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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,351 comments Add your comment
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
B-rockGT–
I must be a dummy…I still can’t find the “post your comment” box…thingy…anywhere.
CB
June 23rd, 2009
9:13 am
Thanks,McFann-just old and slow learner.:-)
McFann :Ô:
June 23rd, 2009
9:15 am
No prob, CB! Glad to be of service!
PWHjort
June 23rd, 2009
9:20 am
Article on Javier Vazquez by an Internet friend of mine:
http://www.statisticianmagician.com/?p=269
CB
June 23rd, 2009
9:21 am
test
CB
June 23rd, 2009
9:25 am
PWH,good article.
Jon
June 23rd, 2009
9:27 am
I have to coach a high school summer league game tonight….of course, I’m going to miss Hanson vs the Yanks! I’m one of the few without a DVR…..is there anywhere on the internet I can watch a replay when I get home tonight?
Couch Tater
June 23rd, 2009
9:31 am
Anderson is a notorious slow starter, so we should in fact be prepared for the “off with his head” calls that will come in April and May. He is known as one of the best second half players in the bigs. – Epinephrine, February 23, 2009 11:07am
Epinephrine, I think I’ve given you props on this statement before, but since the question was asked again…
Efrim
June 23rd, 2009
9:33 am
There was a lot of excellent posts last night. Too many to choose from. Few things:
- Not willing to trade Jason Heyward or Freddie Freeman for a two month rental or even an 18 month rental(Tex). Just doesn’t make any sense to me.
- I don’t want to think about either of them this offseason. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Wren should operate this offseason not thinking about Jason Heyward. He doesn’t exist. Leave him in the minors. Don’t trade him. Just leave him there. Please(I know a GM can’t really do that). Wren should do whatever shuffling he can to bring in a corner outfielder, heck, two.
- If the Braves are going to “go for it” this year, then I hope they somehow do some wacky trade that involves keeping Freeman, Heyward, and Escobar and possibly dealing Johnson, Kotchman, Francoeur, or Schafer. Not all of them. But reshuffling of sorts. I think another blogger mentioned this last night. This may be hard to do, and I’m not sure what the heck you could get, but if the money worked and you received back a controllable player, then I’d be for it.
Efrim
June 23rd, 2009
9:34 am
“Great. Jeff has two hits. He’ll have an extension signed by Thursday.”
N8, haha, yeah that’s kinda funny. But we know it won’t happen…..right?!?!?!
Efrim
June 23rd, 2009
9:40 am
“I like the way that Boston runs their program, but they are helped greatly by the fact that they have enough money to compensate if they do err. Something that the Braves do not have much of.”
nolie, all teams that have money should be run like the Red Sox. It’s actually pretty sad when you look at the Mets, who have as much money if not more, and have a sad farm system and little major league depth.
CB
June 23rd, 2009
9:41 am
Efrim, we don’t need to know how to do it,we don’t get paid to know how. We all should trust FW,he has so far been on target with his moves, at least the ones he Made.
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
9:45 am
And I see “THE DONK” gave YUNEL a little pine to clear his head. Seems to be working. What a terrible manager.
Yunel was scratched from the lineup at the last minute due to that strained hip flexor…
Efrim
June 23rd, 2009
9:49 am
“we don’t need to know how to do it,we don’t get paid to know how. We all should trust FW,he has so far been on target with his moves, at least the ones he Made.”
CB, I wasn’t saying the Braves should act like the Red Sox. They have a silly amount of funds. If they need a hitter, they get it, and they just add another box on top of the green monster. It’s that simple for them. Not so simple for us and 95% of the other teams in the majors.
rus
June 23rd, 2009
9:49 am
I have not read the whole blog, but it appears the problem is curretnly the fundamentals of the almost all of the players; bad defense (infield pop lanidng between Chipper and Yunel), bad baserunning, etc. When the little things-the fundamentals-”catching and throwing” are taken care of, the bigger things seem to work out better. This does not look like a Bobby Cox team
Jersey Gil
June 23rd, 2009
9:52 am
Wow the Mets are cleaning House…DFA 5 Minor league player yesterday…Connor Robertson,Kielty,Mo Pena,Valentin,Valdez.
