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3,102 comments Add your comment
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
11:32 am
I agree about KK, he is only gonna get better as he gets more comfortable. He just has to throw strikes, when he’s done that he has been real good. It’s just all the baserunners, the walks they had me worried for a while. I think he’s turned a corner, the good thing is he’s pitched out of most of the jams he has gotten into. More strikes, and going deeper in the game and he will be very good.
Doc Holiday
June 21st, 2009
11:37 am
varodrunner,
KJ is streaky? Im still waiting for the 2009 good streak…………LOL
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
11:38 am
I don’t get it with KJ, we were 20 games out before he decided to start hittng last year. When we get 20 out this year it will be the same thing. So everybody will think he is good again, until next year when he’s hitting .200 in July with no trade value, we sell off our team, then he goes on a tear to keep us within 20 games. He is horrible and I hate seeing him in the lineup when I know good and well that Prado is the better option. Before Omar got hurt, he was hitting about .350 doing real good in the leadoff spot and KJ was still getting regular playing time. What does everybody else see that I don’t? He is the streakiest player in baseball, on a team that everybody from management to fans all agree is too inconsistent. At least you know what your gonna get from Omar and Martin.
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:38 am
siskel_god, I think a lot of it as with the rotation as a whole is the inability of the offense to score runs. KK is pitching to “fine”. Not attacking for fear that he will give up the big inning. Also the pressure of trying to pitch so perfectly allows for fatigue to set in sooner. If th offense will ever step up and perform consistently, you will see that ATL has the best rotation in the NL. I like this rotation now. Lowe, JJ, Vasquez, KK, and “:BIG County” Hanson. ATL just needes to score some runs. If ATL does that(Score) ATL’s rotation could go consistently 7 to 8 innings, thus saving the embarrassment of running Bennett, Moylan and co. out there. Just Soriano, and Gozo, and go home witha win.
Chuck James was Solid Until the 6th!!!
June 21st, 2009
11:41 am
Let me guess…. McCann can’t play today because he needs his rest because its a Day Game After a Night Game….. Seriously having him not play is like conceding the series. Ross is a great backup but when your #4 hitter and ONLY protection for Chipper sits your chances of winning go down about %30-40. Seriously McCann should man up once in awhile and say to Bobby, “Hey I can play today, this is an important game we need my bat in there!” But no, he’ll sit in the dugout, their #4 hitter watching the Braves lose another series that could be won if he played. FRUSTRATING!!!
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:42 am
siskel_god, Words so true. I would have Prado every day until ATL could get an everyday 2B. Prado may well be just an utility player, but he would make a better everyday 2B than what we currently have.
Frenchy
June 21st, 2009
11:45 am
Maybe McCann will DH today. Having 2 catchers in the lineup against a knuckleballer might be a bad idea. Or not.
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:46 am
Chuck James was Solid Until the 6th!!! , You would think McCann would be the DH. But NO!!! BC doesn’t want to use the second catcher because of injury. What a stupid excuse. This woulkd be the perfect scenario to put the best lineup on the field. For example:
CF McLouth
SS Escobar
3B Jones
DH McCann
LF GA
C Ross
1B Kotchman
RF Francouer/ Diaz ( your choice)
2B Prado
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
11:46 am
I agree with that jason, the pitchers seem to pitch alot more aggressive and just throw more strikes with a lead, especially KK. I don’t see any team in the NL right now with a better starting staff, the bullpen is solid with a few exceptions, namely Bennett. That guy has allowed every baserunner he’s inherited to score I think. At this point he needs to swap spots with Medlen, I haven’t seen him pitch in a while. Where in the world is Jorge Campillo at? I didn’t see him on the in game injury report last night, he is still on the DL right? Maybe we can move some of these bullpen arms for a bat when they get healthy.
Doc Holiday
June 21st, 2009
11:47 am
siskel_god,
You dont get it? Its easy……….he cant handle pressure……..he aint a warrior, thats why he cant bat leadoff…………too much pressure for him………..once we are out of it he will relax, empty stadium, ect, then he will come around.
Now he cant even bat 7th or 8th………..but I blame cox for that part……….he waited until KJ was already drawn until he pushed the right button (letting him bat down in the order). Now the damage is so big on him, it is irreparable.
