1 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:24,479 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My 2 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: name is Sean Cohen. Hope. Wherever you are and wherever 3 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: you are listening, you are having a great start to 4 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: your week. It's hard to believe Memorial Day has already 5 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:36,160 Speaker 1: passed for almost five months into twenty and twenty five. 6 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,840 Speaker 1: Where has the time gone? But speaking of time, if 7 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: tonight felt like you were watching in October game from 8 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three, or twenty twenty three, 9 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: that is exactly what I feel. Ninety percent of Braves 10 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: Country felt like. The Braves unfortunately dropped the series opening 11 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: game to the Phillies, their third straight loss. The Braves 12 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: once again three games under five hundred. Despite this pretty 13 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: strong effort from Spencer Strider, the offense just could not 14 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: keep going. Ranger Swarez just is an enigma against the 15 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: Braves many times again, this just felt like just going 16 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: through Rent Wash repeat, going through the playoff games that 17 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 1: we've seen from twenty twenty two in twenty twenty three. 18 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 1: However you want to slice it, Steven, it was another 19 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,559 Speaker 1: frustrating experience watching this Braves team and it's just becoming 20 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:27,480 Speaker 1: all too familiar. 21 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean this. First of all, it's a buddy, 22 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 2: so it's good to be back on with you. I mean, 23 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:36,560 Speaker 2: this game felt exactly like every game last year. Felt 24 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 2: like it felt like every game we've watched in the 25 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 2: postseason the last three years. The pitching holds its own 26 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 2: Spencer Strider, who we're gonna talk about in depth, you know, 27 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 2: didn't have like an all world outing, but held his 28 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,360 Speaker 2: own second start back since he's come back from the hamstring. 29 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 2: And meanwhile, the offense, the offense can literally do nothing. 30 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 2: And I don't I wish I had an answer. I've 31 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 2: just never seen a group of players be so elite 32 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 2: two years ago and that same group of players, who 33 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 2: are all still in their prime, be so bad. I mean, 34 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 2: I don't. I just wish I understood it, because I 35 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:18,240 Speaker 2: don't understand it. Literally the exact same group of players 36 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 2: from twenty twenty three, and just every single night we 37 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 2: watched the same game where they can't score, and it's 38 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,520 Speaker 2: just unbelievable to why it's actually it's actually almost more 39 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 2: impressive at this point what they're not doing than what 40 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,440 Speaker 2: they did in twenty twenty three. Like what they've done 41 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 2: since twenty twenty three is almost just as impressive as 42 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 2: what they did in twenty three. Just you know, the 43 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 2: negative side of it. And yeah, we've got some stats 44 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 2: we're gonna get to tonight that kind of shed some 45 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 2: light on some stuff. But just you know, thirty thousand 46 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 2: foot zoomed all the way out. It's just it's the 47 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: same game we've watched for the last two years. It's 48 00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 2: the same game we've watched every postseason since twenty twenty one. 49 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:02,679 Speaker 2: Pitching holds its own and the offense can't do shit 50 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 2: against you know, Rangers. Swaz is a good picture, but 51 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: he's a great picture against the Braves. He's just a 52 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 2: good picture or a decent picture against everyone else. But 53 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,680 Speaker 2: the Reds can't hit it. And if they made any 54 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 2: adjustments tonight, then you would have fooled me, because I 55 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:23,360 Speaker 2: didn't see any. So yeah, just a highly frustrating stretch 56 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: we're going through at the moment. 57 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And the thing that I'll say is this, it's 58 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: not like the It's not like the Braves are just 59 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: getting dominated. This is their first shutout that they had 60 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: since April fifth, I believe, of this year. It's not 61 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: like they're getting absolutely dominated Rangers. Warrez didn't go out 62 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: dur a one hitter with fifteen strikeouts, but Braves had 63 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 1: their chances and what makes it even more frustrating. We'll 64 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: get to the offense again in the bid, but let's 65 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: first focus on a positive and that is a bit 66 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: of a bounce back performance from Spencer Strider. I won't 67 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: say he was he was still significantly a ways of 68 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: from being prime Spencer Strider, but still overall, once again 69 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 1: showed up big in a performance in Philadelphia four point 70 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: two and he's pitched on him well one earn run 71 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: aloud of seven strikeouts. He obviously gave up the one 72 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: run he did hit Bryce Harper. Certainly wish Bryce Harper 73 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: the best, but the thing that I'm getting at is that, yes, 74 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 1: this is not prime Spencer Strider. Yes, I still don't 75 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 1: think Spencer Strider is anywhere satisfied with his performance, not 76 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,039 Speaker 1: especially with the Braves losing. But if there's one positive 77 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: to takeaway, it's the fact that Spencer Streider looked a 78 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 1: bit like Kim old Sell. He looked a bit like 79 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:35,720 Speaker 1: the Spencer Strider that was able to get the strikeouts 80 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: when he wanted to, and at the end of the day, 81 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 1: he did the you know at the very least to 82 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: get the Braves in the game. I come away from this, 83 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 1: if there's a positive takeaway from this game, the performance 84 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: of Spencer Strider gives you something to build on moving forward. 85 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, he started out a little shaky, obviously, hit Harper 86 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 2: in the first and I've read the reports. I think 87 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: Harper's gonna be fine. I think all the extrays were negative, 88 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 2: which is good. We never rooted injuries of any player. 