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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,671 comments Add your comment
N8
August 31st, 2011
1:22 am
“So if J.J. goes 9 innings next start, has a complete game,and wins. Will most of you feel the same way as tonight?”
If he keeps throwing 89 mph fastballs belt high, and hanging his breaking pitches and changeups, he won’t be pitching 9 innings anytime soon. Dude had around 90 pitches by the 5th inning tonight.
Scroll back and read my earlier post listing the ERA’s of all of our starters since the break. This wasn’t one freak “bad” outing from JJ. He’s struggling big-time.
But I’ll flip the question. If he gives up 5 or 6 runs in 5 or 6 innings next time out will YOU change your share our concerns?
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:24 am
Rob from SC: I like Chipper,but he’s been on the disabled list more than Heyward.Chipper gets a way with it too.I agree players should play……
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:25 am
N8: No thank You! I Have Great “High Hopes!!!!!!!!”
Busch leaguer
August 31st, 2011
1:25 am
@Ward ,if JJ throws 9innings in his next start and wins ,the Braves will have to score at least 10 runs.I hope JJ takes the time to get healthy and straighten out his mechanics. He proved in the 1st half he is a quality major league pitcher.
N8
August 31st, 2011
1:26 am
“because Cristhian pitched so well today?”
Cab. You’re missing my point. It’s not all about the result of the game. We lost anyhow. We have an 8.5 game lead. If rest will make JJ better in a couple of weeks, thus making him stronger in the post-season? Then absolutely start C-Mart for a few games if they’re trying to save innings on the young guys. Hell, beg Proctor to come back and start a couple of games.
Objective #1 is to get JJ well. If that isn’t possible. Then it should change to finding the best replacement option.
“When I hear that a player (Heyward, JJ) has had a problem for a little while, without telling anyone, my blood wants to boil.”
Couldn’t agree more. Drives me up a wall. What’s more maddening is that when every announcer and even us fans can SEE that something isn’t physically right, and they still try to claim they’re feeling OK.
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:27 am
J.J. has great stuff!No need to worry about a thing. Just let him pitch…….
N8
August 31st, 2011
1:28 am
Good for you Ward. Hope you brought plenty of bottled water to that island.
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
1:29 am
JJ, before the break, was locating all of his pitches well. That’s not even considering his FB speed.
Just look at the difference in his command, since.
N8
August 31st, 2011
1:30 am
“J.J. has great stuff!”
The Nats certainly think so.
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:31 am
N8: I’m pleased we are in the Play-Off hunt,and most teams would kill to be where the Baves are at….Once again I’m well pleased………..
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
1:32 am
What’s more maddening is that when every announcer and even us fans can SEE that something isn’t physically right, and they still try to claim they’re feeling OK.
Thank you!
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:35 am
We will have to see on his next start…….Then we will know copletely if some thing is wrong?J.J. could’ve had a bad outing …….
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:36 am
I think JJ. is just a little rusty thats all!
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
1:38 am
Here’s an interesting thought… do we really want the Braves to win 2 of 3 against the Phillies in their next series?
Arizona will probably be battling SF until the end. The Brewers will be able to take it easy, I would expect.
The Braves could rest their starters, also, if they don’t get any closer to the Phils.
Of course, the Phils will be able to rest as long as the Braves don’t get too close.
If the Braves get close enough, they and the Phillies will have to play their starters until it’s decided.
Winner?? …. The Brewers
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:43 am
Tom: I think once the Braves are locked up with the Wild Card.They shouldn’t care about the Phillie series.Rest the Sarters,and play them in the first round. Why risk iinjuries?
Dumbfound
August 31st, 2011
1:44 am
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:36 am
I think JJ. is just a little rusty thats all!
No he’s not. He’s been pitching sh**ty before the allstar break. He just not that good !
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:44 am
Starters, are the most important, avoid any injuries…..
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:45 am
Dumbfound: Read J.J.’s comments after the game………
And they wonder why we stay away
August 31st, 2011
1:45 am
The chop will flop again this postseason.
