1 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: Welcome one and all to the Hammer Territory podcast. Hope, 2 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: wherever you are and wherever you are listening, you are 3 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: having a great start to your weekend. It truly is 4 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: the start to the weekend, depending on where you are 5 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 1: watching right now. We are currently recording this literally going 6 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:41,280 Speaker 1: from Friday into Saturday, already Saturday on the East Coast, 7 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: right at the midnight hour Central time. That's what you 8 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: do when it comes to playing West Coast baseball and 9 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: covering the Atlanta Braves. And there's hardly anybody better, maybe 10 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 1: nobody better at doing that. Exact things about podcast partner 11 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: Stephen Tolbert Steven. Good talking with you, man, it seems 12 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: like that, Hey, we're sitting here covering vic after victory. Now, 13 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: not gonna die, You're not going would not gonna get 14 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: my hopes up too much. But good talk with you, sir, 15 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: especially after some victories added up for the Braves. 16 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, what's up, buddy, Yeah, it's listen. We knew tonight 17 00:01:14,560 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 2: was gonna be a late night for us. We knew 18 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,320 Speaker 2: we're gonna do a podcast after the game. It was 19 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:21,920 Speaker 2: probably gonna be close to one am Eastern time. It's 20 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,000 Speaker 2: just so much easier to do after a win. You know, 21 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 2: if they had lost this game, like twelve to two, uh, 22 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,320 Speaker 2: this would have been about a six minute podcast and 23 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: five of them would have been ads. So yeah, good win. 24 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: You know, Chris Sale we're gonna talk about here in 25 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 2: a minute, looked okay, still not fully there with his command, 26 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 2: but often stepped up, you know, bullpen stepped up. I 27 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: guess the good team on the road. Braves have not 28 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,280 Speaker 2: played well against West Coast teams. Obviously they're zero to 29 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 2: seven coming into the game. Now they're one and seven. 30 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 2: So yeah, good, good win, very good win to start 31 00:01:57,240 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 2: off the road trip and hopefully more to come. 32 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I think that, you know, sail is a 33 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: good place to start because, you know, we talked about 34 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 1: how the theme of this season so far the last 35 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: time we talked about it is that it seemed like 36 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 1: that the concern for this team was kind of shifting 37 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 1: from scoring runs to run prevention, and that's kind of 38 00:02:18,240 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: what Sale was doing tonight. He was working through it, 39 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: but he did work through it to at least put 40 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: together a decent start. Five innings pitched over one hundred pitches. 41 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: Certainly struggled to get through those five innings that's kind 42 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 1: of been the theme of his season so far. A 43 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: bit of a rough start, but was able to work 44 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: out of jams. The velocity was still there. But as 45 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,679 Speaker 1: you mentioned, if there is a bit of a concern, 46 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: even though it was a successful start for Chris Sale, 47 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:44,840 Speaker 1: it's that the command is not there. The command just 48 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: has not been there for much of the season. But 49 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:49,359 Speaker 1: the good thing tonight, especially against one of the better 50 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 1: lineups he's faced, he was able to work through it, 51 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: keep the runs off the board, and that was really 52 00:02:54,960 --> 00:02:58,079 Speaker 1: well you know, positioned to couple with the fact that 53 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: Brays had some early success to gives Sale not only 54 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: the ability to with runs to work with, but the 55 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:04,679 Speaker 1: eventual victory as well. 56 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:08,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, listen, he gave a one run against one of 57 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 2: the best lineups in baseball and one of the best 58 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,760 Speaker 2: hitters parks in baseball. So like you have to start there. 59 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 2: It's a good start. It just he went five innings again, 60 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 2: and he hasn't you know, Chris Sale has not seen 61 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 2: the sixth inning yet this season, and so you know 62 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 2: that's gonna be kind of a focus, especially now that 63 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: the Braves don't have Strider, they don't have Ronaldo, you know, 64 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 2: they've got these two young guys or not young elders, 65 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 2: not young, but they've got these two inconsistent guys in 66 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 2: the back half of the rotation. They need their We 67 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 2: talked about this on our last show. They need those. 