Show #477: The Pache Era Begins! (Then Ends?)

You're listening to Atlanta baseball talk. You're weekly podcast for all things at Atlanta Braves. [ OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING [ Welcome to Atlanta baseball talk, show number 477. Today's Sunday, August 23rd, 2020, my name is Steve. I'm joined by both Hammy and Curtis and folks. Please help out the show by telling your friends sharing links and writing reviews. If you don't, A-Rod becomes Chip's new broadcasting partner

and we never listened to you. God. Wow. That is the most pressing one you've ever done. We've been clamoring for the Braves to call up centerfuel to the future, Christian Pache. And we got our wish this past Tuesday, but it was not how any of us I think pictured it unfolding. So on Tuesday, around 5 p.m., the Braves had announced that Pache had been called up.

Strange timing for one thing, given how late in the day it was. And then that all came a little bit more clear around 6 p.m. When the Braves announced that Nick Marquakis had been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution had been placed on the COVID-19. So first of all, you know, all accounts, everything we've seen Marquakis has not yet tested

positive and should be back sooner than later. Also, just to give him a Marquakis for a second, not what the Braves and the lineup needed. I mean, Marquakis has been a really good left-handed bat. You know, a decent glove in the outfield gives us a lot more options and flexibility. So, you know, I would like Nick to come back soon. It's interesting that the surprising is

maybe the better word that there's a Marquakis saga that you would ever say saga and Marquakis in the same sentence, but he is like the saga of the year. He's gone. He's back. We miss him. We need him. We don't need him. He's horrible. He's amazing. I hate him. I love him. Yeah. Polarizing figure, man. Marquakis. It's crazy. All right. So let's talk about Pache. So

that Tuesday, he doesn't get into the game, which is not a huge surprise. He got there real late, seemed unlikely they were going to, you know, like put him in the lineup. Wednesday, he was scheduled to start. He was in the, in the published lineup, but then a rain out, changed those plans. Thursday was an off day. So Friday, he debuts, gets a hit, a bit

of a cheapy book. He'll take it. Not in the lineup on Saturday and not in the lineup on Sunday. Instead, we get lots of Ozone in left and Adams is the DH. So before Sunday's game, Snitker was asked about the decision not to put Pache in the lineup for a second consecutive night. And he said, quote, I'm just looking for offense. He's up here to help

out late in the game defensively until Ronald gets back. End quote, which I think sadly tells us a few things, right? Snit has no intention of sitting under in place of Pache. I'd say he does not trust that Pache is ready to hit in the big leagues. And that it sounds like Pache is headed back to the satellite squad when Ronald returns or frankly, when Nick

returns possibly, right. Um, and then back to Snit statement about looking for offense. I mean, come on. Right. It implies that he thinks Ender is a better option in that offense. And just a few Ender stats, just a pile on. I mean, we're all watching the games. We see it. His average exit velocity is 77.3. Which is no exaggeration dead last in baseball, 264th in baseball.

He's the worst hitter in the National League. Yeah. I mean, his weighted runs created plus his 47 100 league average. His slash line is 206 286 235 heading into Sunday's game. He's a negative war player. I mean, yeah, I don't understand it. Other than it's Snitker. And he's loyal to his guy. And Ender's a better in and Snitker has seen Ender start slow and then turn

it around. And he thinks all that may happen. But it is. Or that he's using. I mean, or that he has seen a lot more Pache at bats as have his lieutenants to know that. And it's a bigger picture thing. Right. I mean, I think, you know, Snitker is not going to really say what he's thinking because he wants to protect everybody's, you know, feelings or

whatever on this team. And then he's going to be able to get a better shot. But, you know, I think that his belief is that he's probably going to get marginal, better offensive production from Ender. I mean, and how could he not? But that it's, he's, it's that's, you know, it would be setting him back up here that he's not ready. He's going to get fooled.

