The 2024 Braves did 2024 Braves things: they got terrific starting pitching and their offense did just enough to hang on.

Despite stranding men on second and third with no outs in the second, and a man on third with one out in the sixth, largely due to Forrest Wall grounding out to the drawn-in infield in the first instance and getting caught stealing in the second instance (and only having the opportunity for the latter because the defense threw away his poor sacrifice bunt attempt) – despite Wall’s nearly crushing offensive ineptitude, Chris Sale’s six strong innings and Austin Riley’s two-run RBI double were enough to make the difference.

I know that today isn’t my birthday, it’s America’s, but I can’t think of a better gift that Alex Anthopoulos could give me or the country of my birth than to rid us of this meddlesome utility outfielder.

Today, the fireworks will be provided by a matchup between Giants ace Logan Webb and our own Uncle Charlie. Webb is a really, really easy guy to like. He’s leading the league in innings pitched for the second straight year, and he basically goes out every five days, works quickly, throws a bunch of strikes; he’s basically the resurrection of Matt Cain. Meanwhile, Charlie is coming off one of his best starts of the year, but here’s how his last six starts have gone:

  • May 21: 5 IP, 2 R (1ER)
  • May 27: 5.2 IP, 8 R
  • June 2: 6 IP, 0 R
  • June 8: 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER)
  • June 15: 6 IP, 1 R
  • June 22: 5.2 IP, 5 R
  • June 28: 6.1 IP, 0 R

Is there a pattern there? We’ll see!

Eleven more consecutive games before the All-Star Break, and this team has clearly distinguished itself in the first half as a team with quite good starting pitching and highly iffy offense. Should Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, and Sean Murphy start performing to their historic standards, the latter could stand to improve markedly in the second half, but on the other hand, if a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his ass when he hopped.

Meanwhile, I’ll be furiously reloading the Atlanta Braves transactions page. Happy Independence Day!