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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
982 comments Add your comment
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
9:29 am
If I had to choose, I’d take the Pirates, TJ…. but that ain’t happening, so…. Dodgers best bet of who’s left. Just pray that Kershaw doesn’t start.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
9:29 am
They should trade Choo for prospects or 0-3 guys. Not Hanson.
wowOwow
September 11th, 2012
9:30 am
Is it normal for me to be nervous about that play in game for the wild card barf to play the nationals? It seems to much like a story book write up, we play the Cardinals in it and maybe get some revenge for last year and them beating us? Or do you all think that we lose to them again.
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
9:30 am
Also, the Phillies don’t play any of the teams they need to jump going forward. They’re one of the better teams in the NL right now, but they dug a hole too big earlier in the year.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
9:31 am
The Phillies and Brewers are now 5 games back of the Cardinals for the last Wild Card spot. Still think they won’t make it, as they’d have to jump the Pirates and Dodgers as well.
The right combination things would have to occur for the Phils to make the playoffs. A torrid finish for one. But, boy, the Phils are playing really well.
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
9:24 am
you just know in your gut that we’re going to lose it.
Speak for yourself.
************
i am, but you’ll feel better come Oct. 5th if you allow for the possibility.
It’s what we do.
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:33 am
Until we man up and actually WIN some big games, I fully intend to remain doubtful….
Why not?
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
9:34 am
i am, but you’ll feel better come Oct. 5th if you allow for the possibility.
Who said I’m not allowing for the possibility? I know there’s a chance the Braves lose that game. You seem to think the Braves have zero chance to win it. I disagree with that.
Bat Masterson
September 11th, 2012
9:34 am
So how’s that for some salt in your cereal this morning?
Do y’all remember when Ward had “high hopes”?
Next time you’re found, with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around
Just what makes that little old ant
Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can’t
Move a rubber tree plant
But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high apple pie, in the sky hopes
So any time you’re gettin’ low
’stead of lettin’ go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant
阴阳
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
9:34 am
Bourn is hitting .232/.328/.323 in the 2nd half.
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
9:35 am
Until we man up and actually WIN some big games,
What made last night a big game, but the five games before it weren’t?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
9:35 am
They should trade Choo for prospects or 0-3 guys. Not Hanson.
Agree… Hanson doesn’t even help their pitching staff that much. Not that good.
Braves @ 99.2% for playoffs, Cards are 2nd at 61%. Dodgers are at 26%.
Telling ya right now, barring a great run by the Dodgers (beginning with a sweep this week, and beating all their other opponents, they have the harder schedule), the WC teams will be the Braves and the Cards, in Atlanta.
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:41 am
Excuses, excuses, excuses…..
Win or go home, Brian. THOSE games. Not last night or the 5 before it. They’re all pretty big all year long, frankly, but the win or go home games are what I’m talking about. I want to see some foaming at the mouth and some ass kicking.
I’m sick and tired of losing. Sorry if I don’t subscribe to the “they got hot at the right time” mentality. It’s a cop out and a bunch of crap. It’s the Falcons mantra now days….
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:42 am
We had a great season….
Well big dang deal! Win some playoff games!
Trader Jack
September 11th, 2012
9:44 am
The Nationals can have a say in who the Braves face, as their last 16 games are all against wild card contenders. Does Davey Johnson play some teams tough, while laying down to another ?
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
9:45 am
Agree… Hanson doesn’t even help their pitching staff that much. Not that good.
You’re bordering on MFin with regard to Hanson, TOBF.
CB
September 11th, 2012
9:45 am
phil eating his normal gruel this morning. We love you,phil.
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:47 am
Johnson should do what’s best for his team to win. Period. If that means helping screw the Braves some way, why not?
We should be doing the same thing and are, I hope. Then again, with cap tipping FG manning the dugout, who really ever knows. The man has yet to win a single playoff game, or even reach one.
phil
September 11th, 2012
9:48 am
Add CB to the list of those content with just showing up….lol
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
9:50 am
Sorry, Efrim… I just don’t see how an average NL starter can be of much use in the AL. That league even makes some Aces look bad. For Hanson to be valuable and good, he needs to stay in the NL. And that’s all I’ll say… don’t want to sound like I hate Tommy.
