8/13/18 DH GAME THREAD vs MARLINS

[Enscheff]

IDK that Acuna keeps a .340 BABIP, but he probably also won't strike out 28.7% of the time going forward which should eventually get the BABIP lower anyway. I see more around the low to mid twenties. I think next year he's probably about around 8-10% BB and 22-24% K.

In 2017 he was a 21%+ LD hitter at all 3 levels and interestingly, at AA-AAA he was at 36.2% FB and 30.2% FB and yet he knocked 18 HR just at those levels. This year he's pretty steadily stayed around 40%. Considering that the power is very much real though, with him its not that big of a deal.

Acuna is the type of player with high exit velocity you want hitting FBs. A low BABIP from him is fine when it comes with a huge ISO like he is likely to produce.

No matter what, it's pretty clear he is going to be an impact bat.

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

I love Arizona! It looked like Touki may could have gone 7 innings but he started to lose command a touch in the sixth. He may be like Julio who you can't really judge when to take him out even with a seemingly low pitch count.

[Braves1976]

The Braves have 2 SPs and a full BP to complete 18 innings today.

The ideal usage scenario for Allard is to complete 2-3 low leverage innings while facing the line up 1 time. That exact scenario has presented itself, and Allard was not used. It was incorrect BP usage.

It is stupid to hold back the mop up guy from pitching mop up innings just in case he is needed to pitch future mop up innings.

Agreed. No excuse not to use Allard in game one with an 8-1 lead and save Biddle and Sobatka for game two, sets up a good shot at sweeping even if Folty goes five. Now Allard may be used in game two and that gives the Marlins a better shot.

That said, I really like Sobatka. He has closer stuff and I wanted him saved for game two at least. I don't want him going two innings and 40 pitches though, he looked much better in the first one.

[bravesfanMatt]

Opinions on touki?

I was really impressed. I think he could be served with better sequencing on pitch calling which should happen as he works with better catchers. I think mastering one arm slot would be good too. It looked like his arm really dropped as his start wore on. But overall his command was good and his stuff looks nasty. He is definitely did not show he didn’t belong as one of two best pitching prospects in our org.

[Mad Dog Murph]

What eta on game 2?

It's a 7:30 game

[bravesfanMatt]

I love Arizona! It looked like Touki may could have gone 7 innings but he started to lose command a touch in the sixth. He may be like Julio who you can't really judge when to take him out even with a seemingly low pitch count.

Touki could have pitched another inning. He was correctly taken out to blow the game wide open.

[Heyward]

Pen is in pretty good shape for game 2.

Available: Minter, Winkler, Venters, Allard.

Try not to use: Brach, Biddle, Jackson, Sobotka.

Of course, Jackson, Sobotka and Allard are there to be "sacrificed" if the situation calls for it. In a high leverage situation, you go with Venters, Winkler and Minter. Winkler could give us two if necessary tonight.

Probably only have Venters, Winkler, Minter, Allard.

Brach could go but i'd try to stay away from him.

[bravesfanforlife88]

The better Folty Newk Touki Soroka pitch pushes us closer to not having a spot or need for Teheran

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

Agreed. No excuse not to use Allard in game one with an 8-1 lead and save Biddle and Sobatka for game two, sets up a good shot at sweeping even if Folty goes five. Now Allard may be used in game two and that gives the Marlins a better shot.

That said, I really like Sobatka. He has closer stuff and I wanted him saved for game two at least. I don't want him going two innings and 40 pitches though, he looked much better in the first one.

Seeing Allard out there is scary enough but knowing the Fish have already had a look at him is terrifying to me.

[striker42]

Acuna is the type of player with high exit velocity you want hitting FBs. A low BABIP from him is fine when it comes with a huge ISO like he is likely to produce.

No matter what, it's pretty clear he already is an impact bat.

FIFY

[Braves1976]

Seeing Allard out there is scary enough but knowing the Fish have already had a look at him is terrifying to me.

But with Carle on the DL and up 8-1 that is when you want to use him. Not in a close game he can give away fast a la Washington.

[The Chosen One]

Sobotka seems like a better set-up man than closer.

Btw when is Viz coming back? I'd like him and Minter to alternate closing.

[nsacpi]

Probably only have Venters, Winkler, Minter, Allard.

Brach could go but i'd try to stay away from him.

Right. I think some residual uncertainty about Sanchez' calf might also come into play in terms of how the pen is used tonight.

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

But with Carle on the DL and up 8-1 that is when you want to use him. Not in a close game he can give away fast a la Washington.

Sorry for the confusion but I was agreeing with everyone else. I'd be okay with Allard being used in a low-leverage situation. I was looking ahead to Game 2.

[UNCBlue012]

I’m so glad Acuna is starting again. Can’t keep his bat out of the lineup

[bravesfanMatt]

https://www.pitcherlist.com/gif-brea...ut-in-22-gifs/

[Heyward]

First time watching Touki, that stuff is electric.

Gaus/Newk/Folty/Soroka/Touki is a potentially nasty rotation next year.

[Heyward]

Right. I think some residual uncertainty about Sanchez' calf might also come into play in terms of how the pen is used tonight.

Would be nice if Folty could go 7 tonight and save the pen some. Been a little shaky lately.

[Acuña’s Bat Flip]

Sobotka seems like a better set-up man than closer.

Btw when is Viz coming back? I'd like him and Minter to alternate closing.

The last I read was early September at the earliest.

[Heyward]

Sobotka seems like a better set-up man than closer.

Btw when is Viz coming back? I'd like him and Minter to alternate closing.

I've seen early September on Viz.