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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,156 comments Add your comment
J-MAN
August 11th, 2012
5:07 pm
Uhmmmm……Prado is our best hitter against lefties. Why is he on the bench. Heyward or Bourn would be better options to bench or bench Uggla.
Just sayin
Alaska Braves Fan
August 11th, 2012
5:09 pm
Going down the stretch, it seems to me to be important to get Reed Johnson as many at-bats as possible. That fits nicely, too, with the need to give Prado and Bourn, and even, to some extent, Heyward some days off. A regular rotation that allotted just the right number of days off for each outfielder and kept Johnson’s hand in really would pay dividends in several ways. One of the main reasons for the tail-off in the numbers of Prado and Bourn simply is fatigue, in my fan’s opinion. Also, Reed is just too good not to have him on the field a good bit.
ABF
keylargo
August 11th, 2012
5:13 pm
Derek Lowe is a Mariner.
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
5:14 pm
Hanson will make a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, go 4-5 innings or about 80 pitches max. He wasn’t happy about it, wanted to go directly back into rotation without a start. But after the setbacks he had coming back from DL last year, Braves didn’t want to risk it. Plus, they have five guys pitching well right now, so not urgent.
But Fredi G. said Hanson is only scheduled to make one rehab start before he returns. Also said he’s not sure yet about 6-man rotation, that it’s not as easy to do as it sounds because would leave Braves short-handed in ‘pen or bench, etc. So that’s not decided yet. Sounds to me like he’s leaning toward sticking with 5, but not sure.
Waffle House or Bust
August 11th, 2012
5:14 pm
Not a Wren fan but agree he has done well with additions this year. Now get rid of fat Fredi and I’m a Frank fan!
74bravesjersey
August 11th, 2012
5:15 pm
Hansons delivery makes me cringe; Might be the cause of his back & shoulder problems, grant it, I would like for him to come back strong as ever, & pitch, but his arm position is too much like aiming the ball, & when he releases the pitch, it’s too much in the middle of the plate, which no ball movement, can make hitter’s bust lose on the cheese. His fastball, like colby cheese, his curve like mozzerella, His changeup, well mabey parmesian(?) He’s been on the DL too much to be counted on. I agree w/ you @A Bomb. Grant it, he’s won 12, but many of those starts when he’s been fortunate to win when he’s given up 5 to 6 runs & our offence has been hot in those wins. Sort of like 8 to 7 scores, 7 to 6, etc. He never really adjusted his mechanics in his wind up like he said he would do during the offseason. We can’t afford anymore wasted games of trotten him out there hope’n he be good. He & JJ gotta go.
Waffle House or Bust
August 11th, 2012
5:15 pm
J-MAN – I agree and stand by my prediction that Fredi will screw the season up before it’s all over.
Veer
August 11th, 2012
5:16 pm
Right now our weak spot in the rotation is Mike Minor so if Hanson comes back i would expect Mike Minor to get voted off the Island. Each week someone earns an immunity in our rotation and 2 guys up for the axe.
For this week Malhom has the immunity. Minor is up for eviction. Depending on how Medlen does today the second nominee will be between Hudson and Minor.
Hudson has a history thus he holds the tie breaker over Minor.
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
5:17 pm
Hanson is frustrating that’s for sure.
Alaska Braves Fan
August 11th, 2012
5:19 pm
Fredi is doing fine. Of course he errs occasionally, but there is no perfect manager. Fredi has the experience, knowledge, relationship with players, and skills he needs. The quality of his decisions, considering the personnel with whom he works, has ranked in the upper 15% compared with MLB managers. (That is my guess based upon my own observations. Remember: I’m not a baseball expert, but I pretend to be one on these blogs.)
ABF
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
5:20 pm
Top catching prospect Christian Bethancourt fractured his left hand when hit by pitch in 13th inning Thursday — a game that Frank Wren attended, by the way. Bethancourt will see specialist this week.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:20 pm
fairly good chance that Vizcaino will never throw a three hit complete game shutout in his MLB career…..
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
5:21 pm
Braves Sunday (Aug. 26) game at San Francisco has been moved to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. Eastern) to accomodate ESPN, and to screw with writers who have to change flight plans and two hotel reservations. (Actually, it wasn’t done to mess with writers.)
