1 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: Welcome on and all to the Here Territory Podcast. My 2 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: name is Sean Coleman. Hope, wherever you are and wherever 3 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: you are listening, you're having a great start to your week. 4 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: Braves back in action tonight after probably the most fun 5 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: off day they've had in the while, had a great 6 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: weekend against the Marlins. The offense came alive and we 7 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 1: get to Tuesday against the struggle of that Stephen, New 8 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:46,480 Speaker 1: York and large lightdown. But hey, we've seen it enough 9 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: this year, so we're used to it now. But as 10 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: always my podcast partners with me Steven Tobert Stephen again 11 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: some really awesome player over the weekend. The offense was 12 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: still there tonight, five runs scored, but the pitching, as 13 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 1: we're going to talk about the pitching just unfortunately was. 14 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:03,760 Speaker 2: Not Yeah what's up buddy? Yeah, I mean it was 15 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 2: a big letdown game obviously a big weekend series. There 16 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:09,839 Speaker 2: is a weird dynamic going on right now with Brais 17 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 2: fans about like do you want the team to win? 18 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 2: You know, there's a lot of Braves fans right now 19 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 2: that don't really want to win these games. They want 20 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 2: to lose these games. They want better draft position. You know, 21 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 2: the whole idea is, if you're gonna have a miserable season, 22 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 2: at least make it miserable enough where you get some 23 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:28,280 Speaker 2: high quality draft capital out of it. And I understand 24 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 2: that I am not there. I still want to win games. 25 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 2: The MLB draft just doesn't work like other drafts. There's 26 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:37,760 Speaker 2: a lottery system in place anyway, So even if you 27 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 2: have the second or first or second best to odds, 28 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 2: it doesn't mean that's where you're gonna pick. So I 29 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: still want to win games, quite honestly, And so tonight 30 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 2: was a letdown. And Spencer Strider is obviously the big story. 31 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 2: He's gonna be the main topic tonight because you know, 32 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: that doesn't just matter for twenty twenty five. That matters 33 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 2: very much for twenty twenty six and beyond, especially considering 34 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 2: you know, the big rays that he gets starting next year. 35 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and that's the whole you know point where we're 36 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: at in the season is that the results. And I'm 37 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 1: right there with you, you know, we we we'll talk 38 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: about it, you know, at some point not later down 39 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:15,680 Speaker 1: the line, about you know, the whole idea of tanking 40 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: in baseball and do you really want to lose it? 41 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:19,960 Speaker 1: All costs and all that different stuff. That's a subject 42 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 1: for another time. But you know, in these games, yes, 43 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 1: the results matter, especially if the offense is playing well. 44 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: They're playing well enough to win, let's win. But tonight 45 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 1: the offense scored five runs. You know, we've talked before 46 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: about how often the Braves went when they score five runs, 47 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: but you don't usually see Spencer Strider give up eight runs, 48 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: and that's where the concern starts. Spencer Strider this year 49 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:46,399 Speaker 1: has been a bit of a it's been a bit 50 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: more confusing, I think than a concern because we've always 51 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: got the caveat of okay, he's coming back from injury, 52 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 1: so just you know, we we we preached on this podcast, 53 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:58,919 Speaker 1: you know, talking about the fact that it was very 54 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 1: it was more likely than not he wouldn't be his 55 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: normal self this year coming off the significant injury that 56 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: he had in twenty twenty four. A few starts after 57 00:03:08,440 --> 00:03:10,840 Speaker 1: he came back, there was the concern about the velocity. 58 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: Then that ticked up close to what it had formerly been. 59 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 1: But as time has gone on, that was about two 60 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 1: two and a half months ago. Is time's gone on, Steven? 61 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 1: You know, the issues that I think are there with 62 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 1: Strider are kind of three things. Number One, yes, the 63 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,960 Speaker 1: velocity has increased, but it also is a few miles 64 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 1: per hour lower, especially on the fastball, than where it 65 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,800 Speaker 1: used to be. The second thing is is that Spencer 66 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: Strider is running into trouble more often than not. In 67 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: the past, he would give up some homers, but they 68 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 1: wouldn't really hurt him because he has already had a 69 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: big enough lead to work with. Now it's almost as 70 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 1: if forty to fifty percent of the runs that he 71 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: gives up is off the homer. And the third reason 72 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: that's most concerning his fastball is getting absolutely hammered. You 73 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 1: know that the fastball, it's one of the worst fastballs 74 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: out there in terms of exit velocity. It's gone from 75 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: having a positive run value in the double digits to 76 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: having a negative run value. It's not just about the velocity, 77 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: it's about the fact that it's not being effectively placed 78 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 1: as well. So there are layers to this, and when 79 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 1: you get into layers of a concern, that's when the 80 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: concern gets a bit more significant. 81 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 2: In my opinion, Yes, and I want to say this, 82 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: I'm going to use a brad Roland word. It is 83 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 2: a nuanced conversation because he is coming back from major 84 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: elbow surgery and it is a it is very clearly 85 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 2: unfair to judge him until we get a full off 86 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 2: season of him being able to train to lift weights 87 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: to get his strength, and then see what he looks 88 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: like next year, because there's a very good chance next year, 89 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: the next you know, twenty twenty sixth version of Strider 90 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 2: after a completely healthy offseason looks very different. So that matters. 