Battery Power - September 9: Braves 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings)Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2021-09-10T00:05:38-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/224290792021-09-10T00:05:38-04:002021-09-10T00:05:38-04:00MLB Standings: Braves strengthen their hold on NL East
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<figcaption>Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Atlanta needs to finish their homestand strong. </p> <p id="4Derx2">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> outlasted the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> Thursday night to come away with a 7-6 win in 10 innings. They improved to 2-1 on their current nine-game homestand and picked up a game on the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> and <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> in the NL East standings. The Braves currently have a 3.5 game lead over the Phillies and a 5.0 game advantage over the Mets entering play Friday. </p>
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<h3 id="2UjHZD"><strong>National League East</strong></h3>
<p id="Jti0UL">Braves 74-65 (.529), —<br>Phillies 71-69 (.515), 3.5 GB<br>Mets 70-71 (.496), 5.0 GB</p>
<p id="DSsKip">The Braves will continue their homestand with a three-game set with the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> over the weekend. The Marlins just took two of three from the Mets and have won four of their last five series overall. Atlanta is 9-7 against Miami this season. After an off day Monday, they will host the Rockies for three games before heading out on an 11-game, 10-day trip out west. </p>
<p id="bjEC4D">The Phillies dropped two of three to the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> and then returned home where they saw a 2-1 lead slip away in the ninth inning in a 4-3 loss to the Rockies Thursday. They have three more games with Colorado before the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> arrive for a three-game series next week. </p>
<p id="Inmt95">The Mets dropped two of three to the Marlins falling 3-2 Thursday. They will return home Friday where they will begin a nine-game home stand at Citi Field with a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>. The Cardinals and the Phillies will wrap up the homestand next week. </p>
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<strong>Playoff Odds</strong> </h3>
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<p id="5uMtVI"><a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds">FanGraphs latest playoff odds</a> have the Braves still as the favorite to win the division but as you can see from the graph above, things can change quickly. Still Atlanta’s odds to win the division are up to 79.6% from 66.4% <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/5/22658918/mlb-standings-nl-east-atlanta-braves-playoff-odds-phillies-mets">at the start of the Nationals series</a>. </p>
<p id="52MiZX"><strong>Win Division</strong><br>Braves: 79.6%<br>Phillies: 16.9%<br>Mets: 3.5%</p>
<p id="Jwirff"><strong>Make Playoffs</strong><br>Braves: 81.7%<br>Phillies: 21.9%<br>Mets: 4.5%</p>
<h3 id="1xXWO2"><strong>NL Wild Card</strong></h3>
<p id="MhHPbK"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> 88-53 (.624), —<br>Padres 74-65 (.532), —<br>Reds 74-67 (.525) 1.0 GB<br>Cardinals 71-68 (.511), 3.0 GB<br>Phillies 71-69 (.507) 3.5, GB<br>Mets 70-71 (.496), 5.0 GB</p>
<p id="r1OmLW">The Giants have opened up a 2.5 game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West. Los Angeles currently holds a 13.0 game advantage in the Wild Card standings so their place in the postseason is assured. The Padres currently hold the second wild card spot after going 6-4 over their last 10. The Reds have lost seven of 10 and have fallen a game back of San Diego. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/10/22664452/mlb-standings-atlanta-braves-nl-east-lead-phillies-metsKris Willis2021-09-09T23:16:37-04:002021-09-09T23:16:37-04:00Joc Pederson delivers as Braves walk off Nationals
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<p>The Braves pick up a game on both the Phillies and the Mets in the NL East standings</p> <p id="ZmxB8P">In perhaps the wackiest game of the season, Joc Pederson delivered a walkoff single in the 10th to give the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> a 7-6 win over the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. </p>
<p id="IE4EK8">The Braves fell behind quickly as the Nationals scored in the first for the third straight game. Lane Thomas walked to lead off the game and then moved up to second on a groundout by Alcides Escobar. An infield single by Juan Soto put runners at the corners with one out. Josh Bell then jumped on an elevated 0-2 slider and drove it to the wall in left center for a double that scored Thomas to make it 1-0. Soto scored the second run as Yadiel Hernandez grounded to first for the second out. Huascar Ynoa then got Carter Kieboom to ground back to the mound to escape with no further damage. </p>
