2017 Atlanta Braves Thread (w/ occasional Red Sox talk for Hark)

[TarHeelNation11]

I never thought I'd say this, but we need to make extending Tyler Flowers a priority.

Yeah I would say to this point the Braves FO has gotten pretty lucky that Flowers and Suzuki are playing so well. We still have zero long-term options at catcher and for some reason the FO seems hesitant to address the need.

So it's a good thing Flowers is doing so well. Is he eligible yet to be in the league batting average rankings?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Since that six-game losing skid in early May, the Braves have won 8 of 11, including a 4-2 record since Freeman went down. Already almost 20% there to my desired number of 25 wins while Freeman is gone (assuming he misses exactly 60 games).

As for Flowers, he only has 86 at-bats. I would assume 100 is the threshold, but I'm not sure. I looked up the league leaders in average on MLB.com, and the lowest number of ABs I could find was 125. If Tyler can maintain this for ~6 more games, he should have enough at-bats to qualify. That would be cool.

I like how we really made Gerrit Cole, a borderline ace, work last night. We wore him out with pesky at-bats. Even with him escaping from some major jams, we still got to him.

Unbelievably, the bullpen is on fire right now. Motte is leading the charge. He is dominating right now and definitely slammed the door shut on the Pirates last night.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Yeah, the bullpen is starting to grow on me. As long as Krol or O'Flaherty aren't in the game, I'm pretty comfortable. I don't really care about Collmenter since, when he's in the game, it's usually garbage time anyway.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I feel freakin terrible for Andrew McCutchen

Dude just straightup can't hack it anymore. I don't know if it was a prolonged case of the yips that got in his head and ruined him or what, but he is a shadow of his former self. He can't even field any more.

 

[coolwaterunc]

They need to move the fences back in the offseason. I love the park, but it's a joke.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

They need to move the fences back in the offseason. I love the park, but it's a joke.

Nah, keep it. I dig it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Wow. This umpire can literally fukk his own face. He decides to adopt the world's smallest GD strike zone in the top of the 9th after an 85 hour rain delay when Jim Johnson is trying to close it out.

Of course Jordy "The Braves Raper" Mercer comes up and drives in two to win the game. I'm now sufficiently tired and drunk because...well.... 3 hour rain delay. Tomorrow at work should be fun.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Disregard my last. I'm going to still be drunk when I wake up.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Nah, keep it. I dig it.

It's basically Citizens Bank Park.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

It's basically Citizens Bank Park.

Erroneous. It's way better because it's not in Philadelphia.

Turner Field was hard as hell to homer in. I like this change of pace that SunTrust provides. Helps our offense, which has historically always been our problem. Besides, I only remember a handful of "cheap" home runs so far. I know you're referring to the one that the Pirates hit last night. And there's been one or two down the line in left, but other than that, no cheap ones.

I LOL'd when Gerrit Cole just shook his head like "you gotta be kidding me" when Dansby hit that line drive double off the wall on Monday. Cole definitely thought it was a routine out to the warning track when Dansby hit it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

@coolwaterunc You might be interested in these numbers. They sorta back up what I'm saying:

LINK

SunTrust is only 8th of 15th in HR/game. And SunTrust homers have one of the highest avg travel distances.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Erroneous. It's way better because it's not in Philadelphia.

Just to be clear, I was only referring to how it plays, not actually comparing the parks. I love SunTrust Park, I just haven't been a fan of how it plays. I loved how Turner Field played, but I guess I'm just old school.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Just to be clear, I was only referring to how it plays, not actually comparing the parks. I love SunTrust Park, I just haven't been a fan of how it plays. I loved how Turner Field played, but I guess I'm just old school.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "how it plays" if you're not just comparing home runs between parks? Are you talking about the fast infield? The reduced foul territory? The brick backstop that nearly prevents wild pitches from letting runners advance?

 

[coolwaterunc]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "how it plays" if you're not just comparing home runs between parks? Are you talking about the fast infield? The reduced foul territory? The brick backstop that nearly prevents wild pitches from letting runners advance?

Pretty much every time someone hits a fly ball, I feel like it's going out. It brings back memories of playing the Phillies when they were actually good at their park and here comes Ryan f'ing Howard just flicking his wrists and hitting a homer. It's most likely just me, but that's what it feels like to me.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Pretty much every time someone hits a fly ball, I feel like it's going out. It brings back memories of playing the Phillies when they were actually good at their park and here comes Ryan f'ing Howard just flicking his wrists and hitting a homer. It's most likely just me, but that's what it feels like to me.

Okay I see what you're getting at. Maybe I just like it because it's an overcorrection, but I really like how you can actually smack a few home runs in SunTrust, unlike Turner. I mean damn, Turner was so forgiving for pitchers.

I get the appeal of Turner's symmetry and there's something to be said for that. But I do like when teams construct their park with unique quirks that make the park stand out and have its own identity. Within reason of course. I'm not advocating building a retarded 435 foot center field with a hill like the Astros lol. But what the Braves did with SunTrust is tasteful IMO. Plus, what's kinda cool is it's just nature that's making it a hitter's park. Sure, they shortened up right and right center and stuff, but the wind effect at the stadium is just natural, due to the high elevation (look it up, STP and Atlanta in general are at a higher elevation than people think) and the location... thus the name Windy Hill Road.

