Braves must avoid slip vs. Marlins team they’ve handled
MIAMI — Coming off an impressive sweep of the Nationals that kept alive faint hopes for the division title and made it even more apparent the Braves will at least win a wild-card berth, the key for the ATLiens now is not to let up this week on the road in six games against the Marlins and Phillies, starting tonight at the first-year Miami ballpark where the Bravos have so far made themselves at home.
Chipper had a big two-run single in Sunday's win against the Nationals. Now he'll play his last series in Miami. (Curtis Compton photo/AJC)
The Braves are 9-3 against the Marlins this season and 9-2 with a stunning 1.38 ERA in their past 11 games against them, which includes five wins in six games at the retractable-roof Marlins Park in Little Havana. This will be Chipper Jones‘ last visit to Miami before retirement, and the Marlins plan to pay tribute before Wednesday’s series finale.
In six games at the new stadium, the Braves have outscored the Marlins 33-9. Their only loss was by a 2-1 score on July 23. Among their other five games in Miami, the Braves have scored 11, 8 and 7 runs, and won two others 4-3 and 2-1. In other words, they’ve owned Ozzie Guillen’s team in its new home.
But this is a “trap series” if the Braves let it become one. It falls between an important home series in which they invested a lot of emotion and swept the team with baseball’s best record, including two nationally televised wins, and a road series against the resurgent Phillies, who would like nothing better to make things difficult for the seemingly playoff-bound Braves.
The Braves won’t have any problems getting up for those weekend-series games at what will still be packed or close-to-packed Citizens Bank Park. But in the relatively quiet environs of what will be at best a half-empty Marlins Park? Against a team they’ve pretty well dominated this season? Might be a bit more of a challenge gearing up.
On the other hand, after hearing the recent skepticism and predictions of another September collapse, it appears the Braves have the pilot light going strong now and seem determined not to slip up over the final 2-1/2 weeks of the regular season. Especially when there’s still a small hope of winning the division title. They all are absolutely aware of how much more desirable it would be to win the division and avoid playing the one-game play-in game against another wild-card team to win the right to advance to a division series.
Also working in their obvious favor: They have Tim Hudson starting tonight and Kris Medlen pitching the series finale on Wednesday. The Braves, you might have heard, have won 20 consecutive games started by Medlen.
Hudson is 7-2 with a 2.78 ERA in his past 12 starts against the Marlins.
And while it seems highly unlikely the Nationals would blow their remaining 5-1/2-game lead, keep in mind Washington has a far tougher schedule that the Braves the rest of the way. The Nats start a three-game series Tuesday against the playoff-hopeful Dodgers, then have a four-gamer against the surging Brewers, who’ve 20 of 26 games while hitting 40 homers and posting a 3.37 ERA. Then the Nationals go on the road for three against the Phillies and three against the playoff-contending Cardinals, before finishing their season with three more against Philly.
Compare that gauntlet to the Braves’ remaining schedule: three at Miami, three at Philly, then, a six-game homestand against the Marlins and also-long-since-out-of-it Mets, followed by a season-ending series at slumping Pittsburgh. The disparity in remaining schedules couldn’t be much greater for the Braves and Nationals.
And to repeat, we know it’s still unlikely. But there’s a legit chance the Braves could make up 5-1/2 games given those two remaining schedules. The Nationals are 4-5 in their past nine games, with three of those wins coming against the Mets and two of the losses coming at home against Miami. Against a Marlins team that has lost 26 of its past 44 games and 15 of its past 23.
Stranger things have happened, folks. We saw one last September.
• J-Hey likes it here: He has two homers and four RBIs in his past four games, and now Jason Heyward will play three games at a ballpark that has so far been entirely to his liking.
In six games at Marlin Park, Heyward is 8-for-22 (.364) with two doubles, three homers, six RBIs and an .864 slugging percentage. And he’s not alone: Michael Bourn is 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers and five RBIs in six games at the new parki, and Dan Uggla also has two homers among his four hits in 18 at-bat at his former team’s new ‘yard.
But Heyward, in particular, has stood out at this place. And by the way, against tonight’s starter, Wade LeBlanc, Heyward is 4-for-7 with a homer. He has hit right-handers far better than he has lefties this season, but LeBlanc is one of the exceptions.
Michael Bourn's speed was a major factor in Sunday's win vs. the Nats. He has a couple of home runs this season at Miami.
Lately, he’s hit a lot of good pitchers. In Heyward’s past 39 games, he’s hit .281 (43-for-153) with eight doubles, a triple, 10 homers, 21 RBIs, and an .871 OPS, despite having a modest .329 OBP in that period (that’s the only thing he’s not done as well or better this year than he did as a rookie in 2010 – draw walks).
Against righties, Heyward is hitting .306 (96-for-314) with 17 doubles, five triples, 20 homers, 74 strikeouts and a .383 OBP and .583 slugging percentage (.966 OPS). He and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton (.580) are first and second in the NL in slugging right-handers, ahead of Carlos Gonzalez (.572) and Jay Bruce (.571)
Against lefties, Heyward has hit .227 (50-for-220) with 10 doubles, seven homers, 68 strikeouts and a .282 OBP and .368 slugging (.650 OPS).
By the way, those who always think Heyward should be hitting in the top half of the batting order, check out this stat: In 99 at-bats in the 6-hole he’s hit a whopping .374 with a 1.143 OPS (.426 OBP, .717 slugging).
In 275 at-bats in the 3-hole, Heyward has hit .258 with a .792 OPS (.330 OBP, .462 slugging).
In fact, he’s hit .258 or lower in the five positions other than the 6-hole where he’s had multiple at-bats this season.
BRAVES LINEUP
- Bourn cf
- Simmons ss
- Heyward rf
- Freeman 1b
- Prado 3b
- Uggla 2b
- Ross c
- Baker lf
- Hudson p
• Bonus coverage: For those who asked, here are the results from the cooking competition at the weekend’s Atlanta BBQ Fest, where I served as a guest judge on Saturday and ate more BBQ before 11 a.m. than any human ever should.
PRO TEAMS
Overall Champion: Jack’s Old South
Reserve: Moyers Competition BBQ
3rd Place: Deep South BBQ
4th Place: Wicked Que Atlanta
5th Place: Right Stuff BBQ
6th Place: Tuff Dawg Grillers
7th Place: Tenacious Q
8th Place: Bub-ba-Que
9th Place: Fox Bros BBQ
10th Place: D.B.A. Barbecue
Chicken
1st Place: Smokey Tales
2nd Place: Deep South BBQ
3rd Place: Under Construction
4th Place: D.B.A. Barbeque
5th Place: Tuff Dawg Grillers
Ribs
1st Place: Tenacious Q
2nd Place: Moyer’s Competition BBQ
3rd Place: Jack’s Old South
4th Place: Deep South BBQ
5th Place: D.B.A. Barbecue
Pork
1st Place: Jack’s Old South
2nd Place: Moyer’s Competition BBQ
3rd Place: Fox Bros BBQ
4th Place: Deep South BBQ
5th Place: The Rolling Grill
Brisket
1st Place: Right Stuff BBQ
2nd Place: Wicked Que
3rd Place: Smokin’ Hot’Lanta
4th Place: Grillmaster Flash
5th Place: Jack’s Old South
BACKYARD TEAMS
Overall Champion: Plum Superior BBQ (by the way, that’s the Superior Plumbing team – no kidding)
Reserve: Nice Rack BBQ
3rd Place: That’s How it’s DONE Son
4th Place: Village Porkers
5th Place: Smoking Barrels
6th Place: Mac Daddy BBQ
7th Place: First Due Q
8th Place: Smoking E’s Fine Swine + Bovine
9th Place: Dancing Chivos
10th Place: SweetWater Bar-B-Q
Chicken
1st Place: Plum Superior BBQ
2nd Place: Nick Rack BBQ
3rd Place: That’s How It’s DONE Son
4th Place: Q
5th Place: Smoking Barrels
Ribs
1st Place: Plum Superior BBQ
2nd Place: That’s How It’s DONE Son
3rd Place: Wilbur’s Been Smokin’ Somethin’
4th Place: Smoking Barrels
5th Place: Village Porkers
Pork
1st Place: Department of Porks and Rumpreation
2nd Place: First Due Q
3rd Place: Plum Superior BBQ
4th Place: Q
5th Place: AJ’s BBQ
• OK, let’s get this posted. We’ll close with a classic from the mighty Neil Young, which you can see him do in this ferocious live performance from 2002.
“POWDERFINGER” by Neil Young
Look out, Mama, there’s a white boat comin’ up the river
With a big red beacon, and a flag, and a man on the rail
I think you’d better call John,
‘Cause it don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail
And it’s less than a mile away
I hope they didn’t come to stay
It’s got numbers on the side and a gun
And it’s makin’ big waves.
Daddy’s gone, my brother’s out hunting in the mountains
Big John’s been drinking since the river took Emmylou
So the Powers That Be left me here to do the thinkin’
And I just turned twenty-two
I was wonderin’ what to do
And the closer they got,
The more those feelings grew.
Daddy’s rifle in my hand felt reassurin’
He told me, red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin’
But when the first shot hit the docks I saw it comin’
Raised my rifle to my eye
Never stopped to wonder why.
Then I saw black,
And my face splashed in the sky.
Shelter me from the powder and the finger
Cover me with the thought that pulled the trigger
Think of me as one you’d never figured
Would fade away so young
With so much left undone
Remember me to my love,
I know I’ll miss her.
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1,107 comments Add your comment
Kirk
September 17th, 2012
2:51 pm
Last
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
2:52 pm
I like the New Digs in Lil Havana
Braves have Had Good Luck there as opposed to the Old Joe Robbie Stadium which was a House of Horrors for the Braves especially in September Games
stamper
September 17th, 2012
2:53 pm
woo-hoo!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
2:56 pm
Actually, the Marlins may see a bit of a spike since it’s Chipper’s last series in Miami.
Braves stepped up against the Nats. They know the Marlins are a dangerous team. Just take it a game at a time, guys, and everything else will fall into place.
Kirk
September 17th, 2012
2:56 pm
Thanks for the update Dave..
Hillbilly
September 17th, 2012
2:58 pm
Terrific frickin’ song.
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
2:58 pm
“But this is a “trap series” if the Braves let it become one. It falls between an important home series in which they invested a lot of emotion and swept the team with baseball’s best record, including two nationally televised wins, and a road series against the resurgent Phillies, who would like nothing better to make things difficult for the seemingly playoff-bound Braves.”—DOB
I was temped to Call It a Trap Series This Morning but I would’ve been Told that I needed to Learn The Game according to some of the self-proclaimed experts on here
Hillbilly
September 17th, 2012
3:00 pm
Big John’s been drinkin’ since the river took Emmylou.
My, Oh My…gotta go dig out my Live Rust Album, now.
"hotlanta"
September 17th, 2012
3:00 pm
wow, that was probably the single worst use of “ATLiens” that I have ever seen, don’t ever do that again please
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:01 pm
Braves Just need to hang around .500 the rest of the way…B-Macc in my opinion should be Shut Down until the Final series In Pittsburgh. We need a Healthy B-Macc in that stupid WC Elimination game or better yet we need the Healthy Full Metal Jacket Lineup in that WC game
Plus we don’t lose much anyway with Rossy behind the Dish
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
Marlins have set a 30 year low in the fewest attendance for a Ballparks Opening season
Shame Shame on you Fans who live in the 305, the 561 and the 954 area codes
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
[I]“I was temped to Call It a Trap Series This Morning but I would’ve been Told that I needed to Learn The Game according to some of the self-proclaimed experts on here”[/I]
Wait! There are experts here??