<p id="uXeUHI">The Braves would break through against Erick Fedde in the third as Stephen Vogt connected for his first home run in an Atlanta uniform to cut the deficit to 2-1. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">On the board thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/SVogt1229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SVogt1229</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HyundaiHighlight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HyundaiHighlight</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/pf2dTqe0PF">pic.twitter.com/pf2dTqe0PF</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436120761106903042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="6hbkKi">Atlanta would tie the game in the fourth. Freddie Freeman doubled off the wall in center after a 10-pitch at-bat and then came around to score on a double by Austin Riley. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">All tied up courtesy of MVP candidate <a href="https://twitter.com/austinriley1308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@austinriley1308</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/SUBWAY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SUBWAY</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/uDhNS2fo0t">pic.twitter.com/uDhNS2fo0t</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436126128247386113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="tZdFeC">Ynoa settled in after his rough first inning, striking out two each in the third and fourth innings. He worked around a two-out walk to Thomas in the fifth by striking out Alcides Escobar to end the inning. </p>
<p id="7XhVgj">The Braves took the lead in the bottom half of the frame as Vogt connected again for a solo shot to make it 3-2. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More like Stephen GOAT, amirite?<a href="https://twitter.com/SVogt1229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SVogt1229</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/lIfkXuHF8q">pic.twitter.com/lIfkXuHF8q</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436132030698463232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="Y9jVFt">Ynoa gave way to a pinch hitter in the fifth and exited having allowed three hits, two walks and two runs over five innings. He struck out seven and walked two (Lane Thomas, both times) while throwing 89 pitches. </p>
<p id="4ikcXV">A.J. Minter took over on the mound in the sixth and promptly served up a leadoff single to Soto. Soto moved up to second on a passed ball and then over to third on a groundout. With two outs and a runner at third, manager Brian Snitker took down Minter with Carter Kieboom coming to the plate and replaced him with Jesse Chavez. Kieboom jumped on the first pitch he saw and lined it into right just past Freeman’s outstretched glove to tie the game again at 3-3. </p>
<p id="lRBq4M">The game wouldn’t be tied for long, as Jorge Soler jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Fedde and drove it out to center for a solo home run to make it 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Soler POWER.<a href="https://twitter.com/solerpower12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@solerpower12</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/cVeTi1kY4t">pic.twitter.com/cVeTi1kY4t</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436137570145087493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="v93taE">The seventh inning was a disaster for the Braves, as Luis Garcia greeted Luke Jackson with a lead off double down the line in right, with the key hit again coming very close to being snared by Freeman. Garcia advanced to third on a ground out by Andrew Stevenson and then came home to score as Thomas singled through the drawn-in infield to tie the game again. </p>
<p id="MveHqx">Escobar then grounded into what looked like it might be a double play on a grounder right to the second-base bag, but the ball bounced out of Ozzie Albies’ glove for an error. Jackson then bounced a breaking ball that allowed both runners to move up to second and third with just one out. <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/9/22666017/stephen-vogt-injury-leg-groin-atlanta-braves">Vogt was injured on the play</a> as he attempted to throw out Thomas at third and was replaced by Travis d’Arnaud. </p>
