1 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Hammer Territory podcast. My 2 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,400 Speaker 1: name is Sean Colmen. Hope wherever you are and wherever 3 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: you were listening, you're having a great start to your weekend. 4 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: Your Friday Braves Baseball. Braves Baseball is actually here for 5 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: sevens teen straight days. So if you're tired of the 6 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 1: Braves having frequent off days, well, hey, this is the 7 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: stretch of the season for you as they begin a 8 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,199 Speaker 1: series against the San Diego Padres at Truest Park in Atlanta. 9 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: And as always, it's fun to be back with Steven Tolbert. 10 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: I call him and mean it sincerely, one of the 11 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: best minds when it comes to covering the Braves. Steven 12 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 1: always a pleasure. Good to talk with you again, sir. 13 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: What's up, Sean, Yeah, buddy, good to be back on 14 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:00,800 Speaker 2: with you. Got a fun episode tonight, Obviously we've got 15 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,840 Speaker 2: we've got a very fun series with the Padres coming 16 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 2: up that we're gonna preview, a couple of things to 17 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 2: talk about, and then we've got a special guest at 18 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 2: the end of the at the end of the episode 19 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 2: that we did an interview with. So always fun to 20 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 2: do these with you. And and you're one hundred percent correct. 21 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 2: We've got a lot of braz baseball coming up, so 22 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 2: no more off. 23 00:01:19,280 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 3: Days for a while. 24 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 2: Good and bad thing, but a lot of Braiz baseball, 25 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 2: So we appreciate it absolutely. 26 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,679 Speaker 1: And as Steven talked about, you know, we mentioned earlier 27 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: this week, Stephen himself mentioned earlier this week, and he 28 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: was absolutely correct. We were gonna have some guests here, 29 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: you know, in the upcoming weeks, you know, talking some 30 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 1: Braves baseball, offering different perspectives, and I think that we 31 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 1: got a great one for this episode. ESPN's Buster Only 32 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 1: will actually be joining the show a bit later on 33 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: in the episode, talking about the Braves start to the 34 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: season and a lot of different subjects when it comes 35 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: to you know, the Braves and how they'll continue to 36 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 1: progress throughout the season and beyond. It was really fun 37 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: getting to talk to him. We hit on a lot 38 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: of different subjects, so he will be with us a 39 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: bit later on in the episode. But really decided about 40 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 1: talking with Buster Steven. 41 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, the Braves were on Sunday Night Baseball 42 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 2: last week obviously with the Mets, and then they're actually 43 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 2: on Sunday Night Baseball again this week against the Padres. Obviously, 44 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 2: Busters an ESPN guy's been at an ESPN insider for 45 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 2: a long time now, and so you know, the week 46 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: where we were kind of sandwiched in between two Sunday 47 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 2: night games felt like the week to have him on, 48 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 2: and so yeah, great to be able to talk with him. Obviously, 49 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 2: it's a he's you know, he's been an insider in 50 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 2: baseball for a number of years. He's got a lot 51 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: of connections throughout the game, knows a lot of people, 52 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: so you know, and it's also good for our listeners 53 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 2: to be able to hear different voices, other opinions, you know, 54 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: kind of different perspectives, people that maybe aren't so close 55 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 2: to the team on a daily basis as we are. 56 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 2: You know, that kind of perspective change can be good. 57 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 2: So yeah, excited about it, very grateful for Buster obviously 58 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 2: to take the time to do it, and happy that 59 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 2: our listeners are going to be able to enjoy what 60 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 2: he has to say. 61 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and he had plenty of very insightful and straightforward 62 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 1: thoughts when it came to the Braves, and that'll be 63 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: you know here a bit later on the episode. But 64 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: before we get to that, I want to talk about 65 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: this series against the Padres, which I think is a 66 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: you know, pretty important series for the Braves. You know, 67 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 1: they are six and two over you know, their past 68 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: eight games. You know, if you go back to you 69 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: know where they struggled to been on that road trip 70 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: out west. But you know, we saw, you know, the 71 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: pitching has continued to be magnificent. We saw some signs 72 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: of life from the offense as well, especially Tuesday's game 73 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: where Matt Olsen and Michael Harrison second whin deep. We 74 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,639 Speaker 1: talked about that the last time we you know, we're 75 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: on the show, Steven. But what really stands out to 76 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: me for this Friday opening this series is that coming 77 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 1: off yesterday's off day, we were hoping to get you know, 78 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 1: some reinforcements back, obviously Austin Riley coming off you know, 79 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 1: the injury that's kept him out all week. That the 80 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: Titaness and the side Pierce Johnson as well, we were 81 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: hoping to get back on Friday. It seems as if 82 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: both of them are still going to be unavailable on Friday. 83 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: But the other big name, of course, after a needed 84 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: off day, a rare bit needed off day on Wednesday, 85 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: was Ronald Accooney Junior he is back in the lineup, 86 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 1: but your thoughts specifically on Pierce Johnson and Austin Riley 87 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: and kind of where we stand as far as when 88 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: we might get them back. 89 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, the lineups dropped about ten to fifteen minutes before 90 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 2: we started recording. So obviously I know Austin Riley for 91 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 2: for Friday night's game, and you know, it's it's not great. Obviously, 92 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 2: you don't want your Starthurn basement to miss a fourth 93 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 2: consecutive game, obviously, especially when one comes after an off 94 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: day like this one is. So you know, we're gonna 95 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 2: we're gonna monitor it for sure. If you know, if 96 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 2: he's not back by tomorrow, I think the chances of 97 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 2: him maybe doing an IL stint, a back day to 98 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 2: die EL stint probably go up pretty significantly. You know, 99 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: once you're once you're more than five days into a 100 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 2: you know where you're you're not on the IL, but 101 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,279 Speaker 2: you're not playing. It's it's tough to kind of continue 102 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 2: from there. So I'm hoping we get to avoid that. 103 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 2: It sounded, you know, the last update we got on 104 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: Wednesday was that was it was unlikely to happen, but 105 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 2: you never know. I mean, these you know, actually, when 106 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: you're talking about pull muscles in your side, anything can happen. 