1 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 1: Hello everyone, and welcome to episode eighty nine of a 2 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: Hammer Territory podcast. I am your host, spread rolland coming 3 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: to you deep in the night here on a Saturday 4 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: evening into Sunday in a not typical time slot from 5 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 1: this podcast that I'm usually joined on the show by 6 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:37,639 Speaker 1: my friend Scott Coleman, my longtime co host dating back 7 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,479 Speaker 1: to a previous iteration of this podcast, but for the 8 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: first time in the video era of this pod, I 9 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:46,200 Speaker 1: am doing this podcast by myself on a Saturday nights. 10 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 1: Forgive me for that. We wanted to make sure we've 11 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: got you some content after the game on Saturday, after 12 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: a big day for the Braves and heading into Sunday. 13 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: We are part by the way of the Foul Territory 14 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: network of podcasts. We cover the Braves all year long 15 00:00:58,200 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: here at Hammer Territory and comprehensive fashion day to day 16 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: we never stop. Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast, 17 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: as well as telling your friends, loved ones, people that 18 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 1: you don't like. Honestly tell anybody you know about this 19 00:01:09,720 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: podcast and help us to spread the word about Hammer Territory. 20 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: I should also plug at the top of the show 21 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: that we did a podcast on Friday evening from my 22 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: colleagues Sean Coleman and Steven Tolbert, which they broke down 23 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: what amounted to a perfect night for the Braves on 24 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 1: Friday last night as I record this podcast on Saturday 25 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,400 Speaker 1: Friday night, First and foremost, the Braves beat the Royals 26 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:34,039 Speaker 1: that was number one on the agenda. Then the Mets 27 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 1: and Diamondbacks also lost, and the Royals managed to clinch 28 00:01:38,440 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: a playoff spot even while losing, which was the least 29 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: important result of the four games, but it also ensured 30 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,119 Speaker 1: that Kansas City has nothing left to play for as 31 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: they play against the Braves this weekend. So I say 32 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: all that that was covered in death by my guys 33 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: last night. We fast forward to Saturday's game and Saturday's 34 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 1: slate of games, and it was yet another perfect night 35 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: for the Braves. All three results that mattered to Atlanta 36 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 1: from a playoff perspective all went the good way for 37 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 1: the Braves on this Saturday, and that's why we're talking 38 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 1: about everything right now. I will leave with this and 39 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 1: the Wildcards situation as of Saturday evening into Sunday. For 40 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 1: one thing, the Braves beat the Royals tonight by a 41 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,240 Speaker 1: two to one margin on a Travis Darnau walk off 42 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: home run in the ninth. I was touching that game 43 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: more in detail later on in the podcast, but speaks 44 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 1: for itself. Obviously a positive result for the Braves to 45 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 1: win a game on this Saturday evening, and now Atlanta 46 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: has now won five games in a row and seven 47 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 1: of the last eight games. That sends the Braves to 48 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 1: a season best seventeen games over five hundred. That's huge 49 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: stuff for the Braves at a really, really good time. 50 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:46,519 Speaker 1: They're playing great baseball. Then the New York Mets lost 51 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 1: both Friday and Saturday courtesy of the wonderful Milwaukee Brewers. 52 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: The Mets trailed to to one, sorry to nothing most 53 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: of the game on Saturday, and they gave up four 54 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: runs at the bottom of the eighth, lost six nothing. 55 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 1: And look, I might not be calling Mowaw wonderful in 56 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: a few days if the Braves are facing them in 57 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 1: a playoff series, but for now the point stands. Shouts 58 00:03:06,400 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 1: to the Brewers for taking care of business, and the 59 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,920 Speaker 1: Braves now lead the Mets by a full game in 60 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 1: the standings. Then you have the Diamondbacks, who have lost 61 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:16,280 Speaker 1: four of the last five coming into Saturday, and that 62 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: became five out of six. On Saturday, it was it 63 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: was zero zero for eight innings against the Padres for 64 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: the Diamondbacks, and then the potteryce hit three home runs 65 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: in the ninth inning, Yes, three home runs in the 66 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: ninth inning to put the Diamondbacks away. So all that said, 67 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: here's where we stand as of Saturday night into Sunday. 