1 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My name is Sean Coleman. Hope, 2 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: wherever you are and wherever you were listening, you have 3 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: had a great week of an All Star break. But hey, 4 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: the All Star festivities are done. It was fun to 5 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: see it the first of the week. Fun to see 6 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: the draft happen as well. But I'm sure for myself 7 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 1: as well as my podcast partner Stephen Tolbert, like many 8 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: of you, were ready for Braves baseball once again and 9 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: Stephn Hay twenty four hours away in a pretty big 10 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,240 Speaker 1: series coming up to get this weekend against St. Louis. 11 00:00:50,240 --> 00:00:52,319 Speaker 1: But before we get into that, how are you doing, sir, Hope, 12 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: all is well? 13 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: What's up, Sean? 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, buddy, it's you know, the All Star break is 15 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 3: always you know, it's good for the player, it's it 16 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 3: is a grind, you know, even though we call it 17 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 3: the first half, in the second half, it's not really 18 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 3: that the players end up playing about ninety ninety five 19 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:14,560 Speaker 3: games before the break, and so you know, everybody typically 20 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 3: needs it. Pretty bad for the fans it you know, 21 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 3: it going four days without any sort of meaningful baseball 22 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 3: is tough, especially for just like you and me, who 23 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 3: follow this stuff on a on a minute by minute basis. 24 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 3: But yeah, I mean, you know, it's good to get rest. 25 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 3: It's good for all the pitchers, of course, you know, 26 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 3: it's good for some of the hitters to maybe reset. 27 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,480 Speaker 3: Some guys certainly didn't have the first half of the 28 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 3: year that they wanted, so you know, maybe we come 29 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 3: out in the second half and Matt Olson looks more 30 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:47,199 Speaker 3: like Matt Olsen, and Ozzie looks more like Ozzy, and. 31 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 2: And the offense in general looks more like the offense. 32 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 3: But but yeah, it's always good to do these we men, 33 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:53,920 Speaker 3: And yeah, we got a lot to get to tonight. 34 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And of course the reason why we have a 35 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 1: lot to get to is because we've seen a lot 36 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: of curb this week. Of course, we have big series 37 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 1: this weekend, and hey, we've also covered a lot when 38 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: it comes to the trade deadline, which you know itself 39 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: is you know, less than two weeks away. Myself, Scott 40 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: and Scott Holman and Steven we really broke down, you know, 41 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: what made sense for the Braves pursuit of you know, 42 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 1: additional assets for their outfield, and then Brad and Scott, 43 00:02:17,760 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: you know, broke down some some additional thoughts about the 44 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:22,480 Speaker 1: roster as a whole. We also have you know, Chris 45 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: L's interview with foul Territory, who you know obviously Hammer 46 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,280 Speaker 1: Territory part of the Foul Territory family of podcasts from 47 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,560 Speaker 1: the All Star Game. So plenty of content out there 48 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: for you to enjoy when it comes to the Braves. 49 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: But of course, Stephen, as I mentioned, the other big 50 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,799 Speaker 1: thing from earlier this week was the twenty twenty four 51 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: MLB Draft, and I think that the Braves you know, 52 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: really stood out, you know, as being you know, an intriguing, 53 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: you know team, especially with you know what many considered 54 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,080 Speaker 1: to be one of the big seals of the first round, 55 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: Cam Kmanittti still waiting for him to be signed, which 56 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:54,680 Speaker 1: was expected, but we have signed eight of our top 57 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 1: ten picks, were awaiting Camanetti as well as you know, 58 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: our top position player Nick Montgomery to sign Catcher himself. 59 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:03,679 Speaker 1: But the big thing that stands out is that the 60 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: Brazier are wasting very little time getting this draft class 61 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 1: sign a draft class again that's heavily invested in pitching, 62 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: but it seems as if even though Kammanitti is not signed, himself. 63 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: The expectation is either the full class or you know, 64 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: nineteen to twenty of these players are going to sign. 65 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: It looks like that the Braves are on good track 66 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: to get their entire class in the Atlanta organization. 67 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, they've done this the last couple of years of 68 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 3: going super quick to get all of their at least 69 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 3: their top ten signed. And for people that don't know 70 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 3: a lot about the Major League Draft, your bonus pool, 71 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 3: like the amount of money you can spend on your 72 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 3: bonus pool is is designated to your first ten picks. 73 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 3: So getting your top ten guys signed is really kind 74 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 3: of the critical part. And you know, looks like the 75 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 3: Brads have got eight out of ten guys signed. They're 76 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 3: still waiting on Kmanitty, They're still waiting on Montgomery, the 77 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 3: catcher from California. 78 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 2: So yeah, two guys left. 79 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 3: You know, going off of a Battery Powers tracker and 80 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 3: Garrett and the guys over at Battery Power just did 81 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 3: an incredible job on the draft. First of all, just 82 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 3: hat tip to them. But you know, they have this 83 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 3: tracker that's always just an invaluable tool for keeping track 84 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,919 Speaker 3: of all this stuff. And according to the tracker, you know, 85 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:21,679 Speaker 3: the Braid. Yeah, the Braves have about they have about 86 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 3: four and a half million, like four point seven million 87 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 3: left to sign these these last two guys in their 88 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 3: top ten. And if you look at the slot value 89 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 3: for Kammanity, it's about three point five million, and you 90 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 3: look at the slot value for Montgomery, it's about four 91 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 3: hundred thousand. So you know, just on slot value, they 92 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 3: have enough money to sign both these guys. The caveat, 93 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 3: of course, is that both Kammanity and Montgomery are supposed 94 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 3: to be overslot guys. They're supposed to be guys that 95 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 3: actually are going to get more than their slot values. 96 00:04:48,960 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 3: So and the Braves new listen, all this stuff is 97 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 3: pre arranged at this point, so there's no surprises when 98 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:55,760 Speaker 3: it comes to this stuff. But yeah, so the Braves are, 99 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 3: you know, they have money to go overslot on both 100 00:04:58,000 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 3: guys and still get them, which. 101 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 2: Was the plan all along. 102 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 3: So we're just kind of waiting on those last two 103 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 3: guys and then we'll have the top ten sign and 104 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:08,159 Speaker 3: again that's the that's the critical part of any draft class. 