Today's Three Things: Braves offense shut down by Mets for disappointing series split
Atlanta's scored just three run on nine hits in their last eighteen innings
The Atlanta Braves dropped the series finale 4-0 to the New York Mets in Citi Field on Thursday night.
Here’s Today’s Three Things from the contest.
This article was updated after publication to reflect it was a series split, not a sweep.
The Turning Point
Atlanta’s seventh inning on offense.
Down 2-0 and in the heart of New York’s overworked bullpen after the unfortunate injury to Griffin Canning in tonight’s third inning, the Braves sent the heart of the order up with a chance to finally get on the board.
About that.
Marcell Ozuna struck out in a three-pitch at-bat where he never swung the bat once. Austin Riley swung at multiple down-and-away sliders in his strikeout, and then Sean Murphy fouled off an out-of-zone slider before striking out on a fastball up and out of the zone.
Just embarrassing.
Today’s Player of the Game
I guess Eli White?
Getting the rare start in left field, he had one of Atlanta’s three hits while being the only Braves baserunner to advance to second base in this one.
With Atlanta set to face two lefties this weekend against Philadelphia, it’s possible that the speedy White gets a few starts in left field (and possibly some in center, if Atlanta makes a temporary move with Michael Harris II). He played better when he was getting regular run, but his performance has slumped since entering the short side of a platoon with Alex Verdugo.
What You’ll Be Talking About
This disappointing offense, yet again.
Tonight may have been a new rock bottom for the Braves lineup. Atlanta had just three hits, one coming with two outs in the 9th. They also struck out eleven times without a single walk in the contest.
And it was mostly against a Mets bullpen that has been overworked in this series after none of New York’s four starters went more than five innings (and two left before finishing five).
At this point, I don’t know what’s required other than saying they have to be better. Personnel moves need to be made and among them, Michael Harris absolutely cannot be in the lineup anymore - his .564 OPS is worse than Nick Allen’s and his OPS over the last 37 games is a .495.
More on this early next week as we discuss the ‘Hail Mary’ plan to get Atlanta back in motion ahead of the All-Star Break.
What’s Next for the Braves?
The Braves are heading back to Atlanta for three with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to Monday’s off day. Both teams have already announced their rotations for the series:
Friday: Bryce Elder (2-4, 4.77) versus Mick Abel (2-1, 3.47)
Saturday: Spencer Schwellenbach (6-4, 3.21) versus Jesús Luzardo (7-3, 4.08)
Sunday: Spencer Strider (3-5, 4.07) versus Ranger Suárez (6-2, 2.08)
Yep, Lindsey, the Braves have quit on themselves. Nothing will be done about Michael Harris, Verdugo, etc. And, with the farm system as you detailed in an earlier post, there is probably not much that can be done to salvage the season: so, salvage some players (Harris). Get a look at some guys in the bigs. And for goodness sakes, get a real plan for scouting/amatuer draft. Those things can benefit the team. Maybe not this year. But years to follow.