Somehow this team snuck its way into the playoffs at an 89-73 clip. And now, they have to face more adversity as the ace of the staff, Chris Sale, is sidelined with back spasms. According to a report, he threw today and felt good, but there’s still no clear time table as to when he’ll be able to pitch. AJ Smith-Shawver will be starting game 1 against Michael King. I’d wager a good amount of $ that A.S.S. is only in there for 2-3 innings before it becomes a bullpen game.
Braves Wild Card Roster
Outside of A.S.S., there’s no real surprise here. I’m hoping Bryce Elder is only here should a game get sideways.
Road teams are doing well today…
10 runs scored does a world of good here. Come on Bravos – stranger things have happened.
Scoring 10 is an excellent idea–and maybe necessary.
Nice AB there Soler :-/
Snitker you got to get someone up now before this gets out of hand.
So there was really no better option than AJSS? Or is this a case of we’ve already bagged on the postseason so let’s just get him some experience?
Actually no, not really. This is the result of years of failing to sign an ace pitcher. The Phillies don’t have this problem because they did. A Georgia boy even. And we paid the same amount of money to some combination of discount guys including Morton.
When we do a post mortem on this almost dynasty, I hope some people are honest about that fact. We were for most of it a pitcher away and we just didn’t sign him. I’m fully open to the possibility that’s on pinch-penny ownership but half of me thinks AA was just too cute.
It was AJSS, Ian Anderson, or Bryce Elder. Or a bullpen game featuring Jesse Chavez and Luke Jackson. What were we supposed to do?
Not much. It is a roster problem, not a Snitker problem. He has other problems but not this one
Got to have someone out of the bullpen ready to go before it’s 5-0. AJSS is throwing low 90s meatballs.
Yeah when Sale went down, the only realistic path to winning this series was winning games 2 and 3. I can be mad about Sale getting hurt but I can’t be mad about this game.
I’m more interested in how we look at the plate. There’s no way we hold them under 8 runs tonight. But their next two starters are as good or better.
The Olson contract may not age well. His swing is just too long. I wish he was more aggressive on the first pitch … just guess for f’s sake. Once he gets behind it just feels over.
There was no good reason to squeeze Freeman. His requests were public and reasonable. AA wanted to be the smartest, shrewdest guy in the room and never give in. One day he will admit to us all that was his biggest mistake
I have to agree that not giving Freeman that extra year was a mistake. The only bigger mistake was the Contreras/Murphy trade.
I said this when I saw AJSS in his MLB stint last year, but his stuff is overhyped. His 4 seam fastball is mediocre and he can’t control his secondaries. Wish the Braves would have sold high on him.
Both times the Braves got runners on they proceeded to have terrible PAs with RISP. Par for the course.
Edit: All 3 times.
I have been watching young pitchers for decades and trying to play amateur scout. The most impressive Braves rookie starting pitchers I have seen have been Medlin, Fried, Soroka, and Schwelly. That includes Avery, Smoltz and Glavine. AJSS isn’t even on the top 25 list. He’s way behind Brandon Beachy and Tommy Hanson and Kevin Millwood.
What I look for is fairly simple. I want to see a fastball with velocity that moves (the more it moves, the less velocity is required), a breaking pitch that can be thrown for strikes and generates whiffs, and at least an average change of speed offering that can be located. AJSS could develop but right now he is unimpressive
He’s just a kid. There’s still time to learn to pitch. Can’t really be mad at him for tonight. Be mad at AA.
He’s going to have to learn something, because his raw stuff is just not that great.
I’m never mad at a player for not being very good. It’s not their fault. AJSS is closest to Lucas Sims in my valuation of top pitching prospects. Maybe he will have a middle relief career
Bummer has done a good job of stopping the bleeding.
AJ Smith-Shawver, Aaron Bummer, and Jesse Chavez in the first playoff game. Just like we all predicted back on opening day.
Not that it matters but this ump is trash.
Snit took out Schwellenbach after 7 when he was dealing similar to this guy. Curious to see if their manager follows suit.
I’d never heard of this pitcher before but he looks like the best pitcher to ever pitch.
Imagine if Sale had started and we were watching the offense do this …
Honestly, four runs with that collection of pitchers is a minor triumph. The hitters, on the other hand, need to get a good night’s sleep tonight.
Seen that postseason lack-of-offense movie 50 times, but this one doesn’t really sting because this is the worst playoff team we’ve ever had. Can’t be disappointed when there’s zero expectations. Maybe we can find some magic bats tomorrow.
2001 Braves would like a word
Had to miss this one today. But linescore says we outhit them.
This is far from over.
Recapped: https://bravesjournal.com/2024/10/02/its-not-dark-yet-but-its-getting-there-padres-4-braves-0/