1 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 1: Hello everyone, and welcome to the episode fifty one of 2 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,160 Speaker 1: the Hammer Territory podcast. I am your host, Brad Roland, 3 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: coming to you on a Wednesday evening here in late July. 4 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: We are less than a week I'm a trade deadline 5 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,200 Speaker 1: in Major League Baseball, and I'm joined, as I often him, 6 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 1: by Scott Coleman. Scott device pretty rough right now, I 7 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: have to say across. 8 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 2: The board, Hey, Brad, I am proud to say that 9 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 2: win or lose, we record this podcast good times and bad. 10 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 2: I would like to say it Bill's character when we 11 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 2: do these podcasts after the Oh my god, today's game 12 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 2: was a disaster for Atlanta. It was a disaster within 13 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 2: like five minutes. And we're going to talk about that 14 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 2: a little bit and talk about some injury stuff and 15 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 2: look ahead to suddenly a very important series against the Mets. 16 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 2: But man, I think you're right. The vibes right now 17 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 2: are probably the worst they have been all season long. 18 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 1: That definitely tracks and as you said, we do record 19 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:20,319 Speaker 1: this podcast rain er shine, so to speak, and we 20 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 1: are part of the Foul Territory network of podcasts. If 21 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: you're just finding the show, please search out Hammer Territory 22 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: anywhere you find your podcast. Please go ahead and subscribe 23 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 1: to the show on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, etc. And join 24 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: and check out the entire network because there's a lot 25 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,759 Speaker 1: going on in the baseball world. Also, we should say 26 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: at the top of the show that in addition to 27 00:01:39,640 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: Scott and I, you get Steven Tolbert and Sean Coleman. 28 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 1: They did a fantastic show I thought, pretty in depth 29 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 1: but also a big picture in some different respects on 30 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:49,880 Speaker 1: Tuesday evening. That's still very much listenable right now, I 31 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: recommend Matt at the highest order, plus all of our 32 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: deadline content from last week during the All Star break, 33 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,919 Speaker 1: we kind of blew it out with some trade stuff 34 00:01:57,960 --> 00:01:59,639 Speaker 1: and a lot of that's still relevant went now. Obviously 35 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: things have changed a little bit since then, given the 36 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: injuries to Ozzie Albi's and Max free but all of 37 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 1: it still applies at this point. You mentioned the game 38 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 1: on Wednesday, so we again recording this Wednesday night. It 39 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 1: was supposed to be doubleheader, it only ended up being 40 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,639 Speaker 1: one game, the afternoon game. Game one happened, and as 41 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 1: you said, it was kind of dire. So let's dive 42 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,520 Speaker 1: into that one and then we'll kind of go zooming 43 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: out as this podcast goes along, we'll start here. The 44 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: Allen Winans experience did not go particularly well, to say 45 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: the least on Wednesday. And while the office was actually 46 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: decent enough to maybe steal a win, the run prevention, 47 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 1: which has been so good for so long for the Braves, 48 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 1: was really really bad on this Wednesday afternoon. 49 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, Winans didn't even make it out of 50 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,360 Speaker 2: the third inning, and in some ways he was throwing 51 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: batting practice out there. It wasn't like he was getting 52 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: blooped to death. I mean, Cincinnati was just spraying the 53 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 2: ball all over the yard. And defensively, the Braves were 54 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 2: atrocious today as well. It very much looked like a 55 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 2: baseball game that started just at after noon. It was 56 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: bad across the board. I mean, Adam Duval, you and 57 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: I have been fans of his for a long time, 58 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 2: but it just feels like it is time for Adam. Offensively, 59 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: it's very very very bad defensively, especially the last couple 60 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 2: of games. He has been terrible defensively in right field, 61 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,080 Speaker 2: like costing the team multiple runs in back to back games. Bad. 62 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 2: There was also just like an all time blooper play 63 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 2: by Zach Short, who's filling in at second base, and 64 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 2: I know this team has injuries across the board. Without 65 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 2: Austin Reiley, it looks like a hangover lineup that you 66 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 2: would run out there on September twenty eighth after clinching 67 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: the division. But between the defensive miscues and Whinan's just 68 00:03:46,760 --> 00:03:49,119 Speaker 2: getting torched, which has been the case, and a couple 69 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 2: of his starts this year in the majors, it was 70 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 2: a frustrating game from the very go, and even though 71 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 2: the offense did score some runs, which has been such 72 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: a theme lately, were not good in executing with runners 73 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 2: in scoring position. They left the bases loaded a couple 74 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 2: of times, and it was just one of those games 75 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 2: where it kind of felt like groundhog Day where the 76 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 2: Braves had a chance and they just could not figure 77 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 2: things out. 78 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, it did seem like despite being down big in 79 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: this one. And by the way, they score four runs 80 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: in the first three innings and still trailed by three runs, 81 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: so ironic give the way the season's gone that when 82 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 1: they finally did score some runs early in the game, 83 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: they were still playing behind the eight ball the entire way. 84 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 1: But misopportunities for sure. Hey, on the bright side, Scott, 85 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 1: we should at least try to sprinkle some fairy dust here. 86 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 1: Matt also two hits today Sides of Life. 87 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 2: I believe man had one hit over the last like 88 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,920 Speaker 2: three and a half weeks or some insane number coming in, 89 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:45,719 Speaker 2: so good for him. 90 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 3: We'll take the. 91 00:04:47,200 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: Wins wherever we can get them, Brad, even if they 92 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: are as small as a couple of singles from Matt Olsen. 