Braves are trying to fix pitching, but what of the offense?
The Braves’ pitching has been an overall disappointment and the team has been exploring all potential possibilities to improve the starting rotation, with Sunday’s signing of Ben Sheets only the first of what the team says could be a couple of starting pitchers added before the non-waiver trade deadline.
The Braves hope the no-risk signing of Sheets can help boost their starting rotation.
No one realistically expects Sheets, who’ll be 34 this month, to be the overpowering game-changing type of pitcher he was in his Milwaukee heyday. Not after two elbow surgeries in two years and after not pitching in a game for nearly two years. But according to those who watched him pitch last week at Georgia Tech, he can be an improvement over what the Braves currently have at the back end of their rotation.
First, swap him for Mike Minor or Randall Delgado, which the Braves plan to do soon after the All-Star break, as long as Sheets is healthy and looks ready after a few minor-league starts.
Then trade for another pitcher in the next four weeks, whether it’s Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, Zack Greinke (whom I still think is unlikely given the multiple prospects it’ll cost to get him and the huge contract it’ll take to re-sign him next winter) or even a Francisco Liriano. All of a sudden, the Braves’ Brandon Beachy-less rotation would look a whole lot more reliable than the current situation, which is three days where the Braves have a pretty good chance to win, then two days when they have absolutely no idea what they’ll get from the two young starters.
And for those who wonder why the Braves are interested in Minnesota lefty Liriano, given his 2-7 record, 5.40 ERA and 44 walks in 76-2/3 innings over 18 games (13 starts) this season, consider these numbers since he moved from the bullpen back into the regular rotation on May 30:
In his past seven games (all starts), he’s 2-2 with a 2.95 ERA, .170 opponents’ average and 18 walks with 46 strikeouts in 42-2/3 innings. He has five quality starts in that seven-game period, and the Twins scored no runs while he was in the two losses, and one run while he was in two of the three no-decisions.
And did we mention, he’s left-handed? Also, he’s making $5.5 million this season, which means Liriano is only owed about half of that amount for the rest of the season. The Braves can afford him. And, unlike what it might take to get a Dempster (that is, if they want the Cubs to eat part of the $6 million or so he’ll still be owed on his $14 million contract) or a Garza (he’s making $9.5 mill this season and is still under contractual control for another year), the Braves probably wouldn’t have to give up a couple of good-or-better prospects to get Liriano.
Dempster, who has a strained lat muscle and is expected back from the DL after the All-Star break, also makes sense for the Braves because of his experience and clubhouse reputation, which Braves GM Frank Wren and manager Fredi Gonzalez both know from their days in the Marlins organization when Dempster was coming up with Florida.
• But about the hitting: OK, so the pitching is one disappointing area the Braves are trying to improve. But what about the offense? Specifically, the Braves’ continued inconsistency with runners in scoring position. (And actually, that’s not accurate in that they are pretty consistent in that area lately – consistently bad.)
The Braves are now tied for 24th in majors with a .235 batting average with RISP, and their .681 OPS with RISP is 25th, ahead of only the Marlins, Cubs, Royals, Giants and Padres.
Can the Braves just stick with what they have and expect it all to come together in the second half? So far, they’ve only had the one early season stretch where most of their hitters were healthy and productive at the same time. And lately, the RISP thing has been particularly costly given the pitching woes and the early deficits the team has faced in many games.
Tough to come from behind when you waste so many scoring opportunities. (Not to mention when you can’t count on the bullpen to be the lock-down, majors-best unit it was last season.)
The Braves have lost three of their past four games, and in those three losses here’s what they did with RISP: 1-for-8 in Sunday’s 8-4 loss to Washington, 2-for-10 in Friday’s 5-4 loss to Washington, and 0-for-8 in Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Arizona.
No Brave has hit above .292 with runners in scoring position this season, and the three Braves with the most RISP at-bats are all at .236 or below: Dan Uggla (.236, 17-for-72), Freddie Freeman (.211, 16-for-76) and Brian McCann (.179, 12-for-67)
The Brave with the fourth-most at-bats with RISP is leadoff man Michael Bourn, who’s tied for team lead with a .292 average (19-for-65) in those situations.
BRAVES LINEUP Monday
- Bourn CF
- Prado LF
- Heyward RF
- Jones 3B
- Freeman 1B
- Uggla 2B
- McCann C
- Simmons SS
- Hanson P
• Home-field advantage? So much for the notion that plus-100 temperatures might give the Braves a home-field advantage. But then, anyone who’s been to D.C. during a heatwave knows that the Nationals have played in more uncomfortable conditions than this weekend, when it was absurdly hot (106 degrees Saturday, 104 on Sunday) but not nearly as humid as it usually is during the summer here in Atlanta or Washington.
And so the Braves’ odd home/road disparity continues. Now granted, it’s only a half-season, and we’ve seen these sort of things turn around suddenly, without warning. And we really have no explanation for why this particular Braves team would play so much better on the road, where in the recent past they’ve had seasons where they ranked among the majors’ best home teams and struggled on the road.
That said, here are the numbers so far, and note how they reversed after the first few games at home and on the road:
The Braves swept their three-game opening home series against Milwaukee, but since then they’ve gone 15-20 with a 4.50 ERA and 155 runs in 35 home games (4.4 runs per game).
The Braves lost the first four games on the road to start the season, but since then they’ve gone 23-13 with a 3.56 ERA and 173 runs in 36 games (4.8 runs per game).
The Braves are 4-9 with a .258 batting average and 4.15 ERA in their past 13 home games, and 7-3 with a .276 average and 3.41 ERA in their past 10 road games.
For the season, the Braves are 18-20 with a 4.43 ERA at Turner Field, and 23-17 with a 3.67 ERA on the road.
The only NL East team with a worse home record than Atlanta is Philadelphia (17-24), while the only division team with a better home record than Atlanta is Washington (20-14).
• Hudson vs. Nats: Tim Hudson has faced the Nationals twice this season, and in both games they scored four runs in the top of the first inning. The Nationals went on to win 7-4 in the May 25 game, and won 8-4 on Sunday when Huddy again got rocked by the visiting Nats in the opening frame.
“For the second time in a row they ambushed Huddy early,” Chipper Jones said after Sunday’s loss. “They did it to him the last time they were in town, and today was just like his first inning the last time. We’ve got to get that ironed out, because that team’s in first place for a reason – they’ve got really good lock-down starting pitching. They’ve got a real good back end to the bullpen. It’s tough to string stuff together against them.
For the second time in two starts against the Nationals this season, Hudson gave up four runs in the first inning.
“I thought we did a good job once again of seeing a lot of pitches from their starter and getting him knocked out of the game early. But when you fall down early and then you make mistakes late in the game to give up a couple of runs late, it takes a lot of the wind out of your sails.”
The Braves got within 6-4 on Sunday after Freeman’s three-run homer in the sixth inning, but Jonny Venters stumbled again in the two-run eighth inning.
Since May 1, Venters has a 6.14 ERA and .348 opponents’ average in 29 appearances, with 32 hits, 17 runs (15 earned) and 12 walks allowed in 22 innings.
With Hudson, the odd thing is that his 0-2 record and 8.53 ERA in two starts against the Nationals this season comes against one of the teams he dominated for most of his career. Before this season, he was 14-3 with a 2.05 ERA in 23 starts against Washington.
• Catching oddity: Speaking of strange numbers, get a lot of the day/night splits for Braves catchers McCann and David Ross.
In 15 day games, McCann is a team-worst 4-for-49 (.082) with one homer, two RBIs, .291 OPS.
In 12 day games, Ross is team-best 14-for-39 (.359) with two homers, four RBIs, .996 OPS.
In 47 night games, McCann is 49-for-185 (.265) with eight homers, 33 RBIs, .782 OPS.
In 15 night games, Ross is a team-worst 6-for-33 (.182) with one homer, three RBIs, .553 OPS.
• Etc.
Freeman has hit .323 (21-for-65) with 12 RBIs, .366 OBP and .477 slugging in 18 games since June 5, including .378 (14-for-37) with two homers, .622 slugging and 10 RBIs in his past 10 games, and .476 (10-for-21) with six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak….
Chipper has hit .357 (10-for-28) with four doubles, one homer, five RBIs, six walks and .471 OBP during a six-game hitting streak….
Uggla has hit .208 with four homers, 46 strikeouts and a .358 slugging percentage in 120 at-bats (37 games) at home, and .252 with seven homers, 46 K, .450 slugging in 151 at-bats (40 games) on the road…
Uggla with 2 strikes: .116 (17-for-147) with four homers, 30 walks, 92 strikeouts. Uggla in day games: .200 (16-for-80) with four homers, 16 walks, 27 K, .340 OBP…
The Braves are 10-14 with a 4.50 ERA in day games, and 31-23 with a 3.86 ERA at night.
• Let’s close with “And it Shook Me” from the great Graham Parker, which you can hear by clicking here.
“AND IT SHOOK ME” by Graham Parker
And it shook me, it shook me up, it shook me up, yeah
I remember the way you looked when we first met
There are some things in this world you can`t forget
You were standing underneath the light I lost my heart, It felt all right
And it shook me, and I’m still shaking now.
I remember rainy nights I thought I`d drown
Was it London New York Paris or Amsterdam
I forget the details no I must admit But you were there through all of it
And it shook me, and I’m still shaking now.
Will you hold on and hope our grip don’t fail
Sometimes lovers hammer in their own coffin nails
I just read how universes start, continually they blow apart
And it shook me and I’m still shaking now.
Some believe in a heaven up above
With a God that forgives all with his great love
Well I forgive you if you forgive me, hey! Who needs the third party anyway
And it shook me and I`m still shaking now.
– David O’Brien, Braves/MIB blog
2,027 comments Add your comment
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
3:02 pm
1st
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
how come that box flashes red all da time…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:03 pm
And you know, the Braves have that first round pitcher read for them in either Signable or Polished….
Garza would cost more, but I think a deal centered around Mike Minor would work. We can add in a couple other prospects so we can get Kameron Loe and finish the comp for Greinke. 2 months of Greinke isn’t going ot get you a ton, Brewers have to know this….
Nate from State
July 2nd, 2012
3:04 pm
I’ll repost this from earlier blog:
Seems DOB is leaning towards Liriano while Bowman is pumping Grienke like no tomorrow. Given the money and prospects it would take to get Grienke, and knowing how the Braves tend to operate post-Texiera trade, I’m going with Liriano.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
I’d trade anyone in the farm system except for Teheran at this point.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:06 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!
Ease
July 2nd, 2012
3:07 pm
Hopefully if he’s deserving, there are enough voters that understand position scarcity and understand how to properly evaluate defense (beyond fielding percentage and errors).
Because the BBWAA has nothing better to do…
Zac in Tempe
July 2nd, 2012
3:07 pm
I just hope they don’t trade for Hamels. I just know that a couple of the prospects would come back to haunt the Braves for years to come.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:07 pm
I think Greinke is very unlikely. I have huge doubts about Liriano being effective the rest of the season. Garza and Dempster are safer more than likely depending on whether they want a guy another season
Zac in Tempe
July 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
Also, that guy’s the worst
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:08 pm
No rookie of the year has ever won the award based on defense. If so Freeman should have beat out Kimbrel, eh?
Timothy
July 2nd, 2012
3:09 pm
Are you trying to say that hitting with RISP is a skill? The fact that their hits don’t come at the right time doesn’t mean they need an offensive upgrade. Who would you replace? There is literally no one in their lineup they need to or can upgrade from.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
Freeman and his middle of the pack defensive metrics? shirley you jest
George T
July 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
This is a fine middle of the pack Major league Baseball team with a group of very nice, average, ballplayers led by very nice, no leadership skills management both on and off the field. As Andy told Gomer when he and Barney arranged a date with Thelma Lou’s cousin “just don’t expect too much”
I have been a Braves fan since 1965 when the move South was announced and will be a Brave’s fan until I move to that Great ballyard in the sky but…I am also a realist.
Ease
July 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
Stellar work DOB…(disclaimer to follow)
As usual.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
I’m here. Thanks DOB!
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
I think DOB believes that to be a repeatable skill indeed
space monkey
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
We scored four times yesterday. That means we could have won with a quality start. The pitching is clearly the problem, not the offense. Four runs should be enough to win any well-pitched game.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
“Freeman and his middle of the pack defensive metrics?”
Love those metrics.
If they can’t see that Freeman is a top 5 defensive 1st baseman, than they might want to fix those…
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
3:11 pm
Hopefully the Monday losing streak ends today, it’s gotta right?
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
“We scored four times yesterday. That means we could have won with a quality start”
No team has ever won a game by scoring 4 runs, if they have already given up 4 runs in the top of the 1st.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
great glove, gives up too many hits from lack of range when compared to other great gloves with good range
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
Trap Series Against the AAA Iowa Cubs, Must Take 3 out of 4, No Excuses if we go 1-3…
Matt Chernoff was On Point in that he Claims that All our pitching prospects are on the Table…And he is Questioning Fredi in what the Hell is he Doing with MED’s now that he just signed Sheets…
Med Should be starting after the all star Break!
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:14 pm
I thought we are playing the Illinois Cubs
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
B-Macc is hitting 7th today
About damn Time Fredi, Fans on here have been calling that to happen for the last Month!
Heisenberg
July 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
Just now saw the blog yesterday about Simmons and the ROY award. For those keeping score at home, I was on this bandwagon after his first week up and most on these blogs dismissed my opinion. Maybe now that a “professional” blogger has gotten on board, the rest of you can get on board as well.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:15 pm
he’ll keep Meds in the pen where he should be if sheets works at all
archie
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
Glad to see McCann batting 7th tonight, would much rather see Freeman in the cleanup spot. Chipper is not a 3-4 hitter any more. I’m old enough to remember Eddie Matthews in the late 60s. Much like Chipper, he hung around too long. Eddie couldn’t run or field the last couple of years. Chipper still has a few singles left in his bat, but the rest of his game is gone. Sad to see.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
depends on who the “professional” blogger is, but I kinda doubt it picks up much steam for another 6 weeks at best
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
“gives up too many hits from lack of range when compared to other great gloves with good range”
Really can’t think of any hits he has given up this year because of his range.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
My Post All Star Break Rotation
Huddy
Big Red
Double J
Little Big Man MED’s
Sheets
Money Mike Minor’s Next 2 starts will determine a lot on what happens to him the rest of the season, Ditto for Delgado
This Team is too Talented on Paper to be 41-37…I’m still taking it to Vegas that The Braves go 92-70
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:18 pm
The Braves can’t fix their performance with RISP. It’s just bad timing and has little to do with some distinct skill or lack thereof to hit with RISP. There’s not really an open spot, except for a bench bat that can play leftfield and/or thirdbase. The only weak spot in the everyday lineup so far has been McCann, and you figure he’ll get better. It’s possible shortstop becomes an offensive hole at some point but there are no signs so far and Simmons is going to save so many runs defensively that, even if he stops hitting, it will be worth playing him everyday. You can’t fix bad timing. You just have to hope that things start to even out some.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:18 pm
What’s the lineup?
Ease
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
I thought we are playing the Illinois Cubs
And I thought it was the Chicago Little Bears.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
Heisenberg
“Just now saw the blog yesterday about Simmons and the ROY award. For those keeping score at home, I was on this bandwagon after his first week up and most on these blogs dismissed my opinion. Maybe now that a “professional” blogger has gotten on board, the rest of you can get on board as well.”
Welcome To the Party “Professional Blogger” Can You Take me under your wing? I need Help Learning the fine arts of the Game!
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
1. Michael Bourn (L) CF
2. Martin Prado (R) LF
3. Jason Heyward (L) RF
4. Chipper Jones (S) 3B
5. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
6. Dan Uggla (R) 2B
7. Brian McCann (L) C
8. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
9. Tommy Hanson (R) P
flange1
July 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
Does anyone care what Matt Chernoff has to say?
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
I can, the video guys obviously can
the +/- leader board now at first
Adrian Gonzalez +12
Mark Teixeira +9
Albert Pujols +8
Gaby Sanchez +8
Daric Barton +7
James Loney +5
Logan Morrison +4
Justin Smoak +3
Brandon Belt +3
Joey Votto +3
phil
July 2nd, 2012
3:21 pm
Fire FW!!
Fastball
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Finally someone sees that Wren needs to go. ….and take Fredi with him. Goodbye.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
BREAKING
Fran Wren will be on the Chuck and Chernoff Show @430PM EST to Discuss Trade possibilities. Surely He is Pd off at the play of this collection of Stiffs
Catch The Interview streaming live @680thefan.com
Ease
July 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Why?
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
Fire the “Professional Blogger”
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
Matt Chernoff?
That sounds like a commie name. Someone sic McCarthy on his butt
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
you don’t expect Frank to say much of actual substance do you?
Heisenberg
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
I am not the “Professional Blogger”. He is the one with the photo at the top. But still plenty of room about the Simmons ROY bus.
And on the topic of the subject du jour, I thought Minor was already on a start-by-start basis. So I guess he has at least earned 1 more start.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
like cheap vodka
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Freeman lacks the range to be one of the best defensive firstbasemen. It’s not possible to simply adjust the measures of his range simply because people want him to be a great defensive firstbaseman. His range is what it is. If you don’t trust actual measures of his range, it’s not those metrics that need to be adjusted. It’s your views of Freeman’s range that need to be adjusted. He’s a solid defensive firstbaseman but he’s simply not one of the best.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
@Fastball
“Finally someone sees that Wren needs to go. ….and take Fredi with him. Goodbye.”
I’m not a Blind Homer as most on here are aware of but, Wren has done a A- job during his tenure here considering the circumstances of a Limited Budget,
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
So I had jury duty, but didn’t get picked, so I have the rest of the day off
It’s storming though, so come on 6pm CST!!!!
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Chipper still has a few singles left in his bat, but the rest of his game is gone. Sad to see.
Yes, as was clearly evidenced by the 400 foot homerun the other night and the double yesterday.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
in baseball anything is impossible, even the impossible
phil
July 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Frank isn’t going to say one meaningful thing in that stupid interview…..
Why would anyone think he is going to?
“We’re doing well. We’re doing great! Stop the hate!”
That’s basically gonna be it.
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Nolie – well, as much as I tend to agree with you about Greinke…I would much rather perfer him over Garza and Dempster
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
anything is possible, even the impossible …sheeeesh
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
Where are the Bandwagon Cubs Fans At…They Used to Turn Turner Field into Wrigley Field South, I wonder if that will hold true tonight, having known a few Frontrunning Cubs fans
least of the east
July 2nd, 2012
3:27 pm
if they knew how to draft, there wouldn’t be a pitching problem. Harrison and Diamond would help now wouldn’t they ?
when you draft mostly pitchers at top the the draft and miss, then there are few position players who you get to help. end result is 0 for both.
intl free agent period started today. BA shows many of their top 20 signed already. Braves have yet to sign anyone yet . what a surprise !
need new owner, new GM and new mgr.
aside from pitching and offense, Braves are just fine. defense isn’t that great either actually.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
sure Frank, he’s a better pitcher. just less likely imo
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Frank Wren is MORE predictable than a post-game with Fredi or Bobby.
“We’re looking for starting pitching…ya-ya…”
“Looking to improve the team in whatever way possible…”
“Yes of course we have the money to spend” (translation: we just aren’t going to spend it, therefore we don’t really have the money.)
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
S/O To Frank From KS
Whats Up Bro? I haven’t seen you on here in a Gripp!
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
T – Wren is NOT the problem, it’s that guy in the dugout, that has manager on the back of his uniform…namely, Fredi…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
B-Macc is hitting 7th today
Why not 9th?????
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
if they knew how to draft, there wouldn’t be a pitching problem. Harrison and Diamond would help now wouldn’t they ?…least
huh? you are bitching about their drafting and then talk about guys who could help that they are the ones who drafted them? something is missing there
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Don’t underestimate the Cubs and the ability of the Braves offense not to hit that Cy Young contending rotation. Smardija (I don’t know if that’s how you spell his name, but if it’s not I don’t feel like looking up the correct spelling) and Malholm will own this offense. Just have to hope the Braves staff can hold the Cubs to a run or two per game.
unbelievable
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Probably already addressed here today, but just came across this.
The Braves, working with diminishing payrolls, reacted with restraint to last September’s collapse, but some in the industry believe that a second straight failure to reach the postseason could jeopardize GM Frank Wren. – Rosenthal
Id say Fredi is in danger also.
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
B-Macc is hitting 7th today
Why not 9th?????
Because it decreases the chances of someone being on when Bourn bats.
shorty
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Want to fix the Braves …Fire Fredi the Fail!
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
I’ve noticed Fredi hasn’t been shagging balls or hitting BP lately…could really be effecting the Braves….
Certainly, hasn’t driven in a run yet this year, or caught a ball…
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
McCann’s BABIP is .229, 3rd lowest in the majors (minimum 250 PA). His career BABIP is .295.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
@MFin
Give Wren some Props, dude is a Shrewd Businessman….
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:32 pm
Not much here, just thought I’d come check out the blog for a change…since it’s been awhile since I’ve come on
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup vs. CHI (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Prado 7 Heyward 9 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Uggla 4 McCann 2 Simmons 6 Hanson 1
Nice. Exactly what I was hoping for vs. RHP. Chipper hitting cleanup in between Heyward and Freeman with Uggs and Mac down until they can bounce back. Actually a good lineup from Fredo tonight.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
I enjoyed the blog, DOB. Thanks
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
unbelievale – I hope Fredi is in more danger than Wren is….
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Don’t underestimate the Cubs and the ability of the Braves offense not to hit that Cy Young contending rotation. Smardija (I don’t know if that’s how you spell his name, but if it’s not I don’t feel like looking up the correct spelling) and Malholm will own this offense. Just have to hope the Braves staff can hold the Cubs to a run or two per game.
That is why this is a Trap Series! We Should have no problem beating the AAA Iowa Cubs…But I said that when the Braves went to Wrigley….
Series Like These Worry the Hell out of me, because a series loss here could make a nasty impact on weather or not we make the playoffs….
Play Every series as If its your last!
DawgDad
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
I’d be looking to unload Uggla but the possibility of getting a player back to do what Uggla SHOULD be doing in the middle of the order is remote, if not completely implausible.
Right now I’d be hitting Jones fourth, followed by Freeman, Simmons, McCann/Ross, and Uggla. If Uggla starts hitting then move him up – he is a very streaky sort, but he’s also proven capable of NOT hitting for four months at a stretch.
There’s no way I’d go all-in to win this year with the Braves salary constraints and demonstrated ability. Wren needs to be building for the future, and to do that he needs to add young talent. They’ll want to hang around in case the Nats collapse, but other teams like the Mets are going to give the Braves fits. Don’t count the Phils out; they can buy players (like Greinke).
Heisenberg
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
What really needs an upgrade is the bench. That was clear those 2 weeks when Chipper, Freeman, & BMac were all out of the lineup (but not on DL) and bench guys not named Ross were thrown into everyday roles.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .243 .295 .351 0.647 .302 ___66
Prado__ .400 .452 .629 1.081 .451 __174
Heyward .351 .375 .622 0.997 .415 __150
Chipper .313 .421 .531 0.952 .438 __143
Uggla__ .125 .263 .156 0.419 .181 ___12
Freeman .394 .447 .576 1.023 .421 __161
McCann_ .158 .179 .184 0.364 .147 ___-6
Simmons .353 .361 .559 0.920 .413 __132
Hanson_ .000 .056 .000 0.056 .038 __-84
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief. Those are some crazy stats on BMac and Ross…
Hot dang—BMac’s batting 7th?? Lordy…he hasn’t started a game in that spot since 2008, and only did it once that year (April 6th, 2008, against Johan Santana—BMac went 1-3 with a Double)…
Aye-yi-yi…
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
“This Team is too Talented on Paper to be 41-37…I’m still taking it to Vegas that The Braves go 92-70″
Not seeing this team as one that can go 51-33 the rest of the way.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
Smardzia got lit up his last time out, hopefully his confidence is a little shakey
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
kinda liking that lineup too
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
unbelievable*
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
Really? There are folks within the industry that think Frank Wren will be blamed if the Braves fail to reach the postseason this year after last season’s collapse? Let’s hope Braves’ decision makers are smarter than that. And if they do indeed decide to let Wren go, let’s hope they have someone even better in mind, because Wren has been a pretty good GM.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:35 pm
but some in the industry believe that a second straight failure to reach the postseason could jeopardize GM Frank Wren. – Rosenthal
If they miss this year and next, it’s fair to wonder on Frank. Not saying he should be replaced, but I won’t kill folks for bringing it up. All depends on the next 15 months.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:36 pm
I’m even Keeled on Fredi…
However his approval rating is slipping by the day…and studies reveal that his approval rating by the in-game bloggers shows a larger percentage of disapproval?
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Freeman lacks the range to be one of the best defensive firstbasemen
He needs to run faster. If he was a burner his range would be better. He could cover all of the right side of the field. That’s what’s needed in a first baseman anyway. Until the team gets that, just be prepared to deal with a lumbering giant doing splits over at the bag.
Bravesfan54
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Please tell me that “giving up any prospects” is completely off the table. Those who fail to learn from their mistakes, are condemned to repeat them. We are still paying the Texeira “tax” (or is that merely a “penalty”) for goodness sakes.
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
DawgDad – Uggla ain’t going no where, at least i hope not….
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
“This Team is too Talented on Paper to be 41-37…I’m still taking it to Vegas that The Braves go 92-70″—Thawkin
“Not seeing this team as one that can go 51-33 the rest of the way.”