And they wonder why we stay away
August 31st, 2011
1:47 am
Ward – Resting the starters is dumb. Most of them have been out hurt this season so that gave them the rest they need. Bobby used to rest starters before playoffs and they all came back rusty. Bad idea dude.
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
1:49 am
Ward, I agree with your 1:43.
However, and I’m not worried about the WC, but what happens if the Braves get a little closer to winning the division?
Homefield advantage, and playing the D-Backs/Giants in the first series, instead of the very hot Brewers.
It could get tempting, is what I’m trying to say, to play hard until the end.
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:50 am
Well, all good to talking to you,and I leave with a positive note. “I Have High Hopes!!!!” You know How Frankies’ song goes…….”Go!!!!!! Braves!!!!!!” peace……..
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:51 am
Tom, good question? I don’t think the Braves will catch the Phillies though!peace buuddy
Dumbfound
August 31st, 2011
1:51 am
Ward, You know JJ isn’t going to be truthful ?! Of course he’s going to tell you what you want to hear. Let’s talk Sunday, his next start.
Ward
August 31st, 2011
1:57 am
Alright Dumbfound, we will talk after his next outing,and let’s have a peaceful talk……Finally peace out!
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
1:59 am
Ward
I don’t think the Braves can catch them either. However, if they pick up a game on them, before their next series and then sweep, it would make things kind of interesting, you know?
If that were to happen, I don’t know if it would be a good thing. An exciting thing? Yes. But, a good thing?
Tom O'Hawke
August 31st, 2011
3:27 am
This is un-freakin’-believable. I’m finally in a mood to discuss baseball, and nolie, uga-brave, N8, BAs, or one of the many “fictitious” characters doesn’t show up. What are the odds?
I’ll be gone for a period of time, but if you meet me back here on the 31st of the next month, I’ll give you an earful.
See y’all, later.
N8
August 31st, 2011
4:47 am
Tom, it was good chatting with you earlier. We’ll catch you next month I guess. I’m in my busiest time of work for me of the year, and after 3 straight days of shooting photos and photoshop work (pretty much had 4 days in a row of about 4 hours or less of sleep), I simply needed a break from work earlier tonight. But had to get back at it.
Ironically, the Braves being off the past 3 days allowed me to get some work done without spending too much time on the ole’ blog. Especially the way they’ve played the last couple of games. Had that contined in NY, I would have dwelled too much on it. LOL.
Catch you on the flipside of the month I guess.
N8
August 31st, 2011
4:56 am
Here’s a question for y’all to ponder overnight and early in the morning that I’ll check in on the response when I wake up tomorrow (have to be up in 4 hours to get the kids to school then get back to workin on photos)…..
Clearly with his velocity down and his command a tad off, I believe despite what he says, that Jair isn’t healthy. In the very least he might be going through a “dead arm” stretch.
But considering he’s 13-3 with a 2.18 ERA (including his last outing that was pretty good), and he’s 0-3 with that 9.56 ERA against the Nats….
Anybody out there think he’s tipping his pitches and the Nats have caught on to it? I didn’t watch much of the game after the 4th inning (TV in the office doesn’t have a digital box, thus no Extra Innings package), and from what I’ve gathered, his location was simply horrible tonight.
But it just seems odd to me that in those 3 starts against them since the break, they’ve not only hit him hard, but they seem to be right on everything, no matter where the location is. At first I thought they might be stealing signs. But they’re hitting him hard even with nobody on 2nd base. I’m not really of the belief that they’d have somebody in the stands relaying signs to the hitters.
But I have to seriously wonder if they’ve caught on to something that no other team has. Or do you think it’s simply coincidence and poor execution on Jair’s part?
Thoughts? DOB and Carroll feel free to chime in on this as well.
richbrave
August 31st, 2011
5:10 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
GWINNETT
The G-Men take a tough one on the chin yesterday losing to the BULLS 4-3.
YOHAN FLANDE [ND, 3.91 ERA] 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 SO.
PETER MOYLAN [0.00 ERA] 1.0, strikes out the side. He’s lookin’ good ladies and gentlemen.