107 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: Sean Murphy's been out for two months almost because of it, 108 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:08,119 Speaker 2: So we'll see what happens. 109 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 3: Hopefully they can avoid an aisle Stan, but they might 110 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 3: not be able to. 111 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 2: It's not always and the Braids are gonna you know, obviously, 112 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 2: the Braids are gonna be extremely conservative with their approach here. 113 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 3: You're not you know, you can't win anything in. 114 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: May, so they're gonna be you know, they're gonna take 115 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 2: it slow and make sure it's right. And then when 116 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 2: Pierce Johnson, you know, uh, Dave ol Bryan of the 117 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,359 Speaker 2: Athletic just reported a few minutes ago that you know, 118 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 2: he he was. It was thought that he might be 119 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: back for this game, for Friday's game against the Padres, 120 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 2: but it uh, they're gonna do a kind of the 121 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 2: one more day thing that they've done a lot over 122 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 2: the years, where they just give him one more day. 123 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 2: So it looks like, uh, Pierce will be activated for 124 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: tomorrow's game. So they'll still happen for most of the series, 125 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 2: which is obviously very important. You know, the Braves are 126 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 2: going through a tough stretch here where they're they're not 127 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 2: gonna have any off das. They're gonna play a lot 128 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:56,600 Speaker 2: of consecutive games, so they're gonna need their depth and 129 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: they're gonna need it kind of all of their depths. 130 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 3: So it'll be good to have him back. 131 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 2: Hopefully Austin gets back tomorrow too, that would be a 132 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 2: huge boost. And like you said, a Couns back in 133 00:06:04,440 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 2: there to nine, it was just an off day for him. 134 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,880 Speaker 2: So yeah, the Braves need their death back. You know, 135 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 2: they've got a lot of games, consecutive games coming up, 136 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: so it would be good to get everybody back, and you. 137 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: Have to feel confident about tonight's matchup. You got Max 138 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 1: Freed on the mound for the Braves, Matt Waldron on 139 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: the on the mound for the Padres. You know, the Braves, 140 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: especially with the Conue back in the lineup, you would 141 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 1: think that they would, you know, feel good about their 142 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 1: chances tonight. But Stevehn something that stands out about the 143 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: series when it comes to San Diego. You know, it's 144 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: been their offense a bit more than their pitching. Another 145 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,480 Speaker 1: they're pitching overall has you know, they just came off 146 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: a tough series against Colorado. You know it's not. It's 147 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: kind of been inconsistent this year, but they are going 148 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:38,919 Speaker 1: to start getting some of their quality pitching back and 149 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: it's going to be right there to face the Braves 150 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: after tonight. You've got Bryce Elder versus you, Darvish and 151 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: then likely some combination of Joe Musgrove as well as 152 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 1: Dylan Cees. So that is three straight quality arms that 153 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: the Braids are going to face Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 154 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 1: You certainly hope they get the job done, but they're 155 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: going to face another tough stretch of pitching against the 156 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: Padres as the Padres rotation and looks to get healthier. 157 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, must Grove has been out with elbow stuff for 158 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 2: about fifteen days. He's scheduled to come off on Sunday. 159 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 2: I listened to an interview with him and he sounded 160 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 2: pretty confident. I think, you know, something would have to 161 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 2: drastically change for him not to be the guy on Sunday. 162 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 2: So it looks like it's gonna be, you know, like 163 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,280 Speaker 2: you said, it's gonna be for Saturday, Sunday, Monday part 164 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 2: of this series. It's gonna be Darvish, Musgrove and Cease. 165 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 2: Their three best pitchers. So that's just kind of par 166 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 2: for the course for Atlanta lately. You know, they faced 167 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 2: three guys in the Cup series who all had either's 168 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 2: under one or under two. It's just kind of the 169 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: stretch they've been on lately where if if they've got 170 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,640 Speaker 2: a good if there's a good pitching team out there. 171 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 2: It seems like the Braves have played him and they 172 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 2: faced the best guys on that team. So it'll be 173 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 2: a fun series. Obviously, Max COO's tonight, at least on paper, 174 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 2: that looks like a pretty good matchup for the Braves. 175 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:51,880 Speaker 2: And then after that, you know, Darvish versus Elders probably 176 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 2: advantaged Padres, and then probably a toss up with Musk 177 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 2: Grove and Sees versus Ronaldo and Sale. 178 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 3: So it could be a fun series. 179 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 2: You know, if the offense wants to come alive and 180 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 2: score ten runs a game, I won't complain, but you know, 181 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 2: the quality pitching they're going to face, it's probably unlikely. 182 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 3: It's probably going to be a bunch of close. 183 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 2: Games, which Brace fans should be pretty used to by 184 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: this point. 185 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,119 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And you know something that stands out I had mentioned, 186 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: you know that when it comes to the Padres offense, 187 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: you know, them and the Braves have been kind of identical. Steven, 188 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 1: I know that you dived into the numbers a little bit. 189 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: I'll let you, you know, speak on that in a moment, 190 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,240 Speaker 1: but you know, you've got you know the fact that 191 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: Fernando Tatis junior, Jake Croninworth jerks and profile for the Padres, 192 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 1: is doing his best impression of Marcelo Zuona this year 193 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 1: for the Braves. But their offense has been kind of, 194 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:38,959 Speaker 1: you know, hand in hand when it comes to or 195 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: kind of, you know, step for step with the Braves 196 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: in terms of overall production. But one thing that stands 197 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,319 Speaker 1: out is about San Diego's offense. It's not necessarily all 198 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: that powerful, but they pull the ball and put the 199 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 1: ball in play a lot. And they just acquired Larissa 200 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: Luisa Rice, who you know, we know is one of 201 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,080 Speaker 1: the best contact editors in baseball. The point that I'm 202 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,679 Speaker 1: getting at is they have the fourth best strikeout rate 203 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: or the fourth lowest strikeout rate among teams in baseball. 