Braves v Red Legs. For the ATL. Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox May 10, 2022.

I noted Ronald Acuna Jr drew some walks in the May 10, 2022 loss to the Boston Red Sox.  For the casual fan, the Braves loss was probably sour, but for the real die hard through-and-through Braves faithful, it was encouraging, for the following reason:

We had competitive at-bats, forcing that 3 balls, 2 strikes count, a "hitter's count", numerous times against a pretty good pitcher in the wizard Red Sock Garrett Whitlock, a scrappy still-young pitcher with a decent track record and a low ERA.

Ronny did that, forced the count, worked that pitcher, who still comes up looking like a rose, but I can't help but think, he did his job and closed-out batters when necessary, but our boys encourage me because of those quality at-bats.

Good eye.

Good at-bats.

Work the enemy pitcher.

See what he's got.

Make him throw it.

Increase his pitch count.

My question about the Tuesday game, was that, seeing Marcel Ozuna's admirable offensive performance, did he force the count?  Or did Ronald Acuna Jr more or less just play against swing-mode type to set the table later, to toy with expectations, while some of the others were in swing-mode?

Were we just "effing with 'em"?


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