While it worked tonight, the Holmes/Fuentes piggyback, this is not long term sustainable without overtaxing your bullpen. All it takes is one of your other starters getting blown up and you're screwed, not just for that game, but it potentially leaves the pen short for the rest of the series.
At this point, I would describe the Braves rotation as "fragile." Who do you have faith in at this point? I believe in Sale. I think Elder is for real and not fool's gold. I *HOPE* the Strider we saw in LA is the Strider we get going forward, but am I confident in that? No, it's been two starts. One in Coors that was bad and one in LA that was vintage Strider. It is fair to say the jury is still out on him. Ritchie is a rookie who is finding his way. He may be one or two starts from solidifying his spot in the rotation or one or two starts from being back in Gwinnett. I think it's fair to say that Martin Perez has exceeded expectations so far this season, but do I have confidence that will continue? Not a lot, TBH. With ReLo being largely ineffective and having been banished to the bullpen with either mechanical problems or an as of yet undisclosed injury and piggybacking Holmes/Fuentes, the Braves rotation is, in my opinion, very fragile at this point.
Can it get better when Waldrep comes back? Yes, but there will be a ramp up and there is no way to know what we're going to get until he comes back and proves he is the same guy that was shoving before he got hurt.
I think that ANYTHING you get from Schwelly and AJSS this season is just gravy and should not be counted on.
The fact the Braves have the best record in baseball with a rotation that is tissue paper thin is an absolute testament to how good the bullpen and the offense has been to this point in the season, IMO.
That point about the unsustainable piggyback is the same point I just made on the podcast for today, yeah.
I've been arguing that they should still look for a starter at the trade deadline, provided it's someone with some swing-and-miss stuff. I need to dive into the rental players and see who it might be, but I do think the rotation's more fragile than a lot are willing to admit.
I wrote that last week and had the same list, but in a different order - LH relief, starter with swing-and-miss stuff, a bat. The only reason I had the bat last was we still have time for Riley or Yaz to get there, but I do think they need one
The ONE thing I DO NOT want to hear from AA just after the trade deadline this year is, "Well, we inquired about a LOT of guys but nothing ever came together to make a deal." EFF that!! You've got $15M to spend MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!
While it worked tonight, the Holmes/Fuentes piggyback, this is not long term sustainable without overtaxing your bullpen. All it takes is one of your other starters getting blown up and you're screwed, not just for that game, but it potentially leaves the pen short for the rest of the series.
At this point, I would describe the Braves rotation as "fragile." Who do you have faith in at this point? I believe in Sale. I think Elder is for real and not fool's gold. I *HOPE* the Strider we saw in LA is the Strider we get going forward, but am I confident in that? No, it's been two starts. One in Coors that was bad and one in LA that was vintage Strider. It is fair to say the jury is still out on him. Ritchie is a rookie who is finding his way. He may be one or two starts from solidifying his spot in the rotation or one or two starts from being back in Gwinnett. I think it's fair to say that Martin Perez has exceeded expectations so far this season, but do I have confidence that will continue? Not a lot, TBH. With ReLo being largely ineffective and having been banished to the bullpen with either mechanical problems or an as of yet undisclosed injury and piggybacking Holmes/Fuentes, the Braves rotation is, in my opinion, very fragile at this point.
Can it get better when Waldrep comes back? Yes, but there will be a ramp up and there is no way to know what we're going to get until he comes back and proves he is the same guy that was shoving before he got hurt.
I think that ANYTHING you get from Schwelly and AJSS this season is just gravy and should not be counted on.
The fact the Braves have the best record in baseball with a rotation that is tissue paper thin is an absolute testament to how good the bullpen and the offense has been to this point in the season, IMO.
That point about the unsustainable piggyback is the same point I just made on the podcast for today, yeah.
I've been arguing that they should still look for a starter at the trade deadline, provided it's someone with some swing-and-miss stuff. I need to dive into the rental players and see who it might be, but I do think the rotation's more fragile than a lot are willing to admit.
100% agree! At this point, we are legit WS contenders this year. I want AA to spend the Profar money on:
1. High leverage power left handed reliever
2. A bat, preferable right handed
3. Starting pitcher who can, if Strider is back to being Strider, start playoff game #3
I wrote that last week and had the same list, but in a different order - LH relief, starter with swing-and-miss stuff, a bat. The only reason I had the bat last was we still have time for Riley or Yaz to get there, but I do think they need one
https://bravestoday.substack.com/p/the-trade-market-might-already-be?r=8avio&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
The ONE thing I DO NOT want to hear from AA just after the trade deadline this year is, "Well, we inquired about a LOT of guys but nothing ever came together to make a deal." EFF that!! You've got $15M to spend MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!