1 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Hammi Territory Podcast. My name is Sean Coleman. Hope, 2 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: wherever you are and wherever you are listening, you were 3 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: having a great week and it should be a great week. 4 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: The Braves have won four out of five games, four 5 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 1: wins against teams that right now are looking to be 6 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 1: in the playoffs with the Braves, and it's an opportunity 7 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 1: to talk some positive Braves baseball, and of course that 8 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: means it's gonna be a lot of fun talking with 9 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:49,839 Speaker 1: my podcast partner Steven Tolbert. Stephen, how are you this evening, sir, 10 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 1: It's good to talk with you with the Braves playing 11 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 1: some good baseball. 12 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, what's up, Sean? Yeah, four out of five after 13 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 2: you know, after what I would call the low point 14 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 2: of the season. I think that's fair. 15 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 3: You know, they had lost six in a row after 16 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 3: those first two games in New York, and the vibes 17 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 3: were at an all time low. 18 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,959 Speaker 2: There was some pretty horrific losses in there. So to 19 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,759 Speaker 2: win the last two in New York, take two out 20 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 2: of three in Milwaukee against a good team, a playoff 21 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 2: caliber team, that's big. I mean, that's you know, that's 22 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 2: that's really really flipping the script because it was going 23 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 2: off the rails quick and the Braves actually lost control 24 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 2: of the top wild card spot for a day there. 25 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: They were actually all the way down to third I think. 26 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 2: So yeah, good, really good bounce back against New York 27 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: and Milwaukee, like you said, to playoff caliber teams. 28 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 3: Now we get to go home. Schedule lightens up a 29 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 3: little bit, so yeah, good vibes. 30 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: We're gonna talk about it, but yeah, we're it's a 31 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 2: Tonight's going to be a positive vibes podcast. 32 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And of course Hammer Territory is part of the 33 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: Foul Territory family of podcast Make sure if you haven't 34 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: been able to catch up on all the great content 35 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: in this week from Hammer Territory and Foul Territory. Plenty 36 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: of reaction, plenty of coverage. When it came to the 37 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four MLB trade deadline, will discuss the Braves, 38 00:02:17,160 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: you know, loan trade a little bit later on in 39 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: the episode, but first, Steven, let's talk about Chris Sale. 40 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: And the thing about it is this is that you know, 41 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: a lot of our podcasts that we've discussed are either 42 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,359 Speaker 1: you know, we won because Chris Sale was absolutely dominant 43 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: or we lost despite an absolutely outstanding performance from Chris 44 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: Sale well in this game. This actually was an instance 45 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 1: to where Chris Sale definitely had one of the worst 46 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 1: starts that he's had in the game this season, but 47 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: he was able. He didn't have his best stuff. He 48 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: definitely was not as in much of a dominant groove 49 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 1: as we've seen so far this year, but he was 50 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: able to manage through it and get the job done 51 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: to where he was able to keep the Braves in 52 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: the game working out. 53 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 3: Of some jams. 54 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:58,240 Speaker 1: But the big key is that in a playoff type game, 55 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 1: him and Freddie Peralta easily could be a playoff pitching matchup. 56 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: In a playoff type game, even without his best stuff, 57 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 1: Chris Sales showed he's still more than capable of putting 58 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: the Braves in a position to win. And that is 59 00:03:10,040 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 1: definitely reassuring. 60 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, he did. I mean, like you said, it wasn't 61 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 3: his best start. He gave up two runs obviously, just 62 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 3: like right off the jump, I think the first three 63 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,919 Speaker 3: or four hitters of the game all got on base. 64 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 3: He was in a jam immediately. 65 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: You know, the Braves were down to nothing, and you know, honestly, 66 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: after some of the other games he's pitched where he's 67 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 2: only gotten one or zero runs of support. I mean, 68 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 2: you were already kind of like, oh man, is this 69 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: gonna be one of those games where they lose two 70 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 2: to nothing. But you know, credit to the offense, and 71 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: we're gonna talk about the offense on this show, but 72 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 2: you know, they they kind of you know, the offense 73 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 2: owes Chris a few of these where he doesn't have 74 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 2: his best game and they bail him out. And I mean, 75 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 2: he wasn't bad today by the church. I think he 76 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,600 Speaker 2: went like six innings and gave up three earned runs. 77 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: You know, that's bad for him, but you know, for 78 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 2: a lot of guys, they would take that every time. 79 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 2: But yeah, it wasn't his best game, and he actually 80 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: gave up to earn runs now that I think about it, 81 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 2: you gaus Milwaukee on they scored two, So again that's 82 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 2: six innings to earned runs. That's that's pretty damn good 83 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 2: for one of your bad games, to be quite honest. 84 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 3: But the offense built him out, which was huge. 85 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 2: A lot of momentum in this game, you know, win 86 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: the series. Now you're going home against Miami, are very 87 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 2: depleted Miami team, like you just keep the vibes going. 