93 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,840 Speaker 1: That's right, and you pulled the stats. I'm gonna see 94 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 1: you up. But Man, the difference between the Braves when 95 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: they have their big four pitchers on the mount versus 96 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: when adult has been start So, Scott, I will give 97 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:06,679 Speaker 1: it the set of the data distinction, present the people 98 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,159 Speaker 1: with what you found about the fifth and sixth star respots. 99 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 2: You know, you and I were just talking before we 100 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 2: started the show about just how special this rotation could 101 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: have been if they had a healthy Spencer Strider all 102 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 2: year long, and very sadly we will not get that. 103 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 2: And let's hope Spencer is back and back to his 104 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 2: usual self in twenty twenty five. But a crazy stat here, 105 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 2: and we're at the end of July, so we have 106 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:34,200 Speaker 2: a pretty good sample in games started by the Big 107 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 2: four Chris Sale, Max Freed, Ronaldo Lopez, and Charlie Morton. 108 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:43,640 Speaker 2: The Atlanta Braves are forty four and twenty eight. Again, 109 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 2: games started by the Big Four forty four wins only 110 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 2: twenty eight losses, which is fantastic. But in the games 111 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 2: started by everyone else, they are ten and eighteen, and 112 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,039 Speaker 2: the starters in those games have a six point six 113 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 2: y three ERA. That is about as stark of a 114 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 2: contrast as you can have. And the fact the Braves, 115 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 2: I mean, I was tweeting about this the other day, 116 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 2: the fact that the Braves are eight games above five 117 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,440 Speaker 2: hundred at this point in the year is kind of 118 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,159 Speaker 2: a miracle when you consider the injuries and how bad 119 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 2: the starters. I mean that ten and eighteen with a 120 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 2: six point six y three ERA includes Spencer Schwellenbach. 121 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, I will say that literally, Ilwills 122 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 1: cut you off to say, by the way, that includes Schwellenbach, 123 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 1: so we're lockstep there. But man, that is a wild 124 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 1: stat to be sure. 125 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,919 Speaker 2: And Schwellenbach has not been perfect by any means, but 126 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,280 Speaker 2: when the bar is a six point six y three er, 127 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:45,600 Speaker 2: he's going to look fantastic. And I think we're all 128 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: pretty bullish on him. But again, I know a lot 129 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: of the heavy lifting was done in the first four 130 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: weeks of the season when the Braves got out to 131 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 2: a great start. They are now four games below five hundred, 132 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 2: I believe since that last week in April, and it 133 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 2: feels like that when you're watching this team every night. 134 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 2: The offense continues to just be a train wreck, and 135 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,080 Speaker 2: it really comes down to if the team can scratch 136 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: across a couple of runs, because whenever the big four 137 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 2: have been on the mound more times than not, even 138 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 2: if the Braves can get to three or four or 139 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 2: five runs, it feels like they have a pretty good chance. 140 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 2: And then whenever they start losing those starts by their 141 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 2: better pitchers, you know you're gonna lose more times than 142 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 2: not when it's not one of the big guys going. 143 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 2: It's just been one thing after another with the season. 144 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 2: And I mean even the rain delays, our rainouts are 145 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 2: crushing this team's roster right now without Max Freed and 146 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 2: having to figure out the pitching. 147 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's not an excuse that anybody's going to listen to, 148 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: and I understand that, but it's a good point to say, 149 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: you know, it's it makes life hard on you when 150 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: you're trying to plan for rainouts and then play around them, 151 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: and you get other games postponed and your bullpen gets taxed, 152 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: et cetera. And just for the record, that forty four 153 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: to twenty eight is a ninety nine win pace. So 154 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: whenever the Braves have pad picture that they trust basically 155 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: on the mound, they've been kind of what people expected 156 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: to some extents. But when they haven't, it's been that rough. 157 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 1: And we talked about it a lot at the time, 158 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 1: the loss of Strider, but man, the loss of Strider 159 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: showing up in some respect there. And I'll say this, 160 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:18,160 Speaker 1: I actually said this to you before we started recording 161 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: as well. The Braves, even after today when they allowed 162 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: what ten runs, nine runs to the Reds, they still 163 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,600 Speaker 1: have allowed the fewest runs in all of Bijor League 164 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: baseball this season. If I told you that preseason's got 165 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: in the spring, if I said to you, all right, Scott, 166 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: it's gonna be July twenty fourth, the Braves are going 167 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: to be number one in all of baseball in run prevention. 