It’s the Phils standing between Braves and wild card
(Staff writer Carroll Rogers is filling in for David O’Brien today.)
So here it is: a three-game series against the Phillies to determine if the Braves make the playoffs. Just like last year, only minus the emotion of coming to the end of Bobby Cox’s managerial tenure.
It’s hard to gauge the emotion of this team right now – for starters, since I wasn’t on the road with them for the
It's Lee.....
past seven days – but some nerves, maybe a twinge of doubt or just plain frustration is creeping in now. I saw frustration in the face of Michael Bourn yesterday when he lined out to the second base with runners second and third in the fifth inning of the 3-0 loss.
Safe to say, for the next three days we’ll see what these Braves are made of and if they can put aside any frustrations or concerns, and show some fight.
In some ways, you might say, this Braves team has played some of its best baseball against the toughest opponents. Last weekend, believe it or not, was a fair example, if you ask me. They beat Stephen Strasburg, then lost to Chien-Ming Wang and Ross Detwiler.
The Braves will have a chance to put it to the test tonight because you’ve got rookie Randall Delgado going up against Cliff Lee, with the wild card lead at stake.
It’s one game, as you know, and if the Braves lose tonight and the Cardinals win in Houston, the Braves will find company for the wild card lead for the first time since June 19 when they were tied with the Cardinals and Brewers at 40-33. The Braves have held sole possession of the wild card lead since June 20.
The Braves have won three of the four games when they’ve faced Lee this year: they got six runs in 3 1/3 innings off him in a 6-3 win on April 8 at Turner Field, Derek Lowe out-dueled him in a 5-0 Braves win on May 6 at Citizens Bank Park, despite 16 strikeouts from Lee that night, and then on July 9 in Philadelphia Tommy Hanson dueled Lee for seven innings, each allowed a run, before the Braves put up a three-run 11th (Brian McCann hit a two-run homer) to win 4-1.
The lone exception was an emphatic one, when Lee pitched a complete game shutout against the Braves on Sept. 5, in a 9-0 Phillies win.
The Phillies have won nine of Lee’s past 10 starts dating back to July 25, while he’s gone 7-1 with a 1.13 ERA. His one loss was his last outing against the Nationals, when he gave up three runs (two earned) on 11 hits in seven innings of a 3-0 loss to the Nationals.
Both Lee and Roy Oswalt on Tuesday night figure to be on a fairly short leash. Roy Halladay was pulled after 77 pitches (and six innings) yesterday in New York. Still, 75-80 pitches might get Lee pretty deep into the game. He needed only 100 pitches for his complete game shutout against the Braves on Sept. 5.
The last couple of years in Lee’s “tune-up” starts for the postseason, he went seven innings (allowing one earned run) last Sept. 30 against the Angels after the Rangers had clinched, and in 2009 he went 5 2/3 innings against the Astros (allowing three earned runs) after the Phillies had clinched. I’d bet he’s somewhere around five or six tonight.
The one advantage you figure the Braves might have is if the Phillies’ post-clinch letdown continues. The Phillies lost eight games in a row after they clinched a fifth consecutive NL East title against the Cardinals on Sept. 17. According to STATS, that was the longest losing streak ever for a team that had clinched since the World Series began in 1903.
Until yesterday, the Phillies has scored three runs or fewer in 15 of their previous 17 games.
But then the Phillies righted themselves yesterday with a 9-4 win over the Mets, starting all their regulars for the first time since they clinched. Both Hunter Pence (knee) and Ryan Howard (ankle) were back in the lineup. I’m guessing we’ll see them back in the starting lineup tonight too.
The Phillies are also going for their 100th win of the season and Charlie Manuel knows the Cardinals are counting on him to field competitive teams in this series.
....vs. Delgado
Look for a good sign for the Braves? The Braves have won each of Delgado’s last two starts – both against the Marlins. They should have won the one before that on Sept. 9 in St. Louis the night Craig Kimbrel blew a save in a 4-3 loss. And that’s saying something, since the Braves have won only five times in the 15 games since Sept. 9.