Phillis DL reliever Condrey, call a minor leaguer, Hope when they came to Atlanta we can win some game to be close of them.
if we can win 2 out of three of the Yankee,Boston series we be close enouth when we play them .
PWHjort
June 23rd, 2009
9:53 am
Why do you want to trade Schafer? We just traded Gorkys and Schafer is our CF of the future. Maybe even as soon as later this year.
Efrim
June 23rd, 2009
9:54 am
“Why do you want to trade Schafer? We just traded Gorkys and Schafer is our CF of the future. Maybe even as soon as later this year.”
A young, controllable, productive corner outfielder. If it makes sense, of course. With McLouth, you have the ability to do that.
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
10:05 am
I don’t think anybody who is paying attention is really “down” on Loaf. It’s just fun to call him Loaf. Regardless of what he’s doing at the plate, he’s still gonna be loafy in LF, there’s no denying that. But he’s hit in something like 10-12 games straight, I think we’ll all take that. Kotchy also strengthens the bottom half of the lineup, he may not have a lot of power numbers but he does know how to work an at bat, which is a plus considering the usual first pitch out suspects.
Macon Braves (RIP)
June 23rd, 2009
10:11 am
Schafer shouldn’t be traded. When he is ready (hopefully will be next season, if not later this year) Schafer will be the CF and McLouth will move to LF or RF, depending on who else isn’t with the Braves next season.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
10:12 am
If we are out of the race within the next month it might be a Shrewd move to trade either one of them…And get something in Return — Tomahawkin
Do you really have any reason to believe the Braves will be so far out of the race in a month that they’ll start dumping contracts?
Consider that the Braves just went 3-6 on a pretty bad trip, and basically lost no ground because the Phillies were even worse in that stretch. The Phillies are 1-8 with a .235 average and 5.97 ERA in their past nine games, and the Mets are 7-12 with a 5.41 ERA in June.
Face it: This division race is wide open.
richbrave
June 23rd, 2009
10:12 am
Sure,sure. Hip flexor. All the BRAVES on the DL are banged up too.
6-4-3
June 23rd, 2009
10:14 am
Rosenthal is speculating on Glaus as a possible trade candidate for first base or DH since he is hitting well but is not throwing well. He list the Braves along with Rangers, Mets, and Giants as possible teams interested.
monty
June 23rd, 2009
10:15 am
The score was not indicative of how the Braves hit the ball last night or in the last game of the Boston series. A lot of line drives speared by great defensive plays or hit right “at um.”
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
10:15 am
Braves, by the way, are 8-11 with a .247 average and 3.53 ERA in June
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:15 am
ncscoots, great post this morning. And you raised a great point about trading Anderson while he still had value.
DAP
June 23rd, 2009
10:18 am
that was a fun game last night. tight the whole time, good pitching, and the braves get the win.
i really hope that escobar is feeling better today. we really need his bat…
its good to see anderson come around with the double last night, and frenchy getting an extra base hit.
kelly walked twice, after going 1-2 with a double in boston. i really think kelly is about to bust out. when he does, the braves are going to be in good shape.
Lew
June 23rd, 2009
10:19 am
monty-You got that right. Kotchman in particular, has seen his BABIP fluctuate radically the last couple of games-he’s hit at least three rocket shots right at defenders.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
10:19 am
It’s funny how perception and closeness to a situation determines how we all view things.
