1 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My 2 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: name is Sean Coleman. I hope wherever you are and 3 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 1: wherever you are listening, you are having a great week 4 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,360 Speaker 1: so far if you're a Braves fan and you enjoy 5 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: good baseball. Stephen Tolbert, we had two straight weeks of 6 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: good Braves baseball. My name is Sean Coleman. Is always 7 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 1: my podcast partner, Stephen Tolbert is with me if you 8 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: cannot tell a bit under the weather on my end, 9 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: So forgive the lack of enthusiasm when it came to 10 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: that open But Steven, good to talk with you as always, sir, 11 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: Ready to hear your insight on some impressive Brais play 12 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: throughout the weekend as well as to start this week. 13 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, listen, it's you know, it's the season for all 14 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 2: of us, and Shawn's playing hurt tonight, you know, Jordan 15 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,800 Speaker 2: flu game type of situation. So but yeah, it's good 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 2: to be on with you man. It's been a lot 17 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 2: of fun. I mean, this is kind of the team 18 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: we thought we were gonna get, you know, on opening 19 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 2: Day was a really fun offense. Enough pitching, maybe not 20 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 2: great pitching, but enough pitching to win games when you 21 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 2: have an offense this good. And listen, they're playing the Rockies. 22 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 2: The Rockies legitimately might be the worst team I've ever seen. 23 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 2: What they've done to that franchise. People should be arrested 24 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 2: for what they've done to the Colorado Rockies franchise. That's 25 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 2: an incredible sports town that they have just crapped on 26 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 2: for the last five years. But from the Bridge perspective, obvious, 27 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:49,640 Speaker 2: it's very good. Two wins in a row, chance to 28 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 2: go for a sweep tomorrow with Chris Sale on the mound, 29 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 2: chance to get back to five hundred, which if you 30 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 2: told me was a possibility before the calendar turned to May, 31 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: I would have said, you're crazy. So, yeah, great baseball. 32 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 2: The last couple weeks. Obviously, we've done a show. You know, 33 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 2: we've done a bunch of shows here recently, but there's 34 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 2: been two games played since we've last done a show. 35 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 2: So we're going to focus on these last two games. 36 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 2: A couple of news and notes to get to, but 37 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:12,519 Speaker 2: a lot of fun to talk about the Bridge right now. 38 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's the thing that stands out about, you know, 39 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: this team right now is that I think it should 40 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: remain in context the level of teams that they're playing. 41 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: You know, we talked about it a few weeks ago. 42 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 1: This April fifteenth and May fifteenth stretch was really when 43 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: the Braves needed to cook when it came to starting 44 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:32,440 Speaker 1: to play well. And that's exactly what they've done four 45 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 1: straight series wins. But it's no small feat, Stephen, And 46 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 1: what I'm excited to see is that this team is 47 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: not beating itself anymore right now. When it comes to 48 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 1: the offense, they're taking advantage of their ability to be 49 00:02:44,639 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: able to score runs. For instance, in this Colorado series, 50 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: you may expect for there to be a plethora of 51 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 1: home runs that are hit, but that's not the case 52 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: at all. The Braves are just getting a lot of 53 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: good at bats, putting the ball in play, and scoring 54 00:02:56,800 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 1: runs when they need to. And that's what stands out 55 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: to me is that you look at this team and 56 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:03,359 Speaker 1: there were a couple of times tonight where you're like, oh, 57 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,920 Speaker 1: here we go again. Then you realize, hey, they had 58 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: a runner in scoring position opportunity nearly every inning. So again, 59 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: while the level of competition that we're playing should lead 60 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:14,679 Speaker 1: to the Braves getting wins at the level that they're 61 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: getting them. The big thing is is that the Braves 62 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 1: are not beating themselves, and that's how they get back 63 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 1: to being able to beat the teams that are at 64 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: their level or maybe a bit beyond, and that's how 65 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: we really start to see the Braves turn back into 66 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: the contender we all expect them to be. 67 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, listen, beating bad teams sounds like something 68 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 2: that's just a given. But this is what they did 69 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 2: not do last year. Like they lost to the White Sox. 70 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: They lost a three game series to the White Sox. 71 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 2: Last year, they lost a three game series in Colorado 72 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: last year, they lost a series to the Pirates last year. 73 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 2: They struggled with the Nationals last year. They struggled with 74 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 2: the Marlins last year. Like that was the reason the 75 00:03:55,240 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 2: Braves had to play all the way to the end 76 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 2: of the season, right down to the last day, just 77 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 2: to make the playoffs because they didn't be bad teams. 