It's going to get in his head. It could be a blow to his confidence. Right. And Ender is ruined already. Pache is not, you know. I mean, that's got to be what's in his head. Right. And again, I, you know, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I,

I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I that. Yeah. Let's move on. Let's move on. Let's move on. Okay. Those types, Snickers, Snickers Horrible Interview. Why? He's so bad when they tonight's game on the fill he's listening in they went to the dugout with him and Alex are new color guy, eh, right. And um, you know,

it's just, he's not, he doesn't give up a lot. He doesn't go deep or why? He just is sort of bland responses. So I don't know. Actually, I mean, Very much a baseball Leifer guy. Yeah. And just you know, not trying to say anything controversial. Not trying to say anything too funny, not trying to like redirect the conversation to, you know, he's just sort of, is

he's like, is that a press conference? And he just wants to get out of there as quickly as he can. So I don't know. And that's not on him. I mean, whatever. But I try not to take too much stock of those type of statements because it will make me crazy. It will make me crazy. And look, another very valid explanation is that they are shopping

enter and they want him to be out there as much as possible. And hopefully he goes on a bit of a streak, right? There's eight days till the, the trade deadline. Well, no, I think that's very much in the offing. I understand just the plausibility of him going on a streak. I mean, he has three games this year where he's had more than one hit. The

day that, that Pasha got called up, he went three for three. So I thought, okay, well, maybe this is sort of the fire that the interneeds to get going in the right direction. He has 13 more hits on the season than Pasha does. Right. So, you know, no, I mean, it's bad. It's bad. You know, the whole, we've, we've used the joke that, you know, we

saw on Twitter about swinging with a wet newspaper. And my God, it is, it's no longer funny because it's just true. And then Saturday night didn't get that rundown. Like, I mean, there's just been. Yeah, it's been rough. So, but I don't know that we're getting, you know, short of there being a trade, it's not going to be, this is not the start. The start of

the Pasha air. I don't care. We just can't afford for a Cunha to be out. Well, yes. But, you know, so good news there is that Ronald was taking BP and infield practice on the field before Sunday's game. So that is very, very hopeful. And, you know, maybe he's back this week. You know, on the flip side of that, all these has not started swinging yet.

So, I think that's a good thing. So it seems like we're tough tea. I heard. Okay. I thought he wasn't even swinging off a tea yet. But he's not, he's certainly not facing BP. No, just coaches and just left handed or something. You know, like, yeah. Not great. Just left handed coaches or I think he's just swinging. There'd be an extra care. Yes, exactly. Right. So

this week also saw transactions on the pitching side of the roster. So Bryce Wilson was sent down on Wednesday and Kyle Wright was sent down on Thursday. Now, given the days off scheduled and with the rain out, we got one early and two Tomlin starts this week. Right. I mean, I think they took the opportunity to skip right given the extra days off. You know, based

on the fact that his next scheduled start, Equinette is Tuesday. Bowman has come out and speculated that Ian Anderson could start in place of two key. Now the fact that two key came in and is already gone from Sunday's game, it ain't two key on Tuesday. So we really may get. And Ian Anderson start on Tuesday against the Yankees, which would be pretty exciting. I think

we will. So, Ham, do you think we're seeing a change here and sort of how and who the front office is looking at to start games? I mean, I, you know, a change in philosophy. Um, I think, I think they're just reacting, right. There's a phrase we make plans and God laughs, or as Mike Tyson put it, everyone has a plan until I punch them in

the mouth. Like we're just screwed, right. Max Fried is the only remaining starter from our five, you know, our starting rotation. Um, and so I think it's not like they're trying to sort of fundamentally shift what they believe about how to develop it. They're like we're screwed and we're out of options. Um, and so that's a big thing. And I also think a little bit of

it is, you know, with this year, if Ian Anderson doesn't come up and pitch up here, he's taking a whole year off from facing real competition, right. So there's that to a little bit. So I think they're probably a little bit more open to get him up here or to maybe rush that. But more than anything, I think they're, they're going to just, they're going to

