1 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Hammer Territory Podcast. My name is Sean Coleman. 2 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: Hope wherever you are and wherever you were listening, you're 3 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: having a great start to your week. Of course, Hammer 4 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,279 Speaker 1: Territory part of the Foul Territory family of podcasts. Make 5 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: sure you hit that subscribe button. Enjoy our content wherever 6 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:40,200 Speaker 1: you listen to podcasts, Spotify, Apple, wherever you choose to listen. 7 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,639 Speaker 1: We're also on YouTube audio version only, but go out 8 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: there and subscribe, you know, help us out a little 9 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,440 Speaker 1: bit there. Leave those five star reviews. We enjoy the 10 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 1: interaction and just also the great support that our listeners 11 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: have provided us, because we're here to talk with you 12 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: no matter how positive or negative the circumstances are. When 13 00:00:58,000 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: it comes to the Brave and I'm always glad to 14 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: be joined about my podcast partner Steven Tobert and Steven, 15 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: We've talked about some pretty negative things this year so far, 16 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: but when it comes to an emergency podcast edition like 17 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: this is of the Hammer Territory Podcast, it's well, it's 18 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: hard to say it's gotten worse than this. We're here 19 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 1: to talk obviously about the latest injury news. When it 20 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 1: comes to Austin Riley Steven. Always a pleasure to talk 21 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:25,480 Speaker 1: with you, sir, even under the most unfortunate those circumstances. 22 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:31,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, what's up, Sean. You know, we're getting pretty good 23 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 2: at this at talking about injuries and you know how 24 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 2: it's going to impact the team. You know, the Spencer 25 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: Strider injury and the Ronald Acunya junior injury were probably 26 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 2: more significant just because of when they happened. You know, 27 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 2: we we lost Spencer early early in the year in 28 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 2: April for the year, then we lost to Kunya in 29 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 2: May for the year, and obviously those were you know, 30 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 2: truly devastating injuries. But just after those is this one, 31 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,960 Speaker 2: because and I thought Scott and Brad did a really 32 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: good job talking about it on Sunday. It's hard to 33 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:15,079 Speaker 2: find a more i mean outside of Acunya and Acunya, 34 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 2: mainly because of it on base skills, Like it's hard 35 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 2: to find a guy who is irreplaceable as Austin Riley. 36 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 2: You know, one big problem is the Braves don't have 37 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 2: anybody behind him. Is one reason why he's so irreplaceable. 38 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,399 Speaker 2: Another is just because he's so good. I mean, he's 39 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 2: one of the probably a top five third basement in baseball, 40 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 2: and those don't grow on trees obviously. 41 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 3: So. 42 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:41,000 Speaker 2: You know, losing Riley. You know, we'll get into this 43 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 2: specific turn in a minute, but you know, the team 44 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 2: said six to eight weeks is the timetable. You know, 45 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 2: there's examples of guys coming back sooner than that, there's 46 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 2: examples of guys coming back later than that. There's a 47 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 2: there's examples of guys coming back and not being the 48 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:59,240 Speaker 2: same and it's taking longer. So there's a lot of 49 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 2: there's a lot of variance with that timetable. But it's 50 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: just a I mean, it's just another kick to the 51 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 2: shen of a season long of nothing but kicks to 52 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 2: the shins. It's been it's been a brutal year. It's 53 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 2: been one of the worst years I can remember in 54 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 2: terms of injury impact to a team that we had, 55 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 2: that had a like World Series, that World Series possibility 56 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 2: in front of them. Uh, this is as bout as 57 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: bad as I can remember for any Braves teams. So yeah, 58 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: it's been a it's been a rough few days. We 59 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 2: kind of saw this coming, if I'm honest, and and 60 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 2: here we are. 61 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: So Stephen, of course, you know, for those who may 62 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: not have you know, been on social media or anything 63 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: like that over the past you know, day or so. 64 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 1: What we're referring to, of course, is that Austin Riley 65 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: was hit in the hand on Sunday in the first 66 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: inning by a ninety seven mile per hour fastball. Left 67 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 1: the game in the first inning on Sunday. The scans 68 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: were inconclusive, mainly because of swelling and things such as 69 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 1: that just not lead to results. In the midday on Monday, 70 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: it was revealed, you know, the worst case scenario, Austin 71 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 1: Riley had a hand fracture out six to eight weeks 72 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: at the very least, is likely out for the rest 73 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 1: of the regular season. We'll see what occurs at the 74 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 1: Braves make the playoffs. But Steven, you know, earlier this 75 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 1: year the Braves lost Riley for two and a half 76 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,839 Speaker 1: to three weeks, and at that point it was the 77 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,359 Speaker 1: idea of what aster Riley was the potential that he 78 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: could provide, you know, in the fact that he you know, 79 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 1: has been top seven in the MVP voting for I 80 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: believe each in the last three years. But this time around, 81 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: it truly is a devastating loss because just like he 82 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: did in the summer of twenty twenty one, twenty two, 83 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 1: and twenty three. Once again, this summer, Austin Riley was 84 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: one of the best hitters in baseball, top six in 85 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:45,679 Speaker 1: the National League in wOBA WRC plus and OPS since 86 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: June fourteenth, basically over the past two months a nine 87 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 1: to forty two OPS of one to fifty seven WRC 88 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 1: plus over that time frame, just again showing how invaluable 89 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: he is to a Braves offense. It's kind of taken 90 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: the baton and once again has become the strength of 91 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: this team in the second half of the season. I 92 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 1: say all this to say, this is going to be 93 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: a loss you cannot replace. When we say that he's invaluable, 94 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 1: when he say when we say he's the one player 95 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 1: of this current team that you couldn't lose. That's the 96 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: reason why it's just going to be a significant impact. 