78 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 2: So yeah, people can say, well, yeah, you're just beating 79 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 2: up on bad teams, but that's not a given. And 80 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: we watched it all last year where they didn't do 81 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 2: it over and over and over again. So when you 82 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 2: play these teams that are not good. And listen, Colorado 83 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 2: was legitimately maybe the worst team in baseball and not 84 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 2: maybe the worst team in baseball history, is what I 85 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 2: meant to say. But you still got to beat them. 86 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 2: You still got to beat them. So I'm not gonna 87 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 2: take too much away from the Braves for doing what 88 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 2: they're supposed to. Arizona's a good team, and that's probably 89 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 2: a playoff team. They went to their house at one, 90 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: two of three. You know, the Twins. The Twins might 91 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 2: end up being a decent team. It's tough to tell 92 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: this that the Cardinals probably are not going to be 93 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 2: a very good team. But it doesn't matter. They're major 94 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 2: league teams. You gotta beat them. So yeah, And like 95 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 2: you said, and you and I talked about this on 96 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: our last show. They've got some bad teams coming up, right, 97 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 2: They've got Pittsburgh coming up, They've got Washington coming up. 98 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: And if you can beat up on bad teams, man, 99 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 2: you make your life so much easier because you're not 100 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 2: gonna You're not gonna just crush good teams. You're not 101 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:06,160 Speaker 2: gonna sweep good teams typically speaking, at least you might 102 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 2: every once in a while. But you got to make 103 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 2: your hay against these bad teams, and they did not 104 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 2: do it last year. It cost them in the standings 105 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 2: all year last year because they could not beat bad teams. 106 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 2: So it's good to see them doing it right now. 107 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely. And so you know, another thing that we talked 108 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: about is how do the Braves basically get back to 109 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 1: not beating themselves? How do they get back to play 110 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: into the level that we expect for them to And 111 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: we talked about their best being at their best, you know, Riley, Olsen, 112 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: so on and so forth, and you know, we're still 113 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 1: seeing many work their ways back. Riley's been just find 114 00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: a Zoond has been just fine. Olson has shown good 115 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 1: flashes on the pitching side. You hope swelling Back and 116 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: Sale get back to what you expect from them on 117 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: an on a start by start basis. But the reason 118 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 1: why I'm brought up the FANDOL Sports Network Player spotlight 119 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: is because the other thing that we've seen that's leading 120 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 1: to some good success for the Braves is we're once 121 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 1: again seeing these newcomers on the fringes, these moves on 122 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 1: the origins that probably many didn't expect to happen. I'm 123 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: talking right now about Alex Verdugo as well as Nick 124 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,840 Speaker 1: Allen and Eli White. Those three are literally doing the 125 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 1: best impression you can find of twenty twenty four Ramon 126 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: Loriano Whitmeerfield as well as Gio Ursula. But they're doing 127 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: it at places where it's really needed. Eli White doing 128 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: well in the right field spot. He's taken over that position, 129 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: Nick Allen at shortstop, Fordugo's made left field his own. 130 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 1: I put all three of those guys in the spotlight 131 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: because what has really also keyed the turnaround for this 132 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: lineup is the bottom of the order turning into the 133 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: top of the order. That eight nine and one spot 134 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:42,479 Speaker 1: right now with White, Allen and Verdugo producing. You see 135 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:44,720 Speaker 1: what it does. Again, We're not relying on the home runs, 136 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: but a big reason why we're still scoring a lot 137 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: of runs is because that turn of the lineup is 138 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: so successful. May not necessarily see it continue, you know, 139 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: for the whole season, but it's good to see right 140 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: now and it's been a big boost of this Brave's order. Yeah. 141 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:02,200 Speaker 2: I mean, if you think about it, the Kelnick de 142 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: la Cruz and Arcia in those three spots for you know, 143 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:09,479 Speaker 2: the first three weeks of the year and those were 144 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 2: those were three not just zero's offensively but actually actively 145 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 2: like negative you know, it was negative value they were providing. 146 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 2: And so not only have White, Verdugo and Nick Allen produced, 147 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 2: but they've replaced three guys who were god awful. And 148 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 2: so you've taken three spots in the lineup that were 149 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 2: giving you literally nothing, and now we're giving you plus 150 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 2: offensive production at least from Verdugo and White's standpoint. And 151 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: then you know, Nick Allen's more leak average production, but 152 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 2: that's worlds better than what you were getting. And then 153 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 2: on ad on top of it, you know, Sean Murphy 154 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 2: came back and has looked like, you know, vintage Sean Murphy. 