They are talented enough to make that kind of a run…since we have not seen this team click on all cylinders yet
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
as if blogger approval means a damn thing…..
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Hello everyone! Just got back from buying a whole lot of Fire Works, and getting ready for the fourth. Oh, we are going to have some fun that night. I agree Garza, and Dempster, or Liriano would be better for the Braves in the long run. Since Prado is playing well in LF. I decided to say go get Headley for 3rd. Later on worry about Quentin, and Josh Willingham.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
My 3:29 was sarcasm, more to the McCann crowd (cough cough, you know who you are lol, no offense meant). And yes, that’s a good reason Jimmy
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Shaun, if they miss the playoffs this year, add to the team for 2013 and miss again…….
That’d be 1 playoff(wild card) appearance in 6 years at the helm for Wren.
Scuba Steve
July 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Shaun…you are an idiot…do you know how many runs Freeman saves with his scoops at first from bad throws. There is more to being a good defensive first baseman than “range”, which isn’t as bad as you say.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
Why are we Ripping Fab 5 Freddie’s Defense???
Really?
Dude saves More Throws in the Dirt than any 1st baseman I have seen…
Fab 5 Freddie’s Defense is the least of our problems
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
So, which lineup is correct, DOB’s or that tweet Ef posted.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:39 pm
Scuba Steve
“Shaun…you are an idiot…do you know how many runs Freeman saves with his scoops at first from bad throws”
ouch
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
McCann’s numbers are embarassing, so are Uggla’s but at least he has some OBP….
might need to bite the bullet and drop McCann today from my fantasy teams, he’s hurt me enough. I need RBIs and runs dammit!
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
do you know how many runs Freeman saves with his scoops at first from bad throws…scuba
there are other first baseman with just as good a glove, freeman is very good at it but he is certainly not the only one who is
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
Uggla has a .362 OBP and a .410 SLG this season; very good for a secondbaseman. I sense growing Uggla hate or at least dislike from those who think his .232 batting average means as much as his .362 OBP and .410 SLG or from those who think his performance over a small sample actually means more than who he is as a ballplayer and what he’s likely to do going forward.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
If we’re going to kill players for lack of results, General Managers have to be held to the same regard. I’m not saying it’s fair and I do think Frank Wren has been a good GM, but 1 playoff appearance in six years has to put his job into question. Again, not talking about this winter. But the following winter, he had 2012 offseason with lots of money to play with. That 2013 team better produce. Beachy or no Beachy.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
3:41 pm
I really hope that if a move is made for a SP, it isn’t for Dempster.
Yes, he’s pitched well this season… before he got hurt… but I just don’t see him being the guy to get the Braves over the hump this year (or beyond).
Garza, Greinke, and… and… well, those are really the only two names that have been mentioned that move the team forward, and you can cross Greinke off the list if he won’t negotiate.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Thanks for the blog, DOB
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
Wren needs to be building for the future, and to do that he needs to add young talent.
Yes, the team is, what, the third youngest in the league or MLB or something? I’d say adding some more youth is definitely the way to go. You bet.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
I got my lineup from the braves twitter feed. Not sure if it’s right or not.
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
3:42 pm
You’re talking about playing over .600 ball, Tomahawkin. Unless they start winning a WHOLE LOT more at home and stop throwing Minor and Delgado every fourth and fifth game, they won’t sniff 90 wins.
A sweep of the Cubs would be a step in the right direction, but if I were a betting man, I would wager that the Braves end up splitting. Been that kind of year.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
The Braves actually did make an international signing today.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
I sense growing Uggla hate or at least dislike from those who think his .232 batting average means as much as his .362 OBP and .410 SLG or from those who think his performance over a small sample actually means more than who he is as a ballplayer and what he’s likely to do going forward
Well said, Shaun
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Freeman IS great at SCOOPS, but the difference between the best at scoops and the worst at scoops isn’t enough to make up for his lack of range. He’s a top half 1st baseman in total defense, but there is no making up for the fact that he’s 6′5 250 and slow
Heisenberg
July 2nd, 2012
3:44 pm
Freeman’s range evaluation should not limited to the horizontal, his vertical range is as good as any other 1B. And there have been plenty of time it has come in handy.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Freeman’s range is okay and his ability to scoop is good but, as nolie commented, it’s probably not drastically better than many other firstbaseman, makes a minimal impact and doesn’t make up for his mediocre-or-slightly-worse range. This is just what all the data and evidence points to. I’m sorry. I wish Freeman were something like the Simmons of firstbasemen but we are not able to adjust reality to what we wish were the case.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
Good lord, as I’m writing this stuff about how the 2013 team better produce, I’m thinking to myself – easiest way to probably do that is to get pitchers that aren’t babies in the rotation – even though I’ve been against that since day one.
Ah! Oh, well. Water into Wine, Wren. You better get it done.
BuytheBravesArthurBlank
July 2nd, 2012
3:45 pm
I’m shocked at how bad B Mac is hitting. and it hasn’t even been talked about much…….
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Thanks Shaun!!! #WeDoThisForUggla
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
Well, the numbers don’t change so…
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
3:46 pm
I sense growing Uggla hate
Good catch, LOL. A month of brutal ABs tends to engender a little of that.
Hey, I’m glad he’s taking his walks and all, but the guy is hired to slug. From that standpoint, his OBP takes a backseat.
Not that I think this slump will continue, but there’s not much denying that Uggla has been horrific the last three or four weeks.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
The Braves actually did make an international signing today.
Indeed they did. Would like to see some more action though. I don’t mind if they don’t nab a Top 20 international prospect – just soend the entire 2.9 million dollar budget. That’s all I ask every summer from here on out.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
IDK, kind of agree with Shaun that you can’t fix bad hitting, you just have to hope things can balance out a bit … or by a lot in some areas. Accept that and your walls and neighbors will be a lot happier.
flange1
July 2nd, 2012
3:47 pm
Again, stop with the “we” crap.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
I’m shocked at how bad B Mac is hitting. and it hasn’t even been talked about much…….
McFann would disagree….
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
“I’m shocked at how bad B-Mac is hitting. and it hasn’t even been talked about much…”
This is true, hear a lot of Dan Uggla hate, but McCann has sucked all year, at least Uggla has had some bright spots.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
easiest way to probably do that is to get pitchers that aren’t babies in the rotation – even though I’ve been against that since day one.
I recall this past off-season scoots and I blasting the notion that the team could contend with a rookie laden rotation. Experience really matters.
Scuba Steve
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Shaun, since you played pro ball and have been around it most of your life, unlike the so called experts that say (on a daily basis) how good his defense is…I guess we will go with your #’s and bow down to your word. Oh wait….
semiballcoach
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
if ugglas brain was as big as his biceps, he’d cut down on his swing and try to hit the ball up the middle instead of pulling off everything
the bench would strengthened if they could get infante back
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:49 pm
Blue Jays, Yankees and Rays make the biggest splashes in International Free agency today. Not really a surprise, as those teams love to spend in Latin America.
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Here’s my thinking on Headley for 3rd. He ’s a solid third baseman, and can pick it. He can get on base, and has real good contact for hit, and runs, and move runners over. He would be great, and a lot cheaper to get.
PDOG
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Would like to see the Braves make a play for Hamels, Minor, Hale and the Terd might be able to get it done.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
there is no making up for the fact that he’s 6′5 250 and slow
…with a quick bat and tremendous power. You guys would throw over Miss America because of an ingrown toenail, LOL.
Freeman’s defensive range is inconsequential to his total skillset.
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Our woes with RISP keeps bringing me back to a HUGE issues I’ve always had in the Cox/Gonzalez era. We do NOT move runners over and get ‘em in.
Cost us at LEAST going to extra innings, if not the game, Friday. Take two of three from Washington this weekend, and the mood towards this team is VERY different, don”t ya think?
We get a RISP with less than 2 outs and fail to bring ‘em in with such regularity now, I literally say tho who ever’s near (or online) ‘watch as we don’t get that guy in.”
In the Cox/Gonzalez era, we sit back and wait for the key hit. Simple maths tells you, your BEST guy is only going to come through one out of three times. Better those odds by laying a bunt down and getting the guy to third with 1 out, for crying out loud.
If the coaches aren’t confident, in EVERY man’s ability on that roster, to put a bunt down, that’s a failure in coaching. It’s a baseball fundamental and we don’t do it enough.
We lost out on the playoffs, by one game, to the eventual World Series champion. Fredi’s got to stop managing like one game lost here or there won’t make a difference. When the offense is struggling, you HAVE to manufacture runs….make things happen….make the defense press or over-react. Instead, our guys stand at the dish and get mowed down or meekly ground out to kill ay notion of a rally.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
3:50 pm
Funny. I thought Uggla was hired to create runs. A .362 OBP and .410 SLG from a secondbaseman creates plenty of runs. If anything SLG takes a backseat, if we are truly talking run creation. If you want to talk about what he’s done or failed to do for the last few weeks, fine. But it’s not really a meaningful indication of who he is as a hitter and what he’s likely to be going forward.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
The Braves actually did make an international signing today.
Who? Can’t find it anywhere…
Uggs has put together more weeks of hitting than he has weeks of not hitting. It just happens that when he doesn’t hit, he really stops hitting.
4.5 Months of hitting vs. 3 months of not(2 of which came @ the beginning of last year, that won’t happen again)
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
I recall this past off-season scoots and I blasting the notion that the team could contend with a rookie laden rotation. Experience really matters.
I wanted Minor in the 5th spot. I kept saying the following:
“Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy, and Minor. Tehera, Delgado and Vizcaino in Gwinnett. Lowe on another team.”
Didn’t work out quite like I wanted…..
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
DID the Braves sign that Pitcher from Cuba?
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
PEOPLE: Get Chipper in the All-Star game. Vote: The system doens’t stop you at 25 votes. He DESERVES another trip to the Mid Summer Classic!
Why is this vent at -11?
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
“hear a lot of Dan Uggla hate, but McCann has sucked all”
I see no point in blasting either of these guys. They’re both capable players in ruts right now. I expect them to get better. And if this team hangs on all year and makes and that’s when they get hot, I’ll be just fine with it. I still think McCann will end the year with his 20+ HR and Uggla will have his 30 HR. The averages may not be there but so long as the rest of the team is hitting it won’t matter as much.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
“Our woes with RISP keeps bringing me back to a HUGE issues I’ve always had in the Cox/Gonzalez era. We do NOT move runners over and get ‘em in.”
Disagree, all the stats say this teams is MUCH improved over last years. Especially sac flys.
DawgDad
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
“Uggla has a .362 OBP and a .410 SLG this season; very good for a secondbaseman.”
(1) Uggla is paid $8.5m to hit in the middle of the lineup, specifically he’s supposed to be the big right-handed bat in the middle. Unfortunately, he doesn’t hit left-handers, he doesn’t hit consistently, and he’s not driving in the runs he should. (2) Uggla moved a legitimate all-star off second base. His defense is . . . nothing close, at best steady with limited range for a secondbaseman.
Dan is from all accounts a good guy. We can see he shows up every day and works hard. He just isn’t providing near the value the Braves pay him for, and he doesn’t have an upside at this point in his career.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
3:52 pm
#WeDoThisForUggla
Do what?
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
I’m shocked at how bad B Mac is hitting. and it hasn’t even been talked about much…….
McFann would disagree…. _ TheOnlyBravesFan
Anyone with two functioning F’in braincells would disagree. Hell, Heap gests ripped on this blog when he’s doing well.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
“Why is this vent at -11?”
Probably because no one actually looks at “Vents”
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
..and do NOT trade with the Phillies. Thank goodness we aren’t in the AL West, facing our former SS and two pitching phenoms, 18 games per season vs. the Rangers.
PDOG
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
This the best lineup I have seen all season.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
sorry but range is NEVER inconsequential to fielding. there are other guys with as good a glove who run rings around the guy
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
ncscoots
didn’t say that , was just pointing out that scoops aren’t the be all and end all of first base defense
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
ncbravesfan
“A sweep of the Cubs would be a step in the right direction, but if I were a betting man, I would wager that the Braves end up splitting. Been that kind of year.”
Agreed
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
This is true, hear a lot of Dan Uggla hate, but McCann has sucked all year, at least Uggla has had some bright spots.
But Uggla did this last year as well… Hit .233 for the year. People “forget” that Mac sucked down the stretch last year (hitting about .200 for the last 2 months), but at least he finished at .269 for the year.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:54 pm
Funny. I thought Uggla was hired to create runs. A .362 OBP and .410 SLG from a secondbaseman creates plenty of runs. If anything SLG takes a backseat
Seems you totally missed all those interviews from the players, managers, GM’s, analysts, scouts, number crunchers and everyone else when that deal went down, and again that ST, and then during his first season, and then this past off-season, and this ST and during this year.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
If you want to talk about what he’s done or failed to do for the last few weeks, fine.
Is that not what I did, numbnuts? Good grief.
Heisenberg
July 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
I would not necessarily reject Miss America over an ingrown toenail. But I would over some of the answers she would give to those questions. As a great philosopher once said, “You can’t fix stupid”.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
People “forget” that Mac sucked down the stretch last year
Wasn’t he injured “down the stretch” last year? Perhaps that’s what that DL trip was for….
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
Probably because no one actually looks at “Vents”
That doesn’t even make sense
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
People are voting it down because people don’t look at it
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
3:56 pm
sorry but range is NEVER inconsequential to fielding.
…which is why I said “to his total skillset”, not his fielding.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:57 pm
Anyone with two functioning F’in braincells would disagree. Hell, Heap gests ripped on this blog when he’s doing well.
I disagree too, just not as emphatically. I’m in my corner supporting Danny.
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
I am a huge fan of Uggla but I sure am tired of seeing him swing and miss. It seems he puts all of his power and might into ever swing not matter what the count. That’s fine early in the count or when it’s in his favor, but he needs to cut back a little with two strikes. 92Ks in 271AB means his striking out every 3rd AB and that is way too much.
Duke
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Dan will get it turned around soon. The one I’m overly worried about is Mac. It has almost been a full year of struggling for him.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan –
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/07/braves-sign-venezuelan-righthander-yeralf-torres/
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
“People are voting it down because people don’t look at it”
Idiots vote it down, intelligent people just don’t look at Vents. Thus negatively skewed.
There you go!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Wasn’t he injured “down the stretch” last year? Perhaps that’s what that DL trip was for….
Indeed, was just pointing out a reason why Danny U is more “hated”. The main point was in the season total batting averages…
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Yeralf Torres http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/07/braves-sign-venezuelan-righthander-yeralf-torres/
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
3:59 pm
sorry, guess I’m just too dense to catch the difference there scoots.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
Why are we waiting til the trade deadline, we need help NOW, remember last year, 1 game!
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
DawgDad, whether Uggla is and will be worth his contract is a separate issue from how he’s performed, who he is as a ballplayer and what he’s likely to do going forward.
I agree with you about his defense. He’s not a good defensive player.
As far as him being a big bat, he is that. There’s nothing wrong with his bat. But his batting average is going to stick out like a sore thumb to many fans, as are his recent stats over a rather small sample. But what matters is whether he’s been doing the things that lead to creating runs and whether he’s likely to do those things going forward. Over the course of this season, he’s been very good at creating runs and given who he is as a player, he’s likely to be very good going forward.
Patrick
July 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
VOTE FOR CHIPPER!!!
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
looking at Dan’s numbers, this year he has increased his BB% compared to his career avg 50% and yet K’s have only increased 20%, that’s a darn good tradeoff
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
Thanks Ef and Karl! Much obliged!
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
nolie, I just didn’t make the point very well. I know that must be it; otherwise you would have gotten it.
My fault all the way.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
Can’t believe the year Jake Peavy is having.
An absurd amount of free agent starters available this offseason. If Wren wants to add a veteran to Hudson, Hanson – he has plenty opportunity.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:03 pm
NickB: Walks and OBP are overrated. The 3-run home run yesterday was bad because Chipper and Uggla got on via the walk.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
TennesseePaul, so you’re saying Uggla wasn’t hired to create runs?
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
I heard Torres is suppose to be pretty darn good, and that’s why the Braves gobbled him up.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
tobf
the funny thing is, right now there are 100 people reading this and agreeing with you
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
that’s a darn good tradeoff
And I’d absolutely love that in a guy hitting 2 or 7. I’m slightly less enamored when it’s the 4 hitter.
I’m not rippin’ Dan Uggla, though. But I’m guessing some here might have a different version of “reasonable expectation” for ole Danny.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
What’s the latest on that other Cuban defector, another outfielder reported to be better than the one the Cubs signed for 32 million, he was suppose to have auditioned in Mexico City, Braves were bidding in the one the Cubs signed.
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
Vote for Cabs dog……..little humor
DawgDad
July 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
“Dan will get it turned around soon. The one I’m overly worried about is Mac. It has almost been a full year of struggling for him.”
I hope you’re right about Uggla, but I’m not that optimistic. McCann, though, is clearly beat up (or down, or both), and we don’t know to what extent eye problems are affecting his hitting. I give McCann more of a pass than Uggla because he’s catching. With catchers you take plus-offense as a blessing, not something to be relied upon. Uggla’s purpose is driving in runs.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
But Hamels and Greinke are going to get theres. Lots of others to choose from though, – Anibal Sanchez to Colby Lewis to Jake Peavy, etc. (Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, Hiroki Kuroda, Francisco Liriano, Kyle Lohse, Shaun Marcum, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brandon McCarthy, Roy Oswalt, Joe Saunders, Joe Blanton, Carlos Zambrano).
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:07 pm
ncscoots
shouldn’t matter where they hit, getting on base is the best skill any player can have, hitting the ball for extra bases is the second best skill a player can have, an increased amount og walks can only bode good things for Uggla
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
People “forget” that Mac sucked down the stretch last year (hitting about .200 for the last 2 months), but at least he finished at .269 for the year. _ TheOnlyBravesFan
People don’t “forget” a damn thing about Heap here, except what a rare talent he is. Damned unusual is the page on this blog that does not feature at least one comment ripping Heap for something, his weight, his hitting, his defense.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
I suppose out avoidance only matters for the guys hitting 2nd or 7th. It’s fine if the rest of the lineup decreases the team’s chances of scoring by making outs. As long as the number 2 and 7 hitters aren’t.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
What’s the latest on that other Cuban defector, another outfielder reported to be better than the one the Cubs signed for 32 million, he was suppose to have auditioned in Mexico City, Braves were bidding in the one the Cubs signed.
Yasiel Puig? Signed with the Dodgers
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120628&content_id=34081436&vkey=news_la&c_id=la
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Where the heck is Zach Parise going to sign?!?! I’ve been waiting all day. Hoping Pens. But not for the rumored 10 years, 100 million.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Freeman will always be an average defender–poor range + great hands. If he works on his plate discipline, he could be a 4-5 win player.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Ralph
Yasel Puig was his name, he signed a 7 year $42 mill deal with the Dodgers that was universally hailed as a historically bad overpay, some scouts said he was a $500,000 player
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
Payne, I’m saying your posts seem to indicate you haven’t paid one bit of attention over the last two years.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:10 pm
I’d do a trade along the lines of Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Ahmed and Perez.
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
4:11 pm
What’s that do for the confidence of Minor and Delgado that some guy who hasn’t pitched in 2 years threw against air over at Georgia Tech a couple times and people think… oh yeah he’s better than those guys of course?
a fan
July 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
do you all think the braves will pick up Bmac’s option?
Ward
July 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
All, have a good one! Hope some thing happens soon, because the Braves are just one pitcher, and one hitter away from the Post season? Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!” Talk later tonight……
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
I’m not rippin’ Dan Uggla, though. But I’m guessing some here might have a different version of “reasonable expectation” for ole Danny.
Not ripping ole Dan either, just think he needs to move down in the line up.
George Stein
July 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
Uggla hasn’t been a disaster, and lord knows I’m thrilled about the increased walk rate. However, he isn’t hitting for near the power for the Braves that he was with the Marlins. He has career .477 slugging percentage, but he was at .453 last year and .410 this year. It’s why some of us were critical of the contract (but not the trade) – players with his profile don’t age gracefully.
Mister Frisky
July 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
Great article DOB.You covered every angle.They need 2 arms and 2 professional hitters.McCann and Uggla must go.The AL is the place for them and it frees up $ for next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
People don’t “forget” a damn thing about Heap here, except what a rare talent he is
I don’t forget… Believe me, I love BMac… just pointing out what he did compared to Uggla yet Uggla receives a hell of a lot more crap…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:13 pm
do you all think the braves will pick up Bmac’s option?
Yes. Absolutely everyone believes this.
RC
July 2nd, 2012
4:14 pm
McCann’s BABIP is .229, 3rd lowest in the majors (minimum 250 PA). His career BABIP is .295.
While a large part of that might be luck, a significant portion is also likely the shifts employeed against McCann, which have gotten more widely used and extreme this season.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
It’s why some of us were critical of the contract (but not the trade) – players with his profile don’t age gracefully.
Yup. But he’ll be fine for this year and probably next. It’s 2014 and 2015 that I am scared of. But whatever, we needed the RH power for 2011-2013.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
yes , as there are no cheaper options to replace him
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
No hitter’s purpose is driving in runs. Any hitter’s purpose is to create runs. Runs will come when you have hitters who don’t make outs often compared to others and gain bases at a higher rate than others.
How can a team try to acquire players who are good at driving in runs? They really can’t because driving in runs for individual players is a result of opportunities for that individual player. All teams can do is acquire players who do things that lead to them not making outs as often as others and gaining more bases that others when they do get on base.
It’s kind of like a team trying to acquire pitchers who are good at winning. That’s not the right way to go about it because pitcher wins are a result of the pitcher’s opportunities. All 15-20-game winners aren’t equal. A team should acquire pitchers who throw the ball over the plate, with good command and who keep the ball in the ballpark.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
Dan Uggla is a three true outcomes player. Except one of the outcomes – homers – is missing this year. If he had is normal 15-18 homers at this point in the season, the AVG would be up, the OBP slightly up, and the SLG way up. And everyone would be holding hands and singing happy songs. Uggla with a .255/.375/.485 would be deadly.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
While a large part of that might be luck, a significant portion is also likely the shifts employeed against McCann, which have gotten more widely used and extreme this season.
Was thinking that same thing
What is Teixiera’s BABIP? He has not done well with the shift the last couple years.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
do you all think the braves will pick up Bmac’s option?
Ummm, yeah. For 1, we don’t have another catcher, 2nd, if he starts hitting, he’s a pretty good bargain.
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm
Given the excellent breakdown by DOB above, it’s time to take Mac and Uggla out of the middle of the order positions for a while. I know that’s where we pay them to play. I know that, but the RISP numbers might be better if they weren’t getting the opportunities so often. That, and for whatever reason the bottom of the order seems to be hot lately.
George Stein
July 2nd, 2012
4:19 pm
No doubt, Efrim.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
4:19 pm
the funny thing is, right now there are 100 people reading this and agreeing with you _ NickB
No, Nick. I don’t think so.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:19 pm
Tex’s babip has been trending down for 4 straight years.(as has his BB%)… looks like he may be truly declining as a hitter.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:20 pm
Trade and sign Greinke, first and foremost.. leaving a possible rotation of Greinke, Hudson, Hanson, JJ and Sheets/Delgado for the rest of the season. At the same time we would strengthen next years rotation with a true ace. If we could get Khris Davis also in return that would give us a possible replacement in LF after Prado moves to 3rd next season. Another must would be to acquire Willingham to fill our void in LF and bench roll whether Prado is playing LF or 3rd. Not to mention another right handed bat.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:21 pm
How can a team try to acquire players who are good at driving in runs?
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
wheras Mac’s babip has been steady for 3 years (.297, .297, .287 ) until all of a sudden it’s now .229
with his BB% only down .06 from his career avg ,that seems to point towards a really unlucky year with balls in play
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:22 pm
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
I just answered my own question, Dodgers signed him 3 days ago for 42 million
4:06 pm
What’s the latest on that other Cuban defector, another outfielder reported to be better than the one the Cubs signed for 32 million
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Dodgers-sign-Cuban-defector-Puig-to-7year-deal-02768024
WBuckATC
July 2nd, 2012
4:23 pm
We do not need to empty the minors in a trade. Elvis Andrus and Matt Harrions both are AL All Stars. Feliz is on the DL, but has put up big numbers in the past. These are just three of the players sent in the Tex deal to Texas.If a trade is made, Minor is a good place to start. I am afraid that Delgado and Teheran (although still considered top prospects) have seen their value drop this season.
Hope sheets work out and maybe Medlen maybe the other alternatice. I still wish the Braves would see What Redmond can do. Stay within the organization as much as possible before gogin outside for an answer.
Our bench does need some help.
RC
July 2nd, 2012
4:23 pm
AT,
I like your idea of trading for Grienke, although I am not sure if the prospects you named would get it done. As for signing him AND Willingham for 2013, I have no idea where the money for those deals would come from, especially when considering the the Braves will still need a CF next year (even if they resign Bourn, that’s money that can’t be paid to Grienke or Willingham).
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:24 pm
Except one of the outcomes – homers – is missing this year.
So far. He could turn that around real fast.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
RC, I do suspect shifts may have led to McCann’s struggles. Maybe it’s not necessarily just because he’s hitting in to shifts but also because he’s changing things to avoid the shifts and it’s messing with his swing. Eventually I suspect he’ll figure things out.
