Battery Power - July 20: Braves 2, Padres 1Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2021-07-20T22:14:34-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/223492722021-07-20T22:14:34-04:002021-07-20T22:14:34-04:00Touki Toussaint dazzles as Braves knock off Padres 2-1
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<p>Toussaint was brilliant in his debut. </p> <p id="q26yrj">Touki Toussaint out dueled Yu Darvish in his season debut to lead the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> to a 2-1 win over the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>. </p>
<p id="z1iIxc">The Braves struck first in the second against Darvish. Abraham Almonte yanked a double into the right field corner and then came around to score on another two-base hit by Guillermo Heredia. Heredia now has 22 doubles on the season which is second on the team behind Ozzie Albies. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good evening, folks!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HyundaiHighlight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HyundaiHighlight</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/s0IooTobvk">pic.twitter.com/s0IooTobvk</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1417633835261509637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="fdmJHR">Toussaint was locked in through the first three innings and a walk to Victor Caratini with one out in the third was his only blemish. He ran into some trouble in the fourth when he hit Jake Cronenworth and then served up a line drive double to Manny Machado to put runners at second and third with just one out. </p>
<p id="YV1PJl">Tommy Pham followed with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Cronenworth to tie the game. Toussaint recovered and got Wil Myers to fly out to escape further damage. </p>
<p id="vCO28n">Following Heredia’s double in the second, Darvish retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced before Freddie Freeman got a fastball up and drove it out to the opposite field for a solo home run to give Atlanta back the lead. Freeman continues to sizzle and has five home runs in his last seven games. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MVFree?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MVFree</a> checking in! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheA</a> <a href="https://t.co/KJFurPd976">pic.twitter.com/KJFurPd976</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1417649781317513218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="bxYgwe">Toussaint sat the down the side in order in the fifth and sixth. He retired the first two batters of the seventh before Myers and Caratini reached with back-to-back singles. Toussaint would then give way to Tyler Matzek who fell behind pinch hitter Jurickson Profar 3-1 but got him to fly out harmlessly to right to end the inning. </p>
<p id="pcpcla">Toussaint was excellent in his 2021 debut. He was more aggressive than what we have seen from him previously and was able to keep a good Padres lineup off balance all night. He allowed just three hits and one run over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two. </p>
<p id="c3MaCI">Chris Martin allowed an infield single to Fernando Tatis Jr. but left him stranded at second. Will Smith retired Pham and Eric Hosmer to begin the ninth before Myers doubled down the line in left. However, Smith came back and got Caratini to ground out to Albies to end the game. </p>
<p id="95xqVC">Atlanta improves to 46-47 on the season and will try to clinch a series win in Wednesday’s doubleheader. Toussaint was the story in this one but the bullpen inherited a lead and was able to protect it. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/7/20/22586062/padres-vs-braves-final-score-touki-toussaint-freddie-freemanKris Willis2021-07-20T20:35:04-04:002021-07-20T20:35:04-04:00Atlanta Braves sign First Round Pick Ryan Cusick, per report
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<figcaption>Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Atlanta inks the power right hander to a $2.7 million dollar bonus</p> <p id="RSYNbg">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> have been furiously signing up their draft class over the past week, and they finally have the big on out of the way as first round pick Ryan Cusick has been signed with a $2,700,000 signing bonus. When Cusick was taken in the first round it was a big question whether he would come in under the slot value or not, and he did just sneak in under that number by $131,300. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st-rder Ryan Cusick signs w/<a href="https://twitter.com/Braves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Braves</a> for $2.7 million (pick 24 value = $2,831,300). Wake Forest RHP, holds velo on high-spin mid-90s fastball that peaks at 102 mph, much improved power curveball, sinking changeup too. <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBDraft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBDraft</a></p>— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimcallisMLB/status/1417639436100251650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="XnGvUp">For a longer run down of what the Braves are getting in Cusick you can check out the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2021/7/11/22573186/2021-mlb-draft-atlanta-braves-select-ryan-cusick-wake-forest">report from Matt Powers here</a>, but the tl;dr version of it is that Cusick is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the draft with a fastball that easily hits 100mph. He also throws a power curveball and a fringy but improving slider and changeup. The big question mark is his command, but the Braves were enticed by his velocity and the spin rate and angle on his fastball and felt very confident in their ability to develop him. </p>
