GDT 9/19 WRATH OF THE BOONDOCK TOUSSAINTS

[Hulavol]

Wednesday 9/19 12:10pm
Touki Toussaint (R)
vs. Cardinals - Jack Flaherty (R)
1. Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) LF
2. Ender Inciarte (L) CF
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Nick Markakis (L) RF
5. Johan Camargo (S) 3B
6. Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
7. Tyler Flowers (R) C
8. Dansby Swanson (R) SS
9. Touki Toussaint (R) P

[nsacpi]

expecting a yuge game from Swanson

[salmagundy]

Maybe a little improvement in the #2 hole. No Albies, Inciarte in there today. Ozzie last 30 games has been way down. 24 for last 108((5-26 in last 7 games), 6 RBIs(0 in last 7), 11/21 BBs/Ks, .222 Avg(.192 last 7)

[Hulavol]

Definitely like seeing Ender back in the two hole. Addition by subtraction.

[msstate7]

Wish we'd put our best 3 hitters (Acuna, FF, and markakis) 1-3

[thewupk]

Definitely like seeing Ender back in the two hole. Addition by subtraction.
:cooter:

[mqt]

Saw Flaherty at the top of the post and almost had a rage attack.

[Hulavol]

Saw Flaherty at the top of the post and almost had a rage attack.

That is damn funny!

[CyYoung31]

We’re going to get swept. Just letting you all know right now. I’ve told you all along that the division was going to come down to the last 7 against the Phillies whether we liked it or not. This team just can’t make anything easy.

[Chipper]

We’re going to get swept. Just letting you all know right now. I’ve told you all along that the division was going to come down to the last 7 against the Phillies whether we liked it or not. This team just can’t make anything easy.

Look at the negative Nancy over here!

[CyYoung31]

Look at the negative Nancy over here!

I prefer Nervous Nellie.

[nsacpi]

I prefer Nervous Nellie.

fortunately the phainting phillies will save the nervous nellies and negative nancies

[CyYoung31]

fortunately the phainting phillies will save the nervous nellies and negative nancies

All I’m saying is that we’re going to get swept by the Cardinals. Nothing more.

[Enscheff]

At some point Snit will figure out how to get the guy with a .370 OBP and .150 ISO batting in front of the guy with a .280 ISO...but not this day.

When he figures out the correct 1-2 punch is Markakis-Acuna we can all dance a happy little jig.

[Chipper]

All I’m saying is that we’re going to get swept by the Cardinals. Nothing more.

Doubt anyone here will disagree with you on this.

[Hulavol]

Doubt anyone here will disagree with you on this.

I disagree. I think Touki will shred them.

[bravesnumberone]

At some point Snit will figure out how to get the guy with a .370 OBP and .150 ISO batting in front of the guy with a .280 ISO...but not this day.

When he figures out the correct 1-2 punch is Markakis-Acuna we can all dance a happy little jig.

I think this is worth a try, though Nick has been good behind Freddie. I have somewhat confidence Camargo could step in at cleanup. Snit wouldn't do it in 100 years, though.

[msstate7]

We’re going to get swept. Just letting you all know right now. I’ve told you all along that the division was going to come down to the last 7 against the Phillies whether we liked it or not. This team just can’t make anything easy.

I've got a good feeling about today

[Enscheff]

Touki is kinda all over the place early. Hopefully he is effectively wild today.

[UNCBlue012]

Tough start for Touki. The command isn't there yet

[bravesfanforlife88]

Touki is kinda all over the place early. Hopefully he is effectively wild today.

keeps missing arm side

[msstate7]

I'd go fried really early if this continues

[UNCBlue012]

Huge DP!

[bravesfanforlife88]

Touki was gifted that second strike, that was inside and at no point crossed the plate....but we'll take it!

[UNCBlue012]

Damn, Acuna was destroyed in that sequence. Unlike dude last night, I can see why this guy has such a good ERA.