George Stein, I don’t think Uggla will age all that gracefully. But I think he’ll be good enough to hang in there as a decent major league regular throughout most of his contract. But I’m with you that his days as an All-Star may be over if not next season, then 2014. But maybe he’ll have a flukey year or two before it’s up.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
This time last year Uggla had 7 HR, then went on to set a single season career high in HR.
RC
July 2nd, 2012
4:26 pm
Texiera’s BABIP has declined over the past few years, although the large portion of that decline has been from the left side. One of the explanations that Tex has acknowledged in the media is that he has been intentionally trying to lift the ball batting left hand thanks to the short porch in RF at Yankees Stadium, which could lead to more fly-balls (and a lower BABIP).
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:26 pm
**personal single season career high.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
4:27 pm
“whereas Mac’s babip has been steady for 3 years (.297, .297, .287 ) until all of a sudden it’s now .229″
Nope. He keeps hitting into the shift he is going to have a low average. I mean until he starts to hit the ball to all fields, he is pretty much screwed. That or hit it out of the park or off the wall in right.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:27 pm
We are all doing a lot of wishful thinking, sad truth though is nothing good is going to happen with the braves this year.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:28 pm
RC, money would be the only issue but the Braves have stated that they would be willing to pull some funds for next season back to this one. If we were to get Greinke, I’d say adios to Bourn and probably hello to either Cunningham/Pagan/or someone along those lines. We could even possibly use Heyward in CF if need be but that probably wouldn’t be ideal.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
4:30 pm
BuyTheBravesArtherBlank and it hasn’t even been talked about much…….
It’s been batted around this Blog like a pinball in a…pinball machine…or something like that…But as far as on TV and stuff, I agree—the TV guys don’t really talk about BMac, even when he’s batting…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:30 pm
Who’d a thunk we’d end up with Hudson, Hanson, [insert pitcher acquired by deadline], Jurrjens, and Ben Sheets around mid-May?
RC
July 2nd, 2012
4:31 pm
While I don’t have data to support the theory, I also wonder if Mac’s speed (or lack thereof) plays a part in the shift being more effective against him. It appears that teams shifting against Mac actually play quite a bit deeper than against other players, knowing that with his slow time to first they will have plenty of time to make a play on a soft hit ball, while being able to cover more ground on all other hits. There have been a number of plays I remember where Mac was thrown out by less than a step, where most other hitters on the team would have been safe easily.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
MFin04
NOPE , yer wrong, the shift will not make that drastic of a difference in ANYONE’S babip results, never has, never will
he has gotten very unlucky on balls in play, it happens, we don’t want Mac going to the opposite field, it sucks all his power away……….. he’s a pull hitter, and he needs to remain a pull hitter, the fact that he has hit a ton of balls hard right at people in right field is testament to how bad of luck he has had on balls in play, shift or no shift, line drives WILL find holes.
the opposite of this happens too, players have massive babip years where everything drops, it’s called a “CAREER YEAR”
happens to pitchers too, one year Maddux gave up the most hits in the NL
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
Can we stop talking about struggling hitters, especially McCann? (for McFann at least?) This isn’t the way to break our Monday losing streak either….
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
4:30 pm
If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all is their thinking!
RC
July 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
AT,
I was thinking more about money being an issue with your plans for 2013 (the Willingham idea), not in the current season. I actually think the Braves might have the money to resign Bourn AND offer a contract to Greinke, but I don’t think that Willingham fits into that scenario in any way.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
Strikeouts and grounders to first are not bad luck…
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
McCann is just going to have to start burning some teams to the opposite field.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
I doubt defensive shifts will result in anything close to a .229 BABIP for a hitter with a BABIP in the .290s. Perhaps when this season is over, his BABIP for the year will be lower than his career BABIP but I doubt it will be as extreme as it is at this point in the season.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
“the shift will not make that drastic of a difference in ANYONE’S babip results, never has, never will”
Sure it will. Especially when you can play in the shallow outfield to field his hard hit balls and still throw him out at first.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
Who’d a thunk we’d end up with Hudson, Hanson, [insert pitcher acquired by deadline], Jurrjens, and Ben Sheets around mid-May?
Not me for sure. Also didn’t expect Simmons on the big-league roster,nor McCann to be mired in such a slump. I thought he’d have turned it around from last year. Shows how much I know…
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
It’s been batted around this Blog like a
Mike Minor fastball?
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
Joe Terdoslavich for Greinke straight-up. DOUBLES MACHINE.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:36 pm
Payne, I’m saying your posts seem to indicate you haven’t paid one bit of attention over the last two years.
It’s hardly worth the bother, anymore, LOL. I’ll usually give a thread one post, max, and then just ignore the rest. By the time the next fifteen or so have shown up, the content has become something like that old game where you whisper the phrase around the room, just to see how mangled it can get at the end.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
4:36 pm
The TV guys are being sensitive to Mac’s delicate constitution and don’t want to offend him by actually saying that he’s stunk up the joint this season, for whatever reason…
Not that I think giving him grief would help. Of course it wouldn’t, unless making him mad as heck is known to help his hitting.
Is there a stat for hitting mad as hell?
(Rob from SC)
July 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Shocking Announcement
Reports say the Blue Jays are souring Yunel Escobar, and could soon trade him
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Gattis is coming in July to save us!
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:39 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Fredi (on McCann): “I’m not worried about him. You see him walking around and he’s upbeat and he’s confident” #Braves
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:40 pm
we shall win today and break the streak 9-5
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:40 pm
he has gotten very unlucky on balls in play
Analyzing BABIP in a vacuum and ascribing it solely to “luck” is not a good move, Nick.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:41 pm
team player: Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
When Fredi told McCann he was hitting 7th, he said “wherever you put me, I dont care. I want to win, that’s my number one goal” #Braves
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:41 pm
If we’re going to trade for Greinke, sooner is better in that instance. Let’s not wait until we’re in total ketchup mode.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:41 pm
If anyone thinks baseball offense is about anything other than creating runs, he hasn’t paid one bit of attention over the last 150 years.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Is Gattis playing again?
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Efrim, what do you think it would take to get Willingham? What type of package?
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
My projected 2013 starting lineup:
1. Simmons (SS)
2. Prado (3B)
3. Heyward (CF)
4. Uggla (2B)
5. McCann (C)
6. Willingham (LF)
7. Freeman (1B)
8. Some scrub or 40 year old or career minor leaguer (RF)
flange1
July 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Huh?
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Hahahahaha ketchup mode. I hope that was on purpose.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Analyzing BABIP in a vacuum and ascribing it solely to “luck” is not a good move, Nick.
I agree with this. But whether is solely luck or is a combination of factors, I would bet that McCann’s BABIP isn’t going to remain as low as it is at this point in the season, shifts or no shifts.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
“anyone thinks baseball offense is about anything other than creating runs, he hasn’t paid one bit of attention over the last 150 years.”
What does a statement like this even mean?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Reports say the Blue Jays are souring Yunel Escobar, and could soon trade him
Too bad we have a SS. I’d love to have him back.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
I think baseball offense is all about RBIs
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
ncscoots
ummm, that’s what it describes………. babip IS the % of luck on balls in play, there is no evidence that hitters have control over where batted balls land, player can tattoo 5 straight pitches right at a fielder and player b can look awful on 5 straight pitches and flare them into no mans land for 5 hits.
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
Bloggism! Congrats, Arky.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
what do you think it would take to get Willingham? What type of package?
Pitching. They have none. Like literally none in their system. Any and all kinds they will take.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
If anyone thinks baseball offense is about anything other than creating runs, he hasn’t paid one bit of attention over the last 150 years.
There’s only 3 guys on here who have been around all 150 years… and I think a lapse in their attention span during that time is understandable.
It’s a good thing forums weren’t around during the whole “flying machine” days. nolie would have raked those Wright brothers over the coals.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
Murph, I like your lineup.. what’s the rotation prediction?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
Double-A Mississippi has a nice little rotation of Gilmartin, Spruill, Hale and Avilan going on right now. Hale has pitched much better as of late. He’s 24 in Double-A, turning 25 this September, but heck, who cares?
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
I’m intrigued by Liriano, mostly because he’s a lefty and maybe wouldn’t cost Tehran.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
jeffrey d
2 more weeks
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
ummm, that’s what it describes
Perhaps it does, to you.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Bloggism! Congrats, Arky.
haha! I missed that…was it intentional?
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Guys on 680 The Fan seem to think the rotation will look very different come July 31st, they said:
Hanson
One of Dempster, Graza, or Grenike
Hudson
Sheets
JJ
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:47 pm
you create runs by getting people on base more often than the other team, as RISP is not a batting skill, over time, the team’s with the best OBP always lead the league in runs scored….
you get people on base more often, you will score more often.
think of it like this, outs are the currency of baseball and runs are what you buy with them, the fewer outs spent per run scored results in more run chances and thus, more runs.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
And speaking of blogisms, I’m disappointed that bear writers didn’t get more attention
phil
July 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
If we lose tonight, it’s not the Monday thing but the heat’s fault….
Or FG….take your pick.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
nolie would have raked those Wright brothers over the coals.
Dudes couldn’t hit a lick. No range, either.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
Good call scoots. BABIP is helpful when looked at along with batted ball profile. McCann’s LD% is steadily decreasing (24% in early May, 17% now) while his GB% is steadily increasing (35% in early May, 40% now). Making weaker contact won’t help his BABIP (and in turn BA/SLG), and luck is having less to do with it now. I wasn’t worried in early May, but I am now.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Murph, I’m going to kind of be in your neck of the woods next week. Heading to Richardson for some training.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
ncscoots
sigh……….. no, that’s what the entire stat describes, this is why it exists, that’s like saying batting avg describes how often someone got a hit relative to their AB’s , but only to me… no, that’s what batting avg is
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Or FG….take your pick.
I’ll be going with Liberty Media tonight.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Remember when BuffaloBravesFan, not sure if he is around anymore, said Zach Parise was better than Sidney Crosby? That is as wrong as wrong can be.
Just throwing that out there, as we await Parise’s 2012-2013 team to be announced.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Delgado will be our best pitcher in 2013, wait and see!
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
Karl
ichiro made weaker contact than anybody, yet his babip wasn’t hurt by it
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
Sopheee, thanks… yes jeffrey d
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
I think baseball offense is all about RBIs
I agree with this. It’s just too bad that many think the individual players that get credit in the RBI column are necessarily the players who deserve most of the credit for creating runs.
Just like I think it’s all about wins. But individual pitchers that get the credit in their own win columns aren’t necessarily the pitcher who deserve most of the credit for team wins. And pitchers who don’t get much credit in their own win columns aren’t necessarily the ones costing their teams.
Tradition has fooled many in to thinking individual hitters’ RBI and individual pitcher’s wins are not team statistics.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
AT, I have no idea what the rotation would look like next season. Seems the only guys we can count on being there are Hudson and Hanson. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see JJ, Minor, or Delgado sent packing… maybe even more than one of them.
I’m having a really hard time defending Delgado these days. Still like him, but he’s so up and down… I don’t know how you can pencil him in for an entire season at this point.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
Guys on 680 The Fan seem to think the rotation will look very different come July 31st, they said:
If we listen to all the rumors, it’d be shocking if all three of Teheran, Delgado and Minor were with the organization on 8/1/12.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
AT, if you find your way down to Austin shoot me a message on FB.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
Delgado will be our best pitcher in 2013, wait and see!
Boy, that walk rate is going to have to come down for that to happen. Breaking ball is going to have to improve too.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
NickB
Acutally, BABIP is more useful in evaluating luck as a stat for pitchers. For batters, you can tie it to batted ball profile.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
My prayer for this moment….
Lord, please deliver us from people who over analyze this great game you created for us to enjoy and sometimes not enjoy. We all know that if our team gets lots of runners on base, we have a good chance to then win the game. We all know that if our team doesn’t get many runners on base, and I include Mac in this category of “runners”, we have a decent chance to lose the game. In spite of this, some feel compelled to constantly say things about RISP and so forth that make us want to claw our eyes out and scream and maybe even jump from very high windows. Please make them stop or cause DOB to ban them from his terrific blog so that we aren’t compelled to harm our vision.
Amen
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
“If we listen to all the rumors, it’d be shocking if all three of Teheran, Delgado and Minor were with the organization on 8/1/12.”
I don’t think all three will be with the organization come August 1st.
Speedy Gonzalez
July 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
We need another RH bat, not 2 more pitchers, if needed Medlen can start, get a bat in LF please Frank!
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
I’m going way out on a limb and predicting our stretch-run rotation will look like
1) Latos
2) Beckett
3) Medlen
4) Hamels
5) Medlen again
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
NickB
Plus speed, which is a skill Ichiro has, is one of the factors that can affect BABIP besides quality of contact. Same reason Jose Constanza gets a lot of hits.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
NickB, I like the way writer Steve Goldman puts it: outs are like baseball’s clock. A hitter who cost hit team outs (a hitter without on-base skills) is like a football player who takes time off the clock for his team. Players without on-base skills are just speeding your team toward the ends of innings, without opportunities to score, and to the ends of games. It’s helpful to think in those terms, if you really don’t think OBP is vitally important for all hitters, regardless of where they hit in the batting order.
Rafael
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
The Braves are NOT going to trade for any hitters because Liberty CHEAPIA and Frank Wren LOVE Matt Diaz… “he rakes lefthanders you know” and he is “AFFORDABLE” (Wren’s favorite term in Webster’s Dictionary).
Matt Diaz is Freidi’s nephew and “he manages to keep his sense of humor when the Brave’s lose.”
Fish Bisch
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Smearedjizzum owns us
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
#Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija’s month of June: 0-4, 10.41 ERA. He allowed 27 runs on 33 hits in 23.1 IP
We better beat this guy up…..
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Two Medlelelelens? Sweet.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
ummm, that’s what it describes………. babip IS the % of luck on balls in play,
Yeah, I think I heard Heyward was unlucky in that regard quite a few times last year. Of course, if you watched him hit you, might be excused for thinking him damned lucky any fell for hits.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
i disagree, as there are plenty of evidence to support a skyrocketed babip to career years in batters and a remarkably low babip to their down year. a consistent pattern of downward babip can point to a hitters decline, but a drop of over 60 points is due to bad luck, unless it’s accompanied with an increase in K% and a drop in BB%
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
sigh……….. no, that’s what the entire stat describes
Nick, do me a favor. If you want to condescend to me, personally, you’re going to have to come up with something that I didn’t know twenty years before you found a Bill James Handbook in the bargain bin. I know there is a tendency for some folks to think that no one else has ever actually read the same material that has caused the scales to fall from one’s own eyes, and, thus, a certain brilliance has escaped the less fortunate, but I can assure you that I am not one of them.
TennesseePaul
July 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
I’ll usually give a thread one post, max, and then just ignore the rest…
A reasonable expectation.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
if you find your way down to Austin shoot me a message
Will do.
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
Mondays still own us more, Fish.
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
Okay, Braves, lets kick some Cubs butt through this series so I can tease my boss about it. He’s talking about going tomorrow.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
Is Kris a yodeler now?
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
4:58 pm
One thing about the Sheets signing is at least the Braves don’t have to face him. Even if that was the only reason they signed him, that’s good enough for me
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:58 pm
may the baseball god please deliver us from those who don’t understand the game and so rely on outdated stats and bad old timey myths about small ball so that the rest of us can move forward with intelligent discussion
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
4:59 pm
Karl Hungus, yes, BABIP is a more telling indicator of luck when looking at pitchers. McCann’s BABIP this season may be a result of some luck or may be other factors entirely or may be a combination of luck and other factors. But whether it’s luck or not, the important thing to keep in mind is that McCann’s BABIP this season is .229 while his career BABIP is .295. No matter the reason or reasons for this difference, I would bet that .229 isn’t sustainable.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
4:59 pm
ncscoots
argument from authority fallacy
just cuz yer old doesn’t magically give you insight
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:00 pm
Shaun
I guess that depends on what you call luck. I call it anything that cannot be controlled directly by the batter….
Jimmy
July 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
Wow Fish! Just wow.
ncscoots
July 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
just cuz yer old doesn’t magically give you insight
Nothing magic about it, son.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
No matter the reason or reasons for this difference, I would bet that .229 isn’t sustainable.
You mean he’s going to get WORSE?!?
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
Greinke has to be the tops on Wren’s list I would imagine. He’s what, 28, and just now in his prime. Something tells me with his fragile mental state, as far as that anxiety issue, he would love the idea playing for not only a contending team now and the future, but the Braves aren’t exactly in that spot light he doesn’t seem to like anyways. That plays in our favor I bet.
George Stein
July 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
I’m certainly not qualified to analyze things like bat speed and the like, but perhaps there’s part of the explanation for his BABIP in something like that. It should probably be higher than .229, though.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
I’m not saying luck plays no part in BABIP. It plays a large part. I’m just saying luck isn’t the only thing that plays a part. And that luck is EVEN MORE of a component for pitcher BABIP.
As hitters decline, the accompanying decline in BABIP can be attributed to their declining ability to hit. Making weaker contact, hitting more ground balls, etc. Since early May, McCann’s LD% is trending downward and his GB% is trending up. No he shouldn’t be BABIPing around .225, but it’s not unreasonable to expect it to be below league average the way he’s hitting the ball. McCann’s career BABIP is right around league average, and he’s been a far better than league average hitter for most of his career. Simple luck WILL raise his numbers to a certain extent, but the batted ball profile also needs to change.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
Delgado would be my guess @Jamesh17 who do u think Sheets will replace in the rotation? My guess is Minor
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
Shaun, the .229 probably isn’t sustainable. But it’s also unlikely he BABIPs around .300 for the rest of the season unless he starts hitting more line drives.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
karl
ahhhhhh, that’s not how i read what you said earlier, thanks for clarifying
RC
July 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
but a drop of over 60 points is due to bad luck, unless it’s accompanied with an increase in K% and a drop in BB%
They say a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and there certainly is no more than a little bit of knowledge in these statements.
K% and BB% have absolutely 0 effect on BABIP, since the definition is “batting average on balls IN PLAY” (which excludes K’s and BB’s). It IS possible that a decrease in batting skill can be accompanied by change in K% or BB%, but BABIP itself is entirely separate from either of those stats. There are a ton of things that can lower a players BABIP; sudden inability to hit the ball with any authority, changing from a high percentage of ground balls to a high percentage of fly balls, more efficient placement of the players on defense (discussed here earlier), or, as you stated, bad luck. But to say that this one stat conclusively says a player has been unlucky is sloppy, lazy analysis.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Delgado would be my guess @Jamesh17 who do u think Sheets will replace in the rotation? My guess is Minor
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:08 pm
I don’t think it’s ALL attributable to luck either, some of it is the shift, some of it is he’s pressing and swinging at bad pitches but a lot of it is bad luck
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:08 pm
Ryan Dempster (lat) threw 40 pitches during a bullpen session Monday.
The next step is for Dempster to throw a simulated game. Barring any setbacks, he should return right after the All-Star break. If he can prove his health, he could be swapped to a contender leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
He’s probably my preference over anyone because of the high cost of others(Greinke, Garza), or questions around their ability(Liriano, Vargas). Dempster isn’t going to cost a ton and is a solid pickup for 2 months.
George Stein
July 2nd, 2012
5:08 pm
Batters have some control over BABIP, NickB. Pitchers generally (GENERALLY!!!) don’t.
But players who hit for more line drives and players with speed tend to be able to sustain a BABIP over .300 with some consistency.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Would not complain a bit if we get Dempster though either. Garza is somebody I am not all that thrilled over. His numbers scream #3 guy big time. I read attitude is a kind of a problem also with him and he is definitely high strung. He just doesn’t seem like a Brave, if that makes sense.
Liriano? Nah, don’t want him. Got enough projects going in the rotation enough as it is. I’d like them to stay away from him.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Delgado would be my guess @Jamesh17 who do u think Sheets will replace in the rotation? My guess is Minor
Yes, that’s because Polished will be pitching for the Brewers.
RC
July 2nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Something tells me with his fragile mental state, as far as that anxiety issue, he would love the idea playing for not only a contending team now and the future, but the Braves aren’t exactly in that spot light he doesn’t seem to like anyways. That plays in our favor I bet.
Something tells me that you just pulled that statement out of your @$$.
Shaun
July 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
NickB, some hitters will post BABIPs noticeably over or under .300 over a large sample. For pitchers, there’s not as much variance. Over the long haul almost all pitchers will be around .300. So BABIP is more useful in terms of figuring out which players have been lucky when looking at pitchers. It’s not quite as useful with hitters.
It could be that McCann isn’t merely hitting in to bad luck, although it’s possible that he is or that it’s at least a significant factor.
My point is that whether it’s luck or not or whether luck is the primary factor or not, I would be willing to bet his current low BABIP isn’t sustainable, that it will increase. It may not increase to the .295 level by season’s end but I would bet it doesn’t remain all that close to .229.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
RC
……………..argh!!!!
i DID NOT SAY that bb% and K% had anything to do with babip, but I DID say that IF a drop in BABIP is also accompanied with an increase in K% and a drop in BB% it COULD be an indicatio in a decline the individual players skill set
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
Also, NickB, not sure where you’re going with the increased K rate and decreased BB rate, since neither of those are factored into BABIP. If anything, McCann needs to strike out a little more, like Uggla last season. His O-Contact% is at a career high right now, which is another factor leading to low BABIP. Be more selective on pitches out of the zone, square up pitches in the zone, good things happen.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
*an indication of a decline in the individual player’s skillset*
i type too dadburn fast
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Ok, misread that part. Rest of the comment still stands.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:12 pm
shaun
i agree, it is not sustainable, and i would think that even a bad year for Mac would be in the mid .260’s
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
5:14 pm
Dontrelle Willis is retiring.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:15 pm
and my comment about BB% and K% was in regards to Tex as his babip has been on a downward trend and he is walking less too.
I think this whole misunderstanding started because you assumed I thought that mac’s entire probelm was bad luck, and i assumed you were saying that none of his problem was bad luck, turns out , i think, we were pretty much saying the same thing
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:15 pm
Dontrelle Willis
boy once that weird delivery of his got figured out he never was the same
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:16 pm
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Either Teheran, Minor or Delgado and maybe a mid-level prospect @obechkinsbuddy if we get grienke who do u think we would have to give up
urban redneck
July 2nd, 2012
5:16 pm
FF is a better 1B than his stats indicate for sure.
we need help off the bench. none of our pinch hitters are gettin it done. regarding our pitching dilemma, send minor down, and let medlen join the rotation. if sheets is not sheet-y (you like that?), then he should take delgado’s spot for the time being.
64 year Braves fan
July 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm
Good lineup tonite but I would swap Simmons and Uggla. Simmons puts the ball in play. Uggla swings and misses 70% of the time.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
5:18 pm
I’d take Greinke over all of the other option but that’s under the assumption we sign him to a contract. I just think he’s the best available right now and a true ace with a power arm.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:19 pm
Meds belongs in the pen, heck the way he’s been hit lately, I don’t think he would be much of an improvement over Minor
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:20 pm
anyone know where I could find the data for how often inherited runners score with less than 2 outs in MLB?
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
5:20 pm
Zack Greinke:
25-8 273.2 IP 303 k’s 3.32 ERA over the entire 2011 season and the 2012 season so far, pretty dang good numbers, definitely ace material. I sure hope Wren can pull this deal off with a 5 year extension.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:21 pm
KC, that wasn’t nice at all. I play tough, but I’m a sensitive tulip on most days. Shame on you and all you macho bullies out there!
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:22 pm
“Having conversations via comments threads is a great way to understand exactly what points others are trying to make,” said no one.
Sweet Old Buck
July 2nd, 2012
5:22 pm
What you going to do, Frank? You’re over a barrel because of your inaction last winter. You are dealing from a very weak position. Good luck!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:23 pm
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Either Teheran, Minor or Delgado and maybe a mid-level prospect @obechkinsbuddy if we get grienke who do u think we would have to give up
I don’t disagree that they’ll ask for that based on what Sabean gave the Mets(Zack Wheeler) for two months of Carlos Beltran. Will they take Minor is the question? They certainly shouldn’t trade Julio or Randall for him.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:24 pm
What won my wife’s heart was this gem of a line “I am like a flower that needs love to bloom”
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
I bet Minor would require 2 extra parts, where delgado would require one ,and Teheran would do it on his own…..
I have no evidence for this, but if I was the Brewers, that’s the way I’d push it
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
I’m kidding about those last few posts.
faninva
July 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
how many votes to you get on mlb.com for final all-star voting? i’ve been voting for chipper for about 15 minutes. still going.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
5:26 pm
Another positive for Greinke:
Career vs Washington: 2 games 14IP 3ER 1 Walk 15 k’s 1.93 ERA .160 BAA
I know that’s a small sample size but we need someone desperately who can help us defeat Washington. I mean, Greinke has not even given up in 14 innings vs Washington what Hudson gave up in one inning vs Washington this year.
Capitol Ave
July 2nd, 2012
5:26 pm
DOB asks … “Can the Braves just stick with what they have and expect it all to come together?”
Wait, I thought was Frank Wren’s whole strategy for 2012. Forget 2011, “I like our club,” said do-nothing Frank.
A bench of Wilson, Francisco, Diaz and Francisco is an embarrassment of non-production.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:27 pm
I really do not like some bloggers here. It’s like they make you dislike them. Cheap shot other Braves fans is weird and shouldn’t happen. KC is a cheap shotter.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:28 pm
Just caught the cutest baby rabbit, a shame we can’t keep it.
