The Braves had lost 6 straight, and was playing a team that was on pace to win 113 games, so naturally, we came up with timely hits and strong bullpen work to sneak a win. Of course!
Most noteworthy, however, was Brandon Phillips‘ shift to playing third base. The Braves and Phillips have had a publicly quiet, but seemingly rocky road if you read between the lines. It’s been speculated that the Braves had different deals at different times through last offseason to pick him up, and one would assume that Phillips held it up. At some point, the Braves provided a bonus for him to agree to a trade, and the trade was finalized after Sean Rodriguez‘s injury, which is interesting considering the Braves were linked to Phillips before they signed Rodriguez. Then, it became reasonable to speculate that the Braves had a deal to trade Phillips, but that was axed. Ozzie Albies called up, Phillips to the bench, then Phillips to third, and lots of innuendo from the beat writers and managers about its circumstances. Hmm.
Ozzie Albies is still searching for his first hit, but he’s worked two walks, and in his at bats, he doesn’t appear to be over-matched. He’s taking good swings, he’s not chasing too many pitches, but the hits haven’t fallen quite yet. He’s made some nice plays in the field, though, and I’m sure enjoying the ride.
Julio Teheran had another less-than-stellar start, but it was hardly what we’ve seen most recently. He gave up a home run, but he issued no walks, and only gave up 4 hits in 5 innings. That all sounds good for Julio, but he still gave up 3 runs, and he left after only throwing 64 pitches due to a cramp in his right thigh. Perhaps his night would have ended better, but who knows? The bullpen provided an unexpected but much appreciated 4 straight innings of scoreless work. The same bullpen that had an ERA north of 7 was able to keep the best team in baseball at bay for rest of the evening. Baseball.
The big hit was a 2-run, opposite field, pinch hit homer by Tyler Flowers in the bottom of the 8th, and then Arodys Vizcaino came in to lock it down. Vizzy was pumped after the save, and I would be too if it meant I might be the team’s closer. We shall hope.
Thanks, Rob. I especially appreciate the commentary on Albies, not having found time to watch his at bats yet.
JC’d
I prefer to think of tonight as Game 7 of our NLCS with the Dodgers. We shocked the world by taking the first two only to see LA reel off three straight. Flowers had the dramatic decisive blow to send us to a game 7 tonight where it’s former Brave Alex Wood against newcomer Newcomb. Should be a fun watch.
Thank you, Rob.
How we play the Dodgers so tough and the Phillies so poorly is a mystery. It would be a hoot to win the season series.
JC’d
Ozhaino Albies
Making Braves fans weak in the knees
A reputation straight from Curacao
The hits will come any day now
That .286 OPS is amazing to behold.
there’s a verse or four at the tail end of the previous thread.
BA and MLB both re-ranked farm systems today and while BA (and Keith Law) still have ATL 1st, MLB indicates that the White Sox have passed ATL.
Speaking of rankings, it looks like Martin Gandy posted his mid-season write-up a couple weeks ago. http://www.gondeee.com/2017/07/14/braves-2017-mid-season-top-30-prospects/
Also on Baseball America, they have an article about “worst farm systems by record (approx. last 15 years).” And, they compare to the “best.” Braves don’t appear on either list. But on the “best” list, the Yankees appear about 5 times.
In the late 80’s and certainly the early 90’s the Braves had some juggernaut minor league teams. 2016 Rome in the second half was like those. I do think the emphasis should be on player development. But, maybe Braves also need to do some things to build a winning culture.
Thanks, Rob. Julio looked much better despite the mediocre results.
And the one homer he gave up, it was below the knees to Bellinger, who was able to go down and golf it. I kinda feel like that’s just a good pitch hit by a really good hitter. If I had a hat, I would consider it tipping it. But really, I wouldn’t. I would not tip my cap. No. There’s just some things you don’t do.
Been in an Uber for the last 40 minutes trying to get to the game. Ultimately the whole transport will cost me something like $40-50 once the surge price kicks in post game. But hey it’s not like I could have taken Marta to turner field for $5 and walked a few minutes there. This is much better!
Taking Uber there and back is a snitshow. Just drive. Parking is easy and it’s so much more convenient.
Newcomb looked sharp in the first, wild in the second. He did get a nice swinging third strike on a nasty changeup.
I guess Markakis has decided to quit trying to make a play on balls like that.
Great play Cakes… ugh. Come get the damn ball
Staying alert in the field during a Newcomb start has to be a challenge.
@17 True, but no excuse for Cakes pulling up on the first batter of the inning
Markakis seems like a great guy. I wish he was on another baseball team.
Newcomb’s cool. That was a mess.
Newcomb is so frustrating with his regular bouts of wildness, but that was pretty impressive the way he got out of the trouble of his own making. No doubt about his stuff.
And, and as y’all point out, if he had a right fielder behind him no one scores.
So, how long before Newcomb becomes a loogy? He can’t throw strikes to RH’rs
Oh, those bases on balls, can’t defend them, Yada yada. Kid’s got stuff and moxie. Hope he learns to throw strikes.
The wildness makes the stuff play up a bit. Gets washed out by the free base-runners, but that can’t be a fun at-bat.
Atta boy Nick!
Hats off to Nick Markakis on 2,000 hits!
So frustrating. Kid could be dominate. 7BB is just unacceptable
Throwing pitches in the same spot a foot outside the strike zone to right handed is ridiculous. Quit nibbling and challenge somebody for goodness sake
Markakis was totally lifeless during that standing ovation. Not a shred of emotion. The guy is an android or something.
Can we have Andrelton back?
How do you get picked off with the bases loaded.
Lane Adams ladies and gentlemen
Lane Adams, one of your limited range of jobs as a Brave is to not get picked off base.
These reviews are completely insane.
Adams should keeping walking through the dugout and on to the bus headed for Gwinnett
Don’t know why it took so long, he was out on every angle the cameras had.
Some games we just suck, but Ozzie kept his walk streak alive. A hit or two would be nice though.
He’s been shockingly patient considering he’s looking for his first hit.
Early to bed. Thanks for the extra sack time, Braves. Surprise me and make a game of it.
The Dodgers play baseball good. Goodly, excuse me.
That .864 OPS is amazing to behold.
@40 Chief isn’t chief of small sample sizes
Well, he now has a hit and a home run, so we can stop freaking out about that, I guess.
recapped