168 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,320 Speaker 1: What would you have guessed the record was going to be? 169 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 2: Like I would have told you full stop, knowing everything 170 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 2: we knew from a season ago that they were going 171 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 2: to challenge for some like all time wins records. What 172 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 2: was Seattle in two thousand and one? Was it like 173 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 2: one hundred and sixteen wins? If you told me, with 174 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 2: every thing we know about this lineup from a year ago, 175 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 2: not even a year ago, nine months ago, all of 176 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:08,960 Speaker 2: the projections in the world coming into this season offensively 177 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:10,839 Speaker 2: that if the Braids are going to have the best 178 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:13,959 Speaker 2: run prevention in Major League Baseball a week away from 179 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 2: the trade deadline, I would say that they were going 180 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:20,320 Speaker 2: to walk to one hundred and five plus wins. And 181 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 2: here we are, man, all of a sudden, two Brad, 182 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 2: We're going to talk about this a little bit later. 183 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,439 Speaker 2: We talk about the met series. But even the playoff 184 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 2: buffer is not very much, very very quickly. The Braves 185 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 2: have seen this lead dwindle, and all of a sudden, 186 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 2: they are another bad week or two away from being 187 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 2: on the outside looking in to the playoff picture. 188 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 3: Amacrats here from FT. 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We'll talk about 210 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:53,439 Speaker 1: odds and ends in a second with Michael Harris going 211 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 1: the sixty day IL, et cetera. But it's too obvious 212 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:59,079 Speaker 1: of a transition point here. You mentioned it but they're 213 00:10:59,720 --> 00:11:01,840 Speaker 1: all a game and a half up on the Mets 214 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:03,880 Speaker 1: at this point, and the Mets are number two in 215 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: the wild card hunt. The Braves are still leading the 216 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 1: wild card race, but they're only two and a half 217 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: three up on the final wildcard final wildcard spot. And 218 00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 1: also their Fangrafts playoff odds are down to eighty two percent. 219 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: Eighty two percent is really high, of course, that's a 220 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,199 Speaker 1: good probability, that's more more than four out of five 221 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: times you get in the playoffs. But that is their 222 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 1: lowest percentage all year, which makes some sense when you 223 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 1: lose four games in a row as the Braves just did, 224 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: and they factor in some of the injuries stuff. I'm 225 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 1: sure at Fangrafts, you know, God willing Austin Rally's back 226 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:38,400 Speaker 1: in the LINEU pretty soon that would help a little 227 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 1: bit here to the puntlant that we saw the last 228 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: couple of days. But yeah, it's it's gotten real very quickly, 229 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 1: because I know as recently as a couple of weeks 230 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 1: ago on this podcast, I was telling people on the 231 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: show offline, et cetera, like I was still quite confident 232 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 1: of the Braves making the playoffs. I'm making the playoffs 233 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 1: on the same thing as one in the East. But 234 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,840 Speaker 1: they were in a great position ninety plus per playoff fouts, 235 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: et cetera. And they're still the favorite to make the playoffs, 236 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 1: to be clear in my opinion, in the opinion of 237 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 1: the projections and the Betty markets, et cetera. But is 238 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: no longer a comfortable spot with how they're playing, with 239 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 1: how the roster looks, two more injuries, all that stuff 240 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 1: like it is definitely for the first time I would 241 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 1: say this season, I am legitimately worried about using the playoffs. 242 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:25,199 Speaker 2: I gotta say, yeah, I am too. And that's that's 243 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 2: a different tone than what you and I have had 244 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,200 Speaker 2: for basically the last month or two, even as the 245 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 2: team has really struggled, especially during the offensive downturn in May, 246 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 2: and then it seemed like in June they were going 247 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 2: to come out of it a bit. And here we 248 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,079 Speaker 2: are in July talking about a team that cannot score 249 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 2: runs consistently. You look at the National League Wild card 250 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:49,920 Speaker 2: standings right now, the Braves do lead, although with this 251 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 2: four game losing streak, they are only a game and 252 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 2: a half up on the Mets, who have been red 253 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 2: hot over the last month and a half, the Saint 254 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:01,319 Speaker 2: Louis Cardinals have been playing really good baseball. They are 255 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 2: currently the third wild card team. They are virtually tied 256 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,679 Speaker 2: with the Padres, who are playing better baseball. The Diamondbacks 257 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: are seemingly figuring some things out, and the Pittsburgh Pirates 258 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 2: are also red hot. They have probably been the hottest 259 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,800 Speaker 2: team in baseball over the last few weeks. So that's one, two, three, four, 260 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 2: that's five teams within four games of the Braves for 261 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 2: a playoff spot. It seems like you're effectively going to 262 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 2: have five clubs battling for I'm sorry, six clubs battling 263 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 2: for three wild card spots in the National League. And 264 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 2: that's a little scary for a team that has all 265 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:39,959 Speaker 2: of these injuries right now. And at the end of 266 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 2: the day, if you tell me the Braves are going 267 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,319 Speaker 2: to get Max Freed back, if they're going to get 268 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 2: Michael Harris back at some point in August, maybe Ozzie 269 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 2: Alby's comes back, maybe they make some trade editions. Now, 270 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 2: I still, in my heart of hearts, feel like this 271 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,640 Speaker 2: is going to be a playoff team and it's a 272 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 2: roster that could make a deep run. If a few 273 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 2: things bounce their way, but you have to get in first. 