Is this just another Braves tease?

Third!!

???

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Thanks, chiefie!

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Hey all. Here’s to two in a row.

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I’ll read the Blog in a minute, Chief! THanks for it…I gotta go finish dinner…

Reposted:

Thanks, Jennifer!

Tomahawkin–

I think they cann do it, too. Yesterday was a big boost, I think.

AndyC–

Sometimes those Cardinals see their reflection in the window, and they think it’s an intruder. They get pretty territorial in the Summer. It is kinda funny…I’ve never seen one get seriously hurt doing it. They will get a little stunned sometimes.

Course, sometimes they just think they cann fly through the window. Bird supply stores sell decals that you cann put on your windows that are s’posed to let birds know they can’t fly through…not sure how well they work.

Nolie–

That’s so cute! Robins do build their nests in strange places sometimes…I LOVE Robin babies, BTW!

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Soph..? Wazup…!

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Hey, hey Tomahawkin! What’s goin on? Beckett’s dealing so far.

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That pasty-white Irish girl in the stands was looking at Esco’s hiney.

For shame!!

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Kotsay just has missed Chipper and wanted to talk a bit.

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Mets game resumed down 2-1 to TB

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Soph

If we lose tonight, I’m not gonna get mad! I just hate when we lose to Garbage teams, like Pittsburgh…

Hoss, WTF!!!

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Wow///I didn’t know Escobar comes in white 6′4 southern accent…..lol

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KC:

Very strong posts last night. Furman Bisher has clearly lost it, and I like your optimism about this Braves team.

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Lowe better have his stuff tonight

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Lets hope Lowe is a little better today then hew was in Bmore

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i applaud chipper’s aggressiveness, but wow…is he wearing lead clests tonight.

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clests = cleats..

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Two quick grounders… High ratio of grounders usually means Lowe is on…

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good start (so far)

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Good for D-Lowe. He needed a 1-2-3 inning after the disaster in Baltimore.

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3 up….3 ground outs. I’m likin’ it.

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Lowe better have his stuff tonight – Jennifer

Lookin’ good so far Jenn.

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Thanks, PTV, for that closeup of a man eating his chowder. Fine camera work

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I did not find any prizes or hidden secrets in the blog.

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It’s been a nice week or so without Chip, but I’ve already had enough of him after 1 inning. Good grief…

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Lol @ Kotsay messing with McCann.

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BMAC!! You rock…

Keylargo–

Those are such beautiful birds! Thanks for the link.

Dangit, Anderson…

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Take a frickin pitch, Loaf.

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Anderson was praised for his previous work against Beckett, expect him to have a bad game.

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Don’t know if it’s been mention before but Ryan Howard was admitted to the hospital with the flu. Temperature of 104. Not in the lineup tonight. The Phils are missing their two best hitters. Come on Orioles!

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Whats Marcus Giles up to now a days? J man

He’s still 5′ 8″.

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I’m gonna watch the Weaver brothers pitch against each other…. they come on at 9 something

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what a great catch

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Nate-Dawg Wit The Web Gem…! Lovely!!

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THAT was an incredible catch!!

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Ummm. How about a nice “trap” by CLOUT.

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McFann – I was kinda sad when they traded Kotsay too. I really liked him. Thought he blended in with the Braves even better than Teixeira. Seemed to really get along with the other players.

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What the hell is going on?

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cabravesfan- right.. it comes on at 9:05 here

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All you baseball fanatics out there, if you want your kid to be a star baseball player just make sure his middle name is Herman

George Herman Ruth
Jerome Herman Dean

Don’t bother to thank me, just send 10% of his first MLB contract

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The Braves are the only team ive seen so far that have so few games in HD just about all the other teams have most or all of there games in HD.

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I don’t pay much attention to anything Furman Bisher says.

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FIRE DOB!!!

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Vinings Jim-

DJ? What, exactly, have you been drinking?

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All we need is DL to go into the 6th and hope he still has a shutout and Braves need to squeeze a run out of Beckett and I think the rain will set in to give who ever is on top by the 6th a win…

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playing aggressive like they did against Dice K is only going to play into Beckett’s hands.

He’s not Dice K, you can’t use to same approach and expect to be successful against him.

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Here comes easy out Johnson

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Sweet catch by Jacoby.

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Frenchy has actually hit the ball hard several time the last few games. Nothing to show for it though.

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I think the Braves pitching is beginning show signs of being a good one. Experience and youth, and nobody waiting Smoltz and Glavine to come of the injured reserve. Kelly Johnson is proving to be a non-starter, and second base is a future need.

I hate to bring this item to this blog, but the AJC is good about running a story with no way to reply. Hank Aaron is just another one saying there needs to be a way to bring more black players to baseball. Not saying clearly is that there are many black players, just not from the cities of America. I’m sorry baseball is not cool to the hip hop crowd, the basketball crowd, or the football crowd. It requires interest before you can supply players.

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Braves not exactly making Beckett work. Only 34 pitches through 3 innings. Yuck.

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Braves Paisan–my thoughts exactly. If the players don’t get the money, the owners will. I’d rather see the players get it, myself.

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Nice d so far this game. Good to see.