88 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,799 Speaker 2: So yeah, it wasn't sales best. But after that rocky 89 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 2: first he settled in. He gave him, you know, he 90 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 2: gave him a pretty solid start, he kept him in 91 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 2: the game, and the offense was able to jump on 92 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,039 Speaker 2: and you know and actually build a pretty good sized 93 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 2: lead and make it a pretty easy win. 94 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: Absolutely, and that's the thing that stands out. You know, 95 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 1: we talked about the fact that, you know, the Braves 96 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 1: have won four out of five games, and you know, 97 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:54,640 Speaker 1: when we typically talk about that, they've gotten some good pitching. 98 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: But of course the other big thing that is really 99 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 1: stood out is that the Braves offense is going once again, 100 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: and that's what they were looking for at the trade deadline. 101 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: Of course, the lone trade deadline edition that the Braves 102 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:08,839 Speaker 1: added was Hoegey Celaire to the offense and then of 103 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: course Luke Jackson to the bullpen, and and we talked 104 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: about it extensively, Steven. Going into the trade deadline, the 105 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: Braves are really looking for three things. They were looking 106 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: for added power. They were looking for somebody that can 107 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,280 Speaker 1: get on base, and if that person could produce out 108 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:22,880 Speaker 1: of the lead off spot, that was a bonus I 109 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,280 Speaker 1: don't think there was a better singular source that could 110 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 1: help out in all three of those areas than Jorge Celaire. 111 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 1: But the other thing that I think stands out. We 112 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: talked about the home runs with Celaire, we talk about 113 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 1: getting the big home runs in big moments, But to me, 114 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:38,839 Speaker 1: the biggest thing about Solaire, especially compared to the outfielders 115 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: we were trotting out, there was just a frequency at 116 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: which he could have productive at bats. He didn't have 117 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 1: a hit on Monday, he didn't or in today's game 118 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 1: on Wednesday he didn't have a home run, but we 119 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: saw in that seventh inning he was able to work 120 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 1: a key walk that got Austin Riley up there to win, 121 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 1: to lead to a game winning hit or to a 122 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 1: go ahead hit. That to me is what stands out. 123 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: The power is great, that you know, delivering in big 124 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:06,919 Speaker 1: moments is great, But the one key that we saw today, 125 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 1: even when he didn't have a good game overall, Orgeesler 126 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 1: having productive at bats in big moments is probably the 127 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 1: biggest reason why the Braves went and got him, and 128 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:17,479 Speaker 1: where he's going to be able the most able to 129 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 1: add the most value as this season goes along. 130 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean he's always walked, like that's always been 131 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:26,280 Speaker 2: a part of his game. We talked about it on 132 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 2: the on the show we did the bro the emergency 133 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 2: podcast we did right after the trade broke. 134 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:34,040 Speaker 3: Is that he's always walked. 135 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 2: And you know, if you look at the Braves walk rate, 136 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,479 Speaker 2: especially after Acunya or you know, since Acunya has been out, 137 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 2: it's one of the worst in baseball, you know, as 138 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:48,559 Speaker 2: a team, and especially the outfield is probably the worst 139 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 2: in baseball. 140 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 3: Uh, they you know, the Brais are just really. 141 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 2: Struggled to take walks and you know, Solaire's been running 142 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 2: about a fifteen percent walk crate for the last month 143 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 2: or so. So yeah, it's a huge I mean, Alex 144 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,840 Speaker 2: talked about it and his zoom call. You know, they 145 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 2: were looking for on base. They were looking for somebody 146 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 2: who can get on base at the top of the 147 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 2: lineup because with Riley Ozuna and Nelsen right behind him, like, 148 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 2: you know, we need to turn some of these solo 149 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 2: home runs into two and three run homers to you know, 150 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 2: to increase some of these margins. And you're not always 151 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: gonna hit four home runs in a game, you know, 152 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 2: sometimes you're all gonna hit one or two, and you know, 153 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 2: sometimes you need those to be two and three run 154 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 2: homers instead of solo home runs because that might be 155 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 2: the all the offense you get, especially in the playoffs. 156 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 3: So yeah, it's big. 157 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 2: I mean walks on base. I think it's probably the 158 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:36,800 Speaker 2: most underrated part of Ronald's game. Everybody talks about the 159 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 2: power in the in the stolen bases, but my personally, 160 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 2: my favorite part of Ronald's game is he always runs 161 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 2: like a four hundred on base percentage, and you know, 162 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 2: as a leadoff guy, that just adds so much to 163 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:51,760 Speaker 2: your lineup. It just it sets the table for everybody else. 164 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: And it's what the Braves missed the most when Acuna 165 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 2: went out, and that's why they went and got Sol there, 166 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 2: because you know, he's. 167 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 3: Not Acunya all the way around. 168 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 2: But he can get on base, he can take walks, 169 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 2: he'll get his hits, he can get on base, and 170 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 2: that's gonna be major going forward and in a you know, 171 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: hopefully into October as well. 172 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 4: Hey ftfam, it's Alana Riso. 