Just going to get this out of the way real quick….
After Adam Duvall’s grand slam was erased in the previous game, the Soler home run was just too much for the Astros and the Braves finally got their 4th franchise World Series flag. Hopefully, tonight’s results will be equally disheartening for Astros fans.
J.P. Martinez, Fluff Piece or Real Deal?
Mark Bowman, aka Peanut, wrote a piece on someone I thought had a strong chance to make the Opening Day roster before the Braves signed Adam Duvall. J.P. Martinez. At 28 years old, Martinez is destroying the baseball with a .340/.421/.580 slash line, performing well in every facet of the game.
Woe is Braves
Somehow…and I really don’t know how, this Braves team enters tonight’s play with a 9-5 record while their pitching staff ranks 23rd in MLB, Spencer Strider is out for the season, Sean Murphy was hurt in game 1, the catchers are giving nothing offensively, and Ronald Acuna Jr. hasn’t been near himself.
The Great Vin Scully on Jackie Robinson
A Jackie Robinson Day Braves Lineup
Darius Vines get the nod against Spencer Arrighetti. It will be Darius’s 6th game and 3rd start with the Braves and Vines has a 3.98 ERA in 20.2 IP with the Braves. Luis Guillorme will give Orlando Arcia a day off and will start at shortstop.
Former Braves/Hawks announcer & longtime Yankee announcer John Sterling has retired.
Crazy that John Sterling has retired! He’s was great. And let’s get em, Bravos!
I wouldn’t go that far – I didn’t love his work. But congrats to him on the length of his career, anyway!
You’re a generous man, Christian…
Strange timing on his retirement. Hope he is in good health.
He’s not. He’s 85 & has been off-and-on with the team this year & last.
Although, to me, he was a completely confounding announcer much of the time, I did get a chuckle out of the “That’s baseball, Suzyn” t-shirts I’ve seen around the Yankee Stadium the past couple years. And like most baseball radio announcers, he became the sound of summer.
Got to throw strikes at this level, son.
Lucky to only give up 1 in the first frame.
Would be nice for Riley to get a hit with RISP. Not off to a good start in that department, either.
Thanks for getting that hit, Riles. Knew you could do it!
They gave us 2 runs, but at least we worked this Spencer Spaghetti guy…
should we call Vines, Hootie?
Trying to watch the game on MLB Network and it’s a terrible feed. All they do is talk and don’t show the game.
Vines settled down and ended up doing a good job for a spot start.
Glad that Ozzie’s noodle arm didn’t cost us. I’m not actually sure if a strong throw would’ve completed the double play, but it’s definitely concerning that he can’t throw a ball 90 feet on a line.
True.
Annoying that the offense hasn’t been able to string much together, but their approaches have been pretty solid. I like how they’ve been working these pitchers.
Hot DOG!
Like I said, pretty good approach!
Good win, even though the Astros are scuffling, you know they will turn it around. I don’t want it to be against us. Let’s get the series win tomorrow.
And a pretty good effort by Vines. He’s earned himself another start or two.
recapped.