Nats or no, Braves just need wins in weekend series
It’s strange to say with the Washington Nationals coming to Turner Field – the team the Braves have been chasing in the NL East all season – but who they’re playing this weekend doesn’t really matter that much to the Braves.
The way they look at it, they just need wins.
“I don’t really see any importance whatsoever other than just trying to win the series,” said Chipper Jones, when asked about the magnitude of playing the Nationals for the last time in the regular season. “Just trying to get some wins.”
The Nationals come to town holding an 8 ½ game lead in the division, their largest of the season. They’re one win shy of reaching 90 for the season and they’re a season-high 35 games over .500. They’re thinking magic number – now 11 to clinch the division with 19 games to play – while the Braves still have plenty of work to do.
The Braves hold a 5 ½ game lead in the top wild card spot with 18 games to play, but another five teams in the Nationals League are within four games of that second wild card spot. And the Braves have picked September to play some of their most anemic offense of the season.
The Braves are coming off a three-game sweep in Milwaukee in which they scored three runs in three games. Of their 20 hits in the series, 19 were singles. Jason Heyward’s solo home run Wednesday night was their only extra-base hit and their only RBI.
The Braves have scored two or fewer runs 14 times in their past 25 games. The Nationals pitching staff isn’t exactly fodder for slump-busting either, even without ace Stephen Strasburg, who was shut down last week in the widely-publicized move to protect his surgically-repaired arm. The Nationals are second in the majors with a 3.28 ERA behind Tampa’s 3.25.
“They’ve got, I would say, 3 ½ aces – four if you want to combine (Ross) Detwiler and (Edwin) Jackson,” said Heyward, alluding also to Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmermann. “That’s a great luxury that they’ve had all year, and that’s been a huge part of their success.”
The Braves face Detwiler to open the series Friday and look to Kris Medlen to do what he’s done since he re-joined the rotation on July 31. The Braves have won each of Medlen’s eight starts since then and 19 overall dating back to 2010, which is a franchise record. Medlen pitched seven shutout innings to beat the Nationals on Aug. 22 In Washington, helping the Braves salvage a win in the series finale.
He’s the pitcher the Braves would probably hand pick to try to get them off to a good start against the Nationals.
Heyward believes the Braves have played better against the Nationals as the season has gone on. But overall, the Braves are only 5-10 against the Nationals this season.
The Braves came within 1 ½ games of the Nationals after a win July 21 in Washington and trailed by two games on Aug. 3. But since then the Braves have gone 21-18 while averaging 3.8 runs per game, while the Nationals have gone 27-12 while averaging 5.3 runs per game.
“We’ve been a little bit up and down at times, and I think they’ve stayed pretty steady,” Medlen said. “When you have talent like that and that youthful exuberance they have, it’s like they still have that like ‘Oh I’m just happy to be here, I’m just going to keep playing hard’ kind of feel, even though they’re getting older and they’re growing. When they put it together, it’s obvious that they’re one of the best teams in baseball.”
The pressure is on the Braves, who now have their old nemesis the Phillies in the back of their minds too. The Phillies have won seven in a row to pull within three games of St. Louis for the second wild card spot.
Should the Braves remain in the wild card lead and win a one-game playoff, they could play the Nationals in the first round of the Division Series. A competitive series this weekend might go a ways in building confidence toward that end.
But at the moment, the Braves are keeping it simple. The Nationals are just another tough opponent they’ve got to find a way to beat.
“They’ve played awfully consistently all year,” Jones said. “And with only a couple of weeks left, it’s going to be tough to catch them. Not to say that we’re going to stop trying, but right now I’ll just take a win on Friday and go from there.”
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126 comments Add your comment
Matt
September 13th, 2012
4:47 pm
Mark 9:35
JJK
September 13th, 2012
4:52 pm
Going to ATL just for the day on Saturday….hoping to get to see Chipper play. Hopefully with today off and needing to sweep this series, he’ll play the whole weekend!
Hollis G.
September 13th, 2012
5:06 pm
All year the excuse has been every opponent is putting the best left-handed pitchers on the mound against the Braves or it’s someone they’ve never seen before. Well then by that logic, the last series in Milwaukee should have been a cakewalk with all those righties on the mound. I think they get swept by both the Nats and the Phillies and maybe the Pirates also. They all say that last Sept. does not compare to this one but they’re all whistling past the graveyard. It is in everyone’s mind and you can tell by their uptightness and lack of fun in the dugout before the games. You can’t just snap your finger and cure all their hitting woes at once. Each one is hoping someone else will step up and come through for the team. It ain’t going to happen in the next 19 games folks. Outstanding pitching can overcome a lot of things but if you don’t hit and you play sloppy defense then you don’t deserve to play in the postseason. I wouldn’t advise anyone to rush out and buy any playoff tickets unless you plan on leaving town to see the teams that want to be there to play. Here’s hoping for a better year next year. Put a fork in this bunch, they’re done.
fan
September 13th, 2012
5:08 pm
I have an idea. Sit Jones, Uggla, Bourn, McCann, and never let Hanson pitch again. Let’s see if someone else can score some runs for his team.
