Mike Foltynewicz and Atlanta Braves get hammered by Rays
By James Kunkle
2. Limit the strikeouts
The Atlanta Braves struck out 19 times Monday night. That is a new Tampa Bay record for a nine inning game.
The simple fact is, this early in a year, a weird year at that, you are going to see pitchers have the upper hand. Especially when with this limited schedule, you are going to see more of another team’s 1,2, and 3 pitchers. However, the good teams still have to find a way to put the ball in play and make the defense make a play.
It’s the same as its always been even back when most of us played little league, put the ball in play and sometimes good things happen for you and your team.
Through the Atlanta Braves first four games this season, they have struck out 52 times. That’s almost half the outs that they have hit into. Yes, I know they have now faced Jacob deGrom and Tyler Glasnow, who are two of the best, but if we are to get where we all think we can get this season, the Atlanta Braves are without a doubt have to start putting the ball in play more often and not striking out nearly as much.
It will certainly help when Ronald Acuna gets hot and I guarantee he will not be striking out nearly as much as he has to open this 2020 season.