GDT 9/23/22 Atlanta Braves (Odorizzi) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Nola Aa)

[EDmuch]

I would really have preferred to see SD pitch the 9th. Makes me wonder what is really going on with him.

[zambonir]

Even with an eight-run lead you don't want him working on his mechanics in a live game (or getting rocked while doing so). And if he's not working on them, you still want him available tomorrow - maybe not in a high-leverage situation but not a low one either.

Doesn't seem all that mysterious to me in any case. The team claims he's healthy and it is mechanical but he could also just be sore-armed, tired-armed, still hurt or hurt again. There's barely a difference between the four things at this time of year unless he's either ineffective or at risk of further injury. We're just hoping to see him get past the former scenario, whereas it becomes moot if it's the latter.

[LoneStarPhan]

Second win in the series over the Braves insures at least a split. Three wins in a row after losing 5 straight sure helps right the ship. In these 3 wins, Phillies pitchers put up 26 scoreless innings in the 28 innings played.

Always fun to get the lead and keep building on it. Great pitching again tonight. Just missed back to back shutouts.

Final 20 game record now 3-5. September record now 10-9.

[Patchmk88]

A much needed relaxing win. If we can get one more in these next two against the Braves it will be a major success.

[Philsmania]

The part that stinks is that we are probably helping the Mets wrap up the division. I guess we can't have everything.

[flyers19rw]

I believe that the Braves have the best home record in the NL. It may be nothing but after watching Alvarado destroy the mound last weekend and force it to be altered, I wonder if there is something "unique" with it that the Braves have mastered and their opponents have not. According to Ben Davis, the Atlanta ground crew takes great pride in what they do with that mound. Sure the dimensions are supposed to be the same throughout the league but it's make up and consistency are not. Just like with the dirt in their infield, there's probably more clumps with that red clay which cause odd bounces by the ball than in other parks.

[andyb]

Alvarado had the Phillies' ground crew come out the other day at home, so I think he is just very particular about his landing spot.

[zambonir]

They've still got three head-to-head and Mets also have the Brewers (which helps us if they win too of course) while Braves get Nats (they both play Marlins).

If Mets blow it we could also face them in the wild card round of course, and not sure I want that either. That 3-6 road/8-9 overall record against the Braves looks a lot better than the Mets season series. But, granted, you never know.

The funny thing: do we really hate the Mets more than the Braves? Yeah, it's the NY team, and there's nothing better than when both teams are good, but it almost never happens. Including 1993 (when they weren't in our division) the Braves have pretty much been the most hated/best team in the NL East most of the time, with the Nats briefly stepping up (but the Phillies offering no resistance during their era).

Of course our rival (IMO) used to be the Pirates.

[schillingfan]

I hate the Braves more. They are a really solid organization and own us most years. The win in the NL playoffs in 1993 was one of the most thrilling ever. Plus the Tomahawk. Hop, plus Bobby Cox, plus Maddox getting calls three inches off the plate, plus arrogant John Smoltz. The Mets are like our cousins. Feels like most years we are fighting not to be in the bottom with them.

[zambonir]

The Mets are like our cousins.

Yeah I do feel a weird affection for them (and my many Mets fans friends). But also the most hate, when the games do really count. I still feel like those '07 games towards the end of the season were as intense as anything in '08. Lower stakes but badder blood ('the team to beat' and all that).

[Philsmania]

Mets fans are rabble. They deserve their suffering. Braves fans are just corny and too cool for you.

[allentown]

Braves are one of the major international cheaters. I followed Phillies most closely during H.S./college years when the Mets were created as expansion team, with quite a few bumbling years after that. They were also the good-guy, non-Yankees team in NYC. First baseball game I attended in person was Phillies vs Milwaukee Braves. Just zero affection for Braves.

[BaseballCat]

I have links to Phils, Braves and Mets. My first MLB baseball game was at Shea, but I cheered on the Braves in early 90s as the Braves AAA was in Richmond where I was attending graduate school. Growing up in NJ, I loved Tug McGraw and was heartbroken when traded to Phils, but still loved him. Moved to the Philly area for post-grad education and they love for Phillies and their minor teams took off in their low era and they have stuck for 25+ years. Phils >>>>>>>Braves >>Mets. Go Phils - get it done.

[bkeich]

Withthis game Thomson is 61-39 in his first 100 games. I certainly hope removing the "interim" title is a foregone action.

[zambonir]

I still think they should do it this week, or right before the playoffs. They can get the waiver, and give everything a little energy bump.