Delgado is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in six major league starts now this season. He’s given up one or no runs in each of his past three while going five innings each time. Course he hasn’t faced the Phillies yet either, but he held his own against the two contenders for the World Series last year in the Rangers (four runs, three earned in four innings in major league debut on June 17) and the Giants (no hit through six innings before a Cody Ross homer on Aug. 16).
I saw this statistic in the Braves notes yesterday and it’s pretty telling: rookies have accounted for 59.3 percent of the innings pitched by Braves starters in September. Wow.
Delgado will be the last rookie to start the regular season, with Lowe and Tim Hudson scheduled to finish out the series (or Hanson on Wednesday if the Braves clinch before then).
Phillies Wednesday starter
There’s been some debate about what’s going on with the Phillies starting pitcher on Wednesday; that’s because there was a change on Sunday. We were told the Phillies will make it a “bullpen” game. They are expected to start Kyle Kendrick or Joe Blanton, then the Phillies are planning to pitch Cole Hamels in relief that day, maybe two or three innings, and here’s why:
They don’t want him pitching more than a few innings because he’s going on short rest (he started on Saturday against the Mets.) They’d also like to get him a shot at 15 wins, and it’ll be easier to do that in relief since he wouldn’t have been able to get the requisite five innings as a starter.
Scoreboard watching
Braves have work cut out to hold off this guy
The Cardinals, winners of 14 of their past 18 games, are at Minute Maid Park tonight, going against the team with the worst record in baseball that has lost seven of its past 11 games. The Astros aren’t exactly bringing a whole lot of momentum into the series either, coming off a 19-3 loss to the Rockies on Sunday.
The Cardinals are 8-4 against the Astros this season.
It’s Jaime Garcia for the Cardinals against Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros. Looking for some shred of something to feel good about? Garcia is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA in four career starts against the Astros.
As for the home front, based on advance sales, more than 40,000 fans are expected out for tonight’s game at Turner Field. The Braves could use a good and enthusiastic crowd.
OK, Lineups and more from the ballpark shortly.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,240 comments Add your comment
DHD
September 26th, 2011
2:31 pm
Just win.
rc35
September 26th, 2011
2:32 pm
I don’t know “Who’s on first,” but I surely do hope the shortstop isn’t “I don’t care”!
phil
September 26th, 2011
2:32 pm
DOB takes the day off when it matters most….slacker.
rc35
September 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
We don’t lose anything with Carroll. She’s a major leaguer, too!
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Let’s go Braves!!!
Brian from SC
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Cliff Lee is just the type of pitcher who will feast on a Braves team that projects desperation in the batters’ box. Carroll’s point about potentially getting through a lot of innings on 75 pitches is a good one.
They have got to settle down and execute good ABs. Just got to. Do it or go home.
phil
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Nice job, Carroll, but good and enthusiastic crowds don’t mean diddly for this team….haven’t yet since our ballpark opened.
Jimmy
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Thanks Carroll! I say keep DOB in the bullpen until we clinch this thing.
DogsEatingFillies4Brekky
September 26th, 2011
2:36 pm
Time to arbitrage Braves playoff win % chances with Braves WS win % chance against some BAC 30 year bonds against the chance of rain in Timbuktu tonight…
err.. okay I put that in my calculator and got the Braves lighting up Cliff Lee like a pinball machine tonight..
Braves 7 – 3 Fillies
rc35
September 26th, 2011
2:36 pm
Like that Reds fan bellowed for 7 innings about 20 years ago at Riverfront: “SEE DE BALL! HIT DE BALL!”
Tomahawk Mafia
September 26th, 2011
2:36 pm
Consider this fan frustratingly numb about the Braves chances. Sadly, I have reached the point where I expect them to lose and I am pleasantly surprised in the rare instance where they win a game.
phil
September 26th, 2011
2:37 pm
Even a tiny bit of patience on our part and Lee is gone by the 6th inning…
I smell a complete game.
ncscoots
September 26th, 2011
2:38 pm
Wasn’t Hanson supposed to throw a bullpen yesterday? Any news from that front?
T for Texas
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
Thanks Carrol! I’m feelin’ good with a little bit o’ the Rogers Mojo going for the Braves tonight.