Veer
August 11th, 2012
5:22 pm
Hanson has shoulder issues He should go and have surgery and come back healthy at the end of next season. He will be a much better pitcher. He needs to have a surgery. The guy can go back to throwing 95-96 as he was instead of 87-88 now. That is 7 mph more and makes big difference.
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
5:22 pm
Veer
There is zero chance of Hudson being “voted off” as you put it for a rotation spot. In my opinion Medlen is at the bottom of the pecking order. Main reason is cause he is valuable in the pen.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:23 pm
will be pretty surprised at a 6 man rotation, especially for more than a coupla times through it . you can never say never, but pretty unlikely
UKUGA
August 11th, 2012
5:23 pm
The Sheets signing is also evidence of how the Braves’ winning tradition still helps in negotiations. They are not the Yankees, no. But, there are still plenty of guys – especially southerners – who grew up watching and cheering for the Braves, and respect the organization.
Sheets took less money to pitch for Atlanta. It’s not quite Dwight Howard manipulating a trade to the Lakers, but nonetheless, it is these kinds of moves that allow the Braves to stay in the thick of things years after Ted Turner’s dollars were removed from team coffers.
UKUGA
August 11th, 2012
5:24 pm
Unlucky 13 strikes again.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:24 pm
you do not really want a pitcher’s shoulder cut on unless absolutely necessary. way more dangerous than elbows to a career
Veer
August 11th, 2012
5:25 pm
This is a life and death start for Medlen for he knows that if he struggles today then Hanson will replace him. Essentially every Brave is fighting for a rotation spot. I would say only safe bets right now are Hudson and Malholm.
You have Minor who might be the guy to go
Medlen could be the guy
Sheets is the wildcard. He knows he has pitched good but if he gets bombed in his next 2 starts or has pain then he could be the one to go.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:25 pm
Bah, his fastball pretty much sukked anyway……
Hmmmm
August 11th, 2012
5:26 pm
“game at San Francisco has been moved to 5 p.m. (8 p.m. Eastern)”
naturally the Giants are off on Monday … at least the Braves only have to travel to San Diego for the next nights game and not the other side of the country
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:27 pm
Hanson will prolly replace him no matter what
Alaska Braves Fan
August 11th, 2012
5:28 pm
nolie: You’re right. Shoulders are more complicated than elbows, and recuperation is more painful, difficult and chancy. It’s highly unlikely that a pitcher would gain velocity as a result of shoulder surgery. Of course, the never say never comment is correct too.
ABF
74bravesjersey
August 11th, 2012
5:29 pm
Hanson & JJ are Boras clients, to me thats goats cheese, the only Boras client I wouldn’t mind see’n the Braves push to resign is michael, but it seems to already be a given that he’s too expensive for the budget. If that be the case, see if constanza(lil jose) or Durango who’s been one of the minor league leaders in SB’s can hold the position. Simmons has definitely good leadoff speed, so if Bourne goes as much to my shagrin(hope he doesn’t) we may have more help from our young pups in the minors. If things change on the roster, like chipper retire’n, hinske may not be resigned, etc… then some of the young pups or thumpers if hungry enough could fill the void. Also room on payroll to make some or a move or two.
JeanE
August 11th, 2012
5:30 pm
Allright, I guess I am the single Matt Diaz fan left on the planet, what the heck happened with his thumb? Did he have surgery, what??????????? Now that Reed Johnson is here, no one cares about Diaz, such loyal fans we have.
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
5:31 pm
Hanson has averaged less than 6 innings a start this season. 5.7 Innings per start to be exact. Only has pitched 7 innings or more 7 times out of 22 starts.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:35 pm
Matt who???………..
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
5:38 pm
Matt Diaz’s day in Atlanta are most likely over. Only chance he has of coming back is if we decide to go with a platoon in LF and he’s willing to accept a salary around 1 mil. Which is a 50% pay cut from this season
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:45 pm
there is no medical justification to shut down Stephen Stras. at 180 ..brian
a lot of anecdotal evidence that the Verducci Effect prolly does exist and likely should be paid attention if not followed slavishly
Brand-New
August 11th, 2012
5:45 pm
a little off topic, but is Jack Wilson still on the team? Considering Janish’s great play so far, Pastornicky’s good pinch hitting and Simmon’s coming back in a few weeks, don’t really see a need for him anymore.