Supes
June 21st, 2009
11:50 am
It is absolutely critical that B-Mac is in there today DH(ing)
1. McLouth
2. Yunel
3. Chipper
4. B-Mac
5. Anderson
6. Kotchman
7. Ross
8. Kelly
9. Diaz
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:50 am
I believe Campillo is back on the DL. I am also afraid that Campillo was just a one year wonder. If and when huddy gets 100% next year, I see Lowe dropping to our #3. An expensive #3. Huddy, JJ, Lowe, Hanson, and KK. KK will go #5 and get the extra rest. I know, no Vasquez. I love what he has done this year. Someone has to go, and he would be the most moveable.
I also see either Gonzo or Soriano gone, and Medlen will move up in the BP pecking order. I think Bennet will be gone also. Moylan and Acosta will be back along with O’Flaherty.
Chuck James was Solid Until the 6th!!!
June 21st, 2009
11:51 am
jason
I AGREE dude!!! It’s like he is senial. Correct me if I’m wrong but say Ross did catch and Mac DH’d. IF Ross got hurt and couldn’t continue in the game, which is VERY UNLIKELY, couldn’t McCann switch out of the DH and catch? I may be completely wrong. I think if McCann were to switch out of the DH and catch then the pitcher automatically has to bat in the DH spot because you would lose it.
But seriously, what are the chances Ross gets hurt to the point where he has to leave the game and not come back? Having both of their bats in the lineup would be huge and taking this series is mandatory. Imagine the momentum and confidence going forward against the Yanks, Phils, Cubs, Sox if they take the series today…. They MUST treat this game like it is crucial to win. I swear to GOD if I see Diaz in the #4 hole I will scream!!
jason
June 21st, 2009
11:51 am
Supes, No Prado?
drumzalicious
June 21st, 2009
11:52 am
The Braves need to stay away from Gullien.
I do however wonder if they are thinking about a trade for someone else maybe Joakim Soria?
Frenchy and possibly Acosta for Soria?
Only reason im saying that is because we in actuality dont have a closer for the next few years and the FO might be trying to get a young one thats locked up for the next few years. From there they would prob deal one of the closers we have for a Bat. Pref Gonzo. However it would be sick to have all 3 in our BP.
Chuck James was Solid Until the 6th!!!
June 21st, 2009
11:54 am
drumzalicious
Nice idea bud! Get Soria, if it is AT ALL possible. Unfortunately the only way I think you get him is in a package with Guillen and that ain’t happenin with his salary, attitude and down play….
siskel_god
June 21st, 2009
11:57 am
Oh, I get that part Doc, what I meant was, I don’t get why he keeps getting opportunities over people who are clearly doing a better job than him. What do they see that I don’t to make them think KJ is a better long term option than Omar. They are the same age, Omar has more major league experience, a better glove and thrived in the staring lineup. KJ sucks with the glove, sucks in the staring lineup, and sucks as a pinch hitter. So to put it simply, he sucks. I hope he doesn’t get hot again right before Omar comes back because I want him out of the starting lineup and buried on the depth chart.
Original Jon
June 21st, 2009
12:06 pm
I really hope we can get todays game in. Weather forecast says its going to rain from around 1pm on through midnight. Lets just hope that isnt accurate.
Supes
June 21st, 2009
12:06 pm
jason,
against a righty? I’d rather have our predominant LH lineup in there. Plus Kelly has to start coming out of it right now. He’s been grounding out a lot to the right side of the infield and hitting a lot of pop fly’s, missing pitches getting right under them or beating them into the ground. With Wakefield’s underwhelming fastball in the mid 80’s or whatever it is these days, time for Kelly to step up. Plus if Wakefield hangs a knuckleball, I like KJ’s ability to drive the ball out with that short right field in Boston.
So no Prado in my lineup, but I’m playing Diaz over Jeff for obvious reasons.
Bench FRANCINE!
jason
June 21st, 2009
12:08 pm
I would like for Schaefer to kick arse at Gwinnet and come back up and take CF moving Mclouth to RF and a Platoon in LF with Diaz and whomever.
