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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,199 comments Add your comment
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
9:51 am
Random, I am sure that you get your stats from the same place. ERA stats are not whack, they were meant to be cumulative (Apr-May) to show overall improvement…It was really the other individual game stats that were the point, to refute the “you never know what you are going to get out of Delgado.” crowd. Frankly, he has been fairly consistent, even with that last start.
But he still sucks.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
9:52 am
There’s a fellow who plays CF and leads off that might disagree with that…
that’s another problem with this team, players don’t know their roles. lead off hitter should be getting on base, which is mostest important thing, than hitting meaningless homers and leaving bases empty, killing any chance of a rally. fire FG if he doesn’t pull Bourn today to “send a message”…
btw, statement “keeping-series-alive” game today, absolute must-win
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
We will have SOME money to spend during the off season…even after the increases to several players. Of course, we will have to fill some holes with somebody. That should still leave enough for one or so big salaries. So, do we spend it on McCann, Bourn, Wright, and ace….it’s a real puzzlement.
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
Guys- Wright is not a FA this off season unless the Mets trade him this season which isn’t happening. There’s a club option for next year which they will absolutelypick up even if they can’t sign him and they can trade him next year instead. Unless the Braves offer the mets a kings ransom their best shot at Wright will be for the 2014 season. Oh yeah, and it will likely cost a few sheckles to lock him up.
Now you might be able to pry A-Rod from the Yankees if you split his salary with them. {:
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
Anders – Maybe it is more than that. Stranger things have been known to happen and I’ve always liked Wright and was surpirsed at his drop off the past coupe of years – attributed that to health issues.
But can player turn it on like that? As often as players have career years in walk years? Yeah, I think it happens all the time.
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
Today a “must win” game? Really? REALLY?
Only a must if you mean to prevent losing this one series.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
Back… to back… to back…
If you’re a one-trick pony you’d better have a damn good trick.
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
9:57 am
Every win within the division is more of a “must win” than tonight and tomorrow.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
9:58 am
fire FG if he doesn’t pull Bourn today to “send a message”…
Wait… are you serious? Really?
I’ve read a lot of dumb stuff on here, but I think, if you’re being serious, you just took the cake.
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
9:58 am
Today a “must win” game? Really? REALLY?
No, no, no…
It’s a Statement Game!
abeeewright
May 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
Today’s game is a must win if the Braves are going to avoid losing the series and avoid a losing road trip.
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
Took the cake. There used to be days here when he would have taken the pie.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:00 am
i knew obvious sarcasm was too tough to detect for some people here
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
10:01 am
You’re gonna need a bigger boat Cricket.
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
10:01 am
You’re gonna need a bigger boat Cricket.
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
10:02 am
Did I just stutter?
phil
May 23rd, 2012
10:03 am
Lew – I think your 9:23 is spot on. Very good point and might be a turning point for Minor this year. His outing was better than the three before it, 4 moonshot homers or not.
A hitter’s ballpark….why aren’t we jacking homers left and right too then, aside from Bourn? I hate using excuses for our pitching like that when we face the exact same conditions and aren’t taking advantage of them.
That said, yeah, if we get swept, the world won’t stop turning, but I don’t expect this team to let that happen if it’s as good as we think/hope it is. Time to go out tonight and win the game.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:03 am
It’s a Statement Game!
had it covered. it’s a statement, must-win, “all games are important”, “kinda game cost us playoffs last year”, “kool-aid drinkers don’t just don’t get how important game it is” game
Jimmy
May 23rd, 2012
10:04 am
I’m not going to bash Minor or Beachy. They both pitched well enough to win.
The offense needs to wake up. 8 hits in the two games.
phil
May 23rd, 2012
10:07 am
LOL at “must win” game….
It IS a game that I would like to win before any doubt starts creeping back into the collective heads in the dugout.
Aside from Wayward, I mean. I’m not positive his head is even in the game offensively about half the time. But that is up from a quarter of the time last season!