89 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 2: But you know, he had the h hit by pitch 90 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,600 Speaker 2: in the first, had the walk in the second that 91 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 2: ended up leading to the run. He was falling behind 92 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 2: a lot of hitters. Listen, when you're throwing ninety five 93 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,840 Speaker 2: and you're not throwing ninety nine, you don't have the 94 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 2: same level of confidence just to pump one right down 95 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 2: the middle. And I think what we're watching is Spencer 96 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: realizing that he can't just pump it down the middle, 97 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:30,000 Speaker 2: that he's got to hit corners. And I think that's 98 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: where some of the walks have come from so far. 99 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 2: He had four walks tonight plus the hit by pitch, 100 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: and that's gonna be the thing that's probably most irritating 101 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 2: to him because it got his pitch count up as 102 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:41,239 Speaker 2: the reason he only got through four and two thirds inning, 103 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 2: I think. But I will say even though the levelosity 104 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 2: is still not quite there, he did get better command 105 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 2: of the slider as the game went, which was became 106 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 2: his strikeout pitch. He threw a couple of nasty ones 107 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,720 Speaker 2: to shore Ber. Yeah, you know, he end up I 108 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 2: think with seven strikeouts and four two, which is still 109 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,880 Speaker 2: really strong strikeout numbers. You can pitch at ninety four 110 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 2: ninety six, but you gotta have better command, and that's 111 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 2: I think what he's looking for. Plus I'm sure he's 112 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 2: hoping for a little bit more velocity to come as 113 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:18,000 Speaker 2: he gets going. But his ability to command the slider, 114 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,560 Speaker 2: I thought was what God would saved him in the 115 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 2: second half of the start tonight, because in the first 116 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 2: couple of innings they looked like he was gonna be 117 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 2: in real trouble. He just couldn't command the fastball, couldn't 118 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 2: command the slider, and then all of a sudden he 119 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 2: kind of clicked and he was able to get strikeouts. Again, 120 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:34,600 Speaker 2: that's a tough lineup, it's a tough barb walk to play. 121 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 2: You give up one run, I mean, you take that. 122 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 2: It's not his best game certainly, and there will probably 123 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 2: be better, but he gave the Braves a chance to 124 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 2: win tonight, and while he's still getting his legs underneath him, 125 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 2: that's about all you can ask for. 126 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 1: The other thing that I'll say is this, So that's 127 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: the one positive takeaway and where again we're going to 128 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: get to the offense in just a moment. But beyond Strider, 129 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: I know that the bullpen only gave up one run tonight. 130 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 1: But what I will say is is that with das 131 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: vol Hernandez, who has looked good at times this year, 132 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 1: I do want to also throw a bit of caution 133 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,000 Speaker 1: out there. Tonight he certainly struggled with his command. But 134 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: the thing that stands out to me, Stephen, is that 135 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: when you look at the numbers, it's not too encouraging. 136 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: At the moment. I know that he has a one 137 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: point six four ERA, but he has a three point 138 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:26,560 Speaker 1: six six SPIP again, this is before tonight, a three 139 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: point six six SPIP, a five point one five x FIP, 140 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: six point five to five k's through nine five point 141 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: seventy three walks per nine. The walks got him again tonight, 142 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 1: and that's being helped by the fact that he's got 143 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: a two hundred batting average on balls in play. 144 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:45,400 Speaker 2: The numbers on. 145 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: The surface with days Vore, Hernandez look very good, but 146 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: the underneath numbers his stuff looks excellent at times, but 147 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 1: the underneath numbers unfortunately scream regression, and we already have 148 00:07:56,720 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: seen that in a big way with Rice el Iglesias. 149 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:02,200 Speaker 1: I think there's concern at the back end of the 150 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: Braves bullpen, which the Braves absolutely cannot afford to be 151 00:08:05,720 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: the case now that they're once again three games. That 152 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: their five hundred tonight definitely was one more indication that 153 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 1: it's pretty shaky at the back end of the Braves bullpen. 154 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: As you dig into the numbers. 155 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, the lack of strikeouts is weird. You know, he 156 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 2: had two more walks tonight, so I think for the season, 157 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 2: ye had two walks and two strikeouts. So I think 158 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 2: for the season he has eighteen strikeouts and sixteen walks. 159 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 2: And one of those numbers is way too low, and 160 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 2: one of those numbers is way too high. So yes, 161 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 2: very I mean, it's it is concerning like even though 162 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 2: the era looks good, he's not gonna run a two 163 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 2: hundred babit forever. He has not given up a single 164 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,839 Speaker 2: home run yet this year, despite giving up a number 165 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 2: of fly balls, that ratio is not gonna last. He's 166 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 2: gonna give up homers. You know, guys are not going 167 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 2: to run a two hundred babit begainst them all year. 168 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 2: So I am very concerned about the back end of 169 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 2: the bullpen, and I listen, I've been concerned about the 170 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 2: back in the bullpen since November, so that's not anything 171 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:12,199 Speaker 2: new to anybody listening. But yes, you know, as kind 172 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 2: of a more process oriented podcast, the process that Day's 173 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 2: Bill is using to get these outs is not encouraging. 174 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: Now the stuff is very encouraging. The dude those ninety eight, 175 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 2: ninety nine sometimes one hundred with a wipeout slider. I 176 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: don't know why the strikeouts have gone. Maybe it's command driven, 177 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 2: I don't know. But until he starts striking some more 178 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 2: guys out and walking fewer hitters, I'm gonna be worried 179 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 2: about Day's ball because, like you said, the peripherals are 180 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 2: a mess, and everything that we know about how pitchers, 181 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:49,120 Speaker 2: you know, regress, says there's some serious regression coming to 182 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 2: that era pretty soon. You saw it a little bit tonight. 183 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 2: He's got to get more strikeouts, and he's got to 184 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 2: get fewer walks. 185 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and again I don't want to sound me alarm 186 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: too much or anything like that, but the whole point 187 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: is is we're going to discuss a little bit more 188 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 1: with the offense right now. The Braves need as many factors, 189 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: as many aspects of this team to be in the 190 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: position to help them win, and not only win, but 191 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 1: win consistently. And just as you dig further into the numbers, 192 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 1: more concern I think right now is there, then there 193 00:10:22,480 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: is confidence. We'll just discuss that from an offensive perspective. 194 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: And just a moment after this message from our partners 195 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 1: ft FAM. 196 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 3: You might have a boring, old, crusty, unpretty razor and 197 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:40,679 Speaker 3: it might be expensive, so AJ should they consider another option? 198 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:44,199 Speaker 2: Look how cool this is. Look at the color scheme. 199 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 4: Look at it. A little sheath what hide the blades 200 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:48,120 Speaker 4: when you travel? 201 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 2: Works great? 202 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 4: I'm mean using this for a couple of weeks now 203 00:10:51,160 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 4: on Harry's Clean No Bumps, no cuts works great. And 204 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 4: you know the best part, it's a great price, especially 205 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:00,320 Speaker 4: if you use the foul territory code. 206 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 2: Scott. 