be desperate. They're going to, we're desperate. And I think I try anything. It just seemed to me for a while, right. They were really going safe with a lot of Irland and Tomlin, right. We've got, we've got major league guys. They have starting experience. Yeah. And it's not working. Right. No, and it's not, I mean, Irland looked really good, of course. Um, and then didn't his

second time around. Uh, the Tomlin is starter, not looking so great. But they seemed really committed. Look, we've got toki who had starting experience. Kyle Wright had a little bit. We're going to stick with those guys. But it seems like they are sort of to me that they're changing course a little bit and, and potentially, bringing up some more guys. I mean, yeah. And well, and

also because, I mean, they're horrible. Toki. It's not unsustainable. Right. We will not win games. And we should, because the East is anyone's for the taking. Right. And yeah, it's our, it's our, it's for the losing. Yeah. And then better set, better set. So Kyle Wright, I mean, I, you know, I, we've, we've cycled through a lot of pictures. I think they gave these guys, maybe

more starts than they would have been different. They were circumstances, but I mean, I don't know. So here's the thing. Like, I kind of hate how they've treated toki all along. Right. That, you know, in the years leading up to this season, it was a lot of give them a couple starts. And the second anything didn't look good. They'd either send them down or making the

long man in the pen. And it looked like they were going to sick with toki and let him work through it. And look, his last start was bad. Six walks was bad. He only lasted three innings. But, toki also has not fallen off a cliff. I would wish they'd give them a few more starts. And Kyle Wright as well. I mean, these guys have the potential.

Look, it's been a lot of days off recently, but they didn't have them at all. And once they get into September, not many days off again. And maybe we see toki and write some more. Yeah, I don't know that I really have a point other than I wish that they would stick with those guys, because I think there's something. I don't know. I don't know. I

looked good at all lots of walks. In fact, they pulled him out. I hopefully he's not hurt, but they pulled him mid batter. They pulled him mid at that. He threw two balls to, I don't even remember who it was. And he got yanked for Madsick. Yeah, I mean, I think that there's also a concern that these guys are not putting any innings in. And it's

just totally starting to stress out the bullpen, which is another long term problem if we get to the end of the year, even in a short and season like this. And our bullpen is completely burned out. And I think that's a good thing. All the effort they made to put this bullpen together, which is sort of a one year proposition for this bullpen, because I think

three or four of these guys will be gone after this year. So to have the stress added to them and them having to cover six innings a game. That's certainly not what they anticipated when they went into this season. They were hoping that they would just have to cover probably four innings a game. And so I think that that's another aspect that they're trying to cover

is finding guys that can go a little deeper in these games. But it's just there is no, there's no answer right now. I mean, the young guys look good for a moment. And I think I'm with you, Steve, that I would rather at least give these guys a couple more starts just so they can sort of get their feet under them. And, you know, get to

the point where they feel comfortable in these situations and can work their way out of some of these problems. You know, if they get, in a jam, you know, you have to learn how to pitch your way out of some stuff. And if there's a short hook, every time these guys go out on the mound, it's just not good for their long term development. So. And

I mean, what, what on top of that, what good is it for them to be down in Gwinnett, you know, playing scrimmage against other guys? I guess they just have sort of, they're trying to throw anything at it right now. But I mean, the, the, old guys solutions have not been any more successful than the young guys have. And that's the case. I'd rather see the

young guys. And to your question, Curtis, the decision is not about how they're going to benefit from going down. I think about how the, the big lead club will benefit without them pitching. Yeah. I mean, I don't see that Josh Tomlin all of a sudden is going to turn a corner and, and become somebody that he's not. And I'm not, that, that's no disrespect to Josh