CF Scharfer
SS Escobar
RF McLouth
3B Jones
C McCann
LF Diaz
1B Kotchman
2B Prado
Original Jon
June 21st, 2009
12:09 pm
Supes, he may have a mid-80’s fastball, but with that knuckleball, the fastball seems all the more faster. So it doesnt matter at all. Kelly, I would be willing to bet, will only get on base today via a walk. No hits.
jason
June 21st, 2009
12:10 pm
Supes, Would be great if KJ was to start hitting. I see your reasoning. I just wouldn’t be to crazy about inserting either KJ or Frenchy at this point.
Original Jon
June 21st, 2009
12:10 pm
What am I saying? Im sorry, Kelly more than likely will not get on base at all today. Looks like the game may get rained out.
abwright
June 21st, 2009
12:10 pm
TBrown, 9:24 am…”Marlins are starting to worry me. Josh Johnson has been dominant and ricky nolasco appears to have figured things out. They could very well be in this thing to the end as well.”
When last I checked on the Marvins’ starting pitching, only Nolasco had ever thrown 200+ innings in a season. The rest of the staff are either coming back from injuries or were very new to the bigs. I think that the Marvins will hang around for about 3/4 of the seasons, but fatigue in the starting pitching staff will start to show in the last 1/4.
NotAgain
June 21st, 2009
12:13 pm
s there any way an arbitrator will seriously give Francoeur a raise. If they decide to tender him, I’d offer him 80% of his current salary (PWH)
it’s already been explained to you by several posters why that is a silly idea, do you not pay attention? If they offer him a pay cut after playing all year he will get whatever he asks for as long as it is not outlandish. What you are suggesting is not going to happen. Arbitration can’t split differences so if he asks for a million more than this season in those circumstances the odds are that he would get it. They are very unlikely to take that kind of chance. Most likely they will non-tender him. Sounds like a tough steak doesn’t it?
Klaus
June 21st, 2009
12:13 pm
KJ is 27 and the odds of him getting dramatically better or more consistent with the Braves is low.
He hit well when there was no pressure and they were out of it (Aug/Sept 08). His defense while slightly better is still an accident waiting to happen.
Apart from being a nice guy with a loyal fan base that tries to rationalize his slumps and fielding gaffes he has no place on this team as its currently constructed.
Put it this way guys like JF, GA, Diaz, Kotch, Bennett, Blanco, Bjones would not be on this team (or factor in to its future) if they had an adequate payroll.
These are guys you “settle for” and “put up with” not build a WS team around.
KJ looks worse than JF and I didn’t think that was possible.
Batting 8-9th is he last chance. I think even Bobby & Wren see the writing on the wall. KJ will get traded as a toss-in this summer or be released over the winter.
The guy is making 3mm-ish and Blanco can out hit him right now. That is B A D bad.
The biggest Monday morning QB mistake of the off season was passing on Orlando Hudson.
People actually believed that KJ was better/had more upside than Orlando – it didn’t make sense then or now (give their collected bodies of work and make up) and as we can see from his work in LA Orlando still has lots left in the tank.
Orlando had a body of work you could stand on (and he is a gamer) KJ had a WIP body of work that was fraught with ?s and hope (and is not a spark plug guy).
LA gets four gold stars for grabbing Hudson and the Braves get a goose egg for relying on the hope mobile for KJ and JF for that matter.
In the end it is clear the OF and 2B need major upgrades. 1B also needs an upgrade. Kotch would likely welcome a trade given how he looks on the field and in the dugout – read unhappy.
To be fair to all these guys I just threw under the bus
the team’s design is wrong. The composition of players and skills puts many of them in positions where they have to be much more than they are or can be.
If you have a slugging OF you can tolerate a weak hitting 1B and a streaky 2B. If you have an OBP machine at 2B and a HR hitter at 1B you can tolerate a WIP OF (albeit to a lessor degree).
Combined however this team will be stuck in .440-500 ball because there is no offset to a particular weakness.
The only reason this team is not in last place is the rotation and sooner or later (unless moves are made) the rotation is going to collapse due to lack of run support and the associated pressure it puts on the starters.
They are looking better over the past 3-4 games but we to be able to need to say they are looking better over the past 10-15 games to believe this 1H funk is fading.
abwright
June 21st, 2009
12:15 pm
Steve from OH, 9:38 am…”PWH–I’m pretty confident that Wren uses those kinds of stats when he’s making decisions.”