207 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 3: That's right, Harry's dot com slash foul guess what. You 208 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 3: can also get yourself a no risk trial So if 209 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 3: you don't like your shave, no worries, it's on Harry's. 210 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 3: They're not worried about it. Get the edge on your 211 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 3: shave with Harry's. Normally the trial set is ten dollars, 212 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 3: but right now you can get it for just six 213 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 3: dollars at Harry's dot com slash foul. Use the exclusive 214 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 3: link Harry's dot com slash foul for a six dollars 215 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:30,720 Speaker 3: trial set. 216 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: So Stephen I mentioned the way of putting it as 217 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 1: you know, where are you with this team right now? 218 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: Are you more concerned or are you more confident? Well, 219 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 1: I think in general of this season, concern right now 220 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: is probably a bit higher than confidence. But there's also 221 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 1: the aspect to where we've been here before. And I 222 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 1: think many I have harped on it myself here in 223 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 1: the recent past about the fact that this team, this 224 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: has kind of defined the Alexanthopolas era. This team is 225 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,959 Speaker 1: slow navigate April and May, but then they really hit 226 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,679 Speaker 1: the ground running come June through the end of the 227 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: regular season. I think if you combine their records from 228 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,680 Speaker 1: twenty two to twenty three, even twenty four to twenty one, 229 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: for instance, twenty nineteen. I think overall since twenty nineteen, 230 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: this team has like had as a sixty eight even 231 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: seventy percent winning percentage from June first on, you know, 232 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 1: in the regular season. But the thing about it is, 233 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:26,680 Speaker 1: this is the reason why I say that, you know, hey, 234 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: that may give you confidence that this team is going 235 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 1: to hit the ground running at some point. The concern 236 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: is is that, Okay, what is going to fuel them 237 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: hitting the ground running? And there's just not a lot 238 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 1: of statistical backing that suggests that. But before we get 239 00:12:42,559 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 1: into that, I will say that ESPN recently had an 240 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 1: article where they talked about what concern who have been 241 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: the most surprising teams, the most disappointing teams, where they 242 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 1: think playoff racers are going to go things such as that, 243 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: And something that stood out to me is this is 244 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: that nearly every one of their baseball minds that was 245 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: in that article they said it at some point. They 246 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:02,840 Speaker 1: basically said to the effect of it, at some point, 247 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 1: the Braves are going to hit their group. Their best 248 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: days are ahead of them. They've got Strider, They've got 249 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: to Coodie back. The Braves are going to be there 250 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: in the end, I think from the past, yes, you 251 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,679 Speaker 1: certainly have evidence that that's the case. But in terms 252 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: of this year, Steven, it's hard to give a reason why. 253 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 1: If you want to say they've done it before, I 254 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,280 Speaker 1: get it. But in terms of this year's team, how 255 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: are they going to do it? That's hard to define. 256 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, So listen, if you just go by the inputs, 257 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 2: if you just go if you just look at the 258 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:36,599 Speaker 2: sum on stright, if you just look at the individual 259 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 2: parts and add them together, everything we know about team 260 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 2: building says the Braves should be one of the best 261 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 2: teams in baseball. Everything we know about it, because the 262 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 2: best way to decide how good a team is is 263 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 2: take all the individual parts and add them together. You know, 264 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,160 Speaker 2: it's it's an input type of system, and the Braves 265 00:13:55,160 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 2: have fantastic inputs. Chriselle, Spencer, Strider, you know Schwalla Bach, 266 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:08,760 Speaker 2: you know Akunya Ozuna, Riley Olsen, Murphy Baldwin, Ozzie Harris. 267 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 2: Like you just list the names, the All star appearances, 268 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 2: the track records, you just list all that stuff out, 269 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 2: The Braves should be one of the best teams in baseball. 270 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 2: Everything says that until you watch them play. And then 271 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:25,760 Speaker 2: when you watch them play, you're like, oh, no, this 272 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 2: team is just like a five hundred ish team at best. 273 00:14:31,040 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 2: And for some reason that I still have not been 274 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 2: able to figure out, this team cannot hit when there's 275 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 2: runners on base. When their bases are empty, the Braves 276 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 2: have like a one oh five WRC plus, which is 277 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 2: not great, but it's not bad. It's probably gonna put 278 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 2: you in like the top twelve in baseball when that's 279 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 2: when the bases are empty. They have a one oh 280 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:57,080 Speaker 2: five WRC plus. When there's runners on base anywhere on base, 281 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 2: not just runners in scoring position, anywhere on base, that 282 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 2: goes down to a ninety two WRC plus, which is 283 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: one like the second or third worst in baseball. And 284 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 2: that's what I don't get. Everything that I know about offense, 285 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 2: and this goes back years and years and years and 286 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 2: years and years. You can look this up anywhere. Offense 287 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 2: is supposed to go up when there's runners on base 288 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 2: because it's harder to pitch. And if you look at 289 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: any pitcher's numbers once runners get on base, their numbers 290 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 2: get worse. You look at any team's offensive numbers when 291 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 2: they get runners on base. Their offensive production goes up 292 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 2: with this team the last two years. It not only 293 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 2: as it goes down, it goes down sharply. And that's 294 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 2: what I can't understand. Like tonight, they had runners on 295 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:43,960 Speaker 2: base every inning I except I think the ninth inning. 