Murph
September 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
Pork
1st Place: Department of Porks and Rumpreation
nice
phil
September 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
There are some odd people in this world…
what makes it go round, i reckon.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
Good read, D’OB. Now I’m craving some BBQ. Thanks
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
Italics syntax doesn’t work here anymore?
Lotta changes since my hiatus.
Ward
September 17th, 2012
3:06 pm
All, hang in there, and keep hope, and believe………Our chances are good, so let’s get it done……..I believe…….Peace my friends, and talk tonight, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Brian from SC
September 17th, 2012
3:07 pm
Mixxo, use less than and equal to signs, not brackets.
Brian from SC
September 17th, 2012
3:07 pm
I meant “less than” and “greater than” signs, of course.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
3:11 pm
Ahhh….thx Brian.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:11 pm
That musta been fun to judge that BBQ contest… glad you enjoyed. If only I weren’t so sick…
Thanks for the new blog, DOB!
Would it be wrong for me to call for a sweep??? Well, I’ll call a series win. Win Medlen’s start (obviously), just between Huddy and Maholm on who wants to win more.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:11 pm
mixxos here…have we all been bozo’d?
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
3:12 pm
Note to self: Don’t read about really good BBQ (especially Ribs) when hungry…
jptuba
September 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
Brewers, who’ve (won) 20 of 26 games
Possible missed word in that paragraph? Really enjoying this September much more than last year.
jptuba
September 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
Brewers, who’ve (won) 20 of 26 games
Possible missed word in that paragraph? Really enjoying this September much more than last year.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
DOB, please confer to Braves manager that flipping Medlen and Mahlom for first 2 games of Marlins series on 09/25 & 09/26 will set them up for Medlen/Hudson the first 2 games of playoffs. This works for WC or straight to NLDS. Day off on 24th will still allow normal rest for Medlen. This is best shot at setting rotation for playoffs without skipping starts and having too long of a layoff between starts.
tony austin
September 17th, 2012
3:15 pm
I could have done without seeing that ribs picture, now I want some. Thanks for nothing
I’m still in shock that the Braves swept the Nats, and on an ESPN Sunday night game to boot. The Braves sure have been Jekyll and Hyde all season, hopefully they’ll stay the good doctor for the remainder of the schedule onto winning their last playoff game.
CB
September 17th, 2012
3:15 pm
DAP,yes, we have entered Mixxo and Tomahawkin world. Scared?
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
3:15 pm
mixxos here…have we all been bozo’d?
There’s only one Mixxo chief….or did you forget your apostrophe?
Mixxo could go on and on about how and why he was bozo’d but, we’re in the middle of a pennant race. This is what he is focused on.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
3:16 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s game at MIA (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Simmons 6 Heyward 9 Freeman 3 Prado 5 Uggla 4 Ross 2 Baker 7 Hudson 1
Bay Area Steve
September 17th, 2012
3:17 pm
Fox Bros. ninth?
Isn’t that one of the oft-mentioned spots, here?
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:18 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
“Thanks for the new blog, DOB!
Would it be wrong for me to call for a sweep??? Well, I’ll call a series win. Win Medlen’s start (obviously), just between Huddy and Maholm on who wants to win more. ”
My Gut Tell me that we Drop 2 out of 3…This is the most up and down team I have seen in decades
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
3:19 pm
“But this is a “trap series” if the Braves let it become one”
also doesn’t help things that the first game of this series is played today … a Monday
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:20 pm
Meant to say that My Gut Tells Me that we Drop 2 out of 3 infront of a Friends and Family only Night at Marlins Ballpark…
Attendance will resemble that of Turner Field during a School Night
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
3:21 pm
Smoking E’s Fine Swine + Bovine
My fave of the backyard names.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
3:22 pm
Can a meaningless series really be a trap series? I mean they ain’t winning the division, and they ain’t losing both wild cards, so…1-game playoff here we come.
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:23 pm
Fredo
“But this is a “trap series” if the Braves let it become one”
“also doesn’t help things that the first game of this series is played today … a Monday”
OH NO, thats an automatic loss for tonight, I’m not gonna Bother Watching after 830 , There is a Huge Monday Night Football Matchup at the Dome, Get Your Popcorn Ready!
phil
September 17th, 2012
3:23 pm
Sigh…
phil
September 17th, 2012
3:25 pm
I keep forgetting that Manning will be throwing for nearly 400 yards tonight at the Dome…
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:25 pm
MFin04
“Can a meaningless series really be a trap series?”
This Series is not meaningless, I hope the team doesn’t think that way and then proceed to play and Get Clowned like they did a week ago in Milwaukee
That Milwaukee series was Brutal, I ended up just Turning it off in the final 2 games
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:26 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s game at MIA (7:10, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Simmons 6 Heyward 9 Freeman 3 Prado 5 Uggla 4 Ross 2 Baker 7 Hudson 1
Simmons 2? Freeman cleanup? Baker in LF? Nice stuff. Fredi sure is being experimental! Finally get to see Baker play, that’s good.
Also, am I the only person with the feeling that neither Hinske nor Overbay may make the post-season roster? Both haven’t impressed so far…
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
phil
“I keep forgetting that Manning will be throwing for nearly 400 yards tonight at the Dome…”
I totally hate the BSPN 830 start Time…With the Scab Refs reviewing every play, that game will last 4.5 hours
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
CB yes, we have entered Mixxo and Tomahawkin world. Scared?
freaky.
heisenburg, its alot simpler than that to get medlen the wildcard playoff game on regular rest. just skip tommy hansons start on the 20th. start hudson instead, on regular rest, as if there werent an off day on the 20th.
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
@TOBF
One thing I like abt Fredi is that he won’t hesitate to make lineup changes as needed
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
My Gut Tell me that we Drop 2 out of 3…This is the most up and down team I have seen in decades
Well at least you didn’t bank on it like you did for the gNats series…
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
Fredi sure is being experimental!
That’s one word for it.
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
Hinske nor Overbay may make the post-season roster? Both haven’t impressed so far…
I wouldn’t expect being too impressed with Baker tonight either.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
theonlybravesfan Also, am I the only person with the feeling that neither Hinske nor Overbay may make the post-season roster? Both haven’t impressed so far…
when overbay signed, i thought hinske’s days were numbered. have no idea now. they have both been terrible, and overbay has taken more strike 3’s than any pinch hitter ive ever seen.
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
“Also, am I the only person with the feeling that neither Hinske nor Overbay may make the post-season roster? Both haven’t impressed so far…”—TOBF
I got my feelings hurt expecting too much from Overbay…Much like I did from Hack Wilson a year ago….
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
Did they teach you to talk about yourself in the third person while you were in limbo, Mixxo?
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:29 pm
and thats a strange lineup tonight.
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:30 pm
So Mixxo, if you were bozo’ed how did you get back?
And are you saying that they told you who complained about what?
I kinda doubt that happened.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
3:30 pm
David .. the picture of Chipper in your DOB Blog.. when he gives the I love you sign language sign is that to his kids or to the fans or both? I thought I remembered someone on a broadcast saying it was for his kids, but sometimes it looks like he’s pointing towards the fans as a thank you. I always wondered.. any idea?
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:31 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:27 pm
“My Gut Tells me that we Drop 2 out of 3…This is the most up and down team I have seen in decades”—T-Hawkin
“Well at least you didn’t bank on it like you did for the gNats series…”
Don’t Worry Dude, I got more Ackerman Security Systems “Locks of the Week” On Deck!
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
3:34 pm
I view Baker as a waste of a roster spot. I would have rather seen one of our minor league guys try to fill that spot then bring in another never has been.
UKUGA
September 17th, 2012
3:34 pm
Chipper won’t lose a grounder in the lights this week.
Go Braves!
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
3:34 pm
and thats a strange lineup tonight.
Maybe Fredo got to the ballpark early and the hallucinogenic color scheme started him trippin’.
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:36 pm
that is a terrible line up and on a monday too. gamblers mush have got to Fredi
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
3:36 pm
DAP, Braves off on 20th. Assume you mean 21st. That works too. 20th and 24th are only off days left and are the right time to adjust rotation. Do it Fredi.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
3:38 pm
Not my favorite lineup but you never know.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
3:38 pm
Tomahawkin One thing I like abt Fredi is that he won’t hesitate to make lineup changes as needed
Except that it took him about 3 months or so to get BMac outta the 3rd spot…But yeah, other than that, he’s been rather good!…
RC
September 17th, 2012
3:38 pm
“Also, am I the only person with the feeling that neither Hinske nor Overbay may make the post-season roster? Both haven’t impressed so far…”—TOBF
Seems fairly certain that Overbay won’t make the post-season roster…I think he was a low-risk gamble, and his performance was going to have to earn him a spot. At this point, it hasn’t.
Hinske is a more complicated case I think. While his performance certainly doesn’t warrant a postseason spot, Fredi has continued to use him as the “go-to” left handed hitter off the bench, even on days when more successful hitters are available, such as Francisco, or Chipper on an off day. If I was making the decision I’d leave Hinske off as of now, but since Fredi is going to have a say, I’d bet that Hinske’s on the team.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:39 pm
heisenburg Braves off on 20th. Assume you mean 21st.
yup, skip his start on the 21st, as if he started the 20th (an off day).
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
3:39 pm
Sopheee Not my favorite lineup….
Nor mine—no BMac.
Tomahawkin
September 17th, 2012
3:41 pm
Arkansas Transplant
“I view Baker as a waste of a roster spot. I would have rather seen one of our minor league guys try to fill that spot then bring in another never has been.”
Bet he goes 2-4 Tonight, Watch!
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
3:41 pm
Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Simmons ss, Heyward rf, Freeman 1b, Prado 3b, Uggla 2b, Ross c, Baker lf, Hudson p
David .. the picture of Chipper in your DOB Blog.. when he gives the I love you sign language sign is that to his kids or to the fans or both? — Kat
It’s to his family.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:41 pm
Nor mine—no BMac.
No Rev…
RC
September 17th, 2012
3:41 pm
Sopheee Not my favorite lineup….
Yeah, I don’t like moving Prado down the order while putting Simmons #2. Prado has been an excellent #2 hitter all season when the offense was going well, so now that it’s struggling you move him down? Don’t get it at all.
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:43 pm
Still wondering what you had to do to get back from your banning Mixxo, in case I get banned one day.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
3:43 pm
TOBF—
I almost wanted to smack Joe and Chip the other night when they mentioned to Rev twice when they were interviewing him that he hasn’t gotten to play much the last few months…
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:43 pm
RC Fredi has continued to use him as the “go-to” left handed hitter off the bench, even on days when more successful hitters are available, such as Francisco, or Chipper on an off day.
i dont think thats correct. fredi uses fransisco or chipper first, if the situation calls for it.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
3:44 pm
Don’t worry, McFann.
http://i45.tinypic.com/2vba8t3.jpg
It’ll come in handy next year when he’s back to normal. Easier than saying “I told you so”.
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
3:44 pm
Tomahawkin, I wouldn’t bank on it. Wouldn’t want you to waste your hard earned money on such a long shot.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:44 pm
DOB David .. the picture of Chipper in your DOB Blog.. when he gives the I love you sign language sign is that to his kids or to the fans or both? — Kat
It’s to his family.
seems like its to the fans, this season. he used to do it into the dugout camera. now he holds it up towards the seats. im thinking in his last year, it has taken on a different meaning.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
3:45 pm
Sopheee—
That’ll be great!
Thanks…
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:45 pm
He has used Overbay a few times too and ignore Hinske.
Not sure either will make it
RC
September 17th, 2012
3:46 pm
i dont think thats correct. fredi uses fransisco or chipper first, if the situation calls for it.
