ChopHouse Chronicles : An Atlanta Braves Dynasty

[JWDixon120]

Braves Chasing a Dynasty: 2024 Season Preview

March 20, 2024

ATLANTA, GA - Securing a seventh consecutive National League East title would be an accomplishment, but the Braves entered Spring Training with their sights set much higher: a World Series championship.

“There’s no reason to accept anything less than winning a World Series,” said Spencer Strider, the Braves’ Opening Day starter. “I believe this is the most talented team in baseball. Our expectations should be as high as possible. Anything short of that would feel like underachieving.”

Despite winning 100 games in each of the past two seasons, the Braves have been unable to advance past the NL Division Series, both times falling to the rival Phillies. This year, they aim to rewrite the narrative.

The Braves bring back nearly their entire lineup, which set an AL/NL-record .501 slugging percentage and tied the 2019 Twins’ MLB record of 307 home runs. The only new face in the lineup is outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who could offer more than what Eddie Rosario provided last season.

Meanwhile, the bullpen has been bolstered, and the rotation features two legitimate Cy Young contenders. A third straight 100-win season is within reach, but success hinges on key factors coming together. Here’s a breakdown of what needs to happen and some predictions for the season.

What Needs to Go Right?

Health will be critical. The Braves managed 104 wins last year despite missing key starters Max Fried and Kyle Wright for much of the season. With Fried and Strider leading the rotation and Ronald Acuña Jr. aiming for another MVP-caliber campaign, Atlanta’s offense and pitching could both rank among the league’s best. Additionally, the team’s upgraded bullpen could become a significant asset as they pursue a division title and beyond.

Kelenic doesn’t need to become an All-Star immediately, but he must show flashes of his potential. The 24-year-old outfielder impressed late in Spring Training with results from his revamped swing. Known for his defense, Kelenic could easily surpass Rosario’s production in left field if he finds consistency at the plate.

Team MVP Prediction

As long as he stays healthy, Acuña remains the clear favorite. With his contract running through at least 2028, he’s the centerpiece of the Braves’ roster. While teammates Austin Riley and Matt Olson are also MVP candidates, Acuña’s potential to achieve another 40-40 season—or something close to it—keeps him as the standout choice.

Team Cy Young Prediction

Fried might be the safe bet entering the season, but Strider’s development makes him the more intriguing pick. Known as the league’s premier strikeout pitcher, Strider added a curveball to his arsenal during the offseason. This could elevate his already elite fastball-slider combination, putting him in contention for a 300-strikeout season and perhaps the title of MLB’s best pitcher.

Opening Day Roster

Rotation:

• 1. Spencer Strider


• 2. Max Fried


• 3. Spencer Schwellenbach (Rookie)


• 4. Chris Sale


• 5. Reynaldo Lopez

Bullpen:

• LRP: Charlie Morton


• MRP: Dylan Lee


• MRP: Jesse Chavez


• MRP: Aaron Bummer


• MRP: Pierce Johnson


• SU: A.J. Minter


• SU: Joe Jimenez


• CL: Raisel Iglesias

Position Players:

• C: Sean Murphy


• C: Travis d'Arnaud


• IF: Matt Olson


• IF: Ozzie Albies


• IF: Luis Guillorme


• IF: Austin Riley


• IF: Luke Williams


• IF: Orlando Arcia


• OF: Marcell Ozuna


• OF: Jarred Kelenic


• OF: Michael Harris II


• OF: Adam Duvall


• OF: Ronald Acuña Jr.

Dynasty Details

This dynasty will be played using custom sliders and Classic/Timing pitching and hitting controls to ensure player ratings take precedence. The goal is to maintain the highest level of realism and immersion.

Additionally, I will be tracking all significant developments in a dedicated spreadsheet, which can be accessed here: Dynasty Tracker.

All 162 regular-season games will be played, with detailed recaps following each game. A weekly recap summarizing team performance, league updates, and key storylines will be posted after every in-game Thursday.

[JWDixon120]

Braves Open Season with 7-5 Victory Over Phillies

March 28, 2024

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s one of baseball’s most dynamic players. Acuña reached base three times, stole two bases, and scored twice as the Atlanta Braves opened their season with a 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.

Ozzie Albies powered the Braves’ offense with a pair of home runs, marking the 10th multiple-homer game of his career. His second blast, a towering two-run shot in the ninth inning with Atlanta down to their last out, provided critical insurance runs for Atlanta.

“When Ozzie’s swinging the bat like that, we’re a tough team to beat,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “He gives us energy, and he came through in the big moments tonight.”

Spencer Strider earned the win, striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings while allowing two earned runs. Despite battling through some early trouble, Strider showcased the elite stuff that has made him one of the league’s top strikeout artists.

“I felt good out there,” Strider said. “It’s always nice to start the season with a win, but I know I’ve got to keep building from here.”

Key Moments

The Braves jumped on Phillies starter Zack Wheeler early, with Acuña reaching base on a throwing error in the first inning. He promptly stole second, advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly.

