Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 26, 2022 13:22:29 GMT -5
Atlanta Braves (89-55) @ Philadelphia Phillies (69-74)
ATL: Nate Capriglione (15-4, 2.51)
PHI: Michael Kopech (6-6, 5.37)
Braves 5 Key Stats:
0-2-2: Atlanta’s series record in its last four series against teams with winning records. The Braves split a pair of two gamers with Toronto, dropped three of four to Washington, and nearly got swept by the Mets, needing a ninth inning rally and extra inning heroics to salvage a game. The Braves are playing some of their worst baseball of the year with the postseason on the horizon.
2-5: Atlanta’s record in its last seven road games that finished in regulation. Keeping up the theme of Atlanta’s struggles, they’ve really stopped playing well on the road. Two extra inning wins in Miami and one in New York have bailed them out, giving them a 5-5 record in all road games during the time period, but good fortune helped them out. Atlanta has scored 22 runs in regulation over its last 10 home games as its offense has cratered.
4.8: Tony Ryan’s Zone Rating at Second Base in 43 Starts this season. Ryan will likely take over Second Base with Shane Shifflett pulling his hamstring. Atlanta can also plug in an outfielder, move Ian Happ to First, and shift Basket Benoit to Second.
2.51: Nate Capriglione’s ERA. Capriglione has been sensational this year, further refining a formula that’s served him well over his career, to take him to new heights. His home run rate is the lowest since his rookie year, continuing a reducing trend that started in 2023. His walk rate is the lowest of his career, as is his ground ball rate. Even though his strikeout rate is underwhelming, Capriglione has gotten hitters to hit fly balls in the park that his defense has run down. He’s always been great at limiting BABIP, and this year has been no exception. He’s had the third lowest BABIP against and as a result is in the Top 10 in opposing slugging.
.265: Ronny Mauricio’s Average. Mauricio is a stellar player, but last year, he had double digit home runs and a .286 average. This year, his average is 20 points lower, and he has three fewer home runs. The lower average means fewer opportunities to use his legs. Mauricio is having the same season he had most year before last, which is the difference between an All-Star and an MVP candidate.
Phillies 5 Key Stats:
41: Home Runs by rookies this season. The homers have been mainly distributed by Bobby Siegel, Jorge Becerra, and Isaiah High in just 565 combined at bats. High and Siegel look like stars and Becerra could have a nice future as well.
4-8: Philadelphia’s record against the Braves this year. Philadelphia’s struggles against its division rivals has helped provide the distance between Philly being a disappointment and a wild card contender.
1.077: Seth Beer’s OPS this year. Beer easily has the highest OPS in the league, and his 47 homers and 118 RBIs are second in the league. With Bryce Harper entering a new phase of his career, Beer has firmly taken hold of the reigns of being the best offensive hitter in the National League.
20: Relief games for A.J. Masucci. Once Philadelphia assessed their season and realized they wouldn’t be contenders, they sent Masucci to the bullpen after the trade deadline. His ERA is a full run lower in the pen, but he was successful as a starter too. He’s due arbitration next year, so the demotion was likely a way to save money and keep Masucci healthy. Masucci has been understanding and still has good morale despite the move.
3: Consecutive Starts for Michael Kopech allowing one run or fewer. Kopech is playing great baseball, despite not having a high strikeout rate his last few starts. He’s getting ground balls and having success on balls in play. The three opponents, however, were the Reds, Mets, and Marlins. Atlanta is struggling, but potent, and will be a nice challenge for Kopech.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jim Leesch, with Shane Shifflett out, who will take over at Second Base and who will lead off?
Your offense has really started to struggle hitting on the road. What can you do to shake them out of their struggles?
You haven’t called up any September call ups yet. Will we see any reinforcements for today’s game?
For Matt Grubs, not a great season for you, but you’ve seen some rookies explode on the scene. What are your thoughts on Bobby Siegel and Isaiah High heading into next year?
Juan Herrera is only 23 years old, and you’ve decided to get him some reps this year. Does he look ready for a spot on your team next season?
You fired Jay Bell as Bench Coach, going with former Giant Hitting Coach Chip Hale as your Bench Coach down the stretch. Why make that move?
TRIVIA: Seth Beer leads the NL in OPS this year, and has led the NL in OPS every year since 2023 except for 2025. Who led the NL in OPS in 2025?
