What a day. Vin Scully passed away, Atlanta adds an elite closer at the trade deadline, and we hammer a division rival 13-1. So much going on!
Vin Scully announced his last game on September 25th, 2016. So his official retirement only lasted a little less than 6 years before this death. I guess if you don’t want much of a retirement, you don’t have to take one. But while much will be said about his incredible life and career, I found it interesting that he did what he loved so close to the end of his life. “If you enjoy your work, you’ll never work a day in your life,” the saying goes.
Well, so long Jesse Chavez and Tucker Davidson. It was going to be really hard for Davidson to get a spot in Atlanta any time soon, and Jesse Chavez is simply not a guy worth holding onto if a trade emerges. I do find it interesting that Sean Newcomb turned into Jesse Chavez who then turned into half of a trade for Raisel Iglesias. I’d say that worked out well.
That’s a lot. But this is another indication that the Braves are intent on spending like a top market team. Between Jake Odorizzi and Iglesias, and even dumping Will Smith’s salary, Atlanta took on a lot of additional payroll at the deadline. With an expiring TV deal, the Battery & Truist Park printing money, and potentially a new owner on the horizon, this is probably the most positive upward trajectory for the franchise since Ted Turner decided to let other people run the team and instead just write massive checks and sit in the boxes.
Oh, the game. Spencer Strider sets another career high in strike outs. Braves score 13 runs. Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario have great days at the plate. Jackson Stephens has another great relief outing. Sounds like another day at the office.
I had thought that Stephens would be the guy to leave when Tyler Yates is ready, but I think Ryan has convinced me otherwise.
He’s definitely some big shit out of the pen, as the saying goes. I guess we have too many really good relievers. What shall we do?
On a less exciting note, it appears Michael Harris II has come back to earth a little. For the month of July, this rascal only hit .222/.278/.422 (.701 OPS) in 97 PAs. But he’s still playing great defense, and he was perfect in 7 stolen base attempts. That’s all anyone needs from him: league average offense, great defense, and great speed. If he wants to be one of the best center fielders in baseball, well, we’ll take that too.
Because we might have the best third baseman in baseball.
26 extra base hits in one month.
Let’s win the division.
Animate, you GIF!
Spencer Strider is a bad mother.
Shut your mouth!
(Lyrics from Shaft for those that are younger)
Then we can dig it!
Also, it’s pretty amazing to me that Brandon Drury has gotten to the point in his career where he was a hot-ticket trade deadline acquisition. Not bad for a 13th rounder from 2010 who we traded for Justin Upton nine and a half years ago!
Have we all decided we’re going to make a thing out of calling Kirby Yates “Tyler”? Was there a memo?
Or do people think they’re the same person?
They do have the same distinctive middle name…are they the same person?
Got a good feeling about RAJ today.
@Rob, I don’t think anyone is going “out” at this point. Yates and Albies can join on Sept 1st without anyone going out.
I also don’t think we’ll see O’Day back or anyone come up from AAA unless there’s a major injury.
@7
Are people aware that Tyler and Kirby Yates are brothers? Because I don’t recall seeing that on here in the Tyler/Kirby shenanigans (it seems probable that someone mentioned it at some point, I guess)…and they definitely are.
The best way to get into the Phillies bullpen is not to swing early in the count every time
But then again, it is a day game, so…
Arcia again? Nice!
Former Braves farmhand Joey Meneses got called up by the Nationals for the first time. He is 30.
Chip sucks.
@14: truer words were never posted.
@14 No specific example given.
No specific example needed.
Haven’t been able to watch; have the pitchers just had it today?
@10, I didn’t realize it till recently and posted it in a comment at the time. However, Kirby’s brother will always be “Kali” to me.
Charlie just doesn’t Know How to Win.
Well…
Safe to say McHugh didn’t have it today
well hell ..where was Iglesias ???? I knew after scoring 13 ..we would lay a egg today …
17 — Yes.
22 — Don’t think he has arrived. That’s why Jay Jackson is on the roster today.
Yeah McHugh throws up some stinkers once in a while.
Not to be totally pessimistic, but I think the braves have to win two thirds of the remaining games against the Mets to have a chance.
Gotta go get ’em, Braves…
When Kirby Yates pitching an inning for the big league Braves, I’ll remember his name.
Zach Wheeler just utterly owns us. He has been one of the better free agent acquisitions in recent memory. That guy is a stud.
13 than 1 proving run differential is an other worthless statistic.
Also worthless is how is a certain manager manages a supposedly great bullpen.
I fear the Mets will outplay and certainly out manage the Braves this year. They have so far.
The only thing you have to fear is fear itself.
Looking at Aug 3, 2021 standings…
Braves were 3.5 games behind the Mets. Simply insurmountable.
Robertson got to Atl to pitch today .. we can’t charter a plane to get Iglesias here today last night ?? Could have used him there in the 8th .. instead of soft toss McHugh
@32
The three-time-zone jump and noon ET game made this logistically unfeasible. Not impossible technically speaking, but highly unlikely.
recapped.