274 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 2: And the way this team is playing right now, it's 275 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 2: it would be silly and naive to just assume now 276 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 2: that they are an automatic shoe in for the playoffs. Yeah. 277 00:14:11,679 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 1: I think everything you just said there is right. I 278 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:18,280 Speaker 1: feel the same way. If you listen for a long time, 279 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: you may know this, but I am not a fan 280 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: of the expanded playoffs as a general rule. I think 281 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 1: it devalues the record season, and in baseball, the ultimate 282 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 1: large sample sized sport, I think it would be better 283 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: if the better teams won more often in the playoffs, 284 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: which means having less teams in less variance, etc. But hey, 285 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: this time around, Scott, perhaps it will shine on the 286 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 1: Braves the first time on this Braves podcast that I 287 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: would say that might actually help the Braves to have 288 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: the expanded playoffs. How about that? 289 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 2: I will say this, Brad, after all of the regular 290 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 2: season greatness that we have watched over the last six years, 291 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 2: and we know what happened in twenty twenty one, which 292 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 2: was probably their worst on paper team of the whole time, 293 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 2: at least second worst. Yeah, I think the twenty eighteen 294 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 2: team was a year ahead of their schedule and it 295 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 2: was a great story, but that roster was just not loaded. 296 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 2: But regardless, if the Braves go on a crazy deep 297 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 2: run into the playoffs, as like the wild Card three 298 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 2: team this year, I don't know if I'm ever going 299 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:19,760 Speaker 2: to truly get worked up ever again about a regular 300 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 2: season game, just knowing that at the end of the day, 301 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 2: you just have to get into the playoffs. I say 302 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 2: that half joking. Of course, I'm going to tune in 303 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 2: every night and I love watching the Braves and it's 304 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 2: just such an ingrained part of the summertime months. But 305 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 2: it would be incredibly on brand for this team to 306 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 2: somehow limp into the playoffs and then go on some 307 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 2: crazy like ten and two run and make. 308 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: The World Series. I mean, would it be the craziest 309 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: thing in the world whered Oh No, definitely not. I mean, 310 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: and that's that's the thing that we can we could 311 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: say with straight face. I think people that know us 312 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 1: will know this already. But we don't just say things 313 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: to gas people up or just to have a podcast 314 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: topic like we generally just don't do that. We're not 315 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: gonna do that. We're not gonna do the hot take 316 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 1: stuff in either direction. We're not gonna again gash you 317 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: up at all. But there is something in me that's like, hey, 318 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,440 Speaker 1: this team is still better than it's been so far. 319 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: Like I can't shake that feeling. I think just the 320 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 1: logic of everything that's gone on with the Bats, it 321 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: just doesn't make sense to me in my brain. It's 322 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 1: broken my brain, I think at this point in time 323 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 1: in late July. But I still trust Alex. I still 324 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: trust the guys that are healthy and walking with the 325 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: bradge right now between Sale and Lopez on the mould, 326 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: et cetera. Morton is the supporting guy all that. I 327 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 1: just I still think that there's some danger in this 328 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: team in a good way. I think this is a 329 00:16:39,880 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: dangerous team in a positive way. But at the same time, 330 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: people are probably sensing that different tone from us about 331 00:16:45,640 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 1: like it's I said it before, but I will say 332 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: it again. It's the first time all year that I've 333 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: really thought about the Brains missing the playoffs, like in 334 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 1: a serious way. And I still would pick them. As 335 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 1: you just said, I totally agree with you, like they 336 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 1: are still the favorite to make the playoffs. If you 337 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: didn't think that you could make some positive money in 338 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: the betting market because they are a big underdog to 339 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,240 Speaker 1: miss the playoffs at this point in time. But yeah, 340 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 1: it would be on brand. It would be on brand 341 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: in the baseball way that I don't love, to be honest, 342 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: but yeah, there's that door being open. That's maybe the 343 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 1: positive and that's why baseball, by the way, has done 344 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 1: what it's done with the playoff expansion, is that there 345 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 1: are more fan bases, there are more teams, there are 346 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: more cities that have optimism going into late July than 347 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: there used to be. And obviously Atlanta's in a different 348 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: spot because they were supposed to be good and the vibe, 349 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: as we led the podcast with, is really really not 350 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,719 Speaker 1: good right now. We're on the Braves, but there is 351 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 1: that little bit of a fallback in a way that 352 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: there probably wouldn't have been because guess what, they're nine 353 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,680 Speaker 1: games behind the Phillies and a lot of different seasons. 