Karl Hungus
July 2nd, 2012
5:29 pm
If Fredi were allowed to pinch hit with Francisco twice per game, we’d REALLY be in trouble.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
I’m not a fan of hardly any of the proposed trades – at least the ones that are realistic. We’re not going to get Greinke for Minor and a mid-level prospect. Not when other teams are prepared to give more. And then we have the ole “three month rental player” syndrome, which I never like. I can’t see any one player getting us over the hump and deep into the post-season.
On the other hand, a year and a half of Garza for Minor and another prospect is intriguing.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
KC is a cheap shotter.
Didn’t you say something like “nolie is shyt” last night?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:30 pm
Joe Johnson traded to Brooklyn. Atlanta Hawks fans rejoice.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:31 pm
Illinibrave
i wouldn’t be so sure teams will be willing to give more, that may have been true back when they could recoup draft picks if the player chose not to re-sign, but now they cannot, so i see most rental players going for much less than we are used to seeing
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:31 pm
Didn’t you say something like “nolie is shyt” last night?
Bizarre comment. Bizarre poster.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
I’m surprised M Bowman thinks Delgado might be replaced…. I mean, Minor’s been way worse.
Kentavo
July 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
One of my favorite things about watching the Braves is when they give up gobs of runs to the poorest hitting teams in MLB – the Padres, Giants and Cubs of the world make ‘em look like batting practice. Why is that?
Largo
July 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
If a pitcher who is a bit shy of a .500 career won/lost record and making 9.5M per year, then Garza is your man.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
i agree that Wren is paying for sitting on his hands pretty much all winter. In a way, I understood that strategy and it wasn’t like there were tons of gems out there in the offseason anyhow. But relying so heavily on guys like JJ, who was coming off injury and very inexperienced rooks like Delgado and Minor, has bit him. Hopefully he can right this and acquire a good one in the next few weeks or so.
The bench is hideous. Not even going there. Bout as bad as I’ve seen one of our benches.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:32 pm
Joe Johnson traded to Brooklyn. Atlanta Hawks fans rejoice.
YES!!!
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:33 pm
CTB: I agree. Some back-and-forth and disagreement is fine, but the condescending put-downs and downright meanspirited insults are just too much.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
5:33 pm
Largo
you don’t think that his won loss record is attributable to the fact that he pitches for the lowly Cubs?
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
5:34 pm
Not sure why anyone would pay soo much for Joe Johnson.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:34 pm
nolie understands my sarcasm. He has sort of the same blog humor. If somebody can’t figure this out by now then I don’t know what to say anymore.
Lee Maye
July 2nd, 2012
5:34 pm
Lucas Sims made his pro debut today in the GCL. 3 IP 2 hits 2runs-1 earned; 1 BB, 2 K’s; 1 HR.
For those who have been asking, Jordan Parraz also played for the first time in about 2 months. He is rehabbing in Orlando.
Gattis still hasn’t played. He is rehabbing too.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
Yeah here it is
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/01/not-a-clown-questionbro-could-simmons-push-harper-for-roy/?cp=all#comment-1684693
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
5:35 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Prado lf, Heyward rf, Jones 3b, Freeman 1b, Uggla 2b, McCann c, Simmons ss, Hanson p
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:36 pm
JOE JOHNSON IS GONE! JOE JOHNSON IS GONE! JOE JOHNSON IS GONE!
AND THE DODGERS HAVE WON THE PENNANT!
Ooops, brain circuitry on overload with this fantastic news!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
I’m surprised M Bowman thinks Delgado might be replaced…. I mean, Minor’s been way worse.
It’s like he forgot who Mike Minor was or something. Minor has less value than Delgado or Teheran. Across 3 seasons, he’s pitched to a career ERA of over 5.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Well I’m glad that the Hawks (potentially) got rid of Joe’s contract, but this doesn’t make it sound too glamorous
The Hawks and Nets have agreed to terms on a trade that will send All-Star guard Joe Johnson to Brooklyn for expiring contracts
Danga
July 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Not sure why anyone would pay soo much for Joe Johnson.
Just glad someone else is doing it now.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
5:38 pm
Took this pick of Simmons during BP just a while ago:
http://yfrog.com/nzhk0vdj
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:38 pm
people are mean spirited anyways. But I have learned when you confront most face to face they will be nice spirited in the blink of an eye. Not all of course, but most. A lot of very nice people out there too that have forced me to not judge a book by its cover.
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
5:38 pm
I liked the lineup a tad better with Uggla sandwiched between Chipper and Freeman. I thought that was a good chance for him to break out.
faninva
July 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
Who’s Joe Johnson?
Danga
July 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
Well I’m glad that the Hawks (potentially) got rid of Joe’s contract, but this doesn’t make it sound too glamorous
Yeah…Joe is still a very good player even if overpaid. Likely means the Hawks won’t be as good in the short term. Hopefully Ferry has a plan.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
Not sure why anyone would pay soo much for Joe Johnson.
Shocking that the Nets would give up on Dwight Howard and go for…..Joe….Johnson.
I guess they really believe that Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez can win…a first round series?
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:39 pm
jeffrey: first of all, what do you think we would get for Oh-so-slow-Joe? With the most expensive contract in the NBA? The fact that we didn’t have to eat a huge chunk of his contract is amazing.
Screwball
July 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
Hawks are going to trade Joe Johnson. Breaking news. New GM is not going to put up with the SOS any longer. The Braves need a new GM to think likewise.
Arkansas Transplant
July 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:40 pm
people are mean spirited anyways. But I have learned when you confront most face to face they will be nice spirited in the blink of an eye
The anonymity of the internet makes people forget that they’re talking to another human, and makes them say stuff that they would never say to someone’s face.
And from what I’ve observed, for kids who’ve grown up with the internet in their lives all along it’s becoming the norm to make comments like this. You ever want to feel bad about humanity, look at some of the comments on YouTube
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:41 pm
The NBA is the only sport where it makes sense to rebuild even if you have young players. THE sport where Stars win titles and none of the rest really matters.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
5:41 pm
No way that Joe Johnson of all people keeps Deron Williams in town.
Thank you Atlanta, Love the Dallas Mavericks.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:42 pm
Illini – yeah Joe has a huge contract but he’s still a good player.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.
I’d target Ahmed if I were other GM’s. Not a star, but I think he’s one of the best position players in the system above Low-A. Not really sure if he can stick at SS, and really may not hit enough for a corner. Could be a solid everyday 2B.
faninva
July 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
it’s called internet bullying – and it’s a big problem, especially among kids.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
Simmons swinging so hard his belt is undone.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm
Not sure why anyone would pay soo much for Joe Johnson
Just glad someone else is doing it now.
I’m happy that he’s gone from this team. Useless come playoff time, not great any other time.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm
I’ve met Deron Williams. and he is the nicest most humble guy you could imagine in an NBA uniform. Comes to town every once in awhile for a major charity event, signs all kinds of autographs, chats with fans, etc. Just a great guy. While I’ve never met Joe Johnson, I’d venture to say they are very different people.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:45 pm
It’s not all as bad as bullying…it’s jut common decency going down the toilet.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
5:46 pm
No way that Joe Johnson of all people keeps Deron Williams in town.
It shouldn’t. I’d bolt for Dallas if I were Deron. But they’ll sell him on Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace foursome. They’d be a middle of thepack Eastern Conference Team. Battling with the likes of New York, Indiana, Philly and probably Chicago given Rose’s injury. Boston and Miami are the favorites in the East next year.
BravesfaninWis
July 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
The Braves will drop the ball in making a trade to help this team, they always do. Regardless of who they get, that player will be gone either after this season or next season when their contract expires because the Braves are to damn cheap to keep them.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.
More than that, I think. Throw in Spruill and maybe Salcedo
Danga
July 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
I’d bolt for Dallas if I were Deron
NJ will be able to offer the most money though, right?
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
Uh… Joe Johnson is NOT a good player – at least in terms of value per dollar. Hell, his contract is richer than D-Wade, Melo, Lebron, Kobe, anybody. Hawks have definitely not gotten their money’s wroth. No player should take up that much cap space.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
The Nets might be middle-of-the-pack this year, but if they signed Dwight Howard next offseason they’d be in the upper tier
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:48 pm
http://t.co/WthLiQYg
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:48 pm
I know some say Simmons has a long swing, and he does, but I love the way he drived through the ball. He’s so impressive in so many ways, including his attitude. He’s one of those players I would even like if he were on a rival team after not only watching his talent, but in interviews.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
5:48 pm
So, the Braves rotation could be Hudson, Hanson, Dempster, Jurrjens/Sheets, and Minor or Delgado?
Hmm… I’m not quite popping the cork on the champagne yet.
optimist
July 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
Seems IMHO like BABIP would make more sense if we could see a next level of stats to show quality of contact, such as – average speed of ball put in play, line drive percentage, average distance ball is hit from the closest fielder, average flyball distance, etc.
MFin04
July 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
New Jersey can’t actually afford Williams, Johnson, and Dwight. So this move basically eliminates Dwight from the team… I believe.
AZBravoFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:50 pm
ChattTownBrian:
Wren wasn’t relying on all three of those guys. He was relying on a big 3 of Hanson, Hudson, and Beachy, then hoping JJ would be healthy and come around and Minor would make strides. Remember Delgado started in AAA. I think we all thought that combo with a possible fill-in of Medlen would be fine. While I agree with you to some extent, I also think that at some point as an organization, you have to expect one of your young, prized pitching prospects to be able to step up and carry some weight. It happens in other organizations. (Wade Miley, Chris Sale)
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
5:52 pm
Here’s a comment from ESPN
Anytime you can trade for an aging All-Star guard with an albatross contract, you’ve got to do it….
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
5:54 pm
BravesFanInWis, seems like every time I have ever read one of your posts it is so negative. I can easily be an agitated fan too and don’t like everything Wren has done and Fredi blows my mind at times with his decisions in game, but that is just part of being a fan I guess.
If they get Greinke it apparantly won’t be a rental for a few months or a year. That is who I say Wren gets.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
5:54 pm
wow…. i’m just glad we can get rid of the guy….
brian
July 2nd, 2012
5:54 pm
DOB – you appealing to the masses such as myself by getting the rumor mill going again or do you have the sense that something will be done?
Do you get a sense that FW will move one of our top 3 young pitchers or is that just talk.
I could easily see them moving Minor for Garza. The sticking point would be what else the Cubs want in exchange.
As far as Greinke goes, I am sure the Braves would love to have Minor as the pitcher included. I could see a back and forth of us saying Minor and the Brewers saying Delgado or Teheran. If the Braves could get Greinke for Minor and a prospect I assume that trade would be done pronto. When assessing Greinke’s value they have to remember that the big markets will not be in the bidding for Greinke as he likes a lower profile so no NY, Philly, Boston, LA, etc.
Jaded Braves Fan
July 2nd, 2012
5:54 pm
As I see it, getting Minor and Delgado out of the rotation ASAP is the key to the rest of the Braves’ season. There are two internal options that could take their spots: Medlen and Sheets (after he gets ready in the minors). That’s a stopgap solution, though I do think, if the reports about Sheets are true, that those two would be a much more reliable 4-5 than what we have now. The best-case scenario, of course, would be to acquire a frontline guy like Greinke or Garza and leave Medlen in the bullpen.
I think scoring runs is going to be problematic all year, but putting together a rotation of five reliable starters could allow the Braves to make up ground in the mediocre NL very quickly. Right now, it feels like it’s always one step forward, one step back. Hard to sustain momentum with two gaping holes in the rotation.
As badly as the Braves have played most of the year, they’re still just 4.5 games out of the top overall spot in the NL. There’s no reason not to go for it this year.
alanfalcon
July 2nd, 2012
5:55 pm
Its time for all of us to wake up and understand the colappse last year was no fluke just a preview of what would take place this year and it has, just look at it this way, this is just a very bad Braves team that gets lucky once in awhile.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
5:55 pm
A Braves rotation of Greinke, Hanson, Hudson, JJ, and Ben Sheets with Delgado or Minor in the bullpen would be very, very strong
jim
July 2nd, 2012
5:56 pm
I am willing to accept the primacy of OPS for hitters and WHIP for pitchers in statistical evaluation tools, although RBIs, Runs, ERA, and Wins are still important indicators of a player’s value. Some of the other esoteric stats are just that — esoteric. I have no idea how WAR and the +/- ratings are tabulated, but the list on page 1 where the likes of Gaby Sanchez, James Loney, and Logan Morrison have higher +/- ratings than Joey Votto render the formula used in great need of repair. The BABIP measure related to McCann tells very little about how luck has affected his performance. If we truly want to analyze Mac’s current lack of production, we would need to know the percentage of those balls in play that are ground balls, line drives, and routine flies and see how these percentages compare with his previous years. We would also need to see the change in the percentage of balls hit to the right side vs. previous years. And finally we need to see if the Ks are up and the BBs are down from previous years. If he is hitting more popups and grounders, striking out more, and hitting into the shift more frequently, then it ain’t bad luck that is at work here.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
5:57 pm
I’m almost kinda hoping that Wren goes counter the conventional wisdom and makes a deal for Garza or Greinke – a blow the doors off move versus little band aid moves.
The Braves need something to really light their fuses, if they’re to contend in the second half.
I know: Greinke and Garza are high price tags, in terms of budget and prospects.
But a feller can dream, can’t he?
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
David – Thanks for the new DOB blog, ‘And It Shook Me’ is a good pick.
jim
July 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
What evidence have we seen this year that Medlen is a better option in the rotation than Delgado?
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
6:00 pm
Just something to suggest and give the majority of y’all something to bitch about but Chicago has said the will let 1B Brian LaHair go cheap. Freddie, while a very good first baseman, is a converted 3rd baseman. I don’t know if he was moved to first because of range issues but if he can play third as well as 1st, LaHair might be a cheap answer. He’s hitting .284 .364 .526 .890 and playing good D. Freddie is at .266 .315 .456 .772 and Prado stays in LF. LaHair only makes $.482K
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
6:01 pm
So this move basically eliminates Dwight from the team… I believe.
Correct. They will now hope Deron Williams signs(I think he will) and go to battle with Williams, Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez, Marshonn Brooks and Gerald Green.
Not a bad team. But not that much better than the Pacers, Sixers, Bulls(w/out Rose), if at all.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:02 pm
Its time for all of us to wake up and understand the colappse last year was no fluke just a preview of what would take place this year and it has, just look at it this way, this is just a very bad Braves team that gets lucky once in awhile.
Predictions? The Mayan calendar says the world ends in December of this year. So there goes the winter meetings and the 2013 season.
The Braves should just enjoy their “collapse” and party hearty. Or they could gamble and not listen to the naysayers and keep competing.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
But a feller can dream, can’t he?
If they are going to trade prospects, they usually would want someone they can control beyond the rest of the season – Garza, Vargas. If they are going to just get a guy for 2 months, it would be giving up one of the Tehera/Minor/Delgado trio – makes me think Liriano or Dempster are good bets as they won’t cost too much.
Woody Woodward
July 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
Dwight Howard asking to be traded to Brooklyn, too. May be enough to keep Deron Williams interested. Can’t build a team around Joe Johnson. With Howard, though, He may be a lethal weapon for the Nets.
DawgDad
July 2nd, 2012
6:04 pm
“Took this pick of Simmons during BP just a while ago”
Simmons just flat out looks the part. I know most of us went all overboard on Francouer’s early efforts, but this kid has the real look of a perennial all-star. He’s worth the price of admission all by himself.
Frank from KS (now in CO)
July 2nd, 2012
6:05 pm
@ Paul – if that’s the case, then what Ken Rosenthal reported, about Frank Wren (and hopefully Fredi too) will come to fruitition!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:06 pm
Did anyone catch the Frank Wren Interview on the Chuck and Chernoff Show…?
I Missed most of it because I was at QT getting A Rooster Booster! Slurpie
What did Wren say? Did he throw the team under the Bus? Is Fredi on the hot seat? Is he gonna go all out for Garza?
Gimpah & McError
July 2nd, 2012
6:07 pm
I see B-Mac in the 7th spot, eh? Not much longer until he’s in the 8th hole and then out the door. Its funny he won’t even be wanted as a DH now. Guess there is always the Ham Fighters (rumor has it Mac loves mayonnaise) across the pond.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:08 pm
…makes me think Liriano or Dempster are good bets as they won’t cost too much.
Likely. A lower cost, as you suggest. I don’t know if either/or are game changers for the Braves. Maybe Liriano pitches as well as he has since joining the Twins’ rotation, maybe not.
Dempster gets healthy and ups his game with a future contract in mind. Perhaps. Or not.
Not bold moves, huh?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:08 pm
T-Hawkin: Didn’t get to listen…. had a call. I would like to know what happened too. He probably didn’t say much though…
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
6:10 pm
Simmons is NL Player of the Month. Not bad, first month in the majors he wins ESPN’s Defensive Player of the Month and NL Player of the Month.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:11 pm
What did Wren say? Did he throw the team under the Bus? Is Fredi on the hot seat? Is he gonna go all out for Garza?
Didn’t listen, but I’d be shocked if a pro like Wren threw his team under the bus.
Could Fredi be on the hot seat? Most managers are. Managers are still “hired to be fired.” GMs aren’t free from that old saying, either.
Lew
July 2nd, 2012
6:11 pm
Bet tey get Span and Liriano from the Twins.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:11 pm
Jim: What evidence have we seen this year that Medlen is a better option in the rotation than Delgado?
Uh…. what evidence have we seen that he is NOT? Medlen has only pitched 2 or mote innings seven times, with a combined ERA of 1.88. Unless and until we trot him out there for at least 3 or 4 starts, we will never know. Same for Varvaro or Martinez. Because at this point, when Delgado and Minor can’t get through the 5th inning on half of their starts, I’m willing to try anything.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:11 pm
don’t see it online either
Oregon Brave
July 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
O for Mondays. See you tomorrow boys.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:14 pm
I could see Medlen pitching capably in the rotation, though the pen is weakened then.
cricket
July 2nd, 2012
6:14 pm
this blog is as enjoyable as stats homework. guess being the ignorant dummy i am, i’ll just watch the game and enjoy it.
i’ll also be happy for the lousy, useless hitters who are actually able to drive in runs for this 1 for 1000 RISP team, all the while ignorin to pray at the altar of the glorious, selfless hitters who get on base and deserve most credit for runs scored, even when those runs are not scored, which is off course, only due to luck.
i’ll say once again, baseball should move to 21st century and award games based on team OPS and not the runs scored, to take out the amount of luck involved. this will make sure actually deserving teams get the wins and finally MLB results will align with fantasy league results.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
6:14 pm
How low Pastornicky must be feeling about his future with the Braves probably can’t be measured. From starter on opening day to a guy with absolutely no future except as a utility man if not trade bait.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
O for Mondays. See you tomorrow boys.
The streak stops tonight. We start a winning streak tonight.
Bravo Bravo
July 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
Facts: Hudson is our best remaining pitcher and he wilts each year in the stifling heat. Uggla will never hit anywhere near 300 and streaky defines Freeman, Prado and Bourn. Venters has taken a step backwards and Delgado is not a real competitor. Beachy was our best.
Bottom line: Braves will miss the PO’s again this season. We are very close to needing a total rebuild holding on to Freeman, Simmons, Prado and Bourn. All other up for grabs. Let’s hope our farm is strong!!
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
After reading about Harper’s comments about Chipper going to the All-Star Game, I believe I was wrong about him. He seems to have really matured since signing with the Nats. Coupled with how mistaken I was about Simmons after spring training, I’m beginning to realize it’s OK to be wrong sometimes. But I’ll never budge concerning Yunel Escobar…
Randy S
July 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Simmons is ROOKIE of the month, not player. Still an awesome month for that kid.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
6:17 pm
I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.
More than that, I think. Throw in Spruill and maybe Salcedo
5 players for 2 months of Greinke? Maybe, but you’d need to go down a level or two on a couple of them.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:18 pm
I can Freaking Taste Matt Garza! Garza will be here in 2 Weeks, Bank On It
Lets Hope Wren pulls another Hustle Job like he did last year to get Bourn
Wren Got Bourn for Slop…Loved the move Good Job Frankie
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:18 pm
@Powder: AGREE! for the most part ; ) I’ve changed my mind about Andrelton, and it would take a lot for me to see Yunel in a positive light. I’m still waiting to come around on the “phenom”. Remember, people can say one thing and do another – think of the current and last two presidents.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:19 pm
If I’m Pastornicky, I’m telling my agent to tell Braves’ management to trade me. Basically being told by management that you have a bright future as a Braves’ utility player isn’t what most rookies/prospects care to hear. There’s only a huge dollars difference between a starting player and a guy consigned to riding the pines.
Pastornicky isn’t much with the glove (at short, at least), but he does have the potential to be a decent bat. I’d be trying to push my way out of the Braves’ organization, if I were Tyler.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:19 pm
Maybe, but you’d need to go down a level or two on a couple of them.
Then the Brewers don’t go for it
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
I can Freaking Taste Matt Garza!
What’s that odd
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
S/O’s to Kat and Chat-lantaBrian
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
I can Freaking Taste Matt Garza!
Well that’s odd*
jim
July 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
On the telecast yesterday we learned that Gio Gonzalez bounced from the White Sox to the Phillies back to the White Sox before landing in Oakland, Morse was traded for little or nothing by Seattle. Young talent takes some time to develop. Don’t be in a hurry to trade prospects for short-term rentals. Even if we were to add Greinke and Sheets, there is no guarantee that Hanson, JJ, or Hudson will remain healthy all year or be effective enough to overtake the other division WC contenders. Please do not mortgage the future (when Chipper, Lowe, and possibly Hudson and mcCann money will be off the payroll) for a quick fix, when a much better opportunity to add to the young core and build a legit contender awaits as early as this offseason.
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
6:21 pm
Chipper has no business being in this year’s all-star game. Last year was the year everyone rallied together to put him in for his last harrah. Now he’s trying to double-dip. Not cool.
If he hadnt gotten in last year on the sympathy card, I’d be all for it. But two years in a row is too much to take.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:21 pm
5 players for 2 months of Greinke?
Greinke only if Wren can lock him up longer term and doesn’t have to give the Brewers the keys to the Braves’ farm system.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
Now he’s trying to double-dip. Not cool.
He didn’t put himself on the ballot
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
DOB: BTW, props on the tough questions and critical analyses lately. You’ve got a tough job to do as a beat writer, unlike MB or Schultzie who can pop off on someone or go postal in their reactions. You’ve gotta be more measured and diplomatic. All in all, love the Daily Beat.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Jeff R—At this point, I’d say the Braves don’t give a squat about what Tyler or his agent have to say. They’re going to do what they feel is best for the franchise. Don’t forget that a very versatile utility player can earn a very nice living in the bigs. Ask DeRosa, Infante, etc…
Lew
July 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Yes, must be trying to double dip cause he was the one who put his name up there, right?
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:25 pm
Voting for Chipper some more. Someone complains, I vote.
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
6:25 pm
You got me there Jeffrey but on the radio the other day Don Sutton and the othe guy were saying he wanted to go for his kids…if I am remembering correctly
Lew
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Pastornicky has zero say in the matter for quite a few more years. He has no leverage to ask for a trade and his career is totally at the Braves’ mercy until he hits Free Agency.
Braves A Month From Now
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
They can be real contenders with some offense (via trade) and a starter. OR
They can be what they are now which is schizoid!
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Chipper has no business being in this year’s all-star game.
It’s the fricking All-Star game, for heavens sake… mid-season circus time: three rings, clowns, trapeze artists, pricey beer commercials with a lot of good-looking gals. Let Chipper go for one last bow, if it works out.
Yeah, I know the NL and AL play for home field advantage in the WS, but geez.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Abandon: two things to keep in mind:
1. He made the team but couldn’t play due to injury last year.
2. LaRussa has been the one leading the campaign for him. Not Chipper. LaRussa.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
Wren will only trade for Greinke if he knows he can lock him up, so these proposed trades on here take into account they we will have Greinke for at least 5 years.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:26 pm
he wanted to go for his kids
He does? What a jerk!
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
Bat –
abandonluvschipper@gmail.com
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
I’ve got no problem with Hoss going to the ASG. But I do wish MLB would allow the managers to choose an Honorary Captain to cover such situations…
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
Kudos, Soph
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
@Bat:Great Idea!!! Gonna go vote some more.
God, for us Illinoisans, it’s just like every election in Chicago – vote early and often.
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
6:29 pm
lol Sophee…good point Illini on him being injured last year..didnt think of that
Jeffrey, cmon..those kids have got to be 2 of the luckiest kids on the planet..I’m not weeping for them
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:30 pm
Jeff R—At this point, I’d say the Braves don’t give a squat about what Tyler or his agent have to say.
Mostly agree. But teams aren’t hep to have unhappy players anymore than most businesses want unhappy employees. Yunel Escobar is a case in point.
Sure, the Braves can tell Tyler, “Tough luck, you’re stuck.” But if I’m Tyler, I’d agitate for a trade.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
Go ahead and vote for me while you’re at it, Bat. I can’t be bothered to do so myself.
murph@aol.com
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
@Soph
Loved That F-Book post abt Ur wish of Joe Johnson
Huge Like on that post!
OTP
July 2nd, 2012
6:33 pm
What does it say when you have Chipper batting clean-up?!?!?
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:33 pm
“But if I’m Tyler, I’d agitate for a trade.”
I guess my point is that I wouldn’t “agitate” until I’ve reached a certain level of maturity as a big leaguer. He’s still got a learn, both defensively and offensively…
Lew
July 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
He either accepts it and plays as if he means it or he loses his shot at a MLB career. Dude has no leverage to force the Braves’hands short of doing what Prado did -coming in as a utility playerand playing his way into the starting lineup.
