The ATL Thread - 8/7 - Big Bats vs Max

Google says -

In his last four pitching appearances/starts for the Atlanta Braves through August 6, 2026, Martín Pérez has posted a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA, allowing only 2 earned runs across 19.0 innings with 16 strikeouts.

Zero runs allowed in the last three starts.

Outstanding work by Martin.
He's been a steady force all season.
In postseason, if we can get 6 innings allowing 3 runs or less, from top 3 guys, that dog will hunt.
Turn it over to the best top to bottom bullpen for last 3 innings.
That formula worked in 2021.
It helped Smith got on his best roll there at the end.

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Playoff pitching key is to get Suarez back. Then you only need four innings from a starter not named Sale. Dodd, Fuentes, Lee, Suarez, Iggy get you a win.

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One of them is fine on a given night, but I'm not trusting Dodd and Fuentes on a nightly basis in a postseason atmosphere.

Starters have to go at least 5 in the playoffs.

I know the popular opinion right now is to hate on the Braves for not making any strong pitching moves at the trade deadline. That's a fair criticism, but I also think it's unfair to not point out that the scrapyard behind Sale has stepped up and done a pretty damn good job in leading us to the second best record in baseball.

These guys deserve credit, even if you're nervous about October.

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I'm fine with Fuentes in just about any situation. The stuff is so good and he gets so much swing and miss.

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For sure, he will be a good one and could play a huge role this October. But I've also seen it too many times where newbie pitchers wilt in their first postseason experiences.

We really needed to get some vet arms to combat that possibility.

The playoffs will certainly be higher stress situations, but the Braves just ended the playoff hopes of the best offense in baseball. The Nats are the only team that has scored over 600 runs.

Elder @ Dodgers in May -

5.2 innings, 1 hit, 0 ER

Perez vs Brewers in June -

6 innings, 6 hits, 1 ER

Certainly not October, but they’ve shown it’s possible.

Unfortunately I have left Atlanta so I will not be in attendance this weekend. That might be a good thing though, as the Braves are 3-0 this season when I attend.

Looking forward to a cracking series between two Great franchises and a thread with posters that know ball unlike the average DAT dummy

I thought DeGrom invoked his no trade clause?