105 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: And of course the Braves having too, I believe August 106 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,400 Speaker 1: first to get these players signed. But again it looks like, 107 00:05:14,640 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: you know, typically within three to five days over the 108 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: past couple of years they've had these players sign and 109 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 1: we've been good to go. So certainly something to watch. 110 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: But obviously, you know, many of those players are still 111 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: at least a year or so away, in Camanitti's case, 112 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 1: maybe multiple years away from really making an impact on Atlanta. 113 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 1: But we are again now, you know, within twenty four 114 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: hours of Braves Baseball, the second half of their season 115 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: really getting going, and it's going to be a highly interesting, 116 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: you know, start to the second half. Stephen with you 117 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: know plenty of the struggles that we've seen, but you know, 118 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,719 Speaker 1: one thing that I think that it's important to spotlight 119 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: is that the Braves ended the first half of the 120 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 1: season on a positive note. They faced the Phillies, the Diamondbacks, 121 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 1: and the Padres over ten games, all teams that right 122 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: now are relevant to the Braves fight for NL playoff position. 123 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,360 Speaker 1: They went six and four over those games, and eight 124 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: of those ten games, steven they scored five plus runs. 125 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: Now the other two they got shut out, so they 126 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: still definitely had some disappointing performances, but the offense as 127 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:12,599 Speaker 1: a whole was productive. How confident are you that you know, 128 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 1: from what you saw over those stinging games, that perhaps 129 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: this offense can get a bit more consistency going and 130 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 1: support what turned out to be the best pitching staff 131 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 1: of baseball in the first half of the season. How 132 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,719 Speaker 1: confident are you that offense can maintain, you know, a 133 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 1: higher level of success going in the second half. 134 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 3: You know, it's interesting if you if you said, all right, Stephen, 135 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 3: you know handicapped the second half, what's gonna happen? And 136 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 3: of course, the Braves had the best pitching staff in 137 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 3: baseball in the first half and a middle of the 138 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 3: road sometimes even worse than that offense. If you ask me, 139 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 3: what's gonna happen in the second half, I imagine both 140 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 3: of those things are going to regress to the mean 141 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 3: a little bit. I imagine the Braves pitching staff won't 142 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 3: be the best pitching staff in baseball at the end 143 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 3: of the year, just without Strider. You know, some of 144 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 3: the guys, guys you know, are probably going to hit 145 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 3: a little bit of a wall at some point. Ronaldo, 146 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,239 Speaker 3: you know, being a reliever in Sale with the injuries 147 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,279 Speaker 3: and you know, swallowing back, you wouldn't be surprised at 148 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 3: all if he ran into some bumps along the way. 149 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 3: So I could see the pitching staff regressing a little bit, 150 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 3: but I can also see the offense putting up a 151 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 3: much better effort in the second half than the first half. 152 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 2: So still a very good team. 153 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 3: I imagine when we get to the end of the year, 154 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 3: instead of being so one sided where the pitching is 155 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 3: really dominated the production, I imagine when we get to the 156 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 3: end of the year, the pitching will have come back 157 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 3: to earth a little bit and the offense will have 158 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 3: carried a little bit more of the load. I think 159 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 3: that's probably the safest bet for what's going to happen 160 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 3: the second half. But listen, you know, incrementally the offense 161 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 3: is getting better, like it's still got moments of frustration. 162 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 3: You know, they got shut out in two of their 163 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 3: last four games, I think against Arizona and San Diego. 164 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 3: But you know, like you said, in the last ten, 165 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 3: they scored five at least five runs and eight of them. 166 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 3: So you know that's encouraging like that. You have to, 167 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 3: you know, with this offense this year, you got to 168 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 3: have to take the positive signs wherever you can, and 169 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 3: and so you know, hopefully they can keep it going. 170 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 3: You know, Saint Louis is not a bad team by 171 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 3: any stretch, but they're not a great team and they're 172 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 3: certainly not a great pitching staff. So coming out of 173 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 3: the break at home, you know against you know, Sunny 174 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 3: Grays is obviously very good, but after that it's guys 175 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,160 Speaker 3: who are definitely gettable. You know, you would hope the 176 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 3: offense really kind of picks it up and starts the 177 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 3: second half, you know, on the right foot, and hopefully 178 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 3: can carry that production all the way through the rest 179 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 3: of the second half. 180 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and you know, we talk about where does this 181 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: offense really need to get going, and you've mentioned it before, 182 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: the right handed pitching, and what will help out with 183 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,440 Speaker 1: that is that we just need more consistency from our 184 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: left tended hitters. You know, Jared Kellnick for that six 185 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,240 Speaker 1: week period, I believe really from the start of June 186 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: through you know, towards the first of July, he was excellent. 187 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: But you know, over that ten game stretch where we 188 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: talked about the offense doing better, Kelnick act actually struggled. 189 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,080 Speaker 1: Matt Olsen has been in one of his you know, 190 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: unfortunate cold streaks over the past six weeks, as well 191 00:09:06,640 --> 00:09:09,720 Speaker 1: Eddie Rosario, He's had some hard hit balls, hasn't really 192 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: you know, produced all that great and you're gonna get 193 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 1: eventually Michael Harris the second back. But this lineup needs balance, 194 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: and this lineup needs to do better against right handed pitching. 195 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: To me, that starts with better production and consistency from 196 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 1: the left handed bats. Steven. For me, if I were 197 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: to pinpoint one thing where you're like, Okay, what is 198 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 1: really going to make this he second half successful for 199 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: the Braves as a whole, it's seeing their left handed 200 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:33,839 Speaker 1: bats and concluding if they get some infusion of talent 201 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: at the trade deadline, but often to production from the 202 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 1: left handed bats I think is going to be critical 203 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 1: to really having a good second half of the season. 