<p id="4Gowzc">The Braves intentionally walked Soto to the load the bases as Tyler Matzek replaced Jackson. Josh Bell jumped on the first pitch and lined it back at Matzek, who knocked it down and then threw home in time to force Thomas at the plate. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Football Tweet.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/vh2Xde00Hc">pic.twitter.com/vh2Xde00Hc</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436145161717919744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="GcDRDM">Matzek then got Hernandez to line out to Duvall in left for the third out, escape with the bases loaded. </p>
<p id="SYg0IW">The Braves quickly loaded the bases in the home half of the inning on a Joc Pederson single and back-to-back walks by Dansby Swanson and Travis d’Arnaud. Eddie Rosario pinch hit for Matzek and promptly grounded into a 3-2-4 double play. The Nationals then intentionally walked Albies and Mason Thompson got Soler to ground out to end the threat. </p>
<p id="CsIL54">Richard Rodriguez came on to pitch the eighth for Atlanta and retired Kieboom and Ruiz on fly outs, but Garcia tagged him with a long home run to center to put the Nationals back in front, 5-4. </p>
<p id="JFjwCT">The see-saw continued to swing in the home half, as Freeman launched another solo home run into the second level of the Chop House to the tie the game again. </p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"> !<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/eDyeQnkZkF">pic.twitter.com/eDyeQnkZkF</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436151861967470592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="wxfRs1">After Austin Riley popped out, Adam Duvall put Atlanta back in front with a home run into the bullpen in left to put the Braves back in front, 6-5. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Duvall right now!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/lpDOyo9Ckm">pic.twitter.com/lpDOyo9Ckm</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436152592174927879?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="ZDQbzL">Will Smith was called on to close it out in the ninth and quickly found himself in trouble as Thomas tripled off the glove of Pederson, who was a step away from the center field wall. Smith came back and struck out Escobar for the first out and the Braves then intentionally walked Soto to set up a potential double play. Smith got the double play grounder he needed as Swanson fielded a grounder from Bell deep in the hole and flipped to Albies for the second out. Albies’ relay throw, however, was off the mark at first. Thomas scored and the game was again tied 6-6. Smith recovered and struck out Riley Adams (the guy who hit that go-ahead homer off of him earlier this season) to end the inning. </p>
<p id="G4LB1W">Atlanta went down in order in the ninth and the game moved to extra innings. Jacob Webb retired the side in order to give the Braves another opportunity. Albies began the inning at second as the designated runner. Wander Suero, pitching in his second inning of work, walked Soler to lead off the inning to bring up Freeman who lined out to Soto in right for the first out. Albies tagged and moved over to third on the play. That brought Riley to the plate who fell behind 0-2. Riley worked the count back to full and then got plunked to load the bases. Suero then struck out Duvall for the second out. </p>
<p id="hPlvgT">That would bring Pederson to the plate, and Pederson lined an 0-1 cutter into left field to deliver the Braves a 7-6 win. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take us home, <a href="https://twitter.com/yungjoc650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yungjoc650</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/NYfDVNQTl3">pic.twitter.com/NYfDVNQTl3</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436165095512580107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="XaThxD">With the win, Atlanta extends its lead in the NL East to 3.5 games over the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies,</a> who blew a late lead in a loss to the Rockies. The Braves take two of three from the Nationals and will continue their homestand Friday when they open a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>. </p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22665818/nationals-vs-braves-final-score-joc-pedersonKris Willis2021-09-09T21:51:12-04:002021-09-09T21:51:12-04:00Stephen Vogt leaves game with injury
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<figcaption>Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Vogt’s best game as a Brave ends in disappointing fashion</p> <p id="Tb0Vle">Stephen Vogt was having his best game in an <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> uniform but forced to exit with an injury during the seventh inning. Vogt suffered the injury while blocking a pitch and then hurrying for a throw to third. He crumpled to the ground in pain with what appeared to be some sort of leg or groin injury. Vogt was emotional as he was helped off the field. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Vogt has to exit the game due to injury in the middle of his multi-homer night against the Nationals.<br><br>Stay tuned for updates. <a href="https://t.co/a7otvKLXKu">pic.twitter.com/a7otvKLXKu</a></p>— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) <a href="https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1436143344732758018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a>
