GDT: Braves vs Cubs 9/2/17

[thewupk]

Ender leads off the game with a single and swipes his 20th base of the year

[msstate7]

FF with a k. He's been quite disappointing of late. Ops now down over .200 points since AS break

[Enscheff]

Kemp has completely stopped protecting Freeman I guess.

[Enscheff]

Chip: "Kemp scalds one to center"

He is terrible.

[thewupk]

FF with a k. He's been quite disappointing of late. Ops now down over .200 points since AS break

Must be his eyes, wrist, etc

[thewupk]

Chip: "Kemp scalds one to center"

He is terrible.

He's whatever is worse than terrible.

[thewupk]

Nick just doesn't have the stick anymore

[Julio3000]

Ender is having a hell of a year. Double-digit HR, 20 bags, and about the best OBP I expected out of him.

[Enscheff]

Nick just doesn't have the stick anymore

No worries, the Braves can just trade him.

[msstate7]

I'm so sick of this team. College football should be occupying my time (on way to miss st's opener), but I'm watching At Bat while my wife drives. So ready for this season to end... I can't not watch/listen/keep up

[Enscheff]

Now Chip spreading the wisdom that it's hard to hit HRs with the wind blowing in. Hopefully Sims is smart enough to "observe the game" and realize that!

[msstate7]

Nice job sims

[Enscheff]

I'm so sick of this team. College football should be occupying my time (on way to miss st's opener), but I'm watching At Bat while my wife drives. So ready for this season to end... I can't not watch/listen/keep up

Those trade schools have great football teams.

[msstate7]

Those trade schools have great football teams.

And baseball... lots better than wherever you went

[Enscheff]

And baseball... lots better than wherever you went

You should be very proud of your non-accomplishment.

[chop2chip]

Walk on four pitches to Zobrist, but three of them were strikes.

[chop2chip]

There's not a single part of me that likes Javy Baez as a player.

[Enscheff]

Don't worry. I've been told guys with 91 MPH fastballs and/or poor control can still be Aces.

[mfree80]

Don't worry. I've been told guys with 91 MPH fastballs and/or poor control can still be Aces.

Please stop trying to bait people. Nobody has ever said that.

[thethe]

Albies is going to be a stud. 6 WAR player is not impossible for him.

[Enscheff]

Albies is going to be a stud. 6 WAR player is not impossible for him.

His swing is noticeably better RHed.

Can anyone think of any switch hitter that has abandoned one side of the plate and experienced greater success as a result?

[GeorgiaGirl]

Freeman said his wrist isn't healthy. Normal bad teams would shut him down but....."good vibes", #finishstrong.

[Enscheff]

It is baffling to me that the Cubs kept Schwarber and dealt Eloy for pitching.

[chop2chip]

Freeman said his wrist isn't healthy. Normal bad teams would shut him down but....."good vibes", #finishstrong.
If the doctors really did clear him to play with confidence that he isn't at risk for reinjury then I couldn't disagree with this sentiment more. What purpose are you serving by sitting him?

[mfree80]

His swing is noticeably better RHed.

Can anyone think of any switch hitter that has abandoned one side of the plate and experienced greater success as a result?

Great question. It does seem like some guys get stubborn about switch hitting when it really doesn't help them.

[GeorgiaGirl]

If the doctors really did clear him to play with confidence that he isn't at risk for reinjury then I couldn't disagree with this sentiment more. What purpose are you serving by sitting him?

It helps him heal faster.

[thewupk]

It helps him heal faster.

offseason will do that

[thewupk]

Albies is going to be a stud. 6 WAR player is not impossible for him.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cf/03/04/cf030468cd02c39a70244b86d90fa954.jpg

[thewupk]

Now Chip spreading the wisdom that it's hard to hit HRs with the wind blowing in. Hopefully Sims is smart enough to "observe the game" and realize that!

the wind must have shifted

[thethe]

His swing is noticeably better RHed.