97 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:22,560 Speaker 1: And the Braves, we say they're picking up the pieces 98 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: once again, they really are. With just how important Austin 99 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: Riley was to their current success and holding on to 100 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:29,359 Speaker 1: a playoff spot. 101 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, you know, listen, the offense has had 102 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 2: problems all year long. It's been inconsistent, and now you 103 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 2: take you know, like you just articulated in Austin's been 104 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: as good ahead as Azuna has been over the last 105 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 2: you know, probably two months, a little maybe two and 106 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 2: a half months. 107 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: So Steven, I don't mean to interrupt you, but literally 108 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: since June fourteenth, I can't remember which one had it, 109 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: but literally, since June fourteenth, both of them have around two 110 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: hundred and forty played appearances. One of them has a 111 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: one to fifty six WRC plus one has a one 112 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 1: to fifty seven. They've literally been the exact same hitter. 113 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 2: To your point, there you go, and everybody would tell 114 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 2: you Azuna has been the bestter on the team, But 115 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:15,919 Speaker 2: in the last two and a half months, you know, 116 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 2: o'riley's got just as much of a claim to that title. 117 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,919 Speaker 2: And that's how I mean. You know, he's really improved offensively. 118 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: He's a you know, he's kind of a rock in 119 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 2: that lineup. He's kind of an everyday guy. You know. 120 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:35,159 Speaker 2: It's just, I mean, it's not it's not hyperbole to 121 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 2: say the Braves lost the best player they had left 122 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 2: in the lineup. You can make the argument of Zuna 123 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 2: is better. You can make the argument Olsen's better. If 124 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: you look at career numbers, but you can also make 125 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 2: the argument that after Akunya, the second best player on 126 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 2: the team is Austin Riley, and now they've lost him 127 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 2: and so, and like Scott and Brad articulated last night, 128 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 2: there's nothing behind him and the Braves probably the weakest 129 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: area of their farm system, which is not a great 130 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 2: farm system to begin with. It's probably the you know, 131 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:13,120 Speaker 2: the corners, third base, first base, you know, a corner outfield. 132 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 2: They just they don't have anything there. So you know, 133 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 2: we're gonna get into some replacement options here in a minute. 134 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 2: But yeah, I mean there's really no there's really no 135 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 2: quantifying just how big a loss this is. I mean, 136 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 2: it's it's they're not dead in the water, because they 137 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: still got a tomb game lead, and they still got 138 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 2: a lot of talent on the team. But you know, 139 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 2: for a lot of people, this this felt like one 140 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 2: more injury than they could really realistically sustain. I don't 141 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 2: know if that'll be true. We'll find out over the 142 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 2: next six weeks. This team is pretty resilient. It still 143 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 2: has quite a bit of talent on there, but at 144 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 2: some point it's just so many injuries that you just 145 00:07:55,440 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 2: you can't realistically do anything. And again, after Racuna, there's 146 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: a very strong argument that the next best overall player 147 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 2: on the team. I'm not talking about pictures, obviously, with 148 00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 2: pictures you got to talk about Chris Sale, Max Free, 149 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 2: But in terms of position players, there's a strong argument 150 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 2: that after Acunya, the next best player was Austin Riley, 151 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 2: and now he's out for probably the rest of the 152 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 2: regular season and maybe longer. So yeah, it's just a 153 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 2: I mean, it's just a it's a massive bummer. And 154 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 2: I I'm I haven't checked out of the twenty twenty 155 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 2: fourth season. I'm We're still gonna be here talking about 156 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 2: it and covering it every day. But at some point 157 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 2: you do get to a level of injuries where you're 158 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: just like, okay, like, you know, it might just not 159 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 2: be our year, you know when you know, ye, I 160 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 2: know you're a Memphis Grizzlies guy, Sean and I know 161 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 2: you guys just went through this on the NBA side 162 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 2: where you just like, Okay, we literally lost our entire 163 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 2: damn team. Uh, you know, sometimes it's just not your year. 164 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 2: The Braves haven't gotten to that point yet. It's not 165 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:00,520 Speaker 2: quite that bad. They still have a lot of talent left, 166 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:03,559 Speaker 2: but it is dwindling by the day. 167 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: Now, while the Braves are certainly missing Austin Riley, and 168 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: we'll miss him moving forward. One thing I don't want 169 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: you to miss out on is the opportunity to make 170 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 1: your day better by going to a reliable source when 171 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,320 Speaker 1: it comes to your nightly meals, and that's Hello Fresh. 172 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 4: Big shout out to America's number one meal kit, Hello Fresh, 173 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 4: for helping us eat good during this busy time of 174 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 4: the year for us. 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That's free kids meals just by 189 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:19,120 Speaker 4: going to HelloFresh dot com slash ft Kids. 190 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and I think that my response to that is 191 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 1: this is that, you know, in one aspect there's you know, 192 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 1: realistic expectations, and then the other aspect there's actual reality. 193 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 1: And in reality, yes, the Braves still have a chance 194 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 1: to make this a special season. It's going to take 195 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: quite a bit of things going in their favor moving forward. 196 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: You know, as we are recording this podcast, the Mets 197 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 1: to a walk off home run against the Orioles, So 198 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 1: the Braves are now one and a half games in 199 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 1: the lead for the final wildcard playoff spot. I want 200 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: to make it clear the brand I'll get to, you know, 201 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 1: a bit of support for this in just a moment. Yes, 202 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 1: the Braves still do have a realistic chance of making 203 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: the playoffs. But in terms of expectations, I don't blame 204 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: anyone for watching the rest of the season without expectations. 