296 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 2: I think the ninth inning was the only inning they 297 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 2: didn't have a runner on base, and they scored zero runs. 298 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 2: Because whenever runners get on base with this team, the 299 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,960 Speaker 2: whole team forgets how to hit. They the worst at 300 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 2: bats you will ever see from any one of these 301 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 2: hitters is in a big spot with runners on base. 302 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,320 Speaker 2: You know, Austin Riley got a two to zero fastball 303 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,080 Speaker 2: with two guys on in the fifth inning and hit 304 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 2: all week grounder Matt Olson swung out a pitch two 305 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 2: feet above the strike zone with the bases loaded to 306 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 2: strike out, like the consistently, not just one game, not 307 00:16:16,240 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 2: just a week. The last two years, the worst at 308 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 2: bats this team ever takes are with runners on base. 309 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 2: And I don't get it. I really don't understand. I 310 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 2: wish it doesn't make any sense, and I need somebody 311 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 2: to explain it to me. Yes, I understand that come 312 00:16:33,520 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 2: June July August, this team they may take off, and 313 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 2: they might. They have a ton of talent, ton of talent, 314 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 2: as much talent as any team in baseball not named 315 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 2: the Dodgers. But until they figure out how to remember 316 00:16:45,840 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 2: to hit with runners on base, it's not gonna matter. 317 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 2: If you can't hit with runners on base, you can't score. 318 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 2: I mean, unless you're gonna hit twelve solo homers a game. 319 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 2: They got to remember how to hit with runners on base. 320 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 2: And until that happens, this is what we get. 321 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: So me and Stephen were talking about before the podcast, 322 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 1: you know, looking at you know, kind of being you 323 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:08,679 Speaker 1: know at this third of the way through the season 324 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:11,440 Speaker 1: where we've seen the phrase before again, struggle in April 325 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: and June really take a struggled are struggle in April 326 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: and may really take off in June? You know, how 327 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:19,399 Speaker 1: are they going to go about doing it? And we 328 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 1: looked we said to each other, you know, let's come 329 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: on a wood stat that you know, we feel this 330 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: is where we've got to improve. But how much confidence 331 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:29,639 Speaker 1: do we have that we're actually going to improve? So 332 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:33,800 Speaker 1: to Stevens point, this team actually figuring out how did 333 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 1: you simply have the same approach at the plate, the 334 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: same level of productivity at the plate with runners on 335 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:42,280 Speaker 1: that they do when runners are off. In other words, 336 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: this team can create the run scoring opportunities. So Stephen, 337 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 1: at this point when you're trying to figure this out, 338 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 1: I think it's common sense for you to look at 339 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,399 Speaker 1: your best hitters, for you to look to them to 340 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 1: be the ones that turn the tide, that right the 341 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: ship right. That makes common sense. Let's go back to 342 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:02,479 Speaker 1: last year when the Braves were struggling to score runs, 343 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: going from May first through the end of last year. 344 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: In that time span, if you combine the Braves' second, third, fourth, 345 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: and fifth spots in the lineup with runners in scoring position, 346 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: last year, they produced an eight ten OPS, a two 347 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: O six IO and at one eighteen WRC plus they 348 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 1: were basically league average. The Braves hard of the order, 349 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: their best hitters, was league average compared to other lineups 350 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: hard of the orders in baseball with runners in scoring position. 351 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 1: That may be hard to believe with how much the 352 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:38,200 Speaker 1: brain struggled at times last year, but this year, this year, 353 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: it's not hard to see why they're struggling because the 354 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 1: middle of the order for the Brave runners are in 355 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 1: scoring position actually is one of the three worst middle 356 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 1: of the orders in such situations in baseball. Again, the 357 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: middle of the order with runners in scoring position last 358 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: year eight ten OPS, two six IO one eighteen WRC plus. 359 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 1: This year, the middle of the order two three, four 360 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,919 Speaker 1: five in the lineup combined a six point thirty five OPS, 361 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 1: a point nine zero ISO, and a seventy eight WRC plus. 362 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: That WRC plus is twenty seventh in baseball. This, the 363 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:20,920 Speaker 1: Braves middle of the order right now displays the least 364 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: amount of power of any middle of the order in 365 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: baseball with runners in scoring position. I'm talking about they 366 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 1: show less power than the Rockies, less power than the 367 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:35,520 Speaker 1: White Sox, any team in baseball. That's why we lack 368 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: confidence at the moment that they're really gonna turn this 369 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: around to the level that they need to. And that 370 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:43,920 Speaker 1: to me is where it's got to turn around. This 371 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 1: team has got to be able to get back to 372 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:49,919 Speaker 1: at least occasionally hitting the ball with some authority. We 373 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:53,119 Speaker 1: talked about before, where are they gonna turn it around 374 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,920 Speaker 1: overnight to be elite at something. This isn't them needing 375 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,320 Speaker 1: to be elite, They just need to be league average. 376 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 1: And right now, that in of it silth is a 377 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,119 Speaker 1: significant heel to climb. 378 00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:08,720 Speaker 2: The Braves have scored the fewest runs in the National 379 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 2: League geest this season, the Miami Marlins have scored more 380 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 2: runs than the Braves have. The Miami Marlins have spent 381 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 2: twelve dollars on their lineup and have scored more runs 382 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 2: through two months than the Braves have. I mean that again, 383 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 2: I'm not talking about being elite. I'm not talking about 384 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 2: being up there with the Dodgers and the Yankees. I'm 385 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 2: just talking about being back to like, not completely sucking. 386 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 2: I mean, you can't outscore the Miami Marlins. The Braves 387 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 2: have I don't know how much money tied up into 388 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 2: their their lineup. I mean, probably close to one hundred 389 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,680 Speaker 2: million dollars at this point. And if you look at 390 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,160 Speaker 2: long term, you know all the years combined well over 391 00:20:58,160 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 2: one hundred million dollars. But I'm talking about just for 392 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 2: this year, and they can't outscore the Miami Marlins. I 393 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 2: just if you cannot hit with runners on base, you're 394 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:15,479 Speaker 2: not gonna score. It's just that simple, because the only 395 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 2: way you're gonna score is with a solo homer, and 396 00:21:17,800 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 2: you got to hit a bunch of those to win 397 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:21,440 Speaker 2: any games. So until they learn how to hit with 398 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 2: runners on base. And this is the thing, this is 399 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 2: the thing. You can look at the numbers when the 400 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 2: bases are empty, the Braves offense looks fine, not great, 401 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 2: but looks you know, top half of the league. When 402 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:35,120 Speaker 2: there's runners on base, it is one of the worst 403 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 2: offenses in baseball. It's I mean it just everything tanks, 404 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:43,760 Speaker 2: the power on base, strikeouts go up, walks go down, 405 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:47,399 Speaker 2: everything tanks when there's runners on base. And it doesn't 406 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 2: make a lick of sense. It doesn't make any sense 407 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 2: at all. And until they fix that, until they remember 408 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 2: how to hit. And I'm sure it's mental. I'm sure 409 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 2: they put on you know, I'm sure they all go 410 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 2: walk up to the play with just the pressure of 411 00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:03,680 Speaker 2: the world on their shoulders because they feel like they 412 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 2: know they failed so much in these spots. But until 413 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 2: they learn how to just hit like they do any 414 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 2: other time when there's runners on base, this is the future. 