Babip Boone
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
“Players don’t try less without RISP and try harder with RISP.” — Shaun
And you know this how? Have you been a MLB player in a playoff race? If not, have you personally interviewed a “sufficient sample size” of players firsthand to be able to make this definitive claim?
Seems to me, sir, you are trying to pass off unsubstantiated opinion as fact. Pot, meet Kettle.
Murph
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
This is going to be a long 4.5 hours until first pitch.
T for Texas
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
Sorry Carroll, I shorted you an L.
Brave4life-1995 all over again???
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
must win
Veer
September 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
I am 80 percent sure that we will have a 1 game tie breaking playoff.
So guys lets focus on thursday.
Beachy vs Loshe
Brave New World
September 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
Braves should try to raise Lee’s pitch count… Keep fouling off…, Bourn and Prado should make sure they see 10 to 15 pitches in the first inning and that will solve it
Carroll Rogers
September 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
I’ll say, then, phil, that maybe small and unenthusiastic crowds don’t help…..
Brava
September 26th, 2011
2:41 pm
Thank you, Carroll, good read.
Good to hear the Braves are expecting a decent crowd on a Monday night. I have tickets for tomorrow’s game.
Go Braves!!!
CSpin
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
Oy.
Stinger2
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
Its so pitiful and sad. To fall so far so fast is unbelievable. I guess the Red Sox fans are at least as distraught maybe more so. Classic misery loves company.
rc35
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
If I didn’t live 4+ hours away and have to teach an 8:00 class in the morning, I’d be there. Go Braves!
Jason from Taiwan
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
Manuel will not want to face the red hot- Cardinals. That’s why he announced the Hamels will be bullpen only on Wed. Philies will try not to win and face D’back in frist round.
In addidtion, Cardinals will face 2 aces, Wandy Rodríguez and Brett Myers ,of Huston- today and Wed.
Braves still have good chance.
Shaun
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
Babip Boone, well, I don’t think it’s likely that players try harder with RISP and try less hard without RISP or vice versa. I don’t think it makes sense logically and I don’t think the evidence points to that happening. Maybe I’m naive in this regard.
But pretty much any player over the long haul is going to have similar stats with RISP as they do overall. Plus do you think a major league franchise is going to let players pass through its system who can only handle hitting with RISP or without RISP? I don’t think they do and I don’t think there are many major leaguers who have, based on the information and evidence we have.
monty
September 26th, 2011
2:43 pm
Coming down the stretch you would like to lean on the veterans who have been there and done that before. While it’s not any one person’s fault, a heavy dose of blame has to go to our vets for not showing up the past 2 weeks.
Chipper- .205 .273 .256 .529
Uggla- .205 .326 .385 .711
McCann .212 .350 .333 .683
Maybe 2 HR’s between the 3 of them.
Brava
September 26th, 2011
2:43 pm
Seems to me, sir, you are trying to pass off unsubstantiated opinion as fact. Pot, meet Kettle.
Babip Boone, meet Shaun.
Pierson Brave
September 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
Oh Billy, Billy, Billy…. this is a big one.
Boy could the team use a strong pitching performance tonight.
(with the obvious need for any hits w/ risp)
Sure hope that the home town crowd shows up tonight!
Let’s go Braves!
Jimmy
September 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
Here is what I want to see tonight:
Batters being patience at the plate and waiting on a pitch they can drive.
Hitting the ball to the right side of the infield advancing the runner to third. Productive outs.
Just hitting a Sac fly when it would plate a run.
All round effort displayed by the team. Intensity and effort.
So, I’m planning on watching the Yanks – Rays game.
Arkansas Transplant
September 26th, 2011
2:45 pm
I’d like to see the Braves acquire a prove run producer to play LF next year.
joekill
September 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
GO BRAVES we got this
Murph
September 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
Going back to Marlins payroll questions, I have no idea where I read that it would be pushing $100mil next season, but I know I read it somewhere.
Right now their payroll is listed as $56.5mil. Arbitration will likely send it higher. Add in a Pujols or Fielder at over $20mil and a couple other big names and they could easily be pushing $100mil next season.
