As one could easily guess, “Braves vs. Mariners” hasn’t been something heard very often. In fact, it’s only happened 19 times in history and the Braves have been on the losing end more often than, with an 8-11 record. Their last game, which was on 9/11 of 2022, the Braves were getting beat badly, 6-1 through the 7th. They picked up a run in the 8th, then scored 5 in the top of 9 to take a 7-6 lead. Kenley Jansen came on to pitch the bottom of the 9th, gave up 2 solo dingers, and that was it. The Braves come into the series 27-16 and the Mariners, 21-22. The Mariners have struggled offensively with only 1 player, Jared Kelenic, with an OPS over .800. However, both their rotation and bullpen have been very good with Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert leading the charge.
Braves vs. Mariners Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Bryce Elder vs. Bryce Miller: Miller is loving living in small sample territory as he’s carrying a 0.47 ERA. Prior to the season, he was ranked as the 61st prospect in baseball. His fastball sits around 96 but the spin is in the 99th percentile. Like Spencer Strider, his fastball is by far the pitch featured the most and Braves hitters sure do like fastballs.
Game 2: TBD. vs. Logan Gilbert: There’s been no word on Saturday’s starter but my guess is the team will go with a bullpen game, especially if Elder can go fairly deep tonight. While Braves fans really want Michael Soroka to get a look, it won’t be this series as he pitched on 5/17.
Game 3: TBD vs. George Kirby: Jared Shuster would be on regular rest to pitch on Sunday and I’m penciling him in for now.
Transaction a Day AA
This move was announced last night by Braves Radio analyst Kevin McAlpin and at the time, it was a serious head-scratcher. After dissecting the info and discussing it with a few Braves buddies, I noticed that Ehire Adrianza hadn’t played in a rehab game since 5/14. From there, clarity called, and I made an educated guess that Adrianza would go on the 60-day IL. So yes, Charlie Culberson, who’s rocking a .489 OPS at AAA, is now the backup SS and 2B and that’s very….meh. There were some that assumed that the Braves were just giving him a nod and will allow him to be on the roster for a week then retire from baseball, but there’s no actual facts behind that assumption. This is one time that I’m very thankful that Brian Snitker loves a regular lineup.
Braves Lineup
Tonight’s game is on Apple TV+.
AA decided that he would rather have Culberson sit on the bench and do nothing than Shoemake.
I would’ve rather called up Pinder though.
Wouldn’t Morton be in line to start Saturday?
That sounds right, @Braves14.
Soroka is just super not ready. The guy hasn’t gotten out of the fifth inning since last September, and the thought of rushing him back to fill a hole in the major league roster makes me physically ill. given everything that’s gone wrong with his body.
I’m for giving him all the time he needs.
Great discussion, but the answer is no. Acuna, as amazing as he’s been, is on pace for 9 fWAR, which is nuts, of course. However, Ricky Henderson in 1990 had the greatest season ever by a lead-off man. In only 136 games, Ricky hit .325/.439/.577 with 28 HRs, a 190 wRC+, and 65 SBs. As great as Mike Trout is, he’s never gotten more than 10.2 fWAR. He did get 10.2 once, but it was also in 157 games. And Ricky did that out of the lead off spot.
Yeah, Soroka is not ready. I hate that it’s almost the end of May and that’s the case, but it is what it is.
He’s basically the modern day Mike Hampton. Good thing we’re not paying him much.
I mean, another way of looking at it is he’s the modern day Chris Hammond. There’s no real “normal” amount of time to get game-ready after the length of time he’s been out. Heck, it took Acuña a couple years to get back to his real self, too.
Would someone in a position of power approve my comment above? I did a little Ricky Henderson vs. Acuna rundown.
Done.
DOB just tweeted that the Braves are holding Morton back with 2 extra days rest so Ryan is correct.
Is Morton healthy, Ryan? This is the 2nd start in a row he’s gotten extra rest.
He was looking rough coming off the mound covering the bag the other day. I would have to assume that considering everything, they really need to also treat him with kid gloves.
I have heard nothing on Morton but he’s old and probably needs extra rest. I’m older than him and I definitely need extra rest.
That’s good. The fact that you knew he wouldn’t be starting this series before it was announced made me think you knew something.
At some point I have to wonder if the Braves need to look at their off-season and preseason pitcher conditioning program. I know injuries will happen and I think they are doing a good job with Soroka, but the injuries to Wright and Fried and possibly some of the bullpen injuries seem like they could have at least been mitigated with better conditioning. I’m sure we are well beyond a “Camp Leo” type of program, but I think it worked.
I think it’s happening all across baseball this season. It may be an unintended consequence of the pitch clock.
I’m looking for Culberson to sport a .270/.326/.466 line for a total OPS of .792. Not really, but that’s what he did for Atlanta in about 300 at bats in 2018. I can always dream. Maybe he will be the position player version of Jesse Chavez.
The yellow background of the new Quikrete uni patch goes well with RAJ’s accoutrements. Good job, marketing staff.
Bryce Elder, 2023 all star?
Yeah, I probably just jinxed it.
Yep, Carl, you jinxed it. This one’s on you.
But still, another excellent start by Elder.
McHugh? Good night. Especially with the Braves’ offense in full Hibernation Mode.
(Fortunately, it awoke. And maybe someday Nick Anderson will be asked to pitch a second inning after a quick first inning of work.)
Just what I said on Wednesday… and I suspect I’ll be saying it again today.
McHugh isn’t what he was last season.
Oh my, Orlando. Almost got out of the park!
Little rough that Arcia wasn’t running out of the box. Shades of Acuna in the ‘19 playoffs.
Great game! I’ll have a recap up first thing in the morning.
Great! I should have mentioned in my piece one other way that closers work in non-closing situations. When the closer is already warmed up and his team scores a bunch of runs which ruins the save opportunity. That’s the most obvious case where the closer ought to be used anyway. Like tonight.
Recapped