Big Ron
September 13th, 2012
5:14 pm
Cant understand why this team starts choking down the stretch I think we will get to the wildcard playoff but I’m a little worried about that and its not really the pitching that concerns me we can throw Medlin out there I like our chances its the bats that concern me only players that consistently hit are heyward and chipper but he gets bruises n strains now n then Prado is slumping Bourne is slumping we know the story with uggla Freeman is down a bit even some of our starters are throwing beach balls to hitters maholm got wrecked last night what the hell was he doing Hanson don’t know what is wrong with him minor too inconsistent I think Hudson is great but lately he ain’t looked so goodgood
ATL Fan
September 13th, 2012
5:16 pm
“Braves just worried about wins.” The wins don’t worry me, it’s the losses that worry me.
Big Ron
September 13th, 2012
5:17 pm
Cant understand why this team starts choking down the stretch I think we will get to the wildcard playoff but I’m a little worried about that and its not really the pitching that concerns me we can throw Medlin out there I like our chances its the bats that concern me only players that consistently hit are heyward and chipper but he gets bruises n strains now n then Prado is slumping Bourne is slumping we know the story with uggla Freeman is down a bit even some of our starters are throwing beach balls to hitters maholm got wrecked last night what the hell was he doing Hanson don’t know what is wrong with him minor too inconsistent I think Hudson is great but lately he ain’t looked so good only player we can count on is medlin. We are looking shaky there is still time to get it together can’t possibly fade again hope not.
Rich
September 13th, 2012
5:29 pm
I think Medlen hit the nail on the head talking about the Nats. “….. that youthful exuberance they have, it’s like they still have that like ‘Oh I’m just happy to be here, I’m just going to keep playing hard’ kind of feel’.
I sure wish the Braves played like that.
shorty
September 13th, 2012
5:32 pm
If only Selig had the balls to test Harper and acouple of Nats for peds..lets see the how they play withutout Harper and Werth and its amazing how LaRoche’s season paralells Melky Cabrera’s.
count_schemula
September 13th, 2012
5:38 pm
Four teams all backing into the playoffs. A proud time to be a baseball fan for sure.
Tina
September 13th, 2012
5:44 pm
Phils won 7 in a row and will next 7 against Astro and Mets. Last week end Joe and Chip were talking about big week end series coming up this week well that was a lot of hot air.We need a young manager like other teams do. Look at alot of these loser like Dusty Baker or Leyland who have 50 years of managing with 1 WS like Cox what 30 years and 1. Now we have a loser who will never win a playoff game.This team makes a trade and never mount to anything Maholm McClouth and Uggla.
Peter R.
September 13th, 2012
5:48 pm
Braves are gonna choke!
Brent B.
September 13th, 2012
6:13 pm
Go Nats!
Sav FAN
September 13th, 2012
6:15 pm
It’s over-a repeat of last year
count_schemula
September 13th, 2012
6:17 pm
If you’re gonna die! Die with your boots on!
– Iron Maiden
Necromancer
September 13th, 2012
6:55 pm
The Braves are GONNA choke??? Heck….they’re in the process of doing that now!
Don
September 13th, 2012
7:00 pm
DOB – Is Reed Johnson hurt??? He was consistently hitting the ball, but did not play at all in the Milwalkee series. Not even a pitch hit. If he is not hurt, FG has really lost his mind.
Aussie Braves Boy
September 13th, 2012
7:05 pm
Big Ron – I would like to introduce you to the period – the grammatical kind, not the female kind. You could use a few
And y’all – can we please lose the negativity. I get the hitting concerns – bad right now – but blowing your frustration here ain’t gonna help anyone. A week ago they won 7 of 8 – in quite flukey circumstances I know. But they are one of the 7-8 best teams in the major leagues, on a pretty crappy budget. Enjoy what they can do, don’t get too frustrated about what they can’t
Tina
September 13th, 2012
7:38 pm
Paul LOWE Maholm
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 13th, 2012
7:43 pm
Peter Moylan ??? ^^^^^
OldTimer
September 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
The best thing about next year is that we won’t have a La-z boy recliner playing third.
Fredo
September 13th, 2012
8:02 pm
considering they haven’t won a series vs the team in a while .. if they win this one, I’ll be shocked (at least Meds pitching should avoid the sweep but ya never know, “he’s due” at some point for a loss)
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
Frank Shab in PA
September 13th, 2012
8:06 pm
The El-Foldo of 2012 is well undrway. The Braves will not make the playoffs. They are cursed! Don’t think so? Remember Brooks Conrad and Bobby Cox of a few years ago?
The Fightins are playing the stros for the next four, nuff said.
