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BRAVES NEWS
Eighth-inning bullpen collapse dooms Braves in 7-3 loss to Nationals
The Braves carried a one-run lead into the eighth inning on Wednesday, but the Nationals cashed in on the Atlanta bullpen for six runs. Arodys Vizcaino was ineffectively wild, walking three consecutive batters with the bases loaded to aid the Washington rally without recording an out. On a positive note, Lucas Sims allowed just one earned run in five innings with six strikeouts and Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run to increase his total to 28 on the year.
Which managerial direction should the Braves take in 2018?
Along with the perpetually unanswered questions at third base, one of the biggest issues facing the Braves this offseason will be their managerial decision regarding Brian Snitker. Our own Demetrius Bell breaks down the scenarios that could play out this winter, when the Braves will reexamine Snitker as well as other internal candidates.
The fact that we’re this close to the offseason and Brian Snitker still hasn’t done enough to confirm his spot in the dugout for next season seems to indicate that there’s a pretty decent chance that the Braves are going to have a new manager in 2018.
Surprising Suzuki sets career high in homers
Surprising is a good way of putting it, as Suzuki has been somewhat of a godsend for a Braves team that not only needed stability behind the plate, but also in the middle of the lineup. Suzuki set his career-high in homers on Wednesday with a solo blast in the fifth inning, his 16th of the season in just 249 at-bats.
MLB NEWS
Sale boatload: Sox ace in elite 300-K club
Red Sox ace Chris Sale reached the 300-strikeout mark on Wednesday, becoming the first American League pitcher to accomplish the feat since Pedro Martinez in 1999. Sale has become an elite strikeout pitcher this season, building on what he had already accomplished as a member of the White Sox. This season the left-hander has resorted to carving up batters rather than his own team’s jerseys, which is an unfortunate turn of events for opposing teams.
Here is a look at how the playoffs would look if the season ended today.