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
5:46 pm
Trying to resign Reed Johnson around 1-1.5 million for next season would be a smart move with not knowing how our LF/CF openings will be filled. Reed is a true 4th OFer who can play all spot and is a good pinch hitter. He will be 36 years old but as a part time player since 2008 he’s hit 290 with a 762 OPS which is damn good for a backup.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:48 pm
huge strides in sports medicine over the last decade but arm setbacks are more than ever. There will nbe a new record for medical losses again this season. however I think there is a good chance that the gNats will back off some on closing him down
nolie
August 11th, 2012
5:49 pm
Jack is still on DL as far as I know
A braves fan
August 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
Let’s finish strong and take care of teams that we should beat!
keylargo
August 11th, 2012
5:51 pm
JeanE – I heard he had surgery on his thumb again from the palm frond that he stuck under his thumb nail.
But it could be creative roster movement too.
TexasBrave
August 11th, 2012
5:51 pm
I understand Fredi’s reluctance in being short handed in the pen moving to a 6 man rotation. However, all of our current rotation are going at least 5 innings strong and more lately. I think with our starters going deeper we can afford being short one in the pen while giving the starters one extra day of rest between starts during this 20 games in 20 day stretch. Need to keep the starters fresh for the stretch run.
ChattTownBrian
August 11th, 2012
5:57 pm
Maholm is better than Hanson. When Jurrjens is actually healthy and spinning 2 seamers at hitters, he is also a better pitcher. Hudson is better, Sheets too. Medlen I don’t know yet in the long run, but would definitely choose him over TH right now. I would put Minor in the same boat as Meds … just don’t know yet.
Tommy’s W/L record proves again that stat is the most overrated in the game by far.
BravesFan24
August 11th, 2012
5:58 pm
Last night’s win was one of the smoothest this season. The Braves hardly even got their uniforms dirty. Paul Maholm’s outing was masterful. All we needed for offense were the timely home runs by Heyward and Uggla. I wish they could all be so easy. Let’s make it happen again tonight. GO BRAVES!!
Lew
August 11th, 2012
5:58 pm
The Verducci Effect certainly doesn’t happen 100% of the time, but it holds true often enough that it’s not a bad idea to pay attention to the effects of too many inings too early in a pitcher’s career and to limit them until after age 25.
Braves Fan for 55 yrs
August 11th, 2012
5:59 pm
Dave Do the Braves have an option on Ben Sheets for next year?
iTiSi
August 11th, 2012
6:01 pm
“JeanE”…… agree with you 100%. Having lived in 3 major cities I’ve found Atlanta fans to be the most “fickle” I have ever seen. A player can be everybody’s “little darling” one minute and their “footstool” the next. Some of the shortest memories ever exist in Braves fans. Not the same in St. Louis. Now that’s a real baseball town for you, and no, I’m not a Cardinals fan. Just appreciate loyalty, and not “what have you done for me lately” mentality.
SNEAKY PETE
August 11th, 2012
6:04 pm
iTiSi keeps getting thrown out of cities it seems. who can blame them though, such a buzz kill attention seeker
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
6:05 pm
Hanson set for rehab start Sunday, like it or not
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/08/11/hanson-set-for-rehab-start-sunday-at-gwinnett/
ChattTownBrian
August 11th, 2012
6:06 pm
Joe Simpson acts like Hanson is the next coming of Halladay. Blah blah blah blah blah blah. He’s not real good, he’s lost velocity, his curveball isn’t that consistant and the slider is barely average and rarely is anywhere near dominant. Where’s his changeup and 2 seam they were all talking about? I guess TH thinks his old stuff is plenty good enough he doesn’t need that other stuff.
ChattTownBrian
August 11th, 2012
6:08 pm
“like it or not
Like we do not. Or I don’t.
Lew
August 11th, 2012
6:10 pm
CTB – And you act as if he’s dirt under your feet. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Oh yeah – blah.
BFChris27
August 11th, 2012
6:11 pm
Yankees sign Derek Lowe.