[msstate7]

Damn, sit down, Acuna

[msstate7]

Will this be a 9-pitch, 3 strike out inning?

[UNCBlue012]

Freddie is killing it this series.

[UNCBlue012]

That squibber by Markakis is 100% a hit if the Cards do it. That's how good their luck has been. lol

[salmagundy]

Acuna and Inciarte looked like Little League hitters in their 1st ABs. Carved up and served to the dugout. If this crap continues, it's going to be a long afternoon and an even longer 2 weeks till the season ends.

[msstate7]

There is good news... flaherty has pitched 138.1 ip in his 25 starts ~ 5 ip per start. Hopefully we can get him out after 5

[msstate7]

They hitting touki hard

[salmagundy]

Great reflexes by Camargo with diving back hand grab.

[UNCBlue012]

Whew. I know it's early, but Touki has nearly nothing today.

[thewupk]

Acuna and Inciarte looked like Little League hitters in their 1st ABs. Carved up and served to the dugout. If this crap continues, it's going to be a long afternoon and an even longer 2 weeks till the season ends.

2 AB sample size? wow

[UNCBlue012]

Maybe our pitchers just suck at home? I don't have an answer as to why we keep walking every freaking person.

[msstate7]

Touki continues to raise his bb9... no small task when it entered at 6.75

[UNCBlue012]

Holy beautiful pitch.

[msstate7]

Cards continue to give Matt Adams opportunities even though he's been horrible for cards. I like it... I think it will pay off. Wish we would give Duvall a few more shots

[msstate7]

5 batters 3 k

[UNCBlue012]

5 batters 3 k

Freddie was a good at-bat and no one else has looked worth anything.

[msstate7]

7 batters 4 k

Damn

[Enscheff]

Freddie was a good at-bat and no one else has looked worth anything.

It's almost like this Flaherty kid is a good pitcher, and the Braves are mediocre vs RHP.

Weird...

[bravesnumberone]

Lifeless.

[UNCBlue012]

It's almost like this Flaherty kid is a good pitcher, and the Braves are mediocre vs RHP.

Weird...

Hey, I said earlier in the thread that I can see this kid is good! Dude last night was trash and made us look woeful.

[msstate7]

It's almost like this Flaherty kid is a good pitcher, and the Braves are mediocre vs RHP.

Weird...
The braves have hit a better rhp (scherzer) than this. Flaherty is good though fo sho

[UNCBlue012]

What the hell, Touki? Get your crap together.

[msstate7]

3 free passes for touki. Jeez

[Enscheff]

LOL, if you guys were Cards fans you'd be complaining that Touki gave 2 free base runners and they STILL can't score. Then you'd go on and on about how the missed opportunities early will be why they lost the game...and the division.

"If we don't make the playoffs not scoring early today will be why"

[Enscheff]

The braves have hit a better rhp (scherzer) than this. Flaherty is good though fo sho

It's almost like a handful of batters vs a pitcher is a meaningless sample size.

weird...

[msstate7]

LOL, if you guys were Cards fans you'd be complaining that Touki gave 2 free base runners and they STILL can't score. Then you'd go on and on about how the missed opportunities early will be why they lost the game...and the division.

And you'd be complaining about those complaining... never ending complaint cycle

[Enscheff]

And you'd be complaining about those complaining... never ending complaint cycle

mind...blown

[UNCBlue012]

Touki is really lucky his stuff is so good. If Teheran pitched like this, he'd be out by now.

[msstate7]

It's almost like a handful of batters vs a pitcher is a meaningless sample size.

weird...

I'm just impressed with flaherty. No idea what you're getting at. Only 2 braves [Duvall (has a hr) and Duda (no success)... both SSS] have ever faced flaherty

[UNCBlue012]

Another DP!

[msstate7]

Another break. Get on base, Swanson

[Enscheff]

Touki bailed out by 2 GIDP so far.

Where are the "just put the ball in play and see what happens" comments?

