ChopHouse Chronicles : An Atlanta Braves Dynasty

[JWDixon120]

Braves Fall to Dodgers Despite Hot Start

May 3, 2024

The Atlanta Braves (20-12) fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers (24-10) in a nail-biting 6-5 loss at Dodger Stadium, despite a promising early lead.

The Braves jumped out to a 5-0 advantage, powered by home runs from Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson. Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin continued his impressive streak, smashing his second home run in as many games. However, Atlanta's bats went silent from the fourth inning onward, as the Dodgers clawed their way back into the game.

Max Fried delivered a strong outing for the Braves, limiting one of baseball's most potent offenses to just three earned runs over six innings. Fried, who is making a case for another All-Star appearance in a contract year, showcased his usual command and kept the Dodgers' lineup off-balance for most of the night.

However, the momentum shifted in the seventh inning when Shohei Ohtani delivered a crushing three-run homer off Atlanta's Pierce Johnson, turning the game on its head. Ohtani's shot energized the Dodger faithful and proved to be the decisive blow in a comeback victory for Los Angeles.

The Braves had opportunities to regain the lead but failed to capitalize, leaving the tying run stranded in the ninth inning. "We just couldn’t find that big hit late," manager Brian Snitker said after the game. "It’s tough, but we’ll regroup and come back strong tomorrow."

The Dodgers' bullpen deserves credit for shutting down Atlanta's lineup over the final five innings, with closer Evan Phillips locking down the save. Bobby Miller, the Dodgers' starter, struggled early and lasted just three innings, giving up five earned runs, but the bullpen picked him up to secure the win.

Looking Ahead

Game 2 of the series will feature a battle of veteran left-handers, as Chris Sale (0-2, 6.89 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta against Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 4.31 ERA) of Los Angeles. Sale will look to bounce back from recent struggles, while Kershaw aims to continue his solid start to the season.

Atlanta has also announced they have signed Utility infielder Eduardo Escobar to a minor league deal. He is expected to be called up to the 26 man before Saturday night's game.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM ET.

[JWDixon120]

Braves and Dodgers Deliver Fireworks in Nine-Inning Thriller

May 4, 2024

LOS ANGELES – In a game filled with high drama and electrifying moments, the Los Angeles Dodgers outslugged the Atlanta Braves, 15-11, in a wild showdown that culminated in a chaotic ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Shohei Ohtani once again proved why he is one of the game’s brightest stars, delivering the decisive blow with a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth – his second walk-off homer in as many games.

The game featured a combined 26 runs, 29 hits, and momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last pitch.

Ohtani Continues to Dominate

Shohei Ohtani’s performance in this series has been nothing short of legendary. With his 3-for-5 showing on Saturday night, including a 439-foot blast in the ninth inning, Ohtani is now 6-for-9 with 11 RBIs and two walk-off home runs through the first two games of the series. His ninth-inning heroics capped off an unforgettable night and sent Dodger fans into a frenzy.

“Shohei is just otherworldly right now,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s carrying us, and it’s a joy to watch.”

Inning-by-Inning Breakdown

The Braves jumped out to an early lead, thanks to Marcell Ozuna’s 385-foot solo shot in the second inning. Atlanta built a 4-2 lead through five innings, buoyed by homers from newly acquired Eduardo Escobar and Ozuna, as well as a strong outing from Chris Sale, who rebounded from recent struggles to limit the Dodgers’ potent offense in the early going.

However, the Dodgers clawed their way back, tying the game 6-6 in the sixth inning behind clutch hitting from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Betts’ double to right field brought home two runs, setting the stage for a frenetic finish.

A Ninth Inning for the Ages

The ninth inning was an offensive explosion, featuring a combined eight runs. The Braves struck first, scoring four times to level the game at 11 in the top of the ninth. Marcell Ozuna’s single set the table, and clutch hits from Eduardo Escobar and Ronald Acuña Jr. brought the runs home. With the bases loaded, Acuña Jr. doubled to left, clearing the bases and putting Atlanta lvel.

But the Dodgers refused to go quietly. Mookie Betts, who had already doubled earlier in the game, was intentionally walked after a leadoff Max Muncy double. Then, with three runners on, Ohtani stepped to the plate. On the second pitch of the at-bat, he crushed a hanging slider deep into the right-center field seats, igniting the Dodger crowd and sealing the 15-11 victory in Grand-Slam fashion.