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Well as soon as I say that he gets the last two to end the inning on 3 pitches. Still though He looks a little lost from time to time.

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cabravesfan – sorry, I’m watching the Hollywood All-Star Game, and Daniel J. Travanti just led the Hill Street All-Stars over the Family Ties team. By the way, great inning, Mr. Lowe.

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Oops…fall….and…they did.

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DOB, it kind of sounded like I lecturing you with my analysis of the tease. If so, I sincerely apologize.

I had a feeling they were going to win last night though. Had a good feeling about this series going in. If the Braves were only going to win one in Cincy, you would hope it would be the last game. I think it helped to prepare them with this series.

Not sure if we’re going to win this one but they are definitely making me look good with my prediction.

To be sure, I fully expect them to start sucking like nobody’s business as soon as we get back to playing sub-par teams.

Nice work by D-Lowe. God, I love these kinds of games.

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Why R We Not Making Beckett Work!!! Undisciplined AWFense Again…! WTF?

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When Ifante comes back and Johnson is still on this team Bobby should be admitted.

Or maybe he, unlike you, realizes that Johnson’s line drive rate is still pretty good (higher than it was last year) and his BABIP is close to 100 points lower than it was last season, meaning he’s been very unlucky this season. I’m not defending his performance this season because it has been terrible, but it’s not time to give up on him yet. He could probably use a few games as a mental breather, but if he’s given consistent playing time across the rest of the season you can expect his numbers to go up.

I would like to see a better walk rate, though. That’s very disappointing, because he was a very good OB guy thru his first two years.

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Vinings Jim-

I’m not even sure what that means but A) it was funny and B) I’m concerned…

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WTG ESCOOOOO…..COME ON CHIPPER..

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Come On Hoss! Do Something!!!

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This Series…

I wish your Caps Lock button had thorns to keep you away from it.

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DAMMMMMMIT When Chipper’s not hitting this team sucks awfensivly

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Beckett looks very sharp tonight. Great pitch to finish Chipper, and another good one one the 1st pitch to McCann. Hope D-Lowe is on his game tonight…

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Well that was certainly UGLY from our two best hitters.

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Dangit! What’d you “swing” at that for? You bite at one in the dirt, but just stand there when they’re right down the middle?

Darn.

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cabravesfan – what it meant that I was running back and forth between cooking some sort of (too bad our catcher can’t hit) pork and BBQ sauce and the blog, and I missed the L by two keys. And I am way less affected by my imbibational activities tonight than I was last night at this time.

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At least the Mets lost.

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Strike zone might be big because of the looming rain, but Becket diced up Chipper and McCann. Give the guy some credit for throwing some nasty pitches.

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Well guys, D-Lowe got it there, looks like…

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Good pitchers going tonight if the only interest is to get the game in…both pitchers are running through the lineups pretty quickly.

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abwright

Oh absolutely – that curveball for strike 2 against McCann was nasty.

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Uhoh A walk infront of Bay is not good.

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What forecast did you see that said rain beginning at 3? The NWS has had the chance of rain at only 30-40% all the way through 10:00 and 50% by 11:00.

Man this is pointless. Bottom line is, like I said earlier, looks like we’ll be fine to get the whole game in as long as it’s over in under 4 hours.

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scots–yeah, I realize that, just responding to BP’s post…

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The NESN announcers noticed how KJ didn’t even attempt to make the DP throw. I guess they haven’t seen how scared he is covering the bag, eh.

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Lowe at about 15 pitches per inning

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cabravesfan – 1) a flight ticket to LA (I do enjoy cooking)?
2) Work hard on the beer, so you can catch up!

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bigmacattack…..Bad thing is that Beckett is averaging 11.12 pitches per inning. That gives him about one extra inning over Lowe. If the trends continue. Thats the difference of a complete game and coming out in the 8th.

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Vnings Jim-

If I could afford to buy you a ticket to LA…(actually it would probably go to Tom - but the cooking is a major plus)

and I’m working on the beer

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Haha, Keylargo.. I forgot about that and just watched the video.

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So much for an offensive resurgence. Not only is it against our history, but DOB mentioning it in a blog is the kiss of death. Shutout today and tomorrow. Thanks a lot, Dave.

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Orioles first to score… 1-0 in the 5th.

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Nate-Dawg!!! WTF!!!

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McLouth might have been spooked by GA there.

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Dammitt, The Braves Have the Worst Defensive Fundamentals in The Game!!! Come On!!!!

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Oy. Should have saved some of those runs for today.

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We always pay for our misplays.

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GAMEOVER YAW HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. Beckett going to pitch a complete game shutout

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Oh snap. They said that was a wild pitch. So, it wasn’t McCann’s fault!

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Which is more bipolar? Kelly’s bat of MclLouth’s glove?

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I would say from the no runs tonight after the outburst last night looks like a repeat of what has happened all season. These Braves tease more than a stripper at Pink Pony!!

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The wild pitch really didn’t make a difference- Veritek would have scored from 2nd on that hit

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That run is on McLouth

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cabravesfan

He wouldn’t have scored from the dugout if McLouth caught that ball

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Yes, Josh Beckett is pitching. Yes he’s a good pitcher. NO his ERA is not 0.00. That means the Braves should be able to score a couple of runs against him.