205 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: I know that you never want to blame injuries, but 206 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: I'm blaming injuries. I understand that we've haven't had underperformance 207 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: I've understand that we've had a very streaky offense. I 208 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 1: get that, but no one, no one could have gone 209 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: into this season expecting for this many of the Braves' 210 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:26,679 Speaker 1: best players to be hit by this many injuries and 211 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:30,679 Speaker 1: for them to all be out for a significant duration 212 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: of the season. I'm not going to go through the 213 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,040 Speaker 1: whole list because we don't have two hours to do 214 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: this podcast. But injuries have not derailed the season as yet, 215 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,360 Speaker 1: but they certainly have taken expectations off the track, derailed 216 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 1: expectations however you want to say it. Injuries have played 217 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 1: a huge part in this season going nowhere according to 218 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: plan for the Braves. So from a fans perspective, watching 219 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 1: the rest of the season without expectations, I don't blame 220 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 1: you a bit, but I will say this, Stephen, I 221 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 1: think the team still is fully focused on making the 222 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: most of this season. And two reasons why are Chris 223 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: Selle and Marcelo Zuna. Chrissel right now the triple crown, 224 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 1: you know, leader in strikeouts, wins and eer the clear 225 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: cy young favorite. Marcello zun is going after an actual 226 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 1: triple crown. Those two players playing at the level that 227 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,440 Speaker 1: they are that's going to keep the Braves in the race. 228 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:19,720 Speaker 1: And then I think that this is even more significant 229 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 1: if we get to that wild card round of the playoffs. 230 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 1: I think you can make a clear argument that no 231 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 1: matter who the Braves play, they're going to have the 232 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: best picture and best hitter in that series and Ozuna 233 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 1: and you could also say they could easily have the 234 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 1: second best hitter in Olsen and the second best picture 235 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: in free to both of them are right by that time. 236 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: So yes, reality wise, the Braves still have plenty of 237 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: reason to play, but expectations wise, I don't blame anyone 238 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 1: for not having them moving forward. It's just so much 239 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:52,560 Speaker 1: you can overcome. And while the Braves still can make 240 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: this season certainly worthwhile, it's going to take a lot 241 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: going right for them moving forward. 242 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, the funny thing is the Braves are 243 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 2: kind of moving into a They've kind of moved into 244 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 2: a sweet spot where they have enough talent where they 245 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 2: could still do a lot of damage in September and October. 246 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 2: I mean, like you said, I mean they still have 247 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 2: Ozuna and Olsen and so Laire and Michael Harris and 248 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:24,839 Speaker 2: Sean Murphy and Jared Kelnick, like they still have enough 249 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: players where they could do some damage if guys get 250 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 2: hot at the right time. And of course they have 251 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 2: a fantastic pitching staff, you know, Chris sale, Ax Freed, 252 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 2: Spencer Swallenbach, Ronaldo Lopez, a really good bullpen, a great closer. 253 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 2: Like they have enough talent still even after the Riley 254 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:44,959 Speaker 2: injury where they could do damage, but now they get 255 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:49,520 Speaker 2: to do it free of expectation. And sometimes when you 256 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 2: get to do it free of expectation, it just frees 257 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 2: you up because you feel like you're playing with house 258 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,600 Speaker 2: money anyways, And I do wonder if this team is 259 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 2: just gonna be like, you know what, what the hell, 260 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 2: I got nothing to lose. Nobody's expecting us to anything. 261 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 2: You know, we got an all star team on the IL. 262 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:10,959 Speaker 2: You know, everybody's just expecting us to fold. There's no expectation. 263 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 2: You know, it's like a it's like a free role. 264 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: It's you're playing with house money. And I do wonder 265 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 2: if this team maybe rallies around this and actually taps 266 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,920 Speaker 2: into the rest of the talent they have on this roster, 267 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 2: because like I said, it's still a a pretty good 268 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 2: amount of talent. I mean that just speaks to how 269 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 2: how talented this team was when we also, you know, 270 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 2: we started this back in March, that they've lost this 271 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 2: much and still have this much talent left. And again, 272 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 2: when you get to when you get to the point 273 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,360 Speaker 2: where you have a lot of talent and very little expectation, 274 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 2: which is I think the point we've reached now, some 275 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 2: special things can happen. So you know, I'm not gonna 276 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 2: try to paint this as a positive. It's not. It's 277 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 2: a it's a it's a dark cloud over the season 278 00:14:55,920 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 2: that's already had plenty of storms. But you know, the 279 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 2: Braves are kind of freed up now that you know 280 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 2: it's it's house money time. It's it's a free roll 281 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 2: and nobody is expecting them to do anything, and they 282 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 2: got plenty of talent to make some noise. So I'm 283 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 2: gonna be gonna see what happens over the next eight weeks. 284 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, And the good thing is is that, hey, if 285 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:20,320 Speaker 1: you if you make that free roll and you wind 286 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 1: up rolling, you know a couple of lucky numbers. You know, Hey, 287 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: the last time we saw a team play really free 288 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: of expectations, it was twenty twenty one when the Braves 289 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: won the World Series. I'm not gonna sit here and 290 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: compare that team to this team because I think that 291 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: they're two different, you know, setups right now, and just 292 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:40,920 Speaker 1: a lot of things went right in twenty twenty one. 293 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 1: We haven't seen that happen yet for this Braves team. 294 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,600 Speaker 1: Maybe it will happen. But to your point, the chance 295 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: is still there for this team to get to having 296 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 1: the chance that they won. And if they do, if 297 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 1: they can get past you get in the playoffs and 298 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 1: get past that wild card round, then you're clearly within 299 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: the timetable where Austin Riley at one could return and 300 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: then