Bat Masterson
September 11th, 2012
9:57 am
And that’s all I’ll say… don’t want to sound like I hate Tommy.
That ship has already sailed.
Place your bets.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:02 am
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Today’s @MikeandMike trivia: If Mike Trout wins the MVP he’ll be only the 4th active player to win it as an OF. Can you name the other 3?
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Let’s end the @MikeandMike trivia suspense. The 3 active players who were MVPs as OFs: Braun, Hamilton, Ichiro. Lots of right answers!
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Most common wrong trivia answers: Albert & Chipper (didn’t win as OFs), Kemp (2nd last year), Berkman (3rd twice), Beltran (4th once)</em.
phil
September 11th, 2012
10:09 am
I don’t personally hate Tommy.
I just despise him when he pitches like crap.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:10 am
Tommy’s first 4 years in the Majors have him putting up some stats roughly similar stats to James Shields’ first 4 years. James pitched in the AL East. Shields has a better WHIP, BB/9, and K/BB ratio, and averaged about an extra 2/3 of an inning per start than Tommy did.
Now I’m done!
Bat Masterson
September 11th, 2012
10:12 am
Raise your hand if you bet BS.
Hand raised here.
JRW
September 11th, 2012
10:14 am
The Phillies and Brewers are now 5 games back of the Cardinals for the last Wild Card spot. Still think they won’t make it, as they’d have to jump the Pirates and Dodgers as well.
————————————————————————–
Last 10 – Phillies 8-2, Brewers 7-3, Cards, 4-6, Dodgers, 4-6, Pirates 2-8.
The Phillies opponents trough next Wednesday Marlins (2), Astros (4), Mutts (3). If the current trends hold up for another week the Phillies will have a much higher percentage to make the Playoffs than they do today. I think they could easily be with in two games and have only the Dodgers left in front of them.
Murph
September 11th, 2012
10:14 am
Raise your hand if you bet BS.
I don’t even know what we’re talking about here, but I’ll go ahead and raise my hand too.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:15 am
I just despise him when he pitches like crap.
That’s been much of the year, unfortunately… .290/.366/.514/.879 oppo. line, with a 5.36 ERA in 15 starts from May28 to Aug29. Pitched 84 innings (5.2 a start) allowing 96 Hits, walking 38, and K’ing 75. Allowed 15 HR in that time.
Somehow, the Braves went 11-4 in that time, with Tommy getting 7 wins and 4 losses to his record. The bats were showing him the love….
Bat Masterson
September 11th, 2012
10:18 am
Murph_
Good choice. Puts you on the winning side.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
10:18 am
No hat tips and other stupid concessions to the might and worth of the opponent.
Bubba, please. Some posters here live their whole lives thinking that anybody but the Braves is always better than the Braves. They’re in constant cap-tip mode.
You can see it this morning, even. Some here think that the Phillies can jump over several teams and make up six games, no sweat. But mention that the Braves might overcome the same deficit to one team, the Nats, and those same folks howl at the impossibility of it. That’s not realism, or even pessimism; it’s just pure give-up.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:21 am
That’s not realism, or even pessimism; it’s just pure give-up.
I prefer to call it idiocy.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:22 am
You can see it this morning, even. Some here think that the Phillies can jump over several teams and make up six games, no sweat. But mention that the Braves might overcome the same deficit to one team, the Nats, and those same folks howl at the impossibility of it. That’s not realism, or even pessimism; it’s just pure give-up.
It does amaze me that a constant thread on the blog attributes so much more to Braves’ rivals.
And I’m amused more than amazed by those who think that clearing Fredi from the dugout would go a long way to solving any problems or challenges the Braves have.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:26 am
I’m sick and tired of losing. Sorry if I don’t subscribe to the “they got hot at the right time” mentality. It’s a cop out and a bunch of crap. It’s the Falcons mantra now days….
Well, phil, the Braves lost a playoff series in ‘10. They outright collapsed in ‘11, which should have angered fans. This season, despite ups and downs, and some setbacks in terms of injuries, the Braves are leading the pack for one of the wild card slots. They’re in the thick of contention. The problem is….?