On one of the many interviews with Frank Wren, he was asked the question about using “modern stats.” He spoke to a couple of the new metrics, but he said that the Braves have their own statistical metrics that they use in decision making.
I vaguely remember this from the off-season. It may have been the “90 teams in 90 days” piece on the Braves.
Not again
June 21st, 2009
12:18 pm
yo Notagain, 12:13, you stole my name, I’m ready to fight
Steve McP
June 21st, 2009
12:20 pm
According to gameday, McCann is DH, no Frenchy either, Blanco in RF
bravesgirlnc
June 21st, 2009
12:21 pm
Both Jeff and Kelly are OUT of the game! Impressive line-up!
Steve McP
June 21st, 2009
12:22 pm
Anderson LF, Prado 2B, no KJ
To Know, Or Just To Post?
June 21st, 2009
12:23 pm
if we send him to Gwinnett? Is he still arb eligible, and do you still have to pay him the full amount? I know when guys get called up their salary gets moved up to a minimum, but does the same thing happen when you go back down or is JF’s deal guaranteed? I assume he is still working off his original deal he signed out of highschool since he hasn’t signed long term, or does the arb thing guarantee you a major league salary regardless of being in AAA? Siskel
for a god you sure don’t know much do you? why not google a little and actually learn something before posting foolishness? It’s pretty obvious that you know next to nothing about baseball
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
12:24 pm
Doc Hoilday
I think Kelly had a bit of a streak, but the point was Who would you rather have on the team (from an offensive point of view) and I chose Kelly. Differing points of view are accepted.
NotAgain
June 21st, 2009
12:29 pm
yo Notagain, 12:13, you stole my name, I’m ready to fight —( Not again)
I’ve been posting here for years though not often, and then you came along. I had to post after that denying it was me who said some of those things. Embarrassing.
varodrunner
June 21st, 2009
12:30 pm
According to initial lineup
McClouth
Escobar
Chipper
McCann DH
Anderson
Kotchman
Prado 2B
Ross C
Blanco RF
Coach ( 2010 or Bust)
June 21st, 2009
12:32 pm
KJ and Frenchy are on the bench, I like it!
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
12:32 pm
There has never been a player as bad as Francoeur (statistically) to make it this far in the arbitration process. No way he wins any arbitration case no matter how much he asks for. There’s no precesdent for something like this so don’t say “that’s how arbitration works”. The arbitration system has never dealt with a player like this.
semiballcoach
June 21st, 2009
12:40 pm
pwh—when they look at the average outfielder stats and then francouer’s stats the arbitrator will more than likely rule for francoeur, they don’t just look at the last 2 years, it’s overall
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:41 pm
It’s 60 degrees and steady mist, but we’re supposed to start on time.
If I were home in this weather, it’d be a great day to sit in my patio and smoke a cigar and drink a few cups of coffee while reading the paper.
Alas, I’m not at home, and we’ve got some ‘ball to play. This place should be packed as usual. Just a New England “summer” day. Put on the Gortex and head to the ‘pahk.
FRANCOEUR out of lineup (start the “he’s been traded” speculation here.) It’s become pretty normal to bench him once a week or so, and rightfully so. If Blanco’s going to play, then why not RF occasionally?
Francoeur said he’d like to play, but not his decision and that’s that. He really doesn’t seem perturbed about this or trade rumors the way he would’ve been last year, and he said as much. Realizes the way he handled things last year, getting worked up over being sent down and other things, wasn’t helpful for him on the field or otherwise.
LINEUP
1. McLouth
2. Escobar
3. Chipper
4. McCann, DH
5. Anderson
6. Kotchman
7. Prado, 2B
8. Ross
9. Blanco, RF
Not again
June 21st, 2009
12:41 pm
I embarrassed you? Then I did my job, wanna meet up at the park? We can settle this quickly.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:42 pm
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned here, but Chris Burke was signed to a minor league deal a few days ago. He’s already played a couple games at Gwinnett.
Yes, the Burke that beat the Braves in their last postseason game, the 18-inning marathon at Houston in the 2005 division series.