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<p id="lgndAL">Vogt hit two solo home runs in the game which were his first extra base hits since joining Atlanta. We will pass along more updates as soon as they become available. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22666017/stephen-vogt-injury-leg-groin-atlanta-bravesKris Willis2021-09-09T18:50:00-04:002021-09-09T18:50:00-04:00Nationals vs Braves game thread
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XNRmeboqxLRwKWeLdQpu0acgGZo=/0x0:2640x1760/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69837277/1337517685.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Huascar Ynoa vs Erick Fedde</p> <p id="6dE2xh">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> and <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> will wrap up a three-game series at Truist Park Thursday night. The Braves took the opener Tuesday 8-5 before falling 4-2 Wednesday. Huascar Ynoa will be on the mound for the Braves while the Nationals will counter with right-hander Erick Fedde. Atlanta enters play Thursday with a 2.5 game advantage over the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> and are 4.0 games up on the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> in the NL East standings. </p>
<p id="l7TUye"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/22429004">Game Preview</a> | <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/e/22429095">Lineups</a></p>
<p id="cL7a9l"><strong>Pregame reading:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="twnlWB"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/9/22664809/mlb-free-agency-freddie-freeman-atlanta-braves-contrat-discussions-jon-heyman">Freddie Freeman, Braves reportedly talking but no deal yet</a></li>
<li id="hJjflq"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/9/22664711/marcell-ozuna-agrees-diversion-program-domestic-violence-case-atlanta-braves">Marcell Ozuna agrees to diversion program in domestic violence case</a></li>
<li id="2BIvDp"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/9/22661637/jorge-soler-addition-atlanta-braves-positive-impact">Jorge Soler and the Braves have been a Perfect Match</a></li>
</ul>
<p id="l8DstG"><strong>Series Recap</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="HaZCU2"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/7/22662019/september-7-nationals-vs-braves-preview-lineups-recap">September 7: Braves 8, Nationals 5</a></li>
<li id="au6cKU"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/9/8/22663650/september-8-braves-vs-nationals-preview-lineups-recap">September 8: Nationals 4, Braves 2</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22665061/nationals-vs-braves-game-thread-discussionKris Willis2021-09-09T16:56:44-04:002021-09-09T16:56:44-04:00Joc Pederson, Stephen Vogt in the lineup Thursday against the Nationals
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<figcaption>Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Pederson returns after a one-game absence</p> <p id="HVvoop">Despite dropping a 4-2 decision to the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> Wednesday night, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> were able to maintain their lead in the NL East standings thanks to losses by the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> and the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. The Braves will try to keep the pressure on Thursday night when they wrap up a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Huascar Ynoa will get the start for Atlanta while Erick Fedde will be on the mound for Washington. </p>
<p id="Pn1dpY">For the Braves, Joc Pederson returns to the lineup and will be hitting sixth and playing center field. Stephen Vogt gets the start behind the plate and will hit eighth. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/theynoaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theynoaa</a> takes the mound tonight at Truist Park!<br><br>Presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/TruistNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TruistNews</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fl22japFxG">pic.twitter.com/Fl22japFxG</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1436036154768363523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a>
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<p id="M2hss1">The Nationals will stick with the same lineup for Thursday’s series finale. Yadiel Hernandez gets another start in left field and will hit fifth. Rookie catcher Keibert Ruiz will be behind the plate and hitting seventh. </p>