Tomlin. I mean, he's obviously had a very successful career, but you figure Kyle right. There's something there that. Right. Higher. It's totally untapped. So. Yeah. Yeah. Amazing stuff. Higher ceiling. Just got to. You know, there's no room for learning right now. There's no room for working it out. Right. In a, in a 60 game season, I hear. Yeah. And, and with, I mean, we have no

veterans that we, we have nobody. We have nobody to put, to pay. We have rich. We have Max Fried. You know, um, oh my God, what's his name? Hamils is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week, actually, which is really a massive milestone, considering how little he's actually done this whole time. I mean, look, it is much more likely that he re-injures himself and never

throws. We're not saying that. That he comes in and is some huge boon to the rotation, but at least he's headed in the right direction. Yeah, I think it was S.I. That put out a thing that was the move that every team needs to make. And it was the brave, getting Johnny Cueno. Well, look, you know, the, um, the trade deadline's going to be really interesting.

I could see it being like this big flurry of moves and or like a whole lot of nothing. You know, or maybe it's just a very few teams. I mean, I think it's more likely that everybody stands pat and little happens. By the way, I do want to just real quick about the games that's going on here. Dan's B is three for three with three doubles

all off of that one. Nice. It's hands be doing good. It's just so satisfying. Yes. Um, all right. So guys, it was a week of the comeback for the brave this week. So first on Monday night against the nationals down six, three headed to the national. The bottom of the ninth to two run homers from Duval and Dan's B. Speaking of Dan's B, that won that

game seven to six. Um, and then saturday night down four, oh, heading to the bottom of the seventh. The brave scored six runs over those last three innings to win the game six, five on Duval's walkoff single. So after the Phillies come back, the brave for the only team in baseball this year with at least four wins when trailing after the seven. So Curtis, is this

a big deal or just a nice story? Well, um, can it be both? Uh, yeah, you know, this is sort of an MO that the brave said developed here the last couple of years that they're really good come from behind team. Um, I mean, I think it helps. You're facing the Phillies bullpen, which currently has an ERA of 8.33, which would be the worst in baseball

history. Um, if they ended up that way. So we've gotten to see a lot of the bets and the Phillies and the Marlins bullpen and they're all sort of below average, um, groups. Um, but yeah, I mean, it's, it's, once again, you feel like the, uh, that, that brazier never out of it. Um, and frankly, they're not because, um, it's just works out well. And it's

not just the guys, you know, with the top of the lineup that you would expect. Um, you know, it's, it's too balls seems like he's had a bunch of big hits. Um, um, I think that's a big hit. Late in games. It's guys like that. So, um, yeah, I think you run home or off of, um, Wheeler Saturday night. Exactly. Yeah. So, um, it's a great,

um, aspect to have as a team where you have confidence in yourself that you're never out of it. Um, and it also helps that you're facing a bunch of lousy bullpen. So, um, hopefully this carries over when we get to see some good bullpins. Um, and that fire. There's, there as well when, um, you know, it's just part of their, uh, their approach to the game.

So, yeah, it's, it's awesome. But I, but I do think that there's definitely something that they've tapped into. I mean, this is now a couple of years going with a brace. I've really been a great late in income from behind team. Yeah. I mean, there's the mental aspect for sure. They have confidence that they can do it, which, you know, does go a long way. And

there's the math of it, right? To have pulled victory from the jaws of defeat in some of these games where, you know, it's, a loss is 2.7 games. Uh, that's just big. I mean, that just helps the math, you know, so, yeah, I mean, it's a good point. Yes, I think it's both a big deal and a nice story. Well, and I think it speaks to,

we've got clutch guys. I mean, I, I like, you know, Riley, obviously, he's not been great this season, but he has had some clutch hits. And even when Dan's B was, you know, at 250 and, and striking out of time, there was, you know, whenever he came up in a late game situation with, you know, something on the line, you had confidence in him or you

for hope for him. And he certainly this season has, has really solidified that. Um, Markeicus has become a clutch guy, right? Uh, you know, he'd never hit a wall. I think he'd never hit a walkoff home run till the opening day or his first game here. Back. Wasn't that right? Then he, or it was like last season. Maybe sorry. Last season. Um, are you talking about

Mark? Who are you talking about? Markeicus. Yeah. His walk. Yeah. His walkoff. It was, it was two seasons ago, opening, opening game. It was, it was last opening day, not this season, but last opening day, I think. Anyway, um, uh, so, but, you know, I mean, he's recently become clutch. So I think these, you know, and then I think these guys feed off of each other.