Last night in a one run game in the 7th I would have thought the situation called for it, yet Hinske led off the inning, with Prado and Francisco on the bench.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
3:47 pm
I must admit I do not understand how Braves found a spot on the 40 man roster for Baker & Overbay but not for Mejia. Not too late to fix it though. Drop somebody (Wilson, JJJ, Baker, Overbay, Hinski) and add Mejia. You are welcome.
onebravosfan
September 17th, 2012
3:47 pm
Regarding the lineup, my question is why Baker instead of Reed Johnson. I was at the game last night and Reed played pretty well.
phil
September 17th, 2012
3:47 pm
Who cares.
Just win.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
3:47 pm
McFANN:
I know, I know, but you know that he’d be in there if he could. Needs to heal up.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
No Stanton in Marlin Line up….GO BRAVES
Kentavo
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
Why does it seem like Hudson always lays an egg in a game like this?
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
Just win.
You forgot “, baby!”
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones—
Yeah…that’s for sure…
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .143 .250 .171 0.421 .211 ___24
Simmons .231 .333 .269 0.603 .284 ___77
Heyward .250 .308 .528 0.835 .353 __139
Freeman .281 .368 .500 0.868 .353 __150
Prado__ .351 .368 .378 0.747 .351 __117
Uggla__ .323 .447 .516 0.963 .424 __179
Ross___ .219 .250 .406 0.656 .273 ___88
Baker__ .192 .250 .231 0.481 .290 ___40
Hudson_ .278 .316 .333 0.649 .254 ___89
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
RC Last night in a one run game in the 7th I would have thought the situation called for it, yet Hinske led off the inning, with Prado and Francisco on the bench.
thats not a “go-to lefty” situation, if you ask me. a go-to lefty situation would have been a runner in scoring position. if there is a chance to knock in a run, its not hinske your going to see, if the other guys are available.
count_schemula
September 17th, 2012
3:50 pm
DOB,
Did Low Country BBQ present?
http://www.lowcountrybbq.com/
This was my favorite BBQ in the 90s (Park Place downtown), but they did not like running a restaurant and went catering only.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
3:51 pm
Regarding MEJIA…..I was really surprised to see he was not brought up at the end of AAA play. The family affair he had to attend to makes me wonder now if they told him in August he wouldn’t be called up, and he wigged out.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
3:51 pm
kentavo Why does it seem like Hudson always lays an egg in a game like this?
maybe because of your skewed perspective. ;- )
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:52 pm
Well, it is true McFann… The more Rev plays the more we win!
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
3:52 pm
I’m struggling to find the meaning in these last 2 weeks. Maybe the best argument is that you want your team playing well and being confident, but all that goes out the window in a 1-game playoff. No matter how hot/cold you are it comes down to one game, one umpire, one pitching matchup.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
3:53 pm
Mejia should be make this team next year as a Bench Player.
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:53 pm
they don’t seem to put prospects on the 40 man roster and bring them up like they used to, guess it costs too much. I miss that it was always fun to see the new guys
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
3:53 pm
At least we have Baker.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
3:54 pm
Not good when your pitcher has a better OPS than your two leadoff hitters.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:56 pm
Regarding MEJIA…..I was really surprised to see he was not brought up at the end of AAA play.
I was very shocked… thought that Hinske woulda been dropped and Mejia brought up. Or even JJ. Still don’t understand it, he hit just as well as Georgie did and has much more power.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
3:56 pm
I’m struggling to find the meaning in these last 2 weeks.
Best to spend it in self-contemplation, instead, then.
count_schemula
September 17th, 2012
3:56 pm
Buster Posey could be getting some MVP consideration, stronger numbers than Ryan Zimmermann:
.333/.407 .545/.952 22HR 73R 93RBI 1SB 88K
I still think it’s Braun:
.312/.387 .602/.989 40HR 95R 103RBI 24SB 118K
But if the ‘roid thing has cast a pall and the team needs to be in the playoffs, Posey looks like the choice. Ironic that Posey picks up the slack from his own ‘roider.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
3:56 pm
keithlaw @keithlaw
He’s 12th in NL in fWAR. Should not get votes. RT @michaelg2547: @keithlaw Any chance that Medlen could pick up votes for Cy Young?
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
3:57 pm
Mejia is no spring chicken. perhaps like that Cuban dude who was at first there is some part of his game that they are not happy with
Puma
September 17th, 2012
3:59 pm
Thanks DOB for the Neil Young link…I just wasted half hour on you tube listening to music when I should have been working. Hate when that happens
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
3:59 pm
I hate it that Clayton Kershaw has gone down — injuries to guys like that are bad for baseball.
He is a real superstar in the making — hope he is not out beyond this yr.
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
4:00 pm
Noles said he would probably not get the call IIRC TOBF
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:04 pm
We always win when the Rev is in there? I thought it was Georgie that always won. Man, they should both be all stars.
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
4:05 pm
Disgusted — right on about Kershaw — but I’ll save my sympathy for AFTER the one-game playoff.
And I thought Chipper was a big Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka fan. The things you learn after 20 years.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:07 pm
Adding Mejia to the 40-man roster has long-term consequences. Not so much with Baker, who likely won’t be around long term….Not to mention that Majia led the league in strike outs.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:09 pm
Yeah, we’re probably playing either Dodgers or Cards. I’ll worry about Kershaw after they get eliminated.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:10 pm
Who do we WANT to play…Dodgers or Cards…and why?
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:11 pm
Doesn’t really matter what Mejia did as far as strike outs, just look at the K’s Uggla and Bourn and company are throwing up. Baker has never been a very productive major leaguer, I don’t see the need to bring in someone with far less ability to contribute.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
4:12 pm
“Who do we WANT to play…”
The Nationals in game one in D.C.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
4:12 pm
If Kershaw has to have surgery, they don’t expect him back until May
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:13 pm
It’s got to be a nice thing for just about any minor leaguer to look at Baker and realize you don’t have to have much skill and you can still make over a mil a year.
phil
September 17th, 2012
4:13 pm
The meaning?
Who cares. Just win.
I left off baby intentionally. We don’t need the ghost of Al Davis mucking up the works….
phil
September 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:10 pm
Who do we WANT to play…Dodgers or Cards…and why?
*********
Who cares.
Just win.
Juan
September 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:10 pm
Who do we WANT to play…Dodgers or Cards…and why?
Ok put it this way…Series with LAD 3-3, Series with the Card 5-1….What do you think?
Not Brainer the Card
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
raleighbravesfan Who do we WANT to play…Dodgers or Cards…and why?
cards, righthanded SP.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
Kershaw and Billingsley being hurt really, really hurts that team through 2013. And they just paid big in terms of dollars and prospects for NOW value. It’s a small disaster if Kershaw has hip surgery and Billingsley has Tommy John surgery. Capuano, Beckett, Harang, Lilly as the 1-4 in that rotation.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
If Kershaw has to have surgery, they don’t expect him back until May
What do you hear out there about Billingsley, cab?
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:18 pm
Yep. “@Joeyakeley: @ajcbraves If Nats and Braves are tied at end of regular season, do Nats get div. title because of head-to-head record?”
David, I don’t think this is correct. I’m pretty sure a tie for the division will result in a game.
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
4:18 pm
When you have money like the Dodgers and a multibillion dollar TV contract looming, you’d have to work pretty hard to use the term DISASTER.
Expect them to buy 2-3 middle-of-the-rotation starters in the offseason. No worries for them.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
4:19 pm
“I’m pretty sure a tie for the division will result in a game.”
I’m hoping for about 7 tie break games just to show how stupid this system is.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:21 pm
a bomb Expect them to buy 2-3 middle-of-the-rotation starters in the offseason. No worries for them.
or, expect them to buy grienke and sit tight.
Quack Quack
September 17th, 2012
4:21 pm
DOB Great article as always…I guess FG doesn’t have access to the same numbers as you, hence J-Hey batting 3rd. With the big difference, why do you think that is?
Lets go Bravos, take advantage of whats offered.
GO BRAVES!!!
jim
September 17th, 2012
4:23 pm
The second Wild Card and one game play-in creates the following dilemma –
Suppose the race for the division gets close. Suppose the Nat’s lead is down to 1 or 2 games with 5 to play (or even 2 games with 3 to play). Should the Braves go all out to try to win the Division or set up their pitching for the playoffs? If the two teams are tied at the end of the season, what is the situation? A one-game playoff with the loser facing a 1-game WC playin? The chance to win the Division is worth the risk, but if it doesn’t happen, it makes the playoff situation all the more problematic.
phil
September 17th, 2012
4:23 pm
Dave is a bbq expert, not a baseball tied records guy…..back off!
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
just to show how stupid this system is.
It’s hardly any more stupid than letting second-place teams in, to start with. Once you’re reconciled to that fact, what difference does it make how you determine that entry?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
Joe Frisaro @JoeFrisaro
#Marlins Stanton has some soreness on right side, will miss a game or two. Not taking BP today
Greinke ain’t going to dirty LA… he’s staying in Anaheim or coming to ATL.
RC
September 17th, 2012
4:25 pm
When you have money like the Dodgers and a multibillion dollar TV contract looming, you’d have to work pretty hard to use the term DISASTER.
Do the Dodgers have money anymore? Hanley, A-Gonz, Crawford, and Beckett aren’t playing for free.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
4:26 pm
One of the stats from this slideshow… In the last 17 games Ross has started behind the plate, the Braves are 13-4.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1337442-atlanta-braves-ranking-each-braves-position-players-right-now
phil
September 17th, 2012
4:27 pm
The chance to win the Division is worth the risk, but if it doesn’t happen, it makes the playoff situation all the more problematic. JIM
Nah, just start Teheran and kick back in that easy chair with a cold one!
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:27 pm
MFin @4:12 – I like your way of thinking. Of course, what we really want, is an off day, while Nats and Cards battle it out for the WC.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:29 pm
If the two teams are tied at the end of the season, what is the situation? A one-game playoff with the loser facing a 1-game WC playin?
If the loser would qualify for a wild-card berth anyway, yes. Braves could go to DC for a division tiebreaker game, lose, come home to host the wildcard play-in, win, and host the Nats for the NLDS. Or win in DC and just hang out there until the Nats win the play-in, or be forced to fly out to the Dodgers, say, if they were to win.
A traveling secretary’s nightmare, in other words.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:29 pm
Jim – Interresting question. I say you always try to win.
Nerdville
September 17th, 2012
4:29 pm
i am not going to get too excited because they swept the gnats. it is about time they did something. they are still way back, 5 1/2 out and unlikely to win the division; i.e., a real title.
can’t get too fired up over winning a spot in a ‘play in’ game. so now the braves play miami with its communist loving manager.. well; in that case, since i hate the bolsheviks, what the heck….rah, rah beat the fish.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:30 pm
RC Do the Dodgers have money anymore?
yeah, i think they do.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
Season ends on 10/03, WC game is set for 10/05. So in case of any tie, send all tied teams to Omaha for a college style round robin double elimination tournament to be played entirely beginning at 4AM on 10/04.
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:32 pm
Anyone going to take in the new series Revolution tonight? Looks like a promising show.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:33 pm
According to Cots, LA Dodgers have $196 million committed in salary before arbitration and minimum salaried players. While I understand they have a boatload of cash – I’m not sure how much more they will be willing to spend. The reason they went after Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett was because they weren’t thrilled with the upcoming free agent market – Hamilton, Greinke, etc.
phil
September 17th, 2012
4:35 pm
Nope. Football and baseball always trump anything else entertaining or educational….
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:35 pm
Perhaps they would have interest in Greinke, though.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:36 pm
I hear Dodgers and Nats both have money to spend. Dodgers have huge new TV deal. Both teams have deep pockets. I expect dodgers to go after Greinke. I expect Nats to go after Bourn.
