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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
882 comments Add your comment
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:13 pm
Braves are the class of the NL – just give it 80 games if you must.
Lawton
April 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
TJ: Lawton, Dodgers also lost Wolf
ah, right. Thanks TJ.
DOB's luggage
April 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
No fooling, am flying Delta today.
Sweet. Maybe I’ll land somewhere with a beach. See ya next week, sucka!
Braveheart
April 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
Also, seeing McLouth in the 8th spot makes me think. I know Bobby would never do it, but I’d at least think about hitting the pitcher and 8th and McLouth 9th making McLouth somewhat of a leadoff hitter from the 9 spot.
I’m not sure he’ll hit 8th, especially against righthanders. I sure as hell hope I don’t see Melky leading off against righthanders. That was a good point though you made about McLouth’s baserunning in the 8th slot. I don’t like a hitter as good as McLouth hitting 9th behind the pitcher though. Too many rallies start with the fifth, sixth, and seventh hitter, and if you have a good 8th hitter, he can cap off or extend the rally rather than kill it. Nothing worse than seeing the pitcher coming up when a rally is going on. That’s the biggest reason I wish they’d just go to the DH, and stop this silliness of the pitcher pretending he’s a hitter. Ruins too many rallies and games
Lawton
April 1st, 2010
12:20 pm
uh oh, I have a fantasy team with Lidge and Street as my closers. Problem? Think so.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:20 pm
With the 8th spot following Escobar and Heyward, why on earth would your 8 hitter be the pitcher?
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:22 pm
Lidge is done. He changed his delivery with the knee injury and in so doing, damaged his arm.
Glen W
April 1st, 2010
12:23 pm
Dodgers also had Garland at the end of the year.
In comparison to the Rockies, who won 92 games last year… I think a big difference is that the Rockies have 7-8 talented core players all coming of age right now. So their potential to really take a step forward is substantial.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2010
12:24 pm
Best thing about finishing at Lakeland: Get to have a sausage with peppers and onions. Their grilled sausage is the best concession food in the Grapefruit League. Tremendous.
Lawton
April 1st, 2010
12:25 pm
thinbreakness: With the 8th spot following Escobar and Heyward, why on earth would your 8 hitter be the pitcher?
I explained why I would be tempted to do it. I didn’t say that I would ultimately do it.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:27 pm
TJ-Problem for the Cards is, will Carpenter remain healthy? And aren’t Holliday and Pujols hurting, too? That could definitely affect their eventual outcome.
Glen W
April 1st, 2010
12:28 pm
I also think the Dodgers have a major, major problem at the catcher position right now with no plan to really remediate it.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:29 pm
Lawton-
Didn’t mean for my response to be so know it all. Maybe it could happen.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
Lew-
Don’t you know from reading the blog that the Braves are the only team susceptible to injury?
Josh
April 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
so fellas where is everybody sitting for opening day Monday? i’m in 207
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
I believe the NL West will be up for grabs this year.
Lawton
April 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
thin, it’s alright. I don’t think it will happen and I’m not even recommending it. I would just hate to see Nate’s chances to steal bases be minimized in the 8th spot. The best solution is for him to get the bat going and get him back in the leadoff spot.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:33 pm
Josh
First, I will be in my office chair. Then, I will be sitting in class. Wish I could be there, man.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:35 pm
Lawton-
I think Nate will produce runs this year anywhere he hits. This lineup is so balanced, so many interchangeable spots. They scored 9 runs yesterday with 3 doubles. Good swings throughout the lineup with knowledge of the strike zone.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:38 pm
tb-Well, according to Anders, it’s only The Mets with any kind of injury problem – after he discounted pretty much the Braves’ entire pitching staff going down the previous year.
Saff
April 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
Joe Blanton will be starting the season on the DL oblique strain.
Braveheart
April 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
Didn’t mean for my response to be so know it all. Maybe it could happen.
A blog first, ladies and gentlemen. For what seems like the first time in blog history, someone has actually apologized for coming off like a know it all. Congratulations thinbreakness.
Now the rest of us know it alls will continue knowing it all except that we don’t know that we come off like insufferable know it alls.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
I think Cox is going to have a great year.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
Josh-In front of my Toshiba HD with the MLB Extra Innings package I just paid an outrageous amount of $$$$ to receive, right here in Central Vermont – which, for some strange reason, is hitting the 70s and 80’s the next couple of days (it should be about 45 this time of year).
Brian from SC
April 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
LOL…from the ESPN story on Blanton:
Blanton’s most recent spring outing came in a minor league intrasquad game Monday, when he allowed 11 runs and 11 hits in five innings.
They must have some kinda minor league system…
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:41 pm
Braveheart-
Working hard this Spring on my civility, you know the post to post sprints, realizing I’m more cheerleader than ML Manager.
