GDT 9/26/23 Pittsburgh Pirates (Keller, M) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Nola, Aa)

[Lucky_Beagle]

I can't wait to play the Braves....they will be about rusted through since they haven't had a meaningful game for about a month!

[bkox]

I can't wait to play the Braves....they will be about rusted through since they haven't had a meaningful game for about a month!

Actually their games are still meaningful. They still havent clinched home field from the Dodgers.. That could happen today. And the Orioles are still in the running for home field for the World series.. 3 wins behind the Braves.

[zambonir]

Well I think LB was kidding a little bit. i.e. a rusty Braves team would still be scarier than, say, the Brewers. At least on paper.

[gmwannabe]

I'm sure he was. the braves are going to be a tough team to beat (if they get there, also if the Phils get there as well)
gm

[zambonir]

The Braves have already gotten there.

[julio]

The Braves have already gotten there.

Yep. When the Phils get past the [D-Backs, currently, but this could change], that's what awaits.

[zambonir]

Well, technically the Braves haven't clinched that spot, but almost, and they are "there" with or without us.

[julio]

Fair enough - they have a four game lead, with five to play.

[andyb]

Well it is the hangover lineup today with the entire bench playing. And non-drinker Harper at 1B (with DH Brandon Marsh hitting cleanup!).

[bkox]

Hangover lineup with Angel Hernandez behind home plate? Honestly, anything is possible.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) September 27, 2023

[gmwannabe]

sorry, what I meant by getting there was the championship series.
gm

[zambonir]

right but there is no way to play the Braves in that (unless they lose all their remaining games, granted)

[LoneStarPhan]

They need to focus on the team that they are playing. They are the toughest team at that time and the only team at that time that can eliminate the Phillies from the post season. Avoid looking ahead and focus on the task at hand.

[zambonir]

They don't read the board, I'm pretty sure.

But there's also not any real variables. They are going to play the Braves. They will definitely be too busy playing to Braves to think about whether they might play the Dodgers or Brewers (or someone else) in the NLCS.

But right now, this week, they are definitely allowed to think about their possible wild card opponent, an in fact, nearly 100% of the organization off-field brainpower is focused on that, not the Pirates or the Mets.