On the one hand, blah. On the other hand, eh.
Yeah, I could put more effort into recapping this game, which I tuned into a few innings ago and so saw precisely none of the action. The positives: the bullpen put up three more scoreless frames, and Dansby got a single and a double. The negatives: Jesus Luzardo lived up to all his prospect potential and then some, and utterly dominated the offense.
But, really: this game, I’m going to give the team the biggest pass in the world. They just came off an emotional high and played a virtually flawless series against one of the best teams in the league with major playoff considerations on the line. And then, instead of getting a Monday day off, they had to travel to hurricane-soaked South Florida and play a game against the dregs of the league. I’m not surprised their adrenaline crashed, and I’m not surprised that a very talented pitcher had a very good day. And Bryce Elder… again, eh. This happens.
I’ve spent the whole day refreshing mlb.com to see if there are any new MLB Tonight videos talking about last night in particular or our team in general.
I like this one: Mad Dog Chris Russo shouting at Al Leiter about how hopeless the Mets are.
“Great big game pitcher, Al — don’t make excuses. You had a ten-game lead in June, you got DeGrom-Scherzer, all you need to do is win one lousy team against the team in Atlanta, and you get swept, and with it, Wild Card. That is a disaster! Help me out.”
Look, losses aren’t fun. But of all 60 of the losses we’ve had all year, this is the one I mind the least. Treat it like the off day it almost was, brush it off, go get ’em tomorrow.
I watched the whole game and didn’t see any more action than you did.
I took the night off… why shouldn’t they?
Braves don’t actually have to win to clinch. Mets just have to lose one.
Doubleheader against the Nats tomorrow. Double jeopardy!
Braves need to win 1. Never underestimate how terrible the Nationals have become.
Mets and Nats have weather problems all week. If we keep losing they’ll have to find a way to play those games. Could be interesting. Personally, I’d prefer to just win tonight and let them cancel their games. Wouldn’t want them to have pitching rotation problems before the wildcard series starts.
It may have been brought up here before but Harris really needs to move back down in the order as he appears to be pressing at the top. Small sample size obviously but batting 1-4 – 44 PAs, .121/.181/.121 and batting 5-9 – 393 PAs, .315/.354/.558. Also wouldn’t mind Grissom getting an occasional start at DH or LF and today against a lefty would be a good time for it.
I’d roll with:
Acuna RF
Swanson SS
Olson 1B
Riley 3B
Contreras C
d’Arnaud DH
Harris CF
Grissom LF
Arcia 2B
@6 I like that lineup.
Really wanna drive to Miami tonight to see if they clinch. It would be fun to finally see a clinching game in person. But I’ll probably chicken out.
Nice recap:
Pfft. Who cares?
Concisely done, AAR. Get ’em today, boys. Put the Mutts out of their misery.
6 — I think TDA has caught the last 5 or 6 days, so giving him a day to DH would be a good idea.
@6 I’ve had the same thought, but since Harris was moved into #3 is when Dansby and Olson started hitting again. I’m sure just coincidence, but it has given Snit his traditional R/L/R/L/R in the middle of the order. But I agree that Harris seems more comfortable at #7.
It’s hard to believe the Marlins will throw two lefties at us and we’ll flail against both but we didn’t scratch against Garrett last time out in Aug (and I think we’re 1-2 against Luzardo). I think the Marlins starters we beat before are not even in their rotation any more. Sure would be nice for Odorizzi to have a good one.
I will be there again tonight
Couple things
The Marlins have very good starting pitching including what should be the Cy Young winner
They are not dregs and to be called such shows a lack of respect and professionalism
Also the hurricane did not come close to Miami but was devastating to many areas which should not only warrant respect but sincere good thoughts
I might add comparing Miami to Atlanta Atlanta would be the dregs
Enjoy the game
Try and show proper respect
Hate and name calling shows immaturity
If Odorizzi pitches 8 2/3 innings, he picks up a $1M option. Honestly, if he went 8 2/3 somehow, then give him that million.
If Fried has to pitch Wednesday will he still be on normal rest for the division series? Assuming he wins of course. If he were to lose we’d be in deep doodoo.
@12, I’m with you.
If Fried pitched tomorrow afternoon, he’d have 5 days’ rest before Game 1 of the NLDS, which starts a week from today.
Of course, he’d he’d be out of any WC series if disaster strikes. But perish the thought.
Also, it looks like there’s a window between 4 and 8 pm to get in the 1st game of the Mets DH. Current forecast calls for more rain after 9 pm, and into tomorrow.
Could you imagine?
Please no DeGrom.
@16 it’s been three years since deGrom exceeded 100 innings in a year. I doubt he’ll opt out. And Grissom will go somewhere where he can play every day (AAA). What do you do with Ozuna – two years remaining? Also, what do you do with Pina?
So swap out Grissom for Ozuna (DH) (whether we like it or not) and deGrom for one of Anderson / Soroka / Muller / Elder / Shuster / Tarnok / etc… and I think you’ve got something very close to reality and nearly as good.
