5/13: GDT at Marlins

[BeanieAntics]

The only thing I'm torn on is we keep winning road games with the ugly navy blue roads. I need those classic road grays to feel the nostalgia again.

I wish we would ditch the Navy Blues entirely and come up with a different design for our alternate roads. Maybe try out a lighter blue color or red. Anything to get a little contrast between the numbers/lettering and the jersey. But yeah the classic greys are great.

[UNCBlue012]

Worrisome.

But meanwhile, Acuña’s PAs were very encouraging today, even if sans much flash.

absolutely. One pitch away from 1-1 with 3BB. I’ll take that all day!

[thethe]

[thethe]

Wow

[msstate7]

Wow

Yeah, but he's the only braves pitcher to face 3 bad offenses in a row, right?

[sturg33]

I'll feel good if we can go 4-4 in our 8 games against the Red Sox, Cubs, and Nats. For the 10 games against the Phillies, Marlins, and Mets I think we should be able to win at least 6 or 7 of those. Going 9-9 would be fine to close out the month, but I think 11-7 or something like that is doable.

That's be getting through a very difficult portion of the schedule at a 99 win pace

[UNCBlue012]

So many people on the board complain about Newk, yet here we are. He's not perfect, but dude is a dang good pitcher.

[Enscheff]

Of 93 qualified SPs, Newk had the 18th worst BB rate and the 23rd worst strike rate. The BB rate got worse.

I’m not sure why folks think being that wild and relying on the other team to be over aggressive is a sustainable strategy.

[msstate7]

Of 93 qualified SPs, Newk had the 18th worst BB rate and the 23rd worst strike rate. The BB rate got worse.

I’m not sure why folks think being that wild and relying on the other team to be over aggressive is a sustainable strategy.

It very well could catch up with him, but maybe he's just effectively wild. His numbers look almost exactly the same all the way back to A ball, and no one seems to do much with him

[auyushu]

Of 93 qualified SPs, Newk had the 18th worst BB rate and the 23rd worst strike rate. The BB rate got worse.

I’m not sure why folks think being that wild and relying on the other team to be over aggressive is a sustainable strategy.

Probably because there have been pitchers who have maintained decent success for a while with that profile. Gio Gonzalez (who I've always thought was a good upside comp for Newk) just right off the top of my head for someone was effectively wild for his first couple of seasons before gaining slightly better control as he went along. Obviously Newk's numbers are a bit inflated due to who he has been pitching against, and he will need to reign in the walks and increase his control to have sustained success, but it's not like he has been super lucky or anything.

With his improved changeup he most definitely has the pitches he needs to be a successful starter in the league. It's just a matter if he's going to gain the control he needs to be a consistent 6+ IP guy.

[striker42]

Of 93 qualified SPs, Newk had the 18th worst BB rate and the 23rd worst strike rate. The BB rate got worse.

I’m not sure why folks think being that wild and relying on the other team to be over aggressive is a sustainable strategy.

He's absolutely due a regression. I'm one of his biggest fans and even I think what he's doing is unsustainable. But even with a regression he's a very valuable pitcher.

Considering he Ks a ton of hitters and gives up very few HRs, the damage of the high BB rate is more limited than it would otherwise be.

I see no reason that he can't be a 3.50 ERA guy.

[Enscheff]

Probably because there have been pitchers who have maintained decent success for a while with that profile. Gio Gonzalez (who I've always thought was a good upside comp for Newk) just right off the top of my head for someone was effectively wild for his first couple of seasons before gaining slightly better control as he went along. Obviously Newk's numbers are a bit inflated due to who he has been pitching against, and he will need to reign in the walks and increase his control to have sustained success, but it's not like he has been super lucky or anything.

With his improved changeup he most definitely has the pitches he needs to be a successful starter in the league. It's just a matter if he's going to gain the control he needs to be a consistent 6+ IP guy.

That profile resulted in a 3 win pitcher over 200 IP. Newk is pacing for ~180.

A 2.5-3 win pitcher is great, but that’s not what folks pimping Newk have in mind.

[UNCBlue012]

He's absolutely due a regression. I'm one of his biggest fans and even I think what he's doing is unsustainable. But even with a regression he's a very valuable pitcher.

Considering he Ks a ton of hitters and gives up very few HRs, the damage of the high BB rate is more limited than it would otherwise be.

I see no reason that he can't be a 3.50 ERA guy.

I completely agree. He's definitely not a 2.51 ERA-type guy, but he's been super solid. He tends to keep hitters to a low-contact rate and that's great. Still, i'd like to see what he does against a good lineup.

[jpack1]

I completely agree. He's definitely not a 2.51 ERA-type guy, but he's been super solid. He tends to keep hitters to a low-contact rate and that's great. Still, i'd like to see what he does against a good lineup.

Tampa Bay I believe had 2nd best OPS vs LH starters.

[striker42]

That profile resulted in a 3 win pitcher over 200 IP. Newk is pacing for ~180.

A 2.5-3 win pitcher is great, but that’s not what folks pimping Newk have in mind.

2.5-3 wins without fixing his biggest problem (control) is why Newk is such a great piece. I always thought he had a very high likelihood of being a very valuable pitcher but could be a TOR guy if he fixed his control.

I still have hope he'll fix his control but if he doesn't I'm happy with a 2.5-3 win guy.

[WaitingFor2017]

I learned my lesson not to view the Braves Facebook page and its comment sections. It truly is a wasteland over there, and it makes me appreciate the intelligent conversations here.

They are still in love with Joey Bats and are comparing Viz to Kimbrel because Kimbrel has blown 2 saves this year compared to Viz's 1.

Some also feel that Joey Bats is going to bring us in a good reliever or closer at the trading deadline. Another feels that Teheran will get us a closer.

[msstate7]

FF, ender, albies, and markakis have played every game. Do we need to mix in a day off for these guys?

[nsacpi]

FF, ender, albies, and markakis have played every game. Do we need to mix in a day off for these guys?

Muk is the only one who might need an extra day off now and then

[Heyward]

I learned my lesson not to view the Braves Facebook page and its comment sections. It truly is a wasteland over there, and it makes me appreciate the intelligent conversations here.

They are still in love with Joey Bats and are comparing Viz to Kimbrel because Kimbrel has blown 2 saves this year compared to Viz's 1.

Some also feel that Joey Bats is going to bring us in a good reliever or closer at the trading deadline. Another feels that Teheran will get us a closer.

I think Julio could bring in a closer but if we're in contention, i dont get the point of moving him.

[thethe]

I think Julio could bring in a closer but if we're in contention, i dont get the point of moving him.

Braves may have starting pitching available for trade at the deadline with the ascension of allard/gohara/soroka this year. Lots of options still to follow. AA could get creative