Spencer Schwellenbach is the story of the season thus far for the Atlanta Braves, but last night was another level as he threw 7 full innings allowing 2 hits, walking nil, and striking out 11. And yes, it’s very likely that the league adjusts to him at some point and he’ll have to readjust, but thus far, his advanced metric stats are really something to dream on.
The Braves only scored 4, but there were definitely some good signs including homers from Matt Olson (who looks darn near ready to start carrying this team again), Eddie Rosario, and Marcell Ozuns (his 30th). While the strikeouts were still high, the team did get on base 9 times yesterday. Appreciate the small things.
Braves Quiet on Trade Front so Far
AA is notorious for not leaking information on free agents and/or trades, but he seems to always find a way to make a few deals. I hope he has not given up on 2024, but it will be hard to add as the farm is still not great (it is getting better and should be in the top 10 by 2026). Something that happened yesterday that still hasn’t been updated is Amed Rosario was pulled from the Rays game yesterday and there was speculation of a trade. With Ozzie Albies out and Orland Arcia riding the struggle bus for most of the year, Amed seemed like an option AA would go after. No news has been leaked on Amed, but something to keep an eye on.
Should the Braves Shop Raisel Iglesias?
On August 3rd of 2022, the Braves traded for Raisel Iglesias sending Tucker Davidson and Jesse Chavez (we all know what happened next) to the Angels. It was a pure salary dump for the Angels and at $16MM/year, was a terribly high price to pay for a guy that pitches 1 inning. Now that the Braves are right up against the next luxury tax and in real need of offense, would it be worth it to shop him to a closer desperate team? The Braves bullpen is so strong that I feel like adding Daysbel Hernandez into a 6th/7th inning role and moving everyone else down the line really makes sense. Also, I feel like Waldrep will get added to the pen at some point to see if he can help in the postseason (if they get there). Trading Iggy would be a big time gamble for the team, but would also help the team’s financial situation for this year and beyond. Thoughts?
That is an “interesting” Sunday lineup
When was the last time Adam Duvall batted leadoff? This lineup is a reminder that the team’s record this season is a small miracle.
You’ve gotta be kidding me with this lineup. They’ve apparently decided that winning this game against a team that’s right behind them in the divisional standings AND the Wild Card standings just isn’t that important. So frustrating.
Duvall’s worst skill is OBP. I hate seeing him at leadoff.
Predictably Duvall K’s without Peterson throwing one pitch in the zone
Amed Rosario is an interesting option. He would certainly be an upgrade on offense but his defensive metrics suck. Maybe he would be a good fill in at 2nd base instead of Nacho (let him develop more) until Ozzie returns then see how Arcia’s doing and maybe move him back to def/util.
Duvall has a .371 OBP and .922 OPS against LHP this year. He should be leading off 100% of the time against LHP. 8 RHB against a LHP is a clear move of desperation to get the offense going, and I applaud Snitker for being willing to try anything.
I dunno, maybe stick Ozuna in LF and let Murphy DH? They clearly don’t want to put Ozuna anywhere near a glove, though.
Duvall’s career OBP is .288, and this year it’s .254. His career OBP versus lefties is .308. He cannot get on base. I get that Snit needed to shake things up, I just think Riley is the best leadoff option right now.
Duvall’s splits are really widening this year. I don’t know if his career splits are very helpful. That would be the same logic for playing him against RHP even though he’s been terrible against them this year.
Now that’s the Matt Olson we like to see, a real blast.
BTW, he has 4 HR in 15 AB vs. Peterson.
Let’s pour it on, fellas. We need a laugher.
Your wish is our bats’ command, today!
I’m just now starting to tune in. Anyone know why López left so early?
I’m wondering too.
Right forearm tightness? That doesn’t sound good.
Our old buddy Allard just gave up a 3-run HR. I did not even know he was with the Phillies.
Credit where credit is due. Great charge and throw by Laureano. If he can win this one he’ll be even for the series.
This season just keeps on giving. I was wondering what was gonna happen with Lopez since his workload has shot up, but I definitely didn’t expect this.
The Braves were planning to do a bullpen game tomorrow. That may now change with today having to be a bullpen game.
Didn’t we also score a bunch of runs the day that Ronnie got hurt? This team has even managed to take the fun out of blowouts, given that they keep coming at the cost of a vague, but large Sense of Foreboding.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat,
If Lopez is out for any length of time, our options without a trade are super-limited. Dodd, Vines, Winans, and Elder do not seem ready at all. Ynoa and Anderson are working their way back but aren’t ready. Are our only other options Logue and possibly Ian Mejia in AA?
Btw, as usual, as much as I hate to say it, early returns look like AA made the right call on Soroka. He is 0 and 10 with a 5.23 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Soroka especially cannot make it without keeping his WHIP low, although interestingly his strikeout numbers are the best in his career this year.
The Millionaire just did his 2nd rehab start. Smith Shawver has had 3. I trust both of them more than the AAAA types
I meant to mention Smith Shawver. It would seem he is our best hope at this point when he is ready. I didn’t really consider Waldrep as being ready even if rehab goes well. I think he could be useful by the end of the year, but I think his learning curve will be longer than Schwellenbach. I expect him to be ready next year, and possibly even during the playoffs this year, but I’m not expecting much during the regular season.