GDT 6-25 Stones at Soldier Field, Max at Wrigley

[Hulavol]

1. Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) CF
2. Dansby Swanson (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B
5. Nick Markakis (L) RF
6. Austin Riley (R) LF
7. Brian McCann (L) C
8. Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
9. Max Fried (L) P

[nsacpi]

expecting a yuge game from Markakis

[salmagundy]

Heyward not in lineup to start for Cubs. Albert Alzolay(RHP) hitting 8th

[BeanieAntics]

Big game for Riley. Guy making his debut is going to make some mistakes for him to hit.

[jpx7]

Heyward not in lineup to start for Cubs. Albert Alzolay(RHP) hitting 8th

Snit should take notes.

[bravesfanMatt]

Snit should take notes.

Well we know he has a sharpie so he has something to write with

[msstate7]

Kingery hit a leadoff HR. He has an ops of 1.021

[thewupk]

Kingery hit a leadoff HR. He has an ops of 1.021

is that good?

[msstate7]

is that good?

It's decent.

[CyYoung31]

Kingery hit a leadoff HR. He has an ops of 1.021

He’s come back down to earth a bit the last week. He has a lot of falling to do though.

[Freshmaker]

Ugh

1143663647656427521
1143664375045263360

[nsacpi]

Ronald leads the way!

[Enscheff]

That’s was a majestic bomb

[Julio3000]

Neck doesn’t need a day off because he’s fatigued.

[salmagundy]

Did it actually bounce out of stadium under scoreboard??

[Julio3000]

Giving Juñor a first-pitch fb over the middle of the plate seems...questionable.

[thethe]

Hello Max Fried slider. Where hace you been?

[BeanieAntics]

I know its not traditional for a GM to micromanage the manager, but I think AA may need to step in on this one. There is absolutely zero reason not to give Nick a few days off against LHP in order to play Camargo or Culberson. Same goes for most of the other guys too.

I love Snit and I know he's good with the players, but holy cow he can be stupid sometimes.

[msstate7]

I think I could've come closer to that slider than Riley

[msstate7]

Walking Baez? Yeah, that's not a good sign

[jpx7]

What's with Báez's elaborate and dramatic bases-on-balls ceremony? I know he walks next-to-never, but doesn't really seem like there's a need to pimp ball-four like that.

[msstate7]

What's with Báez's elaborate and dramatic bases-on-balls ceremony? I know he walks next-to-never, but doesn't really seem like there's a need to pimp ball-four like that.

Cubs seem like a team full of Rhys Hoskins, douches

[bravesfanMatt]

Fried nibbling. Uh oh

[Braves1976]

uh oh not good

[jpx7]

That first-base corner is very much not being called this evening, after being very much overly-expansive last night.

[msstate7]

Fried nibbling. Uh oh

Don't worry, he'll go middle, middle with a fiat fastball in a minute

[bravesfanMatt]

Don't worry, he'll go middle, middle with a fiat fastball in a minute

Bode missed it

[msstate7]

Big out.

[bravesfanMatt]

Ok get this woman beater out

[bravesfanMatt]

Did Newk give Fried some tips between innings?

[msstate7]

Wow, they stupid

[UNCBlue012]

Lmao

[bravesfanMatt]

Lol. Idiots.

[msstate7]

And the pitcher has to lead off next inning

[Dalyn]

Well. :happy0157:

[Tapate50]

Talk about running yourself out of an inning. WOOF

[GeorgiaGirl]

Fried's thrown the slider a good bit more, and it looks pretty good.

Problem is since it's a new pitch, it's not on his mediocre tunneling, so outside Bryant they're seeing it.

[nsacpi]

cool DP

[bravesfanMatt]

Who said the pitcher hitting wasn’t exciting.

[bravesfanMatt]

Who said the pitcher hitting wasn’t exciting.

[Braves1976]

wow Fried got a huge break.

[Dalyn]

And he was safe, making that one more mistake by the Cubs on that play (by not challenging).

[jpx7]

Walking Báez is one thing; walking the dumb wife-beater is a worse sin.