91 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 2: It is it is it is unfair to start making 92 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: conclusions right now because he just hasn't had that time 93 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 2: to build back up like he will once the winner 94 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 2: gets here. With that being said, so we're gonna put 95 00:05:11,800 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 2: that over here. With that being said, there are some 96 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 2: concerning signs like there just are, and it would be 97 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 2: disingenuous not to mention those. You know, in twenty twenty two, 98 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: when he was basically the best pitcher on the planet, 99 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 2: his fastball averaged ninety eight point one miles per hour. 100 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 2: This year it's at ninety five point five. He's lost 101 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 2: almost three miles per hour on his fastball. That is 102 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:40,239 Speaker 2: a massive drop. That's mass. I mean, that's three miles 103 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: per hour on your fastball is a huge deal, and 104 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 2: anybody in baseball or anybody who covers baseball who tells 105 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 2: you it's not is lying to you. That's a massive drop. 106 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 2: I mean, I remember watching Mike Foltonevich. Not to bring back, 107 00:05:55,600 --> 00:06:00,840 Speaker 2: you know, horrible memories, but like one Sason Fulty came 108 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,279 Speaker 2: in throwing like ninety five ninety six instead of his 109 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:06,280 Speaker 2: normal like ninety eight ninety nine, and that guy was 110 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 2: out of baseball shortly after. Now Streider is. I mean, 111 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 2: Fulty was a head case. So this is not quite that, 112 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 2: but it is to illustrate that fastball velocity. There's a 113 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 2: reason why every team in baseball chases it because it's 114 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:23,880 Speaker 2: a huge deal, and Spencer has lost a significant amount 115 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: of fastball velocity. But I don't think that's where the 116 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: problem begins and ends. I think the main problem for 117 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 2: Spencer is that when you've spent your whole life throwing 118 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,680 Speaker 2: that hard ninety eight ninety nine one hundred, you've been 119 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 2: told your whole life just throw it over the plate. 120 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 2: It doesn't matter where, just throw it over the plate 121 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:45,239 Speaker 2: because they can't hit it. Just don't walk people, And 122 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 2: that's what Spencer did for most of his career. I mean, 123 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:49,679 Speaker 2: it didn't matter where he put it over the plate, 124 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,360 Speaker 2: it was gonna get a whiff because it was coming 125 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 2: at one hundred miles an hour. Well, you can't approach 126 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 2: your fastball the same way when you throw ninety five 127 00:06:57,279 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 2: ninety six. You can't throw it down the middle. And 128 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: he's never had to have like the PenPoint fastball command 129 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 2: that you kind of have to have when you're throwing 130 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 2: ninety four ninety five ninety six. And so going into 131 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: next year, I'm gonna be watching for two things. Does 132 00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 2: any more velocity come back after a completely healthy offseason? 133 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 2: That's a massive question. It is like him throwing ninety seven, 134 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 2: ninety eight, ninety nine even is a big deal versus 135 00:07:25,640 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 2: ninety four, ninety five ninety six, Like every every mile 136 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 2: per hour matters here. So that's the first thing I'm 137 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 2: gonna be looking for. The second thing i'mna looking for 138 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 2: is Spencer's a very competitive, very smart guy. He's gonna 139 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 2: make adjustments to whatever he's got, whatever, hell, whatever he's 140 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 2: got in his arsenal, he's gonna make an adjustment to that. 141 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 2: What are those adjustments? Does he have better fastball command? 142 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 2: Is he more you know, conscientious of where he throws. 143 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 2: His fastball. Spencer has always been like a high fastball 144 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 2: usage guy, like in the sixty percent, Like does that 145 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 2: go down? Does he reinvent himself as a different type 146 00:07:56,760 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 2: of pitcher if the if the fastball velocity doesn't come back. 147 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 2: You know, there's a lot of questions, but it is 148 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 2: it's only fair to give him a full offseason, a 149 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 2: full winter to train and see what he looks like 150 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 2: next year before we make any you know, radical conclusions. 151 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: But it is concerning. 152 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 2: I think that's fair if you're a fan out there 153 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 2: and you're concerned, especially now that his you know, he 154 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 2: talked about his salary jumps up to twenty million dollars 155 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 2: a year next year and for the next three years. 156 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 2: That's what the brazowien. And right now, of course, he 157 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 2: doesn't look like a twenty million dollar pitcher. But what 158 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: does he look like next spring? That's gonna be a 159 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 2: big question. 160 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 1: And I think the other thing that stands out about 161 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:41,079 Speaker 1: it is, you know, it certainly matters if he can 162 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: get back to what he was because you know, fifteen 163 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: months ago, I've said it multiple times and I believe 164 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 1: that this was the case fifteen months ago, before his injury. 165 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: You know, before we ran into the offense struggling and 166 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 1: all this different stuff. You go back to the twenty 167 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: and twenty three season. I know people don't want to 168 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: hear that, but you go back to the twenty twenty 169 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: three season when Ronald Coonie Junior was winning MVP and 170 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: Spencer Streider was pre injury. I always felt this way. 171 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 1: The Braves clearly were a contender just like anybody else, 172 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: but Spencer Strider and ronald'cunyan Junior are what set them apart. 173 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 1: Those are the two biggest reasons, in my opinion, why 174 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 1: the Braves were probably considered the overall favorite as a 175 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 1: contender in twenty two and twenty three, though nothing came 176 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: to fruition in the playoffs. We know that Ronald 'cunie 177 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: Junior likely will be back to his overall superstar self 178 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: if Spencer Strider is not back to that level. I 179 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:40,679 Speaker 1: do have confidence that he if he cannot regain all 180 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: of his velocity, I feel that he will retool himself 181 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 1: to be an effective pitcher. But what does effective look like? 182 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 1: To the point that he clearly is what we need 183 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 1: to be the full contender that we want to be again. 