68 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 2: They need their horses to be horses and pitched like, 69 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: you know, deeper into games. So that's that's kind of 70 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,839 Speaker 2: the one thing left is getting sale into the sixth 71 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 2: seventh inning of games, like we saw so many times 72 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 2: last year, and it's just command. He's not he's not 73 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 2: able to put guys away efficiently right now because he 74 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 2: can't command pitches. You know, he either misses a foot 75 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 2: off the player, he misses right down middle. So I 76 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 2: you know, the stuff is good, and that's kind of 77 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: what I was worried about earlier, is when the stuff 78 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 2: looked like it dropped off a little bit. That's not 79 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: the case. You know, he's still throwing ninety five, ninety six, 80 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 2: ninety seven. Stuff looks good. He just couldn't command it 81 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 2: as well tonight, and that's why his pitch count got up. 82 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 2: I did think his best inning was his last inning, 83 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 2: where he looked like he kind of got feel for 84 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: the slider, feel for the fastball. The only problem was 85 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 2: he'd already thrown one hundred pitches by that point, so 86 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 2: they had no choice but to take him out. He 87 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 2: just has to find his command a little earlier in 88 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 2: games so that we can get him to the sixth 89 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 2: and seventh inning. But again, you give him one run 90 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 2: against this lineup in that in that ballpark, that's pretty 91 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:42,039 Speaker 2: damn good. And you know, I know he danced in 92 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 2: and out of trouble a lot, but he made big pitches. 93 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 2: You know, the Braves did get some luck. There was 94 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 2: a couple of balls that were you know, home runs 95 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 2: that were foul by you know, a foot one way 96 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 2: or the other, and it kind of went the Braves 97 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,480 Speaker 2: way tonight. But yeah, it was a it was one 98 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 2: of sales better starts of the year. We just got 99 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: to get him deeper into the game. 100 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: The other thing that certainly stands out was that, you know, 101 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,680 Speaker 1: after you know, the one loss of the home stand 102 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 1: that occurred, that was you know, much on the bullpen. 103 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: You know, that ten to four loss to the Cardinals. 104 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 1: It was good to see the bullpen also have a 105 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: successful night again on the road against the quality team 106 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:20,039 Speaker 1: that has been the struggle of this bullpen so far, 107 00:05:20,360 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 1: and they did their job, you know, just a job 108 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: has had a bit of a rough outing, but you know, 109 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: Dyla Santos came in, he did well, But Dylan Lee 110 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: and Aaron Bumber both had very good outings. And the 111 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: thing that I think that stands out for this Brave 112 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: squad is that Dylan Lee has not been his normal 113 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:40,360 Speaker 1: self to start the season. Aaron Bumber had some success, 114 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 1: you know, kind of been up and down at times. 115 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: But if the Braves can get those two going, you know, 116 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: you could arguably say those are clearly two of their 117 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: four best relievers. But if they can get those two going, 118 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 1: especially from the less side of the plate, that could 119 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: be huge. And if they can become and get reliable 120 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 1: back in options, that could be really good as well. 121 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: Give them the batle Rice sell Igalacias a good night 122 00:05:58,440 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: for the Brace bullpen when it was needed. 123 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 2: Yeah. I still can't quite figure out Aaron Bummer's role 124 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 2: on the team. I really haven't for like two years now. 125 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:11,159 Speaker 2: I don't know why he's pitching in the ninth inning 126 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 2: of an eight to two game, especially when you have 127 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: guys like you know, Montero and blew It on the 128 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:21,039 Speaker 2: in the bullpen. But yeah, the Braves need those two 129 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 2: guys and Dylan Lee specifically, and listen, Dylan Leek was 130 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 2: another guy who came with it in about an inch 131 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 2: from giving up a two run homer to Corbyn Carroll. 132 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: But you know it went his way tonight, so he's 133 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 2: been leaving the slider in the middle of the plate 134 00:06:33,720 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 2: a little too much. He made some much better pitches 135 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 2: after that ball went foul. So yeah, Dylan Leave's a 136 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 2: big part of this. I still think the Braves need 137 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 2: another right handed option. I know kick correct Trumble is 138 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 2: gonna be up sooner rather than later. But you know, 139 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 2: Day's Bell has been good, Rossielle has been shaky, Pierce 140 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 2: is good. I would love one more. And if you had, 141 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 2: if you could go Bummer Lee, Day's Bell, Pierce Johnson, 142 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 2: one more high leverage reliever and then rosiel I would 143 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 2: feel much better about the pen. But yeah, I still 144 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 2: have questions about this unit. But they had a good 145 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 2: night tonight. You know, Chavez gave up a couple of runs, 146 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 2: or he gave up one run, but you know it 147 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 2: was kind of mop up duty at that point, so 148 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 2: they had a good night tonight. The offense helped a 149 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 2: lot by just keep adding on runs. But yeah, two 150 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 2: runs against that lineup in that ballpark, that's that's pretty 151 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: good run prevention. 152 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 1: And the other thing I'll add is this is, you know, 153 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 1: not much analysis probably needed, but Steve, the one thing 154 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: that we're consistently seeing from this Brave squad now is 155 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 1: that they are winning the starting game of the series. 