I think they can be, they can be horrible throughout the game. And then it's sort of they have something when the games on a matter. And I think it, uh, games on the line. And I think it does matter. I think that's the type of stuff that in the playoffs, um, comes through. Yeah. Yeah. Sort of a good game for, you know, you can come up

with a lot of things. Going back and stuff. Right. Yeah. Yes. Don't. Or game four, would you have a million guys on base and can't square any runs? Well, I mean, there are certain. It's not, this is not excusing those stretches where the offense is just completely anemic. You're right. And I, I do worry. When we start to, you know, face better pitching that it's the

reckoning may be commenting. Well, I know, hopefully that reckoning meets, you know, Akunya and, uh, and all these back in the lineup and, and that neutralizes some of it. But my god, it's amazing what the, what the offense is actually done without those guys at the top. Yeah. And do all, do all to clutch. Yeah. And it's not a ton of big hits. Yeah. And, or

no, I mean, really, yeah. I mean, I can't, I can't believe I forgot, O'Zoo now he's been, maybe the most clutch, right? He's had some huge hits for us. So, uh, it's fun. It's fun to watch. I wish we could play the first. Next up, fair or foul, where I throw something out. They agree with it. Fair disagreed with it. Foul. So ham. Want to start

with you. Fair or foul speaking of O'Zoo. Yeah. Marcel O'Zoo should continue to get starts in the outfield. Um, it's our first fair and foul in a long time. I know, I know of the season. I want to say flair just because it's always fun when I don't know. For all times, I can, I guess I will sort of. I mean, it didn't get me. Yeah.

Yeah. Because that's it really makes sense if you sort of break down the words. Why that would be right. Yeah. That too. Um, I, I don't know. It's back to their rotation. I mean, we don't have a ton of options out there. Obviously, he's really, really bad. I mean, his, you know, he certainly should not play right field. Oh, my God. Tuesday night was, it was

painful to watch. Yeah. And I thought left field was painful. No. And if you look at his fielding percentage, this year by position, he's, I mean, he's 920 overall in the outfield. He's 952 and left field 750 in the right field. He's only played two games there. So obviously 17 endings. But, um, so, so no, he shouldn't play right field anymore. Um, we should put snickered

out there instead of him. But I mean, I don't know. Uh, who, so, and obviously with Marquekas outs, this makes it even harder. So with the healthy lineup is, um, is it, is your outfield, Marquekas, um, Marquekas, Duval, Akunia and who else? If I was in your, is your D H? Yeah. I mean, you're right. With Marquekas and Akunia out, it's really tough. Yeah. Right. Because

unless you're putting both Pache and Ender out there, you kind of have no choice. Yeah. And Pache is not saying unless you know, unless you're going to put like Charlie Goldbergson out there, who they clearly don't want to see the field at all. That's not happening. Um, but the second, to me, the second Marquekas or Akunia return, yeah, he should be the D H. I mean,

the second you've, so let's say, but don't you, sorry. Go ahead. Then, yeah, Ender and Center, Akunia and right and Duval and left and, and, and Azuna's your D H. Yeah. But wouldn't you like it better if it's like, Akunia and Center, Azuna and Marquekas, no, Ender. And then your D H is, well, right, but that doesn't seem to be like on the table. Well, that's

stupid. You know what I mean? Well, Hammy, welcome to some of the line. So you're saying that Snicker likes Ender. I'm getting this. I'm saying that Ender is going to be in Center. And yeah, then let's get Akunia, obviously. And then some combination of Marquekas and Duval in left and stop with the, I mean, Azuna's not good in the outfield. It's freaking adventure every time. Or