155 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 2: Matt Olson finally got some hits to fall. Riley is 156 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 2: having kind of a weird year. He's kind of getting 157 00:07:55,240 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 2: hot and cold. He's been really streaky. Azuna's having a 158 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 2: typical good year. If you look at his numbers, you know, 159 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 2: it's been a lot of walks. He hasn't yet been 160 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 2: able to get these big like runs driven in games 161 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,680 Speaker 2: where he's you know, I think he's got like eleven 162 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 2: RBI on the year, which is weird for him. But 163 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 2: their numbers look solid and everybody's numbers look better now 164 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 2: than they did three weeks ago. And then you add 165 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: in these young these guys that you weren't expecting to 166 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 2: give you anything, giving you plus production. It just makes 167 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 2: everything so much easier. And like you said, it's huge 168 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 2: that White, Alan and Verdugo in the nine eight, nine 169 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 2: and one spots are constantly on base. That's huge. That's 170 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 2: huge that Riley, Ozuna, Olsen and Murphy are constantly coming 171 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 2: to the plate with guys on base, and it's it's 172 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 2: helping everybody, and it's a huge part of the turnaround. 173 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 2: I do not expect Eli White. Eli White's got like 174 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 2: a one ad w RC plus right now, like he's. 175 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:56,720 Speaker 1: Gonna keep that up. He's gonna get at least one. 176 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 2: If you won't expect Eli White to turn into one Soto. 177 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 2: So we need to temper expectations. People get mad when 178 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 2: you say that. Same with probably Nick Allen, like the 179 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: water is gonna find its level here at some point. 180 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 2: But you know, you and I talked about you need 181 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 2: these little pockets of a really strong play that randomly 182 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 2: pop up throughout a year to help you supplement when 183 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 2: maybe your best players aren't going well or your best 184 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 2: players aren't driving in runs the way. 185 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 1: They normally do. 186 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 2: Like you need this. This is this kind of stuff 187 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 2: that really helps you win a significant amount of games 188 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: when you have these kind of random weeks or a 189 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 2: couple of weeks where these guys you're not expecting produce. 190 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 2: So it's been huge. It's been huge, and I don't 191 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 2: know how long it'll last, but I'll take it as 192 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 2: long as we can get it. 193 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, And the thing about it is is that you know, 194 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: again we talk about how its levels better than what 195 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 1: we had previously. Even if Eli White and Nick Allen 196 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: in particular cool off a bit, they're at least more 197 00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 1: reliable in terms of putting together good approaches at the plate. 198 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: The longit bats at the plate, I mean, you're basically 199 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: the other thing. Not only are these guys getting on base, 200 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 1: but when you go through the eight, nine and one 201 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: holes right now in the Braves order, even when you 202 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: had Michael Harrison Azzi Albi's in the first spot, you're 203 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,480 Speaker 1: probably seeing starting pitchers have to throw double the amount 204 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: of pitches through that part of the lineup then they 205 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: were earlier this year, And that in of itself adds value. 206 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: So even if White and Allen in particular, fall off 207 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: the good approach that they have at the plate that 208 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 1: really does help out getting productive outs, working the count, 209 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: getting walks. Both of them on base or arguably are 210 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: two best base stealers with Michael Harris. There's just a 211 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: lot of versatility in what they've offered so far. 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I'm gonna let you break 233 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: that down as you always do in such excellent fashion. 234 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:44,199 Speaker 1: But the big takeaways from the moves that have occurred 235 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:47,719 Speaker 1: is that Jared Kilinik has been optioned to the Miners. Well, 236 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: we're brave, Eli, Eddie Rosario is back on a major 237 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: league deal at least for right now. We saw Ian 238 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 1: Anderson come back and then be designated for assignment in 239 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:00,600 Speaker 1: like thirty six hours. So it's been a crazy flurry 240 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: of moves, especially when you see the names that are involved. 241 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: But the first thing I want to start with with is, 242 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: of course Jared Kilnick. Now, I don't think it's all 243 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 1: that surprising that he has been optioned to the Miners. 