Atlanta Braves and RHP Matt Wisler take game one of series against the New York Mets

Braves take game one against the first place Mets, 12-4

Heading into Thursday’s game, the NL East’s first place New York Mets had a record of 13-4 in 2018 and the Atlanta Braves were 10-7.  The Braves, behind an extremely strong pitching performance from Matt Wisler and an offense that can’t be stop, took home their 11th victory of the season!

The 2017 Braves didn’t have 11 wins until May 2nd and in 2016, they didn’t have 11 wins until May 20th.

What a strange past 24 hours.  The Braves signed veteran Joey Bautista, Freddie Freeman gets hit on the wrist again, Braves beat the Phillies, everyone is in panic and can’t sleep because of Freddie’s situation, Freddie’s wrist isn’t fractured, he’s in the lineup, Braves finally decide on a starting pitcher at the latest hour, destroy the first place Mets.

I probably missed a beat somewhere in there, but that’s an insane day we all went through.  At the end of the day, we can’t be upset about two victories.

We’re extremely lucky to have Freddie Freeman in the lineup tonight.  After getting hit in almost the same spot where he was hit last year, everyone thought the worst right away.  He told reporters today that it was less than a half an inch away from hitting the same bone.

If the wrist isn’t broken, he’s playing!

Freeman went 2-3 on Thursday night, with two singles, a sac fly and a run scored.

“Swung the bat well, hit the ball really well,” Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters following the game.  “Didn’t show any signs of discomfort or anything like that.”

It’s a very good thing to have that guy in the middle of our lineup!

The star of the night: Matt Wisler

Yes, you read that correctly.  I’ve said some pretty awful things about Wisler in the past.  I was definitely on the side of the fence that didn’t want him to be with the organization any more.  I wanted him gone.  GONE!

The way he pitched tonight though, was fantastic.  I’ve really never seen him throw like what he did on Thursday night.  I watched him a few times in the minor leagues as well.

Wisler went seven strong innings, giving up two hits, one earned run, no walks and eight strikeouts.

He had his slider moving extremely well and was putting his 92ish mph fastball anywhere he wanted to.  I kinda feel bad for all the things I tweeted out.

“The last time out in Gwinnett, they said it was the best they’ve seen him,” Snitker told the media.  “On the attack, very good curveball, locating his fastball.  I really liked what I saw.”

His last start was on April 14 in Gwinnett and went seven innings, gave up two runs, three hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.  His first start of 2018, he went five innings, gave up one run, three hits, no walks and three strikeouts.  So if my math is correct, he’s started three times in 2018 and has only walked one hitter.

Did Matt Wisler find something?!  Possibly!

Braves offense be Strong

This 2018 Atlanta Braves offense is fun to watch…AND top prospect Ronald Acúna Jr hasn’t been promoted yet.

On Thursday night, the Braves scored 12 runs and had 13 hits.  Ozzie Albies, Freeman, Nick Markakis, Kurt Suzuki and Preston Tucker all had multi-hit games.  Albies hit his 15th extra base hit of the season and Tucker had five RBIs.

“The guys keep getting on base in front of me, that’s the biggest thing,” Tucker said after the game.  “Freddie, Nick and Zuk have been just killing it and it always seems like I’m being put in that situation and I try to take advantage of it.  Hopefully, I can keep cashing in on those situation.”

Tucker has taken over the left field job and continues sprinting.  He’s batting .288 with three home runs, 13 RBIs, and seven runs scored.  With everyone talking about Acúna joining the Braves any day now, Tucker continues to show why they shouldn’t call him up just yet.

“Consistency is really the thing,” Tucker said about his playing time.  “Once I can get in that rhythm and have the ability to fail some and keep being in the lineup the next day is a relief.”

His second big hit on Thursday came in the bottom of the 7th while facing lefty Jerry Blevins.  He drove a ball down the right field line to score three runs.

“Big hit, he just keeps hitting,” Snitker said.  “That was off a lefty too.”

It was a fun game to watch and it’s always fun beating up on an NL rival!

Next: When will the Braves call up Ronald Acúna Jr?

The Braves will face Noah Syndergaard on Friday, Jacob deGrom on Saturday and Zack Wheeler on Sunday.  How about we go ahead and sweep these Mets!

“It’s always good to win the first game of the series,” Tucker said.   But we’ve got a really tough one tomorrow.”