204 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:44,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean it's Matt Olson at the top of 205 00:09:44,960 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 3: the list. Is Matt Olson, Like that's the number one name, 206 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 3: you know, if you had ranked all the Braves hitters 207 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:52,959 Speaker 3: coming into the year, you know, best to worst, acun 208 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 3: you would obviously be one. But I think most people 209 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 3: too would have put Matt Olsen either Riley or Olson 210 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 3: one or two. And so like without a kuna, the 211 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 3: Braves need medalson to be a really good hitter. You know, 212 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: they don't necessarily need like MVP level Matdalson, which is 213 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 3: what he was last year and setting franchise records and homers, 214 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 3: but they need really good medals and like they can't 215 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 3: have this Maddalson, who you know, had a sub one 216 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 3: hundred WRC plus for the first half and had these 217 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 3: just unbelievable cult streets where he was just useless. You know, 218 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 3: they need, they need the guy that you know carried 219 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 3: the lineup for a big chunk of the year last year, 220 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 3: and you know they need they need much better from him. 221 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,679 Speaker 3: Like that's number one, not even close in terms of 222 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 3: getting more consistency of the offense. The first name on 223 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:43,320 Speaker 3: the list is Maddalson, and then you know, I would 224 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 3: say a pretty big gap. And then I think number 225 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 3: two is left handed Ozzie. Quite honestly, you know, Ozzie 226 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,640 Speaker 3: bats in that two hole every game, right handed or 227 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 3: left handed, and that's you know, most people consider the 228 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 3: two hole the most important position in any lineup, and 229 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 3: left handed Ozzie has just been very bad this year. 230 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 3: Like he's got like a I think he's got like 231 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 3: an eighty five w r C plus for for the 232 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:07,320 Speaker 3: year from the left side, which is obviously not good 233 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 3: at all, and they need more from him, and he's 234 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 3: a big part of balancing the lineup, and so yeah, 235 00:11:13,160 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 3: he's probably number two. 236 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 2: Kelnick. 237 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:18,000 Speaker 3: You know, I think kel Nick. I think kel Nick 238 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 3: on the whole gave you about what you can expect. 239 00:11:21,559 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 3: A little inconsistent, of course, a little a little streaky, 240 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 3: but you know, on the whole, if you just look 241 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 3: at his numbers, I think you can't really be too 242 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,599 Speaker 3: mad about that. Getting Michael Harris back, of course, is 243 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 3: gonna matter. You know, Eddie Risori was, you know, he's 244 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 3: Eddie resort at this point. I wouldn't expect a lot. 245 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 3: I think he might. He might not even have a 246 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,520 Speaker 3: job here pretty soon if Alex has his way on 247 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 3: the trademarket. But yeah, Matt Olsen, left handed, Ozzie and 248 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 3: getting Michael Harris back are kind of the three big 249 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,760 Speaker 3: ones for what you're talking about about getting getting more balance, 250 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 3: and Matt Olson is at the top of that list. 251 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:57,880 Speaker 3: And it's not even close to him. You know, there's 252 00:11:57,880 --> 00:12:00,080 Speaker 3: no one there's no one else close he He is 253 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,240 Speaker 3: the most important bat in the lineup in that regard. 254 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 1: And we talk about the offense, you know, having you know, 255 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: over the past or the last ten games in the 256 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 1: first half, how they looked better. It's just again, it 257 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 1: goes to show just how much more this offense could 258 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:17,160 Speaker 1: do if they simply have their best bats playing at 259 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: an expected level. You know, you hope to see that. 260 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: You mainly hope to see that in the playoffs, but 261 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 1: hope to get a little bit of glimpse of that 262 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: at some point in time too. But we mentioned this 263 00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: Cardinals series, and as of right now, it's a pretty 264 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 1: notable series. I said, you know, and others have said, 265 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:33,079 Speaker 1: you know, over the past couple of weeks, this stretch 266 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:36,439 Speaker 1: Philly's Diamondbacks padres Cardinals to start the second half of 267 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,360 Speaker 1: the season could be the most important stretch for the 268 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 1: Braves in terms of solidifying their playoff positioning. But what 269 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 1: stands out before we get into this to the actual 270 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: you know, matchup with the Cardinals, Steven, is the pitching 271 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 1: matchups that we're going to see Spencer Swellingboch for the 272 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 1: Braves against Sunny Gray for the Cardinals. Then you're going 273 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: to see Charlie Morton versus I believe it was Kyle Gibson. 274 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,480 Speaker 1: And then you're going to see Max Freed versus Miles michlss. 275 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,079 Speaker 1: I I gotten the Cardinals pitchers mixed up. But of 276 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: notable omission in this series is Chris Sale as well 277 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 1: as ringaud A Lopez. You would think that, you know, 278 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: in an important series, the Braves may pitch those guys, 279 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 1: but it seems that the Braves, especially for those two 280 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 1: Seale and Lopez, they are prioritizing giving them extra risks 281 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,960 Speaker 1: to allow for them to limit their innings. Overall, I personally, 282 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:23,960 Speaker 1: and I'll give reasons heer in a minute, I personally 283 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: would have at least pitched Sale, but it seems the 284 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: Braves are continuing what they did in the first half, 285 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:32,320 Speaker 1: really emphasizing limiting the innings of Lopez and Sale, and 286 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: this is at least a logical way of doing it, 287 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: giving them a bigger break for the All Star break. 288 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, listen, I've talked about it an you know, 289 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 3: you and I have talked about it probably three or 290 00:13:42,679 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 3: four times at this point. But they're like, if it's 291 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 3: not clear to everybody by now, it should be. It 292 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,960 Speaker 3: should be even you know, especially with this setup they're using. 