354 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 1: Back in my youth and maybe you're infancy, it would 355 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: have been a season over whereas it's not right now. 356 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, and in some ways, the expanded playoffs might be 357 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 2: the Braves is saving grace at least for this year. 358 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,680 Speaker 2: They of course, have not needed that since twenty eighteen. 359 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 2: They have in just about every year comfortably won the 360 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 2: division and that might not be the case this year. 361 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 2: And you know what, that's the first goal that we 362 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,199 Speaker 2: all set out whenever the Braves break camp is to 363 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 2: hopefully see this team win a division title and then 364 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:15,919 Speaker 2: make the World Series and then win the World Series. 365 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 2: But maybe that's just not in the cards this year. 366 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 2: And who knows. Man, I mean, if this team does 367 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,919 Speaker 2: sneak into the playoffs and flames out in two games 368 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 2: in the first round, I don't think anyone would be surprised. 369 00:18:27,240 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 2: In some ways, it might be kind of relieving just 370 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 2: to kind of put a bow on this very snake 371 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 2: bitten season. But at the same time, just to history, 372 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 2: I don't want to beat the same dead horse. But 373 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 2: history has shown time and time again you just have 374 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 2: to find a way into the playoffs and get hot 375 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 2: for a couple of weeks because the best team does 376 00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:47,439 Speaker 2: not always win. It's just really just a matter of 377 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:49,639 Speaker 2: how the baseball is going to bounce. And if you 378 00:18:49,680 --> 00:18:51,760 Speaker 2: have a couple of pitchers who are hot and are 379 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 2: pitching well, you can ride them. You get some heroics 380 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 2: out of guys you don't expect from and who knows 381 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:58,639 Speaker 2: where the Braves are going to be two and a 382 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 2: half months from now. But I really am hopeful this 383 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 2: team starts to figure it out. I'm not necessarily optimistic 384 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,199 Speaker 2: at this point just because it's been I mean, it 385 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 2: has been a disaster in the start the second half, Brad, 386 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 2: I mean no, they are Eddie Rosario hitting a baseball 387 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 2: two feet shorter in the first game of that Cardinals doubleheader. 388 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 2: From being zero to five to start the second half, 389 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 2: that is concerning and troubling. 390 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: We're on the standpage there. I think that clearly no 391 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: one would be spun into thinking that they've been playing 392 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: pretty well recently. They haven't been. It's been really rough. 393 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: I still think that, you know, there's something in me 394 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: that's like, man, they're just they can't beat this bat. 395 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:45,840 Speaker 1: And maybe I'm the full I gotta say, maybe my 396 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: my common sense brain, my numbers, my large sample size 397 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,680 Speaker 1: brain won't allow me to get there. But I still 398 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: thieve that they're better than this. But we should be objective. 399 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 1: And you know, you and I kind of had dueling snarky, 400 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 1: funny tweets about this today when the lineup came out, Like, 401 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 1: imagine thinking this lineup was going to be playing for 402 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: the Braves in July. I mean, it really is a 403 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:10,160 Speaker 1: comical situation that they're in injury wise, and I think 404 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 1: you made this point, or Stephen did, or maybe both 405 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:14,479 Speaker 1: of you guys did in different respects, but I think 406 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 1: it's almost been underplayed how bad the injuries have been 407 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:20,880 Speaker 1: with the Braves this year. Like it's really has been 408 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: like almost under sold. We've definitely brought it up a lot, 409 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: and I think we could be accused of that. That's 410 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 1: that's perfectly fine, but it really is kind of hilarious 411 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:30,120 Speaker 1: how banging up they've been, especially when you go back 412 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:32,000 Speaker 1: to Strider and the start of all the start of 413 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 1: all of that, and a reminder by the way that 414 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 1: he is. He was the cy Young favorite preseason and 415 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: the Betty market and then from there everything else that's happened. 416 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 1: And you know, speaking of which, Michael Harris is down 417 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:44,920 Speaker 1: on the sixty day IL and that doesn't mean he's 418 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: gonna be out forever, but like he's not playing again 419 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 1: for at least three more weeks. Like that that all 420 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 1: that was was a procedural move, but it's just a 421 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: reminder that he's gonna be gone till mid August at least, 422 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: and that's just another one. 423 00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:57,399 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a bummer that at the very earliest, Michael 424 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 2: Harris will be back on August fourteen, so three weeks 425 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 2: from now. It sure seemed like before the Braves went 426 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 2: out West in that final week of the first half, 427 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 2: that Harris was going to be on a rehab assignment 428 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:15,639 Speaker 2: like any day. He was working out pretty intensely in 429 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 2: the outfield, and by all accounts he was doing fine. 430 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:23,400 Speaker 2: And here we are and he's still not cleared to sprint, 431 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 2: which is going to be a big hurdle for a hamstring. 