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
4:36 pm
Scoots:
Scenario #1: If there is a tie for a Division Championship and the winning percentage of the two Clubs tied for first place is higher than the winning percentage of each of the second-place Clubs in the same League, the Division Champion shall be:
The Club with the higher winning percentage in head-to-head competition between the two tied Clubs during the championship season; or
If the Clubs remain tied, then to the tied Club with the higher winning percentage in intradivision games during the championship season; or
If the Clubs remain tied, then to the tied Club with the higher winning percentage in the last half of intraleague games during the championship season; or
If the Clubs remain tied, then to the tied Club with the higher winning percentage in the last half plus one of intraleague games during the championship season, provided that such additional game was not a game between the two tied Clubs. This process will be followed game-by-game until the tie is broken.
Example of Scenario #1: The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners end the championship season tied for the AL West Division Championship. Both Clubs have a higher winning percentage than the Boston Red Sox. Through games of September 7, the Mariners have the higher winning percentage in head-to-head competition (7-6, .538) and would be declared the Division Champion. Oakland would be the Wild Card.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:37 pm
While I understand they have a boatload of cash – I’m not sure how much more they will be willing to spend.
A little late for them to give lip service to frugality, dontcha think?
In for a penny, in for a pound.
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
The reason they went after Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett was because they weren’t thrilled with the upcoming free agent market – Hamilton, Greinke, etc.
I think they went after Gonzalez and the cost was Crawford and Beckett. Got a feeling, if you gave them the choice, Beckett or Greinke, they’d take Greinke. The Dodgers have long wanted Gonzalez.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
efrim Perhaps they would have interest in Greinke, though.
especially if kershaw goes down. is that whats happening? is kershaw hurt?
Braint
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
Interesting article…..
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/craig-kimbrel-atlanta-play-game-starter-system-makes-190409112–mlb.html
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
The Dodgers will pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million dollars in 2013.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
I’m going to record Revolution. Also Major Crimes, as well. Plan to watch the Braves.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
TennPaul, I believe those are the tiebreakers from the previous CBA, are they not?
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
Dodgers have a ton of money. Owned by Guggenheim Investments.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
4:40 pm
DOB @ 3:41 pm
David .. the picture of Chipper in your DOB Blog.. when he gives the I love you sign language sign is that to his kids or to the fans or both? — Kat
It’s to his family.
Thanks David. I was thinking of making a poster for the last regular season game at Pittsburgh with the same sign, but back to Chipper from the fans as a thank you — but that’s when I thought he was signing that to the fans as well. Hmm might have to table that poster idea haha. Would be a weird poster if that sign is always to his kids to not us fans.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
HooRah-
See phil’s 3:47
Thank you.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
I do think they would go after Greinke, as they really should be all in now and they aren’t going anywhere with a rotation of Beckett, Capuano, Harang, and Ted friggin Lilly. That’s a disaster given their payroll. May as well give Greinke a backloaded contract.
Unless they will be at $230 million in 2013. I guess that’s a possibility….
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
“Miami is a magnet — the city, the manager, the new ballpark, the players we have,” Loria said. “We have a terrific core here. All of it put together is the magnet.” – November 11, 2011, AP
24.5 games back. The force of the magnetic field has dwindled. Their schedule even fell of my fridge.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
4:42 pm
The reason they went after Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett was because they weren’t thrilled with the upcoming free agent market – Hamilton, Greinke, etc
or they just thought that they don’t have to wait another year for winning with all that cash lying around
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
Tater –
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/depth/_/name/det/detroit-tigers
That’s the worst defensive infield I think I’ve ever seen in my life. I forgot that Jhonny Peralta was their SS. Miggy and Prince on the corners. No wonder folks can’t understand why they are mediocre. They can’t get to any baseballs in the field of play.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
braint, starting craig kimbrel in the coin flip game? i actually kind of like the idea. but im not sure if i would have the guts to actually try it, and im very sure gonzalez doesnt.
it makes you wonder though, maybe the postseason is a good time to turn all your pitchers into short relievers? youd have to practice it some, to get guys used to the idea, but to be able to use all 12 or 13 pitchers at any time would be interesting. being able to use medlen and hudson every other day instead of just twice in a short series is interesting.
CB
September 17th, 2012
4:45 pm
Major Crimes sucks without Kyra.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
4:46 pm
Very interesting article, Braint. I wouldn’t be a fan of that though. That’s alot of innings to trust to the bullpen. I’d like Meds to go, but then that means he only gets 1 NLDS start. Should be on track for 3 NLCS starts though.
So which way should Gonzalez and Co. go for the one game that will determine their postseason continues? No team in baseball history has ever had this much time to think about who should start a do-or-die game and there’s bound to be plenty of speculation. Do you go with Tim Hudson’s veteran experience? Kris Medlen’s hot hand? Tommy Hanson in hopes that he can somehow pitch well enough to save Hudson and Medlen for the opening of a five-game series?
The bold part is utter foolishness.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:46 pm
Efrim – If we trade Uggla to Detroit, like AT seems to think is possible, does that actually upgrade their IF Defense?
RC
September 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
Miggy and Prince on the corners. No wonder folks can’t understand why they are mediocre. They can’t get to any baseballs in the field of play.
Miggy and Prince at the corners is a really problem for their other fielders, as they have to account for not just one but two additional gravitational forces on any ball hit into play.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
CB – I gotta disagree. The Closer WAS the best show on TV, but Major Crimes is still better than most of what’s available.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
I’m going to record Revolution. Also Major Crimes, as well. Plan to watch the Braves.
Major Crimes is holding its own. TNT, USA etc. channels re-run new episodes same day, easy to reschedule DVR. i’ll have DVR going and flipping between braves and falcons.
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
Yeah, I’m recording but I think I’ll be taking in the Falcon’s game and keeping up with the Braves on my Ipod with MLBonline.
TennesseePaul
September 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
scoots, the more I search the more I think no one really knows. Everyone has something different.
DAP
September 17th, 2012
4:50 pm
efrim, they could always unload a little of that salary this offseason, too. particularly beckett, maybe hanley or eithier.
raleighbravefan
September 17th, 2012
4:51 pm
Gotta go. Let’s win tonight!
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
I don’t pay much attention to football until baseball is over.
Looks like I am going to spend at least half of my October 7-14 evenings in San Diego in my hotel room watching playoff games. Maybe I can take in a game with cabravesfan and VJ. That could be fun especially if the Braves are in it after the play-in game. Of course, I’m still hoping the Nats lost so much momentum that they just slide backwards like a 2011 team that shall not be mentioned
ncscoots
September 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
this ought to be alink to the full agreement, if I have it right
RC
September 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
efrim, they could always unload a little of that salary this offseason, too. particularly beckett, maybe hanley or eithier.
I really don’t think that they could. Baseball sources were shocked that they were willing to take on those salaries this season, and now they are going to be able to unload them 2 months later? The only way that happens is if they eat a significant portion of those salaries, which would in effect mean they paid even MORE for 2 months of Ramirez or Beckett.
Dodgers may have some money to spend, but they’ve already spent most of it.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
they could always unload a little of that salary this offseason, too. particularly beckett, maybe hanley or eithier.
Hah! They just signed Ethier to that contract too, and I think it was a terrible move. Guy has always had trouble hitting LHP and is not a good baserunner or defender in RF. Now, 30 years old.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
I will be watching both games in my man-cave with 3 televisions. The only question is which to have the volume on.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
Should the division standings remain the same, I don’t see how it’s even a question of who starts the WC game for the Braves. It has to be Medlen. It’s do or die, single elimination… can’t worry about the series after that one.
Go big or go home.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
like a 2011 team that shall not be mentioned
you can say it – Red Sox
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
I don’t think the Dodgers would get much for any of the players that they just acquired. Those salaries are awful.
RC
September 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
I will be watching both games in my man-cave with 3 televisions. The only question is which to have the volume on.
Braves game, Falcons game, and Gilmore Girls. And you know you are leaving the volume on Gilmore Girls.
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
upgrade their IF Defense?
Who’s defense are we referring too?
cricket
September 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
It has to be Medlen.
Absolutely No Question About It.
Also starting that game with relievers is idiotic. Just because something is not traditionally done, doesn’t mean it’s a better idea.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching/_/split/182/league/nl/order/false/minip/60
Medlen and Minor – 1 and 2 in ERA post All Star break.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
4:59 pm
Gilmore Girls? What channel? I hope it is a marathon!
Arkansas Transplant
September 17th, 2012
4:59 pm
Nevermind.. I think Uggla would be solid for them, sure.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
Phillies are 5-6-7 Lee-Kendrick-Hamels.
Phillies will be interesting to watch this offseason. Great rotation. Developing, young power arms in the bullpen. Just need, ya know, an outfield and a 3rd baseman.
cricket
September 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
from Peter King –
“I don’t know. He must like the cougs.”
– Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews, on the relationship between 25-year-old Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and 37-year-old actress Eva Longoria, on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
5:00 pm
AT: Detroit’s
Medlen and Minor – 1 and 2 in ERA post All Star break.
Minor better be starting in the NLDS over Maholm and Hanson.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
I want so bad to come around and finally be a Mike Minor fan but I am afraid if I do it now it will jinx him. So understand if I am critical it is for the good of the team.
MFin04
September 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
So basically every team that went out this off-season and paid tons of cash for free agents is going to miss the playoffs?
Marlins, Tigers, Angels, etc.
Gotta love it. Especially when the Angels and Tigers were going to blow everyone out of the water. And Detroit was a lock for the World Series.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
Dan Uggla in his last 36 games, 138 plate appearances: .239/.355/.462
RC
September 17th, 2012
5:02 pm
Also starting that game with relievers is idiotic. Just because something is not traditionally done, doesn’t mean it’s a better idea.
I wouldn’t call it idiotic, but I also don’t think it’s nearly as good of an idea as the article makes it out to be. While the Braves bullpen has been great this year, the chances that a single reliever simply “doesn’t have it” on a given day makes the downside of such a plan huge, and not enough to outweigh the potential upside.
I could be onboard with a plan that the starter only goes through the lineup once. If you are lucky, that’s 3 innings taken care of before you can lean on 5-6 relievers to finish it off while providing different looks. The additional upside of such a move is that with so little work, the starter would likely be good to go on as little as 2-3 days rest, meaning he can possibly pitch multiple games in the first round.
Efrim
September 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
Minor better be starting in the NLDS over Maholm and Hanson.
New rules this year. You have to win the Coin Flip game before being involved in the Real Postseason. So I wouldn’t really worry about a postseason rotation until we actually get there.
Normally, it would of already been locked up.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:06 pm
RC, I like your concept. It does beg the question of how to structure the roster and if roster changes are allowed between WC and NLDS. If you can have 1 roster for WC then change it, the smart play is to drop at least 3 starters and load up on relievers. You could even add an extra bench guy.
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2012
5:06 pm
The Dodgers will pay Manny Ramirez $8.33 million dollars in 2013.
The Mets will pay Bobby Bonilla $1.2 million in 2013.
The Orioles will pay Bobby Bonilla $500,000 in 2013.
Bonilla Waivers for yer ‘Nanna puddin.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
5:07 pm
The additional upside of such a move is that with so little work, the starter would likely be good to go on as little as 2-3 days rest, meaning he can possibly pitch multiple games in the first round.
Maybe I put too much into the “starter’s routine”, but I can’t help but think that this is a bad idea. You’ve got a guy who is used to doing things a certain way, getting ready for his start a certain way, and then you only throw him for 2 or 3 innings and turn around and have him start just a couple of days later?
Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
5:08 pm
I guess the team could start JJ… he’s used to only going 2 or 3 innings per start.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
Murph throwing daggers. Truth hurts sometimes.
phil
September 17th, 2012
5:11 pm
Ah Ah is back home…
Yes, I know. What is phil doing watching something like that. It really does do the heart good. Go look it up on msn.com and take a peek.
Nothing if not miraculous too.
Made my day.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:11 pm
Good thing game is in Miami, otherwise it would not get played tonight.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
5:13 pm
I want so bad to come around and finally be a Mike Minor fan but I am afraid if I do it now it will jinx him.
I’m the exact same way. I have stopped picking on him, which hasn’t done anything to jinx him so far, but I cannot bring myself to say publicly what a good job he’s…
Ah, see there? See what you almost made me do? tsk tsk tsk
cricket
September 17th, 2012
5:14 pm
i would bet every time that a starter will have better success going through a lineup 2nd time than a bunch of relievers (about 6, possibly more) holding their own starting from about 4th inning.
anyway, this discussion is strictly academic, never gonna happen in real life. so my interest is already gone.
phil
September 17th, 2012
5:15 pm
Minorleague?
A bum, regardless of stats of late…
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
5:15 pm
I guess the team could start JJ… he’s used to only going 2 or 3 innings per start.
Or even Hanson, it’d only be an inning or so less than what he usually does…
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
5:16 pm
ncscoots-
Sorry, just saw your question (super busy today)- word on Billingsly is that there is no word yet. Seems they are waiting to see if the injection he had in the elbow works, but the dreaded T word has been mentioned
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:19 pm
No Billingsly, no Kershaw, no problem. They still got Beckett.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
Fell out of my chair laughing after I hit submit. Can I file workers comp?
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
5:20 pm
cabravesfan-
So for the rest of the season, no Billingsly and possibly no Kershaw? Ouch, that hurts for a team in the thick of the wild card to have Beckett or maybe Harang start a one game playoff game…..
southern hope
September 17th, 2012
5:21 pm
cabravesfan, what is the dreaded T word?
Murph
September 17th, 2012
5:25 pm
cabravesfan, what is the dreaded T word?
Tyrannosaurus Rex… I dread those.
Also not a big fan of Toe fungus. Gross.
southern hope
September 17th, 2012
5:27 pm
thanks Murph….I *do* dread those and i’m sure Billingsly does as well! (and right after I hit “send,’ I was doh! Tommy John).
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
5:27 pm
Giancarlo Stanton has strained side. Ozzie seems to think he won’t play before Wednesday, but Stanton thinks he could be ready to play tomorrow.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
5:29 pm
Chipper leads all visiting players with 40 homers vs. Marlins, said his favorite was his 400th off Nolasco.
Also talked about playoff battles with Marlins and rivalry in years such as ‘97. On the Livan strikeout-fest in NLCS, he laughed and said, “And Livan still thinks those were strikes.”
Said he talked to Livan in Milwaukee, and Livan told him if he’d had a strike zone like he had that day vs. Braves, he could pitch till he’s 80.
CB
September 17th, 2012
5:30 pm
Toe fungus is not pretty,especially on all 12 toes like my cousin Leroy.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
5:37 pm
Fredi G said plan is for Chipper to play next 2 games, then either play all 3 at Philly or rest Sunday to get two days rest Sunday-Monday (off day), not sure yet.
kelevra
September 17th, 2012
5:38 pm
Tuberculosis
The Titanic (the movie and the actually event)
Testicular Cancer (unless you have a bike and a yellow bracelet)
Tella Tubbies
many dreaded T words
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
I’m not big on the wild card thing, but as many as 11 markets have hope for their teams at this late date.
Miami has no hope. They have stadium tax. $2.4 billion over 40 years.
Same guy that negotiated for Bobby Bonilla?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
5:42 pm
Toddlers, esp. the two year olds
Tigers
Tiger Woods
Trades (if you’re a prospect)
more dreaded T words
ThanksChipper
September 17th, 2012
5:45 pm
LIKE THIS http://www.facebook.com/ThanksChipper
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
5:46 pm
cabravesfan, what is the dreaded T word?
There may be many dreaded T words, but really only one when talking about a pitcher’s elbow- Tommy John. (and yes, that is two words, but you KNOW WHAT I MEAN!
)
Melky
September 17th, 2012
5:47 pm
Testerone Testing
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:47 pm
Terrell Owens
Tonsillectomy
Mr T
Teeth noneruption of with maxillary hypoplasia and genu valgum
Animus
September 17th, 2012
5:47 pm
Testosterone?
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
5:47 pm
ncbravesfan90-
It is looking more and more like that is going to happen (Dodgers without their top 2 pitchers…)
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
5:49 pm
no matter what AT thinks, Uggla is not going to Detroit this winter, just silliness
Murph
September 17th, 2012
5:50 pm
One of the most dreaded T words of all time… I hate to even say it on here…
Thorman
Sorry.
Toni
September 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
Can someone answer a question for me? I have looked it up and can find no answer. Can Kris Medlen qualify for the Cy Young? Is there a certain number of starts or what? Thanks.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
If Uggla did somehow end up in Detroit they would have a really good beer league softball team.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
5:51 pm
Chipper among 6 finalists for Marvin Miller Man of the Yr, w/ Adam Jones, Paul Konerko, Michael Young, Barry Zito and Skip Schumaker. List of 30 players was narrowed to one from each division, award is part of annual Players Choice Awards. Finalists from field of players who “inspire others to higher levels of achievement by their on-field performances and contributions to their communities.”
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
5:54 pm
Tendinitis…
Tybee Island Bob
September 17th, 2012
5:54 pm
DOB – or anybody…..what’s the deal with the roster for the wold card playoff game? can you re set after the last regular season game? then re set again if you win? brings into play a lot of interesting possibilities, like having only one starting pitcher on your roster. Not sure of the rule…..anybody?
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
5:55 pm
It appears that Tyler is another dread word too… y’all are afraid to let the kid start at SS
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:56 pm
Toni, to my knowledge there is no set criteria other than who is best pitcher. But starters for entire season have won all but twice as best I can recall.
Heisenberg
September 17th, 2012
5:56 pm
gotta go
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
5:59 pm
Chipper: “I’ve got three more cities, and one last homestand. So it’s starting to … it’s starting to get to me a little bit.”
reckingball
September 17th, 2012
5:59 pm
Eric Gregg’s calling of Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS, was voted the 3rd worst umpiring performance of the 1975-2000 era of MLB, by Baseball America.
I have always wondered why there was not an investigation, of what looked like an obvious fix.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
6:09 pm
There won’t be any playing in next spring’s World Baseball Classic for Chipper, for those who wondered if he might consider.
“I’m a little old for that,” he said. “I got to play in two of them and they were two of the best baseball experiences of my life. But it’s time somebody else got a shot to play. If they want me to tag along and be a coach or something, maybe I’d do that.”
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 17th, 2012
6:11 pm
good night to be an atlanta sports fan. if they both win.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 17th, 2012
6:12 pm
denver – 17 atl – 35
reckingball
September 17th, 2012
6:19 pm
Can I call my bookie on that, Honey Boo Boo Child?
John Leonard
September 17th, 2012
6:21 pm
One game,five games or seven games,this team will only go as far as the pitching stays exceptional.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
September 17th, 2012
6:21 pm
no
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:24 pm
I hope Neil Young will remember a southern man don’t need him around anyhow.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:26 pm
The DOBBERS are out in force again.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
George where are you??
CB
September 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
12-3 last 15 games and put a little fear in Nats hearts.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:30 pm
Cue sting for Mixxo-Free free set them free. If you need someone set them free.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:30 pm
Cue sting for Mixxo-Free free set them free. If you need someone set them free.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
6:30 pm
Reading about how Fredi is using Chipper these next two series has me thinking. Selfishly I hope Chipper ends up playing the last game at Pittsburgh. I know people are traveling from Atlanta to see him play that game. Maybe he’ll play first and third games oft hat series. Wishful thinking
SteveInFXBG
September 17th, 2012
6:31 pm
Looks like our old friend Yunel is in hot water again.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:33 pm
Lets have a double tonight Braves and Falcons win.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
6:34 pm
Thanks ACE!
May you frolic in Fields Of Gold!
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
6:35 pm
What did Esco do this time?
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:36 pm
Bama and LSU 1 an 2 again. I hope USC will remember a SEC team don’t need them around anyhow.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:39 pm
DOB, Fredi and Uggla back in Florida again.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
6:41 pm
Yunel’s not the brightest crayon in the box, huh?
http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/article/1258098–blue-jays-yunel-escobar-played-game-with-homophobic-slur-written-across-eye-black
bobbymahlon
September 17th, 2012
6:41 pm
I might be wrong but I thought in order for a player to be on the roster for the playoffs he must be on the 25 man roster before the call ups on Sept 1st. Which means Hinske will be on it and I think Overbay was on it Sept 1st.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:41 pm
Thanks Mixxo, always good to have another opinion instead of the same old ditto DOBBERS.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
6:41 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/yunel-escobar-eye-black-contained-gay-slur-photo-221529843–mlb.html
George_George
September 17th, 2012
6:43 pm
ACE
September 17th, 2012
6:28 pm
I am here, disappointed CHIPPER not playing, he should try to stay in lineup as long as we have a chance to catch NATS. BRAVES are capable of winning a 3 of 5 series, but with FREDI as MGR we will never get past a one game play-in. We need to win division.
Murph
September 17th, 2012
6:46 pm
BRAVES are capable of winning a 3 of 5 series, but with FREDI as MGR we will never get past a one game play-in. We need to win division.
What if the first series is tied 2-2? Same outcome as the WC game? And if the next series is tied 3-3? Same?
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
6:47 pm
I see ACE seems to be obsessed with my team…
Carl Farvman
September 17th, 2012
6:47 pm
790 just opens its pregame show for tonight Falcon’s game with a promo for the KC/ATL game….last week’s game. What is it with the lack of professionalism with this radio market?
George_George
September 17th, 2012
6:56 pm
Murph
September 17th, 2012
6:46 pm
FREDI does not manage his pitching staff very well, over 3 to 5 games the hitting might overcome that. in a one game play-in if MEDs or HUDDY don’t start our chances are null and even those two might have a bad day and FREDI does not use RP well.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
6:59 pm
I’m ready for a Fish fry! Go Braves!!!
flange1
September 17th, 2012
7:03 pm
What the heck is with Yunel anyway?
Go Braves!
cowdogit
September 17th, 2012
7:05 pm
Braves can’t score runs. They have a TRIPLE A batting champion, very fast. steals bases. creates stress on the pitcher sitting on the bench. If they get into the playoffs it will one and out.
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
7:07 pm
For those who do not get the game on SportsSouth, the game is the free game on MLB.com
George_George
September 17th, 2012
7:09 pm
Outta here to watch games, mostly BRAVES, but some FALCONS. Good if both won, BRAVES need it more. KEEP IT GOING BRAVES. Nite all.
George_George
September 17th, 2012
7:11 pm
What a UGLY ballpark in MIA.
Animus
September 17th, 2012
7:12 pm
Those shots that show seats are sad – looks like less than 5K people !!!
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
7:19 pm
400th homer, ‘97 NLCS … Chipper has plenty of Marlins memories
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/17/400th-hr-97-lcs-chipper-has-many-marlins-memories/
TexanBrave
September 17th, 2012
7:20 pm
Go Bravo’s………. BTW, I’ll take credit for the Stro’s taking 3 of 4 from Phillies last weekend @ H-Town….. Had to go to 3 of the 4 games where I have a ridiculous winning percentage when in attendance…….was getting nervous last week due to Phil’s resurgence…….took care of business….Have 6 left with Crew…3 home & home…..rather face Bucs than Card’s or Crew………………….Stro’s leaving the senior circuit
No more Atl. visit…
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
7:21 pm
Marteeeeen!!
