The Pitchers’ Duel That Wasn’t

Mar 21, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher

(38) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Braves 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Winds of Change

If you’re hoping for changes you’ll see them tomorrow. Both Masset and Eveland were DFA after the game with David Carpenter (Carp mark II) and Arodys Vizcaino were called up for the trip the Milwaukee. Carp II will get one of the roster spots vacated by the two who were DFA.

Carp Mark II appeared in 28 games for the Angels in 2012 but failed to hold his roster spot over the next two tears. This year at Gwinnett he’s appeared 27 games for the G-Braves posting a 0.73 ERA and 1.027 WHIP striking out 36 and walking 15 in 37IP, Many will ask why he wasn’t called up sooner. If you find out please tell me.

Vizcaino was only activated at Gwinnett on Friday following his 80 game suspension for PED use. he appeared in one game throwing one inning and allowing 2 runs. Vizzy’s calling card is his power arm but since returning from multiple injuries he’s had trouble with locating that big fastball. Last year at AAA Iowa for the Cubs he threw 11 innings, walked 11 and struck out 16. That was just after returning from TJ when control is often an issue. He’s had little time facing live hitting at a high level so how he’ll perform once he gets into a game is anyone’s guess.

This does leave the bullpen short a left  handed reliever but with only the Brewer and Rocky series ahead of us the Braves will probably let that situation stand.

That’s A Wrap

While both starting pitchers did their jobs well this wasn’t a pitchers’ duel because at no time did either team really look like scoring against them. Both lineups were so overmatched by the opposing starter that it I wrote down in my notes it looked like AAA lineups against major league pitchers.

Both rosters have too many players who are overmatched at this level.  That’s not news but it is why this game was always going to be a low scoring affair. Miller should sue for nonsupport.

The difference in today’s game came when the bullpen gates opened after the Braves three most dependable relievers were done.  With Aardsma out of play Gonzalez had to go to his second tier arms and in Masset’s case a third tier arm while the Phillies brought in back to back power arms.

Gonzalez was in a no win situation. If he had started the inning with Brigham and a run was allowed he should have used the veteran. If he started with Eveland he should have used a RHO instead of a lefty.  If he had used Aardsma he should have used a fresh arm .  When he used Masset all I saw was that he should have done something else when of course there was nothing else he could have done.

I’m not a fan of Fredi Gonzalez as a manager. All too often he reacts too late to changes in the game and sometimes he just makes really bad lineup choices.  Having said that he is using the players he has with little input into who those players are. With Freddie Freeman injured and Juan Uribe needing a day off he used CJ as cleanup hitter. His other option in the lineup he fielded was AJ, like the bullpen there was no one else to go to.

This simply reinforces the John Hart plan; this year is a write off unless we can steal something with castoffs and luck. The goal is to have a consistently challenging team by this time next year so that the new ballpark in 2017 houses a genuine challenger.  Deals made at the deadline will be designed to support that plan and not to win this year.  You may see new favorites traded towards that end.  If you’re expecting anything else you aren’t paying attention.

Next: Bullpen Shuffle?