Battery Power - April 28: Braves 10, Cubs 0Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2021-04-28T22:41:46-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/221733252021-04-28T22:41:46-04:002021-04-28T22:41:46-04:00Bryse Wilson to start Thursday’s game vs. Cubs as opener
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<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Wilson will be on short rest and will likely only work a few innings as part of a bullpen game</p> <p id="5q8i3e">Bryse Wilson will start Thursday evening’s series finale against the Cubs and serve as an opener in what will be a bullpen game for the Braves.</p>
<p id="atmPZg">Wilson last pitched on Sunday and will be on short rest, but he only threw 61 pitches in his most recent appearance and figures to likely throw no more than three or four innings on Thursday night. The Braves’ bullpen should be well rested following back to back shutout wins over the Cubs (5-0 Tuesday night, 10-0 Wednesday night) so running through a handful of relievers should not be too much of an issue for manager Brian Snitker.</p>
<p id="QQvJVs">Wilson faced the Cubs earlier this season and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk. He was able to work in and out of trouble throughout the evening and was aided greatly by a six-run outburst in the first inning by the Atlanta offense. </p>
<p id="3NsjVy">Chicago will send Adbert Alzolay (0-2, 5.40 ERA in three starts) to the mound on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. ET.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22408993/bryse-wilson-cubs-braves-probable-pitchersScott Coleman2021-04-28T22:20:59-04:002021-04-28T22:20:59-04:00Ynoa has a night as Braves clobber Cubs 10-0
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<img alt="MLB: Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rbVYTR5JOiFWUWUrPkTOskyypuY=/0x0:4132x2755/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69202984/usa_today_15980699.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="FA4ZST">Huascar Ynoa took the mound looking to get the Braves back to .500, with a chance to end the day with the divisional lead. He started out well, working around a two out walk in a scoreless first with two strikeouts. Ronald Acuna got just under a ball for a fly out leading off the home first. Freddie Freeman hit a line drive single to left field and Marcell Ozuna went mammo to give the Braves an early two-run lead. Ozzie Albies continued the early offense with a double. Dansby lined out for the second out before Austin Riley absolutely smoked a line drive homer over the short Truist left field wall at 112.2 MPH off the bat to make the score 4-0.</p>
<p id="5d0kld">Ynoa got through the second allowing only a triple and no runs. Huascar also started the threat in the bottom of the inning with a single, as he continues to rake. Acuna followed him with a single of his own to put runners on first and second with one out for Freddie Freeman. Freddie delivered with a two run double to right center, which was assisted by the centerfielder falling over as he fielded the ball and throwing from his knees, as well as Ronald Acuna being absurdly fast and a good baserunner. The threat ended there as Ozuna and Albies were retired. Ynoa worked around two singles for another scoreless inning in the top of the third. The only Braves baserunner in the bottom of the inning came from a Guillermo Heredia single. Ynoa cruised in the fourth, striking out the side in dominant fashion. </p>
<p id="TvkbTU">Ynoa was the leadoff hitter for the next inning AND THE MAN HIT A HOME RUN 104.4 MPH OFF THE BAT BECAUSE OF COURSE HE DID! That put Ynoa at four straight plate appearances with a hit, including a homer and a double.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DH = Designated Huascar!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/Epy6BZT9xO">pic.twitter.com/Epy6BZT9xO</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1387567095014166530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a>
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<p id="rKi0kd">Freddie and Ozzie each singled, but the Braves were unable to score any more runs in the fourth inning. Ynoa breezed through a 1-2-3 fifth but was clearly tired, with his velo down around 93. Consecutive doubles from Austin Riley and Heredia brought another run home for Atlanta. Alex Jackson flied out to left field and Ynoa struck out before Acuna grounded out to end the inning. Ynoa for some reason was left in the game to pitch, despite being clearly tired, having thrown 86 pitches, and facing the third time through the order. He got a leadoff groundout, but gave up a walk and a single to the next two batters. He exited the game having pitched 5.1 innings with 9 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 4 hits allowed, making way for Luke Jackson. The Sliderman got a groundout for the second out, as the runners advanced to second and third. Fortunately, Jackson struck out the next batter to end the inning scoreless, and preserve Ynoa’s scoreless outing. </p>