McFann :Ô:
June 21st, 2009
12:45 pm
WHAT? D freaking H? Oh…dagnabit…
Salamander ESPN projects McCann to drive in 76 runs (in 144 games, which is probably a bit high)
A bit high? I’ll say…and if he plays 144 games, he better drive in more than 76 runs.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:47 pm
Didn’t realize until I saw Chip and Ron Darling in the dugout that this is the TBS national game today. Being shown everywhere on TBS except Atlanta and Boston, where it’s on the local network (Fox Sports South in Atlanta area)
McFann :Ô:
June 21st, 2009
12:47 pm
Chuck James was Solid…!!! Seriously McCann should man up once in awhile and say to Bobby, “Hey I can play today, this is an important game we need my bat in there!”
Dude, if it was up to McCann, he would play everyday. BMac hates getting the day off…
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:48 pm
Cody Johnson has 20 freakin’ homers before the All-Star break for Myrtle Beach, which has always been regarded as a pitcher-friendly home ballpark.
By the way, Wren was at the game the other night when Freeman hit two homers.
keylargo
June 21st, 2009
12:49 pm
The Weather Channel just forecast fog, windy and 63 degrees for Boston.
NotAgain
June 21st, 2009
12:51 pm
The arbitration system has never dealt with a player like this.—( PWH)
you are full of Sh*t. You can’t actually believe that after all those years it has never arisen , can you be that stupid? The process works the same way no matter who is involved. I get that you know a lot of facts about some things in baseball, but you know next to nothing about the reality of the game and how things really work. Everything you talk about is theoretical not actual. An educated moron so to speak with absolutely no common sense. Read up on what the arbitration process takes into account, instead of spouting your internal foolishness. Pretty obvious that you never played a lick of organized ball at any advanced level. Book smart and street stupid so to speak.
Interested Observer
June 21st, 2009
12:53 pm
Starting Blanco against a knuckleballer actually isn’t a bad idea. He’s more of a slap hitter who can use his speed to get on base. Definately better than a free swinger against a slow knuckleball I would think.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:53 pm
For what it’s worth, Braves pitchers have a 3.59 ERA in 200-1/3 innings with Ross catching, and a 4.26 ERA in 390-2/3 innings with McCann catching.
Might be skewed a little by a couple of dreadful Carlyle performances in the grand slam games before his diabetes diagnosis, but there are a few pitchers who’ve done far better with Ross catching and a few who’ve done far better with McCann catching. Probably can’t make much of that stat until end of the season, when you can look at home individual starting pitchers did with each.
NotAgain
June 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
embarrassed you? Then I did my job, wanna meet up at the park? We can settle this quickly.—(Not again)
yeah all that stupid trash was pretty embarrassing Random, but if we met at the park it would be you who got embarrassed. Yeah meet at the park, talk some typical trash why don’t you? Which particular park is that going to be? Just let me know where ans when and I’ll be there. Oh, if I’m a bit late just wait around a while.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
keylargo, it’s been raining/misting without a break for at least three hours. It’s not bad, but certainly more than fog. Gonna be a slick track, for sure. And it is windy, but it’s blowing in, not out.
SeaAtl
June 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
Not necessarily an “on-topic” post, here, but I have a very simple statement/question….Why are we (the Braves) so bad? On paper we have more good players than bad. Nobody outside of Duluth can put together a decent argument for Frenchy still being in the major leagues, and a few key guys have recently gone cold – Chipper, KJ…..But as a whole the lineup looks pretty good. I do wonder why Diaz or Anderson aren’t moved to RF & Jeff benched.
Louisville brave
June 21st, 2009
12:57 pm
I love the line up today…the two black holes nowhere to be seen…this is a team to get fired up about
SeaAtl
June 21st, 2009
1:00 pm
I’ll be at Tuesday’s Yankees game – planning on getting there a bit early and having a few beers in the right field pavilion beforehand. I sure hope Atlanta is well-represented during this home stretch – my office is full of transplanted northerners who love to bust on Atlanta having no passion for pro sports…..
RHR
June 21st, 2009
1:01 pm
Good lineup. Happy Fathers Day, all. Go Braves!