When the Phils host the Braves next weekend I’ll be there to watch the Phils knock the Braves out of the playoff picture. they’ll take that Wild card spot from them Like an adult takes a toy from a child. FG manages like he’s insane, (doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result).He keeps troting Bourn out ther and he’s hitting .225. Sit him down. OK the Braves are not going to sign him. But don’t let him ruin the season. Sit him down and he and his Svenjolly Boras can discuss the BIG Contract Bourn is going to ask for on the bench.
As soon as the Braves some stiff competition they fold up likr a cheap suit.
No PLayoffs for us again
mark
September 13th, 2012
8:10 pm
Yall think Freddi will start Medlen in a wild card game? remember now he has been playing Uggla forever , I say there is no telling who he will start ,remeber he says he dosent look at stats so it could be Hanson ,nothing he does would suprise me!
STYLIN
September 13th, 2012
8:14 pm
Hit the f——g ball!!!!!! Gee Whiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 runs in 3 games….DISGRACEFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fi Braves Fan
September 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
“don’t really see any importance whatsoever other than just trying to win the series,” said Chipper Jones
Great attitude for April. However it’s September you bumb and you’re playing like crap!
Tina
September 13th, 2012
9:11 pm
Phils winning tonight they are going to sweep Astro and Mets. No Pence No Victorino No Ruiz and they start winning. They had a bench what the hell do we have .
Geno
September 13th, 2012
9:16 pm
I am forever the optimist, but very concerned over the lack of hitting. No matter how good the pitching is, we have to score at least once to win. It is unreal how the pitching has stepped up only to have the offense go into a coma! FG has got to grow a set and make some kind of adjustments. Let’s hope Sheets can return in the same form he began and Bourne, Prado, and company can find their stroke. If we can hang on to the WC and then get on another streak, who knows? Go Braves!
Joe
September 13th, 2012
9:22 pm
Braves better worry about the loses..Winning is a joke to fredi.
farmer
September 13th, 2012
9:31 pm
let the September choke of 2012 begin.. FIRE FREDI.
We Will Get Fooled Again
September 13th, 2012
10:09 pm
It’s hard to get excited about the playoffs when this team is limping toward the finish line. We’ll still get to the playoffs – everyone immediately behind us is playing equally terrible ball – but can anyone see this team going far? I think I hear crickets in response to that question.
The offense looks like it’s completely run out of gas. Bourn’s lack of production at the top of the order is killing us.
missy elliot
September 13th, 2012
10:19 pm
Don-The Braves are afraid that Reed Johnson is going to get hurt, he has history of back problems. The budget trading ideas of Frank Wren have warn put it’s welcome. If we had Gio Gonzalez, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Zach Greinke, or Strasburg, we all know we’d be in first place. Hanson sucks, Hudson is old, and Maholm is becoming the old sucky Maholm. Id keep Hudson and Medlen, then dump everyone else. Go Braves!
brave warren
September 13th, 2012
10:39 pm
this team has hit the wall. im hoping they can get it turned around fast but i fear that the gas is out of the can. i would love to see if this team plays really good this weekend. i hope so but im worried more. go braves!!!!!
optimist
September 13th, 2012
10:44 pm
God forbid Medlen loses!
Semper Fi Braves Fan
September 13th, 2012
10:50 pm
Braves have won his last 18 starts… he gets 1 free pass here even with 1 loss…
The rest of the bumbs will be roasted extra for him on here though!
BartBuzz
September 13th, 2012
11:06 pm
Thank goodness we have Medlen. But eventually he has to lose. I just hope it’s not tomorrow.
VinceVanGo
September 13th, 2012
11:10 pm
Here’s an idea for Fredi. Take the 8 players on the team with the best batting average since the All-Star break, find a position for them, and then make a batting order. What could it hurt? I’ll tell you who won’t be in the lineup. McCann, Uggla, & Bourn.
bostonbravo
September 13th, 2012
11:13 pm
what is a bumb?
Uggla ?
reckingball
September 13th, 2012
11:49 pm
Why do some of these people keep posting the same comment 3 or 4, or 5 or 6 times.
Larry30
September 14th, 2012
12:08 am
Amen to count schemula’s comment above. Teams backing into the playoffs with a chance to win the world series. Why don’t they just end the season the middle of September and get on with the playoffs? Maybe we wouldn’t have to watch a world series in freezing weather if they would.
Larry30
September 14th, 2012
12:12 am
Should have traded McCann in 2010 when we could have hit the jackpot for him. And yes, I was saying the same thing then and being called an idiot for stating that opinion. It’s been clear to anyone who actually knows baseball that his destiny is the AL as a DH.
Frank Shab in PA
September 14th, 2012
1:20 am
The Fightins lost tonite to the Stros in the 8th,Unbelieveable. Is that loss gonna kill the Phils?
Cmon Freddi bench the bums and start the better average guys.
Please show Bourn THAT YOU HAVE LOST FAITH IN HIM, PLEASE BECH HIM.
Betcha Boras is not answering his phone from any calls eminating from Atlanta.