[Russ2dollas]

Who said the pitcher hitting wasn’t exciting.

Just logged on to see the reaction here.

My first thought was, what would the board say if the braves did that?

[bravesfanMatt]

Let him hit

[msstate7]

Managers getting cute with pitchers hitting is pretty ridiculous so far

[salmagundy]

And he was safe, making that one more mistake by the Cubs on that play (by not challenging).

But his right hand came off with the tag still applied.

Couldn't have happened to a better Cub!! LOL!!!

[msstate7]

Dang acuna, that was an ugly K

[nsacpi]

And he was safe, making that one more mistake by the Cubs on that play (by not challenging).

looked like his hand came off the base

[bravesfanMatt]

Dang acuna, that was an ugly K

That gift first strike changed that at bat. That ball was shoulder high.

[msstate7]

1000 more HRs than last season? Mlb needs to get rid of the tennis balls

[Russ2dollas]

Dang acuna, that was an ugly K

This guy is pre 2019 dansby special. Get to two strikes and get us to chase absurd sliders off the plate.

[thethe]

1000 more HRs than last season? Mlb needs to get rid of the tennis balls

This is a disgrace.

[msstate7]

Much better, fried

[msstate7]

Who did the braves option to activate newcomb? Wright?

[bravesfanMatt]

Chicks and fans dig the long ball. As long as it is equal playing field no biggie. Game changes. Golf went through this many years ago when equipment made the courses shorter.

[CyYoung31]

Man, Chip is dumb. Did anyone listen to that nonsense about the “three outcome game”?

[jpx7]

Who did the braves option to activate newcomb? Wright?

Sobotka.

[thethe]

Thats more like it Max.

Slider is working real well but the key is to just get ahead.

Need to locate that first pitch fastball better.

[bravesfanMatt]

Who did the braves option to activate newcomb? Wright?


Sobo. And Fried is throwing the slider a lot. Love it.

[CyYoung31]

Chicks and fans dig the long ball. As long as it is equal playing field no biggie. Game changes. Golf went through this many years ago when equipment made the courses shorter.

Thing is, people bitch about how long the games are, yet want more offense. You can’t have it both ways. Or I should say, you can’t have both extremes.

[msstate7]

Sobotka.

Interesting choice. Wright gonna start Thursday?

[jpx7]

Interesting choice. Wright gonna start Thursday?

I'm betting/hoping it'll be Wilson; I think Wright is just here for long-relief until then.

[msstate7]

I'm betting/hoping it'll be Wilson; I think Wright is just here for long-relief until then.

Not sure I like Wright for mop up duty. Rather he be starting games in AAA, but whatever

[thethe]

I'm betting/hoping it'll be Wilson; I think Wright is just here for long-relief until then.

Agreed - with what he showed in the bigs early in the year and AAA there is no way they give him a chance to start. Not while Wilson has performed much better (lately).

[msstate7]

Really hope this guy is good and we aren't just cooling way off

[UNCBlue012]

The bats have been a bit too aggressive thus far. The kid for Chicago has been leaving a few hangers; hopefully we get to those soon.

[msstate7]

Phillies hang a 5-spot in the 6th to take lead

[UNCBlue012]

Phillies hang a 5-spot in the 6th to take lead The Mets are a really bad team lol

[CyYoung31]

Phillies hang a 5-spot in the 6th to take lead

We’re doomed.

[jpx7]

The bats have been a bit too aggressive thus far. The kid for Chicago has been leaving a few hangers; hopefully we get to those soon.

Yea, I'd like to see them run up his pitch-count more effectively, since he's not fully stretched-out yet.

[Braves1976]

here we go again

[jpx7]

Where's Escheff to remind us that Fried was never going to post an elite bb-rate all season, given his pre-2019 history? Certainly been making strides recently. in proving him correct.

[msstate7]

Knew it was coming. Fried is lucky it isn't about 5-1

[Braves1976]

Fried needed another huge break, not this time.

[jpx7]

Knew it was coming. Fried is lucky it isn't about 5-1

Not being able to spot his fastball against all these righties is trouble.

