5/6/15 Phillies at Braves 7:10 PM GDT

[Garmel]

Phillies

1. Ben Revere (L) RF
2. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
3. Cody Asche (L) 3B
4. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
5. Darin Ruf (R) LF
6. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
7. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
8. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
9. Jerome Williams (R) P

Braves

1. Nick Markakis (L) RF
2. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Kelly Johnson (L) LF
5. Alberto Callaspo (S) 3B
6. Christian Bethancourt (R) C
7. Jace Peterson (L) 2B
8. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
9. Mike Foltynewicz (R)

[nsacpi]

Expecting a huge game from Bethancourt.

[thethe]

Lets give Folty a nice cushion early on.

I would like to see Nick get a day off sometime soon. Looks tired out there.

[nsacpi]

With Jerome Williams out there, runs are gonna be at a premium. This is where small ball helps.

[sturg33]

Lets give Folty a nice cushion early on.

I would like to see Nick get a day off sometime soon. Looks tired out there.

Yeah - all the sudden he isn't displaying much power

[nsacpi]

Yeah - all the sudden he isn't displaying much power

Looks like that is by design.

[Julio3000]

Yeah - all the sudden he isn't displaying much power

[The Chosen One]

Expecting a huge game from EY Jr... errr wait holy **** Maybin is in there again!?!!?

[thethe]

Expecting a huge game from EY Jr... errr wait holy **** Maybin is in there again!?!!?

I'm guessing at this point someone finally knocked some sense into Freddi and told him to play Maybin/Peterson everyday.

[chop2chip]

This is the type of lineup I would like to see more of. Just replace Callaspo with Peraza and we are golden.

[Braves1976]

I'm guessing at this point someone finally knocked some sense into Freddi and told him to play Maybin/Peterson everyday.

They've pretty much both forced the issue by contining to hit, Maybin has an .806 OPS and Peterson is now hitting .270 with a .341 OBP to go along with plus defense at second (Peterson has a 3 DRS so far at second).

[thethe]

They've pretty much both forced the issue by contining to hit, Maybin has an .806 OPS and Peterson is now hitting .270 with a .341 OBP to go along with plus defense at second (Peterson has a 3 DRS so far at second).

Yeah, but are they starting because they are performing or performing because they are getting more playing time (at least in Petersons case)?

[Tapate50]

Yeah, but are they starting because they are performing or performing because they are getting more playing time (at least in Petersons case)?

[Braves1976]

Yeah, but are they starting because they are performing or performing because they are getting more playing time (at least in Petersons case)?

I agree that it helps that Peterson now has a set place in the line-up and regular playing time. I just don't believe that would be happening if Peterson would've had a couple 0-4 days in a row mixed in. Peterson is hitting .394 in his last ten games and that includes getting on base multiple times in 7 of those last ten games. He hasn't had a game in his last ten where he's not reached base at least once. His only game without a hit he walked twice. That is what I call forcing the issue. Plus he has also been saving runs with his great defense too.

[thethe]

I agree that it helps that Peterson now has a set place in the line-up and regular playing time. I just don't believe that would be happening if Peterson would've had a couple 0-4 days in a row mixed in. Peterson is hitting .394 in his last ten games and that includes getting on base multiple times in 7 of those last ten games. He hasn't had a game in his last ten where he's not reached base at least once. His only game without a hit he walked twice. That is what I call forcing the issue. Plus he has also been saving runs with his great defense too.

I'm a huge fan. YOu are dead on. I'm just glad he was given a chance and it doesn't look like he is going anywhere.

[Braves1976]

I'm a huge fan. YOu are dead on. I'm just glad he was given a chance and it doesn't look like he is going anywhere.

I expect he'll keep playing as long as he continues to hit and reach base via walk. But if he slumps I wouldn't be surprised if Fredi quickly gives him the La Stella treatment again.

That said, I also expect we'll see Peterson stealing more in the future the more he plays. I know he hasn't tried much nor had much success so far but I consider that a fluke, he can steal bases. Maybin should be able to steal more too but batting 8th makes it tougher.

[Braves1976]

BTW, if we want Wood to get back on track Bethancourt needs to start catching him again too. So far pretty much only Miller has shown he can have success with AJ. It is smart to have Bethancourt catch Folty too.

[The Chosen One]

I expect he'll keep playing as long as he continues to hit and reach base via walk. But if he slumps I wouldn't be surprised if Fredi quickly gives him the La Stella treatment again.

That said, I also expect we'll see Peterson stealing more in the future the more he plays. I know he hasn't tried much nor had much success so far but I consider that a fluke, he can steal bases. Maybin should be able to steal more too but batting 8th makes it tougher.

Can't the black guys on the team make an honest living playing the Braves Way without being expected to steal?

[Braves1976]

Can't the black guys on the team make an honest living playing the Braves Way without being expected to steal?

Sure, just so long as they're pitchers. :)

[50PoundHead]

I expect he'll keep playing as long as he continues to hit and reach base via walk. But if he slumps I wouldn't be surprised if Fredi quickly gives him the La Stella treatment again.

That said, I also expect we'll see Peterson stealing more in the future the more he plays. I know he hasn't tried muc(h nor had much success so far but I consider that a fluke, he can steal bases. Maybin should be able to steal more too but batting 8th makes it tougher.

(1) I would guess that Fredi wanted to keep Peterson's "feet under him" and ease him in rather than put him in a sink-or-swim situation that would erode his confidence. Remember the old Yogi Berra quote, "Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical." Early on, Peterson was K-ing quite a bit and I think Fredi wanted to put him in situations where he could be successful. If Fredi has done one thing right this year, I think it's that he's trying to match guys to situations that play to their strengths. There have been some obvious deviations from that strategy on Fredi's part, but I think he's handled Peterson fairly well. Now he has to simply put Maybin in the line-up every day.

(2) I think La Stella's defense is what put him in Fredi's doghouse. I don't know that for fact obviously and perhaps La Stella's defensive shortcomings were more perceived than real, but as long as Peterson continues to catch the ball, he's not going to be on a playing time yo-yo.