But……don’t bet on it!

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hopefully that error by Mclouth (and yes it should have been scored as an error) wont be the difference in this game

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ncscoots — if Chipper and Pujols and Lincecum and Teixiera and … Willie, Mickey, and the Duke decided to play a game in the pasture on the outskirts of town — for the pure love of the game — would you kick in a buck and go and watch?

The history of major league baseball is rife with cheap, abusive owners who, due to the reserve clause, mandated players either play at the salary they dictated, or go back to the swing hammers in the mines. The players had no recourse. Now, the ugly old robber barons of yore are … Insurance Companies, or something like that, taking a write-off for accounting purposes, still sending marginal players back into … what … selling Lady Kenmores at Sears.

It is the GAME, nothing less. And the game is the PLAYERS.

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How exactly was that McLouth’s fault. He almost had it. He was about to ram into the wall.

Lowe needs to stop giving up bombs to center field.

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Maybe McClouth can atone here

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since Bobby Cox keeps Johnson and Francoeur in there even trhough they suck, when Schafer heals we should call him up for his D in CF.

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Joe Simpson makes tons of excuses for KJ and Francoeur

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KJ SUCKS

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Oh well on the bright side at least we don’t have to worry about a DH tomorrow.

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A least A REAL pitcher is shuting us out this time

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Does the official scorer have access to instant replays on TV and such?

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They should probably try and win tonight. Since JJ doesn’t get much run support, if they lose tonight the chances of winning the series with a win tomorrow is kinda low.

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Nice effort there, Loaf Bread.

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The AWFense Sucks One Again…I can Understand Tonight becuz we are going against J. Beckett…But When The AWFense Sucks against garbage Pitchers of the league is what makes me get Violent…! So I’m Not that P’d Off about the performance tonight…

Gotta Go to Zaxby’s BRB…

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“Braves trail by a run, so I’ll vamoose before the doom and gloom erupts”

Bet you only accept compliments in your personal life as well. Nothing like having a completely objective look at life huh?

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Steve from Ohio

Is Lowe still an ACE?

I don’t think so

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Biggest difference between the two pitchers tonight…The Saux are making Lowe work…the Braves…well, not so much.

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Heath (Cleveland)

Lowe is throwing a lot more balls than Beckett though

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Uhh, when have I ever called Lowe an ace? And how is he doing poorly tonight?

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Call Me A Pessimist but Our AWFense Quits when they get down by 2 runs……

We Will Win 2morrow, “Bank On It!”

Time to listen to some old Queen Latifah!

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KJ SUCKS

Thats the ballgame.

Thanks for the contributions, guys

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McSloppy Is Off Those Roids..! That was a homer 5 years ago….

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Optimism abounds

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I don’t dislike Lowe, but can he be any dumber. He has left his sinker up the last 2 innings. Throw something else.

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Heath (Cleveland)

It was a good start. I just can’t stand it when people call Lowe an Ace. He is a 2 or 3 starter. Beckett is an Ace.

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That at-bat sums up the Braves this season.

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Whew…only 69 pitches after than K…dominating the lineup tonight.

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“Lowe outpitched by Kawakami, sad”

I’d say Matsuzaka outpitched by Beckett. Look at the scoreboard, we’re giving Lowe a ZERO spot for run support. Three singles, nothing else against Beckett.

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No, I took issue with your assertion that he gives up “too many baserunners” and TnBrian’s assertion that his opening day start was his only dominant start.

Have you even been watching the game, btw? The “80% sinkers” has worked for him tonight and over the course of his career. I don’t understand why giving up 2 runs over 6 innings is a damnable offense on this board. And “change his approach?” You mean the approach that has produced a career 3.77 ERA and and ERA of 3.24 last season? LOL! I’m sure he’ll get right on that. [Sarcasm]

If you really must know, I think Lowe is a 1B on a good day and a good #2 on a consistent basis. I don’t think I’ve said too much that hasn’t been in that vein since his signing. If I have, then see the above for clarification.

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O’Flaherty shouldn’t have any trouble getting a drink in Southie, should he want one.
And just what in hell is “Mohnstah?” Mahnstah … maybe, if you chose to spell it phonetically.

To answer the original musical question … yes, this is just a tease from the last two games. We’ve seen Garret Anderson’s contribution for the month. He will now hibernate again. Johnson is a mess at the plate. He’s had bad streaks before. But this is a nosedive. Francoeur is treading water at the plate — just enough to make you think he’s close to finding his stroke but just far enough away to make you think he’s closing to going under too.
There are still some very suspect pieces in the bullpen. And I think Cox, if not the rest of the Braves brass, is at their wit’s end with Escobar. A very talented player to be sure but still plays with his head lodged between his buttocks on too many occasions. Prado is good bench player but isn’t an everyday guy. Kotchman has a great glove but his offense has yet to translate to the new league.
And very little help appears to be on the way. You go to the park with the team you have, not the team you want. This is the team they have, with little prospect of any major upgrades coming.

