Show #478: Ian Anderson SHINES In Debut As The Tra

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 478. Today's Sunday, August 30, 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, the only other move the Braves

make tomorrow is to re-sign Ulysses Shezine. That would be very disappointing. Yes. I mean, there are some moves that would be more disappointing, but that would be sort of near the bottom of the list. Like Malone. Speaking of, in tonight's show, we will discuss that new addition to the team, Tommy Malone. Talk about potential other trades. Discuss Ian Anderson's debut, and look at the team at

the halfway mark. But first, a quick break. Alright, so guys, as we record this Sunday night, the trade deadline is less than 24 hours away, but the Braves got busy already this weekend by acquiring Orioles starting pitcher, lefty Tommy Malone. Malone is in his tenth year in the league. He has a career 445-ERA, which is a little higher now. It probably was enough to move the

needle on his career, ERA. And you know, was before tonight, having a very nice year with, you know, ERA and X-Fip under 431 strikeouts to 4 walks. And the team gave up two players to be named later. So, meaning two guys who are not on the 60 man. Yep. Of course, Sunday night did not go so great. Define great. Yeah. Well. It wasn't as bad as

Fultice, playoff expert performance. That's what I'm saying. True. Two and a third, eight hits, seven earned, no walks, two strikeouts, two homers. Yeah, it was ugly. I mean, it was ugly. Look, it's a weird day for him. You know, I'm not, I'm not ready to be like, this is a complete disaster. And, you know, he's not going to be any help to the team. Right. He

gets traded yesterday, flies in today, pitches a few hours later, pitching. And with a huge lead, it can be weird for some guys like, you know, pitching and hitting the stadium. Not great. Not great. I mean, look, he is a, he's a, he's a finesse guy who, you know, throws a ton of changeups and. You're selling us a lot of velocity. If you're trying to get

in the middle of the zone, he's going to get crushed. Meatballs. Meatballs. I, I, so I told my son about it today. And then we turned on the game to watch his debut. I guess in his head, he had, we're like, we got this new picture. I was telling him. And, and obviously he appreciates how dire the situation is for the braves. And he's like, that's

the guy you got. And then he made a joke. He's like, because we joke about Ender and Ender's exit velocity is like, they should have a competition of. Ender should hit and he should throw and see which ball gets out of the infield for fastest. But you have to get out of the infield qualify. Right. Exactly. Then the ender would be. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, but

you know what? Good on. Why not? Right. I mean, you know, tonight was that you, you said it, right? Coming into a 10 run game, you took a private plane from Buffalo today. Right. And just weird, just weird. And, and, and maybe you sort of let your guard down a little too much because of. Of the big lead. And then. Yeah. And the fillies are stout.

I mean, they're lineup. And, you know, Kurt, I'll say, we'll talk about this later. But, you know, you picked the fillies to be second. These, they've got a stout lineup. Right. They really do. And so you can't let up your guard against them. They won five in a row. And it just, I think, it's just weird for him. I'm excited to see his second start. I

think it'll, it won't be seven runs and two and a third or whatever it was. But, uh, I'm happy. I'm, I'm glad we went out and took a chance. We need help. Yeah. And look, he's an upgrade. Yeah. The guy doesn't walk people, which is huge. He'll pitch five or six innings, which is huge. He's a veteran, which, you know, he knows how to pitch. Like,

look, it's not Clevanger, you know, we'll get into all that. Yeah. Um, but it's an improvement. The, the rotation is better now, in my opinion, than it was before we got him. So, Curtis, I mean, what do you think about the acquisition? Yeah, I think I'll, really nothing more than what you guys have said. We just, it's a tough scenario for them, just, just immediately throwing

men to the starting rotation tonight. Um, Sunday night game. I mean, even with no fans, no one's paying attention to the orals. So, um, you just hope that the stakes got higher. Yeah. And, and it's a guy who's had a long career and probably hasn't been in these situations too often. So, um, you just hope that he bounces back. His next start and that this is

just a blip. Um, and it's a tough feel to play in and a tough lineup, as Ham said. So, um, we'll just reserve judgment. I, I guess, you know, I mean, the brave is clearly, um, I don't want to jump too far ahead. So, I'll keep that thought to myself. But, uh, yeah, I mean, I think that this is, this, this is the aisle they're shopping

in is, well, that's what's all the market. I think, too. Well, yeah, you're right, Curtis. We'll get to that. All right. So the other big news of the week was the debut of Ian Anderson, who was nothing short of dazzling six innings, one hit, one run, two walks, six strikeouts, outdulled, Garrett Cole, and Yankees lineup that look had a lot of guys missing, but still it