68 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: The Braves are eighty eight and seventy one, the Mattress 69 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: eighty seven and seventy two, and the Diamondbacks are eighty 70 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 1: eight and seventy three. So the Reds have a full 71 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: game lead on both of the Mets and the Diamondbacks. 72 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: And here is the kicker. If the Braves win on 73 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: Sunday or the Diamondbacks lose on Sunday, that's an or 74 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 1: one of the two magic number of one through the 75 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 1: Braves and the Diamondbacks. If that happens, the Braves clinch 76 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 1: a post season birth. Part of why that's the case 77 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: is that the Braves have every tiebreaker edge they possibly 78 00:04:05,040 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 1: can have here against the Mets and Diamondbacks. And even 79 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: if the Braves were to lose tomorrow, have a seventy 80 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: second loss of this season and Arizona loss would have 81 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: them have seventy four losses, and that means even if 82 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: the Braves had to play two games on Monday lose 83 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:21,040 Speaker 1: them both, they would still be in the playoff field. 84 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 1: So there are lots of questions, and I assure you 85 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 1: that no one has the final answers. As I'm recording 86 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: this podcast, I've been trying to find all the stuff 87 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,239 Speaker 1: that's going on here. Major League Baseball has not said 88 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: anything about scenarios that might cause them to just cancel 89 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: Monday's doubleheader altogether. But the big thing is if the 90 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 1: Braves win on Sunday. As of now, this is definitely 91 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 1: the case. The Braves went on Sunday, or the Diamondbacks lose, 92 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: the Braves are in. They still might have to play 93 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:50,839 Speaker 1: on Monday. We will not have that full word until 94 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: Sunday evening, unfortunately for everybody involved. But this whole time, 95 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: since basically the division got away from the Braves a 96 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: while ago, has then can Atlanta get to the playoffs? 97 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: Can they get there? And there were times I came 98 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 1: on this podcast with Scott there was literally pretty much 99 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 1: one maybe two days in which I actually thought the 100 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,479 Speaker 1: Braves were more likely to miss the playoffs than to 101 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: make it that definitely happened in the last couple of weeks, 102 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,040 Speaker 1: and then everything has broken right for the Braves the 103 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 1: last few days now, knock on wood, all those things. 104 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: I understand that we are all crossing our fingers, all 105 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: that fun stuff, but back to back days have literally 106 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 1: gone as well as they could have gone for the Braves. 107 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: In the standings, four games all swoll perfectly on Friday, 108 00:05:34,520 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: three games swoll perfectly on Saturday, and of course at 109 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: the top of that is the Braves winning baseball games. 110 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 1: So the percentages are what they are at this point 111 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: in time. The Braves I never ever, ever, ever assume 112 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 1: anything until it's done, so I'm sure there'll be a 113 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: lot of celebrating right now around Braves Country. I get it. 114 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: The chances of the Braves making the playoffs are so 115 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: much higher than they were just a few days ago, 116 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,920 Speaker 1: but nothing is assured. The Braves have to still play 117 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 1: baseball on Sunday, they are probably going to have to 118 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 1: play baseball on Monday, and weast potentially baseball on Monday. 119 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:10,360 Speaker 1: There is seating up for grabs. If the Braves happen 120 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 1: to care about that, I don't know if they do. 121 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: They probably don't on some level, but getting is the 122 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: big thing, and the Braves control their own destiny here. 123 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: They were not always insured of doing that. I mean, 124 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 1: they guess they work on some level the last few days, 125 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: but because of the way things broke with the Mets 126 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: and the Diamondbacks on Friday and Saturday, it could not 127 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: be clear for the Braves when on Sunday they are 128 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:31,040 Speaker 1: in and we'll touch on later on the podcast they're 129 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,599 Speaker 1: pitching plan or lack thereof, and listen the public as 130 