[Runnin]

Fried gifted that one.

[msstate7]

Fried owns bote

[jpx7]

Walking the dumb wife-beater twice: tsk-tsk.

[thewupk]

I thought max was a tor

[CrazyTrain]

Fried with some crisp breakers tonight.

[jpx7]

I thought max was a tor

Battling without his best stuff isn't tor?

(j/k we all knew he was a solid #3)

[Braves1976]

tonight is showing why i don't like the pitcher batting 8th, unless you have a good hitting pitcher and another really light hitting but speedy player in the line-up.

[msstate7]

Riley, don't get to 2 strikes, and if you do, it's gonna be a slider off the plate

[msstate7]

Riley is such a patient hitter




Lol

[Garmel]

Riley with a good at-bat.

[Garmel]

Riley, don't get to 2 strikes, and if you do, it's gonna be a slider off the plate

And at least a foot off the plate as well.

[bravesfanMatt]

Braves catchers < cubs catcher

[msstate7]

Thanks McCann

[jpx7]

Damn, looked off-the-wall off-the-bat.

[bravesfanMatt]

Well this inning fizzled quickly.

[Braves1976]

we should've scored riley, not good.

[msstate7]

Same thing as last night... fried will hit, and won't make it thru next inning. Why is Wright up again?

[jpx7]

I do not miss Cubs fans.

[bravesfanMatt]

Nothing else we at least clear Acuna.

[Braves1976]

Fried had a better ab than mac who flew out on ball four.

[bravesfanMatt]

Ok Dans. Time to bust this open.

[bravesfanMatt]

Ugh

[USMA76]

Ok Dans. Time to bust this open.

or ground weakly to 3B

[salmagundy]

101!!

[jpx7]

Dansby may have fouled off ball-four for strike-two, but it was close.

[thewupk]

Offense is living in a world so cold

[Braves1976]

damn it swanson, make him throw two strikes before you swing. That foul for strike two was on the corner and he might not have gotten the call due to being wild.

[thewupk]

Dansby may have fouled off ball-four for strike-two, but it was close.

It was close. Bad swing though.

[Enscheff]

Montgomery is what I always pictured Fried becoming if he didn’t add a pitch.

[Braves1976]

Dansby may have fouled off ball-four for strike-two, but it was close.

yea and given the wildness he might not have gotten the call. That was a bad and costly ab.

[thethe]

How do you not take that 3-1 pitch with Freddie on deck.

I don't understand how stupid some of these guys can be.

[msstate7]

Don't try to get another inning out of fried

[CyYoung31]

Don't try to get another inning out of fried

He will. Don’t worry.

[UNCBlue012]

How do you not take that 3-1 pitch with Freddie on deck.

I don't understand how stupid some of these guys can be. it was probably a much better pitch coming out of his hand than what we saw from our couches. Lol

[UNCBlue012]

Don't try to get another inning out of fried Snit won’t, he’ll try to get two!

[CyYoung31]

it was probably a much better pitch coming out of his hand than what we saw from our couches. Lol

Or they’re just stupid and not trying.

[thethe]

it was probably a much better pitch coming out of his hand than what we saw from our couches. Lol

Doesn't matter - He should have taken all the way. Even if its right over the plate. You have a top 5 hitter in the major leagues sitting behind you. Don't be afraid to get to 2 strikes.

[jpx7]

"EY's a former Cub; he was here, in Chicago."

Sparkling insight from Chip.

[msstate7]

Offense has gone cold... snit won't sub guys so we just gotta wait for them to warm up again

[GeorgiaGirl]

yea and given the wildness he might not have gotten the call. That was a bad and costly ab.

He got a borderline call earlier in that same at bat...

[CyYoung31]

This offense sucks.

[jpx7]

Strike-one was the same location as ball-two ...

[msstate7]

That 3-0 strike call pretty much throws the dansby swung at a ball out the window

[Garmel]

Markakis should have walked there.

[msstate7]

Strike-one was the same location as ball-two ...

That was was equal distance from the ground and bottom of box

[msstate7]

Nice fried.