It's almost like grounders can be worse than Ks...weird...

[UNCBlue012]

Touki bailed out by 2 GIDP so far.

Where are the "just put the ball in play and see what happens" comments?

It's almost like grounders can be worse than Ks...weird...

Dawg... just watch the damn game.

[msstate7]

5 k 8 batters

[smootness]

Touki bailed out by 2 GIDP so far.

Where are the "just put the ball in play and see what happens" comments?

It's almost like grounders can be worse than Ks...weird...

Everyone knows this.

[msstate7]

Touki with a good AB

[UNCBlue012]

This would be a huge win because the offense is just so bad right now. Props to Flaherty, but man.

[msstate7]

Think we'll have some better ABs this time round

[Super]

Acuna and Inciarte looked like Little League hitters in their 1st ABs. Carved up and served to the dugout. If this crap continues, it's going to be a long afternoon and an even longer 2 weeks till the season ends.

my lord.

[Enscheff]

Everyone knows this.

Really? We are listening to a "nobody puts the ball in play anymore" diatribe right now.

[Enscheff]

Touki just humped up to 97 and 96 vs Molina after the double steal.

[Southcack77]

that feeling you get when you read the thread and think the Braves pitcher is doing poorly and you look at the box and he's thrown four scoreless with five ks and five base runners is mostly relief and a little irritation.

[bravesnumberone]

Touki needs to go the distance. No faith in the pen.

[msstate7]

that feeling you get when you read the thread and think the Braves pitcher is doing poorly and you look at the box and he's thrown four scoreless with five ks and five base runners is mostly relief and a little irritation.

Touki was pretty shaky early. I don't care what the box score says. He's since gotten better

[Super]

DAD

[Enscheff]

Are the Braves good again?

[bravesnumberone]

Now we definitely can't take Touki out until we have a 10-0 lead.

[Super]

Are the Braves good again?

they'll be in 2nd by the end of today

[nsacpi]

yuge veteran clutchness from Fredito

[Super]

ozzie with the weak pop up...trying something new, i see.

[CyYoung31]

Are the Braves good again?

Depends on if you still think the Braves are a good team after they get swept by St. Louis.

[UNCBlue012]

Andddddd another pitcher allows the Cards to grab a run or more after taking the lead. This is just an epidemic.

[Super]

god forbid they not give back a run or more after scoring.

[Enscheff]

Andddddd another pitcher allows the Cards to grab a run or more after taking the lead. This is just an epidemic.

LOL

[msstate7]

Why in the hell can the braves not get a shut down inning? Every time the braves score, the opponent will score next inning

[bravesfanforlife88]

https://i.redd.it/h0f6pas019sz.png

[msstate7]

Do you let touki face them a 3rd time?

[bravesnumberone]

Do you let touki face them a 3rd time?

It's better than the alternative.

Who in the pen do you have confidence in to hold this?

[Hulavol]

Good Flow!

[GeorgiaGirl]

The only thing that Ozzie really can do atm is just ignore upper quadrant strikes. Against pitchers that can command up in the zone well, he's screwed atm and it appears that Jack Flaherty can.

[msstate7]

It's better than the alternative.

Who in the pen do you have confidence in to hold this?

No one. I'm not real confident in touki a 3rd time either though

[bravesnumberone]

No one. I'm not real confident in touki a 3rd time either though

I can't stomach the bullpen blowing it again.

[UNCBlue012]

I like Acuna walks.

[Hulavol]

Good Acuna

[UNCBlue012]

flowers score!

[Hulavol]

Good Touki getting the runner in position...great take by Ender!!!!

[msstate7]

Big answer

[UNCBlue012]

Do the thing again, Freddie

[UNCBlue012]

Is Freddie good again?

[Hulavol]

Good Freddie

[bravesfanforlife88]

Freeman heating up at the right time

[bravesnumberone]

That's what a good veteran does right there.

