Author Topic: Nationals @ Braves, Game 1 (Read 446 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **on:** May 22, 2026, 06:56:39 pm »

Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves
Truist Park
7:15 PM EDT

Nationals
OP - Richard Lovelady (LHP) 20.2 IP, 2-2 (3SV, 3H), 2.61 ERA / 4.60 FIP
PP - Miles Mikolas (RHP) 41.2 IP, 1-3, 6.91 ERA / 6.20 FIP, 2.38 HR/9, 15.1 K%, 7.5 BB%, 50.2 GB%, .278 BABIP

Barves
Bryce Elder (RHP) 62.2 IP, 4-2, 2.01 ERA / 3.20 FIP, 0.57 HR/9, 22.5 K%, 8.0 BB%, 44.4 GB%, .228 BABIP

Nationals
1. James Wood L DH
2. Luis García Jr. L 1B
3. Curtis Mead R 3B
4. CJ Abrams L SS
5. Dylan Crews R RF
6. Daylen Lile L LF
7. Jacob Young R CF
8. Drew Millas S C
9. Nasim Nuñez S 2B

Barves
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. R RF
2. Mauricio Dubón R LF
3. Matt Olson L 1B
4. Ozzie Albies S 2B
5. Michael Harris II L CF
6. Austin Riley R 3B
7. Dominic Smith L DH
8. Ha-Seong Kim R SS
9. Sandy León S C

varoadking · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:01:19 pm »

Is there any significance to Curtis Mead R 3B being in bold?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:03:59 pm »

I've highlighted #3 in the Nats order because, since Chaparro's recall, I've thought Mead would get a shot at winning the job against all pitching and not be stuck in a strict platoon with Vivas.

Sandy Leon gets a start as Drake Baldwin is on the IL with an oblique strain.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:13:20 pm »

For Mikolas, the things to note are his HRs and low K%. He's given up at least 1 HR in 7 out of 10 appearances, but he's given up multiple homers only twice. He's not walked an exceptional number of hitters but he's not someone who Ks his way out of trouble often. He's been slightly more effective his last 3 games (2 starts, one with an opener), with a 4.40 ERA / 5.19 FIP over 14.1 IP. With the high GB%, he needs his best IF play.

Elder is having a better year than his won / loss record, which is kind of surprising in that the Barves have had a strong start. This game features the 2 highest scoring teams so far this year (280 & 276).

Michael Harris II is having a breakout year, while Dom Smith is contributing offensively (154 wRC+).

imref · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:15:42 pm »

Not sure I’ve seen them wear blue on the road. Is it a Memorial Day weekend thing?

imref · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:16:26 pm »

Hopefully we can treat Bryce The Elder like we did Noah McLean.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:16:51 pm »

Quote from: imref on May 22, 2026, 07:15:42 pm

Not sure I’ve seen them wear blue on the road. Is it a Memorial Day weekend thing?

2019 look?

imref · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:21:30 pm »

That was quick.

welch · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:33:23 pm »

What is the strategy behind having a 1-inning LH opener ahead of Mikolas? Is it to get through the top of the Braves order before Mikolas starts? The Braves know Mikolas will come in, so it is nothing like Bucky Harris's strategem in Game 7, 1924 against the Giants' Bill Terry. And, besides, the Braves have a mix of lefties and righties in the lineup.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:35:19 pm »

Quote from: welch on May 22, 2026, 07:33:23 pm

What is the strategy behind having a 1-inning LH opener ahead of Mikolas? Is it to get through the top of the Braves order before Mikolas starts?

I think Lovelady gets 5 hitters

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:36:57 pm »

surprised Lovelady didn't get 5-6-7. 2 lefties.

GataNats · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:37:33 pm »

Should have kept Lovelady in longer

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:41:35 pm »

Quote from: GataNats on May 22, 2026, 07:37:33 pm

Should have kept Lovelady in longer

I'll guess that they want him available tomorrow so they pulled him after 12 pitches.

That said, I wonder why you burn him in the 1st rather than in a lefty pocket later. Did Buterra want to mess with their batting order by having Dubon hit betweeen Acuna and Olson?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #13 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:44:23 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on May 22, 2026, 07:41:35 pm

I'll guess that they want him available tomorrow so they pulled him after 12 pitches.

That said, I wonder why you burn him in the 1st rather than in a lefty pocket later. Did Buterra want to mess with their batting order by having Dubon hit betweeen Acuna and Olson?

I guess their normal lineup against righties has Harris hit between Acuna and Olson, so I will guess with Lovelady they moved up a weaker hitter between their 1 and 3 guys.

imref · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:45:36 pm »

Terrible base running

GataNats · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:48:26 pm »

Getting sick of Louie

imref · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:58:48 pm »

Crews keeps making contact.

GataNats · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2026, 07:59:33 pm »

Crews hits nothing hard

shoeshineboy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:02:17 pm »

How has Dylan Crews gotten to this level without demonstrating the ability to go with the pitch? He consistently pulls outside pitches rolling over into easy outs or double play balls. He has so many tools and a great swing with a long swing plane, but his approach of wanting to connect with every pitch out in front of the plate should have been corrected long ago.

GataNats · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:03:03 pm »

Terrible at bats. Elder is basically a bum outside of a couple of starts

imref · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:03:40 pm »

Quote from: GataNats on May 22, 2026, 07:59:33 pm

Crews hits nothing hard

he hit the ball 106.4mph in his first AB.

Slateman · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:16:19 pm »

Offense is done for the night

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:28:18 pm »

We may have found something in Mead.

imref · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:28:32 pm »

Swing as sweet as honey.

GataNats · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2026, 08:29:11 pm »

Mead has been pretty good. Great scrap heap pickup