Put Prado first Johnson second and play Prado at second.Uggla is killing us.
lee maye
September 14th, 2012
1:33 am
Not so fast Tina. Astros beat Philly tonight
lee maye
September 14th, 2012
1:37 am
And, Cards beat LA. Braves Magic #14 to clinch against Cards; 12 against LA; Pitt 12; Milwk 11; Phila 10; Ariz 10; SD 7; Mets 4; Miami 1.
I’m rooting for Cards to be 2nd WC team because I think they are the only ones we can beat. LA pitching and hitting scary; Milwk hitting and SP scary; Phila scary; Pitt, I think we could beat in a 1 game playoff, but Pitt is fading fast
Mitchell
September 14th, 2012
4:06 am
I read this and can think of nothing but what a loser mentality this entire organization has.
Period.
Mitchell
September 14th, 2012
4:09 am
The Braves aren’t gonna score.
Medley loses.
Von Trapp
September 14th, 2012
6:47 am
What me woory? Das Braves will lose all 3 to das mighty Washington. Rest das starters . It won’t matter as they have called it in already
Von Trapp
September 14th, 2012
6:48 am
HOME field means nothing to das Braves. Strange brew………..strange brew
Nothing can stop us were Atlanta'a Air Force, Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Were Atlanta's Air Force GO HAWKS!!!
September 14th, 2012
7:15 am
Good Morning Iphone 5 fans! I mean Braves fans lol.
Happy Friday to you all! I see the Braves taking 2-3 from the Braves this weekend.
Oh on a side note 2 questions.
1. Do you know remember the Atlanta’s Air Force song for the Hawks from back in the 80s?
2. What is everyone gonna eat for dinner tonight, I am thinking Pizza but that could go to Doritos Locos Tacos Maybe just maybe!
Nothing can stop us were Atlanta'a Air Force, Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Were Atlanta's Air Force GO HAWKS!!!
September 14th, 2012
7:16 am
Sorry 2-3 from the Nats…Dang it lol.
reality
September 14th, 2012
7:19 am
don’t know why everybody is so excited. Theres a nice place ready on the turner field wall for that Wild Card 2 pennant. We’ll have a nice little ceremony next year, shake each others hands, renew all the contracts, and push on. Life, and the Braves, will roll on business as usual.
Brave New World
September 14th, 2012
7:36 am
reckingball September 13th, 2012 11:49 pm Why do some of these people keep posting the same comment 3 or 4, or 5 or 6 times.
Because people like “Frank Shab” are morons.
Nothing can stop us were Atlanta'a Air Force, Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Were Atlanta's Air Force GO HAWKS!!!
September 14th, 2012
7:52 am
What color would a wild card 2 pennett be?
bravesgirlforever
September 14th, 2012
8:04 am
Bourn is having a hard time LATELY, but he kept us in it most of the year and when did he have ONE day off…….I can’;t remember. Just watchingt my dear braves it is evident they are pooped.
something is wrong with a team being so tired right now. did we give Bourn, Freeman any days off until just lately? Uggla–well, what can I sayZZ? Chipper has had a bit of a bad time lately but for awhile you wondered how we could get on without him next year. FG? have seen one whale of alot better managers…..but I still love my Braves and pray they will tonight
Lobosolo
September 14th, 2012
8:10 am
What leaves one to ponder is that you blubbering sissies even watch baseball… It’s always the same with you little girls… “The Braves suck, they’re going to lose, I’m not paying to see this, etc., etc., ad absurdum… If you wimpsters can’t handle a pennant race without crying up a storm, or you hate “your” team as much as you say, why oh why in the name of the world don’t you just float on out in a river of your excessive tears….
CRYBABIES!!! Y’all don’t know jack about baseball, and even less about being a fan, but at least you are all tops when it comes to being the girly little snifflers you all are…
reckingball
September 14th, 2012
8:35 am
I’m feeling a Braves win, coming on tonight.
go braves!
BartBuzz
September 14th, 2012
8:36 am
I’m worried about losses. It has been hard to watch the Braves struggle at the plate. If the pitching had faltered, they would already be out of the wild card chase. I remember saying last year…”They only have to win 2 more games.” It never happened. I hate déjà vu.
HAL
September 14th, 2012
8:42 am
we still havent had a lead off man since furcal nothings changed except now prado gets too lead off while batting second born loser is a pos
Rich T
September 14th, 2012
8:44 am
Wild Card and Out Fever … Catch It!
longtimefan
September 14th, 2012
8:53 am
Note to the pessimists: the Braves have a 5 game lead over the second WC team, with less than 20 to play. Our offense can get hot these last couple of weeks just as fast as it went cold. Just in time for the playoffs.
Scrappy
September 14th, 2012
8:57 am
At least they didn’t lose Thursday. Nice change of pace.
