Vlad Jr. is a stud, that 2nd one was ripped.
If Rocks can win today they are back at .500, once they get over that, they can start thinking if contending.
Mike Soroka and Max Fried so far looking legit for the Braves.
After the Folty debacle in first game, Brvaes find themselves against Cards, winning the last two more easily. Oh, and there's this guiy ya'll might want to know about: he figures in the Braves future plans, but eventually at #B, currently in LF: Austin Riley
Milwaukee just swept the Phils in three games by an aggregate score of 22-6. Versus the Phils, Nats and Mets, Milwaukee is 11-2 this season. Milwaukee comes to Suntrust park to play the Braves starting tonight, where they've been better than us. Braves seem to have it against also-rans, but the contenders so far are giving them more problems (see: Dodgers).
Looks like a bit of separation going on this weekend in NL East. Phillies and Braves getting hot. Braves win 1st 2 against Brewers, and tied after 9 in game 3. Bullpen troubles again let Milwaukee scratch ahead 3-2 in 10th. Hader with two nasty innings of work at games' end to keep Braves at bay. Still a good weekend for Braves, except for an ugly bullpen once again. So long, Johnny Venters, after 3 TJ surgeries and a comeback player award, he has just run out of anything more to give as a player.
Riley with 6 hits in 3 games to tie for Braves' rookie best start after 3 games before today with 3 K's in 4Abs, dropping his average down to .421 so far. Kid's going to learn his lessons now in the bigs.
Speaking of separation, Astros are white hot right now.
See you in SF tomorrow night, Swoosh. Maybe we can pick up some spare parts for our bullpen while we're out there--what have you got for sale?
Otherwise, we may have to go to Toshi Station to pick up so0me power converters.
(This post was last modified: 05-19-2019 03:13 PM by GoodOwl.)
Interesting read on Cubs vs Nats comparison. I know Ntas have complained about all their injuries, but this item is kinda relevant, too:
Quote:the Yankees lead MLB in player days lost (more than twice as many as Washington), and they're doing just fine. Know who else has lost more time to injuries than the Nats? I'll give you a hint: It rhymes with Schmicago Schmubs.
So, there's that. Granted, Nats have had a gauntlet of a schedule, except for Marlins, who they lost their series to (ouch!) Maybe things will even out for them, but Braves and Phils right now signalling they are willing to play at another level, despite Bryce Harper, even.
Also, I really like Acuna, Jr. at leadoff for Braves (6-2 this year with him back in top spot). Kinda Ricky Henderson style.
(05-19-2019 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote: Looks like a bit of separation going on this weekend in NL East. Phillies and Braves getting hot. Braves win 1st 2 against Brewers, and tied after 9 in game 3. Bullpen troubles again let Milwaukee scratch ahead 3-2 in 10th. Hader with two nasty innings of work at games' end to keep Braves at bay. Still a good weekend for Braves, except for an ugly bullpen once again. So long, Johnny Venters, after 3 TJ surgeries and a comeback player award, he has just run out of anything more to give as a player.
Riley with 6 hits in 3 games to tie for Braves' rookie best start after 3 games before today with 3 K's in 4Abs, dropping his average down to .421 so far. Kid's going to learn his lessons now in the bigs.
Speaking of separation, Astros are white hot right now.
See you in SF tomorrow night, Swoosh. Maybe we can pick up some spare parts for our bullpen while we're out there--what have you got for sale?
Otherwise, we may have to go to Toshi Station to pick up so0me power converters.
Hopefully you guys bludgeon us. Gimme that sweet sweet draft pick. We've got plenty of RP for sale. I know Stever says nobody wants to pick up Watson's contract, but his ERA is 2.12. With all the bad relief pitching, I have to think some team wouldn't mind adding a veteran arm like that, and a LHP to boot. Also, Will Smith has continued where he left off last year. Gave up a garbage time HR last night, but struck out the side and is striking out nearly 12 per 9 innings and walking only 2. He's definitely one of the better RP in the league. I don't know if the Giants would trade someone as cheap as Trevor Gott, but he's been beast mode. Throws gas and doesn't walk anyone. Can't believe the Nats gave him to us for nothing. And lastly there's Dyson who has been his normal, dependable self. So a bunch of quality arms to choose from.