SNEAKY PETE
August 11th, 2012
6:12 pm
Blog always has to have several whipping boys. Hanson is obviously top dog now.
ncbravesfan90
August 11th, 2012
6:12 pm
Per Rotoworld:
Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees have acquired Derek Lowe.
It makes a lot of sense for the Bombers, coming on the same day that CC Sabathia was placed on the disabled list. Lowe posted an 8-10 record and 5.52 ERA in 21 starts with the Indians before being released earlier this week. He should make his debut in pinstripes at some point soon.
Related: Yankees
Source: Marc Carig on Twitter Aug 11 – 6:09 PM
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
6:13 pm
Chipper said his back felt a little better today after he opted for the couch instead of unfomfortable bed in his hotel room.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:14 pm
ok, so now we are contributing to the Yankee steamroller.
Maybe we can get a piece of the WS title that way?
VaBravesFan
August 11th, 2012
6:14 pm
Expectations are to blame.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:16 pm
baseball fans should know better, especially about young pitching. TINSTAAPP
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:17 pm
Medlen to the pen, Hanson replaces him.
That’s what happens, like it or not. I have typed.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:17 pm
most likely phil, at least to start
Lew
August 11th, 2012
6:18 pm
Yep, Lowe might just help the Yankees if 1. he doesn’t have to pitch his first inning in the game (.341, .388, ..495) 2, The first hitter to face him (.333, .333, .524), 3. with men on base ( .367, .414, .502), or with RISP (.350, .405, .526).
Other than that he’s good to go and should shore up their rotation while CC is out.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:19 pm
use him as a reliever after the first out……
brian
August 11th, 2012
6:19 pm
I hope Chipper doesn’t order room service from the hotel since he outed them on Twitter.
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:20 pm
I’m astounded that, in the final season of a hall of fame career, the damn Braves can’t find a decent bed for Chipper in some decent hotel room in New York City…..
I’m truly astounded. Tell me it’s a joke.
brian
August 11th, 2012
6:21 pm
Yankees can have D. Lowe – he is done
David O'Brien
August 11th, 2012
6:21 pm
McCann on whether he might need shoulder surgery at some point: “I don’t think …I’m hoping that won’t be an issue. But we’ll see.”
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:22 pm
Fire the reservations person!!
brian
August 11th, 2012
6:22 pm
what exactly is wrong with Hanson’s shoulder? Labrum?
TexasBrave
August 11th, 2012
6:22 pm
Love how Fredi tried to explain away Hanson’s little temper tantrum. Seeing flashes of Frenchy’s rant when he was sent down. All me, me, me and not the team, team, team.
keylargo
August 11th, 2012
6:23 pm
I found the Derek Lowe to Mariners info on Baseball Reference. It was on his player page but just listed his last team as the Mariners in 2012.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lowede01.shtml
Derek Christopher Lowe
Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6′ 6″, Weight: 230 lb.
Born: June 1, 1973 in Dearborn, MI (Age 39)
High School: Ford HS (Dearborn, MI)
Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 8th round of the 1991 amateur draft.
Signed June 7, 1991. (All Transactions)
Debut: April 26, 1997
Teams (by GP): RedSox/Dodgers/Braves/Indians/Mariners 1997-2012
Lew
August 11th, 2012
6:23 pm
nolie – Yeah, that would do it. That way he wouldn’t have to face his first batter he faces or pitch his first inning. Sheesh.
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:24 pm
Do we have any idea what’s actually wrong anatomically in the shoulder? Is it an impingement thing with the acromion? The acromio-clavicular junction area pinching his cuff with certain movement? A tear?
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:24 pm
must have been quite a row if y’all hear the argument all the way out in Texas
TennesseePaul
August 11th, 2012
6:25 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .222 .364 .333 0.697 .326 ___96
Reed___ .382 .432 .559 0.991 .457 __177
Heyward .229 .289 .457 0.747 .319 __108
Chipper .333 .459 .567 1.026 .406 __187
Freeman .281 .378 .375 0.753 .344 __111
Uggla__ .313 .421 .531 0.952 .415 __166
McCann_ .233 .378 .467 0.845 .378 __136
Janish_ .212 .235 .273 0.508 .226 ___42
Medlen_ .000 .250 .000 0.250 .180 __-28
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:26 pm
a fat arm.