[msstate7]

Big inning. Great job, braves. Please shut em down next inning

[Super]

freddie should've been benched every day while he was cold but i'm glad he's hot again

[Super]

our old friend chasen shreve coming in

[UNCBlue012]

Great play defensively either way. Hopefully Freddie is safe!

[Super]

da fuq? he's safe by a mile

[Tapate50]

Safe and going to be a run for us ! Heads up play! He also dropped the ball

[Super]

why should the runner not score from 3rd..?

[thewupk]

Freeman heating up at the right time

Indeed. MVP Freddie is coming to the playoffs

[bravesnumberone]

Why are we running there? FFS. This is the dumb **** that can let them right back in it. Please get a shut-down inning for once.

EDIT: NEVERMIND. Still, though.

[UNCBlue012]

He's safe. So he'll be out

[UNCBlue012]

5-1!

[Super]

why should the runner not score from 3rd..?

never mind, good ****

[Hulavol]

Good Freddie!

[Super]

Why are we running there? FFS. This is the dumb **** that can let them right back in it. Please get a shut-down inning for once.

oops

[Hulavol]

Good Ender!

[UNCBlue012]

Freddie is a damn one-man wrecking crew today. He's pissed at this board lol

[Hulavol]

Good NYC for once!

[bravesnumberone]

Freddie is a damn one-man wrecking crew today. He's pissed at this board lol

He's playing like a leader.

[bravesnumberone]

NOW, can we get a shutdown inning after scoring?

[msstate7]

Who do you go with once touki is done?

[bravesnumberone]

Who do you go with once touki is done?

Culberson.

[Diesel]

Why are we running there? FFS. This is the dumb **** that can let them right back in it. Please get a shut-down inning for once.

EDIT: NEVERMIND. Still, though.

Why do we steal there? If you've come up playing or coaching little league through high school you know that a 1st and 3rd situation is a great time to steal. Throwing down to 2nd base often results in free runs, so many catchers won't even make the throw (risk/reward). Catchers are better in the pros, so not as frequently take advantage of. Still, same thought process is present. Plus, Freddie frequently catches pitchers off guard. Aggressive play applies pressure to defense to be sharp.

[bravesnumberone]

Why do we steal there? If you've come up playing or coaching little league through high school you know that a 1st and 3rd situation is a great time to steal. Throwing down to 2nd base often results in free runs, so many catchers won't even make the throw (risk/reward). Catchers are better in the pros, so not as frequently take advantage of. Still, same thought process is present. Plus, Freddie frequently catches pitchers off guard. Aggressive play applies pressure to defense to be sharp.

Molina has a cannon. But good point on the surprise element.

[Super]

haha ozuna giving touki an up and down head shake after the K..it's crazy how touki's breaking pitch whips

[msstate7]

Touki gonna be so good once his control gets better

[bravesnumberone]

Six freaking walks.

[UNCBlue012]

Touki gonna be so good once his control gets better

Yup. Unlike Newk, I think he has a really good shot at consistently improving as well.

[Super]

NOW, can we get a shutdown inning after scoring?

nope. can't have it. ever.

[UNCBlue012]

FREAKING MOLINA AGAIN.

[bravesnumberone]

No, it's just freaking impossible to get a shutdown inning after scoring three.

[UNCBlue012]

I would absolutely stick with Touki for one more at-bat since he's owned Adams. Venters coming in.

[msstate7]

Will the cards PH?

[bravesnumberone]

Here we go. Lead was nice while it lasted.

[Orphan Black]

Not sure why you take Touki out here...he's K'd Adams twice already and only has 93 pitches.

[UNCBlue012]

Man, that horrible inning in relief has really inflated Touki's ERA. 4.30 while he's probably pitched closer to 3.50 as a starter.

The walks are rough, but the kid is going to be so dang good.

[Enscheff]

The Braves have scored 5 and the Cardinals have scored 2.