244 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,559 Speaker 1: It's what is best for him. We get every day 245 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:17,440 Speaker 1: at bats to hopefully figure some stuff out. But I 246 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:19,560 Speaker 1: also think that the rioting is starting to become a 247 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: bit more clear on the wall right now, odds are 248 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 1: just out there that Jared Kilnick is going to wind 249 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,959 Speaker 1: up being a big contributor that the Braves had envisioned 250 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 1: him being about twelve months ago. It's just not there 251 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: for right now. And with the way that you see 252 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 1: his career going, typically when you see it going that way, 253 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: it doesn't usually end up with him being a big 254 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 1: time contributor. You would love that to be the case. 255 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: I just don't expect it at this point. 256 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, listen, we said it coming into the 257 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 2: year that this kind of month month and a half 258 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,480 Speaker 2: that Acuna was out was Jared Kelnick's time to shine, 259 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 2: was his chance to show everybody that he could still 260 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 2: play at this level. And then Jerrupsen profile went out 261 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 2: and it became doubly so that they kell Nick to 262 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: actually produce. Listen, man, when you run a thirty thirty 263 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 2: one percent strikeout rate and like a five percent walk rate, 264 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:11,680 Speaker 2: like you're just already so far behind the eight ball, 265 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 2: like you have to mash. You have to absolutely mash 266 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,720 Speaker 2: the ball to have any chance at any production. When 267 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 2: you are striking out that much and walking that little, 268 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 2: and so you know, with Jared, he's still a good defender, 269 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 2: he's still a good athlete. He's still relatively young, he's 270 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 2: twenty five. If I was gonna, you know, if I 271 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 2: was gonna wish one thing upon his career, it would 272 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 2: be we gotta find a way to drop that strikeout 273 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 2: rate by about ten percentage points and we got to 274 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 2: increase that walk rate by about five percentage points, because 275 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 2: that's just gonna make life so much easier. He is 276 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 2: a good athlete, like when he gets on base, like 277 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 2: he can make things happen. But he's just never on 278 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 2: base because he never takes walks. He runs a really low, 279 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 2: you know, obp because of it. And listened, the writing 280 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 2: was on the wall. Once Eli White started getting starts 281 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: it's right handed pitching, and Jared kelnic was on the bench, 282 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 2: it became very clear the Braves were just it was 283 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 2: just a matter of time before they demoted. They were 284 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 2: just basically, as soon as we can sign to somebody 285 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 2: that's got a pulse, we're gonna demote this guy. And 286 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,199 Speaker 2: that's basically what Eddi Rizzari he is. He's a guy 287 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 2: with a pulse and not much. I mean, the Braves 288 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 2: in these reunions of guys that were, you know, on 289 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 2: the twenty twenty one team or even before that is 290 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 2: getting a little wild. Quite honestly, I don't understand why 291 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 2: Eddie Rizzario. I understand there's maybe not a lot out 292 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 2: there outfield wise, but I mean, you know whatever, he's 293 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 2: never gonna play. This is this is a you know, 294 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 2: a stop gap until a couna is ready. But yeah, 295 00:14:41,760 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 2: I mean, once Eli White starts taking jobs, taking starts 296 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 2: from you against right handed pitching, you no longer have 297 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 2: any value to the team, and you need to be 298 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 2: in Gwinnett getting at bats every day. So that made 299 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 2: sense to me. It was just a matter of who 300 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 2: was gonna come up. And then obviously we'll talk about 301 00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 2: Ian Anderson here in a second, but I completely under 302 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: do what they're doing. It does not look good for 303 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 2: the trade where they spend all that money to get him. 304 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,040 Speaker 2: I think it's fair to say that was probably a 305 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:11,120 Speaker 2: misstep by Alex. We'll see what Kelnick does in triple A, 306 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 2: see if you can rebuild any value, maybe even some 307 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 2: trade value, But as of right now, that does look 308 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 2: like a mistake spending all that money to get kell 309 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 2: Nick last offseason to be the left fielder. It just 310 00:15:22,920 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 2: has it work. 311 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, And you know, getting into the other moves that 312 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: have occurred, you know again the Braves bringing back Ian Anderson, 313 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 1: you know having him, you know, they brought up Davis Daniel, 314 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,000 Speaker 1: all this different stuff. We saw Jesse Chavez who was 315 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: designated for assignment. We're seeing all these familiar names multiple 316 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: times so far this season. And Stephen, what it brings 317 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: up to me is is that we knew that the 318 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: Braves pitching depth if it was tested maybe a week 319 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: point this year. But it just amazes me that we 320 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: just really don't have any reliable options even at Triple 321 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: A right now that we can break up and fill 322 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: it in spots. That's why Bryce Elder is still going 323 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: out there now. Elder had a very good game for 324 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: his standard in Game one. But it just