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:26 pm
Send someone to Target for an air mattress for Chipper!!
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:27 pm
Nolie, that’s gotta be it! Lololol
brian
August 11th, 2012
6:28 pm
reading mlbtraderumors – Sheets says that he is not sure how much longer he will keep pitching just that he wants to go out on his own terms and not simply because of injury. A 1 year extension with a mutual option?
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
Can’t Chipper swap rooms with DOB?
Take one for the team, David!!
TexasBrave
August 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
nolie I was trying to take a nap when I heard that ruckus!!!
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:30 pm
Not a fan of the 6 man rotation idea. I agree with an earlier post that right now I think Minor is 4th behind Huddy, Sheets and Maholm, Looking forward to seeing Maholm a few more times though because honestly the Mets lineup last night was just a notch over the Astros only because Wright was in there.
Worse problems to have than having to figure out who leaves the rotation or better yet hopefully who stays out!
brian
August 11th, 2012
6:30 pm
nobody should rush to shoulder surgery. Much different than the elbow. Recovery is much, much worse and most pitchers aren’t quite the same after major shoulder surgery
phil
August 11th, 2012
6:30 pm
Cut Sheets now then….sissy boy.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:34 pm
bye bye Meds
Kat
August 11th, 2012
6:35 pm
Looks like it could be a nice night here at Citi. Nice view tonight.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7084/imag1531.jpg
Venice Jim
August 11th, 2012
6:35 pm
Being a world in which every person is not exactly the same as others, sometimes people are comfortable on different typed of beds – seems to work for the sleep number system people…
Trader Jack
August 11th, 2012
6:35 pm
Lowe might help the Yankees if they can figure a way to close all the bars and clubs when he’s in town
Efrim
August 11th, 2012
6:36 pm
DOB, it’s actually 6.5 million according to Cots.
It’s an affordable 6.5 million dollar option for a starter like Maholm that never hits the DL and seems to have changed the way he has pitched with more use of that cutter. Good stuff last night. Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling even mentioned that he used to be a fastball/change pitcher and is now throwing a ton more cutters.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:37 pm
hotels often have soft beds cause many associate that with expensive comfort.
firmer is better though
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:39 pm
Consider for a moment not what you think the Braves will do but this.
Who would you want to start pitching the last game of the year and if we win we go to the playoffs and we lose we go home. Your only choices are Medlin or Hanson.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:41 pm
silly thought cause neither is gonna happen. abd the only thing that really counts is what the Braves are gonna do, not what any of us want
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:42 pm
Geez nolie.
why any discussion then huh?
The A Bomb
August 11th, 2012
6:43 pm
Hanson needs his jaw wired.
George
August 11th, 2012
6:44 pm
This one game play-in to become WC S**KS. If u are going to have another team in it at least make it 2 out of 3.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:44 pm
so we can take out our frustrations on each other?
I was being facetious there Mark.
shorty
August 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
The gnats will slump and harper and strasberg will start crying like the wimps they are..by the end of Sept.they will probably be out of playoff contention
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:46 pm
it is really not only about who might be the best starter though
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:46 pm
My bad. I let the “silly thought” part get the better of me.
George
August 11th, 2012
6:47 pm
Hi nolie
If u like western novels try HELL IS EMPTY by CREIG JOHNSON it is the newest of the LONGMIRE series.
The A Bomb
August 11th, 2012
6:49 pm
A 1-game playoff is very exciting. However, unless the field commander can grasp the concept of “throwing the kitchen sink” at another team we will be in trouble. He’s way too concerned with getting guys rest and his inability to grasp urgency cost us in September last season and will put us behind the 8-ball on Oct. 5 — if we get there.
George
August 11th, 2012
6:50 pm
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:39 pm
MEDLAN for sure.
nolie
August 11th, 2012
6:50 pm
thanx george, i am in the midst of watching that series start to finish right now, an ok show
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:50 pm
Yeah I know the pen is a question…Just hate to see the better pitchers not get on the field. Remember Smoltz sitting in the pen during his closing days one series and he never got on the field. Realize too comparing Smoltz to either is a stretch but sort of similar possibility.
Mark
August 11th, 2012
6:52 pm
shorty
Now that is thinking positive thoughts!!