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: of right now. We'll also get into the game that 131 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: actually happened on Saturday with my notes from that one. 132 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:40,919 Speaker 1: But I wanted to lead with the big picture. The 133 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: Braves are in a commanding position now in the Wildcard race, 134 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: with at least one more game to go, maybe as 135 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 1: many as three games to go, and we'll have more 136 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: coming up in a second. First though, and work from 137 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: our partners on today's podcast, All right, before we dive 138 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: into the Sunday look ahead, the Braves to play a 139 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: game on Saturday that's worth analyzing on some level, and 140 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 1: we'll get to the late game hero in Travis Darnaut 141 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: in a second, But I want to begin with Ronaldo Lopez, 142 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: so he is really the biggest story as far as 143 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,920 Speaker 1: the on field product. Obviously the playoff race is the 144 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: biggest story in the aggregate. But Lopez had not pitched 145 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,200 Speaker 1: in eighteen days. He went on the il with right 146 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 1: shoulder inflammation. We found out yesterday he was going to 147 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: pitch today and he spoiler alert. He was fantastic. Six innings, 148 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 1: two hits, one run, no walks, huge there and nine strikeouts. 149 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: Even the run that he allowed came on two singles 150 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: and a double play, so it wasn't as if he 151 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 1: got hit hard really at all in this one. For reference, 152 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: our friends over at stat cast the Baseball Savant had 153 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 1: the Royals putting up a one thirty nine expected batting 154 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 1: average for their batted balls in this game. That's for 155 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: the full game, but a lot of that was Ronaldo. 156 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 1: He was very, very good in this game, and crucially, 157 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,239 Speaker 1: he looked the part as far as his stuff was concerned. 158 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: Obvious's shoulder stuff is concerning. Any arm issues are concerning 159 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: for a pitcher. But he averaged ninety six point two 160 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: miles an hour with the fast ball, he reached ninety 161 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: nine miles an hour with the pass ball, and basically 162 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: looked to be zero concerns, like he was up beat 163 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: after the game. Obviously, you don't not untill he kind 164 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 1: of recovers after this first start back, but he looked fantastic. 165 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: Got sixteen whips in the start. The slider was excellent 166 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 1: in this one, and he looked fresh. He looked good, 167 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 1: and Rinaldo now has a two point zero zero ERA 168 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:24,679 Speaker 1: for the season. Look that peripheral numbers are not quite 169 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: as good as that, but we've been saying it all 170 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 1: year long. It's worth acknowledging one more time right now. 171 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: Lopez has been a godsend who was a great signing. 172 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: Even if, just even if that's all they got was 173 00:08:33,800 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 1: this year, we would already have returned value on that contract. 174 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: Great to have him back and look big picture, hit 175 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: the Braves again. I'm saying this, if the Braves make 176 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: the playoffs. Lopez is a versatile option. He can pitch 177 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 1: for you as a starter, as a fourth guy behind 178 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 1: Sale and Freed and Schomamach if you want to do that. 179 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 1: He can be a high leverage reliever. He has that 180 00:08:54,920 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: pedigree and that stuff, so super duper encouraging stuff from him, 181 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 1: and looking ahead a little bit now, if you wanted 182 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: to slash needed to, you could put. You could pitch 183 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: Ronaldo if they get there in game three of a 184 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: wild card series because he pitched today on four days 185 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: or scp back for game three. But no matter what 186 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: top lift on the game, he was excellent in this game. 187 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: The bullpen did his job with three scoreless endings. It 188 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: was a little bit dicey around Pierce Johnson. In the 189 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 1: seventh he issued a lead off walk and then a 190 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 1: ground rule double, but fortunately in between those played appearances 191 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: picked off the guy who walked before the double happened, 192 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: so that kind of erased some of the more significant 193 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: damage in that inning. And it's worth acknowledging Pierce has 194 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,079 Speaker 1: been a little bit shaky for a while. He came 195 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: into tonight with a four point seven to four ERA 196 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: and a four point eight five FIP since the start 197 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: of August, so that's something a monitor with Pierce like, 198 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 1: he's looked really really good at times, like at the 199 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: end of last year, even for most of this year, 200 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: but he's not been quite as dominant for probably almost 201 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 1: two months now. And look, it seems like Johnson and 202 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: Dylan Lee are still number three and number four in 203 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: some order on the pecking order for Brian Snicker with 204 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: number one Iglesias and then Ifenning and Jimenez in the eighth. 