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<p id="CNKYSO">Thursday’s game has a 7:20 p.m. ET start time and can be seen on Bally Sports South. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22665054/nationals-vs-braves-lineups-joc-pederson-stephen-vogtKris Willis2021-09-09T14:00:00-04:002021-09-09T14:00:00-04:00Braves look to clinch series win over Nationals behind Huascar Ynoa
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<figcaption>Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Braves will wrap up a three-game set against the Nationals</p> <p id="VMoPiT">After a disappointing loss Wednesday, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will try to clinch a series win Thursday night when they wrap up a three-game series against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. Atlanta took the opener 8-5 Tuesday behind homers from Adam Duvall and Ozzie Albies. They fell 4-2 Wednesday in what turned into an unscheduled bullpen game for the Nationals after starter Sean Nolin was ejected in the first inning for throwing at Freddie Freeman. The Braves managed just six hits with solo homers from Duvall and Eddie Rosario accounting for both of their runs. </p>
<p id="YGkM1p">So they will be looking for better results Thursday behind starter Huascar Ynoa. Ynoa will be making his fifth start since returning from the injured list and has a 3.52 ERA and a 4.08 FIP in 23 innings since his return. He allowed five hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last start in Colorado. He has been lights out in two starts against the Nationals this season allowing a combined six hits and one unearned run in 12 innings. </p>
<p id="bPwXL2">The Nationals will counter with right-hander Erick Fedde who hasn’t had much success against Atlanta in his career. Fedde has made seven appearances (six starts) against the Braves and has allowed 45 hits and 34 earned runs in just 25 2/3 innings. That includes two starts this season where he has allowed 11 hits and 10 earned runs in just 6 2/3 innings. That naturally has led to some pretty big offensive numbers for many of the Braves’ hitters. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Braves hitters versus Nationals starter Erick Fedde:<br><br>Adam Duvall: .583/.643/.1.250, 2 HR, 2 2B<br><br>Travis d’Arnaud: .333/.400/.778, 1 HR, 1 2B<br><br>Freddie Freeman: .333/.556/.333, 6 BB<br><br>Austin Riley: .417/.417/.500, 1 2B<br><br>Ozzie Albies: .333/.357/.500, 2 2B</p>— Kris Willis (@Kris_Willis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kris_Willis/status/1435986761805705222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a>
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<p id="dFv3ge">Despite Wednesday’s loss, the Braves didn’t lose any ground in the NL East thanks to losses by the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> and <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>. Atlanta enters play Thursday with a 2.5 game lead over Philadelphia and a 4.0 game advantage over New York. </p>
<p id="tkSnXD">Thursday’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South. </p>
<h3 id="YtWkt3"><strong>Game Info</strong></h3>
<p id="nccofC"><strong>Game Date/Time:</strong> Thursday, September 9, 7:20 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="d3MaKR"><strong>Location:</strong> Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p id="k5UYez"><strong>TV:</strong> Bally Sports South</p>
<p id="zir6Yx"><strong>Streaming:</strong> MLB.tv</p>
<p id="l0AhRY"><strong>Radio:</strong> 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22664963/nationals-vs-braves-preview-time-tv-streaming-radio-huascar-ynoa-erick-feddeKris Willis2021-09-09T12:30:00-04:002021-09-09T12:30:00-04:00Freddie Freeman, Braves reportedly talking but no deal yet
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<figcaption>Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The clock continues to tick. </p> <p id="89vZc3">Alex Anthopoulos has been busy of late handing out contract extensions to catcher Travis d’Arnaud and Charlie Morton. The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> still have one big name whose contract status remains uncertain in reigning MVP Freddie Freeman. Many expected a new deal to be announced during Spring Training but that came and went. It has been relatively quiet with the clock ticking. </p>
<p id="0QEHgu">A report Thursday by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that both sides have been discussing a new deal but a gap remains. Heyman adds that both sides are motivated to get a deal done and that is the likely outcome. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Freddie Freeman and Braves have been talking but there’s still a gap so free agency appears a surprisingly strong possibility. Both sides want to get it done and that’s the likelihood eventually. Reminiscent of Turner/LAD and HOF Jeter/NYY talks, great FA who stayed. <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBNetwork</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1435989915842514948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a>