What difference does it possibly make when those runs were scored in relation to each other? Why this fascination with the "shut down inning" other than you heard Joe Simpson talk about it?

[bravesnumberone]

Not sure why you take Touki out here...he's K'd Adams twice already and only has 93 pitches.

Snit gonna Snit.

[Super]

The Braves have scored 5 and the Cardinals have scored 2.

What difference does it possibly make when those runs were scored in relation to each other? Why this fascination with the "shut down inning" other than you heard Joe Simpson talk about it?

i haven't heard simpson talk about it at all; i generally don't listen to the games, just watch. i would just prefer to keep a bigger lead right after scoring runs, and it's annoying to have a good inning and immediately surrender runs. that's all, it's just annoying.

[Super]

i haven't heard simpson talk about it at all; i generally don't listen to the games, just watch. i would just prefer to keep a bigger lead right after scoring runs, and it's annoying to have a good inning and immediately surrender runs. that's all, it's just annoying.

**especially when it's happening constantly lately.

[nsacpi]

Venters does his job.

[Enscheff]

Not sure why you take Touki out here...he's K'd Adams twice already and only has 93 pitches.

Because it's the right move to make

[nsacpi]

Probably Shane Carle in the 7th. He's pretty well rested.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Since Touki isn't an established starter yet, they'd likely much rather he leave with his confidence intact instead of wrecked. He was given Molina purely for developmental purposes, but that was it even if he had owned Matt Adams.

If that's Folty, they likely try to push him longer.

And yeah, since Touki is younger, he's much more likely to improve his command to acceptable.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Cards manager doing the right thing...if any of my pitchers gave up a walk to Albies, i'd immediately take them out too

[UNCBlue012]

Albies has eight walks in Septemeber... Is that a lot? Nah, but he's at least shown more patience recently.

[Enscheff]

It's pretty clear how pitchers are adjusting to Ozzie's aggressiveness. The sooner he adjusts like Acuna has, the better.

The scouting report now is almost certainly, "let him get himself out".

https://i.imgur.com/eFw4ucr.jpg

[UNCBlue012]

Dang. Flowers JUST missed.

[Enscheff]

That was a tip your cap to Mayers AB against Duda...he perfectly executed 3 pitches and Duda had no chance.

[salmagundy]

After the Swanson BBs, Duda FO 9 to end threat.

[bravesnumberone]

Oh boy, Biddle.

[GeorgiaGirl]

I'm going to keep knocking on it...but Albies problem isn't JUST the swinging at everything.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/h_profile.php?player=645277&gFilt=&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&time=month&minmax=ci&var=iso&s_type=2&startDate=03/28/2018&endDate=09/19/2018&balls=-1&strikes=-1&b_hand=-1

Can he hit upper quadrant pitches with authority? The answer, very clearly, is "no". It's even worse lefty.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/h_profile.php?player=645277&gFilt=&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&time=month&minmax=ci&var=iso&s_type=2&startDate=03/28/2018&endDate=09/19/2018&balls=-1&strikes=-1&b_hand=R

Most pitchers don't have the command to consistently elevate, so he can simply just try to ignore those pitches, but against the pitchers that can, unless he figures out something else during this offseason, he's f'd vs them.

It should also be noted he's been missing pitches he was crushing consistently earlier. Someone has said if you compare to earlier in the season, it doesn't seem like he has his legs and he's all arms now in trying to swing.

[UNCBlue012]

We got good Biddle today.

[bravesnumberone]

Better.

[nsacpi]

Biddle does his job.

Bunch of right handed hitters coming up for the Cards in the 8th. Brach or Carle should pitch that inning. Carle is better rested. Brach has been getting more of the high leverage work.

[jpx7]

Biddle does his job.

[nsacpi]

Sanchez has been an invaluable member of the Council of Elders.

[Hulavol]

Good Ender!

[UNCBlue012]

Freeman intentionally walked. lmao. Hell of a game either way.

[Hulavol]

More Good Ender!