204 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: I don't necessarily think we've talked enough about how good 205 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,079 Speaker 1: the Braves defense has been this year. You know, I 206 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:07,559 Speaker 1: think the Braves defense has been one of the best 207 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: in baseball. Has certainly helped our pitching staff and as 208 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:13,319 Speaker 1: night and day compared to last year, that defense is 209 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: certainly gonna be put to the test with the Padres offense. 210 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 1: It's gonna be put that's gonna put the ball in 211 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 1: play quite a bit. It's really gonna be important for 212 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 1: that defense for the Braves to continue to be elite, 213 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:24,800 Speaker 1: especially with you know, the quality pitching they're going to 214 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: be facing. When you flip the script. 215 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was looking it up before the obviously I 216 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 2: was looking at Brelier just can do some research for 217 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:35,640 Speaker 2: the series. And there's only two teams in baseball that 218 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 2: I have a one to eleven WC plus as a team, 219 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 2: and those two teams are the Braves and the Padres. 220 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 2: And you know, it is funny when you look at it. 221 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, Sures and Profile is leading the 222 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 2: way for the Padres and Marcello's and is leading the 223 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 2: way for the Braves. Both teams have stars that are 224 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,439 Speaker 2: not doing well. Uh you know, Manny Machado's and boguards 225 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 2: have both had really rough starts to the year. Obviously, 226 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 2: the Braves have have have had their own problems with 227 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 2: getting their stars going, so there's a lot of similarities. 228 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 2: I think the Braves are more talented offense, you know, 229 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:08,319 Speaker 2: obviously getting Kunya back in there. 230 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 3: The Braves are not gonna have Riley tonight. 231 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 2: They still don't have Murphy, so I think the Padres 232 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 2: are healthier. But I think overall, in terms of talent, 233 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 2: the Braves are probably a better team. But yet it 234 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 2: is funny looking at the two teams how they've kind 235 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 2: of mirrored each other offensively with with you know, like 236 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 2: I maybe no one expected to lead the way leading 237 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:27,920 Speaker 2: the way, and then some stars struggling. So you know, 238 00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 2: so this series might come down to, you know, which 239 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 2: stars breakout, which offense breaks out, or it just could 240 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 2: be kind of more of the same where it's you know, 241 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 2: low scoring pitching matchups and and whoever you know makes 242 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 2: the last couple of plays of the game ends up winning, 243 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 2: you know, and and Braves fans should be pretty used 244 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 2: to that because that's pretty much the exact same game 245 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 2: they've played for the last month. 246 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and and but you know, we can go through 247 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: all the different numbers, we can go through all the 248 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:54,440 Speaker 1: different you know, matchups and things such as that. Again, 249 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: I think I think, you know, even though the Braves 250 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: and Padre's offense had been pretty much neck and neck 251 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: all season, even with Manny Machado and Xander Bogarts and 252 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: with Austin Riley out, I still think that the Braves 253 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 1: you know, probably have a have a bit higher ceiling. 254 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 1: But but that starts with ronald' cooney Junior and Stephen 255 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 1: a rare off day again on Wednesday. We know that 256 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: he's you know, kind of been scuffling at times at 257 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: the plate, still making hard contacts, but especially with the 258 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: quality pitching that the Brads are going to be facing, 259 00:11:18,679 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: you know, Saturday on, it's time for Ronald Cooney Junior 260 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 1: to really step up this seven. I believe they hit 261 00:11:24,080 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: played seventeen straight games. It would be magnificent if Ronald 262 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 1: can really start to be himself once again. Matt Olsen 263 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,680 Speaker 1: obviously coming off that CUB series, and it'd be great 264 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 1: if Michael Harris the second could support as well, Marcelo 265 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: Zuna keeping up his hot hitting. But it's the Braves 266 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 1: playing the capable. The level of offense that they're capable 267 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: of starts with Ronald Cooney Junior. He's the most dynamic 268 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 1: offensive player you really hope he gets going and hopefully 269 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: the past two days off of they have given him, 270 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: you know, the ability to you know, really get focused 271 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: in and start playing, you know, at his normal level, 272 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: which is you know, comparable to anybody in baseball. 273 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I was thinking about it. 274 00:11:57,760 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 2: The Braves of these have had more often than any 275 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 2: money in baseball between just scheduled off days and rain outs, 276 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 2: and they've played the fewest amount of games in baseball. 277 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 2: No other team has played fewer games in the Braves 278 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 2: so far. And I was thinking about it. You know, 279 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 2: that's that's fantastic for the pitchers. Obviously, it's more days off. 280 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,040 Speaker 2: It's it's being able to use your best guys more often, 281 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 2: just because you've got pillt in days off in the schedule. 282 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 2: But I do think maybe that's been a detriment to 283 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 2: the offense. Sometimes the best thing you can have for 284 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 2: your offense is is consistent you know, games played. You know, 285 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 2: just get into a rhythm and you know, if you're 286 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 2: fighting in at the plate, like like the Braves have 287 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: and like Acuna has for a lot of the year, 288 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,479 Speaker 2: you know, all these off days can be a bit detrimental. 