5/27/15: GDT - Atlanta Braves @ L.A. Dodgers (Uribe in the 5th spot)

[Tapate50]

Alex Wood is a stud. By far our best pitcher, imo. Lock him up.

With no other LHP options, I agree.

I was a little worried about the velo decrease last night. But he is coming off a stomach virus. Usually takes a week or two to get back up to full strength.

[Tapate50]

Who's defensive? I'm respectfully making my point.

Just sayin dude. Freakin relax already. Gah.

[sturg33]

Every offense goes up and down. We're not often going to go 10 games without a homer. No team does that often. What was our record in those 10 games? And even with the recent struggles, we're better across the board than last year. Simmons hitting to a ~.700 OPS is extremely sustainable; I'd say it's possible he's due for some more hits. Same with Freeman - he's been struggling of late. He can carry us when he's hot. KJ was not really giving us JUP production, that's some hyperbole. Maybe power-wise, but he's playing PT and always had some decent power.

Our approach is the biggest difference; getting rid of Uggla and BJ coincide with that.

LOL.... every offense goes up and down. The majority of our run production was coming when these guys were significantly over performing their career stats. Since you for some reason believe that's likely to continue - have at it.

[gilesfan]

Is what you said a certifiable fact? It's your own personal twist on what's happening, not a fact. No, I don't believe "the lights go on" with RISP. We were terrible with it last year. Our approach this year is, IMO, making the number better. I won't say it's a fact, but it's an opinion with stats to support it.

Yes, do some research on statistics.

[thethe]

Braves offense being inconsistent has coincided with Freeman struggling. that will not continue.

[sturg33]

The Braves are hitting .249 overall, and .289 with RISP.

Well, damn. Why don't they just pretend there's always RISP?

[thethe]

The Braves are hitting .249 overall, and .289 with RISP.

Well, damn. Why don't they just pretend there's always RISP?

Because the game is different with runners on. For one thing the pitcher is delivering from the stretch.

[yeezus]

Yes, do some research on statistics.

I know plenty about stats.
What you said is not even close to a fact. Maybe if you said "gilesfact" I'd agree. But not a real fact. Do you think our approach isn't improving our RISP numbers?

[yeezus]

Because the game is different with runners on. For one thing the pitcher is delivering from the stretch.

And worrying about the runner stealing.
We have a better OBP and have had better base running (despite losing all-time great base-runner Jason Heyward). These also make impacts.

[gilesfan]

Because the game is different with runners on. For one thing the pitcher is delivering from the stretch.

I had to explain to my coworkers why I laughed out loud there.

[thethe]

I had to explain to my coworkers why I laughed out loud there.

Turrets?

[sturg33]

The point is:

1. The Braves offense has been better than been expected so far this year
2. The performances from several people who has led to that surprise is likely unsustainable and have already started regressing
3. The approach is better than last year, and could lead to better situational success
4. A large enough sample size will likely pit our offense in the bottom third of the league when all is said and done
5. We will need to acquire or develop some power if we want to seriously contend in the near future

I don't think anything said above is unreasonable.

[thethe]

The point is:

1. The Braves offense has been better than been expected so far this year
2. The performances from several people who has led to that surprise is likely unsustainable and have already started regressing
3. The approach is better than last year, and could lead to better situational success
4. A large enough sample size will likely pit our offense in the bottom third of the league when all is said and done
5. We will need to acquire or develop some power if we want to seriously contend in the near future

I don't think anything said above is unreasonable.

All fair points.

In regards to the 4 though I think we are going to improve in the following areas:

1) Freeman is going to snap out of his slump
2) Uribe/Johnson will be an offensive upgrade over what we had at 3B the last month
3) Kelly Johnson will be an improvement over LF from what we had in the last 3 weeks.


I think we have to improve for sure somewhere on the diamond from a power perspective but if that trade is not available then we can't just throw our hands up and give up. You just plug in guys that get on base and play great defense.

[gilesfan]

I know plenty about stats.
What you said is not even close to a fact. Maybe if you said "gilesfact" I'd agree. But not a real fact. Do you think our approach isn't improving our RISP numbers?

What you are describing is called cluster luck. You should read about it (Joe Peta). The hits are being grouped together vs. scattered which has created more actual runs scored than what would be expected. 7 singles in 1 inning will score more runs than 1 single in 7 separate innings. This is not something players can control.

If you thought there was value in putting the ball in play and productive outs which is creating the additional runs, you are wrong. The Braves have not been productive in situational hitting. They've grounded into more double plays than league average and are below league average in productive outs (moving runs along).

[Hawk]

Turrets?

Tourettes

[Dalyn]

Can we please get one with Dr Fredi wearing the reading-glasses?

Paging [MENTION=18]Dalyn[/MENTION]

[nsacpi]

No one is assuming it continues. But the stats show we are better this year, and saying, "yeah, BUT...." is more assuming it won't continue, which is also silly. Our approach at the plate has improved our hitting with RISP IMO. We're walking more and K-ing less, both fairly significantly, which is never ever bad. Our approach is undoubtedly better. That will usually lead to better numbers.

We are scoring more runs this year. No doubt. So we have a better offense. I wouldn't argue against that.

I also agree we have shown a better approach hitting with RISP. At the same time, our hitting with RISP is 30 points above league average. Our OPS with RISP is 38 points above league average (even though generally we are about 25 points below league average in OPS). I don't think that is sustainable even with the better approach.

[yeezus]

We are scoring more runs this year. No doubt. So we have a better offense. I wouldn't argue against that.

I also agree we have shown a better approach hitting with RISP. At the same time, our hitting with RISP is 30 points above league average. Our OPS with RISP is 38 points above league average (even though generally we are about 25 points below league average in OPS). I don't think that is sustainable even with the better approach.

I totally understand being cautious in optimism. Some are just less cautious than others, I suppose.

[Heyward]

Alex Wood is a stud. By far our best pitcher, imo. Lock him up.

Nope, great start for him though.