The Braves swatted the Gnats in the first of a final four-game road series Thursday evening, 10-3. Max Fried swatted the GNats. Atlanta’s offense swatted the Gnats. I mean, even Orlando Arcia (who had been 2-for-his-last-30) swatted the GNats in this one.
That’s the good news.
https://x.com/Braves/status/1705229994299982201?s=20
The bad news just dropped. Fried has been placed on the 15-day IL this morning with a blister on his throwing hand. This festering blister is not new news, but it sounded like things were under control and it wasn’t going to be an issue. I imagine this is precautionary so he’s ready to go come post-season, which is a wise decision. Let’s be honest, he’s post-season ready. Max is 8-1 on the season with a 2.55 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He shoved in DC Thursday night, swatting away seven GNats by way of the K, hill allowing just one run on three hits.
Offense remains staggering
Offensively, the prowess of the Atlanta is staggering. As I sat through journalism and communications courses during undergrad, I did so because they told me there would be no math! The problem now is all the Braves do, however, is produce staggering numbers on a nightly basis. It leaves my mind spinning. I’m not going to even try to trace all the records they have, or are on the cusp of, obliterating. The numbers are dizzying – and a ton of fun to watch!
One contributor to the dizzying numbers is the best second baseman. Ozzie Albies went 4-for-6 with four runs batted in as the Braves swatted the GNats. He homered (32) and is within range of hitting 35 by the end of the season. If Ozzie hits three more, he’d be the fifth Atlanta hitter with 35 which would be an MLB record!
Other contributors in this win included Arcia, Michael Harris II, and Austin Riley who each had three hits. If we count Riley’s hit by a pitch, which we do, he was on base base four times. Marcell OHzuna is the only Brave to not record a hit in this 18-hit onslaught.
Scoring recap
Atlanta won the game in the top of the third, scoring five runs. They added one in the fifth, seventh, and eighth, and scored twice in the top of the ninth to seal the deal. Joe Jimenez and Kirby Yates both worked a scoreless inning (NICE), and Jackson Stephens pitched the ninth.
Game 2 thread
https://x.com/Braves/status/1705293594788069645?s=20
The Braves look for win #99 tonight. Charlie Morton (14-12, 3.66) takes on Patrick Corbin (10-13, 5.00). The Braves as a whole rake against Corbin. It should be a fun night! We’re on the verge of more history…I wonder if Ronald Acuña Jr. can hit #40 tonight and swipe a couple of bags to create the 40/70 club? What do you think? Is tonight the night?
Let’s hope Morton can dial it in and find the strike zone. First pitch is less than 30 minutes away, 7:05 ET/6:05 CT.
There seems to be an open question as to how the Braves will fill out the back end of the bullpen for the playoffs. None of the pitchers they have been “trying out” have distinguished themselves except Uncle Jesse (Stephens being the latest tryout). I am getting to where I like the idea of using Winans and Vines as long relievers or openers (or tag alongs behind Elder). I think they have shown out the best. Maybe Wright can lock in. If Fried, Strider, and Morton are the playoff starters, I think a couple of Wright, Winans, Vines would be better than any of the one inning relievers they have tried. Maybe Nick can come back….
Game thread is up:
Called it