289 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 3: I do wonder if you know, we get to a 290 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 3: stretch where they. 291 00:12:39,080 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 2: Play a lot of games in a row, maybe the 292 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 2: pitching backs up a little bit, just be out of 293 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 2: you know, workload, but maybe the offense picks up because 294 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:47,320 Speaker 2: it's you know, guys can get in the rhythm. They're 295 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,560 Speaker 2: just every day they're playing, and so I am interested 296 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 2: to see. But yeah, Acunya has been you know, he's 297 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:56,679 Speaker 2: definitely been a few steps below the guy we saw 298 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 2: last year. Last year he had a one seventy WRC 299 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 2: plus for the entire season, really never slumped in any month, 300 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 2: which was kind of the incredible thing about the year 301 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:06,319 Speaker 2: he had. This year, he's at like a one oh 302 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:08,960 Speaker 2: six WRC plus, which is obviously just leagues below what 303 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 2: his talent level is. So the bat of ball data 304 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 2: has been better than his results have been. But the 305 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 2: bat of even the bat of all data is you know, 306 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 2: a step below where it. 307 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 3: Was last year. 308 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 2: So yeah, really interesting to see if the off day 309 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,280 Speaker 2: kind of gets him going, if playing all these games 310 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 2: in a row kind of gets him and the rest of. 311 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 3: The offense going, get get into a rhythm. You know, 312 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 3: we'll see. 313 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,560 Speaker 2: Obviously the Braves need it, you know. The pitching is 314 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 2: not going to throw seven innings of one run ball 315 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:36,840 Speaker 2: all the time. You know, you need the offense to 316 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: start carrying some weight at some point, So you know, 317 00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 2: maybe it's tonight, maybe it starts tonight. 318 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 3: Maybe you know, Kuna goes three for four, four for four, 319 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 3: a couple. 320 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 2: Homers and just really gets going Olson Azuna. You know, 321 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 2: obviously they're still missing Riley and Murphy. But if the 322 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:51,199 Speaker 2: if the offense wants to go on score ten runs, 323 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 2: I'll take it. 324 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 3: You know, I'm not gonna. 325 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: Complain absolutely, And coming off that Cub series, you hope 326 00:13:56,559 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 1: the momentum continues on for the Braves to be able 327 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: to get another series win. But of course in this series, 328 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 1: the Braves will be once again playing on Sunday Night Baseball, 329 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: and ESPN's Buster One has had the opportunity to really 330 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 1: see the Braves up close. Over the past couple of weeks. 331 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: I have the pleasure of talking with Buster, you know, 332 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,040 Speaker 1: about the Braves start to the season, how it's been 333 00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:17,200 Speaker 1: their pitching instead of their offense that has really been 334 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: the source of their success. We talk about Chris Seale, 335 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 1: Ronald Lopez, and Marcelo Zuna. Can they keep up their 336 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: hot starts? Can Austin Riley, Matt Olsen, and Ronald a'cunya 337 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: Junior get back to their MVP forms. Plus, we talk 338 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: about the matchup in the l East between the Phillies 339 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: and the Braves, as well as where the Braves stack 340 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: up against the rest of Major League Baseball. Also some 341 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 1: discussions on ronald'acunya Junior specifically and Max Freed, Plus looking 342 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,160 Speaker 1: at what potential moves the Braids could make to enhance 343 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: their team at the trade deadline. That and much more 344 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: with Buster one as the Braves go into a weekend 345 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: where they'll be playing once again on Sunday Night Baseball. 346 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:52,880 Speaker 1: It is an honor and a pleasure to have one 347 00:14:52,920 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 1: of the best known names when it comes to covering baseball. 348 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 1: You've known him for many years covering the great sport 349 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 1: from his time in New York with ESPN. Buster only 350 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 1: is here with today Buster, Absolute pleasure talking with you, sir, 351 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: Hope everything is good on your end this morning. 352 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 4: Likewise, Sean, great to talk with you too. 353 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 1: Let's get right into it. Buster, you know obviously want 354 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: to talk with you about the Braves. I know here 355 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: over the past few weeks you've had the ability to 356 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 1: see the Braves up close on Sunday Night Baseball. Not 357 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: the best results in those games, but we're here in 358 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: mid May. The Braves are thirteen games above five hundred. 359 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 1: But as well as good as they are on offense, 360 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,240 Speaker 1: it's been their pitching. Actually, the offense has struggled a bit, 361 00:15:31,440 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: but the pitching has really been the source of success. 362 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: When you look at the Braves success so far this year, buster, 363 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: especially against some tough competition, what stands out to you 364 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: as being different this year maybe than the year's past. 365 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 4: Oh yeah, and you framed it perfectly. In fact, I 366 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 4: kind of wonder if you were eavesdropping on our zoom 367 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 4: prep call for Sunday Night Baseball, because your point was 368 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 4: exactly the one that I made. That they've you know, 369 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 4: as you and I speak, they've won about two thirds 370 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 4: of their games, and it's been because the pitching. You know, 371 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:01,680 Speaker 4: that offense, which was number one runs last year, number 372 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 4: one in home runs, record setting home runs, has been 373 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 4: pretty mediocre to this point, and that is a surprise. 374 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 4: But with Chris Sale, you know, the idea that the 375 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 4: pitching is leading despite the fact they lose their best guy, 376 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 4: Spencer Strider, is remarkable. I think Alex and Dopolos did 377 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 4: a great job upgrading the bullpen during the course of 378 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 4: the offseason. Then you get Chris Sale. You know, Charlie 379 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 4: Morton is pitching like it was five years ago early 380 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 4: on this year. So you know, Max Freed rounding in 381 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,800 Speaker 4: a form. Lopez obviously has been terrific. He starts on 382 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,960 Speaker 4: Sunday Night Baseball for the Braves this year. But the 383 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,440 Speaker 4: fact that they have been driven by the pitching, I 384 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,880 Speaker 4: think is a surprise compared to what we expected coming 385 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 4: into the season. 