Atlanta Braves: Offense continues to fight despite pitching woes
By John Le
The Atlanta Braves started off strong and did their best to keep the game close throughout but the arms continue to struggle in 8-6 loss
If you were questioning the Atlanta Braves for not improving their rotation AND/or bullpen, you’re probably doubling down now after two games into the season. Yes, it’s two games…but both games can be linked to the struggling of the pitching, especially the relievers.
The Braves started out really promising with a lead-off triple from Ender Inciarte and went on to score on a Freddie Freeman single. Then, it got even better when Dansby Swanson —he’s looking good y’all— launched one deep for a two-run homer in the second inning. It’s his first hit of the season but as of late including spring training. Let’s hope that continues.
We were excited about Bryse Wilson and Kyle Wright making opening week starts especially with Wilson being one of the youngest to do so. However, Wilson allowed four runs and four walks to add to that. Walks and homers continue to hurt the Braves. As a team, they have given up 11 walks and seven homers (against the Phillies).
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There’s the understanding that the young arms need to pitch, however, you can’t put a bunch of babies at a corporation and expect it to become a Fortune 500 company.
We all know the issue. The belief was the Braves were going to either improve offensively in the lineup or boost rotation/bullpen, but they didn’t.
Then the injury storm that impacted the pitching core: Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman, Mike Soroka, A.J. Minter, etc. and even THEN the Braves didn’t make a move with whatever was left on the market.
So they had to depend that the other young pitchers would step up and at the moment, it isn’t looking so good and answers why teams usually need some dependable veterans. Luckily, Julio Teheran did well overall on Thursday, even though he slipped up a bit early.
After Wilson, was Wes Parsons, who did okay but allowed a two-run homer to J.T. Realmuto and took the loss. Jonny Venters and Chad Sobotka did well during their outings (Venters only faced one batter) as Sobotka got two strikeouts in a scoring inning.
Jesse Biddle allowed a homer to Bryce Harper, his first of the season that was followed by a loud pop from the crowd. New member Josh Tomlin also gave up a run on consecutive singles.
Not All Bad…But Now What
There were a few bright/enjoyable moments including Freddie Freeman’s performance. Freeman got four hits on the day, beating the “shift.” It included an RBI single in the first, a double to left, a RBI single and a double to left in the ninth. It was even more satisfying and impressive that he was able to turn it the other direction and beat the shift.
Speaking of the ninth, we saw the return of Clutch Charlie…or is it Charlie Clutch? After Swanson drew a walk, Charlie Culberson lined one to left for a two run homer. That pulled the Braves closer at 8-6, but that turned out to be final score as Snitker and the crew lost.
We need Josh Donaldson and Ronald Acuña Jr. to get it going though. Donaldson has yet to get a hit while Acuña only has a single.
The Braves will now turn it over to Kyle Wright on Sunday in the series finale. The hope is Wright will at least keep the game close and go a few innings to give the bullpen a break before heading home. Between Wilson and Wright, I had more confidence in the latter but who knows.
Do you think Alex Anthopoulos will be forced to make a move (i.e. finally go get Craig Kimbrel) especially if Wright also struggles or will the Braves have to “hold on” until Foltynewicz and the rest returns?
The Braves and Phillies series finale begins at 7 p.m. getting picked up by ESPN. Wright will take the mound against another tough Phillies arm, Jake Arrieta.