Battery Power - August 17: Braves 7, Nationals 6Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2020-08-17T23:02:20-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/211378372020-08-17T23:02:20-04:002020-08-17T23:02:20-04:00Touki wild, but Braves emerge victorious
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<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Dansby Swanson saved the day for Touki & the Braves</em></p> <p id="1YQP4X">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> won a thriller on Monday night, 7-6,</p>
<p id="ENWgll">After falling into a 6-3 hole going into the ninth inning, the Braves strung together four runs to stun the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a>. <span>Dansby Swanson</span>’s walk-off dinger capped it.</p>
<p id="kRjwkS">For as thrilling as the ninth inning was, the first eight and a half innings were equally frustrating, as yet another starting pitching outing was cut short. Tonight’s contestant was <span>Touki Toussaint</span>, who has struggled to locate the strike zone for the majority of his last two outings. Tonight, he made it through three innings, facing one batter in the fourth, walking six and allowing four runs to cross the plate.</p>
<p id="hDGyqC">It’s easy to blame an umpire when things go wrong, but home plate umpire Chad Whiston’s strike zone was inconsistent all night (but especially in the early going), often varying from pitch to pitch, and caused some undue baserunners that worked in the Nationals’ favor. After being squeezed on no less than four pitches during at-bats to <span>Juan Soto</span> and <span>Kurt Suzuki</span>, Touki’s confidence looked shaken and he found himself in hot water early. </p>
<p id="fVCJzU">Following the questionable walk to <span>Suzuki</span>, Nationals prospect <span>Luis Garcia</span> hit his first big league home run into the grass in front of the Chop House. What a cool moment for him, but not so much for the Braves, who found themselves down 2-0. Following a <span>Carter Kieboom</span> strikeout, <span>Eric Thames</span> parked a fastball in the Braves’ bullpen to tack on another run.</p>
<p id="ZONpNZ">The Braves got two runs back in the second. After Marcell Ozuna walked, <span>Nick Markakis</span> laced a double down the right field line to cut the lead to 3-1. <span>Austin Riley</span> broke an 0-for-12 slump with a screaming RBI single up the middle to bring <span>Markakis</span> home, making it 3-2.</p>
<p id="JquAup">Touki needed a shutdown inning in the third, but that was when he completely lost the zone. After hitting <span>Trea Turner</span> (who immediately stole second), Touki issued three straight walks, and the Nats looked like they were about to bust through when Austin Riley pulled this web gem and prevented any further damage.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Austin Riley unassisted double play gets Touki Toussaint out of bases loaded jam. <a href="https://t.co/ba0Hshbpbu">pic.twitter.com/ba0Hshbpbu</a></p>— handlit33 (@handlit33) <a href="https://twitter.com/handlit33/status/1295512697669398528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2020</a>
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<p id="l8FBUq">The Braves strung together three straight singles to start the third inning to bring the score to 4-3, and even loaded the bases with one out, but were unable to keep the rally moving.</p>
<p id="FV2Sc4">Touki was given the chance to keep going in the fourth, but after instantly walking Kieboom, he got the hook in favor of <span>Grant Dayton</span>. <span>Dayton</span> followed Touki’s theme of playing with fire, walking a batter of his own and allowing an infield single, and missed giving up a grand slam to <span>Juan Soto</span> by about two feet. He would eventually surrender a solo home run to <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> before his 1 ⅔ innings were complete.</p>
<p id="4BLfmQ"><span>Huascar Ynoa</span>, who relieved <span>Dayton</span> in the fifth, was the pitching MVP of this game for the Braves. He went three scoreless innings, striking out four and only allowing two hits. His role with this team appears to be flexible, but his comfort level appears highest as a multi-inning reliever.</p>
<p id="fwWBoH">The Braves’ most devastating missed opportunity of the night came in the seventh inning. <span>Travis d’Arnaud</span> walked to lead off the inning, then <span>Nick Markakis</span> doubled him over to third. After a walk to <span>Adam Duvall</span> to load the bases, <span>Johan Camargo</span> and pinch hitter <span>Matt Adams</span>, fresh off the IL, both struck out. </p>
<p id="gShPCm">The seventh and eighth innings were a tease, as the Braves left five baserunners aboard. It looked like the Braves were dead for good.</p>
<p id="fnTkVc">The Nationals took a 6-3 lead in the ninth on a long <span>Juan Soto</span> home run.</p>
<p id="dhBgox">In the ninth inning, the Braves turned on the magic. After Markakis was hit by a pitch, <span>Adam Duvall</span> laced a home run to left field, pulling the gap to 6-5. <span>Camargo</span> finally got on the board with a single to right center, and <span>Dansby Swanson</span> took <span>Daniel Hudson</span> deep to center in thrilling fashion. After what seemed like a surefire loss for eight and a half innings, the Braves emerged victorious, 7-6.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first of 10 bouts between the Braves and Nationals was a blast... Dansby Swanson gives Atlanta its fifth final-at-bat win of 2020, with a 416-foot walk-off HR. <a href="https://t.co/nUlgKqLyR7">pic.twitter.com/nUlgKqLyR7</a></p>— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DKramer_/status/1295553394959147008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2020</a>