<p id="Frep2y">Freddie Freeman led off the home sixth with a homer of his own, just to show Ynoa that he isn’t the best hitter on the team yet (or maybe Ronnie is? Good players are fun). Ozuna grounded out, but Ozzie gave us a nice round number of runs at 10 by hitting a home run of his own. A Riley single and a Heredia walk both with two outs gave Alex Jackson the chance to break the even number lead and add even more, but he grounded out to keep us at an even 10. Luke Jackson stayed in and kept the shutout alive, despite a baserunner reaching on an error. </p>
<p id="oIbjSI">We had a position player pitching appearance in the seventh, as the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> threw out a combination of Anthony Rizzo and Matt Duffy to record a scoreless inning, working around an Acuna walk, highlighted by a Rizzo strikeout of a swinging Freddie Freeman, which was pure comedy. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Take a seat, FREDERICK.<a href="https://twitter.com/ARizzo44?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ARizzo44</a> <a href="https://t.co/ArqdIRVuM3">pic.twitter.com/ArqdIRVuM3</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1387585742445105162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a>
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<p id="2JSTuB">There were a few more position player pitching shenanigans in the next inning, including a 65 MPH HBP received by Alex Jackson. Jesse Biddle worked around a two out walk to finish out the game, which was the second straight shutout pitched by the Atlanta professional baseball team. </p>
<p id="aNwIqn">The <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> lost a game in which deGrom pitched 6 innings of 1 run ball with 9 strikeouts, because Mets, and the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> are currently winning as I write this, so the Braves will either be tied with the Phillies or in sole possession of the NL East lead when we wake up Thursday. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22408685/ynoa-has-a-night-as-atlanta-braves-clobber-cubsDaniel Hutchinson-Kausch2021-04-28T18:30:00-04:002021-04-28T18:30:00-04:00Cubs vs Braves 4/28/21 Game Thread
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<figcaption>Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="q3256R">Join us and discuss the third game of the series!</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22407171/cubs-vs-atlanta-braves-4-28-21-game-threadDaniel Hutchinson-Kausch2021-04-28T16:51:16-04:002021-04-28T16:51:16-04:00Braves news: Mike Soroka out until at least June; Sean Newcomb likely back Friday
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="KYmibP">Mike Soroka began throwing this week for the first time since being shut down with shoulder inflammation earlier this month, an encouraging sign for the young righty. But given the time it will take to build up his strength, the earliest we can expect to see him is mid-June.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Soroka started playing catch again yesterday. The Braves aren't putting a timetable on his return. He's basically starting his normal preparations again. Once he completes sides and live BPs, he'll have to make 4-5 starts. So, second half of June might be his earliest return.</p>— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbbowman/status/1387503013724577792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a>
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<p id="jMu6YJ">As Bowman notes, Soroka is effectively at the same point as if spring training was just beginning. On the plus side, assuming his shoulder and surgically-repaired Achilles cooperate as he ramps up activity, he will have the benefit of being able to face live competition with Triple-A Gwinnett once the season begins in early May. Here’s hoping Mike can get healthy and boost the Braves’ rotation upon his return.</p>
<p id="XD2clg">In other news, Sean Newcomb, who has spent the last week on the IL due to a presumed COVID exposure, is expected to return on Friday as Atlanta kicks off a series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Newcomb pitched well in the early going with an absurd 54% strikeout rate and 1.69 ERA across five relief appearances.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22408405/braves-news-mike-soroka-injury-sean-newcombScott Coleman2021-04-28T16:03:41-04:002021-04-28T16:03:41-04:00Jackson catches Ynoa again as Braves chase division lead
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<figcaption>Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="jYkMoh">Alex Jackson is back in the lineup at the eighth spot to catch Huascar Ynoa, which is seemingly becoming a pattern as Ynoa has started the season well. Guillermo Heredia also continues to get run in center field and will bat in the seventh spot, as Pache recovers from injury and gets his swing back at the alternate site, and with Inciarte injured again. Ronald Acuna looks to resume his MVP campaign after an absolute moonshot last night, as the Braves enter the day with a chance to not only get back to .500, but to take the NL East lead with a win and a <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> loss.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/theynoaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theynoaa</a> takes the mound tonight at Truist Park!<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/a6u4EVrQUZ">pic.twitter.com/a6u4EVrQUZ</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1387464940680847361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a>