was the Yankees. Um, and I thought he even looked better than those numbers, frankly. Oh my God. Super confident, commanding all his pitches, using his changeup as a weapon. Um, it was just, I mean, it was the greatest, frankly. And, and just, can we just talk about it on a meta level? Like we've had, and Curtis, you went to the list either last week or a

couple of weeks ago, all the pictures that have come through, but it was always so roca-free, and Anderson, right? There was no doubt if there was nobody above those people in terms of who we really wanted to hit. Um, I'm not counting full tea. Uh, but, um, and so to have him come up against the Yankees in this situation where, uh, right has really struggled and

two keys really struggled. And there was all the talk about when he made the jump to triple A that he also was struggling to see him be an ace. Right? Did, I mean, he threw eight out of 20, um, he threw first strikes on 18 out of 21 batters that he faced. He completely dominated the Yankees who are struggling, but who still have, he faced real

deal hitters and a real deal situation and was an ace. Just like, Soroka has looked, just like, freed has looked. It was so heartening. It was so heartening. I'm like, and, you know, I mean, after Soroka went down, like the wind went out of the sales and this season is going to be tough. But if you think beyond that about Anderson showing up and sort of,

this is my first start, I mean, it couldn't gone better. It could not have gone better. It was just so great. It was so great. There you go. Yes. Yes, you agree. He looked good. Right. Um, I think the, the mixing of the pitches was key and hitting with his change up Steve as you were talking about, um, just being in and around the strike zone,

hand getting in. And then he was in the head of the batters is always a huge thing. Um, and we've seen, you know, the results that we saw two keys great start was very similar where his breaking ball was in the strike zone as opposed to, you know, something that they didn't even have to offer at. Same with Kyle Wright, the good starts that he's had

was he worked off his fastball and then was able to get them looking for that and bringing something else in. And then when he wanted to kind of get in, he was able to get in. And then he got away from his fastball, you know, the second time around, that's when he's had problems. Um, so he and Anderson sort of carried his momentum through. His entire

outing and it was, it was really amazing to behold and obviously the Braves are in dire need of another starting picture to step up. I mean, they are in, in really bad shape with their rotation and they need all the help they can get. And then he got out and acquired some big name starter. I don't think. And so they're hoping that he and Anderson was

going to make an imprint like he did. And then they're hoping that Cole Hamils is going to come back here shortly to throw in with Malone and potentially another guy that they might pick up. So yeah, we needed it. And it was great. And I'm so happy for him that he finally made it and really just, you know, hit it out of the park with his

first start. Yeah. And he faced 22 back. And he made it into the start of the third time through that Yankees lineup and continued to have success. Like it was just every single check mark he could have put down. He did. It was just so good. Yeah. Um, so, so ham, right? I mean, Kurt start to lay it out there. So we've got free top three

picture in the NL. Yeah. We've got free Malone. Yes. Who else? Who just somehow slot himself below Irland and Tomlin, but keep talking. So ham play GM. Okay. You know, drunk GM from yesterday. No, I'll play regular GM. Play regular. Okay. Um, you know, it's a weird year. Right. It's, there's 30 games to go. 27 games to go. Don't know what the playoffs are going to

look like. All these are going to be great. These teams are making it in. Do you make more moves? And if you do, give us one. Okay. So you do. I mean, before Anderson start, we had one starting pitcher. Right. We had one, you're like, oh, God, we certainly, certainly need a fourth and a fifth. And then like, and we need a third. And our second

has one career start. Right. I mean, so, um, you, you keep working. If you're a, we've got to have more pitching and we, and this thing is win a ball. Right. I mean, I guess I mean, why not? You're doing it. Why not play it to win? Right. I mean, these guys are out there putting their health on the line. They're risking injury. You know, so

play it to win. And the fillies are doing it. Right. They went out. Got Brandon Workman. Um, teams are doing it. Deals are being made. And I feel like the Braves need to make a deal. They have to. I mean, Kurt, you called it. You said the fillies were the second toughest team in the East. I thought it was going to be the Mets because I

was, I thought their offense would be better. And I was leery of the fillies bullpen. You know, the fillies went up and short up their bullpen. And they seem, they're tough right now. Right. So, um, we have to do more. I don't think we can sustain this. And so I say, we go out and get at least one more starting pitcher. Um, and if it was

me, uh, I say we get Dylan Bundy from the Angels. Um, so he was drafted fourth overall, uh, by the Orioles first round, fourth pick by Baltimore, uh, in 2011. Um, he's not had a great career. I wait, you know, that's my loan. I think, um, he was drafted more recently. I'm sorry. I just wrote, uh, hold on a second. Hold on. He's right here. So,