293 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:54,080 Speaker 3: Coming out of the second half. The number one priority 294 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 3: for the Braves, and they have made it abundantly clear, 295 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 3: not just via what they said, but more more important 296 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 3: importantly what they've done. Their number one priority is giving 297 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 3: their starting pitching as much rest as possible, like that hit. 298 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 3: They have been crystal clear about that from day one, 299 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 3: going to six man rotations at times, skipping starts, you know, 300 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:18,720 Speaker 3: maneuvering the roster around to give guys extra day's rest. 301 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 3: You know what they did with Sale at the end 302 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 3: of the first half, limit you know, limited to five 303 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 3: innings in that last game. Didn't want him to pitch 304 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 3: in the All Star Game, and now he's not pitching, 305 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 3: you know, the first series out of the All Star Game. Like, 306 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 3: it's very very clear their number one goal is to 307 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 3: get these guys to October healthy, and their number one 308 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 3: path to doing that is to give them as much 309 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 3: rest as possible. And you know, again I've talked about this, 310 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 3: but this goes back to kind of the changing ideology. 311 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 2: Of the of how the Braves operate the regular season. 312 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 3: You know, with expanded playoffs, with a new format, it's 313 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:52,920 Speaker 3: not it's not clear that you have a ton of advantage 314 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 3: advantages once the playoffs start. The big thing is just 315 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 3: getting in and regardless of where your seating is or 316 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:03,600 Speaker 3: where you know, where you are in the pecking quorter, 317 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 3: just getting in with your pitchers healthy is the most 318 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 3: important thing by far, and that's how they're operating. And 319 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 3: you know they're not going to give there. You know, 320 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 3: they're not going to push Saale, they're not going to 321 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 3: push Lopez. They're going to give them as much rest. 322 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 3: And if that means on that particular day maybe they 323 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 3: don't have the. 324 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 2: Very best chance of winning that game, then they'll live 325 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:23,720 Speaker 2: with it. 326 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 3: But that's how they've operated all year and it's no 327 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 3: surprise to see him keep doing it. 328 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:32,640 Speaker 1: Absolutely and again, you know, you know, I can preach 329 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 1: all day long, come important this series is. I do 330 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: think that it's an important series, especially if the Braves 331 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: you don't want to keep you know that that home 332 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 1: element of wild card weekend. But as you mentioned, the 333 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: number one goal right now is taking the absolute strength 334 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: of this team and making it as fresh and healthy 335 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: as possible going into the playoffs, and that of course 336 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: is the starting rotation. But the Cardinals, you know, I 337 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: think that the Braves on paper, even with the injuries 338 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: the Braves have experienced I think they're the better team, 339 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: but it's hard to deny that the Cardinals over the 340 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 1: past two months have been playing better. We saw it. 341 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: We witnessed that, you know, a few weeks ago when 342 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: we played in Saint Louis. But what really has stood 343 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: out steven. You know, the Cardinals were fifteen and twenty 344 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: four through May eleventh. They they're thirty five and twenty two, 345 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: arguably the best team in baseball since May twelfth. But 346 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 1: what really has stood out as being the source of 347 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:23,280 Speaker 1: their success is they were twenty third and twenty fourth 348 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: in production against right hand pitching and in starting pitching 349 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 1: era before May eleventh. Since May twelfth, they're third in 350 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: the majors in terms of offensive production versus right handed 351 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: pitching and sixth in the majors in starting pitching era. 352 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 1: So they're getting it done in their starting rotation, they're 353 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: getting it done against right handed pitching. That's a success 354 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 1: for winning. And two of the big reasons why are 355 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: both Brandon Donovan and someone who we saw really really 356 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 1: well a lot of Alec Burlison, the latest Cardinal. Who 357 00:16:52,840 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 1: where did they find this guy who just comes out 358 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,640 Speaker 1: of nowhere being productive but really stopping Donovan and Burlison 359 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 1: and figuring out how to get some early runs I 360 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: think is gonna be the key in this series for 361 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: the Braves. 362 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 2: Yeah. 363 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 3: Well, one thing the Cardinals have always done that I 364 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 3: I am a fan of that I wish the Braves 365 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 3: would actually do more, is is the Cardinals always have 366 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 3: really good balance in their lineup, Like it seems like 367 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 3: they always have. You know, if you've got a righty 368 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 3: on the mound, they've always got three or four or 369 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 3: five lefties in the lineup. If you've got a left 370 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 3: on the mound, they've got a ton of righties. Obviously, 371 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 3: having you know, Goldsmith and Ernando anchor the lineup from 372 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 3: the right side helps with that. But you know, they 373 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,360 Speaker 3: just have really good balance, and like you said, Alec Perlson, 374 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 3: Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, you know, a newt bar like 375 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 3: they have just like these nobody great like these just 376 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 3: really solid hitters that you know, make it, you know, 377 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 3: give you decent at bats every time, make the picture 378 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 3: work like it's it's it's not a it's not a 379 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 3: lineup full of like all stars, but it's just a 380 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 3: lineup full of, like, you know, really solid hitters and 381 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 3: it's usually pretty balance where they're going to have the 382 00:17:57,080 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 3: platoon vantage most of the time. It feels like and 383 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 3: I like that. I will again, I've talked again about 384 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 3: how the Braves I feel like are a little too 385 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 3: right handed at times and need a little bit more balance. 386 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 3: But yeah, listen, the Cardinals are tough. They've been one 387 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 3: of the best teams in baseball. So it's may first. 388 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 3: They got off to a slow start, but they've really 389 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 3: come on. And again a lot of it's been their offense. 