ANTHONY VARVARO [2-8, 2.90 ERA] 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.
RF WILKIN RAMIREZ [.262 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B [15], 1 SO.
2B RUBEN GOTAY [.263 BA] 2-4, 1 RBI [24].
LF STEF GARTRELL [.267 BA] 203, 1 R, 1 2B [32], 1 BB, 1 SO.
DH ‘45′ GOMEZ [.292 BA] 1-4, 1 2B [33], 1 RBI [77], 2 SO.
1B WES HELMS [.176 BA] 2-3, 1 SO.
richbrave
August 31st, 2011
5:33 am
MISSISSIPPI
Blow-out win for the Bandits last night 9-1.
JOSE LUGO [3-4, 2.73 ERA] 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.
BRETT BUTTS [9.22 ERA] 1.0 blanks. BB continues to struggle in his comeback from TJ. He’ll have several terrible outings followed by a good one like last night. BRAVES continue sending him in in different situations searching for a slot where he’s effective.
KENSHIN KAWAKAMI [8.10 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 SO. The KK-era comes to a close. TTL!
LYNCHBURG
HILLCATS lose 5-4 yesterday.
CHRIS MASTERS [3.34 ERA] 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 HR, 4 R/ER, 6 BB, 2 SO. Phew!
Rookie MARK LAMM [3.42 ERA] 3.1 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 BB, 5 SO. Great job rook!
ANDY WILSON [2-4, 2.70 ERA] 2,0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.
DH AL SIMMONS [.306 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B [33], 1 BB.
RF KEENAN WILEY [.281 BA] 2-5.
2B MARCUS LEMON [.269 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B [10].
richbrave
August 31st, 2011
6:02 am
ROME
The INTIMIDATORS do their thing to the R-BRAVES 13-2.
FERDIE ‘the fight doctor’ PACHECO [5-8, 5.14 ERA] 3.1 IP, 8 H,1 HR, 8 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 SO. Nasty!
Two middle reliefers get taken to the woodshed.
TY STOVALL closes the ninth with no runs allowed.
LF ROBBY HEFFLINGER [.264 BA] 2-4, 1 R.
DH ‘Big Jim’ GATTIS [.322 BA] 103, 1 R, 1 2B [24], 1 BB.
C RYAN DELGADO [.250 BA] 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B [2], 1 HR [1], 2 RBI [8].
DANVILLE
19-4 win. Wow! The rookies take their prime protagonists to the wood-shed.
ERNESTO SILVA [5-5, 5.49 ERA] 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO. Nice!
LUKE LaPOINT [2.19 ERA] 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.
MATT SUSHAK [6.48 ERA] 1.0 IP, zeros 1 SO. Great close soph.
14 hits including six doubles and a yard-shot. Man!
LF WILL SKINNER [.667 BA] 4-6, 2 R, 2 2B [2], 1 HR [1], 3 RBI [3], 1 SO.] celebrates his promo from the GCL with an impressive display of offensive prowess.
veer
August 31st, 2011
6:24 am
At this point starting rotation is a big area of concern.
Hudson and Beachy are our 1-2 guys. What happens after that??
Between Jurrjens and Lowe, Lowe has better command of his pitches. I am just hoping Lowe can pull it through in the month of September to gain our confidence for the playoffs.
Lets hope Hanson comes back. I doubt he will.
Right now I am not watching the game to see us win but to see how Jurrjens, Lowe, Minor are pitching. These games are like spring training games.
We have the offense, defense, and the Bullpen to win the world series but the problem is pitching. Too bad we can’t go with a 3 men rotation because there is no extra dayoff in the Milwaukee series.
noliee
August 31st, 2011
6:48 am
One can never have too much pitching, can one?
Gimpah
August 31st, 2011
6:50 am
FIELDING
E: McCann (5, throw)
Daniel
August 31st, 2011
6:55 am
I think this offense is ice cold. At just the wrong time.
noliee
August 31st, 2011
7:03 am
why just the wrong time? Nothing special about right now unless you think they are gonna stay ice cold for a month.