um, he's not had a great career. Uh, he was drafted in 2011. Yeah. Um, sorry. Um, he's, so his career has been okay. But this year, his fifth is 3.14. His whip is 0.939. Those are career best for him. Um, yeah. He's, he's also had career best and walks in case per nine and hits per nine, right? So he's having the best, he's having the best

year of his career. Um, he's on a $5 million contract. He's, he's, he's done by the end of this year. He's not Soroka, right? But he has thrown a complete gain this season. He's gone at least five innings and all but one of his seven starts. He's pitched 43.2 innings, uh, two key and Kyle Wright combined to pitch 36.2. Um, and he's have a bull, right?

The Angels are done. And, um, I think they wouldn't ask for a lot. I know that the twins and the white socks are on in on them. They are both, both, you know, definitely in it. So there could be a bidding war. Um, but we need somebody like that. I mean, I think in Kurt, you said it, right? The, the baby, who seems to be peeking

right now towards the end of this year. Well, what, what do you mean? Not available? But you mean that the Braves or not, legitimately, in on one of the big, big names, like Leanne or Clevenger? I don't think. Clevenger's I don't think. Clevenger, a power will be getting traded. Um, well, and that, that what I saw was the asking price. I mean, obviously nobody knows, but

they were the words that you saw on the asking price for Clevenger is like unrealistic. Yeah, he's not going anywhere, and either is, uh, I just don't believe it. I don't think, I mean, maybe minor in Lynn, but I don't think so. And I, you know, I, I'll stop there. Cause I think there's other names we want to put out there. But I, I'm pessimistic on,

on the big names on the trade market right now. And in, who will be sellers? I think there'll be very few sellers. Alrighty. Curtis, what do you think? Um, well, you've seen a few names that have been thrown around and nothing really is exciting. Frankly, um, uh, another guy that keeps sort of getting mentioned is, is Joe Musgrove, who's a pitcher for the, the pirates, um,

who's currently on the DL. Uh, and is really, and is really, that'll help. Yeah. I mean, so far 2020, he's 0 and 3. Uh, this is, of course, before he ended up on the DL, his ERA is a 6.75 is with this 1.773. I mean, it's just nothing to get excited about. Last year, he had a, tolerable season, I guess you would say he was 11

and 12 with a 444 ERA and a 1.215 whip. I mean, I mean, I mean, I mean, it's not just the game that I'm looking at now, and they, they pull some of these winds out. But, man, it's just not. And it, and also I'm imagining that these guys are within the asking price from what the Braves want to give up, um, for, to fill these

needs. I, I just don't think that they're going to get rid of Drew Waters in a season. No way, just a 60 game season where they're. War. That makes, that makes the Braves really really dangerous. Um, I would, um. We have little the Braves really really dangerous. Um, I would love to get a lance Lynn or Mike Clevver in here. However, I think that the, I

think that the Malone trade tells us exactly how they're approaching the trade deadline, which is, I mean, look, in, in a normal year, we've seen that anthropolous willing to spend money, but not willing to trade prospect capital. And I think that's probably even more true this year than in others. Um, you know what I mean? So, like, I think, I think Clevver is going to get

moved, Curtis, and I think Lance Lynn's going to get moved. I just don't think the Braves, you know, other than the Braves are in on them, which you see from all the national guys and some of the local guys, I don't think they're really in on any of those guys. I don't think they would offer up, you know, Pache or Kyle Wright or Drew Waters. I

don't think they would offer up any of those guys. I just don't think that's how anthropolous is operating right now. So here's what I think is a legitimate thing. This is my prediction that they bring back Kevin Gossman, which I know. I knew you were going to say that. I did too, because he texted us. No, but I knew I don't, but looks, look, Gossman is

48. He's got a strikeouts to eight walks. He has a two 93 X fit. I bet that they could get him for similar pieces that are not on the 60 man, just like they did from alone. Like, it's going to be one of those guys that shows up on Monday. It's going to be another player to be named later. A kind of, you know, middleing guy.