TennesseePaul
May 23rd, 2012
10:10 am
I enjoyed it cricket. Made me laugh.
Not a bad game last night. It was close. Fun to watch. Would have liked the win, but c’est la vie.
I’m thinking Freeman is going to be a little bit more thoughtful on his next attempt to stretch a single into a double. Seems like this series the team has been a bit over aggressive in that area.
Hope Chipper gets in there today.
GO BRAVES!!
space monkey
May 23rd, 2012
10:12 am
We need to get out of Cincy before our guy start upper-cutting all their swings like the Reds do. That only works in this park, elsewhere it’s a sure out.
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
10:17 am
Yeah, Heyward needs to work on the up and in 100mph fastball…Just unacceptable that he can’t adjust.
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
10:20 am
cricket – I get it. Often my facetiousness is misunderstood. Hard to pick up on intent (even if “obvious”) sometimes in the written word. This is especially true when so many whiners are really serious with their absurd comments.
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
10:21 am
Ease –
again.
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
10:26 am
Actually, I’d have been happy if Heyward had hit the one right down the center of home plate that he struck out on his las AB.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:31 am
i blame heyward’s beard
unbelievable
May 23rd, 2012
10:31 am
should be getting on base, which is mostest important thing, than hitting meaningless homers and leaving bases empty, killing any chance of a rally – cricket”
Serious? You win ballgames by scoring runs, not by getting singles and being left on base.
CrαZy
May 23rd, 2012
10:33 am
Release Minor
Reason why you should only make baseball decisions in video games and fantasy baseball.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
10:36 am
Reason why you should only make baseball decisions in video games and fantasy baseball.
As much as I’m not a big Minor fan, I wouldn’t even release him in a video game. I’d at least try to get something for him.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:37 am
anyone feeling blue, head on over to philly.com and check out their blogs…enemy’s misery is bound to bring some silver lining
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
10:39 am
Poppycosh! You win ballgames by having a better WAR than the other team…
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:39 am
unbelievable May 23rd, 2012 10:31 am
Serious?
obviously not but i think i realize that if i had any interest in it, i would be a pretty good troll
David O'Brien
May 23rd, 2012
10:40 am
Braves have hit .165 with 8 runs in their past 4 games, including 3 losses. They’re 4-5 with 31 runs in past 9 games.
Arkansas Transplant
May 23rd, 2012
10:42 am
Hard to fault Heyward’s OBP, but I don’t think walks are exactly what we’re looking for from him.. maybe a little more run production…. that would be nice.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:46 am
Poppycosh
we have inducted new one yesterday thanks to peter king – bollocks!!
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
10:48 am
cricket- I doubt the tenor on that Philly blog was much different when the Phils were on top of the world. That “City Of Brotherly Love” is one tough town.
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
10:48 am
Prediction;
Big Red Will Get Slapped Around Tonight! You can Take That Prediction to The Bank.
And Doube The Money by saying that in I can taste us winning the the last 2 games of the Series
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
10:51 am
That “City Of Brotherly Love” is one tough town.
I believe that Pride is coming up, so we’ll see how tough they are then…
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
10:51 am
David O’Brien
“Braves have hit .165 with 8 runs in their past 4 games, including 3 losses. They’re 4-5 with 31 runs in past 9 games.”
Thats telling because we have gone against some damn good Pitchers, but its still inexcusible in that we can’t hit at the Great American SmallPark!
What happened to the 6-7 at bat rallies that we were doing in Colorado and the Louie? All we are doing is hitting solo homers now, reminds me of last season
ncscoots
May 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
Braves have hit .165 with 8 runs in their past 4 games, including 3 losses. They’re 4-5 with 31 runs in past 9 games.
That offensive slump has a lot more to do with things than Minor or Delgado or any other starter, for that matter. They’ve hit a little slump. And everyone knows that a 10-game slump completely negates the offensive surge of the other 30 games. In other words, the previous 30 games mean nothing, only the last ten are truly indicative of the offense.
If this weren’t self-evident, why, you only need to read the posts in this forum to be fully informed of the fact, LOL.
