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ATL Braves All-Star Break
Posted on 7/8/19 at 8:24 am
Posted on 7/8/19 at 8:24 am
We are halfway through the season. What did you like and what did you not like throughout the first half?
I'll say that I was very pleased with the progression of the bullpen. (more so the changes to the bullpen than progression). Newk and Swarzak have been exactly what this team needed in that regard.
The other thing that I love is the dingers. My god has this offense been fun to watch. We are never out of a game which is terrifying for opposing teams' bullpens.
Now on to what I hate, our closing situation. Yes, Luke has been serviceable but in no way, shape or form can I see this guy trotting out to face down the Dodgers in October.
I'll say that I was very pleased with the progression of the bullpen. (more so the changes to the bullpen than progression). Newk and Swarzak have been exactly what this team needed in that regard.
The other thing that I love is the dingers. My god has this offense been fun to watch. We are never out of a game which is terrifying for opposing teams' bullpens.
Now on to what I hate, our closing situation. Yes, Luke has been serviceable but in no way, shape or form can I see this guy trotting out to face down the Dodgers in October.
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Posted on 7/8/19 at 1:01 pm to LarryCulpepper
quote:
What did you like
Relentless, deep lineup. Ever since they moved Acuna to 1 and brought Riley up this lineup is just so hard for other teams to deal with and they have absolutely crushed the other team' bullpens.
quote:
what did you not like
For as much grief as the bullpen has gotten (mostly deserved) the STARTING pitching has been my biggest worry and disappointment. I kind of trust Keuchel and maybe Soroka (but worried about hitting a rookie wall) for October. But who else? Will Folty ever return to his early 2018 form?
This post was edited on 7/8/19 at 2:49 pm
Posted on 7/8/19 at 1:48 pm to elposter
The starting pitching has been the biggest disappointment. I was expecting strides from both Folty and Newk. Both regressed to the point where they were sent back to AAA to fix their shite. Newk seems to have taken it to heart and has thrived in the pen.
A couple of notes. The Braves rank third in MLB in most runners inherited by relief pitchers, and rank 4th or 5th most in inherited runners scored. However, they are right in the middle in terms of Runners Inherited Scored %. This tells me a couple of things.
1) The starting pitching is simply not going deep enough into games, and are putting the bullpen in big holes to dig out of, and
2) Snit is having to make a ton of pitching changes, either out of necessity or because he is too trigger happy.
Yeah, the pen has one of the best ERA's in baseball, but that's partially due to the fact that they are giving up a lot of runs that were inherited. Their FIP is also almost dead average amongst MLB staffs, so that in combination with the inherited runners % stat tells me that our bullpen is simply average. We need two more arms, but we also need the starters to step up with maybe one more addition to the staff.
A couple of notes. The Braves rank third in MLB in most runners inherited by relief pitchers, and rank 4th or 5th most in inherited runners scored. However, they are right in the middle in terms of Runners Inherited Scored %. This tells me a couple of things.
1) The starting pitching is simply not going deep enough into games, and are putting the bullpen in big holes to dig out of, and
2) Snit is having to make a ton of pitching changes, either out of necessity or because he is too trigger happy.
Yeah, the pen has one of the best ERA's in baseball, but that's partially due to the fact that they are giving up a lot of runs that were inherited. Their FIP is also almost dead average amongst MLB staffs, so that in combination with the inherited runners % stat tells me that our bullpen is simply average. We need two more arms, but we also need the starters to step up with maybe one more addition to the staff.
Posted on 7/8/19 at 3:06 pm to VinegarStrokes
On another note, Acuna is batting 9th tomorrow. When asked why, Dave Roberts said "because he's the youngest guy here and he has to earn his stripes". What a fricking toolbag.
Posted on 7/8/19 at 8:00 pm to VADawg
Sounds like he’s scared.
Meanwhile Acuna is striping it.
Meanwhile Acuna is striping it.
Posted on 7/8/19 at 8:11 pm to Rhino5
Ronnie won round 1 in HRD
Posted on 7/8/19 at 8:40 pm to bigdawg7780
He hit a few opposite field too.
Posted on 7/8/19 at 9:27 pm to Rhino5
Acuña put on show but probably good thing he isn’t swinging like that for 5 more minutes
Posted on 7/9/19 at 9:05 am to tween the hedges
It does look exhausting
Posted on 7/9/19 at 10:20 am to VADawg
quote:
When asked why, Dave Roberts said "because he's the youngest guy here and he has to earn his stripes". What a fricking toolbag.
Can't wait to see how the Dodgers frick up their WS hopes again this year!
Posted on 7/9/19 at 2:43 pm to DirtyDawg
Posted on 7/10/19 at 9:54 am to Master of Sinanju
She can wear whatever she wants, she is a hottie. Good on Freddie for marrying her.
2nd half - The Braves need help in the bullpen obviously and getting another solid starter would help in a trade. The Braves are solid in the field and the bats just need to score 5 or more runs for the starters as the bullpen will give up runs.
2nd half - The Braves need help in the bullpen obviously and getting another solid starter would help in a trade. The Braves are solid in the field and the bats just need to score 5 or more runs for the starters as the bullpen will give up runs.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 1:51 pm to LarryCulpepper
The bullpen is an obvious concern, but stronger performance from the starters would help that.
Some interesting bullpen stats all the ASB:
Braves relievers rank 11th in OPS, 12th in WHIP, 9th in K/9, and 18th in K/BB.
