In the infamous words of Jackie Childs, “Who told you to put the balm on?” Braves? Huh? Who told you to get our hopes up again?
After blowing a lead in the first game of this three-game series, the Braves put the balm on and went off today.
During Wednesday’s game when Marcell OHzuna was going off, Matt Olson was visibly frustrated multiple times. The mild-mannered Olson finally showed some emotion, and The Maestro must have paid him a visit overnight.
Olson homered twice, drove in four runs and scored three times. Michael Harris II also had three hits, including two home runs. Money Mike scored four time and drove in four, too. Jorge Soler homered, scored three times and drove in three runs. And Ramon Laureano and homered and drove in three runs.
In all, the Braves pounded out 18 hits and recorded 15 runs batted in. The eruption was more than Cy Young needed. With a comfortable lead, Snit went to the bullpen once Chris Sale completed five innings. He allowed five hits, two walks, and two runs while striking out six.
Here’s the problem with the balm for me. It was enjoyable today and took the pain away momentarily, but the false-hope it gives berth to may be more than I can handle. Sure, the Braves still have three games with the Mets and could catch them or the Diamondbacks for the final Wild Card spot. They could, but I wonder how much of this balm the Maestro left?
Do the Braves have enough to make a late push? If today is any indication, the answer is yes. The real question, are we willing to let ourselves hope?
Just remember Christian, in the immortal words of George Costanza, “It’s not a lie, if you believe it.”
Technically true
I’m not sure if we are chasing the Mets or Dbacks for the final WC spot. Mets have scored 30 runs in the last 3 games, and the Dbacks have scored 13, while losing 2 of 3 from the Rockies. We’ve scored 27 runs over our last 3. With our pitching, we can win it if we average about 3 runs per game to close it out.
Both teams have a hard schedule the rest of the way, but we have the advantage of controlling our own destiny re: the Mets. I agree, though–I would rather be chasing the Dbacks. I had predicted they would be the one to miss the playoffs last week, but I feel less certain of this now.
I’m with Ububba. We’ve overcome the Mets before and I always like our chances going up against them.
In other baseball news, Shohei Ohtani is beyond words. He got surgery so the way that he’s taking the year off and rehabbing his pitching arm is going 50/50. He’s indescribable.
Albies back at the top of the order, natch. He is coming off a scorching rehab stint in which he hit .500. I’m sure that will translate and he will go at least 2/4 tonight.
The Reds’ radio color announcer, Jeff “Cowboy” Brantley, who is very good, said that Matt Olson’s hot streak began when he started to choke up on the bat. Has anyone here noticed that? A power hitter successfully choking up always reminds me of Barry Bonds who, irrespective of PED use, always choked up and was amazingly successful.