David O'Brien
May 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
He’d been 1-for-17 over four games before his 2-homer game Tuesday, but Bourn is now 18-for-54 (.333) with six extra-base hits (three homers), six RBIs, a .345 OBP and .574 slugging percentage (.919 OPS) in his past 12 games, including four 3-hit games.
cricket
May 23rd, 2012
10:53 am
All we are doing is hitting solo homers now
may be that’s because only our lead off hitter is belting homers
Arkansas Transplant
May 23rd, 2012
10:54 am
Tomahawkin, good pitching? Leake was one of those pitchers.
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
10:54 am
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
9:56 am
[Today a “must win” game? Really? REALLY?]
“Only a must if you mean to prevent losing this one series.”
I’m Glad Y’all got me started on that because we have a HUGE, I mean HUGE “Statement Series” This Weekend against The Curly W’s!
PrimeTime Games Throughout the Weekend as well as a Nat’l broadcast on BSPN, bet we don’t draw 30K on that Sunday night?
Get Your Popcorn Ready!
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
Arkansas Transplant
“Tomahawkin, good pitching? Leake was one of those pitchers.”
I’m giving Leak Credit for that night, He was flat out Ballin
He would’ve made our 2003 Squad look bad
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
Not that it’s the same situation, not yet, but I have some of the feelings of Francoeur to Heyward. Hyped through the roof and people keep waiting and waiting for them to show up. He’s 22 though.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
may be that’s because only our lead off hitter is belting homers
How many times did he actually lead off the inning yesterday?
Once that I know of for sure…
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
This is our first mini-rut we have had, so I’m not one to Btch right now…Its when we get Clowned late in the Season by teams like the Nats and Phillies that Chaps My (Exepletive)
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
10:58 am
Statement Series! I Just Love Those! Count Me In!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
10:59 am
Thats sad we have trouble winning without Chipper in there. What are they going to do next year and the following ones to follow?
Tomahawkin
May 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
Ease
“Statement Series! I Just Love Those! Count Me In!”
Matt Chernoff is hyping up this weekend series as well..He wants To Go All Out!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
I’ll fill in your “expletive”, Tomhawkin … “narrow yellow ass”. That right?
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
Thawkin – No doubt the Washington series, though not “must win”, is much more important than the Reds series.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
11:03 am
Over his past 15 games Heyward has walked 3 times while striking out 19 times, including one game with 3 K’s (last night) and another with 4 K’s (in St Louis).
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:04 am
Simpson is probably right that they’re starting to tire in this grueling games played. Plus all the road games. We have no way of knowing what it’s like for these players traveling like they do and whatever else is going on. Especially the everyday guys like Freeman, Uggla, Heyward, Bourn and Prado. Got to be rough I would imagine.
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:06 am
“What are we going to do next year and the following ones that follow?”
Good question, even if posed in a strange manner.
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
(CTB) It’s not even Memorial Day yet and you think these world class athletes are tired already? If that’s the case then it’s going to be a long summer for your club.
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
that Chaps My (Exepletive)
Brain?
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
11:08 am
Plenty of whining here, but…real pain for fans in Philladelphia, Boston, Yankees, and Angels. Lots of fun, even if temporary, for Mets, Indians, Dodgers, Nats, and Orioles. Maybe especially for Orioles. And for us, of course, especially with the low expectations by many.
kenhotlanta
May 23rd, 2012
11:08 am
Looks like the blog last night was a nimrod convention…glad I missed it. Here’s hoping for a Braves win tonight. Go Braves!
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:09 am
Lew, yeah “following” shouldn’t have been in there. LOL
If a Terdo is in his spot I will be worried. He may be really good, but we have enough young, promising players already.
Anders
May 23rd, 2012
11:11 am
Lew- Is this club really that “Chipper-centric” still? That can’t be a good sign if they are. What about Mac/Uggla/Freeman etc ? Aren’t those your core going forward?