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The second is how good 195 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:21,839 Speaker 1: we were at hitting home runs, obviously tying you know, 196 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: the team record for most home runs. 197 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 3: In the season. 198 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: But third was the ability to turn the lineup over 199 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: and I think that that's been one of the more 200 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: underrated drastic differences between this year and last year. If 201 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:36,719 Speaker 1: you compare all MLB teams when their leadoff hitter is 202 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 1: up with runners in scoring position up through today's game, 203 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,719 Speaker 1: the Braves were twenty eighth in such scenarios in the 204 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: majors with an eighty one WRC plus. This season, Jorg 205 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: Silaire in those scenarios has a one to seventy one 206 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: WRC plus. So that is what's going to be such 207 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 1: a huge, huge benefit to this lineup. It's the ability 208 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 1: to once again trust the fact that when the leadoff 209 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 1: hitter comes up, especially at the bottom of the order, 210 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: can produce, that lead off hitter is either going to 211 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: drive runs in or connect us to our other best 212 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: hitters to drive runs in for multiple scoring opportunities for 213 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: the big innings that we've been lacking all season long. Again, Stephen, 214 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: we're getting back the aspects that made our offense so 215 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: successful last year, and if the bottom of the order 216 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: can produce like we're seeing Orlando Arcia, do we can 217 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 1: once again. I'm not saying we'll have as complete one 218 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:30,679 Speaker 1: as we did last year, but we're showing signs that 219 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 1: the lineup is starting to get complete once again. At 220 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: the right time. 221 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, adding Solari just gives you more talent 222 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 2: at the bottom of the lineup too, right, because like 223 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:42,640 Speaker 2: you know, we need to give Orlando Arcia's shout out. 224 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 2: Like you just said, he's been, you know, on his 225 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:49,040 Speaker 2: best streak of the season by far. He's been getting hits, 226 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:51,559 Speaker 2: he's been hitting for some power. But now you have 227 00:10:51,679 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 2: Kelnick down there at the bottom of the lineup because 228 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 2: Solaira is now at the top. So you know, he's 229 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 2: certainly capable. You know, Mayfield is a major league caliber player. 230 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 2: You know, he signed an eight million dollar contract in 231 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 2: the in the winter, you know, because he's got talent. 232 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 3: And you know, you take those guys and Mayfield. 233 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 2: And Kundt of go speed, which is another aspect I 234 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:15,719 Speaker 2: like at the bottom of the lineup. So yeah, you 235 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:18,480 Speaker 2: turn those guys over into you know, your Big four now, 236 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 2: which is Solier at Riley. 237 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:24,199 Speaker 3: Ozunan Olsen, then you can do a lot. 238 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 2: I mean, you can do a ton with that and 239 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,079 Speaker 2: you know, that's that's gonna be the briatest formula, you know, 240 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 2: the keeping the pitching healthy and getting you know, their 241 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 2: top four some big chances in games and hoping they 242 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,079 Speaker 2: come through. I mean, that's gonna be the formula going forward. 243 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 2: But yeah, it's it's it's just good to have more talent. 244 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 2: Quite honestly, that was my biggest takeaway from the trade 245 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 2: deadline is they added talent. Like there's just more talent 246 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 2: in the lineup, and there's more talent coming, you know, 247 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 2: when Michael Harrison and Ozzy Albi's get back. 248 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 3: So yeah, it's a big deal and hopefully this can 249 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 3: be the start of something. You know, I'm. 250 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 2: I'm optimistic. I'm cautiously optimistic, I'll say, because we've seen 251 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 2: this before with the offense gets going a little bit 252 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 2: and then it feels like, okay, they're gonna get going, 253 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 2: and then they hit like a crater. So I'm I'm 254 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 2: not fully ready to say we're back, like we're now 255 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 2: we're gonna get rolling. But this feels good. It feels 256 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 2: like they're on a little bit of a roll. They've 257 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 2: got a soft schedule coming up. You know, this could 258 00:12:25,600 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 2: be the start of kind of a big push if 259 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:29,080 Speaker 2: they if they can keep it going. 260 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 1: And of course, part of the way to keep that 261 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: going is that, you know, hey, it's great to be 262 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: able to create run scoring opportunities, creating converting those runs 263 00:12:39,520 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: scoring opportunities by having the deeper lineup, but nothing beats 264 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 1: hitting the home run. And we've seen that the Braves 265 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,439 Speaker 1: are now starting to get the frequency of the home 266 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: run up as well. For instance, in their first sixty 267 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 1: seven games this season, basically through June fifteenth, the Braves 268 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: hit three plus home runs five times. In their first 269 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: sixty seven games this season. The Braves have hit three 270 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,839 Speaker 1: plus home run Stephen seven times in their last eleven games. 271 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: So the power is starting to return as well. Now, 272 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: whether that or not that has to deal with the baseball, 273 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:12,560 Speaker 1: you know, we'll see. But I think more than anything, 274 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:14,679 Speaker 1: it's just finally the Braves are starting to see the 275 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: results of their efforts paid off. Even coming into Monday's 276 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: game of this week, they were first in an average 277 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: exit velocity second and barrel percentage second, hard hit percentage. 