Eddie Haas
September 14th, 2012
9:08 am
Even with us limping toward the finish, I believe we’ll get a wild card. However, the hitting is terrible. Bourn is a terrific player, but he’s in a slump and needs a rest. I thought that’s why we got Johnson? Ross needs to be playing more, and possibly putting Sheets back in the rotation for Malholm or Hanson. Freeman looks lost out there. If we lose with Medlin tonight, that is a very bad sign.
reckingball
September 14th, 2012
9:09 am
@ 4:06am…………”what a loser mentality this entire organization has.”
I am sure that the Braves take the field every game, knowing that they can win that game.
Last time I looked, the Braves were 17 of 18 games over .500, and are in an excellent position, to have a chance to get into the NL playoffs.
How many other teams(and their fans) in MLB, wish that they were sitting in the Braves position? By my count, 21 to 22(at the least) of them.
“what a loser mentality this entire organization has.” ????????????
IMO, most of these commenters on these Braves blogs, are the ones with “loser mentalities”.
mjn99
September 14th, 2012
9:18 am
The fact is this team is not going to totally collapase as it did last year for one reson and one reason only, their pitching is better than last year. While the hitting may actually be worse than last year, they do not have the injuries to the pitching staff this year that they had last year. As such they will make the wild card spot. The question is, which team will then show up for that one game playoff, the one that can win 6 out of 7 or the one that loses 6 in a row. Depending on where they are at at the end of the season will determine how far they will go. What scares me is if they finish the season winning their last 6 or 7 or winning 7 out of 8 means they are going to be useless once the playoffs start. Just look over the past season to see every winning streak was nullified by a lossing streak immediately after they did something good.
Ralph
September 14th, 2012
9:24 am
Let us hope Medlen doesn’t lose, if he does he will be back in the bullpen, that all Fruti is waiting for is for him to lose and give him an excuse.
Bob Horner
September 14th, 2012
9:29 am
How ridiculous is it that the Phillies – one game over .500 – are in the playoff hunt? This new system is stupid, and Bud Selig should be tarred and feathered. Philly has sucked ALL YEAR. .500 ball is average. Average teams shouldn’t have a shot at the playoffs. Completely diminishes the importance of being consistent, winning games, etc etc.
The Braves have been terrible in September, so it looks like the opportunity is FINALLY here to get hot at the end of the season. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this from the braves — we definitely have a shot if we can start swinging.
Ralph
September 14th, 2012
9:31 am
@
mjn99
So would you rather they end the regular season on a winning streak or a losing streak?
Gene
September 14th, 2012
9:42 am
These hot and cold streaks are killing me. Time is running out for a hot streak.
Double Zero Eight
September 14th, 2012
9:43 am
The Braves will make the wild card playoffs.
The only chance to proceed further is to have
Medlen pitch in the one game playoff. Unless
Medlen completely falls apart between now and
the end of the regular season, he is our best bet
to go deeper into the playoffs.
BobbyDawg
September 14th, 2012
9:43 am
Same thing as last season. We should be making a run at winning the division, instead we’re struggling to get the wild card spot.
BobbyDawg
September 14th, 2012
9:59 am
I know there will be negative thoughts about this comment, but I just can’t help but wonder if they plan on giving JJ one more chance this season. Heck ! Anything to get us one chalked up in the win column. How could he do any worse than what we’ve been sending ot there ? Don’t answer that ! GO BRAVES
reckingball
September 14th, 2012
10:00 am
mjn…….The Braves have had winning strechses when the have won 14 out of 18 or so.
Gene……I think that time runs out for a winning streak, on the last out of the last game of the season that they play, until then, anything can happen.
reckingball
September 14th, 2012
10:07 am
BobbyDawg…….The Braves still have a chance to win the division.
It is a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong shot, of course.
But it would take an almost total collapse by the Nationals, and no team has ever blown a 8.5 game lead for a playoff berth in Sept. before, have they? haha.
So the odds are stacked ultra-high against the Bravos.
reckingball
September 14th, 2012
10:10 am
@9:59am…………Pitching has been pretty dang good.
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
10:21 am
Amen BobbyDawg, nobody seems willing to address how this season has played out with regards to how it started. In ST, we all thought it was still the Phillies division to lose, that BOTH the Marlins and Nats had gotten a lot better and would be tough division rivals, making it tough for the Braves to even finish second. Now, the Phillies have fallen off a cliff for much of the year and the Marlins, despite a pretty good start, have pretty much mailed in the second half despite a strong comeback from MIKE Stanton (I refuse to refer to him otherwise). That SHOULD have left this division WIDE OPEN for the taking by us, as it well could have been. Regardless of what any of the Wren & Co. defenders have to say on this matter, the way our rivals have fallen, finishing a distant second to the only decent team in our division, HOWEVER that places us in relation to the rest of MLB, should be regarded as a failure on the part of this team…
Miami Dave
September 14th, 2012
10:26 am
Love the comments how the Phils are going to sweep the Astros and Mets and then all of a sudden they can’t beat the worst team in MLB, the Astros, after having a 4-0 lead… Yep, Tine and Dave, you sure know your baseball… And you’re right reckingball, nothing but a bunch of crybabies on this blog…
Sonny Jackson
September 14th, 2012
10:41 am
It will end up being very close, but we will get one of the Wild Cards… Anyone out here plan on going to the playoff game? I’m still on a budget and I’m very sure I won’t blow my money to watch the same old line up (Mr. Uggla), go O-fer. I just can’t do it again. I’m tired of Don Sutton constantly telling us to come on out to the park and support this team… can’t justify the expense- change the line-up and I’ll change my mind.
what of it?