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Beckett just owns this team. His ERA is still over 4 this year.With TP as coach, they will never make the adjustments necessary to beat him.

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*click*

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Aaaarrrrg!! Dangit, I can’t stand strikeouts!

BMac’s K’s have come in pairs a lot this year…

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Steve from OH

How many sinkers have hit the monster. Are you watching the game. He has been hit hard. In the second inning all three outs were crushed. Face it Lowe is not a dominate pitcher.

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And why do you keep calling them the Orioles?

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I can’t believe Cox sent Lowe back out there.. He’s pitched a good ball game but is out of gas.

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Tonight is a night you cant really get on the Braves offensively. Becket is simply ON tonight. He’s got dominant stuff and his stuff is virtually unhittable tonight. Good pitching will beat good hitting any day of the week. If Dice K had done this last night, then I could see Braves fans complaining. However tonight has to be chalked up to being one of those nights where the 1927 Yankees would have been shut out by Becket.

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2-0 Orioles top of the 7th.

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If we have a Ace it is Vazquez

Better ERA
Less Hits allowed
Less walks
Way more K’s

Hey Steve was that another quality sinker

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Put me in coach, I’m ready to play

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We need Hanson to develop into a true ace.

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Classy fans in Boston, no question about it.

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Steve

Plain and simple, Lowe needs to get hitters off his sinker.

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I was a little surprised Cox sent Lowe back out there.

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I can live wth this loss because of Beckett, especially if the Phills lose.

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If Bobby hadn’t use Soriano and Gonzalez the last couple of days, this would’ve been a good situation to bring one of them, to try to prevent the Red Sucks to increase the lead. Instead, is Bennett. Hopefully, a double play is in order.

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Top of the 7th, no outs, bases loaded, Baltimore has 13 HITS and 4 WALKS, yet is only up 2-0.

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Well if we lose tonite no harm done, Phils down 2-0 7th, Mets lossed 3-1.

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Tipping the cap to the old team? You play for US now Lowe.

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Don’t think anyone in baseball would be surprised that the Sox bounced back with a “W” tonight.

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Jeff “give it up” Bennett strikes again. So, does KJ get an error on that one?

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Chip Caray: “I love the sound the ball makes off that wall, don’t you?”

Joe Simpson: “No”

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My problem is with Steve who continues to call Lowe a dominant pitcher.

I challenge you to find one instance tonight in which I’ve called Lowe a “dominant” pitcher, much less the several which would entitle you to use the word “continues.”

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O’s up 3-0 now.

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GD F-ing Kelly Johnson. What’s the deal? He must have pictures of Bobby and a goat. He must. How in the hell is he playing 2b in the majors league otherwise? I ask you.

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That was funny wasn’t it, Louisville Brave @ 8:57. Gotta love Joe.

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Baltimore up now 3-0, Phillies coming up in the bottom of the 7th. However they have stranded 14 runners tonight. 13 hits, 5 walks….yet only 3 runs, lol.

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Hey goober. Im da man and don’t you forget it!

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Gotta love Joe

And gotta hate Chip.

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Louisville Brave @ 8:57–

Yeah, that was funny.

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I can’t argue with wrong but I can’t admit I’m right either!

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That’s our hero, Jeff!

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Derek Lowe is a dominant pitcher

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Garret is having a really good series.

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You know, I’ve gotta laugh. Bennett could go the rest of the year without allowing a run, and I think I’d still hate him. I just cannot bring myself to root for the dude. Kinda like Loaf. I will never be a fan of his. Just can’t do it.

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I am a legend in my own mind and don’t you forget it!

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How can we manage to hit a foul ball in the 12 inches between the fair pole and the seats?

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Steve

This is the last point I will make on the subject.

When Lowe is on with his sinker than it is fine to throw the pitch 80% of the time. When he is leaving it up like he was tonight, you need to change your approach.

Hanson knew he was throwing to many fastballs and hard slider so in the game against Cincinnati he throw mainly fastballs and Curveballs. He needed to get the hitters of the fastball.

When Lowe is being hit, I just wish he would change speeds more and throw off the hitters timing. That is what Javier Vazquez does so well.

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Attaboy Krotch. Too bad Kotchman’s not from Iowa. We could call him the Groin of Des Moines.

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I know Louisville, but I love Joe’s deadpan, which is exactly what all us braves fans were thinking.

Night Steve, I hate name stealing losers on here.

Come on Jeff, be a hero in front of all your boston family.

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I have a question for anyone who knows the concepts of hitting. DOB maybe a player can answer it for me. The ball used to jump off his bat. Even when it looks like he crushed a pitch it doesn’t go anywhere. Is his bat speed slow ( meaning a slider speed bat), is it his wrists, lower body. Just wondering where the power went

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cabravesfan – are you crazy? – I’m cool with being #2 (am I #2?) to a stud like my boy Tom – especially in a totally fantasy-baseball coast-to-coast situation. I have a dilemma – I just realized I’m out of wine for tomorrow (an expected Whole Foods trip yesterday disappeared with my cancelled tutoring session), and I live in a backwards state where a Sunday purchase would be a sinful act. And then, there’s Jeff.

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I was thinking the same thing, Chop it up. And the answer is…NO.