278 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:28,839 Speaker 1: The efforts the activities that you need to do to 279 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:31,240 Speaker 1: hit the ball hard to lead two power, the Braves 280 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: have consistently done. They're just finally starting to see the results. 281 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: For instance, Matt Olson and Travis Darnaut became the third 282 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 1: pair of Braves teammates to go back to back multiple 283 00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:42,439 Speaker 1: times in a game, first time since a Hobby low 284 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:44,439 Speaker 1: Pez and Andrew Jones did it in nineteen ninety eight. 285 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,439 Speaker 1: From McGriffin. David Justice also did it in nineteen ninety three. 286 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: But there's a key name in there that you said 287 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 1: was going to be the biggest factor and if the 288 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: Braves could turn it around and get back to their 289 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 1: normal level of playing baseball, and that's Matt Olson returning 290 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 1: to be Matdilson. You start you talk talk about more 291 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 1: talent in the lineup. I think part of that equation 292 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,959 Speaker 1: is the current talent that we have playing two it's 293 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: expected level, and we're seeing once again Matt Olsen. 294 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 2: Is doing that. Yeah, the the outputs are starting to 295 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:16,680 Speaker 2: match the inputs a little bit. You know, the Braves 296 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 2: all year have like you said, they've led the league 297 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 2: in hard hit rate, they led the league in you know, 298 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 2: average ex velocity, top five in barrel rate. Like we're 299 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 2: starting to actually see the results that should come with 300 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:31,480 Speaker 2: those type of inputs, like the outputs are finally matching. 301 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 2: But I want to make two points, and one of 302 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 2: them is very obvious. And I've tweeted about this a lot, 303 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,880 Speaker 2: and we've talked about this a lot. But if Matt 304 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 2: Olsen is going to wake up, like if if he's 305 00:14:42,960 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 2: actually going to do this and it looks like he's 306 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 2: doing it, there is no there is no bigger factor. 307 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 3: There's no bigger, bigger variable. 308 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 2: To the rest of the season than Matt becoming Matt 309 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 2: Olsen again, like he is their weapon and gets right 310 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: handed pitching right handed is what they struggle the most against, 311 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 2: and he is the equalizer for that problem because he 312 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 2: is a left handed just absolute masher. And if he 313 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: wakes up, if this is like the start of a 314 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 2: big second half for him, there is no bigger there 315 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 2: is no bigger variable for the Braves other than maybe 316 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: the health of their starting rotation. I would probably put 317 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: that one. But just behind that is Matt Olson, Like 318 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 2: he is that important because they have such you know, 319 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 2: because they are so right handed dominant. The big, big 320 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:31,720 Speaker 2: left handed bat in the middle of that order, which 321 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 2: is Olsen, matters so much more. So That's my first point, 322 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 2: is that Matt Olson is critical. My second point is this, 323 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 2: and I'm gonna I'm gonna ask you, Sean, there is 324 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:48,280 Speaker 2: a storyline this year that has gone way under the 325 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 2: radar and way underappreciated. 326 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 3: Do you know what I'm talking about? Do you have 327 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 3: any idea what I'm about to say right now? 328 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 1: I'm gonna let you say it. At the beginning of 329 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:00,800 Speaker 1: the year, I was gonna say the d but I'm 330 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 1: interested to see what you considered to be. 331 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 3: It's not the defense, it's not the defense. There is 332 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 3: a player, but we have not given we have not 333 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 3: given nearly enough. 334 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:13,240 Speaker 1: Respect to Travis Darna. 335 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 2: Has Travis Darna there? It is Travis Darnaut has a 336 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 2: one twenty three WRC plus this year as a catcher, 337 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 2: and he has catched on you know, he's caught a 338 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 2: lot of games with you know, Sean Murphy being hurt 339 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: and then you know, they've gone more of a fifty 340 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 2: to fifty split here lately. And Travis Darnaul has been awesome, 341 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 2: like awesome. I mean, we've talked a lot about how 342 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 2: Marcelo Zuna has carried this lineup. Travis Darnaut has really 343 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 2: been there all year. Just for some reason, I don't 344 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 2: know why. And you know we're to blame as well, 345 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 2: because you know, we have a podcast and we talk 346 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 2: about this team every day. He just doesn't get talked about, 347 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 2: and we need to change that. Travis Darnau has been unbelievable. 348 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 2: Get two more homewers today. You know, he's got I 349 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 2: think he's got nine or ten homers for the year. Again, 350 00:17:02,280 --> 00:17:04,679 Speaker 2: he's got a one twenty three WRC plus as a catcher. 351 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:07,159 Speaker 2: You know, the bar for hitting for catchers is so 352 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:10,560 Speaker 2: low that anything above one hundred is good, So a 353 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 2: one twenty three is crazy good. And I just I, 354 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 2: you know, we need to give Travis Darnault his flowers 355 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 2: because he has been unbelievable this year, and you know, 356 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 2: he has been you know, he hasn't been as consistent 357 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 2: as Marcelo Zuna, but it hasn't been that far behind 358 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,679 Speaker 2: Marcello Zuna, and he doesn't get talked about nearly as 359 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: much as Zuna does. So you know, Matt Olsen of 360 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 2: course is the big key, but you know, we need 361 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 2: to give Travis Darnaut a little bit more credit than 362 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 2: we probably have so far this year because he's been. 363 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 1: Unbelievable, absolutely, and you know the fact that he stays ready. 