184 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: That to me is also a question can Spencer Strouder 185 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: get back to be in a Superstar. I feel like 186 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 1: they're definit Lee's outcome where he can, but the confidence 187 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 1: level in that being the outcome, I don't blame anybody 188 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 1: if it's dwindled a little bit. We've got questions that 189 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: need to be answered. I don't feel as if that's 190 00:10:12,400 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 1: unfair as a response to what we've seen for Spencer Strotter, 191 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: and to your point, Steven, we need to give him 192 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: the full grace of the off season to come back 193 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 1: as he needs to be. I think he's going to 194 00:10:21,880 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: put everything into being the picture that he wants was, 195 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,520 Speaker 1: But if he naturally cannot be that, we don't know 196 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,440 Speaker 1: what that outcome looks like. If he can't be the 197 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 1: Spencer Strider of old, what does the new Spencer Striter 198 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: look like. We certainly hope that it's all we're seeing 199 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: right now. We think it will be better than that, 200 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:43,480 Speaker 1: but we don't know, and I think that's the main 201 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: source of concern. 202 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, and listen, I mean we've said it like when 203 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 2: Spencer there's always this main concern of like is he healthy? 204 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,160 Speaker 2: And that's just always going to be there. But now 205 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 2: on top of it, there's this concern that, even if 206 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 2: he is healthy, if he doesn't have his velocity back, 207 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 2: what kind of picture is he going to be? So 208 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 2: it's just kind of a second concern on top of 209 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,959 Speaker 2: already the main concern, which is, dear God, I hope 210 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 2: he doesn't get hurt again. So yeah, it's fair, and listen, 211 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 2: this is why it's dangerous to hand out twenty million 212 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 2: dollar plus extensions to pictures. I mean, it just is. 213 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 2: It's a it's a very risky proposition, especially guys who 214 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 2: live off fastball velocity, like if because if these guys 215 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:29,719 Speaker 2: get hurt and the fast ball velocity doesn't come back 216 00:11:29,840 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 2: or isn't quite the same, you know, what do you 217 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 2: have left? And you know, with Spencer, he might have 218 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 2: to get to a point where he has to reinvent himself. 219 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 2: But again, he's a hyper competitive dude. He's not just 220 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:46,080 Speaker 2: gonna you know, I brought up Fulty before just because 221 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 2: of the fastball drop, but Fulty was was such a 222 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:54,440 Speaker 2: mental case. Strider is is so much more of a sound, 223 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 2: steady dude, Like, yeah, I have much more confidence that 224 00:11:58,600 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 2: Strider can figure something else out than I would other guys. 225 00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 2: So yes, he may have to reinvent himself. But again, 226 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 2: it's only fair that we give him the full off 227 00:12:10,960 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 2: season before we even get to that point. I think 228 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 2: he's earned that. Yeah. 229 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 1: To sum it all up, you know, again, there's the 230 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: words concern and confidence. I feel very confident that Spencer Strider, 231 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: with a fully healthy offseason, is going to return to 232 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: being an effective, top of the rotation type pitcher for 233 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 1: the Braves. But is that also in line with be 234 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 1: in the pitcher that he was potentially the best overall 235 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 1: pitching commodity in baseball two years ago. I don't know 236 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: if that's going to be the outcome. We have to 237 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 1: wait and see if the velocity comes back. I'm very 238 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,559 Speaker 1: confident that he could be that again, but if he doesn't, 239 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: I feel confident that he'll find a way to be effective. 240 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: But what that looks like, I'm not sure. And that's 241 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 1: where I feel that it's more than fair to be 242 00:12:55,720 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: a bit concerned. But one thing that we are getting 243 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: some answers on to one of the biggest concerns in 244 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: the first half of the season is the fact that 245 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: Michael Harris the second is absolutely going off right now 246 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:14,560 Speaker 1: A bit on exactly why that is and also why 247 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,760 Speaker 1: it should not come. Is that much of a surprise. 248 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:19,679 Speaker 1: More on that right after a word from our partners. 249 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 3: We have a little breaking news on Hello Fresh. We've 250 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 3: talked about them for a long time, but this summer 251 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 3: they have their biggest menu upgrade yet. Ready for this, 252 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 3: Todd Father, and talk to me. 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I need something to eat and 261 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 4: it's absolutely delicious. 262 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: Scott. 263 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 3: That's right, Todd Father. The best way to cook just better. 264 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 3: Go to HelloFresh dot com slash ft ten FM right 265 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 3: now to get ten free meals plus a free item 266 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 3: for life one per box with active subscription. Free meals 267 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 3: applied as discount on a first box new subscribers only 268 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 3: varies by plan that is Hello Fresh dot Com slash 269 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 3: FT one zero FM to get ten free meals plus 270 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 3: a free item. 271 00:14:19,400 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: For Live All right, Steven, So when we talk about 272 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: the second half of the season so far, listen, not 273 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: as much has changed in terms of wins and losses. 274 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 1: The Braves offense overall has incrementally incrementally gotten better. But 275 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: the thing that I'll say is this is that two 276 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: storylines stand out above all. Drake Baldwins pursued a Rookie 277 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: of the Year. We've talked about as one of the 278 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: bigger storylines. But to me, the biggest storyline in terms 279 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: of overall disappointment in the first half the season to 280 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: outstand in development in the second half has been the 281 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: immense improvement of Michael Harris. The second We've seen a 282 00:14:56,440 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: resurgence in his overall approach and in the production. What 283 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: do you take away from it? 284 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 2: So here's my thing with Michael Harris. I feel like 285 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 2: I'm getting Charlie Brown a little bit. Do you understand 286 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 2: that reference? Do you understand what I mean by that? Yeah? 287 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 2: So if you don't know, one of the famous bits 288 