156 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: I believe now, what this is their eighth series of 157 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: the year. I think they've won like four out of six, 158 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: five out of the seven when it comes to their 159 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: series opener. The Marlins as well as the Phillies, now 160 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 1: the Twins, the Cardinals, as well as the Diamondbacks. They're 161 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: doing a good job of winning these series openers. And 162 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,560 Speaker 1: that's what we talked about right coming off that open 163 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:52,680 Speaker 1: to seven start to the season. If you could just 164 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 1: win series, not necessarily every game in a row, but 165 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 1: just win series. The best way to do that is 166 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: win the series opener. But now you're not. I only 167 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: seeing them consistently when the series opener. They've now won 168 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: six out of seven. This Brave team is starting to 169 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 1: get on a roll, and they're playing like a team 170 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: that's looking to find ways to win instead of expecting 171 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 1: ways to lose. 172 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, they've gotten their confidence back. I think I think 173 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 2: when you start oh and seven, like even the most confident, 174 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 2: accomplished players, it's a I mean, it's a kick in 175 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 2: the nuts. It's it's it takes it. I think it 176 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 2: knocks you back. I think it reels you a little bit. 177 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 2: And you know, the Braves kind of looked like a 178 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 2: team that was just hoping to win for a couple 179 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: of weeks after that and seven start and now they're 180 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 2: just had you know, the it bats with runners in 181 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 2: scoring positions. We're gona talk about the offense here in 182 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 2: a second, but nobody looks nearly as tight as they 183 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 2: did three weeks ago, when every at bat just seemed 184 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 2: like the world was ending, and everybody who was gripping 185 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 2: the bat as hard as they could and throwing every 186 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 2: pitch as hard as they could because everybody was trying 187 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: to win six games and won at bat. You know, 188 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 2: see is you know everybody is much more relaxed at 189 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 2: the plate. You know, Sean Murphy has come back and 190 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 2: has energized the lineup. Verdugo has done the same thing. 191 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: Marcel has been on base basically half the time. You know, 192 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: Riley and Olsen both started hitting better. It just all 193 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,560 Speaker 2: kind of came and and you know, the whole team 194 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 2: just looks more comfortable. And obviously winning helps, but there's 195 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 2: just not as much pressure on every single pitch as 196 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 2: there was. You know, when you start zero and seven, 197 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 2: it's just natural. So yeah, it's good to see. I 198 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 2: guess the good team a very good team. The Diamondbacks 199 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 2: are a really good team at their place in a 200 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 2: in a really good offensive park. So that's a great win. 201 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:40,839 Speaker 2: That's a really good win tonight. 202 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 1: Absolutely, we're gonna talk more about the offense, especially some 203 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,839 Speaker 1: unexpected sources of offense in this game that we're good 204 00:09:49,840 --> 00:10:04,760 Speaker 1: to see. Right after this message from our partners. 205 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 2: A band watching and not be eyes. 206 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 3: I'm just got and they don't win. 207 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 2: It's a shame. 208 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 3: Stream Now, krats, do you like spending an hour on 209 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 3: grocery shopping? 210 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:29,959 Speaker 2: Nope? 211 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 1: Speed up the process. Please introducing Hungry Root to the 212 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 1: ft fam. 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Well, 237 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 1: we'll go back to two thousand, only the Cardinals since 238 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:57,200 Speaker 1: two thousand, of all National League teams have a better OPS. 239 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: But over the past decade, no team is a joy 240 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: were playing in Arizona more than the Braves coming into 241 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: the night's game across thirty games and a twenty one 242 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: OPS over the past decade for the Braves in Chase Field, 243 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: the Nationals are the only other team at a NATO 244 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 1: three OPS that are even close to the Braves. So 245 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: there's no team that enjoys playing in Atlanta more than 246 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 1: the Braves. But tonight, Steven it was a different story. 247 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,000 Speaker 1: We talked about how power had kind of come back 248 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: into the picture for the Braves. It was good to see. 249 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 1: You need to have power to win consistently. But tonight 250 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 1: it was timely hitting six or thirteen with runners in 251 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 1: scoring position. It was the bottom of the order that 252 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 1: was producing well, and it was speed, a lot of 253 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 1: you know, really you know, well placed hits where our 254 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: runners got the extra base. Some unexpected elements of this 255 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: Brase offense showed up tonight, and again it's just solidifying 256 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: the Braves offense being able to win in multiple ways. 257 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 1: That was really good to see against a quality opponent 258 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 1: on the road. 259 00:12:56,920 --> 00:13:00,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Braves have really done well in Arizona. You 260 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:02,120 Speaker 2: know those those I think it was back to back years. 