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<p id="GrWcIp">A couple of thoughts on this report. The Braves and Alex Anthopoulos are famous for keeping things close to the vest and you need look no further than the four trades that were made at the trade deadline as an example. The contract extensions for d’Arnaud and Morton both made sense and came out of nowhere as well. </p>
<p id="yt4N0h">The biggest takeaway here is that the two sides are talking. There may be a gap now between the two sides but that could change quickly. The Braves would be best served to get a deal done as soon as possible and before Freeman hits the open market when other interested clubs could help drive up the price. </p>
<p id="Oc8n3J">The Braves need Freddie Freeman and reports suggest he wants to stay. There really isn’t an excuse for not getting a deal done. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22664809/mlb-free-agency-freddie-freeman-atlanta-braves-contrat-discussions-jon-heymanKris Willis2021-09-09T12:00:00-04:002021-09-09T12:00:00-04:00Starting Nine: Statistically speaking, Braves have been ridiculous
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<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SHbK-eNZAXuPi2snhPr4_FbdP2A=/76x0:4177x2734/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69835127/usa_today_16694158.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The National League leader with 98 RBI, Adam Duvall’s 15 home runs with runners in scoring position are the best in the majors. | Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>From Freddie Freeman’s base-running acumen to Adam Duvall’s clutch gene, the infield’s power and Luke Jackson stranding runners, Atlanta is delivering some eye-opening numbers</p> <p id="lUlfeT">Numbers don’t lie.</p>
<p id="5T9ho4">Well, OK ... maybe you can bend them to fit your narrative, but Baseball-Reference’s Stathead and FanGraphs are the fuel to define a season in so many ways.</p>
<p id="Ls7DjA">After that nine-game winning streak, Atlanta continues to sit atop the National League East, and while they’ve won just five of the last 14 since that run of Ws, they have a 73.9 percent chance of making the postseason. It’s leaps and bounds from where they were on June 16, when those playoff odds were at just 12 percent. </p>
<p id="CQ48Ek">At the core of that run from third place to having spent the better part of a month atop the East, have been some eye-opening numbers. Statistically speaking, the Braves are doing some things.</p>
<p id="Y6afVn">Let us count the ways as the Braves </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman execute a run-scoring double steal on Yadi Molina <a href="https://t.co/Q7qlLs0Q9n">pic.twitter.com/Q7qlLs0Q9n</a></p>— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) <a href="https://twitter.com/BravesOnBally/status/1406694345785368576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="38mxp4">1. Run, Freddie, run</h2>
<p id="2mypMu">Freddie Freeman is not fast. <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed">His 26.9 ft/sec sprint speed is 320th</a> in the majors and its 10th among Braves, and his most memorable moment on the base paths came in spring training 2020 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPpVdMDez5U">when he was mic’d up with ESPN</a> and using the wind to his advantage. That 2021 sprint speed figure does represent a career high for the reigning National League MVP, who was at 26.4 ft/sec last season, but Freeman’s biggest asset when he’s on base isn’t his legs, but his acumen. The five-time All-Star tops all first basemen with 4.1 BsR, FanGraphs’ all-encompassing stat that combines all base running events (steals, taking extra bases, etc.) with a league average of zero. Freeman has the lead in his position by a wide margin, with the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt second at 2.7. During his MVP season, Freeman was in the negative (minus-0.3), and has never been higher than 2.7, which he had while playing 115 games in 2015. Freeman is well on his way to breaking his own franchise record for a first baseman in a full season of 1.5 from 2013.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Max Fried's pickoff move caught him leaning. <a href="https://t.co/YqTK9PP24K">pic.twitter.com/YqTK9PP24K</a></p>— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsSO/status/1403828005475061768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="gya1mR">2. Fried, pickoff artist</h2>