For instance, Braves have played rather uninspiring ball most of June, right? Well, since June 6, they’re 7-9 with a .266 average and 3.63 ERA. In that same stretch, Yankees are 6-9 with a .240 average and 3.88 ERA. And that includes nine games in the bandbox ballpark in the Bronx.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:21 am
Oh, and if anyone noticed, Anderson’s OPS is lower than Jeff Francoeur’s right now.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:22 am
Lew–geez, I hope he’s all right…those BABIP fluctuations are nasty things.
DAP
June 23rd, 2009
10:27 am
steve from oh, you gotta be more specific. garrett anderson’s OPS is looking alot better lately. its josh anderson’s that has a lower OPS than frenchy. yikes!
Lew
June 23rd, 2009
10:31 am
Steve-Antibiotics (and a public waterboarding of Bill James) would help.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:32 am
In June, the Braves are 8-11
The Mets are 7-12
The Phillies are 8-11
So, despite a bad June, we’ve gained a game on the Mets and kept even with the Phillies (we’re currently 4 games back). We’ve got a winnable series against the Yanks, facing Wang and missing Sabathia and Burnett (while the Mets will face CC on Friday), and we get to play the Phillies in a week to hopefully make up some ground on them. Not saying that we won’t have to play some good ball (that we’ve currently not been playing), but I am saying that we’re still very much in the race.
Jersey Gil
June 23rd, 2009
10:32 am
6-4-3..If this the Same Rosenthal that Predict last week the Fired of Washington national manager????…He is on Drug or something…
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:33 am
That’s the Anderson in question, DAP. Yikes indeed.
We don’t waterboard, Lew. Get your facts straight.
Lew
June 23rd, 2009
10:34 am
Steve-We could always hire a certain ex VP who could use the work.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:39 am
I’ve said too much, Lew! No comment.
I have noticed that GA’s OPS has crept up over .700. It’s still crappy, but maybe he’ll get up to league-average level. Now we just gotta get rid of Frenchy…
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:40 am
And I assume you’re talking about Dan Quayle?
The False
June 23rd, 2009
10:43 am
trade for holliday
trade for glaus
trade for f. lopez
get players back that can help in 2009.
Jersey Gil
June 23rd, 2009
10:43 am
If anybody watch last night in MLB Network the Interview of President Clinton…was cool…I think that Harold Reynold did a great job in that interview.One question was, when he was president, who’s Atlectic person that inpress him a most…His answer was that he already knew Hank Aaron before he came in as a president, but Ali & Mays was the one.
Space Monkey
June 23rd, 2009
10:43 am
JV finally found a way to get a win on this club: Throw a shutout, It’s not guaranteed. After all, asking this team to score at least one run in a game is asking an awful lot, but any pitcher who tosses a shutout for this year’s Braves probably has 50-50 chance of winning.
Lew
June 23rd, 2009
10:51 am
Steve-Probably not. Quayle would likely manage to drown himself-or slip on the wet floor and hit his head.
Jersey Gil
June 23rd, 2009
10:52 am
Greg Norton in Reh assing. last night with Gwinnett when 4-2 with a homer. He there are, our Power hitting.
DAP
June 23rd, 2009
10:52 am
steve from oh, when you look at what garrett has had to do to get his OPS to .700, its encouraging. an .825 OPS for june is pretty good. we can really use that out of him from here on out. even if he doesnt end the year with overall great numbers, if he can just have several good months, it will do wonders for this team.
MattyRoss
June 23rd, 2009
10:53 am
DOB if and when the time comes that either Vazquez or Kawakami is moving out of here, do you think teams with historically strong Japanese contingents (like Seattle) might be interested in the latter regardless of how their season is going? Seems like it’s not out of the question that management might see that as a way to jump-start the fan base…
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
10:56 am
DAP–agreed. As of right now, he’s not (or less of) the problem–Frenchy is. Schafer can’t get righted down in AAA soon enough.
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
10:59 am
!!!!!!! Love the new Know Your Braves! And a part 2?! Sweet! Thanks, AJC. Best newspaper on earth!