386 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and it's been great to see, especially with the 387 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: fact that you know, through the first three weeks they 388 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: win ten and two against last year's al CS and 389 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:54,680 Speaker 1: NELCS opponents. They faced a lot of tough pitching over 390 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: the past couple of weeks. But you hinted at two 391 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: big sources of their success, Chris Sale Ronaldo Lope In 392 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 1: the lineup, it's been Marcelo Zuna. I don't want to 393 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 1: sit here and be, you know, too idealistic, but I 394 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:08,160 Speaker 1: think that he's firmly in that MVP conversation at least 395 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 1: in the top five so far. Just when you look 396 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:14,600 Speaker 1: at those three guys, Lopez, Sale and Ozuna, their success 397 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 1: has really driven the Braves so far. Do you think 398 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 1: it's sustainable going forward for those three guys? 399 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:23,439 Speaker 4: Yeah, generally speaking, yeah, I mean Lopez given the Braves 400 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 4: investment in him, you know, thirty million dollars for you know, 401 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:29,199 Speaker 4: a player who has perceived in the industry to be 402 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 4: a reliever. That was pretty good. I told you that 403 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 4: they believed in the talent. But you know my conversations 404 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 4: with Alex and Thoppolis the other day, he mentioned that 405 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 4: during the conversation with Lopez that he told them, look, 406 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 4: you know, I would prefer to start, but I'll do 407 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 4: whatever you guys want me to do. And that was 408 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 4: the selling point for Alex. I think if he hadn't 409 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,400 Speaker 4: said to them, look, i'll reliever, I'll start, then they 410 00:17:56,440 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 4: may have, you know, in the end, focused on somebody 411 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 4: else in the free agent market. But when he reflected 412 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,159 Speaker 4: some flexibility and they will when they looked at his 413 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 4: track record of having a lot of starts, they felt like, Okay, 414 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 4: this is the guy to invest in. He's obviously been terrific. 415 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 4: The day after the Braves traded for sale, I called 416 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 4: Alex and I said, do you really think he's going 417 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 4: to be healthy? Do you think because he had all 418 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 4: those problems in Boston, and Alex was like absolutely, and 419 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 4: I think twenty four hours later that they agreed to 420 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 4: that contract extension. So the Braves backed up that belief 421 00:18:30,440 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 4: in his health with money. And look, Marcel zun is 422 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 4: off to a great start. But as you know, because 423 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 4: you know the Braves so well, this is not just 424 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 4: something that's happened the last six weeks. He was really 425 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:45,640 Speaker 4: good for three and a half months last year. He's 426 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:48,479 Speaker 4: basically put in a full season of being a dominant player. 427 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 4: And I'll echo what you say about the MVP conversation. Look, 428 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:54,680 Speaker 4: he's not ahead of Mochy Baths, He's not ahead of 429 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 4: show Heyo Tani. They're probably two or three other guys 430 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:59,560 Speaker 4: in the mix. But if the MVP vote were today, 431 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 4: Marcel Azulan would get a lot of top ten votes 432 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 4: because of how well he started and he essentially has 433 00:19:05,760 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 4: carried that offense. When you're talking about with Matt Olsen 434 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 4: off to the slow start and Riley off to slow starting, 435 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 4: Ronald Cooney Junior off the disappointing start. 436 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 1: Well that's a perfect segue buster in terms of those 437 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: three guys. Listen, it's so encouraging to see US thirteen 438 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,640 Speaker 1: games above five hundred. Pitching the reason why Ozuna carrying US. 439 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,200 Speaker 1: But I know in a recent in another recent interview, 440 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:30,359 Speaker 1: you went real in depth about Acuna great analysis in 441 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:31,959 Speaker 1: terms of the fact, I believe that you said it 442 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: seems like, you know, every four played appearances he's trying 443 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: to get five hits, really being over aggressive at the plate. 444 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: The results have not been there as of yet. But 445 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:42,720 Speaker 1: when you talk about those MVP caliber players Akunya, Olson, Riley, 446 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:45,040 Speaker 1: it's been for different reasons why they've struggled so far. 447 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: But do you think they'll get back up to their 448 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,040 Speaker 1: MVP level of production? And if they get going, we 449 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: know the Braves typically get going in June. If those 450 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: three get going, look out the Braves really could you know, 451 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: reclaim that top team in the majors. 452 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,399 Speaker 4: I think, without question, I'm confident that Olson, who as 453 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 4: you know, it's just started hitting. He's coincidentally my son's 454 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:07,320 Speaker 4: favorite player, so I get Matt Olsen updates every single 455 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 4: day from him, and you know, the underlying metrics were 456 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 4: suggesting that this is someone who was hitting the ball 457 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,639 Speaker 4: hard even when he hasn't been getting results. When I 458 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 4: spoke to Austin Riley and York last weekend. You know, 459 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 4: he looked at me and he put his index finger 460 00:20:22,840 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 4: and his thumb real close together. He goes, I'm this close, 461 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 4: and he's you know, he talked about how historically has 462 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 4: been a slow starter. He's kind of a slow turning engine, 463 00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:36,120 Speaker 4: but once he gets going, he seems to be okay. 464 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:39,240 Speaker 4: You know, we'll see how he's affected that trajectory by 465 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 4: this recent injury that he's had. Ronald Cundie Junior, I'm 466 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 4: not quite sure what to make of. Do I think 467 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 4: he's gonna be a you know, a really good player 468 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 4: for the season, Yeah, without doubt. Will he get back 469 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 4: to being Ronald Acuney Junior of twenty twenty three this year? 470 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 4: I don't know, because he's so different than he was 471 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 4: last year. He's expanding the strike zone, he's swinging miss 472 00:20:59,840 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 4: r is way up, and I know that you know 473 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 4: that they absolutely believe in his talent. You know when 474 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 4: I you know, I talk to people in that organization about, well, 475 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 4: you know, that spring training injury did that kind of 476 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 4: slow him down and he's working his way back in 477 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 4: and the feedback I get is no, you know, he's fine, 478 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 4: like his physical skills are all there. The question is 479 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:26,040 Speaker 4: can he work through this early season slump. And look, 480 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:29,560 Speaker 4: but what I said about it feels like he's pressing 481 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 4: and he's trying to do too much and eats play 482 