Actually right now gives them time to warm up again B4 the playoffs
noliee
August 31st, 2011
7:04 am
You must like getting laughed at Gimp
Random
August 31st, 2011
7:12 am
More (I’m sure) Second Guessing:
BOTH Heyward and Constanza (LH-hitting corner OFs) should have started last night, with RH-hitting Prado on the bench against a tricky RH pitcher.
FGonzalez should have had Bourn running immediately after singling to start the bottom of the 1st inning.
FGonzalez should have had Heyward batting in front of AGonzalez.
Random
August 31st, 2011
7:15 am
No wonder McCann has difficulty throwing out baserunners at second base — he cannot even throw them out at first base (and that with a three or four step run-up).
Random
August 31st, 2011
7:40 am
@Mitchell (August 30th, 2011 10:57 pm) (page 11) –
Very well articulated (except for “satiated”, which I’m sure that we can all agree to blame on the spellchecker).
Never knew you had it in you.
Well done.
To reprise for the unfortunates who cannot or will not page back:
DS1, 79-55 is the exact record at this point from a year ago.
If you’re satiated by a team that has two rookie of the year candidates, the best catcher in baseball, the best base stealer in baseball, the best bullpen in baseball, a Hall of Fame third baseman and a 30 home run hitting, $62 million dollar making second baseman and has made zero improvement in the standings then I have to imagine you’re eating your hamburger off the floor in your bathroom.
Am I really supposed to be impressed by the second place Braves having the exact same record they last year after 134 games?
This time last year our third baseman’s career appeared to be over.
Troy Glaus could hardly walk. Martin Prado’s pinky finger was pointing sideways.
Imagine what this season would have been like if the Braves lost someone like Adam Wainwright for the year in spring training or if Brian McCann’s season ended in May along with Buster Posey’s.
A full season without your number one starter? If it was Tim Hudson that alone would have put an end to any playoff hopes this team had.
No team in baseball has underperformed like the Braves. We were still in first place last year. We haven’t been in first place in 2011 since March 31st.
DS1, what it takes to please you is alarming.
Who needs the circus when you can just look at the pretty ad in the paper?
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
7:44 am
Normal wear and tear for Hanson. I guess that’s a good thing?
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
7:46 am
If the Braves go 14-14 in their last 28 games, that would bring their record to 93-69. The Cardinals would have to go 22-5 in their last 27 games to force a one game playoff. The Giants would have to go 22-4 in their last 26 games to force a one game playoff.
Gary O
August 31st, 2011
7:53 am
N8,
I don’t think JJ is tipping his pitches against the Nats, especially since we have noticed the decline in velocity and location, plus we’re still not sure about his knee. Overall, the Braves have struggled against the Nats the last 3 or 4 years, and I don’t know why.
Sure, JJ has sucked against them this year, but coincidentally, 2 of those starts came after the all-star break, which is when we’ve noticed JJ’s location and speed is off.
Plus in another start after the all-star break (against the Cubs), he gave up 8 hits and 5 walks in 6 innings, and the Cubs left 11 men on base in those 6 innings. So that could have easily turned into a disaster start.
Gary O
August 31st, 2011
7:58 am
Effrim,
Are you holding out hope that the Braves can catch the Phillies?
The schedule definitely favors the Braves, but they can be inconsistent at times when it comes to beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Also, I don’t see us going 5-1 against the Phills either, and with the pitching the Phillies have, I don’t see them slumping for very long.
I dont think we will catch them. What I would like to see is Hanson and JJ get as much time off as they need (especially since we have a big WC lead).
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:01 am
I don’t think they’ll struggle for the next 28 games, folks. This might actually be a good thing that the bats are cold right now. They’ll heat up in time for the postseason.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:04 am
Are you holding out hope that the Braves can catch the Phillies?
Nope. We’re 9 games back in the loss column. St. Louis is 9 games back in the loss column from us, and I don’t think they have a snowball’s chance in hell – even with 3 games vs. us at home.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:05 am
Atlanta/Milwaukee, Philly/Arizona, Boston/Detroit, New York/Texas
Mid Town Joe
August 31st, 2011
8:06 am
If the Braves win all their games the rest of the season, they’ll still lose in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:22 am
Yeah, I’d reeeeally like the Braves to win their first playoff series since 2001.
