Das Forum » After the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker applauded Teheran

NEW YORK (AP) — Julio Teheran delivered a final pitch http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , watched the shortstop drift back to make a nice catch and walked off the mound clapping his right hand and glove together.Teheran looked sharp in his last audition to become part of Atlanta’s playoff rotation, throwing two-hit ball for six innings Thursday night in a 4-1 loss to the New York Mets.“That’s the way I wanted to finish the regular season,” Teheran said.The NL East champion Braves didn’t start first baseman Freddie Freeman and center fielder Ender Inciarte, and they were minus injured shortstop Dansby Swanson for the second straight game.Teheran (9-9) allowed one run, struck out five and walked two, and trailed 1-0 when he exited. The start came exactly a week before the Braves are set to begin the postseason against the NL West champs, either Colorado or the Los Angeles Dodgers.In the race for home-field advantage in that matchup, Atlanta and Colorado are 89-70 and the Dodgers are 88-71; the Braves don’t own either tiebreaker, having lost the head-to-head season series against both clubs.Teheran won just one of his last 10 outings, but Snitker observed, “he’s pitched better than this record.”Plus this: Opponents hit only .196 against him, besting Greg Maddux (.197 in 1995) for the lowest mark in franchise history Fernando Rodney Jersey , the Braves said. All-Star Mike Foltynewicz could top him — he’s at .198 going into Friday night’s start at Philadelphia.The 27-year-old Teheran started for the Braves the previous time they made the playoffs in 2013 and has long been a key piece of their staff, but his place this October is uncertain. He’s been inconsistent at times, albeit more steady down the stretch.Snitker hasn’t said who will pitch in the playoffs. Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman and Anibal Sanchez are considered likely to lock down the first three starts in the best-of-five NL Division Series, perhaps leaving Teheran and Sean Newcomb and maybe even rookie Touki Toussaint to compete for the fourth spot.“I got in the back of my mind what I’m thinking,” Snitker said, without revealing any details.“This isn’t tryout camp,” he said, adding, “I think the total body of work speaks for itself.”Teheran gave up a leadoff double to Brandon Nimmo in the first and a home run to Kevin Plawecki in the third.Pinch-hitter Devin Mesoraco connected for a three-run homer off Brad Brach in the seventh that made it 4-0.Ronald Acuna Jr. hit an RBI single in the eighth.The Braves beat New York in the opener of this three-game series for their sixth straight win. But Mets starters Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Jason Vargas combined for 21 scoreless innings in the set, and New York finished 6-13 against Atlanta this year.Vargas (7-9) needed just 77 pitches for seven shutout innings in his best start of the year.“Good job,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “He finished the season strong for us.”Vargas gave up three hits, walked none and struck out six http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , pitching in light rain in the later innings. The 35-year-old lefty tied for the major league lead with 18 wins last season with Kansas City but struggled early after signing a $16 million, two-year deal with the Mets.Vargas went 5-1 with a 2.62 ERA in his last eight starts.Robert Gsellman worked the ninth for his 13th save. He struck out Freeman with two on to end it.WRIGHT YOU AREMets third baseman David Wright didn’t play despite scattered chants of “We want David!” Activated this week, he hasn’t played in the majors since May 2016 because of neck, back and shoulder injuries. The Mets have planned for him to start Saturday night at Citi Field against Miami.The 35-year-old team captain left a spirited reminder of his days in the clubhouse before the game. A bottle of tequila was put in each teammate’s locker, with his No. 5 and the message, “Thanks for the memories.”TRAINER’S ROOMBraves: No update on Swanson, diagnosed this week with a partially torn ligament in his left hand. A progress report is possible over the weekend. Swanson’s status remains uncertain for Atlanta’s playoff opener next Thursday. Charlie Culberson again took Swanson’s place.UP NEXTBraves: Foltynewicz (12-10, 2.88 ERA) pitches at Citizens Bank Park to open the final series of the regular season. Last Saturday, he took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning against the Phillies in the division clincher.Mets: RHP Corey Oswalt (3-3, 6.08) starts at home vs. RHP Jose Urena (8-12, 4.07) and the Marlins. Rockies news and links for March 28, 2019"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockpileKyle Freeland is ready to start Opening Day for the Colorado RockiesNew,72commentsRockies news and links for March 28, 2019 Kyle Freeland is ready to start Opening Day for the Colorado RockiesRockies Pitcher Kyle Freeland Had a Breakout Season in 2019. What’s to Come in 2019? | Colorado Public RadioThere are so many reasons to be excited about the start of the 2019 season. One of them is the way Freeland is firmly positioned as the top starter and face of the rotation. It’s fun to see and listen to this interview with CPR in which he discusses the pressure on him and the lofty expectations for the Rockies this season.I’ll say this: Freeland answers a question from Vic Vela about reaching the playoffs by saying it should be realistic with the talent this team has. They might even be able to shoot higher than just a playoff berth given the situations around their division and the depth this team has Joe Mauer Jersey , especially in the starting rotation.Chris Iannetta: ‘Freeland is probably the most competitive pitcher I’ve caught’ | Mile High SportsAs for what makes Freeland a bona fide number one starter, it certainly starts with talent. Freeland’s pitches have a ton of moment, and he is able to throw those nasty pitches from a unique delivery that’s hard to pick up.But Freeland’s success also has to do with his makeup. That’s a hard thing for us to measure as outsiders, but Iannetta seems like a good source. In this interview with Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro, he discusses the mindset and competitiveness that set Freeland apart. Iannetta also predicts a long, successful career for Freeland. Let’s hope he’s right, starting with the game in Miami on Thursday.The Rockies’ Rotation is Quite Capable and Very Inexpensive | ForbesFun fact: Chad Bettis makes the most money in the projected Colorado starting rotation. Freeland will lead a rotation that makes less than $10 million combined. That’s wild. If they continue their success they will eventually get more expensive, but for now that cost-effectiveness puts this team in the sweet spot to succeed.Jack Etkin lays out the previous success for each starter as he looks ahead to what could be a strength for the Rockies once again in 2019. This group is essentially all homegrown, if not guys who have developed into big league starters while with the organization. Count that among the reasons to be even more excited for the upcoming season.Predictions, inside info and fun facts: The only Opening Day preview you need | ESPNThis is a national rundown of all the games that will kick off this season. In the Rockies bit linked here, there is an awful lot of optimism for where this team can go. Nolan Arenado will lead this team as they try to win the division for the first time. Of note - Jeff Passan passes along some industry insider type knowledge about guys who might emerge. These names might be obvious to those perusing the pages of Purple Row - guys like Ryan McMahon and German Marquez - but it’s still noteworthy to see that there’s buzz around them entering the season.Here’s how Rockies plan to chase titles | MLB.comThe Rockies have their eyes on a World Series title and it’s not crazy. They’re positioned to contend in 2019 and beyond thanks to a plan laid out by Dick Monfort and Jeff Bridich in this article. Thomas Harding outlines the team’s commitment to depth in the farm system and picking their spots for the big moves.“Pick where to spend” and “careful with the big decision” might be the interrelated pieces that depend on how far the Rockies can go. Say this: the team’s commitment to keeping their own looks a lot better when it’s spending big for Arenado or potential future extensions for Kyle Freeland or German Marquez. But they also chose to spend on Ian Desmond and some clunkers in the bullpen. They can’t whiff on those decisions as they pick their spots as a contender in the seasons to come. Hopefully this 2019 club is in position to win the division and force some of those decisions in the middle of the season.