364 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:47,399 Speaker 1: He is one of the things that you know, just 365 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:51,320 Speaker 1: absolutely stands out. It's it absolutely is Such a huge 366 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: key is that, you know, he had that weekend. I 367 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: want to say it was against the Brewers earlier this year, 368 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: but I don't think he was. It may have been 369 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 1: against the It maybe get someone else because we played 370 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: the Brewers again in a few days. But he had 371 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 1: that big weekend where he, you know, I believe he 372 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:05,400 Speaker 1: hit three home runs in a game, four home runs 373 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 1: in a weekend. It was at a needed time where we, 374 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 1: you know, had to get some wins. 375 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 3: That was the Rangers. 376 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 1: I think, yeah, there we go. It was the Rangers. 377 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: It was against the Rangers. And then of course he 378 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 1: had this. But the big key about that is this 379 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: is that Travis Darnaut has this ability to take over 380 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: a game. He can win a game. Not a lot 381 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: of players with his level of playing time as a 382 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 1: part time player can multiple times a season single handedly 383 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,720 Speaker 1: win you a game. You put that ability of his 384 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,440 Speaker 1: with the fact that, hey, stat show he's one of 385 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: the most productive catchers in the postseason in Major League 386 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: Baseball history. I don't think it's far fetched to say 387 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 1: that at least in the bat There may even be 388 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 1: a game where Travis Darnau may play a big role 389 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: in helping us this postseason. But we'll see how that 390 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: plays out. But Steven don't want to get to Another 391 00:18:53,119 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: thing that kind of emerged today is the fact that 392 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,359 Speaker 1: you know the Braves now they've won four out of 393 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 1: five against two playoff caliber opponents. There are three teams 394 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: right now in the National League that have winning records 395 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:11,359 Speaker 1: win playing opponents who have a five hundred or better record. 396 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: The only three teams that have a winning record in 397 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 1: the National League against opponents with the winning record are 398 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:21,639 Speaker 1: the Dodgers, the Phillies, and the Braves. And the Braves 399 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,879 Speaker 1: have played fifteen more such games than the Phillies and 400 00:19:24,960 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 1: the Dodgers. What I'm trying to say is this is 401 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:30,520 Speaker 1: that people can talk about how our offense has fallen off, 402 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 1: and it certainly has. All this and all that, but 403 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,360 Speaker 1: two things that this tells me. Number one are pitching 404 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:40,679 Speaker 1: has consistently proven it can make noise in the difference 405 00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 1: in a playoffs. Our pitching itself is good enough to 406 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:45,639 Speaker 1: make a run to the World Series. But if you 407 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 1: now add our offense just having flashes of what it's 408 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: truly capable of. To go with that pitching, you clearly 409 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: have the team that's there with the Phillies and the 410 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: Dodgers as the three biggest strets to the Opennate. So 411 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: I don't want to put too much emphasis on that 412 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 1: stat about our record against winning teams, but I will 413 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: say that if we're showing the signs of life offensively 414 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: to go with our pitching and the fact that we've 415 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: got a pretty easy schedule coming up in August, the 416 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:15,680 Speaker 1: time is now to make some noise and make a 417 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 1: run to make this season even better than some may anticipate. 418 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, let's be honest, Like what's held the 419 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 2: Braves back this year is not being able to beat 420 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:31,879 Speaker 2: good teams. Like they've won both series against Philadelphia. They 421 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,159 Speaker 2: you know, they just won a series in Milwaukee. They 422 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 2: went to the New York and beat the Yankees two 423 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 2: out of three. Like, what's held this team back is 424 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 2: they've had a hard time beating the bad teams. You know, 425 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,880 Speaker 2: they're I think they're I think they were like two 426 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 2: and six against Washington this year or something like that. 427 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 2: They went one and two against the White Sox. They 428 00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 2: lost two games to the White Sox, who were probably 429 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:54,480 Speaker 2: the worst, maybe the worst team in the history of baseball. 430 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 2: You know, they've had trouble with the Marlins at times, 431 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 2: like you know, and that's why this next stretch of 432 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:02,880 Speaker 2: games where the Braves schedule. 433 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 3: Gets very easy, it does. It gets very easy. 434 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:09,240 Speaker 2: They play the Marlins, they play the Rockies, some bad 435 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: teams who just got worse because they traded with some players. 436 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 2: Like that's why this stretch is so important. The Braves 437 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 2: need to take care of business against bad teams. You know, 438 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 2: Philadelphia built that big lead in the first half because 439 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 2: they played so many games against terrible teams. But now 440 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 2: only did they play the games against terrible teams, they 441 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 2: won those games. And that's where the Braves have stumbled 442 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 2: a bit this year. And that's why I'm very interested 443 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 2: to how they come out in the series. You know, 444 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 2: they're about to go home and play four against Miami. 