[UNCBlue012]

LMAO 6-2.

[bravesnumberone]

Need five more runs and I'll feel good about it.

[bravesnumberone]

Every. Freaking. Time.

[UNCBlue012]

WOO! HERE WE GO. YEAH BABY! BAD BULLPEN PLAY CONTINUES!!

[thewupk]

Every. Freaking. Time.

u mad?

[Super]

here we go. time to blow it.

[bravesnumberone]

WOO! HERE WE GO. YEAH BABY! BAD BULLPEN PLAY CONTINUES!!

Nothing pisses me off more than a pitcher not being able to put away a hitter up 0-2.

[msstate7]

u mad?

I am. Do your dang job, bullpen

[Super]

I am. Do your dang job, bullpen

carle just shouldn't be getting high leverage innings. he isn't good enough

[bravesnumberone]

THROW ****ING STRIKES

[Super]

carle just shouldn't be getting high leverage innings. he isn't good enough

i understand we're limited in our options. but carle isn't good.

[Hulavol]

I'll take that..

[UNCBlue012]

Markakis' arm is so bad. That was such an easy tag out. lmao

[Super]

i just feel a HR coming

[UNCBlue012]

Biddle did well after the woeful start.

[Super]

i just feel a HR coming

note that i did not say when, or by whom

[Hulavol]

Good Dansby!

[Hulavol]

Markakis' arm is so bad. That was such an easy tag out. lmao

He threw it right on the money- just no cannon arm.

[Hulavol]

Good FLOW!!!

[Super]

way to get one back

[UNCBlue012]

Flowers! He barely missed a homer early. either way, the run from the last inning is back.

[Orphan Black]

Flowers has an outside chance to get to 10 homers...that would give every starting player including both catchers hitting double digits.

[nsacpi]

i just feel a HR coming

good call

[Super]

note that i did not say when, or by whom

^^^ there it is

[salmagundy]

And Duval Ks PH for Carle.

[msstate7]

Minter scares the daylights out of me

[50PoundHead]

Can anyone do a quick stat check to see how many times Minter has put the lead-off man on this season? Just seems like an awful lot to me, but I could easily be mistaken.

[Hulavol]

2 outs to go...

[msstate7]

Can anyone do a quick stat check to see how many times Minter has put the lead-off man on this season? Just seems like an awful lot to me, but I could easily be mistaken.

93.8% of the time






Going off memory lol

[bravesnumberone]

I just do not understand.

[Hulavol]

You gotta get somebody up and ready. If Minter gives up so much as one more walk, he's gotta go.

[Orphan Black]

It's sad that there is no relief pitcher we can trust to pitch an inning without walking a guy.

[Super]

Minter scares the daylights out of me

we need to get viz back and ready. minter is mad shaky

[salmagundy]

Minter scares the daylights out of me

You're not the Lone Ranger!!!

[50PoundHead]

At the risk of p*ssing off his parents and his fans in here, Minter makes me really nervous. Seems to be either lights out or a forest fire.

[bravesnumberone]

Throw a freaking strike mother****er.

[Super]

two lefties and minter has thrown 7 balls and 0 strikes. awful.

[msstate7]

No worries, winkler warming up

[msstate7]

Get his garbage but out

[bravesnumberone]

Get him out of there now you moron.

[Super]

holy **** man. minter is cheeks. walks two lefties as a LHP. smh

[Orphan Black]

Just ridiculous...14 pitches and 4 strikes

[Super]

No worries, winkler warming up

GS to tie the game upcoming

[salmagundy]

Minter is throwing his normal-- Gives up a single, and 2 BBs to load the bases with 1 out.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Minter down to 94-95, not only is he wild, he's tired. He can throw 96+.

[Super]

minter lucky martinez swung at everything that AB

[nsacpi]

Amazing changeups to Martinez. Didn't realize Minter threw one.