Be careful here

[msstate7]

That isn't a strike but the 3-0 to markakis was?

[CyYoung31]

Fried is a stud.

[UNCBlue012]

Really good outing for Fried, all said. He really needs to cut down on walks, but he did well.

Let’s get some offense going, please! :)

[jpx7]

Fried looks like a different pitcher these past two innings.

[msstate7]

Well I was wrong about sending fried back out. Outstanding, fried

[jpack1]

Very nice game by Max tonight. That slider is a weapon. It’s his key to success. It will play well off his fastball and make that great curve lethal.

[TheBravos]

How bout that

[msstate7]

Wow

[jpack1]

BOOM. OZZIE ALBIES

[UNCBlue012]

Let’s go!

[jpx7]

That was cool.

[sturg33]

Ozzie has been quite a tear

[msstate7]

Acuna shouldn't be striking out on waist high fastballs from Montgomery

[msstate7]

Come on Newcomb

[jpx7]

Nice to see the dumb wife-beater strike out on a not-that-great pitch.

[jpack1]

That’s as sharp as I’ve seen Newk. Very impressive

[jpx7]

Newcomb looked pretty legit.

[Braves1976]

i wish newk was closing instead of Jackson the way he looked that inning.

[UNCBlue012]

Hand gave up 5 hits and 5 runs tonight.

[Hudson2]

Newk and Fried both looked awesome tonight. Frieds curve was on point and the FB was at 98 several times.

[Tapate50]

Ozzie has been quite a tear

Racist? Or Nah?

[Jaw]

i wish newk was closing instead of Jackson the way he looked that inning.

He really seems like the best internal option for closer. I like Jackson, but he isn't helping the South's blood pressure problem.

[UNCBlue012]

We have been really bad in three-ball counts tonight.

(Sounds dirty tbh)

[jpx7]

Braves hitters just not seeing the ball well tonight. Brach, for instance, blows—but got 2-3-4 of the Braves' lineup on hittable pitches.

[msstate7]

Braves hitters just not seeing the ball well tonight. Brach, for instance, blows—but got 2-3-4 of the Braves' lineup on hittable pitches.

That was a terrible half inning. Probably time to start giving a guy off a day for the next few games

[jpx7]

Womp.

[Braves1976]

now newk sucks lol

[sturg33]

Racist? Or Nah?

Pretty safe to assume everything is racist just in case

[msstate7]

Hopefully the cubs 2-4 hitters suck as bad as the braves have tonight

[Braves1976]

i dont see swarzak getting out of this

[msstate7]

Swanson, FF, Donaldson tonight = 0-12, 5 k

[msstate7]

i dont see swarzak getting out of this

Just 1 run, hopefully

[msstate7]

Huge

[UNCBlue012]

Sucks. That’s a would-be doubleplay if not for the shift

[msstate7]

No Blevins?

[UNCBlue012]

Nice!

[CyYoung31]

That was a terrible half inning. Probably time to start giving a guy off a day for the next few games

Snit:


https://vlp.to/YsCaNDR7

[msstate7]

Well that was impressive

[CyYoung31]

Swarzak’d.

[UNCBlue012]

Swarzak, man. What a pickup.

[jpx7]

I would've thought hard about Minter there, but Swarzak beasted Rizzo.

[Braves1976]

wow swarzak is on a real roll, that was impressive.

[jpx7]

Hopefully the cubs 2-4 hitters suck as bad as the braves have tonight

I would say "they did", but I don't know—I think Swarzak was just good.

[Braves1976]

I would've thought hard about Minter there, but Swarzak beasted Rizzo.

I would've went Blevins or Minter too. But Swarzak was great so it worked. But Jackson vs their hottest hitters in 9th? Now that is scary.

[bravesfanMatt]

I love you swarzak. We need at least to make this Luke proof.

[msstate7]

Brach is destroying us

[CyYoung31]

How long are we going to keep running Markakis out there like he’s still a good hitter? Take him out of the 5-hole and platoon him or get bent.