205 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: But I've been a little bit less comfortable than I 206 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:19,439 Speaker 1: want to be with Pierce Johnson. I have that I'll 207 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: speak for me on that one, but a little bit 208 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 1: shaky today. I just want to at least note that 209 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: because it's not been a recent trend. It's been like 210 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: a two month trend for Pierce. So just keeping an 211 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: eye on that for the future and saying it out 212 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: loud offensively. In the game on Saturday, it was not 213 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: exactly spectacular. They did catch a break early in this 214 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:39,439 Speaker 1: one because Seth Lugo's very good for the Royals, pitched 215 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,199 Speaker 1: only two innings because the game didn't matter to the Royals. 216 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: That was one of the reasons why we were rooting 217 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 1: as the Braves for the Royals to clinch early in 218 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 1: the series is that they kind of pull the dogs off, 219 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: and that was the case with Lugo. I mentioned the 220 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: one thirty nine expected batting average for the Royals in 221 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: this game. The Brays were only at one ninety four, 222 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 1: which is also quite bad. It was a low scoring game, 223 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 1: as you might imagine to one. They only had two 224 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: extra base hits until the Darneault home run in the ninth, 225 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 1: and one of those was actually a bit of a gift. 226 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 1: Arcia had probably what should have been a single yet 227 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: by the left fielder. So it was not like they 228 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 1: were hitting the ball hard for most of this game. 229 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 1: It was kind of feeble, I will say. Also in 230 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: typical twenty twenty four Braves fashion, they had they were 231 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: zero of six with runners in scoring position, and they 232 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:27,839 Speaker 1: left seven guys on base, so they had some opportunities 233 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: in this one couple times when they had guys on base, 234 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:31,959 Speaker 1: you know, two or three at a time, and did 235 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: not take advantage of those until it actually mattered. They 236 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: were also down one nothing in this game, and the 237 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 1: tying run actually ended up scoring on a throwing air 238 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: by the pitcher that went into the dugout, and it 239 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 1: was actually pretty fortunate. And look, the Valley broadcast was 240 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: on this as well in real time. It was a 241 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: huge break that the ball actually went into the dugout 242 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 1: because or Hay Hilaire got kind of caught running back 243 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: to second base as the base runner, and he would 244 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: not have scored that ball stayed in play, he would 245 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: have gone to third, but he wouldn't have scored, so 246 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: that was actually quite fortunate. Ended up needing that run 247 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 1: to tie the game, and then the walk off happens 248 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: at the end. Speaking of the walkoff, Travis and he 249 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: won one time the ninth inning, two oh count, gets 250 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,320 Speaker 1: in middle middle fastball and absolutely unloads on it. It 251 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: was an absolute shot four hundred and twenty one feet 252 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:22,199 Speaker 1: and it was kind of fitting in some ways after 253 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:24,440 Speaker 1: what happened with Sean Murphy hitting a big home run 254 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 1: on Friday. The Ketcher's spot's been pretty darn shaky lately 255 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:30,959 Speaker 1: for the Braves. Travis had been the bright spot there. 