I missed much of last night’s game due to a work commitment, so I was concerned about doing the recap. But turns out they just replayed Monday’s game again Tuesday night—and I did watch Monday. So no problem.
In both games, the Braves scored 6 runs on 11 hits. In both games, the Braves staff held the high-powered Astros offense in check. In both games, the Braves broke open a tight game with a four run 9th inning. In both games, Raisel Iglesias was warming up for the save, but given the cushion, Snit instead turned to a lower-leverage option to pitch the bottom of the 9th. In both games, Ozuna got a hit; his hitting streak is up to 15 games. In both games, the team continued to hit doubles like Skip Caray (three on Monday, four on Tuesday).
OK, the two games weren’t identical. Monday they got a much needed capable spot start from Darius Vines, who gave up one run in 4 1/3, followed by excellent work from the pen. Tuesday they got a terrific start from Reynaldo Lopez, who tossed 6 shutout frames, striking out 7. Lopez has now given up just one run in 18 innings (he’s gone 6 in each start). Let me get my calculator…that turns out to be an ERA of 0.50. Lopez has been a revelation, and especially so given the struggles of some of the other starters. Some are concerned about his workload over the course of the season, given that he hasn’t pitched a full season as a starter since 2019. The solution appears to be for him to pitch only on Tuesdays. All three of his starts have come on Tuesday, which happens to be my recap day. Me and Mr. Lopez, we’ve got a thing going on. It’s much too strong to let it go now. He and I should just share our Tuesdays the rest of the way.
Another difference last night was that Raisel got the save after all. Aaron Bummer was entrusted with a six run lead in the 9th. I’ll resist the all-too-obvious play on his surname, but suffice it to say it didn’t go well. Iglesias was needed to get the final out to seal the 6-2 victory.
Perhaps the most significant difference was the identity of the second baseman in the Braves lineup. When I finally was able to tune in in the 6th inning, I noticed a burly guy with a bushy black beard playing second for the Braves. As I’m sure you’re aware (and as I learned during the game), Ozzie Albies suffered a broken toe on a HBP in Monday’s game. Even though he finished out the game then, post-game X-rays revealed a small fracture. He doesn’t need surgery, so there is a good chance he’ll be back within weeks rather than months, but it’s a blow. It’s still a great lineup, but without Murphy and Ozzie it’s not historically great from top to bottom.
But don’t dismiss the fill-ins. Luis Guillorme stroked a two run double in the 4-run 9th inning. It was a bloop that dropped softly on the left field, but it counts. And Chadwick Tromp had two doubles of his own (one of which accounted for the other two 9th inning ribbies); both of his were well-stroked liners in the gap.
The Braves can pull off a sweep in this afternoon’s game behind Mighty Max. The Astros counter with some guy who is 0-2 with an ERA over 8. Let’s get ’em while they are down.
Finally, just to brighten our Wednesday, I’ll remind you of the last time Varsity started a game in Minute Maid Park: November 2, 2021. You’re welcome.
Wednesday Game Thread
Max Fried takes the hill against France. France isn’t known for its baseball skills so I expect the Astros to fold like a crêpe.
All I ask of the fill-ins is to play good defense and to not be an automatic out.
“The team continued to hit doubles like Skip Caray” made me lol. Hopefully some doubles turn into home runs soon.
Pros:
• Lopez was amazing again; had a 50% whiff rate on his slider and did a great job changing speeds, dotting corners, etc.
• Braves had 11 balls in play with an EV over 95 mph
• He’s only pitched 6.2 innings, but Jimenez has been awesome; his Savant page is filled with red
• Ronnie hit a foul ball with home run distance in one of his last plate appearances; might be close to getting his timing down
Cons:
• Bummer was not good; hoping he doesn’t end up being this year’s Lucas Luetge
Hmmm, 11/2/21… a night of smiles & champagne.
Go get ’em, Max.
This will serve as today’s game thread.
What if Spencer Strider was a geek?
https://x.com/baldheaded1der/status/1780642742705479696
AJ Smith-Shawver is looking strong today and hitting 99 and controlling it.
Sure glad Ronnie didn’t tag up on that shot to the gap by Harris.
Fried’s command just isn’t what it used to be. Was he a big sticky stuff guy?
He hasn’t been right this season, that’s for sure. Wonder if he is trying to pitch through an injury.
Luis Guillorme has been one of my hate-him-but-respect-him guys for years; I get some Gregor Blancoish vibes from him, which is extremely high praise from me – Blanco is basically my all-time favorite guy who got the very most out of his talent. (For reference, Guillorme’s career triple slash is .261/.344/.334; Blanco’s was .255/.338/.348.)
Luis walks a lot and is pretty hard to punch out, and plays perfectly adequate defense at both shortstop and second baseman. It’s not too much to say that he’s basically what I thought we’d be getting from Arcia (he’s also what I thought we were getting from Infante).
That said, Arcia and Infante, of course, were both former top prospects who found their true callings in Atlanta as two-win lineup cornerstones; Guillorme’s a former 10th-round draft pick and relatively anonymous prospect whose OPS is unlikely to reach .700. So I doubt there’s as much room for him to improve as there was for them. But it’s also true that we’ve generally done a good job getting the very most out of guys like this.
Even if he’s no more than what he is, he’s a fine stopgap, and I think it’s possible that Kevin Seitzer could help him find a few more singles in his bat, just like he’s done with so much of the rest of our lineup. I love high-walk high-contact guys like him. He’ll foul off a million pitcher’s pitches and help our lineup tire out the opposing staff while they get a better look at their stuff. He’s scrappy as hell and I’m glad we never have to see him working 8-pitch at-bats against us.
Reynaldo Lopez has been just extraordinary.
FWIW, Luis Guillorme was one of Buck Showalter’s favorite players when he managed the Mets.
Buck would always say that he did the “little things,” was a “glue guy,” made “contact,” made “the right play,” etc. He was always talking him up. I think Buck liked his versatility & the fact that he’s a LH-hitting utility infielder who generally grinds out ABs.
He’s not gonna hit a lotta bombs, but he should contribute. As long as he makes the plays in the field and chips in with some timely hits, he’ll be alright. And what he gave us last night was just perfect.
Harris doesn’t seem to be playing one of his more inspired games on offense or defense.
Max just doesn’t have the put away stuff. 4 walks and 1 strikeout and he nibbles a ton and tries to be cute. His “electric stuff” isn’t there this year.
Sometime between 2022 and now Fried turned into Zack Grienke
Riley! Now we’re in business… let’s cash these in.
EDIT: Wow, Olson’s ball really ate up Abreu.
Fried is probably pressing dreaming about his big payday in FA. Of course if he doesn’t pull it together quickly, or really is injured, then he will get the Snell, Montgomery treatment
Game-ending DP! Woo!
Max wasn’t great (obviously hasn’t been himself this year – cause for concern?) but with this offense, as long as the starting pitcher just doesn’t suck, we’ll have a chance to win most games.
Sweet.
That was your basic gut-it-out game for us & another gutpunch for Houston. (They’re 6-14, folks.)
And how many big hits does Orlando Arcia get for us?
Uh, I somehow missed that it was a day game. Recap will happen tonight.
Recapped: