Show #490: The Offense Saves The Day In NLDS Game

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 490. Today is Tuesday, October 6, 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 broadcasting crew will continue

to make excuses when Akunya gets hit in Game 2. And somehow, maddenly we'll get a pass or something. I just... It was really the whole thing was hard to swallow. For you guys that were connected to the Braves at one point in their career, they sure were not big Braves fans. Oh well. Yeah? But you know what? It was refreshing this broadcast crew to not hear

about Bunts and, you know, velocity is overrated and... You mean just hearing A-Rod's voice? A-Rod and Smolts. You know, not hearing A-Rod and not hearing Smolts was really refreshing. What was going on with A-Rod's beard today in the studio? Is that another show? I was more mesmerized by his dyed hair. And then like his not... My wife kept saying his not blended in. I shadow. He

looks really strange. Anyway, we digress. Yeah. All right folks, and tonight show the NLDS begins. And Game 1 looks and feels much different than Game 1 of the Wildcard series. And we will break it all down, but first a quick break. Game 1 boy. Yes. Yeah. Oh, book. Woo. All right. So we'll walk through the game in a minute. But let's quick talk about the changes

to the 28 man roster that were announced shortly before the game. And we discuss this somewhat Sunday night. Can we just say again that we won today? Sorry. Can we just say one more time? We won Game 1. We left it like Game 1. I'm so sorry. So 28 man roster, we talked about it and then it was announced you were saying. Okay. So we were

right about Bryce Wilson and Wascari Noah. They were the guys that were added. None of us had Camargo and Contreras being the two guys to go. And when we were texting about it earlier today, you were like, well, you know, third catcher is a luxury at this point. Especially if he's not cheating. Yeah. A guy's not pinch hitting. And look, you know, there's five games. Two

of them could be bullpen games. You know, I had predicted that Grant Dayton might go just because they have a real, you know, a lot of lefties in the pen. But as it played out, it made sense. Right. The arms are really important. You don't know how these things are going to go. We saw, you know, Max not go super long today. So it makes sense.

Yeah. We have pitching for days. Yes, we do. Interesting. That pitching for days, but snickers being really aggressive. And I like it. I'm not, I'm not criticizing. He's really aggressively playing like the guys out of the bullman. You know, even with a four run lead today, there's Melanson in there in the ninth inning. Like I like it. He is just headled to the metal. Yeah. Well,

and I mean, that first game is so important, right? All the stats bear that out. So, especially for this team. And I think it was so, yeah. He knows how to play to win. It's refreshing. You're right. Let's hope it keeps it up. So one of the piece of roster news was on the Marlins side that's Starling Marta. We talked about it. He had, you know,

he'd have broken pinky. If there was some question, would he be there or not? He is not on the Marlins roster for this series. So that is, you know, that is a blow to the Marlins. But, uh, yeah, don't care. So, uh, don't care. So let's walk through the game. First, also real quick, weird, weird to see two teams, neither of which are the Astros playing

in the Astros stadium. I mean, it's been going on. Obviously, this whole. Since yesterday with the bubble, but it's just weird. You know, watching these two teams that don't play at that stadium. Did it have a for you guys like a 1% feeling of bad news bears to. That's excellent. When they're in the dome. Yes. No, isn't the Astro Dome? When did they play the Astro?

Oh, no. Yeah. I think you're right. I think the number two was Astro Dan. Breaking training. Breaking training. Yes. Breaking training. Yes. And they were playing in the empty Astro Dome. I just had this. And it was with Dan's V for some reason. Like, Dan's V was up and I just had this flash of nostalgia at that time. That's great. Yeah. All right. So top one,

Austin Riley's throwing error error aside. It was perfect. I mean, everything was working for Fried. The curve, the slider. His fastball was 95 96. He threw 11 pitches. And there were 11 strikes. It was just like, Oh, here we go. Eight innings of max coming up. Not to be, by the way. Yeah. Hey, don't spoil the lead. Okay. Um, so bottom of the first just a

fine start to the game on the second pitch. He sees in 96 mile per hour fastball on the outside of the plate. Akuna goes opposite field. Second deck. And just what a great start to get. Thanks for him to get the sort of the first hit in. No doubt, no doubt. There is, there is, you know, something a little extra when, when Akuna does damage against

some Arland. Yeah. So moving on to the second, a sign of things to come for Fried, lead off Homer. Of course, not great. But then Mac started to lose his feel for the curve and the slider. He threw six curves and sliders. In the second, they were all called balls. And, um, you know, I mean, he got out of it with only that one home run.