[GeorgiaGirl]

If Minter is right, he isn't showing it. 93-95 with his cutter being high 80s/low 90s makes his cutter worthless.

[salmagundy]

Martinez trying to help Minter swinging at pitches out of zone, Ks swinging

[CrimsonCowboy]

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

[Super]

HEYYY LOOK AT THAT

[Hulavol]

Had 'em all the way...

[UNCBlue012]

What a HUGE win. wow.

[TURBO]

https://media.giphy.com/media/4wMlW2RcOCVCU/giphy.gif

[Super]

Had 'em all the way...

never in doubt

[Hulavol]

Now everyone of you suckers who said we were gonna lose and get swept... go suck a Touki.

[msstate7]

Why y'all so nervous? Lol

[bravesnumberone]

See what happens when you throw strikes.

[Heyward]

Big time win, hopefully Thor can help us out tonight...

[msstate7]

Wish we'd switch Julio and newcomb Friday and Saturday. Rather have newcomb pitch at night than middle of the day

[The Chosen One]

This series is FINNISH

[Super]

teheran and newcomb back to back this weekend gives me 0 confidence

[thewupk]

We’re going to get swept. Just letting you all know right now. I’ve told you all along that the division was going to come down to the last 7 against the Phillies whether we liked it or not. This team just can’t make anything easy.

Hmmmm

[thewupk]

teheran and newcomb back to back this weekend gives me 0 confidence

Julio will give up 2 in the first and then 5 scoreless after that.

[Heyward]

teheran and newcomb back to back this weekend gives me 0 confidence

Would be nice if Mets could win tonight and MN is 5 to both Was and Phi heading into Thursday. Nats MN might be 6 but not 100 percent sure. Just hoping for a split this weekend, dont know how they get it, but just split.

[Freshmaker]

https://j.gifs.com/6RAW77.gif

[Enscheff]

Freeman might be heating up just in time to win the NL MVP.

[chop2chip]

Freeman might be heating up just in time to win the NL MVP.
I would be surprised at this point if Yelich doesn’t win. Has the narrative thing and the stats to back up his claim

[CyYoung31]

Had 'em all the way...

Impossible. I was assured by the geniuses on this board that this was a sure loss and we were going to get swept. I guess their 15 minute smoke break is over at Wal Mart. Derp.

[Orphan Black]

I just saw the replay of Freddie's stolen base...what the heck took them so long...the 2nd baseman dropped the ball...it's like they were trying to find a way to make the out call stand.

[IslandBrave]

Would be nice if Mets could win tonight and MN is 5 to both Was and Phi heading into Thursday. Nats MN might be 6 but not 100 percent sure. Just hoping for a split this weekend, dont know how they get it, but just split.

MN over Nats is 4

[Braves1976]

I expect us to clinch this weekend or early next week. I hope we take three of four against Philly to clinch on the field. I don't want a MN of one going into our off-day Monday as I expect Colorado to probably beat Philly Monday and do not want to clinch on our off day. I want to be able to watch the boys celebrate on the field after a win. Hopefully if we split with Philly we clinch by beating the Mets on Tues.

[The Chosen One]

Freeman might be heating up just in time to win the NL MVP.

Intelli Braves knew this.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Probable starters for the Phillies series
Thursday: Gausman vs Velasquez
Friday: Teheran vs Pivetta
Saturday: Newcomb vs Arrieta
Sunday: Foltynewicz vs TBD

[Braves1976]

Probable starters for the Phillies series
Thursday: Gausman vs Velasquez
Friday: Teheran vs Pivetta
Saturday: Newcomb vs Arrieta
Sunday: Foltynewicz vs TBD

Nola is set for Sunday.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Nola is set for Sunday.

The MLB.com schedule says TBD, but yeah, no way Nola isn’t going to pitch in this series.