It’ll only matter for next season as they’ll dump players in 2013, but it’s going to make getting to the playoffs that much more difficult for the Braves in 2012. The Marlins are already close to being competitive… yes, they are in last place but 71-88 isn’t all that bad considering the division they play in. On May 28th they were 30-20 and only 2GB before they went into a horrible tailspin that they wouldn’t recover from.
Lee in S GA
September 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
I’m glad the time has arrived and you are right Carroll Rogers, it is time to see exactly what this team is made of. It ain’t going to be easy. A win tonight is important but that has been the case lately and the bad results have outweighed the good ones in most recent games.
Eric
September 26th, 2011
2:46 pm
Gosh just win please
Shaun
September 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
Babip Boone, we have actual information that tells us that over a large sample, players hit fairly close to their overall norms when hitting with RISP. So there is no evidence to suggest they are trying harder or less hard with RISP. Regarding whether Fredi is a poor motivator, we have absolutely no evidence or reason to believe it. Criticize Fredi for what he clearly deserves to be criticized for, instead of guessing as to whether he’s a poor motivator.
flange1
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
Thanks for the new blog CR!
Kick some butt today Braves!
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
Arb is going to double thier payroll? Wow. Then maybe they do get close to $100million next year.
I think they have 45 million in guaranteed money. Six players first year arbitration eligible: Emilio Bonafacio, Chris Volstad, Chris Coghlan, Brian Sanches, John Baker, Donnie Murphy. Two players that are second year eligible: Edward Mujica and Burke Badenhop. Two players that are fourth year arbitration eligible: Anibal Sanchez and Leo Nunez. I think they non tender Nunez after this mess, but the totals of all of these guys should propel it above 70 million. Even if they non tender Murphy, Sanhes, Badenhop, it’s still hefty because of Anibal, Mujica, and Bonafacio.
southern hope
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
I was mulling this over earlier:
On paper, the Cards look like they will win. They’re playing their final 3 games against the worst team in baseball. And we’re playing the best team in baseball.
And emotionally, the Cards look like winners. They’re playing great baseball. We’re playing crappy baseball.
But baseball is truly truly odd….anything can happen….on Thursday morning, I can honestly say that I have no idea where we (or Boston) will be standing.
Brave4life-1995 all over again???
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
rc35
What class do you teach? If i may ask…..
Ward
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
Hello everyone! Let’s go get them Boy’s………Let’s Go!!!!! Braves!!!!! Let’s Go!!!!!Braves
Let’s Go!!!!! Braves!!!!!Let’s Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!Let’s Go!!!!!Braves!!!!! Let’s Go!!!!!Bravrs!!!!!Let’s Go!!!!!Braves!!!!! Let’s Go!!!!! Braves…………………….Let’s go get them……..This is my only post for today!Peace My friends………
monty
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
Joe Simpson called the HR to their catcher yesterday. Said “this guy scares me”, boom, HR.
J-Dawg
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
The Braves stand between the Braves and the Playoffs.
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
2:49 pm
I bet the Marlins field an 80 million dollar payroll in 2012.
monty
September 26th, 2011
2:50 pm
…”On any given Sunday! “- Oh, shucks, it’s not Sunday.
TennesseePaul
September 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
Thanks for the work CR.
GO BRAVES!!
TnBrian
September 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
If Lee shuts us down it’ll make things worse, if that is possible. Cannot stand the little twurp after he says luck ain’t got nothing to do with his teams success. STFU you ugly little creep. Luck plays a good part in this game and the arrogant prick knows this.
Phew … anyways. Let’s breakout tonight!
monty
September 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
“We have seen the enemy, and it is us.”
DAP
September 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
They’d also like to get him a shot at 15 wins, and it’ll be easier to do that in relief since he wouldn’t have been able to get the requisite five innings as a starter.
look at the phillies, managing to the Win stat.
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
2:51 pm
And the Marlins are one of those teams I could see giving a closer long term dollars. There are quite a few out there that will need a home: Heath Bell, K-Rod, Papelbon, Madson.
TennesseePaul
September 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
Gotta adjust for park. I know, sounds stupid, but you really should when comparing them.
Here ya go… park adjusted.
