POSTCAST: More great pitching for Atlanta Braves in 2-0 shut-out of Chicago Cubs

Speaker 30s - 75.2s

It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. If you're looking to refinance or get a loan right now, let me tell you about Intercap ORG lending. Intercap lending is one of the largest independent lenders in the country. They are hyper responsive. They embrace change and their borrower experience is absolutely fabulous. At locked on, we have our own personal loan officer at Intercap Lending ORG.His name is Steve Carter PERSON. And if you call him and tell him you're locked on, you get the corporate discount. But more than that, what's so great about Steve PERSON Carter is the reviews at Lockdown that we continually get about Steve. Mike Curtis PERSON emailed me to say, I just wanted to thank you for your network. We just refied with Steve Carter PERSON. It was so incredibly easy.I can attest to it. I got my loan done with Steve Carter PERSON. Who else? Richard Gordon PERSON emailed me and said, thank you so much promoting intercap lending. We used them earlier this year.Steve was amazing. And Steve PERSON is amazing. Call him at 385-888-28-385-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-2-tall-em Locked-on sent you. Intercapped Lending, MLS, number 190-465. For more information, visit intercaptlending.com.

Speaker 177.7s - 92.8s

You are a Locked-on Braves Postcast, part of Locked-on Sports Atlanta, your team every day. Hello and welcome in to the Braves Postcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network ORG,

Speaker 492.92s - 171.72s

your team every day. Grant McCauley, Jake Masteriani with you after a 2-0 win for the Braves ORG over the Chicago Cups as they open up a homestand proper. They stopped over last week for a couple of games, won both of those. Braves keep their winning ways alive at Truis Park FAC in recent memory. And it comes after what was kind of an up and down weekend,but a series win nonetheless in New York GPE. And the Braves ORG seem to be at least finding ways to win on a regular basis again, even if the offense hasn't necessarily showed up in mass just yet. We'll talk a little bit about the key hits that were in this game, but more so some more great pitching for the Atlanta Braves ORG. And their two-nothing win over the Chicago Cubs to open up this three-game series.Before we get started, hit that thumbs up and subscribe to Lockdown Sports Atlanta here on YouTube ORG. Also, subscribe to Lockdown Braves ORG wherever you get your podcast. Today's episode brought to you by Prius Picks ORG. Prize Picks is America's number one fantasy sports app with more than 3 million members. Download the app today. Use the code Locked-on MLB for a first deposit match of up to $100. Jake PERSON, it was once again great pitching,both from the rotation and from the bullpen, some timely hits, and just enough runs to win a baseball game. And they did so without too much fuss, if you will. And I think that the Braves will take one of those nicer, easier versions of a win, even though maybe they left a few runners out on the base pass,some missed opportunities to pile up a few more runs. But two will do, as a case will be.

Speaker 0172.18s - 196.92s

Yeah, it wasn't a blowout, certainly, but it didn't feel like there was a ton of drama either. Maybe at least a little bit until the ninth inning there, but otherwise, you know, a pretty stress-free game, it was just two-nothing. It kind of felt like the league was bigger than that at times because the Braves ORG had so many chances like we talked about. But yeah, you'll take the wins and especially at home.You get, you know, after a late night, Sunday night, playing Sunday night baseball and a tough loss. You come back home, you get a win to start out a series and a homestand.

Speaker 4197.28s - 243.06s

Yeah, their Sunday was a little bit different than it would have been had they played at say 1-130 because it didn't get home until nearly four in the morning. So that will make it a little bit late-arriving crowd the next day, as the Braves ORG did not take batting practice before the game, did what they call the show-and-go, and it netted them a win,but I would also say that the pitching was a large part of what netted the Braves ORG just win, another night in which it's just center stage for this rotation of late. Rinaldo Lopez, five scoreless innings, did have to deal with some back tightness. We'll talk more about that a little bit later, not believed to be aserious thing. Bullpen followed with four scoreless innings. I don't know if we can really come up with too many more superlatives or adjectives to describe it, but the Braves pitching staff right now, Jake PERSON, I would call it the driving force of Atlanta's success so far in 2024. Yeah, that's what I would call it.

Speaker 0243.08s - 270.06s

That's what I called it on Monday's podcast. It looks like things are changing. It's a changing of the guard. This is no longer the best offense in baseball. The offense is no longer what's carrying this team. It has been the pitching. And we all believe that's probably going to change at some point,at least offense kind of getting on track. But if this pitching remains like it is and that offense gets going like we expected to, I mean, this starts to look like the best team in all of baseball. Again, even with all that, they still have been one of the best teams in all

Speaker 1270.06s - 306.4s

of baseball. But a big part of that over the last three or four weeks has been this pitching staff, which has just been absolutely dominant. And a lot of that done by Renaldo Lopez, but Chris Sale PERSON's been really good. Charlie Morton PERSON obviously has looked fantastic. Max Fried PERSON was flirting with a no hitter almost every time he goes out there.And, you know, Bryce Elder did what it needed to do on Sunday to give the Braves ORG a chance to win. So again, shaky early on with the slow start from Max Free, Spencer Strider PERSON, injury obviously hurts, kind of threw off the rotation there for a little while. You know, but things have really been on track here for, again, going on a month now. This is like one of the better rotations in baseball.

Speaker 4306.82s - 363s

It has been, and it's crazy to think that they're doing all of this, obviously, without Spencer Strider PERSON. I know we kind of, you know, put that caveat on it every single time. It shouldn't surprise us, though, that the guy like Max Reed figured out his early season struggles or that the guy like Chris Sale PERSON, when healthy, is pitching like Chris Sale. And we'll see that again very soon.Charlie Morton PERSON has found a way to kind of go through some of the highs and lows, and more times did not be a productive member of this rotation. And all of a sudden, this Randolto Lopez PERSON guy, who most folks were kind of looking at it in spring training thinking, okay, I thought this was going to be another big bullpen arm, but he's going to be the fifth starter. Now, all of a sudden, he is the fourth starter.And as the case may be, Jake PERSON. And again, we saw it today. He has been more than up to the job of jumping back in rotation and handling his business. And again, as I mentioned, Brian Snickr talking about it after the game, he left early after just the five innings in tonight's contest, thanks to some back soreness. But either way, maybe his back has been sore from helping carry this brave's rotation because he's done a great job.

Speaker 0363.58s - 440s

He has, and even when the rotation was struggling early on, he was out there putting up zeros every time he went out. And he's continued to do that all year long. So, you know, it's just been incredible to see what he's done. I mean, there were certainly questions about him coming into the year and rightfully so because it's a guy who was, call it what it is.He was a failed starter. I mean, he had one decent year with the White Sox there in 2018, but then couldn't stick in the rotation, finally moved to the bullpen where his career then took off against in a good way. And then the Braves ORG decided to see if that translate to the rotation. And again,wasn't sure about that coming into spring training. He had to battle for that spot. He won it, and he has ran with it so far to begin this season. And hate that he had the back tightness, but, you know, raids are going to have to look for ways to limit him throughout the season anyway,just because he is going from a bullpened spot to a starter. So I had to find ways to kind of limit his innings, but certainly while he's out there, he has been not just one of the best starters for the Braves ORG. He's been one of the best starters in all of baseball, lowering that ERA in this outing again. So again, it's just been amazing to watch what he's been able to do.Only 71 pitches in this one. I mean, this was a start where if he felt better, as Snicker PERSON said after the game, I mean, he was going to go in seven, eight innings if he was able to.

Speaker 4440.46s - 501.62s

Yeah, I think that that would have been the case. But as you pointed out, there are kind of ways that you can maybe build in a little bit of rest or at least not overtax this guy, especially early on in the season because you are going to want to keep him fresh after being used to throwing that 60 to 70 innings, which is a pretty normal workload for a reliever. All of a sudden, the rotation, especially when you move out of the fifth spot, they're going to be asking you for 140, 150, maybe more. We'll see how that old thing plays out. I know the Braves ORG aren't big on just innings, caps, and limits and shutting guys down and allthose things, but you want to be smart about how you deploy this guy. In addition to what was going on on the mound, there was just enough offense on this night, and it happened with the fill-in for a guy that the Braves ORG, I don't think, can really afford to be without for very long. That, of course, is Austin Riley PERSON. We'll get into a little bit more of the update on him, but out of the lineup on Monday.Zach Short PERSON gets the opportunity. All he does is break the scoreless tie, score the second run of the game, and find himself just in the middle of the one key rally that the Braves had to win this game by a two-nothing score. He did.

