When it comes to unique and interesting people of the American sporting scene, if you had a Senate of 100, absolutely he is in. If you had a Supreme Court of 9, maybe he is in. However, no Mount Rushmore for sure. But the late great Al Davis frequently said “Just win, baby.” Such has been the journey of these 2023 Atlanta Braves so far this season and particularly in this series. I saw a phrase somewhere last night that said something like “this is the least impressive series sweep I have ever seen.” Well, maybe yes, but it was a sweep.
Spencer Strider v. Hunter Greene. That is a pretty good marquee matchup. Strider was not quite on. When he is getting his location and also his usual movement, batters hardly get the bat on the ball. He is using a change up more often and to a fairly successful result.
Top of 1, Strider allows three singles and they turn into 2 runs. For the team with the proclivity for scoring first and taking it to the wire, that was not a good omen. Then an Ronald Acuna Jr.lead off double is followed by 3 outs. A “Joyous inning” of 3 straight Reds strike outs followed. Then, the Braves started scoring as well. Double by hitting hero Eddie Rosario, single by Ozzie Albies, and HBP (on wrist which took him out of the game) to Orlando Arcia loaded the based. Strike out by Marcell Ozuna (surprised?) and by Sam Hilliard bought up Acuña. And he hit a ground ball single just left of 2nd base that got by the shortstop and scored 2. These 2 teams then matched runs in the 3rd and 7th. In the 8th, “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” apparently returned to his 2021 postseason form. Fastball up and out of the strike zone turned into home run.
Today is a travel day. Then on to another financially bereft “Central” franchise, Kansas City. Meanwhile, tonight the Rays try to tie the Braves for longest win streak to start a season (1982?).
Why is Ozuna playing?
I’m actually about to write about this. It’s maddening.
Maybe when MH2 returns they will cut Ozuna.
Thanks cliff. You can’t showcase how badly Ozuna needs to be cut if he’s sitting on the bench. I guess.
Speaking purely as a baseball fan, I have to say, the fact that the Rays keep on being great year after year is just awesome. I think it just goes to show that there’s never an excuse for not building a team and trying to win.
This series was an excellent illustration of “win ugly rather than lose pretty.” Ronald’s two-run seeing-eye single looks like a line drive in the box score, and that’s enough for now.
Agree with Ryan and, like, literally everybody: Marcell is an utter waste of space who doesn’t deserve free parking. AA tried to unload him, gave it the ol’ college try, and at this point he needs to just cut his damn losses and pull the ripcord. If there’s a guy on the roster, Snit is duty bound to use him. And Marcell is the kind of guy who comes up with the bases loaded and no outs and strikes out swinging.
Sometimes this just happens. AA has made more good moves than bad moves. Swallow the sunk cost and move on, for the love of Pete.
That was the darnedest most frustrating AB I think I have ever witnessed. Bases loaded no one out and Marcel hardly touched any pitch (one lucky foul ball). He could have had the same result by just keeping the bat on his shoulder and might have lucked into a walk. Nothing has made me scream at my screen like that did.
You know; I can live with Hilliard’s K. He is and has always been a three true outcome guy. It’s expected and he’s carrying good stats overall so far. But Ozuna is barely like a broken clock; he occasionally runs into a pitch and hits it hard.
I think they’ll eventually release him, but they’re going to give him more than 13 games to prove it. If we were 4-9 maybe it’d have already happened, but for now I’d bet he gets a third of the season at least before they cut bait. It’s still possible he finds something and becomes valuable – not probable, but possible.
Thanks, Cliff. Just win, baby.
Marcell needs to be gone Osooner than later.