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Francouer hits into a DP…Why do I not have the surprised feeling?

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Good old DP Francouer.

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Chop It Up All-Star- I was about to write the same. But I don’t think the Red Sucks want Francoeur now, do they? 0-7 so far this series.

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from traderumors

Royals Still Scouting Jeff Francoeur
By Eddie Schmid [June 20 at 7:14pm CST]
According to Mark Bowman at MLBlogs, the Royals retain interest in Braves OF Jeff Francoeur and are keeping an eye on him this weekend. However, Bowman notes that if a deal were to happen, the Braves might have to be willing to take on the $12MM owed to Jose Guillen.

Guillen is owed another $12MM in 2010 before his contract expires. The Royals’ interest in Francoeur is well-known, though supposedly not everyone in the KC front office is keen on him. It isn’t clear if the Braves would be willing to add any payroll, let alone any payroll that would involve a potential headcase like Guillen.

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Francour has to go ASAP I think the Braves made too much of him years ago and it has messed him all up mentally. He was supposed to be the next face of the franchise and yeah he is state of the franchise in a nutshell.

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Mother F-ing SOB Francouer. Did anybody in the city think that he would not hit into a DP.

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Sorry bravos2249 but that’s one of the dumbest theories I’ve ever heard. I mean, it’s pretty damn clear by now that Jeff doesn’t pay any attention to anything Chipper does, no?

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Vinings Jim-

You are more like 1B Not sure if you know how high a man that likes to cook rates on my scale…

How can you be out of wine? That’s very disappointing! (and I’m sad for you) Can’t you get some tonight?

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Please release Francouer. Geez! How many rallies does he have to kill for us?

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Low and away, and he couldn’t friggin lay off it. Feebly hit into a DP. Dammit, Jeff. 3-1 is a one pitch, one zone situation. Low and away is clearly not your zone, Jeff. You’ve shown that over and over and over again. It’s the same result everytime you go for low and away. K or feeble groundout that you either can’t lay off or refuse to drive the other way, preferring it seems to roll feeble grounders to short or little lazy choppers. So why the hell in a 3-1 one pitch, one zone were you swinging at a pitch in the one zone you have the most problems with? Friggin’ retarded mofo.

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bravos2249

Huh?

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Two outs. Let’s finish them off and start bunting with Kelly.

Kelly’s gotta get on. Can’t start off with an out. Still a chance.

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Dammit you’re right. Philly is winning.

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Joe: “Down by 3 but up there hacking”

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Until Cox or Wren or whoever get Johnson and Franceur out of this lineup, Every time the Braves look like they mightdo something, one of these two clowns come up and kill us.

SIT THEM DOWN OR SEND THEM DOWN. ANYTHING WE REPLACE THEM WITH HAS TO BE BETTER.

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Ok, we’re gonna lose but I’d feel a little better if the Braves scored at least one run tonight.

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bravos2249-

I guess we’ll never now, but take this:
May 30 @ Arizona: Mike Gonzalez pitched for 2 innings (30 pitches)
June 8 vs Pittsburgh, June 2 vs Chicago Cubs: Rafael Soriano pitched for 2 innings (24 and 29 pitches, respectively).

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Vinings Jim is out of wine! What will he do? What will Cabravesfan think about what Vinings Jim does? Stay tuned for the unbelievable conclusion of our story!

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cabravesfan – the dilemma is going back out tonight – keep in mind, it’s almost midnight here (well, it’s at least dark). Then again, I think the game may end by 9:21.

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Braveheart – it seems like the only person that doesn’t know that is Francoeur. And maybe the coaches

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FIVE PITCHES THREE OUTS, PATHETIC!!!

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It’s a shame! How many pitches did Beckett throw this inning? Like, five?

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Reading Beckett’s mouth there, you can see him shoo off McLouth and say..get outta here! Earlier, when he got Chipper he said… wasting pitches on that fa***! Anybody else notice that and think he’d get drilled more than once if he was in the NL hitting?

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Telling statistic – Beckett threw 94 pitches. The Braves hitters have to do better than that. I understand he had 67 strikes but how about some foul balls to run up the pitch count.

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Vinings Jim-

The trip is totally worth it (and it would provide As the Wine Turns with that unbelievable conclusion he’s hoping for )

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And the Phillies are up 5-3

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And the Phillies are now up 5-3

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Braveheart,

I just don’t think he can identify the pitches anymore. He’s guessing. Combine that with all the moving parts equals a lame three-legged dog.

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Tonight was the eighth goose egg for our Braves this year. Lowe was good, Beckett was better. End of story.

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damn, shut out 8 times this year. Beckett only threw 94 pitches… way to make him work fellas. I know Josh was on his game tonight, but I don’t feel like making excuses for the old ‘feast or famine’ lineup that can’t get it done on a consistent basis.

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FIRE CHIP CAREY! WE DIDN’T START LOSING UNTIL HE STARTED CALLING OUR GAMES!

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Until someone IE:Booby Kooks comes to his damn senses, and Understands that there is absolutely no reason that monstrosity of a failure, and the WORTHLESS, and UTTERLY pathetic pieceof SH!T Failurecouer , never needs to come to the plate again with runners in scoring position!!!
Not only is Failurecouer a damn JOKE, Booby is a mentally challenged midget!!!!

