I usually am slightly cynical or very much a realist. I do not expect competence or excellence. Only when reasonable evidence begins to form do I do so. I HOPE (yeah, remember where Mac took us on that word) the teams I favor perform well. I HOPE they win big. But throughout my life, that hasn’t happened often. I am at core, an Enneagram Type 5. So realism is me, baby.
The cumulative run differential to date for the 2023 Atlanta Braves is plus 157. The next best teams are in the AL in the 140’s. Then, the Dodgers at plus 92. This team has established its baseline over the past 6 years as a credible playoff team. For the last 3 years, it has established itself as a credible threat to win it all. This year, it easily has its best chance to take it all since the late 90’s. Since Friday, this team has swept one middling contender and taken 2 of 3 from another middling contender. This team just got A. J. Minter back. Fried starts Friday night. Dylan Lee might be back in 2 weeks, and Kyle Wright quite probably soon after that. I have no guarantees, but this team, even after deadline pick ups, has the best shot. Everybody else is looking up.
How bad did the Angels look up? 3 to zero after 3 innings. then 9 to 1 after 4 innings. Those 9 runs all fell onto deadline acquisition Lucas Giolito. That isn’t looking good so far, is it? Then, after 5 innings of 1 run ball, Yonny Chirinos gave up 2 singles and got pulled in favor of Michael Tonkin a/k/a “the incident.” Well, his version of putting out the fire had those 2 come in and one of his own. But it was still 9 to 4. The low leverage unit (day shift?) of Pierce Johnson, Kirby Yates, and Collin McHugh each took an inning and only McHugh let one more come in. Meanwhile in 6 and 8 the Braves added 2 and 1, respectively. Ho and Hum.
All, go check out JonathanF’s latest greatest off day work here: https://bravesjournal.com/2023/08/03/predicting-runs-scored-and-allowed/
Thanks, Cliff. I’m enjoying the life out of ho hum! This team is special and I hope the arms returning are healthy and we win the WS, 4-1.
No game thread for today?
School has just started for Ryan, it’s a weird afternoon Friday game. Be the game thread that you want to see in the world.
We are the game thread!
So far, so good for Max…
EDIT: Ka-boom! Ka-Boom! Ka-Boom!
Three XBHs on three consecutive pitches — and now 6 XBHs in the inning. Hey, please keep Henricks in there…
Great to see Murphy snap out of it.
And in the blink of an eye, it’s 5-0. Awesome.
Welcome back, Max… here’s a present for you.
This offense is become death, destroyer of worlds…
Like he never left & sharp as a tack… Max, 5 IP, 59 pitches, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 7 K
My apologies crew! I had no idea that it was a day game and had a doozy of a night. My near 7 month old had shots on Wednesday and ran a 102 fever last night. He finally fell asleep at 3 AM. Teaching has been a real journey today, but I’m grateful that I teach in a school that loves me and allowed me to take a break midday.
Family first, of course, and we appreciate everything you do.
FWIW, up to now, this game feels like a high-water mark… it’s about the very best this team can pitch, hit & field. The ace is back & they continue to mash.
Also, between Henricks & Giolito (the other day), the looks on their faces while they were going thru those nightmare innings — pure shock.
What ububba said, thanks for everything you do for this bar, Ryan. You are appreciated. Go Braves.
No worries, Ryan! When I asked about the game thread earlier, I was just wondering if there would be one. It wasn’t intended to sound snarky or anything. As a former teacher and a father of two little ones, I totally understand where you’re coming from! Thanks for all you do for this site.
The Cubs are a pretty good team that’s been playing exceptionally well for the past couple of weeks. They aren’t duffers.
Tru dat, but note that now the Braves are tied for the hottest team in the league. – 7-3 in the last 10. August may be more June than July.
Recapped