that definitely can help things. And of course we'll 301 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 1: get Ozzie Albi's back as time goes on. But I 302 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 1: think that we thoroughly covered the obvious negative of losing Riley, 303 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: obviously covered trying to keep the glass half full in 304 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 1: terms of how the team can respond to this. But 305 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: you're not going to replace Austin Riley obviously on the roster, 306 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 1: but Stephen, the Braves definitely have a need at third base. Now. 307 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: You can't play Luke Williams every day. He's just not 308 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: productive enough. We've already heard reports that Witt Mirfield is 309 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 1: not going to you know, move over to third base, 310 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 1: and the Braves are going to see, you know, different 311 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:38,800 Speaker 1: options at second base. The Braves are likely going to 312 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: figure out who's going to give them their best option 313 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: by putting someone at third base. There are some internal options, 314 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: maybe external options, but let's start with the internal options, Stephen. 315 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: There's not much to choose from, but when you look internally, 316 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 1: what makes the most sense to you When it comes 317 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: to the most reliable option. The Braves can just you know, 318 00:16:57,880 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: play nearly every day at third base. 319 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:04,240 Speaker 2: Well, I mean you would say off the top of 320 00:17:04,280 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 2: your head that you know their best position One of 321 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 2: their best position player prospects as an infielder in Nacho Alvarez, 322 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 2: and he's played short stop, he's played second base, he's 323 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:17,639 Speaker 2: played third base. The problem is, according to Mark Bowman 324 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 2: of MLB dot Com, he's got pneumonia right now and 325 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,159 Speaker 2: he's not He hasn't played in like a week and 326 00:17:24,280 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 2: he's still down. So if he's gonna be the choice, 327 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 2: he's certainly not gonna be the choice right away. You know, 328 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 2: Brian Anderson is still in the minors, he's no longer 329 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 2: in the forty man so they would have to make 330 00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:39,560 Speaker 2: a forty men move to get him back up. But 331 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,960 Speaker 2: Brian Anderson has played in major league third base. You know, 332 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 2: he played for the Brewers, he played for the the 333 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 2: the Marlins. I'm sure Braves fans will remember him so 334 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 2: and again he's played third base, he's played right field. 335 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,479 Speaker 2: You know, in terms of like a guy who's actually 336 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 2: got major league caliber talent, Again, there's no great answers here. Internally, 337 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 2: that's probably the number one guy. Uh, there's Julie Guriel, 338 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 2: who hasn't played third, but he has played a little 339 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: bit of a second. You know, they would have to move 340 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 2: with mirrorfood around, but there's reports that they're really not 341 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 2: interested in doing that. I would guess Brian Anderson would 342 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:21,879 Speaker 2: be my guest in terms of an internal option. You know, 343 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,439 Speaker 2: we'll talk about external options and here in a second. 344 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 2: But yeah, there's not I mean again, this is kind 345 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 2: of what Scott and Brad were alluding to last night, 346 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: is that there's really no great option here. If Nacho 347 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 2: was healthy, you know, you might feel comfortable there. But 348 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 2: he had such a rough, you know time with the 349 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 2: Braves when he was up last time. I don't even 350 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 2: know if they'd want to try that again. So yeah, 351 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 2: Brian Anderson is probably just in terms of the most 352 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 2: sense guys who played third base at the major league 353 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 2: level before, I would guess it's him. But you know, 354 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 2: that's a that's a that's a total guess. That's just 355 00:18:55,560 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 2: going off of history and skills and talent levels. So yeah, 356 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 2: there's not a lot in the minors, which is one 357 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:05,720 Speaker 2: of the big problems with losing Raleigh to begin with. 358 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:08,960 Speaker 1: And as we mentioned, you know that there's not really 359 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 1: a lot of it. You know that it's understandable that 360 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:14,159 Speaker 1: there's not expectations. There's a reason, you know, not to 361 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: have expectations when it comes to this season. So for 362 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 1: the Braves, you know, they don't have a lot of 363 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:21,439 Speaker 1: certainty obviously when it comes to internal options that could 364 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:26,400 Speaker 1: replace Austin Riley, not replace him obviously, but give them something, 365 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 1: some source of production at third base. So what in 366 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: this case would make sense for the Braves to pursue. Well, 367 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: to me, it's the thing that I myself, I know 368 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:38,560 Speaker 1: I have said numerous times over the past several years, 369 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:40,960 Speaker 1: and I know others have alluded to it as well. 370 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 1: It's the Braves' ability to bring in talents that have 371 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 1: had previous success elsewhere before in recent times have struggled, 372 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: but then when they got to Atlanta they performed better. Obviously, 373 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:59,439 Speaker 1: Jorce Silaire is a great example, with Mirfield is a 374 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:04,600 Speaker 1: great examp. Ramon Loiano is a great example. So potentially 375 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: one thing that we could see the Braves do is 376 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: either of current options that are already out there or 377 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 1: maybe options that could be out there in the coming 378 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 1: days and weeks. The Braves could find an external option 379 00:20:15,560 --> 00:20:18,120 Speaker 1: that they like, bring that person in and maybe they're 380 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,080 Speaker 1: able to get production by making adjustments to their approach 381 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: at the plate. I bring up one name, Geo Ursella, 382 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: who you know, had played with the tigersman they released him, 383 00:20:28,840 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 1: you know, several days ago. He had nearly one twenty 384 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: WRC plus from twenty nineteen to twenty twenty two. Now, 385 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: last year he had an injury plague season. This year 386 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 1: there's been very little production with the bat. But he's 387 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: someone they potentially could bring in. Cavin Bigio, I know, 388 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:48,360 Speaker 1: you know, he's got you know, lineage with his last name. 389 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 1: He's never really been a productive Major leaguer. He's someone 390 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: that can make sense, and we could see another name 391 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: or two that's released in time. But Steven to me 392 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:59,400 Speaker 1: that may be another option as well, the Braves finding 393 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: a pro while that they are at least intrigued by 394 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:05,320 Speaker 1: bringing that talent in and seeing if they could you know, 395 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,879 Speaker 1: perform that, you know, rekindle that magic once again of 396 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: helping that uh, helping that player refine their you know, 397 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 1: the production that they want tad at the major league level. 