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I just don’t think he can identify the pitches anymore. He’s guessing. Combine that with all the moving parts equals a lame three-legged dog. (Couch Tater)

A three-legged dog with his balls cut off

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Let’s get some runs for JJ tomorrow and get the win.

Peace out.

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I loved the Ode to the Frenchman! That was a classic. I hope we brought ole Nikro to throw BP tomorrow. JJ deserves a win.

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And for Godsakes, Please do not defend that PickleNosed SOB Failurecouer!!!!

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Well, that was a certainly a dominating pitching performance, no?
I believe Mr. Beckett has regained his 2007 form. Why does someone like that always find their groove before facing the Braves?

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Bravos2249 but we won 2 games with almost the same lineup…we change it and we lose.

Oh yes. I bet it’ll be changed tomorrow, too…what with the DGANG, and all…

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Why does someone like that always find their groove before facing the Braves?

Because we like to help dudes out by swinging early and often.

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Jeff Francoeur’s last at-bat in the 8th inning is a classic example of why he will never be a good Major Leaguer. On that 2-0 pitch that he pulled so far that he hit it out of the park, if he had it in him to just wait a split second, that pitch could have been crushed for a homer. Francoeur fouls off and whiffs through SO MANY hangers that should be deposited in the cheap seats. Against a pitcher like Beckett, a hitter doesnt get many chances to punish mistakes. The game should be tied 3-3. Instead, he hits into a double play, inning over, basically game over. Francoeur lack of clutch hitting simply cost the Braves a chance to win. No surprise there.

In the Baltimore game where Francoeur hits that bases loaded double, he fouled off 5 hangers before he finally hit that double. It was really pathetic. The Baltimore relief pitcher simply didnt have anything that night. Even a Jeff Francoeur will get a hit when given 6 hangers to swing at, lol. Still, one of those pitches should have been deposited in the cheap seats for a grand slam.

J.D. Drew was with the Braves for one season. I know the Braves gave up a lot, however he did have a really good year and helped the Braves make the play-offs.

Compare Drew’s 2004 stats with the Braves……with Francoeur’s best season totals in each category:

…………………………..J.D. Drew 2004………Jeff Francoeur best season totals

at-bats……………………..518……………………….651 (2006)
average…………………..(.305)……………………(.293) (2007)
runs…………………………118………………………..84 (2007)
hits………………………….158………………………188 (2007)
doubles……………………..28………………………..40 (2007)
triples…………………………8………………………….6 (2006)
homers………………………31……………………….29 (2006)
RBIs………………………….93……………………..105 (2007)
walks……………………….118……………………….42 (2007)
strikeouts………………….116………………………111(2008)
slugging pct…………….(.569)……………………(.449) (2006)
on base pct…………….(.436)…………………….(.338) (2007)
OPS…………………….(1.005)……………………(.782) (2007)
stolen bases……………….12…………………………5 (2007)
outfield assists…………….12………………………..19 (2007)
errors………………………….3………………………….4 (2008)

The Braves got one SUPER year out of J.D. Drew in pretty much every category. Drew walked 118 times that year. Francoeur has walked 127 times in his WHOLE CAREER, lol. Drew in 2004 simply DOMINATES Francoeurs best years in the offensive categories that matter, like walks, runs scored, slugging, on base, and OPS. Francoeur best years has somewhat better numbers in hits, RBIs, outfield assists, and doubles than did Drew in 2004.

Francoeur is now down to .246 with 6 doubles and 4 homers in 248 at-bats. Yet Matt Diaz is relegated to the bench.

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Jeff Neuteour? Howwwwl!

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Has Hoss thrown in the proverbial towel?

If we’d have lost night, I’d probably be breaking sh*t right now. I still feel good about maybe winning this series though.

McCann DH-ing tomorrow?

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Day game tomorrow – we will probably be missing McCann.

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Compared to what we got there now, at least this headcase is producing!
Jose Guillen #11 RF | Bats: R | Throws: R | Born: 05/17/1976
52G 185AB 18R 48H 7HR 30RBI 21BB 32SO .351OBP .405SLG .259AVG

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Have we tipped our collective cap to Josh Beckett, yet?

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Welcome back Braves. Now that’s the team we love to hate.

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fastasballs

I didn’t imply he cost them the game….Just that he made another bad play….he had a late start…since he started late he should have been able to see how far it went. I’m not saying the Braves would have won. But if we are going to criticize the Cuban shortstop whose loud and annoying to some folks, we need to criticize the American third baseman whose quiet and goes about his business.

And just to be clear, I like both of them. They, with Mac, are my top 3 hitters on the team…whose else am I gonna pick….but bad plays deserve to be called out….whether there were 2 outs, 1 out, an 0-2 count at the plate or a 3-0 count at the plate.

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Coach,

What’s the name of your future star playing for San Antonio? Since you are so high on him, I’m gonna try to catch him over the 4th of July week-end.

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Arent we used to this from our offense……..lots of runs………..lots of runs……….shutout———shutout…………lots of runs———shutout————lots of runs———-shutout————shutout.