Some of the more advanced pitching stats show the Braves bullpen as the best in the majors (ERC% and DIP%). I know more than few times it seems like Luke Jackson has been unlucky (and his ERA+ of 171 backs up my anecdotal observations). Just for comparison, if he had enough IP to qualify, his ERA+ would put him behind former Brave Charlie Morton and above Zach Greinke for 6th in MLB.
Defensively, the Braves are an average team. That isn't helping any of the pitching. Markakis is the worst of the regular starters with -5 DRS. He only has one error, which means he is just not getting to the ball. Maybe that is a speed issue, a positioning issue, or a combination of both. I seem to remember Kakes being better at preventing the 1st to 3rd in previous seasons than I recall seeing this season.
It has been discussed in the season long thread about the need to rotate the bench guys into the starting line up. I'd really want to see better roster management for the older everyday players. Kakes and Donaldson are both at or above 80 games started.
Some interesting bullpen stats all the ASB:
Braves relievers rank 11th in OPS, 12th in WHIP, 9th in K/9, and 18th in K/BB.
Some of the more advanced pitching stats show the Braves bullpen as the best in the majors (ERC% and DIP%). I know more than few times it seems like Luke Jackson has been unlucky (and his ERA+ of 171 backs up my anecdotal observations). Just for comparison, if he had enough IP to qualify, his ERA+ would put him behind former Brave Charlie Morton and above Zach Greinke for 6th in MLB.
Defensively, the Braves are an average team. That isn't helping any of the pitching. Markakis is the worst of the regular starters with -5 DRS. He only has one error, which means he is just not getting to the ball. Maybe that is a speed issue, a positioning issue, or a combination of both. I seem to remember Kakes being better at preventing the 1st to 3rd in previous seasons than I recall seeing this season.
It has been discussed in the season long thread about the need to rotate the bench guys into the starting line up. I'd really want to see better roster management for the older everyday players. Kakes and Donaldson are both at or above 80 games started.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 1:59 pm to NocaHomas Teepee
One last thing, I don't mind seeing the FO overpay a little bit in prospect capital for Bumgarner, but I don't want to see good prospects go away for a #3 or #4 in the rotation type of pitcher.
Not giving the Marlins their asking price for JTR in the off season was a great non-move. It anything, it increased what the Phillies had to pay to get him.
Not giving the Marlins their asking price for JTR in the off season was a great non-move. It anything, it increased what the Phillies had to pay to get him.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 7:07 am to NocaHomas Teepee
I might be in the minority but Im not so sure I want MadBum. If they are trying to add another lefty arm I can understand that but if they are purely wanting to add another starter there’s a couple people I hope we would listen in for before settling for MadBum.
Dream scenario for me would be to acquire Stroman and/or Giles from Toronto without giving up Pache/waters/Anderson.
If the Rangers start selling, I would wanna see Mike Minor in a Braves uniform again.
And lastly rumblings of Greinke becoming available. That would probably take the biggest haul I would imagine. But he’s the TOR starter we are missing. Gimme gimme gimme.
Dream scenario for me would be to acquire Stroman and/or Giles from Toronto without giving up Pache/waters/Anderson.
If the Rangers start selling, I would wanna see Mike Minor in a Braves uniform again.
And lastly rumblings of Greinke becoming available. That would probably take the biggest haul I would imagine. But he’s the TOR starter we are missing. Gimme gimme gimme.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 7:23 am to Jasonmann
quote:
I might be in the minority but Im not so sure I want MadBum. If they are trying to add another lefty arm I can understand that but if they are purely wanting to add another starter there’s a couple people I hope we would listen in for before settling for MadBum.
Dream scenario for me would be to acquire Stroman and/or Giles from Toronto without giving up Pache/waters/Anderson.
If the Rangers start selling, I would wanna see Mike Minor in a Braves uniform again.
And lastly rumblings of Greinke becoming available. That would probably take the biggest haul I would imagine. But he’s the TOR starter we are missing. Gimme gimme gimme.
I wanted a lefty with playoff experience for the playoffs. I never thought we'd spend the money to get Keuchel, so my focus was always on MadBum. Now that we have Keuchel and he is doing exactly what we needed, I have moved on from MadBum. A combination of Fried/Keuchel/Newk should be enough in terms of lefties for a playoff series.
I have moved on to wanting Boyd (who is still a lefty and would just add to what would be a nice nucleus of lefty pitching while also being controllable) and Stroman.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 9:36 am to Jasonmann
quote:
Dream scenario for me would be to acquire Stroman and/or Giles from Toronto without giving up Pache/waters/Anderson.
I love Stroman but the Yankees are going to land him. They'll pay the in division trade surcharge to get him. I don't see a Braves offer to Toronto coming close to what the Yankees are going to offer unless AA has some blackmailable information on the current Blue Jays front office.
quote:
If the Rangers start selling, I would wanna see Mike Minor in a Braves uniform again.
Same.
quote:
And lastly rumblings of Greinke becoming available. That would probably take the biggest haul I would imagine. But he’s the TOR starter we are missing. Gimme gimme gimme.
I'd like to have Greinke as well. I think the D-Backs might be hesitant to make a deal with the Braves the way the last few Braves/D-Backs trades have gone though.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 9:55 am to NocaHomas Teepee
Any thoughts about Andrew Cashner from Baltimore? MLBTR is saying the O's will be willing to part with him.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 10:34 am to NocaHomas Teepee
What would it take to get Greinke? He’s under contract for 2.5 years. I would think Anderson and one of pache/waters would be the asking price right? And maybe Ender/demerite?
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