261 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 2: The Braves were not playing well for like the first 262 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 2: two months, and then it kind of broke where the 263 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 2: Braves were playing in Arizona at the end of May, 264 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: like two years in a row, and both times they 265 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 2: won the series, and that like jump started them for 266 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 2: the rest of the year. And so yeah, they've played 267 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 2: well like any of Reds. I remember Editors Alread hit 268 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:22,599 Speaker 2: that Grand Slam in the ninth inning a couple of 269 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 2: years ago. So yeah, they usually have pretty good results. 270 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:28,240 Speaker 2: Austin Riley destroys the ball in Arizona. I think it's 271 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 2: I think it's its highest ops park, and so yeah, 272 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 2: you know, they typically do pretty well. I know Ronald 273 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 2: has hit some absolute tape measure shots in Arizona, so 274 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 2: it's good to say no homers tonight. But you know, 275 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 2: one thing I was thinking while I was watching the game. 276 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:48,839 Speaker 2: You know when when Michael Harris and Nick Allen and 277 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:52,960 Speaker 2: Eli White are all in the game, all of a sudden, 278 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 2: this lineup is not like the slow, unathletic bunch that 279 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,719 Speaker 2: we're used to like, they actually have some speed on 280 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 2: the bait, and you saw that today. I mean, there 281 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 2: was no homers. There's a lot of small balls, a 282 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:10,200 Speaker 2: lot of you know, first to third, second home, you know, 283 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 2: single double runner and scoring position stuff we're not used 284 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 2: to seeing with the Braves, and of course Eli White. 285 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 2: We're gonna talk about Eli White here in a minute, 286 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 2: but another big game. But yeah, it's just another facet 287 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 2: of the game. We don't see a lot from this team. 288 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 2: And again that's one benefit of having Alan and White 289 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 2: both in the lineup is that at least you do 290 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 2: have speed. You know. I don't think either one of 291 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,040 Speaker 2: those guys are going to be like silver sluggers at 292 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 2: their position or anything, but if they do somehow find 293 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,560 Speaker 2: themselves on base, they can make something happen. You know, 294 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 2: we saw it the other day with Nick Allen scoring 295 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 2: on a ball that Orlando Asio might not even got 296 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 2: into third on. So yeah, it's good to see the speed, 297 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 2: good to see hits with runners in scoring positions, and 298 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 2: scoring eight runs without a single homer doesn't happen a 299 00:14:55,440 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 2: lot for this group. So and you know, scoring eight 300 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 2: runs also helps your bullpit because now you don't have 301 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 2: to use your high leverage guys, even though they still 302 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:04,360 Speaker 2: used Aaron Bummer in the ninth which made me laugh. 303 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 2: But yeah, good night for the offense. Good to see 304 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 2: some hits with runners to score, positioning, guys going first 305 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 2: to third, some speed, you know, stuff we're not used 306 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 2: to seeing from this group. 307 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 1: And I think another way to describe this offense so 308 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: far this year, Steven, is that you can honestly say, 309 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 1: you know, they've been an elite offense since they returned 310 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: home after that to seven start for the year. But 311 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 1: they're doing it against quality pitching tonight against Zach Gallon 312 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: once again. Again, if you look at this team against 313 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: former All Stars, former pitchers who won Cy Young's or 314 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 1: finished high in the Cy Young voting, they're getting it 315 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: done against quality pitching. And if there's one aspect of 316 00:15:40,960 --> 00:15:43,680 Speaker 1: this team where you're like, hey, they can do what 317 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,520 Speaker 1: they need to do to win at the clip that 318 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: they need to win in order to really get back 319 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: into this thing, to get back going in the right direction, 320 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: it's their performance against quality pitching that was really good 321 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: to see and it's going to be important for them 322 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 1: to continue on as the rest of the series plays out. 323 00:16:00,440 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was obviously Zach Gallon tonight. It was a 324 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 2: Gallon versus Sale, and Gallen settled in. I think he 325 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 2: I think he retired like ten or eleven in a 326 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 2: row at one point, but he didn't have his good 327 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 2: command tonight. The strike zone tonight was just absurd, Phil 328 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 2: because he was behind the plate and the whole umpiring 329 00:16:17,240 --> 00:16:19,760 Speaker 2: crew I think was half drunk in this game because 330 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 2: there was multiple calls that just made no sense that 331 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 2: got overturned immediately. But yeah, I didn't think Gallen had 332 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 2: his best off. Gallon has not gotten off to a 333 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:31,160 Speaker 2: good start. I think he has an ERA over like 334 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 