445 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 2: Miami just traded its entire roster. I mean, like, you're 446 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:41,600 Speaker 2: not going to recognize eighty percent of the players that 447 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 2: Miami plays in this series, and that means you need 448 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 2: to win three out of four, like the Braves need 449 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 2: at the very least need to win three out of 450 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,560 Speaker 2: four this weekend. They don't need to split at home 451 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 2: against the terrible Miami team. They certainly don't need to 452 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 2: lose the series. They need at the bare minimum to 453 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 2: win three out of four and keep this role going. 454 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 2: And if they want to win all four, that'd be 455 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 2: great too. But you know, it's the losing to bad 456 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,959 Speaker 2: team stuff that needs to quit now, Like they need 457 00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:13,399 Speaker 2: to start really making a run. They haven't really had 458 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:15,440 Speaker 2: a big run yet this year, except right at the 459 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 2: beginning of the year. You know, they've got some very 460 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:21,880 Speaker 2: very winnable games coming up. Philadelphia's going on the road, 461 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 2: and it got a very tough schedule, especially early in August. Like, 462 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:28,360 Speaker 2: now's the time go beat the bad teams. Go beat 463 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:30,640 Speaker 2: the teams you're supposed to beat, and get on a roll. 464 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 1: And as Steven alluded to, there's no better time, literally 465 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:41,120 Speaker 1: no better time than now for that run to start. 466 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 1: Because now with the trade deadmine passed us, let's kind 467 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: of reset the scene where the Braves are in the standings. 468 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,400 Speaker 1: You know, we've consistently talked about despite all their struggles, 469 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 1: you know, the two week the hot two week stretch 470 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 1: or three week stretch they had at the beginning of 471 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 1: the season has kind of been what's held the Braves afloat, 472 00:22:57,359 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 1: you know, with the fact that basically for the past 473 00:22:59,119 --> 00:23:01,399 Speaker 1: what three months, they play a few games under five hundred. 474 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:05,200 Speaker 1: But going into August now, the Phillies have won four 475 00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 1: out of their last era I think they're four and eleven. 476 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:10,960 Speaker 1: In their last fifteen games, they have lost five straight series, 477 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: and the reason why is because they dealt with a 478 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,120 Speaker 1: bit of injury issues. But their schedule has been tough 479 00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:19,639 Speaker 1: as nails as well, and they've struggled against swinning teams. 480 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 1: But here is how the Braves and Phillies line up 481 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 1: going into the month of August. Right now, the Braves 482 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 1: are six and a half games back of the Phillies. 483 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:30,959 Speaker 1: If you go back, I believe two weeks ago they 484 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 1: were ten games back, six back in the in the 485 00:23:34,160 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 1: lost column. But when it comes to their schedules, that's 486 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:41,880 Speaker 1: what really stands out. The Phillies through the month of August. 487 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 1: They're gonna be on the road in Seattle versus on 488 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 1: the road versus the Dodgers, and on the road versus Arizona. 489 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 1: They didn't have the Marlins and Nationals in the middle 490 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 1: of the month, but then at the end of the month, 491 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 1: they prayed to play the Braves twice, and in between 492 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:00,280 Speaker 1: those games. Between those two series with the Braves, they 493 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 1: also play Kansas City in Houston. Basically through the end 494 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:08,720 Speaker 1: of August, the Phillies are gonna consistently be playing playoff 495 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 1: worthy teams. The Braves, on the other hand, are gonna 496 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 1: have things lighten up a bit their next four or 497 00:24:14,840 --> 00:24:17,480 Speaker 1: against the Marlins. Then they play the Brewers again, but 498 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 1: then after that the Rockies, the Giants, the Angels before 499 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:23,639 Speaker 1: they face the Phillies. Steven, what I'm getting at is 500 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 1: we're seeing this set up. When we got Jorgeselaier back 501 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,360 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one, in his first twenty games after 502 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:33,640 Speaker 1: we got him, the Braves went seventeen and three. I'm 503 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:35,640 Speaker 1: not saying they're gonna go on that type of run. 504 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: I am saying the Braves have been there before twenty 505 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: twenty one to win the East twenty twenty two, to 506 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:44,840 Speaker 1: come back on the Mets again. Not saying it's gonna 507 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:48,000 Speaker 1: happen again. But I am saying a golden opportunity to 508 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 1: make it a chance to happen again is right in 509 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:52,400 Speaker 1: front of them. And if this offense can keep going. 510 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:53,840 Speaker 1: They're gonna take advantage of it. 511 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:56,680 Speaker 3: Yep, yep. 512 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 2: And you know it's not a it's not a definitive 513 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:04,680 Speaker 2: thing yet. But the if you look at the probable 514 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:07,320 Speaker 2: starters for the Miami Series, it's gonna be Morton on 515 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 2: Thursday and then schwelling'black on Friday. But then they have 516 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:15,320 Speaker 2: TBAs listed for Saturday and Sunday, And based on the reporting, 517 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:18,639 Speaker 2: based on the schedules, it's very possible that Ronaldo Lopez 518 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 2: pitches on Saturday and Max Freed actually comes back in 519 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 2: pitches on Sunday. It's not a definite thing. They haven't 520 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:28,200 Speaker 2: announced that they're still listed as tvas, but it's very possible. 