In the Braves vs. Diamondbacks Series Finale, Michael Soroka gets his second start of the season against one of the best starters thus far in the NL, Zac Gallen. Game start time is 4:10 EST.
Don’t Fret….We’re good
Going into the final games of the Braves vs. Diamondbacks series, it’s easy to get discouraged with the lackluster performances from a team that looked so elite offensively through much of the first 1/3 of the season. However, even with the ups and downs of the last 10 games the Braves are still:
- 2nd in the NL in OPS
- 1st in the NL in overall ERA
- 1st in the NL in SP ERA
- 4th in the NL in RP ERA
Even with mediocrity and a slew of injuries, this team has stayed afloat, still has a 3.5 game lead over the Marlins, and will be back home come Tuesday to take on the Mutts. Life is good, people.
Is the Defense REALLY this bad?
Outside of Sean Murphy, Orland Arcia, and Michael Harris II, the around the horn defense has been horrid according to Statcast:
- Matt Olson, Bottom 11th percentile
- Ozzie Albies, Bottom 2nd percentile
- Austin Riley: Bottom 11th percentile
- Ronald Acuña Jr.: Bottom 4th Percentile
- Eddie Rosario: Bottom 33rd percentile
What’s Up with Michael Harris II?
MHII has ridden the struggle bus all year long, but why? I had a theory that it was due to losing the left side of the field. And while the contact hasn’t been as hard to the left side as it was last year, he’s still spraying the ball to all fields.
Theory 1: False
Ok… so it looks as though he’s not hitting the ball as hard as the 2022 season, correct? Nope, unless you count and average exit velo of 0.2 MPH a big change.
Theory 2: False
Ok…surely he’s striking out more, right? Nope. Less.
Theory 3: False
Ok…surely he’s being less patient, right? Nope. More. 7.7% BB-rate vs. 2022’s 4.8.
Theory 4: False
Ok…Lower average launch angle?
Theory 5: False
Ok…Ok, surely there’s something? Bad luck? Lower BABIP?
We have a winner! Harris’s BABIP in 2022 was an unsustainable .361. However, due to being a LHHer and carrying a sprint speed in the 85th percentile, Harris’s BABIP should naturally be inflated somewhere in the .320’s range. Right now, it’s sitting at .214. Just with average BABIP luck, Harris’s OPS would likely be sitting in the .700s.
Theory 6: True
MHII might never reproduce his numbers from the 2022 season, but I don’t see the Braves regretting the decision to extend him early. When the luck turns, we will be able to bask in the glory of having, once again, one of the best overall CFers in the game.
Will AJ Smith-Shawver Debut against Max Scherzer?
While the Braves have stated that Smith-Shawver would likely debut out of the bullpen, the name TBD has been placed to face Max Scherzer in the Mets series opener. If A.S.S. doesn’t make his MLB debut today vs. the Diamondbacks, it would make sense that he make his debut at home and pitch 4-5 innings.
Greetings from 59.31296 N / -1.28571 W. Now I know why Timo likes Sunday day gameś in the Pacific timezone.
Getting to see Soroka again is just plain great.
Nice! Hello from Boulder, CO, JonathanF.
AJSS-Time!!
TDA has to catch that slider. Pretty lazy attempt in my opinion
Idiot Ozuna, standing there admiring his blast instead of actually moving.
Jesus, Marcell… . You’d think he never played in Phoenix before.
Oh, I’ve been posting in the wrong thread.
I think Marcell just isn’t very smart.
Mike seems sadly Episode-prone.
How about that third time through the lineup? Might want to get somebody up Snit. To this point it’s two starts in a row the third time through has not been pretty
His control and command just haven’t been good. Have to wonder if he is better suited to be a reliever at this point.
Arizona is trying to copy Dodger Stadium by blasting their sound and organ as loud as possible.
We have to be on pace to set an mlb record for most rally killing double plays in history.
Looks like ASS will come in for the 6th.
AJSS or ASS? Anyway what a debut through the 7th.
Nice, ASS. Let him go another inning.
Well, ASS belongs.
I don’t like the Quikrete patches. The end.
what happened with Ozuna that he got pulled?
He stood and watched a ball that ended up hitting the center field wall and only got a single out of it. Might have ended up costing us a run. Snitker pinch hit with Murphy the next AB.
Goooooood AB by Harris there.
That extra run sure would be helpful at this point. Thanks, Marcell.
How are you going to watch that hanging slider for strike 3 Matt.
Again, the situational hitting of this team is just poor right now.
Edit: UNTIL NOW!
Eddie!!
I think there are more Braves fans there than Dback fans.
So many Braves fans in AZ. Very cool to see.
That was quite the win!
Super Rosario for the win. And Smith-Shawver looked great. And, I’m really happy to type this – how about the job A.J. Minter did in relief there today? That’s four solid outings in a row.
Recap: https://bravesjournal.com/2023/06/04/rosario-grand-slam-spurs-late-comeback-to-salvage-road-trip/