2: six in April. But yeah, they were very patient. There 335 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 2: was a million pitches thrown in this game. There was 336 00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 2: over one hundred pitches thrown by the two pitchers in 337 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 2: the first two innings, a lot of long at bats, 338 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 2: a lot of three two counts. The Braids did a 339 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 2: really good job, like we've talked about a second ago, 340 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 2: working the count, getting on base, taking in the extra base, 341 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: getting hits with the runners of his scoring position. You know, 342 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 2: got Gallen's pitch count up. They got into the bullpen 343 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 2: early and made him pay. And then the one the 344 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 2: biggest weakness of the Diamondbacks as their bullpen. Their bullpen 345 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 2: is not good at all. So if you can do that, 346 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 2: if you can get to the bullpen by the fifth inning, 347 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 2: you have a very good chance of winning. So that 348 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 2: was huge and big part of the win, and that's 349 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 2: a recipe for successful the next two games. Work the count, 350 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 2: get into the bullpen, and try to make some pay 351 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 2: against what is easily the weakest part of the Diamondbacks. 352 00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and looking at you know, the continued performance of 353 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: Austin Riley. You know, Steven, we talked about it a 354 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 1: couple of weeks ago. We were really talking about how 355 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: Austin Riley he needed to get going. This team just 356 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: was not in a spot to where he could get 357 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 1: off to a slow start. And there's no better way 358 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: for it, no better place for him to continue doing 359 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,679 Speaker 1: what he's doing. You talked about the fact that he 360 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 1: loves hitting in Arizona. Well, here's a couple of numbers 361 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:55,880 Speaker 1: for you. Of all the parks that Austin Riley has 362 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: hit in in his career, Arizona is his favorite place 363 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 1: to hit. Coming into tonight, sixty three played appearances. You 364 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:06,680 Speaker 1: want to guess his ops coming into tonight in Arizona 365 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:08,000 Speaker 1: in his career, Stephen. 366 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 2: I looked this up last year at one point because 367 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 2: I was curious. I swear it was at one point 368 00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 2: it was like a eleven hundred ops SOT one point. 369 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:19,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's a twelve forty ops before tonight since twenty nineteen, 370 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,439 Speaker 1: when Austin Riley came into the league, Of all the 371 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 1: players that have had as opponents in Arizona at least 372 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: fifty a plate plate appearances in Arizona since twenty nineteen, 373 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: Riley has the highest OPS at twelve forty coming in tonight. 374 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 1: The second highest Freddy Freeman at eleven three. So literally, 375 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 1: no one hits better as an opponent in Arizona than 376 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 1: Austin Riley. But in the overall grand scheme of things, 377 00:18:44,800 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 1: he's doing it with power. He's doing it with Runderson's 378 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: scoring position. It seems like every bat now that Austin 379 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: Riley is coming up at the plate in a big moment, 380 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: he's delivering and that consistency is exactly what this Braves 381 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: team needs. 382 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and he's one of the men guys I'm talking about, 383 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 2: and I say not every at bat seems like life 384 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 2: or death anymore like it did three weeks ago, where 385 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 2: it just looked like he was he was trying to 386 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 2: hit a grand Slam every at bat, even if there 387 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 2: was nobody on base, and you just can't play baseball 388 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 2: that way. And he was swinging at pitches that he 389 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:21,679 Speaker 2: hasn't swung at since he was a rookie, and you 390 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,440 Speaker 2: could just tell, like when you see Austin going back 391 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 2: to like his twenty nineteen rookie mode where he's swinging 392 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 2: at every slider off foot off the plate, you know 393 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:33,360 Speaker 2: he's pressing because he cured that. He cured a lot 394 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 2: of that, and now we're back to seeing what Austin 395 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,160 Speaker 2: rally really is, which is an elite hitter. His bat 396 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 2: at ball stuff is ridiculous. His bat's you know, his 397 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 2: swing speed, his ex of velocity, all that stuff is 398 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:49,640 Speaker 2: still ridiculous. He's just an elite hitter. And I think 399 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 2: he had to get out of his own way a 400 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: little bit, and that's what we're seeing. And that comes 401 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 2: with having some success, you're not pressing as much. He 402 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 2: had that big stretch where he had like a ten 403 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 2: game hitting streak or something like that. I think that 404 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 2: calmed him down and now We're seeing the real Austin 405 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:07,719 Speaker 2: Riley and that helps tremendously obviously. 