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 2: in Charlie Brown was his friend Lucy would hold a 289 00:15:22,320 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 2: football and she would tell him to kick it and 290 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 2: right as he would go to kick it, she would 291 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 2: move it away and he'd fall on his ass. And 292 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 2: the bit was she would always convince him that she 293 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 2: wasn't going to move the football, that he can kick 294 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 2: it and she wasn't gonna move it, and she'd always 295 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 2: move it. The reason I feel like I'm being Charlie 296 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 2: Browned a little bit is because last year Michael came 297 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 2: back from injury, he was the best player on the team. 298 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 2: I remember he came back in San Francisco at that 299 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 2: Grand Slam. He was, you know, I think he had 300 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:57,320 Speaker 2: like a one thirty WRC plus in the second half 301 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 2: last year. He was the best player in the playoffs 302 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 2: last year far. And I took that performance and I 303 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 2: extrapolated it out over a full season, and I came 304 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 2: on the show and said multiple times you'll remember this 305 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 2: to you, I think Michael Harris is a I think 306 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 2: he's an underrated MVP candidate for the twenty twenty five season. 307 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 2: I said that to you multiple times. 308 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: To make sure we're on the same page. My hot take, 309 00:16:24,280 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: one of my bold predictions was that Michael Harris would 310 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 1: be the starting center fielder for the National League All 311 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: Star Team in Atlanta. So me and you were both there. 312 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I know that we said that because I 313 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 2: got I've been made fun of on Twitter a thousand 314 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 2: times since now between that, between then and now for 315 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 2: those takes, every week somebody tweets me out I thought 316 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,000 Speaker 2: Michael Harris was going to be an MVP candid, And 317 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 2: so now I find myself in a very familiar place 318 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:56,240 Speaker 2: where the second half of the season has arrived and 319 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 2: Michael Harris is looks like one of the best players, 320 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,080 Speaker 2: not only on the team in the league. He has 321 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:05,199 Speaker 2: got everything you look for in terms of like if 322 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 2: you're trying to build a foundational like MVP caliber player, 323 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:13,160 Speaker 2: you're looking for power, you're looking for speed, you're looking 324 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 2: for premium defense at a premium defensive spot, and you 325 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 2: can't get more premium than center field, like the These 326 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:23,760 Speaker 2: are the pillars of building like an MVP level player. 327 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 2: And these are all the traits that Michael has. And 328 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 2: you know, we said last offseason, if he could just 329 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 2: make some incremental improvements with the plate discipline stuff, this 330 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:37,119 Speaker 2: guy could win MVP. And I firmly believe that when 331 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 2: I said it almost a year ago now, But now 332 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 2: here we are in twenty twenty five, We're going through 333 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 2: the exact same thing. And so I feel like I'm 334 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:47,639 Speaker 2: being Charlie Browned a little bit. I feel like I 335 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 2: feel like Lucy's holding the football and she's saying, I'm 336 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 2: not gonna pull it away, go ahead and kick it 337 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,199 Speaker 2: as hard as you can. And I'm gonna I know 338 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,080 Speaker 2: me well enough to know I'm probably gonna try to 339 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:59,440 Speaker 2: kick it. I'm probably gonna fully buy into this Michael 340 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 2: Harris thing in And so I'm gonna ask you, Sean, 341 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 2: is Lucy gonna pull the football? Am I gonna follow 342 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,120 Speaker 2: my Am I gonna get made fun of all year 343 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 2: next year because I'm fully bought into this Michael Harris 344 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:14,520 Speaker 2: resurgence or do we need to show a little more 345 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,359 Speaker 2: caution with these second half with these massive second halfs 346 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 2: that he has me. 347 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: At this point? If you are taking this production with 348 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: the grain of salt, I don't blame you a bit. 349 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:31,919 Speaker 1: I put it out on Twitter the other day. I 350 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: don't know what Michael Harris does during the All Star break, 351 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 1: whether he takes the Super Soldier serum or what have you. 352 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:44,720 Speaker 1: He powers up, he levels up every All Star break 353 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: for instance. For instance, if you look at games at 354 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: the team games ninety through one twenty of every season 355 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:55,879 Speaker 1: since Michael Harris has been in the league, that thirty 356 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: game stretch, which basically is mid July through mid August 357 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:04,159 Speaker 1: thirty one ops his rookie year eight eighty nine and 358 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:07,879 Speaker 1: twenty three, eight ninety and twenty four over one thousand 359 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: so far this year. You look at his by month 360 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:16,919 Speaker 1: splits by month splits throughout his career, he has a 361 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: six to sixty two first half OPS and an eight 362 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,680 Speaker 1: eighty eight second half OPS. And it goes six eighty 363 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: two and April and March, five forty five in May, 364 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,159 Speaker 1: seventy seven to seventy six in June, seven eighty one 365 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:33,680 Speaker 1: in July, eight eighty three in August, and then eight 366 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:39,280 Speaker 1: sixty nine in September, And it goes along with what 367 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: we're seeing with this Braves team when we talk about 368 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,920 Speaker 1: at times it seems like that we've got the streakiest 369 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 1: group of players you can possibly find. It's the truth 370 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: because the same exists about Austin Riley, the same exists 371 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 1: about Matt Olson. They struggle in April and May to 372 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:02,720 Speaker 1: start the year. Riley starts getting going in mid June. 373 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: Olsen starts getting going in early July, and then Michael 374 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 1: Harris starts getting going in the middle of July, and 375 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:12,359 Speaker 1: that's why we've won seventy percent of our games but 376 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,520 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty two and twenty twenty three. So my 377 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 1: point that I'm getting at is is the numbers absolutely 378 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 1: support and back up everything that you're saying, Steven. Now, 379 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 