But, you know, it was some bad foreshadowing for what was going to come. Uh, bottom two, nothing doing for the braves. And then top three. And this is a fateful inning for Fried and what felt like for the game at the time. So it plays out like this for Fried single on a slider, single on a fastball strike out double on a curve ball, single on

a fastball. And then two outs to end the inning when it was all over, it was four to one. So Curtis, it's middle of the third. Braves are down four to one. Our ace is not pitching well. Are you freaked out at this point? Sure. Um, I mean, the, the, the first two singles were sort of cheapies. But, um, and even the, the one down the

line was, was almost like a seeing eye. It was like Riley's hit later in the game that went down the first base. So it wasn't like he was getting knocked around, but he definitely did not have it today. Um, he was trying to grind through, but you figure giving up for runs, looking back at the way we hit in that red series. You did not feel

great. Um, obviously the, the braves are a great come from behind team. But we just know their history and the postseason and all the sudden it sort of felt like. Here we go again. And then we got to the point where we were going to be. You know, easy to say after winning and everything, but I really carried with me the confidence of all the bad

juju has been broken after that red series. And while clearly it wasn't great. I, uh, I just felt like they were not out of it at that point. And this was going to be OK. You know, I, it seemed like Alcantair was not overwhelming. Um, that they could hit him. You know, it wasn't power, right. Right. Right. Right. And they were sitting. Yeah. And he was,

uh, I wondered in hindsight if they were letting him sort of, you know, get a, let him feel aggressive and throw all those first pitch strikes that they took so that they could next time through just pounce on it. Because they played against him. Right. He was throwing tons of strikes, tons of, and some hard, you know, some, some hard strikes to hit in the zone.

But, um, a lot of first pitch strikes and then the braves just they bided their time. And, um, and turned it around and then they did the same for, and then they jumped all over Garcia to getting ahead of herself. But you could tell they were going to get pitches to hit. Um, even if even cheapies. It was amazing during that, um, during that top of

the third is the, as the Marlins were putting those runs across the board. The broadcast crew was already to jump on the Marlins narrative upstart. Don't let him get the ball. Get, you know, this is, you know, this is what can happen and all that stuff. It was just lazy. This is my point. They were not foreshadowing. Yeah. They were horrible all day. They kept talking

whatever. We'll get to it later. I'll bring it up when it's appropriate. All right. Bottom of the third. Another fateful inning starts with a Riley ground out. And then Akunya being hit by a 97 mile per hour pitch on the hip. Curtis is really pissed me off. Well, it clearly pissed the braves off too. Yeah. I mean, you know, if you go back and look at

the, at the pitch, the catcher sets up almost behind Akunya's hip. You know, like they can be all. It was four runs. You know, they're up for one. Uh, you know, it's game one. The last thing they want to do is put a guy on the pitch. And then you have to pitch him inside because you don't want him getting his arms extended. And you have

to brush him off the plate and all that kind of stuff. It becomes a pattern after you hit the same guy. A certain number of times. And this inning, honestly, was the fateful inning. Obviously, they, they ended up taking hold of the game later on. But to me, my second feeling. When it got to be four, one was a lead. And you were motivated by the

fact that the braves were able to get back into it immediately. Yeah. Yeah. You know, in the broadcast team, I thought the analysis was kind of lazy at the time when they were playing the whole, well, they've woken the sleeping giant thing after Akunya getting hit. Although after the game, Darno said, quote, that definitely woke us up. And we took advantage of that momentum. So I

guess there was, I guess there was some truth to that. Did you see? All conscious. I don't know if you guys watched his comments after the game during their post game press conference. He's like, if he was to fight, I'm ready to fight. Yeah. Okay. I hope he comes out there and kicks your ass. Then I know. Yeah, I don't think that would have gone well