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Chalk this one up to Beckett, what the heck. Big thing is to come out for teh next game and play ball.

Boobie if is going to rain tomorrow, don’t warm JJ up so he pitches an inning and is lost due to rain. Juat make a believe you wanted to start Medlen and let him do his thing, and if it rains in teh second, than come back with JJ. Boobie youi got to think with this bunch of yahoos it is not 1995

Good night

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McFann :Ô:

I don’t see any reason to sit McCann…the game lasted like 2 1/2 hours…and guess what team’s hot….the Cubs.so Monday isn’t going to be easy…but they are mostly hitting homers @ home…..a band box that would be fly outs at most stadiums.

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6-5 Orioles. 2 homers in top of the 9th for Baltimore.

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BRIAN ROBERTS! Two strike Homerun to take the lead in the ninth.

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Bravos2249–

I don’t see any reason to sit him, either. But, I also didn’t see a reason for taking GA outta the DH spot.

Honestly…I doubt Bobby sits him. I mean, he just gave him a day off. But, ya never cann tell with Bobby. Ya never cann tell…

Night, all!

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(Sweeeeeet!!)

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JF/Guillen swap might work if the Royals really want Guillen gone bad enough. They might pay some of his $12M salary and Wren could fit it in the budget. I’m not sure if he’s worth $7M much less $12M though.

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Does anyone know the Orioles-Phillies score?

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brent a.-

Still 6-5 O’s bottom 9

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The Braves would only have to pay the prorated amount on the 12mil right?

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I was thinking the same thing in regard to the Royals paying part of Guillen’s salary.

And remember, it’s only $12 million over the course of the season, if a trade is made at the mid-way point, it’s only $6 million. If the Royals pick up 25% of that (I’m completely making up numbers here), it’s only $4.5 million.

Reduce the approximately $1.75 million Francoeur is owed over the 2nd half of the season, and its $2.75 million to “upgrade” right field over the last 81 games.

Worth it?

You decide.

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Phillies lose…still only 4.5 out…can thank the O’s for doing to the Phils what they did to us

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Baltimore wins- Braves stay 4.5 out

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With Dice-K now out of the rotation (and probably headed to the DL after he has an “injury” soon), does that mean his spot will be taken by …
The Bearded Icon? (cue dramatic music)

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AWESOME…PHILLS LOSE! Maybe Bobby will DH Garret tomorrow and have Diaz start in LF. I have a good feeling that Matt will hit Wakefield well.

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Ain’t nothin’ like scoreboard watchin’ in June to make one realize that it ain’t worth scoreboard watchin’ in June.

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Jose Guillen? $6 mill this year and $12 mill next? No, no, no, no, no

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Jeff for Guillen is a terrible trade. Too much money this year and next. Better to let Jeff walk at the end of the year.

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If we don’t win games, it doesn’t matter what anyone else does.

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SoWeGa Fanatic, I don’t know, if KC wants to get rid of Guillen that bad and Atl. wants Jeff gone just as bad, I’d think it could definitely happen. You have to look at the team he plays for and how draining it is to play every day knowing you’ll probably lose. Maybe he could turn it up with Atl. Even if he’d hit .250/18-20HR/80-90RBI’s here, that’s much better than rally killer Jeff would provide. But, you’re right, money is the issue.

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TnBrian

Yeah, the chance that Guillen could turn it around in ATL makes sense as a risk worth taking… until his awful contract comes into play. Way too much money to risk that he comes here and continues to under-perform. I’d rather platoon Jeff with Diaz in RF.

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Francoeur & Kelly Johnson…..If only Bobby Cox would stop playing them, the chances for a Braves victory would rise dramatically.

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I wouldnt trade JF for Guillen…………he is not better than jeff.

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Doc Holliday, it’s called hope…maybe false hope, but hope that maybe the Braves haven’t yet turned that corner of playing consistantly and we need the Phills and Mutts to lose so we can have that chance.

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Told you the old goat’s were out for blood. They haven’t forgotten the rivalry between northside and southy. Better have the riot gear on tomorrow and be ready for war. The SOX NATION will be out to prove Friday was just a fluke, and that they are the superior franchise.

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Hey, DOB –

How long’d it take you to come up with the new poll question on the AJC Atlanta Braves news page? It’s priceless:

“Are the Braves pretenders or contenders? Yes or No”

JK — I know you’re not in charge of that. (Right?)

Just thought it was funny enough to mention here.

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cabravesfan – turned out to be a non-decision – the neighbors-who-got-married-today (and whose dog will be visiting until Thursday – we’ll see how that works) needed a ride to pick up their cars from the church, which was just past where I intended to go anyway. All is good for tomorrow post-afternoon class (now I have to decide on recording priorities with Braves/Golf – both would be an option, but there’s the dichotomy where the Braves are a hit/miss proposition, but golf unlikely to conclude until Monday).

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Jose Guillen is smoke and mirrors… IMO a trade will happen, but Wren is too smart for that one.

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Does anyone now when Infante is due t come off the DL?

