LIFO is the best counting system. The Last-in, First-out approach, in the case of the Braves, led to a rally against the Philadelphia Phlies Friday in the Braves’ season opener.
I’m obviously no accountant, but hang with me. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh inning, manager Brian Snitker went to the bench. The Last-in to camp was the First-out – at least position player-wise – as Adam Duvall came off the bench to lace a two-run double to tie the score. Atlanta tacked on seven more against the Phlies bullpen in the eight to claim a 9-2 win.
Hiccup forces early exit
The day pitted two of the best starters in baseball in Spencer Strider and Zack Wheeler. Strider was unhittable and cruising through four innings Friday, but a fifth inning hiccup cost he and the Braves. Strider threw 90 pitches in five innings of work. He struck out eight and walked one. The combination of his high-90s fastball, that nasty slider, and the new curveball dazzled until that fateful fifth inning. The hiccup occurred in a 34-pitch inning that saw Brandon Marsh barrel a blast to left-center to give the Philadelphia Phlies a 2-0 lead.
Wheeler was equally effective. He escaped first-inning trouble – the Braves barreled three balls 102+ mph – and worked six strong. The veteran right-hander struck out five and allowed five hits in those six innings.
The battle of the bullpens, however, was heavily in the Braves’ favor. Matt Strahm worked just a 1/3 of an inning, allowed the first two runs. Jose Alvarado (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits with two walks, while Connor Brogdon allowed two more on two hits and two walks.
Atlanta’s bullpen was fantastic in Game 1 of 162. Joe Jimenez, Pierce Johnson (1-0), and A.J. Minter put up zeroes. Aaron Bummer gave up a ninth inning run and the Braves won 9-3.
Offensive onslaught
Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, and Orlando Arcia were the offensive stars of the day. Olson celebrated his 30th birthday by doubling twice into the left field corner and eventually laced a three-run double into the right field corner in the seven-run eighth inning. Money Mike added three hits, including a chopper over a drawn-in infield, giving the Braves a 3-2 lead. He scored two runs well. Arcia just missed a home run and had three hits in the win, including two doubles.
Game 2 will feature another marquee pitching matchup, as Max Fried takes on Aaron Nola at 4:05 ET, 3:05 CT. I’m not sure if it will be necessary tomorrow, but today, LIFO is the best counting system.
What a way to open the season!
Below are a few pros and cons from today’s game. I’ve seen commenters on another site do this and thought it’d be fun to do it here on Braves Journal. I’ll share some general thoughts/observations from each game in the recap.
PROS:
– Strider with a nice 8/2 K/BB and an absolutely filthy curveball; that could continue to be a real weapon
– Strider’s slider was amazing, too — 16 swings and 11 whiffs (!!)
– Olson with his three doubles; also had a lineout with an EV of 102.6 mph
– Ronnie picking up right where he left off (2 H, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 SB, 1 RBI)
– Duvall contributing right away with his big double (welcome back, Adam!)
– Bullpen with a combined 7/1 K/BB; Johnson’s curveball was especially awesome
CONS:
– Murphy getting hurt, obviously; hope it isn’t a long IL stint, but grateful to have d’Arnaud to step in
162-0. We’re on our way. Sure would be nice to leave Philly with a three game lead.
Amen and amen!
Thanks, Christian! Braves pitching with 15Ks. Strider was nasty. Wish he had thrown a few more fastballs there in the 5th. Fried for the encore. Go Braves!
Loved getting into their pen on opening day in their stadium. I’m trying to remember the last time we felt this sense of rivalry with an in division team. This is a true rivalry right now.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/brandon-belt-baffled-by-lack-of-offers-in-free-agency.html
I hope AA never pays big for a DH again. He could provide 90% of what Ozuna provides for about a 10th of the cost.
Agreed! One of the best sounds ever is the Philly crowd booing their own. HAHAHAHA!!!!!
Losing Murphy is a blow, and I’d love to see Spencer go more than five innings but hard to feel anything other than great about that game. It showed exactly the team we thought we were getting: good starting pitching, very effective bullpen, and a deep, balanced attack from the lineup with multi-hit games from the leadoff, cleanup, 6-hole, and 8-hole hitters.
Thanks, Christian, for taking my recap spot this week. Well done. Get ready for folk hero Chadwick Tromp, but hopefully only a couple of days a week…. and not many weeks.