390 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 3: You know, like you said, Brotherson's been on fire lately, 391 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 3: Donovan's been really good, new bar has been good. So yeah, 392 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:26,680 Speaker 3: it's not gonna be easy. And you know, at least 393 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:28,439 Speaker 3: we get him at home, so that's gonna help. But 394 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 3: like you said, the Braves don't have you know, the 395 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 3: Braves don't have Chris Sale going in this series, and 396 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 3: the Cardinals on paper at least have their three best going, 397 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,439 Speaker 3: although you know, they don't have a great rotation to 398 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 3: begin with, so still some guys who are gettable. But yeah, 399 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 3: it's a tough team and it's a good team, and 400 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:47,679 Speaker 3: you know, the playoffs started today, they'd be in And 401 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:48,840 Speaker 3: I like their team and. 402 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 2: They are tough. You know, it is a tough series 403 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 2: to win. 404 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 3: You know, if you took two out of three, you'd 405 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:56,760 Speaker 3: be very happy to get out of here with a 406 00:18:56,840 --> 00:18:57,360 Speaker 3: series win. 407 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:00,200 Speaker 1: And I think that's something that that you point out 408 00:19:00,280 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 1: is that, you know, the Braves will have the Cardinals 409 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 1: and then the Reds at home, and they'll go on 410 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 1: the road against the Mets and the Brewers before the 411 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 1: trade deadline. You know, that's a pretty decent stretch. You know, 412 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 1: you've got three out of four teams right there who 413 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: are clearly in, you know, the playoff hunt. But overall, 414 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:16,640 Speaker 1: if you depending on what you know outlet you look 415 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 1: at now, I think the Braves actually have a bottom 416 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: five schedule, one of the five easiest schedules for the 417 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 1: remainder of the season in baseball. And so you've been 418 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:29,159 Speaker 1: waiting for this hot streak to get going. And I 419 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: really think that if the Braves can get and we 420 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: kind of talked about it a couple you know, at 421 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 1: the beginning of June or towards the middle of June, 422 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 1: when we faced off against the Rays, the Braves and 423 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:39,919 Speaker 1: Rays were kind of going in the same way, and 424 00:19:39,960 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 1: the Braves offense just exploded, you know, when we saw 425 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 1: that it really need to happen. A good offensive series 426 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: this week and for the Braves could lead to them 427 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: winning this series. Steven And if they can, if they 428 00:19:50,560 --> 00:19:52,639 Speaker 1: can get a winning record through this next stretch of 429 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: games going into August, I think they can get that 430 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: hot streak going. Does that lead to them challenge to Phillies, 431 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:00,479 Speaker 1: I don't know, but at the very least it can 432 00:20:00,520 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 1: get that stretch going. I think that it starts with 433 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: the offense, and especially if we can get those early 434 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:08,399 Speaker 1: runs against pitching. So I'm pretty confident we're going to 435 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: get the job done this weekend, especially if, like you said, 436 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 1: Matt Alison and our big bats can get going. 437 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. 438 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 3: I mean, listen, I've seen this team, you know, beat 439 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:23,879 Speaker 3: the very best teams at betically, Like you know, the 440 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:27,280 Speaker 3: Braves are what are they they're four and six or 441 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 3: four and four and two, you know, Yeah, they've won 442 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:33,399 Speaker 3: four of six against Philadelphia, so four and two against Philadelphia, 443 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 3: they took two or three from the Yankees, like they've 444 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 3: played really good baseball against you know, some of the 445 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:42,160 Speaker 3: best teams in the league. But I've also seen them 446 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 3: lose six of eight games to Washington and you know, 447 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 3: lose a series to Pittsburgh and you know, stuff like that. 448 00:20:49,440 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 2: So this team has the ability to beat anybody. 449 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 3: And it has the ability to lose to anybody right 450 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,800 Speaker 3: now because the offense, you know, has just been inconsistent. 451 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 3: And you can have one game where they just come 452 00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:03,360 Speaker 3: out and look like twenty twenty three Braves and another 453 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 3: game where they come out and look like the you know, 454 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 3: twenty sixteen Braves. So you know that when you're that 455 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 3: inconsistent on offense, there's just a huge range of variants 456 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 3: in terms of your outcomes. And you know, if the 457 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 3: offense gets going, like you said, the schedule does lighten 458 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,000 Speaker 3: up at a pretty good amount in the second half. 459 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 3: You know, they've got a bunch of the kind of 460 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 3: the really bad teams in the league on their schedule 461 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:31,120 Speaker 3: in the second half. If they can get some consistency 462 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:32,680 Speaker 3: on offense, they can go on a roll. 463 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:34,359 Speaker 2: And you know, I don't know. 464 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 3: If they'll be able to catch Philadelphia, but they still 465 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:39,120 Speaker 3: got I think they've got seven games against Philadelphia left 466 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:41,320 Speaker 3: head to head, which obviously could help a lot in 467 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 3: terms of, you know, getting back into that race. 468 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 2: But yeah, if they get some consistency on offense. 469 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 3: Then they definitely have the schedule set up where they 470 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,199 Speaker 3: could go on a big run. And we've seen them 471 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 3: do it before. We've seen them go on these three 472 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 3: you know, two three months just absolute tears where they 473 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:59,400 Speaker 3: just destroy everybody, and it would be lovely to see 474 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,719 Speaker 3: that and really make the division race race again, and 475 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 3: you know, make sure you clear everybody in the wild card, 476 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 3: you know, worst case scenario, but it's gonna it starts 477 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 3: with the offense, the office to be more consistent. And 478 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 3: if they are, you know, then I think this team 479 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 3: can beat anybody, and that includes in the postseason. 480 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 2: But they need more from their own offense. 481 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And so of course, you know we're talking about 482 00:22:24,040 --> 00:22:26,720 Speaker 1: you know, twenty twenty four, still plenty of that left 483 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,119 Speaker 1: the exciting times, left looking forward to hopefully the Braves 484 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:32,720 Speaker 1: gaining some more consistency as they go into the playoffs. 485 00:22:32,760 --> 00:22:35,440 Speaker 1: But Stephen also, you know, today will released the two 486 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 1: thousand and twenty five schedule and some pretty exciting matchups 487 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,439 Speaker 1: for the Braves. I think the many the thing that 488 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 1: caught many eyes was the fact that the Braves are 489 00:22:43,680 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: going to be starting out on the West coast. There's 490 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 1: a couple of great points that you had about that 491 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 1: that you know, obviously we'll let you get to. But also, 492 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 1: you know some pretty exciting, you know, top notch matchups. 