Murph
September 11th, 2012
10:28 am
Some here think that the Phillies can jump over several teams and make up six games, no sweat.
I personally don’t think the Phillies are going to make the playoffs, or even make it all that close (even though I’ve been telling you all for months that they were still dangerous, despite the constant ribbing I took for saying so)… but….
The world works in mysterious ways. I don’t know what to call it, but somehow the unthinkable has a crazy way of coming true. Look at that Tampa Bay game last year… one of the most amazing comebacks/game endings I’ve ever watched.
There is going to be an amazing story that’s going to unfold over the last 2 or 3 days of the season. Things are already in motion. I don’t know who it’s going to be, but some team is going to secure a playoff spot in an uber-dramatic way that’s going to leave us all with our jaws on the floor.
I just hope it isn’t a team overtaking the Braves. Again.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:31 am
And while I’m on a roll… what’s all the beefing about the one-game elimination between the wild card finishers? I get that a one-game “sudden death” isn’t what anyone wants, but it is what it is.
And what’s with the thread that regularly assumes that the Braves don’t stand a chance in a one-game elimination match?
Man, plenty of people on this blog peer into crystal balls or read tea leaves or chicken entrails. I’m not putting my money on crystal ball reading, thank you.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:35 am
I personally don’t think the Phillies are going to make the playoffs, or even make it all that close (even though I’ve been telling you all for months that they were still dangerous, despite the constant ribbing I took for saying so)… but….
It would be improbable for the Phils to slip into the wild card. But they are playing some dangerous baseball lately, and I do think that they finish above .500, for what that’s worth.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
10:35 am
I get that a one-game “sudden death” isn’t what anyone wants
…except for me, remember, LOL?
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:36 am
Indeed, scoots!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:36 am
I just looked into my crystal ball… It says that Jeff is a smart man!
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:37 am
TheOnlyBravesFan… must be another Jeff.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
10:38 am
But they are playing some dangerous baseball lately
Heck, I hope they stay dangerous. They have six with Nats, right?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
10:42 am
Yes, they do scoots. They play in Philly Sep. 25-27, then finish the season in DC. Would be nice if the gNats actually have to play for something those last 3 games. Phillies playing spoiler like last year would be greatly appreciated.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:42 am
The Phils do, indeed, have six games remaining against the Nats.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
10:59 am
Well, that certainly could be a dicey nine-game stretch at the end for the Nats, on the road at Philly and St. Louis and finishing at home with Philly. But I’d hope the Braves can take care of a little business long before then. Got to get within striking distance for that last nine to mean anything.
lee maye
September 11th, 2012
11:07 am
Medlen’s remaining starts:
Sept 14 Wash
Sept 19 at Miami
Sept 25 Miami
Sept 30 NY
Oct 5 Wild Card St Louis or LA
Schedule already set up perfectly for Medlen to pitch WC game in Atl on Oct 5
ACE
September 11th, 2012
11:07 am
Where is George?
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
11:11 am
More importantly, where’s Lew? We need his acerbic wit this morning!
Veer
September 11th, 2012
11:15 am
2 wildcards is the biggest scam ever. We will probably finish 7 games better than the next wildcard and end up losing the 1 game playoff. This is BS. Our team is built to play series not 1 game. Even the Astros can beat the Nationals in a 1 game playoff.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
11:18 am
Where is George?
Hopefully not taking a day off!
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
11:26 am
2 wildcards is the biggest scam ever. We will probably finish 7 games better than the next wildcard and end up losing the 1 game playoff. This is BS. Our team is built to play series not 1 game. Even the Astros can beat the Nationals in a 1 game playoff.
Of course, a good team can have a bad game and a bad team a good one.
But again, so what? The post season scheme is set – unless someone has Selig’s ear.
And the Braves are sure losers in a one-game elimination? Why, of course! And I predict the Braves’ record will be 79-83 in 2087.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:27 am
Just purchased my tickets for the NL Wild Card Game and NLDS Home Game 1.
Go Braves!!!!!!