points out 325 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: how much unreliable depth we have right now and why 326 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:21,000 Speaker 1: it's so critical we get Spitzer Strider back and keep 327 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,760 Speaker 1: the health going of the starters that we have. But 328 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 1: the other thing that it puts a big spotlight on 329 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: is aj Smith Shauber hopefully getting going himself, and you 330 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: could say he arguably had his best start of his 331 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: career OneD Tuesday night. Now, of course, he exited the 332 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 1: game after getting hit back by a liner. I believe 333 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:42,360 Speaker 1: it was kind of right above his elbow. It looked 334 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 1: like that he was okay. We haven't gotten any reports 335 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: back as far as what his status is. But all 336 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 1: that being said, you know, discussing the pitching depth, it's 337 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 1: critical that a J. Smith Shauber does well. But one 338 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 1: thing that's good to see emerging is the fact that 339 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: he has a go to pitch. That splitter is because 340 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 1: I'm in a real weapon. I think that he may 341 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 1: use it a bit too much because he can't control 342 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 1: his other pitches to the level that he wants to 343 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 1: as of yet. But a lotch writing on a J. 344 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,440 Speaker 1: Smith shaver figuring it out, and I think we're starting 345 00:17:11,480 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 1: to see glimpses of him doing that. 346 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, so let's start with Ian Anderson. So they brought 347 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:19,639 Speaker 2: him back. He was dfaed by the Angels. He was 348 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 2: pitching out of their bullpen exclusively. The most innings he 349 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 2: had thrown all year was two innings, so he was 350 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:28,200 Speaker 2: a reliever. He was dfa. They picked him up. They 351 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:31,280 Speaker 2: literally brought him to the team for one day. I 352 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,879 Speaker 2: think that he was Basically, if Bryce Elder blows up 353 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 2: on Monday and it's twelve to one in the fourth inning, 354 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 2: Ian Anderson's gonna Ian Anderson's gonna be the one that 355 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,919 Speaker 2: you know that eats it and gets cut. After that 356 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 2: didn't happen. Of course, Elder pitched a pretty solid game. 357 00:17:48,240 --> 00:17:49,920 Speaker 2: He gave up that three run home in the first inning, 358 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:53,439 Speaker 2: and then pitched I think another five clean innings, and 359 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 2: so Anderson was then dfaed and we kind of knew 360 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 2: this was happening. The Bradys wont Ian Anderson off the 361 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:00,399 Speaker 2: forty man. But the only way to him off to 362 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 2: forty man is to dfa him and hope he clears 363 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 2: waivers so that you can put him in triple A. 364 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 2: But he's not taking up a spot on the forty man. 365 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,199 Speaker 2: So that's what they did today. They defaded him. We'll 366 00:18:09,200 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 2: see if he clears waivers. I don't think Ian Anderson's 367 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 2: a major league pitcher, quite honestly. You and I have 368 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 2: talked about that at nauseum. We spent all spring talking 369 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 2: about how aj or that how Ian Anderson is not 370 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:23,800 Speaker 2: a major league starter, and so I don't expect Ian 371 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 2: Anderson to be much of a contributor. But your point 372 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 2: about AJ Smith schalver who they called up today when 373 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,679 Speaker 2: they dfad Ian Anderson is one hundred percent correct. His 374 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 2: development means everything to the Braves because, like you just said, 375 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 2: they have so little depth in Triple A right now, 376 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: it's basically Elder and AJ Smith Schalverer. And now that 377 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 2: Ronaldo and Strider are both out, those guys are in 378 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 2: the majors, So now they really have no depth. And 379 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,479 Speaker 2: I think we're gonna see some promotions soon from you know, 380 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 2: A ball and Double A to maybe try to get 381 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,880 Speaker 2: a little bit more depth in Triple A. But it's 382 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 2: it's bleaked down there right now, and they really cannot 383 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 2: afford any more pitching injuries. They need Chris Sale to 384 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 2: wake up, They need Schwellenbach to start pitching like he 385 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:10,120 Speaker 2: did at the beginning of the year, and they desperately 386 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 2: need a J. Smith schelver Er to pitch like he 387 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 2: did tonight. Now he got lucky tonight. He had some 388 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 2: very hard hit balls that were hit right at people, 389 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 2: and so you know, his command is still not where 390 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 2: it needs to be. But the splitter looked okay. He 391 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:23,600 Speaker 2: hung it a couple of times, but it's it's such 392 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 2: a weird pitch. It's actually kind of hard to punish 393 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,120 Speaker 2: him when he hangs it. The fastball command is still 394 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 2: not there. But the Braves need him right now. And 395 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 2: I think this is going to be your rotation going forward. 396 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,879 Speaker 2: I think it's going to be Sales Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, 397 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 2: Bryce Selder. 