[nsacpi]

I think we split against the phillies and clinch against the mets

[Braves1976]

phillies up 3-0 so looks like they'll win

[Braves1976]

I think we split against the phillies and clinch against the mets

That is my guess too, which is why I wanted a MN of 4 going in as it would be cool to clinch beating them ourselves at home. Now it will take three wins (if we do that Nats only have to lose once between now and then as well).

[Chipper]

Freeman might be heating up just in time to win the NL MVP.

I hope so, but I think he's fallen too far behind at this point.

[Braves1976]

I hope so, but I think he's fallen too far behind at this point.

Maybe if he had a monster series vs Philly and we clinch beating them three he could still win it.

[thewupk]

Yelich is at 6 fWAR which is tops in the NL. It's his and rightfully so.

[Braves1976]

Yelich is at 6 fWAR which is tops in the NL. It's his and rightfully so.

yea, i agree just showing my own Braves bias hoping Freeman still has a shot

[Chipper]

I know they're not mine to give up, but I'd happily trade ROY and MVP for advancing to the NLCS. Pretty sure Freddie and Ronald would too.

[bravesfanMatt]

Two cycles clinched it for Yelich. I can’t think of anything other than homering out where FF wins it.

[Braves1976]

Tampa Bay won big again today and has two less losses than us and one more win. But they have no shot at the playoffs.

[Braves1976]

BTW, those that were seeing this as a really down year for Ender might have to rethink that if he finishes Sept. strong because he now has his OPS over .700 (and could get it to his career norm by end of the year). Plus he is having his best defensive season in CF as he has saved a career high 18 runs (18 DRS in CF) this year. His previous best was 13 DRS in CF but keep in mind he has had years of saving 20 or more runs as Arizona use to play him all over the OF (one year he had a 29 DRS in the OF, saving the most in the corners).

[Braves1976]

Even with Ender's career best year defensively in CF he might not get the gold glove this year. Cain has a 20 DRS in CF and will probably get it IMO.

[thewupk]

Even with Ender's career best year defensively in CF he might not get the gold glove this year. Cain has a 20 DRS in CF and will probably get it IMO.

The rule making it where it's at each position is pretty dumb

[thewupk]

BTW, those that were seeing this as a really down year for Ender might have to rethink that if he finishes Sept. strong because he now has his OPS over .700 (and could get it to his career norm by end of the year). Plus he is having his best defensive season in CF as he has saved a career high 18 runs (18 DRS in CF) this year. His previous best was 13 DRS in CF but keep in mind he has had years of saving 20 or more runs as Arizona use to play him all over the OF (one year he had a 29 DRS in the OF, saving the most in the corners).

He will get to 90 or higher WRC+ by the end of the year just like he has the past two seasons. He is also at 3.1 bWAR after posting seasons of 3.0 and 3.8 the last two years with Atlanta. He's been pretty consistent.

[Braves1976]

He will get to 90 or higher WRC+ by the end of the year just like he has the past two seasons. He is also at 3.1 bWAR after posting seasons of 3.0 and 3.8 the last two years with Atlanta. He's been pretty consistent.

He also has been one of our best hitters since the All-Star break and in Sept. He has .300 batting average and an OPS over .800 (.801) the second half and third best behind only Suzuki and Acuna among best hitters in Sept. He probably leads Sept. in most clutch hits thanks to that Arizona series. His main issue earlier this year seemed to be getting a bit pull happy for a time.

[Braves1976]

BTW, Culberson is hitting .312 with a .950 OPS in the second half (including 8 homeruns). Only Acuna has been better. Smaller sample than starters but man that is a great second half. I think you have to consider starting him in the playoffs over Swanson if Swanson continues not to hit (Swanson has been our worst hitter in Sept. and also OPS under .700 again).

[Braves1976]

Albies has a .639 OPS in the second half, worst among starters. Swanson second worst at .670 OPS. Swanson's batting average is only .214 in the second half.

[Braves1976]

Acuna is easily our second half MVP with a 1.026 OPS, kid has been really impressive. Only Suzuki in a smaller sample has been slightly better in Sept. too.