George_George
September 11th, 2012
11:30 am
ACE
September 11th, 2012
11:07 am
I am here, wasn’t that DISGUSTING last night? Our guys just can’t deliver key hits when needed. Ten hits all singles, just a waste of good starting pitching.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:33 am
George, it was a weird game. Hopefully, we don’t have any more like that one. Watching it gave me a sense that the Brewers were pre-ordained to win it. I know that’s silly, but that’s how it looked.
George_George
September 11th, 2012
11:35 am
wildcards is the biggest scam ever. We will probably finish 7 games better than the next wildcard and end up losing the 1 game playoff. This is BS. Our team is built to play series not 1 game. Even the Astros can beat the Nationals in a 1 game playoff.
***********************************************
AGREE AGREE AGREE
Powder Blue
September 11th, 2012
11:40 am
If this team collapses again, Fredi must go.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:41 am
What the heck, I went back and purchased NLDS Home Game 2, as well.
I’m a believer.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
11:42 am
If this team collapses again, Fredi must go.
They’re playing .700 ball in September, fercrissake.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
11:42 am
Fredi ain’t going anywhere… we’re not collapsing. Not even close right now.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:43 am
Agree fully with that, Powder Blue.
Haven’t seen you around in a while. Welcome back.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
11:43 am
WTG Brava!!!
Powder Blue
September 11th, 2012
11:44 am
Brava,
Been a busy summer at work, so I haven’t been around much. Thanks.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:44 am
Exactly, scoots. That’s why if they do collapse, he must go.
I don’t think it’s going to happen, or I wouldn’t be buying tickets to the post-season, believe me.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
11:45 am
I’s got mine too, though I’ll probably make it to just 1 game…. dang fall ball.
Lew
September 11th, 2012
11:46 am
I had bad feelings last night asd soon as Fredi took Minor out of the game. We’ve got to start scoring some damned runs or Fredi will wear out the pen yet again. I’m surprised actually, that he didn’t run EOF and KImbrel out there again for the fifth time in six days. He never should have put Venters in to begin with.
Can’t keep scoring one run and expecting the pen to pick up all the slack – there’s always going to be a point of diminishing returns. We saw it last year and I sure hope we don’t see it agin this year, too.
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
11:48 am
Big 3-run homer by Chipper to win a game against Philly.
In all other at-bats in his last 17 games, he is hitting .207 with one extra-base hit (a double) and 2 RBI.
Murph
September 11th, 2012
11:48 am
I don’t think it’s going to happen, or I wouldn’t be buying tickets to the post-season, believe me.
You get your money back if they don’t make it though, right? Not exactly a major leap of faith…
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
11:50 am
Can’t keep scoring one run and expecting the pen to pick up all the slack – there’s always going to be a point of diminishing returns.
Agreed. The pitching staff has carried the load masterfully, but the offense needs to step up.
Yes, the bullpen stumbled last night, but, overall, Braves’ pitching has been major league-leading – or close to it – during the team’s recent good stretch.
I n fact, I’d say the Braves’ offense lost last night’s game more than the pen.
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:51 am
No, Murph, from what I’ve experienced in the past, they don’t refund the games that aren’t played, they credit it toward the next season. So, in a way, I guess you do get your money back, but you’re out the Ticketmaster convenience charges.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
11:51 am
BASEBALL AMERICA
Braves Shortstop Nick Ahmed Shines At Lynchburg
By Andrew Krause
September 11, 2012
ZEBULON, N.C.—At first glance, Braves shortstop Nick Ahmed’s performance for high Class A Lynchburg this season hardly seemed revelatory. In 506 at-bats he hit .269/.337/.391—right around the Carolina League average on all counts—but the 22-year-old balanced that offensive output with a wide array of tools and off-the-charts makeup.
An above-average runner, Ahmed led the Carolina League with 40 stolen bases (in 50 attempts) and 84 runs.
“He’s aggressive and wants to learn,” Lynchburg hitting coach Bobby Moore said. “He picks up (pitchers’) moves, timing to the plate, and takes advantage of it.”
Ahmed had also been reliable defensively, showcasing plus range and arm strength, if not as much flash as some of his league-mates. He led all CL shortstops in fielding average (.963), assists (457) and every other counting statistic, while only Myrtle Beach’s Hanser Alberto recorded more assists per game.
“His defense at shortstop is great,” Moore said. “I think some of the errors that he has made have come on balls that normal shortstops cannot even get to.”