for him. Honestly. I don't know. Um, they're losers. Don Mattingley is such a loser. Sorry. He's a scumbag. He's a scumbag. I mean, they all were in all the like, you know, you know, the Marlon's sort of bowing up on the top step of the dugout. Like it would Kuhnya like, come at us. Like all of that. It's just because he's better than they are. They

have no answer for him. And just to hit him with the 97 mile, our fastball just over and over again is is bush leak. It just told. And then for Mattingley for that nonsense statement. Oh, Shucks. Gosh, a sure hit, you know, it's BS F them. They're losing. Well, it goes back to Eurania, hitting him. Yeah. Two years ago during his his lead off home run

straight. It's really a great trick. That stuff comes from the top. It totally does. It totally does. And Snickers Snickers comments. He's totally right too. It's basically they're just getting free shots at at Akunya because both dugouts get warned. Uh, when it's clearly the Marlon's targeting one guy. Um, and so then the Braves are not able to retaliate. Otherwise their pitcher gets thrown out of the

game. So basically Marlon's get free shots over and over and over again at Akunya. And both teams. And then become penalized for the fact that the Marlins are dirty. Right. Right. And now, you know, now the Braves, at least are thinking about shouldn't pitch inside as much. If I hit this guy, might get tossed. I mean, look, there was a lot of Boeing up on Twitter

about the Bra, you know, the Braves need to retaliate. And you know, look, I'm fine with them, not getting anybody tossed from the game. Yeah. Just beat them. Um, the um, the um, need to handle that differently. Um, warning both benches is absurd. Just give a warning to the Marlins. Why, why are the Braves getting penalized? It doesn't make any sense. We just have to beat

them. We just have to remind them that they're losers. Well, speaking of reminding them that they're losers. So Akunya took to social media this evening after the game. Um, so first, uh, on Instagram, a picture of him walking out of the batter's box, heading up first base after his lead off homer with the bat in the air. It's really a great picture with the caption that

says, I'd like to take this time to apologize to absolutely nobody in all cast. Just fantastic. Um, and then a little bit later, a tweet that read, they have to hit me because they don't get me out. Yeah. Yeah. It's so great. And then like Trevor Bauer jumps in and retweets it and he and supports Ronnie and is basically like, that's right. If you don't like

it, play better. Like it's just, I love it. You know, and the way Akunya's handling it, right? I mean, Akunya was pissed, but he didn't do anything that was going to get him tossed. And now he, you know, and now he baits them and gets in their heads after the game over social media. The Marlins are thinking about it tomorrow. I mean, I just love it.

I love it. Yes. Akunya won. Marlins nothing. Yeah. No doubt. Alright, so back to the inning with Akunya on first, he scores on a Marcel double who then scores on a Dar no double. And all the sudden Kurt, Kurt feels better and it is four to three. It's true. Um, so freed comes back for the fourth. Um, it just around a double gets through that inning.

Um, looks cast and looks pale and like he'd just run a marathon. Yeah. And it's and but but it's hair. Looks magnificent. The first inning scowl, the I'm pitching angry look. Yeah. Yeah. Went to. Gas. Yes. Um, bottom of the fourth, not much doing. We did get Markekis's requisite one hit per game. Um, top five, free just replaced by Dar no day, who just continues to

put up zeros working around a single. Uh, bottom five, nothing doing for the braves. Although they're not going to be able to do it. They continue to not get Dar no out. Yeah. Uh, top six, Tyler Mathick, who is untouchable. I mean, as good as we've seen him. I was going to say it. His best appearance of the year. I mean, he went longer in some

air, some appearances, but he looks so sharp dominant. Three strikeouts, 11 pitches, nine of those pitches for strikes and like 96. I just, yeah. And could pitch again tomorrow. Yeah. And it's huge that their braves, um, save Martin are going to come out of this game. Um, with all these skies. I mean, despite them covering five innings, I mean, you got, uh, Oday pitched nine pitches,