398 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 4: A J. 399 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 2: Smith, Schalverer. Now, if the offense scores eight runs a night, 400 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 2: then it matters a lot less. But in credit to 401 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 2: Bryce Selder, he's put together two solid starts in a row. 402 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 2: So we need to give him his flowers for that. 403 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 2: We pick on him enough that we need to at least, 404 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,120 Speaker 2: you know, acknowledge when he does well and he's done. 405 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 2: He did well yesterday and AJ did well today. So 406 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,720 Speaker 2: that's what the Braves need. They need those guys to 407 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,320 Speaker 2: at least give them a chance to win. They don't 408 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:02,880 Speaker 2: need eight showdown, but like five six innings, pitch three 409 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 2: four earned runs give them a chance to win the game. 410 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:08,000 Speaker 2: And that's what both guys did in Colorado, and the 411 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 2: Braves got two wins out of it, and that's all 412 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 2: you can ask. 413 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 1: For, absolutely, And so the Braves now five themselves on 414 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 1: the doorstep of As we mentioned, not only get the 415 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: series sweep, not only would need their four straight series, 416 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: but it needs the butt of April. In need the 417 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: butt of April after started out OVID seven. It needs 418 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:31,439 Speaker 1: a Butt of April at five hundred. We'll discuss that 419 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,880 Speaker 1: more in just a moment. 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This platform has it 438 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:21,040 Speaker 4: all for the collectors out there, and right now you 439 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 4: can get twenty percent off your first slab pack or 440 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 4: card purchase by going to Arena club dot com slash 441 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:30,119 Speaker 4: fowl and use codefoul that's Arena club dot com slash 442 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 4: foul code f o u L for twenty percent off 443 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:34,680 Speaker 4: your first purchase. 444 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: Me out to. 445 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:46,200 Speaker 4: A band, doos, watch now work, watch some fingers and RPIs. 446 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 2: I'm just gonna have my rope for truth. 447 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:54,560 Speaker 4: We'll we'll put the rapos and they don't win in 448 00:21:54,680 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 4: the shame braps gags. 449 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,240 Speaker 1: I'm so glad that they don't make us show ourselves 450 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: here that stassy fandual commercial, because if people saw us 451 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:12,320 Speaker 1: dance of that. 452 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:15,879 Speaker 2: One, that would really dance every ident every time. 453 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:19,159 Speaker 1: I agree to I'm bad enough to admit it. But Steven, 454 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:22,560 Speaker 1: let's get back to you know again. The Braves offense 455 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: has been really, really good as of late, and you 456 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:30,680 Speaker 1: know I've talked about it. I'm not gonna say it nausea, 457 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: but a big thing, a big key for me when 458 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 1: it comes to this Brave's offense is how confident are 459 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: you that they can win in multiple ways? And right 460 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 1: now I definitely feel that's the case. If we need 461 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 1: the power, I feel like it can be there. If 462 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: we need to get the big key hits, I feel 463 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: like it could be there. If we need to get 464 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: stuff done on the basis, I feel like it can 465 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 1: be done. Especially with Nick Allen Eddie like White going on. 466 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: This versatility leads to multiple ways to be able to 467 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:02,639 Speaker 1: and well, right now, that's not really being put to 468 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:05,160 Speaker 1: the test covied up. You know, we got the Dodgers 469 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 1: coming up, We've got the middle at the end of bay. 470 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,159 Speaker 1: Hopefully it could you Strider will be back by the end. 471 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: But if this offense can keep hugged at a rate 472 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: to where maybe it's not the best overall offense of 473 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: the majors, but at the very least it's doing things 474 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 1: to where your compety it can we to multiple ways. 475 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: That's what's going to help us remade successful versus good 476 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:25,439 Speaker 1: or bad tapes. 477 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean this is kind of it's certainly not 478 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,000 Speaker 2: the personnel that we were thinking, but you know, having 479 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,480 Speaker 2: a lineup one through nine that is contributing was kind 480 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:40,920 Speaker 2: of the vision originally, right. I mean, everybody said, you know, 481 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,199 Speaker 2: Orlando is probably not going to contribute much. But if 482 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 2: everybody else is doing their job, then at least one 483 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 2: through eight you can have guys contributing. And right now, 484 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:51,439 Speaker 2: that's what's happening. Everybody in the lineup is putting up 485 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 2: a good at bat. It wasn't that long ago that 486 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 2: nobody in the lineup was putting up a good at bat. 487 00:23:55,960 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 2: So Verdugo has really, I think sparked this off by 488 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 2: you know, getting on base first of all, but also 489 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:07,199 Speaker 2: that dude just seeds a thousand pitches a night. Like 490 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:09,760 Speaker 2: I actually charted him last night because I just wanted 491 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:13,200 Speaker 2: to see. He saw thirty two pitches in one game 492 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 2: last night on Monday