Though scouts don’t project much more than gap power down the line for Ahmed—he shared the CL lead with 36 doubles—they believe he’ll maintain a healthy batting average given his selectivity and feel for contact.
Renowned for a tireless work ethic during his college career at Connecticut, Ahmed has brought a take-no-prisoners attitude with him to the professional ranks. That helped the 2011 second-rounder make the sizable leap from the Rookie-level Appalachian League a year ago to Lynchburg this season.
“It’s through the roof—excellent, excellent, excellent makeup,” Moore said. “The kid comes to work every day. If you tell him he does something good, he wants to do it better. He expects more from himself. I think it comes from his background.”
Down, But Not Out
Ahmed and fellow Connecticut stars Matt Barnes (now with the Red Sox) and George Springer (Astros) were determined to help Connecticut take the next step as juniors in 2011. The Huskies missed the NCAA postseason during Ahmed’s freshman year in 2009, then bowed out to Oregon in regionals during his sophomore campaign.
Though UConn did break through to super regionals, winning the Clemson regional, the 2011 season wasn’t without its trials. Ahmed suffered a collapsed lung in an April 25 game against Quinnipiac, knocking him out of action for a month.
“It was kind of a freak injury,” Ahmed said. “I hit a ball and ended up colliding with the first baseman. I went down and thought that I had knocked the wind out of myself.
“I got up and regrouped and ran out to play shortstop the next inning, and I just could not breathe very well. I knew something wasn’t right and ended up having to come out of the game.”
At first Ahmed and UConn trainers thought that he sustained a collarbone or rib injury, but an X-ray found that Ahmed’s lung had collapsed and 80 percent deflated. As if the diagnosis weren’t bad enough, the original procedure to re-inflate Ahmed’s lung was carried out incorrectly, so he had to be transferred to another hospital for a second procedure.
When all was said and done, Ahmed had spent 15 days in two different hospitals. He returned to the field within two weeks of his release from the hospital and played in Connecticut’s opening-round game of the Big East Conference tournament on May 25.
As one of the team’s leaders and key contributors, Ahmed felt it necessary to make a quick return.
“It was probably a little bit too soon to be playing,” he said. “But we were in the conference tournament and I wanted to get back out there.”
Ahmed played well following his speedy return and attracted the interest of the Braves with his tools, physicality, toughness, and gamer mentality. Atlanta selected him 85th overall and signed him shortly after Connecticut’s postseason run ended with a loss to eventual College World Series champion South Carolina in super regional play.
Putting In The Work
Though he recovered from his collapsed lung, Ahmed struggled to regain his pre-injury strength. He batted .262/.346/.379 with four homers in 248 at-bats for Rookie-level Danville.
“I lost about 20 pounds from being in the hospital,” he said. “Everything was fine with the actual lung, but I guess that I played with my weight down quite a bit.”
Last winter, Ahmed dedicated much of his time to putting that weight back on in order regain his functional strength.
“I had a good strength coach and we worked hard to get a lot of that strength back so that I would be ready for a long, full season,” Ahmed said. “I think I’ve done a good job to maintain that strength, by staying on top of my nutrition, weighlifting and conditioning.”
Unsatisfied with his performance at the plate, Ahmed also put in a significant amount of work to revamp his hitting mechanics and overall offensive approach.
“I’m trying to be more balanced at the plate,” he said. “I’m also working on the mental game and being ready every single pitch. Just paying attention to pitchers’ tendencies and sequencing and knowing when I have the opportunity to really drive a pitch.”
The hard work had paid off.
“When he first came here he tried to pull the ball more,” Moore said. “Focusing on using the whole field is the key with him (because) it allows him to have a more consistent swing path. I think that we’re beginning to scratch into that power.
“The sky is the limit for him. He’s got all the ability, tools and a good head on his shoulders with a strong work ethic.”
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
11:51 am
Bourn has only score 5 runs in his last 21 games.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
11:54 am
Nick Ahmed is a perfect trade candidate from our farm system, imo. Just sayin….
Shaun
September 11th, 2012
11:54 am
Of course, a good team can have a bad game and a bad team a good one.
