Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 23, 2021 18:29:03 GMT -5
Atlanta Braves (52-32) @ Texas Rangers (48-37)
ATL: Nate Capriglione (11-4, 2.86)
TEX: Adonis Medina (5-5, 2.81)
Big time Pitching. Big time Power. Big time Defense.
It’s a formula that has led the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers to lead a pair of Big time Divisions.
The NL East leading Atlanta Braves will travel to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers in a battle of two terrific—and similarly-styled—ball clubs in the Game of the Week.
The Atlanta Braves have had a strong run-prevention unit the past few seasons now. Against juggernaut competitors in Washington and Philadelphia, the strategy has led to successful teams, but not successful enough to break into the upper echelon with those clubs. Aaron Dunham has added some power to his gang, however, and it’s given the team enough bite to hang with the elite.
Nobody has showcased this quite like Zach Collins this month. On June 13, with the Braves trailing the Dodgers 4-3 in the eighth, Collins stepped in against the exceptional David Robertson and led off the frame with a home run down the right field line. The blast tied the game at 5, and with Atlanta’s sturdy bullpen able to hold things down, allowed the Braves an opportunity to win two innings later when Mikey Polanski blasted a walk-off home run. The homer allowed Braves to take the first game of a series they’d eventually win thanks to the homer.
Collins came up huge 10 days later on Monday, June 23, with the situation inverted. This time, Polanski hit a huge home run in regulation to give the Braves a tie score against a top-tier league rival. With Atlanta’s bullpen handling the Philadelphia Phillies in extras, the Braves weren’t able to capitalize early in extras, giving Philadelphia hope they could escape with a win. Collins extinguished that hope in the 12th inning, with an opposite-field walk-off three-run homer to give Atlanta a walk-off win.
Collins’ week didn’t stop there. The next day, his solo home run in the sixth was the difference in a 4-3 win over the rival Phillies. The win was Atlanta’s second of the series, and propelled them to take three of four from Philadelphia. Collins also had a key two-run single in the third game of the series to extend a lead, and blasted a home run yesterday in a 6-0 win over Miami. He’s been powerful, he’s been clutch, and he’s been exactly what Atlanta needed.
Atlanta will take on a Texas team that looks more like Atlanta with each passing day. Texas used to be a powerful offensive team with a good staff, but a middling defense. Texas’ best players from years past have aged out of superstardom and the club has battled injuries which have sapped the team’s depth. However, in trading for Trent Clark, Texas has added a Gold Glove candidate to a team with Ozzie Albies and Raimfer Salinas. With Kyle Lewis playing the best defense of his career, Texas is second in the AL in Zone Rating.
While their offense is only seventh, they remain a slugging unit and are fifth in home runs. Those long balls keep them in any close game. Carlos Correa leads the club with 27 home runs, but six players have double-digits blasts. Of the three that don’t, one has been banged up this year in Nick Gordon, one has 18 steals in Ozzie Albies, and one has a .391 on-base percentage in Paul Goldschmidt. Nobody is hitting .300, only one player is on-pace for a 50-homer season, and the team isn’t the murderer’s row of superstars it was in prior years. Also, earlier this year, as well as the past several seasons, injuries revealed offensive dead zones pitchers could capitalize on.
This current Texas club is operating at full strength, however, which means there won’t be any easy places for Braves starter Nate Capriglione to attack.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, you recently acquired Josh Bell. How has his addition changed your team?
With your offense more talented than in years past, any consideration to Shohei Otani entering the rotation? He does have 7.1 shutout innings this year.
Steven Williams continues to grow as an offensive player. Have you expected him to progress as nicely as he has?
For Clayton Piper, Adonis Media has just 39 strikeouts in 83.1 innings, but has a 2.81 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. What has allowed him to be so successful?
Paul Goldschmidt is getting on base, but not hitting for power. Has that caused you any difficulty in setting up your lineups?
You have a deep bullpen, but Esteban Valadez has an ERA of 5.92. Is his Closer spot safe?
TRIVIA: Ozzie Albies still tops Atlanta’s all time Stolen Base leaderboard. Dansby Swanson is second. Who is third?
