Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 6, 2021 12:15:54 GMT -5
Atlanta Braves (28-19) @ St. Louis Cardinals (21-26)
ATL: Nolan Watson (2-1, 3.44)
STL: Sandy Alcantara (3-1, 4.13)
The Atlanta Braves have always seemed to lack the offensive talent needed to win the division. They’ve been strong defensively the past few seasons, they’ve had good pitching to propel them to back-to-back winning seasons. However, with the star power in Washington and Philadelphia, they seemed a tier below.
Until this year that is, as Atlanta’s pitching=dominated club leads the National League East.
The Braves take on the St. Louis Cardinals looking to maintain their NL East lead in the Game of the Week.
Atlanta is first in the league in run prevention, and first in pitcher WAR as the team’s arms have gotten the job done. That fact is pretty remarkable as the club’s ace, Zach Davies, has missed most of the year with shoulder woes. Still, Atlanta has had a gameplan and stuck to it.
The team is best in the league in walk rate as they simply refuse to give up free passes. They’re fourth in strikeouts and best in limiting home runs. Their arms pound the corners, strike guys out, refuse to throw outside the zone, and if a hitter makes contact, they feature the third best zone rating in the league.
The team has gotten just enough offense, led by newcomers Raul Mondesi and Zach Collins, to support the bats. Colins’ poor defense hasn’t hurt the club this year as he’s only played the field for two innings. He’s slugged 13 home runs thus far to a team that’s always thirsted for more power. Mondesi has similarly provided more pop, with 10 long balls and nine doubles in the early going. Mondesi’s also provided respectable defense at Second Base.
The club doesn’t get on base much, and the best hitters aren’t as dynamic as the best hitters on other contenders. With that as a limiting factor, getting a guy like Mondesi to smash extra bases with a sub-300 obp hasn’t been as damning.
Atlanta will take on a St. Louis team at a crossroads. The team is 21-26, 12.5 behind the Brewers in the NL Central. With how deep the league is, a Wild Card berth isn’t impossible, but is improbable. The team is expensive and aging. There are a few last-place teams on the schedule the next few weeks. St. Louis needs to have a strong few weeks or things could get bleak.
The Cardinals will always be in every game so long as Nick Pratto leads the team. The wonderful First Baseman continues to take leaps, last year incorporate more power into his game, while this year maintaining the power and watching his average climb a ladder. Pratto is hitting .339 with a .438 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, 10 doubles, and he has four steals for some reason. If the club were a little better, he’d be in the MVP conversation, but a fourth-straight All-Star nod is likely.
If anybody can crack the puzzle of facing Atlanta’s pitching staff, it’s Pratto.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, how have the Collins and Mondesi deals worked out for you?
Your starting First Baseman, Mikey Polansky, has two home runs this year. Do you feel that will cut it for you in trying to win the division?
You have a deep bullpen, where Jeurys Familiar doesn’t play an especially prominent role. However, you traded a third round pick to acquire him, and he’s been wonderful. How has that deal worked out for you?
For Steve Cox, Addison Russell’s defense has taken a hit this year. How long does he have before he needs to move to a different position?
How has Josh Weyer looked to you his rookie year?
What would you say is the key to beating this Braves team?
TRIVIA: Who has the most stolen bases All-Time in St. Louis Cardinals history?
ATL: Nolan Watson (2-1, 3.44)
STL: Sandy Alcantara (3-1, 4.13)
The Atlanta Braves have always seemed to lack the offensive talent needed to win the division. They’ve been strong defensively the past few seasons, they’ve had good pitching to propel them to back-to-back winning seasons. However, with the star power in Washington and Philadelphia, they seemed a tier below.
Until this year that is, as Atlanta’s pitching=dominated club leads the National League East.
The Braves take on the St. Louis Cardinals looking to maintain their NL East lead in the Game of the Week.
Atlanta is first in the league in run prevention, and first in pitcher WAR as the team’s arms have gotten the job done. That fact is pretty remarkable as the club’s ace, Zach Davies, has missed most of the year with shoulder woes. Still, Atlanta has had a gameplan and stuck to it.
The team is best in the league in walk rate as they simply refuse to give up free passes. They’re fourth in strikeouts and best in limiting home runs. Their arms pound the corners, strike guys out, refuse to throw outside the zone, and if a hitter makes contact, they feature the third best zone rating in the league.
The team has gotten just enough offense, led by newcomers Raul Mondesi and Zach Collins, to support the bats. Colins’ poor defense hasn’t hurt the club this year as he’s only played the field for two innings. He’s slugged 13 home runs thus far to a team that’s always thirsted for more power. Mondesi has similarly provided more pop, with 10 long balls and nine doubles in the early going. Mondesi’s also provided respectable defense at Second Base.
The club doesn’t get on base much, and the best hitters aren’t as dynamic as the best hitters on other contenders. With that as a limiting factor, getting a guy like Mondesi to smash extra bases with a sub-300 obp hasn’t been as damning.
Atlanta will take on a St. Louis team at a crossroads. The team is 21-26, 12.5 behind the Brewers in the NL Central. With how deep the league is, a Wild Card berth isn’t impossible, but is improbable. The team is expensive and aging. There are a few last-place teams on the schedule the next few weeks. St. Louis needs to have a strong few weeks or things could get bleak.
The Cardinals will always be in every game so long as Nick Pratto leads the team. The wonderful First Baseman continues to take leaps, last year incorporate more power into his game, while this year maintaining the power and watching his average climb a ladder. Pratto is hitting .339 with a .438 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, 10 doubles, and he has four steals for some reason. If the club were a little better, he’d be in the MVP conversation, but a fourth-straight All-Star nod is likely.
If anybody can crack the puzzle of facing Atlanta’s pitching staff, it’s Pratto.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, how have the Collins and Mondesi deals worked out for you?
Your starting First Baseman, Mikey Polansky, has two home runs this year. Do you feel that will cut it for you in trying to win the division?
You have a deep bullpen, where Jeurys Familiar doesn’t play an especially prominent role. However, you traded a third round pick to acquire him, and he’s been wonderful. How has that deal worked out for you?
For Steve Cox, Addison Russell’s defense has taken a hit this year. How long does he have before he needs to move to a different position?
How has Josh Weyer looked to you his rookie year?
What would you say is the key to beating this Braves team?
TRIVIA: Who has the most stolen bases All-Time in St. Louis Cardinals history?
