Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Chase Utley Reactions, Alex Wood
By Jeff Schafer
Dodgers pick Clayton Kershaw to start on 3 days’ rest in Game 4
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The former Atlanta Braves starting pitcher, Alex Wood, made an appearance on Monday evening for the LA Dodgers, but failed to be as successful as he’s previously been in the postseason. For Atlanta, he pitched in two games giving up only three hits and four unearned runs (zero earned runs) in 3.1 innings pitched. On Monday he gave up four runs in the 4th inning (his first inning of work), but then had a solid 5th inning…by that I mean he didn’t allow any runs – he did however give up a double and a walk. There was a chance Wood would start game 4 of this series, but with the Dodgers season on the line they will go with Clayton Kershaw.
"With only three days between outings, Kershaw is scheduled to start Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the New York Mets. The reigning NL MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner was chosen Monday over fellow left-hander Alex Wood before Los Angeles lost 13-7 to fall behind 2-1 in the best-of-five series.“Would I have any preference? Yeah, I’ve got a preference,” chuckling Mets manager Terry Collins said, drawing laughs. “Believe me, this is no slap at Alex Wood. He’s a fine pitcher, but I don’t want that other monster on the mound. I can tell you that. Again, no disrespect, because he’s a good pitcher, but that other guy is — I’ve been around him way too much. I know exactly what he can do.”Wood pitched two innings of relief Monday and yielded four runs and four hits, including a three-run homer to Yoenis Cespedes."
Chase Utley Booed By Mets Fans And Did You Really Expect Otherwise?
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: In the MLB, players move from team to team fairly regular. Chase Utley spent 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2003 to 2015. He spent many of those years base hitting the heck out of the Braves. So of course we continue to carry our grudge when he leaves, right? Whether it’s about Utley or just a part of the game, Chipper Jones went on social media to express his anger over the play.
That was not a slide and that is not how u 'go in hard'!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 11, 2015
MLB ruling; You're allowed to break Ruben Tejada's leg but not Buster Posey's.
— Jon Friedman (@friedmanjon) October 11, 2015
"Utley was suspended for two games after he slid into the Mets’ Ruben Tejada on Saturday night, breaking the infielder’s leg.An appeal for his suspension still pending, Utley was technically allowed to play on Monday. However, he remained on the bench the whole game, much to the chagrin of Mets fans. Seeking revenge, they repeatedly called out, “We want Utley!”"
Sounding Off: Bethancourt guaranteed to be Braves’ Opening Day catcher in 2016?
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: One of the biggest needs for the Braves heading into the 2015-2016 offseason is the catcher position. Christian Bethancourt showed very little progression in 2015 when he had many errors behind the plate and struggled hitting against major league pitching. The 24-year-old is under contract for the Braves so unless he’s traded he’ll most likely be an option heading into Spring Training. The catcher position was his to lose in 2015 and he did just that. Will things change in 2016?