<p id="Zf3ozp">Back in 2007, VH1 gave us The Pickup Artist, where the interestingly (aka oddly) dressed Mystery and his soul patch wooed women and imparted his wisdom on his dating padawans. Max Fried is doing the same thing the art of the pickoff, without the furry hats, though the mustache has been its own vibe. Fried now has six pickoffs on the season, giving him 20 since his 2017 debut, three more than any other pitcher and he’s nabbed runners at a 17.2 percent clip (20 of 116) which also leads the majors. The left-hander’s move — where he appears to be starting his windup before rifling the ball to first — is devastating and he’s already in the top eight in franchise history in pickoffs. It’s a long way to the top, with Hall of Famers Warren Spahn (72) and Phil Niekro (72) holding the first and second spots on that list but Fried has appeared in all of 91 career games with 74 starts. The next three players ahead of him Ed Brant (29 pickoffs), Tom Glavine (28) and Bob Smith (24) logged 283, 518 and 349 games, respectively. At this rate, Fried is going to be looking down at them in a hurry.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With his next home run Austin Riley will become just the sixth third baseman in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> franchise history to hit 30 homers in a season, joining Eddie Mathews (10×), Chipper Jones (5×), Bob Horner (2×), Darrell Evans, and Josh Donaldson. <a href="https://t.co/PdLcwiRcoA">pic.twitter.com/PdLcwiRcoA</a></p>— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) <a href="https://twitter.com/grantmcauley/status/1434672880990707714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="V04FfD">3. Riley setting the standard at third</h2>
<p id="fcqNWT">There aren’t many positions deeper than third base in the National League, where there’s the collective of elite names like Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Manny Machado and Justin Turner and players with 40 (Eugenio Suarez) and 30 (Eduardo Escobar) home runs on their resumes. They’re all looking up at Austin Riley when it comes to wRC+, with Atlanta’s 24-year-old at 138, six percent higher than the next closest player in Turner (and 10 percent higher than Bryant, who more than a few members of Braves Twitter wanted the club to trade for ahead of this season and Riley’s breakout). In the last 13 years, the Braves have had the NL leader in wRC+ at third base twice: Chipper Jones in 2008 at 174 wRC+ and Chris Johnson with 127 wRC+ in 2013.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ozzie Albies has homered in four straight games <a href="https://t.co/DScx6D4DSo">pic.twitter.com/DScx6D4DSo</a></p>— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) <a href="https://twitter.com/BaseballBros/status/1435428074598903811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="QWlHAO">4. Albies, grand marshal of the scoring parade</h2>
<p id="CuHyli">With 93 RBI, Ozzie Albies leads all second basemen in run production and there’s not another switch hitter who has driven in more runs on the season. Overall, Albies is tied with the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani for ninth and is all but guaranteed of making Braves history as he’s just three behind the franchise-record of 96 Davey Johnson posted in 1973. Albies could be chasing down a Hall of Famer too, as he’s on pace for 113, which would be the second most of any switch-hitting second baseman in history, and he has a chance to break the mark set by Roberto Alomar in 1999 with 120. Albies’ current trajectory would give another Braves record and the 30th most RBI of any switch hitter in history, well ahead of the career-high 111 that Chipper Jones had during the 1997 and 2000 seasons. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE HAVE A TIE GAME IN ATLANTA ‼️<br><br>Dansby Swanson sends a 3-run homer for the Braves. <a href="https://t.co/5nUCSwI0nc">pic.twitter.com/5nUCSwI0nc</a></p>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1405338195357753345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="RIsSVn">5. Infield’s power play</h2>
<p id="fzZKZ6">At this point everyone is well aware that the Braves infield of Freeman, Albies, Riley and Dansby Swanson has become the second group to all hit 25 home runs in a season and is challenging to become the first players at first base, second base, third base and shortstop to each hit 30. That group is doing more than just bashing home runs — an MLB-leading 111 to be exact — they’re delivering the whole power profile better than any other infield. Atlanta is tops in four different categories in all, backing up those long balls by ranking first in slugging (.496) and ISO (.220). We’re watching history unfold as no Braves 1B/2B/3B/SS combination has ever had a better ISO, OPS (.848) or wRC+ (122) and Freeman, Albies, Riley and Swanson are on pace for 131 homers, which would take down the 2019 team’s 124 for the most in franchise history from those positions. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This ball should land sometime early next week.<a href="https://twitter.com/aduvall123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aduvall123</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/SH4TARlj3h">pic.twitter.com/SH4TARlj3h</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1435391865398964225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="v78iA2">6. Duvall, in the clutch</h2>
