Today's Three Things: Davis Daniel shelled as Giants even up series
The Atlanta Braves not only didn't bring the bats to the yard, Daniel left the swing-and-miss stuff at home
The Atlanta Braves were shutout in game two of their series against the San Francisco Giants, 9-0, in Truist Park on Tuesday night.
Here’s Today’s Three Things from the contest.
The Turning Point
The top of the 2nd inning.
Davis Daniel, making his second career start for the Braves, got a double play in the first to erase a Rafael Devers single and get out of the inning unscathed. He wasn’t so lucky here.
A single and a triple put San Francisco on the board, but they weren’t nearly done just yet. After a sacrifice fly brought in a second run, Casey Schmitt homered and Patrick Bailey doubled before back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the Giants. Davis miraculously got out of it without too much more damage, with only one more run scoring on a sacrifice fly - but it proved to be enough on a day where the Braves offense couldn’t get much of anything done.
Atlanta’s best opportunity to get back in the game came in the third inning, but a leadoff double from Jurickson Profar was wasted after a fly out (Matt Olson), a strikeout (Ronald Acuña Jr.), and another flyout (Ozzie Albies).
Today’s Player of the Game
A few different players had decent performances today - Jurickson Profar got on base three times (double, walk, hit by pitch), while Michael Harris had two hits. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give it to Matt Olson, though.
Atlanta’s first baseman has a modest six-game hitting streak, one that’s seen him tally nine hits (including three for extra bases, a homer and two doubles), four runs, six runs batted in, and three walks to six strikeouts.
He’s also continued playing his own special brand of exemplary defense at first base, continuing to lead everyone at the cold corner in both Defensive Runs Saved (+13) and Outs Above Average (+8).
What You’ll Be Talking About
More offensive futility.
After coming out from the All-Star Break hot, scoring 25 runs in their three victories, the Braves have now had two disappointing offensive performances in the last three games.
After scoring just two runs on Sunday while going only 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, the Braves lost in a different way today. They had opportunities, using eight hits, two walks, and a hit by pitch to give them plenty of chances to score runs. They just…didn’t do it, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and only once getting a hit better than a single, Profar’s leadoff double in the third inning.
Just when it looked like the Braves have finally turned a corner on both not performing in clutch situations and not being able to generate consistent offense, both issues reared their heads again tonight.
What You’ll Be Talking About, Pt 2
Davis Daniel.
A week after a promising start against St. Louis, one where he allowed just one run on two hits across four innings, Daniel was much worse tonight with five runs on seven hits in his five innings.
As a backend starter without overwhelming stuff, Daniel’s inherently reliant on sequencing and locations to get through his starts. And tonight, his locations just weren’t there. He walked four of the 25 batters he faced and allowed eight hard-hit balls, resulting in four extra-base hits.
The issue seemed to be with his fastball - he just wasn’t able to locate it in the zone, throwing 48 and with just barely over half of them making it into the strike zone. Being unable to land the fastball meant that the splitter was mostly ineffective. getting just two whiffs on twelve swings. And when he had to compensate by bringing the slider and sweeper into the zone, it was hit hard and often.
The book’s not closed on Daniel becoming a backend starter for Atlanta - this was only his eighth career start in the majors and twelfth total appearance - but he’s definitely not quite ready to play an everyday role on a competing team. That being said, what other options does Atlanta have right now? Daniel lines up to get another start next week in Kansas City and as of now, I wouldn’t be surprised if he made it on Monday.
Looking for more discussion about this game?
Here’s tonight’s Postcast, with me and Locked On Braves host Jake Mastroianni, as we went live to break down the loss.
What’s Next for the Braves?
Atlanta’s hoping to squeeze out a series win with their stud on the mound: Spencer Strider (4-7, 3.59 ERA) gets the ball opposite struggling veteran Justin Verlander (0-8, 4.99 ERA) at 12:15 PM ET.