5/15 GDT SUNDAY Rubber Game In K.C.

[rico43]

LINEUPS

ATLANTA

1. Nick Markakis (L) DH
2. Gordon Beckham (R) 3B
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Tyler Flowers (R) C
5. Jeff Francoeur (R) RF
6. Ender Inciarte (L) LF
7. Chase d'Arnaud (R) 2B
8. Mallex Smith (L) CF
9. Daniel Castro (R) SS

RHP Matt Wisler

KANSAS CITY


KANSAS CITY
1. Alcides Escobar (R) SS
2. Alex Gordon (L) LF
3. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
4. Kendrys Morales (S) DH
5. Salvador Perez (R) C
6. Cheslor Cuthbert (R) 3B
7. Paulo Orlando (R) RF
8. Omar Infante (R) 2B
9. Jarrod Dyson (L) CF

Danny Duffy LHP

[jpx7]

Mixed bag for Wisler in the first. Gave in to Hosmer and paid for it, but did a solid job rallying to retire the next two hitters.

Meanwhile: classic Franceour execution there. First pitch, swing like hell, tomahawk under it for a shallow pop-out to left.

[mossy]

Helluva play by Duffy. That had infield single written all over it.

[mossy]

Nice play by Ender. Didn't know he was that speedy.

[jpx7]

"We gotta figure out this DH thing—don't we?..."

But do we, Chip? Do we really?

[jpx7]

Hopefully Markakis is busting out of his slump. The Braves can't have him sporting such a spartan slash-line once the trade-deadline nears.

[thewupk]

Hopefully Markakis is busting out of his slump. The Braves can't have him sporting such a spartan slash-line once the trade-deadline nears.

Would be nice to have a non replacement level right fielder/DH

[mossy]

Man, if this team could hit.

[mossy]

Did they say why Duffy is out of the game?

[Garmel]

Did they say why Duffy is out of the game?

Duffy was just a spot starter today. He's a reliever and not a starter anymore.

[UNCBlue012]

If only this team actually tried to hit.

[striker42]

Man, if this team could hit.

Far too many guys like Castro, Aybar, and Frenchy in the lineup far too often. Albies and Swanson are going to be huge when they get here

[thewupk]

Far too many guys like Castro, Aybar, and Frenchy in the lineup far too often. Albies and Swanson are going to be huge when they get here

I hope not. I want them to be able to play some kind of defense.

[nsacpi]

Garcia is killing it in AAA. Wonder if he can come up and get some of the PT that Francoeur has been getting.

[nsacpi]

Wisler continues to shine.

[thewupk]

Wisler continues to shine.

Really good outing so far. 5 K's and 0 walks in 5 innings.

[UNCBlue012]

Dude. Just get a damn hit.

[Garmel]

BS called strike on Inciarte.

[jpx7]

Wisler continues to shine.

Close call there to Morales, but he's been impressive outside a few missteps in the first.

[striker42]

I like seeing Wisler getting Ks without walks. He's grown a ton since last year but has been needing some swings and misses.

[Heyward]

If only this team actually tried to hit.

Yeah, they're clearly not trying to hit, lol.

[mqt]

Fun fact: the Cubs have outscored their opponents by 3 more runs than the Braves have scored this year.

[Heyward]

Rough times, but exciting seeing Folty, Wisler, Julio and Blair pitch.

Some bright spots to be excited about going forward.

[UNCBlue012]

The offense sucks and can't be great for the young pitcher's morale, but man it's been great to watch.

[UNCBlue012]

Inciarte's defense is just incredible.

[The Chosen One]

Rough times, but exciting seeing Folty, Wisler, Julio and Blair pitch.

Some bright spots to be excited about going forward.

Poor Perez can't even get a shout out when he had one of the best outings yet.

[The Chosen One]

Fun fact: the Cubs have outscored their opponents by 3 more runs than the Braves have scored this year.

Not very fun to me.

[jpx7]

Inciarte's defense is just incredible.

His arm really bailed out Wisler—and it helped Hosmer was the man running. But I didn't like that pitch to Perez, 2-2 with the man on second.

[UNCBlue012]

PLEASE SCORE ON THIS DOUBLE

[Heyward]

Poor Perez can't even get a shout out when he had one of the best outings yet.

One start, i think hes trade bait or in the bullpen once better prospects come up.

[UNCBlue012]

This is embarrassing baseball.

[msstate7]

Why bunt mallex? Mallex is one of our few guys that has proven he can hit a little lately

[UNCBlue012]

What

[Garmel]

Pfft. This offense is offensive.

[UNCBlue012]

I'm glad Markakis is hitting like absolute garbage over the last two weeks and is leading off. What a smart manager.

[UNCBlue012]

Just saying, we should probably have 2-3 runs at the very least.

[striker42]

This team is inventing new ways to not score.

[The Chosen One]

One start, i think hes trade bait or in the bullpen once better prospects come up.

Trade bait? If anyone is traded it's probably Julio before Williams. In terms of trade value it's not even question.