415 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 2: I mean, this is what we're gonna get. We're gonna 416 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 2: get games like this where they score one, too, maybe 417 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 2: three runs, and whether or not they win depends entirely 418 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 2: on if the pitching staff can make that hold up, 419 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 2: which was all which is what we did all last year. 420 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:29,359 Speaker 2: That was that was the that was them for it 421 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 2: after May one last year. All last year was just 422 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 2: the offense is gonna score three runs or less? Can 423 00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:38,199 Speaker 2: the pitching make that hold up? 424 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: Its concerned about this is that it's not only about 425 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: the fact that they're not doing a lot when they 426 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: put the ball in play. They also had the fourth 427 00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: worst strikeout rate, you know, that middle of the order 428 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: that I was talking about, the fourth worst strikeout rate 429 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,400 Speaker 1: of any middle of the order in baseball with Runnerson 430 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 1: scoring position. So when you look at the numbers, when 431 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,000 Speaker 1: you look at the underlying numbers to support the service, 432 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 1: it makes sense. Marlbari three games in five hundred. The 433 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: big thing to say is this, I think the point 434 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: that be and Steven are both agreed on this team 435 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: is fully capable of Turney to direct. But the point 436 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:15,720 Speaker 1: is is that we've seen this kind of for over 437 00:23:15,720 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: a year and the other thing that the numbers are 438 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: saying is that this tread that we're seeing of them 439 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 1: not being able to get the job done with Rudders 440 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,679 Speaker 1: at scoring position, the best sitters in the Braves litup 441 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 1: are actually getting worse well, actually, well, you know what 442 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 1: I mean. The trend is going down instead of being 443 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 1: level or instead of improving. That's got improve. Ronaldkunya Juior 444 00:23:37,480 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: is back. That's a great thing. He's going to get 445 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 1: on base more. He's going to be on him Being 446 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:47,600 Speaker 1: back means more players are going to be on base 447 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,480 Speaker 1: for the Braves. But their problem has not been creating 448 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:54,119 Speaker 1: the run scoring opportunities. It's getting the job done and 449 00:23:54,119 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 1: they got to start doing it now or unless the 450 00:23:56,480 --> 00:23:58,439 Speaker 1: hole is going to get even deeper for them to 451 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:01,439 Speaker 1: try to climb out of. Will have more on what 452 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:04,159 Speaker 1: to expect for the rest of this series just a 453 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:05,720 Speaker 1: moment after a word from our partners. 454 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:09,679 Speaker 3: The weather is warming up. And with that being said, 455 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:12,439 Speaker 3: you need to check out what Rowback is bringing to 456 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 3: the table. If you're a golfer, especially and you're looking 457 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 3: for golf shirts that just have the perfect style and 458 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,679 Speaker 3: also are soft. They're lightweight and perfect for the summertime, 459 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 3: Rowback is the spot. Of course, FT's hooking you up 460 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 3: with the code for twenty percent off at rowback dot com. 461 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 3: That's foul on rhoback dot com for twenty percent off 462 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 3: all shorts, hoodies, polos, and more. 463 00:24:37,240 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, so, Stephen, looking at the rest of this series, 464 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:42,200 Speaker 1: of course, the Braves are going to be in Philly 465 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:46,120 Speaker 1: tomorrow as well as Thursday. Once again, unfortunately, the Braves 466 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 1: are going to run into a bit of weather concern. Now, 467 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 1: it's great that they're getting all these extra days off, 468 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 1: but you know that this team is chomping at the 469 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:56,960 Speaker 1: bit to try to get on the field, to get 470 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,119 Speaker 1: a good game under their belt. Steven, let me ask. 471 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 1: I know that neither one of us are professional baseball players, 472 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 1: but at a time like this, where the brains are 473 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 1: so inconsistent, where they have a good game and then 474 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 1: they'll have two bad games, it's like they take a 475 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 1: step forward and then they take two steps back. Are 476 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 1: these unexpected off days a positive in your mind? Or 477 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 1: are they a bit of a detriment and that you 478 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 1: go through these frustrating occurrences like they've been through over 479 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:26,240 Speaker 1: the past week. But also, it's hard to play three 480 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:28,880 Speaker 1: straight games in a row because whether it's not cooperating, 481 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 1: how do you think they handle these off days. I 482 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:32,960 Speaker 1: know they're professionals, I know they make the most of them, 483 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 1: but I also think it's a bit frustrating that they 484 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 1: can't just get out there and get into that group 485 00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:39,320 Speaker 1: they so desperately want to find. 486 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 2: I mean, yeah, that could be part of it. But 487 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 2: you know, at the same time, I would say they 488 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 2: just came off a stretch where they played like seventeen 489 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,879 Speaker 2: games in seventeen days, and they didn't hit in that 490 00:25:48,920 --> 00:25:53,680 Speaker 2: stretch either, So maybe, yeah, maybe it's you know, it's 491 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:58,520 Speaker 2: tough when you're off play off play. The there's a 492 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 2: very high likelihood the Brains are not playing tomorrow. The 493 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 2: forecast in Philadelphia tomorrow is just abysmal. Or if you're 494 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:08,479 Speaker 2: listening to this on Wednesday morning, then we're talking about today. 495 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 2: The forecast for Wednesdays is like ninety nine percent chance 496 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:17,159 Speaker 2: of rain all day, all night. I would bet they 497 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 2: don't even go to the ball. This is one of 498 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 2: those where I wouldn't be surprised if if they called 499 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:26,359 Speaker 2: it at like noon tomorrow. So we'll see. You know, 500 00:26:26,400 --> 00:26:28,560 Speaker 2: maybe the forecast will improve and they can get it in. 501 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:31,200 Speaker 2: But even if they get it in, they get Zack Wheeler. 