521 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:32,400 Speaker 2: You have you know, your you know, all of your 522 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:36,040 Speaker 2: normal starters in this Miami Series going. And that's again, 523 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 2: I'll say it again, the Braves need to win at 524 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,520 Speaker 2: least three of these games like that. The losing to 525 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 2: bad team stuff needs to stop. Miami has decimated its team. 526 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:48,879 Speaker 2: They traded away everybody you know. You potentially have you 527 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 2: know four of your best five going. Uh Sales going 528 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 2: to miss the series obviously because he pitched today. But 529 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 2: if if you have Morton schwellingbout. You know, Ronaldo and 530 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,320 Speaker 2: Max pitching the four games at home against a terrible team, 531 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 2: you need to win three of those. Like it's just 532 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 2: that simple, and you know a sweep would be fantastic. 533 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:09,360 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean, I agree, this is the time, 534 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 2: like the Phillies have faltered. They're finally facing really tough 535 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:16,480 Speaker 2: teams for the first time consistently, and they've shown that 536 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:19,159 Speaker 2: they're not maybe the greatest team of all time like 537 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,879 Speaker 2: they look like in April and May when they had 538 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 2: a you know, seven to fifty winning percentage. Now that 539 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:27,640 Speaker 2: the schedule has gotten tougher and they're actually playing real 540 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 2: teams consistently, you know, they're going through their struggles, so 541 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 2: you know, and the Braves have a very favorable schedule 542 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 2: in the next few weeks, so go get it, like 543 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 2: make it a race. I don't really care about winning 544 00:26:39,359 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 2: the division, but I do care about playing well, and 545 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 2: you know, go make Philly earn it. And the Braves 546 00:26:45,760 --> 00:26:49,360 Speaker 2: still play Philly seven more times, you know, obviously they're 547 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:51,800 Speaker 2: down six and a half games. That technically means the 548 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 2: Braves still control their own destiny. You know, if you've 549 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,760 Speaker 2: got seven head to head games left you're only down 550 00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:59,040 Speaker 2: by six in terms of the standings. That means you 551 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:01,000 Speaker 2: control your own death team. And the Braves have it 552 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:02,880 Speaker 2: all in front of them, and they have an easy schedule. 553 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,040 Speaker 2: Phillies have a tough schedule. You know, go take care 554 00:27:06,080 --> 00:27:08,239 Speaker 2: of business, Go win the games you're supposed to win 555 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 2: against bad teams. And you know, when you get to 556 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,120 Speaker 2: these head to head games against Philly, you know you're 557 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:15,879 Speaker 2: not gonna be ten games back. You might only be 558 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:18,080 Speaker 2: two or three games back, because again, Philly's got a. 559 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:18,879 Speaker 3: Really tough schedule. 560 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,000 Speaker 2: So yeah, it's a it's a really important I mean, 561 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:24,680 Speaker 2: this is the time the trade deadlines passed, this is 562 00:27:24,760 --> 00:27:25,680 Speaker 2: the team that you're gonna have. 563 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:30,359 Speaker 1: It's time to go, and the Braves really don't have 564 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,919 Speaker 1: a choice but to go because even mole Philly may 565 00:27:34,000 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 1: be coming into more of a clearer focus for this 566 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 1: team to go after it. And I'm like you, I 567 00:27:39,040 --> 00:27:41,000 Speaker 1: would love to win the division. It would be it 568 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 1: would be a fun development, but you know it's not necessarily. 569 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 1: You know, playing well and staying healthy are the two 570 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 1: top things for me. But the breaks when I say 571 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:50,280 Speaker 1: they have no choice to play well, is that while 572 00:27:50,320 --> 00:27:53,200 Speaker 1: they're going after Philly. They also may not necessarily be 573 00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 1: looking in the rear view, Mirra, but there are obviously 574 00:27:55,760 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 1: plenty several teams who still have designs on wild card 575 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 1: spots in the NAT League. And we're to the point. 576 00:28:01,359 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 1: The reason why the Braves are in this position to 577 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:06,440 Speaker 1: have a chance to go after Philly now, is this 578 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:08,679 Speaker 1: past two week stretch where Philly went four and eleven. 579 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 1: One bad two week stretch or one bad or one 580 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:13,960 Speaker 1: really good two week stretch for the rest of the 581 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 1: season could really define the playoff chances for a National 582 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,560 Speaker 1: League team. And you've got the you got the Mets, 583 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,199 Speaker 1: the Padres, the Diamondbacks, the Cardinals, not to mention many 584 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:24,640 Speaker 1: others who are right on the Braves. Heels the Braves 585 00:28:24,680 --> 00:28:26,879 Speaker 1: right now a game up in wild card, but the 586 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:29,200 Speaker 1: Braves are also just two and a half spots out 587 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:31,920 Speaker 1: of being out of the playoffs completely. One of the 588 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 1: things that helps out the Braves again have one of 589 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 1: the easier schedules that are out there, and it's hard 590 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,200 Speaker 1: to say other teams are going to have a better 591 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 1: crop of reinforcements coming back than Michael Harris the second 592 00:28:43,000 --> 00:28:45,920 Speaker 1: and potentially Ozzy Alby's. But the thing that stands out 593 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:48,200 Speaker 1: for the Braves is that they know they need to 594 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:50,760 Speaker 1: get in the right mindset. The power coming back is huge. 595 00:28:51,280 --> 00:28:53,880 Speaker 1: But the other thing that stands out is that there's 596 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:56,360 Speaker 1: you can't rest on your laurels, you can't be streaky. 597 00:28:56,680 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 1: You've got to win consistently because this National League race 598 00:29:00,040 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: for even the wild card positions is crowded as can be. 599 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, we've talked about how mediocre the National 600 00:29:07,360 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 2: League has been this year and kind of. 601 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:15,160 Speaker 3: Slowly but surely that has has ceased to be the case. 602 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 2: Like, you know, you look at Atlanta of course, as 603 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:20,280 Speaker 2: the top bald card team, they've got a five to 604 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 2: forty two winning percentage. Just behind them, Arizona and San 605 00:29:23,480 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 2: Diego are tied at a five thirty. 