September 14th, 2012
10:46 am
they don’t not need wins to make the postseason. Is this really newsworthy?
GungaDude
September 14th, 2012
10:48 am
Hey FG,
If McCann plays tonight it will prove what an idiot you are, as he absolutely sux against Detwiler (Ross batting .500 against him).
Freeman sux against Detwiler, so will you start Hinske? (coin toss there as Hinske is no real threat)
I would stick to the plan of benching Uggla (rest assured his break out game was the same anomaly it was for McCann in the 11 run romp against horrible pitching with Mets), split starts with Ross and McCann, Prado at 2nd, Simmons short, split Chipper and Francisco (not likely much with Chippers last games b4 retiring), Johnson in right, Heyward center when Bourn not playing, split Constanza and Bourne, Freeman at 1st (not any good options here and plus defense)
Lineup:
1) Constanza (Bourn)
Freeman (McCann…sorry tubby)
2) Prado
3) Simmons
4) Heyward
5) Chipper (Francisco)
6) Johnson
7) Ross (Freeman)
9) P
Wake up and get this team motivated FG!!
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
10:48 am
Agreed Sonny, after the way last year played out and I saw so many folks complaining about the fee they got stuck with when we collapsed and didn’t make the playoffs and thousands of playoff tickets were no longer any good, it will be a looooooong time before I risk something like that. It will have to be a Braves team that has performed more like the Nats have this year before I would gamble on playoff tickets, and I don’t think that makes me a fairweather fan, I drove the 2 hr drive to the Ted earlier this year and went to a game, so it’s not like I don’t support them at all, just not up for throwing good money after bad, which seems more realism than fatalism to me (Tumbledown)…
Don
September 14th, 2012
10:49 am
So now, what they need and are going to concentrate on is “wins”.
Well duh – Somehow I thought that that was what you always needed
Jackobeam
September 14th, 2012
10:49 am
Shorty, I’m pretty sure every player in baseball is tested for PED. Thinking the Nats players are on PEDs because they have a healthy lineup and Davey Johnson as their manager (manages players to become really good hitters) is a pretty sad statement by someone trying to make excuses. Not to mention Harper doesn’t even drink coffee because he’s a strict Mormon and doesn’t believe in screwing up his body (his temple of course). Laughable.
GungaDude
September 14th, 2012
10:49 am
or Simmons 2nd and Prado 3rd in order
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
10:58 am
Bravesfan – Regardless of what any of the Wren & Co. defenders have to say on this matter, the way our rivals have fallen, finishing a distant second to the only decent team in our division, HOWEVER that places us in relation to the rest of MLB, should be regarded as a failure on the part of this team…
Assuming I understand your long sentence, I believe you are free to regard the Braves’ performance to this point in the division as a failure. However, countering opinions may not simply be disregarded simply because you say so. I do not disregard your opinion. I simply disagree with it.
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
11:05 am
Did I write simply enough?
GB's Hamburgers
September 14th, 2012
11:06 am
The Braves are not a team …. they’re a Soap Opera ….. tune in and watch the cathartic struggles of a team full “head cases.” Football is here anyway.
OldFan
September 14th, 2012
11:07 am
The Braves have been a hard team to figure this year. Simmons, Medlen, and Chipper have been great stories, but Hanson, Uggla, and McCann have been huge disappointments. The team’s looked flat, distracted, and uninspired as often as it’s looked like championship material. Sometimes they seem young and full of potential. Other times they look old and played-out. Maybe they need a team psychotherapist, or a manager who tips his cap less and shows more grit.
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
11:12 am
Tumbledown, the best response I can give you is to batten down the hatches and prepare for another decade of second place division finishes and otherwise mediocre results, because that’s what your attitude will get you…
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
11:15 am
Oh, thanks Bravesfan for the shout out in one of your posts. I agree that your view regarding spending money is more along the lines of realism than fatalism. Look, I know we are both big Braves’ fans at heart and would be overjoyed to see them go far in the playoffs (assuming they make it). I am realist to know that, if recent history is our guide, storm clouds are brewing overhead. I am just trying to remain cautiously optimistic that this particular team in the year 2012 will not falter like last year’s team. Is this a “pie in the sky” view?
Long time fan
September 14th, 2012
11:21 am
I was angry with them when in Milwaukee but I think the Braves are still in decent shape to win WC1. Many of the teams are going to beat each other. Nats are probably not going to be as concerned about series wins despite playing for top seed.