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
7:21 pm
Atta boy, ‘teen ‘teen.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
7:21 pm
And that’s why MARTEEEEEEEN is hitting in that spot
Brava
September 17th, 2012
7:21 pm
Marteeeeeeeeen!
Hillbilly
September 17th, 2012
7:22 pm
Now Ronnie and Neil became good friends
their feud was just in song
Skynyrd was a bunch of Neil Young fans
and Neil he loved that song
So He wrote “Powderfinger” for Skynyrd to record
But Ronnie ended up singing
“Sweet Home Alabama” to the lord
And Neil helped carry Ronnie
in his casket to the ground
And to my way of thinking,
us southern men need both of them around
Ronnie and Neil Ronnie and Neil
Rock stars today ain’t half as real
Speaking their minds on how they feel
Let them guitars blast for Ronnie and Neil
ER Steve
September 17th, 2012
7:22 pm
Prado is so good at hitting with 2 strikes. Wish more Braves took his lead. . .
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Been a couple of pretty nice hits so far. Simba (even though he was forced out), Freddie, and Marteeen all with really nice hits.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
UGGLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Any Uggla haters around tonight? Haha
Brava
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Uggs with da Bomb!!!!!!!
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
DANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Smashed.
ER Steve
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
UGGLA!!!!! Man I hope this guy is getting hot for the playoff run!!!!
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
UGGGGLLLAAAAA!!!
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Say whaaaaat
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Well hell, go ahead on, Danno
Animus
September 17th, 2012
7:23 pm
Nice – a 4 run 1st, give Huddy a chance to win tonight. Good for Uggla
JC Brave
September 17th, 2012
7:24 pm
I had a gut feeling that Uggla was going to do something like that tonight.
He was due.
BOOM!
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:25 pm
4 runs in the first is pretty stinkin’ good, wouldn’t ya say?
Aaron
September 17th, 2012
7:25 pm
I’m liking this game so far
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:26 pm
I still like Dan Uggla–
19 HR and 71 RBI with time to go.
And if he has a great post season, will all be forgiven?????
Also note the good D and hustle regardless of what.
Dan will have a better yr in 2013, and if he heats up come post season time — that is a winner to me.
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
7:26 pm
J Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen
Uggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggla
kelevra
September 17th, 2012
7:27 pm
5 rbi in uggla’s last 2 AB’s
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:28 pm
790 just opens its pregame show for tonight Falcon’s game with a promo for the KC/ATL game….last week’s game. What is it with the lack of professionalism with this radio market?
@Carl Farvman — That is typical 790 the schtick.
They need to just go away — and once they go away Mike Bell should never work in a real major league sports city again — He is the most unproffessional with a Capital U.
He deserves to be Booed.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
7:28 pm
I tune in a few mins late and we’re up 4-0 damn!
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:29 pm
We need a good ame from Huddy tonight.
He needs a good first inning. If he lets this get away he desreves to be Booed.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:30 pm
That grounder just got past Andy.
Got to get a good SP game from Hudson who has been up and down as of late.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:31 pm
proposed trade…..Cedric Benson for Antonio Gates…..do it?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:31 pm
Man, Uggs has always owned his old team.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
7:32 pm
Hillbilly @ 7:22
I was not familiar with that. Cool, thanks.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:33 pm
Only time I really listen to the sports radio is during the Braves broadcasts. Sometimes the Hawks though I hate the ASG.
I do not want to take it out on the players and coaches.
Its too unproffessional with too much nonsense.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
7:33 pm
WTG, Tim!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:34 pm
Man, the Bravos are takin’ care of business!!
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:34 pm
Great first from Huddy — knew he could do it.
We need him. And we have to get B Mac healthy and right however long it takes.
He has tried but it has not worked in the second half this yr and even last yrs second half.
I still want to give him another chance in 13 to see if he can recapture the old B-Mac — he is too young to be called done.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
7:35 pm
i thought building new stadiums were suppose to bring people in … you mean the Marlins ownership was wrong about that
BFChris27
September 17th, 2012
7:36 pm
Uggla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kelevra
September 17th, 2012
7:37 pm
we need somebody from the bench to start producing….i think costanza, reed, fransisco, ross are locks for the playoff roster with rev, hinkse, baker, overbay, and janish in contention for the last spot
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:38 pm
According to the Palm Beach Post, Marlins will finish the season above 2 million, highest total attendance since ‘97
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
7:38 pm
I’ve got the Marlins broadcast tonight. These cats are bad at their job.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
7:38 pm
Sopheee I always said Yunel was a head case, can’t even spell maggot right….
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:38 pm
But, yeah, I don’t see how that’s possible, b/c it looks like an empty cave every time I see highlights from there.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
7:39 pm
Disgusted still want to give him another chance in 13 to see if he can recapture the old B-Mac — he is too young to be called done.
I agree.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:39 pm
Yeah, Bat, I’ve heard the Marlins announcers on XM before…..almost fell asleep at the wheel listening to them.
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
7:39 pm
After Uggla hit the homerun, they showed Hudson in the dugout rubbing the back of his ear and then he put those fingers right at his nostrils. He was smelling the back of his ear. Ball players are weird.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
7:41 pm
usnavyvolfaninva Appears most of them were supermarket give away tickets. I wonder how many folks actually attended…
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:41 pm
There may be many dreaded T words, but really only one when talking about a pitcher’s elbow- Tommy John. (and yes, that is two words, but you KNOW WHAT I MEAN! )
@CAB — I do not like it that it might happen to Billingsley, but if it happens to Kershaw (and I do not know about his injury), that really stinks for all of baseball.
I do not like the Dodgers but baseball is a stronger game with its stars being healthy & its major markets in strong shape.
Even a team as rich as this new Dodger ownership has a limit on budgets, its not like that deal with the RS lit a fire for them. I do hope Carl Crawford is healthy for 13.
Even if they were right we might not have to worrry about the LAD this yr.
Its revenge time vs the Cards for last yr and man, that is the matchup I WANT and WANT A W vs them SO SO bad for last yr.
No injuries wanted, just throw your healthiest and best & beat em FAIR & SQUARE.
I DESPISE the Stl Cards, and I want revenge so badly.
Grizzled Veteran
September 17th, 2012
7:42 pm
I was hoping the Braves could pick up Dobbs to add to their bench. They guy can rake.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:43 pm
Gil,
I know for the Dolphins game yesterday, in order to have a “sellout” and let the locals watch the game on TV, they distributed the unsold tix to the season ticket holders. So, it was a sellout with about 20,000 people disguised as orange seats, as Skip would’ve said.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
September 17th, 2012
7:43 pm
BALLGAME!!!!!!!!
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:44 pm
Do they even have ushers in the park to check tickets? I mean, it looks to be pretty much pick your seat. Except for maybe those right behind home plate, I think you could.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:45 pm
I wish I were vistiing my friends in So FLA this week so I could catch this game.
I like going down there in the winter to catch my FLA Panthers fix. And its cooler then.
But I do have to visit that stadium some time in the summer but I do not like it there in Summer.
I like So FLA in winter.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
7:45 pm
BMac will return next spring, older, wiser and about 15 pounds lighter. I suspect we will learn he had some pretty heavy on going medical issues this season. The 13 mil will not be an issue.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
7:45 pm
Disgusted-
Kershaw’s injury is to his hip. IF he needs surgery, he may only miss about a month of next season (they are not even sure he would miss that much time)
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:46 pm
Settle down, Huddy. Get the 3rd out and none of this matters. But you don’t need to give up the run.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:46 pm
Come on Tim — Just one more out.
Coulda been a good play by Uggla but it was a stinking bad bounce.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 17th, 2012
7:47 pm
Gil I suspect we will learn he had some pretty heavy on going medical issues this season.
Don’t like the way that sounds…
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
7:47 pm
There you go.
Man, LeBlanc looks a lot like LaRoche up there. Just with more and lighter hair, but the stance is almost identical. Glad he doesn’t hit like Rochey.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
7:48 pm
I did not know that CAB — that is good I guess.
I should have but hey, that is what message boards are for. INforming each other.
And we get outta the second.
John Leonard
September 17th, 2012
7:48 pm
Did I sleep thru Monday and this is really Tuesday?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:49 pm
listening to some old musical #’s since I can’t watch the game….Figured Take Me out to the Ballgame would be appropo.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
7:49 pm
bravesgrl4life Yep, puts stadium seating in a completely different light.
Coach (2012 Fredi's Beisbol Fandango)
September 17th, 2012
7:50 pm
Huddy got his ground ball
DiamondbackMac
September 17th, 2012
7:50 pm
In the lineup I see
Simmons
Heyward
Freeeman
Something about that just looks very right.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
7:51 pm
Disgusted-
As you can imagine, lots of local talk about Kershaw- lengthy article in the paper yesterday (which I did not actually read fully) talked about the hip…
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
7:52 pm
Thought Freeman had a jack last night when I saw the double leave his bat.
mjn99
September 17th, 2012
7:52 pm
the way the pitching is set up now, the regular rotation goes such that the oct 5 wildcard playoff goes to Medlin
Fols
September 17th, 2012
7:54 pm
Nooooooo! I thought the game was just about to start…..I missed a great start!!!!!!!!!!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
7:54 pm
Kat Von D at the game
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
7:55 pm
McFann Nothing career ending, just as Heyward had a really down year last season because of a bad shoulder, I think we will learn the cyst on Mac’s shoulder caused him to alter his swing. It’s tough to take a full swing when you know it’s going to hurt like heck every time you do. You cannot help but have it in the back of your mind and it causes a lot of bad habits to begin.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
7:55 pm
Great try, kid.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
7:56 pm
Scrolling down the blog on the right hand side I see “Florida orgy ends in violence, arrests”. AJC that’s a way to get new readers.. def got my attention lol.. let me click and see what that’s all about…
phil
September 17th, 2012
7:57 pm
4-0….
That’s all?
Lol
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
7:58 pm
Kat_
Old story, not much of an orgy.
phil
September 17th, 2012
7:58 pm
Kat – it’s been there for several weeks….sigh
Kat
September 17th, 2012
7:58 pm
And when I clicked on the link one of the comments is from a ‘Kat’ hah..I knew someone had registered that name before I could.
phil
September 17th, 2012
7:59 pm
Hudson should start the WC game.
Zero question. I’ve known it all along.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
8:00 pm
phil and Bat — clearly I don’t pay attention to orgy news in the south, my bad.
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:02 pm
Mike Tirico has always bugged me….
Fire him!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:02 pm
Kat
My Northern friends would say that in the South, they’re family reunions.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:04 pm
Phil,
You think you can go one night without calling for someone to be fired? LOL
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:04 pm
Does that orgy bunch have a blog?
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:05 pm
Not likely, navy…
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
8:05 pm
Not a smart play Marteen….not at all.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:05 pm
orgy (ˈɔːdʒɪ)
— n , pl -gies
1. a wild gathering marked by promiscuous sexual activity, excessive drinking, etc
2. an act of immoderate or frenzied indulgence
3. ( often plural ) secret religious rites of Dionysus, Bacchus, etc, marked by drinking, dancing, and songs
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
8:06 pm
Kat_
Hey it got me, too. They have a different definition of orgy than I do.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
8:06 pm
Dan is dancing again. Go back and look at the video of the homer and you’ll see that he was not dancing up there. I’m convinced that if he stopped dancing, he’d hit more.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
8:06 pm
Haha.. well at least we’re diverting the conversation from the game because we’re up rather than the other way around.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:08 pm
I was curious as to the word origin more than anything else…and I have to pretend to watch on Gamecast, so being my ADD self, I have nothing better to do.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:09 pm
Baker!!!!!!!!