[jpx7]

This team is inventing new ways to not score.

I was actually fairly impressed with how they spoiled the last inning's opportunities.

[UNCBlue012]

But Wisler can't strike people out and he walks too many!

[thewupk]

Great outing for Wisler.

[UNCBlue012]

I'm doubting it, but I wonder if Fredi will let him go one more?

[nsacpi]

Frustrating to see Francoeur getting so many ABs against righties. Especially in late innings of close games.

[mossy]

Another promising outing from a youngster. Looks like yet another tight loss however.

Frenchy....his AB's are painful.

[The Chosen One]

Fredi letting Wisler pitch the 8th with 99 pitches. What the hell is this world coming to.

[UNCBlue012]

Wisler is turning into such a good, young pitcher. Hopefully this inning goes well

[UNCBlue012]

What a sucky ending to a great game.

[mossy]

Looks safe. Nice fluke hit in an excellent at bat.

Great outting Matt.

[striker42]

Not sure I'd have let Wisler start that inning. Definitely would have pulled him after the double. Fredi's a fool.

[thewupk]

Not sure I'd have let Wisler start that inning. Definitely would have pulled him after the double. Fredi's a fool.

What else is new.

[Garmel]

There was no point to bringing Wisler back at 99 pitches. If Wisler had only 85 Fredi probably would have yanked him.

[striker42]

What else is new.

I saw CNNs reporting that water is wet.

[mossy]

You women bitch about everything. No matter what Fredi does, it's never good enough. 116 pitches, last at bat 12 pitches. We are gonna lose anyway, seems perfectly logical to pull him before the inning gets any uglier.

[Garmel]

You women bitch about everything. No matter what Fredi does, it's never good enough. 116 pitches, last at bat 12 pitches. We are gonna lose anyway, seems perfectly logical to pull him before the inning gets any uglier.

How about this? If he quits making stupid ass decisions we'll quit bitching. Deal?

[msstate7]

You women bitch about everything. No matter what Fredi does, it's never good enough. 116 pitches, last at bat 12 pitches. We are gonna lose anyway, seems perfectly logical to pull him before the inning gets any uglier.

I'm more upset over mallex trying to bunt a runner to 3rd

[mossy]

How about this? If he quits making stupid ass decisions we'll quit bitching. Deal?

I'm not defending the bad decisions, I'm just not sure what's wrong with this one.

[msstate7]

Mallex! Yay and boo on the same play

[jpx7]

How can the offense spoil this inning, I wonder?

[The Chosen One]

Wooooooooo.

[UNCBlue012]

Yes!

[The Chosen One]

If only Mallex had a chance to hit earlier instead of bunt...

[Garmel]

I hope Mallex isn't hurt badly.

[jpx7]

Wooooooooo.

Indeed. Really unfortunate, though, that Smith seemingly hurt himself rounding first—both in terms of taking the lead in this game, and because he'd been flashing those strides with the bat recently.

[thewupk]

2 runs off Davis? Might be the most impressive inning of the year for this offense.

[mossy]

Nice comeback despite some bad luck/mistakes.

Growing pains.

[Garmel]

I'm not defending the bad decisions, I'm just not sure what's wrong with this one.

Fredi brought him back into the game with 99 pitches, that's debatable. However, after the double he kept him in. Makes zero sense.

[jpx7]

2 runs off Davis? Might be the most impressive inning of the year for this offense.

And nothing really cheap, outside of Aybar's little duck-fart.

[thewupk]

Nick's ISO of .084 is creeping ever so close to last years level of .080

[nsacpi]

Nice comeback despite some bad luck/mistakes.

Growing pains.

Very nice inning. Who plays left?

[WaitingFor2017]

Would've let Beckham hit

[mossy]

Bud Norris pitching quality ball? Weird.

[msstate7]

Is mallex emerging putting inciarte potentially on the trading block? Wonder who we could get for an inciarte/Teheran package

[msstate7]

Jeez FF

[The Chosen One]

Is mallex emerging putting inciarte potentially on the trading block? Wonder who we could get for an inciarte/Teheran package

Frankly I'd like to keep both and get rid of Neck.

[msstate7]

Frankly I'd like to keep both and get rid of Neck.

Yeah, I love both of them, but watching this offense makes me wanna get a corner OF or 3b that can stroke

[thewupk]

Frankly I'd like to keep both and get rid of Neck.

At this rate Neck would be a salary dump.

[The Chosen One]

Yeah, I love both of them, but watching this offense makes me wanna get a corner OF or 3b that can stroke

And we can do both while keeping both. Lol.

[thewupk]

Yeah, I love both of them, but watching this offense makes me wanna get a corner OF or 3b that can stroke

This is what happens when you have a ton of has beens and never weres on your roster. The only non AAAA offensive player is Freeman and Ender and Ender is struggling so far.

[msstate7]

This is what happens when you have a ton of has beens and never weres on your roster. The only non AAAA offensive player is Freeman and Ender and Ender is struggling so far.