[msstate7]

Please hit a Hr. I'm nervous about Luke

[CyYoung31]

Please hit a Hr. I'm nervous about Luke

1-2-3 inning.

[tululush]

How long are we going to keep running Markakis out there like he’s still a good hitter? Take him out of the 5-hole and platoon him or get bent.

Only way it happens is if AA spoon feeds Snit his lineups, unfortunately.

[CyYoung31]

I love Ozzie but then he has ABs like that.

[CrimsonCowboy]

One run lead heading to the bottom of the ninth. Let us pray........

[jpx7]

How long are we going to keep running Markakis out there like he’s still a good hitter? Take him out of the 5-hole and platoon him or get bent.

Only way it happens is if AA spoon feeds Snit his lineups, unfortunately.

Anthopoulos needs to spoon-feed Snit his lineups.

[bravesfanMatt]

Like has given up a run in his last 74 innings. Don’t fact check that though.

[UNCBlue012]

I’d let Swarzak finish the game, but that’s just me.

[CrimsonCowboy]

What a catch!!!

[msstate7]

Riley would've got that standing up



Lol

[CrazyTrain]

Charlie Culbertson is flat out awesome.

[salmagundy]

Charlie with great sliding catch.

[Hudson2]

Nice catch Culberson!! Riley doesn’t get to that ball.

[msstate7]

One more

[CrimsonCowboy]

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

[UNCBlue012]

Wow - great win! Good stuff by #MyAce and #MyCloser!

[CrazyTrain]

Dayum

[msstate7]

How bout Luke

[USMA76]

Best Jackson’s looked in a while.

[TURBO]

https://media.giphy.com/media/vzuqin231fC92/giphy.gif

[salmagundy]

Puke throwing like a man possessed.

[Julio3000]

In Soviet Russia (and Chicago), Luke is YOUR father.

[CrimsonCowboy]

How about finishing with the fastball! Nice.

[CyYoung31]

1-2-3 inning.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/14ceV8wMLIGO6Q/giphy.gif

[jpx7]

Puke throwing like a man possessed.

He's been very good (though somewhat unlucky) all season.

[buck75]

Luke - “No Walks for You Tonight!!

[jpx7]

Kind of nice to win, tbh.

[FUEagle]

Luke was great. We are not doomed yet

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

https://imgur.com/am04nW0.gif

[buck75]

Three runs on the hits to win this one.

[tululush]

https://media0.giphy.com/media/14ceV8wMLIGO6Q/giphy.gif

Keep preaching!!

[jpx7]

Would like to win Keuchel–Darvish tomorrow, since Wilson–Chatwood seems like more of a tossup.

[chop2chip]

Really nice to win a couple games with our pitching the last few days. Helps me feel comfortable that our success can be sustainable

[cajunrevenge]

Ugh

1143663647656427521
1143664375045263360












I could not imagine a dumber answer.

[tululush]

I could not imagine a dumber answer.

Lol wonder how Fredi would have answered?

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

I'll be damn if Luke Ray didn't look Great tonight! He finally didn't get bit by an infield hit or blooper with Charlie Clutch saving the day! There is no way Riley gets anywhere close to that ball.

[Freshmaker]

1143717484387807232

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

https://media0.giphy.com/media/14ceV8wMLIGO6Q/giphy.gif

We want Kenny!

[nsacpi]

Would like to win Keuchel–Darvish tomorrow, since Wilson–Chatwood seems like more of a tossup.

Wilson's gonna boss em

[CyYoung31]

Lol wonder how Fredi would have answered?

“Yeah, you know we’ve got a lot good hitters on this team. I think we have something like 3 or 4 guys with over 15 homers already...is it 4? Yeah...you know you just gotta keep running ‘em out there and keep the line moving. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, you just gotta tip your cap and move on.”

[CyYoung31]

Lol wonder how Fredi would have answered?

FTR, Fredi was of the Bobby Cox mould of getting your players regular rest...unless you were a reliever.

[Buzzworm]

How long are we going to keep running Markakis out there like he’s still a good hitter? Take him out of the 5-hole and platoon him or get bent.