But again, so what? The post season scheme is set – unless someone has Selig’s ear.
A good team can have 4 bad games within a 7-game period and a bad team can have 4 good games within a 7-game stretch.
My problem is not with the one-game playoff. A 5-game series and a 7-game series are crap shoots as well. My problem is that having two wild cards play a one-game playoff and having three divisions rewards teams in weak division to too strong a degree and punishes teams in strong divisions to too strong a degree. In plenty of seasons the best wild card is going to be better than at least one division winner. So essentially baseball is punishing and rewarding teams based on their geography.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
11:57 am
Bourn has only score 5 runs in his last 21 games.
.203/.341/.216 in that span – 91 PA’s.
I’ll say it again, I can’t think of a worse idea for the future of the Atlanta Braves than to invest 20% of our payroll in Michael Bourn over the next 5-7 seasons.
ncscoots
September 11th, 2012
11:58 am
Nick Ahmed is a perfect trade candidate from our farm system, imo. Just sayin….
Trade ‘em all. I’m done huggin’ until I see who plays LF next year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
11:58 am
Nick Ahmed is a perfect trade candidate from our farm system, imo. Just sayin….
Agree… thinking that Frank might’ve tried to package him with Delgado and someone for Greinke… he’s better than Segura in my opinion. If Frank did make an offer, it’s hard to see how the Angels beat us.
Powder Blue
September 11th, 2012
11:58 am
“I’ll say it again, I can’t think of a worse idea for the future of the Atlanta Braves than to invest 20% of our payroll in Michael Bourn over the next 5-7 seasons.”
I can think of one: the investment they made in Dan Uggla.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
11:59 am
I think Ahmed is going to the Arizona Fall League as well. Salcedo too. Be nice to see Salcedo kill the ball in that league. Of course, everyone does. But it’d be nice to see that from one of the younger players in the league.
phil
September 11th, 2012
11:59 am
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
10:26 am
I’m sick and tired of losing. Sorry if I don’t subscribe to the “they got hot at the right time” mentality. It’s a cop out and a bunch of crap. It’s the Falcons mantra now days….
Well, phil, the Braves lost a playoff series in ‘10. They outright collapsed in ‘11, which should have angered fans. This season, despite ups and downs, and some setbacks in terms of injuries, the Braves are leading the pack for one of the wild card slots. They’re in the thick of contention. The problem is….?
**********
We’re staring at another quick exit, that’s the problem. Why? Lack of consistent offense.
Brian from SC
September 11th, 2012
12:01 pm
FWIW, Bourn is still 3rd in the NL in WAR according to baseball-reference. Very large chunk of that is defense.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
12:01 pm
.203/.341/.216
Nice OBP… he’s taking walks!
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
12:01 pm
Trade ‘em all. I’m done huggin’ until I see who plays LF next year.
He’s going to have to. I don’t see Bourn, Swisher, Greinke as options through free agency – and I hope they aren’t, to be honest.
Maybe Bossman Junior. Maybe…..
nolie
September 11th, 2012
12:01 pm
I guess I say what I say because I get so damn tired of the excuses we hear every single year about one of our teams or another, and it almost always goes like this…phil
oh just grow a pair and deal with it……..
Bat Masterson
September 11th, 2012
12:04 pm
Agreed. The pitching staff has carried the load masterfully, but the offense needs to step up.
With every game that goes by without the offense getting on a roll it becomes more likely they will be on one when the playoffs start. Providing they make it.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
Bourn is a nice player. But not near worth $18 million a year at his age. Especially for a team like Atlanta. I hope Wren understands this. And I do get that you have to overpay once and a while, but this is not the time – even if we’re “all in” over the next couple seasons.
phil
September 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
Boras hasn’t been very good lately. But doesn’t he generally collapse down the stretch most years anyway, like Buffet Brian? Mac had a good weekend, yes, as did Uggly, but what will we get the rest of the way, especially now that Chipper and FF are falling off a cliff? Can Simmons produce a little? Prado? He looked sore and slow last night, like a week off might do him some good.
Can’t think of anything else to whine about at the moment….whine thou I may, our hitting HAS been god awful.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
12:07 pm
I’d still like to see a trade that involves Evan Gattis, Joey Terdoslavich and Todd Cunningham going for one player.