406 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And you know, we talk about you know, we 407 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 1: talked about Austin Riley a few times when it comes 408 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:17,199 Speaker 1: to our Fandel Sports Network Player spotlight. But one player 409 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,520 Speaker 1: that I didn't think we would talk about in this 410 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 1: segment of the show, especially this early in the season, 411 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:26,240 Speaker 1: is one Eli White, but he certainly deserves it. Steven 412 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 1: we talked also, We've talked multiple times about how this 413 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:31,959 Speaker 1: Braves bench seems to be a bit more versatile, a 414 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:35,159 Speaker 1: bit more you know, able to be utilized in the 415 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 1: right spots. 416 00:20:36,480 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 2: You know. 417 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 1: But then you know previous years and Eli White has 418 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 1: stood out over the past couple of games, and shout 419 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: out to him someone that came into this spring training 420 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: who really showed out, showed his versatility by performing at 421 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: different positions. We haven't really seen that versatility as a 422 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: utility player so far, but he has been a defensive 423 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: replacement and now is getting a bit more playing time. 424 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: And if Eli White come in and swing the bat, well, 425 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: you ad his speed, you add his defense, the ability 426 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 1: to play multiple positions, there's opportunity there. But he showed 427 00:21:08,840 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: up big and two straight victories for this Braves team. 428 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: Really good to see how he's performed. He helps the 429 00:21:14,119 --> 00:21:16,479 Speaker 1: bottom of the order, helps to add that speed element 430 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 1: to this offense. Just a player who can add value 431 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:21,320 Speaker 1: in a lot of different ways. And it's shown over 432 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:22,399 Speaker 1: the past couple of games. 433 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, listen, five RBI in the last two games and 434 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 2: the Braid. You know, obviously in the last game against 435 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 2: Saint Louis, the big three run homer to basically win 436 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 2: the game. They got him going tonight with a double 437 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 2: down the line that knocked in Michael Harris. You know, 438 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 2: I tweeted this out. But he's got five RBI in 439 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:45,639 Speaker 2: his last five plate appearances. Jared Keelnick and Orlando Arcia 440 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 2: combined all season have three RBI. So he has more 441 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 2: RBI in the last five plate appearances than those two 442 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: guys have all seasons. And so it's just literally he's 443 00:21:57,840 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 2: done more in the last two games than the Braids 444 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 2: have been getting out of that spot all year. And 445 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:05,240 Speaker 2: you know, you and I talked about this, like they 446 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 2: need these other guys to have little moments where they 447 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 2: can help, you know, they don't. You know, nobody expects 448 00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 2: Eli White to carry the team for a month, but 449 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:16,719 Speaker 2: having a game or even like a couple of games 450 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:20,680 Speaker 2: or a week where you're you're productive and you're helping out, 451 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 2: you know, you stack those up over the season. It 452 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:29,679 Speaker 2: adds up. And the last two games are a perfect 453 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 2: example of that of a guy you're not expecting coming 454 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,920 Speaker 2: through with some big hits. And listen, he's got tools. 455 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 2: He's a really fast runner, He's kind of the bravest 456 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 2: pinch runner guy. He's a really good defenders. He can 457 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 2: play center, so when he's in right field, he's a 458 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 2: plus defensive right fielder. And he's got a little pop 459 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:49,199 Speaker 2: in his bat. We saw that home run he hit 460 00:22:49,240 --> 00:22:52,240 Speaker 2: the other night was like four hundred and thirty feet. 461 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 2: He's got a little pop. I don't think he's a 462 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 2: good hitter. Listen. I don't think Eli White's going to 463 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 2: turn into some magically great hitter at thirty one years old. 464 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:04,080 Speaker 2: So I wouldn't expect this for the long haul, but again, 465 00:23:04,119 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 2: you don't need it for the long haul. Just having 466 00:23:06,119 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 2: these little moments where you help win games out of 467 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 2: nowhere is so valuable and so credit to him. Man. 468 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:14,439 Speaker 2: I know he's been a journeyman. He's never really been 469 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:17,520 Speaker 2: able to establish himself as a major league player. You know, 470 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,119 Speaker 2: they were talking about him being with his kids and 471 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 2: his wife and having them enjoy this ride. There's a 472 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:25,880 Speaker 2: whole human side of this stuff that we never talk 473 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:30,360 Speaker 2: about that's pretty incredible. From all everything I've ever read 474 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:32,399 Speaker 2: or heard about him, he's a tremendous dude. He's a 475 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 2: great teammate. His teammates love him. You could tell by 476 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:37,959 Speaker 2: the way they reacted after he hit that homer how 477 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 2: much they love him. So great, great for him. I'm 478 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 2: so happy for him, and it helps the team a 479 00:23:42,520 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 2: lot to have these moments where guys unexpectedly produce and 480 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 2: help win games, and that stuff adds up over a 481 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 2: long season. 