You’d be hard-pressed to find a starting pitcher that has a lower ERA than that of Reynaldo Lopez, but the Braves found him tonight in the form of Shota Imanaga, In fact, of all qualify starters, Imanaga’s ERA is at the top of the food chain as he’s thrown 41.2 innings of 1.08 baseball. Reynaldo ain’t no slouch though as he’s sporting a 1.53 ERA in 31.2 IP. The Braves have spaced out their starters a bit, so Imanaga has logged an extra game and 6.1 more innings than Lopez.
It’s a 3-game home series for the Braves and here’s the matchups for the next 2:
- Chris Sale vs. Jamison Taillon
- Charlie Morton vs. TBD (ERA unknown)
Peanut Fluffing it Up
Mark Bowman, affectionately know by Mac as “Peanut” put out a few fluff pieces on some players in the Braves MILB system that are catching eyes. I’ve talked about J.P. Martinez‘s speed, defense, and power combo before, but Bow takes a deeper delve into the outfielder’s potential (ignore it when he calls J.P. a prospect…the dude’s 28. In the piece, he also talks about Hayden Harris, E.J. Exposito, and Mitch Farris. Article can be found here.
Braves Lineup
No Austin Riley tonight. I’m sure we will get an update soon. However, it’s likely not going to be a long-term injury, otherwise they’d have IL’d him today. Zack Short gets the start at 3B.
Good Lord, Ronald got picked off again! What is going on in his head? He just does not seem as on the ball as usual.
Honestly, I think Snit has to fine him for that. He’s gotten picked off three times in the last six innings he’s played. You just cannot be giving out free outs on the basepaths like that.
Bench Acuña for the rest of the game. This is just stupid.
Likely cost a run. Good job.
I’m sure it happened in the ’70s or ’80s when teams ran all the time — Ron LeFlore? Rickey? Vince Coleman? — but I cannot remember anyone getting picked off that many times in such a short period.
Maybe there’s some kind of “tell” when RAJ gets on 1st? Or, perhaps, for the moment he just has his head up his ass.
And too bad Jason Isbell only got 3-up/3-down inning for his too-brief TV-broadcast-booth cameo there.
When Ozzie bats righty, I’m always surprised when he doesn’t get a hit. So far tonight, I’ve been surprised in one of his three AB’s.
This team has the baserunning I.Q. of a praline.
I’m sure they were just trying to reduce Lopez’s workload by lifting him after 5 shutout innings, 2 TTO, and 71 pitches.
Ray Kerr was impressive.
In his 5 PA in the past 2 games, Zack Short is 1 for 2 with 3 BBs, 1 SB, 3 Runs & 1 RBI.
How ’bout that?
Minter is warming up?
Oh no.
Snit is just firing a middle finger to the critics at this point. This comes across as stupid petulance.
If Minter loses this, AA needs to call Snit up to his office for a little chat. He’s basically throwing the game.
Even Glavine is calling it a “head scratcher.”
Win, win, win.
Cripes, Snitker, don’t do that again.
Updates from DOB (with my own dime-store commentary added):
Lopez’s back tightened. That explains that and isn’t too concerning, so I’ll take it.
Apparently one rest day just wasn’t enough for Jimenez and Iglesias. It’s entirely possible that he wanted to give Minter another chance, to be honest.
Riley has inflammation in his ribcage area/side, but no strain. Day to day.
That’s probably the best injury update one could expect. Also, let this be the last time we see Minter in the 9th.
Sure would be nice of the offence could score more than five runs for once and take some pressure off this bullpen.
recapped.