OOTP Week 8 & 9

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We're going to keep this update short and simple. As an aside, I am finishing week 3 of a 4 week course in Analyzing Data in Organizations, which is as thrilling as it sounds. It's hurt my ability to write, though, as my time has been thoroughly decreased. After this week, I will still be in a different course, but that one is more stretched out. Anywho, I'm going to catch up in the OOTP replay with a two week post. I did want to mention this, though. Unlike real life, when I DFA'd Carlos Quentin, a team claimed him on waivers - the D'Backs. In his first game, he suffered a knee sprain and was removed before he even batted. After missing nearly a month, he came back for two games and went 4-for-7, but tore some ligaments in his ankle. He might make it back in July.

Recent Results
Week 7
Week 6
Week 5

Injury Report
Josh Outman (Rehab stint begins this week in Rome)
Christian Bethancourt - Post-concussion syndrome (Should be ready for a rehab assignment this week)
Kelly Johnson - Shoulder tendinitis (Two weeks out)
Daniel Winkler - Elbow Surgery (June/July Return?)
Shelby Miller - Torn back muscle (August Return?)
Jason Grilli - Elbow Inflammation (August Return?)
Shae Simmons - Elbow Surgery (Lost for Year)

May 22 vs Milwaukee
Actual Result - ATL loses 11-0
OOTP Result - ATL loses 5-0

Mike Minor couldn't get out of the fifth and despite three good innings from Michael Kohn, Braves had to no answers.

May 23 vs. Milwaukee
Actual Result - ATL wins 3-2 (11 innings)
OOTP Result - ATL wins 5-3

Braves came from behind twice to take the lead with Pedro Ciriaco's two-run homer in the seventh putting Atlanta ahead for good. Nick Markakis added a two-run homer of his own. No decision for Julio Teheran, but Jim Johnson pitched a quiet ninth for his fifth save.

May 24 vs. Milwaukee
Actual Result - ATL wins 2-1
OOTP Result - ATL loses 10-3

Alex Wood handed over a 3-2 game to the bullpen after five innings and seven K's. Eric Stults, Luis Avilan, and Michael Kohn all got roughed up in this one.

May 25 at Los Angeles Dodgers
Actual Result - ATL loses 6-3
OOTP Result - ATL loses 1-0

Clayton Kershaw K'd 13 Braves and despite a rather solid game from Trevor Cahill, the Braves couldn't mount many scoring chances. In the first, the Braves put runners on the corners, but they didn't get a runner in scoring position again until the 8th. In each situation, they obviously failed to plate a run.

May 26 at Los Angeles Dodgers
Actual Result - ATL loses 8-0
OOTP Result - ATL loses 5-4 (15 innings)

The Dodgers tied it up in the third and it remained that way until the 15th. Cody Martin didn't have it, but the pen did its best job to keep it where it was until the Dodgers got a pair of hits off Brandon Cunniff to walk-off. Andrelton Simmons had his first homer - a 3-run bomb - in the second. On the plus side, Christian Bethancourt begins his rehab assignment in Rome. Josh Outman's rehab stint continues as he heads to Mississippi.

May 27 at Los Angeles Dodgers
Actual Result - ATL wins 3-2
OOTP Result - ATL loses 4-1

The sweep is finished. Ugly. Braves managed just three hits against Zack Greinke. Hopefully a trip up north to San Fran will help.

May 28 at San Francisco 
Actual Result - ATL loses 7-0
OOTP Result - ATL loses 4-3

Five straight loses and this road trip is off to a winles start. Julio Teheran went six, but had to be perfect to beat the Giants and he wasn't.

Weekly Results
Actual Win-Loss Record - 3-4
OOTP Win-Loss Record - 1-6

Yearly Results
Actual Win-Loss Record - 23-24 (5.0 GB)
OOTP Win-Loss Record - 24-23 (1.5 GB)

Injury Report
Josh Outman - On Rehab Assignment
Christian Bethancourt - On Rehab Assignment
Kelly Johnson - Shoulder tendinitis (Should be back in a week)
Daniel Winkler - Elbow Surgery (June/July Return?)
Shelby Miller - Torn back muscle (August Return?)
Jason Grilli - Elbow Inflammation (August Return?)
Shae Simmons - Elbow Surgery (Lost for Year)

May 29 at San Francisco 
Actual Result - ATL loses 4-2
OOTP Result - ATL loses 3-2 (11 innings)

Winning is a distant memory. Alex Wood did everything he could to give the Braves a winning effort. He pitched six quality frames, gave up just earned run, and tripled in a run and scored a second one. But the Braves couldn't save the lead he gave them and Jim Johnson gave up a run to end it in the 11th.

May 30 at San Francisco 
Actual Result - ATL wins 8-0
OOTP Result - ATL loses 8-2

Oh, under .500 now. Ugh. Trevor Cahill picked a fine time to remember who he is. Cameron Maybin homered and the Braves led 2-0 early. Then stuff happened.

May 31 at San Francisco
Actual Result - ATL wins 7-5
OOTP Result - ATL wins 6-2

Braves end a seven game slide and get their first win of the road trip. Andrelton Simmons picked up a pair of RBIs to help Cody Martin improve to 4-1. Braves banged out nine hits, but only one went for extra bases. Christian Bethancourt heads to Mississippi to continue his rehab. He might be ready after this upcoming series. I imagine there might be a series of changes.

June 1 at Arizona
Actual Result - ATL wins 8-1
OOTP Result - ATL wins 13-5

Where did that offense come from? Johnny Gomes, Nick Markakis, and Phil Gosselin all homered with Goose's coming as a pinch hitter. Freddie Freeman homered twice and added four hits. So did Gomes and Jace Peterson. Mike Minor wasn't that good, but he didn't need to be.

June 2 at Arizona
Actual Result - ATL loses 7-6
OOTP Result - ATL loses 5-2

Julio Teheran struggled over just three innings and Andrelton Simmons was hurt after being hit by a pitch. Not a happy game, but Simmons looks day-to-day. Meanwhile, Kelly Johnson joined Gwinnett for a rehab stint.

June 3 at Arizona
Actual Result - ATL loses 9-8
OOTP Result - ATL loses 4-3

Braves homered twice, but a costly run surrendered by Luis Avilan in the 8th meant that a ninth inning run only got the Braves closer rather than tying it up.

June 4 - IDLESeveral changes. Yenier Bello was demoted while Pedro Ciriaco was designated. Both will be replaced by Kelly Johnson and Christian Bethancourt. Will allow Josh Outman to continue his rehab. Eric Young Jr. was also designated for assignment. Joey Terdoslavich will replace him.

Weekly Results
Actual Win-Loss Record - 3-3
OOTP Win-Loss Record - 2-4

Yearly Results
Actual Win-Loss Record - 26-27 (3.0 GB)
OOTP Win-Loss Record - 26-27 (1.5 GB)
***Holy crap, same record through 53 games. Not so shabby, OOTP.

A Look Ahead - After a day off, the Braves open a seven-game homestand against the Pirates before the Padres come to down on Monday. The Pirates have been massively disappointing and are 19-34, the second worst record in baseball. The Padres by contrast are 33-22 - third best in baseball and best in the NL.