Why Ozzie and he aren’t switched in the lineup by now is a Snit special.
I think Ozzie is how hitting north of .350 with runners in scoring position this season.
I guess Snit listens to the people that were calling for Ozzie to be sent down earlier this season and to stop switch-hitting instead of looking at the numbers.

[tululush]

“Yeah, you know we’ve got a lot good hitters on this team. I think we have something like 3 or 4 guys with over 15 homers already...is it 4? Yeah...you know you just gotta keep running ‘em out there and keep the line moving. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, you just gotta tip your cap and move on.”

Haha he was king of the let me give off some stats and then question you if I’m right.

[Hulavol]

What an enjoyable game and win!!!

[BeanieAntics]

1143717484387807232

In the history of baseball? That doesn't seem right to me....

[Hulavol]

In the history of baseball? That doesn't seem right to me....
I think they meant second time this season

[BeanieAntics]

I think they meant second time this season

Right, so they are the only team in history to do it twice right?

It just blows my mind that in 150 years of baseball no team has ever won two games with three hits or less.

[drewdat]

Right, so they are the only team in history to do it twice right?

It just blows my mind that in 150 years of baseball no team has ever won two games with three hits or less.

1992 Cleveland Indians

2-1, 0 hits (https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE199204121.shtml)
2-1, 3 hits (https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE199208200.shtml)

First team I looked at (checked teams that won while being no-hit), so I'm sure it's happened more than that. The second game was extra innings, which I guess could throw off the search?

[bravesfanMatt]

Would love to see pitch data on Fried tomorrow. He threw a lot of sliders tonight.

[thewupk]

Jackson has a 2.75 FIP. The Braves have the right guy closing for them right now.

[Enscheff]

1143717484387807232

I think we can safely ignore anything this Zach Klein clown ever has to say about baseball...

[thethe]

Would love to see pitch data on Fried tomorrow. He threw a lot of sliders tonight.

Frieds a stud and just needs to be left alone as he acclimates to the majors.

From a pure stuff perspective he is easily the best in the organziation. Maybe Newk is the closest.

[Tapate50]

Would love to see pitch data on Fried tomorrow. He threw a lot of sliders tonight.

Yep. They looked pretty durn good.

[UNCBlue012]

Juke Lackson is the best. #MyCloser

[bravesfanMatt]

Fried definitely “looked” completely different with an effective 3rd pitch. I didn’t notice any change ups but I also didn’t watch the whole game. He needs to figure his mechanical lapses he has. Most of his walks looked like he just lost his mechanics versus nibbling around and losing guys. The three straight walks he couldn’t hit his fastball then the one to Bryant looked like he was getting under his pitches and they were sailing up.

[Tapate50]

Fried definitely “looked” completely different with an effective 3rd pitch. I didn’t notice any change ups but I also didn’t watch the whole game. He needs to figure his mechanical lapses he has. Most of his walks looked like he just lost his mechanics versus nibbling around and losing guys. The three straight walks he couldn’t hit his fastball then the one to Bryant looked like he was getting under his pitches and they were sailing up.

Missing armside for that one inning was brutal. You could tell Mac was trying to get him to try and get more of the plate after a few off.

[Tapate50]

I didn’t notice any change ups but I also didn’t watch the whole game.

Someone has to say it. You aren't even trying out there. No effort.

[nsacpi]

Someone has to say it. You aren't even trying out there. No effort.

that's why snit won't put him in the lineup...he's not programmed to play every day like the rest of us

[Hulavol]

Did Fried have his best stuff? Nope.
Is he learning how to battle and pitch? Absolutely.
That was a very good lineup he beat last night. Sure he got lucky on that double play run down, but we only got three hits- and he won.
Sky is the limit for him from where I sit....

[CrazyTrain]

Fried definitely “looked” completely different with an effective 3rd pitch. I didn’t notice any change ups but I also didn’t watch the whole game. He needs to figure his mechanical lapses he has. Most of his walks looked like he just lost his mechanics versus nibbling around and losing guys. The three straight walks he couldn’t hit his fastball then the one to Bryant looked like he was getting under his pitches and they were sailing up.

