If the Braves win 95 games this year it will be because of their offense for sure.
Much better configured for a playoff run than regular season.
Game three - Ian’s new slider and Grissy batting 2nd.
- Thread starter Hulavol
- Start date
If the Braves win 95 games this year it will be because of their offense for sure.
Much better configured for a playoff run than regular season.
striker42
Well-known member
I have zero hope for Anderson. His control has collapsed, his stuff which was mediocre to begin with is eroding, and hitters have figured out his funky delivery. I hold out some small hope he could be of some use in the pen going full effort but he should never see a major league rotation again.
Allard is a roll of a 20 sided dice. Maybe if you get lucky and it comes up 20 you'll get someone who can fulfill the admittedly low requirements of a number 5 starter. But the odds are pretty low. He fits the long reliever role better.
Elder I have more hope for. He pitched 54 innings in the majors last year and FIP and xFIP show he didn't do half bad. ZiPS loves him. It has him throwing 142 innings with a 3.97 ERA and putting up a 1.5 WAR. That's the same WAR Morton put up last year. I think people are sleeping on Elder a little bit. He's no ace but he could be the one to put your money on winning that 5th spot.
Soroka is anyone's guess. Will he ever get healthy? If he does will he be effective? Who knows?
zbhargrove
Well-known member
Elder's problem is that he needs to really shut those walks down... with his velocity/K-rate... 3+ BB/9 is going to cause all sorts of problems. I think I've also lost my hope in Anderson... never had hope with Allard... Really want to see Soroka have a chance at full health but who knows if that happens? Soroka and Elder are the best bets probably and that's scary.
Nerfherders
Well-known member
Is Ynoa still around?
Deester11
Well-known member
Tommy John I think.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
Yep. Out all year.
striker42
Well-known member
Elder and Soroka as best bets for the 5 spot isn't terribly scary. The average number 5 starter in the majors is quite terrible. Those are the kind of guys you expect competing for the spot.
We also have Jared Shuster waiting in the wings.
bravesfanforlife88
Well-known member
Overall the 5th spot is sure to be a patchwork job this season. More than likely an area to address at the deadline
CyYoung31
Shift Leader
Which is a problem that was a problem last year. We were something like 2-15 in games started by the 5th spot in the rotation before Strider came in.
Which makes it odder that we traded Odorizzi away
over a measly 2.5 million.
zbhargrove
Well-known member
Scary was a bit of a strong statement... but my point was I don't think we had to settle for "average MLB 5th starter" material. I wish we had a bit more depth because I don't have a lot of faith in Schuster or Vines to be anything much.
Nerfherders
Well-known member
The Braves were 15-7 when Anderson started last year, with a RS of 6. The offense is good enough to win for anyone, as long as they can go 5-ish innings.