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,200 Speaker 4: to parents. You know, that speculation on my part. Maybe 483 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 4: he feels different than that, but that's what I see. 484 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 4: You know, having seen a lot of guys coming off 485 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 4: great seasons when the next year they try to replicate 486 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:43,680 Speaker 4: what they did. 487 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely and it's so hard to replicate. You know, we're seeing, 488 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:50,000 Speaker 1: you know, Elie de la Cruz of the Cincinnati Revs 489 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: have this type of season. You don't see it every year, 490 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:55,399 Speaker 1: but now you're seeing it back to back seasons. Well, Busterer, 491 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,040 Speaker 1: let's talk about it. You know, you hope you know 492 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:59,119 Speaker 1: the Braves again. I think they played like had a 493 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:01,879 Speaker 1: seventy five percent winning percentage from June one over the 494 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 1: past couple of years. But this year feels kind of 495 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: like twenty twenty two where the Mets just got off 496 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,399 Speaker 1: to this unbelievable start. In the Braves, I catch up. 497 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:11,960 Speaker 1: The Phillies are right there as well. I know some 498 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 1: may want to ride off or be skeptical of it a 499 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:16,399 Speaker 1: bit because the Phillies haven't really faced that many above 500 00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:18,439 Speaker 1: five hundred teams. They're a really good team. Let's just 501 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 1: be honest, what do you make of that race going forward? 502 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:23,239 Speaker 1: And how do you think that'll impact the Braves as 503 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: far as their performance goes. It seems like we're lining 504 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 1: up for a really good division race from two of 505 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: the best teams in baseball. 506 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 4: So every week we get asked by ESPN dot com 507 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:34,679 Speaker 4: to turn in a one through thirty ranking, and for me, 508 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:37,120 Speaker 4: the top three have been really easy because I think 509 00:22:37,119 --> 00:22:39,199 Speaker 4: there are three super teams in baseball, and it just 510 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:41,880 Speaker 4: so happens that three of the teams, all three are 511 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:43,879 Speaker 4: in the National League, and two of the three are 512 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 4: in the National League East. That would be the Dodgers, 513 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 4: the Phillies, and the Braves. If you ask me today, 514 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:52,199 Speaker 4: I would line it up as the Phillies being the 515 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 4: best team in baseball based on one I've seen, and 516 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:56,160 Speaker 4: we just saw them on Sunday at Baseball two weeks ago. 517 00:22:56,520 --> 00:22:59,879 Speaker 4: The Dodgers would be two, but they're climbing, they're pitching 518 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 4: coming together, and the Braves right now would be three, 519 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:05,479 Speaker 4: and then there's a gap between those teams and then 520 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:07,399 Speaker 4: you get into the Orioles and the Yankees and some 521 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:09,879 Speaker 4: of the other clubs. I think the race is going 522 00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 4: to be unbelievable. You know, obviously injuries are going to 523 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 4: have an impact on this at some point. The question 524 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:19,280 Speaker 4: of whether or not, you know, Riley and Akouonye Junior 525 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:22,119 Speaker 4: can get going, whether or not the Phillies, who have 526 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:24,880 Speaker 4: an older lineup, as you know, can they hang in there. 527 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:27,640 Speaker 4: Can their pitching be as dominant as been this year? 528 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:30,760 Speaker 4: They were Rangers Suarez as a cy young candidate. I 529 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 4: don't think a lot of people saw that coming, you know, 530 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 4: Zach Wheeler. We knew of Aaron Nola, we knew about 531 00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:39,000 Speaker 4: the bravest pit on him in the winter time. But man, 532 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 4: the Phillies look like an outstanding team to me, and 533 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,600 Speaker 4: I will tell you they are driven like they I 534 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 4: think you'd agree with me. Midway through October last year, 535 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 4: you looked at the remaining teams that were standing. The 536 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 4: Phillies were the best team. They should have won the 537 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 4: World Series last year in my opinion, but the Diamondbacks 538 00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 4: surprised them, beat them in Game six and seven, and 539 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,000 Speaker 4: so the f I think spent the winner thinking about 540 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:05,919 Speaker 4: man we were so close, we were so good, and 541 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 4: I think that's driven them this year. So the Braves, 542 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 4: you know, it'd be interesting to see how they evolved 543 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:13,720 Speaker 4: as the season goes along. And also it feels like 544 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,280 Speaker 4: the Brave the Phillies have something on the Braves right 545 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:19,320 Speaker 4: now in the postseason. You know, Philadelphia, because of what's 546 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 4: happened last two Octobers, is going to play the Braves 547 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,720 Speaker 4: and with a lot of confidence if in fact they 548 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 4: meet in October, and we'll see if the Braves can 549 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 4: overcome that. 550 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:30,960 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and I don't think it's any surprise to Braves 551 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: fans with how good Rangers four has been against us 552 00:24:33,119 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 1: in the playoffs over there now right, he's been outstanding. 553 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: But I will ask Buster in terms of that. Listen, 554 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 1: I know we're mid May, we still got what seventy 555 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:43,080 Speaker 1: five percent of the season left. But obviously the Braves 556 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:45,720 Speaker 1: offense is what would you would first put your hand 557 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: on is separating them from those other two teams. But 558 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:50,560 Speaker 1: do you think the depth of the Braves pitching, especially 559 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:52,879 Speaker 1: with how they've loaded up on left handers, do you 560 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:55,160 Speaker 1: think that that can make a difference form this potential 561 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 1: postseason compared to the last two, especially with how that 562 00:24:57,800 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 1: pitching is performing right now. 563 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,280 Speaker 4: Which is prizing considering the fact that they lost their 564 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 4: best guy on paper and Spencer Stryder. But with the 565 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:09,239 Speaker 4: addition to Sale, who looks dominant, you know, he he 566 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:14,360 Speaker 4: looks tremendous and with Lopez, I think being a dominant 567 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:18,960 Speaker 4: type starter. Yeah, Now, I would say it doesn't feel 568 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 4: like the Braves have a lot of margin for error 569 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:24,679 Speaker 4: in terms of injuries in their rotation. Inevitably, that seems 570 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:28,240 Speaker 4: to manifest every year. So if you're Alexanthopolis, you're knocking 571 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:31,600 Speaker 4: on wood, you know, every day in your front office, 572 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 4: and you're, you know, to trying to you know, are 573 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,399 Speaker 4: just hoping that that group stays together. And I suspect 574 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 4: the way this race is going to play out, look 575 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,720 Speaker 4: that you know, the Phillies and Braves will begin to 576 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 4: separate themselves from other teams that are in the wildcard chase. 