ATL: Nate Capriglione (15-4, 2.51)
PHI: Michael Kopech (6-6, 5.37)
Braves 5 Key Stats:
0-2-2: Atlanta’s series record in its last four series against teams with winning records. The Braves split a pair of two gamers with Toronto, dropped three of four to Washington, and nearly got swept by the Mets, needing a ninth inning rally and extra inning heroics to salvage a game. The Braves are playing some of their worst baseball of the year with the postseason on the horizon.
2-5: Atlanta’s record in its last seven road games that finished in regulation. Keeping up the theme of Atlanta’s struggles, they’ve really stopped playing well on the road. Two extra inning wins in Miami and one in New York have bailed them out, giving them a 5-5 record in all road games during the time period, but good fortune helped them out. Atlanta has scored 22 runs in regulation over its last 10 home games as its offense has cratered.
4.8: Tony Ryan’s Zone Rating at Second Base in 43 Starts this season. Ryan will likely take over Second Base with Shane Shifflett pulling his hamstring. Atlanta can also plug in an outfielder, move Ian Happ to First, and shift Basket Benoit to Second.
2.51: Nate Capriglione’s ERA. Capriglione has been sensational this year, further refining a formula that’s served him well over his career, to take him to new heights. His home run rate is the lowest since his rookie year, continuing a reducing trend that started in 2023. His walk rate is the lowest of his career, as is his ground ball rate. Even though his strikeout rate is underwhelming, Capriglione has gotten hitters to hit fly balls in the park that his defense has run down. He’s always been great at limiting BABIP, and this year has been no exception. He’s had the third lowest BABIP against and as a result is in the Top 10 in opposing slugging.
.265: Ronny Mauricio’s Average. Mauricio is a stellar player, but last year, he had double digit home runs and a .286 average. This year, his average is 20 points lower, and he has three fewer home runs. The lower average means fewer opportunities to use his legs. Mauricio is having the same season he had most year before last, which is the difference between an All-Star and an MVP candidate.
Phillies 5 Key Stats:
41: Home Runs by rookies this season. The homers have been mainly distributed by Bobby Siegel, Jorge Becerra, and Isaiah High in just 565 combined at bats. High and Siegel look like stars and Becerra could have a nice future as well.
4-8: Philadelphia’s record against the Braves this year. Philadelphia’s struggles against its division rivals has helped provide the distance between Philly being a disappointment and a wild card contender.
1.077: Seth Beer’s OPS this year. Beer easily has the highest OPS in the league, and his 47 homers and 118 RBIs are second in the league. With Bryce Harper entering a new phase of his career, Beer has firmly taken hold of the reigns of being the best offensive hitter in the National League.
20: Relief games for A.J. Masucci. Once Philadelphia assessed their season and realized they wouldn’t be contenders, they sent Masucci to the bullpen after the trade deadline. His ERA is a full run lower in the pen, but he was successful as a starter too. He’s due arbitration next year, so the demotion was likely a way to save money and keep Masucci healthy. Masucci has been understanding and still has good morale despite the move.
3: Consecutive Starts for Michael Kopech allowing one run or fewer. Kopech is playing great baseball, despite not having a high strikeout rate his last few starts. He’s getting ground balls and having success on balls in play. The three opponents, however, were the Reds, Mets, and Marlins. Atlanta is struggling, but potent, and will be a nice challenge for Kopech.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jim Leesch, with Shane Shifflett out, who will take over at Second Base and who will lead off?
Your offense has really started to struggle hitting on the road. What can you do to shake them out of their struggles?
You haven’t called up any September call ups yet. Will we see any reinforcements for today’s game?
For Matt Grubs, not a great season for you, but you’ve seen some rookies explode on the scene. What are your thoughts on Bobby Siegel and Isaiah High heading into next year?
Juan Herrera is only 23 years old, and you’ve decided to get him some reps this year. Does he look ready for a spot on your team next season?
You fired Jay Bell as Bench Coach, going with former Giant Hitting Coach Chip Hale as your Bench Coach down the stretch. Why make that move?
TRIVIA: Seth Beer leads the NL in OPS this year, and has led the NL in OPS every year since 2023 except for 2025. Who led the NL in OPS in 2025?