Paul Lentz
June 21st, 2009
1:03 pm
wow….no Francoeur in today’s line-up. Good start to the day already.
keylargo
June 21st, 2009
1:04 pm
Dice K on DL.
nolie
June 21st, 2009
1:07 pm
Dice K on DL. (KeyLargo)
I’m not too surprised at that, I figured they’d find some excuse. What exactly did they come up with?
jason
June 21st, 2009
1:07 pm
David O’Brien, Both ERAs are not bad. To me looks equal. You also have to take in the fact that McCann starts more games catching. But Ross shows enough for me to not be worried when McCann is out. I kind of liked the way he handled Hanson. The arguement here is to find a way to get both bays in the line up together. They both are good catchers. Good game callers. I just want both bats in the line up.
I know Chip is getting up there in age, but Ross and McCann should have played all 3 games in Boston with the DH. Ross has the best bat and most power on our bench. He needs to play when there is a chance to get him in there.
Salamander
June 21st, 2009
1:08 pm
A bit high? I’ll say…and if he plays 144 games, he better drive in more than 76 runs. McFann
I’m sure he’ll drive in at least 85 runs, but in more like ~135 games not 144.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:08 pm
Just added a poll to the blog.
FEAR
June 21st, 2009
1:09 pm
Francine and KJ benched? GREAT! Can David Ross play anything else besides catcher? I’ve been impressed by him.
jason
June 21st, 2009
1:10 pm
David O’Brien, Also, I am curious to see the starter’s ERAs differential between Ross and McCann. Thanks in advance, and for the excellent work you do.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
1:10 pm
abwright–I was aware that the FO used their own metrics as well. To me, that qualifies as being a more intelligent FO than ones using BA/RBI/SB as their metrics for evaluating player performance. I do distinctly remember him talking about McLouth’s SB% and saying that they thought that was more important than his total number of SBs, so I’ll put that as a check into the “Frank Wren is smart” column.
Gotta love that we can give Mac the day off and bat him all at the same time. Hate the DH, but it comes in handy right now…
I’m not sure if I’ve seen too many players get less money than the year before in arbitration. In fact, I can’t remember one. Can anyone help me out with that?
Jupiter Bob
June 21st, 2009
1:12 pm
Dice K = shoulder weakness. Good excuse, but Francona says it’s because he never properly built it up in Spring due to the WBC. Says this will not be a short DL stay.
jeffrey d
June 21st, 2009
1:14 pm
It’s a little bit early in the poll voting, but I see the optimistics came out. Seven or more? ooooookay…
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:15 pm
Francoeur said he thought he had some of his “best at-bats of the year” last night, by the way. “Even though I didn’t get results.”
Said he tried to take Beckett deep on that 2-and-0 pitch in the eighth, because he didn’t think the Braves were going to string together a bunch of hits against him at that point, and he thought if they did get a couple more hits then Papelbon would have come in.
So Francoeur was going for it. And Beckett surprised him with a changeup.
Just telling you what he said.
Runnin
June 21st, 2009
1:15 pm
I wonder how the rain with effect the knuckleballer?
jeffrey d
June 21st, 2009
1:16 pm
McFann – you’re upset McCann’s a DH? It just means that we’ll see him one more day this week because this counts as an off day.
keylargo
June 21st, 2009
1:16 pm
If any of you Braves fans with Directv would like another view of the Braves, the Red Sox have a very good pair of announcers named Don Orsillo and the old Boston pitcher Dennis Eckersly. The broadcast is in HD on 728-1.
McFann :Ô:
June 21st, 2009
1:16 pm
Salamander–
85 runs would be acceptable…He drove in 93 runs in 130 games in ‘06.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
1:17 pm
Comments like that from Frenchy make me wonder if he’s lost his mind along with his swing…
jeffrey d
June 21st, 2009
1:18 pm
Said he tried to take Beckett deep on that 2-and-0 pitch in the eighth, because he didn’t think the Braves were going to string together a bunch of hits against him at that point
Can’t argue with Jeff there
FloridaBrave
June 21st, 2009
1:18 pm
Quite a night for Freeman and Johnson last night.
I love the post by a blogger who said the Braves need to hurry the development of Heyward and Freeman because the big club needs them. That’s not how development works.
Steve from OH,
Agreed on Johnson spending all of the season at Myrtle Beach. People see the big power numbers but he’s still flawed- flawed to the point he’ll probably struggle in AA next year for the first half.