Got this year and next until the National League gets a lot better overall(St. Louis, Washington, New York, Pittsburgh, Arizona).
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:23 am
Of course, a team like the Cards are going to get older position player wise, but if Shelby Miller and Carlos Martinez can stay healthy – watch out.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:25 am
And of course, the Mets are in some trouble if they don’t re-sign Reyes, so there is a ton of factors at play. Just think those teams have good systems/front office management that will allow them to get better over the next few years.
John A
August 31st, 2011
8:26 am
Not to worry boys…..F & F have it figured out. No PLAYOFFS past the first round. We don’t stand a chance against the Phillies. Fredi is now starting to demonstrate that he isn’t qualified to manage a Little League Team. Who is he trying to kid? JJ was not sharp, but Fredi as usual wasn’t ready…..asleep at the switch again. Common sense tells one that if a pitcher isn’t sharp by the second inning chances are he isn’t going to get better. Is Fredi’s decision making the reason the Marlin let him go?
Davey Johnson makes Fredi look like a schoolboy!!!!!!
O.J.
August 31st, 2011
8:30 am
So now its the Cardinals who are chasing us in the Wildcard huh? Interesting.
Not the best way to come back from a long lay off like that. Lose to the stinking weak arse Nats. Cannot believe that crap.
Here is what I dont get, how come the Mets didnt agree to come back to Atlanta and play in Turner Field, but they had homefield advantage?
I know other teams have done that if there was a snowstorms or something. Why didnt they?
LWB
August 31st, 2011
8:37 am
Well, I think we all saw a loss coming last night. With the long layover, JJ pitching like crap and the Braves facing Livan………….that was a perfect storm of suck coming together that equals a loss every time. But, while I think JJ is definitely hurting somewhere (his velocity is way down…something isnt right) I do think the Nats have seen something in JJ and are exploiting it. The Rob and Jim on MLB First Pitch this morning said the same thing. He pitches so bad against the Nationals. But, this offense has to pick it up though. They looked just as hapless as they did against the Mets, but there’s no hurricane to blame it on now. And don’t give me crap about a huge wild card lead either.
JRW
August 31st, 2011
8:41 am
Everyone here with the Rose Colored Glasses says Milwaukee will win the Central and St. Louis doesn’t have a chance. Well looking at the standings today the Braves are behind the Phillies by nine games in the loss column the same as the Cardinals. So why is it not a problem for the Braves to make up those nine games but the Cardinals can’t? Last night’s performance was pitiful. The Nationals come to the Braves House losing 6 in a row and dominate the game. The Phillies go on the road against the Reds who had won 8 of 9 and proceed to beat em two straight and have Lee and Worley going in the next two. Sweep? Braves Starters last two games…
IP H R ER BB SO
12.1 19 10 10 5 7
Phillies Starters…
IP H R ER BB SO
13.0 4 1 1 2 16
The Braves played to sub .500 teams that were losing coming in and the Phillies were playing a hot Reds team with the most runs scored in the NL. The Braves and their fans should be concerned.
ncscoots
August 31st, 2011
8:42 am
his velocity is way down…something isnt right
I watched the Nats feed last night, and he seemed to be hitting 90-92 fairly regularly. Was the gun different on the game you guys watched?
Seemed to me that he just didn’t have a feel for his slider, mostly. And fastballs down that he might have gotten a strike call earlier in the season might have been just out of the zone (though that might have just been the ump)
But overall? I didn’t see as much reason for teeth-gnashing as some.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:43 am
I don’t think the Phillies will be caught. Too much pitching. Book that ticket to Milwaukee.
Greinke/Gallardo/Marcum/Wolf vs. Hudson/Beachy/Jurrjens/Lowe
JRW
August 31st, 2011
8:45 am
O.J. – Here is what I dont get, how come the Mets didnt agree to come back to Atlanta and play in Turner Field, but they had homefield advantage?