And minutes after typing that, Smith Ks the side again, to get the save. He's one of the most consistent RP in the league. 2.36 FIP, 12.54 K/9, 1.93 BB. A team that needs a consistently dominant RP and doesn't want to spend a lot, should go after Smith
(05-19-2019 05:57 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote: Hopefully you guys bludgeon us. Gimme that sweet sweet draft pick. We've got plenty of RP for sale. I know Stever says nobody wants to pick up Watson's contract, but his ERA is 2.12. With all the bad relief pitching, I have to think some team wouldn't mind adding a veteran arm like that, and a LHP to boot. Also, Will Smith has continued where he left off last year. Gave up a garbage time HR last night, but struck out the side and is striking out nearly 12 per 9 innings and walking only 2. He's definitely one of the better RP in the league. I don't know if the Giants would trade someone as cheap as Trevor Gott, but he's been beast mode. Throws gas and doesn't walk anyone. Can't believe the Nats gave him to us for nothing. And lastly there's Dyson who has been his normal, dependable self. So a bunch of quality arms to choose from.
We could use a better BP lefty than we've had. maybe we have someone down in A-ball you'd be interested in?
Meanwhile, despite their bad bullpen, Braves have actually won four of five series. They just completed a run of 13 games against Los Angeles, Arizona, St. Louis and Milwaukee — all of those above .500 — by going 7-6, and that was with getting swept in L.A. They’ve drawn within 2-1/2 games of first-place Philadelphia and have put space between themselves and the Mets and Nationals, who have had issues winning series recently. So, Braves are currently a good, not great, team. Folty had a decent start yesterday, despite the loss. Getting him back into form would help. We still have more good young pitchers in high minors--just more skewed towards starters. Will be interesting to see how the league adjusts to Riley and how he adjusts back next few weeks. Brewers got him to K three times yesterday, so he needs to think about that a bit.
Oh, btw, Freddie Freeman, has hit a home run for the fourth consecutive game, and now has his 200th for his career. Has it been that long since Jones retired already?
Don't think I can stay up tonight to see the whole thing, but so far, Acuna Jr with the leadoff homer shows me why I like him back in the leadoff spot. Soroka with only 44 pitches thru 5, vs Giants' Suarez with 78. Hope Braves can get the series off to a good start tonight.
I think the NL West is all but over. The Dodgers just have too much pitching. It is going to take a lot for even 1 wild card team to come out of that division. Rockies starting pitching with the exception of Marquez has been underwhelming.
(05-20-2019 10:26 PM)Jjoey52 Wrote: I think the NL West is all but over. The Dodgers just have too much pitching. It is going to take a lot for even 1 wild card team to come out of that division. Rockies starting pitching with the exception of Marquez has been underwhelming.
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It's a worse division than I expected, although in retrospect, we shouldn't be surprised. The Rockies pitching over achieved last year, and they didnt really do anything to address a below average lineup. Padres are talented, but probably still a year away. Dbacks are over .500, but we just played them and it's pretty obvious they are not a good team. Dodgers will be able to rest guys like Jansen and Buehler as the season continues, as there won't be any threat from the other teams in the division.
4-1 Braves over Giants. Acuna, Jr. hit two home runs, went 3-4 with 2RBIs giving him 11HR and 31 RBIs on the still-young season. Please leave him at leadoff.
Austin Riley hit a dinger for his 3rd HR in just 5 games. Move him up in lineup to cleanup behind Freeman , then Markakis, then Donaldson. I think Swanson hits better from the next spot than he does in 2nd hole. Ender Incirte's going to have a problem when he comes off IR. Hey, d-backs, want him back? Who ya got to trade? (bullpen help preferred.)
Edit: BTW: Soroka carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, Now 5-1 1.01 ERA. Hope he can stay healthy.