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<p id="rGWnZy">These two teams will meet again tomorrow night, with first pitch slated for 7:10pm ET.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/17/21373127/touki-toussaint-wild-dansby-swanson-saves-the-day-atlanta-braves-defeat-washington-nationals-7-6Doc Herbert2020-08-17T18:40:00-04:002020-08-17T18:40:00-04:00Braves vs. Nationals, August 17, 2020: Game Thread & Discussion
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<img alt="Toronto Blue Jays v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DMQW2_9H6juxnHBeBt9A8mE8HIU=/0x0:3522x2348/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67217261/1227943767.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Tonight is the first of nine straight games at home for the Braves</em></p> <p id="HBVYOx">Tonight marks the first time the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> will face the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> in 2020. Accordingly, this is also the first time the Braves will face the Nats since they became World Champions.</p>
<p id="LCmGG9">The Braves will lean on <span>Touki Toussaint</span>, who will try to regain the brilliance he showed against the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> two starts ago. During his last start facing the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, things got hairy for Touki as he allowed six runs (five earned) over four innings.</p>
<p id="Sc14l8">Since hoisting the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> trophy, the Nationals have gotten off to a sluggish 8-11 start. Granted, the landscape has changed for the Nats, losing <span>Anthony Rendon</span> to Los Angeles and <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> to nerve irritation in his right hand. They have also been hamstrung by somewhat of a pedestrian offense, posting a collective 0.0 fWAR. To put that in context, since coming back from COVID, <span>Juan Soto</span> has posted 0.9 fWAR for Washington in 11 games, so his ridiculous performance has helped then pull back even. A healthy version of <span>Soto</span> that builds off his 2019 is unquestionably dangerous.</p>
<p id="douA0s">The Nats will use <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> as their starting pitcher this evening, and if he wants to have a pleasant outing, he’d do well to forget what year it is. <span>Sanchez</span> is 0-3 with a 9.69 ERA | 7.75 FIP, with even unsightlier numbers beneath those. Based on the way the Braves have been swinging the bats recently, it is not a slam dunk they’ll be able to capitalize on his offerings, but it (hopefully) beats facing <span>Jacob deGrom</span>.</p>
<p id="lijUcc">We would be honored, delighted, and downright giddy if you decide to join us in the comments section tonight. It’s likely the closest you will get to watching a game at Truist Park with your buddies this year, so let’s pretend that’s what’s happening.</p>
<p id="5D3hLx">This game thread post might be longer than most of the ones we publish, but if you still want to keep reading, boy have we got some links for you:</p>
<p id="Y9IRi8"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/8/17/21371835/atlanta-braves-return-home-welcome-washington-nationals-to-town-touki-anibal">PREVIEW</a> | <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2020/8/17/21372535/atlanta-braves-freddie-freeman-bats-second-against-washington-nationals">LINEUP</a></p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/17/21372792/atlanta-braves-washington-nationals-august-17-2020-game-thread-discussionDoc Herbert2020-08-17T15:56:51-04:002020-08-17T15:56:51-04:00Freddie Freeman stays in the two-hole for first game against Nationals
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<img alt="MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uqdHQVqX6RRZwYQobgBN6GlcQUU=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67216363/usa_today_14707717.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>With injuries abound, Snit is staying creative with his lineups</em></p> <p id="NLMNRB">One of the biggest criticisms of Brian Snitker coming into 2020 was his seeming resistance of adapting to the current style of baseball. He is still not a perfect manager, and he has likely had his hand forced due to extenuating circumstances, but this season he has proven a willingness to rotate positions, give his players regular rest, and tinker with his lineup. </p>
<p id="v1Toau">Case in point: after years of batting third in the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>’ lineup with few exceptions, <span>Freddie Freeman</span> batted second yesterday and will bat there again tonight. What is this sorcery??</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Braves</a> are back home in Atlanta!<br><br>Presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/TruistNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TruistNews</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/67j0Q3Mb0X">pic.twitter.com/67j0Q3Mb0X</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1295430452354981888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a>
