Atlanta Braves: Win More Games Than The Hawks?
04-28-2014
, 12:15 AM
04-28-2014
, 12:18 AM
04-28-2014
, 10:33 AM
04-28-2014
, 10:52 AM
Fear not, fine sir.
Exhibit A) Improved offense coming - Wren's not gonna just let this happen
Exhibit B) Pitching success driven by elite defense - which will help stem the tide of regression
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story...espnapi_public
Here is a look at the top teams in terms of defensive runs saved (through Thursday).
Braves: 20
Colorado Rockies: 18
Los Angeles Angels: 15
San Diego Padres: 14
San Francisco Giants: 14
Incredibly, 19 of Atlanta's 20 runs saved have come from the outfield. Defensive stalwart Jason Heyward has 10 of those runs saved in right field, and the Upton brothers have bounced back from subpar defensive seasons to combine for an early seven runs saved.
An elite defensive outfield would be a luxury for every team. However, for the Braves, it is particularly important because of the tendencies of their pitchers. Through Thursday, their ground ball rate of 42.5 percent is the sixth lowest in MLB.
Outfield defense is only one factor that affects batting average on balls in play (BABIP), but the early trends among the fly ball-heaviest pitching staffs match expectations. The Braves, Kansas City Royals and Angels are the three of those 10 teams with at least nine runs saved in the outfield, and all three teams have an overall BABIP allowed of .286 or lower.
...
Even with the marriage of their frequent fly balls and an elite outfield defense, chances are the Braves starters won't continue to pitch this well. After all, their staff has stranded 86.0 percent of baserunners, the highest rate in baseball, and only 5.5 percent of their fly balls have left the ballpark, the lowest rate in baseball.
However, even if Harang or Hale falls off individually -- or if they have to deal with another injury -- Minor's return should add an anchor to their rotation for the remainder of the season. And no matter who pitches for the Braves on a given day, their excellent defense should continue to make their pitchers' lives much easier.
Exhibit A) Improved offense coming - Wren's not gonna just let this happen
Exhibit B) Pitching success driven by elite defense - which will help stem the tide of regression
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story...espnapi_public
Here is a look at the top teams in terms of defensive runs saved (through Thursday).
Braves: 20
Colorado Rockies: 18
Los Angeles Angels: 15
San Diego Padres: 14
San Francisco Giants: 14
Incredibly, 19 of Atlanta's 20 runs saved have come from the outfield. Defensive stalwart Jason Heyward has 10 of those runs saved in right field, and the Upton brothers have bounced back from subpar defensive seasons to combine for an early seven runs saved.
An elite defensive outfield would be a luxury for every team. However, for the Braves, it is particularly important because of the tendencies of their pitchers. Through Thursday, their ground ball rate of 42.5 percent is the sixth lowest in MLB.
Outfield defense is only one factor that affects batting average on balls in play (BABIP), but the early trends among the fly ball-heaviest pitching staffs match expectations. The Braves, Kansas City Royals and Angels are the three of those 10 teams with at least nine runs saved in the outfield, and all three teams have an overall BABIP allowed of .286 or lower.
...
Even with the marriage of their frequent fly balls and an elite outfield defense, chances are the Braves starters won't continue to pitch this well. After all, their staff has stranded 86.0 percent of baserunners, the highest rate in baseball, and only 5.5 percent of their fly balls have left the ballpark, the lowest rate in baseball.
However, even if Harang or Hale falls off individually -- or if they have to deal with another injury -- Minor's return should add an anchor to their rotation for the remainder of the season. And no matter who pitches for the Braves on a given day, their excellent defense should continue to make their pitchers' lives much easier.
04-28-2014
, 02:34 PM
04-28-2014
, 06:40 PM
