House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves’ Moves Already Concerning; Today’s Will Resemble Utter Panic

By Alan Carpenter

Apr 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) shown after being left on base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) shown after being left on base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Apr 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) shown after being left on base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) shown after being left on base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s Only Been a Week, and the Braves are Already Regretting Life

Should we be surprised at an 0-5 start?  Given the schedule, not really:  2 games against Washington; 3 more against the Cardinals.  That same schedule will not be getting any better any time soon, either:  whatever remnant of the team that could be mustered is now heading to Washington for a 4-game series that starts (again) with facing Max Scherzer – and that because those wimps can’t handle a little wind chill.

Unfortunately for the Braves, the schedule hasn’t been the only enemy this week:  it’s been the very things that John Coppolella worked to bolster over the off-season:  the bullpen and some additional semblance of an offense.  So the reactions have already begun, with more on the way.

The Tale of the Tapes

How bad has it been?  Let’s start with the bullpen:

  • 4th worst walk rate in the majors, at 5.40 per 9.
  • Actually, that figure was before today’s performance, in which six Cardinals were walked in 4.1 innings of relief.  Looks like we’ll be on top of the list in the morning.
  • Details:  Only
  • 17 earned runs in 19.2 innings gives a team bullpen ERA of 8.67.

The position players aren’t doing any better, save for Adonis Garcia and (suddenly) Nick Markakis.   However, it’s the defense that’s especially troubling:  6 outright errors already, but multiple misplays that haven’t been called as errors, either.  Erick Aybar, Gordon Beckham, and A.J. Pierzynski get special mention here.  More on Aybar later.

The hope had been that the hitting would be enough to keep games interesting.  How’s that going?

  • 30th in batting average
  • 9th highest K-rate
  • 28th in run scoring before today, just 1 above the Twins and Angels

Again:  it might be well to look at the schedule and the opposition here:  what should one expect against the likes of Scherzer, Strasburg, Martinez, Garcia, and Wainwright?  Maybe the Braves should be happy with getting any runs off of those pitchers.

However, Atlanta did not opt to apply the calming hand on the shoulder for these wounds.

Next: What Happened... and What Will Happen

Home/Braves News