Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 9/3
By Jeff Schafer
Freeman’s HR, 5 RBI power Braves past Mets
"Freddie Freeman had never faced Daisuke Matsuzaka and said he didn’t bother looking at video to prepare for the right-hander. It didn’t matter. All Freeman had to see was see Matsuzaka’s Mets uniform. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY SportsFreeman homered, doubled and tied a career high with five RBIs, powering the Atlanta Braves past New York 13-5 on Monday.Freeman has thrived against Mets pitching this season, hitting .349 (23 of 66) with five homers and 16 RBIs. For his career, he has 11 homers and 42 RBIs against the Mets, his best totals against any opponent.Freeman put the Braves ahead with a two-run double off Matsuzaka in the first inning. Freeman made it 6-1 with a three-run homer a dozen rows deep into the right-field seats in the second.“When you go out there and face guys you haven’t seen, my approach is to go up there and be aggressive,” Freeman said. “It was kind of easier with guys on base. They have to come after you and they don’t want to walk you and load up the bases. He was aggressive and I took advantage of his mistakes.”"
Terdoslavich working hard to be best he can be
"After enjoying a productive Grapefruit League season, Joey Terdoslavich exited Spring Training with the hope that the Braves would at least add him to their expanded roster when September arrived. His arrival in Atlanta came earlier than expected.But while spending the past two months at the Major League level, Terdoslavich has not gained any sense of accomplishment or complacency. He is still fueled by the determination that he displayed when he spent last winter attempting to learn how to play the outfield while working out with his former high school’s team.“When the season started, I was hoping to get here by September, maybe earlier if something happened,” Terdoslavich said. “It worked out that I got here earlier than I thought. I’m getting more of a comfort level up here. But I’m not comfortable. You never want to be comfortable. But things have been going really well.”"
Will an Easy Remaining Schedule Propel the Washington Nationals to the Playoffs?
"Putting it all together…you get a .470 winning percentage. And with the help ofPlayoffStatus.com, we learn that only the Braves have an easier remaining schedule among NL teams.The Nationals have done a solid job of beating their inferiors, posting a 49-31 record against teams under .500. They’ll have a fair share of games against teams of that variety in September, so, if that trend remains consistent, then they may have something cooking, right?Perhaps. Of course beating sub-par teams doesn’t cover it all, just ask, well, the Nationals. They’re 18 games over .500 against teams under .500. That’s good. On the flip side, they’re 16 games under .500 against teams with records north of the .500 mark. That’s the equalizer.Over a smaller scale, however…(basically just a raw breakdown of the numbers instead of the total winning percentage of their remaining opponents that I mentioned above).Games left against .500-plus teams: 9Games left against below .500 teams: 17"
Medlen looks to keep roll going against Mets
"The Braves will look to add to that impressive mark on Tuesday when they hand the ball to Kris Medlen.The 27-year-old right-hander is looking to continue a string of strong performances. Medlen has allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four starts. In his last start, against the Indians, Medlen pitched seven shutout innings.“It’s one of those things where, I feel like I’ve honestly clicked for the whole month of August, not exactly how I wanted,” Medlen said after his last start. “But I’m not walking guys and I’m being aggressive. That’s the me that I know.”"