Game of the Week: September 22: Nationals vs. Braves

[Grubs - Philly]

Washington Nationals (84-65) @ Atlanta Braves (76-73)

The Braves have played Washington hard since the PBA has been around, trailing the 73-game series by just three games. In fact, into June last year, the Braves had the all-time advantage. This year has been much of the same between two squads that share color schemes, but precious little love. Atlanta has dropped nine games to the Nats but won seven of their own. The Braves took two of three from Washington last week and are hungry not just to exact revenge on the DC juggernaut, but to extract a winning season from 2020.

The visiting Nats bring Joe Ross to the mound. Ross has been every bit the equal of superstar teammate Max Scherzer this season, despite a 10-3 record. The 27-year-old right-hander hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his past eight starts, and if the Nationals can somehow take the division, he'll be a big reason why. Ross hasn't gone deep into games recently, tallying 90 or fewer pitches in his last few starts. Perhaps it's a hangover from the 157-pitch, nine-inning effort against Colorado at the beginning of August. Atlanta "got to" him last week, saddling him with the loss despite five innings and just two runs.

Atlanta planned to throw lefty Sean Manaea, the staff's nominal ace, but a sore shoulder has him shut down for the season. Daniel Mengden and Ian Anderson could be in line for the start, or the Braves could go to the pen for a spot start from Dinelson Lamet or Mike Soroka. The Braves' staff is tired, but a Monday rest day will help clear the starter picture. Rest assured, Atlanta will be ready to go.

Washington raced out of the gate all the way up to Memorial Day, when things got ugly. June and July saw the Nats stumble just as Philly got hot. They've since stopped taking on water, but just three series remain to make up five games. Don't count them out, though, thanks largely to Bryce Harper. There's little debate that he's the most powerful offensive force that's been seen in decades. Certainly not since Barry Bonds retired in the midst of the steroid era has baseball seen something like this—and there's no hint of anything amiss in Harper's unbelievable season. It's been exciting to watch for everyone but the team he faces at any given time. It's hard to find a stat that fully captures what the 27-year-old has done this season, but his 205 wRC+ gets close. He's basically two guys. And he's hitting for a higher average against lefties than righties. And he's stolen 19 bases while only getting caught thrice. With Trea Turner out, manager Jake Pennel will have to turn to Drew Ward, a noticeable downgrade.

Atlanta is a team that is still figuring itself out, offensively. Ozzie Albies has come into his own this year at second base, and is hitting .304 with 21 steals, despite missing two months earlier in the year with neck issues. The Braves have been able to mash a little, with rookie 1B Anderson Franco and Evan Longoria each smacking 30 home runs so far. But neither is hitting above .248, and with not a whole lot else going on in the lineup, the base paths have been somewhat empty. Still, the Braves are scrappy, and a solid starting rotation coupled with tight defense has kept them competitive.

Questions for Jake Pennel

• You've weathered injuries from Stephen Strasburg and Carter Capps, but Trea Turner went down last week with back problems. Drew Ward seems to be it for your options in middle infield. Do you have a secret weapon stashed away, or will you have to gut it out until Turner's back calms down?  
• You didn't add much to a squad that didn't seem to need anything this year, and you look to have righted the ship after a rough couple of months. What's been the key to your turnaround?
• Juan Soto has been a solid addition to your outfield, on the heels of Robles' outstanding rookie campaign. Do you have a good feel for when these guys are ready, or is that more dictated by your PBA club?

Questions for Steve Trent

• As you look to retool the Braves' major league roster, where do you see Josh Morgan fitting in? He's been a terrific call-up since you promoted him from Gwinnett in May (along with Christian Hicks), but you have young talent all over the infield and three more seasons of Longoria at third.
• Your starting rotation seems to be four deep, with Jerad Eickhoff the obvious weak link. Lames seems like he might be ready to step up. Where does that leave what seems to be a frustrating bullpen picture as you push to stay above .500? 
• Who's going to start? And do you have any sort of strategy for approaching Washington's deep lineup?

 

[Steve-ATL]

Josh Morgan and Christian Hicks have been one of our very few consistent hitters since they came up. Josh, has been a DH for us and has done well at that position.  He is only 24yrs old and next year could be considered for a few different spots in our lineup along with Hicks. The Braves as an organization are in a position where players who produce will play. As of right now, there are only about 3 players who have a concrete spot in the lineup. For the rest of the year everyone will be sharing time with other players trying to earn their own spot.  I have managed about a third of this season and want to get a good look at everyone because change is coming.  We have players who aren't starting that will, and players not even here that will start next year.  The Braves as an organization are developing, and hope to be a powerhouse in years to come.  We had an average year, but we are striving for playoffs and championships not average seasons.

My starting rotation has taken a lot of hits lately. Our pitchers are all pretty young. All of them in the starting rotation currently except Folty, were in AAA at one point this year. We are doing the same thing with the pitchers as we are with the hitters. We have one of the youngest teams in the PBA, so we are at a point where players are earning their position through; hard-work, dedication, good play, effort, and buying in to what we are doing. Jared earned those starts by good bullpen pitching he just didn't have many good outings in his last starts. Lamet has had some rough outings as of late, giving up 9 earned runs in his last 5.1 innings. He may get a chance to start but we want to get him back on track first. There are two or three pitchers that want to start that are currently in the bullpen. There is also a pitcher who is getting his very first start this coming up week. Johan Oviedo, was great all year in AAA, and will get a start this week against the Nationals. If he can produce numbers similar to AAA we will be happy. Tomorrow the starter will either be Johan Oviedo or Mike Soroka. Both pitchers that next year could be with the Braves all year and possibly as starters. Washington's line up is deep, with superstar power. But I want these young pitchers to face premium players so we they can get a look at what the NL East is like. We are going to approach Washington as if this is our playoff series, not only are they almost locked in as a Wildcard but they are divison foes. Having said that if we can string some hits together and score some runs, I think our young pitchers can get a win. Right now, we are focusing on our organization. Our bullpen rank is 10th and so is our batting average, with or on base percentage and runs scored worse. We have a lot of work to do.

GO BRAVES!

[Commissioner Erick]

I'm hoping Ross throws 157 pitches again for the sheer WTF factor.