Yeah, I mean, you know, Gossman was great down the stretch force last year. So. A few years. Another guy is Zach Plysek that I read about. He's a pitcher for the Indians and fancited, even had this full three way trade worked out. But I mean, Zach Plysek, who is a younger guy, but still sort of an average major league pitcher. And they have in order for

the braves to get him. They have them giving up Patrick Wigel, Tuky Tussant, Kyle Wright and Alex Jackson in a three way trade in order for them to make it happen. For us to get Zach Plysek. Guys, and we don't, but that's how I'm talking about Indians. Amazing. Yeah. And so that's about Indians pitchers. They're not getting the Indians have are 21 and 13. They're tied

for the best record in the central with the white socks who are who are going to probably come back down to earth a little bit. They have the second highest run differential in the A.L. They are going to they are vying for the world series. They're not giving up anybody. They're not giving up in Clevanger and those dudes are going to be like, okay, we did

it. We did it now. You come back and you're can try nobody is leaving the Indians. It would be fools. They're not going anywhere. But also I would make that trade in a heartbeat for police act. Oh my God. I just said that. Sorry. Are we recording? Is this our warm up show or the real one? That's right. I'm going to go back and bleep that

out. Yeah. Remember that was Hamilton. Twitter world. I'm going to go back and bleep that out. Yeah. Remember that was Hamilton. Twitter world. I'm going to go back and bleep that out. Yeah. Remember that was Hamilton. Twitter world. All right. So we will see right trade deadline four o'clock on Monday and see how this all plays out. So guys, we are at a little pass the

halfway mark of the season, right? The end of the Yankee series that double header on Wednesday. Actually, Mark was the 30 game mark. The braze were 18 and 12 at that point. They of course are 18 and 14 now with the two losses to the Phillies. So let's give out some midseason awards. So, hey, man, let's start with you. Who is your MVP so far? My

LVP is a pitcher. I know that somebody else will pick this. So I'm going to go with O'Zuna. I think he has been the most stable force on our line in our offense. All season. I think, you know, Dan's be certainly as a consideration. He's been on base in 25 of 32 games. Right. He's faced a lot. He's faced a lot of righties and is hit

five homers. Again, since then, I mean, his batting average is down, his slash line is down, but he has been, and he's had a bunch of big hits, he's won a bunch of games for us, he's put us in the lead late for us. So, you know, with a coon, you being injured and Ozzy being out for so long, and obviously Freeman's sort of the slow

Start, I mean, O'Zuna from day one, and since day one has been stable and has really been the anchor of this offense. So I, I think there's certainly other people to consider, but he'll get my vote. Especially considerate I guess the last thing I'll say is, is just the expectation we were concerned about him, right? I think there was a, like, you know, it was a

one-year contract. No hits during the spring. Yeah, and, and, you know, and just his sort of, I'm obviously defensively, you can rip this apart, but just, he'd sort of been declining. And I feel like he's having a bit of resurgence this year, and the numbers back that up, and we needed it, right? I mean, he's been sort of, you know, as the pitching has fallen apart

and as various parts of the offensive on a part, he's been really a key part of the, the middle of the lineup, which has been invaluable. Yeah, and I agree, he really has been an engine. Yeah. You know, and it has traded off a little bit at times with, with Freddie and Swanson and Darno, but yeah, I mean, O'Zuna's really been terrific this whole year. Curtis,

who's your MVP? I went with Freed just because with all that's happened with the starting rotation, particularly with Mike Soroka going down. And don't tell me, tell Hammy, Kurt, but that's actually the only answer. Yeah, I knew you guys were, I didn't want to take the obvious one. Well, because if I take it, it would be like fumbling right now. Sure. Welcome. I mean, you know,

he is, he is saved this season with the way he's pitched. He's got the lowest CRA in Major League Baseball. And he's just been brilliant. He's been in Sai Young All-Star Game starting pitcher level quality. And you know, every time you think, okay, well, he's gonna, he has to have a game where he is human. It just hasn't happened yet. And because he knows that every,

he basically has to win every single one of his starts because after that, it's just question marks and who knows what's coming next. So yeah, I just, when Soroka went down, you figured that the season was going to be over. The season was entire straits and freed as the guy that's salvaged it for the braves. Yeah, I mean, the team would be kind of rudderless without

an actual starting pitcher to throw out there. Right. Without any, without any starting pitcher. Yeah, leads the team in war. I mean, he's kept it all together. And you know, it's part of the taking the jump that he has taken this year is, and look, it'll come back. He'll have a down start, but he hasn't had a down start all year. I mean, it's just been

brilliant start after brilliant start. Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he still goes six innings in one run. I mean, it's just been absurd. All right, hammy. Yeah. LVP. What do you got? It's faulty. I mean, you know, on a daily basis, people show up and probably create less value than faulty. Well, he's just, you know, I mean, I'm not sure if he's going

to be able to do that. Zero value. And I think some people are negative value on a more daily basis. But you just talked about the reason that freed outside of his brilliance, the sort of the real, you know, where he has been needed so much in the situation. And why he's been so valuable. And part of that is because faulty just crapped the bed. Do

