Atlanta Braves Sunday Chop: Vizcaino injured Phillips up
By Fred Owens
A positive inspiring coach is worth his weight in gold. Good stuff. Hope all is well and you have a big year.
— kevin smith (@ksmithgolf) March 11, 2018
Breaking news or as close as we get to it
As I’m writing this the Braves put Vizcaino on the 10-day DL backdated to June 18th, To replace him they selected the contract of Evan Phillips from Gwinnett, and designated Phil Gosselin to open a 40-man spot for Phillips.
Fans began screaming for Phillips weeks ago. The 23-year old righty has electric stuff striking out 50 hitters in 35 relief inning while allowing just 26 hits pitching to a 2.31 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 2.83 DRA and 1.14 WHIP
In the past he’s had trouble with walks; this season he’s cut those back considerably, walking just 14 to date. In his last 17 games, he’s thrown 21 2/3 innings. struck out 34 and walked six.
Vizcaino could come off the DL on the 28th and his shoulder will actually get some rest.
That’s a wrap
After all of that gloom, the arrival of Phillips creates excitement and projects as an improvement for the pen. Brian Snitker used Dan Winkler to close the Friday game and I expect that to be the case again.
Minter and Winkler will share the closing duties while Viz is on the DL.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 24, 2018
Minter has pitched on consecutive days six times in his professional career. He has allowed a run during two of the five occasions he has pitched a second straight day this year.
I write things then they tweet them. I see a pattern developing.
Nerves obviously affected Winkler’s Friday performance. He had shown some signs of being tired the previous week. So AJ Minter may actually platoon with Winkler.
I feel a bit sorry for Julio. He’s obviously searching for an answer without much success. When his velocity is down to 88 he generally commands his pitches better than when he ramps it up to 91. The problem in both cases is location; he’s wild in the zone.
Anibal Sanchez exhibited the same issues after his shoulder surgery and we’ve seen him talking pitching with Julio. Perhaps he can help Julio get it right.
The PR person who decided to have Clemson day today need to be tested for color blindness. The stands could well be full of Clemson supports wearing the Orioles colors. oops.
Game time approaches, let’s go salvage a win and prevent the sweep.