******************************************************************************************
Money. The Braves would agree to give back gate receipts but the Mets would loss Parking Food and Concessions.
CrαZy
August 31st, 2011
8:45 am
Common sense also tells you that JJ is a pitcher we need to have for the postseason. He needs get work in if we want him to be a factor for us later this year. Letting JJ go out and pitch 2 innings and 35 pitches isn’t going to help at all. Having a huge lead in the WC gives us the ability to have games where we let some guys go longer or pull some guys out sooner than we normally would. We’re not going to play every game like its game 7 of the WS especially with a comfortable lead in the WC.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
8:45 am
But overall? I didn’t see as much reason for teeth-gnashing as some.
I don’t think he’s hurt, so I’ll take that in itself as a win. Just want to get through the next 28 relatively healthy….
And, Jason Heyward up to a reasonable .230/.320/.410 slash line
Danga
August 31st, 2011
8:58 am
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/playing-catch-why-is-it-so-much-fun/
Some major leaguers on playing catch. I think some around here could use a prescription of daily catch.
CB
August 31st, 2011
9:04 am
Danga,good read. Some of these guys on here couldn’t catch a cold much less know the joy of the game.
ncscoots
August 31st, 2011
9:05 am
I think some around here could use a prescription of daily catch.
I fear that some here could suck the joy out of even that. And it saddens me that I could be so cynical as to think it so.
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
9:05 am
John A
Before you go bashing Fredi because of a bad loss…
Remember that getting JJ where he needs to be (if it can happen) before the playoffs is much more important than winning last night’s game. It he felt JJ needed to throw a certain amount of pitches, that’s what needed to happen. He’s managed well enough to have a 9 game cushion in the wild card, so he can afford to focus on trying to get his players ready. If you think the Braves are really concerned with catching the Phillies for the division, you may be a little disillusioned.
Tommy T
August 31st, 2011
9:06 am
“But overall? I didn’t see as much reason for teeth-gnashing as some.” – ncscoots
Agreed. Jair looked like a guy who couldn’t hit his spots to me. I just think the perception is exaggerated because he was so pinpoint in the first half.
Tommy T
August 31st, 2011
9:09 am
If the Braves went 161-1, can you imagine the firestorm that would be set off on the blog following the one loss? It would be atomic.
Eleven in '11
August 31st, 2011
9:10 am
Unless someone has an absolute collapse, I think the NL playoffs are pretty much set. Atlanta at Milwaukee and Arizona at Philadelphia. Unfortunately, without an effective JJ and with Hanson hurting, I don’t feel great about our chances of getting out of the first round. Now, if JJ turns it around or if Hanson can come back, that could change. But right now, as far as ranking the potential playoff teams, I would say it’s Philly, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Arizona.
ncscoots
August 31st, 2011
9:12 am
Yes, you’d never know that the team is having their best month of the season, percentage-wise, if your only source of information were the posts here.
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
9:16 am
N8
In response to your question to ponder…
No, I don’t think he’s tipping pitches, I think it’s just this bad right now. JJ has never been this bad before, even when he first came up. I think he’s not healthy. Maybe he’s cleared by the docs but not regained his strength yet, i don’t know. jj’s is one of those “best athlete on the field” type pitchers. You can see his athleticism on plays such as fielding bunts. In his last start (before last night), he slid to pick up a bunt and rattled himself. That’s not like him.
I don’t know if you saw that last start, the one you referred to as good. It was a good line, but he was really lucky in that game, and i’m not hating on him. I’m a huge JJ fan. But had multiple runners on base almost every inning. There were two bases loaded DPs on line drives right to somebody who was right at the base. I was worried about him after that game. It could have very easily looked like last night’s line. Really. I think he has an arm issue and and a knee issue.
I just hope he can get right by the end of the season. I’m almost starting just to hope that he can ever be his old self again. Worried that Hanson may never stay healthy again either. His unorthodox delivery doesn’t look conducive to sustained health.
O.J.