502 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:32,920 Speaker 2: You know, I don't even know if I want them 503 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,760 Speaker 2: to play this. I mean, the last thing I want 504 00:26:35,760 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 2: this offense to face is Zach Wheeler. To be honest, 505 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 2: But who knows. You know, maybe that's what they need. 506 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,160 Speaker 2: You know, maybe they maybe they go out and score 507 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 2: eight runs against Zack Wheeler because nothing else they do 508 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,800 Speaker 2: makes sense quite honestly. But yeah, if the you know, 509 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 2: the high likelihoods are not playing tomorrow, and then if 510 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 2: they do play tomorrow, it's you know, their reward is 511 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 2: one of the best pictures on planet Earth. And a 512 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,879 Speaker 2: guy who has never as far as I can remember, 513 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 2: has never missed a Brave series, and that's that Wheeler. 514 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 2: So and then you know, obviously Thursday's game is Chris 515 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:11,920 Speaker 2: Sale versus Christopher Sanchez, I think, and it'll be you know, 516 00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 2: if the game gets rained out tomorrow and actually be 517 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 2: interesting what the teams do when they're pitching, if everybody 518 00:27:17,480 --> 00:27:20,199 Speaker 2: gets bumped back, if Wheeler gets skipped, if Wheeler just 519 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,040 Speaker 2: gets moved to Thursday. The Braves have Saale going on 520 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,879 Speaker 2: Thursday and Smith Shaver going tomorrow, my guess is they 521 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:30,160 Speaker 2: would just skip Smith Chaver and have Sale go on Thursday. 522 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,560 Speaker 2: But I don't know. We'll see the game hasn't actually 523 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 2: been postponed yet, but the forecast tomorrow is miserable. 524 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:39,120 Speaker 1: Well, so that brings up another you know it kind 525 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:43,200 Speaker 1: of you know question about strategy. You know strategy, I'm Stratejery. 526 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 1: Strategory is a wonderful word. I I did it, don't purpose, 527 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 1: don't judge. The point that I'm getting at is, though, 528 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:53,800 Speaker 1: is this This does bring up a very interesting point though, 529 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 1: because if it rains out tomorrow right now at Smith 530 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:00,959 Speaker 1: Schav versus Zach Wheeler, you do know you're not favorite 531 00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: in that pitching matchup, obviously, but this is the type 532 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:08,760 Speaker 1: of decision making that the Braves find themselves in having 533 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,560 Speaker 1: to make the right call, and to me, the right 534 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 1: call is more than obvious. If the game is rained 535 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,360 Speaker 1: out tomorrow, the Phillies are definitely going to pitch Wheeler 536 00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 1: over sand Chez. If you're the Braves, you counter with sale. 537 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: Because that's the other thing that stands out about this 538 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:26,800 Speaker 1: is that now, with this loss to the Phillies and 539 00:28:26,840 --> 00:28:28,679 Speaker 1: the fact that the Braves have now lost three in 540 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: a row once again, they're three games under five hundred. 541 00:28:30,880 --> 00:28:34,080 Speaker 1: They're right now nine and a half games behind the Phillies. 542 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: I believe there's seven behind the Mets. They're right now 543 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 1: four and a half, five games out of the wild 544 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: card spots. Losses cannot keep mounting up. If you're facing 545 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:46,479 Speaker 1: one of the best pitchers in baseball, you need to 546 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 1: counter with the best pitchers in baseball. So for this team, 547 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: especially the Brian Snicker led coaching staff that at times 548 00:28:54,480 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 1: just kind of keeps the status quo that needs to 549 00:28:56,960 --> 00:28:59,360 Speaker 1: go out the door, You've got to start being aggressive 550 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,920 Speaker 1: with your decision. And if so, if Wheeler has moved 551 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 1: back to Thursday, you counter with Sale and you just 552 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 1: take your chances and hope that the Brads will be 553 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: able to figure out how to once again do pretty good. 554 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: He gets the quality pitcher like they have at times 555 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: this season. 556 00:29:12,360 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean we've seen him in the past where 557 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 2: they use opportunities like this to give guys like Sale 558 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:20,040 Speaker 2: extra day's rest. But to your point, I don't know 559 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:22,560 Speaker 2: if that's a luxury you can afford anymore. I mean, 560 00:29:22,600 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 2: you're nine and a half games back in the Phillies, 561 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:28,400 Speaker 2: and listen, I know the Braves came back from a 562 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 2: ten game deficit a couple of years ago. I think 563 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 2: that has given Braves fans a weirdly unrealistic level of 564 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,760 Speaker 2: confidence when it comes to getting this far behind. Usually, 565 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 2: when you get this far behind in a season, you're 566 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,960 Speaker 2: not coming back. Most teams don't give up ten game 567 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:48,680 Speaker 2: leads in the division, so there does need to be 568 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 2: a sense of urgency. And I agree if tomorrow's game 569 00:29:52,560 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 2: gets rained out and the Phillies push Wheeler to Thursday, 570 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:58,120 Speaker 2: the Braves need to do the same thing with Sale 571 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:03,960 Speaker 2: and skip Smith Shaver Again, Zach Wheeler versus Ajas Michelle 572 00:30:04,200 --> 00:30:05,760 Speaker 2: is not really a matchup you want on any part 573 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 2: of anyways, especially on a three game losing or a 574 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 2: two game losing Street. They lost five in the last six, 575 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 2: so yeah, we don't need we don't need that. If 576 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:17,240 Speaker 2: the game gets postponed tomorrow, Wheeler pitches on Thursday. Sale 577 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:18,200 Speaker 2: needs to pitch on Thursday. 578 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:22,280 Speaker 1: I agree with you absolutely, because again, if the games 579 00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:25,440 Speaker 1: rained out tomorrow and then you play the Phillies, you're 580 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:27,600 Speaker 1: going to see the Phillies and the Mets again towards 581 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:30,360 Speaker 1: the end of June. Being able to get that win 582 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 1: not only keep shit two games under five hundred with 583 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:35,720 Speaker 1: you going home against versus Boston, who you just came 584 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:38,280 Speaker 1: off a series win against, but you also were able 585 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:40,440 Speaker 1: to get the job done on their own against a 586 00:30:40,520 --> 00:30:45,080 Speaker 1: division fo Again, I'm probably using must win too much 587 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 1: this early in the season, but we're also seeing that 588 00:30:47,960 --> 00:30:50,840 Speaker 1: we're a third of the way through the season. The Braves, 589 00:30:51,680 --> 00:30:55,160 Speaker 1: in all likelihood cannot afford to drop two more games 590 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 1: to the Phillies this week. They need to at least 591 00:30:57,840 --> 00:30:59,800 Speaker 1: get one win. It'll be even better if they played 592 00:30:59,840 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 1: just one remaining game and they get that one win. 593 00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 1: But the Brase, it's just the mentality's got to be 594 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,080 Speaker 1: there to where they got to get the job done. 595 00:31:08,280 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 1: You know, sales wanting to do it. You know that 596 00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 1: Ronald McCune just want to do it. Spencer Strider showed 597 00:31:12,560 --> 00:31:15,120 Speaker 1: his improvement. The rest of this team has to lock in, 598 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:17,200 Speaker 1: and I know that it's to the point that we're 599 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:19,760 Speaker 1: kind of getting repetitive, you know here covering the podcast 600 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:22,400 Speaker 1: and everything, we're kind of mentioning the same things over 601 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 1: and over and over. We're not at the point of desperation, 602 00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:28,320 Speaker 1: but we're at the point to where you've got to 603 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:30,920 Speaker 1: have the determination to where there's no other option but 604 00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:34,000 Speaker 1: getting the job done. That's what's got to be the 605 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:36,720 Speaker 1: mentality of this team right now. Hopefully you're able to 606 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 1: play tomorrow, but if not, you've got to be able 607 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:40,960 Speaker 1: to backsell with some runs early. 