432 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 2: It sounds like he's done a little bit of work 433 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,159 Speaker 2: in the batting cage, but hasn't like really let it rip. 434 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 2: And I am sure the Braves are being cautious because 435 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 2: hamstrings are something that can become reinjured and that's the 436 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 2: last thing you want. But the fact that at bare 437 00:21:41,119 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 2: minimum the Braves are going to be without their very 438 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 2: talented center fielder for at least three more weeks was 439 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 2: just kind of a bummer. It just kind of came 440 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 2: across on a tweet today that the Braves moved him 441 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:54,920 Speaker 2: to the sixty day I think it almost went under 442 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 2: the radar a little bit until a few people were like, 443 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 2: wait a minute, they just lost Harris for yet another 444 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,680 Speaker 2: three weeks guaranteed, if not longer. It really is I 445 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 2: mean snake bit and I think is the perfect way 446 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 2: to describe what this team is this year. 447 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 1: Yes, and you know it will help the if nothing else, 448 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 1: the optics of the lineup when Riley is back in there. 449 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: And by the way, graduations to Austin Riley on on 450 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: the paternity list that he joined. That's that's usually a 451 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,879 Speaker 1: good thing, obviously, But at the same time, his actess 452 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: was even felt even more with the with the lineup 453 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: and all that stuff. And we'll leave it there. They 454 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: do have a roster spot open for Thursday. By the 455 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 1: time people people listen to this podcast on Thursday, we 456 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: might already know who's gonna be coming up to phill 457 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: It's But they did some transaction bingo today with Zach 458 00:22:36,840 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: log and Das Ball Hernandez to go along with Harris. 459 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 1: But we'll see what they do. They're probably a bullpen arm, 460 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: you would imagine, I don't. 461 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 2: Know, I would assume a bullpen arm of some kind. 462 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:51,400 Speaker 2: The Braves do need a starter, but not until Monday. 463 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:54,119 Speaker 1: With all that it was was supposed to be Thursday 464 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 1: for the record, like it was a TVD on Thursday. 465 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 1: But then when Sale did and pitch tonight, they just said, 466 00:22:57,680 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: all right, Sale tomorrow and go from there. 467 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:04,520 Speaker 2: So presumably it will be Bryce Elder on Monday against 468 00:23:04,600 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 2: I believe the Milwaukee Brewers feel. 469 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 1: The buzz for Bryce Elder on the mound again, Scott 470 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: feel it if. 471 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 2: I think ajs riveting, I think A. J. Smith Schauver 472 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 2: is going to get one more rehab start with Gwinnett. 473 00:23:20,680 --> 00:23:23,159 Speaker 2: It sounds like his stuff is really good, but the 474 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:26,560 Speaker 2: command has not been there quite yet, which makes sense 475 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 2: considering he missed quite a bit of time with the 476 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:32,560 Speaker 2: oblique injury. So I'm guessing that Smith schav will probably 477 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 2: make one more rehab appearance this weekend and then presumably 478 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:40,360 Speaker 2: become the Braves' fifth starter at least as long as 479 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 2: Max is out. Because I don't know about you. I 480 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 2: think I know your answer, Brad, but I mean, if 481 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 2: it's between Bryce Elder and A. J. Smith Shauver, I 482 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 2: will take Smith Schauv every single day of the week. 483 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that's fair to say. As noted, Bryce 484 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: Elder skeptic, even though I guess I maybe I turned 485 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 1: into Bryce Elder Defender recently when people decide that he 486 00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 1: was like work Pitcher of all time. He isn't. But 487 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:04,680 Speaker 1: he's not that good either, So yeah, it's we're on 488 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:06,680 Speaker 1: sand page there. I think the upside with Smashavar is 489 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 1: quite a bit higher, and that would be a guy 490 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 1: like that we'd like to see. But that goes without saying, like, 491 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: you know, they already they needed Max freeback. We know 492 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,040 Speaker 1: that already well covered that over the over the weekend 493 00:24:16,119 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: when we talked last, so did Stephen and Sean and 494 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: Freed's absence. We'll get updates there hopefully in the coming 495 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:24,840 Speaker 1: days and he'll be back. But until he is, it's 496 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,320 Speaker 1: nice to have Sale being awesome and Lopez been great 497 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:30,679 Speaker 1: all year and Morton's been totally fine. But yeah, not 498 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,680 Speaker 1: not not the best, we'll say, speaking of which we 499 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:36,199 Speaker 1: should get out of here. But the Mets series, we 500 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:39,480 Speaker 1: teased already a little bit begins Thursday, Sailed in the Mound. 501 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 1: For that one, it's Luis Louis Severino, Man, it's Charlie Morton. 502 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 1: On Friday against the season debut of Code I Senga 503 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:48,359 Speaker 1: who was quite good for the Mets last year. He's 504 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: been hurt all year long. He's gonna pitch on Friday, 505 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: it seems like for New York, and then Schwammenbach's on 506 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 1: Saturday and Lopez on Sunday, So on the bright side's 507 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:59,120 Speaker 1: got to bring it full circle. None of the non 508 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: what's you say? I do like with this, None of 509 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 1: the guys that people don't want to see or pitching 510 00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 1: this weekend. Always it's the it's three of the big 511 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:09,440 Speaker 1: four in Schwellenbach. 