1: with that being said, I'm not going to say that 380 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 1: this is fool's gold. I'm not going to say that 381 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: what we're seeing from Michael Harris is just an absolute 382 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: anomaly and we're not gonna see it again. I don't 383 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 1: feel he's gonna put one thousand and fifty ops together 384 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 1: over a season, but I do think that he clearly 385 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:47,119 Speaker 1: has all star level upside. He clearly can play to 386 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 1: this level. It's just what are we going to have 387 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: to do to see it over a full season. But 388 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: to be parid to Michael Harris, I want to ask 389 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,879 Speaker 1: the same question to Austin Riley, to Ozzie Alby's and 390 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 1: to Matt Olson. So that's my take. It absolutely is 391 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,439 Speaker 1: supported by numbers. We need to see it over a 392 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:07,359 Speaker 1: full season, so take that with caution. But there also 393 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 1: is a history here to where this is really good 394 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 1: and if he could ever put it together in the 395 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 1: first half, you've got an MVP. 396 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 2: Can I think the last week of April, we should 397 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:21,560 Speaker 2: give Michael Harris the week off and tell him that's 398 00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:25,600 Speaker 2: the All Star break and this is big. This is 399 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 2: big brain, this is this is now using the big 400 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,920 Speaker 2: part of the brain. We're in the last week of April. 401 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 2: We're gonna give him a week off. I'm gonna tellhim 402 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:34,960 Speaker 2: see All Star break. Whatever he normally does in the 403 00:21:34,960 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 2: All Star break, do it that week and then see 404 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 2: what happens May one. I think that's what I'm trying 405 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 2: next year. I don't know if that's real or not, 406 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 2: but in my head, it's real. And listen, you're right. 407 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 2: There are plenty of other guys on the team that 408 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 2: are streaky, but Michael Harris has taking it to a 409 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 2: whole other level, especially this season. Like this year is 410 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:57,800 Speaker 2: the like he was the worst hitter in baseball for 411 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,840 Speaker 2: three and a half months and now he's been one 412 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 2: of the best hitters in baseball for the last basically month. 413 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:07,359 Speaker 1: His rookie season. His rookie season from the first of 414 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: August through mid September in twenty twenty two, he legitimately 415 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 1: was the best outfielder in baseball f wldwise besides Aaron Judge. 416 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:20,240 Speaker 1: So this level of production we've seen before. That's what 417 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:23,280 Speaker 1: makes it so exciting, with the fact that we've seen 418 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: it before, so we know he's capable of it. But 419 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:28,440 Speaker 1: on that same n also makes it so frustrating because 420 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,640 Speaker 1: it's like, why can't we see this, not even all 421 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 1: the time, but just not what we saw in the 422 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: first half when you're capable of what you're doing right now. 423 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's the part. It's not that I expect this 424 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:43,880 Speaker 2: guy to show up six months of the year. It's 425 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 2: just I don't understand how you can be one of 426 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 2: the worst players in the sport for three and a 427 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 2: half months and then be one of the best players 428 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 2: in the sport for the last two months, And like, yeah, 429 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 2: I feel like I'm getting Charlie Brown. I do, and 430 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:00,600 Speaker 2: I would love to be wrong. At some point in 431 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 2: this offseason, I'm probably gonna I'm probably gonna try to 432 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 2: kick the football again, and I'm probably gonna say something 433 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,679 Speaker 2: like I think Michael Harris could be a under the 434 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 2: radar MVP candidate, but I don't know. I have been 435 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 2: watching lately him crush everything and I'm thinking I'm getting 436 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 2: Charlie Brown. 437 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: But the whole point that I'll end with when it 438 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:22,880 Speaker 1: comes to start talking about Michael Harris Steven is that 439 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:27,600 Speaker 1: it's the understanding that we don't necessarily need for him 440 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 1: to be like this the whole season. It would be 441 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:31,199 Speaker 1: unrealistic for him to be that. 442 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 2: But just think, like average would be great. 443 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:38,160 Speaker 1: Just think if we can. I'm just using ops because 444 00:23:38,160 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: it's just a simple stat that most people get. Just 445 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:43,080 Speaker 1: if you could get a Michael Harris to a seven 446 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:46,400 Speaker 1: fifty eight hundred ops through every month of the season. 447 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:49,119 Speaker 2: He'd be a five word. He'd be a five win player. 448 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:52,320 Speaker 1: Get Michael Harris in that range, get ozy Albi's in 449 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:55,040 Speaker 1: the seven hundred to seven fifty range, and get a 450 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: shortstop who potentially can hit you around six fifty to 451 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: seven hundred oh ps. If you could just get those 452 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: three things in place, which don't feel like that big 453 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:05,200 Speaker 1: of an ass, but after the first half of the 454 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:08,000 Speaker 1: season it seems like a massive request. But if you 455 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: could get that type of development next year from those positions, 456 00:24:11,359 --> 00:24:16,440 Speaker 1: you would absolutely absolutely see a massive improvement. That type 457 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:19,439 Speaker 1: of improvement from those three positions are what gets you 458 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,320 Speaker 1: over that five running game hump, which is when we 459 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:25,680 Speaker 1: win at a very high level. That's what I think 460 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: the bigger discussion is. 461 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 2: And I do want to make sure we mentioned that 462 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 2: he has made adjustments to his stance, to his swing 463 00:24:32,960 --> 00:24:36,480 Speaker 2: that maybe lend themselves to be more real and therefore 464 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 2: we might be able to recreate these results in April, 465 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 2: May and June of next year. But there's also still 466 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,160 Speaker 2: some good like he still doesn't take any walk even 467 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:47,080 Speaker 2: right now, even though he's red hot, he doesn't take 468 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:49,680 Speaker 2: any walks. And man, it's just so hard to be 469 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:53,000 Speaker 2: a consistent offensive player. I think in like five hundred 470 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 2: plate appearances this year, he has thirteen walks, which is crazy. 