If Pastornicky has any sense, he’d take his lead from how Martin handled it – bust his butt and get better.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
make that “a lot to learn”…
phil
July 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
6:14 pm
How low Pastornicky must be feeling about his future with the Braves probably can’t be measured. From starter on opening day to a guy with absolutely no future except as a utility man if not trade bait.
*********
his own fault….
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:35 pm
Powderfinger
“I’ve got no problem with Hoss going to the ASG. But I do wish MLB would allow the managers to choose an Honorary Captain to cover such situations…”
Co-Sign! They should also Alter the Ingame Commentators, I get tired of hearing Blow Buck and Tim McSlobber
Give Me The Hawk and Steve Stone
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
6:35 pm
Yeah, dont want to agitate and then make a fool of urself; E.G. Mike Minor
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
How many strikeouts does Uggs have tonight? …
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
IlliniBrave_
There you go, wear out the vote button.
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
So, hitting with RISP is all about timing? LOL.
According to Shaun it is.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:36 pm
If Pastornicky has any sense, he’d take his lead from how Martin handled it – bust his butt and get better.
Lew, I’m all about getting better. Perhaps he takes Powderfinger’s advice at 6:33 pm?
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:37 pm
“From starter on opening day to a guy with absolutely no future except as a utility man if not trade bait.”
Wow. No one should give up on this guy yet, especially the dude himself. He will be back at some point this season, and will undoubtedly get lots of chances to prove himself.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:37 pm
Okay, Murph.
I’ll throw in a few for you. Lazy butt
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
Yeah, dont want to agitate and then make a fool of urself; E.G. Mike Minor
Well, the Rev could agitate quietly
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.
More than that, I think. Throw in Spruill and maybe Salcedo
5 players for 2 months of Greinke? Maybe, but you’d need to go down a level or two on a couple of them.
No, for the window to negotiate an get to re-sign him. I’m sure the Brewers will want quite a bit in that case since they lose the draft-compensation.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
Actually the Teams Commentors from the prior season World series teams should get the chance to broadcast the game (Given an option) as opposed to having to hear Blow Buck and T. McSlobber S..uck off The Cardinals and Yankees all stars all game long
Abandon
July 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
He’s got Mac hitting behind him so there is no reason to really pitch to Uggla. The 1st edition of this blog had Uggla hitting 5th between Chipper and Freeman. I was ready to predict a huge game for Uggs
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
I wonder if Prado “agitated” for a trade when the Braves labeled him as a utility guy?
Doubt it. Utility means opportunity. I wouldn’t want Pastornicky if he wanted to be traded.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:39 pm
For those jaded Chipper haters, true story here. When the Braves came up here to Chi-Town there were literally thousands of Braves fans at every game – many wearing #10. We went one night and tried to get there early and stay late to get Chipper’s autograph but no luck. Later that night ran into a family with adult sons like me and an older couple, all having a last round at a bar, and they said they had just come from the Four Seasons where the Braves were staying. Chipper was in the lobby for over an hour talking with folks, signing autographs, taking pictures, etc. The two college-aged boys said it was their dream to meet their boyhood hero in person, and Chipper more than obliged. They proudly showed me their pic with Chip on their iPhones.
Look, the guy has his faults, but he’s an old-school player and knows how important the fans are to the game.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
“I say, Greinke and Khris Davis for Minor, Perez and Ahmed.”
No offense, but thank Gawd Ur Not the GM
Hell No to Grienke
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
his own fault….
Not really sure why one faults Pastor Nicky for his talent level. I’ve never heard anything about him not being a hard worker.
richbrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
GCL – ORLANDO
Rookie JACKSON LAUMANN bombs his first HR, but it’s not enough as the PHILLIES rookies defeat the BRAVES rookies 7-3 this morning.
Lead-off SS JOSE PERAZA [.333 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 SAC, 1 SB [8].
RF JORDAN PARRAZ [.333 BA] 1-3, 1 RBI [1].
I’m assuming this to be a rehab assignment.
2011 31st round 1B JACKSON LAUMANN [.281 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR [1], 1 RBI [3], 2 SO.
His first HR outside extended ST.
2012 10th round 3B MIKE DODIG [.172 BA] 1-4, 1 SO.
2011 DSL grad C CARLOS SANCHEZ [.286 BA] 2-4.
2011 42nd round CF CODY LIVESAY [.400 BA] 2-3, 1 R, 1 SO.
Rookie 1st rounder RHSP LUCAS SIMS [3.00 ERA] 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.
First time out. Not dominating, but not terrible either. One earned in three, a mistake pitch.
RHRP ABE ESPINOSA [L 0-2, 8.71 ERA] 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.
RHRP JOSE ‘Black Mountain’ MONTENEGRO [9.35 ERA] 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO.
I was not terribly impressed with either of these two reliefers last year. Their numbers in the DSL looked good, but they had a few too many disasters thrown in amongst the great outings for my taste.
Frankie Wren
July 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
People really give a flying puck about the All-Star game? Maybe if 9 yrs old, could care less now.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Bobby’s Cox
where is this evidence you have that RISP hitting is a skill? because the rest of baseball would be willing to pay you big bucks for your secret information.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
I wonder if Prado “agitated” for a trade when the Braves labeled him as a utility guy?
Doubt it. Utility means opportunity. I wouldn’t want Pastornicky if he wanted to be traded.
Doubt it, too. But Martin wasn’t brought – rushed, is a better word – to the majors as the Braves’ opening day starting shortstop and then – understandably – reassigned to Gwinnett and told – publicly – “You’ll make one heckuva a sub, son!”
I don’t think Pastornicky sees himself as Brooks Conrad after so recently being told, “You’re our guy at short, Tyler.”
Just saying.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
Gotta go for now. Home Depot beckons, so I can be reminded of what a mistake it was in high school to take Concert Choir instead of Industrial Arts. But there were girls in the chorus, and there were bus rides to concerts, many of which were in the dark…
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:45 pm
Bat
i have got to be in triple digits on Chipper votes, and counting
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
Way to go NickB!!!! Not there yet, but will be hopefully soon.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
Give it hell, Nick……..
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
Pastornicky will do what he’s told or he will end up watching his MLB career chances drift away….
teams don’t want whiney role players, good thin the kid has shown nothing but respect and understanding that he didn’t perform
phil
July 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
Bat – just mean he wasn’t demoted for no reason. He stunk.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
And is the number of #10 jerseys up here is any indication, they guy has support from all over. Not just A-town. Heard from my friend down in STL that they love him there too.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
when does the voting expire? anyone know?
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
Not really sure why one faults Pastor Nicky for his talent level. I’ve never heard anything about him not being a hard worker.
This. And he never lackadasically lofted a ball to 1B to cause an error either…. *cough cough* Andy *cough*
I see I have a new Twitter follower, Brava10… is that the Brava from this blog
archie
July 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
Chipper has 6 home runs in 176 plate appearances this year. He had 18 HR in 512 plate appearances last year. Not much power left in the ol’ Hoss, folks.
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
It’s interesting that Chipper’s career hitting with RISP is almost identical to his base career stats.
Ryan Braun? Same thing. Derek Jeter? Same thing. Even Dan Uggla is within 10 points of his career average when he hits with RISP.
I don’t think most hitters perform much better or much worse when they come up with guys in scoring position than they do at other times.
I could be wrong, though, as I grew bored looking up player’s splits and have moved on to other, more entertaining, things. That talking dog gets me every time.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
People really give a flying puck about the All-Star game? Maybe if 9 yrs old, could care less now.
Tend to agree, Frankie. Inter-league play sorta killed the All-Star game for me. I still watch it, but back in the old days, when NL teams didn’t play AL teams in regular season, the All-Star game was a big deal.
It was quite something to speculate how Walter Johnson would do against Ty Cobb (just kidding).
…how Hank Aaron would match up against Catfish Hunter, for example.
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Maybe tonight we (a) get our first Monday win since the beginning of time (seems like) and (b) take some revenge for that Chicago series in May. Good thing I went up to Chi-town and got drunk the night before the Wednesday game of that series or I would have seriously regretted buying that plane ticket.
richbrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
DOWN ON THE FARM
LYNCHBURG
Two seven-innings affairs on tap tonight. JR GRAHAM puts his shiny 8-1 record on the line. HILLCATS up 1-0 in the third. GRAHAM one-hit through three.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
phil-
Okay, I get that. What the hell, a lot of people always though he was a reach at short anyway, so he really has to hit to have a chance there. He’s young so he has plenty of time, maybe he hits enough to play second someday, who knows.
Venice Jim
July 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
Voting ends Thursday at 4…
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
6:55 pm
Enter your comments here
– ChattTownBrian
This inspires me.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
6:55 pm
Go Braves!
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
@bravesgrl4life: well, I was there on Tuesday when they won. But even if they lost, no game at Wrigley can ever suck, not if you hit Goose Island before the game, have a Chicago-style polish and a couple tall-boys during the game, and then cruise across the street to the Cubby Bear after. We were there until almost midnight and then went downtown to an Irish pub. Unfortunately Atlanta has nothing like the Cubs pre- and post-game diversions.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
AZBravoFan
Minor was ready to step up in Spring Training…He wanted to start or br traded. He got the talking part out of the way, now he just needs to pitch as well as he speaks!
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
archie
Chippers career AB’s per HR is 19, this year it’s 25,
a drop of 6 AB’s per Homer ain’t bad for a 40 yr old
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
The Braves suck.
That’s all I have to say about that.
They suck.
Wouldn’t be surprised to the see the Cubs take three of four.
Don’t have much good to say about this team at the moment.
Perhaps I shouldn’t say anything but whoever it is who’s supposed to tell you not to say anything bad if you don’t have something nice to say never told me that.
The Braves suck.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Today the Monday losing streak ends!!!!
richbrave
July 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Why???
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Bitchell’s back!
Murph
July 2nd, 2012
6:58 pm
Didn’t realize Heyward is quickly approaching many of his 2011 stat totals already… just needs 17 hits, 2 HR, and 4 RBI to tie his production from last season in those categories. He already passed his 2011 SB total.
Pretty good turnaround thus far. Hope he keeps it up.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
6:58 pm
Garza was signing autographs for the fans.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
Gametime!
Im Back! And “All Da Way Turn’t Up!”
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
Bitchell sucks
That’s all I have to say about that.
He sucks
Wouldn’t be surprised to the see him complain on 3 out of 4 posts
Don’t have much good to say about his opinion at the moment.
Perhaps I shouldn’t say anything but whoever it is who’s supposed to tell you not to say anything bad if you don’t have something nice to say never told me that.
Bitchell sucks
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
Today the Monday losing streak ends!!!!
That’s the spirit!!!
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
6:55 pm
Go Braves!
Brava10 on tweeter?
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
I don’t know much about the deal sending Iso Joe away yet, but whatever it is I love. Damn guy is the invisible man when it counts.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
7:00 pm
well folks , off to do the play by play, back after the game
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:00 pm
Bets on the score tonight?
5-2 Atlanta! Come On Big Red We Need You Baby!
HELPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!
Oregon Brave
July 2nd, 2012
7:01 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan @6:15
Cold adult beverage says you’re wrong.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:02 pm
8-2 ATL… Uggs, Heyward, and Prado go long. Bourn goes 3-5 with a SB.
George
July 2nd, 2012
7:02 pm
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
@Fastball
“Finally someone sees that Wren needs to go. ….and take Fredi with him. Goodbye.”
I’m not a Blind Homer as most on here are aware of but, Wren has done a A- job during his tenure here considering the circumstances of a Limited Budget,
***********************************************************
YUPPERS, but FREDI should go ASAP.
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
Mitchell, you’ve got the nub of a poem here. Let me help.
The Braves suck.
That’s all I have to say about that.
They suck. Worse than my bestest friend’s pet duck.
Wouldn’t be surprised to the see the Cubs take three of four.
Don’t have much good to say about this team at the moment. So I’m out the door
…and headed to the pharmacy for your anti-depression meds.
Look both ways before you cross the street, okay?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
Brava is on Twitter and not on Facebook?
WTF?
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
7:04 pm
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Bitchell’s back!
What can I say. I was raised by wolves.
Good people.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:04 pm
How about ending the Braves ongoing case of the Monday’s tonight.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:04 pm
Clever JeffR. Now turn it into a haiku.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
7:04 pm
Yes to goodbye, Iso Joe….he was killing us. Of course josh makes me crazy, but another year, no joe, we’ll see.
Dwight howard to atlanta next….this allows it to happen.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:06 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan @6:15
Cold adult beverage says you’re wrong.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
6:15 pm
O for Mondays. See you tomorrow boys.
The streak stops tonight. We start a winning streak tonight.
Can’t drink, but we’ll see.
Brava is on Twitter and not on Facebook?
WTF?
That’s her? Just want to make sure, it’s a heckuva coincidence if it’s not her…
George
July 2nd, 2012
7:06 pm
Still no wins on a Monday? Sad.
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
7:06 pm
Marvin’s out too.
Danny Ferry’s cleaning house. Love it.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
7:07 pm
No, that’s not me, TBOF. She’s a bit wilder than I am. I’m Braveswyn on Twitter.
Frankie Wren
July 2nd, 2012
7:07 pm
“how Hank Aaron would match up against Catfish Hunter, for example”
Good call, miss Catfish. Quite a character.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Marvin too? Wonderful news! If we got a used ball for him, we’re fortunate!
George
July 2nd, 2012
7:09 pm
Outta here, Lets win one tonight.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
7:10 pm
Dempster visits “22q syndrome” patients in Atlanta
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/02/dempster-takes-time-to-visit-with-22q-patients-in-atlanta/
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
7:10 pm
Marvin Williams………….. Has a guy ever got less out of his talent……….. jeez
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:10 pm
@George
I cant hate on Fredi, Just can’t do it
However If we get Clowned by the Curley W’s and the Phillies in the 2nd half, I will change my tone
As Overreactionary And Moody I get during games, I’m one of Fredi’s defenders so far
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
7:11 pm
Hey T. Good to see you’re back from the DL.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:11 pm
A nice treat behind the plate calling balls and strikes, none other than Jim Joyce! Excellent umpire.
Sopheee
July 2nd, 2012
7:11 pm
Yup, lowercase phil. They’re saying Marvin to Utah for Devin Harris and the Hawks save some $.
ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Just going online and on SportsCenter: Hawks have agreed in principle to deal Marvin Williams to Utah for Devin Harris to shed even more $
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:12 pm
@Brava
If that Braveswyn chick is wild, I need to meet her…
Nice K Big Red
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:13 pm
let’s get a win blog
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:13 pm
3 pitches works for me.
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
Nice start for Tommy getting Campana out on 3 pitches.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
@Bat: only problem with your comment is that one could question just how much talent was there after all.
Wonder what the guys who are still on the roster are thinking? If nothing else, they might realize that they have to “play” to get “paid”
flange1
July 2nd, 2012
7:15 pm
Nice Dempster story DOB!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:15 pm
@Brava
I’m on a Rehab assignment…I wont be back full time til around the 12th of the month
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
7:16 pm
Chipper has 6 home runs in 176 plate appearances this year. He had 18 HR in 512 plate appearances last year. Not much power left in the ol’ Hoss, folks. Archie
Archie, sharpen that pencil and give that another try. He seems to be pretty consistent to me.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:16 pm
Ok thanks Brava! You have a new follower #BravesFam
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Danny Ferry is my hero!
like him almost as much as Marteeeen! almost.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Hi everyone! Let’s get some Cubbie shum!
Jeff R
July 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Clever JeffR. Now turn it into a haiku.
Way beyond my skill set and pay grade, IlliniBrave.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
You know the Cubs are going bad when Thier Bandwagon Cubs fans dont fill up our stadium!
They used to turn that (Exepletive) into Wrigley Field South!
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
7:18 pm
No T. The wild one is Brava 10, I’m Braveswyn. You’re right, though. she sounds like someone you should meet.
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:18 pm
@Brava
I’m on a Rehab assignment…I wont be back full time til around the 12th of the month
Sweet! My lappy comes off the DL tomorrow or Wednesday… won’t be tied to this crappy Windows desktop.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:18 pm
I think it sounds like at least 25 Cubs fans are here
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Maybe so, Illini.
I thought he could play and just didn’t. I say that having barely watched them for the last two years. :shrug:
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Bat- Didn’t you hear before draft that Marvin Williams had probably the biggest “upside” of the draft including Chris Paul who was drafted after him? Unfortunately for Hawks fans, Marvin was standing on his head at the time.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Ho Sit Down!
Alfonso Sorry-Ano
I still think that dude was on the stuff when he had those near 40-40 seasons, he has gotten smaller in his arms and legs
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
I’ll follow back when I get on my computer, TBOF. I’m on the Kindle right now. Thanks for the follow.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Nice dig Mac
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Soriano is one ugly dude and Tommy just made him look really ugly.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
JeffR: yeah, me too. Hell, I don’t even know how to do one myself. Just know that they were all the rage a few years back.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:21 pm
The first inning turned out to be less efficient than Hanson probably would have liked, but it still worked out pretty well.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
7:21 pm
Good start for Hanson
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
Yeah I don’t go that way but Dan Uggla is considered a ‘cutie’ compared to Sorrypiano
phil
July 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
Devin Harris is fairly decent and has a pulse, so it’s another win for the Hawks…
TheOnlyBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
okay Brava…. bravesfanjulien (couldn’t get theonlybravesfan, was already taken grrr)
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
20 pitches (15 strikes) for #Braves Hanson in 2-strikeout 1st inning
Thanks flange1, Kat, IlliniBrave, and all the other nice/cool folks here.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
TNScott
Good line
:
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
Oh, wow, he looked even more like a porn star with that tongue thing he did a minute ago.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
Did that Ump just cry out Marteeeeeeen?
ColoradoBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
Great start for Hanson… but why does he always have 20 pitches even in his good innings?
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:24 pm
Glad to see our two rally killers are batting down in the lineup. FINALLY!!! Glad you made it to the show, Fredi.
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
7:25 pm
NickB,
Been trying to respond to you but this forum won’t display my post. Rewrote the thing twice and it still won’t show up. No profanity or nothing. Wth?
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
In a way – a very small way mind you – I feel sorry for Marvin. It wasn’t his fault that a group of idiots in the Hawks front office thought he had more talent than he did and shocked the world by drafting him too high. Not the kid’s fault that he went before Deron and CP3 – two guys who are perennial All-Stars, arguably the top two PGs in the NBA, and one of whom might end up in the Hall of Fame. Not his fault that he was one of what seemed like a couple dozen wing players drafted by the Hawks over a 6-7-year period.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Samardzija has been struggling lately which means he will throw a two-hit shutout against the Braves. I am disliking Bourn’s and Prado’s at bats to begin the game.
phil
July 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Yes. Joyce is funny that way…
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
I like the All-Star games. They’ve been pretty decent in the recent past.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
S/O to Capt Mudd!
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
Samardzija struck out 1 in the entire last game he pitched. Struck out 2 in the Braves first at bat……
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
Samardzija has some splitter. Don’t see stuff like that from starters nowadays.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:28 pm
Gonna be a long night.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:28 pm
BC: had the same problem earlier tonight. Not sure if the spam filter is misfiring somehow.
ray k.
July 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
I find his in game managing often questionable, but I’ll say this for FG: he shakes the lineups when guys arent playing well. When was the last time Mac hit the south side of 6th?
phil
July 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
How many nights AREN’t long with this team?
Fire FG!!
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
IlliniBrave- your right that “others” drafted and evaluated Marvin way to high. Even gave him a 2nd contract that compounded the original problem 5-fold.
can’t blame the player for that… but i never saw MW busting his but night in night out to help the team and himself get better.
I did see him cheerleading a lot in the 4th qtr from the bench tho.
Good riddance.
The 2 moves today only confirm to me what lame GM’s were before Danny Ferry. The guy has been here a week for gods sake! and he’s changed the team.
Well done.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
Marteeen!!!
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
Nice play, Marteen!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
@T-Mafia
Samidja (Spelling) Will prolly look like Randy Johnson tonight. He put us down in Wrigley!
Come on offense!
t_height
July 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
I know i’m late on this but what in the heck happen to Melky Cabrera this year!!
ColoradoBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
Now I feel foolish as Hanson has a 9 pitch second inning….. GO BRAVES
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
man went to carry the trash out came back in.
did the braves even get to bat in the inning.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
Goodness, what has happened to the outfield defense of late? Bourn made two mistakes in two days and Prado nearly allowed that ball from Barney to get over his head.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Joe Simpson sure is getting his say about how San Francisco fans stuffed the ballot box for Posey, Cabrera, and Sandoval. Funny though, he doesn’t have much to say about fans stuffing that same box with the name of Uggla. Homer piece of shyt.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Thought this was a Braves blog. Too much Hawks stuff on here. NBA=Thugsville
AZBravoFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Jay Dubu:
I don’t care what Mike Minor says. I want to see the results. He’s been around plenty long enough now. Beachy used to talk the same game, but he started to back it up finally. My concern is we’ve been hyping our stable of pitching prospects for a few years now, and we only seem to have Hansen to show for it so far. And I don’t count Beachy because he was never hyped, he came out of nowhere. Maybe the baseball world was right when they laughed at our pick of Minor at #7….
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
@ray K
I dont think B-Macc has hit 7th since I have been of age to buy alcohol…?
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
Yes @Tomahawkin….s/o…back to you…..How about my stupidity? I had a great seat for Wed. game vs. Cubs and got a bit pissed so I gave it to my son up in Atlanta…..now tonight I want the damn thing back.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Marvin’s out too.
Danny Ferry’s cleaning house. Love it.
He got rid of JJ’s contract and Marvin Williams? We need to rename Atlanta after Danny Ferry.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Don’t worry Cubs fans, we’ll get Samardzija back on track for y’all!!
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
let’s make this the fastest game in history.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
7:36 pm
Oh, boy. Samardzija has his good stuff tonight.
iTiSi
July 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
This Notre Dame ex-WR looks like a Braves killer so far! Of course all you need is one really good pitch.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
Here we go. Sarmardzija looks outstanding. He will go deep in the game.
Rick
July 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
Jerry, Uggla had already amassed a large lead by the first voting tally release. And back then, he was certainly worthy of the nomination, especially considering Philips got off to a slow start. Uggla was pretty productive until about two or three weeks ago, so it’s understandable that he still got the most votes.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:37 pm
Tomahawk- Your two-hit prediction looks more likely at this point.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
tmc: Agree. I did say that I only felt sorry IN A VERY SMALL WAY. ; )
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
show boat castro
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
Why is Castro an All-Star?
#showboatin
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:38 pm
@Jerry, Lol at that post
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:39 pm
You know that Starlin guy should play for the Marlins….and, he would be closer to Castro!
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:39 pm
Personally, I wouldn’t vote for Chipper over Bourn. Chipper hasn’t played enough and I feel that if he can’t play for his own team, then he has no right to play in an all star game. Bourn deserves it. I think though that the votes for either Jones or Bourn will allow either Freese, Harper, or Hill to make it in. If not Bourn, I’d like to see Harper.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
Can we bat McCann 10th?
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
What was Castro doing? With the way Sarmardzija is looking tonight that could be the only hit he allows.
Ric Flair to Right
July 2nd, 2012
7:40 pm
Mac is flat awful
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
We Cub fans pretty much love Sarmardzija. With the long hair and lanky frame he reminds you of Tim Lincecum – except with good stuff.
)
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
IlliniBrave- i know. it’s all good.
i can’t believe what Ferry did…
and that i’m even typing about it.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
A hustling Cub. Good to see.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Yeah, Mac could have at least worked the count a bit more. He is hopeless this season. The Braves have had one full calender year of futility from him.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
here comes the washington cubs
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Come on Big Red!
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Well thats the ballgame. The Braves fall to 0-11 on Mondays.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Let’s try to hold it until at least the 6th inning before we lose it on here.
bp
July 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
Why do we throw the ball down the middle when we know its a bunt?
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
If Valbuena scores it will be the end for the Braves.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
Jerry- “Homer” and Joe both have the same last name. DOOH.
Rick
July 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
Six pitches to Campana, all strikes.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
hanson you realy going to have to pitch your butt off cause they ain’t gone get you any runs.
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
what happens if we loose 2 out of 3 to this crappy team?
Will the team and the announcer at least acknowledge a problem with this team?
I say no.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
McCann and Uggla try and pull everything over the fence. Surprising Mac has gotten so one dimensional as a hitter.
Great job Hanson
One Big Dummy
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Good job, Tommy!
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Well thats the ballgame. The Braves fall to 0-11 on Mondays.
I must have missed the new rule that games can end in scoreless ties…
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
This is the Same Starlin Castro who sexually assulted a woman in the offseason and got away with it
had it been an average Joe, he would’ve been thrown in jail and the Judge wouldve thrown away the key
Rick
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
tmc, this is a four game series.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Oh yeah, the Cubs are worse than the Braves at scoring runs. That helps.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Hanson looking good so far. That and the Cubs could get us a rare Monday win. Still think something will get in the way of that though.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
Nick-
You did not have to remind us of Mondays. now we are sad.
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
what happens if we loose 2 out of 3 to this crappy team?
See what happens in the 4th game…
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
@tmc: so you actually LISTEN to the Braves games? When I can get them, I just watch. The three guys there in Atlanta are blind homers and the MLB guys are total tools. Only if I have a good feed from the opposing team – like with STL or LA – will I listen.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
why can Mac not get straightend out? Has he become so stubborn? Does he care less than before? His eyes? Some unknown injury only known to him? Or is he just worn down at age 27 from all the catching in all the Atlanta summers?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
Buster Olney
@Buster_ESPN
The Phillies’ focus, in framing the possible Cole Hamels trade talks, is on acquiring third base and outfield help, sources say.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
Lol TNScott!
ColoradoBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
what happens if we loose 2 out of 3 to this crappy team?
Well…. since we play 4 games against the Cubs…..
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
Juan Francisco for Cole Hamels, Git R Done, Frank!!!!
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
This Samardja guy is the type that will take you out. He’ll throw a 96 heater at your hand and break it. He has football mentality, throws hard, is wild and seems a little nuttty in the head.
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
Simmons is one of the few bright spots on this team.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
Nice walk, Andy!!!!
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
Guys, if my Braves lose to my Cubbies, I’ll be embarrassed and yet happy at the same time. Mostly embarrassed.
Conflicting emotions.
TheTed
July 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
@tmc: so you actually LISTEN to the Braves games? When I can get them, I just watch. The three guys there in Atlanta are blind homers and the MLB guys are total tools. Only if I have a good feed from the opposing team – like with STL or LA – will I listen.
__________________________________________
Try watching a White Sox game ith Hawk Harrelson….
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
9 pitches in 2nd and 9 in 3rd for Hanson, after that 20-pitch 1st inning
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
In other words, he is a hitters worst nightmare as far as getting you seriously hurt.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:51 pm
just a bunt will do. if you can.
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
7:52 pm
PATHETIC
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:52 pm
@Slick Rick
This is Indeed a 4 Game Trap series against the AAA Iowa Cubs! Braves better take 3 of 4 or I might poison myself!
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:52 pm
Well, Hanson still hasn’t gotten any better at bunting.
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
7:53 pm
Hanson’s a piece of crap.
Always has been.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:53 pm
Piss Poor effort from Hanson, just awful.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Not getting down a bunt … Talk about not helping one’s own cause.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
G Dammit Big red. Thats how u lose games
Shyt like that makes my (Exepletive) Itch!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/219934685004963841
Yep, Danny Ferry just made Atlanta a *potential* landing spot for both Chris Paul AND Dwight Howard in FA next season.
CP3, Dwight Howard and J-Smoove in Atlanta? Who cares about those Braves or Falcons?
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Simmons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Nice steal, Andy!!!
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
7:54 pm
“Fish Bisch, July 2nd, 2012, 4:56 pm … “Smearedjizzum owns us”
Fishy aiming to get the blog a PG-13 rating.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
@Ted: somewhat embarrased to admit that I never watch the Sox. Never. Not a fan. Liked the theater that Ozzie brought to the team. But otherwise don’t follow them – even though they are definitely a better team. When I have watched, I can’t remember what the announcers are like. But I’ll take your word for it that they are horrible.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
do we ever practice bunting?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
Gawd I love Lil Andy. That kid has heart!
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
Woot Woot!!!!!!!!!!!
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
A thing of beauty…
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
Dagumit!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
The Braves need to score here after the gift WP.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
That people is called Monday luck right there.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
If fans could vote to take away a vote from a player, no way does Melky Cabrera get to start the All Star game.
Melky Cabrera … all star starter … Mayans, please save us from the ignominy!
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
G Dammit Big red. Thats how u lose games
Shyt like that makes my (Exepletive) Itch!
Good Lord, is all that necessary? Calm down.
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Sorry, 4 game series… we gotta win at least 3.
Illini- i don’t listen most of the time because they don’t acknowledge the truth… but sometimes the volume is on in the background.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Out of luck? Success and luck go hand in hand in Broadcasting : Mr. Chirp
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:56 pm
Bourn has gotten ice cold to join the pack. That worries me a little because he is trending into the same path as last year – great 1st half, poor 2nd half.
Rick
July 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
Ouch
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
This team has the worst luck ever. They get a guy to third and still hit into a double play. They never can get out of their own way.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
This team could not be worse.
They could try but they would fail even at that.
Why would you break for home on a soft liner to short?
TheTed
July 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
@IlliniBrave Only time I watch them is when they play the Cubs. Which, was painful this year.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:57 pm
Any NL pitcher that does not learn how to bunt should seriously look himself in the mirror. I mean, WTF, it’s not like you’re gonna do a whole lot more at the plate than sacrifice. I remember the good ole days where Tommy Glavine would lead the league every year in sacrifices.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
I have that old familiar sick feeling in the pit of my stomach do yall.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
Always happens, your suppose to score and don’t, the other team makes you pay the next inning.
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
Crap!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
ChattTownBrian
Agreed. I worry about Bourn when he begins to slump because much of his offensive value is tied to his ability to reach base with hits as he rarely walks. If he could add patience and increase his walk rate, he would become an even more dangerous and valuable player.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
BALLGAME!!!
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
What the rizzo for that Red?
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
7:58 pm
And? ……………
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
BALLGAME! 0-11 on Mondays
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
Braves are really playing poorly the last few days. They look lackluster … not worth watching right now.
Must be Mondays and the heat.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
7:59 pm
Wow, that sucked. Poor bunting – just about the easiest thing you can do in baseball, and poor baserunning. Andrelton, have you been taking baserunning advice from Matt Diaz?
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
1-0 Cubs. Not to worry though because Uggla will get us that run back…more more! Hahahaha
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
This pitching staff give up far too many homeruns. I wish the Braves could start this restart this season.
bravesgrl4life
July 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
For crying out loud, it’s the 4th inning. Still lots of baseball left so cool it with the “ballgame” crap.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:00 pm
How was that play bad luck?
This team is retarded.
They’re just a bunch of freakin’ incompetent morons.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:01 pm
Think about this again … Samardjia went like 4 innings against the Mets and gave up NINE runs. He carving us up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
They’re just a bunch of freakin’ incompetent morons.
And what does that say about you?
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
This is not looking good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2hq3DW_Bgk
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:02 pm
With instant information on the blog and twitter this 2 minute delay with MLB.TV gets old fast.
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
8:03 pm
Sam. gets a good sac bunt down on the first pitch. Tommy strikes out on a foul 3rd attempt.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
8:03 pm
I wonder if Murph and Joe hold hands under the table during games?
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:03 pm
I wanted to post this earlier but couldn’t get to my computer but Chip and Dip spent at least 20 minutes talking about how bad Samardzja has been for the Cubs. What I wanted to say was he will be an all star tonight, he picked the perfect place to go to get well.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:03 pm
!!!EMAGLLAB
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:04 pm
Im just pondering on what we need more of at the deadline; pitching or offense. Im going with both.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
8:04 pm
Scary thought – this team might be on the verge of one of those total mental meltdowns. We are relatively yourg and seemingly fragile right now. If we lose the series to the Cubs, this could get fuggly.
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
July 2nd, 2012
8:04 pm
It’s a crying(laughing) shame that Harry Caray is not still with us, and Samardzija and Saltalamacchia could not have been on the Cubs team as a battery. That would have been hilarious! If he started to say it when the inning began he would still be spitting it out when the inning ended.
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
8:04 pm
Has everyone come to grips with the fact that the Braves are the worst team in baseball?
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:05 pm
Fire everybody but Simmons and Prado. Bring the kids up and let’s just play some ball. Who cares ……
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Nick
Yes, it has been difficult though.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Who cares ……
You do.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Nick, you bet.
phoenix
July 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Wonder if Fredi sticks around if the Cubs win this series?
AZBravoFan
July 2nd, 2012
8:07 pm
Someone should have called BALLGAME when they saw that Samardzdja gave up 9 runs last start. No team better to get right against than this one. Just ask Matt Latos. It’s not that he has his best stuff. He has his normal stuff. The Mets can hit right now. The Braves can’t.
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
8:08 pm
The only real question left is will the Braves get a runner to 2nd the rest of the game. Baby steps.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
The Atlanta Robots, other than Prado,Simmons and sometimes Chipper.
IlliniBrave
July 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
Well, got a hard deadline to meet and too much frustration watching the Braves. Need to make the wise choice, pour a double bourbon, and get back to my manuscript.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:09 pm
just bring in your sick your hurt your struggling your slumping your losing and we will make them well.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:10 pm
Dang he has Prado dancing all around in the batters box tonight.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:10 pm
If we lose the series to the Cubs, this could get fuggl
Why, we lost the last series to them, besides that we have been in melt down for two months.
Nick
July 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
The ENTIRE team is struggling at once. Awesome.
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
Add Samardzija to the ‘owned by’ list?
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
8:11 pm
Raise your hand if you didn’t see this coming.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
The Braves are having so many injuries because they quit wearing Phiten Necklaces
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
Jeff Sam-marker is looking like Randy Johnson, Not Goodt
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:12 pm
When it goes bad….it goes bad…fast!
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
What was the point of showing that?
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
So 4 strikeouts for our #2 and #3 hitters combined and were just in the 4th inning….nice.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
That splitter is nasty.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
Braves have one of their top scouts, Dom Chiti, at Greinke’s start tonight.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
CTB, and the “Head Robot” is wearing the managerial hat. “Don’t do like I say, just do like I do”
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:13 pm
It’s the 4th inning of a 1 run game. Let’s all PANIC!!!! sigh…
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
All the Cubs had to do tonight was score first.
They accomplished that.
Really would not surprise me if they won the series.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
I tip my cap …
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:14 pm
This is embarrassing, the only thing that makes it better is that it’s not on national TV.
beachcomber
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Listening to the radio guys talk about the dilemma of Chipper and Bourn being on the final guy ballot. Perhaps it was answered earlier but have teammates ever been on the ballot together before? Makes sense not to have a situation like that.
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
If Castro didnt have another brain fart we’d be looking at a possible no no tonight.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Nick, this team is not struggling, they are just being braves.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
This is ridiculous. Do the Braves ever beat someone who is coming off a series of awful starts?
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Jeff Smarjackass is killing us.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Braves theme song lyric: Monday, Monday, can’t stand that day.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:16 pm
DOB, can they scout some Brewers offense while they’re watching Greinke? We, uh, are kind of shytty right now.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
8:16 pm
Samardzija has 7 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 hit allowed in 4 scoreless innings.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:17 pm
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Braves are scouting Zack Greinke’s start Monday against the Marlins.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:18 pm
maybe another shut out.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:19 pm
DOB – Braves have one of their top scouts, Dom Chiti, at Greinke’s start tonight
They should be somewhere scouting some hitters!
LakeDawg
July 2nd, 2012
8:19 pm
The Braves are going to lose to the Cubs. Let that sink in.
smallmouth6
July 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
Constanza is hitting .310 at Gwinnett. I had never head of him until a few posters came on and said again and again “free Constanza.” I with them. The kid is good–much better than our bench. If you aren’t going to bring him up to help this dead-sticking squad, then let him go and have a chance to help someone else. Our bench is POOR.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
8:20 pm
Braves have one of their top scouts, Dom Chiti, at Greinke’s start tonight.
I’ll know they are serious if they send Dom Deluise
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
The Braves are going to lose to the Cubs. Let that sink in.
Think I’ll wait until the game is over before I make any decisions…
Del
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Guess the Braves are going for another record tonight, the strikeout record that is. Pitiful!
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Might be a good thing Samardjia is having a good game. Reason is because if he were struggling he’d might take out a hitter or three. I want so bad to badly to punch him in that fugly grin and then shave off the 14 year old style stache he has going on.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Jeff Sumarzjuh has a 5.05 era.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
Fats Domino’s “Blue Monday” is the theme song for this team.
Charlie
July 2nd, 2012
8:21 pm
The Cubs have theworst record in baseball. Their starter is 0-4, with a 12+ era, inthose 4 starts. Therefore, it follows that the Braves have already have 7 K’s in 4 innings. They suck, so bad. What a joke. I can see a “Cap Tippin’ in the quotes tomorrow.
Halbert
July 2nd, 2012
8:22 pm
Typical lackluster performance from our offense. 1 hit through 5.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
@Brava
Samarjackass???
Love It!
Love ur ingame posts!
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
Oh wait, sorry, it’s 4.83.
So much better.
I'm Over It
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
Dave, this is not a baseball town. The current GM is clueless, and old John S. ain’t lending him any advice. Compound that with the weak knowledge of the game among the AJC sportswriters, and what you have is a clueless bunch. Trading your good, young pitching talent (that is currently undercoached) instead of the nearly over-the-hill staff members? WHY? Impatience. This team is NOT a playoff team and has piss-poor chemistry lead by a very average manager. Fans can’t see this because (again) this is no baseball town. The Braves organization needs to sever the ties to Bobby Cox (you cannot clone him). Time to move on and find a different type of manager and NOT trade young talent as in the past when panic reigned.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
just got back. one hitter huh? Gotta tip your cap I guess, guy is obviously an amazing pitcher
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
K number 8
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
joe it could have a lot to do with the braves batters to.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
I mean swinging through hanging offspeed stuff. Looking weak at the plate.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
Half of pitching a good game is confidence, that is why so many pitchers have great games against us, they have all the confidence in the word they can beat this sorry ass team.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:23 pm
This is quite a quick game. Need to slow it down and get on base.. (not like that’s not known but I felt like I had to type it lol)
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
How many starters actually throw a splitter nowadays? Dice-K? Darvish? Lincecum? Not many.
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:24 pm
Will Mac do something here?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Samarjackass is looking like 2004 Ben Sheets, Not Good
Bet he strikes out 12?
That Loud Woman with the Lets Go is Annoying!
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:25 pm
so its pitching we need huh?
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Braves look dazed and confused. Swinging at balls, taking strikes.
Not much “grinding out at bats” going on.
M.V.P.Heyward
July 2nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Today is monday. So, It’s automatic loss for the braves.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
8:25 pm
“Rainy Days and Mondays” is another by the Carpenters. Loved that Karen Carpenter!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
This is sorta looking like one of those special performances…..
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
Samardzija had 7 strikeouts thru 4 IP, more than he had in any of past 4 starts while going 0-4 w/ 12.27 ERA
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:26 pm
Still, one hanging breaking ball away from being tied.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
I don’t think we need to make A trade, I think we need to make SEVERAL trades haha
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
Im co-signing! 100 percent on Simp’s statement on B-Macc not hoing to be an All Star,…
B-Macc has been Gawd Awful since that Injury last year
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:27 pm
This team is pathetic.
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
I don’t know why I put myself through this every night.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
McCann should learn to go with the pitch to left
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
8:28 pm
Uggla’s infield single to a SS with a 72 IQ is the only thing between us and a no hitter.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
I miss Javy Lopez.
They keep showing old footage of him crushing clutch homeruns.
tony austin
July 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
It’s Monday and Jeff has been struggling, a perfect recipe to face this offense. If Jeff was left handed that would totally seal the deal.
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Nice pick Hoss!
I'm Over It
July 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Moronic Braves front office going to trade who for Greinke….Freeman? Heyward? Simmons? No doubt two or three top prospects that will be in the All-Star game in 3-4 years.
No faith in anything they are doing currently.
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:29 pm
Sure does suck that Chipper’s got not reflexes anymore…
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
Hoss!!!
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
Tomahawkin @ 8:25 pm ..
I know I swear she sits next to the mic every game!
Bronke
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
Brian McCann the Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Braves. Dan Uggla, lot like Marvin Williams. Both found new homes. Maybe something will stir up in the Braves also!
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
Andy!
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
DOB: nothing like a trip to Turner Field to help a visiting pitcher get back on track
(Rob from SC)
July 2nd, 2012
8:30 pm
That’s how you play shortstop
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Samardzija was pretty good up till these last few starts. Unfair to think of him as a junk pitcher. Guy has great stuff, just spotty command. He’s on tonight. It happens.
Screwball
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Even the Braves telecasts are bland. There’s a website where you can vote for your favorite Fox baseball reporter … But her on Fox Sports South we have Tom Hart. Nice guy but give me some eye candy. Frank Wren might sign up Bea Arthur for the gig.
Charlie
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
The Uggla / McCan’t combo continue to completely suck. Brian has been worthless since last August, and Worthless Dan has, for 5 weeks, played the same inept baseball, as his first 4 months of 2011. They are nothing, if not consistently bad.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
McCann should learn to go with the pitch to left
Why? He’s making $13M a year to be a lump and hit .222.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Simba is a real bright spot on this team
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
That Loud Woman with the Lets Go is Annoying!
I think that’s a kid
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:31 pm
That play by Chipper was routine, Joe made it sound like one of the plays of the week.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
I guess Parrish wasn’t as clueless as many of us made him out to be. Maybe we just have a group of hitters who are way too stubborn and,or just not as good as some lead you on to believe.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
Gawd I love Lil Andy!
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:32 pm
Death. Taxes. The Braves playing down to their competition.
Sure things in life.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
Way “to nip it in the bud,” Andy!!!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
Ho Sit Down! Sorry-Ano!
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
keylargo: I like him but really hope McCann signs elsewhere next year….I just think catching has caught up to him
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
8:33 pm
Samardzija came into this game with a 4+ ERA, and is taking the Braves’ lunch money the 2nd time through the order.
Maybe the third time through the order will be the charm.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
Did Uggla go through these prolonged slumps when he was in Florida?
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
C’mon Braves let’s do this!!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
How about scoring 1 measly run.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
“Maybe the third time through the order will be the charm.”
Game might be over by then at this rate.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:35 pm
Joe has got to be the only person that thinks Chip’s impersonation of Harry Caray is funny.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
those no count 4 runs we got yesterday would look good now
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
Chip’s impressions of his Dad are just…. Creepy
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
It’s getting so that a ground out is an improvement.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
8:36 pm
When Chip Caray attempts to imitate his dad, I want to throw a brick at the screen
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
“Joe has got to be the only person that thinks Chip’s impersonation of Harry Caray is funny.”
It’s the impersonation of Skip Caray actually, and I think it’s a pretty good one.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:37 pm
Wow this is just sad
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:38 pm
I like Chip’s Skip impersonations.
Is there anything you guys don’t complain about?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:38 pm
Someone just compared B-Macc To Joe Johnson…
Really???
OMFG
UNCBrave
July 2nd, 2012
8:38 pm
Enter Hanson is dealing. we need to get some quality AB against the samar, make him throw some pitches. and get him outta there
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
Mikey!!!!
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
Oh oh RISP
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:39 pm
The only announcer I know that was worce than Chip was his dad, rip.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
8:40 pm
Ok just back and I can see no ………double now yeah, let’s get it Braves!!!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:40 pm
At least Bourn hit a double. That is a moral victory for the Braves.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
jeffrey d: no
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Come on—rip one Teen
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Bam! Marteeeeeen!!!!!
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Hey
Just got in and tuned into the game late. See that I haven’t missed much.
Did just hear that the Braves have struck out 9 times! How many of those belong Uggla.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
aw, now what can we complain about?
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
Yes finally!!
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
And we are tied. I know some of you will be greatly disappointed…
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
TEEN SPIRIT!!!!!
Bravefaninok
July 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
WTG Bourn & Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnn,
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
Clutch ‘Teeen !!
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
Thank goodness is was Bourn running
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
Nice. Tie game.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:42 pm
Love Martin’s enthusiasm!
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
OK, Bourn and Prado figured it out 3rd time around…let’s see if Heyward can add some pain to the Cubs with one that leaves the yard.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
Jason struggling in the 3 hole
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
8:43 pm
Rut Roh
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
J-Hey is too deep in the box for that outside breaking ball.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
think i’ll turn to that other SYFY channel and wath Eureka it makes more sense than this one.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Yikes, hat trick for Heyward….Come on Tommy, hold em right there.
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Fredis quotes tomorow will be:
We hit into bad luck with Bourny itting a linedrive and doubling off Simmy
You gotta tip your cap to their pitching
We had some good at bats tonite…its coming..we will put up some crooked numbers..just wait n see
We will get on that bird friday and try ro beat a really good Philly team
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Geesh move Heyward back down the order
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
Really great at bats for Bourn and Prado.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:44 pm
I am very happy we scored and I hope we score 10 more but that won’t change anything I have said.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Nice 2 out Mini Rally!
Love Martini!
Come on Big Red! He’s pitching on eggshells due to a lack of support
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Yup, he had Heyward’s number tonight.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Wow! 3 times up, 3 stike outs. Is this Samardzija (former tightend for ND) really this good?
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Got one anyway.
Wish we would get Jhey out of the 3 spot just to help him!
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Hopefully Hanson brought a shut-down inning with him.
Hate seeing the offense struggle to tie the game and immediately the pitcher gives the lead back.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
“Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
To add to reports of #Braves scouting Greinke. They have definite interest. And as I reported Sat., they are willing to trade young arms.”
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Samardzija has career-high 10 strikeouts in 6 innings.
ColoradoBravesFan
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Did just hear that the Braves have struck out 9 times! How many of those belong Uggla.
NONE… He actually has one of the 3 hits…loser
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
Jason needs to recognize an offspeed pitch. Samardzija made him his bitch in that at bat.
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
8:45 pm
I think JHey needs to be in 2nd spot and Marteen in 3rd Spot.
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Fredi is an autotom…justbwhat what everyone wants to hear
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
Funny, Uggs has not struckout tonight.
Something good is going to come off of Uggs’ bat.
The Monday streak stops tonight.
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
“And we are tied. I know some of you will be greatly disappointed…”
Glad we tied it. Still disappointed that we only have 1 run on 3 hits with 10 K’s through 6. Not acceptable against a last place team.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:46 pm
“To add to reports of #Braves scouting Greinke. They have definite interest. And as I reported Sat., they are willing to trade young arms.””
Best news I’ve heard all night, week, month, year.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
Watch Hanson go out in the 7th and allow the Cubs to take the lead. That would be typical of the way things have gone lately for the Braves.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
Don’t worry Hansen will give them back the lead…or Venters will
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
Think Cox knew something about JHey always hitting him 2nd? Seems like he shines there and puts way too much pressure on himself hitting 3rd.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
What they normally do in this situation is give the run right back.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
We’re tied!
There’s hope.
If we win I’ll be less cranky.
We’ll probably lose.
jeffrey d
July 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
Really great at bats for Bourn and Prado.
uh, why are you stil watching? You already called the game.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/02/braves-are-trying-to-fix-pitching-but-what-of-the-offense/?cp=7#comment-1686342
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
Yep and here we go
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
Another Lame Ass Pitchers Duel!
I’m Glad you like it Chip Caray! Pitchers Duels Are BORING!!! No one wants to spend 250 bucks to take their familt to see a pitchers duel against the AAA Iowa Cubs!
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
Oh good grief. Come on, tommy.
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
So much for the tie score
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
Hanson to-do list:
1.) Bunt BP
2.) Infield
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
Interesting quote from ken rosenthall since Frank Wreck flat out refused to trade young aems during the winter
teheran is gonna be the first to go
Its obvious they over rated their prospects…again
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
score and immediately give it back. that gets old after a while
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
The Braves have the worst fielding pitchers in the league.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
OMG Hanson. This is why they’re scouting top pitchers.
Ralph
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
What did I just say!
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:49 pm
now as script after script braves baseball go’s give it right back.
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
I’d rather watch a well pitched 1-0 game than a 12-10 4 hour slugfest
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
Come on Big Red!
Get Tough Baby!
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
He’s aiming everything now.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
8:50 pm
The way that Samardzija keeps invoking Hanna’s Rule, are we sure his nom de plume isn’t Samantha? After all, isn’t this about the time for the rendezvous with NML?
archie
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Tommy Hanson, clueless at the plate, timid on the mound.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Just crazy
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
This is not good.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Who knows everyone has their own opinion on what will transpire with Greinke.. figured I’d just post another for those not on twitter.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Isn’t this just the way it’s been all year for the Braves. Finally score a run and tie the game and our pitcher, who was pitching well, comes out in the next inning and has his ass handed to him. Well, here we go again.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Tommy setting up the triple play.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Why in the world does this always happen when we tie or take the lead.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
why is he even out there? It is the 7th. settle for 6 good IPs with Tommy and bring in the pen
archie
July 2nd, 2012
8:51 pm
Sounds like Cubs fans outnumber the Braves fans tonight. Or maybe they just have more to cheer about.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Don’t you just love this team?
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
…..and jus’ like that….
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
On the corners…..unfortunate for us….opponents get fired up and produce after we get a bit of offensive success. Man how frequently this occurs…..Crap, crap…..more darned crap!!!!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
I Just Turned This Trash OFF!
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
We need a new coaching staff. Why the hell do you leave him in?
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
F—ing unbelievable
ncbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Braves just made a quick call to their scouts at the Greinke game. “You guys can come on back. Can’t beat the lousy Cubs. No need to make a deal now.”
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Heyward is 6 for 28 with 7 K’s since being moved up in the order on Tuesday of last week vs. Arizona.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
So long Fredi, enjoy your new job at Walmart.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
so much for the pitchers duel, cabravesfan, haha.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Oh frustrating is this team. They never can stay out of their own damn way. Tie the game finally and the immediately run into trouble. So predictable.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Utterly disgusting. Bad play in the outfield, bad throw to the infield, bad attempted catch by the first baseman.
Just terrible play.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
I just can’t figure this team out.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
pathetic. these guys are seriously pressing about Monday games for one thing
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Wow. That sucked.
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
No Ks for Uggla and we are in the 7th.
I must admit Uggla didn’t have anyhting to do with that fiasco of a play.
bp
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
This is hilarious.Our boys are not very good.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
Okay this 2min delay really sucks. I’m just at Tommy loading the bases but already know the outcome… shaking my head.. :/
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
ITHIS IS ONE HELLUVA TEAM! LOL!!
