Four score and ten left on base, our Braves brought forth on this continent a new LLC, spun off by Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that not all games are created equal. The world will little note, nor long remember what happened in game 141, but we here highly resolve that these games shall not have been watched in vain, that our pitchers shall be rested for the playoffs, and that the crapshoot of the playoffs, by the playoffs, and for the playoffs shall not begin at greater than 3-1 odds.
Dylan Dodd was charged with 4 runs in 4+ innings, and Michael Tonkin was ineffective in the 5th as the Pirates opened up a 6 – 3 lead. Matt Olson‘s 48th homer drew the Braves to within 7 – 4, and Ronald Acuna Jr. stole his 64th base of the season, among the offensive highlights. Olson, Acuna, Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy had 2 hits apiece. Darius Vines ate 3 innings, allowing 2 hits and a run, and Kirby Yates surrendered a homer in the 9th amongst a single and 3 strikeouts.
Other than that, how did you enjoy the game?
The Braves stand 14 games ahead of the 2nd place Phillies in the NL East, 2 games ahead of the Orioles for the best record in MLB, and 6 games ahead of the Dodgers for the best record in the NL. Atlanta looks to take the series on Sunday at 1:35 Eastern; Allan Winans and Luis Ortiz scheduled.
Transaction a Day AA
https://x.com/braves/status/1700860691492549079?s=46&t=bhEULUps9l1TF9COotX
They should have used Vines before Tonkin. If they are testing Dodd, Vines, AJSS, Winans, etc… for middle relief duty then they have to actually use them that way. But it is nice to line up the best for the the Phillies series. And maybe Wright returns for the Marlins?
Great recap for a dud game. The thing is, Snit brought in Tonkin because he trusts Tonkin more, and hoped he could get out of the inning and erase the runner on base. The plan for Vines, I’m sure, would have been for him to come in at the top of an inning.
As it was, everything went to hell, but I think it was completely fair to try to protect Vines from having to come in with runners on by bringing in a longman who’s much more used to mid-inning work. That’s a tough thing for a guy who’s used to pitching as a starter.
Thanks Alex. And Vines got 3 innings anyway, so I think they got a good look at him either way. We shouldn’t expect, or even want Snit to manage the pitching staff at this point the way I expect him to in the playoffs.
At least by starting Dodd last night it allowed me to watch college football instead as it went pretty much the way most could have expected. Winans did a nice job today but the offense is taking a snooze
Not really. They have hit at least half a dozen lasers that have been outs. Line drives going 100 mph turn into hits something like 70% of the time. Today is what happens when you get awful BABIP luck and don’t hit homers. To the credit of Ortiz, he is not walking anyone, but to pitch a shut out for 5 innings without striking out a single batter requires insane luck.
This strategy of hitting missiles is starting to pay off.
And…. he sticks the triple Grybo!
Let me be the first to say it. Winans is the 5th starter with Vines a close second. Either would be a good playoff long reliever. I hope Wright comes ack strong but Winans has proved his worth.
Today was a good example of what sets this team apart. They were hitting a lot of balls right at people and couldn’t push anything across for much of the game. And then in a matter of moments they scored four runs as Ronald came up with runners on and hit yet another rocket to dead center. And Winans and the pen did a great job of holding the Pirates at bay.
The Braves are scoring 5.8 runs a game this year, so today’s offensive output was actually below-average. The Pirates played well, all things considered. But it’s almost impossible to keep this offense from going off for every inning of an entire game. And just one crooked number can be enough for the pitching staff.
Recapped: https://bravesjournal.com/2023/09/10/braves-clinch-postseason-berth-with-comeback-win-over-pittsburgh/