493 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: You know, the Yankees and Orioles for instance, coming to Atlanta, 494 00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 1: so you know it's going to be, you know, some 495 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: other fun match to see. But you know, starting off 496 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:04,960 Speaker 1: on the West Coast again, it may not seem ideal 497 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: too many for the Braves to be able to do that, 498 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:09,360 Speaker 1: but I also think getting that out of the way 499 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,320 Speaker 1: could actually be a benefit. It's a unique start to 500 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:14,600 Speaker 1: the season, but one I think the Braves will take 501 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:17,440 Speaker 1: on versus some you know, recent starts to the season 502 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 1: that they've had. 503 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:22,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I actually like it. I like getting out of 504 00:23:22,760 --> 00:23:23,159 Speaker 2: the way. 505 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 3: You know, those West Coast trips, that San Diego La, you. 506 00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 2: Know run that you have to do every year. 507 00:23:29,480 --> 00:23:32,119 Speaker 3: It's tough, and honestly, I'd just rather get out of 508 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 3: the way first of the year because even if you 509 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:36,280 Speaker 3: have a bad series, you know, you got six months, 510 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 3: six months of baseball in front of you, so you know, 511 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 3: you can get over it pretty quick and you can 512 00:23:40,600 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 3: make up for it pretty quick. And I'd much rather 513 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 3: do that. I said this on Twitter. I much rather 514 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 3: do that than go play in the north somewhere in 515 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:50,919 Speaker 3: you know, in late March, playing in Chicago or New 516 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 3: York or Philadelphia or Minnesota or you know, any of 517 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 3: these outdoor parks you know Cleveland that you know are 518 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,280 Speaker 3: miserable to play in in in late March. 519 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 2: I'd much rather go out west. And so I like 520 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 2: the schedule. You know, it's. 521 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 3: It's it's definitely tough early, like you get I think 522 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 3: your first four series, three of them against San Diego, 523 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 3: l A, and Philly and then and then if you 524 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 3: go one more past that, it's actually at Tampa. So 525 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 3: four of the first five series are all what projected 526 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,360 Speaker 3: to be really good teams, and you know that could 527 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:28,840 Speaker 3: definitely be tricky, but I like it. I I I'd 528 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 3: much rather do that than have to go play in 529 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 3: Chicago and in in early April like they did this 530 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 3: year and have. 531 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 2: A snow game. 532 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:38,120 Speaker 3: So yeah, it's a fun schedule. I've been looking through 533 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 3: just to see if there's anything crazy. Not really, I 534 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 3: mean there's a fun series with Baltimore. You know, the 535 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:45,640 Speaker 3: Braves do this thing where they tell the league they'll 536 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:49,359 Speaker 3: they're okay opening on the road as long as they 537 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,520 Speaker 3: get some some summer home dates, and that's kind of 538 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 3: the trade off they make with the league that you know, 539 00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 3: they they usually open the sea the season on the road, 540 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 3: but they usually always get July fourth, for instance, they 541 00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 3: get that at home, and this coming up here it's 542 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:06,440 Speaker 3: going to be you know, at home against Baltimore, which 543 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:09,680 Speaker 3: will be a fun series. Yeah, it's a good it's 544 00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:12,919 Speaker 3: a good schedule, nothing crazy in there. You know, opening 545 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 3: up on the West Coast is not going. 546 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 2: To be easy, but again, you get it out of 547 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 2: the way, and then you have. 548 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:18,160 Speaker 3: Six months of baseball to make up for it if 549 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,160 Speaker 3: you don't have the best start. So yeah, it'll be fun. 550 00:25:21,800 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 3: And I don't really have any hot takes on it. 551 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:25,440 Speaker 3: I know a lot of people get mad about starting 552 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:27,199 Speaker 3: on the road all the time, but I think the 553 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 3: Braves like trading. 554 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,400 Speaker 2: It for for for summer home games. 555 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:32,159 Speaker 3: And you know, they're pretty smart about what they do 556 00:25:32,240 --> 00:25:34,800 Speaker 3: business wise, so I'm sure it's more of the mix 557 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 3: up for it. But yeah, it's a good schedule and 558 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 3: I'll look forward to it next. 559 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:42,040 Speaker 1: Year absolutely, And and you know, of course that's next year, 560 00:25:42,119 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 1: so it's plenty of things to look forward to. But 561 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 1: Steve and I know that we talked about it at length, 562 00:25:46,680 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 1: you know, earlier this week, but just want to kind 563 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:51,160 Speaker 1: of you know, circle back. It's been a few days 564 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:53,159 Speaker 1: and I'll be honest with you. You kind of surprised me 565 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:55,920 Speaker 1: in a good way when me, you and Scott talked about, 566 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:58,639 Speaker 1: you know, the outfield. You had mentioned that during the podcast. 567 00:25:58,680 --> 00:26:01,720 Speaker 1: You just kind of convinced your Hey, the Braves going 568 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:04,880 Speaker 1: after you know, Luis Robert, you know, could could make 569 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:08,080 Speaker 1: something that makes sense. We've seen recently the Rays say 570 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 1: that they're open to Randia Rose Arena. You know, some 571 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:14,080 Speaker 1: have speculated I don't think there's anything to this Chisholm 572 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: of the Marlins, you know, could he make sense for 573 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:19,879 Speaker 1: the Braves? And we talk about Taylor Ward as well, 574 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:22,879 Speaker 1: but just in terms of you know, you were talking about, 575 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:25,160 Speaker 1: you know, Luise Robert being someone that you could see 576 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:27,760 Speaker 1: the Braves going to get. Do you feel that we 577 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 1: need to see that Toronto Alex back? In other words, 578 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:33,320 Speaker 1: do you feel like when it comes to this team. 579 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:35,919 Speaker 1: I know that he did it with many pieces in 580 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one, but is this a time you know, 581 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: I talk about a lot about him being a master 582 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: on the margins, but do you kind of wish that 583 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:45,280 Speaker 1: he would go back to be in that Toronto Alex, 584 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:47,960 Speaker 1: the one that would you know, make the just you know, 585 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:51,399 Speaker 1: headliney trade of really providing a talent that would come 586 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: give a jolt to the team. Do you think that 587 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: there may be a bit better chance of that happening 588 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:58,359 Speaker 1: this year than some may think for one of these 589 00:26:58,359 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 1: controllable outfielders. 590 00:27:02,720 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 3: It's always it's always easier to make big moves when 591 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:08,000 Speaker 3: you don't have a lot of moves to make, Like 592 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 3: in twenty one, he had to rebuild the entire outfield. 593 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,879 Speaker 3: He needed like, you know, four, three or four outfielders, 594 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:16,879 Speaker 3: and so you know, doing one big move when you 595 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 3: need three or four guys is always tougher. You know, 596 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:25,040 Speaker 3: this year, I don't know how much else they. 597 00:27:24,920 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 2: Really need to do besides outfield. 598 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:29,240 Speaker 3: That's kind of the reason why you me and Scott 599 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 3: did that show specifically about the outfield, because you know, 600 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:35,280 Speaker 3: the rest of the roster looks pretty good. Like, if 601 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:37,880 Speaker 3: you hadn't gotten really a reliever, nobody would be surprised. 