NEW YORK — “You’ve obtained to know when to carry ‘em, know when to fold ‘em” is a well-known line from a Kenny Rogers track. This poker reference additionally applies to the choices Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos will make earlier than Tuesday’s Commerce Deadline.
With Chris Sale, Reynaldo López and Max Fried, the Braves have a beginning pitching trio that might trigger suits for groups within the postseason. However the odds of this crew reaching the playoffs have steadily fallen throughout a skid that was prolonged with an 8-4 loss to the Mets at Citi Discipline on Friday evening.
“It’s powerful,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “It’s not enjoyable going by means of this, I’ll let you know that.”
Anthopoulos constructed a roster that was greater than able to giving Atlanta its second World Collection title in 4 seasons. The problem turned steeper with season-ending accidents suffered by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider. Michael Harris II may finish a two-month absence in a number of weeks, however Ozzie Albies can be sidelined till the second half of September.
So, Anthopoulos should determine how aggressive he ought to be with potential trades. His crew has misplaced six straight video games for the primary time since 2017. The Braves sit third within the Nationwide League East race they usually’re now not main the NL Wild Card race.
The Mets now personal this distinction with a half-game lead over the Padres and Braves, who’re abruptly in a decent battle for one of many NL’s three Wild Card spots.
“There’s undoubtedly a way of urgency,” Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud stated. “It’s been over 100 video games and this six-game skid — we all know we’ve obtained to get it going and attempt to win each sequence.”
May a commerce or two change the trajectory of this Braves crew that has misplaced 9 of its previous 12 video games? Is it price giving up not less than one prospect to presumably make a robust postseason run this 12 months?
This newest loss may very well be pinned on Charlie Morton, who allowed three homers in a seven-run third. It was a tough outing for the 40-year-old veteran, whose 4.16 ERA is in keeping with what a crew desires from its fourth starter.
Buying beginning pitching isn’t a precedence for this crew, particularly with the expectation that Fried can be activated from the injured record throughout the early a part of August.
What are the most important wants?
To get Matt Olson goingRegardless of who the Braves purchase through commerce, they want Olson to point out some sense of reliability over the season’s last two months. His .471 OPS in July is the fourth-lowest mark amongst all certified MLB gamers.
An outfielder, particularly one which may very well be efficient within the leadoff roleJarred Kelenic tasted fast success when he was moved to the highest of the lineup in the course of June. However he has produced a .209 on-base proportion and .475 OPS in July. So, it wasn’t shocking earlier than Friday’s sport when Snitker stated, “I could should go together with one thing outdoors the field,” after he was requested a few potential swap on the leadoff spot.
Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna aren’t the prototypical top-of-the-lineup duo. However they’re Atlanta’s solely on a regular basis gamers with a .300 on-base proportion this month.
If Snitker began his lineup with Riley, Ozuna, Olson and both Travis d’Arnaud or Sean Murphy (relying on who’s catching that day), the remainder of the lineup would nonetheless be skinny. Harris’ return will assist lengthen the lineup. However this offense would seemingly nonetheless want one other outfield improve.
With Acuña, Harris and Kelenic locked up, the Braves would favor to get an outfielder on an expiring contract. Would Tommy Pham, Kevin Pillar, Jesse Winker or Mark Canha be an improve?
The hurdle isn’t a steep one when you think about what the Braves’ outfielders have completed not too long ago.
Adam Duvall loved his first two-homer sport of the season on Friday and has now produced a .735 OPS in July. That quantity turns into extra encouraging if you account for the truth that he has had simply 5 plate appearances towards left-handed pitchers. This contains his ninth-inning homer towards Mets southpaw Jake Diekman.
Eddie Rosario hasn’t created a lot confidence whereas producing a .495 OPS since rejoining the Braves a number of weeks in the past. As for Kelenic, his promising June and ugly July have simply served as a reminder that the Braves took a chance on his unproven expertise after they acquired him from the Mariners in December.
“Crucial factor is to be taking part in your greatest model of baseball down the stretch,” Duvall stated. “That’s what we’ve been working for all 12 months.”
