There once was a time when the word PHAT became a vital part of pop culture. And while the Arizona Diamondbacks RHP of the night’s name does look like it could be some weird acronym that’s synonymous with PHAT, his last name, Pfaadt, is actually pronounced “Fought”.
So…yes, tonight’s Diamondbacks starter is named Brandon Pfaadt and he’s highly thought of by people that know pitching. In his first start of the year, he threw 5 innings, struck out 6, and carried a 1.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.
The Braves counter with Max Fried, who only lasted 2/3 of an inning in his 2024 debut. My guess is he’ll last longer than that this go around.
Braves Lineup
And now…the not so good news…
There’s nothing about this that’s good. At best, it’s just irritation and he’ll be out until the All Star Break. At worst, see ya in 2026. While this situation really sucks, the Braves won 104 games with very little of an actual rotation. Also, it’s time to give Alex Anthopoulos real credit, as he’s built true depth in the system this year and between Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, Darius Vines, Hurston Waldrep, and, at some point, Huascar Ynoa and Ian Anderson, I think the Braves will be much better off than last year when they lost Max Fried and Ian Anderson right out the gate.
Win it for Strider. Dammit, he deserves it.
My grandfather used to love fried fatback. Haven’t thought about that in 30 years. (Or should I say “fried foughtback?)
Fried is not fooling anyone
It’s even worse tonight. Still not any outs. Ok, 4 runs and one out now.
Last time he got 2 outs for three runs. Tonight one out and 5 runs.
6 run first. I’ll be happy when Fried’s ERA is back in single digits.
Max is costing himself a ton of money
Good God.
I have been a long time critic of Bryce Elder but honestly he is better than Fried has been. This is just ridiculous.
Yeah, even if Max has a phenomenal season from here on out, his season ERA won’t be good. After an inning and two thirds, his season ERA is over 48.
Last night, I insisted there was no reason to be concerned about Strider; it was just one of those nights that happen to the best of them. I could not have been more wrong, of course.
I don’t want to jinx Fried by saying anything positive, so I won’t speculate at all.
I think sometimes he tries to be too cute instead of letting his stuff just go work.
Max looking good since the first. His season ERA is down to 22.
Make that ERA 17.36 after four innings. These last three innings are quite encouraging that’s there’s not an underlying injury.
Three straight K’s with a runner on third and nobody out…smh
This game was a sac fly and error away from being 6-6 instead of 8-5. Baseball is really a game of inches.
Of course, I’ll be happy tomorrow if Marte does not hit a leadoff HR.
We certainly know how Mattingly and Urena would handle it.
Side note- it’s time to move Kelenic out of the 9 spot. Dude just keeps hitting
I’m okay with some “if it ain’t broke” with Kelenic. Batting ninth worked just fine for Mike, and if the worst thing that happens is that Jarred keeps hitting, well, I’m alright with that.
This team’s bullpen really is a strength.
What a couple of performances on consecutive days by the bullpen. WOW.
Who needs pitching anyway?
Man, this team can hit.
Oh my good God. This offense is otherworldly.
Ububba, how do they compare to the Big Red Machine?
This game feels surreal.
Strider goes down.
Fried to pick him up.
Fried gives up 6 in 1st inning.
Fried stays in and gets right.
Offense awakens
Bullpen shuts DBacks down.
Braveshitting
Another really gutty win
Big Red Machine, obviously, was from another era, one that more incorporated speed in the overall attack.
Pretty much everyone in that lineup (save Perez & Bench) could run. But even Bench stole bases at a high percentage. They were kind of like the ’80s Cards, but with power.
What’s similar to these Braves is that, when you played them, it felt like they were relentless. Getting 27 outs is never easy. But, obviously, these Braves are much scarier in the power dept. Hell, they’re scarier than everybody.
I like the comparison to the Big Red Machine, More than any teams in my now long lifetime, those Reds and these Braves are strong from top to bottom. Every hitter in the lineup can do damage.