night. Now, again, the Rockies suck, 493 00:24:16,760 --> 00:24:20,560 Speaker 2: but still thirty two pitches. You know, the guys they 494 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:23,600 Speaker 2: you know, when they had Michael Harris and Ozzie Alby's 495 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 2: leading off, those guys see thirty two pitches in a week. 496 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,960 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, it's just a different level. And 497 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 2: so I credit Verdugo quite a bit for setting the 498 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 2: table as well as he's done. You have to credit 499 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:38,720 Speaker 2: Eli White in you know what we just talked about 500 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:41,800 Speaker 2: Eli White and Nick Nick Allen for what they've done 501 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 2: at the bottom of the lineup. Providing not only production 502 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:48,919 Speaker 2: but constant on base threats speed, which with the prayers 503 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 2: desperately need. You know, they still have some manning at 504 00:24:52,280 --> 00:24:54,760 Speaker 2: bats at times, especially Ozzy. Ozzy's got to pop up 505 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 2: problem right now that I'm probably gonna ride about this 506 00:24:57,760 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 2: at Battery Power because it's getting kind of weird. He's 507 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:03,120 Speaker 2: hitting like these like sixty degree, one hundred and fifty 508 00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,359 Speaker 2: foot fly balls that are just weird, but you can't 509 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 2: complain about. You know, they scored fourteen runs the last 510 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:13,160 Speaker 2: two nights. I mean, you know, without a homer, which 511 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 2: is wild. I mean you imagine the Brace scored fourteen 512 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 2: runs in course field over two games and they didn't 513 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 2: hit a homer. You know, I would have thought they 514 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:24,160 Speaker 2: would have had five or six homers. So yeah, they're 515 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:28,000 Speaker 2: doing a different ways. Doubles, triples, you know, clutch hitting, 516 00:25:28,119 --> 00:25:31,920 Speaker 2: sacrifice flies, getting guys over taking the extra base stuff 517 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:33,720 Speaker 2: we don't always see from them, and so that's cool. 518 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 2: That's cool to see. Again, I do not expect Eli 519 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 2: White and Nick Allen to be this good all year. 520 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:41,200 Speaker 2: I really hope people don't think this is like Eli 521 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:44,040 Speaker 2: White's true talent level is like Juan Soto level hitting 522 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 2: but it helps for as long as it lasts, it helps, 523 00:25:48,160 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 2: and it's helping a lot right now. And a big, 524 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,439 Speaker 2: big shout out to Alex Radugo. You know, he was 525 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 2: a very very modest signing. No fanfare about that signing. 526 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 2: Everybody just kind of assumed you just be a bad 527 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 2: and listen, if he plays like this when Jerks and 528 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 2: Profile comes back, that's gonna be a fascinating conversation. 529 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 1: Play. 530 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, like what has Profar done to earn a spot 531 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 2: over Verdugo? You know, Brducas had a really you know, 532 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:17,840 Speaker 2: Riducus had some really good years. Like this is not 533 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:23,199 Speaker 2: necessarily just a fluke, and so that conversation is going 534 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,359 Speaker 2: to get interesting if he keeps, you know, doing what 535 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,240 Speaker 2: he's doing. I was thinking about that tonight actually as 536 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 2: he was taking you know, another I think he took 537 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 2: another like twenty five pitches tonight. So he's been awesome. 538 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 2: I really give him a lot of credit that I 539 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:39,040 Speaker 2: you know, it's not a coincidence that this this lineup 540 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 2: has taken off kind of as he's joined the team, 541 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 2: the offense as a whole has looked substantially better. And 542 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 2: I don't think that's a coincidence. 543 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:51,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, I I feel like that. You know, you know 544 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:54,880 Speaker 1: the Braves are likely going to look to play Profar, 545 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:58,120 Speaker 1: But if Profar is not going to be eligible for 546 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:01,679 Speaker 1: the postseason and go right now as your bat, well 547 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,520 Speaker 1: you're probably gonna maat vernego elsewhere where Ronald comes back. 548 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:07,919 Speaker 1: But let Renegal play as much as possible. If he 549 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 1: is going good, the offense obviously is going to be 550 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 1: your meal ticket to get where you want to get 551 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 1: this year. Go with what you know is working right now, 552 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:18,800 Speaker 1: and if that continues to be the case, especially as 553 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:21,800 Speaker 1: the schedule gets stuffer, I don't see any reason to 554 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:24,879 Speaker 1: not continue with renew Goo. But let's talk about the 555 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:28,760 Speaker 1: most important thing to come across tomorrow, and that is 556 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 1: Chris Sale regaining his forard. I know the park is 557 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:35,200 Speaker 1: not the best setting to do it, but you're not 558 00:27:35,240 --> 00:27:38,200 Speaker 1: going to find a better better team to do it against. 559 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 1: The key that I would like to see just a 560 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,320 Speaker 1: quality start. And the biggest thing about that quality start 561 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 1: is you got to go six indiings to get a 562 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 1: quality start. I know Chris Sale wants that efficiency back. 563 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:51,200 Speaker 1: I know that he wants to get through a first 564 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 1: inning pretty clean without running it into trouble. Getting six 565 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:58,439 Speaker 1: indings from Chris Sale will be huge, not only to 566 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:01,560 Speaker 1: allow for him to gain some confidence, but also to 567 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:05,119 Speaker 1: keep this bull bullpit fresh as you handed to a 568 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,440 Speaker 1: wiked series with the Dodgers come to town. 569 00:28:09,200 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, a lot of it comes down to command for Chris. 