Sean Newcomb, a starter last season, picks up his first save. Will Braves change their mind about Kimbrel after June 3? Looks like they are righting the ship, but will need some reinforcements to have a shot at Philly, Chicago and LA. The Braves are again a fun team to watch. Too bad we don't have them on TBS anymore. America's Team would be great to have again!
(This post was last modified: 05-21-2019 10:22 AM by GoodOwl.)
Don't like this (don't want turf creeping back in to the majors. Arizona, why?
Quote:Only three of the 30 major league teams play on artificial surfaces: Toronto, Tampa Bay and Arizona. Rogers Centre in Toronto and Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, have never had grass. Arizona switched this season from grass to turf, as will Texas when its new ballpark opens next spring.
Major League Baseball has concluded that there isn't enough time to install a grass baseball playing surface at Olympic Stadium in London for when the Red Sox host the Yankees there next month. AP Photo/Jeff J Mitchell, Pool, File
Quote:Starting June 6, gravel will be placed over the covering protecting West Ham's grass soccer pitch and the running track that is a legacy from the 2012 Olympics. The artificial turf baseball field, similar to modern surfaces used by a few big league clubs, will be installed atop that.
That will not be a fun surface for the players in London. Turf on top of gravel on top of a tarp isn't what you want for your knees and ankles.
MLB shouldn't let Arizona and Texas switch to turf fields, but the commissioner works for the interests of the club owners, not the players or the fans, and he isn't going to stand in the way of the owners doing that.
Braves get a little help for their bullpen, maybe? (Sorry, Seattle.)
he Braves added veteran help for their patchwork bullpen by acquiring right-hander Anthony Swarzak from Seattle for left-hander Jesse Biddle and right-hander Arodys Vizcaino. As part of Monday's trade, Seattle is sending Atlanta $1.78 million to cover about one-third of the $5.67 million remaining in Swarzak's $8 million salary this year.
The 33-year-old Swarzak has a 5.27 ERA and three saves in six chances this season for the Mariners. He had an 8.64 ERA in his last nine appearances.
And...the Gints:
San Francisco acquired minor league pitcher Matt Seelinger from Tampa Bay as the player to be named later in the deal that sent catcher Erik Kratz to the Rays last week. Seelinger will report to Class-A Augusta.
Quote:Starting June 6, gravel will be placed over the covering protecting West Ham's grass soccer pitch and the running track that is a legacy from the 2012 Olympics. The artificial turf baseball field, similar to modern surfaces used by a few big league clubs, will be installed atop that.
That will not be a fun surface for the players in London. Turf on top of gravel on top of a tarp isn't what you want for your knees and ankles.
MLB shouldn't let Arizona and Texas switch to turf fields, but the commissioner works for the interests of the club owners, not the players or the fans, and he isn't going to stand in the way of the owners doing that.
Looks kind of dangerous, seems worse than Mexico City last year. Can’t wait to see reaction if someone like Betts or Sanchez goes down.
Don't like this (don't want turf creeping back in to the majors. Arizona, why?
Quote:Only three of the 30 major league teams play on artificial surfaces: Toronto, Tampa Bay and Arizona. Rogers Centre in Toronto and Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, have never had grass. Arizona switched this season from grass to turf, as will Texas when its new ballpark opens next spring.
Major League Baseball has concluded that there isn't enough time to install a grass baseball playing surface at Olympic Stadium in London for when the Red Sox host the Yankees there next month. AP Photo/Jeff J Mitchell, Pool, File
Arizona - because no matter how much the kept the roof open (then paid a lot to cool it back down), the grass wouldn't grow well in the stadium.
(05-22-2019 08:06 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote: Freaking Braves. Maybe they should work on getting an offense and a bullpen.
Offense will be fine. Bullpen, I heartily agree. our "closer" Luke Jackson took a sure-win and truned it into a loss. Nice job taking advantage of our weakness last night. Series even. At least the Phillies lost also.
Nats- wow- 10 games under .500 now. How long for Martinez?
RE: 2019 MLB Thread 
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