Duval, did you say, I'm sorry, you can do, but I mean, yeah, I mean, he's infinitely better defensively. Yeah. Or the fact that, the fact that all these is out makes it tough, because you can't, you can't even put Riley out there. Right. Or short of, you know, a degree of starting at second, which they don't want to do. I mean, his bad is not, not

why you see her. We're so thin. We're so thin. I mean, this is it. We're too thin. I mean, this is like, and we're going to have to see if you will admit that I was right. And I'm just going to say Akunia and all these are out. Yeah. We're not that we covered it. We're not that thin. Two of your starting guys are out. And

then the whole rotation. Yeah. You're right. We're right. We're thin now. Certainly. Yes, it has gotten thin. Yes. Um, so and we're thinner. I'm sorry. We're thinner than the Dodgers and the Yankees and, you know, a lot of other teams. Like it feels like it felt, it felt, it falls off a quick cliff quickly. But they're like stockpiling starters on their bench. Am I mean, and

they have a payroll that's like, no, I know, I know, I know, I know. I know. It's just saying to be competitive. And I'm not. They're just in a different league. You said it. Right. And I think for us, we can just, we're, we so much less can afford injuries to our guys. I guess it goes without saying. And did you know that Akunia and all

these are out out of town? Right. They're out. And there are first and second guys in the lineup. And they're, that's their two of the best players in baseball. And we've covered their positions. Anyway. So Curtis, yes. Uh, fair or foul. We're thin, fair. You're ready to believe that 2020 dance be at the plate is what we can now expect. And I was not trying to

lead the witness with his whole three doubles and three of us. Um, well, you, you wonder if he could be quite this good. Um, but there was a stretch that he had sort of whatever, started like two weeks ago. Yeah. I started sort of like at the back end of that Toronto series through the Miami series. And it was about, yeah. Well, he had, no, he

had a 10 game. There was a 10 hit streak. He went 194 275 222. And so I was like, up. Here we go. Dan's be slipping back to who he is and, you know, swinging over that breaking ball on the outside. Like he was so bad at doing before and just sort of falling back into the, the traps that he had fallen into so many times

their first career. And then since then he's proceeded to go 400, 400, 600. And that does not include the three hits, two doubles that he has on Sunday. Um, so you got to believe. He is totally figured something out. Um, he is, he has turned to corner. I mean, he is hitting balls that he used to not be able to hit. He is going out and

getting those balls on the outside of the plate. Now, um, he's driving them to all areas of the field. He's showing power. I mean, he's hit a couple of balls to straight away center field out of the park. Um, it's just, it's, uh, it's something to witness. And I don't even know what they're, I mean, where do you put him in the, in the lineup? All

these in the corner, you're back. I mean, do you drop him to five? That seems like you're wasting. Well, but you know, look, he's, I mean, he, you know, he's crushed the ball all week and has, and he's only two RBI, although I don't know if he's driven anyone tonight, but his only two RBI were the two run homer. So, you know, he can start driving

in some guys. Yeah, I think all the way to the bottom. What's the lineup? So he gets, you know, sort of roll over the, you know, almost the second, second lead off guy or something like that. Yeah. So then he comes up in front of a coonia and just so the bottom of the lineup is just not a dead hole. Yeah. But then my god, are

you actually, I mean, obviously, no, this is a bats a game because he wouldn't get up as much. But yeah, that's the thing. And, and, and if he's nine, then you're actually giving ender, you know, potentially more bats over the course of a week or a month, which doesn't seem great. You know, I also, I bet that we've had this topic over the history of the

show, like 10 times. And every time I've said, yes, this is it. This is, this is the dance we've been waiting for. But that said, you know, he, he had those mechanical adjustments that he worked with Chippuron before the start of last season. And he was starting to look really good last season right before he heard his full foot. Look, his babbit heading into tonight's game

was an unsustainable 411. So your point hurts, right? His, and he's, sorry, sorry. I was gonna say his 306 342 454 is probably not dance we over the course of the season. But I think it's much closer to what we really are going to get from him. Then, you know, the 250 and 320 and, you know, low 400s slugging. Yeah. So I'm fair. Hammy. I mean,