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
10:59 am
Ok that was horrible. But anyway…
RHR
June 23rd, 2009
11:02 am
Sure,sure. Hip flexor. All the BRAVES on the DL are banged up too.
You cannot be serious.
DOB, I know you didn’t cover last night but do you think Yunel was scratched at the last minute because of the hip flexor, as Carroll reported, or do you think it was Bobby being tricky and benching Yunel for his attitude?
DAP
June 23rd, 2009
11:06 am
steve from oh, but what still doesnt make sense to me is that diaz hasnt been given more starts in right. he has started 3 games out there,but it seems like he should be getting at least half of the starts in RF. hes not tearing it up out there either, but hes got to be a better option than frenchy right now.
i just dont get the decision to play frenchy so much.
Supes
June 23rd, 2009
11:08 am
DOB,
Careful sir, you are giving people here “false hope” by saying the “NL East is wide open”.
This current Braves team isn’t going to win the NL East, unless by some miracle act…Jeff starts hitting for power and driving the ball, Kelly stops slumping…and Chipper, Yunel and B-Mac stay healthy and are in the lineup everyday.
I do have to also mention that although we often give LOAF a hard time…he’s been servicable of late.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:10 am
Me neither, DAP.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 23rd, 2009
11:15 am
GA has been coming on really strong the last couple of weeks. The last 7 games: .478 AVG/.480 OBP/.565 SLG/1.045 OPS. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him with career avg type of numbers by season’s end.
mets fan in atlanta
June 23rd, 2009
11:26 am
In a month, the Mets will have added a power bat at 1st base, a leadoff hitter who steals bases and plays a great shortstop, a centerfielder who hits for average and power, two #3 quality pitchers for the rotation, and two former all-star closers who will be setup men for K-Rod (one lefty and one righty).
All of these guys will be added to a team that is currently two games above .500 and 1.5 games behind the division leader. The great part is the Mets won’t have to trade a single prospect to do it.
If the Mets can just hold water right now, next month will be like the greatest trading deadline makeover ever, without making a trade at all.
But everything’s okay in Braves land. Everything’s okay…..don’t change a thing.
Jeff Francoeur
June 23rd, 2009
11:28 am
You all are a bunch of mean, unsupporting fans! I’m a superstar and if I have to go to another city to prove it, I will.
kthxbai2u
getsomepower
June 23rd, 2009
11:32 am
Consider that the Braves just went 3-6 on a pretty bad trip, and basically lost no ground because the Phillies were even worse in that stretch. The Phillies are 1-8 with a .235 average and 5.97 ERA in their past nine games, and the Mets are 7-12 with a 5.41 ERA in June.
Face it: This division race is wide open.
Be that as it may, the Braves need to start winning on a consistent basis to pass these teams, obviously. Maybe last night’s game was a start
Alonzo
June 23rd, 2009
11:33 am
We’re in the race by the numbers. So are the Marlins, Phillies, and Mets. Does this team have the ability to do what no Braves team has done in the last three years, and go on a true run? If so, who’s the offensive sparkplug? We know who all the wet blankets are.
This said, no GM with a brain is going to start dealing major pieces. Liberty is polishing up the Braves franchise for a future sale. If the team looks like it is conceding failure year after year, that will depress the value of th sale
PWHjort
June 23rd, 2009
11:36 am
News out of Rome: 4 Rome Braves have been selected for the South Atlantic League All-Star game. Luis Sumoza, Jesus Sucre (a catcher), J.J. Hoover, and my boy Zeke Spruill. I was surprised to learn Sumoza had been selected, but congradulations to all of them.
PWHjort
June 23rd, 2009
11:37 am
I forgot to mention Spruill has been named the starter for the game.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
11:40 am
Steve from OH: Regarding your Anderson vs. Francoeur OPS stat, do you really think that’s overly relevent right now, just to compare their season OPS numbers without any mention that Jeff’s been pretty much the same player the entire season, with exception of a couple of good early weeks, while Anderson, who missed almost all of spring training and much of April, has actually shown real progress lately?
