The Atlanta Falcons dropped to 1-2 late last night after a loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Atlanta went into the half with a 14-10 lead.
Unfortunately, injuries and some self-inflicted wounds (earned and unearned) were too much for the team to overcome.
Kirk Cousins is all the way back
The confidence from the second half of the Eagles game carried over, and the mental rust looks like it’s gone. Cousins was decisive with his throws, moving through his reads and operating the passing game at a different and more consistent tempo than we had previously seen. While the team came up short tonight, it wasn’t because of Cousins.
Unfortunately, the team had to overcome the already mentioned self-inflicted wounds and injuries. The offense did a great job of moving the ball again in the second half, and it was encouraging to see Cousins stand in the pocket and continue to deliver throws despite the pressure and big hits he was dealing with.
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Injuries took the wind out of their sails but didn’t sink the ship
The Falcons lost center Drew Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary in the second quarter, and the dynamic of the offense completely changed. The Falcons had done a good job at protecting Cousins and moving the ball against a talented Chiefs defense, but unfortunately, the injuries were difficult to get past.
Atlanta finally built some chemistry in the fourth quarter and started moving the ball again, despite only scoring three points. The outside zone scheme couldn’t recover from the loss of two integral linemen, and the Falcons lost running the ball on fourth and inches. The strong finish made me feel a bit better, but hopefully, the injuries are short-term.
The Chiefs run game wears down a solid defensive start
The Falcons defense had a good first half; they only gave up 10 points and came up with some clutch stops. With the team’s offense being on the field less and less, the Chiefs run game took its toll. In the second half, Kansas City was able to control the clock and run down the field against this defense, something that’s becoming a troubling theme. The interior defensive line hasn’t been as formidable against the run as initially hoped.
The Chiefs were getting movement from their interior trio all night. Kentavious Street, Eddie Goldman, and others have been playing over some of the youth on this roster, and it might be time to switch things up. The defense still gave the offense a chance to win and made key plays throughout the second half, but they will have to figure out a way to stop the run.
Officials were involved too much
Complaining about the refs stinks, but after tonight, it’s too hard to look the other way. I expect the face of the league to get a couple of calls their way; that’s part of the deal. In the first half of the game, both teams got away with a couple. The second half was a different story.
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The Falcons get robbed of a defensive pass interference call in the endzone with three minutes left to play. The broadcast was also polite enough to show a highlight reel of Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebeketie getting some obvious hands in their face/facemasks. Penalties are a part of the game, and Atlanta did earn their fair share, but you never want to feel like you’re waiting for your next bad call, and that’s what the product was tonight.
This team can compete with the best
The Falcons lost tonight, but they proved for the second week in a row that every game is within reach. Atlanta had to overcome serious injuries, tough competition, and bad officiating tonight, and they almost pulled it off. In the grand scheme, this game doesn’t hold much weight, as both the division and playoffs are still well within reach. Atlanta needs to get McGary and Dalman back soon so that this season can be a fruitful one.
Falcons fans have a real team this year. They may not be perfect, but they can beat anyone.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 24: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates during the … [+] seventh inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on September 24, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
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Atlanta Braves right-handed starter Spencer Schwellenbach kept his team in the National League Wild Card race with a huge victory September 24.
Schwellenbach, 24, improved to 8-7, with a fine 3.47 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP in 20 starts for Atlanta.
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Schwellenbach has thrown 116.2 innings in 20 appearances for the Braves.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 09: Injured Braves pitcher Spencer Strider watches the game from the dugout … [+] during the Monday evening MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves on September 9, 2024 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Impactful Injuries:
The Braves have endured some very serious injuries this season, and they still have a chance to make the playoffs.
All Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. required surgery for a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament on his left knee. He has missed almost the entire season.
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All star right-handed starter Spencer Strider, considered one of the best pitchers in baseball, has been sidelined since mid-April with elbow surgery that required an internal brace.
And to make matters worse for Atlanta, highly regarded third baseman Austin Riley’s season is over, due to a fractured hand.