512 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:12,320 Speaker 2: Well, and I think Schwellenbach is pitching well enough that 513 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 2: whenever he's out there, I feel pretty confident. Now, maybe 514 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:20,320 Speaker 2: that's me being foolish with knowing that this offense has 515 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 2: been so anemic for the better part of the whole 516 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,720 Speaker 2: season now, but you're right. It is the four starters 517 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 2: that you feel comfortable and confident in right now, and 518 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 2: they're going to need them to pitch well because I 519 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 2: think pretty quietly, the Mets have one of the better 520 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 2: lineups in the National League and even all of baseball 521 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:41,919 Speaker 2: this year. Francisco Lindor moved to the leadoff spot a 522 00:25:41,960 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 2: while ago and has been fantastic. They hit for power, 523 00:25:45,480 --> 00:25:48,679 Speaker 2: they get on base. Imagine that, you know. And as 524 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 2: we as we said earlier, the Braves are only a 525 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 2: game and a half up on the Mets, who are 526 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 2: the wild card two at the moment, So hopefully getting 527 00:25:57,240 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 2: to New York will kind of help wake this team 528 00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:02,679 Speaker 2: up at a little bit, get some fire. I'm not 529 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: sure when Austin Riley will be back from the paternity list, 530 00:26:05,840 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 2: and as you said, congrats to him, but it will 531 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:11,360 Speaker 2: be good to get Austin back. And we are, as 532 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:13,640 Speaker 2: folks are listening to this, Brad, we are only five 533 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,880 Speaker 2: days away from the trade deadline, so we could see 534 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,720 Speaker 2: some movement at any given point in the next couple 535 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 2: of days, and we will see what Alex and team 536 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:25,840 Speaker 2: are thinking about this deadline. Because I said it the 537 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 2: other night and I'll say it again, I would be 538 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 2: truly fascinated to know what kind of conversations the front 539 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 2: office is having right now, what kind of players they're 540 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:38,720 Speaker 2: looking at. Are they thinking short term long term? There 541 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 2: are so many different ways this team could go, and 542 00:26:41,880 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 2: of course if a trade and when a trade happens, 543 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 2: we will be here to podcast about it as well. 544 00:26:47,320 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 1: That's right, and we agree it's the first time the 545 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: Braves will face the Mets in like two and a 546 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,840 Speaker 1: half months. It was mid May last night, and that's 547 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:56,399 Speaker 1: the lesson I played, which seems like a long time 548 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:58,600 Speaker 1: ago because it was the Braves at the end of 549 00:26:58,600 --> 00:27:02,120 Speaker 1: that series. We're twenty four and thirteen, so a lot's 550 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 1: happened since then, most of it not that great for Atlanta. 551 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:06,920 Speaker 1: But yeah, we're in a good spot as far as 552 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: the podcast is concerned, not necessarily the Braves, but we'll 553 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 1: have coverage of all things. Again, there was deadline talk 554 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:15,320 Speaker 1: yesterday from Shawn Steve. We kind of a shoot it 555 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:18,360 Speaker 1: on this podcast, but there's plenty of that for sure. 556 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:20,360 Speaker 1: We'll have more of it coming up, and we'll see 557 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:21,800 Speaker 1: what the Braves do. I still think that if I 558 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: had to bet right now, they're going to do something 559 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 1: to add to this team. I know there's the sentiment 560 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:27,880 Speaker 1: that's kind of going away from that with the way 561 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,639 Speaker 1: they've been playing recently, but I still believe that Alex 562 00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 1: and Company see this. You know, there are degrees of 563 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: adding we should at least say. I'm not sure that 564 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,280 Speaker 1: they're going to go with a big splash edition, but 565 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:40,959 Speaker 1: I think that they're probably gonna still add something because 566 00:27:41,800 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 1: the metrics probably tell you like they're too good not 567 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:46,160 Speaker 1: to but you know, we'll see DVD. 568 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 2: Yes and man talk about a Alex gets paid the 569 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:55,000 Speaker 2: big box, but talk about a sports executive who has 570 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,680 Speaker 2: some really big decisions to make in the next five days. 571 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:02,880 Speaker 2: You not just I mean maybe he can. I guess 572 00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:07,240 Speaker 2: he can, but it would be pretty surprising and disappointing 573 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:09,520 Speaker 2: to me if he just sat there and did nothing. 574 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:12,439 Speaker 2: You and I agree on that, I will say, but 575 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:15,679 Speaker 2: I'm sure you've seen this too. There is definitely a 576 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 2: sentiment out there in the fan base that's like, why 577 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:18,080 Speaker 2: would they buy? 578 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 1: This team stinks? And I have a hard look. Look, 579 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:24,280 Speaker 1: I usually would make fun of that. It's hard to 580 00:28:24,280 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: make fun of that right now, I would say, because 581 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:28,240 Speaker 1: the way they've been playing, I don't agree with that. 582 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 1: I still think that they're too good to not buy. 583 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 1: And they're Look, we said it our earlier, but they're 584 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: still the number one wildcard team right now, and in 585 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,600 Speaker 1: a vacuum. This is not a vacuum, but in a vacuum, 586 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:42,880 Speaker 1: the number one wildcard team is gonna buy. You know 587 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:45,600 Speaker 1: what I mean, Like, you're not gonna sell or hold 588 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,000 Speaker 1: tight when you are in that position generally speaking, even 589 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 1: if it was a roundabout way to get there. 