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<p id="72ScDg">It’s true, the vertically gifted first baseman sits in the second spot in the lineup, flanked by <span>Dansby Swanson</span> and <span>Travis d’Arnaud</span> on either side. <span>Marcell Ozuna</span> will shoulder the designated hitter role this evening.</p>
<p id="RGiKZM">The bottom half of the order has been a danger zone as of late, as neither <span>Austin Riley</span>, <span>Johan Camargo</span>, nor <span>Ender Inciarte</span> have been able to gain any momentum at the dish. Under different circumstances, any or all of them might find themselves optioned or worse, but with 2020 continuing to behave just like 2020, the best solution for getting them going appears to be regular playing time.</p>
<p id="A6K5I1">The <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> will send <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> to the mound, and he will be backed by this starting nine:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We call it Hotlanta because Juan Soto is on fire. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChildishBambino?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChildishBambino</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NATITUDE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NATITUDE</a> <a href="https://t.co/gfujWHEDpY">pic.twitter.com/gfujWHEDpY</a></p>— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nationals/status/1295442862465843200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2020</a>
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<p id="nt3NO7"><span>Juan Soto</span>, who has been a terror on the league since returning for his brief COVID hiatus, will bat third and play left field. Earlier today, he was named the National League Player of the Week. Nationals prospect <span>Luis Garcia</span> will start at second and bat sixth, as he fills in for <span>Starlin Castro</span> who remains out with a broken wrist. They fill face <span>Touki Toussaint</span>, who is due for some redemption.</p>
<p id="DQd5XJ">First pitch should come right at 7:10pm ET.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/17/21372535/atlanta-braves-freddie-freeman-bats-second-against-washington-nationalsDoc Herbert2020-08-17T14:00:00-04:002020-08-17T14:00:00-04:00Braves return home to welcome Nationals to town
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<img alt="MLB: New York Mets at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PxvBY4nOkP5J8iv16UeswdMc6b0=/0x0:2862x1908/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67215710/usa_today_14665486.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>It’s Touki Toussaint Night</em></p> <p id="sGr6Ha">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> are back at Truist Park tonight, and they will face the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> for the first of three games.</p>
<p id="d1bM2E">After an abysmal week of starting pitching performances, the Braves were able to string together two consecutive well-pitched games to take two out of three against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>. With the series victory, the Braves have pulled into a first place tie with the Fish.</p>
<p id="CNTo6c"><span>Touki Toussaint</span>, one of the culprits of the aforementioned rough week, will get the chance to right the ship against the Nats. His most recent outing, a rocky one against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, demonstrated a number of things: 1) Despite occasionally otherworldly stuff, he is still an unfinished product; and, 2) Even with the inconsistencies, the Braves seem committed to keeping him in the rotation and letting him figure things out. The upside is high enough to where this is a worthwhile gamble.</p>
<p id="pqKsVT">Touki is 0-1 on the season, with an unsightly ERA of 7.27 that is still suffering from his first relief outing of the year. As a starter, the ERA sits at 4.91, with a 3.82 FIP and 3.35 xFIP. He has struck out 23 over 17 ⅓ innings against only five walks. His season has been up and down, but the Braves appear to believe in him.</p>
<p id="XJ913I">The Braves will face old friend <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, who has fallen on hard times in 2020 (<em>then again, who hasn’t?</em>). After his resurgent campaign in Atlanta in 2018, and a suitable encore for Washington in 2019, 2020 has seen <span>Sanchez</span> struggle to the tune of a 9.69 ERA | 7.75 FIP. This is due in part to a number of factors - a 20.8% ground ball rate, a 3.46 HR/9 rate, a .395 BABIP against, and an opponents’ average exit velocity of 91.6 MPH, up almost five MPH since last year.</p>
<p id="6creH4"><span>Sanchez</span> will face a Braves offense that has been inconsistent as of late, and is still missing its two main spark plugs in <span>Ronald Acuña, Jr.</span> and <span>Ozzie Albies</span>. Ideally, this will be the last series the Braves are without one, or both, of them. The offense only posted eight runs over the weekend against the Marlins, but perhaps the familiar confines of Truist Park will do the team some good.</p>
<p id="iG2XYx"><strong>Game Date/Time</strong>: Monday, August 17, 7:10 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="vm6dY0"><strong>Location</strong>: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p id="P4VLsR"><strong>TV</strong>: Fox Sports Southeast</p>
<p id="og0ZSO"><strong>Streaming:</strong> MLB.tv</p>
<p id="L5elGk"><strong>Radio</strong>: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2020/8/17/21371835/atlanta-braves-return-home-welcome-washington-nationals-to-town-touki-anibalDoc Herbert