Remember that time when Alex Anthopoulos made a 6 for 1 trade?
While Aaron Bummer was less than good yesterday, the Braves essentially consolidated a bunch of dudes that didn’t have roles in the org and sent them to a team that needed some lottery tickets. Thus far…
- Nicky Lopez: 286 OPS in 7 PAs
- Braden Shewmake: 1.125 OPS in 7 PAs
- Jared Shuster: 15.75 ERA in 4 IP (at AAA)
- Michael Soroka: 7.20 ERA in 5 IP
- Riley Gowens: Has not played
Needless to say, the early return doesn’t look great for either side, but there’s a lot of baseball to be played. However, if I were to make a prediction, it would be….
- Bummer will be a mid-3s ERA RP with a high K-rate and a fairly high BB-rate.
- Lopez will be an elite defender
- Shuster will get a few spot starts with expected results.
- Soroka will be a back end starter that hits the IL a few times.
- Shewmake will find a utility role and stick around for a few years.
- Gowens might end up being the best of this bunch.
Braves/White Sox Pitching Matchups
- Game 1: Charlie Morton vs. Chris Flexen
- Game 2: Reynaldo Lopez vs. Garret Crochet
- Game 3: Spencer Strider vs. TBD
Games 1 and 3 will be day games, while 2 will be a night game.
Braves Lineup
Is it Time to Worry about Ozzie’s Arm?
In yesterday’s game, there was a double play opportunity that would’ve made a difference in the game, but Ozzie Albies‘ throw was too late. Not only was it too late, but it was incredibly weak. Last year, Statcast rated his defense as the worst regular 2B in the league, with his range coming in at the bottom 2 percentile and his arm in the 3rd percentile. At one point last year, I thought “there’s no way”. However, I’ve put down my obvious bias for my favorite player and have started to come around to the possibility that it might actually be true.
What do the Braves Journalers think? Is his defense a problem?
As ever, Charlie inspires scant confidence.
Trying to smash home runs in 40 degree weather might not be the optimal strategy.
Nice 1-2-3 inning, Charlie!
Charlie doesn’t get enough respect. He’s as good and dependable a number four starter as you could want. I can’t think of another in mlb any better in that role.
Agreed.
Couldn’t agree more. Dude is asked to be our 3/4 starter. We could do a LOT worse.
The homer mashers of last year have become the doubles mashers of this year. Hopefully that is just the randomness of off the wall versus over the wall.
This Sox team is one sad-sack bunch.
Keep kickin’ ’em while they’re down, fellas.
When I was looking into Ozzie for my player recap two months ago, I saw the catastrophic dip in his defensive numbers, but figured it was fair to chalk it up to the broken foot.
At the time, I concluded:
That was about his legs not his arm, but I feel the same. In general, I’m willing to handwave a whole lot of stuff as “it’s early.” If he continues to look bad in the field in May, I may start singing a different tune.
Will they call this one, or “suspend” it? We need it to go in the “W” column and get ready for tomorrow.
Austin’s glad they came back!
Well, looking at the weather in ChiTown… don’t be surprised if the Braves don’t play another inning on this road trip.
Rest of today, rain; tomorrow night, rain; Wednesday afternoon, snow.
Recap will come tomorrow morning. I am headed to a meeting.
They finally put the Sox out of their misery. The Braves might have scored three more if they had come back for the ninth.
Got to say I am liking the rejuvenated Dylan Lee. And Matzek, too.
Took the day today and watched this one with my boys. That was fun!
Then back in south Philly and swung by CBP. Nothing sweeter than seeing sad Philly fans. Their vaunted bullpen (ranked #1 pen by MLB.com a week ago) is showing signs of trouble.
recapped. BUT, I forgot a tag and it didn’t automatically jump to the front.
Fixed this, Cliff. Most important thing is you need a featured image. I added one and it jumped to the top.