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
0-11 on Mondays
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
So typical…this team is an embarrassment.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
At least now we know what the Braves practice on their days off. They rehearse(and have it down to a T now) on how to let the other team come back and tie it up or go ahead after knotting the score.
One Big Dummy
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
This team needs to be selling, not buying. They are not contenders.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
Uncommentable (sic)…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
Yeah, tough to back Tommy tonight. Sort of just melted down in the 7th for the 2nd straight start.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
And that solidifies another Monday loss. And with the pitchers we’ll be sending out in the next three games, it looks like we won’t have any trouble losing at least 3 of the 4 in this series.
Mixxo
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
This is soooo maddening its Funny!
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
I’m going to guess somebody hit a home run and that we’re not going to win.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
“And they wonder why no one bothers to show up” I type that phrase every year at some point
phil
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:47 pm
Watch Hanson go out in the 7th and allow the Cubs to take the lead. That would be typical of the way things have gone lately for the Braves.
**********
excellent call….
BALLGAME!! For sure this time….sad.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Terry Francona, please, report to the Braves dugout immediately.
Charlie
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Braves tie…Tommy CHOKES, and gives up 3 runs, with no outs, + an error…still no outs.
CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE The Braves of 2012, are the September Braves of 2011.
Unreal bunch of losers.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Just do not like Hanson. Never have and probably never will. Very overrated by the Braves and their fans. He just stuck his tail between his legs like most all our other pitchers do.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
And my son can keep those Wed. tickets after all….I’m not going to drop a dime more until we get the wet sand out of some players’ britches.
monty
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
Too much of a one trick pony.
kevkat
July 2nd, 2012
8:54 pm
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
Utterly disgusting. Bad play in the outfield, bad throw to the infield, bad attempted catch by the first baseman.
Just terrible play.
It started with a bad pitch..add that too
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
Chip is giving credit to the Cubs????They are over 20 games below .500!!!!!!!! Idiots
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
8:53 pm
So typical…this team is an embarrassment.
Hey, that’s my line.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
I don’t care how well he is pitching, you are taking a big chance leaving him in for the 7th
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
As usual mcdowell comes to the mound to give useless advice and the very next pitch….wham!
This happens all year round!
archie
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
Tommy Hanson, big game pitcher. Triple A Cubs turning it on.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
I wouldn’t touch Terry Francona with a 10 foot bat…
T-Dawg
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
Wheels on the season bus have officially started to come off. We are reduced to five #5 starters.
UNCBrave
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
Hanson has struggled the last 2 starts in the 7th inning….game ova
monty
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
Tommy Hanson was lights out till the 6th.
iTiSi
July 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
This Monday stuff has gotten to the point that somebody needs to hire a few private detectives to track what the players are doing on Sunday nights. Only thing I can think of. They all seem to be hung over!
Rico
July 2nd, 2012
8:56 pm
Why is Hansen still pitching. We need a Manager.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:56 pm
Big Red deserved a better fate! Its a Shame!
Ric Flair to Right
July 2nd, 2012
8:56 pm
Does fredi not understand that when Hanson goes he goes quick…or is he just trying to prove a point about pitchers going 7…how long can Fredi have a job, complete disaster
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
8:56 pm
Should have come out 1st and 3rd 0 out AT THE LATEST.
Once again the field commander in a trance.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
8:57 pm
Kat
I am watching on MLB.TV and I am nowhere near that far behind. I wonder what the problem is.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:57 pm
Now Hanson is relaxed and making his pitches. The dude is a mental softy when things get tough, he isn’t capable of frontlining a rotation any time soon. I’d rather they deal this wimp than Delgado who at least shows no fear.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
8:57 pm
“Should have come out 1st and 3rd 0 out AT THE LATEST.”
Gotta agree with that one…
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
8:58 pm
You people sure are being negative tonight.
Why so down?
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:58 pm
David or anyone else on the DOB blog.. here’s a stat question or maybe it’s been discussed and I missed it, but has any team ever not won a game on a certain day for an entire season? Something that Elias would have?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Gotta Win the next 3 but that is gonna be hard to do
LakeDawg
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Man! The Braves sure do suck.
ray k.
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Typical Braves. Zero mental toughness.
monty
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Nolie-”I don’t care how well he is pitching, you are taking a big chance leaving him in for the 7th”
My only guess at why he let him face the 4th guy while not getting any of the the 1st 3 out in the 7th was trying to get his guys to “work thru this stuff”. No other plausible explanation in my book knowing TH ’s M.O.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Braves Sign Dominican Third Baseman Kelvin Esteves For $300,000– according to twitter
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Chip needs a wedgy bad. Not only is he an unbbelievable dork, but he just isn’t very bright.
BravesfaninAugusta
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
I’m done…. I feel like a bad fan when I don’t watch this tean but it is just painful to see the poor effort and results every night
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
I don’t love the manager, but can the players get their crap together for once? It’s not all Fredi’s fault.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Can someone please tell me what Hanson is doing still out there in the 7th inning and losing 4-1? It’s mind boggling as to what FG is thinking!
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
We spend more time practicing our pre game dances than we playing the game..its sickening and its all fredi gonzalez fault….i wouldnt spend one thin dime on this bunch of losers until that fat piece of s— is outtta here!
Get on your motorcycle fatso and point it towards Mexico
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
8:59 pm
well if we had scored 3 runs we would still be behind.
Gamer
July 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
Fredi is the worst. It is the seventh and he let’s Hansen load the bases with no outs and leaves him in and three of those baserunners score with no outs still. Typical of his BAD managing.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
Well, Powder, Francona did more in 8 seasons with the Red Sox than Bobby did in 25 seasons with Braves and with equal or less talent.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
Tommy could have given up one run this inning and still taken a loss.
I won’t blame him.
semiballcoach
July 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
can’t spell fired without Fredi
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
There is no excuse for this poor play at home….NONE.
T-Dawg
July 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
Yelling “boooooooooo”. Just doesn’t give me the same satisfaction anymore. It’s sad wye I’m beyond that point.
smallmouth6
July 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
As stated earlier this year, this teams needs a shrink.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
What would the inning have been like if Hanson caught that line drive hit by Clevenger?
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
Fredi would need to triple lock his doors at night if he were managing like this in NY Boston or Philly. Braves fans deserve at a manager with just a little sense. Head is full of pebbles.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
Just can’t wait to hear the “softball” questions certain sportswriters will have prepared for FG tonight after the game! They could just recycle some of the old ones.
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
3 in a row, at home, no less. Can’t wait till they hit the road so they can win a few games.
sid
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
dead franchise walking
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
How bad are we that nolie can come so close to sounding like a “hater”?
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
Chipper with a double!!
cabravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
Well done, Old Man!
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
HOSS with the wheels!!!
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
fredi doesn’t deserve his boss getting him a Greinke. He needs to acquire a good pitcher, get Fredi excited, and then boot his ass out the door.
JC Brave
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
Trailing! Yeah!!
Go Braves!!
Jaded Braves Fan
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
There’s no other way around it: This team blows. They’ll still be three games over .500 after tonight, but the Braves are mediocre or below average in every area: rotation, bullpen, lineup, bench and team defense.
51-57 dating back to the start of last September. This mix of players and coaches has clearly run its course.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
TNScott- I’m sorry, but the way he lost the clubhouse in Boston is burned in my mind. And it was the only collapse in history worse than ours. Just not somebody I want…
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
9:04 pm
@ChattBrian…..”He isn’t capable of frontlining a rotation…..” I think he could if it was video game.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
when was the last time we had a 4 or 5 run inning.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
@BravesfaninAugusta
Good post as to why people dont waste their time and money to watch this collection of Stiffs
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
Attaboy nolie — let it all hang out.
smallmouth6
July 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
DOB: Tough job having to go into that clubhouse every night after another loss. Questions get tougher to ask, answers get shorter, solutions become non existent, and losing begins to become the norm. Thank God for the All Star break and Carol—does AJC give you vacation time?
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
Why replace Hanson in the 7th inning? There are only seven fresh arms in the bullpen. What if the Braves need someone in the 19th?
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
Can’t swing at something that starts at your shins, this isn’t softball, the ball is not going to rise.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
K a day Freddie. Damn that boy strikes out way too much
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
CNN is reporting the Braves will win tonight.
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:07 pm
Glad we could revive Samarja’s season for him. Looks like Cy Young.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
I would of left Hanson in. Why not? He was dominating.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
almost every noght MLB.tv screws up the audio by doubling the stream and it takes forever for their stupid audio crew to notice
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Impact Player Dan Uggla. All-Star. $13 million a year. Money well spent. He and McCann should both be hitting their weight any day now.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Can’t believe we only had 3 hits through 6 against a pitcher struggling as bad as smarjza
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Uggs makes decent contact. Thats improvement.
Braves A Month From Now
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Samardzia is pitching like Cy Young. Of course he is getting raves from the folks on Foxsports.
Instead of it being a case that the Braves offense is pathetic…. the storyline is that this guy is pitching the game of his life! It’s just odd that this guy ruled the Braves earlier this year and is doing it again after he has been getting lit up by most teams!
The Braves are pathetic, being embarrassed by the worst team in baseball.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Uggla is making contact more. Sign that he’s about to break the slump?
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Awful at bat in a situation where Freeman could have moved Chipper over and that flyball could have scored him. I hate this team right now.
TheTed
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:06 pm
CNN is reporting the Braves will win tonight.
As reported by Kyra Phillips in the bathroom, with a live mic.
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
boy we can look at some pretty strikes and swing at some bad balls
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Pulled. again.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Hey, how ’bout Fredi take ‘em all to Chucky Cheeses…….for a ‘team social’ and some R and R; they’ve earned the equivalent of 5 chips each tonight for this brilliant effort. Go Graves!!!
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
archie.. hah, good one.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Fair enough, Powder. But all things considered would you rather have Fredi or Francona?
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Im not sure a trade for an ace pitcher will make that much of a difference considering this team needs so much more than that to even be competitive at this point.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
I WANT BMAC BACK!!!!!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
Its Getting bad when people dont even pretend to do the Tomahawk Chop No More
I noticed that when I was at the Chophouse and they have the Loudest Fans!
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:09 pm
my 9:09 was in reference to the CNN jk.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
yeah he usually dominates thru 6, and very seldom gets thru 7 cleanly
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
Chipper just gave MCcann the stink after yet another poor pull swing. Shyt is getting old. CJ needs to hold a team meeting.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
How frickin’ long are these slumps going to go on?
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
McCann must have took Nate McClouths pull every pitch at any cost philosophy!
JC Brave
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
The life this team shows on the field is so overwhelming that it amazes me!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Braves are “definitely” interested in Greinke and that they’re willing to trade their young arms to facilitate a deal.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
I know beer was banned from the clubhouse….
WERE BONGS?
DAM
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
We have all the talent in the world, but we don’t do the little things well enough. This should be a 4-3 game now. We should have been able to score Simmons from 3rd with 1 out, and we should have been able to advance Chipper with nobody out and get him across, but we couldn’t even move him off of 2nd.
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
Chipper leadoff double in the 7th, and he’s at 2nd when the inning ends. Cubs lead 4-1. CMart in to pitch 8th for Braves.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
That’s CNN for ya’. Had another one come out of the “closet” today. Pretty soon they will be coming out of the woodwork at the AJC maybe!
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
nolie
That seems odd. I never have any problems with MLB.TV. I wonder what is causing that to happen for you.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Braves are “definitely” interested in Greinke and that they’re willing to trade their young arms to facilitate a deal.
__________________________________________________________________
I hope so because their young arms don’t look as great as they are touted to be.
T-Dawg
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
God this team is bad. Way too many problems to address with just a few million. I wouldn’t be surprised if management just stayed put.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
yeah he usually dominates thru 6, and very seldom gets thru 7 cleanly
So, you would of pulled him after 75 pitches through 6 innings?
TBbravesfan
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
I can’t see going to a braves game any time why would you go on mondays
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
I don’t think the braves are answering DOB’s question ” but what of the offense”
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
TuffShhhtuff … wow.. you don’t get the CNN joke do you?
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
Hey, whaddaya know; lead-off double nets 0 runs for a Braves’ squad insistent on not moving runners over. Uggla’s popout to CF might’ve gotten Chip home.
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
What would the Cubs record be if they didn’t have the Braves to beat up on?(Would they have any wins?) They might of just lost the 1st pick in the draft.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
Sigh!
“This Bores Me! Is Anyone Up for a Game of Basket-Ball?”
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:00 pm
Well, Powder, Francona did more in 8 seasons with the Red Sox than Bobby did in 25 seasons with Braves and with equal or less talent.
Yeah, but they only won the division once in all that time so like, it’s not the same.
Bobby’s team won 14 in a row. That’s way more than the World Series titles Terry Fancona won as their manger.
14 vs. 2. That’s like 12 more.
Plus Bobby Cox managed in Atlanta where the media occasionally questions managerial decision making, like every third full moon per season and a half.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
no I woulda had a much quicker hook though
Robert
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
Things we wish would happen. Bryce Harper interviewing Bobby Cox
Harper – So, what happened out there tonight
Cox – Well, Reitsey and Kolbey looked great out there, It was just one bad pitch
Harper – That’s a clown answer, bro
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
TNScott—If it’s either/or, I’d take Fredi. He hasn’t been supplied with the $$$ players that Francona was (and it’s only been 1 1/2 seasons). I don’t agree with a lot of his decisions, and I’m getting more and more aggravated every day, but I’m not ready to boot him yet. And if we do, it had better be for someone other than Tito Jr…
Braves A Month From Now
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
“Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Braves are “definitely” interested in Greinke and that they’re willing to trade their young arms to facilitate a deal.”
Hey Braves! Don’t waste your talent on a trade this year. Pathetic team. Pathetic leadership. Wait until you lose some of those big contracts and find another manager. A team that has better talent but is being ruled by the worst team in baseball has some problems with leadership.
BTW….. nice play Freddie! You look like an Atlanta Brave on that one!
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
TuffShhhtuff considering what your 9:11 comment said … yeah I’ll just not comment.
Charlie
July 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm
Freeman…3 K’s…sucks Great defense Freeman (error #2 tonight)…can’t field / can’t hit…no brains. Typical
Worthless Dan, with RISP equals Worthless Dan.
Brian McCann is a joke. As usual, Brian fails…Same Brian that spit out last September. What a joke of a line-up.
The quotes should great tomorrow…Fredi was make it sound like the Braves almost won.
Fire Fredi, and sell out this loser group at the trade deadline; then can Franki Wren.
This team is a pathetic bunch of losers.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm
Too bad for Freddie Freeman. He’s saved a ton of potential bad throw errors for Uggla, Chipper and Pastornicky, and he probably blew his chance for a Gold Glove in one night.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm
nolie..
MLB.TV is always a mess. What are you watching it on?
Fresh Meat
July 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm
The Braves have waaay too many players that strike out waaay too many times…& btw…if the other team put their entire squad on the right side of 1B…would McCann STILL pull everything…inquiring minds want to know…(PLUS…stay at home Freeman…you PLAY 1B…NOT 2b….tia)
SMOLTZ 29
July 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
B-Mac is now hitting a “sterling” .100 with runners in scoring position and 2 out! MERCY
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
Efrim-”So, you would of pulled him after 75 pitches through 6 innings?”
I wouldn’t have pulled him after 6, I don’t think that’s what anyone’s is saying. But after the 1st 2 got on with no outs is good enough for me, surely after the 3rd batter was walked.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
Cubbies just look more focused…..even when they K
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
Chrome
Bronke
July 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
Sad team. What more can be said? Think Freddi will still have a job after this mess? Go McCann and that 224 batting average. Cubs are mocking the Braves in their dugout right now!
braves rule
July 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
are we even trying to win this game. doesn’t seem like it.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOO!
BOOOOOOOOOOO!
BOOOOOOOOOOO!
BOOOOOOOOOOO, HOOOOOOOOOO!
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
Hey Joe, if LaHair isn’t worthy of of All Star selection “due to his bad struggles lately” then neither is Uggla. What a one tracked mind, ignorant assed fool.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
Dear Chip & Joe: stop raggin’ on Bryan LaHair, and deal with the fact that very few Braves can play this game.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
“Kat” yep, I got it, just took the opportunity to throw in an additional two cents worth. All I need is just a crack to jump in!
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
Hanson’s 4th loss to the Cubs, with no wins.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:19 pm
Mitchell- I will take two World Series titles in 8 years over 14 straight divisions any day of the week as Terry Francona over Fredi.
DS1
July 2nd, 2012
9:19 pm
Will Samardijza (sp) go out for the 8th? If not then that helps us a bit. We still have 2 innings to go folks.
We may not win, be we damned sure haven’t lost it yet.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
9:19 pm
BravesfaninAugusta – The Braves have an option in 2013 on McCann for $13M and will exercise it. Hopefully, though, they will trade McCann in the off season for a couple of starters and use the $13M they save on signing a couple of more young, athletic players that will make the Braves exciting again. Brian is a seemingly great person and I wish him the best. Spending millions and millions of dollars for his salary extension seem like one of the worst ideas imaginable.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
What is it about this team that not more than 2 hitters can get hot at the same time and the others struggling terribly? I thought this Walker guy was such a great hitting coach. When they do manage to tie a game up the pitcher immediately goes back out there and gives it back. I’m getting to where I’d rather watch wrestling than a Braves game.
Braves Bats Made of Balsa Wood
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Wow! Glad the Braves got Walker and Fletcher to straighten this team’s bats up! I remember six weeks ago when they were the gods that had found the Braves bats!
If they are going to get the credit for the good times, who is going to get the blame when the Braves offense dies? Like now?
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Our announcers making jokes and all crack up laughing every 10 seconds makes me wonder if they even care anymore.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Mitchell- I will take two World Series titles in 8 years over 14 straight divisions any day of the week
Really? That seems kinda silly
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
Shaun— I guess it’s a good thing it didn’t take any range from Freeman to field that ball! It was hit right at him!
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
I’m sure the Braves are trying. They’re just not playing very well right now.
Most of the guys are going to “get their numbers” this year, except for McCann, who’s having an out-of-this-world bad season.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
I sure the media is wrong and Wren doesn’t get his hooks into Greinke. It’s not that I have any great love for Teheran, Minor, Degado, or any of the young pitchers, because I don’t. But I can’t see resigning Greinke for the $20million a season that he’s gonna want to re-up with this team with the huge holes we have throughout the 25-man roster. And if he doesn’t resign, it will be one of the worst trade deadline deals we ever done, rivaling the Tex deal. Greinke is not gonna put this team over the hump. Mark that down.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
Good job. CMart.
DS1
July 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
CTB
Who’s the dum azz? Uggla was voted in. LaHair was selected by LaRussa. LaHair didn’t have to be selected. Uggla was an automatic.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
I wouldn’t of pulled Hanson after the 2nd single. Probably the walk to Barney, but I’m not blaming Fredi too much. Hanson just lost it.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
Kat _
Yes a team has lost all their games on one day of the week before. I think it was Brian from SC that looked it up. I can’t remember the teams but I think the 62 Mets were one of them.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
nice job FF keeping his head up – great lesson for my son who just saw him strike out again and commit his second error of the game. We just finished talking about keeping your head up during and after a bad game, everyone has a bad game, etc. when FF saved a run and robbed the Cub of a double
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
given his history, second single and he’s gone AFAIC
David O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
Samardzija’s out after striking out a career-high 11 in 7 innings. Allowed 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 run.
ray k.
July 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
Why do the Braves always have some peculiar ignominious streak going that ESPN can mock us about? Consecutive one run losses, can’t win on Mondays, even Ugglas hitting streak came during his lost season.
How many times over the past few years has DOB posted some bizarre head scratching stat about the braves or a particular braves player, beginning like: “Since May 10th…(fill in the blank)” that leaves us collectively shaking our heads. I realize our payroll is not what it once was, and we are a mid tier organization now, but is there another team that puts its fans on the emotional see-saw the way this one does?
iTiSi
July 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
“CTB” I was thinking a few minutes ago that they have become immune to it. It’s just a job to them, and they still get paid, so what do they care!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
C Mart never walks anyone. Like him as a long man, even next year.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
Well I am shutting the audio….the picture is clear enough and, listening to the announcers rattle on with whatever abstract nonsense—well, enough for me tonight.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
if the Braves can get Greinke this year and lock him up for 5 years without gutting the farm then do it. Braves have sorely missed the anchor man to the rotation
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
Yea Chip, Samardzija was brilliant tonight but then again the Braves are making a lot of pitchers look brilliant lately.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
any relation to rick camp??
monty
July 2nd, 2012
9:24 pm
I’m not on here every day bashing FG, but you got to know tendecies with your guys. Work off of that.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
If the Braves were doing the little things in this game, it’s probably 3-2 cubbies or 3-3.
Couldn’t score Simmons from 3rd with one out. Couldn’t advance Chipper’s lead off double.
Heyward/Freeman comedy act on the bases clearing double probably gave up an extra run.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
That kinda thing happens when your playing like crap!!
Venice Jim
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
All the great 100 meter sprinters slide headfirst across the finish line…
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
cannot slide there Simmons!!!!
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Wow! that was a hell of a play by the 2-bagger.
JoeBrave
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Damn just damn, this team blows in every way possible! at least the Hawks have competent leadership!
Braves Bats Made of Balsa Wood
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Chip Caray, ” Jeff Samardzija was brilliant!”
I just have to laugh considering he hasn’t been brilliant against anyone but the Braves this year! lol
This guys has been meat against everyone else in the last 6 weeks!
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Gawd Damn! The Iowa Cubs Are looking Playoff Caliber AGAIN!
That Pis..es me the F off!
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Great hustle but quit sliding into 1st.
That would be a good thing for
freddi or one of the other guys just breathing over ther.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
great point VJ
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Man, I hope Simmons doesn’t hurt his hand sometime sliding head-first…
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Ten more games left to play on Monday………
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Quit hitting the ball to Barney!
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Nolie- The MLB doesn’t give out a trophy after the last game of the season to a team that wins a division. It’s about the rings.
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Thanks Bat!
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
Barney is Satan.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
I think we are cursed.
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
9:26 pm
does anyone else notice that Chip Carey knows so much more about the Cubs roster/organization than he does with the Braves?
Keep up the great work Chip! (loser)
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Cubs should trade us Garza for making Barney look good and increasing his trade value
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Getting really tired of all this diving into first.
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
I say we let Mike Minor throw a simulated game against us next off-day. Seems to cure what ails a struggling pitcher.
ray k.
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Keylargo,
I agree 100%. Love him, but probably not worth it.
And this franchise needs a facelift anyway.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
See … hit it to Castro. He can’t get the ball to first base in time.
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Uggla doesn’t make either one of those plays Barney just made.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Barney is looking like 1993 Roberto Alomar against us in the field! What a Effing Joke
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
Great plays from Barney.
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
9:27 pm
keylargo,
I agree with you man. We need to let McCann walk and our team needs to get more athletic. We have a bunch of money coming off the books, and we need to trade the young arms for a hitter.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
Nolie, Bat, Efrim, Ward, Jerry – who is the asst. Coach that spends the majority of the time working with high level pitching prospects? Could you roughly detail their duties?
Kat
July 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
nolie..
Are you watching it live or on delay w/ NexDef? I think on the right bottom corner under settings or quality you can choose it to default to NexDef or not.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
I just have to laugh considering he hasn’t been brilliant against anyone but the Braves this year! lol
False. So incredibly false.
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
Is this Triathlon Bobby’s Cox? I haven’t heard from you in two years.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
If the Braves let McCann go, I guarantee he pulls a “Melky Cabrera” and puts up otherworldly numbers with his new team.
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
Anybody know if there’s a stat for RISP with no outs left stranded? We GOTTA lead the league in that….
Sickening Performance
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
This team is pathetic
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
I think Linebrink and Proctor divide up the prospects
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
Come on guys, the only thing we need is some offense, pitching, and some bullpen help and we’re right back into contention!!!!
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
Nothing like a manager who can motivate his team.
This team is pathetic at home.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
not exactly running that one out Prado
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
0-11 on Mondays! That will look good on National TV if we make the playoffs…
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
Inconsistency, Injury and Underachievement……..
The tombstone heading of the 2012 Braves.
nolie
July 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
so what? Its about extended good play to me. takes me about 5 minutes to get over not winning a title
njbraves
July 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
Something needs to change…. This team needs a shake up worse than any Braves team I’ve seen. They have talent, but they have no clue how to play winning baseball.
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:31 pm
maybe Liriano plus Willingham is the right idea for the Braves
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
9:32 pm
Hey Largo,
Ya it’s me. How you been? Just started skimming over the blogs the past few weeks
Bronke
July 2nd, 2012
9:32 pm
I have to admit it. This team sucks right now. Locker room will be ugly tonight, 11 losses in a row on Monday night. The Braves seem to own many deplorable records.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
Andy, you need to nip Barney in the bud.
Sickening Performance
July 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
“I just have to laugh considering he hasn’t been brilliant against anyone but the Braves this year! lol
False. So incredibly false.”
Not incredibly false. Maybe not entirely true, but he’s been incredibly ineffective the last few weeks…. until the Braves made him look like a superstar tonight.
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
brian- c’mon man. lay off Prado… he is the one player who hustles all the time and is the best “pro” on the team.
you want to be frustrated with the team, i get it. But not sprinting on a can-o-corn flyout and Martin Prado should not be your subject.
i’m just saying….