I’m as turned off by Garret’s demeanor as a lot of fans are, but I try not to let dispositions color my evaluation of performance, etc. And I believe you should look at recent trends, recent performance, etc, before deciding that this or that player is having a better season or is likely to be a more productive player the rest of the way.
The two big differences between Anderson and Francoeur are obvious: Anderson has shown definite signs lately (not just a game here, game there) of coming around, and Anderson has an extensive body of work that gives reason to believe he will end up producing decent numbers over the course of a season. Check his last decade or more and see how many seasons he’s had as bad as Francoeur had last season.
Anyway, Anderson has hit .328 (20-for-61) with three homers, 12 RBI, a .364 OBP and .508 slugging percentage in his past 18 games, including 8-for-14 with two doubles, five RBIs, a walk and no strikeouts in his past four games.
Don’t you agree his past few weeks would indicate he’s poised to have a better rest of the season than Francoeur?
TnBrian
June 23rd, 2009
11:43 am
met fan in atlanta, I don’t think anybody here is bragging about the Braves. You need to chill out, dude! The division can go any way this year as weak as it is. You sound worried and desperate but I’d be to as a Mutts fan.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:44 am
Dave–I was referring to Josh Anderson, in regard to ncscoots’ post this morning when he mentioned that the Braves sold him in ST because he likely wouldn’t have the same value now (which he likely doesn’t).
I do agree with you on GA, though.
Braves Fan
June 23rd, 2009
11:44 am
BOB,
Why do bobby kept putting Gonzales in the eigth and Soriano in the 9th, i though Gonzales was the closer and Soriano was the setup man???
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:45 am
Or rather, ncscoots’ idea that that was part of the equation…
Bill in VA
June 23rd, 2009
11:46 am
WIN NOW
June 23rd, 2009
11:47 am
Jason Heyward to the A’s for Matt Holliday
TnBrian
June 23rd, 2009
11:47 am
I’m with DOB on Anderson. He hasn’t looked bad at the plate in awhile and would give an even bigger boost if they’d get a legit cleanup guy and have GA hit like this lower in the order. Wouldn’t be those automatic outs lower in the lineup that have screwed the team in so many games, I think.
Epinephrine
June 23rd, 2009
11:47 am
I just hope saner minds prevail with zll this blog Javy talk. Trading him-easily the best pitcher on our staff this year, an inning eater and a battler-for an unproven prospect? When the Braves are definitely still in this fatally flawed division? You people are crazy.
People planning on just plugging Hudson back in to the rotation-you do realize there is a good chance he isn’t back by August right? And even if he is, an even better chance that he is never the same pitcher again?
You know what pitcher has won the most games after coming off of Tommy John surgery? Tommy John. Me, I’ll keep Vazquez and hope that the Braves offensive resurgence as of late, led by GA and the return of Casey Kotchman, is enough to keep the Braves in the fight for now.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:48 am
My fault for not specifying the Anderson in question though.
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
11:49 am
D.O.B.
When I made that statement I was putting into consideration that I don’t think the Wildcard will come out of the Eastern Division as I predicted in S. Training…The Braves as of Right Now are 4 back in the east and 4 back in the WC…It’s Sink or swim Time for the braves over the next 3 weeks…Considering that we are going to have to play our best baseball of the year right now to remain alive was the reason that
standing by my post that you commented on if the braves sink…
Granted Since the Braves come Out to play against the good teams of the game and play like a AAA team against the Garbage Teams We will win Both series against The Bankees and Boston
“Bank On It!”
Paul Lentz
June 23rd, 2009
11:50 am
Steve from OH………….uh, dude, I’m not sure what you are “smoking”, however Garrett Anderson has a higher OPS than Jeff Francoeur. Anderson’s is .711, while Francoeur’s is ..624.