606 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:26,880 Speaker 3: Two winning percentage. 607 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 2: You know, they're both fifty eight and fifty one. The 608 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:32,520 Speaker 2: Mets are right behind them at fifty seven and fifty one. 609 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 2: Saint Louis is right behind them at fifty six and 610 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 2: fifty two. So all of a sudden, you know, it 611 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:39,280 Speaker 2: was hard for a long time, it was hard to 612 00:29:39,320 --> 00:29:41,920 Speaker 2: find it more than two or three National League teams 613 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:45,840 Speaker 2: that were were above five hundred. Well, now you got one, two, three, 614 00:29:45,920 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 2: four five. You got six teams in the wild card 615 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:52,600 Speaker 2: Hunt Braves, Diamondbacks, Padres, Mets, Cardinals, and even the Pirates. 616 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:54,719 Speaker 3: The Pirates are fifty five and fifty two and one 617 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:57,040 Speaker 3: to three in a row, and they had it at 618 00:29:57,080 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 3: the deadline. They went and got Da La Cruz and 619 00:29:59,160 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 3: some other guys. 620 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:04,920 Speaker 2: So, you know, the kind of the mediocre National League 621 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:08,000 Speaker 2: wild Card racist has suddenly not you know, become not 622 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 2: so mediocre. And yeah, like you said, the Rais don't 623 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 2: have a lot of room to play around here because 624 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:16,960 Speaker 2: you know, at this point, when it's this close, it 625 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 2: doesn't even take two weeks one bad series, I mean 626 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:22,960 Speaker 2: one bad you know, seven games stretch and you could 627 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 2: find yourself multiple games out of a playoff spot. 628 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:28,240 Speaker 3: So yeah, they gotta go. 629 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 2: I mean, there's just no other choice. They want to 630 00:30:31,120 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 2: hunt down Philly, they got to go. And if they 631 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:34,160 Speaker 2: want to stay in the playoffs, you know, in a 632 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 2: playoff spot, they got to go because they got teams 633 00:30:36,240 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 2: right on their tail. 634 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:40,560 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And the great thing about it is is that 635 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,200 Speaker 1: with the power coming back with so they're being back 636 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 1: in the lineup, us getting healthier again, us being able 637 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:49,040 Speaker 1: to go, just that ability to be able to do that. 638 00:30:49,440 --> 00:30:52,320 Speaker 1: I think it's going to be easier as time goes on. 639 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 1: But Steven, it's been a lot of fun just being 640 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:56,120 Speaker 1: able to talk about, you know, some good play for 641 00:30:56,200 --> 00:30:59,880 Speaker 1: the Braves, a lot of positive things. Again, as you mentioned, 642 00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:03,360 Speaker 1: want to be cautiously optimistic about it, because again, you know, 643 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: you're always one injury away, especially with this team of 644 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 1: things kind of you know, dampening down or watering down 645 00:31:09,920 --> 00:31:12,360 Speaker 1: in terms of your excitement. But overall, I think we're 646 00:31:12,360 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 1: trending in a good direction and I'm certainly here and 647 00:31:14,840 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: going to be excited to cover it with you and 648 00:31:16,400 --> 00:31:18,280 Speaker 1: Scott and Brad as we go into a month of 649 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:20,880 Speaker 1: August where we really could make the most of a 650 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 1: good schedule. But as we wrap up this edition of 651 00:31:22,760 --> 00:31:24,840 Speaker 1: the Hammer Territory Podcast, anything else that you. 652 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:28,000 Speaker 2: Have to add, No, I want to give a shout 653 00:31:28,000 --> 00:31:30,960 Speaker 2: out to our fans. We had the biggest day and 654 00:31:31,080 --> 00:31:36,000 Speaker 2: our you know, our podcast history. On deadline Day, we 655 00:31:36,120 --> 00:31:39,440 Speaker 2: had you know, as many downloads as we've ever had. Obviously, 656 00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:41,720 Speaker 2: the Emergency podcast was solaried, it was a big part 657 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:44,480 Speaker 2: of that, but in our short history, that was the 658 00:31:44,520 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 2: biggest day we've ever had, So big shout out to 659 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,840 Speaker 2: you guys for downloading and listening, and you know, we 660 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:53,160 Speaker 2: of course we try to say it every show, but 661 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:57,160 Speaker 2: we are unbelievably appreciative of the support that we've been given. 662 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:01,560 Speaker 2: Big thanks to the foul Tare guys who are constantly, 663 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 2: you know, coming alongside us and assisting us with anything 664 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,600 Speaker 2: we need. You know, they've been unbelievable to work with 665 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 2: and have helped us tremendously, So big shout out to them, 666 00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:12,840 Speaker 2: big shout out to the fans. 667 00:32:12,920 --> 00:32:16,800 Speaker 3: We're just we're very grateful for all the support, and. 668 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 1: The content is only going to keep coming. Special guests 669 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:21,160 Speaker 1: who will talk with us perhaps here in the near 670 00:32:21,200 --> 00:32:24,200 Speaker 1: future about the state of the Braves farm system after 671 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 1: the draft and the trade deadline, where the Braves stand 672 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:29,000 Speaker 1: for the rest of the season, and some other fun 673 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,760 Speaker 1: sources of content coming your way in the near future 674 00:32:33,040 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 1: to go along with what hopefully will be better play 675 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 1: from the Braves overall. For Stephen Tolbart, you can find 676 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 1: him at b Undersquare Outliers on Twitter, myself at Stat's 677 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:45,280 Speaker 1: sac on Twitter, the Hammer Territory podcast across all forms 678 00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:47,920 Speaker 1: of social media at Hammer Territory, and of course part 679 00:32:47,960 --> 00:32:51,360 Speaker 1: of the foul Teller Territory family of podcasts all across 680 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:53,600 Speaker 1: social media as well. For Steven Tobart, my name is 681 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:55,960 Speaker 1: Sean Coleman. We'll talk to you again soon here on 682 00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 1: The Hammer Territory podcast