Josh
April 1st, 2010
12:42 pm
joerochester, wish you could be there buddy.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:43 pm
Braveheart-Can’t speak for everyone here, but I’m aware how we sound and I’m pretty much certain you do too. We just don’t care cause we agree. I’m always right – most of the time – and a legend in my own mind.
Renegator
April 1st, 2010
12:43 pm
Fantasy Baseball Question:
Because I lost my closer already (Street) I need to trade a starting pitcher for another closer. Here are my options:
Jurrjens
Jorge De la Rosa (COL) – lights out this spring
Wandy Rodriguez (HOU) – terrible spring
I also have Lincecum and Josh Johnson (FLA) who I’m not going to trade. This is an NL only league.
I can’t decide who I want to trade. Anyone have any thoughts?
fleming
April 1st, 2010
12:44 pm
Braveheart
When you come off as a know it all it’s usually because you do know what you’re talking about. You and a few others.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:44 pm
Keep Jurrjens.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:45 pm
Brian
Hilarious story about Blanton. The Philly people will still think they will go 120-62
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:47 pm
joerochester-I know Philadelphians are poor at math (grew up there and I sure am), but are they really going to play 182 games?
Brian from SC
April 1st, 2010
12:47 pm
Jurrjens is a good pitcher in real life, but doesn’t have as much fantasy value as the other guys. I would try to sell his low ERA from last year, which he is unlikely to sustain.
fleming
April 1st, 2010
12:47 pm
I think know-it-alls have a bad rep on the old blog due to one PL
Braveheart
April 1st, 2010
12:47 pm
Working hard this Spring on my civility, you know the post to post sprints, realizing I’m more cheerleader than ML Manager.
Ah, screw that. Only work on your civility because it will dupe them into taking a few more punches from you than they otherwise would allow you
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
Blog rope a dope.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:49 pm
Lew, lol. My bad. Long morning.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
BrianfromSC-Don’t be so sure of that -actually, either his ERA or potential value. I’ll bet he does it again.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:51 pm
joerochester-
What up Dude?, IMO, as I’ve said (know it all) the Phillies pitching will struggle this year, the team will become demoralized losing many, many games late and the problem is, they have nothing to trade after depleting their minor league system. A collapse comprable to the Mets.
Lew
April 1st, 2010
12:51 pm
joerochester-It’s what used to be referred to as DOB Blog Math, back in the days of trifled toes and hartebeests.
fleming
April 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
Anyone know what happened to the always optimistic glass half full KC of last spring. The KC I’ve seen this spring is using the other end of the glass.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:54 pm
thin,
I don’t see them being that great either, man. Hamels has a lot to prove. Blanton isn’t superb. Happ was a rookie; his second season in we don’t know what to expect. All indications are Happ doesn’t have as much potential as Hanson. Their 5th starter is a question mark. The bullpen is a question mark. I think they’re way over hyped, in my opinion.
Brian from SC
April 1st, 2010
12:55 pm
Lew, I think Jurrjens is very good, but his peripherals (particularly the strikeout rate and walk rate) don’t support a 2.60 ERA. His BABIP (batting average on balls in play) against him last year was a startlingly low .274, and that should return to normal this year, putting his ERA more in the 3.30-3.50 range…still excellent, and good enough to win 15 or more games.
The point is that Renegator will probably get more fantasy value from de la Rosa and Rodriguez (due to the strikeouts), and he should be able to get a good return for Jurrjens because of the ERA from last year.
Renegator
April 1st, 2010
12:56 pm
From a fantasy perspective – I am worried about Jurrjens keeping his ERA low. He puts a lot of runners on base and kind of got lucky last year that so few of them scored. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if his ERA was 1 full run higher this year. Also, he doesn’t strik out that many people (compared to the other two guys).
I just have a hard time trading away a Braves player because they are much more fun to cheer for.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:57 pm
joerochester-
I’ve read that Happ does not have great pitches, good but not great and that comparisons to Hanson are simply inaccurate.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:57 pm
I swear, if Halladay was a drug every darn MLB analyst would be stoned. They love that dude so much. Is he great? Yes. Is he invincible? No.
FEAR
April 1st, 2010
12:57 pm
hey joe how ya been?
Renegator
April 1st, 2010
12:57 pm
Also, this trade will most likely be for Trevor Hoffman…
fleming
April 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
DOB
New blog today or you gonna be swinging at first pitches also?
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:58 pm
Yo, Fear. Just getting some blogging in on my break. New job is OK. Just in training now.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
12:59 pm
joerochester-
He is great, but he can only pitch every 5th day. What do you offer the other 4 days?
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
12:59 pm
I’ve been in blog withdrawal. Haven’t been on in a few days.
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
1:00 pm
Julio Lugo was traded to the Orioles.