Matt's at 11 Smith, eight, Millanson, seven. That skips the 26th at Martin through, but, you know, you still have the rest of green available. Right. Yeah. So, I think that's a good one for the third time. He goes one, two, three. Top seven, the Will Smith, uh, Rejuvenation tour continues. And he's untouchable. I mean, first pitch is that blunt right to him. I mean, he, he

field that bunch so quickly. He has to wait a long time for Aussie to get over to first base. Uh, three groundouts, eight pitches. And then bottom seven. I'll be care of still in the wheels. Come off. Finally single, Akunya single, they take Alcantara out and they bring in their best bullpen arm. We talked about them Sunday, Yemi Garcia. So Freddie grounds out Akunya, who did

not give it up a Homer all season. Right. Um, Azuna on a two to slider drives one into left field to tie the game. And then Travis star, no sense. The third pitch he sees over the center field wall. So that's. Oh, yeah. I mean, I mean, I'm not. I mean, just so great. Yeah. Yeah. Just a backbreaker. That's just so great. Well said. Yes. And

off their best arm, right? I mean, like. Yeah. It was the signal. I out of the bullpen. I mean, if you need to see signs that this season is different than all these previous seasons. And we saw it in the first series. And that was a moment in this game, you know, that maybe this team is better. Maybe though, you know, these are not our fathers.

Brothers, Braves. Yeah. Best. Best offensive postseason game by Akutra ever. How about that? First catcher in baseball history to reach base five times and drive in four runs. And coin if we have not really spent a lot of time talking about Travis star, no, and really the signing of Travis star, no much at all this year that I can't remember many conversations about him. Even when

we signed him, it was like, oh, yeah, sure, that can be interesting. Yeah. It's got to be enough great over old and slow that we had last year. But nobody, I can't imagine, expected what we were getting on a Travis star, no, this year and just continues to produce game after game. No doubt about it. So the hits keep coming Aussie singles after Darnos Homer. And

then a Dan's be Homer, which was a shot. Yeah. Off the off the, you know, that green ivy wall. Darnos was a shot to just towering, right? Just so strong straightaway centerfield. His was a blast. Yeah. It's amazing. I'm glad they don't still have the hill and light. Go breaker. And just like that, the game is nine to four. And it's ours. And we're looking and

they're looking at our bullpen and they essentially gave up. I mean, they did. I mean, you look at those at bats. We don't they, you know, I mean, Martin struggled a little bit, but, um, the Lansing just, you know, which is so filthy. Like, yeah, like getting stronger. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Um, so right. Chris Martin comes in eighth. Christmast, Shay replaces Marquaykis in right field

as a defensive replacement. Love that. Uh, Martin gives up a single hits a guy gives up an RBI. And he's a single two old friend, Matt Joyce. But that's it. Nine to five braves. Bottom of the eighth. Our no walks skirt to your point. He's a perfect three for three with two walks. For RBI, one runs scored. And then three are called a fly out to

Akunya, which is nice. Ends the game. Yeah. So the game one is in the books. And it's ours. And the pressure is on them. This game was kind of the perfect representation of a lot of the regular season. Starting pitching struggles. The bullpen is amazing. And the offense figures it out and pours on the runs. You know, I mean, this was right. You know, we were

kind of like where is the offense after the first two games against the reds. But the offense is there. The bullpen, you know, never went away. I mean, guys, this team looks really, really formidable. And all this with Freeman having basically done nothing in three games. Right. I mean, obviously he had to walk off. But that seems like that's almost the only hit he's gotten in

the postseason, so far. And do all striking out and not contributing at all, either. Except for that, Homer, in the second game. But yeah, sure. Yeah. No, but you're right. You're right. And Danesby not really doing anything until today. I'm striking out a ton. And you know, I think I texted you guys early on, like Riley needs to get a pulse because he had not. I

mean, so we have a lot of ways to win. You know, we're balanced. We have power. We're very gritty. And the pitching is just we have it's so deep. And I think Anderson, you know, with one win under his belt, nothing to lose here is going to go out and deal again tomorrow and be dominant. Where you go up to the zip tomorrow. Yeah, I agree.