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Vinings Jim-

Are you really asking what you should record(BASEBALL)? (You need the Tivo that can handle more then one show at a time )
At least you’ll be well fueled for whatever (BASEBALL) you decide to watch (BASEBALL!)

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Nolie-

dripping sacrasm aside, I gotta give you major credit for dropping the A-Team reference there…I watched that show religiously when I was a kid

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Vinings Jim-

Good luck with the dogs (Mine doesn’t particularly play well with others, even my brothers’ 2…makes for interesting times when he goes out of town) Talk to you later! Good Night

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Is DeRosa no longer an option?

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I just saw the poll…

Are the Braves pretenders or contenders?
-Yes
-No

That’s just funny.

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Supes

His OBP is .360. I just wonder how many homers will translate to the major leagues.

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LSU

He is but he did hurt his hip at Wrigley yesterday….which he should be smart enough to know where stuff is there, since he’s played there sooo much….he hit that corner in LF and the box the holds the BP phone…..OUCH

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Coke replacing giant bottle at Turner Field

I’m really glad the Braves are getting a new giant Coke bottle. The old one was starting to look…old. I think while they’re at it, they should just go ahead and completely redo Sky Field. The whole area just looks sad.

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Roman Gal-

I would think that the only right answer on that poll would be yes. They are pretenders or contenders, unless there is a 3rd option that I am unaware of? I suppose “just bad” isn’t a viable option is it?

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OK- Wipeout may be the most awesomely bad show ever- a large man just bounced off a giant red ball and while screaming “Mullett Power!”

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Who is this RH power bat that so many of you think we can get by trading Vazquez? I hear this idea every day on here, but no one puts out a name. maybe that’s because there are no RH power bats out there.

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Part of the problem with acquiring a right handed power hitting right fielder is that the ones available are limited. Jermaine Dye would be great, however the Braves will probably have to give up too much to get him. Trading for Matt Holiday doesnt make much sense because he plays left field. I like the Diaz/Garrett combination in left. I feel that the Diaz/Garrett combo batting 7th in the line-up (if the Braves can acquire that big bat to put in the 4 hole, which would allow the LF combo to be slotted to the 7th hole, along with Infante coming back from his injury and replacing Kelly at 2B) can be productive. However, I dont feel that they are productive enough to be batting 5th in the line-up (which Bobby hasnt had much choice but to do, which in turn has led to a lot of the dissatisfaction that Braves fans has with Garrett). Trading for Holliday still doesnt address taking Francoeur’s rally killing bat out of the line-up, unless the Braves wanted to move the Diaz/Garrett combo to right field (which would be a disaster from a defensive standpoint).

Another option could be the Braves acquiring a right handed power hitting first baseman from a team that needed starting pitching. A package centering around Vazquez and Kotchman and a minor leaguer could be put together to get a right handed power hitting first baseman, which would allow the Braves to keep Francoeur in right and move him to the 8 hole (especially when Infante comes back and can replace Kelly at 2nd).

I’m sure that Braves management is exploring possible creative trade scenarios. I like the job that Frank Wren has done to rebuild this pitching staff. It would be a shame to waste it.

If the Braves cant swing a trade, then the only logical option they have to improve the offense is to wait until Infante comes back and insert him in RF, finally allowing the Braves the opportunity to bench Francoeur. In that case, the Braves could have the following line-up:

1. Nate McLouth………….CF
2. Omar Infante……………RF
3. Chipper Jones………….3B
4. Brian McCann……………C
5. Yunel Escobar…………SS
6. Garrett/Diaz…………….LF
7. Casey Kotchman……..1B
8. Kelly Johnson………….2B
9. (pitcher)…………………..P

Again, Escobar and Infante can be switched if Bobby insists on leaving Escobar in the 2 hole. Francoeur could be used as a late inning replacement late in games where the Braves have the lead. In that scenario, Infante can move to left and Francoeur inserted in right.

I have a feeling that the above scenario is what will most likely happen, which would allow the Braves to keep Javier Vazquez, which means that the Braves will be relying on our position players all staying healthy for the rest of the season in order to make a run for the play-offs. Having Martin Prado, Kelly and Francoeur on the bench would be serviceable.

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njbraves,

Brad Hawpe or one of the Cards OF-ers is about it when you are talking about Javy Vazquez.

Unless, barring some unforseen circumstances…the Braves would be 1. willing to trade Javy Vazquez to the Nats for Adam Dunn. Nats can use a solid starting pitcher. It’s about an even swap in salaries. Braves get their power bat.

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I keep going back to the Vazquez possible trade scenario for a corner OF (cleanup hitter bat). Since a few days ago, it was made clear he has a limited “no trade clause”, it limits what the Braves can do. No AL teams, and since the Braves are smart no NL “East” teams. That leaves NL Central and NL West.(SUPES)

the limit on Javys contract is no AL West or NL West teams, so you are looking at the wrong teams.
Even if it could be done, which it can’t, you want Colorado to fall off enough to move Hawpe, but why in the world would they want to add the cost of Javys contract in that situation? Doesn’t make any sense to me.

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That’s the nature of the beast here.

Shouldn’t he have said, “That’s the nature of the monster here”?

Ok…that was bad.

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