Atlanta Braves podcast S3E14: On streaks and All-Stars

The win streak can’t last forever, but it’s been really nice to see the Atlanta Braves jump back into serious baseball conversations again.

As this is being written, the Atlanta Braves have a deficit of 2 runs to the pesky Pittsburgh Pirates.  If that continues, the 9-game win streak will be set aside… hopefully in favor of another one beginning tomorrow.

This week’s edition of Off Leo’s Rocker discusses the things that have been going well for this team over these past 9 games.  Understand, though:  it’s been relatively simple:

• Brian Snitker‘s fatherly per talk during a team meeting urged the team now to panic, but instead just to concentrate on fundamentals.
• Key personnel changes have certainly helped:  notably the addition of Michael Harris II to support Ronald Acuna Jr. which has created an outfield that (finally) represents the Braves best possible defensive alignment.
• The schedule, of course, has helped… a welcome respite from the Wheelers and Alcantaras and Burneses and… the list keeps going of aces that the Braves have had to struggle against over the first third of the season.  That will build hitting confidence.
• Over the last 30 days, Braves starters rank 4th in the National League in pitching WAR.  In the last 2 weeks, their ERA is under 3.00.

Also, this week has been the beginning of the annual All-Star voting campaign… as if you hadn’t already seen enough campaigning this Spring.

So part of the discussion included this:  campaigning and homerisms aside… who actually deserves to go to LA for the All-Star festivities next month?  You might hear a couple of surprises in our thoughts on the matter.

But that’s a part of a quick podcast this week.  Here’s how you can listen in for yourself… after all, what else will you do tonight with no evening baseball?

• The direct download link is available right here.
• As always, your favorite podcasting subscription site has likely already let you in on the secret that this was posted a few hours ago.
• Finally, the inline player can get you set up right here and right now:

Well, the Pirates have changed pitchers thanks to a Braves rally in progress.  I think I’ll stop typing and watch the rest of this game… ‘cuz we’ve got a lead now!