570 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:14,399 Speaker 1: You know, A J. 571 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:16,879 Speaker 2: Smith schalv and Bryce Elder have thrown more pitches in 572 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,479 Speaker 2: the sixth inning in the last two days, and Chris 573 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,879 Speaker 2: Sale has thrown all year. And if you told me 574 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:23,680 Speaker 2: that you know, was gonna be the case at the 575 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:27,720 Speaker 2: end of April, that'd be pretty stunning. I honestly would 576 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:30,119 Speaker 2: have just assumed Chris Sale is hurt. And so the 577 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:32,359 Speaker 2: fact that he's been healthy still hasn't made it to 578 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:35,119 Speaker 2: the sixth inning of a game yet. That is kind 579 00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:37,119 Speaker 2: of the last big piece that the Braves need to 580 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,800 Speaker 2: kind of well. Him and Russell Russell Iglesias are the 581 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 2: like kind of the last two big pieces that kind 582 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 2: of need to start doing their job. Quite honestly and listening, 583 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:51,320 Speaker 2: Chris Sale is an absolute bulldog, Like there is nobody 584 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:53,920 Speaker 2: matter about how he started the season than he is. 585 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 2: He's just a you know, he's every time he gets 586 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:00,560 Speaker 2: in front of a microphone. He is just absolutely disgusted 587 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 2: with himself. He I mean, he is the maybe the 588 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:07,760 Speaker 2: most competitive person I've ever seen, so he would agree 589 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 2: with everything we're saying that. You know, they just need 590 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 2: more out of him. And yeah, the Rockies are so bad. Listen, 591 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:14,240 Speaker 2: It's a really good park to hit in, but the 592 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:16,720 Speaker 2: Rockies are so damn bad. This is a really good 593 00:29:16,720 --> 00:29:19,320 Speaker 2: opponent to get right with. I would love to go. 594 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 2: I would love to see like seven eight innings out 595 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 2: of Chrysale tomorrow, an easy win. Kind of get all 596 00:29:24,920 --> 00:29:27,760 Speaker 2: the horses back going in the right direction. You know, 597 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:29,800 Speaker 2: he's one of the big pieces that they need to 598 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:33,560 Speaker 2: get going. And you know, to you know, to end 599 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 2: the road trip on a sweep, man, the vibes would 600 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:38,920 Speaker 2: just feel great, especially when you got to go play 601 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 2: the Dodgers next. That would just be you know, that 602 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:44,800 Speaker 2: would be some some awesome vibes. A sweep get back 603 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 2: to five hundred. Chrysale looks good, the offense looks good. 604 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 2: You know, you kind of got everything clicking in the 605 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:53,880 Speaker 2: right direction as as you know, as bad as the 606 00:29:53,880 --> 00:29:56,680 Speaker 2: month started or you know, the end of March started. 607 00:29:57,560 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 2: By the end, you get it back to five hundred, 608 00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:02,600 Speaker 2: you get all your best players looking good again, you 609 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 2: can kind of, you know, you can kind of launch 610 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:06,959 Speaker 2: into the rest of the season, especially when you know 611 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 2: that a Kunyan Strider are coming back soon. So yeah, 612 00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:13,960 Speaker 2: I'd be huge tomorrow. I desperately want to see like good, 613 00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:16,080 Speaker 2: high quality Chris sales start. 614 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:19,280 Speaker 1: Tomorrow, of course, and you know, the Braves also hitting 615 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:23,680 Speaker 1: a few home ruds to you know, d their conquer 616 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:26,000 Speaker 1: of cores in a good way. I think will be 617 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:29,240 Speaker 1: a lot of fun. Steven Tobert, I appreciate it. You've 618 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:32,920 Speaker 1: been the MVP tonight as usual. Thank you for stepping up. 619 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 1: It's always a pleasure to talk with you. The Braves listen, 620 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:39,520 Speaker 1: they're played well. You're going into May, hopefully with the 621 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 1: five hundred record. I know we're going to turn right 622 00:30:41,560 --> 00:30:43,520 Speaker 1: around and face the Dodgers. Well maybe right back under 623 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:46,719 Speaker 1: five hundred. Who cares. We're right in the thick of things. 624 00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:49,520 Speaker 1: What's again with the offense, And that's a good thing 625 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 1: about the Braves. Baseball. Baseball is just more foward with 626 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 1: your offense is good, and so it's your room for 627 00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:59,880 Speaker 1: errors a little bit more. It's just more fun, exciting. Yeah, 628 00:31:00,200 --> 00:31:03,440 Speaker 1: hopefully it will continue uh. For Steven Tobor you can 629 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:07,720 Speaker 1: pind him be Underscore Outliers myself Sean combinant stats sac 630 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:11,160 Speaker 1: on Twitter, slash x habit Territory across all the forms 631 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 1: of social media. Part of the foul Territory family of 632 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,440 Speaker 1: thought podcasts. Make sure you check out all the great 633 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:20,320 Speaker 1: content from foul Territory. For Steven Tobert, my name is 634 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:23,480 Speaker 1: Sean comin it. Until next time, go brains, we'll talk 635 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:25,840 Speaker 1: to you. And getting suited here on the hamber Territory 636 00:31:25,880 --> 00:31:26,400 Speaker 1: podcast