Note: AA’s two primary offseason challenges – signing Dansby and trading Ozuna.
@18
He’s definitely opting out and has already informed the Mets of his plans.
Below is a series of tweets from a Braves MILB expert and the Braves could utilize some of this depth to get rid of Ozuna.
First one:
..and the follow-up.
The Braves are printing money so deGrom isn’t that crazy of an option. I guess it’ll come down to number of years. He’d be a hell of a one year rental though (but would he even consider that?).
For once I think we’re justified in “thinking big” re: 2023 free agents, while still retaining Dansby.
Ryan, why do you hate Ian Anderson so much, and related, why are you such a bad person?
It just feels so weird to be actually re-signing our guys, trading our prospects, and signing big FA’s. Who is this team?!
With that said, I don’t know if we pony up for deGrom with all of the internal options.
All I care about right now is re-signing Dansby and enjoying the playoffs, though. Plenty of time to worry about the other stuff.
The chances of Odor Eater pitching 8 and 2/3 innings are extremely slim. I’ll settle for 7 innings of shutout baseball. However, if it were me, I would be highly motivated to pitch an extra 1 and 2/3 innings for $1 million. Let’s hope his motivation is also high. I fully support him getting that extra million.
3-0 Mets top 4. I’m going to stop following their games. The odds of them dropping even one are minuscule.
4-0 Mets, bottom 4
Let’s score some runs tonight & put everything to rest.
Score some runs and let the Odor Man make a million bucks tonight.
I have not watched any of the game yet, but our pitching line looks like somebody came to show something.
A SAC BUNT!!! DROP THE CONFETTI!!!
I was kinda hoping to get that sac bunt “record”. Oh well, let’s cash in these two ducks.
For the record, bunting there is beyond stupid.
Of course, he set it up for Grossman, who apparently thinks it’s still last night.
I also do not think I’d have walked Ronald to get to Dansby.
@29 I do not know why we are playing for a run or two there instead of playing for the big inning, when it is early yet and we have Money Mike up.
@31- Yeah it’s pretty frustrating. Making outs on purpose is a bad idea 99% of the time. In the 4th inning it’s always a bad idea, no matter the score, no matter the situation. We’re a great offense partly because we don’t ever bunt. Hopefully we won’t ever bunt again.
yes, that sac was so mind boggling, take bat out of Harris’ hand to get to Grossout?
The bunt gives me the sense that Snitker is getting a little tense.
@34 if the opposing pitcher is deGrom or whatever, I can maybe see my way to its being reasonable. I can imagine Snit starting the playoffs a little earlier.
Also, D’Arnaud is such a damn good ballplayer.
Snit is making up some funky lineup s .. he is getting tight. .. butthole
Glad that guy is out of the game, we had no clue against him.
4 more scoreless innings for One Millllyun Dollars.
I’ve been pleased all year that Snit and the Braves understand that giving away outs and playing for one run is a bad idea, and kind of proud of the no sac bunts on the season record. So I’m disappointed in the sac bunt. And as several of y’all have pointed out, it’s especially dumb in the fourth inning.
I do think a big part of the decision was that Snit doesn’t have much confidence in Harris against a southpaw. Unlike Chip, he is aware of the numbers that show the very large platoon split.
After taking Game 1, the Mets start Game 2 with 3 consecutive HRs & a single, 3-0 NYM…
Let’s get some more runs.
Man we aren’t doing ourselves any favors tonight
12 baserunners in 6 innings = 2 runs? I trust our pen, but man, come on boys, just a little cushion maybe?
If I needed 3.2 more innings for a cool $1M, you would have to DRAG ME kicking and screaming off the field.
I could have my leg CHOPPED OFF, and I’d be like, “No, no Snit. I can still go some more!”
Tight, tight game. Really would be nice to get a run or two here.
Nats playing dead as expected. We need to win this tonight.
@43, for real! I’d have sat down on the rubber and not acknowledged Snit’s presence. Maybe we’ll hook him up anyways if we manage to win tonight. He definitely did his job.
Man, we are cruisin’ for a bruisin’ here.
On Odorizzi, I think I’d be more at peace with getting lifted after twice through the order than if I made it through eight and then got lifted.
Iglesias scares me. He has been amazing, but no one is 0.36 ERA good.
Man, 2 innings in a row with the first 2 batters reaching base, and we don’t score either time? All right Night Shift 2.0 or whatever you’re called, it’s all you. Take us home.
@47 I mean, his FIP has been 1.56, so, like, he’s been basicallly as good as pitchers get. You’re right he’s not been .36 ERA good, but…still, roughly best-in-baseball good.
His exit velocity against has been 85.5 mph, which is absurdly low. the man is awesome
Maybe Iglesias is that good! We still need a few more runs though.
This is the most frustrating kind of baseball game to watch—when your team strands tons of base runners and can’t put the other team away. I love our bullpen but I hate to keep pushing our luck. But so far so good—Iglesias!
I hate this f***ing series.