I'd like to see him alter his delivery some to generate more momentum to the plate vs falling off the bag towards 3rd base. I think this would help him stay on top of his pitches and be more mechanically consistent.

I'm not an expert, but to me it looks like he's using too much upper body, causing him to over torque and fly open at times. I'd like to see him generate more power with his lower body by pushing hard off his plant leg and finishing more towards home. He'd probably lose some spin, but would help with accuracy and consistency.

[Carp]

Lol wonder how Fredi would have answered?

Something about cap tipping I presume.

[Carp]

“Yeah, you know we’ve got a lot good hitters on this team. I think we have something like 3 or 4 guys with over 15 homers already...is it 4? Yeah...you know you just gotta keep running ‘em out there and keep the line moving. Sometimes things just don’t go your way, you just gotta tip your cap and move on.”

Or this.

[thewupk]

The juiced ball would take this feat down a notch but Acuna is currently on pace for 39 homers. If he can get to 40 he will be the second 21 year old ever to reach that milestone behind the Braves own Eddie Matthews. Which is funny because it feels like Acuna has really only been hot for like 2-3 weeks so far this year. He's also on pace for 6 WAR which would put him at 10th best for a 21 year old since WW2. Between Al Kaline and Henry Aaron.

[thewupk]

Also Luke Jackson's xWOBA is .249 which is 17th best in baseball. He's been really good.

[bravesfanMatt]

I think Dans needs the night off so he can watch Vandy play. Give Johan or Culberson a go.

[bravesfanMatt]

Also Luke Jackson's xWOBA is .249 which is 17th best in baseball. He's been really good.

Poor kid gets beat by a lot of crap hits.

[thewupk]

Poor kid gets beat by a lot of crap hits.

He has. Luckily the Braves FO is now smarter than that.

[Enscheff]

Silly hyperbole about Fried aside, the addition of the SL has made him a legit option for the middle of the rotation.

Current xwOBA values of everyone with 250+ PAs against:

Mike Foltynewicz 0.347 (he needs to get straightened out)
Julio Teheran 0.327 (solid 4/5)
Kevin Gausman 0.324 (solid 4)
Max Fried 0.304 (solid 3)
Mike Soroka 0.291 (solid 2/3)

Not enough data on DK to make any sort of determination. It will be hard to rate him for a while as he knocks the rust off, then deals with a dead arm period. I expect him to settle in as another 3 though.

[thewupk]

Silly hyperbole about Fried aside, the addition of the SL has made him a legit option for the middle of the rotation.

Current xwOBA values of everyone with 250+ PAs against:

Mike Foltynewicz 0.347 (he needs to get straightened out)
Julio Teheran 0.327 (solid 4/5)
Kevin Gausman 0.324 (solid 4)
Max Fried 0.304 (solid 3)
Mike Soroka 0.291 (solid 2/3)

Not enough data on DK to make any sort of determination. It will be hard to rate him for a while as he knocks the rust off, then deals with a dead arm period. I expect him to settle in as another 3 though.

With DK I think the rotation is good enough if the Braves add a couple of legit arms to the pen.

But looking at a couple of the most talked about starters it's clear who the better fit is with what the team currently has.

Bumgarner .337 WOBA
Storman .288 WOBA

We already have two guys who are just as good right now as Bumgarner. Stroman would be a legit upgrade over any one of our backend guys.

[Enscheff]

With DK I think the rotation is good enough if the Braves add a couple of legit arms to the pen.

But looking at a couple of the most talked about starters it's clear who the better fit is with what the team currently has.

Bumgarner .337 WOBA
Storman .288 WOBA

We already have two guys who are just as good right now as Bumgarner. Stroman would be a legit upgrade over any one of our backend guys.

This is, by far, the best Stroman has pitched since 2015. The 3 seasons in between (~2000 PAs) saw his effectiveness sit between .310-.325.

I haven't really looked into Stroman much, and I'd agree to toss out his 2018 numbers a bit due to injury/rust, but he seems more like a .300-.320 guy than the guy who would be the best SP on the Braves roster.