<p id="Khe6kj">The Braves are now over their bonus pool limit for the draft, though they are still below the 5% overage that would cost them a draft pick. You can find a full rundown of our signings <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/atlanta-braves-prospects-minor-leagues/2021/7/14/22562256/atlanta-braves-2021-draft-pick-signing-tracker-ryan-cusick-spencer-schwellenbach-dylan-dodd-prospect">here on our yearly Draft Pick signing tracker</a>.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/7/20/22586126/2021-mlb-draft-atlanta-braves-sign-first-round-ryan-cusickGarrett Spain2021-07-20T16:52:38-04:002021-07-20T16:52:38-04:00Braves adjust rotation again, injury updates on Travis d’Arnaud, Huascar Ynoa
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<p id="9k9Kcs">With two doubleheaders coming up in less than a week, the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> have juggled their starting rotation plans again. Atlanta will now start Kyle Muller in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader and he will be followed by Bryse Wilson in Game 2. Wilson had been scheduled to start Tuesday’s game for Gwinnett. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">RHP Bryse Wilson is now set to start tomorrow’s Game 2. LHP Kyle Muller is still the probable starter for Game 1.</p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1417573863727243272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="lRS3U5">The Braves will take advantage of the 27th man for Wednesday’s doubleheader and add Wilson without having to make another roster move. Following Monday’s rainout, if the Braves had stayed with their current schedule, they would have needed to add a pitcher on Saturday. Adjusting now was simply an easier option. Keep in mind, that things can change but below is a look at how things would line up with the current rotation. </p>
<p id="gkpexj"><strong>Probables in Philadelphia:</strong><br>Thursday - Charlie Morton<br>Friday - Max Fried<br>Saturday - Drew Smyly<br>Sunday - Touki Toussaint</p>
<p id="7yBHqd"><strong>Probables for five-game series at New York:</strong></p>
<p id="s4q5vM">Monday DH Game 1 - Kyle Muller<br>Monday DH Game 2 - Bryse Wilson<br>Tuesday - Charlie Morton<br>Wednesday - Max Fried<br>Thursday - Drew Smyly</p>
<h3 id="LFISVB"><strong>Injury updates</strong></h3>
<p id="kcet8e">Brian Snitker had some encouraging news on the injury front. Ian Anderson is feeling better but is still several days from being reexamined. “He’s feeling a lot better,” Snitker said of Anders. “He’s doing his exercises, and all that right now. He says that everything has calmed down and he feels a lot better.” </p>
<p id="CRLVZm">Once Anderson is reexamined, the team will then determine a course of action. He will likely need several weeks to ramp back up once he begins throwing. </p>
<p id="wZoIRF">Snitker said that injured catcher Travis d’Arnaud continues to progress and will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. “A lot of progress,” Snitker said. “We’re actually going to take him on the road and work him out. He’s coming along good. He’s swinging with two hands. He’s off the tee and catching balls off the machine. It just takes time to get all his strength, range of motion and all that stuff back. He’s right where the medical staff thought he would be right now.” </p>
<p id="OZ8mRr">Huascar Ynoa threw a side session on Monday and is slated to throw live BP Thursday. He is currently scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in Florida next week. </p>
<p id="C5trEr">“The sides have went well and he’s going to do an up down and live BP on Thursday,” Snitker said. “Then I think he pretty much starts like a five day type situation.”</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2021/7/20/22585820/atlanta-braves-notes-adjust-starting-rotation-injury-updates-on-travis-darnaud-huascar-ynoaKris Willis2021-07-20T16:15:38-04:002021-07-20T16:15:38-04:00Stephen Vogt bats sixth, remains in lineup as battery mate with Touki Toussaint
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<p>The new additions are being featured prominently in their early days with Atlanta.</p> <p id="0gvmXt">The Braves have wasted little time initiating their newest additions as Joc Pederson now appears to be the everyday leadoff hitter and Stephen Vogt draws another start behind the plate. The veteran backstop had three hits on Sunday, and will get a shot at Padres right-hander Yu Darvish on Tuesday. Vogt will also be tasked with catching Touki Toussaint, who will make his season debut against a potent San Diego attack. This will be an interesting test for both parties as Vogt looks to familiarize with Toussaint while maintaining a hot bat against Darvish. Here is the full lineup for Atlanta:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ToukiToussaint?