BFChris27
September 17th, 2012
8:09 pm
Baker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
8:09 pm
Yay, newer new guy!
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
Baker with an RBI single in his first start for Braves
Kat
September 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
Go Baker!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
Fair enough, usn. Orgy then.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
8:10 pm
Nice bit of hitting by Baker, stayed on that pitch nicely. I’m thinking he will be Matt Diaz’s replacement next season.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:11 pm
Baker will have a new fan club at Turner Field called the “Baker’s Dozen”…they’ll all be wearing Chef Boyardee hats…remember, you heard it here first.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
8:11 pm
usnavyvolfaninva … you can watch the game here: http://www.vipboxsports.eu/watch/73186/1/miami-marlins-vs-atlanta-braves-live-stream-online.html
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
5-0!
BFChris27
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
Huddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
Haha- Huddy thought he was out
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
Or maybe he was out?
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
Thanks LeBlanc!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:12 pm
Kat,
Thanks…. curiously, did you post that link to get me to stop talking about orgies, because I’m done.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:13 pm
I like this September better than the last!
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:13 pm
Wow CB Bucknor got that one right, should not have been overturned….
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:14 pm
Ummm..can we get one of those replacement NFL refs in here?
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:14 pm
Wow, why does that guy still have a job?
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:14 pm
Wow good thing that this isnt too close of a game, two botched calls in one inning against us.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:14 pm
CB Buckner makes my brain hurt. I need wine…
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
Wasn’t going to blog tonight but both of those were safe.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
You know you’re going to have something go wrong when Bucknor’s umpiring.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
You know you’re going to have something go wrong when Bucknor’s umpiring.
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
CB Buckner is utterly incompetent. He’s not competent to call single A games.
Amazing.
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
In CB Bucknor’s defense, he had the first call right before being over turned by the Home plate umpire, then just flat out missed the next one.
Kat
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
usnavyvolfaninva .. no I was half attempting to be nice. Remember I was the one who pointed out the article haha.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
8:17 pm
good one CAB
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:17 pm
Bucknor deserves no defense…..
Constant screw ups with him.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
8:18 pm
And he’ll be at home plate tomorrow, wooh!
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:18 pm
Is there one person on this blog who can explain objectively why C.B. Bucknor has a job as a major league umpire.
This guy is not competent to umpire a dumpster league.
This BUMB belongs in a dupster and I don’t think he could even be a competend dumster diver.
There is ZERO accountability as far as umpiring in MLB. Its a welfare state when it comes to protecting these completely incompetent bozo umpires.
MLB will never do a thing to remove these incompetent BUMBS — once they are there they are as immovable as members of Congress. And that is incompetence.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:18 pm
I know. I picked up the ball and ran with it, just didn’t know if I’d taken it to the house yet.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
8:18 pm
Braves notes: Baker gets first start (and first hit) since trade; McCann update; Chipper an award finalist
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/17/baker-gets-his-first-braves-start-and-first-hit/
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:19 pm
“Bucknor deserves no defense…..”
He called Huddy safe and then was overturned by another umpire so he probably was hesitant to call another guy safe haha
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:20 pm
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:16 pm
In CB Bucknor’s defense, he had the first call right before being over turned by the Home plate umpire, then just flat out missed the next one.
I’m watching the Marlins feed but it looked like Carlos Lee’s foot came off the bag on Hudson’s hit. Did it look different in ATL?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:20 pm
He has a job, probably b/c his initials stand for Collective Bargaining.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:20 pm
What does CB Bucknor and the U.S. Congress both have in common.
Their level of incompetence.
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:20 pm
Hudson is crap….
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:21 pm
Hudson deserves to be Booed.
He is BUMB.
He is letting this get away.
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:21 pm
Bring back Linebrink!!
AtlFan
September 17th, 2012
8:21 pm
First of phil, shut the hell up. Second, why does CB Blowhard still have a job as an upmire?
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
8:22 pm
yep, still would be a bit uncomfortable having Huddy start a 1-gamer
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
8:22 pm
Ok, Huddy, settle down now.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:22 pm
“He has a job, probably b/c his initials stand for Collective Bargaining.”
Now — that is a great line US Navy.
kelevra
September 17th, 2012
8:22 pm
good thing we got 6 on the board because it looks like we have bad hudson tonight
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:22 pm
OK Huddy get one more out and you are not a BUMB anymore.
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
“I’m watching the Marlins feed but it looked like Carlos Lee’s foot came off the bag on Hudson’s hit. Did it look different in ATL?”
Oh it was definitely off the bag, and Bucknor called him safe. Then they had an umpire conference and reversed the call.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
Wow, Huddy is imploding.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
8:23 pm
It’s a baseball game now folks.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
Hudson needs to be pulled, this inning is a disgrace and Hudson IS a BUMB and the worst P in All of MLB.
Why is he letting this lead getting away — We are going to be losing if this garbage keeps up.
BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
No sink at all in that sinker. He has totally lost that pitch this year.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
C B Bucknor should be excecuted.
Peter R.
September 17th, 2012
8:24 pm
Glad we have an option for next year with Hudson. Facing the Marlins’ hella fail lineup and can’t throw a strike. No movement left on that 88 mph fastball.
Gil In Mechanicsville
September 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
Uh Oh….
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
Hudson is falling to pieces
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
Hudson. You are getting worse each game as the season progresses. Get him out of there before its too late.
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:25 pm
Hudson. You are getting worse each game as the season progresses. Get him out of there before its too late.
phil
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
Second of all, Atlfan, why don’t you go straight to the hot place after you stick it in your big fat ear….
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
Dude…..please Gonzo…..please take him out.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
What the fudge is happening? Sometimes I think the pitching does better when you only give them a one run lead. Jeebers.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
This is no bueno.
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
Hudson POS.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:26 pm
They do not need to remew the option for Hudson next yr this BUMB is done he is a BUMB.
Washed up and this Braves team is losing or will be once this inning is over.
This a a disgrace the the worst baseball ever.
Lakewood
September 17th, 2012
8:27 pm
Hudson is much better when he doesn’t have a lead to work with. Crazy, but true..
kelevra
September 17th, 2012
8:27 pm
9 hits in 4 innings….wow huddy
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
I would NOT send Huddy back out there. We need all these games.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
See the stink-eye Huddy shot CB.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
Well Well —- Bronx cheer clapp clapp clapp— sarcasim.
You lousy BUMB giving up 4 runs this is not good.
BOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
smallmouth6
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
Disgusted: Tonight’s DH
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
The bleeding stops. But if he gives up any in the next inning, yank him out. I’d like to see him go longer than 4, but not if he’s going to give up the game like that.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:28 pm
C B Bucknor is costing us this game.
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:29 pm
Hudson is throwing nothing but meatballs. Frediot get him out of there. Of course we know he will not until its too late. Well, its too late NOW.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:30 pm
I don’t know who I am more POed with –
C B Bucknor or Tim Hudson.
Both parties are guilty with a capital G.
Hudson is lousy tonight. Worst pitcher in all of baseball.
SpinMeister
September 17th, 2012
8:31 pm
Looks like Hudson’s stock is falling faster than USC in the football polls
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:31 pm
Simmons swinging like he’s at Pebble Beach.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:33 pm
Spin,
Good one…except I don’t like Hudson’s fall.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:34 pm
Pitcher has a 15.53 ERA. what do you think will happen this inning?
Trey
September 17th, 2012
8:34 pm
Umpires don’t deserve unions.
TBbravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:35 pm
and now we stop hitting
Animus
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
SpinMeister – you must mean USC (west) – cause USC (east) is one of the four SEC teams in the top 7! (8 in the USA poll) :O
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
Boo..
TBbravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
wow best pitcher in baseball
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
Another rookie pitcher dominates us that innning….we brought his ERA down to 12.00
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
Its Monday. We can even BLOW a 6 nothing lead.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
8:36 pm
“what do you think will happen this inning?”
i’m guessing he strikes out the side
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
8:37 pm
well you didn’t like the 6 run lead Huddy, lets see if you like a 2 run lead
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:37 pm
The fragile psychies return.
TBbravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:38 pm
yall think timmy will have a 123 like that
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:38 pm
The EOY choke is not out of the question yet.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
8:38 pm
Huddy, if you blow this game, . . .
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:39 pm
Wow.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:39 pm
Tying run to the plate.
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:39 pm
Hudson just plain sux!!!
JC Brave
September 17th, 2012
8:41 pm
Batting practice.
Ralph
September 17th, 2012
8:41 pm
Is Fruti glued to that seat in the dougout?
Ralph
September 17th, 2012
8:42 pm
Why did we bring up all those extra pitchers?
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
8:46 pm
Falcons pick Peyton.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:46 pm
Nice catch JASON!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:46 pm
Heyward!!
phoenix
September 17th, 2012
8:46 pm
Frediot is watching this disaster, probably deciding Hudson should pitch a one-game WildCard playoff.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
8:46 pm
Great catch, Jason. Saved Huddy’s bacon.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:47 pm
Great job Huddy….please be done.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:47 pm
Hudson is lucky to have given up just 4 runs to date.
Fredi needs to pull him after 5 cause he is not doing the job tonight — great catch by Heyward to bail Huddy out.
Huddy deserves to be Booed tonight —— He stinks bad. He is a BUMB.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:47 pm
Wow- did the refs really call that a touchdown?
SpinMeister
September 17th, 2012
8:48 pm
Looks like Hudson has pitched his way out of the coin flip game. Still like to see a win, but that’s good news at least.
BFChris27
September 17th, 2012
8:48 pm
JHey!!!!!!
phoenix
September 17th, 2012
8:48 pm
Joe Simpson: “I don’t know how C. B. Bucknor has a job in major league baseball.” Oh yes, you do Joe. We all know why he has a job.
Animus
September 17th, 2012
8:48 pm
JHey – really covering some ground tonite!
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
8:48 pm
OK Fredidiot. Hudson has got his 5 innings in so get him out.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:49 pm
call reversed.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:49 pm
Marteeeeen!
phoenix
September 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
Forgive me if I missed it…does anyone know why Braves organist Matt Kaminski was silenced over the weekend against the Nats?
Animus
September 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
Prado is just a pro – 173 hits this year – impressive. Don’t know what he’s going to cost next year, but he’s worth it!!!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
That is a touchdown.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
call reversed.
Got that one right on replay
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:50 pm
cab,
I’m starting Alex Smith next week. Thought you’d appreciate.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
8:51 pm
Well, they got the TD anyway and that is good.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
8:51 pm
usnavyvolfaninva-
If he has a bad game, I’m blaming you
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:53 pm
Hey, I’m not the angel of death.. my players do well for the most part… however, I DID kinda forget to seat Antonio Gates after he got hurt.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:54 pm
…..and I thought I had swapped Dan Carpenter for Atlanta’s kicker, but I didn’t. Now I have to root for the Broncos (well, at least Willis McGahee).
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
8:55 pm
dang 5 outs, 5 Ks for Koehler
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
8:55 pm
Best pitcher in baseball right now
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
8:55 pm
Hanging curve, if we throw that to a Marlins hitter it wont stay in the ball park but we strike out….
Animus
September 17th, 2012
8:56 pm
Hanging curve, if we throw that to a Marlins hitter it wont stay in the ball park but we strike out…. LOOKING
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
8:56 pm
Manning……picked again!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
8:56 pm
Peyton with the INT. Good. Hate rooting against Peyton, but my opponent has him.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
8:56 pm
Bucknor must have nekkid, compromising pictures of somebody high up to still have a job as a ML umpire.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
8:58 pm
Whoa! Another pick for the Falcons
kerryb
September 17th, 2012
8:58 pm
Freddie has the pitching staff lined up for Hudson to pitch a one game playoff. Anyone feel confident about that?
kerryb
September 17th, 2012
8:58 pm
Freddie has the pitching staff lined up for Hudson to pitch a one game playoff. Anyone feel confident about that?