This idea that Stroman is some sort of TOR stud that will fix a rotation is something I would have to be sold on a bit more to justify the price he is likely to command. Same with a late-comer like Boyd.

[thewupk]

This is, by far, the best Stroman has pitched since 2015. The 3 seasons in between (~2000 PAs) saw his effectiveness sit between .310-.325.

I haven't really looked into Stroman much, and I'd agree to toss out his 2018 numbers a bit due to injury/rust, but he seems more like a .300-.320 guy than the guy who would be the best SP on the Braves roster.

This idea that Stroman is some sort of TOR stud that will fix a rotation is something I would have to be sold on a bit more to justify the price he is likely to command. Same with a late-comer like Boyd.

I don't think Stroman should be viewed as a TOR stud or anything. But I feel he is a lot like the Gausman addition of last year. He is an upgrade over what we have currently and has one more year left before he is a FA. With DK and Julio likely being gone after this year that is something the Braves will have to think about too.

[Enscheff]

I don't think Stroman should be viewed as a TOR stud or anything. But I feel he is a lot like the Gausman addition of last year. He is an upgrade over what we have currently and has one more year left before he is a FA. With DK and Julio likely being gone after this year that is something the Braves will have to think about too.

Gaus was playing 2nd fiddle to Archer last year, whereas Stroman is the prime target this year.

I don't know how much that played into the price AA paid for Gaus, but I cant imagine the Braves get into any sort of bidding war over Stroman similar to what happened last year with Archer.

[zbhargrove]

2018 was an outlier for Stroman given his 3.84 xFIP/5.54 ERA but this year is an outlier the other way given his 4.11 xFIP when compared with a 3.04 ERA. Stroman is also only putting up a K-rate 6.88 per 9. but similar to Keuchel, his GB% is obviously huge. I don't see MadBum or Stroman being a big difference maker but I'd pick Stroman of the two. I'd rather see a creative way to get Greinke but I highly doubt the Dbacks are going to chip in enough cash to get a deal done. If we are going to shell out good prospect capital, go get Boyd from Detroit. 3.61 ERA/3.50 xFIP/2.6 fWAR... 11.22 K/9 and a 1.81 BB/9 is flat out nasty. He has a .234 BA against even with a .305 BABIP against. ERA- of 79... the walk rate may normalize just a bit, but the BABIP against may counteract that. Everything about Boyd's breakout looks legit to me. Looks generally like mainly a two pitch pitcher, so that may be some concern (FB and a Slider)... He seems to have mainly cut out his curve ball, likely because it just doesn't seem that effective. Seems like he's been coached to mainly just focus on his FB and Sllider which limits his full upside but those two pitches look pretty nasty.

[thewupk]

Gaus was playing 2nd fiddle to Archer last year, whereas Stroman is the prime target this year.

I don't know how much that played into the price AA paid for Gaus, but I cant imagine the Braves get into any sort of bidding war over Stroman similar to what happened last year with Archer.

Don't underestimate the name power of Bumgarner...

[Enscheff]

Don't underestimate the name power of Bumgarner...

Good point. The Bumgarner name being in the spotlight may lead to the Jays selling Stroman for a more reasonable price. We know the name has blinded several posters around here (could you imagine the disaster Newk plus Fried for Bumgarner plus a 6 year extension would have been?).

This is a lot of hand waving conjecture though, and I would be surprised if AA pays the price for yet another SP. At some point the Braves have to stop throwing resources at the rotation...right?

[Braves1976]

Not to slight either Fried or Jackson, but that DP with the bases loaded after three walks and the Culberson catch to start the 9th were both huge. If either doesn't happen we don't win 3-2. Baez would've been standing at second to start the 9th with no outs minus that Culberson catch. The inning likely goes much different in that case. To sum it up, our defense came up big last night. Both early when Fried's control was not there and late to start the 9th. Hopefully DK pitches better tonight and we clinch at least a split with Wilson likely to spot start tomorrow.

[msstate7]

Riley gets a day off... camargo in lf. Like this