in the kid...

[bravesfanforlife88]

Not to beat a dead horse but I think Fredi is the worst possible manager for this team

[atl717]

Blair's stuff is unimpressive. Why can't we seem to acquire a Valasquez type. The pitchers we have acquired over the last year seem to be the type teams sold high on.

[Dalyn]

Not to beat a dead horse but I think Fredi is the worst possible manager for this team

He is legitimately bad for any team, but this one is certainly highlighting his flaws.

[smootness]

Blair's stuff is unimpressive. Why can't we seem to acquire a Valasquez type. The pitchers we have acquired over the last year seem to be the type teams sold high on.

Because it's much easier to retroactively pick the one young arm recently traded in major league baseball that is killing it than it is to pick that guy on the front end. Folty and Newcomb have the stuff. And while we didn't trade for him, Sims is putting up K rates in that neighborhood.

Blair was never supposed to have killer stuff; it's not the kind of pitcher he is.

[Braves1976]

Because it's much easier to retroactively pick the one young arm recently traded in major league baseball that is killing it than it is to pick that guy on the front end. Folty and Newcomb have the stuff. And while we didn't trade for him, Sims is putting up K rates in that neighborhood.

Blair was never supposed to have killer stuff; it's not the kind of pitcher he is.

This is what is annoying about MLB forums and in general MLB talk today, so many think too much in terms of velocity and don't know a good pitcher when they see one because they are too focused on the radar gun. I take it they weren't looking at the radar gun when Smoltz came up as if so they'd know he wasn't averaging mid-90s even though he was one of the more power pitchers on the Braves staff.

HOFer John Smoltz would agree with me on all this too as he's said the same in the past.

[UNCBlue012]

Half of the Braves team and even system is just awesome and exciting while the other half makes me hate life.

[Julio3000]

Because it's much easier to retroactively pick the one young arm recently traded in major league baseball that is killing it than it is to pick that guy on the front end. Folty and Newcomb have the stuff. And while we didn't trade for him, Sims is putting up K rates in that neighborhood.

Blair was never supposed to have killer stuff; it's not the kind of pitcher he is.

I agree with you, but I also grant that it's frustrating to watch a team in the same spot as us grab a guy like Velasquez while we're still playing the waiting game.

[Braves1976]

I agree with you, but I also grant that it's frustrating to watch a team in the same spot as us grab a guy like Velasquez while we're still playing the waiting game.

Plus we had the chips to do just that, we just used ours different. Shoot we had more chips to trade and even better relievers including Kimbrel now long ago. Maybe we can do it with Viz, but I wouldn't bet on it as outside of Arizona our approach to trades of late concerns me.

[smootness]

I agree with you, but I also grant that it's frustrating to watch a team in the same spot as us grab a guy like Velasquez while we're still playing the waiting game.

No doubt, but such is life. 29 teams didn't trade for Velasquez, one did. That's my point. Shoot, the Phillies are probably wondering why they couldn't get guys like Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte for Cole Hamels.

[UNCBlue012]

Wow! Tie game!

[Julio3000]

We traded Kimbrel for Wisler, Maybin (i.e. Krol and Speier) plus a pick, which turned out to be Austin Riley. We also dumped Melvin, who has turned out to be a positive contributor to SD thus far.

The Pads traded Kimbrel for Manuel Margot, Logan Allen, Javier Guerra, and Carlos Asuaje. Three decent prospects and a lottery-ticket Omar Infante.

Phils got Velasquez + for Giles.

Our deal was roundly approved at the time (including by yours truly). That'll be a fun one to watch over the next few years.

[Julio3000]

No doubt, but such is life. 29 teams didn't trade for Velasquez, one did. That's my point. Shoot, the Phillies are probably wondering why they couldn't get guys like Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte for Cole Hamels.

Fair enough.

[smootness]

I just prefer to look at trades in isolation. Was it a good trade for us? That's all I really care about. There are too many other factors involved in other trades that it's not really worth comparing. Even though the Diamondbacks are pretty dumb, there is probably no other point at which they would have been willing to give up the package they did for a pitcher like Shelby. But they decided they had to add a big-time pitcher in a trade, and we took advantage.

The same is likely true for other deals. In hindsight, it's possible we could have gotten more for Kimbrel, and we certainly could have gotten more had we not included BJ. But we did, and I still like the deal.

[Braves1976]

Wow! Tie game!

Beckham after a slow start has been quite good so far this year. I think both he and Inciarte are rusty coming of the DL recently, but still he's contributed again tonight.

[cajunrevenge]

Pretty sure Velasquez has an extensive injury history. The stuff was never the question for him. Wont be surprised if the guy blows his arm out before the end of the season.

[Braves1976]

Braves best shot to win is next two innings as they can use Hunter and Viz to get through 9 innings.

[Julio3000]

Beckham is OK. I don't mind seeing him get ABs right now.

Cervenka might as well go ahead and change his jersey # to 00.

[USMA76]

Bad night for Nick.

[Braves1976]

Here's a good poll, what happens first?:

A) Fredi fired

B) Hunter Cervenka gives up an ER

[Julio3000]

Hunter Cervenka. HC. Chris Hammond. CH.