I don't know. Maybe I'm just gaga over it all because it's new.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

@coolwaterunc

Have fun not getting any work done the rest of the day

 

[coolwaterunc]

We should try to work out a deal with Georgia State to let us play in Turner Field only for the games Julio starts.

 

[coolwaterunc]

@coolwaterunc

Have fun not getting any work done the rest of the day

I'm not sure what 75% of that stuff even means.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Snitker is dumb for pulling Teheran when he did to pinch hit worthless Bonifacio. I said so at the time it was happening.

 

[UNCFanforLife]

Cubs fan here. My cousin is a huge Braves fan though. Already better than they were last year.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Snitker is dumb for pulling Teheran when he did to pinch hit worthless Bonifacio. I said so at the time it was happening.

The fact Bonifacio is still on this team is absolutely mind boggling.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

The fact Bonifacio is still on this team is absolutely mind boggling.

Agreed. I'm just as useful of a pinch hitter as he is. He'll be gone when Adonis comes back. Rio and Adonis will platoon. I think Jace has done enough to keep a spot on the bench.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Agreed. I'm just as useful of a pinch hitter as he is. He'll be gone when Adonis comes back. Rio and Adonis will platoon. I think Jace has done enough to keep a spot on the bench.

They'll send Ruiz down and keep Bonifacio. Guarantee it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

They'll send Ruiz down and keep Bonifacio. Guarantee it.

I'd agree but I think finally finally they've accepted that it's time. The conjecture from insiders is that Adonis could come up now but they're giving him a few more games because they want to evaluate Ruiz for a few more days. Just to make sure he can hack it at this level.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Colon still struggling mightily and now Wisler is up. Writing on the wall?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Colon still struggling mightily and now Wisler is up. Writing on the wall?

Lucas Sims could throw three straight perfect games in AAA and still not get called up.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Lucas Sims could throw three straight perfect games in AAA and still not get called up.

I'm on record as being one of OOTB's big soccer guys, and it's absolutely hilarious how different baseball and soccer are in terms of blooding young talent.

In soccer, they will throw you in the fire way before you're ready and baptize you by fire. Successful clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United who are usually in first or second in the league will give starts to their 17-19 year old potential future stars all the time. Usually, after a few spot starts, the player will then get loaned out to a lower division so he can get regular playing time (comparable to baseball's minor league system) but still.

Yet in baseball it's "he's not ready yet. He's not ready yet. Can't bring him up too early. Gotta wait. Not quite yet. He's only 24."

 

[coolwaterunc]

FYI - Wisler in Gwinnett this year: 1-3 with a 5.20 ERA.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

FYI - Wisler in Gwinnett this year: 1-3 with a 5.20 ERA.

He's simply a bullpen arm to replace Collmenter who we finally DFA'd. Coppy has made it pretty clear he's given up on Blair and Wisler as starters.

 

[coolwaterunc]

It's a shame, too. Wisler has the talent, but it just hasn't clicked for him. His confidence has been wiped.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

It's a shame, too. Wisler has the talent, but it just hasn't clicked for him. His confidence has been wiped.

Oh for sure it's a mental thing. I liked him too because he was really competitive (although a bit cocky).

 

[TarHeelNation11]

 

[TarHeelNation11]

 

[TarHeelNation11]

 

[UNC71-00]

As much as I hate to say it, I'm on Harper's side in this fight. I hope to God Key doesn't see this.

 

[toophly1124]

I think Harper is a prima donna. My entire family are National fans. They love Bryce. I don't hate the guy at all (I appreciate great players in all aspects) but I think his attitude (on the field) is terrible. Take a guy like Kris Bryant. They both grew up in Vegas. Played together a few years. Same age w close to the same stats. To me they are completely opposite human beings.

 

[UNC71-00]

I think Harper is a prima donna. My entire family are National fans. They love Bryce. I don't hate the guy at all (I appreciate great players in all aspects) but I think his attitude (on the field) is terrible. Take a guy like Kris Bryant. They both grew up in Vegas. Played together a few years. Same age w close to the same stats. To me they are completely opposite human beings.

This is all true.

But to get plunked because you hit 2 HRs in a game in a losing playoff series 3 years prior is a bit much by any standards.

 

[toophly1124]

This is all true.

But to get plunked because you hit 2 HRs in a game in a losing playoff series 3 years prior is a bit much by any standards.

If that's the entire grudge of it then I agree. Although baseball one of the only sport where you hold grudges for multiple years. FTR this incident didn't impact my opinion on Bryce at all. I wish the best for him. He has the talent to go down as one of the best.

 

[coolwaterunc]

This is all true.

But to get plunked because you hit 2 HRs in a game in a losing playoff series 3 years prior is a bit much by any standards.

If Bryce Harper got plunked in every AB, I still wouldn't be on his side. He deserves it every time, no matter the motivation behind it.

 

[UNC71-00]

If Bryce Harper got plunked in every AB, I still wouldn't be on his side. He deserves it every time, no matter the motivation behind it.

Look man, my disdain for Harper is well documented on this board. I just think throwing at the guy for hitting 2 dingers in a playoff game where your team won the series as well as the WS is just a bit much.