ATL: Nate Capriglione (11-4, 2.86)
TEX: Adonis Medina (5-5, 2.81)
Big time Pitching. Big time Power. Big time Defense.
It’s a formula that has led the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers to lead a pair of Big time Divisions.
The NL East leading Atlanta Braves will travel to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers in a battle of two terrific—and similarly-styled—ball clubs in the Game of the Week.
The Atlanta Braves have had a strong run-prevention unit the past few seasons now. Against juggernaut competitors in Washington and Philadelphia, the strategy has led to successful teams, but not successful enough to break into the upper echelon with those clubs. Aaron Dunham has added some power to his gang, however, and it’s given the team enough bite to hang with the elite.
Nobody has showcased this quite like Zach Collins this month. On June 13, with the Braves trailing the Dodgers 4-3 in the eighth, Collins stepped in against the exceptional David Robertson and led off the frame with a home run down the right field line. The blast tied the game at 5, and with Atlanta’s sturdy bullpen able to hold things down, allowed the Braves an opportunity to win two innings later when Mikey Polanski blasted a walk-off home run. The homer allowed Braves to take the first game of a series they’d eventually win thanks to the homer.
Collins came up huge 10 days later on Monday, June 23, with the situation inverted. This time, Polanski hit a huge home run in regulation to give the Braves a tie score against a top-tier league rival. With Atlanta’s bullpen handling the Philadelphia Phillies in extras, the Braves weren’t able to capitalize early in extras, giving Philadelphia hope they could escape with a win. Collins extinguished that hope in the 12th inning, with an opposite-field walk-off three-run homer to give Atlanta a walk-off win.
Collins’ week didn’t stop there. The next day, his solo home run in the sixth was the difference in a 4-3 win over the rival Phillies. The win was Atlanta’s second of the series, and propelled them to take three of four from Philadelphia. Collins also had a key two-run single in the third game of the series to extend a lead, and blasted a home run yesterday in a 6-0 win over Miami. He’s been powerful, he’s been clutch, and he’s been exactly what Atlanta needed.
Atlanta will take on a Texas team that looks more like Atlanta with each passing day. Texas used to be a powerful offensive team with a good staff, but a middling defense. Texas’ best players from years past have aged out of superstardom and the club has battled injuries which have sapped the team’s depth. However, in trading for Trent Clark, Texas has added a Gold Glove candidate to a team with Ozzie Albies and Raimfer Salinas. With Kyle Lewis playing the best defense of his career, Texas is second in the AL in Zone Rating.
While their offense is only seventh, they remain a slugging unit and are fifth in home runs. Those long balls keep them in any close game. Carlos Correa leads the club with 27 home runs, but six players have double-digits blasts. Of the three that don’t, one has been banged up this year in Nick Gordon, one has 18 steals in Ozzie Albies, and one has a .391 on-base percentage in Paul Goldschmidt. Nobody is hitting .300, only one player is on-pace for a 50-homer season, and the team isn’t the murderer’s row of superstars it was in prior years. Also, earlier this year, as well as the past several seasons, injuries revealed offensive dead zones pitchers could capitalize on.
This current Texas club is operating at full strength, however, which means there won’t be any easy places for Braves starter Nate Capriglione to attack.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, you recently acquired Josh Bell. How has his addition changed your team?
With your offense more talented than in years past, any consideration to Shohei Otani entering the rotation? He does have 7.1 shutout innings this year.
Steven Williams continues to grow as an offensive player. Have you expected him to progress as nicely as he has?
For Clayton Piper, Adonis Media has just 39 strikeouts in 83.1 innings, but has a 2.81 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. What has allowed him to be so successful?
Paul Goldschmidt is getting on base, but not hitting for power. Has that caused you any difficulty in setting up your lineups?
You have a deep bullpen, but Esteban Valadez has an ERA of 5.92. Is his Closer spot safe?
TRIVIA: Ozzie Albies still tops Atlanta’s all time Stolen Base leaderboard. Dansby Swanson is second. Who is third?
