Well, that didn’t go to plan.

It’s seemed like something is off about Max Fried all year. I don’t know for sure if there is really something wrong with him or if he’s just going on the IL out of an abundance of caution (yes, I am saying that not all IL assignments are above board). Either way, he may need a couple of weeks.

There were encouraging signs from the offense, but the pitching was far too generous on the evening. This going to need to be tightened up.

Yesterday was a very long day at the (virtual) office, but I did have the game on. After all, would you really want to miss an Acuña at bat right now? I think not.

That said, we need some offense from literally anyone else in the batting order, and stat. The bullpen this year has already shown it’s leakier than last year, but if the offense plays to its potential it’s not a huge deal.

Alec Bohm’s foot still hasn’t touched home plate. Why do we have replay?

This will be a blog post, because I didn’t see any of this game. I listened to the top of the first,  but otherwise I didn’t hear the rally and comeback.

I’m looking forward to the Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN tonight.

Now that’s a little more like it.

Ronald Acuña, Jr. is a machine that hits doubles and home runs. I mean, he did throw in an infield single for good measure, but still.

The rest of the lineup is looking primed to come alive as well. Freddie still looks a little discombulated at the plate to me, but he creamed a hanging curveball. The Braves bench, which over the course of 162 will probably still be proving to lack some power, how has 3 HRs in 8 games, and a guy primarily on the team for his versatility (Adrianza) followed up an excellent spring with the homer that broke the game open.

The most baffling thing on the evening was a solid, seasoned manager like Joe Girardi plum forgetting that he’d been to the mound already in the 5th inning. I was watching and wondering what he was doing out there after Zack Wheeler had gotten to a 2-0 count to Dansby, and as it turns out, so was Dansby. And the home plate umpire. Phillies fans had to have had flashes back to the Gabe Kapler days, but at least Girardi already had a reliever ready go. If I had to guess, he was planning to tell Wheeler that was going to be his last batter and then he was going to take him out if he didn’t end the inning, and departed the dugout before anyone could grab him.

I didn’t miss the chop in 2020. Yeah, I’ve still got a foam tomahawk laying around, but I’m not sure for how much longer. I’ve been watching Braves baseball since I was five, but I’ve grown and matured over the years. And if the fact that it is offensive doesn’t work for you, then how about this: Ted Turner stole it from Florida State back in the late 70’s. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel a pressing need to take traditions from FSU.