Speaker 0501.7s - 552.84s

Also had a big play, and again, there weren't a lot of jams in this one, but held Ronaldo Lopez get out of that fifth inning with a good play at third base. And then, as you said, delivered a two-out RBI after Travis Arnoe PERSON got on with a double and giving the Braves of one-nothing lead, which ended up being all they needed. Acuna PERSON knocked a short in to get things done. But, I mean, this guy comes in, filling in for Austin Riley. He walks twice on Sunday night when he comes in. He gets another walk tonight and then gets the RBI hit there to get the Braves ORG on the board to double.So, you know, just incredible job by Zach Short PERSON. Who knows, obviously, it's still kind of up in the air how long Austin Riley PERSON is going to be out. But until he actually goes on the IL ORG, I feel like this is going to be his job. Now, if Riley were to go on the aisle, you could speculate maybe David Fletcher gets an opportunity, but Zach Short PERSON certainly making the most of it so far filling in for Austin Riley PERSON. Yeah, we'll talk more about Austin Riley. I think

Speaker 4552.84s - 633.2s

some encouraging news after the game in the form of the MRI results. But again, at the very least right now, it's a day-to-day thing is the way the Braves are dealing with it. And today was a day in which they did not have Austin Riley and Zach Short PERSON stepped up big time. You mentioned Ronald Lecunia Jr. added that RBI to bring Short PERSON home with that all too a valuable insurance run. You always like to have at least one of those, maybe more.We'll see if the Braves ORG' offense can start doing that a little bit more. Rinaldo Lopez covering those first five innings on 71 pitches. Then Ray Kerr, who I'm definitely going to get into as we continue on, Dylan Lee and A.J. Mentor PERSON is just a trove of left-handers coming out of the bullpen. Not particularly surprised, am I that A.J. Mentor PERSON got another opportunity to close, despite Sunday's loss, they're not going to stay away from him in leverage situations,including the ninth inning, nor should they. I know there have been some struggles there, but it's also, I think, served the dual role of you wanted to give maybe a little bit of extra time to Joe Jimenez and to Riesel Iglesias PERSON, particularly keeping in mind with how busy the Braves ORG are about to be over the next nearly three weeks with only one off day over that course of time. And that's going to come on Thursday.Then they're going to embark on, I think, it's a 13-game stretch with no off-days. So you just have to figure out ways, I think, Jake PERSON, to mix and match these guys. And Ray Kerr and Dylan Lee with some big innings and AJ Mentor PERSON getting back on the horse. Those were all good things for the Braves bullpen today.

Speaker 0633.2s - 658.1s

And they played so many close games recently that you've had to really rely on this bullpen to pitch in a lot of key spots. But you're right. Not surprised Snicker PERSON went back to him. I mean, Snicker is out of that Bobby Cox PERSON mold. He is as loyal as can be to his players.And he's going to throw you right back out there, even after you've blown two save opportunities with walkoff home runs in the past week or so, a couple of weeks. But AJ Mentor PERSON goes back out there, gets himself in a little bit of trouble,

Speaker 4658.18s - 663.04s

huge double play ball to escape that inning and got to fly out as well to end the game.

Speaker 1663.24s - 673.26s

So good to see that. Look, Mentor, he's been fantastic. We know as a setup guy, there has been a little bit of troubles with him trying to close out games, but I mean, he has still been, I think, the best reliever

Speaker 0673.26s - 677.48s

for the Braves over the last several years. Yeah, and nobody's making the case that he should

Speaker 4677.48s - 765.22s

take over the closing duties, but on the flip side of that coin, as far as like absolutes are concerned, you can't rule out the possibility of needing him on a day in which you don't have the guy who's supposed to do the closing. And we should also keep in mind, and maybe by Friday, this will be something that kind of works itself out as well.You'll get Pierce Johnson PERSON back in this mix. That's the guy that could close for you as well when Ricell Iglesias PERSON isn't available. But be that as it may, it all worked out tonight. AJ Mentor PERSON did bounce back. I do think it's great to do that inside of 24 hours if possible, and he was able to get that done.Meanwhile, we will continue on and break down this game from the pitching performances to the key runs and update on one of the Braves ORG key players as well. All of that is coming your way right here on the Braves ORG postcast. With policy genius, you can find life insurance policies. It started just $292 per year for $1 million worth of coverage.Some options offer same-day approval and avoid unnecessary medical exams. Policy Genius ORG will help you compare your options from top companies and their team of licensed experts is on hand to help talk you through that process. It's easy to compare quotes from America GPE's top insurers and just a few clicks to find your lowest price. You'll also find thousands of five-star reviews on Google ORG and trust pilot from customers who found the best fit for their needs as well. Check life insurance off your to-do list in no time with PolicyGenius ORG.Head over to policygenius.com slash locked-on MLB ORG. Click that link in the description to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. That's PolicyGenius.com slash locked on MLB ORG.