398 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's gonna be probably one of those guys, 399 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 2: either Bigio or Sella. My guess is Jie Orshella will 400 00:21:27,359 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 2: be the guy, just based off availability and and you know, 401 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,960 Speaker 2: against skill set. But you know, they might prefer Brian Anderson. 402 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:39,160 Speaker 2: They might just like his potential more. Uh, we'll see 403 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 2: what they do. I don't think it's gonna be Luke Williams, 404 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,040 Speaker 2: you know, I know, he came in for Austin uh 405 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:47,159 Speaker 2: when when Austin got hurt, but he was literally the 406 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,360 Speaker 2: only the only other infielder on the roster at the time, 407 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:51,439 Speaker 2: so they had no other choice. But the Braids are 408 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:53,879 Speaker 2: gonna have to make some sort of infield move before 409 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 2: tomorrow's game because right now they only have four guys, 410 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:58,239 Speaker 2: four infielders on the roster. And Luke Williams is one 411 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 2: of them, so they'll they'll make some move either. I 412 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 2: don't know exactly the timetable on Ursella. I don't know 413 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 2: he's on waivers right now from the Tigers. I don't 414 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 2: know how long he's been on waivers or how long 415 00:22:11,320 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 2: you know he's got left before he's either claimed by 416 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:17,199 Speaker 2: a team or clears and can sign with anybody. It 417 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 2: might not be by tomorrow. If that's the case, then 418 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 2: I do expect probably Brian Anderson to come up. But yeah, 419 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:26,480 Speaker 2: long term, I'm guessing they go make a move like that, 420 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 2: just claim a guy who's had success at times and 421 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 2: maybe they can rekindle some of that success with the 422 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 2: Braves again. Like you said, there's no expectation. I mean, 423 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 2: it's a it's a even for the guy who replaces Riley, 424 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 2: it's a bit of a free roll because no one's 425 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:43,520 Speaker 2: going to expect anything. It's a you know, you're not 426 00:22:43,520 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 2: going to bat in the two hole like Austin was. 427 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 2: You're probably going to be batting eighth or ninth, and 428 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 2: you know anything you give the team is going to 429 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 2: be considered a bonus. So you know, it's a pretty 430 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 2: good spot. For somebody to come in who hasn't had 431 00:22:57,400 --> 00:22:59,160 Speaker 2: a great year, hasn't had a good couple of years, 432 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 2: to maybe try to find and some success, get some 433 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:05,080 Speaker 2: consistent playing time. I will say this, when Ozzie comes back, 434 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:07,879 Speaker 2: and the last report we got that Ozzy was gonna 435 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:11,800 Speaker 2: come back kind of early September. Once that happens, I 436 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 2: would expect Witt Maryfield to move over to third. So 437 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,399 Speaker 2: it might not be a long term problem if Ozzy 438 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 2: stays on schedule and gets back and can can man second, 439 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 2: and then you can move Wit over to third, who's 440 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:27,480 Speaker 2: been really good for the Braves, and then it's not 441 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 2: as big a deal. So you know, this might only 442 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,159 Speaker 2: be a two week issue, but you still gotta have 443 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,480 Speaker 2: somebody for two weeks. So it's gonna be to see 444 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 2: what they do. And my guess is they go get 445 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 2: one of these waiver acclaimed guys. You know, if they 446 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:41,680 Speaker 2: get to the Braves, you know, there's always a chance 447 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:44,280 Speaker 2: a team ahead of them in the waiver priority snags 448 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,840 Speaker 2: them before the Braves can. But yeah, I guess it's 449 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 2: gonna be one of those guys and they'll get a 450 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 2: chance to you know, have another another shot at having 451 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 2: a successful career, a ccessful season in the majors. 452 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and I know that you know, there's there's a 453 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 1: lot of fun, potential scenarios that could be out there, 454 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: you know, just you know, to throw throw defensive value 455 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 1: out the window, go with as much offense as possible 456 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: in the lineup, especially with the fact that you know, 457 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: I know some may see oha, it's a short term window, 458 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:16,119 Speaker 1: so why not get creative as possible in that short term. 459 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:18,199 Speaker 1: I think actually it being a short term window to 460 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:21,640 Speaker 1: Ozzie comes back makes it less likely that they get really, really, 461 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:23,919 Speaker 1: you know, outside the box. I think they find someone 462 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 1: that's got experience at third base that can you know, 463 00:24:26,760 --> 00:24:28,520 Speaker 1: in some way shape or form off just a little 464 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: bit of production, you know, something tangible over the next 465 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,160 Speaker 1: few weeks until they got Ozzie back and then figure 466 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:36,439 Speaker 1: it out from there. But of course, one other area, 467 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 1: one other aspect of this team that that's worth discussing 468 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 1: Stephn is how the body in lineup is gonna work. 469 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 2: Now. 470 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 1: I think against right handers, you have it pretty clear. 471 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,160 Speaker 1: You just basically put Michael Harris up at the top 472 00:24:47,200 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 1: of the order. I could see you make it a 473 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:50,719 Speaker 1: case you could lead him off but I also understand 474 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:54,480 Speaker 1: the Braves maybe going so layer of Michael Harris, Ozuna, 475 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:57,399 Speaker 1: Matt Olson and then you know the catcher spot. I 476 00:24:57,440 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: know that you know Orlando Arcia has batted fifth, but 477 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 1: that top four. I just basically think you put Michael 478 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 1: Harris up in the top four of the batting order 479 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 1: in front of Ozuna. Where Riley was against right handers, 480 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 1: now against left handers. You know, potentially you go with 481 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:15,439 Speaker 1: another option, you know, up there with Celaire Ozuna and Awsin. 482 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 1: But what are your thoughts on the on the batting lineup. 