The Braves will be kicking off their journey to the World Series tomorrow against the Philadelphia Phillies. Spencer Strider will take on Ranger Suárez in the 1st of a 5 game series. While the Phillies took it to the Marlins in a best of 3 series, the Braves have been taking it to each other in sim games, of which the public were invited to watch at Truist Park. While the Braves roster has not been officially announced, many beat writers got the scoop on what they think is the full NLDS Roster.
Surprising Omission on the Braves NLDS Roster
In a fairly surprising move, Jesse Chavez will not partake in the NLDS. Peanut seems to think that the front office did not think he was ready yet, but could join the team should they move on to the next round.
Surprising Additions on the Braves NLDS Roster
The current projected NLDS Roster has the Braves carrying 12 pitchers and 14 position players. The most surprising offensive addition is Vaughn Grissom, who’ll likely only be utilized should the Braves need a PHer. The pitching additions and/or lack of subtractions are more shocking as Daysbel Hernandez and Brad Hand have seemingly made the first cut. After pitching fairly well after the trade, Hand got his dealt to him the last 6 games of his season where he only tallied 4.1 innings but gave up 9 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. Hernandez looked brilliant in his first outing with the big league club, but faltered in 2 of his next 3 then hit the IL. Still, his stuff looked really strong, but it’s likely that he’s just there for insurance and Snit will try to stay away from him, especially with the off days.
Braves Relief Pecking Order
If Spencer Strider can go 6, the Braves should have a fairly simple 7,8,9 game plan, utilizing A.J. Minter when the big lefties come up, a combination of Pierce Johnson and Kirby Yates for 7th/8th inning duties, and Raisel Iglesias for the 9th.
Full List of Expected Braves NLDS Roster
Starting Pitchers (4): Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver
Relief Pitchers (8): Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Pierce Johnson, Joe Jimenez, Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, Daysbel Hernandez, Michael Tonkin
Catchers (2): Travis D’Arnaud and Sean Murphy
Infielders (6): Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, Nicky Lopez, Vaughn Grissom
Outfielders (5): Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Eddie Rosario, Kevin Pillar, Forrest Wall
DH(1): Marcell Ozuna
There’s also speculation that Grissom could be left off for a 3rd catcher, but I doubt they go that route unless there’s an injury to one of the catchers.
Not sure if I’m more surprised by Wright or Chavez not making the roster. Both have looked decent to me lately. I bet both will make the next round. My only question on Chavez is, orher than him saying he’s hurt, how do you know his injury is affecting him? Has his fastball velocity dropped from 85 to 83?
I like the likely addition of Grissom. With Pillar, Lopez, and Wall, it is nice to have a bench player that can actually hit. I don’t expect to see him much however.
AA loves those power arms. Daysbel Hernandez is certainly one of those, with filthy stuff. I’m interested to see what kind of situation he comes into when it seems more likely that Wright could have a good two-punch behind Elder or Smith-Shawver.
Kyle Wright out for entire postseason
Yup. Wright transferred to 60-day IL. No postseason.
Blech.
Daysbel was not great in his four games with the Braves this season (7.36 ERA, 5.98 FIP, 4.24 xFIP), but he must’ve made a good impression during the sim games, and you can certainly see what they might like about him. His slider averages 88.5 mph, while his four-seamer averages 96 mph and has above average movement. He also didn’t allow any barrels in his limited action in the majors this season.
It will be interesting to see what kinds of situations Daysbel might be used in. I’m sure we won’t be seeing much of him (if we see him at all), but I guess it never hurts to have another hard-throwing reliever in the pen.
Wright out all of 2024.
Questions for the community:
-Has anyone figured out how to make name and email save? I’ve got the box checked but it’s not working.
-Is there a way to make the page reload and go down to the most recent comment like back in the day?
Doomed. Not joking. I don’t see any way we beat Philly, much less win the WS, with this pitching staff. I just looked it up, and we had a team ERA of 5.81 during the last month–next to highest in all of baseball. No wonder the folks up here are feeling so saucy about this series. Phuckin’ Phils luck out again.
I mean, here’s how: Fried is healthy, he and Strider pitch lights out, we hit a few homers and it’s never competitive.
I’m not sayin’ it’s gonna happen that way, but we have plenty of routes to victory.
Also, for the record, we scored 5.84 runs a game this season. Here’s another way we win: they hit our pitchers, we hit theirs harder.
I think Wright’s surgery explains Daysbel’s inclusion on the roster. I’d kinda rather have Chavez than Tonkin but maybe someone saw something I haven’t.