8 walks in this game and still just 2 runs? What the hell?
that strikeout pitch from Minter was gross. shades of peak Kimbrel, 98 in that spot down and away.
Whooooo!
Christ Jesus… . If we could score like four runs here, that would be delightful.
Whew. AJ just wanted Jansen to face the bottom of the order, just trying to make things a little easier on his buddy, is all.
Gonna need a few shots of NyQuil to fall asleep after this one.
I knew shit would happen leaving all them runners in base
Phew… damn this is tense!
Chip sucks.
The picture and sound went out for that last out in the 8th. Frustration consistent with the entire game.
If we win it will be one of the least impressive wins of the year, but I’ll take it!
3 outs for the division. Let’s go.
If we’re gonna do this…repeat…Jansen has got to be lights out just like Smith last year. No better time for it, just like last year. Let’s go Braves!
There’s one.
There’s two.
I am gonna need Chip to know seven saves out of Jansen’s last nine opportunities is actually a bad ratio.
That’s right! Throw strikes! Go after them with no fear! Yes!!!
This game was the worst. Yet also the best.
YEAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
Great turnaround by Jansen. Dude has been lock down
DIVISION CHAMPS BABY!!!
guitar solo dot gif
Yeah baby! Division champs yet again! Now let’s win 11 more games!
Also, did y’all see this?
https://mobile.twitter.com/DOBrienATL/status/1577410256531263488
Aar, I was worried. But I’M NOT WORRIED NOW!!!!
Whew!
I’m not feeling confident, but it’s great to take the division!
Jansen has looked elite again recently, which is huge going into the playoffs.
I believe I heard that the Mets led the division for 172 days throughout the season? Well…suck it! So sweet!
“The NL East is over!!!”—Some guy back in May
Gotta give Jake some props – Odor Was Not He tonight. Good Smell Is He.
I do feel bad for Taco Frank. He and Sal will have a lot to talk about in the wee hours.
We’ll be talking about the ’22 Braves 30 years from now.
Odorizzi deserves major respect for that outing.
Joy in Miami Marlins no problem
Joy at Janus Landing tomorrow
War On Drugs
Jake Odorizzi made trading for him worth it at the last possible moment. Kudos for that performance, he was absolute nails.
@ 82
I’ll be dead by then, but, yeah, you’re right!
I expect Chavez will get some innings tomorrow, so these numbers might change, but even given that some of these are very small sample sizes, this ERA sequence seems pretty unusual:
Chavez 2021 ATL – 2.14
Chavez 2022 CHIC – 6.35
Chavez 2022 ATL 1st – 2.11
Chavez 2022 LAA – 7.59
Chavez 2022 ATL 2nd – 1.88
also
Iglesias 2022 LAA – 4.04
Iglesias 2022 ATL – 0.34
Granted, Iglesias was a good pitcher before this year, but still. I wonder if Kranitz or the Braves’ analytics people have made any difference, or if it’s all just luck and small sample sizes.
5 division championships in a row seems incredible. Watching and appreciating that as an adult now just makes the run of FOURTEEN in a row seem that much more unbelievable.
I really enjoy when the team I root for wins
PS Anchorgae Brewing Maelstrom IPA is as good a beer as AA is a GM
PPS NL east hats and shirts ordered!!
Went the whole season without being swept. Went the whole season with
zeroone sacrifice bunt. Went the vast majority of the season looking up and chasing 1st place in the division. And here we are. Pretty great, no matter what happens next. Let’s enjoy the week off and watch some stress-free baseball games.Really enjoying watching the celebration in the clubhouse. I have a feeling we’re not going to see Matzek tomorrow.
Maybe they’ll let Heredia pitch a couple of innings tomorrow. Seems like the sort of thing he would enjoy, and I bet he could come up with a good strikeout celebration.
You forgot to type “Burma Shave” at the end Thelonious
Bravey must be in mourning due to this result.
The time off will do everyone some good. Will Dansby start tomorrow, to say he started in all 162? If not I bet he pinch-hits.
Random guess for tomorrow’s lineup:
Harris – CF
Adrianza – SS
Contreras – C
Rosario – LF
Ozuna (DH)
Arcia – 2B
Grossman – 1B
Grissom – 3B
Heredia – RF
Guten Morgen! Never in doubt. Go Braves!
Oh, I’m also very glad the Union’s playoff proposal won out over the League’s. If that insane 14-team playoff won out, there would’ve been no drama in that Met series. It would’ve been absolutely meaningless.
I don’t hate this new postseason format, but it will work better when there are more teams (36 would be ideal, one more in each division).
To me this playoff format is 10 times better than the 1 game wildcard playoff. There is a little less luck involved for a team to advance. The wildcard team also has to work and needs a deeper pitching staff. That is how it should be.
@ 93
Play Grissom at SS to see what he can do and move Adrianza to 3B.
Strange with the season ending on a Wednesday. The lockout feels like ages ago.
https://bravesjournal.mystagingwebsite.com/2022/10/05/braves-2-fish-1/