483 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: I know that you know, again you're not going to 484 00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:21,320 Speaker 1: replace Riley, but do you have any you know, do 485 00:25:21,359 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 1: you have any outside the box thinking when it comes 486 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:25,920 Speaker 1: to kind of putting the batting order, you know, structuring 487 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:27,680 Speaker 1: it in a way where again you're not going to 488 00:25:27,760 --> 00:25:30,240 Speaker 1: replace Riley, but at the very least, you know, one 489 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 1: thing we've seen the benefit of, Scott and Brad talked 490 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,679 Speaker 1: about this one thing we've seen the benefit of is 491 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 1: the Braves getting on base more. Do you get a 492 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:39,440 Speaker 1: little bit outside the box put one of your better 493 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 1: on base options up there at the top of the order, 494 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: or do you just go with your best overall talents 495 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:46,679 Speaker 1: lead Michael Harris up there regardless of who's pitching. 496 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 2: My guess is my guess is they do Solaire Michael Harris, 497 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 2: o Zoom Olson as the top four every day and 498 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:06,920 Speaker 2: then switch it up. You know, Snit's done some weird 499 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 2: stuff with kind of the five through nine. You know 500 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:13,600 Speaker 2: sometimes Urca is five, which has been weird. You know, 501 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 2: sometimes like you'll have like Sean Murphy eight, which I 502 00:26:18,160 --> 00:26:20,439 Speaker 2: haven't fully understood. You know. If it was me, I 503 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:27,000 Speaker 2: would do so Laire Harris, Ozuna Olson, then the catcher, 504 00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:30,119 Speaker 2: whoever the catcher is five, and then probably at this 505 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 2: point I would probably go Leriano six, our c is seven, 506 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:40,119 Speaker 2: whoever the third basement is eighth, and then try to 507 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 2: keep wit Mirorfield in then nine spot because I think 508 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:44,240 Speaker 2: his on base has really helped feed the top of 509 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:46,720 Speaker 2: the lineup and that's been a positive for the offense. 510 00:26:47,320 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 2: Plus his speed really helps when you get those big 511 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 2: guys back up on the up to the plate. So 512 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: I would try to keep Wit in the nine hole. 513 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,679 Speaker 2: If I could, I would probably just go Soleira, Michael 514 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,200 Speaker 2: Zuna Olsen one through four, catch Er five, and then 515 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:04,640 Speaker 2: whatever you know, other outfit are you're gonna play, whether 516 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 2: it's Kellnick or Loiano, and then you know Arcia and 517 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:10,720 Speaker 2: whoever whoever you get at third base, I'm assuming it's 518 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 2: gonna be a relatively weak hitter until Ozzie comes back. 519 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:18,280 Speaker 2: So I don't think you have any problem, you know, 520 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:20,160 Speaker 2: batting them close to the bottom of the order. I'm 521 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 2: assuming they're not gonna go get an all star level player, 522 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 2: So it's gonna be somebody who's relatively weak hitter, about 523 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 2: an eighth bat Maryfield nine. And I think that's probably 524 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:32,119 Speaker 2: the best you could roll out at this point. You know, 525 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:34,000 Speaker 2: you could probably adjust a couple of things in there, 526 00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 2: but if i'm you know, if you make me King 527 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 2: of the Braves, that's probably what I roll out starting 528 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 2: on Tuesday. 529 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:43,880 Speaker 1: Absolutely. And so we could talk about who potentially could 530 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,320 Speaker 1: be a replacement internal external at third base. We could 531 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 1: talk about how the batting order potentially lines up. But 532 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: one thing that I think nobody will mistake at all 533 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:56,359 Speaker 1: is the fact that the Braves need some players to 534 00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:59,159 Speaker 1: step up now. Ozuna has done his job all season, 535 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:03,960 Speaker 1: so hopefully when he gets back from his injury, you know, 536 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: hopefully he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow night. He's 537 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: done his job since the trade deadline, and Travis Darnaut 538 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: has done his job all season long. Hopefully he's fine 539 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:14,840 Speaker 1: as well from being hit over the weekend. Three players 540 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:19,160 Speaker 1: who stand out to me Steven who really really need 541 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,000 Speaker 1: and also again Mariano Mierfield have done great, But three 542 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:25,160 Speaker 1: players who really need to find their group. Michael Harris 543 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 1: the second, Matt Olson, who you've said multiple times is 544 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: the most important part of this second half of the season, 545 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,520 Speaker 1: and Sean Murphy. Now, to the credit of each of 546 00:28:33,560 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 1: those three players, Murphy and Olsen have been great over 547 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 1: the past few weeks. Michael Harris has looked very good 548 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:43,440 Speaker 1: since coming back. They need to figure out how to 549 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:46,680 Speaker 1: stay that way. If this team still has playoff aspirations, 550 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: there's no other choice. Those three have to be at 551 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: a productive level. I think they can be, but now 552 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 1: more than ever, that's where this Braids team needs their production. 553 00:28:56,680 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 1: They need those three guys in the top five of 554 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:00,640 Speaker 1: their order, and they need all three of them to 555 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:01,240 Speaker 1: be productive. 556 00:29:03,400 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean Harris and Olsen specifically, because once again 557 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 2: you're losing. You know what Riley was great at was 558 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 2: Riley could hit left handers and right handed pitchers, and 559 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:17,000 Speaker 2: there's not a lot of guys in the Braves lineup 560 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 2: that can do both. And because of that, you've lost 561 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 2: another weapon against right handed pitching. And I've I've you know, 562 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:27,160 Speaker 2: I've been beating this drum all year. But you know, 563 00:29:27,200 --> 00:29:30,719 Speaker 2: the Braves' weakest side is against right handed pitching. And 564 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 2: so you know, the first place I always look at 565 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:37,800 Speaker 2: the left handers, and it's Olsen and it's Michael Harris. 