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ToukiToussaint</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/nF6x6bWifu">pic.twitter.com/nF6x6bWifu</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1417547536517275657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="0BndAK">The Padres have a deep, talented lineup that features a tough blend of bats from each side of the plate. Fernando Tatis is the headliner, but Grisham, Cronenworth, Machado, and Pham have been productive this season as well. Here is the full San Diego lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Darvish Day take two.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HungryForMore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HungryForMore</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y8jQpd3DWh">pic.twitter.com/Y8jQpd3DWh</a></p>— San Diego Padres (@Padres) <a href="https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1417566464463224835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="8cgGug">Tuesday’s game is set to get underway at 7:20 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/7/20/22585605/padres-vs-braves-lineups-stephen-vogt-abraham-almonteDillon Cloud2021-07-20T14:00:00-04:002021-07-20T14:00:00-04:00Touki Toussaint set for season debut versus Padres, Darvish
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<p>Touki time!</p> <p id="dXwdQB">The series opener for the Braves and Padres, which was scheduled for Monday, was postponed thanks to rains of nearly biblical proportions that flooded all of north Georgia. To make up the postponement, the two teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday. Tuesday will give us another shot at seeing an intriguing pitching matchup that will feature young right-hander Touki Toussaint, who will make his season debut, facing off against former Cy Young Award winner Yu Darvish. </p>
<p id="M826tt">Weather permitting, we will actually get to see Toussaint take the ball for the first time this season. The book is largely out on Toussaint among Braves fans, but to recap; he has been wildly inconsistent to begin his career, but has flashed some of the best stuff in the organization since his acquisition in 2015. His mid-90’s fastball is complemented perfectly by a high-RPM curveball that can flash plus-plus when commanded well, and a changeup that has also flashed as a plus offering. Toussaint has been sidelined for much of the season with a right shoulder strain, but his recent outings in Gwinnett suggest that the strikeout stuff has returned. Toussaint would be a major addition to the Atlanta staff if he can maintain some level of consistency over the final two-plus months of the season.</p>
<p id="h25gmp">Darvish enters play having allowed just a .211 batting average against with a 1.00 WHIP on the season. He has been outstanding for the Padres, also striking out 125 batters in 105 innings while producing a 7-3 record with a 3.09 ERA. Darvish features an array of pitches that can dart all over the zone, mixed in with a mid-to-upper 90’s fastball. He will be a tough assignment for Atlanta.</p>
<p id="e4H5YJ">The Braves open this series just two games under .500, with an opportunity to pull a little closer on Tuesday. The forecast calls for rain yet again, but hopefully weather permits the playing of this game to avoid a scheduling fiasco later in the season. </p>
<h3 id="HOZFfy"><strong>Game Info</strong></h3>
<p id="v5X36A"><strong>Game Date/Time:</strong> Monday, July 20, 7:20 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="VDWwF5"><strong>Location:</strong> Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia</p>
<p id="QcI5Js"><strong>TV:</strong> Bally Sports South</p>
<p id="M7TF1S"><strong>Streaming:</strong> MLB.tv</p>
<p id="MA7v59"><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/2021/7/20/22585372/padres-vs-braves-preview-time-tv-streaming-radio-touki-toussaint-yu-darvishDillon Cloud2021-07-20T13:28:59-04:002021-07-20T13:28:59-04:00Braves shuffle rotation plans with Touki Toussaint now starting Tuesday
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<p>Kyle Muller will be pushed back to Wednesday’s doubleheader</p> <p id="RPYvNB">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> are shuffling their rotation plans and will go with Touki Toussaint in Tuesday’s game with Kyle Muller pushing back to Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Charlie Morton is still scheduled to pitch in Game 2 Wednesday. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">RHP Touki Toussaint will start tonight’s game, with LHP Kyle Muller now scheduled for Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Charlie Morton is still set for tomorrow’s Game 2.</p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1417534896248078349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a>
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<p id="lo9q2z">Toussaint had originally been scheduled to make his season debut on Tuesday before Monday’s rainout. Atlanta initially said they would go with Muller Tuesday and Toussaint in Game 1 Wednesday. No word on the reasoning behind the switch but Toussaint last pitched on July 13 while Muller went the next day so it makes sense in that regard. </p>
<p id="3mNHKn">Yu Darvish was activated from the 10-day injured list to make Monday’s start and will move back a day to start Tuesday’s opener. The Padres have not announced their pitching plans for Wednesday’s doubleheader. </p>
<p id="abbuVi">The Braves enter play Tuesday with a 45-47 and are 4.5 games back of the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> in the NL East standings. </p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2021/7/20/22585507/atlanta-braves-pitching-probables-touki-toussaint-start-tuesday-kyle-mullerKris Willis