577 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 4: It'll be interesting to see if the Braves start to 578 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 4: make adjustments, give their guys like Charlie Moodon extra rest 579 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 4: in the second half, give Sale extra rest to try 580 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,760 Speaker 4: to keep them fresh. You're you're right now, the Dodger's 581 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:01,000 Speaker 4: starting pitching, I think think as the season goes along, 582 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 4: could continue to get better. Walker Bieler just came back. 583 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 4: He's been looking good. Clay Kershaw is going to come 584 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 4: back at some point. They've got a lot of pieces 585 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 4: the last couple of years. They've kind of broken apart 586 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 4: in the second half of the year, and we'll see 587 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 4: if they hold together this year and right now, and 588 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:18,640 Speaker 4: we talked about the Phillies rotation, which right now looks 589 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,119 Speaker 4: outstanding absolutely. 590 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:22,359 Speaker 1: Speaking about standing in his last start, I know that 591 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:24,760 Speaker 1: it was before the Mets and Braves last Sunday night, 592 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:27,920 Speaker 1: Max Freed in his final you know, his his last 593 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,160 Speaker 1: year before he hits free agency. He's seeming to round 594 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:33,119 Speaker 1: into form. Just what are your thoughts on that. I 595 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 1: know that's kind of in the back of everybody's mind 596 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: right now, you know, will he be this year? Just 597 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:39,960 Speaker 1: your thoughts though on his performance and how you know 598 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:42,119 Speaker 1: you feel that's really going to affect his market, you know, 599 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:43,359 Speaker 1: going into the off season. 600 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:47,560 Speaker 4: First off, Max has demonstrated, you know, what a talented pitcher, 601 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:51,359 Speaker 4: what a what a gamer? Uh, you know, he battles 602 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,720 Speaker 4: and he's he's terrific, and I think he'll continue to 603 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:57,879 Speaker 4: have a great season this year. I don't think there's 604 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:01,639 Speaker 4: any chance he comes back to the Braves. And look, 605 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 4: and then I say that without having asked him a 606 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:07,400 Speaker 4: single question about it. But here's the thing. I think 607 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 4: the only chance that Max comes back to the Braves 608 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:14,359 Speaker 4: is if he gives them a huge hometown discount. And 609 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:17,000 Speaker 4: he doesn't have to do that. Like, if you look 610 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:20,160 Speaker 4: at the market that's coming up in free agency right now, 611 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:23,199 Speaker 4: he's going to wind up being the best guys. And 612 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 4: if he were to give the Braves a home hometown discount, 613 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 4: I'm just making numbers up off the top of my head, 614 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 4: that might cost him fifty to eighty million dollars. And 615 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 4: we know this about Alex Anthopoulos. He has never paid 616 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 4: sticker price for anybody on a long term deal. You know. 617 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:41,399 Speaker 4: It's part of what's made him excellent at his job 618 00:27:41,840 --> 00:27:44,240 Speaker 4: is that he's gotten all these position players locked up 619 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:47,440 Speaker 4: to long term deals, and you know, at lower salaries 620 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:50,480 Speaker 4: locked in. The most money that he has paid to 621 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:54,160 Speaker 4: any starting pitchers, you know, is what twenty twenty two 622 00:27:54,160 --> 00:27:57,320 Speaker 4: million dollars And I just you know Max Freed is 623 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,200 Speaker 4: going to get more than that if he goes into 624 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 4: the free agent mark. So I suspect this will be 625 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:02,919 Speaker 4: the last year he's with the Braves. 626 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And so that makes it interesting to where, you know, 627 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,080 Speaker 1: we talk about the fact that you you know, line 628 00:28:08,119 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: up the Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves not even in the 629 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 1: National League, being the three best teams in the American League. 630 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 1: Ask you what you thought may separate the Braves from 631 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: those two teams. Well, then with that in mind, what 632 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 1: could the Braves do potentially in a few months at 633 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 1: the trade deadline? We know Alex and thopless, he's not reactionary. 634 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:23,920 Speaker 1: He's not gonna sit there and try to top what 635 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,520 Speaker 1: another team does. He's got his pulse on his team 636 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:29,280 Speaker 1: to know exactly what to do. What really stands out 637 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,320 Speaker 1: to you as being a mover to not not specific names, 638 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 1: but the focus of those potential moves to really enhance 639 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 1: us to make that World Series push. 640 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:39,320 Speaker 4: And I think because of the injury to Strider, there's 641 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 4: an assumption in the part of a lot of fans that, yeah, 642 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:43,719 Speaker 4: the Braves that go out and add a starting pitcher. 643 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 4: Here's the thing, I don't know that Alex is gonna 644 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 4: go pay the price to get a guy who's actually 645 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 4: gonna help them, because what are we really talking about? 646 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:57,960 Speaker 4: If Sale stays healthy, if Charlie Morton stays healthy, you know, 647 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 4: if Max Freed stays healthy, you're essentially talking about buying 648 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 4: a starting pitcher potentially for what two three four starts 649 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:10,760 Speaker 4: in October? Are you gonna pay to it from a 650 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:13,160 Speaker 4: thin dat farm system as the Braves have had because 651 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 4: they've graduated so many guys into the big leagues? Are 652 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 4: you gonna pay from a thin dot farm system a 653 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:23,160 Speaker 4: high price and outbid teams like the Yankees? Uh, you know, 654 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:26,760 Speaker 4: maybe the Padres you know fill in the blank. Are 655 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 4: you gonna pay what it's gonna cost to get a 656 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 4: guy for that small number of starts? We know, you 657 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:33,760 Speaker 4: and I sit here today. We got a pretty good 658 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 4: idea that Braves are gonna make the playoffs, right, so 659 00:29:36,840 --> 00:29:39,440 Speaker 4: you're that's essentially what you'd be paying for. It's just 660 00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:42,840 Speaker 4: a small handful of starts in the postseason. Knowing Alex 661 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,560 Speaker 4: I would be surprised unless it were somebody that he 662 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 4: felt like was gonna help the rotation next year, in 663 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:53,960 Speaker 4: the year after, as Max Freed you know, goes into 664 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:58,080 Speaker 4: free agency, maybe Charlie Morton retires. Although right now I'm 665 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 4: kind of wondering if we're gonna see Charlie Morton back 666 00:30:00,280 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 4: another one year contract. So I it just doesn't strike 667 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:05,600 Speaker 4: me as being Alex's instinct. 