566 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 2: And if those guys can be great, you know, I 567 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,200 Speaker 2: don't I don't know if good it's gonna be good 568 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,560 Speaker 2: enough anymore. Like you said, they've been good in the 569 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 2: second half, Like Sean Murphy's had a really good second half, 570 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 2: ol Since had a good second half, Michael Harris has 571 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 2: looked good since he got back. But if those guy, 572 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 2: if those guys can turn it on and be great, 573 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 2: especially the left handers, then yes, this team still can 574 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:01,560 Speaker 2: make noise. I mean still got talent, you know. So 575 00:30:01,520 --> 00:30:04,240 Speaker 2: the layer has been really good, Azuna has been really good. 576 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:07,240 Speaker 2: The bottom of the lineup has been better with Mirifield 577 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 2: and Loreano. So like if if if Olsen and Michael 578 00:30:10,720 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 2: Harris and the catchers who've also been really good. If 579 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 2: those guys, you know, if those guys can can jump 580 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 2: it up maybe another notch into you know, closer to great, 581 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 2: then this team can still accomplish a lot. There's there's 582 00:30:24,680 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 2: a lot of talent on this team. There's I mean, honestly, 583 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:29,080 Speaker 2: the Brays still probably have more talent than a lot 584 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:30,840 Speaker 2: of the other wildcard teams. You know, if they got 585 00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 2: into a wildcard round, even at this state where they've 586 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 2: lost so much, they probably still have the talent advantage. 587 00:30:38,080 --> 00:30:40,719 Speaker 2: You know, if they went up against I don't know, 588 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 2: the you know, the Reds or the Cubs or you know, 589 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:47,160 Speaker 2: somebody crazy got in even like the Mets. I think 590 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 2: they probably still have more talent than the Mets. So 591 00:30:51,360 --> 00:30:53,080 Speaker 2: they still have a ton of talent on this team. 592 00:30:53,120 --> 00:30:55,400 Speaker 2: They just they have no more margin for air. They 593 00:30:55,520 --> 00:31:00,120 Speaker 2: they cannot one. They can't they can't have any more injury, 594 00:31:01,280 --> 00:31:03,800 Speaker 2: and they can't have any more underperformance, Like all of 595 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:05,760 Speaker 2: the margin of error is gone. They need all their 596 00:31:05,800 --> 00:31:08,040 Speaker 2: guys to stay healthy, and they need all their guys 597 00:31:08,120 --> 00:31:10,560 Speaker 2: to play really good baseball. And if they do that, 598 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 2: they have enough talent to make noise. But you know, 599 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:16,680 Speaker 2: gone are the days where they can afford for three 600 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:19,520 Speaker 2: or four of these guys to underperform expectations and still 601 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:22,800 Speaker 2: win games, Like that's that's out the door now. Like 602 00:31:22,840 --> 00:31:26,000 Speaker 2: if if, if guys don't play to their their talent 603 00:31:26,080 --> 00:31:28,760 Speaker 2: levels from now until the end of the year, then 604 00:31:28,760 --> 00:31:31,720 Speaker 2: the Braves will be watching October from their couch. And 605 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:33,960 Speaker 2: you know, with the amount of injuries they had, they 606 00:31:34,040 --> 00:31:35,760 Speaker 2: you know, no one's gonna really blame them for that. 607 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:37,840 Speaker 2: But that's just the reality at this point. You know, 608 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:40,560 Speaker 2: they they don't have enough, they don't have so much 609 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:43,440 Speaker 2: talent now that they can afford to live with underperformance. 610 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 2: It's it's you know, they need their best guys to 611 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:49,000 Speaker 2: be great. And hopefully now that the expectations are kind 612 00:31:49,000 --> 00:31:52,000 Speaker 2: of off, maybe that lightens some of the pressure and 613 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: guys just explode and have great you know, the last 614 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:58,040 Speaker 2: six weeks of the season. You know, we'll we'll all 615 00:31:58,040 --> 00:31:58,840 Speaker 2: find out together. 616 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:02,040 Speaker 1: And the last thing that I'll point out, Stephen, is 617 00:32:02,080 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 1: that you know, I know that you know you know 618 00:32:04,040 --> 00:32:07,800 Speaker 1: that this roster, I mean, justin Tscano, the Atlanta Journal 619 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:09,960 Speaker 1: Constitution had a really good article, you know, in which 620 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 1: Ramon Lariano used a very you know, short, sweet, but 621 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:17,960 Speaker 1: very very appropriate one word response when it came to 622 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:20,240 Speaker 1: Austin Raley getting hit in his hand, And I think 623 00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:22,719 Speaker 1: that it reflects how and nearly everyone in the franchise 624 00:32:22,760 --> 00:32:24,640 Speaker 1: and the fan base stop when they saw that. It 625 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,760 Speaker 1: definitely is going to be an impactful loss to the clubhouse, 626 00:32:27,800 --> 00:32:30,000 Speaker 1: to the performance on the field, what have you. But 627 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:32,280 Speaker 1: this team another reason, another area where they don't have 628 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:35,000 Speaker 1: a margin ferr they have no time to sit here 629 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,920 Speaker 1: and kind of you know, being self pity, you know 630 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:41,040 Speaker 1: that to where they're they're negatively impacted because you've got 631 00:32:41,040 --> 00:32:43,760 Speaker 1: a series coming up against the Phillies, after that the Twins, 632 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: the Nationals and then the Phillies again to take you 633 00:32:45,960 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 1: into early September. I'll be honest with you, I'm not 634 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:50,520 Speaker 1: worried about the Division. I find it very unlikely the 635 00:32:50,560 --> 00:32:52,320 Speaker 1: Braves are going to make a run at the division. 636 00:32:52,360 --> 00:32:54,720 Speaker 1: If they do, great, But I'm not worried about that. 637 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:57,000 Speaker 1: But the other thing that stands out is is that 638 00:32:57,080 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 1: again as mentioned, you know, a few moments ago, the 639 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:02,760 Speaker 1: Mets walked off the Baltimore Orioles tonight, and so the 640 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:04,600 Speaker 1: Braves are now one and a half games up in 641 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:08,480 Speaker 1: the wild Card. But the Mets have the Orioles, the Padres, 642 00:33:08,600 --> 00:33:10,800 Speaker 1: and the Diamondbacks. That may be reverse order for San 643 00:33:10,880 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 1: Diego and Arizona. So the other three teams who right 644 00:33:14,760 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 1: now are clearly in that wildcard hunt, four teams for 645 00:33:18,280 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: three spots in the National League. Along with the Braves, 646 00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:22,520 Speaker 1: they're going to be playing each other over the next 647 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 1: two weeks. The Mets are going to have to play 648 00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:27,640 Speaker 1: both of the other wildcard teams over the next two weeks. 649 00:33:27,760 --> 00:33:30,320 Speaker 1: The opportunity is there for if the Braves can catch 650 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:32,360 Speaker 1: some type of fire, they can again put a little 651 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:35,240 Speaker 1: bit of distance between them and the Mets potentially, but 652 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:38,479 Speaker 1: they're going to have to play to their advantage. So Stephen, 653 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:41,720 Speaker 1: my main point is is that yes, it's devastating, Yes 654 00:33:41,840 --> 00:33:45,360 Speaker 1: it sucks, and yes, nobody can blame this Braves team 655 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:47,840 Speaker 1: for feeling bad about all this that's going on, especially 656 00:33:47,840 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 1: to all these players they're all close with, But they 657 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: have no time to sit here and focus on that. 658 00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:55,000 Speaker 1: If they still want to make the most of this season, 659 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,000 Speaker 1: or at least have the chance to, they've got to 660 00:33:57,040 --> 00:34:00,000 Speaker 1: respond and respond quickly in an opportunity for them to 661 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:02,760 Speaker 1: potentially further themselves from the match with the tough schedule 662 00:34:02,760 --> 00:34:03,640 Speaker 1: coming up for New York. 663 00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:09,839 Speaker 2: YEP. I mean it's you know, it's quite literally win 664 00:34:09,920 --> 00:34:16,040 Speaker 2: or go home. And again, there's no real pressure on 665 00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:19,480 Speaker 2: this team quite honestly. I mean, no one expects anything 666 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:23,360 Speaker 2: of them, and I'm gonna be very see how they respond. 