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Post by wncbravesfan on Jul 24, 2018 20:22:51 GMT -5
UP NEXT:
Dodgers: LHP Rich Hill (3-4, 4.26 ERA) starts for Los Angeles on Thursday night against Braves RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-2, 2.76).
Braves: Following a day off, the Braves return home to face the Dodgers in a four-game series, with RHP Anibal Sanchez (5-2, 2.76) scheduled to pitch Thursday.
(EDIT, to update Dodgers pitching opponent)
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Post by wncbravesfan on Jul 24, 2018 20:26:46 GMT -5
Inconsistent Teheran struggles in loss to Marlins Though the Braves need to improve their bullpen, their primary focus leading up to next week's non-waiver Trade Deadline might be to find a starting pitcher who can solidify a rotation that has been weakened by injuries and Julio Teheran's prolonged inconsistencies. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos likely gained a greater desire to acquire a starter while watching Teheran once again prove maddening during Tuesday afternoon's 9-3 loss to the Marlins at Marlins Park. "It's not frustrating," Teheran said. "I need to find a way. You have one start that is good or two in a row. But [being] consistent has been the problem. I'm not going to get that in my mind and get crazy or get frustrated. It's a game. We'll try to do our best to be the best." When Teheran recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed five runs over five innings against the Yankees on July 4, he produced a start that was a microcosm of these past two seasons, when a hint of promise has routinely been erased by an ugly start or two. So there was simply reason to be cautiously optimistic when Teheran allowed just one run over the 13 innings totaled within his final two starts before the All-Star break. But the hope that he had turned the corner and possibly regained the magic found during his 2016 bounce-back season quickly evaporated as the Marlins tagged him for nine runs (seven earned) in just 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday. "He just wasn't real sharp and could never get anything going," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. Teheran's days as Atlanta's annual Opening Day starter by default ended this year as Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb have proven capable of being the front-line starters the Braves have lacked over the past few years. But even though he now sits in a more appropriate back-end role, there's still a need for him to provide the Braves with confidence he can provide consistent value to a rotation that may be without both top prospect Mike Soroka (right shoulder inflammation) and Brandon McCarthy (right knee tendinitis) for the remainder of this season. "He looks healthy," Snitker said. "His velocity is fine. His stuff in spurts is really good." So as the Braves attempt to extend their fight with the Phillies for the lead in the National League East race, they know they must address needs within what has become a thin bullpen. But the potential value of adding a reliever will not be maximized if Atlanta can't rely on anyone beyond Foltynewicz, Newcomb and Anibal Sanchez in its rotation. As the Rays and Tigers have had scouts following the Braves' top Minor League prospects over the past couple of weeks, there's certainly reason to wonder if Atlanta could use its talent-rich pipeline to land Tampa Bay's Chris Archer, who could be controlled through the 2021 season. Detroit's Michael Fulmer stood as a potential match before he strained his oblique muscle last week and became a more likely offseason trade target. But the Tigers could interest the Braves with veteran starter Mike Fiers and reliever Shane Greene. Whatever happens over the next week, the Braves certainly have reason to be concerned about Teheran, who allowed the Marlins to gain an early lead with J.T. Realmuto's two-run homer in the first inning. Ender Inciarte's whiff on Brian Anderson's single led to a pair of unearned runs in the third and Starlin Castro's three-run homer highlighted Miami's five-run fifth. "[Teheran's command] was a little on and off, but there were also some good pitches that they barreled," catcher Tyler Flowers said. "When you make mistakes and they get hit, it's easy to identify. But I felt like there were a few times where there were some good pitches in good spots that got hit hard. I don't know. Hopefully, we'll figure it out." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Domino effect in fifth: Teheran encountered trouble in the fifth inning when he allowed Marlins starter Wei-Yin Chen to produce a 99.5 mph exit velocity -- the fifth-highest recording on a hit by pitcher against the Braves this season -- with his leadoff double. Anderson was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for Realmuto, whose slow chopper led shortstop Dansby Swanson to field it at the edge of the grass and make a throw home that pulled Flowers slightly up the first-base line. Chen scored on the play, and two batters later, Castro drilled a high fastball over the left-field wall. "Dansby was just trying to make a play," Snitker said. "That's no double-play ball. If the ball is 10 inches over and not up the line, the guy is out. You're going to have days like that." CLUTCH CHARLIE Less than 24 hours after being tabbed the team MVP by Freddie Freeman, Charlie Culberson pulled the Braves within one run with his two-out, two-run double in the fifth. Culberson is hitting .380 (19-for-50) with runners in scoring position and .500 (10-for-20) with two outs and runners in scoring position this season. When Ozzie Albies (tight right hamstring) makes his expected return to the lineup on Thursday, Culberson may return to the bench. But his offensive production