Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 16, 2022 16:08:31 GMT -5
San Diego Padres (47-49) @ Atlanta Braves (49-44)
SD: Adrian Morejon (2-6, 3.40)
ATL: Mat Sowell (3-7, 3.36)
Padres 3 Key Stats
14: Losses in 17 July games: San Diego has fallen apart this month. A playoff contender halfway through the year, San Diego is now 47-49 and sits 9.5 back of the second Wild Card spot with three teams between them. It hasn’t been the schedule either. San Diego did lose a game to Arizona to open the month, but their opponents have been Philadelphia, Colorado, Cincinnati, and Washington—two mediocre teams, and two of the league’s worst. The Padres had a chance to really challenge during this stretch but have really disappointed.
.631: San Diego’s July OPS: The Padres have had the second worst NL offense during the month, trailing only Pittsburgh. Their 57 runs scored are tied with the Mets for last during the month, and the 163 strikeouts they’ve suffered is the most in the league. K.J. Harrison has been the biggest culprit. The slugger is hitting .170 with only two extra base hits. Mike Fitzgerald has been the only regular with an OPS above the .730s during the month. San Diego needs that to change in a hurry if they want to salvage their season.
25: Home Runs for Mike Fitzgerald: The slugger has gotten worse at getting on base, as his .238 average and .297 OBP are shades of his rookie year. His power has fully developed though. He’s only seven dingers off his career high. His strikeouts are way up though, and he’s on pace to whiff more than 100 times for the first time in his career. If he can make better contact and marry that with the power gains, he’ll be able to set new offensive bests.
Braves 3 Key Stats
14: Wins in 16 July games: Unlike San Diego, Atlanta is soaring this month, coming across an easy stretch of their schedule and taking advantage. The Braves now find themselves just 6 back in the Wild Card race, and more importantly, a half game behind Philadelphia in the NL East. Atlanta has a 2.33 July ERA, smothering team’s offenses as they fight for a playoff berth.
1.74: Walter Trahan’s ERA: The league’s #72 prospect this year, Trahan has excelled in a relief role. After three dominant years in High-A, Rick Brehm called him up to be a part of his bullpen. Trahan’s sub-2 ERAs from Florida have carried over to the PBA. He’s already struck out 55 in 41.1 innings, and he’s issued just one homer. There’s an outside shot Trahan becomes a starting pitcher in the future, but right now Atlanta has one of the best young relievers in the NL.
.171: Robby Staley’s batting average: One concern for Atlanta is the team’s offense with Ronny Mauricio injured for the year. In his absence, the team has turned to Staley as Shortstop and leadoff man and he’s struggled with a low average and eight whiffs in nine games. Staley hasn’t played in a significant sample of games at all, but with Tony Ryan struggling as well, it’s possible Atlanta’s middle infield becomes two offensive zeroes.
Questions for the GMs:
For Creig McBride, your team was sailing along and hit an iceberg this month. What’s caused your club to struggle so mightily?
Your team has hit for a respectable amount of power, but is struggling in average. Do you think you need to get more hitters who can hit for average in the lineup?
With the trade deadline upcoming, what will be the plan? Will you try to improve your club, or could we see trades for picks and prospects?
For Rick Brehm, your team has surged this month. What’s fueled the strong play?
How long of a leash will you give Robby Staley? Could we see Atlanta try to acquire a Shortstop?
Long term is Walter Trahan a reliever or a starting pitcher?
TRIVIA 1: What player has the most single-season RBIs of any player who has not appeared in the World Baseball Classic?
TRIVIA 2: Six players have at least 20 career WBC hits while being classified as Second Basemen. Who are those six players?
SD: Adrian Morejon (2-6, 3.40)
ATL: Mat Sowell (3-7, 3.36)
Padres 3 Key Stats
14: Losses in 17 July games: San Diego has fallen apart this month. A playoff contender halfway through the year, San Diego is now 47-49 and sits 9.5 back of the second Wild Card spot with three teams between them. It hasn’t been the schedule either. San Diego did lose a game to Arizona to open the month, but their opponents have been Philadelphia, Colorado, Cincinnati, and Washington—two mediocre teams, and two of the league’s worst. The Padres had a chance to really challenge during this stretch but have really disappointed.
.631: San Diego’s July OPS: The Padres have had the second worst NL offense during the month, trailing only Pittsburgh. Their 57 runs scored are tied with the Mets for last during the month, and the 163 strikeouts they’ve suffered is the most in the league. K.J. Harrison has been the biggest culprit. The slugger is hitting .170 with only two extra base hits. Mike Fitzgerald has been the only regular with an OPS above the .730s during the month. San Diego needs that to change in a hurry if they want to salvage their season.
25: Home Runs for Mike Fitzgerald: The slugger has gotten worse at getting on base, as his .238 average and .297 OBP are shades of his rookie year. His power has fully developed though. He’s only seven dingers off his career high. His strikeouts are way up though, and he’s on pace to whiff more than 100 times for the first time in his career. If he can make better contact and marry that with the power gains, he’ll be able to set new offensive bests.
Braves 3 Key Stats
14: Wins in 16 July games: Unlike San Diego, Atlanta is soaring this month, coming across an easy stretch of their schedule and taking advantage. The Braves now find themselves just 6 back in the Wild Card race, and more importantly, a half game behind Philadelphia in the NL East. Atlanta has a 2.33 July ERA, smothering team’s offenses as they fight for a playoff berth.
1.74: Walter Trahan’s ERA: The league’s #72 prospect this year, Trahan has excelled in a relief role. After three dominant years in High-A, Rick Brehm called him up to be a part of his bullpen. Trahan’s sub-2 ERAs from Florida have carried over to the PBA. He’s already struck out 55 in 41.1 innings, and he’s issued just one homer. There’s an outside shot Trahan becomes a starting pitcher in the future, but right now Atlanta has one of the best young relievers in the NL.
.171: Robby Staley’s batting average: One concern for Atlanta is the team’s offense with Ronny Mauricio injured for the year. In his absence, the team has turned to Staley as Shortstop and leadoff man and he’s struggled with a low average and eight whiffs in nine games. Staley hasn’t played in a significant sample of games at all, but with Tony Ryan struggling as well, it’s possible Atlanta’s middle infield becomes two offensive zeroes.
Questions for the GMs:
For Creig McBride, your team was sailing along and hit an iceberg this month. What’s caused your club to struggle so mightily?
Your team has hit for a respectable amount of power, but is struggling in average. Do you think you need to get more hitters who can hit for average in the lineup?
With the trade deadline upcoming, what will be the plan? Will you try to improve your club, or could we see trades for picks and prospects?
For Rick Brehm, your team has surged this month. What’s fueled the strong play?
How long of a leash will you give Robby Staley? Could we see Atlanta try to acquire a Shortstop?
Long term is Walter Trahan a reliever or a starting pitcher?
TRIVIA 1: What player has the most single-season RBIs of any player who has not appeared in the World Baseball Classic?
TRIVIA 2: Six players have at least 20 career WBC hits while being classified as Second Basemen. Who are those six players?