I have to delete that part too? Can I say that one? Well, hammy after the other thing. I guess not. Hey, whoo. Sunday school. But we needed him. Right. I mean, Sirroca, you can't, that was just freaking. You can't blame him for that. But like we, I mean, the reason that the pitching is so bad, the reason that this whole top of the show has been

about that sort of the bind we're in is because faulty just was a nothing. He just was a nothing from the jump. And we really needed him. And so, I mean, I think there's been some people, you know, obviously, Riley and Camargo have been struggled. And there's been a lot of. A while ago. Yes. Yes. Yes. And Camargo's look good tonight too. But, you know, and

there's obviously that some of our newer pitching, but I mean, I think the biggest impact to the sort of overall success of this team has been impacted by the, I think it's impact five times. It's faulty impact. Yeah. So, Kurt, before you go, that's who I have as well. Yes. His not showing up. His providing nothing for the entirety of the year. Other than like a

commercial for his dietician that it really does. If you want to look like a method, it's head. Yeah. I mean, I mean, the impact was massive. Like you said, negatively. It just, yeah, I mean, it was just a killer. Yeah. Kurt, if you have anyone different. I just put in there in there. Sure. Just as a guy that, you know, looking at Ender's numbers, which I,

I sort of had forgotten. I mean, it was just a couple years ago, where he had a slash line of 304 35409. And, you know, was a really. Good player. And now he is just, he is just a danger to our ability to get anything going offensively when he is part of it. You know, and I mean, it's little things. It's not getting bunched down. And,

and, you know, just bad decisions on the, on the base pass and stuff like that. I mean, he is just not. He's been a, he's, he's a negative in the lineup. And I know we pick on him a lot. But. Just just wait. Just as a guy that's been in there so much. And basically in everyday player for the Braves, Fulti is obviously huge. I mean,

there's, there's no doubt about the impact overall that Fulti has had on the season and the rotation. But as a guy who's out there still every single day, I went with Ender. Yeah. No, I can't argue with you. I think I think it's more in just with that is also Snickers use of Ender is also the least valuable player. If that could be a thing. Like

Snickers view of Ender, that's like a close runner up to just ender himself. Yeah. Go ahead. Sorry, Steve. I was going to say a runner up to MVP is the, is the bullpen as a whole. You know, I mean, that's how we've been. Sure. Five with just one starting picture. Is, is, you know, is the, yeah, is the entire bullpen. All right. Curtis, did you have

one more thing for? I was just going to say, obviously with a Cunia getting hurt. Who knows. I mean, I think that's how much Ender would have played to where a feat was still be part of the team, really. But yeah, it. That's it. And speaking of, of, of, Cunia, we're recording this Sunday. And I, of course, hopefully the precautionary hamstring tightness removal of him from

the game is nothing because. You know, I don't know if you guys saw on Sunday that Ozzy still isn't taking swings. Yes. Like he's just doing like that. Like soft toss and stuff. So obviously, the whole haemals way. Although, yeah, well, Colham is actually had his second bullpen today. Like, Colham is supposedly has turned a corner, which you'll see. I saw someone theorize on Twitter, which

I thought actually made some decent sense, which is that we're going to trade. No, that, that, that they're there. You know, they are over inflating his progress. So it's not to seem so desperate at the trade deadline. Right. And so, you know, so the, we are, we are, we, we have a little more leverage than we're, you know, but in truth, he's, has actually, he's worse

off than Ozzy. Right. Exactly. And, you know, on Wednesday, they put him, you know, they, they say that he's, he's done for the year. All right. So guys, next up is fair or foul. Where I throw something out there, you agree with it. Fair or disagree with the foul Curtis. Let's start with you. So this week saw more starts from Irland and Tomlin and not a

one from Tookie and Wright, who were both option to the satellite squad. So fair or foul, more Irland and Tomlin in favor of more chances for Wright and Tookie. I just, based on what we saw out of a couple of starts from, from Tookie and from Kyle Wright, when we felt like they were sort of headed in the right direction. And then they admittedly came out

and had really bad starts after those performances. I would still rather find out what those guys have long term, then watch. Irland and Tomlin give up four runs and four innings. And, you know, we just have to bury our, our un-barry ourselves from that whole, every single time those guys start. There's, it feel like there's very little to gain by having Irland and Tomlin start because

you're one, they're not going to shut anybody down to, they're not going deep in games and all themselves. And three, long term, what, what do they have to provide to the brave's future? So for me, Kyle Wright can go out and give up four runs and three innings. And at least be learning how to play the game as opposed to scrimmaging and, what not. Same with

Tookie. I feel like we've seen Fulti, we've seen Newcom. So I'm not necessarily clamoring for more starts from those two guys. But I, I feel like we need to see a little more from Tookie and from Wright. And if not then, I will say it again for the 10,000 time. Why not Patrick Weigel? Some other guy that's down there. That's all I got. Yeah, I mean,

let's assume the braids do get a one more starter. We still only have four starters. Right. I mean, that fifth spot is still going to be open. And a lot of games between now and the end of September. So yeah, I'm a thousand percent with you. My God. No more Irland and Tomlin. Let's see Wright and Tookie. Hammy, you see it any different? No, not really.