608 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:44,000 Speaker 2: And I tell you what I was thinking about. I 609 00:31:44,040 --> 00:31:45,960 Speaker 2: was watching as I was watching them just kind of 610 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,640 Speaker 2: fold up tonight and not show much fight is I 611 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:52,720 Speaker 2: would love to know the makeup of that clubhouse because 612 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 2: we've watched guys who were critical to that clubhouse. Travis Darnault, 613 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:03,480 Speaker 2: Max Read, Charlie Morton, going back even a little farther, 614 00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:07,640 Speaker 2: Jock Peterson, Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, like guys that we 615 00:32:07,720 --> 00:32:11,000 Speaker 2: know were big parts of contributing to the culture of 616 00:32:11,040 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 2: that clubhouse. All leave, all have gone on other teams. 617 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:17,480 Speaker 1: And. 618 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:20,800 Speaker 2: I'm very cuous to know who is the guy that 619 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 2: steps up in that clubhouse with the you know, it's 620 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 2: time for our players only meeting. It's time, you know 621 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:31,440 Speaker 2: this whole it's a long season. Everybody just you know, 622 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 2: go about your businesses like all that stuff is done. 623 00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:37,400 Speaker 2: Where we are now fighting for our lives. Sense of 624 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 2: emergency level, Like I want to know who that's coming from. 625 00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:43,600 Speaker 2: Chris Sale has that reputation from his time in Boston 626 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:48,440 Speaker 2: in Chicago, but sometimes when you're still a relative newcomer, 627 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 2: it's tough to be that voice. Matt Olsen and Austin Riley, 628 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 2: Sean Murphy, they're all very quiet, kind of all shucks, 629 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:03,920 Speaker 2: you know, reserved guys. You know, the Latin players, Akunya Ozuna. 630 00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:05,360 Speaker 2: They don't speak the lang I know. I don't know 631 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:07,640 Speaker 2: if they speak the language well enough honestly to address 632 00:33:07,680 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 2: the whole clubhouse like that. Maybe it's Ozzy, I don't know. 633 00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:14,840 Speaker 2: I don't know who it is, you know, snit is 634 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:17,840 Speaker 2: very much a well, we'll get him tomorrow type of manager, 635 00:33:17,920 --> 00:33:20,040 Speaker 2: you know. I don't. I'm not sure he's a cuss 636 00:33:20,080 --> 00:33:22,280 Speaker 2: the paint off the walls and try to rally the 637 00:33:22,280 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 2: troops type of guy. I don't know. I'm just very curious. 638 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,840 Speaker 2: With as much as they lost in the clubhouse the 639 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:31,600 Speaker 2: last few years in terms of leadership, who's the guy, 640 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:34,360 Speaker 2: who's the guy that's gonna step up and be like, 641 00:33:35,040 --> 00:33:38,960 Speaker 2: no more, no more, we'll get him tomorrow, no more. No, 642 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 2: we're fighting. We are gonna fight like hell from this 643 00:33:41,880 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 2: point forward. And if we go down, fine, but we're 644 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:47,000 Speaker 2: gonna go down fighting. And I just want to know 645 00:33:47,000 --> 00:33:48,800 Speaker 2: who that guy is in the clubhouse, because it's not 646 00:33:50,120 --> 00:33:52,760 Speaker 2: it's not overly obvious from the outside who that would be. 647 00:33:53,240 --> 00:33:55,520 Speaker 2: With as many guys as the brace of let Go 648 00:33:55,600 --> 00:33:56,440 Speaker 2: the last few years. 649 00:33:57,520 --> 00:33:59,040 Speaker 1: And the thing that I want to add to that 650 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:01,360 Speaker 1: is this is that, at least from my perspective, and 651 00:34:01,360 --> 00:34:03,680 Speaker 1: Steven and I don't want to speak for you, but 652 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:06,800 Speaker 1: I definitely think that guy's in there. I think multiple 653 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:09,200 Speaker 1: guys like that are in there. But with all the 654 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:11,560 Speaker 1: guys that we named that have left, we're to the 655 00:34:11,560 --> 00:34:13,560 Speaker 1: point to where now that's got to stop being the 656 00:34:13,680 --> 00:34:15,759 Speaker 1: point of the conversation when it comes to the clubhouse. 657 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:19,320 Speaker 1: The point of the conversation has to be less about 658 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:23,200 Speaker 1: who's left and more about who's there. I have no 659 00:34:23,239 --> 00:34:25,520 Speaker 1: doubts in my mind this guy that we're talking about, 660 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:27,439 Speaker 1: or multiple guys that we're talking about for this Brave 661 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:30,759 Speaker 1: Squad are certainly in that clubhouse. Chris Hell stands out 662 00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:32,880 Speaker 1: as that type of guy. I imagine Austin Miley is 663 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:35,239 Speaker 1: that type of guy. I imagine Matt Olsen is that 664 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:37,319 Speaker 1: type of guy. The point that I'm getting at, though, 665 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:40,200 Speaker 1: is is that this is now the time to where 666 00:34:40,239 --> 00:34:42,680 Speaker 1: we need to know who that guy is. And I'm 667 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:45,440 Speaker 1: not saying that we as covering the team or the 668 00:34:45,480 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 1: fan base is owed somebody coming out and saying this 669 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:50,160 Speaker 1: is our leader, this is who we follow. We don't 670 00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:53,440 Speaker 1: need that type of confirmation. We just need the confirmation 671 00:34:53,560 --> 00:34:56,719 Speaker 1: to know we expect for it to be there. Now 672 00:34:56,760 --> 00:34:59,880 Speaker 1: it has to show that it's there. This team is 673 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:03,560 Speaker 1: fully capable of winning a World Series this year and 674 00:35:03,640 --> 00:35:07,120 Speaker 1: going forward for many years to come. That type of 675 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 1: talent level in this team has not changed. The talent 676 00:35:09,719 --> 00:35:12,439 Speaker 1: to be the best team in baseball is still on 677 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:16,080 Speaker 1: this team. It's just got to show up consistently. And 678 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:19,319 Speaker 1: I would imagine that the players more than anybody else, 679 00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:23,400 Speaker 1: know that time is running short on making that appearance. 680 00:35:23,440 --> 00:35:26,200 Speaker 1: To your point, Stephen, it's not about we'll get him tomorrow. 681 00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:28,520 Speaker 1: It's not about, you know what, we'll make up for 682 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:31,359 Speaker 1: it later on. It's about we've got to win now 683 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 1: and get the job done, and there's no other option. 684 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:37,359 Speaker 2: And that's what I want to see. I'm you know, 685 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:40,440 Speaker 2: I know Snitt's a beloved guy, and I know that 686 00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:44,040 Speaker 2: he has always been a very calm It's a long season. 687 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:48,799 Speaker 2: You know, we're not going to get too upset, but 688 00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:50,880 Speaker 2: every once in a while, I want to see some fire. 689 00:35:51,120 --> 00:35:54,600 Speaker 2: I want to see some some anger. Quite honestly, like 690 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:57,919 Speaker 2: you know, I want to see I want to see 691 00:35:57,960 --> 00:36:01,239 Speaker 2: guys get pissed. And that's what I was excited about 692 00:36:01,239 --> 00:36:03,359 Speaker 2: Strider and Acuna coming back, because those are two dudes 693 00:36:03,400 --> 00:36:07,279 Speaker 2: that have some fire in their belly. But again, those 694 00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:09,120 Speaker 2: guys have been gone for so long it might be 695 00:36:09,200 --> 00:36:12,439 Speaker 2: awkward for them to be, you know, addressing the whole 696 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:14,640 Speaker 2: clubhouse when they literally just got back themselves. So I 697 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:16,759 Speaker 2: don't know. I am curious about that, you know, I've 698 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:18,880 Speaker 2: been curious about that ever since they let Travis Darnogo 699 00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:23,000 Speaker 2: is basically, who is the guy in the clubhouse? You know, 700 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:25,120 Speaker 2: Ozzie has been talked about as that guy for a 701 00:36:25,120 --> 00:36:27,120 Speaker 2: long time. I don't know if he still is. I 702 00:36:27,120 --> 00:36:29,320 Speaker 2: don't know how Chris Sale handles it when the doors 703 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:33,160 Speaker 2: are shut. No one does. But they need somebody to 704 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:36,920 Speaker 2: step up and take the reins and say, boys, follow me. 705 00:36:37,080 --> 00:36:40,000 Speaker 2: We're going We're going full balls to the wall for 706 00:36:40,040 --> 00:36:43,280 Speaker 2: the next four months to play to our level, because 707 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:45,319 Speaker 2: god knows, we haven't played to our level for the 708 00:36:45,320 --> 00:36:49,160 Speaker 2: first two months, and the time is now, so it's 709 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:51,000 Speaker 2: going to be interesting to see how they respond. 