I know at this location I encounter usually serious reviewers of modern music. I prefer what is fun. In the late 60’s in Scotland emerged an unusual band. As they were getting going a press member said something like “what is it with your sound? You don’t sound like any average white band.” The band members thought, “wow, what a name,” so they became “The Average White Band.” And, they told us to “pick up the pieces.”
Right now the Braves are down 2 members of the preseason projected 5 man rotation. There are ominous concerns about Max Fried and about Kyle Wright. Because of that, with off days Monday and Thursday, the Braves decided to go with a bullpen game. From the above you can tell that it didn’t work out.
The Braves have been operating in a similar manner since the time of “the one who kept cheating the old fashioned way after MLB said ‘we gonna git you sucka.'” That is, if in doubt (or not in doubt), get a pitcher. Over the next few days, we will see how that works. We should expect to see Dylan Dodd, or Jared Shuster, or Mike Soroka or _ or __ or who the hell knows. Strider is an ace. Uncle Charlie Morton is apparently back as a solid 2. Maybe we are far enough along to say Elder is a playoff caliber 4. That still leaves 2 holes to fill. But we also have a 6.5 game lead on a team that is – 54 runs in differential after 37 games. So, bleed slowly is also an option.
One way to deal with lack of pitching is with more offense. Coming into last night, the Braves were averaging 5.4 runs per game. That is an 874 run pace. Last night that was not enough to make up for the appearance of the Dread Red Sok Brayan Bello. His ERA over 5 coming in terrified the Braves into submission.
Good: Ronald Acuna, Jr. can really hit a ball a long way. 5 of 8 bullpen arms (Dylan Lee, Danny Young, Jesse Chavez, Nick Anderson, and Joe Jimenez). We don’t think any more pitchers got hurt, but look out below.
Bad
- 3 out of 8 pitchers: Collin McHugh, A. J. Minter, and Raisel Iglesias.
- Something is not right about Minter.
- Getting only 2 runs off of Brayan Bello.
Now, it’s on to the artificial turf, out of country indoor stadium to face a solid team. They get to see Spencer Strider Friday (ha, ha).
I really don’t know what is going on with A.J. Minter, but he needs to be next in line for a fake IL trip. His advanced metrics show that he’s been remarkable unlucky (.370 BABIP and all FIP, xFIP, and xERA are in the 3s). The biggest change in his arsenal according to Fangraphs is the fastball. It was a +10.1 pitch last year and is rating at -.0.4 in 2023. The velo is essentially the same, but the location is catching a lot of the zone and getting destroyed.
Thanks, cliff. I normally get your references, but not the Ancient Hut Dwellers. (AWB I get.) Can somebody clue me in?
Fenway Park. I rambled around trying to come up with something.
I would like to see us do what we’ve done in the past – try out a long time veteran on the downswing for cheap and see if he can fill a gap for a while. I think any of MadBum, Minor, Archer, or Teheran could fill that bill. They don’t have to be good just eat innings. I also think we could use another lefty reliever (unless Danny Young is the answer). The Royals are already taking offers on Chapman and Garrett and either might work out well.
The walks absolutely murdered us last night. We should have scored more runs but we also gave up too many free baserunners.
I don’t think McHugh was all that bad (eye test). He might be able to eat some innings. Iglesias was misused. Closers in non-closing situations have a tendency to fail.
Also, Hut People is a very good folk duo. If you ever get a chance to see them, do.
So, is this another British group? Trying Zydeco?