Speaker 1766.4s - 796.44s

Delicious meat nutritious in the snack that packs a real protein punch, wonderful pistachios. This is Ryan Fickleston, the host of Locked-on Mets ORG, and I love the no-shells wonderful pistachios so I can eat them straight out of the bag whenever I need a boost, and my favorite flavor is their sea salt and vinegar.But if you're a pistachio purist who loves cracking open every nut, they also have great flavors like sweet chili and salt and pepper. Grab wonderful pistachios and elevate your snacking game today. Visit wonderfulpastashos.com to learn more.

Speaker 4798.88s - 880.96s

Jake, let's get inside the line score and the box score of this two-nothing win for the Braves over the Chicago Cubs to open up this three-game series as the Braves begin a homestand against the Cubs and later on the Padres ORG. Reynaldo Lopez PERSON was on the mound for this one. He covered the first five innings as the Braves enjoyed their fifth shutout of the season. Cubs had just five hits, no errors for them. Braves with two runs on 10 hits, no errors.Left quite a few folks out on the bases, though, did the Braves ORG. Ten total left on base. The Cubs, meanwhile, they left six. The loser is Wosneski PERSON. He is now two and two on the year, and the winning pitcher in relief is Ray Kerr. And I want to get to him in just a moment. Save goes to A.J. Mentor his first of the year. And we'll talk more about that as well. Let's go ahead and get into it a little bit with Rinaldo Lopez PERSON. I know we talked about him some here to open up the show, but this has been the carrying force for the Braves ORG here lately.It's been what the starting pitching staff has done over the last 26 games now, a sub-3 ERA for the Braves ORG as a pitching staff. The starting rotation, meanwhile, has an ERA of, I believe, 175, if I'm not mistaken, over that same stretch. Tremendous work is being done by this rotation, and it's not surprising to see that Rinaldo Lopez PERSON is right in the middle of it, considering everything that we've seen from him over the first six weeks of the season.And again, tonight, and as we talked about, you might have gotten a couple of more innings that his back not tightened up.

Speaker 0881.4s - 918.5s

Yeah, I think he certainly would have with the way that he was going, just 71 pitches to get through five innings. As I mentioned, not a lot of stress there. The only time he really had some walked a couple batters, which maybe was due to that back tightening up on him, kind of lost location there for a little bit, but the good play by Zach Short PERSON to get out of that inning, it's really still just fastball slider. Now, he did mix in seven curb balls in this one. I wouldn't necessarily say they were highly effective to get a couple of called strikes for no swings and misses on it.But that slider, I mean, eight whiffs on 15 swings against it. It is just such a good pitch. And he's locating it pretty much in the same spot, which is where you want it every time down and away.

Speaker 1918.7s - 931.26s

And he's just so consistent with that pitch. And what I've been impressed with about the fastball, the four seamer is that he's reaching back and getting 98 when he needs it. It's not max effort every time. You know, it's averaging 95.

Speaker 0931.98s - 971.04s

But, you know, fourth, fifth, sixth inning, he's in a jam, whatever it may be. He can reach back and get a little extra, something that he's talked about, you know, not just coming out, throwing hard max velocity,every pitch. And I certainly think that's helping with command, but it's there when he needs it. And I think that's so important for Renaud Lopez PERSON. Honestly, I think that's probably the way more pitchers need to pitch going forward, but that's a whole different discussion. But certainly for Renato Lopez PERSON, he has made that work and it's been very good for him. A 39% called strike pluswhip percentage on just 71 pitches. That is an incredible number for him. Very efficient, like I said, throwing strikes, getting those swings and misses, just another outstanding outing from him. Yeah,

