West Coast baseball. Two iffy one run losses, a 2 run win, and a 15 run win in Arizona. At least we got the split. AT LEAST WE HAVE DRAKE BALDWIN. Late games are beyond my ability to stay up and be sentient. Now, I am trying to dutifully fulfill my Braves Journal recapper duties.
So, Acuna makes an out and Baldwin, King of Jerusalem, launched again to start the Braves in positive territory. Well, that didn’t last. Bottom of one, some beverage from the past, a Zach Neto, led off against Chris Sale with a homer. Yes, that was an omen that whichever of the great hidden forces was manipulating this game, that force wasn’t on our side.
After Neto’s home run, the two teams contributed 18 straight outs. Will the circle be unbroken? Not this time. So, top of 4, the Sale seems to lose control of the boat. HBP, single, BB, BB (one run in), groundout, HBP (another run), single (another run), ground out, strikeout. Ugh.
The Braves continued their consistent work with 3 more outs in 5. Then, single, home run by Jo Adell, also known as the “HomerBurglar”, (2 more runs). And Walt Weiss raised the white flag by going to Joel Payamps. But at least Payamps was able to, as Bill Goldberg said, “restore order to the universe.” Payamps delivered 3 straight outs (2 on line drives, yow!). Those were the first 3 of 15 straight outs. Finally, in 8, Mike Yastrzemski singled, but alas, 6 more outs straight. Top of 9, down 6 to 2, leading off, Mauricio Dubon homered. In Dubon’s 12th at least partial ML season, he has, after 11 games, his 5th highest WAR production (on pace for about 8.5). The person who took that prop bet is doing nicely, I feel. Dubon’s, the pride of Honduras, OPS is .924. Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna, Jr., and Michael Harris II need to start silencing their critics, or it will be a long summer.
I’m sure Acuna will be fine, but I’m definitely worried about Riley and Harris.
Harris has issues between the ears. He didn’t walk for the first 10 games, some fan called him out on Twitter that he would buy 2 tickets for someone if Harris walked. Harris fiiiiiiinally walks, then calls out the fan on Twitter telling him to make good on his bet. Ummm, Michael… shut up. That’s not some clapback. Harris has a 52 OPS+ and he’s sub-replacement level and he’s clapping back on Twitter? Read the room, man. Oh wait, he doesn’t need to because AA gave him $72M guaranteed.
Acuña has done so much rehab over the past four years, WBC, winter league, etc., plus now he is getting into his late 20s, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s just a bit tired.
I do think he has lost a step with his sprint speed. Like you said, he’s in his late 20’s now so that should be expected. He needs to be much more cautious/conservative with his base stealing attempts.
Definitely need him to start mashing though.
It’s April 7, the Braves are 6-4, and Braves Twitter is melting down over a 3 game skid.
News flash: it won’t be the last 3 game losing streak. But the Braves will be just fine.
A three game losing streak is the proverbial turd in the metaphorical 6-2 punch bowl.
I am less sanguine now than 3 days ago but I am still hopeful that we will be better than last season.
Unless the injury bug hits this team is going to the playoffs.
Losing three straight means two series wins and a split. Just gotta win the next two and that’s a fine stretch.
Anybody else watching the fireworks?
I believe on Kalshi the payoff on the event “Braves manager tackles giant World Series MVP” is going to pay off handsomely.
Listening, as it were.
Sure hope this is enough Bummer Buffer.
Also, Heim needs to rethink his challenges. Would have helped to have at least one now.
Recapped