256 00:12:30,960 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: It's been a rough year for Murphy all the way around, 257 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: as we've kind of talked about intermittently, but Travis had 258 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: a really good start of the season. But since I 259 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,960 Speaker 1: believe August first, his ops was like in the low 260 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: five hundred range for about two months. So Ketcher's been 261 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: kind of a wasteland for again two months now, but 262 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 1: Travis right on time. I've said it many times on 263 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: the podcast, but if you're a new listener, I have 264 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: always kind of thought about Travis in this era of 265 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: Braves baseball as the best backup catcher in all of baseball. 266 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 1: I stand by that he's obviously an or guy this 267 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:01,880 Speaker 1: point in time, getting at the end of his career, 268 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: but hugely valuable piece to have on your roster in 269 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: a huge, huge moment, and I just didn't miss the pitch. 270 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: It was right there for him, and he blasted it 271 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 1: and it was a walk off. The celebration was appropriate 272 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: and a big, big win for the Braves on this Saturday. 273 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 1: So before we get out of here, I'll acknowledge this, 274 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: the pitching plan on Sunday is very uncertain. In fact, 275 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 1: Brian Snicker said on the record to the media after 276 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:27,240 Speaker 1: the game on Saturday that the Braves were going to 277 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: wait until they got the result of the Diamondbacks game, 278 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:33,559 Speaker 1: which was about thirty forty minutes after he spoke to 279 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: the media. Part of that is strategic. That's a good 280 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,480 Speaker 1: thing for like Snick and avoid revealing that information because 281 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: he knows that the game will happen for a while 282 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: and make a wait till tomorrow if they want to. 283 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:46,599 Speaker 1: I'll say this, you might know the answer by the 284 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:48,680 Speaker 1: time we listen to this podcast, because I'm recording this 285 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:53,319 Speaker 1: about eleven o five pm. Eastern on Saturday. This could 286 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 1: come out overnight. They could link it to the Beat guys, 287 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 1: they could announce it. But as of the time that 288 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: I am recording, we do not know who Pitcher's going 289 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 1: to be on Sunday, and by proxy, who might pitch 290 00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:06,440 Speaker 1: on Monday, et cetera, et cetera. Snith did say that 291 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: it's going to be one of Charlie Morton, Special Swallenbach 292 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 1: or Chris Sale. Now I have to say I laughed 293 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 1: out loud when he included Chris Sale, because it would 294 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: make absolutely no sense to use Sale on Sunday, given 295 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: everything the team has said the last two days. Then 296 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: included him. So I have to a least mention that 297 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:28,840 Speaker 1: there's been this debate and I'm not doing to do 298 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: it now. On the podcast it talked about a little 299 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 1: bit last night, did Steven and Sean. I didn't love 300 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 1: the way they handled Sale. It has worked perfectly for 301 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 1: them so far. Now I will acknowledge this. The Bereers 302 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: couldn't possibly know that the Mets and Dynamacs would both 303 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 1: lose on Friday and Saturday. That makes the plan look smarter, 304 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: but they were holding Sale out. According to what's been 305 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 1: lead to what's been selling on the record for a 306 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: must win scenario. Basically, Sunday's not a must win scenario 307 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:56,200 Speaker 1: at this point in time, so if they pitch him, 308 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 1: it'll be very inconsistent. I don't know why they would, 309 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: but they did say that. Again, I haven't loved it, 310 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 1: but it's also worked out well, so I'm definitely admitting 311 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: that Free was fantastic last night. We're all looked good tonight, 312 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 1: and if they're trying to get it to where sale 313 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: is just gonna not have to pitch it all until 314 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,360 Speaker 1: Game one of the wild Card Series. They are almost 315 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: all the way there, all the way of that, but 316 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: they're certainly almost all the way or all the way there. 317 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 1: So there's a debate happening online right now about whether 318 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: it would make more sense to use Charlie or Spencer. 319 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 1: I don't have a huge strong feeling on that one. 320 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 1: I will say this, as resident Charlie Morton guy, this 321 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: could be if you pitched Sunday, it's probably gonna be 322 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: his last start of the season. At least could be 323 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: because the Braves, I think, are viewing him as their 324 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: fifth guy right now. Given the way that Renaldo looked 325 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 1: in this game in particular healthy, plus the way that 326 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: Spencer's pitched, and of course the top two in Sale 327 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: and Freed. You don't generally need five starters in the playoffs. 