I think that you are the one who isnt “paying attention”.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
11:54 am
Steve from OH: Ohhhhh… That explans plenty. I should’ve known, because it’s not like you to post a stat that I’d have such disagreement with. Thought you were comparing G. Anderson to Francoeur. But you meant Josh Anderson. That makes sense. My bad.
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:54 am
Paul–I don’t know what you’re “reading,” but I have specified that I’m talking about Josh Anderson. And I’m not the one paying attention…
N8
June 23rd, 2009
11:54 am
Alonzo, good post. Totally agree on the probably thought process of Liberty Media. Unfortunately, due to the same reasons, they certainly aren’t going to allow Wren to take on a bunch of big contracts that might be hard to unload while trying to sell.
Especially with attendance down.
If this Braves team is going to win, many things have to happen.
1) Wren will have to give up one of the remaining “top” prospects to get a true impact bat, and worry about the farm system at a later date. I wouldn’t have as much problem letting a guy like Freeman go, if we were to get a young productive player that is “controlled” for the next 3-5 years. But to give up what we gave up for Tex for a year and a half (turned out to be a year), rental, is not acceptable at this time.
2) Hope like hell that KJ and Frenchy turn it up a notch and Schafer comes back soon. Meanwhile, hope that the Phillies, Mets and Marlins each continue to stink it up as well.
3) Trade off some of our 25 man roster commodities from area of strength, if he would prefer to keep the farm system as it is.
4) Ride out July and start selling if it doesn’t improve by then.
I agree with you DOB, this thing is wide open. But to be honest, the Braves have shown little ability to take advantage of their weak division counterparts. Which means that the Marlins, Mets and Phils are REALLY gonna have to all suck it up pretty bad from here on out, and the Braves need to put together at least one “hot streak”.
Possible? Absolutely. Probable? You tell me. Many people on the blog, yourself included want to squash the negative nellies for not being “sold” on this team (as it’s constructed right now). Not trying to be a jerk, but I want to hear you say it (read you type it).
You tell me that you honestly think that this team IS going to win this division, and why, and I might buy in. You’re around the team. You’ve got the “pulse” of what is going on.
I don’t think many of us are doubting that it’s there for the taking, or that it can’t be won. I just can’t bring myself to believe that these guys will take it from those other three teams. We can’t even win four games in a row for crying out loud.
I wanna know why a guy that predicted them to lose by one game in the WC race before the season started (when everybody was “tied” in the standings), NOW believes that this team can step up, take charge and go on a run, when we’re under .500 and 4 games back in the standings?
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
11:55 am
Granted Loaf Has Been Heating Up, But To be in the 5th Hole in the Lineup, he is a singles hitter with little X-Tra-Basehit Power…
When was the Last Time He had a Clutch Xtra-Basehit with more than 1 Runner on?
In Most Good teams Lineup he hits 6th or 7th which is why we need another big bat…
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
11:55 am
Rockies’ turnaround is amazing. They looked pretty dead a month ago, now they’ve won 17 of 18. So much for selling off their parts….
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:56 am
Not a problem, Dave. Should’ve been more clear to begin with. Anyway, I do agree with you on GA, he’s looked much better of late. I’ll admit that I was calling for his head earlier in the season, but it’s looking more and more like I’ll have to eat some crow. If he keeps this up over the rest of the season, he’ll help us a lot (duh).
Daslied
June 23rd, 2009
11:57 am
Gee, Tomahawkin – didn’t GA bat cleanup for the Angels forever? They’re pretty good. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t write his name into the 5th spot.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
11:57 am
But to be honest, the Braves have shown little ability to take advantage of their weak division counterparts. Which means that the Marlins, Mets and Phils are REALLY gonna have to all suck it up pretty bad from here on out, and the Braves need to put together at least one “hot streak.” — N8
You just named three of the other four teams in the division. You named everyone but the Nationals. So you’re saying the Braves’ ability to take advantage of the Nats will be the determining factor in the season?