710 00:36:51,280 --> 00:36:53,600 Speaker 1: And the simplest formula to be able to sit here 711 00:36:53,640 --> 00:36:55,960 Speaker 1: and answer all these questions that we may have to 712 00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:58,560 Speaker 1: whatever extent that you want to is just do it 713 00:36:58,600 --> 00:37:00,560 Speaker 1: over the field. You do it the you get the 714 00:37:00,640 --> 00:37:02,120 Speaker 1: job done on the field, You get the job done 715 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:05,080 Speaker 1: on the field. Consistently, very few are going to concern 716 00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:07,600 Speaker 1: themselves about who's stepping up at the clubhouse, because all 717 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:10,520 Speaker 1: they're going to concern themselves with is that the clubhouse 718 00:37:10,600 --> 00:37:13,919 Speaker 1: is in good shape because it's showing up on the field. Listen, 719 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:17,560 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, I don't feel that 720 00:37:17,600 --> 00:37:21,560 Speaker 1: the overall ceiling of this team has changed that much 721 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:25,200 Speaker 1: at all. It's just the pathway for this team to 722 00:37:25,239 --> 00:37:27,759 Speaker 1: get to that ceiling, I think is certainly a bit 723 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,799 Speaker 1: more cloudy than it once was. But all that can 724 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:35,120 Speaker 1: change if people just start playing to the potential, especially 725 00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:38,360 Speaker 1: when it matters the most. For the offense, that's what 726 00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:41,600 Speaker 1: runners at scoring position, for the bullpen, that's what the 727 00:37:41,680 --> 00:37:45,120 Speaker 1: lead laden games. For the starting staff, that's getting the 728 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:47,160 Speaker 1: job done through the first time in the order, for 729 00:37:47,239 --> 00:37:50,000 Speaker 1: the coaching staff, that's putting this position in the team 730 00:37:50,040 --> 00:37:53,240 Speaker 1: to win and then making the most of those opportunities. 731 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:55,879 Speaker 1: But the big key is you've got to have all 732 00:37:55,960 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 1: that going on at the same time, and that is 733 00:37:58,600 --> 00:38:01,319 Speaker 1: the one biggest we this of this team. That's been 734 00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:03,719 Speaker 1: there going back more than a year. It's been very 735 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:05,560 Speaker 1: where where it's been all at the same time, and 736 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 1: it's got to be at the same time from this 737 00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:11,160 Speaker 1: point on, Stephen, I know that you know you want 738 00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:12,640 Speaker 1: to call that a rant. I think we both got 739 00:38:12,680 --> 00:38:15,000 Speaker 1: on our soapbox there, but it felt good to get 740 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:18,239 Speaker 1: it out because we certainly again expect this great things 741 00:38:18,239 --> 00:38:20,560 Speaker 1: from this team. It's just that those great things have 742 00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:23,279 Speaker 1: got to start showing up now. Anything else from you, 743 00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:25,400 Speaker 1: Steven as we wrap up this edition of the Hammer 744 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:26,960 Speaker 1: Territory podcast. 745 00:38:27,080 --> 00:38:29,120 Speaker 2: No, just I mean, it's just been frustrating. It's just 746 00:38:29,160 --> 00:38:32,520 Speaker 2: a frustrating stretch. And I don't I'm not sure there's 747 00:38:32,520 --> 00:38:34,600 Speaker 2: a more frustrating way to watch your team than when 748 00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:37,280 Speaker 2: they're not scoring. Maybe when the maybe when the bullpen 749 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:40,359 Speaker 2: is giving up leads late, maybe that's But when you're 750 00:38:40,520 --> 00:38:42,359 Speaker 2: just not scoring and you have to watch inning after 751 00:38:42,440 --> 00:38:46,120 Speaker 2: aning of your team just do nothing on offense, nothing 752 00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:49,640 Speaker 2: and nothing and nothing and nothing, the frustration just builds 753 00:38:49,640 --> 00:38:52,480 Speaker 2: and builds and builds. If you could see my mentions 754 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:55,000 Speaker 2: on Twitter right now, it's a I mean, I need 755 00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:57,720 Speaker 2: a hazmat suit around my phone right now. I'd see. 756 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:02,799 Speaker 2: It is just a deluge of negativity, and I get it. Listen, 757 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:04,480 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna come out here and tell people they 758 00:39:04,480 --> 00:39:07,319 Speaker 2: need to be positive about this team. They're the team 759 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:09,880 Speaker 2: is playing like shit. I mean, I'm not all that 760 00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:12,520 Speaker 2: positive about them right now either. So until they start 761 00:39:12,560 --> 00:39:15,840 Speaker 2: playing better like it is what it is, and they 762 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:18,520 Speaker 2: gotta start scoring runs, they gotta start They gotta remember 763 00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:20,440 Speaker 2: how to hit with runners on base. I don't understand 764 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:24,600 Speaker 2: what's happened in that specific category, but that's the that's 765 00:39:24,640 --> 00:39:27,560 Speaker 2: the fix. They're getting on base at a pretty decent clip. 766 00:39:29,040 --> 00:39:30,919 Speaker 2: You gotta you gotta hit. You gotta hit with guys 767 00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:33,239 Speaker 2: on base to score, and you know, maybe pop a 768 00:39:33,239 --> 00:39:35,520 Speaker 2: few homers. Maybe maybe let's remember how to pop a 769 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:38,120 Speaker 2: few homers, maybe even with a guy on maybe hit 770 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:40,279 Speaker 2: a homer with a guy on base. I mean, how 771 00:39:40,320 --> 00:39:43,839 Speaker 2: about we get real crazy with it. But until they 772 00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:46,160 Speaker 2: do that, it's gonna be the same thing we've watched 773 00:39:46,160 --> 00:39:47,480 Speaker 2: for the last year and a half. 774 00:39:48,800 --> 00:39:51,160 Speaker 1: And I'll end with this. The one thing though, about 775 00:39:51,160 --> 00:39:54,399 Speaker 1: a team as talented as the Braves who still show 776 00:39:54,440 --> 00:39:57,520 Speaker 1: flashes of how talented they could be, but are so 777 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:02,520 Speaker 1: inconsistent of keeping at that they're always one win away. 778 00:40:03,080 --> 00:40:05,480 Speaker 1: We talk about the Marlins, we talk about all the 779 00:40:05,520 --> 00:40:07,600 Speaker 1: White Sox, we talk about all these teams that the 780 00:40:07,600 --> 00:40:11,600 Speaker 1: Braves offense has been worse than in certain perspectives and situations. 781 00:40:11,960 --> 00:40:14,919 Speaker 1: Those teams aren't just one win away from taking off. 782 00:40:15,360 --> 00:40:19,200 Speaker 1: This Brave's team is one win away. And if we 783 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:24,600 Speaker 1: get tomorrow night rained out, what better basis of a 784 00:40:24,640 --> 00:40:29,240 Speaker 1: win to really use as the you know, tipping points 785 00:40:29,440 --> 00:40:32,839 Speaker 1: as the starting point, the launching pad to take off 786 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:34,919 Speaker 1: like you have so many times before this time of year. 787 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:41,200 Speaker 1: Then Chris sail beating Zach Wheeler. It's happened before, it 788 00:40:41,280 --> 00:40:43,879 Speaker 1: can happen again, and we can make the most of it. 789 00:40:44,320 --> 00:40:48,279 Speaker 1: We just got to get the damn job done. That's 790 00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:50,560 Speaker 1: all we've got for you here in the Hammer Territory Podcast. 791 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:54,080 Speaker 1: This edition of the Hammer Territory Podcast. Steven Tobert. You 792 00:40:54,120 --> 00:40:56,840 Speaker 1: can find at b Underscore Outliers on Twitter, slash x. 793 00:40:56,840 --> 00:40:58,600 Speaker 1: My name is Sean Colmen. You could buy me at 794 00:40:58,640 --> 00:41:01,759 Speaker 1: Stat's Sac of course. Roland Scott Coleman, part of the 795 00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:04,680 Speaker 1: Foul Territory podcast. You can find all across social media. 796 00:41:04,840 --> 00:41:08,319 Speaker 1: Part of the Foul Territory family of podcasts. Can't thank 797 00:41:08,480 --> 00:41:12,200 Speaker 1: the Foul Territory platform enough for their support, and can't 798 00:41:12,239 --> 00:41:15,680 Speaker 1: thank you enough. I know that at times it's hard 799 00:41:15,719 --> 00:41:18,200 Speaker 1: to sit here and listen to us discuss the Braves, 800 00:41:18,280 --> 00:41:20,920 Speaker 1: especially with all their struggles, but thank you for the support. 801 00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:23,720 Speaker 1: And I promise you this when they do start winning, 802 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:26,520 Speaker 1: and it's gonna come, I'm very confident we're going to 803 00:41:26,560 --> 00:41:28,440 Speaker 1: get that groove at some point in time in the 804 00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:30,879 Speaker 1: near future. It's gonna be a lot of fun once 805 00:41:30,920 --> 00:41:34,440 Speaker 1: it's in. Until next time, go Braves. We'll talk to 806 00:41:34,480 --> 00:41:37,000 Speaker 1: you again soon here on the Hammer Territory Podcast.