328 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: You generally use three and a half or four, and 329 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: Charlie might be fifth. So now am I coming to play? 330 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: Maybe throws a Sunday that'll be his last outing. We 331 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:56,680 Speaker 1: don't really know, but they could also use him as 332 00:15:56,720 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: a piggyback alongside Rinaldo for instance, if they want to 333 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: Ronaldo or Spencer be on a little bit of a 334 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 1: shorter leash. Those guys have more high end stuff than 335 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: Charlie does. But Charlie might start. There's all kinds of 336 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 1: stuff that will unpack later on if the Braves make 337 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: the playoffs again. If they make the playoffs, but I 338 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: expect to see either Spencer or Charlie on Sunday. Sale 339 00:16:18,200 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: will surprise me. But Stiff did include him, so I 340 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: always want to say that out loud. By the way, 341 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: as a final note here, Cole Reagan's, who is quite 342 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 1: good for the Royals starting pitcher, is not going to pitch. 343 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: He was listened as the pitcher originally for Sunday, but 344 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 1: because again the Royles have nothing to play for. They're 345 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: going to arrest him. So that is advantage Atlanta in 346 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 1: some respects because no matter who the Royals pitch, the 347 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: Braids will have a better pitcher. Even if it's Charlie. 348 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 1: I don't know. People don't love Charlie. He's probably better 349 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: than what the Royals will offer on Sunday. But nothing 350 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: is a shirt and hold your breath. And again you'll 351 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: probably know more than I do. As you're listening to 352 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 1: this podcast on Sunday, it's an earlier start. Basically, the 353 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: entire league is playing at like three pm ish Eastern 354 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 1: Time on purpose, so the teams can't like finagle things 355 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 1: is kind of an NFL thing that they also do, 356 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: so an earlier start. I just want to doing the 357 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: podcast now. We will have reaction and breakdowns, et cetera 358 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:11,800 Speaker 1: Sunday night, and if needed, the Braves play Monday, we'll 359 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: have a reaction to that as well if the Braves. 360 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 1: If things go perfectly on Sunday and somehow the Braves 361 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 1: can avoid Monday entirely, we could spend Monday previewing a 362 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 1: wildcard series TBD. But what I'll say here at the 363 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:27,120 Speaker 1: end of the podcast is if you made it this far. 364 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: Number one, thank you for listening to the podcast and 365 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 1: being patient with a solo episode on this Saturday. Hopefully 366 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 1: it was coherent enough. And also number two, Please please please, 367 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: if you're a new listener, please subscribe to the show. 368 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 1: I would say ninety five percent of the time, there 369 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 1: are at least two of us on the podcast. Not 370 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: a ton of solo work, but this is a special 371 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 1: kind of one off bonus show on a Saturday night. 372 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:51,439 Speaker 1: But myself, Scott Coleman, Sean Coleman no relation, and Steven Tolbert. 373 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: We are here all year long. Please go ahead and subscribe 374 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 1: on Apple, on Spotify. If you were watching on YouTube, 375 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 1: we are now on video some of the time, not always, 376 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:00,760 Speaker 1: but some of the time on video on that platform. 377 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:02,440 Speaker 1: Please like the show as you're watching it, and please 378 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: subscribe on that platform as well. And last thing, please 379 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: tell your friends. I know there are lots of Brace 380 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: fans around the entire Southeast and the entire country. Honestly 381 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: that our longtime Brace fans have may not have found 382 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 1: us yet after we changed over. It's still relatively new 383 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,680 Speaker 1: endeavor for this season at foul Territory, So please go 384 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: ahead and subscribe. Tell your friends, I really appreciate all 385 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 1: of that. We'll see how Sunday goes, we'll see how 386 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 1: Monday goes, et cetera. But the braves are in great shame. 387 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 1: It's a good night for the braves, a good two 388 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: days of the braves in particular. And with all that said, 389 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: we'll sign off now. We'll see you all next time.