August 31st, 2011
9:16 am
JRW, why not agree to give the profits from food sales to the Mets to make up for it. Wasnt there a game between Seattle and someone this year that was played in Seattle because of something?
Yeah, it was the Mariners/Marlins game. Had to be played in Seattle because there was a stupid U2 concert going on in Sun Life Stadium.
So why couldnt the game have moved back to Atlanta?
tiger297
August 31st, 2011
9:21 am
scoots – I don’t watch the gun every pitch but at the stadium I don’t think I saw anything over 89
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
9:24 am
Eleven in ‘11
I think the ballclub’s main concern right now is addressing who will pitch the postseason. I think they’re preparing for a worst case scenario in which neither JJ nor Hanson are available. I think Teheran, Minor, and Delgado are pieces of the backup plan. Not a great situation, but it is exciting. Think how magical it could be for the youngster to come out at the end of the season like secret weapons and make a run in the playoffs. COULD be. Course, i think we still need to praying for a healthy JJ and/or Hanson.
PS: For all the Lowe haters. If these problems persist, I think we’re all going to end up being really happy that Derek Lowe is on the team. Just a feeling…
MikeInFl
August 31st, 2011
9:24 am
Sometimes ’scoots mixes up the thermometer and the radar gun. It was pretty hot during the early innings.
Really, gameday said the FB was averaging about 88.5 to 89.5, and didn’t show any real spikes. I agree that velocity is probably not the problem, though.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
9:25 am
I don’t watch the gun every pitch but at the stadium I don’t think I saw anything over 89
Was showing 90 a lot on gamecenter. I think he was probably 89-90mph with the sinker. That’s good enough if it’s located well. He just hasn’t been able to do that lately. Plus, as scoots said, the slider hasn’t been located well either.
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
9:27 am
Man, imagine if it was Huddy, Beachy and Minor – Games 1-3. That’d be something. The other two 25 and under pitchers going for us in the playoffs.
tiger297
August 31st, 2011
9:28 am
that is impressive want to see what gamecenter showed when kimmie was hitting 100 the other night
JRW
August 31st, 2011
9:29 am
ncscoots – Yes, you’d never know that the team is having their best month of the season, percentage-wise
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Braves are .640 for August…But…The Phillies are .708 As good as they’re playing they still lost 1.5 games in the standings for the month.
beekay
August 31st, 2011
9:31 am
We need to worry about the Brewers…wild card is a lock and we aint catching the Phils. Getting home field against the Brewers is essential. We can’t rest players and cruise into the playoffs. The Brewers at home are close to unbeatable so the extra game in Atlanta will be huge. We are neck and neck with them now so that will be our penant race
Lew
August 31st, 2011
9:31 am
Since so many are in a doom and gloom mood – My wife posted lots of Vermont flood pictures on my FB page. Staggering.
Lew
August 31st, 2011
9:32 am
beekay – If the Braves are the WC winner, they can’t have a Home Field ada=vantage. They start on the road in every series they play in unless they make it to the series.
Hugo
August 31st, 2011
9:33 am
Gotta figure lowered velo isn’t he problem since he was successful with it the whole first half. He just couldn’t make good pitches consistently. Nowhere close to getting in a rhythm. If he really is healthy, then I think he can pull it together. I”m just skeptical that he’s struggling this bad without some legitimate physical ailments.
JRW
August 31st, 2011
9:33 am
O.J. – So why couldnt the game have moved back to Atlanta?
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MLB moved a series between Toronto and the Phillies last year due to a political summit in Toronto. I believe a game will only be moved if a venue is unavailable to make up the games by the end of the year. If it’s available and schedules allow it to be used it will be used.
Frankie Wren
August 31st, 2011
9:35 am
Outside chance Braves open up in Arizona. Snakes 8 game winning streak and now only 4 back to the Brewers in heat to avoid the Phillies.
TennesseePaul
August 31st, 2011
9:36 am
Got this year and next until the National League gets a lot better overall(St. Louis, Washington, New York, Pittsburgh, Arizona).
Yes, but they’ll be adding a play-off team a year until everyone is in it and they are right back to just letting the best team from the NL play the best team from the AL.
