It’s Not As Bad As All That… Yet

May 27, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Harang (34) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

SECOND ANSWER:  COMPETITION.  The Braves just faced the top American League offense (Angels) and the top National League offense (Rockies), the latter of which is best by far in their own yard.  Of course there will be scar tissue from those wounds.

Of more concern should be the fact that the worst offense in the National League – the Phillies – just beat up the Braves.  But there are three reasons I can suggest:

• Game 1 – inability to get ‘the big hit’ on multiple occasions.
• Game 2 – inability to hit virtually at all
• Game 3 – Aaron Harang had his own ‘Denver moment’… in Atlanta.

Aaron Harang is a separate case from the rest of the rotation because of the kind of pitcher he is:  he does not overpower hitters.  He relies on movement and location.  Those qualities, if not available (or if an umpire “squeezes” him, will allow him to be hit hard.  Yesterday’s strike zone maps show that he was throwing well outside – too far – to LH hitters and wasn’t getting corner calls versus RH hitters at all.  Harang’s velocity chart shows that he was slower than in most previous outings, too – perhaps due to the heat – but it’s close to season norms.  Thus he’s still reliable, but will nonetheless be subject to games like this from time to time.

VERDICT:  The pitching really is still more like May – aberrations this month made it look worse than it is.