I agree that Anderson is going to is going to look really good tomorrow. So, you know, except for Freeman and Duval. Everybody had at least one hit today. And there were multi hit games or it was a multi hit game for Acuna, Ozuna, Darna and Riley. Now Riley's first hit that single down the first baseline was sort of an excuse me swing. But he did have

a single after that up the middle. So Riley's showing a little bit of life. Yeah. I mean, are you guys worried at all about Freeman? No. No. He, I mean, he bared a couple balls. Yeah, he hit that one that he almost hit to the wall. Yeah. See, eras just so fast that he was able to track that ball down. And these guys are fast. I

mean, these guys are continue to have fastballs, right? That's who we're going to see tomorrow. And I think I feel like Freeman is just is due. I'm not worried about him at all. Yeah. I mean, he's oh for the Marlin series. You know, we can start getting worried. But Freeman, Freeman will start getting his. Um, well, no, I was just go ahead to ask him whatever

you were going to ask him. I was going to talk about Max not being at his best. So our ace, right? It is the weakness of our, of our team is the starting pitching. We got to win when our ace is on, is, um, you know, on the mound, but our ace is not good. And we still beat you. I mean, the Marlins cannot feel great

about how today went and be there. A scored five runs off their ace and scored runs off with. To the best of their leavers. Yeah. No, they can't feel good about it. They can't. And their lineup is really not good. I mean, I'm, I'm just staring here, looking at the box score. I mean, they're bottom three. I know that our bottom three has not been great.

Uh, or bottom four really swanston to volmar, kakus, Riley is not really produced a lot this, this postseason. But I mean, there's is Dickerson, Brynsson, Wolic and Sierra. I mean, I know Sierra had a couple of hits today, but I mean, the guy, you know, is better like below 200 this year or something like that. I mean, he is none of these guys. I mean, they

are, they have a very to use hampsword thin lineup. So you sort of contain the top five guys in their lineup. And then you figure you can sort of work your way through the bottom of their lineup. I say that. And they'll be pests this entire series. But a lot of great developments to come out of this game. I'm with you. And I think we just

have, you know, even in the regular season, we may have had to ride our starting pictures a little bit longer. But two times through the lineup, just get us two times through the lineup. Anderson and right and let the bullpen take over. And I mean, they've thrown their best pictures at us. I mean, we haven't seen six though yet. Um, and won't until they can potentially

be up against the wall. And he's going to throw a lot of fastballs, right? And I think in a close game, it still favors us. Right. I mean, I think right can certainly keep us in it. And our bullpen certainly can. And I think, I don't know, I just think we have a huge advantage in this series. We're more than a team. We've been, and that

was the point I wanted to make. We've been conditioned because of, you know, since 2001 and all that stuff, we've been conditioned to find the reasons why, even if it looks like on paper, we should win the teams not going to win. The festering ifs. And we're those exactly. But I mean, we are such we are a superior team on paper. I mean, it's not even

close. And it played out that way. It's man. It's, yeah. I mean, that's the thing. It never manifested itself. It just was always left on the drawing board or whatever. And leaving us feeling wrecked. And this year, it's playing out, right? Because we are the better team. We are, we just loaded. We're a loaded team. Yeah. I mean, that that's just so many times. There's only

so many times you can work your way through our lineup and, uh, you know, giving them five times through the lineup with the brave Saturday. Basically. There's just no way. You're not going to win a game when the braves get to bat five times around. I mean, it's, that's just not going to happen. And, you know, all Contara, all Contra, whatever I'm confused about how to

say this guy's name. But I mean, should hope, you know, this is not a scenario that we have to deal with. I mean, he threw almost a hundred pitches today. So should we somehow find ourselves in a game five, you figure freed. Uh, it's going to be more rested. I mean, he threw seven. He's got a few of the many pitches. Obviously we none of us

want to get to that scenario. But you've got to figure that free. The way he's been this year. It's not going to have bad two bad starts in a row. And I'll contour through almost a hundred pitches today. So. And it's a good point. Freed is better positioned. If he has to come back on short rest. Um, and standing through 32. So he's probably out for

tomorrow, at least. Right. Yeah. I mean, in D ring Garcia back tomorrow. I mean, maybe. Uh, probably. I guess you have to, if you have to, I would think you, I would think you would. Yeah. That's the, I mean, they can't. Luke tomorrow's do or die for them, really. Yeah. And that's what I was going to talk about the broadcasters. They kept saying how deep the