Mitchell
August 31st, 2011
9:37 am
Random
August 31st, 2011
7:40 am
@Mitchell (August 30th, 2011 10:57 pm) (page 11) –
Very well articulated (except for “satiated”, which I’m sure that we can all agree to blame on the spellchecker).
Never knew you had it in you.
Well done.
Merriam-Webster Definition of SATIATE (transitive verb):
To satisfy (as a need or desire) fully or to excess
Mitchell
August 31st, 2011
9:38 am
Thanks though Random.
Glad you enjoyed it. I try.
George
August 31st, 2011
9:39 am
Good morning y’ll
I have been among the missing the past couple of days, my computer has a viris on now with loaner computer, good to be back.
JRW
August 31st, 2011
9:39 am
beekay, It doesn’t matter who has the best record between the Brewers and Braves. The Wild Card team travels and the Division Winner gets Home Field
Efrim
August 31st, 2011
9:39 am
Yes, but they’ll be adding a play-off team a year until everyone is in it and they are right back to just letting the best team from the NL play the best team from the AL.
I really hope they think it through more. Watering down a 162 game regular season is just plain stupid. I like the way it is now, personally.
Arkansas Transplant
August 31st, 2011
9:41 am
Looks to me that JJ just isn’t locating his pitches… nothing more, nothing less. When your unable to do that, your going to get hit hard and often. a la last night.
Gary O
August 31st, 2011
9:43 am
The Mets pitcher who shut down the Braves on Friday was not a hard thrower (I think the hardest ball he threw was 92 mph). But he was able to locate his pitches very well, which is what JJ was doing early in the season.
Even if JJ gets healthy though, I am not sold on him as an postseason ace. Maybe I am generalizing, but Maddux and Glavine were very good in the regular season (not blowing people away), but their postseason record is not so good (even if they did have some gems sprinkled in).
I think a postseason ace needs to be able strike people out. I think Hanson has postseason ace potential.
Arkansas Transplant
August 31st, 2011
9:43 am
however, I did like our approach at the plate last night. They were showing a lot more patience and being much more selective.
CrαZy
August 31st, 2011
9:47 am
1 win in the past 4 days….. this team is pathetic!!
tiger297
August 31st, 2011
9:48 am
crazy – isn’t it 1 in 6 days? not that I’m saying the team is pathetic at all
CrαZy
August 31st, 2011
9:48 am
what am I talking about it’s 0 wins in the past 5 days!! This team flat out sux!!
CrαZy
August 31st, 2011
9:50 am
Just board up the Ted and call it a year!!!
David O'Brien
August 31st, 2011
9:50 am
One of those days I was glad we’d already done the schedule (thinking Braves would’ve played Saturday or Sunday) and I had off last night. Watched first few innings of the game, enough for it to get ugly, then saw a terrific performance by The Hold Steady at Variety Playhouse.
monty
August 31st, 2011
9:50 am
Pre All-Star JJ, money! Post All-Star JJ, nothing but a bunch of doubts for me. He didn’t just have a bad outing or 2 or 3 with the same stuff he’s always had, he’s a pitcher without any weapons,(he’s unarmed instead of being locked and loaded), other than you could throw batting practice up there and record alot of outs. Just watch the All-Star HR hitting contest and see how many pop-ups and grounders they hit off of their pitching buds who are trying to groove pitches for them.
Post All-Star game JJ looks like a guy afraid to pitch. It’s boring watching him pitch he takes so long between pitches. Last night McCann would call for something down and away and it would be up and in. I could understand that if you were a flame thrower, wild in the zone, but JJ has become a precision pitcher, ala a Greg Maddux, and to miss your spot by a foot and a half, I don’t know, something isn’t right. Maybe he comes out next time and shuts whoever down and if he does feel free to refer back to this article and rub my nose in it. But I’m telling ya, he doesn’t have the same stuff.
beekay
August 31st, 2011
9:52 am
Thanks Lew…that rule stinks. Should go by record….I though that was only for football like when the seahawks got to host the saints last year. I guess we have nothing to play for then.