3 Takeaways from the Atlanta Braves late night 7-5 win against the Padres
For most of us on the east coast, the Atlanta Braves win didn’t happen until past midnight, but nonetheless it was a fun one.
The Atlanta Braves had not won a series in San Diego since 2011, but on Saturday night they fought their way to secure this series in game 2 with the potential to sweep on Sunday.
Julio Teheran took the mound against Joey Lucchesi and started out with promise but = like Chip Caray said – kind of became a different pitcher after allowing a home run in the fifth.
He did allow a Manny Machado home run in the first but had already gotten two outs and mostly faced the minimum for the other innings prior to the fifth.
However after the Francisco Mejia homer in that fifth inning, Teheran walked Manuel Margot and then hit Greg Garcia with a pitch. A sacrifice fly from Josh Naylor gave the Padres the lead. Teheran got through the inning and through the sixth but earned a no-decision.
From the offense perspective, it seem like the Braves are picking up right where they left off based on the last two games: l ots of homers, clutch hits, magic in the seventh inning and later, and winning. Here’s three takeaways from Saturday’s game:
Josh Donaldson For A Couple More Years?
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a reaction to his recent streak but more of what we’ve seen this whole season plus I’ve always wanted Josh Donaldson to be an Atlanta Brave.
Offensively speaking, Donaldson didn’t start off hot as most would’ve want him for 2019 but he would spray the ball over the walls here and there while providing some hits to drive in runs. It’s no doubt, however, something (maybe the Joe Musgrove situation) recently sparked his fire because he’s been MVP-Josh Donaldson as of late.
#Braves' Josh Donaldson in 26 games since June 11: .289 (28-for-97) with 6 doubles, 12 homers, 24 RBIs, .375 OBP, .722 slug%, 1.097 OPS. Atlanta is 18-8 in those games.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 13, 2019
Another thing is, some were doubtful about Donaldson’s character/personality, but it’s safe to say it has given the Braves a type of edge/swagger. We saw hints of it last season with Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. but there’s a different level of confidence with this 2019 club.
#Braves' Keuchel continued on Donaldson (2/2) "... I think some of the guys really look at him and notice how he prepares himself, and that’s what you need for some of these young guys to really prepare and take their talent to the next level, a guy like that."
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 13, 2019
Prior to his hot streak, some were ready for the Braves to move on and have Austin Riley slide into the 3rd base slot for 2020, but now there’s already second thoughts that perhaps the Braves should extend Donaldson at least another season if possible.
On the season, Donaldson is hitting .254 with 21 homers and 51 RBIs. But his stats lately:
Josh Donaldson is scorching at the plate. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Jzge9hYlde
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 14, 2019
It hasn’t been spoken about much but Donaldson has been pretty good at third as well.
He seems to also like playing on this team as well. So what do you think? Would you be down for a couple more years of Donaldson?
Acuña Is Just Fine Right? I Think So
More from Tomahawk Take
- Atlanta Braves 2012 Prospect Review: Joey Terdoslavich
- Braves News: Braves sign Fuentes, Andruw’s HOF candidacy, more
- The Weakest Braves Homers Since 2015
- Atlanta Braves Sign Joshua Fuentes to Minor League Deal
- Braves News: New Year’s Eve comes with several questions about the 2023 Braves
The Braves young phenom is coming off his first major-league home run derby and currently owns a 19-game on-base streak with his second homer in as many nights Saturday.
Two homers after the derby/break would give the quick answer that Ronald Acuña Jr. wasn’t affected by the “Home Run Derby Curse.”
But is he really immune? For fun, let’s just take a look.
On Friday, Acuña went 1-4 including three strikeouts; two of those swinging on 3-pitch at-bats. The lone hit was his solo homer.
For Saturday’s game, he went 1-6 with the home run and also two strikeouts swinging with one looking.
Last season, after the All-Star break, Acuña started the second half big, having a 3-for-4 game against the Nationals including a home run and a walk. The day after he went 3-5 for a total of 6-9 in the first two games post-break. He then went on for total domination to win the ROY award.
I’m not jumping immediately to the point that he’s declining in offense production or anything like that this year, especially with the two home runs. However, the fact that it’s two home runs and the rest are outs with mostly swinging K’s, maybe his timing is a big “off.”
It could be he’s still in the derby/batting practice-esque rhythm where he’s kind of quick-triggering his swing. Maybe it’s something else. Maybe it’s just coincidence.
So what about some of his fellow Derby opponents? Here’s the stat line for the Final 4 in the last two games:
Name Stat
R. Acuña Jr. 2-10 with six strikeouts + two home runs
Pete Alonso 1-7 with five strikeouts + two walks
Vlad. Guerrero Jr. 2-8 with two strikeouts
Joc Pederson 0-2 (Pinch-hitting on Saturday)
That was just from doing a quick look at the box scores from the last two games for those players/team and those players only. I also know there were four others in the derby and definitely others that haven’t played well since the break.
Acuña currently has a .289 BA with 23 homers and 55 RBIs and two games is for sure a small sample size. He clearly is also doing better than the other three.
Still think the Home Run Derby messed up Ronald Acuña Jr's swing?
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 14, 2019
Nah. #Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/TtSLPkzdXT
Has Luke Jackson Lost His Magic?
Okay, one guy that has not been the same lately is Luke Jackson – or at least it seems like it. I’m not exactly if this was when he started struggling again but it seemed like since June, he’s seem less confident in his pitching.
Jackson still has a 2.93 ERA and getting most of the saves but it’s a stress every time he comes out now.
When it comes to stats however, he’s given up one less run in June than he did in May and also has a lower ERA. His stats in March/April are practically parallel with June but that’s probably due to his implosion on opening day.
So does that mean he’s not struggling, at least not as much as we think? Well, he’s came out for the save for the two games this half so far and has allowed a run in both of them.
The run allowed on Saturday was a home run in the 10th from Manny Machado… except that the game ended with the bases loaded after a full-count strikeout – to a pitcher.
If he were to be pulled from that role, is there currently anyone that could fill it? Arodys Vizcaino is gone and A.J. Minter remains a major question as he also allowed a run on Saturday.
Dan Winkler hasn’t had a great track record in the role. Chad Sobotka…nope. Maybe Sean Newcomb?
Right now, Jackson might be the best option until the Braves can trade for someone and that option seems to be coming soon with the rumors lately.
So with that being said, Jackson most likely won’t be used on Sunday after consecutive nights. Maybe we see Minter or Sobotka in the ninth if needed.
Next. Are The Atlanta Braves Window Shopping In Motor City?. dark
The Atlanta Braves will look for the sweep on Sunday behind Mike Soroka against the Padres and Cal Quantrill.