Saturday’s Atlanta Braves/Chicago Cubs game was an incredible roller coaster of emotions for Braves fans. Isn’t that exactly what being a true fan is all about, though?
The Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs played in one of the worst weather condition games of many baseball fans on Saturday, and the crazy weather certainly was impactful on the game, but the game itself was an exceptional game to exemplify the experience of being a fan, especially of a rebuilding team.
Early on – the pitching
The first 6 innings for Braves fans could not have gone better. On the mound was young lefty Sean Newcomb, coming off of a very impressive start against Colorado. In horrid conditions, especially for Newcomb, who relies on his fastball movement and his curveball location to be successful.
The slick conditions and cold weather made it difficult to grip and spin the ball properly, which led to Newcomb having some control issues, walking 4 batters in 5 1/3 innings. However, though his overall line (5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K) was just “okay”, Newcomb showed a lot of moxie on the mound Saturday, pitching out of multiple jams, often not of his own doing as he would coax ground balls certain to be outs in 99% of games, but Saturday was that 1% day.
Dan Winkler replaced Newcomb in the 6th inning, and while he was on the mound, the cold rain began to more fervently fall. In his 1 2/3 innings, he did allow 2 more runs, but on just one walk and one hit, striking out two. When he left the game after the 7th inning, the game was still well in hand at 10-4.
Early on – the hitting
With Ender Inciarte getting a day off, Atlanta Braves fans were given a chance to see the work of three of their probable future anchors of the lineup in the 1-2-3 spots in the order – Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, and Freddie Freeman.
The game started off on the right foot for the Atlanta Braves when Albies led off the game against Jose Quintana with his 5th home run of the season. Combined, the top 3 in the order went 8 for 16 on the game, scored 5 runs, drove in 7 runs, pounded out a pair of doubles and a home run, walked twice, and struck out just once.
It wasn’t just the top 3 in the order hitting well, though. Kurt Suzuki hit cleanup on the day, and he finished 2-3 with 3 walks. He was followed by outfielders Nick Markakis and Lane Adams, who combined to go 3 for 9 and walk once with a double, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
That sort of offense is easy to cheer for, easy to support, and Twitter was filled with plenty who were happy to brag about the Braves lineup.
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Late game – bullpen collapse
Coming into the game on Saturday, the Atlanta Braves bullpen was atop the National League in bullpen ERA, but it was also just a single walk off of the major league lead for bullpen walks, something Winkler accomplished in his work.
The struggles to locate within the bullpen were exacerbated by the cold rain falling. Luke Jackson opened the 8th inning, allowing a hit and hitting a batter, but getting one out via strikeout. Jose Ramirez replaced Jackson, and his control was no better, allowing 2 hits, walking 2, and intentionally walking one while getting one out via strikeout. He left with runners on 1st and 2nd, the Cubs having clawed back to tie the game 10-10.
Sam Freeman replaced Ramirez, and he could not get the ball over the plate. Over the course of 14 pitches, Freeman missed the zone with 12 of them, walking in two runs. He was removed with the score now Cubs 12, Atlanta Braves 10.
The Braves then brought in veteran side-armer Peter Moylan. Moylan also struggled with the wet ball right off the bat, throwing his first pitch by catcher Kurt Suzuki, who then proceeded to throw the ball into the outfield attempting to get a runner attempting to advance on the wild pitch. Two runs scored on the wild pitch, making the score 14-10 Cubs. Moylan settled in and struck out Efren Navarro on the next three pitches to mercifully end the inning.
Needless to say, Atlanta Braves fans on Twitter were not the same level of cheerful or supportive of the organization. That led to some very good tweets in response, and this one sums it up perfectly:
13 games > 1 inning
— (Jeff) (@ProspectsBraves) April 14, 2018
Good night y'all
Next: Albies the first star of the Braves rebuild
This Atlanta Braves team is fun, young, and will give fans plenty of exciting moments in 2018. However, the team is also young, unpolished, and prone to some meltdowns like experienced Saturday as well.