In the fifth inning, Orlando Arcia and Albies homered to extend Atlanta’s lead to 4-1. Albies’ second homer of the night, a 446-foot shot in the ninth, sealed the victory. Raisel Iglesias shut the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Quote of the Night

“Ronald sets the tone for us at the top,” said Albies. “When he’s aggressive on the basepaths, it opens up everything for the rest of us.”

Game Notes

• Attendance: 42,792 (100% capacity)


• Weather: 44 degrees, clear


• Wind: 5.9 mph, blowing out to right field


• Game Time: 3:05 PM

The Braves return to action on Saturday for the second game of the series, with Max Fried taking the mound against the Phillies' Aaron Nola.

[JWDixon120]

Weekly Recap: Opening Day and Week 1 Preview

March 30, 2024

Opening Day is officially in the books, and the 2024 MLB season is underway. This year’s debut featured a special international series in South Korea, where the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the season in thrilling fashion.

International Series Highlights

The Padres handled business overseas, sweeping the two-game set against the Dodgers. Dylan Cease stole the show in the opener, striking out 12 batters en route to a commanding victory for San Diego.

Opening Day Across the League

MLB’s traditional Opening Day followed on Thursday, March 28, with all 30 teams taking the field. Among the standout performances was rookie sensation Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers. The 19-year-old phenom went 3-for-4 with two home runs in his MLB debut, joining elite company as just the sixth player in league history to homer twice in his MLB debut. The last to accomplish the feat was Trevor Story in 2016 with the Colorado Rockies.

Another dominant showing on opening day came from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal, who delivered a gem in the Tigers’ 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Skubal pitched 7 1/3 innings, striking out 13 while allowing no runs in his season debut.

Looking Ahead: Week 1 Matchups

As baseball returns in full swing, Week 1 of the MLB season features several exciting series to watch:

• Braves at Phillies: Atlanta looks to continue their strong start after a thrilling Opening Day victory.


• Dodgers vs Cardinals: Two perennial powerhouses clash in a battle of NL contenders.


• Padres vs Giants: San Diego returns from South Korea to face their division rival.


• Yankees at Astros: Two AL postseason favorites face off on opening weekend.

Baseball is back, and the road to October begins now. Stay tuned for updates as the season progresses!

[JWDixon120]

Braves Edge Phillies 10-7 to win Opening Series

March 30, 2024

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves continued their hot start to the 2024 season, outlasting the Philadelphia Phillies in a 10-7 contest on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves improved to 2-0 while dropping the Phillies to 0-2 on the season.

Ronald Acuña Jr. once again showcased his dynamic skillset, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and 2 more stolen bases as the Braves jumped all over Aaron Nola early. Michael Harris II provided the early fireworks with a three-run homer in the first inning, while Matt Olson added a three-run blast in the second to help the Braves jump out to a commanding 7-2 lead.

“We’re just taking quality at-bats and putting pressure on the defense,” Harris said. “When we’re clicking like this, we’re tough to stop. Ronnie's speed has already forced 2 errors on defenses.”

Key Performances

Starter Max Fried earned the win despite a rocky outing, allowing four earned runs over six innings while striking out four. Jarred Kelenic added a late insurance run with a solo shot in the ninth, his first homer as a Brave.

For the Phillies, Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott each homered to keep the game within reach, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Braves’ relentless offense. Aaron Nola took the loss after surrendering seven runs (six earned) in just 1 1/3 innings.

Turning Point

The game appeared all but over after Olson’s three-run homer in the second inning gave the Braves a five-run cushion, but the Phillies rallied in the seventh. A two-run homer from Johan Rojas brought the Phillies within one run, but Braves reliever Aaron Bummer worked out of a jam to preserve the lead.

“That was a big moment for us,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “Aaron coming in and getting those outs kept the momentum on our side.”

Quote of the Night

“It’s always nice to start the season with two wins on the road,” Olson said. “We’re building some great momentum early.”

Game Notes

• Attendance: 37,086 (87% capacity)


• Weather: 58 degrees, overcast


• Wind: 10.3 mph, blowing out to left field


• Game Time: 4:05 PM

The Braves will look to complete the sweep on Sunday with rookie Spencer Schwellenbach set to make his MLB debut against Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez.

[JWDixon120]

Braves Complete Sweep of Phillies with 2-1 Victory

March 31, 2024

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach dazzled in his MLB debut, pitching the Braves to a 2-1 victory over the Phillies on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. The win completed a three-game sweep of the Phillies, improving Atlanta to 3-0 on the season.

Schwellenbach delivered a masterful performance, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out nine and walking two. His final game score of 69 ranks as the fifth-best in Atlanta Braves history for a debuting pitcher.

“I was just trying to stay within myself and attack the zone,” said Schwellenbach. “It’s a dream come true to help the team get a win in my debut.”

Key Performances

Raisel Iglesias continued his dominance out of the bullpen, securing his third save in as many games to start the season. Iglesias becomes the 160th pitcher in MLB history to achieve this feat.