I hope the braves don't give up on mallex as quick as you

[thewupk]

I hope the braves don't give up on mallex as quick as you

I'm not giving up on Mallex. But he hasn't proven he can hit at this level yet. Right now he's hitting like every other scrub on the team.

[Garmel]

I'm not giving up on Mallex. But he hasn't proven he can hit at this level yet. Right now he's hitting like every other scrub on the team.

What? He's hit only one home run but his slugging % has been pretty good.

[msstate7]

I'm not giving up on Mallex. But he hasn't proven he can hit at this level yet. Right now he's hitting like every other scrub on the team.

Last 15 games...

.350/.357/.575

Small sample I know, but it's more relevant bc he's just getting used to mlb pitching. Needs to walk more though

[thewupk]

What? He's hit only one home run but his slugging % has been pretty good.

Sub 300 OBP and 674 OPS is not good.

[The Chosen One]

Lol.

First pitch and it's a HBP.

[The Chosen One]

Whew.

[striker42]

Not sure why we were pitching to Gordon and Hosmer there. Fortunately it worked out.

[jpx7]

Last 15 games...

.350/.357/.575

Small sample I know, but it's more relevant bc he's just getting used to mlb pitching. Needs to walk more though


Sub 300 OBP and 674 OPS is not good.

Both relevant points—which is what makes watching Mallex play this season interesting, and what makes ensuring he sees regular PA this season (ahem, :FrediPuzzled:) so significant.

[msstate7]

When is s. Simmons supposed to be back?

[Garmel]

When is s. Simmons supposed to be back?

June

[Garmel]

I'm beginning to hate Aybar with a passion.

[msstate7]

June

This could be a pretty solid pitching staff if Simmons picks up where he left off

[msstate7]

Can we please give frenchy's starts to Garcia?

[thewupk]

Last 15 games...

.350/.357/.575

Small sample I know, but it's more relevant bc he's just getting used to mlb pitching. Needs to walk more though

I'm not trying to be some Mallex hater because I like his game and he can be very valuable with plus defense in center. But over that span he has a 419 BABIP. That to go a long with a 19% K rate and a 0%, yes 0%, BB rate is not a good recipe for future success even if the actual results have been good.

[striker42]

10 hits, 9 singles. That's impressive.

[WaitingFor2017]

Remaining bullpen= white flag

[msstate7]

I'm not trying to be some Mallex hater because I like his game and he can be very valuable with plus defense in center. But over that span he has a 419 BABIP. That to go a long with a 19% K rate and a 0%, yes 0%, BB rate is not a good recipe for future success even if the actual results have been good.

I think mallex is capable of being a player like Michael Bourn. Maybe I'm optimistic bc I got attached to him at Mississippi last year, but I think he's gonna be a pretty good mlb player

[The Chosen One]

Remaining bullpen= white flag

We also have Frenchy available if needed.

[WaitingFor2017]

Come on Fredi... It's not the time to be playing matchups when in extras and only 2 pitchers are left

[thewupk]

I think mallex is capable of being a player like Michael Bourn. Maybe I'm optimistic bc I got attached to him at Mississippi last year, but I think he's gonna be a pretty good mlb player

I think that's best case scenario and would be awesome.

[jpx7]

Come on Fredi... It's not the time to be playing matchups when in extras and only 2 pitchers are left

:FrediGreen:

[msstate7]

Cut Grilli already

[mossy]

Awesome. Grilli is horrible.

[thewupk]

lol so bad

[Braves1976]

We all knew that was how it would end, right?

[Julio3000]

Hey, double-digit hits tonight!

[ducks]

[jpx7]

http://www.cutelikemeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/img_70271-1024x682.jpg

[WaitingFor2017]

At the very least, Atlanta takes a full game lead on 2017 number one pick. Next closest team is 4.5 games better

[UNCBlue012]

Luckily our pitching has been awesome and our biggest issues are offense and bullpen - which we have lots of guys coming through the system.

[50PoundHead]

At the very least, Atlanta takes a full game lead on 2017 number one pick. Next closest team is 4.5 games better

Three straight quality starts.

[nsacpi]

Three straight quality starts.

The starting pitching is coming together a bit faster than I expected. Of course young pitchers are inconsistent so I may revise that view in a month.

[cajunrevenge]

We all knew that was how it would end, right?

Pretty sure we all gave up as soon as Bud Norris came in the game.

[bravesfanMatt]

Pretty sure we all gave up as soon as Bud Norris came in the game.

Bud has been terrific in the pen thus far.

[Braves1976]

The starting pitching is coming together a bit faster than I expected. Of course young pitchers are inconsistent so I may revise that view in a month.

Plus Arizona and KC did come in slumping, so hard to say they were at the best against us. But either way it's good to see the starters doing better but it's still a very small sample size to say a lot. Time will tell.

[Runnin]

Rough times, but exciting seeing Folty, Wisler, Julio and Blair pitch.

Some bright spots to be excited about going forward.
And it all starts with starting pitching. Seems like I've heard that before.