Speaker 4971.08s - 1043.04s

just more of the same from Ronaldo Lopez PERSON. I know you mentioned to me he was a failed starter early in his career, but he's finding new life with his second opportunity to get back in there. As most relievers, I guess by definition, are probably failed starters at some point,but that's also another discussion for another time. Somebody we saw who is not a failed reliever, I will say, is Ray Kerr, two-inning scoreless ball, three punchouts for him. We saw his big fastball, great curve ball as well. I mean, this is a fun story. And they told it again on the broadcast of kind of his, you know, circuitous route to finding himself in a professional baseball. He was not a highly touted prospect. It was kind of a second chance opportunity. And as the case may be, Jake, when the Braves ORG were going out looking for qualitybullpen options, they identified Ray Kerr, the big strikeout stuff that he has. They were impressed by him in spring training. I talked to him about a week ago and he said, look, I wanted to go down to Gwinnett GPE, do all my work and let them know that I am ready whenever that call comes. He was surprised it was this early in the year, but was excited to make the most of this opportunity. And I would say through his first couple of appearances, Ray Kerr has made a very nice impression on the Braves ORG as he looks to maybe campaign for some more work as the seasongoes along, because if he keeps doing this, he may find his way to that mix. Yeah, he's going to have to,

Speaker 01043.12s - 1092.78s

especially, you know, you're going to have times like this throughout the year with the bullpen guys nicked up here and there, guys who need the days off. And so you're going to need people like Ray Kerr to step up. You know, the Braves took on a pretty good bit of money to get him, taking on Matt Carbender PERSON, and it was kind of a move that surprised a lot of people. But, you know, it gives you another reliever who has had the one option left so you could, you know,use them like they have so far this year. Send him down and call them up when you need them. But obviously the brave saw some big time stuff from him that thought he could be a piece in the future. And again, it is early on, but he has certainly shown that tonight five whiffs on 11 swings in two innings. He was just really, really good. And again, with guys down, essentially Jimenez and Iglesias PERSON weren't available again.Pierce Johnson PERSON's out. You need guys like this that are going to step up. And Snicker needs to be able to trust those six,

Speaker 11092.88s - 1106.98s

seventh, eighth guys in the bullpen at times to hold on to these leads. Because as we've talked about, the offense isn't blowing anybody out right now. They're playing in a lot of close games. And you're going to need those guys at the back of the bullpen to come in and give you some big innings.You got that from Ray Kerr.

Speaker 41107.24s - 1217.66s

You got it from Dylan Lee on this night as well. And so that just speaks, I think, to the depth of this bullpen that we all knew was very deep coming into the year. And it speaks again to the front office and Alex Lentopoulos PERSON, just continuing to add to that depth knowing you're going to need it throughout the season. Yeah, and they have needed it.And they know that as the case is every year, they're going to use even more of it as the season goes along, most definitely. We've seen Jesse Chavez PERSON get some important innings on top of that. Jackson Stevens PERSON is kind of serving in that use them if you need him, long relief kind of role, but everybody knows their role. That's something I talked to Jesse Chavez about today before the game is.Everybody knows what they're supposed to do. They also understand there's some nights, hey, we've got to step up and do something else. We've got to get these outs because not everybody can pitch every night. That's just not a practical way to utilize your relievers. And I do think the Braves ORG have built enough depth where they can go without a pitcher or two in the bullpen or stay away from them anyway and still get the results they need to. And Monday was a nice example of that.The Braves wanted some relievers to get an extra day. He talked about that a little bit going up. And that's what Brian Snitker PERSON are coming up, I should say. That's what Brian Snickr PERSON talked about after the game and the reasoning for staying away from Rice-Elegal and from Joe Jimenez PERSON. On the offensive side, we talked about Zach Short PERSON, and that's kind of the long and shortof the Braves' offense on this night. There were, though, some frustrations for Ronald Lacunae Jr. on the offensive side, we talked about Zach Short, and that's kind of the long and short of the Braves offense on this night. There were, though, some frustrations for Ronald Lecunia Jr. on the base paths. Picked off twice on Sunday. That doesn't happen very often in baseball to anyone, let alone a guy with the kind of stolen base credentials of Ronald Lucunya Jr. It happened again on Monday night,and I would have to imagine that Ronald PERSON's going to do some adjusting to make sure that this does not become a habit, because the last couple of days, I think it's been frustrating for him, I'm sure for the Braves ORG, and obviously for Braves fans who would love to see him doing the other thing when he's out there on the base path. Yeah, and Ozzy gets picked

Speaker 01217.66s - 1233.36s

off in this one too, so I don't know what's going on, but either way, it's frustrating. You have to think, wonder, maybe are the Braves ORG trying to press a little bit on offense, knowing that they haven't been able to score as many runs as they're used to, so maybe trying to do a little bit too much, whatever the case may be. Got to figure it out quick,

Speaker 11233.36s - 1247.84s

because as Snicker PERSON himself said after the game, the offense is not producing at a point right now where you can give up outs on the base pass. And I know we talk about it on here a lot. You never want to take away Ronald PERSON's aggressiveness, but certainly, you know, you can't keep killing rallies like this

Speaker 01247.84s - 1254.12s

because you can't always imagine that things are going to play out the way they do, but he probably scores that inning if he doesn't get picked off there.