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
11:59 am
N8
Add That we need Better Hitting Coming Off Our Bench…
Since “O” Went Down Our Bench has been a serious Liability…
Most Braves Teams that won during the streak weren’t known to have a great bench but we had players who could do the Little things to win games and took most advantage when they got to Play (Perfect examples was Mike Mordecai, and Mike Deveraeux, although he only played 2 months wit the team, minus the postseason)
Steve from OH
June 23rd, 2009
11:59 am
T-Hawkin’ I agree with that. IMHO, the 5th spot in our lineup is a pretty critical one, b/c at least one of Chipper/Mac/Yunel will be on base, and typically more than one of them will be. I’d like to see a bit more power from that spot to maximize our run production. I’ve said before that McLouth would look good there, but we don’t have too many other options to lead off with. Kelly would look good there too if he would ever get his friggin’ act together.
Mitchie-san
June 23rd, 2009
12:02 pm
Welcome back DOB.
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
12:03 pm
Daslied
For the Last 4 years or so The Angels Have a Way Different Offense that the braves Do…
The Angels Run A-lot more than the Braves…
Mike Scoscia Runs a NL type Offense in the AL, Where His teams depend on small-ball and executing ABC Baseball…
The Braves run a station-2-station offense which doesn’t emphasize much on the running game and that has been the case since Furcal left, But has picked up some Since Nate-Dawg Got here…
getsomepower
June 23rd, 2009
12:03 pm
So Wang has been struggling for the longest time. So how do struggling pitchers do against the Braves?
CB
June 23rd, 2009
12:03 pm
Steve, you have to know we are all sitting around like vultures
N8
June 23rd, 2009
12:04 pm
DOB, I don’t understand the question. I’m not sure you understood my point?
What I meant, was that the Marlins, Mets and Phils (the teams ahead of us), are all flawed as well, and have been all year, but we have yet to take advantage of that. Wasn’t implying anything about head to head play.
Simply stating that just like recent trends (when the Phils have gone 2-8 and the Mets have gone 4-6), the Braves prceeded to go….. wait for it….. 4-6. And literally gain 2 games in the standings, when playing .500 ball, would put them 3 games (and a series sweep of the Phils) right back in the hunt. Not that there is a big difference in a game (unless it’s the last day of the season and you’re one game back).
But I think you took what I wrote wrong.
B-rockGT
June 23rd, 2009
12:05 pm
McFann
its simple lol. go here
http://sites.google.com/site/atlchop/
click Blog to go the blog page and then click the title of the latest entry. it will take you to a page with just that entry and will have a spot to make a comment if you wish
Tomahawkin
June 23rd, 2009
12:07 pm
Steve From OH…
Agreed Dude, If Chipper And B-Macc Are Hitting Well Teams will continue To pitch around them to…Because Most opposing managers are Not Gonna let the Braves most Notorious Superstars, Hoss and B-Macc, Beat Them…
How Many Times has KJ Hit Fifth…? It has to be less than a 1/2 dozen games. Its Been Awhile since I’ve seen him in that spot
If Loaf Is gonna Continue to bat Fifth we need More X-Tra Basehits so that He will make opposing managers pay for pitching around Hoss and B-Macc…
N8
June 23rd, 2009
12:07 pm
I agre with those saying Garret is coming around. I don’t think anybody expected 30 HR and 100 RBI out of the guy. If Diaz can heat up and that platoon can produce solid numbers from here on out, we basically need a RH bat to play RF and to solve the Prado/KJ nonsense at 2B and the lineup should be solid.
To make the understatement of the year, we also need Mac and Chipper to stay healthy, and Chipper to get hot.
