Takeaways: Braves drop a 2-1 pitchers duel to the Phillies

The Braves bats were ice cold, leading to a 2-1 loss to the Phillies.

Andrew Stefaniak | May 27, 2023

The Braves dropped a close game to the Phillies, where both starting pitchers had solid outings.

The Braves bats couldn't get going, and the offense couldn't get it done for starter Charlie Morton.

What can we take away from this close loss to the Phillies?

The Braves never got the leadoff man aboard

Getting the leadoff man on base leads to crooked numbers on the scoreboard. The Braves didn't get a leadoff man on base once, leading to only one run on the board. It's hard to rally when you only have base runners with one or two out's in the inning. Phillies starter Zack Wheeler made quick work of the Braves, not letting many hitters get into deep counts. The Braves need to start taking pitches and getting pitch counts up when a starter is dominating. They didn't do that, and Wheeler went eight scoreless innings.

Charlie Morton was solid

Morton made a few mistakes in this outing, but all and all, it was a really solid performance by the Braves righty. Morton had his change up working early and often leading to nine strikeouts. He left one mistake pitch over the middle of the plate leading to a Kody Clemens double, but aside from that, he looked good. Morton did walk four in this game, and you would love for that number to be closer to one or two going forward. Morton continues to give the Braves good starts. Unfortunately the offense didn't have his back.

Charlie Morton, Vicious 83mph Curveball. 😤

3182 RPMs pic.twitter.com/aVBwitPZGW
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 27, 2023

This offense is boom or bust

The Braves are starting to seem like a team that is either red hot or ice cold at the plate, and in this ball game, they were ice cold. Braves hitters only had four hits in this ball game. A Sean Murphy homer in the top of the ninth was the only run the Braves were able to scratch across. If the Braves continue to struggle at the place, teams like the Mets and Phillies could creep back into this division race. I would expect the bats to be just fine, though, as this offense is hard to keep down long.

What's Next?

The Braves will try to steal the final game of this series with the Phillies on Sunday at 6 pm ct. This game will be on ESPN, so everyone will get to see this matchup of two NL East rivals.

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Published May 27, 2023

ANDREW STEFANIAK