Speaker 21254.2s - 1257.52s

If things play out the same way, similar for Ozzy later in the game,

Speaker 01257.62s - 1306.16s

he probably at least is at third base with one out. If he doesn't get picked off there, again, if everything remains the same afterwards. So again, it's just, I understand just because of where the offense is, they're not putting up six,seven, eight runs a night like we're used to seeing. So you're trying maybe to force the envelope a little bit, but I got to just stay within your game, do what's made you so great. This offense is going to turn around. We know that.And look, on this night, you got seven hits and three walks off Shoda Imanaga PERSON, who's been one of the best picturesers in all of baseball this year. I mean, that is a lot of base runners, but you just weren't able to push anything across. And I think that's not great, obviously,but I think it also shows some signs that maybe there is some life from this offense. Everybody had a hit except for Orlando Arcia PERSON. So, I mean, they are starting to get on base. They're starting to rack up hitch double-digit hits tonight. We haven't seen that a lot here in recent weeks.

Speaker 11306.3s - 1308.4s

So I think there are some good signs.

Speaker 41308.52s - 1385.76s

It's just you can't try to do too much. You've got to trust that this offense is going to break out and do their thing. Yeah, and we hadn't even really talked about Imanaga that much, but he was able to work around a lot of traffic on the base pass. I would say more than just about any start that he's had thus far. And he has been brilliant for the Cubs since coming over from Japan GPE.Seven hits, three walks and his shutout innings, five shutout innings, I should say, with eight strikeouts. So he was able to get some swinging miss when he needed to. And a lot of the Braves rallies started with two outs. And that has been kind of a trend of late, it feels like, as well, is this two outs, nobody on. Then we've got a hit, a walk. And all of a sudden, it's just, you're trying to score with 2,000.Unless Marcelo Zun is up there, it just seems like it's a little bit more difficult for some of the other Braves hitters these days. And speaking of one Braves ORG hitter who was not able to help out in this game, Austin Riley out of the lineup, got some imaging done on Monday afternoon that MRI came back, just showing some inflation in his side. It is the normal size. It is not inflated.I can assure you. Braves ORG are hopeful, though. He gets back in the lineup. And then the numbers can start to become inflated for that Atlanta ORG offense. But Zach PERSON, short again, congrats on being next man up. But Brian Snicker updating the status of Austin Riley PERSON is day to day.I think they're hopeful he's going to avoid the injured list, but it doesn't sound like he's going to jump right back in the lineup.

Speaker 01386.5s - 1432.76s

Yeah, probably at least miss the rest of this series, and they'll probably reevaluate and see it maybe an I'll still stand as needed, because it is just 10 days. So, you know, at some point, it makes more sense to get another body up there. If you don't think he's going to be back for this weekend, but still have to see as the week goes on.But you hate it for Austin Riley PERSON, because again, he's another one of these guys where you felt like he was starting to turn a corner and get things going. And now you got this setback and what's been a slow start to the season. And it just really kind of gives you some bad vibes for Riley PERSON right now. But hopefully it is nothing significant. I mean, inflammation, not inflation is probably the best thing that you could have asked forright now with Austin Riley PERSON. So hopefully he's not out long. He can get back out there. And like I said, kind of continue the good thing that you could have asked for right now with Austin Riley PERSON. So hopefully he's not out long. He can get back out there. And like I said, kind of continue the good swings that we've seen from him here lately and get hot and get going like we know he can.