HC...CH...Huge Conspiracy or Coincidental Happenstance?

You be the judge.

[cajunrevenge]

Gold Glove!

[thewupk]

Here's a good poll, what happens first?:

A) Fredi fired

B) Hunter Cervenka gives up an ER

C) Another players hits two homers for the season

[nsacpi]

Pen has really turned it around. Like the current composition much more than what we had at the start of the season.

[Braves1976]

Look y'all, Elvis isn't dead!

[cajunrevenge]

Gold Glove!

[Garmel]

Nick showing off his gold glove defense.

[UNCBlue012]

Lmao. Dumb Grilli.

[The Chosen One]

Cheese is already spoiled past expiration. Can we throw it away already.

[KB21]

This is what is annoying about MLB forums and in general MLB talk today, so many think too much in terms of velocity and don't know a good pitcher when they see one because they are too focused on the radar gun. I take it they weren't looking at the radar gun when Smoltz came up as if so they'd know he wasn't averaging mid-90s even though he was one of the more power pitchers on the Braves staff.

HOFer John Smoltz would agree with me on all this too as he's said the same in the past.

That focus on the radar gun is one of the reasons there are so many TJ injuries.

[USMA76]

So we're putting the game into the hands of a guy with a 4.40 ERA in Triple A? Hope it works out.

[cajunrevenge]

I dont blame Grilli, that was a good pitch. How he golfed it that far I do not know.

[The Chosen One]

Hahahaha.

[Braves1976]

What do you know, the lefty specialist cannot get the righties out. Ballgame.

[UNCBlue012]

HAHAHA this idiotic team.

[thewupk]

lol no home series win tonight

[UNCBlue012]

Screw you Fredi. More bad decisions. Markakis didn't help, but so bad.

[jsebe10]

Wonder why we won't be able to use a LH pinch hitter in the bottom of the 10th...........................

[Garmel]

This game alone should get Fredi fired. Stupid decision.

[Julio3000]

Screw you Fredi. More bad decisions. Markakis didn't help, but so bad.

But teh Gold Glove...

[Braves1976]

This game alone should get Fredi fired. Stupid decision.

It's the comedy of errors by now, I actually enjoyed it this time because I saw it coming a mile away. Krol ain't getting both righties out too often, he didn't in the minors either. I only enjoyed it as it was so predictable and my hope it gets Fredi gone sooner. I hate seeing us lose otherwise.

[Braves1976]

But teh Gold Glove...

Haha, yea Inciarte should be in RF if not CF and if so he catches that ball as you know.

[thewupk]

Neck power. So much for that weight lifting program.

[jsebe10]

Phillies look like they are having fun. NEW MANAGER, young talent, and some old heads. Looks like a fun club.

[striker42]

We need an anti-elephant. Something to post after losses. Maybe the Emma Watson GIF. That would make us look forward to a loss.

[cajunrevenge]

We need an anti-elephant. Something to post after losses. Maybe the Emma Watson GIF. That would make us look forward to a loss.

https://66.media.tumblr.com/4dbb428cfa6384e16d4b9379c4957923/tumblr_n58j0287Pn1rrlda6o1_400.gif

[cajunrevenge]

We need an anti-elephant. Something to post after losses. Maybe the Emma Watson GIF. That would make us look forward to a loss.

https://67.media.tumblr.com/e37e14db4bfc29f43ccafe24a6e64f66/tumblr_o15yq5ZB6D1rntj9yo1_400.gif

[thewupk]

https://67.media.tumblr.com/e37e14db4bfc29f43ccafe24a6e64f66/tumblr_o15yq5ZB6D1rntj9yo1_400.gif

real men don't look at explosions. they just walk away.

[cajunrevenge]

I know what the context of this is but I like to imagine thats Tommy setting fire to the stadium as he leaves to sign with the Mets.

[KB21]

Blair's stuff is unimpressive. Why can't we seem to acquire a Valasquez type. The pitchers we have acquired over the last year seem to be the type teams sold high on.

The Braves did acquire Velasquez types. Mike Foltynewicz was the higher rated prospect between he and Velasquez when both were in the Astros system. Aaron Blair, Matt Wisler, Sean Newcomb, and Lucas Sims have rated higher than Velasquez as prospects as well.

[Runnin]

Regardless, the team is playing much better lately.

[smootness]

I know what the context of this is but I like to imagine thats Tommy setting fire to the stadium as he leaves to sign with the Mets.

That's Blauser, no?

[cajunrevenge]

Not enough pixels. I also dont like to say the B word. The day he conned the Cubs out of big money was one of the happiest days of the 90's for me.

[CrimsonCowboy]

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view7/4601513/dumpster-fire-o.gif

[buck75]

That's Blauser, no?

Yep

[bravesnumberone]

Blauser managed the AA team for a year. Hell, bring him in.

[DaneHill]

We need an anti-elephant. Something to post after losses. Maybe the Emma Watson GIF. That would make us look forward to a loss.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg319/dane323/Fat%20man_zpshvoh8ktc.gif

[Diesel]

I know what the context of this is but I like to imagine thats Tommy setting fire to the stadium as he leaves to sign with the Mets.

Jeff Blauser