Doubleheaders are always difficult
Nine innings of baseball normally last about three hours, but can sometimes be a long three hours for both the players and the fans. What’s longer than sitting at the ball park for at least three hours for a nine inning game? When a team plays a doubleheader.
Well, the Atlanta Braves have a day / night doubleheader today, after being rained out yesterday, against the Texas Rangers. With the first game scheduled for 1:35pm EST and the second game scheduled for 7:35pm EST, it is going to be a long day at the park for both teams.
Braves rookie left-handed pitcher, Luiz Gohara, takes the mound in the first game against Miguel Gonzalez for the Rangers, while Julio Teheran gets the ball for the Braves in the nightcap against Cole Hamels for the Rangers.
Do the Braves Play Better in Doubleheaders?
In 2017, the Braves have been pretty lucky in terms of having to reschedule games, as today’s doubleheader will only be the third this year, with one more to follow on September 25th against the New York Mets.
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That being said, do the Braves play better when they have a doubleheader?
Back on June 10th, the Braves had a doubleheader against the Mets and got swept. Well, they really did not show up as the first game was 6-1 and the second game was 8-1.
However, the Braves rebounded against the Phillies back on August 30th, sweeping them in both games, 9-1 in the first game and 5-2 in the second game. Yes, these are the same Phillies that the Braves have had an almost impossible time beating this year.
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So, the Braves are 2-2 in doubleheader games this year and have scored sixteen total runs, while giving up seventeen total runs. But, these games were against the Mets and the Phillies, two teams that are below the Braves in the standings.
Today’s games against the Rangers will be a lot harder, as the Rangers are pushing for a postseason berth.
Cool stat of the day: On September 5, 1913 the Phillies and Braves played a doubleheader. In game one, the Phillies beat the Braves 1-0. In game two, they ended the game in the 10th inning and the game was scoreless. Both teams scored one run all day…wow (P.S. knowing today is the 6th of September, I still thought this was cool)