<p id="ySI2U3">Yes, he’s hitting .228 — the seventh worst average of any qualified NL hitter — with a near 30-percent strikeout rate — the fifth worst in the NL — but Adam Duvall does two things very, very well. He rakes at Truist Park, where he has the second-best OPS (1.003) of any player who has played in the park as a visitor with a minimum of 25 at-bats, and he comes through in the clutch. The outfielder’s 15 home runs with runners in scoring position is the best in MLB and he also has 12 homers in high leverage situations, which is also the game’s best. That production with RISP isn’t anything new for Duvall. Since 2016 he’s homered 44 times in those situations, the fourth best in that span behind only Nolan Arenado (55), J.D. Martinez (49) and Manny Machado (48). While he did much of his damage this season in a Marlins uniform before being dealt back to the Braves, Duvall is in the driver’s seat for the NL’s RBI crown with 98. </p>
<h2 id="rj5xyQ">7. Left-handed starters, beware</h2>
<p id="si2N8d">The Braves have faced some daunting left-handed starters this season, taking on 11 of them that rank in the top 25 in ERA among southpaws. That includes two games each against the Marlins’ Trevor Rogers, who ranks second with a 2.52 ERA and the Blue Jays’ American League Cy Young contender Robbie Ray, fifth with a 2.60 ERA. Atlanta has posted a league-high .800 OPS against those lefty starters, fueled by a .494 slugging percentage that also leads the majors. Those successes have eight Braves hitting at or above league average vs. lefties with the out-for-the-season Ronald Acuña Jr. (176 wRC+) trailed by Albies (149), Jorge Soler (143), Travis d’Arnaud (119), Joe Pederson (117), Guillermo Heredia (110), Freeman (109) and Swanson (104). Four NL teams have a better winning percentage against left-handers than the Braves’ .578 — the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> (.658), Cardinals (.606), Padres (.600) and Rockies (.600) — and, of course, Atlanta was no-hit over during a seven-inning double header by a lefty in the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>’ Madison Bumgarner, but the Braves are having success at the plate against lefties, nonetheless. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luke Jackson, Filthy 88mph Slider. <a href="https://t.co/gbgI1u9o2D">pic.twitter.com/gbgI1u9o2D</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1429533277107412999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="LsQLmm">8. Luke Jackson, leaves ‘em wanting more</h2>
<p id="o0f9wY">The peripherals say Luke Jackson shouldn’t have anyone throwing around the “E” word (elite, that is). A minus-2.36 differential between his xERA (4.46) and his actual ERA (2.10) is the biggest disparity among all pitchers and his 116.4 average exit velocity is in the bottom five percent of the league. No matter. With runners in scoring position, opponents are hitting a measly .148/.239/.518 vs. the right-hander and they are hitting .196/.266/.555 against him with men on. The end result is no relief pitcher has been better at stranding runners than Jackson. His 90 percent rate tops those with at least 50 innings pitched and at its core that’s the biggest difference in Jackson year over year in helping him rebound from a 6.84 ERA. Last season, he was stranding just 60.5 percent of runners and opponents had a .824 OPS against him with RISP and .981 with men on.</p>
<h2 id="mdAc53">9. Richard Rodriguez, in the zone</h2>
<p id="Yt6wQ9">Picked up from the Pirates at the trade deadline, Richard Rodriguez is pitching to a 1.53 ERA in 17 2/3 innings over 18 games with the Braves and while the strikeout numbers aren’t eye popping — he’s fanned six to four walks since being acquired — Rodriguez continues to illicit weak contact at a ridiculous rate. He has a .173 BABIP against in Atlanta and .218 on the season and a big reason is that opponents know what’s coming with a heavy diet of fastballs (87 percent), but they just can’t square up. Rodriguez has seen the game’s biggest jump in swing percentage on pitches in the zone — up 14.4 percent to a rate of 74.1 — and the biggest decrease in whiff percentage (minus-15 percent) and it’s led to the NL’s second best BABIP (.218) among relievers with at least 50 innings pitched.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/9/9/22664408/starting-nine-statistically-speaking-braves-have-been-ridiculousCory McCartney