Final Thoughts

While the Braves' offense showed resilience, the Dodgers’ relentless attack proved too much. Ohtani’s historic performance overshadowed strong nights from Braves’ hitters Eduardo Escobar (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) and Marcell Ozuna (3-for-4, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs).

“This one stings,” Braves manager Brian Snitker admitted. “We did a lot of good things tonight, but when you’re up against a guy like Ohtani, sometimes it doesn’t matter.”

The series continues Sunday, with Atlanta looking to avoid the sweep and Los Angeles aiming to extend their dominance. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET.

Box Score Highlights

Atlanta Braves

Runs: 11

Hits: 13

Errors: 0

Los Angeles Dodgers

Runs: 15

Hits: 16

Errors: 0

[JWDixon120]

Prospect Scouting Report: Joey Henderson

Starting Pitcher (RHP) | Iowa Western (Community College) | Age: 20

Joey Henderson is a starting pitcher who played his high school ball in Indiana. Despite being undersized, Henderson's big velocity gains during his JUCO career have propelled him rapidly up scouting boards. Initially overlooked by powerhouse college programs due to his 5'10", 172-pound frame, Henderson chose the JUCO route and bet on himself. This decision has paid off, as he is now a key reason Iowa Western is ranked #1 nationally among JUCO programs.

Scouting Grades (20-80 Scale)

• Fastball: 70


• Changeup: 55


• Slider: 65


• Curveball: 50


• Command: 40

Pitching Profile

Henderson has spent the past two seasons refining his arsenal at Iowa Western's state-of-the-art facilities. He also worked with Driveline Baseball over the summer to hone his craft. His arsenal is headlined by a lethal fastball-slider combination. The fastball, clocked at triple digits, generates elite spin rates, while his slider sits in the low 90s and consistently misses bats.

Henderson's secondary offerings, a changeup and curveball, are serviceable enough to keep hitters off balance. However, his primary concern is command. While he can afford to walk 5-6 batters per nine innings at the JUCO level, that will not translate to professional success. Refining his control will be crucial to unlocking his potential as a starter. If he cannot iron out the command issues, his elite fastball-slider combo could make him a high-leverage reliever.

Player Comparison

Henderson draws comparisons to a blend of Tim Lincecum and Spencer Strider. His undersized frame mirrors Lincecum, while his high-velocity fastball and impressive RPMs are reminiscent of Strider. His 16.5 K/9 rate in JUCO ball highlights his ability to dominate hitters, and scouts are drawn to his grit and mound presence, viewing his size as a non-issue.

[JWDixon120]

As a head's up, I am going to begin streaming some of my games over on my Twitch : https://www.twitch.tv/justindixon

I have some custom Sounds of the Show interfaces I use so it provides a pretty cool atmosphere.

Also, I am going to shift my posting style. I plan on posting a end of week recap for the club, instead of posts at the end of every game, as it seems to get repetitive.

MLB Weekly Recaps will be moved to MLB Monthly Recaps (special editions will be made for trade deadline etc.)

and Prospect Deep Dives will still be every in game Sunday, leading up to the draft!

[JWDixon120]

Pete Alonso’s Future with Mets Uncertain as Trade Deadline Looms

NEW YORK — With the July 30 trade deadline always on GM's minds, Pete Alonso’s future with the New York Mets remains uncertain. The slugging first baseman is in the final year of his contract, and if the Mets fall out of contention, he could become one of the most coveted bats on the market.

Alonso, 29, has been a mainstay in the Mets’ lineup since his record-breaking rookie season in 2019, but with free agency looming and agent Scott Boras expected to seek a lucrative long-term deal, his future in Queens is anything but guaranteed.

The Mets enter the second week of May hovering around .500 and ranked No. 21 in MLB.com’s latest power rankings, leaving their postseason outlook murky, although it is early. If the team struggles in the coming weeks, president of baseball operations David Stearns may be forced to consider offers for Alonso rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.

“I hope [I am still with the Mets after the trade deadline]. I really do, because that means that we are playing good baseball,” Alonso told MLB.com. “For me, this is a special place. … I would like to stay.”

The Mets have the financial resources to keep Alonso beyond 2024, but whether they choose to commit long-term or explore trade possibilities will largely depend on their standing in the playoff race come July. If they falter, contenders in need of a power bat could come calling, making Alonso a prime candidate for a midseason blockbuster.

For now, Alonso remains a Met. But with the trade deadline nearing, his status is far from certain.