Spencer Schwellenbach and Adam Duvall proved to be enough to seal the deal for the Braves in a 3-2 win against the Phillies. Raisel Iglesias picked up his 28th save and has only given up 3 earned runs dating back to May 17th.
Schwellenbach is such a breath of fresh air for this team. There have been soooo many dudes tested at the top these past few years and only the 2 Spencers have past the test. While I can’t put it into words, Stampton was able to for me:
I didn’t know much about him, but after the first time I watched him pitch, I very much expected this. I have just never seen a rookie pitcher command 6 solid pitches. In 35 years of Braves fandom, the most impressive rookie pitchers I have seen have been Kris Medlen and Mike Soroka. They had major league stuff and command from the first start but half the pitches Schwelly has. I’m not sure you really need 6 pitches, but it’s darn impressive, and the potential to use what is working could be a plus.
The Good:
- Adam Duvall looked good and is still hitting LHP very well
- Gio Urshela collected an RBI and is absolutely electric on defense.
- Spencer Schwellenbach only gave up 3 hits and 1 walk in 6.2 IP
- Bullpen: 2.1 IP with 0 runs.
Friday Game Thread: Chris Sale vs. MacKenzie Gore
Chris Sale will take the mound vs. Mackenzie Gore, game time 6:20 CT/7:20 ET. Sale will be seeking his 15th win.
A New Signing
The Braves signed Harold Ramirez to a Minor League Contract. Ramirez carried an .813 OPS in 2023 with the Rays but has been pretty awful the Nationals this year.
Harris is batting leadoff tonight against a LHP again. Why does Snit insist on this?
Soler is back.
I hate Harris in the lead off spot against any handedness.
Which actually leads me to my main point: I’m an idiot.
Braves sign Harold Ramirez, another guy who can’t hit righties. Most odd.
I guess that’s why Harris is leading off.
Second and third with no outs, how are we gonna fumble this …
Starts with another putrid AB from Murphy.
And again after we wet the bed with second and third with nobody out we give up 3 straight hits to lose the lead. This team is a nightmare sometimes.
Sadly, the pitchers have to be perfect, or damn near it. Because the offense is incapable of getting four-straight hits as the Nationals just have.
2-1 feels like 5-1.
Matt “4-6-3” Olson
Olson is absolutely horrid. We hit the downside of his contract awfully quick. Sure glad Freddie didn’t get the 6th year. We are stuck with this anchor for a long time.
Dammit Brandon, you woke me up.
Olson absolutely blown away.
I miss Freddie Freeman.
Ugh, and Contreras.
If this is what Olson and Murphy are, they’re always gonna be Not-Freddie and Not-Contreras to me.
Iglesias has been absolutely phenomenal.
Winning 3-2 is the new plan
Chris Sale is kinda unbelievable, but it’s nice when the team picks him up with blowouts and slugfests like this.
The four games in this homestand have been great baseball. Thanks to this terrific pitching staff, scoring just three runs per game has been good enough to win three of four. Winning games like this is what it’s gonna take—and I for one am really enjoying it.
Pfft, lol, thanks Nats.
Exactly 3 runs scored in each of the last 4 wins…I don’t have any expectation of the offense improving so hopefully the pitchers can continue their stellar work.
Recapped, and I’ll update the recap with the Phillies score when it’s final https://bravesjournal.com/2024/08/23/harris-bookends-a-3-2-win-in-10-innings/