I think he's definitely gotten just better, better and better. And, and he's playing with so much confidence. You know, and he's going to hit another bad spell. He's just young still and the pitching is so good. I mean, it's helped, like you said, his babbit is up and his, we face horrible pitching to get his confidence up. But he's progressing. I just feel like, hey, he's

just more and more clutch. He's more and more, I just part a leader of this team. He's getting better every year. And I think, I don't think this, I think he's a notch below this at the plate, like sort of career wise. But I think he's headed to this, you know, definitely. Yeah. So good. Yeah. All right, guys, next up is shot in the dark, but

first a quick break. All right, shot in the dark. Our crazy predictions for the games coming up this week. But first, we'll see how we did for the week that has come to an end. We'll start with our listener picks. So first up from AA is always the mystery team. He predicted. Or she, Tomlin and Irland combined for 11 innings and give up less than two

runs. Oh, yeah. So Tomlin and Irland each only went four innings in the first two starts and gave up four total earned in those first two starts. We don't have to count the three innings. Yeah, unexpected. So we'll start tonight. So thanks for playing. Next up is McKay Morrow, who predicted the Braves would go four and two while scoring less than 20 total runs. So in

their first four games this week, they have scored 29. So thanks, McKay. Next up, Brett Schroetz predicted that the Braves would remain in first place. A pitcher, not named Max Fried would go five plus innings and get a W and that both Akunia and Adams would Homer this week. So Tuky, Tomlin and Irland did not go more than four innings and Tomlin did not do that

tonight either. Of course, Ronald didn't return. We will, we'll scratch that. Yeah. And Matt Adams, no homers at this point. But you can see Homer's tonight, the starting pitching thing did not go your way. So thanks for playing and last up. Han shot first predicted. It's like, it's like, you know, we're, it's trivia night. We're not trivia. All right. So he predicted that dance. We have

at least four runs scored and at least four RBI this week. So heading into Sunday's game, he's at seven runs scored. And two RBI. So let's see. Does, does he have any? No, he has no RBI tonight. Another run scores. He said eight runs. So that one is still in play, Han. We will see if, um, if dance we can get two. RBI before the end

of the night. We need it. So let's, yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Um, let's see how we did. I predicted that the braids would go five and one this week. So of course, there was a rain out. But if the braids pull this game out, um, I'm giving myself a win. Oh, it must be nice. Maybe. Yeah. If you're a listener, you're not so compromising. But if it's

a Koosie that you're getting, that's right. Well, you guys still haven't given me one. I'm really getting anxious about it. I mean, it's almost all over. Cheaters never win. That's right. All right. So, Han, you predicted that the braids would have 30 pitching appearances this week. So we're going to have to do some adjustment here too because of the rain out. So Monday was four, Tuesday

was six, Friday was four, Saturday was six. So we will pro rate five games at your average right of five. The game appearances again three on Sunday. So 25, right? So your average at 20, um, heading into tonight, you're at three. So, Han, you may get it two more. You probably will get that probably. Yeah. I mean, there are three innings left in this game. So

that could be like four guys seriously. Exactly. Uh, I think I'm going to get it. Yeah. I don't even remember what mine was. Well, yours was that Markeka's would have two homers. Or RBI and one stint on the top. Yes. So you got that last part. But it happened a little too early in the week for all the other stuff. All right. So let's see what