David O'Brien
June 23rd, 2009
12:07 pm
I wanna know why a guy that predicted them to lose by one game in the WC race before the season started (when everybody was “tied” in the standings), NOW believes that this team can step up, take charge and go on a run, when we’re under .500 and 4 games back in the standings? — N8
I didn’t say I believed the could, or would. I simply said the race is wide open. I also believed, when I made that prediction, that the Phillies and Mets would both be a lot tougher than they are. I thought the division as a whole would be the best in the NL. It’s not.
Oh, and as to the previous point, I thought you were saying Braves haven’t shown ability to take advantage of their weak counterparts in the NL East, thought you were talking about Nats since you named all the other teams in the division. Guess I misunderstood what you were saying.
mets fan in atlanta
June 23rd, 2009
12:10 pm
TNBrian,
Whatever man. 90% of this blog thinks the Braves still have a chance. I read this thing almost every day, but when people start talking too crazy, I have to put up some reality checks. The Braves are making no more moves apparently, and i really don’t think the Mets are either. But my point is they don’t have to. When the frontline guys are back, the Mets will zoom past the slumping Phillies. Mets fans are happy right now to be the one in the rearview mirror for a change. And the Braves will still be floundering around at 4 games under .500.
Shamus Thacker
June 23rd, 2009
12:15 pm
I haven’t been paying attention.
This the Falcons blog?
Heath (Cleveland)
June 23rd, 2009
12:19 pm
Tomohawkin:
I think Chipper and McCann have actuall been “pitched around” less than a dozen times this year. I love these two guys, but it’s not like they get the Bonds/Pujols treatment. Your statements about having to have more power and all is exactly what makes guys like Francoeur and Johnson so bad at times. There have been countless times where all we needed was to get a single, hit a sac fly, hit a slow grounder up the middle or the right side, etc… GA started off slowly, but as many of us have pointed out in the last couple of days, he is turning it on and is probably going to have career average type of numbers by the time the season is done. If that turns out to be true, GA doin’ his thing in the 5-hole will be just fine. The concern a month ago was LF/RF/2B, probably in that order, but now I would just leave it primarily at RF and 2B. Those two guys need to figure out how to do the little things…if they did…the offense would be A LOT better.
getsomepower
June 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
mets fan in atlanta
As die hard a Braves fan I am, you have a point. Everyone says we’re still in the race, but Braves with their inconsistent play are just gonna be 4-5 games behind, especially if moves aren’t made to make this team better than it is, or Braves don’t start playing well and winning on a consistent basis.
Willy Wally
June 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Metsfaninatlanta, when it’s all said and done, the Mets will be a win short and a dollar overspent as always.
MikeM
June 23rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Recently I’ve noticed that Francoeur is looking a lot more comfortable in his swings. He is making some very solid contact. I really hope he continues to come around.
N8
June 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
DOB, I figured you read it wrong (or I typed it wrong).
Also, I wasn’t claiming you stated you think that they will win. You simply stated that it’s “wide open”. Which it is, but has been all year.
I guess rather to ask/demand you tell me WHY you think they will win. I should have asked, since you think it’s wide open, IF you think they are capable of taking advantage, and if they will.
At this point I don’t. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, and that on paper, their the better squad. Im just not sold without another move for a bat. Even with Garret contributing a bit more.
No denying the pitching is there. This pitching staff, while not as “sexy” as the rotations with the Big 3, is proving to be just as deep as any starting staff was 1-5 at any point, other than that 98 team that almost had five 20 game winners. But make no mistake, this pitching staff is not only capable of leading a team to the playoffs, they’re capable of doing damage when they get there.
But this offense is some kind of weak, and will be their demise if another bat is not acquired. Just a matter of how (or who) Wren is willing to move to get it. If he is at all.
B-rockGT
June 23rd, 2009
12:21 pm
McFann
you may have to have google account
CB
June 23rd, 2009
12:22 pm
Efrim, I’m sorry if my response sounded like I was reflecting on what you were saying, I was just complimenting the job FW has done so far. I feel he will make the moves that are needed if he feels we are still in the race when opporutunity comes along.