667 00:34:23,560 --> 00:34:25,719 Speaker 2: You know, if they come out against Philadelphia and get 668 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:27,880 Speaker 2: their ass kicked for three games, then the season is 669 00:34:27,880 --> 00:34:30,439 Speaker 2: probably gonna go one way. And if they come out, 670 00:34:30,640 --> 00:34:33,160 Speaker 2: you know, and really start playing really good baseball and 671 00:34:33,400 --> 00:34:35,919 Speaker 2: take two of three or even sweet of them, then 672 00:34:36,080 --> 00:34:39,520 Speaker 2: I could see this season going another way. You know, 673 00:34:39,560 --> 00:34:41,120 Speaker 2: we'll learn a lot about how they come out in 674 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:43,840 Speaker 2: this next game. And you know, the one thing they 675 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:45,560 Speaker 2: still have is they still have a really good pitching 676 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:49,040 Speaker 2: and you know that covers up a lot. I mean, 677 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:50,799 Speaker 2: if you're only giving up two or three runs a game, 678 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:53,279 Speaker 2: your offense doesn't have to be great. You know, they 679 00:34:53,320 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 2: have enough talent. They have enough talent on offense in 680 00:34:58,680 --> 00:35:00,960 Speaker 2: a large part because of how their offense has to 681 00:35:00,960 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 2: do because of their pitching, if that makes sense. And 682 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:06,480 Speaker 2: you know, when you have that kind of pitching both 683 00:35:06,520 --> 00:35:10,080 Speaker 2: in the rotation in the bullpen, it can really carry you. 684 00:35:10,239 --> 00:35:12,040 Speaker 2: And that you know, that's another side. The Braids are 685 00:35:12,040 --> 00:35:14,200 Speaker 2: gonna really need to keep keep it up as the 686 00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:16,040 Speaker 2: pitching staff. You know, this is not the time where 687 00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:18,200 Speaker 2: the pitching staff can go through a wall and ask 688 00:35:18,239 --> 00:35:20,200 Speaker 2: the offense to cover up five or six runs a night. 689 00:35:21,120 --> 00:35:22,960 Speaker 2: The Braids are gonna need their pitchers to keep doing it, 690 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:25,520 Speaker 2: keep you know, being amazing like they have all year. 691 00:35:26,239 --> 00:35:30,360 Speaker 2: And you know, if everybody plays at their talent level again, 692 00:35:30,440 --> 00:35:32,319 Speaker 2: I think this team can still accomplish a lot. This 693 00:35:32,360 --> 00:35:34,680 Speaker 2: team still has a lot of talent, and again with 694 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:36,839 Speaker 2: the pressure off, I'm very interest see what happens over 695 00:35:36,840 --> 00:35:38,680 Speaker 2: the next week or so, to see how they respond 696 00:35:38,719 --> 00:35:40,440 Speaker 2: to this, because this is I mean, this was like 697 00:35:40,520 --> 00:35:42,640 Speaker 2: Lariano said, I mean, we can't repeat the word he said. 698 00:35:42,680 --> 00:35:47,080 Speaker 2: But this was a crushing injury. And it would not 699 00:35:47,120 --> 00:35:48,879 Speaker 2: surprise me to see the team come out and really 700 00:35:48,920 --> 00:35:51,200 Speaker 2: respond well. But it also wouldn't have surprise me to see, 701 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:54,360 Speaker 2: you know, they come out and look really flat against 702 00:35:54,360 --> 00:35:56,719 Speaker 2: Billy and get you know, demolished for three games and 703 00:35:56,880 --> 00:35:59,520 Speaker 2: maybe the season just starts, you know, going downhill after that. 704 00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 2: I don't know what is going to happen. I wouldn't 705 00:36:01,880 --> 00:36:03,840 Speaker 2: be stunned by either. But it's going to be very 706 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:06,200 Speaker 2: to see how they respond the next three days against Philly, 707 00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:08,440 Speaker 2: and my guess is that's going to set the tone 708 00:36:08,520 --> 00:36:09,399 Speaker 2: for the rest of the year. 709 00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:12,160 Speaker 1: And the best way to do it, in my opinion, 710 00:36:12,320 --> 00:36:14,120 Speaker 1: is just to take it one game at a time 711 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:17,239 Speaker 1: and see what happens. You know, you know, again, we've 712 00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,640 Speaker 1: seen this team be able to overcome odds so many 713 00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:22,919 Speaker 1: times before, none probably to the extent that they're having 714 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:25,240 Speaker 1: to overcome right now with all the losses to injuries 715 00:36:25,239 --> 00:36:27,600 Speaker 1: that they've had. But at this point, the Braves just 716 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 1: won a chance. They're in control of their own destiny. 717 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 1: They can make the most of their opportunity, and I 718 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:35,080 Speaker 1: don't think anybody will question that this team is going 719 00:36:35,160 --> 00:36:38,160 Speaker 1: to remain confident regardless of what they come across. If 720 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:41,120 Speaker 1: they can find a way to be able to at 721 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:43,440 Speaker 1: least win a game in this series and be competitive, 722 00:36:43,480 --> 00:36:45,799 Speaker 1: and if they win multiple games in this series, then 723 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:48,279 Speaker 1: heck y, I'm more powerful to them. Again, I could 724 00:36:48,280 --> 00:36:50,160 Speaker 1: see it happen just like you, Steven, but I can 725 00:36:50,239 --> 00:36:52,600 Speaker 1: also see it going the other way. The point is, 726 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:55,040 Speaker 1: if you just focus on one game at a time, 727 00:36:55,440 --> 00:36:58,520 Speaker 1: you get that first win. It becomes easier to accomplish 728 00:36:58,560 --> 00:37:01,040 Speaker 1: that second win. We saw them do it this past 729 00:37:01,080 --> 00:37:03,640 Speaker 1: week after the devastating weekend that they had in Colorado, 730 00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:07,040 Speaker 1: they came back and responded beautifully. Hopefully they'll do that 731 00:37:07,120 --> 00:37:09,520 Speaker 1: once again and we'll really see this team be able 732 00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: to give themselves a chance and hey once again. Even 733 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:16,560 Speaker 1: though there's there's there's a good chance that this could 734 00:37:16,600 --> 00:37:18,560 Speaker 1: be the last we see of Austin Riley this season, 735 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:21,600 Speaker 1: I bet in that clubhouse what the most resounding theme 736 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:24,000 Speaker 1: is right now is let's give Austin a chance to 737 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:26,200 Speaker 1: play again this year and for this phrase team, if 738 00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:28,399 Speaker 1: that happens, that means a lot of things are going 739 00:37:28,440 --> 00:37:31,400 Speaker 1: their way in terms of a playoff pursuit. Stephen, do 740 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:33,200 Speaker 1: you have anything else for us on this edition of 741 00:37:33,239 --> 00:37:34,560 Speaker 1: the Hammer Territory Podcast. 742 00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:40,879 Speaker 2: Nope, whatever happens, we'll be here to cover it, good 743 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,680 Speaker 2: or bad. You know, this podcast has has had some 744 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:47,879 Speaker 2: dark days and has covered some pretty brutal stuff this year. 745 00:37:47,920 --> 00:37:50,759 Speaker 2: But one thing we do is we we will cover 746 00:37:50,800 --> 00:37:54,040 Speaker 2: it regardless. So where we are very appreciative of the people 747 00:37:54,040 --> 00:37:57,680 Speaker 2: that continue to listen, continue to download. The support has 748 00:37:57,719 --> 00:38:01,160 Speaker 2: been unbelievable, So big shout out to you guys, and yeah, 749 00:38:01,239 --> 00:38:03,920 Speaker 2: whatever happens the rest of the year, we'll be here 750 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:05,920 Speaker 2: to talk about it absolutely. 751 00:38:05,920 --> 00:38:08,400 Speaker 1: For Stephen Tolbert, you can find him at b Underscore 752 00:38:08,440 --> 00:38:11,680 Speaker 1: Outliers on Twitter. My name is Sean Coleman. You can 753 00:38:11,760 --> 00:38:15,040 Speaker 1: find me at stats sac on x slash Shooter as well. 754 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:18,360 Speaker 1: Make sure you find at Hammer Territory across all forms 755 00:38:18,560 --> 00:38:21,319 Speaker 1: of social media including Facebook and go Hey, go out 756 00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:23,840 Speaker 1: there and subscribe. On YouTube, it's audio only. That's just 757 00:38:23,880 --> 00:38:26,320 Speaker 1: another place that you can find all the great content 758 00:38:26,719 --> 00:38:30,200 Speaker 1: when it's available. For Steven Tobart, my name is Sean Coleman. 759 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:33,400 Speaker 1: Until next time. Even though Austin Riley's going to be 760 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:35,800 Speaker 1: out for the rest of the regular season, there's still 761 00:38:36,080 --> 00:38:39,440 Speaker 1: plenty of reason for this team to have success and 762 00:38:39,480 --> 00:38:41,919 Speaker 1: make the most of this opportunity, and if they can, 763 00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:45,560 Speaker 1: maybe we'll see Austin Riley once again in twenty twenty four. 764 00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:47,839 Speaker 1: Until next time, go Braves. We'll talk to you again 765 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:50,360 Speaker 1: soon here on the Hammer Territory Podcast.