Heyward missed a month in Myrtle Beach due to that side injury. He’s not going anywhere for at least another month, and he’d be the first one to get called up.
McFann :Ô:
June 21st, 2009
1:19 pm
jeffrey d–
Yeah, I mean, I’m not upset…I’m glad he’s gonna play. It’s just that, with the exception of GA, it doesn’t seem like our guys do well when they DH. But, I could be wrong. We shall see…
Plus, I just don’t like the DH…seems like cheating to me.
jeffrey d
June 21st, 2009
1:19 pm
That’s funny….728-1 is also the final score prediction in Vegas.
bravefaninok
June 21st, 2009
1:20 pm
I like todays lineup….jeff has seemed to look better at the plate(more selective and hitting the ball hard) but we need to win now,so give him and kj some days off to work in the cage and pinch hit(late inning defensive replacements)
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:20 pm
Yeah, they announced the Dice-K move couple hours ago, brought up another catcher. Dice-K is strong case some teams will use against starters pitching in World Baseball Classic, no doubt….
jeffrey d
June 21st, 2009
1:20 pm
McFann – understood. I’m not too crazy about the DH either. But I do like it when it comes to catchers playing nearly every day.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
1:21 pm
FloridaBrave–I’m not worried about Heyward at this point. I’m confident that he can handle AA right now. I’d think Freeman will be able to handle it this year too, but I’d like to see his power numbers go up before the Braves promote him. Johnson needs all the work he can get in the minors. Leave him in hi-A and maybe give him a 2-week (or so) cup of coffee in AA at the end of the season, sorta like what they did with Heyward last year.
Steve from OH
June 21st, 2009
1:22 pm
Though I agree that Heyward needs another month or two of PT in Myrtle before we should think of promoting him.
Doc Holiday
June 21st, 2009
1:22 pm
I think Campillo is just paying the price for all the innings he went out there last season,
Salamander
June 21st, 2009
1:22 pm
Nice poll DOB… I’m sticking with my glum prediction for the 13 game stretch (4-9), which includes this 3-game set with the Red Sox and then the 10 games at home. I would love for the Braves to prove me wrong, but until they do… I’ll do ahead and be a touch pessimistic.
Supes
June 21st, 2009
1:23 pm
Good poll question DOB.
I think 5 games sounds about right. Braves tend to play .500 or better against the better teams in the the majors, it’s the so called “bad teams”, where they struggle.
Good starting lineup. No Francine and KJ?
Paul Lentz, your wish has been granted. A Jeff free ball game.
As far as moving Johnson, Freeman and Heyward to the next level, AA I would hope they all get to do that at the same time. Seems to me they are all ready to move on, so move all 3 of them. It’ll be nice if all 3 could be major league ready by 2011 opening day.
Doc Holiday
June 21st, 2009
1:23 pm
Braves.MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports Atlanta Braves SP Tim Hudson (elbow) threw 75 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday, June 16, and will begin throwing more breaking pitches next week.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:24 pm
Since I was asked, here are regular STARTERS ERAs with McCann and with Ross:
Lowe: 3.86 with McCann (67-2/3 innings) and 5.50 with Ross (18 innings)
Jurrjens: 2.86 with McCann (66 innings) and 3.00 with Ross (15 innings)
Vazquez: 4.08 with McCann (46-1/3 innings) and 2.74 with Ross (46 innings)
Kawakami: 3.33 with McCann (54 innings) and 7.17 (21-1/3 innings) with Ross (including his start at Cincinnati, by the way; I point that out only to demonstrate how, with such a relatively small body of work at this stage of the season, such stats can be skewed)
abwright
June 21st, 2009
1:27 pm
NESN had a commercial showing that Smoltz will debut for the Red Sox on Thursday against the Nationals.
FoxSS interviewed Smoltz who said he wasn’t in rotation to face the Braves in Atlanta. However, a rain-out could “make it so.”
Daisuke on the DL (to eventually make room for Smoltz) with WBC-induced “shoulder fatigue.”
I liked the WBC this year, but it has had a pretty serious impact on pitchers. I wish they would hold it closer to the start of the regular season, to give players a chance to get closer to being ready, and compact the tournement so that it lasts for a shorter number of days. Let the teams have a six man rotation, run for six days, and get rid of the seeding matches between the two teams that will advance.