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<p id="FAH1F5">Meanwhile the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> will run out most of their regulars, minus Javier Baez in the starting lineup, behind Kyle Hendricks, who has been reliable for the past number of years but hasn’t started 2021 very well. Hendricks gave up seven runs to the Braves last week, so we’ll hope for more of the same this time around.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup in Atlanta.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CubTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CubTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/KSrICL8E7C">pic.twitter.com/KSrICL8E7C</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1387496636633522177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22408093/jackson-catches-ynoa-again-as-atlanta-braves-chase-division-lead-chicago-cubsDaniel Hutchinson-Kausch2021-04-28T14:00:00-04:002021-04-28T14:00:00-04:00Huascar Ynoa looks to get Braves back to .500 against Cubs
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<figcaption>Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="0stNCB">The Braves take the field again against the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> on Wednesday with Huascar Ynoa taking the mound against Cubs’ star Kyle Hendricks. Ynoa has been quite good so far this season in the fifth starter spot, with a 3.68 ERA, 4.32 FIP, and 2.86 xFIP. Ynoa’s electric combination of a high 90s fastball and a filthy slider have been effective in 3 of 4 starts and 4 of 5 overall appearances this season for Atlanta. </p>
<p id="ubgpbc">Atlanta enters the day 0.5 games behind in the NL East standings, as the rest of the division has shared Atlanta’s mediocrity to begin the season. Atlanta could take the divisional lead with a win and a <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> loss, as well as get back to .500 on the season. </p>
<p id="VGs7yb"><strong>Game Info</strong></p>
<p id="NclgNf"><strong>Game Date/Time: Wednesday</strong>, April 28, 7:20 p.m. ET </p>
<p id="Pkd9Hx"><strong>Location:</strong> Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p id="n3D1A0"><strong>TV</strong>: Bally Sports South</p>
<p id="fs1lxn"><strong>Streaming:</strong> MLB.tv</p>
<p id="4n8SLZ"><strong>Radio:</strong> 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22407174/cubs-vs-braves-preview-huascar-ynoa-preview-time-tv-streamingDaniel Hutchinson-Kausch2021-04-28T13:20:43-04:002021-04-28T13:20:43-04:00Braves to expand capacity to 100% at Truist Park starting May 7
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<figcaption>Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Braves will be going back to full capacity at their home park very, very soon</p> <p id="RpMoYh">One of the bigger questions for the 2021 MLB season has been how quickly and to what degrees will fans return to the park. It was always very clearly going to depend on each individual locality with local regulations and each city’s COVID-19 situation varying widely. Hell, the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> are still having to play home games outside of their home country for at least another month or so.</p>
<p id="ISLhra">However, with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in full swing, teams have been eager to increase their stadium capacity and get those revenue streams rolling again. The Braves had already announced one capacity increase (due to more optimized pod seating plans) and teams like the Royals and <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> (among others) have begun increasing crowd sizes as well. Now, it looks like the Braves are going big.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Braves announce that they will resume normal seating capacity at Truist Park on Friday, May 7 <a href="https://t.co/k1pu3XZlM2">pic.twitter.com/k1pu3XZlM2</a></p>— Kris Willis (@Kris_Willis) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kris_Willis/status/1387453171073683459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a>
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<p id="D4PTcR">This was pretty inevitable once the COVID-19 vaccine was made widely available to the masses. The Braves have been more aggressive than many teams with trying to get fans back out to the park and The Battery and they do have a good number of safety protocols in place for fans not to mention a pretty open floor plan of for Truist Park. In this day and age, it is always somewhat concerning to see large crowds together because no one wants anyone to get seriously ill because of a baseball game, but the demand exists and with vaccinations climbing daily, the assumed risk does decline. </p>
<p id="eQJEmY">As a result, starting May 7th, 2021, Truist Park will be back at full capacity starting against the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>. There will obviously be an initial crush of people once it first reopens completely, but this should also be an interesting case study as to how attendance will look across baseball during the (hopefully) waning months of a pandemic.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/4/28/22407991/atlanta-braves-to-expand-to-capacity-to-100-at-truist-park-starting-may-7Eric Cole