Who wants our older, hyped, position prospects?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
12:07 pm
I don’t see Bourn, Swisher, Greinke as options through free agency – and I hope they aren’t, to be honest
If we’re gonna get a stud SP this year, Greinke might have to be a target. I don’t think that FW is gonna trade major prospects to get both an SP and a LF, and possibly a CF as well. He’s gonna need to fill one of those via Free Agency, and SP/CF are the only two with some decent guys in the class.
Chickens or Eggs
September 11th, 2012
12:07 pm
Lately the Braves have been winning ugly and losing ugly.
As long as the ugliness can stay at about .500 the rest of the way, I think they are gonna make the post-season. Lots of factors that I feel will contribute to NOT collapsing again this year.
>Mac and Uggla haven’t been producing until the last few games (forget yesterday) yet the Braves are still staying above water.
>Medlin
>Pen more rested
> Many more options at SS
> Last, but not least. Fredi determined he ain’t gettin’ fired for nobody and is willing to do whatever it takes to win even at the risk of pizzing players off. He isn’t going to be patient anymore. To me, that is the most relevant factor in not repeating the collapse.
Shaun
September 11th, 2012
12:11 pm
FWIW, Bourn is still 3rd in the NL in WAR according to baseball-reference. Very large chunk of that is defense.
Yes, I think that’s the area where Bourn’s value is understated and his offensive value is overstated, though he’s been very good offensively in 2012. Going forward, during his next contract, I would bet that Bourn will not add much value to a team on offense but will add plenty on defense. Even in his best offensive seasons, he hasn’t been a great offensive player.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
12:12 pm
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Anyone want second NL wild card? Current ruts: #STLCards 4-9, #Dodgers 7-12, #Pirates 5-14. #Phillies, #Brewers five back.
No, they don’t want it…. afraid to play the Braves cuz they know we’ll cream them!
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
12:13 pm
I guess we could stick with Hudson, Medlen, Minor, Maholm, Hanson, sign Upton and trade for a power bat in LF(Willingham?). Deep O – Prado, Heyward, Freeman, Willingham, McCann, Uggla, Upton, Simmons – or something like that.
Murph
September 11th, 2012
12:13 pm
Bourn is becoming just a tad more affordable every day
Arkansas Transplant
September 11th, 2012
12:14 pm
This team won’t collapse. They will make the playoffs. Now, how far they go… we’ll just have to wait and see.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
12:15 pm
Nick Ahmed is a perfect trade candidate from our farm system, imo. Just sayin….
Or Nick Ahmed, future Braves’ second baseman?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
12:15 pm
Guess we could, but wonder who’s traded… Delgado? It’d be disappointing if yet again he or Teheran can’t win a spot in the rotation.
Jeff R
September 11th, 2012
12:16 pm
We’re staring at another quick exit, that’s the problem. Why? Lack of consistent offense.
phil, the offense is a problem, admittedly. But I’m not sure what happens in a one-game match up. Who can be?
George_George
September 11th, 2012
12:16 pm
Brava
September 11th, 2012
11:51 am
No, Murph, from what I’ve experienced in the past, they don’t refund the games that aren’t played, they credit it toward the next season. So, in a way, I guess you do get your money back, but you’re out the Ticketmaster convenience charges.
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WOW, credit for next year does not seem fair [ what if team is really bad next year and you don't want to go to games?] I thought they had to refund.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 11th, 2012
12:17 pm
Or Nick Ahmed, future Braves’ second baseman?
What about Tommy LaStella? I thought he was most likely to become our future 2B?
Shaun
September 11th, 2012
12:18 pm
Bourn is becoming just a tad more affordable every day
I doubt it. Barring some sort of major injury (God forbid), some team will pay him like a dynamic leadoff hitter and great centerfielder. (And that may be okay for a few teams with large budgets, because it’s hard to find an elite or near-elite defensive centerfielder that offers decent offensive production.) But most teams would be wise to not value him the same way as some of the larger-budget teams.
Efrim
September 11th, 2012
12:18 pm
Now, how far they go… we’ll just have to wait and see.
You have a coin of some sort in your pocket?