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
Maybe we can get Bobby out of retirement like they keep digging up Jack McKeon.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
“maybe Liriano plus Willingham is the right idea for the Braves”
Agree!! Always been a big fan of Willingham, he would be the answer in LF for the next few years with Prado at 3rd.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
QUOTE THAT WILL NEVER BE HEARD FROM GONZALEZ: “We’ll put the best lineup on the field that can beat the American League.”
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
TNScott—”Andy, you need to nip Barney in the bud.”
I like it…
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
hit it to Castro. He can’t get the ball to first base in time.
He gets to the ball in time but it takes about a second for him to remember what to do next.
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
Sure thing, Kat.
Sickening Performance
July 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
The Braves are really a good team……. if they were playing in a junior college conference.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
The last 3 hitters in the 9th are 1 for 9 tonight. Not much hope there.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
Let’s hope for a rally. Come on, Braves!
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
if Fredi G. is not feeling the heat then Wren should be fired. Wren has to know his job is on the line as well. This team is still too talented to be playing as sloppy and uninspired as they are. Even with their youth the Braves should not be this streaky.
I have never seen Wren as a patient man. This performance has to be eating at JS as well.
If the Braves limp into the all-star break, I expect significant changes starting with Fredi G being fired.
I would also expect him to make a major deal for a pitcher and possibly deal from our core – McCann or Prado if the return is significant enough. Combined with the collapse last year and the lackluser play as a whole this year I expect changes at the all star break. If this team will not play hard and play up to their abilities, I see him shaking things up.
Powderfinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
I thought Barney was only supposed to have one bullet in his gun. Not tonight…
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
The All-Star team is indeed a great honor for the deserving players.
For those that aren’t deserving, that have to give those false tip of the cap standard quotes concerning their selection, I’m sure its more like a huge embarrassment!
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
Smart move bringing in Russell to face Heyward ,Jones and Freeman.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
Gonzalez won’t be axed. He’s here to torture the fan base with his interpretation of baseball.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
J-Hey!
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
Good start, Jason!
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Sickening Performance
Thats a low blow to some of the better junior colleges.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
What has happened to Freeman this year sounds all too familiar for Braves fans. One of their players is hitting great then all of a sudden there is a freak hand, wrist, or shoulder injury and they are toast for the rest of the year. Happened to Heyward and McCann last year. McCann was from the back.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Nice job, Jason.
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
JHey is swinging it well!
keylargo
July 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Bobby’s Cox – I’m still riding my bicycle once or twice a day. 20 months ago I got blasted – torn ACL, broken wrist, concusssion, 40 stitches in head and an injury to my shoulders I’d never heard of – Brachial Plexus was damaged and I have trouble with my arms over my head.
But I’m healthy. Did a 101 miles last month by myself in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
9:40 pm
all of our hits have been scattered tonight. No one likes to hit with runners on base.
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
This is a really good Braves team! They all like each other and have a great clubhouse!
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
This is a really good Braves team! They all like each other and have a great clubhouse!
Doofus(Goober and Gomer's Smart Brother)
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
I’m sorry all you guys, but I’ve had all the requests to join the BEPC ( Braves Eternal Pessimists Club) I can handle for one day. I don’t have a secretary, it’s just me, so maybe try back after tomorrow night, and maybe I can sign you up. Maybe I can hire someone from the BEOC(Braves Eternal Optimists Club), I hear they are laying people off right and left.
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
Bummer
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
Damn.
Ron Roberts
July 2nd, 2012
9:41 pm
A key groundout and/or double-play from Chipper? Ya don’t say….
Bronke
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
The Braves are like my home cooked meal tonight. Could be better but was outright awful. Would love to hire a real cook but can’t afford one. Much like our 2012 Braves. You can’t change what they are. Outright awful. Time for change!
UKUGA
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
I drove 700 miles and survived gang warfare to see Chipper Jones ground into a double play.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
King Midas with another golden managerial performance.
Why did he leave Hanson in?
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
great at bat by Heyward which was nice to see. Chipper is really struggling right now
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
This team sucks.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
Fredi won’t get fired. Braves cannot afford to pay his contract + his replacement’s contract.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
Oh Well
I will let everyone else Speak on behalf of me for this Crap Performance tonight!
BFChris27
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
0-11 on Mondays, horrible luck.
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
The Braves just lost to the worst team in baseball to start a 4 game series.
But that is good enough for many Braves fans and they will surely have an excuse for the performance.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
“pollyanna” you have a good point there. I saw one hug in the dugout before the game that really has me worried. Beginning to wonder?
Kentavo
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
It was easy to see where this one was going from the get-go – Braves decided they were going to hack at everything, and Smarjfjfggjkgjzjka took advantage.
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
Tip your caps.
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
Dang – Uggla left on deck!
Le Fan
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
You know why wren has done nothing about this teams apathy? He honestly doesnt give a s____
as long as he gets his drinks for free at the ted
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
put that stinker in the books. what a pathetic effort by the Bravos.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
This team was better with Prado at 3rd and Castanza in LF batting 9th.
Tomahawk Mafia
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
Terrible performance. Hanson pitched well through 6 and then laid an egg. Another game where the offense failed to show up.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
Chipper has a 7 game hitting streak, so he only struggling in cluth situations…same as the rest of the Braves!
After all, it is Monday, so we can’t expect a win today.
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
Disgraceful game by Freeman tonight and he deserves to be Booed.
Freeman is not a good defensive first baseman, and this was a mediocre game by the ballyooed Tommy “NO ACE” Hanson.
Lose to the %$#$ Cubs of all teams. Second rate team, second rate management and of course there is ZERO #$@$ chance the Braves play in this post season.
bostonbravo
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
up yours!
Fredi, Frank, etc etc etc any of you “Braves are still great” bungholes
brian
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
if the Braves obtain Willingham I would have no problem with Chipper being a part time player with Martin being the primary 3B who also gives Freddie a rest at 1B on occasion. Chipper looks tired right now. He should forget the all star honors and rest during the break.
Jaded Braves Fan
July 2nd, 2012
9:44 pm
What an utterly sick performance.
I’m thinking something drastic like a mid-season managerial change may have to happen. It’s a toxic environment right now. The team plays with a completely defeated posture.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
The way I see it, if this game accelerates the Firing of Fredi, it was time well spent.
We Blow
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Easiest win of the year for the Cubs
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Tough loss. We’ll crush Volstad tomorrow.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Pathetic performance tonight. As someone stated earlier, they played like they were hungover.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Wonder when DOB’s going to declare for free agency?
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Piss Poor performance tonight!
The Team looked like it was still sore from the Ass Whipping that The Curley W’s gave us over the Weekend!
SMH
Boycott this collection of stiffs by not going to the games!
iTiSi
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
“BFChris27″ “Luck” has nothing to do with it when you’re totally inept!
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:45 pm
Chipper is “Chumpper” in clutch situations now.
He does not deserve to be in the All-Star game. This is the 2012 ASG, not a lifetime achievement award.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
Dang – Uggla left on deck!
________________________________________________________
Do you really think that would have mattered? He strikes out about 85% of the time. The rest are fly outs to RF or CF.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
Freeman’s good defensively when he stands still, but he has ZERO in the fast twitch department.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
Oh well, half the fans are leaving Turner Field happy.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
Chip on Sjjam;alskdja;lsdkjf … “he snuffed out rally after rally.”
What game was Chip watching? They stranded one runner at third and one at second. They scored one. Where were all the rallies being snuffed out? That might have been a fun game to watch.
ncbravesfan90
July 2nd, 2012
9:47 pm
I think if the Braves did acquire Willingham then Prado would move into a super utility role, still playing at least 5 days a week at some position.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
9:47 pm
Why the F would anybody vote for Mr. 6-4-3 for the All Star game?
He didn’t deserve in the original voting, he doesn’t deserve it now.
He was voted in last year and didn’t even go.
Why vote for someone who clearly would rather not go anyway?
F this team.
People who need to be fired:
Fredi Gonzalez
Frank Wren
John Shuerholz
Terry Pendleton
Greg Walker
Terry McGuirk
Chipper Jones, retire already.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:47 pm
well that sucked
Smardzjia’s changeup was filthy tonight tho….
Bobby's Cox
July 2nd, 2012
9:47 pm
lol @ archie
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Piss Poor performance tonight!
Cannot say it any better Tomahawkin. Piss poor baseball orgenization from the top of ownership to the scouts, front office doen to the field at every level of the team.
Now lets see the excuse makers come on and defend this piss poor game.
Charlie
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
The worst record in baseball, on the road, with a starter with a 12+ era (last 4 starts).
Braves score a single run, and strike out 11 times.
Another pathetic effort, by the choke job team of 2011.
Wren kept the losers together, and the Braves continue to CHOKE in 2012..
Sad team…No effort…no class… Break these losers up, and try gt some real major leagers for 2012.
Tip yours cap boys! Ya CHOKED away another game! What a bunch of losers.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Tommy and Fredi layed some rotten eggs in that 7th inning. I hope Shuerholz has this loss in his “Fredi Files” in his office. The dumb sh*t left a rotting Hanson in there knowing he is prone to the meltdown. Kid cannot handle the pressure when he doesn’t feel 100% perfect.
cowdogit
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Ten games above five hundred, Braves in first place,good time for the braves.Chipper returns, Constanza removed from the team roster, team chemistry disappears,braves lose braves lose braves lose .
stizz
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
The Braves are who they are: A very capable yet under performing starting nine with only two dependable starters and a horrible bench/coach backing them. I can’t say I’d blame Wren if he viewed this season as a wash.
Thank goodness Ferry has come to town.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Not really a stretch that the Braves only run was scored by Bourn with Prado driving him in. Those are the only two guys we’ve been able to count on all year to do their jobs. Maybe Uggla will give them a shout out at the all star game that he has no business being anywhere close to without a ticket. Peace out.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
@Brava Co-sign on that 945 post
Gotta hope for better luck tomorrow!
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
kerryB
No. I was being real sarcastic. I’ve seen enough of him and have been on him bad! He is terrible.
I say Prado to 2nd and Constanza to left.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
Fredi really needs to go. He doesn’t inspire these players to excell because he has no fire. None.
Frank Wren
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
This is the team that I built. I am so proud of this team. As you can tell from the last 4 games, I built this team to compete for a World Series.
Kentavo
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
Volstad – 0-6 and 7-plus ERA – perfect recipe for dominating the Bad Newz Braves…
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
The Braves don’t have one hole. They don’t have two holes. They have numerous holes and a couple of trades will not fix this mess of a team. Don’t waste the money or the trade pieces to try to do anything this year.
The A Bomb
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
Maybe the Braves should ban managing in the dugout.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
What clutch situations did Chipper have to struggle in? He hit into a DP with a runner on first in the ninth.
That wasn’t really a high leverage situation.
TNScott
July 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
We have to win two of the next three games to gain a split with the Cubs. Really?!
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
That’s all I have to say abouWhy the F would anybody vote for Mr.complainer for the All Blog game?
He didn’t deserve in the original voting, he doesn’t deserve it now.
He was voted in last year and didn’t even go.
Why vote for someone who clearly would rather not go anyway?
F this guy
People who need to be fired:
Bitchell
Bitchell
Bitchell
Bitchell
Bitchell
Bitchell
Fredi Gonzalez
Bitchell, retire already.t that.
Brava
July 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
Yeah, let’s hope, T.
Jerry
July 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
Maybe we can trade Fredi to someone for a big ole freshly laid turd. Then we can debate which end of that trade smelled the worst.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
abwright If the Braves let McCann go, I guarantee he pulls a “Melky Cabrera” and puts up otherworldly numbers with his new team.
Would serve the haters right…
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
Mark is a Constanza lover
he sucks, has always sucked, and will always suck
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
” Hanson pitched well through 6 and then laid an egg.”
Very true, that is why there are some who do not call him a number one or even two for that matter.
He is decent but not great. I am not sure he ever gets much better than a middle rotation guy. This is not the first time he pitches 5 or 6 good IP then lays an egg.
Not up to the hype.
tmc
July 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
that’s some good work against a team that is 10-29 on the road this season.
Nothing like getting dominated by struggling pitcher for a struggling team when you need to win… disgraceful.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
I guess we can blame Frank Wren for wasting 60 million on a guy that strikes out or hits a lazy fly to the outfield.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:53 pm
Smardzjia may have been struggling, but anyone with a brain could see he was on his A game tonight, it’s not like he was striking eleven guys out with nothing. he pitched a good game
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:53 pm
They lost to the Cubs.
The nay sayers should be all over the blog tonight. Losing to the Cubs is like Muhammad Ali in his prime losing to the 97 pound weakling.
ZERO excuse.
I despise that Darwin Barney guy, hate him for those two plays he made in the 8th.
Tommy Hanson sucks.
iTiSi
July 2nd, 2012
9:53 pm
Think I will stay up as long as I have to so I can get a good laugh at all the “wimpy” questions that will be asked of FG. Really can hardly wait for these tonight, they should be some good’uns!
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
July 2nd, 2012
9:53 pm
Boo Birds.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
here’s some cheese to go with all of y’alls whine
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
” Hanson pitched well through 6 and then laid an egg.”
Very true, that is why there are some who do not call him a number one or even two for that matter.
He is decent but not great. I am not sure he ever gets much better than a middle rotation guy. This is not the first time he pitches 5 or 6 good IP then lays an egg.
Not up to the hype.
________________________________________________________________
Isn’t that the story for the Braves starting rotation as a whole this year especially Mike Minor?
Mark
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Hey Nick
Good to hear from you again.
Don’t get so irate tonight now.
I think he can help us though. Certainly couldn’t hurt to have some guys put it in play that can run.
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
McFann … I believe that McCann is going through a terrible slump, similar to what Prado and Heyward went through last year. It happens to every player. As a fan, you just have to ride it out.
He’ll be back next year.
One Big Dummy
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Greinke is a head case! Fair warning!
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Oh boy—Chris Volstad tomorrow. Well, it just keeps gettin’ better!…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Not up to the hype.
Not the same pitcher he was before the shoulder injury, imo.
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Post game crew talking about tough luck of Hanson’s ” one big inning.”
If you don’t score runs, no sense in lamenting the pitching.
Kentavo
July 2nd, 2012
9:55 pm
How ’bout Dale Murhpy for manager?
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:55 pm
Nick B — I am in no tip my cap mood tonight after that second rate offensve performance.
Don’t you get tired of giving the other team credit for their nice games.
Tonight is unacceptable with a capital U.
Watch them get swept this series. And the post game excuses begin.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
July 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
abwright As a fan, you just have to ride it out.
That’s right—the test of a true fan, I guess…It’s easy to pull for guys when the going’s good…
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
If you don’t score runs, no sense in lamenting the pitching.
Offense hasn’t been a problem. Starting pitching has been.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
I have three email addresses.
I have voted 75 times in each of the last three seasons.
I refuse to vote touch a All Star ballot. I refuse to even log onto MLB.com.
As a result of the Braves sh!tty crapness all of the many deserving All Star hopefuls have suffered.
To those players who may now be reading this, I am sorry.
It’s not your fault.
It’s not your fault.
It’s not your fault.
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
Dale Murphy for manager ?????
No way. Nice guy, not qualified.
Randal Patrick McMurphy
July 2nd, 2012
9:57 pm
Another lackluster effort from Fat Fredi’s Bad News Braves. You KNOW the air in that clubhouse must be so thick you couldn’t cut it with a chainsaw. Fatboy is in WAY over his head, think how the players must feel. It’s like working for someone you just can’t stand and things aren’t going very well – VERY little motivation other than the players pride, and that’s not going to carry you a full season. Get used to this stuff, ’cause until things change fundamentally with this organization from the top down, the bar will be set pretty damn low…
JMC0317@comcast.net
July 2nd, 2012
9:57 pm
Gonzales is absolutely killing this team. 2 singles to begin the 7th inning and he does not elect to pull Hanson? The man had pitched 6 solid innings giving up just 1 run. There is a chemistry problem with this team and it starts with the manager!
alanfalcon
July 2nd, 2012
9:57 pm
Once again I repeat, the Braves are not a good team, they can hug, dance and high five all they want too but in the end they’re a 4th of 5th place team in the NL East.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
People, we don’t need to just boycott the Braves. We also need to boycott QVC (which is owned by Liberty Media). Boycott until they sell this team to real ownership. The Braves do not need to be owned by a large company that just see’s it as a tax break and nickel and dimes the team for every bit of profit they can squeeze out of it for their shareholders. In the end Ted Turner completely cursed the Braves selling them to Time Warner. We need to take his name off the stadium.
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
Team scored 15 runs in 3 games vs. very good National pitching. They got beat tonight because Samardzjia was nasty.
archie
July 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
Most posters on this board hate Constanza….which is strange, because when’s he in the lineup, the Braves usually win. Better defense on the field, more speed on the bases.
Look at 4-7 in the Braves lineup: Chipper, Freeman, Uggla, McCann. One base at a time. These dudes can not, and will not advance a runner.
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
9:58 pm
Efrim
The offense was a problem tonight & there are three underperforming vets in Struggla, Chumpper and Mc Sham as of late.
They deserve to be Booed.
Jay Dubu
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
The way this team hit tonight, getting a runner on 1B is a pressure situation for the nest hitter.
That’s the clutch situation Chipper was in…bottom 9, man on with no outs, and Braves trailing 4 – 1. H e needed to get a hit,
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
15-22 in their last 37 games…..
Pollyanna
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
“If you don’t score runs, no sense in lamenting the pitching.
Offense hasn’t been a problem. Starting pitching has been”
Yeah, the starting pitching was the problem tonight when a guy who hasn’t been able to get anyone out in weeks goes into the 7th giving up one run!
gcs
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
Another pathetic effort. For the love of God, somebody wake this team up from settling for mediocrity.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
Disgusted
I put blame where it belongs, tonight I think that Smardzjia just pitched great, same as during that fog game in Chicago, it’s not like the two losses to the Nats that were avoidable and due to lousy defense and a terrible managerial move in the 9th….
Tina
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
This team will fight to finish 81-81. Time to have a fire sale . Said send top scout to watch Greinke hell he gave up 5 in first two innings. Fire Freddi would help hell Rosenthal reporting Wren on hot seat. He should be for hiring Freddi. we havent gone to a game on this homestand and probaly wouldnt because we cant stand Freddi because he is a loser.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
abeeewright
July 2nd, 2012
9:54 pm
McFann … I believe that McCann is going through a terrible slump, similar to what Prado and Heyward went through last year. It happens to every player. As a fan, you just have to ride it out.
He’ll be back next year.
______________________________________________________________________
MaCann went through it last year too. McCann has not been the same since he hurt his back last year in August.
Tomahawkin
July 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
Dont you just love the stupid twitter posts after the Braves lose to a AAA team?
Efrim
July 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
The offense was a problem tonight
They aren’t going to score 4-5 runs every single night. Most of the time, they do, but not every night.
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
“I believe that McCann is going through a terrible slump, similar to what Prado and Heyward went through last year. It happens to every player. As a fan, you just have to ride it out.:
That is not good enough. No way I want to see this BUMB get 5 yrs for 75 mil now. He is not worth half of that now.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:01 pm
with all of the youth on this team, I expect it to be streaky all year long, win 4 or 5 in a row, loses 4 or 5 in a row, win a series, lose a series, win 3 out of 4, lose 2 out of 3…..
it’s really remarkable that they are above .500 when you consider the amount of sub 24 year olds on the 25 man roster there are
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
10:01 pm
Hard to maintain any momentum even if you get a little bit when Uggla and Mac are literally auto outs in your order. Those two clowns put up some of the worst at bats you will see right now. Unreal how bad they are.
Bronke
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
Stizz. –
Agreed saw the trades of Johnson a Marvin Williams. Great move! How about McCann and Uggla next for the Braves?
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:05 pm
Nick B
Smardzja did pitch well, no doubt maybe his game of the yr given his record.
I am still fuming over the Nats series & now, here the Braves are looking at sub .500 again.
They get a little hit, start winning and then go and lose a few games to get sub .500 again. That has been the pattern of the season after a good 42 game start than the 8 game losing streak.
Very frustrating season. Tonight I am fuming becaause is was a loss to the Cubs, a team we HAVE to beat.
Keep this up and it will be football time. Than we will have the Dawgs and Falcons to be frustrated with.
Mitchell
July 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
Offense hasn’t been a problem. Starting pitching has been.
Wrong!
Name the last time a Brave has gotten anything resembling a clutch hit in late innings at home when trailing that lead to a win.
Only once in the past two seasons have the Braves entered the 9th inning when trailing and finished the 9th inning by walking off with a win.
Not a tie. A come from behind 9th inning walk off win.
One time.
Freddie Freeman vs. Brian Wilson.
When the Braves get dominant pitching they win. When they don’t they don’t win.
If the pitching is less dominant than it has been that doesn’t mean it’s not serviceable enough to give the offense a chance to score runs and win games.
The offense is the problem.
alanfalcon
July 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
The Braves should have a fire sale, the problem is their wouldn’t be many if any buyers !!!!!!!!!!!
FEAR
July 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
So how many K’s for “Big Train” Volstad tomorrow?
phil
July 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
I chose not to watch tonight. A sense of doom facing a normally poor pitcher. Glad i only checked in on here some.
Fire FG!!
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
10:07 pm
Tommy Hanson, “the pitch just came back over the middle…” and boy were the Cubs prepared and ready to hit it!
Hanson Not Losing Sleep
July 2nd, 2012
10:07 pm
I’m watching post game interview, Hanson acts like, “oh well, it didn’t work out.”
I don’t blame him. Make your money. Do the best you can. Don’t lose sleep over losing if the team management isn’t losing sleep over it.
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:08 pm
Nick B –
Its not the youth that has been part of the problem.
Uggla, Chipper and Mc Cann are not helping.
And those two fielding miscues by Bourn in the Nats series, that was not expected or excusable for a gold glove veteran CF.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:09 pm
disgusted
eww, I don’t root for the Falcons, I’m a Saints fan, we pay our players to bust Falcon’s skulls in!!!
:-p
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:09 pm
Tommy Hanson just does not have that fire and passion to be great.
He seems contented with being pretty good. Not a dirt dog kind of guy, this team does not have enough dirt dog kind of guys on this team, hence the mediocrity.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
I am still of the opinion that too many of you view baseball like it’s football and take individual losses wayyy to hard.
In football losses matter a lot, in baseball………. not so much.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
The Braves were on an 8 game run going 7-1 when Prado was at third and Castanza was in LF. Since Chipper came back the Braves are 8-13. The problem is that when Freeman, McCann, and Uggla are not hitting much Chipper coming back and not hitting is magnified.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
Bitchell, you’re a fool. The offense has been much better at small ball, basic things to score runs than in recent years past. Fredi is THE problem. The starters are THE problem.
This guy pitching tonight would’ve shut almost any offense down. Did you see that split to go with riding 96 mph fastballs on the black?
phil
July 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
Hanson seems to be an ass….
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:12 pm
I get it Nick B.
You must be a big fan of Roger “Go to hell” Goddell.
Hey, I think this guy has way too much power and Vilma got screwed. But I don;t feel sorry for you guys.
Dictators have a way of falling & if enough people want to this guy could fall before hiscontract runs out. How, I don;t know. The NFL PA did not do a good job protecting the players from this petty dictator of the game.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:12 pm
Ya know, I have been thinking that the lack of the DH in the NL has causes too many teams to lose stars to the AL. I think that they need to just go ahead an put it in the NL , as we all know it’s coming eventually.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Agreed on Hanson, that’s why he reminds me so much of Millwood when he was a Brave. I always called it an “IDGAS” attitude!
(Rob from SC)
July 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Wait until the Chipper Jones era is over. Go out and hire someone like Sandy Alomar Jr.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
Disgusted
I thought it was all a witch hunt designed to try and cover their behinds due to the pending lawsuit from former players about head injuries…..
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
There was an interesting interview with Frank Wren on the fan today.
When asked about the job Fredi was doing, Wren did say that he did not want to comment publicly.
Some of you might have heard it. It was in the afternoon show.
ChattTownBrian
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
Hanson is a Cali, too cool for you, dude. Absolutely cannot stand this douchebag.
kerryb
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
Football season can’t get here soon enough.
Capt.Mudd
July 2nd, 2012
10:15 pm
Slight remorse…..”drive into the night, I will make it there before daylight,” That’s the way it goes; I’m looking at my bank statement with intrepid zeal….it’s all good……..night see you at the park tomorrow for more of whatever happens.
Nerdbucket Moylan
July 2nd, 2012
10:15 pm
I hope more bloggers will start calling for wren’s head like I have been the past 2 years. as long as he is around we will be mediocre.
NickB
July 2nd, 2012
10:15 pm
kerryb
it wasn’t cuz of Constanza he hit .154 during that time, so you can nip that crap in the bud right now, if he’s some sort of lucky charm, then put him on the roof with a drum and some pom poms
phil
July 2nd, 2012
10:17 pm
Disgusted
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
There was an interesting interview with Frank Wren on the fan today.
When asked about the job Fredi was doing, Wren did say that he did not want to comment publicly.
Some of you might have heard it. It was in the afternoon show.
**********
seriously? He said that?
Fire FG!!
Bat Masterson
July 2nd, 2012
10:17 pm
Most posters on this board hate Constanza
That’s silly, archie. If I were to hazard a guess it would be almost no one here thinks about Biff at all, much less hates him.
TuffShhhtuff
July 2nd, 2012
10:17 pm