Starter Reynaldo Lopez, who was having a very solid season on the mound, has been disabled with shoulder inflammation since September 10.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 27: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch … [+] against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on August 27, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Braves defeated the Twins 8-6 in ten innings. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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About Spencer Schwellenbach:
The Cleveland Indians selected Spencer Schwellenbach in the 34th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign with Cleveland.
Schwellenbach, who attended Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan, chose to attend the University of Nebraska, where he spent one season.
Schwellenbach, who also played soccer in high school, was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as Mr. Baseball in his senior year
Schwellenbach played three years of shortstop in high school, and was a two-way player at Nebraska.
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At Nebraska, Schwellenbach appeared in 18 games on the mound, all in relief. He earned 10 saves.
Schwellenbach earned the John Olerud Award as the best two-way college player.
Schwellenbach was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft by the Braves.
Atlanta gave Schwellenbach a $1 million signing bonus.
After the draft, Schwellenbach underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him off the mound in both 2021, and 2022.
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Schwellenbach missed a month of pitching in 2023, with shoulder inflammation.
His injury history dictates care in his use by the Braves staff.
This old scout was fortunate to see Schwellenbach in the 2023 All Star Futures Game in Seattle.
In that game, Schwellenbach threw one inning in relief; yielding one hit, while striking out two.
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 07: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the … [+] fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park on September 7 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
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Scouting Spencer Schwellenbach:
Even though he was an award winning closer in college, the Braves have always used Schwellenbach as a starting pitcher.
Before his big league debut May 24, 2024, Schwellenbach made 24 minor league starts for Atlanta. He threw 110 minor league innings before he graduated to the Braves rotation.
Schwellenbach has a strong frame at 6-1, 200 pounds. He’s an excellent athlete.
A true power pitcher, Schwellenbach relies on both two-and four-seam fastballs as the foundation of a six-pitch mix.
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According to brooksbaseball.net, Schwellenbach’s four-seamer sits at 96 miles per hour, but he can increase velocity when needed.
Schwellenbach’s sinker has a bit less velocity, sitting at 95 miles per hour.
Schwellenbach also throws a curve, a slider, a cutter, and a split.
One of the best aspects of Schwellenbach’s approach is his ability and desire to use any pitch at any time in the count. And his pitch distribution is very equal. Here are the percentages of Schwellenbach’s pitch use:
Fourseam fastball-37.24%
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Sinking fastball=6.09%
Split (also a form of fastball)=10.77%
Cutter=14.52%
Slider=18.50%
Curve=12.88%
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While he strikes out an average of 9.4 hitters per nine innings, Schwellenbach is only walking 1.8 hitters per nine, showing fine command and control of his arsenal.
Schwellenbach has yielded only 14 home runs in his 116.2 innings, which is outstanding.
Schwellenbach is the fifth starter in a solid Braves rotation that includes:
Chris Sale-LHP
Max Fried-LHP
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Charlie Morton-RHP
Grant Holmes-RHP
Spencer Schwellenback-RHP
Scouting Grade: 55
For this old scout, Spencer Scwellenbach is a Grade 55 starter, which is a better than average performer.
Perhaps due to the Braves pitching injuries, Schwellenbach graduated to the big leagues quickly. However, he has earned the trust his team has placed in him.
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If the Braves do make the playoffs, we may see Spencer Schwellenbach on the roster as pitching depth for a team on a mission.
As rain poured down on Atlanta Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced two pivotal games were postponed due to the wet conditions.
Wednesday’s and Thursday’s New York Mets-Atlanta Braves games, set to take place at the Braves home stadium Truist Park, have been postponed due to “the forecast and the inclement weather.”
The MLB season was supposed to conclude on Sunday but will now extend into next week. The called-off games will be made up on Monday as part of a traditional doubleheader at Truist Park.
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The postponements come as Hurricane Helene nears, along with a cold front leading to a slow-moving line of showers and storms on Wednesday.
The combination will make for “an unprecedented” weather event in North Georgia, according to the National Weather Service.
The series between the two division rivals was seen as one of the most crucial of the 2024 MLB season to determine the final spots in the playoffs.
The Mets are currently a game up on the Braves for a wild card spot. The Braves are a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the third and final wild card.
The Mets head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers this weekend while the Braves host the Kansas City Royals.
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Monday’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.