PWHjort
June 21st, 2009
1:28 pm
I’ve read plenty as to how arbitration works. They use players with the same service time, play the same position, and put up similar numbers as benchmarks. Problem is every other RF that’s this bad with this much service time gets non-tendered by this point. Or accepts a much more modest salary. If you look at other RF with 4+ years service time putting up OPS+ of around 65, well, they don’t exist. But there’s no way an arbitrator would give him a pay raise. But he’ll probably justget non-tendered like he should’ve last off-season.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:28 pm
Here’s an interesting one (at least somewhat): O’Flaherty 6.19 ERA in 19 innings with McCann, 0.00 ERA in 9-1/3 innings with Ross.
But while Gonzo has a 0.00 ERA ERA in 8 innings with Ross and 2.91 ERA in 21-2/3 innings with McCann, Soriano is the opposite: 3.60 ERA in 10 innings with Ross and a 0.00 ERA in 19-2/3 innings with McCann.
Rodney Derrick
June 21st, 2009
1:28 pm
It seems like I remember that when the wind is coming in toward the plate, it diminishes the movement on the knuckleball. Better for the pitcher with wind going out even though that would help hitters going for the downs if they make contact.
McFann :Ô:
June 21st, 2009
1:31 pm
jeffrey d–
Yeah…I guess we’ll see how it works.
Mitchell
June 21st, 2009
1:34 pm
Any chance we run up the score on old man Wakefield?
I sure am hoping they haven’t settled back into another of their legendary offensive crevasses* after last night. Gotta love the vocab on Mizzo (nickname).
Tim Wakefield should not have 9 wins. That’s a bunch of crap. We need to come out kicking ass.
Get some runs for poor old JJ, BravesBraves.
Mitchell
June 21st, 2009
1:35 pm
How bout Willie Harris last night?
Bring him back. Love that Willie Harris.
jason
June 21st, 2009
1:35 pm
David O’Brien, Thanks again. It is too small of a sample. Seems as though half are comfortable throwing to McCann, and half to Ross. That is not a bad thing I guess. As the starters go, it is interesting to see The splits for Lowe and for Vasquez. I would almost want to make Ross Vasquez’s persoanl catcher, ala Maddux. Just kidding. Nice to know we have 2 capable catchers, offensively and defensively.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:36 pm
Doc, that’s not new, the Hudson stuff. AJC had a feature story about him last week, which included this:
“Barring any setbacks, the plan is for him to be throwing batting practice by the beginning of July and make a minor-league rehab start sometime around July 19. He hopes that leads to his return to the rotation by mid-August.”
abwright
June 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
I’m not sure why folks think the Braves aren’t going to win the series against the Sox.
Wakefield can be very good, but he can also be horrid. Jurrjens is fairly consistent.
As long as the Braves are patient (ha. ha.) they should get something to hit in each AB.
If JJ has good command of his pitches, I would be cautiously optimistic about the Braves chances.
FloridaBrave
June 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
Agreed, Steve. My point being that the players will tell the Braves when they’re ready. The Braves can’t just fast track certain players because the big club needs them.
Heyward will be up in a month. Freeman I’d say a little longer…unless he stays hot. In addition to wanting to see more power, I’d like to see him improve against lefties. Creek and Kaaihue aren’t exactly setting the world on fire so we’ll see.
Johnson isn’t on their level, despite the stats. No one’s more thrilled with his development than me but he’ll get eaten alive by AA pitching…and he still doesn’t have a position. I think that’s going to be his summer project.
If Johnson does what he’s doing in AA and learns a position, he could become one of the 100 best prospects in baseball.
David O'Brien
June 21st, 2009
1:38 pm
Rodney Derrick: Good point about the wind and knuckleball. Between wind coming in at 18 mph (just announced, that reading) and the mist/rain, I would think it could affect the knuckler adversely today. We’ll see.
jason
June 21st, 2009
1:39 pm
Speaking on Huddy. I love him. Favorite pitcher on the team. However, I would not worry to much about him. We have a solid rotation. I would like to be surprised by him this year. I am worried more about the offense. It is great watching him goof off in the dug out during games though.
cabravesfan
June 21st, 2009
1:39 pm
Can you really sneak a 74 mph fastball past anyone?