668 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:09,000 Speaker 1: And Buster, and that's great insight because I think you 669 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:10,200 Speaker 1: hit the nail on the head. You know, there's a 670 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 1: lot of things coming into play this year, but also 671 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:14,520 Speaker 1: potentially years after. So, Buster, I know you've seen the 672 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:17,040 Speaker 1: Braves on Sunday Night baseball over the past couple of weeks, 673 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 1: once again against the Padres. You know, Chris Sale just 674 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:21,720 Speaker 1: talked about it. And now I feel Chris Sail is 675 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,560 Speaker 1: a straightforward, honest type of guy. I'm sure it's premier 676 00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:27,760 Speaker 1: experience with him. He talked about just how special that 677 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:30,400 Speaker 1: Braves clubhouse is. Could you, as we're wrapping up, could 678 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,440 Speaker 1: you give a little bit of insight just how special 679 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:34,680 Speaker 1: awesome it is to interact with that Brave's clubhouse when 680 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: you get the chance on these Sunday night games and 681 00:30:36,840 --> 00:30:37,600 Speaker 1: another times. 682 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 4: So I had a great conversation with Walt Weiss about 683 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:43,320 Speaker 4: this the other day, you know, the Braves bench coach, 684 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:47,520 Speaker 4: about how in some respects, you know, the Braves had 685 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 4: become a destination for players veterans want to play with 686 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:55,960 Speaker 4: the Braves. I think that Jacob de Grom absolutely first 687 00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:58,680 Speaker 4: choice would have been to sign with the Atlanta Braves, 688 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 4: depending on what the price is going to be. If 689 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:03,080 Speaker 4: I had to guess, I think Sonny Gray, who signed 690 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 4: with the Saint Louis Cardinals, his preference would have been 691 00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 4: to sign with the Braves, depending on the money and 692 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:11,160 Speaker 4: how that all worked out. And a lot of that 693 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:13,920 Speaker 4: is because of the great culture that they have. Now. 694 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:17,000 Speaker 4: This is not necessarily new. I always felt like from 695 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:20,000 Speaker 4: the time I've been covering Major League Baseball, you walked 696 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 4: into the clubhouse and you had a Glavin, and you 697 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,720 Speaker 4: had a Smoltz, and you had a Chipper and a 698 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:29,480 Speaker 4: Fred McGriff, you know, Bobby Cox. I mean, you can't 699 00:31:29,520 --> 00:31:33,600 Speaker 4: remember a time where you walked into the Braves clubhouse. 700 00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:35,360 Speaker 4: I can't remember a time where I walked out going, 701 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 4: oh man. That is a tough group to talk to, 702 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,240 Speaker 4: you know, and that's inherited by guys like Freddie Freeman. 703 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:46,640 Speaker 4: You know, guys like Matt Ols and Sean Murphy, Riley, 704 00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 4: you know, on and on, Jason Hayward, you know, be 705 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:53,880 Speaker 4: along with Freddie. And I think that has become a 706 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:57,480 Speaker 4: weapon for them. I think that's something that when you're 707 00:31:57,480 --> 00:32:01,080 Speaker 4: talking about first off, going through a long season, or 708 00:32:01,560 --> 00:32:04,200 Speaker 4: you know, when they're talking to free agents. I think 709 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:06,320 Speaker 4: that that's a selling point. And the interesting thing is, 710 00:32:06,320 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 4: you know, Alex and Thopolos would be the first to 711 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:10,840 Speaker 4: tell you when he started as a general manager, in 712 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:13,560 Speaker 4: his days with the Toronto Blue Jays, he didn't believe 713 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:16,400 Speaker 4: in clubhouse culture. He didn't place a priority on it. 714 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:19,360 Speaker 4: And then Mark de Rosa, someone you know well, and 715 00:32:19,400 --> 00:32:22,160 Speaker 4: he began to talk about it. And now Alex is like, 716 00:32:22,280 --> 00:32:25,360 Speaker 4: you know what, I had no clue, I had no idea, 717 00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:28,160 Speaker 4: and now and this is what you know, Walt said 718 00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:31,440 Speaker 4: to me last week. When they talk about adding a player, 719 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:35,040 Speaker 4: there are serious conversations about what kind of guy is this, 720 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:38,200 Speaker 4: How does he fit into this group? You know what, 721 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:41,680 Speaker 4: how does he impact other players? Chris Sale very much 722 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:44,800 Speaker 4: a positive. Marcel Lazuna when he went through the domestic 723 00:32:44,880 --> 00:32:48,600 Speaker 4: violence case and you know, slow start last year. I 724 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:50,640 Speaker 4: think there was a perception they kept him just because 725 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:53,200 Speaker 4: the money. No. I think the major reason why they 726 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:56,400 Speaker 4: kept him was in their internal conversations, where you know what, 727 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:59,640 Speaker 4: this guy is an incredible positive. Every day he shows 728 00:32:59,720 --> 00:33:02,400 Speaker 4: up and he's someone who's you know, bringing it and 729 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:06,520 Speaker 4: supporting his teammates. That's important to Alex and it's how 730 00:33:06,560 --> 00:33:09,520 Speaker 4: he builds teams absolutely well. 731 00:33:09,760 --> 00:33:12,160 Speaker 1: Buster, thank you so much for taking the time. I 732 00:33:12,160 --> 00:33:14,520 Speaker 1: feel the ultimate compliment I can offer someone and your 733 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 1: profession is that through listening to you, there were several 734 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 1: moments where I was just wow when it came to 735 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:20,480 Speaker 1: your insights. So thank you, and in best of luck, 736 00:33:20,880 --> 00:33:23,640 Speaker 1: thank you, yes sir, yes sir. But you could find 737 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:27,040 Speaker 1: Buster obviously great work on ESPN at Buster Underscore ESPN 738 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:29,560 Speaker 1: on Twitter. Buster again, thank you for taking the time. 739 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:31,080 Speaker 1: It was a pleasure talk with you, and best of 740 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:31,880 Speaker 1: luck moving forward. 741 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:33,760 Speaker 4: I appreciate it. Sean always fun. 742 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:35,680 Speaker 1: It was an absolute pleasure to get to talk with 743 00:33:35,800 --> 00:33:39,360 Speaker 1: Buster one who offered some very notable, straightforward but also 744 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:41,520 Speaker 1: positive insight. When it comes to the Braid, want to 745 00:33:41,520 --> 00:33:43,560 Speaker 1: thank you again for all the recent support. When it 746 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:46,080 Speaker 1: comes to you know, the Hammer Territory podcast, you can 747 00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:49,360 Speaker 1: find us at Hammer Territory across all forms of social media. 748 00:33:49,400 --> 00:33:52,080 Speaker 1: You can find myself at Stat's Sac on Twitter, you 749 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:55,120 Speaker 1: can find Steven at b Underscore Outliers, and you can 750 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 1: find the podcast wherever you choose to listen, that's where 751 00:33:57,520 --> 00:33:59,560 Speaker 1: we'll be for free. Whatever outlet you choose to listen to, 752 00:33:59,840 --> 00:34:01,640 Speaker 1: that that's where it will be. That's where we'll be 753 00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 1: for free. Just hit that subscribe button and you'll get 754 00:34:04,160 --> 00:34:07,080 Speaker 1: the latest content when it's available for Stephen Tover and 755 00:34:07,120 --> 00:34:09,640 Speaker 1: Buster only. My name is Sean Coleman. Always a pleasure 756 00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:11,799 Speaker 1: to be with you. Go braves. We'll talk to you 757 00:34:11,840 --> 00:34:14,440 Speaker 1: again soon here on the Hammer Territory podcast 758 00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:04,080 Speaker 4: The Competing Strach