Marlins bullpen was and how deep and long they could go and a strength of the team. I'm like, what are you talking about? They've like, I mean, it's not, I don't know. It's making me angry. And then we beat up on them. So it made me happy. Because I said, they're the, what, they're the were the, they were the worst bullpen in the, in the major

leagues all season. Well, I think that was the Phillies, but. Well, very close though. Look it up. So the Marlins have announced, right? We were not sure there was some question as to who would be the game to starter for the Marlins, who would be the game three. So the Marlins have announced the Pablo Lopez will go in game two. We won't see six toe until

game three. I'm kind of surprised. I mean, I think that six toe has a much higher ceiling than Lopez, but maybe they wanted to go with someone with a little more experience in game two. Obviously not knowing what game, you know, how game one was going to play out. But, you know, the flip side of that is if they go down to you're putting all the

pressure on six toe in game three. I don't know. I'm surprised. I really didn't think we would see six toe in game two. Well, I mean, you say that all a little more experience. This is Pablo Lopez's first playoff game. So no, I know, but I mean, it's all relative. Yeah. Yeah. Who knows? I mean, maybe for for them. They've, I don't know, maybe for them,

they sat in their, you know, coaches room instead of the game was on the line. Who do we need? And they said Pablo Lopez over six toe just because of whatever reason. And for like you said, tomorrow's a do or die for them. I mean, he's got other save that office, the 29 run game. I mean, his numbers against the brazer pretty good. And the two

other starts 11 innings, nine hits, two run runs. So. Well, first in LDS win since 2001, which took place where? Minute May Park. Minute May Park. Oh, that's awesome. Right. Which is now what has it even called? No, it's still going to May Park Park Park. How is it really is? It's not in run. What was the? Yeah. What was I? There were a lot of

you know, first since stats have been coming up. There was one the first time we've had three homers in it and in any. What was it? There was like Marcus Giles BJ Sirhoff and what was the stat that was going around the day? No, but there was like, no, I saw that. Yeah, and it was just like the Bowman was a Bowman tweet. I'll look it

up. It was just got we got BJ Sirhoff's name on it. No, we did. It was just like so random. And then there was another stat. And again, it was, this is the first time this happened. Or the last time the Braves did this. Dennis Martinez got the win in a postseason. And maybe that was minute made park, but he. It was some reason the Dennis

Martinez era was revisited as a brave. Wow. Yeah. And hand, that's right. First time Braves have hit at least three homers in a postseason game since 2001 and LCS game two Marcus Giles BJ Sirhoff and Hobby Lopez. Yeah. A B T guest. Yeah. Friend of the show. Friend of the show. I don't think I'm overstating that. Not at all. Good, good friend of the show. Don't

we still have his phone number? Probably. All right. Ham closing thoughts. I, I usually would not feel good feeling this good, but I feel good feeling this good heading into tomorrow. I think Anderson's going to just do well. And we're going to win. I think it's going to be an assertive win tomorrow. I get Curtis. Winning better than losing as the old saying goes. But yeah,

I, I feel very, very good. Despite my feelings in the third inning today, everything that came since then has. Reestablished my faith in the Braves. Yeah. Ham, I'll paraphrase you and say I feel good and it feels good. Yeah. I mean, I, I just, I expect, I expect a lot of success tomorrow in game two. And yeah, wait. Let's bring it. All right, guys, that is

the show. We will be back tomorrow Wednesday night with a game to recap. Remember, folks, you can find us at speaker iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and Spotify. You can always find us at AtlantaBaseballTalk.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter. All right. We're going to see you in the next episode. Thank you. Thanks again for listening and go Braves. Thanks for listening to AtlantaBaseballTalk. You're a

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 AtlantaBaseballTalk.com. Adam, make peace with my enemies. Success the power. Greater than mine.