I think part of Wright’s resurgence is that the old guard is finally gone and even Reyes leaving has pushed him to the forefront as the clear single leader and Sr. guy on the club. He’s responded well to that. I’d expect McCann to do the same. He’s true Pro who has the respect of almost everyone in the game.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:12 am
Anders, they might be tiring, but these tired boys are still topping your team in the standings and my money is it stays that way till the end.
David O'Brien
May 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
Couch Tater — that (8:35 a.m.) made me smile. I can’t believe you found that story….
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:14 am
Anders – I don’t understand it, but the record with Chipper in the lineup is huge and without him somewhat pathetic.
And no – it’s not a good indicator of things to come, though I’m not certain how you replace an icon of his stature, who even at this age in the physical condition he’s in, is still an offensive force.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
Even though the next Mets series I won’t be looking forward to. The days of running all over them is gone I think. Pretty underrated team with the way they can hit and pitch.
ncscoots
May 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
Murph, Freeman has hit .204 over his last 15; Uggla has hit .245. The middle of the order as a whole is struggling. Only McCann is starting to come alive, in the middle. Heyward’s had a bad month, and that’s a fact, but he isn’t the only one.
Right now, the team is getting a lot of outs from 3 through 7. Even with Bourn and Prado rippin’ it, gotta have somebody to get them in. Got to have at least two of those guys (McCann/Uggla/Heyward/Freeman) going good.
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:18 am
And it ’s one reason that I fully expect a contract extension for McCann, who – after Chipper leaves – will be our veteran presence and face of the franchise. To me, it’s meaningless if his worth is exceeded by his contract going forward, because it’s not always about the numbers, but other more intangible aspects of what they bring to the ballclub.
Murph
May 23rd, 2012
11:24 am
To me, it’s meaningless if his worth is exceeded by his contract going forward, because it’s not always about the numbers, but other more intangible aspects of what they bring to the ballclub.
Shouldn’t his intangibles be helping the club when Chipper’s not in there now, though?
I worry about the leadership on this team next year and beyond. Guys like Prado do a great job of leading by example, but who is the vocal player that everyone respects, who can send a message to players when it needs to be sent?
TennesseePaul
May 23rd, 2012
11:26 am
Rader said Saturday that “eleven pitchers is definitely a possibility. If it comes down to keeping an extra pitcher or an extra hitter, I don`t know how much that last player on the bench can help you. If it comes down to Jim Abbott or Junior Noboa, who`s going to help you win more?“
“11 pitchers is definitely a possibility.” That was the debate… 10 or 11?
CrαZy
May 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
who can send a message to players when it needs to be sent?
Ahhhhh….. Gattis!!
TennesseePaul
May 23rd, 2012
11:28 am
Right now, the team is getting a lot of outs from 3 through 7
Chipper’s been out a lot lately.
CrαZy
May 23rd, 2012
11:30 am
11 pitchers is definitely a possibility.” That was the debate… 10 or 11?
Yeah…. that’s back when god made people more durable!! He must’ve outsourced all the human making jobs!!
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:31 am
Murph – Well, Chipper wasn’t nearly as vocal, nor did he take as large a leadership position while Smoltz was still with the team. Such may well be the case with Mac. But they will give him a contract extension and the reasons I just cited will be a factor.
And I also believe that Prado is extended and that it’s a third baseman they look for next year (and CFer) and not a LFer. We already have a LFer who can hit, brings a positive poutlook to the team and – as many as well as Murph have mentioned – leads by example and hits damned well.
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:32 am
Obviously, Martin does not bring a Poutlook – that’s veer and Mitchell’s job. And they do it for much less than the MLB minimum, too.
DAP
May 23rd, 2012
11:32 am
anders Is this club really that “Chipper-centric” still?
you didnt ask me, but i dont really think they are, personally. the W-L record with and without him is kind of an anomaly, bulked up by the 0-4 start where he was on the DL. this team can win without chipper in the lineup, and they have been proving that for several seasons now.