602 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:41,120 Speaker 3: If you wouldn't got kind of a swingman starter, nobody 603 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 3: would be surprised. But you know, nobody in the on 604 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,360 Speaker 3: those lists are going to be you know, big names. 605 00:27:46,720 --> 00:27:48,440 Speaker 3: You know, that's going to be like you were talking 606 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:50,240 Speaker 3: about on the Margins, just trying to show. 607 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:52,399 Speaker 2: Up depth stuff like that. But they don't really have 608 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 2: any like massive holes other than they need another outfielder. 609 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 3: And you know, with Michael Harris coming back and tell 610 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:02,120 Speaker 3: at least being a solid option, you can probably talk 611 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:06,439 Speaker 3: yourself into just needing one outfielder. And so you know, 612 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 3: when you only have to do one thing, it is 613 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 3: easier to go bigger. The reason I thought Robert does 614 00:28:12,280 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 3: make some sense for the Braves is that he does 615 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 3: actually help the log jam that would come up in 616 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:20,600 Speaker 3: twenty twenty five. If you missed that show. I'm not 617 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 3: going to go through the whole scenario again, but you 618 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:24,879 Speaker 3: know you can go listen to it. It's I think 619 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:29,040 Speaker 3: it was on Monday Night. But you know, if you 620 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:31,639 Speaker 3: go get a guy like Robert, then it does help you, 621 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 3: you know, figure some stuff out next year as well, 622 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:34,120 Speaker 3: where you. 623 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:35,360 Speaker 2: Do have a little bit of a log jam. 624 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:38,600 Speaker 3: But Robert is also a guy that just would you know, 625 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:41,720 Speaker 3: he's an impact but like he's not just a platoon bat. 626 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 3: He's not just a solid guy. Like he's a truly 627 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 3: impact hitter who could change a playoff series where you 628 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:51,080 Speaker 3: could change, you know, a world series for you. For 629 00:28:51,160 --> 00:28:54,280 Speaker 3: being honest, he does have some injury stuff that is scary, 630 00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:57,479 Speaker 3: and alex is A is pretty big on you know, 631 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 3: guys who stay on the field. But you know, he 632 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:04,360 Speaker 3: went and got Chris Sale this offseason, and Sale nobody 633 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 3: had more injury histories than Chris Sale did, So it's 634 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 3: not impossible. 635 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 2: I certainly don't expect it to happen. 636 00:29:10,600 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 3: But when you only have one thing you need to do, 637 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 3: it is a little bit easier to go bigger with 638 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:17,840 Speaker 3: that because you know you don't have a bunch of 639 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:19,520 Speaker 3: other stuff that you got to get done behind it. 640 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 2: So I can see it happening. I don't. Again, I 641 00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 2: don't expect it to happening. 642 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,000 Speaker 3: I think, you know, Scott's idea, Taylor Ward or even 643 00:29:26,040 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 3: a rose Aina, I think is probably more doable, just 644 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 3: because Tampa is a team that's always open to wheeling 645 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:33,880 Speaker 3: a dealing and it's not going to be as expensive 646 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 3: as Robert. But guys like that are certainly more likely. 647 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:39,960 Speaker 3: But there is an argument, there's a logical argument for 648 00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 3: a guy like Luis Robert and the Braves probably have, 649 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,320 Speaker 3: you know, with these two guys albarez and and and 650 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 3: Drake bald when doing really well on Triple A, they 651 00:29:49,120 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 3: probably do have enough to go get him if they 652 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 3: want him. But you know, we'll see what happens. I 653 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 3: think there's an argument for it. I don't expect it, 654 00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:58,240 Speaker 3: but I do think there's a legitimate argument for it. 655 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 1: Agreed, I dude, yeah, you know. And and again I 656 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:05,400 Speaker 1: think that I don't think that the outfit, the log 657 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 1: gym that could happen in twenty twenty five. I don't 658 00:30:07,800 --> 00:30:09,720 Speaker 1: think that's a deterrent for Alex in my opinion, I 659 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 1: think that he would welcome that because it would allow 660 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:13,960 Speaker 1: for him to have options that he can maximize with 661 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,120 Speaker 1: how resourceful and creative he is. And Stephen, one other 662 00:30:17,160 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 1: thing that I found interesting, you know, you seem to, 663 00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 1: you know, be very keen to the idea of One 664 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:26,800 Speaker 1: of the major takeaways from you know, Rob Manfred's you 665 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 1: know conversation that he has every All Star break, you know, 666 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:31,520 Speaker 1: talking about you know, what could come, you know, in 667 00:30:31,560 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 1: the future when it comes to baseball. But he talked 668 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 1: about the fact that there is some there are some 669 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:40,160 Speaker 1: owners who seem receptive to the idea of potentially trading 670 00:30:40,320 --> 00:30:42,880 Speaker 1: draft picks, and it definitely would be something around this 671 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:46,800 Speaker 1: time of year that certainly would make things even more intriguing. Now, 672 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 1: of course, you know, when it comes to, you know, 673 00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:51,000 Speaker 1: trading MLB draft picks, there's a bit more to it 674 00:30:51,040 --> 00:30:54,240 Speaker 1: than like trading NBA or NFL draft picks. But you 675 00:30:54,400 --> 00:30:56,920 Speaker 1: seem to definitely be intrigued by it. I am as well, 676 00:30:57,080 --> 00:31:00,440 Speaker 1: but interested to get your thoughts, interested to see what 677 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 1: do you find so intriguing and why do you think 678 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:04,920 Speaker 1: it would be certainly positive, you know, for the game 679 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:07,680 Speaker 1: of baseball if draft picks, you know, besides just the 680 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:11,719 Speaker 1: compensation picks, if draft picks in general became available in trades. 681 00:31:13,240 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, I love that idea. 682 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:20,080 Speaker 3: You know, every other league has draft picks as trade assets. 683 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:22,160 Speaker 3: I don't really understand why the why Baseball is the 684 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:25,120 Speaker 3: one that doesn't. But I really don't understand why Baseball 685 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 3: does it because baseball is the only sport that has 686 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 3: its draft not only in the middle of its season, 687 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:32,040 Speaker 3: but Baseball has its draft right at the beginning of 688 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:35,240 Speaker 3: its trade season. Like the draft is literally two weeks 689 00:31:35,280 --> 00:31:38,640 Speaker 3: away from the trade deadline. And if you want to 690 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:42,040 Speaker 3: talk about intrigue, Like, you know, you could use draft 691 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:45,280 Speaker 3: picks to go improve your major league club right now, 692 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:47,400 Speaker 3: and that's kind of the the always been the knock 693 00:31:47,440 --> 00:31:50,360 Speaker 3: on baseball is that, you know, the reason it's not 694 00:31:50,400 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 3: as a big a deal as it is in the 695 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:55,120 Speaker 3: NFL or NBA is the players just aren't as close. 696 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:56,080 Speaker 2: To being major league ready. 