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
11:24 am
no I agree that the view that they’ll falter as badly as last year is unrealistic as well, the law of averages alone says that’s silly, that’s why last year was so shocking in and of itself. But to me, as wide open as this year SHOULD have been with regards to the rest of the division, a one and done in that play-in game would be pretty disappointing…
gr
September 14th, 2012
11:40 am
Braves can win easily. Medlin pitches perfect game- strikes out all 27. Hits 3 hrs. Braves win 3-0.
or braves load base with no outs all 8 innings. medlin pitches shutout. braves win 1-0.
Enkinan
September 14th, 2012
11:53 am
Time for the bats to heat up, I think we are about to be surprised this weekend.
Enkinan
September 14th, 2012
11:53 am
Time for the bats to heat up, I think we are about to be surprised this weekend.
cdog
September 14th, 2012
11:54 am
how can you win games when your players don”t swing their bats?.all go up to the plate looking for a walk.michael bourne is not a leadoff hitter.he should be hitting 8th.none of the players except jason heyward care about winning.different year but same results, braves will miss the playoffs again with freddie gonzalez
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
12:07 pm
we need to be careful with all the crying about swinging the bats, that I will agree with the rah-rah crowd on. this team strikes out more than enough as it is. If anything we need our hitter to be more aggressive early in the count and then tighten up when behind in the count. simply saying they need to swing the bats more is a dangerous proposition with this team…
Playoffs!!!
September 14th, 2012
12:33 pm
Yes, let’s clinch this Wild Card spot EARLY enough so we can have Medlen start. Then Hudson can start the opener in Round 2.
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
12:57 pm
Bravesfan – Tumbledown, the best response I can give you is to batten down the hatches and prepare for another decade of second place division finishes and otherwise mediocre results, because that’s what your attitude will get you…
Sorry everyone. I have been informed me that my attitude has condemned the Braves to many years of mediocrity. I sincerely and wholeheartedly apologize for having the audacity to express cautious optimism concerning the Braves this year. You all probably thought that the Braves’ future would hinge on player execution (including timely hitting and shutdown pitching), payroll matters, player development, wise personnel decisions in free agency, strong leadership from the top to the bottom of the organization, good managerial decision-making, and player execution relative to the other teams. You would be wrong. At the very least, you can now stop blaming Fredi for any problems.
Reckingball, longtimefan, lobosolo … Be careful with your attitudes. Your positive outlook and optimism concerning the Braves may cause them to plummet even further down the division.
Frank Shab in PA
September 14th, 2012
12:58 pm
Sorry all I made a _uckin mistake. You Southerns, no patience or are you still mad about the Civil War?
You can’t scroll down a few inches and survive the inconvenience.
I went to 13 Braves games this year on the road. You Atlanta folks turn out for the games and make some _oddam noise,show some passion!.
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
12:59 pm
Will someone get me a proof reader. Geez!
Nothing can stop us were Atlanta'a Air Force, Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Nothing Can Stop Us Were Atlanta's Air Force GO HAWKS!!!
September 14th, 2012
1:20 pm
Actually tonight I would watch the braves but will DVR because Resident Evil Retribution comes out whooo hooo
BravesFanSince80s
September 14th, 2012
1:42 pm
It very well may sir, much as I hate to give credit to Yankees fans for ANYTHING, there is a reason that it is the most successful franchise in sports history, their fans demand that it should be. I’m not alone in my view of this Tumbledown, most baseball folks agree on that one. Atlanta has accepted mediocrity for so long, the city really doesn’t expect anything else. Demand more I say, of the reporters who cover the team, the FO staff that fields the team, the coaching staff that dictates who plays where and how often, and the players themselves. Dan Uggla should have been run out of this town on a rail, it would ALREADY have happened in NYC or Boston….
Miami Dave
September 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
@FrankShab– No civil war sympathy here; From Indy, your attitude, blaming people and attempt at language shows a lot about your loser mentality… Keep your stuff in PA…
Dan
September 14th, 2012
2:21 pm
Let’s face it right now the team stinks. Pitchers know if they give up more than one run they are probably going to lose. Don’t forget if the Rockies don’t absolutely give Braves those two wins it’s even worse. If I am playing Braves I call up 3 class A lefthanded pitchers and sit back and enjoy my weekend watching batter after batter swing at garbage in the dirt. If by some unlikel chance they do make it to the wildcard game no way they win
BillEGoat
September 14th, 2012
2:30 pm
IF the Nats sweep the Braves this weekend, as seems possible, the club might not even get one of the two wild cards and go home at the end of the regular season. The Nats are relaxed, with a divcision title in their pockets. The Braves seem very tight, playing UNrelaxed. No matter what they say publically, last season’s epic foldup has an effect. As individuals, the Braves are good ML players and, on other teams, would be more successful. However, as a GROUP, they seem to be a bad fit, just not a good combination of talent to play clutch September baseball. In September, the good teams find a way to WIN, but the Braves seem to seek ways to lose, like in Milwaukee, bad baserunning, bad fielding, bad hitting, bad pitching. one or the other or all of them. They might be the “boys of July,” but they do not seem to be “the boys of September,” when it really counts.