TennesseePaul
May 23rd, 2012
11:38 am
Jim Abbott was first drafted in 1985 by the Jays and then again in 1988 by the Angels was traded by the Angels to the Yanks for Russ Springer, among others. Springer last played in the majors in 2010. Of all the guys Abbott was traded for, Springer was the last to leave the majors. And Russ Springer outlasted all the guys he was traded for. When Springer retired, that was the last strand of Jim Abbott on the game.
Jamie Moyer was drafted by the Cubs in 1984.
Hillbilly
May 23rd, 2012
11:38 am
Guys like Prado do a great job of leading by example, but who is the vocal player that everyone respects, who can send a message to players when it needs to be sent?
Well Lew beat me to it, but I was going to say: I don’t think Chipper really has ever been a vocal leader-type of guy. David Ross and Eric Hinske seem to be the guys that assume that role.
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
11:40 am
People often forget about Ross and Hinske…they are more than just back-up players, they provide a veteran presence as well, and I believe would be fairly vocal about it…
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
11:43 am
Well if a point is brought up by Hillbilly and seconded by Ease…
The discussion is tabled.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 23rd, 2012
11:44 am
Enter your comments here
Hillbilly
May 23rd, 2012
11:44 am
Russ Springer outlasted all the guys he was traded for.
Yet he’s still a pr!ck. I’ve had/seen conversations with him on a hunting message board, and always seem to come away feeling that I’m just not quite worthy enough to inhabit the same webspace as him.
CrαZy
May 23rd, 2012
11:45 am
I know there’s some music lovers in here…. anyone ever checked out the website 8tracks?? I’m addicted…..
http://8tracks.com/
George
May 23rd, 2012
11:46 am
Good morning Yall
Read the post -game qoutes. I see FREDI is tipping his cap to the REDS again, wish someone would take his cap away so he would stop the sillyness, FREDI is more worried about how the other team feels about the actions if our players then he is about WINNING THE DAMN GAMES.
ncscoots
May 23rd, 2012
11:48 am
Chipper’s been out a lot lately.
Yes, it doesn’t help that, when Freeman/Uggla/Heyward are slumpy, the two guys who actually are swinging it in the middle are MIA. That’s just bad timing. When McCann was struggling early, Heyward/Freeman/Uggla were getting it done. Now, those guys have struggled some, and it’s up to McCann and Chipper to carry it until the other guys break out.
As long as Bourn or Prado (and, to a lesser extent, The Rev) are getting on base and at least a couple of guys in the middle are going good, this team will be fine, offensively.
jeffrey d
May 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
Say George, do you not like Fredi?
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
George – The Robert of Fredidom.
Ease
May 23rd, 2012
11:50 am
Goerge, I am sure Fredi gave the HR sign multiple times during the game. Only Bourn seemed to get it, so not Fredi’s fault.
CrαZy
May 23rd, 2012
11:51 am
George I’m sure he cares nothing about winning the game!!!
jeffrey d
May 23rd, 2012
11:51 am
George: Fredi as Robert: Bobby
jeffrey d
May 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
He, Lew beat me
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
No more cap tipping – just waitresses and cows.
jeffrey d
May 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
ha, not he
ncscoots
May 23rd, 2012
11:53 am
Say George, do you not like Fredi?
What gave it away?
Lew
May 23rd, 2012
11:53 am
jeffrey d – Well, great minds think alike.
raleighbravefan
May 23rd, 2012
11:54 am
Yeah, Fredi definitely doesn’t want to win these games. (roll of eyes). Moron
Moeman
May 23rd, 2012
11:55 am
Ken @11:08 – The late nite bunch are incredibly baseball ignorant, mostly whiners. Nolie, Ward and a few others have interesting things to say but J-man has taken over. J-man = “one dumb dude”.
Jimmy
May 23rd, 2012
11:55 am
“who can send a message to players when it needs to be sent?”
Apparently no one.
George
May 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
jeffrey d
May 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
Say George, do you not like Fredi?
************************************
jeffery, A honest question. Don’t you get tired of after every lose he tells the other team how good they are?