Mitchie-san
April 1st, 2010
1:00 pm
Hey Lew, I was perusing the blog and saw a bunch of people congratulating you. I looked back to see what was up and couldnt find anything. What’s the good news?
joerochester
April 1st, 2010
1:01 pm
Gotta go guys, talk to you later.
fleming
April 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
With the Phillies I don’t think you get a repeat performance from Werth or a repeat first half by Ibanez although that may be offset somewhat by Rollins being better that he was in the first half last year (Can’t get much worse)
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
1:03 pm
fleming-
I can see that, but I don’t think it’s going to make much of a difference.
unbelievable
April 1st, 2010
1:04 pm
Id love to see Diaz getting in the leadoff role some (since its now apparent that Melky is in this role) and Id like to see him get some AB’s against RHP. The team and the offense seemed to do very well with him leading off last season. He’s too good of player to be sitting and watching Melky play ahead of him
Moe Berg
April 1st, 2010
1:04 pm
The Phillies pitching is looking questionable–top 3 of the rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Happ could be good, but there are question marks after their ace. Moyer bumps up to their 4th spot and Kyle Kendrick leaves the bullpen for the rotation. Jose Contreras who was supposed to bring some stability to the bullpen has had a horrible summer. The back end of the bp is on the DL. Just not starting the season off in very good shape.
RLPmetro
April 1st, 2010
1:04 pm
DOB…they have sausage with peppers and onions down here in Fort Myers at the Red Sox stadium and at the Twins stadium, but the Braves prefer to make the jaunt to the east coast instead of here for there overnight trip. Maybe things will change if teams keep jumping ship to the cactus league and we get the Nats or the Marlins here after opening the new Red Sox stadium in 2012.
Renegator
April 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
Anybody on PBP today?
Moe Berg
April 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
’summer’ should be spring.
Steve McP
April 1st, 2010
1:07 pm
I agree that Jurrjens would be the one to trade, especially if you are in a league with other Braves fans, who might have lofty expectations of him. He is a contact pitcher, which means he does not get the high strike out numbers, also his WHIP can be higher because of that, so make the trade focusing on his ERA and get a really good closer in return.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
1:08 pm
Moe-
What up Dude? I hope the Phillies pitching is as bad as I’ve predicted because I want to be a know it all.
Fischerking04
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
Matty Diaz really is one of those guys that makes a successful team work. Not only does he give an all out performance every time he gets an opportunity, but he doesn’t complain when others get the call before him. Instead he’s just happy for the team and for everyone else. Great attitude and effort. Complete humility.
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
sri
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
I can update PBP for a while.. Prado reached on error. nothing much else.. Mid 1st. 0-0
Moe Berg
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
tb–Then you can shed your new springtime civility. Not much is up. I am avoiding work right now by jumping onto the blog. I am overdue with a journal article and need to just finish it up. How are you doing?
Jersey Gil
April 1st, 2010
1:11 pm
Listen to Sport Talk this morning here in Phillis Land, now there are question the Amaro’s Lee trade and there minor leaguer prospect pitching. That including Curt Schilling comment this morning about this trade.
thinbreakness
April 1st, 2010
1:11 pm
Moe-
Good, excited – thanx
VOR
April 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
It’s what used to be referred to as DOB Blog Math, back in the days of trifled toes and hartebeests.
And pie… please don’t forget the pie… oh, the humanity!
Larry
April 1st, 2010
1:12 pm
Does anyone know why Brian McCann is not listed in the “Batting Leaders” on mlb.com? he has a higher average than anyone. It sure seems as he should qualify, 15 games, 38 ab’s…
Couch Tater
April 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
That’s the biggest reason I wish they’d just go to the DH…
You had me for a moment. Dang, April 1st.
ncscoots
April 1st, 2010
1:13 pm
since its now apparent that Melky is in this [leadoff] role
Have mercy, if that’s true, I’m liable to move over to the Dark Side with Robert and Don, LOL, ’cause that would be a certain indication that 6 has gone senile.
fleming
April 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
Thin – I share your optimism about the Braves. They are definitely talented enough to catch the Phils if things go right but it is a 162 game season with too many variables to accurately predict who wins. They way I gotta look at is the Phils are defending champs and it’s up to the Braves to knock them off the throne.
Moe Berg
April 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
tb—I’m getting excited, too. I am so glad that the opening series is against the Cubs. I’ll be able to see the games on tv here.
DAP
April 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
TJ The Cards have that great 1,2 punch in the rotation and lineup that will take them far, but other than that do they have much?
and they play good defense. a really good offense, good pitching and solid defense, but other than that, what do they have? um….what else is there?
David O'Brien
April 1st, 2010
1:31 pm
Conversation’s moved to the new Wagner/Kimbrel blog that’s up now
No Excuses - GA
April 1st, 2010
2:47 pm
Chipper, Chipper, Chipper. With all the money you make why don’t you get a professional pedicure?
And, BTW, I believe he actually did miss some playing time a few years ago for the same issue. What a wuss.
KC
April 2nd, 2010
3:44 pm
nscoots, your calls have been heard! I’ll be releasing my official predictions over the weekend on BravesBlast.com. I’ll let you know when they’re up. =)
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