Speaker 41433s - 1506.24s

Yeah, you'd love to see that. And again, Zach Short didn't come over to the Braves ORG. I don't think imagining that he was going to jump right into his starting third base role for any length of time. But that's exactly what he's getting. And he's made the most of his quick opportunity on Monday. And even checking in for Austin Riley on Sunday's game, as you mentioned,he's been finding his way on base quite a bit here in the early going in his Braves ORG career. When we come back, we will talk a little bit more about the Monday win. We'll also get you ready for Tuesday, game two. Between the Braves and the Cubs is Chris Sale and James and Tyon will match up at Truest Park FAC. That is coming your way as the Braves ORG postcast continues. Prize picks is America's number one fantasy sports app with more than 3 million members.It's the easiest and most exciting way to get in on the action while you watch your favorite sports and players. Baseball season in full swing is where midway through May, but don't miss your chance to add your favorite players from the diamond to your prize picks entries. Whether strikeouts, RBIs, or first inning runs, take your pick of more or less and add your prize picks entries today. Download that app and use the code Locked on MLB ORG for a first deposit match of up the $100 that is locked on MLB in the prize picks app. The Locked on MLB Fantasy Minute is presented by PrizePix PRODUCT.

Speaker 21506.36s - 1566.02s

PrizePix is the most fun I've had to playing daily fantasy baseball and winning up to 25 times my money. Download the app today and use the code Locked-on MLB for first deposit matchup to $100. Exploring my skills on prize picks this season adds an extra layer of excitement to daily fantasy sports. With just a few taps, you can transform $10 into $1,000 if you've got the skills. PrizePix PRODUCT is incredibly user-friendly. I can make my selections and submit my entries in less than 60 seconds.And as the host of Locked-on Fantasy Baseball, here's some great picks for you. Off for Tyler Glass Now to have higher than six strikeouts in his next game. Offer Casey Mize to have higher than 5.5 total hits in his next outing. Offer Kyle Tucker to have higher than 0.5 doubles in his next game. Download the app today and use the code Locked-on MLB for first deposit matchup to $100. Again, download the app today and use the code locked on MLB for first deposit matchup to $100.Pick more, pick less. It's that easy with price picks. Well, Jake, let's talk about game two of this three game series.

Speaker 41566.14s - 1609.4s

It comes our way on Tuesday night, a 721st pitch for the Braves and the Cubs ORG. It's going to be Chris Sale on the mound, and I think we really have spent a lot of time this year after wondering, you know, what version of Chris Sale was going to come over, noting that he's healthy for the first time in a while. What does all that mean? Well, it means that Chris Sale type numbers have been put up thus far for the Braves ORG veteran left hand. He's five and one with a 295 ERA. And I've talked about this and we may have even had this discussion on the postcast not long ago,maybe after Chris Sale's last start, with all due respect to what Raynardo Lopez PERSON has done and what you expect out of Max Fried PERSON, there's a very good case to be made that Chris Sale has been the Braves ORG best starting pitcher over the first six, seven weeks of the season.

Speaker 01609.96s - 1663.7s

Yeah, you look at just pure dominance. I think Chris Sale PERSON has probably been that guy. I mean, you look at a whiff rate that's over 30%, a strikeout rate that's over 30%. While a walk rate that's under 5%, he just, he doesn't walk anybody, he's striking out people. That's what you want in a starting pitcher or any type of pitcher. And that's what Chris Sale PERSON is giving you.I mean, it's just really great to see for the Braves ORG. Again, we've already mentioned Spencer Strider PERSON and the fact that, you know, he's out. And that, you know, he leaves a huge void in there. But you got somebody like Chris Sale PERSON, who's been the top of the rotation guy in the past. He's pitching like one now. And it's just been a really dominant stuff for him. So, yeah, you got Max Fried PERSON, who's pitching like an ace.Like I said, he's flirting with a no hitter every time out. Renato Lopez PERSON, you know, an I hooray sitting at one. But Chris Sale PERSON, with what he's done and how he's done it, I think he's been probably at least the most dominant pitcher for the Brave so far this season.

Speaker 41664s - 1726.1s

Yeah, it's just been impressive the way that he's gone about it. And one thing you've touched on a couple of times, and you don't always see for big strikeout pitchers is a lot of them will deal with a period of time where maybe they're a little bit wild or maybe the walks are a bit of a problem for him. But Chris Sale PERSON has never really been a big walks type pitcher,but he's racked up a lot of strikeouts, and he's really been able to, you know, dot that fastball where he's wanted to. The sliders looked really good. He's using his change-up. I mean, it's just pure dominance when he goes out there and carving up a lineup. And he seems to be getting a little bit better as well, Jake, as the season has worn along. Nine strikeouts against the Mariners in five innings, 10 strikeouts in his last appearance against the Boston Red Sox ORG. I'm sure that didn't hurt his feelings.Might have hurt the feelings of his old teammates. But either way, you know, he is seemingly getting maybe a little bit better, a little bit stronger as things go along as well. And I think that is building off of at least getting those 20 starts and 100 innings under his belt last year for Boston ORG, but having much bigger goals and much bigger numbers in mind for what he wants to do for the Atlanta Braves here in his first year with this new team.