Can anyone think of any switch hitter that has abandoned one side of the plate and experienced greater success as a result?

I doubt he's faced many righties from the right side. Does it make sense to change at the major league level.

[thethe]

Rio!!!!!

[chop2chip]

It helps him heal faster.
Says who?

[WaitingFor2017]

Very nice MLB comeback for Rio the first two days. Keep it going the last month, so the FO doesn't do something like waste 8 million dollars on Brandon Phillips.

[Enscheff]

Great question. It does seem like some guys get stubborn about switch hitting when it really doesn't help them.

Shane Victorino posted a .629 OPS as a LHed batter in 2012, and a .706 mark in 2013. He then stopped batting LHed, but didn't do very well R vs R.

He didn't make the change until the end of his career, but he is the only example I could could find.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Says who?

Rest will help you heal. He should not be playing.

[Enscheff]

The best use of Ender and Albies may end up being a leadoff platoon with the other batting 9th.

[thewupk]

well that was a short outing

[WaitingFor2017]

King Krol is still hot garbage

[Enscheff]

Well, there's always 2019!

[Bluedevilruss]

Glad we brought Krol in Snit, this game was much too close.

#Snitforfirstpick

[GeorgiaGirl]

But I thought Lucas Sims was pitching better than Sean Newcomb? Bwahahahahaha.

[Enscheff]

But I thought Lucas Sims was pitching better than Sean Newcomb? Bwahahahahaha.

Sims simply isn't very good. No "if" scenarios can change that fact.

At least there are "if" scenarios where Newk and Folty become quality SPs.

[chop2chip]

Rest will help you heal. He should not be playing.
If a doctor says his wrist will heal in a way that makes him better for 2018, then I agree that he should rest. But you don't have any evidence that that's actually true and this completely ignores Freddie's say in things. Your plan may go over well with noted rest lovers like JD Drew, but I highly doubt Freddie would want to be shutdown when he's been medically cleared to play.

[thewupk]

If a doctor says his wrist will heal in a way that makes him better for 2018, then I agree that he should rest. But you don't have any evidence that that's actually true and this completely ignores Freddie's say in things. Your plan may go over well with noted rest lovers like JD Drew, but I highly doubt Freddie would want to be shutdown when he's been medically cleared to play.

a case where "he doesn't love baseball" is actually true

[chop2chip]

a case where "he doesn't love baseball" is actually true
It's still incredible to me that his career high in plate appearances came in his one season with the Braves and all I can remember from that season is how amazing he was and how often he needed days off.

[Deester11]

Sims simply isn't very good. No "if" scenarios can change that fact.

At least there are "if" scenarios where Newk and Folty become quality SPs.
The same thing over been saying for four years. It is what it is. Agree with the if's of Newk but Folty needs Dr Llewellyn in the worst way.

[chop2chip]

Ozzie continues to impress.

[jpack1]

Hopefully we've seen the last of Krol, That should be Sims last start as well. Guy just doesn't have the stuff to compete at all.

[thethe]

Braves front office has referenced the added financial flexibility as a reason they moved. If they don't pony up the money to extend Albies/Swanson/Acuna then they will feel the burn from a lot of fan's and justifiably so.

[chop2chip]

Nick is the most admirable below average I have ever watched. If he were an apple he would be a Red Delicious most certainly.

[The Chosen One]

The whole thing about trading Albies was just locker room talk right?

[Enscheff]

Hopefully we've seen the last of Krol, That should be Sims last start as well. Guy just doesn't have the stuff to compete at all.

There are probably only 5-6 pitchers on the entire roster worth keeping. That's why the Braves have the 3rd worst pitching staff in MLB.

[Enscheff]

Braves front office has referenced the added financial flexibility as a reason they moved. If they don't pony up the money to extend Albies/Swanson/Acuna then they will feel the burn from a lot of fan's and justifiably so.

The FO certainly has done their best to make them as expensive as possible to keep around.