Tm__BA+_OB+_SL+_LG+_ML+
STL 108 106 108 114 112
MIL 104 101 108 109 107
ARI 100 101 106 107 105
COL 102 103 104 107 105
CIN 102 103 104 107 104
NYM 105 105 100 104 102
CHC 102 099 103 102 099
PHI 100 101 101 101 099
FLA 098 100 099 099 097
ATL 097 097 099 096 094
LAD 102 101 095 096 094
WSN 096 097 098 095 093
HOU 103 098 096 094 092
PIT 097 097 094 090 088
SFG 096 095 094 089 087
SDP 094 095 089 084 082
AV+, OB+, SL+, are park adjusted to league. LG+ is league OPS+. ML+ is major league OPS+.
Nova Scotia Steve
September 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
I need to pull myself together here…almost done work…nerves are ramping up.
ncscoots
September 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
And emotionally, the Cards look like winners.
In other words, they got “good face”?
Nittany Lion
September 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
I am looking for the Braves tonight to get the pitch count up on Lee and just make contact and put the ball in play. Sac flies would be nice, line drives to the gaps, strong ground balls to the hole. Not going up and swinging for the fences and striking out or popping out. Hit the ball where it is pitched!
DogsEatingFillies4Brekky
September 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
TN-Paul – does that table take into account the hot dog prices at each stadium ?
Nova Scotia Steve
September 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
Are these $1 tickets a poor attempt to make it feel like a play-off game at The Ted????
lexbrave
September 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
Veer, I admire your optimism cause I’m about 85% sure Wednesday will be our last game of the season.
Jimmy
September 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
NSS – I tend to think it is a playoff series. We need two of the three, I would think.
Brian from SC
September 26th, 2011
2:56 pm
FWIW, Jaime Garcia is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA against Houston in his career.
leftrecursion
September 26th, 2011
2:56 pm
Just win please that’s all we’re asking, win.
Brian from SC
September 26th, 2011
2:56 pm
Jimmy…I like that mindset. This is just as much a playoff series as the one we would play this weekend should we “advance” to the next round.
Lee in S GA
September 26th, 2011
2:57 pm
I’m about 85% sure Wednesday will be our last game of the season.
—————————————————————————————————
I thinking more in terms of a 1 game play-offs with the Cardinals myself.
Jim
September 26th, 2011
2:57 pm
We hit Cliff Lee hard in the home opener this year. Let’s do it again tonight!
TennesseePaul
September 26th, 2011
2:57 pm
DogsEatingFillies4Brekky, yes. Yes it does.
lexbrave
September 26th, 2011
2:57 pm
The irony is that if the Braves somehow do get into the playoffs, their first round early exit will be blamed on the exhaustion of having to give everything they had to get there.
Patrick
September 26th, 2011
2:58 pm
what a bunch of losers, a 10 1/2 game lead GONE!
they suck
pathetic CHOKERS.
does anyone honestly believe they are going to get into the playoffs?
we play Philly
they play Houston, the worst team in baseball.
pathetic not to take care of business, just enfuriating.
and when they blow this…someone’s or multiple heads should roll!
starting with parish…what an idiotic idea (Wren) to hire a guy that’s never been a hitting instructor before. Meanwhile, one of the best in the game was out there in Don Baylor whom Wren wouldn’t committ to a 2 year deal with.
and hmm…who is Baylor with, oh yeah, Arizona…a team that NO ONE gave any chance when the season began to beat the Giants or the Rockies in the division and they have already locked up their playoff spot.
this team is a bunch of pathetic choking LOSERS!
Doug
September 26th, 2011
2:58 pm
I have been a Braves fan since they arrived in 1966. This has been the most painful of many during that span of time. Not sure if it’s age or what, but this year’s team has just about ruined my love of baseball or, at least, the Braves. Every game is like Groundhog Day from hell. I hope this is quick and merciful so we can get about the business of finding some players who don’t choke under pressure next year.
TnBrian
September 26th, 2011
2:58 pm
i dont understand why people say hitters need to see a lot of pitches and be patient. Yeah be patient if the guy is wild or has a history of wildness, but you got Cliff Lee out there. Think taking too many pitches is a good idea against him? You see a good pitch or one you feel for that split second you can drive than by all means swing the damn bat hard.