I mean, I think that, uh, I mean, I think Irland's just got to go like, I mean, if you're going to have Irland get out, go out there and give up a run and inning, essentially, you know, for four innings, you might as well have Wright and Tookie out there learning, like Kurt said, I think that they are, they have shown enough that they can do

it up here that it won't, you know, hurt them getting shelled, right? I think they'll learn from it. I think back to they have the stuff like they do. And you think you've got to have to Avery and Glaven and Smolz back in 91, right? I mean, they, you know, they, they had to learn on the fly, but they had enough there that it didn't set

them back, right? Where they weren't, they couldn't overcome it. So let them get, I mean, you know, unfortunately, it's not 91 or 90 where you're just riding off the season, but, um, we're out of options here, right? And I, you know, I think Tomlin, um, I think Tomlin could be an opener. If you, like, no more than two innings, right? If you're really desperate, don't try

to make him a starter, just use him truly as an opener, but you can't have three openers, right? You can't have a bullpen of one person who's just had one career start max read and then three openers. That doesn't work. But, you know, in a stretch, I think Tomlin could be an opener. I think Irland, we should just cut bait on and give those starts to

Tuky and, and, and write. Yeah. And there is something to, you know, at what point in the game you come in. Tomlin has been more successful as the long relief guy than start in the game. He just has. Yeah. But he looked great until he didn't against the Phillies or whatever again. Was that the Phillies this week? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Have to be. Yeah. Have

to be. Obviously because we crushed the Yankees. Uh, all right. I'm fair or foul. Our buddy, and we were just talking about. So fair or foul. And her should have attempted that steel of second base Friday night in extra innings. No. So here. So remember when you used to say that Pete or had naked pictures of Fred and Zalas because our Bobby, maybe, maybe Bobby. Um,

she door. Yeah. Because it was Steve's joke because it was just, it was the only thing that made sense, right? Of why Bobby or Freddie would put him out there. I think it was Bobby. Um, I feel like I think Inder has naked pictures of Snit doing something to blooper. I don't know. I don't know. Of course, I had to be a naked in this show.

We recorded. Mailing it in. I blew her snake in for the record. Snicker is closed. Um, he's got a shirt on. Okay. Come on. Whatever. He's not wearing pants. Um, in the picture. Um, no. So, I mean, so it's the top of the 11th, right? So, uh, the way that it works, right? Markekus is on second to start the inning. Inder should be bunting Markekus over.

What are you doing? A walk does nothing for you. I don't care what the count is. Inder is horrible. He should be bunting. He should do every, he should be. Well, everything, it was, it was first and third. Right. He walked. Well, no, runner starts at second base. Inder is at the plate. Markekus is at second. Inder walks. Riley. So, Inder does not try to bun.

So, Inder walks. So now it's first and second and Riley is up and Riley flies to the deep outfield, which would have scored Markekus from third. And we don't have any of these problems. And then Mellanson is pitching with the lead, right? Which is where he should, he should never be pitching where he doesn't have a lead. Just don't bring him in. Why is Inder not

bunting in that situation? Nobody out. Well, because they don't trust that he can bun. But to me, the bigger deal is you've, why is he even first thing? It's not first and third Steve. It wasn't. Dude, top of the 11th, here it is. The question is about him stealing. Oh, it was first. You're right. You're right. So, so I'm sorry. I changed the question. So first

of all, we should have never been in that situation. We should have never, ever, ever been in that situation. So he should have bunted. He should have bunted. What the hell? What the hell? Because he's a bad bunter. Yeah, we saw that. Whenever that night was when you get that bun down. It's horrible. He has not looked good bunting this year. But also he's not fast,

which gets to the, which is one of the many problems of him. Well, he, first of all, he was safe. That was a horrible. He was safe. Totally safe. He should have not had a soul. That was totally safe. Totally stupid. I mean, he ran us out of that inning by, and you, and you potentially, and then it played out that way, take the bat out

of a coon, you sand. Right. He totally did. So that was stupid. Sorry. I, and you're right. That was the question. So A, he should not have stolen and he should, we should not have been in that situation. Anyway, he should have, he should not have been on the field. And Marquakeus would have been home when Riley had that deep fly ball. That's right. And you

