BRAVES NEWS
Shelby Miller's excellent outing goes to waste as Braves lose in extras
Despite another great performance from Shelby Miller and a ninth inning rally that extended the game into extras, the Braves were unable to get over the hump against the Nationals. Miller and Jordan Zimmermann had an epic pitcher's duel, and the Nationals took the lead late after taking advantage of one mistake from Miller. However, the Braves were able to cobble together one run in the top of the ninth in order to tie the game. They couldn't get another one, and the Nats were able to manufacture another one via sacrifice fly to win the game in the eleventh inning.
Onus may be on Maybin and Peterson to help lead Braves in Freeman's absence
The Braves have scored three runs in their past three games. Do you think they miss Freddie Freeman? Right now, the Braves are looking for offensive help from any source possible, and those longing eyes may be focused on two hitters at the top of the order: Cameron Maybin and Jace Peterson.
Still, it’s easy to see how the Braves’ offense is dramatically affected when their best hitter, Freddie Freeman is out of the lineup in the three-hole. Couple that with the fact that the two key guys at the top of the order, Maybin and leadoff man Jace Peterson, haven’t been as potent on the road as they’ve been at home.
What it means is that rest of this road trip – two more games in Washington, then three at Pittsburgh – are potentially troublesome for the Braves unless Maybin and Peterson can get make inroads into reversing that home-road disparity thing and another hitter or two can help pick up the slack in Freeman’s absence.
Wisler hoping to repeat strong performance in second career start
Matt Wisler's first career start went about as well as possible: He pitched eight great innings and it ended in an exciting victory for the Braves. Now, the hot prospect will be looking to repeat that performance today. If he goes eight innings again, then it might be time for WislerMania. I wouldn't expect that, but there's still going to be an air of excitement surrounding Wisler's second start.
Toussaint deal is prime example of "new" Braves Way
It's been nearly a week since the Braves robbed the Diamondbacks for Touki Toussaint, and we're still talking about it. More importantly, it's a sign that the Braves are starting to make some big waves as they adapt to the "new" Braves way under John Hart and company.
Not too long ago, teams were knocking down the doors of the Atlanta Braves when they had four of the higher rated pitching prospects in their system. But the price was too high, or they wouldn’t even listen to offers, for Teheran and names like Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachyand Mike Minor. We have seen how that turned out, as three of those names can’t even stay healthy enough to have a big league career.
John Hart now not only has an arsenal to restructure his future rotation, he also has an arsenal of trade bait. Not all of these pitchers can stick in Atlanta, and Hart should be open minded enough to listen to offers, or as he has done so well already, make some.
Remembering Satchel Paige's time with the Braves
The legendary Satchel Paige became the oldest pitcher to ever play in a game when he threw for the Kansas City A's in 1965. Three years later, the Braves signed him as a trainer and coach. However, since this is Satchel Paige we're talking about here, he wanted to pitch. Satchel Paige was 62 at the time!
At a press conference announcing the signing Paige said "I don't know what I can do now. I'll have to get out there and unfold first. If cold weather comes, I'm dead. My blood's not as thick as it used to be. If it's hot, I"ll be alright. I'm goad to be here and I"ll do my best whatever I'm in."
Said Bartholomay: "The Braves that particular year were in a position to have him coach in a uniform. (But) then he insisted on playing too."
Check out the Minor League recap
MLB NEWS
Marco Estrada nearly gets complete game as Blue Jays edge Rays
For 7 innings, Marco Estrada was perfect. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it all the way through 9 innings of perfect pitching, and came up just short of earning a perfect game. The Blue Jays did win the game (barely), and it also included an amazing defensive effort from Josh Donaldson.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Donaldson, are you KIDDING? <a href="https://t.co/taxoNSsk9k">https://t.co/taxoNSsk9k</a></p>— MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/613775449903120384">June 24, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Andy MacPhail will be the new leader of the Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have a new overlord in town. Longtime baseball executive Andy MacPhail is taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love in an effort to fix what's become a bit of a dumpster fire in Philly. He'll be running the baseball operations there, which means that the onus is now on Ruben Amaro and company to prove that they deserve to stay there. Good luck with that.