Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 9/27
Sep 21, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manager
Ryne Sandberg(23) relieves pitcher
Tyler Cloyd(50) during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Morning Chop: Tomahawk Take’s Summary of Braves News
Recap: Atlanta vs. Philadelphia
Jason Heyward went 5-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 7-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Heyward finished with four extra base hits, collecting three doubles and a solo home run.
Freddie Freeman and Evan Gattis each added two hits apiece for Atlanta. Gattis was 2-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored, while Freeman went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and two walks.
Braves starting pitcher David Hale (1-0) picked up his first major league win as he threw six innings and gave up one run on seven hits. He recorded five strikeouts without a walk in his second start of the season, and helped Atlanta to its fifth win in its last eight games.
“I was a little more relaxed, but still nervous. I just kept the ball down and it turned out all right,” Hale said of his second major league start. “Within, what, have I been here 25 days or something, I get to see a pennant celebration, two calls and a big league victory. It’s pretty incredible.”
Phillies Notebook: Another flat start from Cloyd
No matter how remote the chances are to stick in the rotation for 2014, Tyler Cloyd understands that every time he takes a major league mound it’s an opportunity to increase his chances of keeping a major league job.
It’s why he used words like “disappointed” and phrases like “figure out a way to make myself better” after giving up five runs and 10 hits in a start against the Washington Nationals earlier this month.
Unfortunately for Cloyd, who replaced high-ceiling reliever Ethan Martin in the rotation, he has looked less and less like a big-league pitcher with each start this month.
Cloyd’s first pitch last night at Turner Field was annihilated by Jason Heyward. The home run started an inning in which the Braves batted around en route to a 7-1 victory.
Roto Roundup: Mariano Rivera, Jurickson Profar and a Brian McCann Rant
A Brian McCann Rant
I have to say ever since I saw the replay of Carlos Gomez pimping that home run he hit off Paul Maholm, and Brian McCann blocking him from crossing home plate, I have been fuming. And not at Gomez. I cannot believe Brian McCann feels that it is his job to let someone know he dissed his starting pitcher by watching his home run just a bit too long for his liking.
A few weeks ago, Jose Fernandez was having fun on the mound vs the Braves like he usually does with every team he faces. The kid is an ace, and he likes to have fun on the mound while he is pitching. He smiles every now and then. Some teams, read BRAVES, don’t care for that. Well, they started yelling at him while he was pitching. Fernandez did not throw at a Braves batter in retaliation. Instead, he hit a home run and he took the time to enjoy it. Was he wrong for doing so? Sure. But, then again, he was having fun. The Braves told him so as he ran around the bases. But McCann had other thoughts. He put on his policeman’s badge and berated Fernandez as he was crossing home plate. The benches cleared and that was that.
Predicting Atlanta Braves’ Full 2013 Postseason Roster
With the National League Division Series starting Thursday, October 3, Fredi Gonzalez‘s mind is likely occupied by one thought: his 25-man postseason roster.
Most of Atlanta’s roster spots are pretty obvious; it’s the lineups that need the most tinkering.
However, questions still loom. Who takes the hill for Game 4? How many pitchers will the Braves carry? Is Reed Johnson healthy enough?
Here’s who I believe makes the postseason roster.
MLB Playoffs 2013: 5 Reasons Why Atlanta Braves Will Not Win World Series
What makes a World Series Championship team?
Is it dominant pitching or an offense that scores more than John Mayer? Is timely hitting the most crucial factor or is it more important to have a defense that can make every play? Do you even have a prayer without a closer who can slam the door in the ninth – the most difficult three outs of the game (Texas Rangers fans nodding their heads). Maybe it’s all of the above, or at the very least some combination of these winning qualities.
Perhaps the answer lies in some advanced sabermetrics; or maybe it’s completely intangible – some sort of winning atmosphere that only exists within the championship team’s clubhouse (Boston Red Sox fans excitedly stroking their beards).
We’ll find out what makes a championship team soon enough – but the Atlanta Braves will not be the team who provides the answer.