we're going to do this week. I will start. My prediction is that Freddie and O'Zuna combined for five or more homers this week. Hamming, what do you got? Uh, I have that. Akunya is going to come back and hit three homers this week. That would be good. Curtis, how about you? Um, I am going that the Braves catchers as a group bat over 300 have six

extra base hits and have five RBI. That would also be good. All right. I'm rooting for all of us. All right. Folks, remember you get to play two each week. Get your shot in the dark and before first pitch on Tuesday. Send it in via Twitter. If we pick yours, we'll discuss it on next week's show and you could win an ABT, Koosie. If you hit

it exactly or in my case, if you all right guys, let's talk about the week ahead five games this week. Two at home with the Yankees and then three on the road back with the Phillies. Let's look at the pitching matchups. So game one against the Yankees. Well, who knows. Maybe it's the in Anderson. It will be versus. So, so ESPN and MLB have have these

things flip-flopped. We'll see MLB has. Garrett Cole starting on Tuesday. Not a big deal. Kind of the big. Yeah. Two 75, VRA 0.89 whip. He's pretty good. Um, and then Tuesday will be Max Fried versus Masahiro Tanaka who has a four six. Uh, ERN and one three four whip. Now ESPN has Cole going Tuesday and God freed. Garrett Cole will be super sexy. I really hope

that ESPN is right in MLB. The game is a Tuesday Wednesday. Tuesday Wednesday. Thank you. And then Thursday off. Um, and then so God. So let's just talk about the Phillies starters who have been announced for the weekend series. So Zach Wheeler on Friday, who was cruising for six earlier this week against us and then gave up that two, you know, two earned runs that home

are to Riley. Um, next up Zach Eflin, who of course coming in. And the Sundays start, uh, had a five, 14 year rain and one and a half whip. Plus what he did tonight, which was what? What did he end up doing? Let's see. Five and a third got out of it. Yeah. Three runs. Three walks. You'll be happy to know. Get, let's have a quick

guess this scenario. Two men on. The second third, two out, enter at the plate. Guess what he did. Did he slowly ground out to the right side? You are amazing. And, uh, and Kamarga was the batter before that. Guess what he did? Struck out. Yep. Yep. Looking bad. Oh boy. Okay. Um, and then Sunday night and again, Braves Phillies ESPN game. Next Sunday night as well.

Some strange scheduling on ESPN's part. Uh, Jake Arietta with a 495 ERA and a 1.4 whip. He shut out the Braves six innings. Yeah. For the first time we saw him. And look, I don't know what we're going to see this weekend from the Braves, right? I mean, if Anderson goes on Tuesday, I mean, it's going to be, is it some combination of Irlin and Tomlin,

or do they bring right back up? You know, I don't know. What? Yeah. Well, you know, we just don't know. Yeah, it could be. Uh, yeah, Noah, who's looked quite good coming out of the bullpen a couple of times this week. And he's got a couple starts. I mean, he's been a star or whatever they call it, an opener for it. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's true.

No, we could see him. Um, all right. So guys, five games this week. Curtis, let's start with you. What's, what's the record going to be? I'm going to go three and two. Um, somehow find a way to split with the Yankees and go two and one against the fills. I think the same exact thing. Hammy, how do you do the same? Let's, let's get a win

against the Yankees. Yeah. Let's not be embarrassing. Yeah. All right, guys, that is the show. Uh, we are on our every Sunday schedule. Don't miss a show. Uh, remember, so you can find us at speaker as well as iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify. You can always find us at Atlanta baseball talk.com. Uh, be sure to follow us on Twitter at ATL baseball talk and the

like us on Facebook. Thanks again for listening and go brave. Thanks for listening to Atlanta baseball talk. Your weekly podcast for all things at Atlanta Braves. To find new shows, to post in our forum or to send a comment, please visit us at AtlantaVaseballTalk.com.