[thewupk]

Braves have used 5 pitchers today. 4 of them have a 5 ERA or higher

[thewupk]

guess the wrist is feeling better now

[chop2chip]

JHey!!

[steveAKAslick]

Krol, Brothers and JJ should never pitch again for this team...Give Fried or Gohara Sims remaining starts he just isn't a MLB starter

[50PoundHead]

Really have to give it up for Albies. Very impressive start.

[chop2chip]

If the doctors really did clear him to play with confidence that he isn't at risk for reinjury then I couldn't disagree with this sentiment more. What purpose are you serving by sitting him?

Though this statement from Freeman is evidence enough to advocate shutting hind down. From Bowman:

Freeman said he's steadily losing more strength in his previously fractured wrist. He says, "It feels like I'm swinging a wet newspaper."

[Dalyn]

It's still incredible to me that his career high in plate appearances came in his one season with the Braves and all I can remember from that season is how amazing he was and how often he needed days off.

I loved Drew that year. He was one of my favorites. Then in the playoffs he just sat on the bench when we hit a homerun. The rest of the players were on their feet crazy and jumping and cheering. He just sat there. Still really loved watching him that year.

[steveAKAslick]

Though this statement from Freeman is evidence enough to advocate shutting hind down. From Bowman:

Freeman said he's steadily losing more strength in his previously fractured wrist. He says, "It feels like I'm swinging a wet newspaper."

Here's the full quote and yes there's no reason for him to be playing at all...

"The wet newspaper I’ve been swinging, got it through a couple of times today and made contact... I needed to do it again in the last one and didn’t do it.... I’ve got nothing left, really."

[WaitingFor2017]

With Freddie, I'd let him play one more home series for the home fans, and then shut him down after Wednesday's game against Texas.

[CyYoung31]

With Freddie, I'd let him play one more home series for the home fans, and then shut him down after Wednesday's game against Texas.

No way I'd shut down Freeman with our playoff hopes on the line.

[UNCBlue012]

Why would Snit even be remotely OK with letting him continue to play and get injured?

[weso1]

I loved Drew that year. He was one of my favorites. Then in the playoffs he just sat on the bench when we hit a homerun. The rest of the players were on their feet crazy and jumping and cheering. He just sat there. Still really loved watching him that year.

He had one of the best years any Braves player has ever had. It was fun to watch.

[msstate7]

Why would Snit even be remotely OK with letting him continue to play and get injured?

Esp when we have a capable 1b on the bench. I blame the FO, not snit though

[Enscheff]

Here's the full quote and yes there's no reason for him to be playing at all...

"The wet newspaper I’ve been swinging, got it through a couple of times today and made contact... I needed to do it again in the last one and didn’t do it.... I’ve got nothing left, really."

That doesn't sound like a guy that needs to be in the lineup right now.

[drewdat]

Need to shift him to third and take some pressure of the wrist having to catch all those throws.

[thethe]

Albies trending at almost 5 war.

So when do your extent him and for how much?

10 years 120M?

[Russ2dollas]

Albies trending at almost 5 war.

So when do your extent him and for how much?

10 years 120M?

I know it won't happen but I'd offer him and Swanson 10/100 and pay 10 million every yr. maybe a team option or two at 20 million.

I think Swanson is going to be at Lewiston a 1.5 war guy and he will earn the 10. Albies I think will get to 10 million in value just with the glove

I'd have to see Albies do more vs rh before I thought about 3 plus war seasons and top half of the order on a god team

[UNCBlue012]

Albies is my hero

[zbhargrove]

No way I'd shut down Freeman with our playoff hopes on the line.

Same reason, I wish they'd get back to Garcia at 3rd

[zbhargrove]

I'm a pozzie... but if the Braves trade Albies I'm going to be so pissed. I will definitely be on the side of the FO having no clue what they are doing if that happens. So far, he's easily the best prospect to make the jump so far with Swanson's early struggles (although hopefully he's come out of it)