Offensively, Michael Harris II provided run support for the Braves with an RBI single in the sixth inning, plating Austin Riley. It was a quiet day for the Braves' bats as the top 3 in the order, Acuna, Albies, and Olson combined for an 0-14 mark.

For the Phillies, Ranger Suárez pitched well in the loss, allowing two runs over 5 and 2/3 innings while striking out five.

The Braves took the lead in the sixth inning on back-to-back hits by Riley and Harris. Schwellenbach held the Phillies in check through the middle innings, and the bullpen locked down the win with Iglesias closing it out in the ninth.

Quote of the Night

“It’s always special to see a rookie shine in their debut,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Spencer gave us everything we needed today.”

Game Notes

• Attendance: 33,437 (78% capacity)


• Weather: 45 degrees, clear


• Wind: 4.3 mph, blowing out to center field


• Game Time: 1:35 PM

Next up, the Braves travel to Chicago to face the White Sox in a three-game series starting Monday at 12:00 PM EST. Veteran offseason trade acquisition Chris Sale is expected to take the mound for Atlanta against Chicago's #3 overall prospect Drew Thorpe.

[JWDixon120]

Braves Outlast White Sox 8-5 to Remain Unbeaten

April 1, 2024

CHICAGO (AP) – On a rainy afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, the Atlanta Braves continued their unbeaten start to the 2024 season, knocking off the Chicago White Sox 8-5 in a gritty battle. The game, which featured rainy weather, timely hitting, and a historic save, showcased the Braves' depth and resilience as they improved to 4-0 and the MLB's last remaining undefeated club.

The Braves encountered adversity even before the first pitch. Starting pitcher Chris Sale, slated to take the mound against the team who drafted him, was scratched due to a mild pectoral strain that has now landed him on the 15-day injured list. With Sale sidelined, the Braves turned to Reynaldo Lopez for the emergency start. Meanwhile, shortstop Orlando Arcia also suffered a lat strain during warm-ups in the rainy Chicago weather, prompting Atlanta to shuffle its roster. Utility man Eli White and OF Forrest Wall were promoted to the active roster, while IF Luke Williams was optioned to AAA Gwinnett. Arcia joined Sale on the injured list, leaving the team scrambling for solutions before first pitch.

The challenges continued during the game, but this time for Chicago. Drew Thorpe left the mound in the first inning after facing just two batters due to an apparent arm injury. Chris Flexen entered in relief, tasked with stabilizing the game. With these setbacks, the Braves struck first. Ronald Acuna Jr. reached on a throwing error by Yoan Moncada and later scored on a groundout by Matt Olson in the first inning. However, the White Sox quickly responded as Dominic Fletcher blasted a two-run homer off Lopez, giving Chicago a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first.

Atlanta's offense came alive in the third inning. Acuna and Albies delivered back-to-back solo home runs to tie the game at 3-3. Meanwhile on defense Reynaldo Lopez settled in, retiring six of the next seven batters to keep the White Sox at bay. The momentum shifted further in the fifth inning when Ozzie Albies doubled and later scored on Olson's sharp single to center field, giving the Braves their first lead of the day at 4-3.

The seventh inning proved pivotal as Acuna reached on another error by Shewmake, setting the stage for Olson's second home run of the game. The towering 453-foot blast to right field extended Atlanta's lead to 7-3, providing much-needed breathing room. Olson, who finished the day 2-for-5 with five RBIs, continued to prove why he is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league.

Although the White Sox attempted a comeback in the eighth inning, highlighted by a solo homer from Luis Robert Jr., the Braves responded with another insurance run. Sean Murphy doubled and scored on a single by newly-called-up Eli White, making it 8-5. In the ninth inning, closer Raisel Iglesias sealed the win, striking out Vaughn and inducing two weak groundouts to secure his fourth save in as many games. Iglesias's achievement marked him as just the sixth closer in Braves history to record a save in each of the team's first four games of a season.

Manager Brian Snitker praised Olson's performance after the game, saying, “Matt is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. When he gets going like this, it’s fun to watch.” Despite the victory, Snitker acknowledged the challenges ahead with Sale and Arcia out. Imaging confirmed Sale’s injury as a mild pectoral strain, and Bryce Elder is set to replace him in the rotation. With Arcia on the 10-day injured list, the Braves will rely on depth players like White and Wall to fill the gaps.

The game, attended by 25,269 fans (62% capacity), was played under rainy conditions with a temperature of 60 degrees and winds blowing out to center field at 10.9 mph. First pitch was at 12:00 PM EST, and the game lasted three hours and 14 minutes. Despite the weather and adversity, the Braves showcased their determination and ability to adapt, traits that will serve them well as the season progresses.

With their perfect record intact, the Braves turn to Bryce Elder, who will start tomorrow’s game against White Sox pitcher Nick Nastrini. Atlanta is looking to remain unscathed.

[johnstone1987]

Nice solid start to this.

[JWDixon120]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnstone1987

Nice solid start to this.

Thanks!


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