590 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:52,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, if I had to bet, and I know we're 591 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 2: getting deep into this podcast here and shout out to 592 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 2: everybody still listening, if I had to bet, I'm guessing 593 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:01,240 Speaker 2: that Alex is going to make a handful of moves 594 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:05,320 Speaker 2: that are all kind of on the margins. I'm not 595 00:29:05,360 --> 00:29:07,480 Speaker 2: sure he's gonna push a bunch of chips in to 596 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 2: go get a Luis Robert or a Randy or Rosarina 597 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:14,600 Speaker 2: or Garrett Crochet. I don't think he's going to do that. 598 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 2: But I'm guessing he's going to do his usual Alexanthopolis 599 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,720 Speaker 2: thing and look under a couple of rocks that maybe 600 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 2: nobody else is really looking underneath, and just add something 601 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 2: to this roster, some depth, some pieces that maybe aren't perfect, 602 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 2: but could potentially fit the puzzle the Braves are trying 603 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:34,840 Speaker 2: to put together, especially over the next few weeks and 604 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:38,800 Speaker 2: months with all the injuries they have, and presumably those 605 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:41,040 Speaker 2: are not going to cost a lot. Those trades would 606 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 2: not cost a whole lot in prospect capital, so you're 607 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:47,720 Speaker 2: not really mortgaging any future by making those additions. You 608 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 2: are giving the current years team a slightly better chance 609 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:54,280 Speaker 2: or maybe a marked better chance of winning and advancing 610 00:29:54,320 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 2: in the postseason without having to unload three of your 611 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 2: top eight in a relative the thin farm, and then 612 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:03,720 Speaker 2: you would be able to go into the winter having 613 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 2: a full cupboard of options and flexibility. 614 00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think we agree on that, and only time 615 00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 1: will tell in the next six days. As we were 616 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:16,840 Speaker 1: talking here on Wednesday evening into Thursday, Scott, thanks for 617 00:30:16,880 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: being here. I appreciate you just for a peak behind 618 00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 1: the scenes. We recorded much later than we usually would 619 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:24,239 Speaker 1: because I am traveling and my schedule is brutal right now, 620 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:26,440 Speaker 1: and Scott is flexible. And thank you Scott for being here. 621 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 2: It is my pleasure. Brad, you do amazing things to 622 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 2: make yourself available to record a podcast for the people. 623 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 1: I should at least admit what I did on on Sunday. 624 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:38,600 Speaker 1: I didn't say it at the time. I recorded from 625 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 1: my car on Sunday, which was quite an experience. Hey, 626 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 1: I'm sure the audio quality was top notch. It was not, 627 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:45,400 Speaker 1: but hey, it worked. People hear me. 628 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 2: So you know what, we love talking about this team. 629 00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 2: And that's why whenever we hear from people who you know, 630 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 2: have listened to the podcast, whether they're new listeners or 631 00:30:55,880 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 2: they've been listening for years and years, going back to 632 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:01,200 Speaker 2: the Talking Chop days. It's why we appreciate it so much. 633 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 2: It's why we do these shows. 634 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:02,920 Speaker 1: You know. 635 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:04,960 Speaker 2: I'll be honest. If we were just talking into the 636 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 2: abyss and nobody was ever listening, I don't know if 637 00:31:07,840 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 2: we would be on like year seven of doing these shows. 638 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 2: But here we are. It's for the real ones who 639 00:31:13,280 --> 00:31:16,600 Speaker 2: tune in, win or lose, and damn it, Brad, let's 640 00:31:16,600 --> 00:31:18,800 Speaker 2: hope this team wins a couple of games here, because 641 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:22,600 Speaker 2: these shows, after getting thumped by the Reds just they're not, 642 00:31:23,040 --> 00:31:25,600 Speaker 2: you know, the most fun to talk about or I'm 643 00:31:25,640 --> 00:31:26,360 Speaker 2: sure listen to. 644 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:29,800 Speaker 1: It's given me big twenty sixteen vibes when Carlos and 645 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:32,680 Speaker 1: I used to recap losses and rebuilding. But anyway, we'll 646 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: hold off on that for a later date. Scott, people 647 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 1: can find you on at Twitter slash x, where Scott 648 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:43,160 Speaker 1: Coleman fifty five tweeting out all of the Braves hot takes. 649 00:31:43,720 --> 00:31:46,080 Speaker 1: It's also almost fantasy football season, so you can get 650 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 1: tho oh yeah, football takes always random television and movie 651 00:31:49,960 --> 00:31:52,760 Speaker 1: takes as well, but yeah, We have a good time, 652 00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 1: even when people are like actually losing their minds and 653 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:59,920 Speaker 1: saying that alex Enthopolis should be fired and brand snick 654 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 1: Or should retire tomorrow and make Travis Darnau the acting 655 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 1: player manager. I got that one two days ago. Yeah, 656 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:11,160 Speaker 1: but I get it. Fandom fans are fanatics for a reason. 657 00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:13,600 Speaker 1: And yeah, let's just hope this team starts to win 658 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:17,760 Speaker 1: a few ballgames. Yes, that'd'd be fun for sure. If 659 00:32:17,760 --> 00:32:19,840 Speaker 1: you'd like to, you can follow me on Twitter, slash 660 00:32:19,960 --> 00:32:23,240 Speaker 1: x at bt Roland, follow the show at Hammer Territory, 661 00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:26,080 Speaker 1: and please subscribe to this podcast anywhere you might find 662 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:29,040 Speaker 1: podcasts lead five star ratings and reviews. That's very much appreciated. 663 00:32:29,320 --> 00:32:31,000 Speaker 1: You can email us if you'd like to a Hammer 664 00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:33,640 Speaker 1: Territory at gmail dot com. If you have questions, send 665 00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 1: it to us on Twitter as well, and check out Steven, 666 00:32:36,280 --> 00:32:39,520 Speaker 1: check out Sean. We are doing the Lord's work hopefully 667 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:41,960 Speaker 1: and covering the team in a comprehensive fashion. We'll have 668 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,440 Speaker 1: more coming up later on this week. Thanks again to 669 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,520 Speaker 1: Scott for being here. Thanks good listening as always on 670 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:49,320 Speaker 1: this podcast, and we'll see you all next time.