471 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:01,000 Speaker 2: It's almost like impossible. So you know, he has made 472 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:04,439 Speaker 2: changes that might lend themselves to more consistent results, but 473 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 2: there are still red flags with the approach. I don't know. 474 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 2: I mean, that's why I asked the question. I don't 475 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 2: know what to make on Michael Harris. So we'll see, 476 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 2: you know, but I'm gonna give We're gonna give him 477 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:16,080 Speaker 2: every opportunity off. Of course, he's gonna be here a while, 478 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:19,080 Speaker 2: but it just feels like it feels like deja vous 479 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:19,640 Speaker 2: all over again. 480 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:24,359 Speaker 1: And I understand also that with what we've experienced over 481 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:27,399 Speaker 1: the past eighteen months, it just feels natural now to 482 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:29,960 Speaker 1: any type of glimpse of hope that we see, or 483 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: any type of excellent stretch of play from a player 484 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 1: that we see, We're like, Okay, when is this going 485 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:36,200 Speaker 1: to end? When is the you know, when are we 486 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: gonna wake up from this dream? 487 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:38,160 Speaker 2: What happened? 488 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,879 Speaker 1: Being skeptical just seems second nature now for being a 489 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 1: Brace fan, and I completely get it. But I will 490 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 1: say again, this is something that we've consistently seen. You 491 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:51,520 Speaker 1: take second half, Michael Harris. You've got one of the 492 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 1: best outfielders in the game. If you could put that 493 00:25:53,880 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 1: over a full season, that becomes a clear All Star, 494 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:02,200 Speaker 1: potential MVP level type of player. The capability is certainly there. 495 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:04,560 Speaker 1: And if he can make the adjustments like he did 496 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:08,120 Speaker 1: from the start of July into the middle of July 497 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:11,199 Speaker 1: and has maintained them over a month, He's capable of 498 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 1: making positive adjustments that can turn him to an immensely 499 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: productive player over a long stretch. I've got faith that 500 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 1: he's turned a corner. I'm not saying that means he's 501 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:23,399 Speaker 1: going to become an All Star and MVP candidate. I 502 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,639 Speaker 1: just feel the consistency will improve, and if that's the case, 503 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 1: that is one of the biggest boosts that we can 504 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:31,919 Speaker 1: have to once again become a contender next year. But 505 00:26:31,960 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: if you want to talk about boost for right now, 506 00:26:34,119 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: if you want to talk about better days ahead, we've 507 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:39,440 Speaker 1: got two massive reasons as to why that may be. 508 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:41,960 Speaker 1: We'll discuss that in just a moment after another word 509 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 1: from our partners. 510 00:26:43,480 --> 00:26:46,320 Speaker 5: The down days of summer moves. 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Void were prohibited 530 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 6: one per new customer. Bonus awarded as none withdrawable. Pick 531 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:40,000 Speaker 6: six bonus picks that expire in fourteen days eight twenty 532 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 6: four to twenty five at eleven to fifty nine pm 533 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:44,440 Speaker 6: Eastern time terms at Pick six dot DraftKings dot Com 534 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 6: slash promos. 535 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 1: So steven, if you go back about seven or eight 536 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:52,840 Speaker 1: weeks ago the injury to Chris Sale, when it seemed 537 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 1: like that maybe we were turned into quarter, maybe we 538 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 1: were starting to you know, see, you know, our season 539 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:02,479 Speaker 1: turned around. That just started the downward spiral that you know, 540 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 1: we're we're kind of at the bottom of right now. 541 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:06,800 Speaker 1: And then of course you go back about two two 542 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:09,120 Speaker 1: and a half weeks ago. It was another low point 543 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: in the season where there was just a massive outcry 544 00:28:11,320 --> 00:28:13,360 Speaker 1: when it came to Ronald mc coogey junior. How hurt 545 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:15,119 Speaker 1: was he? Why did the coaching staff put him in 546 00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: a position? All that different stuff. Well, the good thing 547 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:20,640 Speaker 1: is the good news is that not only are both 548 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,359 Speaker 1: Chris Sale and Ronald mccogiy jir both getting close to 549 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: being one hundred percent healthy, they're both on the doorstep 550 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,760 Speaker 1: of returning. I know that doesn't make a difference in 551 00:28:29,840 --> 00:28:32,359 Speaker 1: terms of, you know, us getting close to our goals 552 00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:34,960 Speaker 1: for this season, but it is a great development to 553 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:37,840 Speaker 1: see them back on the field for multiple reasons. 554 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:39,160 Speaker 2: Yep. 555 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:39,280 Speaker 5: So. 556 00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 2: Mark Bowman, beat writer for MLB dot Com, tweeted today 557 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 2: that Kunya was on the field, that there was a 558 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 2: chance they would reinstate him either tomorrow or Thursday for 559 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 2: this series, could be next series, but it's basically it's imminent, 560 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:00,560 Speaker 2: is the main takeaway. Even if it's not in the 561 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 2: next two days, he is close enough. Brian Sticker said 562 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:06,240 Speaker 2: that he did not need a rehab start, so he's 563 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:08,440 Speaker 2: not gonna have to go out to Gwinnett or whatever 564 00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,280 Speaker 2: to get some games in. They're just gonna activate him. 565 00:29:11,320 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 2: So that tells me that the fact that they're not 566 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,680 Speaker 2: doing a rehab start, that it's going to be very soon. 567 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 2: Like I don't know if it's going to be tomorrow 568 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 2: and maybe Thursday, maybe Friday, we'll see, but I think 569 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:22,400 Speaker 2: it's going to be very soon. And then, of course, 570 00:29:22,480 --> 00:29:28,120 Speaker 2: Chris Sale actually had a rehab start tonight in Gwinnette, Sean, 571 00:29:28,160 --> 00:29:30,680 Speaker 2: I know you. I think you pulled the stats on that. 572 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 2: What did Chris do tonight? 573 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:35,560 Speaker 1: Forty pitches pitch through two innings, gave up one run, 574 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:39,240 Speaker 1: two strikeouts, overall, just looked healthy. So that kind of 575 00:29:39,240 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 1: indicates to me that this may be one of multiple 576 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:45,680 Speaker 1: starts that he'll probably get. But yeah, overall, just just 577 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:48,480 Speaker 1: a pretty clean outing with some decent results. 