has at least given the Braves reason to think about playing him in left field when facing a left-handed starter. Ronald Acuna Jr. would play center field in place of Inciarte, who has hit just .218 against southpaws this season. HE SAID IT "They're a club we've had trouble closing out in different games over the last few years. They're a club that doesn't quit. That's what happens when you have a team at the top of the division. They're not going to stop trying to score. We were able to squash some rallies at big times." -- Marlins manager Don Mattingly UP NEXT After resting on Wednesday, the Braves will return home to host the Dodgers on Thursday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Sanchez will look to cap an impressive July that has led Snitker to describe him as Atlanta's most consistent starting pitcher. Sanchez has posted a 2.92 ERA in his past four starts, three of which have come against playoff contenders. Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. www.mlb.com/braves/news/julio-teheran-struggles-in-loss-to-marlins/c-287111414
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Post by keystone61 on Jul 25, 2018 9:40:41 GMT -5
I think this series potentially tells the tale as far as any significant deadline deal/s going down, if it goes big (a sweep or 3 out of 4) by either team. Braves win, we probably see a pretty significant deal, Braves lose, most likely not. If it's a split, who knows? LMAO
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Post by littlebeast1 on Jul 25, 2018 11:06:53 GMT -5
I think this series potentially tells the tale as far as any significant deadline deal/s going down, if it goes big (a sweep or 3 out of 4) by either team. Braves win, we probably see a pretty significant deal, Braves lose, most likely not. If it's a split, who knows? LMAO I'm hoping the Braves can put their big boy pants on and make a statement by taking 3 of 4. But the way they've been playing of late, I'll be happy with a split.
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Post by keystone61 on Jul 25, 2018 11:31:35 GMT -5
3 out of 4 would be sweeeeeeeet.
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Post by littlebeast1 on Jul 25, 2018 11:41:56 GMT -5
Red Sox just traded for Eovaldi. You can now cross him and Britton off of the list for potential Braves acquisitions.
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Post by keystone61 on Jul 25, 2018 12:10:00 GMT -5
Red Sox just traded for Eovaldi. You can now cross him and Britton off of the list for potential Braves acquisitions. I'd rather have Gausman, but I suspect the cost will be pretty high, since he's controllable through 2020.
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Post by littlebeast1 on Jul 25, 2018 13:41:36 GMT -5
Phillies 6, Dodgers 3 Bottom 6th
Looks like we are about to be 1 1/2 games back and have to face a mad Dodgers team.
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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Jul 25, 2018 13:49:32 GMT -5
"He just wasn't real sharp and could never get anything going," Braves manager Brian Snitker said."
Here's a novel idea.... when this is the case, pull him before he gives up 9 runs. It's not like things were going great up until a surprise 9 run HR.
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Post by PABraveFan on Jul 25, 2018 13:55:07 GMT -5
The Dodgers forfeit a game to the Phillies by pitching a position player in the 16th inning and then bring up a guy from the minors to pitch today. Meanwhile, the Braves will get to face Hill, Kershaw, and Wood. Thanks a lot Dodgers!
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Post by Fumbduckery on Jul 25, 2018 16:04:11 GMT -5
The Dodgers forfeit a game to the Phillies by pitching a position player in the 16th inning and then bring up a guy from the minors to pitch today. Meanwhile, the Braves will get to face Hill, Kershaw, and Wood. Thanks a lot Dodgers! That's just wonderful. And they had Rich Hill warming up in the top of the 16th, presumably to pitch the bottom of the inning and however many more they needed him, but instead they used Kiki Hernandez. Here, free win.
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Post by keystone61 on Jul 26, 2018 5:53:54 GMT -5
We have to beat whoever they send out there, like the phailies did. They are for real, you know, whether people here like it or not. Enough of this "they've played an easy schedule" crap. They're pretty good, and much stronger in the pen than the Braves are.......of course, most high school teams are stronger in the pen than we are, too.
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Post by wncbravesfan on Jul 26, 2018 8:26:33 GMT -5
We have to beat whoever they send out there, like the phailies did. They are for real, you know, whether people here like it or not. Enough of this "they've played an easy schedule" crap. They're pretty good, and much stronger in the pen than the Braves are.......of course, most high school teams are stronger in the pen than we are, too. Our GM says we need a starter, reliever and hitting. Oh, and toi not deplete our prospects on the Farm and to also obtain players we can control for a few years. Agreed. Now, make it happen! (Tall order)
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Post by wncbravesfan on Jul 26, 2018 8:48:48 GMT -5
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Post by wncbravesfan on Jul 26, 2018 8:51:03 GMT -5
David O'Brien @dobrienatl #Braves prospect Touki Toussaint worked 8 scoreless innings to lower ERA to 1.77 in 3 Triple-A starts with 21 K, 9 BB, 0 HR in 20 1/3 IP, and SS prospect Luis Marte homered for 2nd consecutive day and extended hit streak to 10 games (.455, 20-for-44, 12 RBI)
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