had a foul. Foul. After Riley, who, you know, can't get a hit anyway. So your best chance was probably to get him over to third. So Riley could potentially get him in with it. But you're also, I mean, you, you never going to steal in that situation. You know, the double steal is not going to work. You know, if that, they felt that was going to

play out. I mean, JT Rio Muto is literally the best in majorly baseball throwing out. Base runners. To talk about. Everything else off, you know, I mean, you're running on the best catcher. You're the best arm. In, I mean, Yadi is great. But Rio Muto's numbers are better than his throwing out. He threw up 47% of base runners last year, 38 already this year. So your

chances are low anyway. And you've got a guy on third. And enders not three years ago. Ender. He lost, he's lost speed. You know, his, his sprint speed is, 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, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I saw, I don't know, a week or two ago, like Marquakis has better sprint speed than ender at this point. Ender, and there's not that guy anymore. So he, and he homework, of course, he homework is in the seventh in that game. So Snickers, like, he's Superman again. So now

we have like four more weeks. And the season is, although in fairness, the Cun you came back and we haven't seen Ender much. You know what I mean? We haven't seen Ender the last two games. How is Ender even batting there? I know. I got you. Why not, I mean, why not bring up Colverson? Why not bring up somebody else? Why not have someone? I mean,

why Ender's horrible? Stop using him. Yeah, I don't get what their usage of Colverson is. It makes no sense. Well, they don't trust him in the field. You know what I mean? And he's not going to be the D H. I mean, I think that's sort of where we're at with Colverson. But isn't it like to fall available then? I mean, do all he'd started and

left. I mean, there's just, I don't know. I feel like Snickers sort of screwed it up there. I'm moving on. Okay. Okay. So Sean, the dark is next, but first guys, a quick break. All right. Sean, the dark are crazy predictions for the games coming up this week. But first, we got to see how we did last week. And we'll start with our listener picks. So

first up, Stephen Hogan predicted that a Cun you would hit 350 with four. And then there were some homers and 10 RBI this week. So yeah, as Sundays games started, Akun you was at 250 one Homer and one RBI and leaving the game early did not help. So yeah, not quite Stephen. Thanks for playing. Next up, Nicholas predicted that also Akun you would hit for the

cycle across the five games this week with seven plus RBI. So Akun you took care of the Homer, of course, against Garrett Cole on Wednesday, single and double in the books as well, but no triple for Akunia Sunday night. So Nicholas, thanks for playing. Next up Bart Chin predicted that the brave starters will get three wins this week. And all the brave's regulars will be hitting

over 210. So the first two games of the week, of course, got those first two starting pitching wins for Bart. He really needed Malone to get a win tonight, which of course did not happen. And, you know, Camargo's trying to get his average up over 200. He's at 192. He's gone two for three so far, but not going to happen for you Bart. Thanks for playing.

Next up, Lendram Morrow predicted that Ian Anderson would pitch at least six innings and get the win check. And that Akunia would hit two home runs in his first week back. Akunia, I mean, Anderson did his part, but Akunia, no home run on Sunday. So close to Lendram, thanks for playing. And last up James Plexico predicted that Ian Anderson and Max Fried would both have quality

starts and get wins this week. Hey, and check. And that Riley and Camargo would both hit home runs in Philly and sure enough, we have our first listener pick winner of the season. James Plexico, congratulations. You are getting a Kuzi. We will reach out to you. We'll direct message you on Twitter, get your mail, get your address info. And we'll send that out to you. So

congratulations, J. A Golden Kuzi. It feels like it's actually made out of gold. It's actually not. Oh, sorry. Pulling out all the stuff. I will spray for you. Yes. Yes. All right. Let's see how we did. So I'll start with my prediction. I had Freddie and Ozuna combining for five or more homers this week. So one for each heading into Sunday night. Now, of course, it's

still only end of the fifth. I guess some crazy things could happen, but not looking good for me. Ham, you had Akunya comes back and hits three homers. Not going to happen. Which is the good and the first at bad against Cole. I feel like I was in the driver's seat. We're off and running. Yeah. And Curtis, you predicted that the catchers would bat over 300

have six extra bass hits and five RBI. So heading into tonight, Darno was one for seven with no extra bass hits or RBI. Come on. Flowers was 0 for six. So wow. All right. So let's talk about what we got this week. I will start. I predict that Ian Anderson in his two starts this week will pitch 12 plus innings and give up four or less