Speaker 01726.68s - 1786.82s

Yeah, he talked about the competitive edge that Chris Sell has. And I do think, you know, last year was kind of a, it's kind of that year before the year as he's coming off, you know, several seasons where he hadn't pitched a lot and still miss him time last year, but got those hundred innings under his belt. And you really thought that, you know, this year, at least we hope that this year, you know, kind of put all that behind him and still a long way to go. But certainly feels like he kind of shook some of that rust off last season. And now we're starting to see Chris Sail PERSON in the version of him that, you know,we all hoped that we could get. And just would like to see it continue. Obviously, that slider has just been such a dominating pitch for him this season and a pitch that he can just dial up. And it's high 70s. So coming off 95, 97 from that weird arm angle that he has from the left side,and then he can just drop that slider in wherever he wants to. Batter's hitting just 159 against it this year with a near 40% whip rate. So just an incredible pitch. Again, the stuff has been there for him. It's just staying healthy. And right now we're getting to see a healthy Chris Sale PERSON.

Speaker 41787.26s - 1838.38s

Well, the Braves lineup will be dealing with James and Tyon PERSON, who has just a 113-ERA, not the kind of strikeout stuff of a Chris Sale PERSON, but he is 3-0 on the year. That's the pitching matchup for game two of this three-game series. I did want to throw up in a couple of more lineup notes since we spent most of the show talking about how great the pitching has been and the fact that, you know, the offense, it wasn't much, but it was timely.But you mentioned there were 10 hits on this day. Matt Olson had two of those hits. That's not a small thing, as we've talked about just how difficult it's been for him to find those multi-hit games. This is his first one in nearly a month. And maybe the little signs, Jacob, things starting to go his way.I know he had a very deep and loud out into left field as well in this one. Just some indications maybe that Matt Olson PERSON's starting to find himself. And that would certainly go a long way for this Braves ORG offense, particularly if you're without Austin Riley PERSON for any length of time.

Speaker 01838.94s - 1873.44s

Yeah, I know I keep saying it, but I'm just not concerned with Matt Olson PERSON with what I've seen. Even over the stretch where he hasn't been racking up the hits, he is still hitting the ball extremely hard. And even on this night, he had two hits, and his best swing wasn't out. That win was obviously blowing it pretty hard there from left hill. But, I mean, he crushed that ball to left center. That's either off the wall or it's gone on most nights, 101 miles per hour, 26-degree launch angle, absolutelycrushed that ball. Unfortunately, just died at the track and Bellinger able to run it down. So a lot of good swings tonight, again, and even the strikeouts, he's got that down.

Speaker 11873.44s - 1886.94s

So Matt Olson is, I know the average is around 200, and that's all a lot of fans look at, but just the quality of contact for him is still there. You know he's going to break out, and he's just going to go bananas at some point, and hopefully this is the beginning of that.

Speaker 41887.36s - 1945.36s

Yeah, this would be another step along the way, perhaps. The home run in New York GPE, I think was a nice little indicator, and it had to feel great for him to finally have the relief of ending that homeowner drought. He'd like to go ahead and maybe dial up a few more of those on a night where maybe it's not quite as windy at Truis Park, and perhaps Tuesday will be that night. Again, Chris Sale, Jameson GPE, tie on 7.20 p.m. Easterntime, the first pitch for the Braves and the Cubs in the middle contest of this three-game series. That's going to bring us to the end of this edition of the Braves Postcast ORG. Once again, make sure you subscribe to Lockdown Sports Atlanta here on YouTube ORG. Leave us those likes and those comments. Share the show with a friend. We'd really appreciate that. And make sure you subscribe to Lockdown Braves ORG wherever you get your podcast. Braves come home fromtheir road trip with a series win under their belt. Disappointing loss on Sunday. They bounce right back on Monday and win the opener of their three game series against the Cubs and the opener of a nice week-long stay at Truis Park. For Jake Masteriani, I'm Grant McCauley PERSON. We will catch you soon. And until next time, everyone, so long.