578 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, so obviously they kept this pitch count pretty low, 579 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 2: so yeah, that probably does indicate they're gonna stack a 580 00:29:54,240 --> 00:29:57,160 Speaker 2: few of these, you know, it might be you know, 581 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 2: with Chris, I think Acuna is certainly coming back before Sale. 582 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 2: I think Akunya could come back tomorrow. Sale is probably 583 00:30:04,160 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 2: gonna be at least another week, maybe two. They probably 584 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:08,960 Speaker 2: even they're probably gonna do two or three rehab starts 585 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,280 Speaker 2: quite honestly, he's been out since middle of June, so 586 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:15,880 Speaker 2: he can't just come back to the mound and it 587 00:30:15,960 --> 00:30:18,920 Speaker 2: might even be like September for Chris, there's no rush. 588 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 2: I do think it's important, and this is why it 589 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 2: doesn't bother me as much as it bothers other people. 590 00:30:24,040 --> 00:30:25,920 Speaker 2: I do think it's important to get Chris Sale on 591 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 2: the mound and pitching and comfortable so that he can 592 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 2: go into the off season like with a normal off season, 593 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 2: and same thing with a Kunya quite honestly, so he 594 00:30:34,280 --> 00:30:38,120 Speaker 2: can go to the off season like game ready and 595 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,480 Speaker 2: he doesn't have to worry about rehabbing anything. He's just 596 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 2: game ready going into a normal off season. That matters 597 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 2: for pitchers, probably more than hitters. So you know, with Sale, 598 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,600 Speaker 2: even if it doesn't matter in the standings, and it's 599 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:52,760 Speaker 2: not gonna matter in the standings, everybody knows the Brave 600 00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:54,840 Speaker 2: season has been over for a while now. You could 601 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:58,040 Speaker 2: really trace it back to when Sale got hurt, it 602 00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 2: does matter for twenty twenty six because these guys having 603 00:31:01,040 --> 00:31:03,920 Speaker 2: normal off seasons is a big part of them having 604 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:06,640 Speaker 2: good twenty twenty sixes, and that's what we're all hoping for. 605 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:09,360 Speaker 2: So the Braves are arguably the braves two best players. 606 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:11,120 Speaker 2: I don't think it's arguable that the Braves two best 607 00:31:11,160 --> 00:31:15,560 Speaker 2: players Akunya and Chris Sale. On the doorstep of coming back. 608 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 1: Speaking of you know, some some updates on you know, 609 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:23,120 Speaker 1: approaches for the rest of the season, Brian Snicker talked about, 610 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:25,000 Speaker 1: you know, a six man rotation, you know the fact 611 00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 1: that the Braves may continue to implement that. But I 612 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,680 Speaker 1: do think it brings up an interesting question because right 613 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:34,360 Speaker 1: now we've got a six man rotation. You've got Spencer Strider, 614 00:31:34,440 --> 00:31:38,320 Speaker 1: Carlos Garrasco, Eric Fetti, Hirst and Baldrip, Bryce Elder as 615 00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:41,360 Speaker 1: well as Joey Wentz. That is six pitchers. You get 616 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:44,040 Speaker 1: Chris sail back that seven, So that means that there 617 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:45,960 Speaker 1: is going to be an odd man out. Now I 618 00:31:45,960 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: would imagine that that probably would be Bryce Elder. But 619 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:51,240 Speaker 1: with that being said, I had one thing that I 620 00:31:51,240 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 1: would give Bryce Elder credit for. He could take that 621 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 1: ball every fifth day just about as reliably at least, 622 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,760 Speaker 1: step on them out every fifth day just as reliably 623 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:02,640 Speaker 1: as one can. I think he makes sense to potentially 624 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:05,080 Speaker 1: be the one to be the odd man out if 625 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:07,320 Speaker 1: someone were just struggling between them. Maybe that's what you do, 626 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:10,440 Speaker 1: maybe you know get you know, move on from Carasco 627 00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:12,840 Speaker 1: or Fittie. What are your thoughts as far as the 628 00:32:12,840 --> 00:32:15,600 Speaker 1: comments of the six man rotation and what potentially happens 629 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:18,160 Speaker 1: now that we have seven viable arms to fill that out. 630 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, we were talking about that, I think in our DMS, 631 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 2: or maybe it's just on Twitter. I can't remember. But 632 00:32:24,800 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 2: like when they brought Hurston Waldrip back up, they didn't 633 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:31,400 Speaker 2: use him as the twenty seventh man. They actually just 634 00:32:31,440 --> 00:32:33,760 Speaker 2: brought him to the roster because he was actually an 635 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:37,320 Speaker 2: extra man for the Speedway Classics, so they could do that, 636 00:32:39,400 --> 00:32:41,640 Speaker 2: and they'd never sent him back down, and so they 637 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 2: just had six starters. And I actually thought, I tweeted 638 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 2: this out, I thought they might because of the off 639 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,680 Speaker 2: day on Monday, they could have just slipped Hurston Waldrip 640 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:55,640 Speaker 2: into Bryce Elder's spot on Thursday. And I thought that's 641 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:57,280 Speaker 2: what they were gonna do, and maybe Elder goes to 642 00:32:57,320 --> 00:32:59,720 Speaker 2: the bullpen to be a long guy and maybe goes 643 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:02,480 Speaker 2: to trip play. But no, that's not what they're doing. 644 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:04,680 Speaker 2: They're going with six for a little while. Snicker said 645 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:06,320 Speaker 2: they're gonna go with it as long as they can. 646 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:09,280 Speaker 2: I do think they want to limit the innings of Strider. 647 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:12,880 Speaker 2: I think they want to limit the innings of Waldrop. Yeah, 648 00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:14,680 Speaker 2: the guys, I don't think they're that concerned about. But 649 00:33:15,400 --> 00:33:18,600 Speaker 2: doing a six monent rotation does do that. It takes 650 00:33:18,640 --> 00:33:22,040 Speaker 2: a start away from everybody every every turn, so it's 651 00:33:22,320 --> 00:33:25,080 Speaker 2: it's an effective way to limit innings, which I'm guessing 652 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:30,200 Speaker 2: is the logic when Sale comes back. I'm guessing either 653 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 2: Carrasco gets d faded or Elder gets optioned. That's probably 654 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:36,880 Speaker 2: Carrasco gets df faid. Honestly, I mean, he's a thirty 655 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 2: eight year old journeyman, you know, starter, He's he's literally 656 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 2: here just to get the bridge to the finish line. 657 00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:44,200 Speaker 2: So if they want a spot for Chris Sale, they 658 00:33:44,200 --> 00:33:46,840 Speaker 2: can just dfa Carrasco. But Elder might get optioned to 659 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:51,640 Speaker 2: you know, it is what it is. I I wouldn't 660 00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:53,560 Speaker 2: also be surprised if at some point they just shut 661 00:33:53,760 --> 00:33:58,880 Speaker 2: Strider or Waldrip down. Waldrip's reaching his kind of most 662 00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:01,440 Speaker 2: hittings he's ever thrown. But you do want to push 663 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:04,640 Speaker 2: those limits to help guys, you know, get past them. 664 00:34:04,680 --> 00:34:06,840 Speaker 2: So I don't think they're just gonna hard shut him down. 665 00:34:06,880 --> 00:34:09,359 Speaker 2: But I think the six month rotation is a way 666 00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:13,240 Speaker 2: to limit guys innings and spread out the workload over 667 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:16,080 Speaker 2: what's going to be a pretty meaningless last seven weeks. 