Well that was kind of annoying. After making it very interesting (and too interesting for Braves fan(s)), Shane Victorino, Brian Schneider, and Greg Dobbs went down in order to Billy Wagner. This was vintage for the veteran reliever: nasty slider, impossible fastball, and shadows that rendered the left-handed hitters useless against him.
Danys Baez gave up five hits in two-thirds of an inning, surrendering four runs, getting himself tagged for the loss, and pretty much assuring his spot off the playoff roster. He’s been flat-out atrocious this year and there is no way I want him anywhere near the hill in the postseason. JC Romero came out with a back issue, but Amaro went on record as saying he didn’t think it would be a problem going on. Carlos Ruiz was hit by a pitch on his left elbow, but X-Rays came back negative. He ended the season batting .302, the best average on the team. Good for Chooch.
Jayson Werth hit a home run, his 27th of the season, and John Mayberry hit his second. Due to Mayberry’s slight edge in experience and the lack of right-handed power bats on the bench, I wouldn’t be surprised if J-May made the roster over Domonic Brown.
The Phillies still took two of three from the Bravos, ending their regular season at 97-65, which astounds me even as I type it. Because the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the nightcap of their doubleheader, the Phillies will finish with the best record in baseball, the first time in franchise history. The Braves are at a respectable 91-71 and await the results from the game in San Francisco. According to Todd Zolecki, the Phillies will play the Reds if the Giants win and the Giants would play the Braves. If the Padres win, we won’t know our opponent until Tuesday.
Matt Latos goes for the Padres and Jonathan Sanchez is on the hill for the Giants, who have an early 2-0 lead.