482 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:55,919 Speaker 1: At the risk of not sounding blasphemous, let's look at 483 00:23:55,920 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: this journeyman, great dude coming up in big moment for 484 00:24:00,320 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 1: the Braves and you know, showing that you know, he 485 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,960 Speaker 1: has more value than you might expect. Plus a good defender, 486 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:11,480 Speaker 1: Like is he worthy enough to where if we found 487 00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 1: him a couple of pink swords we could put those 488 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,879 Speaker 1: in his hands, Like could he carry on the tradition 489 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:19,680 Speaker 1: of Gerramo Horadia or at least be mentioned in the 490 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 1: same breath as Charlie Colberson. That may be too deep 491 00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: of a conversation this late into the night. Stevenson will 492 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: save that for another time. But what I can get 493 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: on is that the FANDOLS Sports Network player spotlight. We 494 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 1: put it on Eli White because that's the excitement of 495 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:35,720 Speaker 1: watching the Braves right now. You never know who's gonna 496 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,199 Speaker 1: come up big to help this Brave's offense. But you 497 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 1: can make sure you catch all the action if you 498 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:45,880 Speaker 1: use the code baseball thirty at Fandelsportsnetwork dot com slash packages. 499 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:50,359 Speaker 1: That's Baseball thirty at Fandelsports Network dot com slash packages 500 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: to catch all the Braves action when it comes to 501 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:54,800 Speaker 1: seeing them live. 502 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 4: You can now stream Brave scams through fandel Sports Network 503 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 4: and if you use the promo code baseball thirty, that's 504 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 4: promo code Baseball thirty. You can start it off with 505 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:08,200 Speaker 4: a thirty day extended free trial at Fanduelsportsnetwork dot Com 506 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:13,320 Speaker 4: slash packages. That is Fanduelsportsnetwork dot Com slash packages promo 507 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 4: code baseball thirty. All FIRS sparts by two twenty five, 508 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 4: nineteen nine nine, a month after free trial Kellsburg Free 509 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,280 Speaker 4: Trial to avoid charges at Elibati's Christmas Apply visit Final 510 00:25:21,280 --> 00:25:23,960 Speaker 4: Sports network dot com forty tips. 511 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 1: Again, Stephen, we talked about, you know, this stretch for 512 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:31,720 Speaker 1: the Braves coming off, you know, the the series struggle 513 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:33,920 Speaker 1: that they had had. You know, they had that big 514 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 1: series win over the Phillies. They did down a bit 515 00:25:36,280 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 1: after that, but again the Twins series, the Cardinals series. 516 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:42,719 Speaker 1: Now going into this series against the Diamondbacks, Listen, you 517 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 1: need a series win, like if you can just get 518 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 1: a series win here, you know, the Braves are now 519 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: eleven and fourteen. If you can get a series win, 520 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:54,119 Speaker 1: you can go into Colorado three games under five hundred. 521 00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 1: That potentially puts you in a good spot to be 522 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 1: one or two games under five hundred Indian April, and 523 00:26:00,040 --> 00:26:03,600 Speaker 1: before you start a series to start May against the Dodgers. 524 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 1: My point that I'm getting that Steven, is that the 525 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:08,399 Speaker 1: Braves have bought themselves an opportunity winning six out of 526 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: seven to really be in a good spot dig themselves 527 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:15,040 Speaker 1: out of that hole before the end of April. Right now, 528 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:18,840 Speaker 1: Right now was the time last year where we went 529 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 1: from doing really well to struggling and it lasted for 530 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 1: the end of the season. What if we reverse that 531 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: what if we did a one eighty. We've struggled so 532 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:30,280 Speaker 1: far this year, what if right now we turn it 533 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 1: back on and do the reverse get going again. The 534 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:36,639 Speaker 1: Braves need to keep the moment of going, especially against 535 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 1: quality team like Arizona. 536 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:43,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean they've almost dug themselves out of this hole. 537 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 2: Like you said, they're eleven and fourteen, They've won what 538 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:53,400 Speaker 2: six out of the last seven games. If you can 539 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 2: win one more of this series and like you said, 540 00:26:56,560 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 2: go into a very I mean Colorado. I don't want 541 00:27:00,560 --> 00:27:01,879 Speaker 2: to say this because then the Braids are going to 542 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 2: get swept. But like Colorado is as bad as the 543 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 2: White Sox were last year. Now, Braves fans will remember 544 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 2: the Braves lost the series to the White Sox last year. 545 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 2: So I still got my don't you bring it up again. 546 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 2: I know, I know, it's it's terrible. Garrett Crochet was 547 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,600 Speaker 2: one of those losses, so that's not as bad. But 548 00:27:22,560 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 2: so I've still got my guard up. But if you 549 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:27,280 Speaker 2: win this series against Arizona and you can go into Colorado, 550 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,679 Speaker 2: you know, now you're only two games under five hundred. 551 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:33,320 Speaker 2: I mean, if you take care of business in Colorado, 552 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 2: you could actually come home at five hundred, you know, 553 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 2: and I know you got the Dodgers waiting on you 554 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 2: when you get home. But like, if you had told 555 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 2: me when the Braves were zero and seven to start 556 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:46,760 Speaker 2: the year that they could by the beginning of may 557 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 2: be back at five hundred, I would have taken that 558 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 2: in a heartbeat. I mean anybody would have. So it's 559 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 2: so good to win the first one. I don't want 560 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 2: to have the letdown that they did in Toronto though, 561 00:27:57,600 --> 00:27:59,800 Speaker 2: where they won the first game and then they got 562 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 2: beat the last two and it just felt like more misery. 