668 00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:20,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, and especially with Waldrop, even Wentz, who's been a 669 00:34:20,680 --> 00:34:23,680 Speaker 1: nice surprise so far this year. You know, you don't 670 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:27,080 Speaker 1: know what you have with those guys, So giving them 671 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:29,880 Speaker 1: some more starts to see if they can build some 672 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:33,520 Speaker 1: momentum as being potential options for the rotation next year, 673 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:36,319 Speaker 1: why not let them, you know, without you know, them 674 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:40,560 Speaker 1: running into or running completely over their innings. Living guys 675 00:34:40,600 --> 00:34:45,520 Speaker 1: like Eric Fetti, guys like Bryce Elder, Carlos Corosco either 676 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:47,160 Speaker 1: don't care what you have or you already know what 677 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:50,160 Speaker 1: you have. And so that's that's to me, the reason 678 00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:52,280 Speaker 1: why it would make sense for one of those guys 679 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:55,440 Speaker 1: to go. But you know, on that same end, let's 680 00:34:55,440 --> 00:34:58,320 Speaker 1: get to September, see what we've gotten Waldrop and Wentz 681 00:34:58,600 --> 00:35:00,759 Speaker 1: and go from there. But I agree that point shut 682 00:35:00,800 --> 00:35:03,279 Speaker 1: Strider down at some point. I'm sure they'll shut Chris 683 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 1: Sail down as well, but I do think he comes 684 00:35:05,520 --> 00:35:07,759 Speaker 1: rit least three to five more starts, and obviously it's 685 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:09,879 Speaker 1: gonna be glad to see Ronald Couldney and Junior there 686 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:11,840 Speaker 1: and well, and with this note, it seems like Austin 687 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:14,080 Speaker 1: Riley could be, you know, knocking on the doorstep here 688 00:35:14,080 --> 00:35:16,200 Speaker 1: with it the next week or so as well, Stephen, 689 00:35:16,239 --> 00:35:18,040 Speaker 1: anything else from you as we wrape up this edition 690 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:19,360 Speaker 1: of the Hammer Territory Podcast. 691 00:35:20,760 --> 00:35:24,680 Speaker 2: No disappointing night, but I'm still rooting for wins. Like 692 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:27,239 Speaker 2: I know people don't agree with that, that's fine, but 693 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:29,279 Speaker 2: I still want I still want to win games. I 694 00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:32,480 Speaker 2: still want to you know, guys to perform well, not 695 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:36,000 Speaker 2: even necessarily because I think, like I don't really believe 696 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:38,439 Speaker 2: in like momentum carrying over from the end of one 697 00:35:38,440 --> 00:35:41,160 Speaker 2: season to the beginning of the other. But I just 698 00:35:41,200 --> 00:35:43,879 Speaker 2: want to see with the Braves having so many guys 699 00:35:43,960 --> 00:35:45,600 Speaker 2: locked up long term, I just want to see good 700 00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:47,759 Speaker 2: play because there's a very good chance a lot of 701 00:35:47,760 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 2: these same players are going to be on the roster 702 00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:52,680 Speaker 2: next year, and it's just nice to be reminded of 703 00:35:52,719 --> 00:35:57,640 Speaker 2: the talent that is actually there. And again, it's not 704 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:00,680 Speaker 2: really about the standings anymore, but and it's also just 705 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:03,799 Speaker 2: more enjoyable to watch good baseball. So I'm not really 706 00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:05,880 Speaker 2: hoping for. There are people out there hoping for like 707 00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:08,960 Speaker 2: forty straight losses to get the number two overall pick 708 00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:11,960 Speaker 2: or whatever. I understand your logic, but that's. 709 00:36:11,800 --> 00:36:12,239 Speaker 3: Just not me. 710 00:36:12,840 --> 00:36:14,280 Speaker 2: I still want to see good baseball. 711 00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:16,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, tanking is just not as a fan, and we could, 712 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:19,160 Speaker 1: like say, we'll probably discuss this in a later show. 713 00:36:19,360 --> 00:36:22,560 Speaker 1: Tankings out an effect is not as effective in baseball 714 00:36:22,600 --> 00:36:25,160 Speaker 1: as it is in other sports for a variety of reasons, 715 00:36:25,400 --> 00:36:27,920 Speaker 1: but more than anything, when you're a team like the 716 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:31,239 Speaker 1: Braves who's not looking to tank long term, You're not 717 00:36:31,360 --> 00:36:33,560 Speaker 1: looking to sit here and be bad right now so 718 00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:35,279 Speaker 1: you can get as high as a draft pick and 719 00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:37,839 Speaker 1: do the same thing next year. You're wanting to win 720 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:40,719 Speaker 1: and win big as soon as next season, and you're 721 00:36:40,760 --> 00:36:42,960 Speaker 1: going to need to rely more on your young guys 722 00:36:43,000 --> 00:36:46,600 Speaker 1: due to injuries or disappointments elsewhere that you've experienced this year. 723 00:36:46,840 --> 00:36:49,400 Speaker 1: For all the great performances of a Baldwin of Michael 724 00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:52,080 Speaker 1: Harris or Hirst and Waldrop that leads us to wins, 725 00:36:52,120 --> 00:36:54,319 Speaker 1: that's to be what stands out. Not only are you 726 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 1: wanting to see those guys succeed, but it means something 727 00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:00,960 Speaker 1: when they succeed and it leads to wins. That connection, 728 00:37:01,480 --> 00:37:04,080 Speaker 1: that overall recognition that hey, if I do this, if 729 00:37:04,120 --> 00:37:06,319 Speaker 1: I perform at this level, and it's leading us to 730 00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:08,839 Speaker 1: get wins, especially in an environment where we haven't been 731 00:37:09,160 --> 00:37:11,799 Speaker 1: getting that many, that should set me up to be 732 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:14,799 Speaker 1: able to be a contributing factor when wins will matter 733 00:37:14,880 --> 00:37:17,359 Speaker 1: once again in the future. So that's why I put 734 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:18,600 Speaker 1: a value on us whip. 735 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, and again, like you said, it's a lottery system, 736 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:25,960 Speaker 2: So how many losses you have does not directly indicate 737 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:28,000 Speaker 2: your draft position. And b the MLB draft, it's not 738 00:37:28,080 --> 00:37:30,719 Speaker 2: like Andrew Luck sitting there at you know, the number one. 739 00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:33,319 Speaker 2: It just doesn't work that way. You're usually drafting high 740 00:37:33,360 --> 00:37:36,600 Speaker 2: school guys or five years away, Like you can have 741 00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:39,399 Speaker 2: just as good as drafting at seven as you can 742 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:43,279 Speaker 2: at four. Like, it just doesn't work the same. So yeah, 743 00:37:43,360 --> 00:37:44,920 Speaker 2: I'm fine with winning games. 744 00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:46,920 Speaker 1: And I know that everybody's kind of looking at the 745 00:37:46,920 --> 00:37:50,279 Speaker 1: fact that next year it is so so top heavy, 746 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:53,360 Speaker 1: there's so many quality potential shortstops at the top of 747 00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:55,880 Speaker 1: next year's draft. I feel confident that the braidis are 748 00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:58,160 Speaker 1: going to find them, so somewhere in a position to 749 00:37:58,160 --> 00:38:00,360 Speaker 1: where they should be in line to you know, have 750 00:38:00,440 --> 00:38:03,719 Speaker 1: their pick of multiple guys from that group. Plus the 751 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:05,440 Speaker 1: big thing for me is if we can get that 752 00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:09,080 Speaker 1: draft pick from Drake Baldwin winning Murcury here, that's just 753 00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:12,760 Speaker 1: even more money to throw at options that can overall 754 00:38:12,800 --> 00:38:15,320 Speaker 1: bring up the quality of our pharmasystem for the future. 755 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:17,239 Speaker 1: For Steven Tolbert, you can find him but being under 756 00:38:17,239 --> 00:38:20,920 Speaker 1: square outliers on Twitter slash x. My name is Sean Coleman. 757 00:38:21,080 --> 00:38:23,000 Speaker 1: You can find me at stats sac in the same 758 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 1: place Hammer Territory across all forms of social media, part 759 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:29,840 Speaker 1: of the Foul Territory family of podcasts. Can thank you 760 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:32,400 Speaker 1: enough for joining us. As always, thank you for the support. 761 00:38:32,719 --> 00:38:34,839 Speaker 1: Until next time, go braves. We'll talk to you again 762 00:38:34,920 --> 00:38:38,040 Speaker 1: soon here on the Hammer Territory podcast