Now yesterday Bourn, Prado and CJ were to aggressive against a wild pitcher. Obviously. But just because we let a pitcher like Lee go 10-12 pitches an inning doesn’t mean we are wrong. He is throwing STRIKES so you swing. Duh!
We win tonight. I can feel it.
Jimmy
September 26th, 2011
2:58 pm
10Paul, Love you man, but please don’t post that starting 9 in last 9 games today. It’s just numbing to see those stats.
DAP
September 26th, 2011
2:58 pm
shaun I don’t think it’s likely that players try harder with RISP and try less hard without RISP or vice versa. I don’t think it makes sense logically
that is absolutely true. it doesnt make sense to change anything. if you can hit, you can hit. approach each AB the same, and your skill will do the rest.
the thing is, logic goes out the window when you deal with real people. situations can get to players sometimes, even if logically, it doesnt help them. “trying harder” might actually be the problem, not the solution.
DogsEatingFillies4Brekky
September 26th, 2011
2:59 pm
TN Paul = now if we can add in BBQ quality as well, then we would have a clear cut sense of the best offensive ball park from an eating standpoint
Murph
September 26th, 2011
2:59 pm
I don’t know if the Marlins will reach $100mil, but I can just about guarantee that they will throw enough money at one of the big big big name FA’s to get them (Pujols, Fielder, etc). You can also count on them adding a $10mil+ pitcher to their payroll.
onebravosfan
September 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
Just remember if the Stros and Bravos win tonight, the magic number becomes one…That would basically be ball game for the Cardinals…
phil
September 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
Carroll Rogers
September 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
I’ll say, then, phil, that maybe small and unenthusiastic crowds don’t help…..
****************
Agree completely….
Just aggravated for years at how loud and large crowds haven’t helped in decisive games….
Happens over in Athens repeatedly too…
Babip Boone
September 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
Shaun, at no point have I said anything whatsoever about Fredi’s ability as a motivator. You like to set up straw man arguments, I see. Definitely noticing a pattern here. Your “fact-based” posts are full of distortions, unsubstantiated opinion, and misrepresentations of counter arguments. Kinda ironic, don’t you think?
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
So a pitcher really cares about whether he gets 14 wins in a season or 15? It’s come to that?
Larry30
September 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
So Gonzalez says all these games you lose in september are big. Newsflash, Fredi; if you had just won 2 more of the games earlier in the season against the cardinals, then all this nonsense would be over. Hopefully some day we will have a manager and gm that instills a “win very game” mentality in the minds of the players. The games in april are just as big as the ones in September.
timthebrave
September 26th, 2011
3:02 pm
I still think we squeeze in but it won’t be easy. It might even take a 1 game playoff with the Cardinals. Go Braves!
phil
September 26th, 2011
3:03 pm
pathetic not to take care of business, just enfuriating.
and when they blow this…someone’s or multiple heads should roll!
PATRICK
*****************
Even worse is how you spell infuriating!
space monkey
September 26th, 2011
3:03 pm
Please don’t start Diaz. He hasn’t hit a lick since he came over. I’d rather have Heyward’s speed and ability to draw walks. And for God’s sake, Fredi, move the runners. This could be a close game. I know you were startled by a bunt as a child and don’t like them, but bunt to move the runners. There is not going to be a big inning. And McCann, do not call for a first pitch fastball against Ruiz. You might as well walk the ball out to the fence and throw it over. The effect is the same. Now play smart and show some heart.
phil
September 26th, 2011
3:04 pm
Larry30
September 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
So Gonzalez says all these games you lose in september are big. Newsflash, Fredi; if you had just won 2 more of the games earlier in the season against the cardinals, then all this nonsense would be over. Hopefully some day we will have a manager and gm that instills a “win very game” mentality in the minds of the players. The games in april are just as big as the ones in September.
***********************
Shhhhhhhh….
Many here didn’t think so back in April….
Beer Cold Hard Facts
September 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
Potential and expectations are the two dirtiest words I hear on the blog.
In the case of the Braves, a more realistic description of their assembly of players would be unrealized potential and unmet expectations.