563 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 2: You know, you got homes of swallow back. You got 564 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 2: your three best pitchers going in this series right now, 565 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:11,800 Speaker 2: sale homes of swallowen back. You just need one and 566 00:28:11,840 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 2: you miss Corbyn Burns. Arizona's bullpen is not good. You 567 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,920 Speaker 2: just need one game to win this series. And so yeah, 568 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 2: it's a big it's a big deal. It'd be awesome 569 00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 2: to win tomorrow and then actually be able to go 570 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:28,119 Speaker 2: for a sweep, but we're not gonna get greedy. Just 571 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:32,639 Speaker 2: win one of the next two and going to Colorado 572 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 2: with a chance to basically get back to five hundred. 573 00:28:34,760 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 2: That's all you can ask for. And it's gonna take 574 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:41,400 Speaker 2: you know, schwellenback in homes pitching. Well, the offense needs 575 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 2: to keep going eight runs and this ballpark is like 576 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 2: five runs and other ballparks, so like keep going, you know, pop, 577 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:52,360 Speaker 2: some homers, keep getting some hits with runners in score position, 578 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:54,880 Speaker 2: and let's just keep it rolling. Let's keep it rolling. 579 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 2: We don't need one of these letdown things where we 580 00:28:56,680 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 2: score one run and get two hits. Just keep it rolling, 581 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:05,760 Speaker 2: and if they handle business, before you know it, you're 582 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 2: going to look up. This team is either at or 583 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:09,880 Speaker 2: maybe even above five hundred. 584 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:13,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, we talked about it in the last podcast. You know, 585 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:14,800 Speaker 1: we talked about the fact that there are you know, 586 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: basically six you know, the three teams in the West, 587 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: three teams in the East, you know, plus the Cubs 588 00:29:19,800 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 1: or whoever emerges from the Central. You know, six of 589 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 1: those seven squads are probably you know, six of those 590 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:26,440 Speaker 1: seven squads are likely going to make the playoffs for 591 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 1: the nail. One's going to be left out. The brains 592 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 1: are creeping on up to be in that conversation, and 593 00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 1: it's great to see. Want to shout out Alex Berdugo 594 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 1: as well. Another big hit tonight. He's doing his job 595 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: at the top of the order again, Stephen, we talked 596 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:43,600 Speaker 1: about it. Outside of those big four, the rest of 597 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,160 Speaker 1: the lineup is stepping up, and when they do, this 598 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:50,560 Speaker 1: team can really match offensive production against only any team 599 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 1: out there in baseball. Stephen, As we wrap up this 600 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: edition to the Hammer Territory Podcast, anything else from you. 601 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 2: Sir, No late night. Appreciate anybody who stand up to 602 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 2: I imagine most people are gonna listen to this Saturday morning, 603 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 2: but I do want to give a shout out to 604 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 2: the fans. We're coming up on our one year anniversary 605 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:12,200 Speaker 2: of being with Foul Territory. We started last May at 606 00:30:12,200 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 2: the beginning of last May. Obviously we're coming up. It's 607 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:19,840 Speaker 2: been an incredible first year. Really has kind of exceeded 608 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:22,120 Speaker 2: my expectations in a lot of ways. Especially the last 609 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:26,880 Speaker 2: like three months have been truly incredible. So shout out 610 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 2: to you guys. We will be here rain or shine, 611 00:30:32,120 --> 00:30:36,680 Speaker 2: East Coast, West Coast, one am, ten pm, whatever it is, 612 00:30:37,240 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 2: We're gonna be here, and we appreciate the support because 613 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 2: it's it really has been tremendous over the last year. Yeah. 614 00:30:45,080 --> 00:30:47,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, these one aim podcasts, they are fun to do. 615 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 1: Don't care to do them too often, but they are 616 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:52,240 Speaker 1: certainly fun to do and listen. It's a fun time 617 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:54,280 Speaker 1: if you're a fan of basketball. You got the NBA 618 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 1: Playoffs going, though I know that there may not be 619 00:30:56,280 --> 00:31:00,280 Speaker 1: many teams in Braves Country, many members of Braves Country 620 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 1: whose teams are still in the playoffs, but at least 621 00:31:02,080 --> 00:31:05,120 Speaker 1: you're still enjoying that. But you also got the NFL Draft. 622 00:31:05,160 --> 00:31:08,920 Speaker 1: Shout out to the Atlanta Falcons for making the first 623 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,440 Speaker 1: round really really interesting when it came to their approach. 624 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:15,200 Speaker 1: But we'll save that analysis for another time. But the 625 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:18,479 Speaker 1: reason why we're here is the Braves. Go Braves. Obviously, 626 00:31:18,520 --> 00:31:21,160 Speaker 1: you can find myself at stats at SEC, on Twitter, 627 00:31:21,240 --> 00:31:23,959 Speaker 1: slash Jack Stephen at the under Square outliers. You can 628 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:26,800 Speaker 1: find Hammer Territory across all forms and social media, and 629 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 1: of course part of the foul Territory family of podcasts. 630 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:33,280 Speaker 1: Until next time for Steven Toberth. My name is Sean Coleman. 631 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:36,080 Speaker 1: Go Braves. Let's get some more victories. We'll talk to 632 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:39,280 Speaker 1: you again soon. Here Hammer Territory Podcast