Mitchell
September 14th, 2012
2:54 pm
Mitchell
September 14th, 2012
4:09 am
The Braves aren’t gonna score.
Medley loses.
Y and N aren’t nearly close enough to one another to make that mistake.
I’m embarrassed.
All I know is if Medley does lose tonight, well, that would suck.
Tumbledown
September 14th, 2012
3:09 pm
Bravesfan – In all seriousness, all I am trying to do is express a guarded optimistic outlook for the Braves for this late season stretch of games. The die has been cast as far as the players that are on the team now through the rest of the season. Fredi will not be fired before the season’s end. Wren will make no more roster moves. The team will remain under corporate control. Whether I agree or not, I cannot control any of these items that constitute the Braves’ present situation as of September 14, 2012.
I choose to have a positive outlook at this point. I have complained enough in the past about the Braves. I am sure Reckingball and other posters may remember me as decrying that the Braves would sink like the Titanic after the early season slow start. At the trading deadline, I called for the Braves to make a bold move and go after either Greinke or perhaps make a play for Felix Hernandez. I felt they needed that stud pitcher particularly for the one-game playoff and beyond. I advocated going all in for this season (mortgaging some of the future for a championship this year), especially since pieces like Bourn and Chipper (who were playing great at that time) would not be here next year.
I remember last year vividly. I remember having this sinking feeling after the Braves blew a late lead against St. Louis. I remember hating to the core every moment of last year’s collapse. In short, I completely lost the joy of watching my favorite baseball team compete because of the collapse and prior post-season failings. That is a terrible personal price to pay as a sports fan, essentially losing the joy in your favorite team.
But, I cannot control the fact they are operating under soulless corporate ownership. If had the money, I would buy the team and make sure the team had all the resourses necessary to compete year in and year out for a World Series title. I do not have that money. I cannot control that several of the Braves’ big moves have not panned out. The Texiera gambit failed. Lowe and especially Kawakami bombed. The Uggla trade appears to be a bust. I wish I had the answers for how a team with a modest amount of resources should best compete against financial heavyweights like the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, and even the Nats.
If you think my attitude is one of accepting mediocrity, Bravesfan, you are sorely mistaken. Let us see how this plays out. Lesser teams than the Braves have risen in all sports to claim championships. Being unnecessarily negative and hurling personal insults solves nothing at this point. When this season is over, then the debate on how to carry on should begin in earnest. If the Braves finish poorly, rest assured I will advocate certain changes. I hope I have cut through some of my crap and clarified things for you and others.
southgabrave
September 14th, 2012
6:15 pm
@Tumbledown
I can understand what you are saying and I can agree with it.
At seasons end no matter how this turns out, short of a NL championship series Fredi is gone. I also believe JJ is gone as well as Bourn, Hanson, Hinski and Uggla. I believe BMac will be back. Janish maybe be back for a ss back-up or at least in our AAA system. I think you will see the Braves trade for a CFer.
This team is limping home and the one good legs is hurting (pitching) thanks to the bad one (hitting). If they make the playoffs, it is unlikely that get past the play-in game without a great pitching performance. Then it is over.
Jasons Shrinking Waist
September 14th, 2012
10:14 pm
Hmm…funny how the Mets can blow out Milwaukee but we cant
Jasons Shrinking Waist
September 14th, 2012
10:20 pm
After Bourn walks , lets get a spunky CF like Carlos Gomez or trade pitching prospects to Colorodo for Carlos Gonzalez. Rox would love Delgado, Teheran or somebody similar
jonathan
September 15th, 2012
4:44 pm
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY DO WE KEEP SENDING TOMMY YOU SUCK HANSON TO THE HILL? TOMMY HANSON SUCKS, TOMMY HANSON SUCKS, TOMMY HANSON SUCKS A BIG ONE!!!!!!!
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
4:45 pm
FREEMAN legs out a TRIPLE. are you kidding me? it took the ball getting sucked under that padding and hugging the wall for it to happen. But there he stands, at third base.
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
4:46 pm
And after Freeman triples, Uggla goes opposite-field double. Stop the world and let me off!
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
4:55 pm
Ross in to catch in 3rd inning. No announcement yet about McCann.
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
6:00 pm
The big man let loose some thunder. And we’re tied.
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
6:07 pm
Freeman only needs a double for the cycle now.
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
7:09 pm
I’m sure that on our always positive-leaning blog, no one said this game was over early on, right?
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
7:17 pm
Braves up 5-4 with Kimbrel coming in to do his thing in the 9th
David O'Brien
September 15th, 2012
8:44 pm
UPDATED game story with quotes
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/15/braves-beat-nats-5-4-on-a-hit-jersey-er-batter/
Gratis icone soft for W8
September 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
Very amusing question