Steve
September 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
The pitching injuries are not an excuse for the braves decline in Sept. The rookies have held up their end, the offense has died. When’s the last game that the braves had a blow out. I can’t remember one recently and only a few all year. ESPN (I hate to quote them but,) stated that major league scouts say the braves only score crooked numbers when they hit homeruns, in other words they can’t string multiple hits together, they don’t work the count or try to manufacture runs. I think sometimes managers don’t want to offend their major league caliber hitters by asking them to take walks, go to the opposite field, hit behind the runner, etc. How many times has McCann led off an inning late in a game with it being a tie or 1 run game. With the defense in the shift, just roll a bunt to the left side and get on base instead of hitting into the shift.
Jimmy
September 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
Brian from SC – I’m with you on that. 2 out of the 3 might do it. I think anything less won’t get it done.
Patrick – “does anyone honestly believe they are going to get into the playoffs? we play Philly they play Houston, the worst team in baseball.”
That’s why it will probably happen. For some reason in baseball, things don’t normally work out as they should paper-wise.
phil
September 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
You think Heyward will even get one out of the infield?
Now THAT is humor!
Done for the Season
September 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
Not even going to bother to watch tonight. Braves couldn’t win a series against my 9/10 yr old little league team right now let a lone the Phils. They had their chances the past couple weeks now it’s time for the Phils to show them the door and end this season.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
September 26th, 2011
3:06 pm
Patrick, you may not be aware of this, but I have this drinking game where I have a shot every time someone uses the word “pathetic.” I really can’t be downing three shots this early in the day!
TnBrian
September 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
Patrick, oh whatever. I never heard or read anywhere that Atlanta rejected Baylor cause he wanted a 2 year contract. That’s pure drama there. Besides, who in the world expected a team of plenty of vets and kids who are mature beyond their ages choke so bad with RISP as much as they have? I bet very few or noody would’ve predicted this. Probably need a new hitting coach just because, but blaming Wren and really even the manager is seriously reaching here.
Murph
September 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
Your “fact-based” posts are full of distortions, unsubstantiated opinion, and misrepresentations of counter arguments.
It’s a trait common in men who have experienced hair loss at an early age. In medical journals it’s referred to as the “Telly Savalas Effect”. Basically it’s a way to distract someone from looking at the facts (bald) by making them look at something else (lollipop). It’s a classic means of self psyche preservation.
ncscoots
September 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
I know you were startled by a bunt as a child and don’t like them, but bunt to move the runners.
Nobody who remembers Fredo in April and May could possible say this and mean it.
Ward
September 26th, 2011
3:08 pm
One more post: I’ll be happy to be in the play-offs,and it would be grand not to see the Cards get in again.LOLpeace my friends……..
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
3:08 pm
I’d like to see Diaz in there. I know he’s done little since getting here. But with Lee around the plate so much, might play right into Matty’s hands.
I can’t believe I’m advocating for Heyward to sit, but I am. At least until Lee is gone from the game.
flange1
September 26th, 2011
3:09 pm
Murph and Efrim,
I think this is the article that suggested a 100 million Marlins payroll.
I hav seen it elsewhere too!
They want A Rameriez, maybe a big first baseman and a starter.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/florida-marlins-might-consider-even-the-most-expensive-1876199.html?printArticle=y
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
Cliff Lee has allowed 1 ER in his past 17 IP vs. the Braves.
George
September 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
Nobody is JUST WIN.
kimbrel rocks
September 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
prediction: lee pitches complete game with only 50 pitches. braves swing at every first pitch through the first 5 innings, thereby breaking another bad record
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
3:11 pm
Here ya go… park adjusted.
10th. Makes me feel even worse!
phil
September 26th, 2011
3:11 pm
Efrim
September 26th, 2011
3:08 pm
I’d like to see Diaz in there. I know he’s done little since getting here. But with Lee around the plate so much, might play right into Matty’s hands.
I can’t believe I’m advocating for Heyward to sit, but I am. At least until Lee is gone from the game.
****************
Wow.
Snotboogie
September 26th, 2011
3:11 pm
I’d like to see Diaz in there. I know he’s done little since getting here. But with Lee around the plate so much, might play right into Matty’s hands.
Matty against Cliff Lee: .357/.400/.571 with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 15 PA.