total. Hammy, what do you got? No pressure. I have that the braze will have two new faces in the lineup, not counting alone by the end. The end of the week. So two new faces on the 28 man. Yes. Not yet. Who are not braves on the 60 man right now. Right. Got it. Yep. All right. Curtis, how about you? Sort of in that vein. I

have Malone bounces back and a pitcher to be named later. Who is not currently on the braves. But gets a start this week. Pitch combined 11 plus innings give up combined five earned or less. All right. All these things will be good. I'm rooting for you. Have a man. All right. I'm rooting for all of them. Yay. Um. All right. Folks. Remember you get to play

each week to get your shot in the dark in. Before first pitch on Monday, via Twitter. If we pictures. We'll discuss it on next week's show. You could win in a BT, Kuzi if you hit it. All right. Let's talk about the week ahead. Seven games this week. Three at Boston against the Red Sox and then four at home against the nationals, including a double header

we've got free opposing Colton Brewer, who is an is an opener for the Red Sox. He has a 457 ERA and a 1.6. Anderson with his second start for the Braves gets a starter to be named on Tuesday. And then Wednesday, the Braves have not named a pitcher. So it is Irland slot. You know, right. It's either going to be the new acquisition. Or it'll be

Irland or my hope is that if we don't acquire someone that it's Kyle right. Onto the Washington series and Washington also struggling really started. And. So game one of the double header will be Malone getting his second start and he will face Austin Voth and his 799 ERA. Both gave up five earned against the Braves in mid August in Atlanta. That sounds good. Let's do that

again. Yeah. Exactly. No starter announced for the Braves or the Nationals for game two of the double header. But right, you know. I mean, maybe it's too key. I mean, I don't I just don't think we see Tom Lent again. So that could be a two key or right start. Game three against Washington. Fried gets his second start of the week. He will face Eric Fettie

and his 357 ERA and 1.5. Whip. And then someday, Ian Anderson, his second start of the week, he will be opposed by Patrick Corbin. Who we have not seen this year. Corbin has a 382 ERA and a 1.3 Whip. Um, yes, sorry. I'm as I'm thinking about what what we think for the week. I want to go back to something that I missed. Which was. So

guys, we are 18 and 14 and, you know, pending the outcome of Sunday nights game. But we're going to talk about for the. You know, for sort of our mid season check in. There's 27 games to go. What do you think? I'm, was freed. You know optimization camp on COVID-19 approach and not work forcefully did right. Maybe in the same day of the week. And we

were it. And red socks. I think there's one. I hope they play the nets. Yeah, that'd be great. Yeah, awesome. Yeah. Just Kevin Garnett still play for the net. Yes, he does. Uh, 37 and 23 is what I have. Yeah. So I've number. I got numbers on who we have left six with Boston eight with the nationals seven with the Marlins three with the Orioles three

with the Mets. Right. So I think none with the nets. None with the nets. None with the net. No, actually. Okay. So I think they're going to win seven. 17 of the remaining 27, which and I assume they're going to win tonight, knock on woods on a night. So that will put them at 36 wins. Um, so yeah, I mean, it is a, it is an

easy, you know, relatively easy road. The rest of the way. Just the pitching. I mean, because you could see the pitching just not workout for us. Right. I mean, if we don't get that other starter and if Malone is a seven run a guy, a game guy, you know, we know what Anderson falls back to. Yeah. I mean, there's some things that could happen. But all

right. So let's get back to these seven games coming up. Curtis, what, what's the braze record going to be this week? Uh, I got five and two, uh, two and one, three and one. Did I have that exact. Yeah. Me too. Uh, yeah, we need it. Time to, um, time to put some space in between us and the Phillies. It's so doable. Right. Boston's horrible. They're

just selling and the nets are reeling. I mean, it's just let's take care of business when we need to. Right. We need to win these games. Well, and that goes back to you. Could tell the Phillies were definitely amped up for this series. And it goes, but it also goes back to that indoor play that, you know, the braves are sort of out of that game

and then fought their way back in. And that was really a game they could have stolen. And, um, for indoor to kind of screw that up and them to end up losing that game when Malanson gave up the three run homer. It was just really sort of disappointing that they couldn't equal one out. Yeah. Yeah. You know, the Phillies have the nationals before we do. And

then they get the meds next weekend. So, uh, you know, not a lot of tough sledding for the Phillies coming up either. Um, but yeah, five and two, that'll do. I will take it. All right, guys, that is the show. Um, remember, you can find us at speaker iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify. You can also always find us at Atlanta baseballtalk.com to access all of

our shows. And be sure to follow us on Twitter at eight o'clock. Thank you for listening and go braves. 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. And to find new shows, to send a comment, please visit us at AtlantaB.com.