697 00:31:56,160 --> 00:31:58,080 Speaker 3: Like you draft a guy and then in three years 698 00:31:58,120 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 3: you hope he's good, and that's why there's not as 699 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:02,360 Speaker 3: much intrigue. But if you can trade those picks for 700 00:32:02,680 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 3: a major league you know, like instead of you know, 701 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:09,720 Speaker 3: Cleveland or Cincinnati or Pittsburgh taking you know, one of 702 00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:11,160 Speaker 3: these top guys, what if they use it in a 703 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 3: trade package, you know, and there was major league gers 704 00:32:14,240 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 3: moved in that trade. Like now there's now you have 705 00:32:16,960 --> 00:32:19,760 Speaker 3: a draft that has major league implications, which which is 706 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:23,160 Speaker 3: what leads to, you know, a ton more interest and 707 00:32:23,200 --> 00:32:25,480 Speaker 3: a ton more eyeballs. And I think it would be 708 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,200 Speaker 3: a massive event for baseball. It would turn it into 709 00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 3: a much bigger event. I get why owners want to 710 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:32,920 Speaker 3: do it, because some owners don't want to spend all 711 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:35,920 Speaker 3: that money on the draft, but you know, there's nely 712 00:32:35,960 --> 00:32:38,880 Speaker 3: no risk for the players, because you know, even if 713 00:32:38,920 --> 00:32:41,120 Speaker 3: somebody trades away a pick, it's going to another team. 714 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:43,800 Speaker 3: Somebody's going to use that pick and spend that money, 715 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:45,880 Speaker 3: So it's not like the money is being taken away 716 00:32:45,880 --> 00:32:48,120 Speaker 3: from the players, it's just being transferred from team to team. 717 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:50,640 Speaker 2: So I think it's a great idea. I would love 718 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 2: to have it done. 719 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 3: You know, if you know, if you had the ability 720 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:55,560 Speaker 3: to move up in the draft, if there was somebody 721 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 3: you really liked and you could package, you know, just 722 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 3: like the NFL or the NBA, like, it's just it 723 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:03,320 Speaker 3: makes it a thousand times more intriguing when it's not 724 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:05,800 Speaker 3: just everybody's stuck in their slot. There's no way to move, 725 00:33:05,840 --> 00:33:07,800 Speaker 3: there's no way to use the picks, you. 726 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:09,520 Speaker 2: Know, to help your major league team. 727 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:12,280 Speaker 3: You know, there's just a lot less intrigue because of that, 728 00:33:12,360 --> 00:33:14,400 Speaker 3: and because these guys are three or four years away, 729 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:17,440 Speaker 3: there's even less intrigue. So I think it would be, 730 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:21,120 Speaker 3: you know, a really good strategic move to make the 731 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:23,360 Speaker 3: draft more interesting. But I also think it would just 732 00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:25,480 Speaker 3: add a lot of interest to your major league teams 733 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:29,080 Speaker 3: as well, because now there's actual major league implications to 734 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:31,640 Speaker 3: the draft, because these are tradable assets that you can 735 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,000 Speaker 3: use to go get major league players, and I just 736 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:37,000 Speaker 3: don't see it downside, and I think it's a great idea. 737 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:39,120 Speaker 3: I would have done it a long time ago. The 738 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:41,880 Speaker 3: fact that they are a draft that are like a 739 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:45,080 Speaker 3: tiny fraction of draft picks that are tradable, but the 740 00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 3: rest aren't, I think it's even dumber. And so yeah, 741 00:33:48,400 --> 00:33:49,440 Speaker 3: I'm a big fan of it. 742 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:50,320 Speaker 2: I hope they do it. 743 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:53,720 Speaker 1: I definitely am here to make the game more interesting, 744 00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:56,040 Speaker 1: and you know, I think that the Major League Baseball 745 00:33:56,080 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 1: owes it to us after their decision. When it came 746 00:33:58,200 --> 00:34:01,200 Speaker 1: to the MLB All Star uniform Stephen, we talked about 747 00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:05,080 Speaker 1: that before the before the podcast started. How many American 748 00:34:05,160 --> 00:34:07,400 Speaker 1: League All Star uniforms did you buy for yourself and 749 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:07,880 Speaker 1: your family? 750 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 3: I bought twelve, No, I bought zero, and I will 751 00:34:12,239 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 3: I will never. 752 00:34:12,840 --> 00:34:18,200 Speaker 1: Bud all kidding aside that that definitely was a bit 753 00:34:18,239 --> 00:34:21,240 Speaker 1: of a downside of All Star weekend. But but yees, Stephen, 754 00:34:21,280 --> 00:34:23,600 Speaker 1: you know, hey, we have plenty of things to hit on. 755 00:34:24,040 --> 00:34:26,200 Speaker 1: It's going to be good to get back into the 756 00:34:26,200 --> 00:34:29,440 Speaker 1: swing of things. When it comes to braves Baseball, hopefully 757 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:32,400 Speaker 1: better levels of braves baseball coming up, and as we 758 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:35,640 Speaker 1: obviously get closer to the playoffs, a bit more meaningful 759 00:34:35,680 --> 00:34:37,959 Speaker 1: baseball as well. But Stephen, do you have anything else 760 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,600 Speaker 1: as we wrap up this edition of the Hammer Territory podcast. 761 00:34:42,560 --> 00:34:44,839 Speaker 3: No, just yeah, check out the site. I mean, we've 762 00:34:44,880 --> 00:34:46,440 Speaker 3: got a bunch of stuff. We had a bunch of 763 00:34:46,440 --> 00:34:48,480 Speaker 3: trade stuff this week. Obviously the trade stuff is. 764 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:49,200 Speaker 2: Really just starting. 765 00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:51,000 Speaker 3: I mean, we're gonna have two weeks of this stuff, 766 00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:54,040 Speaker 3: especially as moves get made, even if it's not necessarily 767 00:34:54,040 --> 00:34:57,200 Speaker 3: Braves moves. You know, any move that happens can you. 768 00:34:57,160 --> 00:34:58,200 Speaker 2: Know, affect the Braves. 769 00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:00,920 Speaker 3: So we're gonna obviously talk about it a bunch of 770 00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:01,880 Speaker 3: the next two weeks. 771 00:35:02,320 --> 00:35:03,760 Speaker 2: You know, we've still got draft stuff. 772 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:06,799 Speaker 3: I think, you know, Brad might see if Carlos can 773 00:35:06,840 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 3: come back on to do a post draft. You know, 774 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:11,279 Speaker 3: then we'll get into the trade deadline, and then after 775 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:13,480 Speaker 3: trade deadline we get into you know, final pushes, we 776 00:35:13,520 --> 00:35:16,200 Speaker 3: get into playoff stuff, we get into division wild card. 777 00:35:17,200 --> 00:35:18,920 Speaker 2: It's just gonna be a lot of fun. We'll be 778 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:20,800 Speaker 2: here to cover it all. We appreciate all the support, 779 00:35:20,880 --> 00:35:21,959 Speaker 2: which all. 780 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:25,120 Speaker 3: The downloads, you know, the the response to the podcast 781 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:27,160 Speaker 3: has been incredible this, you know, this first year, so 782 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:30,640 Speaker 3: we're extremely grateful for that. And you know, tell a friend, 783 00:35:30,680 --> 00:35:32,319 Speaker 3: tell you know, tell a Brase fan in your life 784 00:35:32,320 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 3: about it, because there's a lot of content. We have 785 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:37,840 Speaker 3: a ton of stuff coming obviously with the trade deadline 786 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:40,120 Speaker 3: coming up and then getting into the playoff stuff. 787 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:41,640 Speaker 2: So we appreciate it as always. 788 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:45,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely cannot echo Steven enough for all the appreciation and 789 00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:48,400 Speaker 1: just kindness. You know that this is the reason why 790 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:51,720 Speaker 1: we love doing this on as frequently as we do it. 791 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:54,560 Speaker 1: See the number one the opportunity to speak, you know, uh, 792 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 1: to talk about the Braves with other loyal you know, 793 00:35:57,200 --> 00:35:59,560 Speaker 1: folks who cover them, fans of the game, but also 794 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:02,120 Speaker 1: just in intereral just you know, providing good content, you know, 795 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:04,759 Speaker 1: for what what is a great part of baseball and 796 00:36:04,840 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: that is you know, obviously Braves Country. But for Steven 797 00:36:07,160 --> 00:36:10,240 Speaker 1: Tobert you can find him at b Underscore Outliers on Twitter, 798 00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:11,960 Speaker 1: slash x. My name is Sean Colemen. You can find 799 00:36:11,960 --> 00:36:14,839 Speaker 1: me at Stat's Sac. Until next time, go Braze. We'll 800 00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:17,520 Speaker 1: talk to you again here on The Hammer Territory podcast.