Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves are back in second but lack consistency
Supervisor Brian Snitker wants to tug a rabbit out of his hat to get the membership again on observe (Photograph by Dylan Buell/Getty Photos)
The World Sequence Champion Atlanta Braves are second within the NL East, 7.5 video games behind the Mets, and have nobody guilty however themselves.
The Atlanta Braves entered the season as favorites to take care of the NL East crown however haven’t seemed able to doing it so far. The membership’s litany of mediocrity makes for tough studying:
- Final above .500 on April 9
- Longest profitable streak two-games
- 4 extra-inning video games with three losses
- Rank fourth within the East with a .387 Slugging%, .684 OPS, and 155 runs scored, three behind the Marlins, and 5 runs forward of the Nationals.
- Final in BA, OBP, OPS+, hits, triples, and strikeouts
There’s extra, however that’s sufficient to color the image.
It’s these #%&^*%%%^* baseballs
The Atlanta Braves are 38 video games into the season, and the climate’s warmed up. It’s time to place the “brief spring-training” excuse again in storage alongside the “wait-until-it-warms-up” mantra. I do know it snowed in Colorado, but it surely was over 100 right here all week at my home till immediately’s chilly snap dropped it to 89; it’s heat already!
The brand new ball excuse must go away as nicely; everyone seems to be utilizing the identical ball, and gamers are hitting dwelling runs… simply ask Nate Eovaldi.
A fast refresher on what to anticipate from the ball
Within the Might 4 put up for Yahoo Sports activities, Zach Crizer seemed on the hitters who’ll do greatest with the brand new ball everyone seems to be utilizing.
. . . hitters most definitely to thrive. . . are those whose manufacturing doesn’t rely as closely on balls hit within the air . . .
He wasn’t suggesting everybody attempt to hit extra floor balls; there are alternative ways to hit balls within the air.
An nameless front-office government informed Crizer how he believes profitable groups will strategy hitting.
. . . Robust plate self-discipline . . .controlling the depend and maximizing plate appearances . . . Step 1: Don’t strike out. Step 2: Get on base any means doable. Step 3: (convert the runners into runs)
Robert Orr’s Might 11 put up for Baseball Prospectus follows on from Crizer’s put up. His knowledge means that gamers who hit extra line drives will see higher outcomes than gamers with constantly excessive launch angles.
So, the place do the Braves stand in comparison with their division rivals? Rhetorically, not so nicely.