Atlanta Braves: Odorizzi tosses six strong innings in win over Bucs

Atlanta Braves fans have been hoping Jake Odorizzi would figure some things out and be a strong option for the back-end of the rotation. 

When the Atlanta Braves traded for Jake Odorizzi, I’ll admit that I didn’t know what to expect but I knew he was a veteran who could bring some value to this team.

His first 3 starts in Atlanta weren’t the best as he struggled to get through 5 innings. The latter half of his third start in a Braves uniform showed he may have figured out some things mechanically.

Odorizzi held the Pirates to one run and four hits over six innings of work with seven strikeouts and no walks.

This performance along with Michael Harris II continuing an impressive rookie campaign helped the Braves push closer in the NL East standings as the Mets lost to the Yankees.

Atlanta is now just 3 games behind the division lead as we approach the final month of the season.

His fastball had some good movement on it and his splitter helped get him some much-needed groundball outs.

It appeared that Jake made some tweaks to his delivery as he was able to get through six innings and be the pitcher Atlanta had hoped they were getting back on August 2nd.

Odorizzi seemed to be pleased with the changes and stated that he’d felt more controlled in this start.

“I was effective in the zone. It was noticeably different just with the life on my pitches. Locations were much better, too.” Odorizzi said.

Hopefully, Odorizzi continues on this path and helps the Braves finish strong this season.

Harris II continues to shine brightly

Michael Harris II continued to add to his resume Monday evening. Harris launched an opposite-field two-run homer in the fifth inning. This ended up being a 391-foot homer and the decisive hit for the Braves.

Harris is the youngest player currently in all of Major League Baseball and you wouldn’t know it. His defense in center field is better than I ever expected and he has shown a surprising amount of power through the first three months of his career.

It’s hard to imagine that Harris is only going to get better and stronger as his career progresses in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Braves outfielder has 13 homers and 30 extra-base hits through 77 games.

The only Braves to hit that many homers through the first 77 games of their careers were Ronald Acuña Jr., Bob Horner, Jeff Francoeur, and Eddie Mathews.

I’d say that is very, very good company to keep.

I can’t think of anyone else in the NL that looks more likely to win Rookie of the Year, other than Harris.

Impressive bullpen work

A.J. Minter, Raisel Iglesias, and Kenley Jansen combined to surrender just one hit and held the Pirates scoreless in three innings of relief.

Not to mention the Braves also have Collin McHugh, Tyler Matzek, and Kirby Yates in their bullpen. While Matzek and Yates have struggled a bit but I’m sure that will get better with time.

Matzek is starting to figure things out and the more Yates gets to pitch, you have to assume he will improve as well. As long as he’s used in the right situations.

Hopefully, they continue to improve so that Atlanta can go into the postseason with a dominant bullpen.

The Atlanta Braves are in control of their destiny from this point on and it’s going to be an exciting finish to see who takes the NL East crown and earns that first-round BYE week.