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:00 pm
Somehow i thought HUDDY was due for a struggle. But you all know he’ll battle to the end of his strength. Time for C-MART then KIMBREL, but at 87 pitches, I’m sure FREDI will run him out there to get one more inning in, and you know TIMMY will answer the bell to go.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:00 pm
Fredi did not line up the pitching staff for Huddy to pitch that game. That is the way the rotation fell naturally.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
9:00 pm
Hudson out after 5 IP, gave up 10 hits, 4 R (all earned), with no walks nor strikeouts. Threw 58 strikes in 81 pitches.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:02 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones-
The only reason Huddy is still pitching is because his spot is due up 1st and I’m sure they would prefer to have the next guy pitch more than an inning if he can (now, if someone gets on, I bet he’s pulled)
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:02 pm
Julio Jones pulled a Calvin Johnson on that pass.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:02 pm
Damn Julio
kerryb
September 17th, 2012
9:04 pm
Medlin needs to pitch the playoff game and if we win let Hudson pitch the first game.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:04 pm
Yay, Andrelton.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:04 pm
OK, I totally missed the pitching change. Forget that last comment
(clearly, I need to pay less attention to the blog and more to the game)
Trey
September 17th, 2012
9:04 pm
Wonderful, pools at baseball stadiums.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:04 pm
kerryb:
With some rest between now and then….yes. SHEETS and/or DELGADO need a start. I still would start MAHOLM and lift him after three in favor of SHEETS then C-MART after six. AVILAN can’t handle three innings at this point…..in fact, prolly never will.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:05 pm
AZ has one too, Trey. Pools are so cutting edge.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:05 pm
C’mon, McGahee!!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:07 pm
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:02 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones-
“……The only reason Huddy is still pitching is because his spot is due up 1st and I’m sure they would prefer to have the next guy pitch more than an inning if he can (now, if someone gets on, I bet he’s pulled)……”
Can’t see the game or hear it anywhere, so i peek at ESPN HQ for the box on occasion. See DOB just said HUDDY was done. I’m sure he’s not happy about it, but he needs the rest.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:09 pm
Ghost of Chipper Jones-
Yeah, I typed a retraction about 3 posts later- I just missed it
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:12 pm
Birds and bravos !!!!
Dabba deuce is down o no
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
9:12 pm
Dang offesne, please comeback…..
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:12 pm
This Falcons defense is looking unreal today.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
9:12 pm
Manning……picked yet again.
That’s three!!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:14 pm
Damn 3 picks of Peyton ……… So far
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:15 pm
Turn out the lights
The party’s over….DANDY DON
Mitchell
September 17th, 2012
9:16 pm
Nice work by Tim tonight.
Come on Huddy.
I think it’s got to be Medlen to start the wild card game.
I wish there was enough reason to trust Tim in a one game, win or go home contest so Medlen can start Game 1 but recently, there just hasn’t been.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:16 pm
BAT:
BRONCOS still winning?
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:19 pm
10 to Zip Falcons, richbrave.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
9:19 pm
Good job.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
9:20 pm
Watching a 6 run lead just evaporate.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
9:20 pm
i hate these Monday games
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
9:20 pm
That was easy, at least…
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:20 pm
Mitchell:
MEDS in the play-in game, and HUDDY in Game one, then MINOR in two, MEDS again in three on four days rest.
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:22 pm
Bucknor has relatives calling the Falcons game…..pathetic fools.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:23 pm
Oh crap, no day between the play-in and the start of the play-offs….well, MEDS in the fourth game on four days rest
DAM
September 17th, 2012
9:23 pm
Gearrin over Venters and Moylan? Hmm.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:24 pm
Falcons getting robbed by these half ass incompetent replacement officials.
The interference call should have stood — refs are incompetent.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:24 pm
there we go, mcgahee!
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:24 pm
3 picks of Peyton won’t matter.
They’re gonna shred us in time.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:24 pm
BAT:
Does my fellow alum LAWRENCE SIDBURY get any PT?
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:24 pm
Falcons getting robbed by these half ass incompetent replacement officials.
The interference call should have stood — refs are incompetent.
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
9:25 pm
Fraid our run production is over for tonight.
brian
September 17th, 2012
9:25 pm
I love watching the ball come off Heyward’s bat. Great to see the pop back
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:27 pm
Braves are ging to blow a 6-0 lead — that is a disgrace.
Blame in both C B Bucknor and that disgraceful BUMB Tim Hudson who was lousy tonight.
Mitchell
September 17th, 2012
9:27 pm
Mike Dunn sucks.
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:27 pm
6-5…..
BOOOOOOOOOO!!
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:27 pm
No, the Pass Interference should NOT have stood. If the ball is tipped, there is no pass interference.
brian
September 17th, 2012
9:28 pm
3 int of manning in the first half if shocking
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:28 pm
The Braves did not avoid a slip up vs the Marlins.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:30 pm
rich
Nope
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:30 pm
Tony Gonzalez….
BOOOOOOOOO!!
Keep screwing around, Birds.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:31 pm
The relpacement refs should have got it right in the first place — and hey, I don’t care about the interpretation — I want the calls to go my way and screw everything else.
A call against the Falcons is a bad call.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:31 pm
Wish they’d let Matty air one out. Playing it safe just like last season.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:32 pm
Recovered fumble for Atlanta
4 turnovers for Denver
Damn
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:32 pm
Recovered fumble for Atlanta
4 turnovers for Denver
Damn
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:32 pm
Somebody needs to clock out these replacement refs.
They should never officiate again.
I need to be out there & would take care of business for the Birds. The Broncos can just shut up and go home.
Trey
September 17th, 2012
9:32 pm
navy, I know.
It’s a shame. It’s a waste of money. If you wanna go swimming, go to the local pool, or creek, or lake.
Trey
September 17th, 2012
9:33 pm
or river.
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:33 pm
Disgusted-
That call is one that you see challenged a fair amount, given that the ref that throws the flag is rarely looking at anything but the receiver/db. Which is why it’s challengeable
M.V.P.Heyward
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen is the man.
M.V.P.Heyward
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen is the man.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
C’mon, Teen, straighten it out!
Brava
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeen!
Mitchell
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
Martin, sac fly.
Come on.
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
There aint no way you can reward that football to anybody but the person coming out of that pile with it and that was a Denver player….
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
Ray Edwards…..sigh
Idiot.
These refs…horrid.
Animus
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
4-4 night for Prado? Just a consummate pro.
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
9:34 pm
MARTEEN!!!
BFChris27
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
Insurance runs
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
I like that — Number 93 Red.
They do not even know which city or team they are in or reffing.
And why are these announcers making excuses for them — these guys are horrible and need to be sent home at halftime.
I could do a better job than these clowns. A WWE ref could do better.
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
3 picks and a fumble and I have to say those refs did a good job breaking up that situation
Animus
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
Uggla showing off the wheels
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
Good hustle, Uggs!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
Uggs doing the hustle!
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
9:35 pm
A call against the Falcons is a bad call.
Ha, can’t argue with that.
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!
Animus
September 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
And CB actually called it correctly – will wonders never cease?
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
Birds need points…..
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
A call against the Falcons is a bad call.
Let’s add the Braves to that too.
Mitchell
September 17th, 2012
9:36 pm
That’s Martin Prado, pitcher.
Whoever you are. Whatever his name is.
That is Martin Prado for you.
Deal with it.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:37 pm
C B Bucknor makes a correct call for a change — Wow!!!!!!!!
And I switch over and these refs still have it out of control.
I want to be the head ref of every Falcon and Braves game & the calls would go for the good guys.
phil
September 17th, 2012
9:37 pm
Ross…..
BOOOOOOOO!!
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:38 pm
I promise I’ll fire up the DVR and watch you later ‘teen ‘teen!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
9:38 pm
The play-by-play is locked up. What’s up in the baseball game?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:40 pm
Someone should check Facebook and see if CB “likes” the Marlins. You never know.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
9:40 pm
Pro Wrestling is real
That sport gets by with refs getting knocked out, trampled upon and the matches go on.
We do not need Umps and refs.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
9:40 pm
Uhhh. Falcons tanking this on purpose?
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:40 pm
Dang, Ryan can scramble!
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:41 pm
Rooooooooooooooooooooddy!!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:43 pm
Dan flashes the leather!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:43 pm
Dan flashes the leather!
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:43 pm
deuce 84 Enter your comments here
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:43 pm
deuce 84 Enter your comments here
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
9:44 pm
Tony GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
9:46 pm
For all intensive purposes, C.B. Bucknor is a crime shame.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:46 pm
This is so sad…games are long enough without the replacement refs making them longer.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
I wish John Fox would shut up and sit down. This game is taking forever.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
come on EOF, get out of this thing
Animus
September 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
Malapropism – very good sir.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
Good call EOF. Let’s walk a horrible hitter. They’ll never see it coming.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:47 pm
C’mon, EOF!!
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
Great job Uggla. Great job,
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
DAMN, Uggla is SAVING the Braves tonight!!!
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
All Star play by uggla. Showed some range IMO.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
nice one Ugga
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
NICE DANNY!!!
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
And some people on here complain about Uggla’s defense….
Brava
September 17th, 2012
9:48 pm
Beautiful play by Uggs!!!!
M.V.P.Heyward
September 17th, 2012
9:49 pm
WOW, Uggla flashing the leather!!!!
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
9:51 pm
I guess if you’re going to get hot, the end of the season would be a good time. Uggla still needs work going up the middle. To the hole, he’s terrific.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:53 pm
Freddy showing off that 11 foot tall range too.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
One heckuva game Uggla’s having.
Love it!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
So much for my over/under on the MNF game being 95 points.
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
9:54 pm
When did Mike Bobo start calling plays for the Falcons?
RBI
September 17th, 2012
9:56 pm
Bourn, 0-5
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
9:56 pm
Freddie’s got about 88 feet of range?
A Different Place and TIme
September 17th, 2012
9:57 pm
After being a Constanza advocate last year, I have to say I’m 180 degrees different this year..
The guy has been pretty much worthless this year. Someone in his position has to force the team to consider him as a viable piece of the team for the rest of this year and next year. He hasn’t done that. He has looked overmatched virtually every time he has hit this year. Adding insult to injury, his botched steal attempt the other night made him look pretty ordinary to say the least.
Breaking News-AP Wire
September 17th, 2012
9:57 pm
Hinske sucks.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:57 pm
All right, CK, 9 pitches and we’re out of here.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
9:58 pm
ESPN’s website is going bananas. Showing the score as 6-4.
Ryan
September 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
Hinski, Overbay and Constanza should not be considered for playoff roster spots. Better off sending a righty up against a righty than have one of those three go up looking like fools.
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
And cowdogit weeps…
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
C’mon, Falcons…you can stop anyone but McGahee…please.
kerryb
September 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
There should be a rule that if you are ahead by at least 5 games in the wild card there is no playoff game. A team that wins the wild card by 8 games should not have to play a one game playoff. Bud Selig must have been drunk when he came up with or approved this.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
9:59 pm
Falcons cheerleaders…..melikes.
RBI
September 17th, 2012
10:00 pm
I agree, Ryan. This team has no real “bench”.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:01 pm
Dangit, Freeman!!
T-Dawg
September 17th, 2012
10:01 pm
Come on Kimmie. Please
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
10:01 pm
Settle down guys!
SOS Braves
September 17th, 2012
10:02 pm
Freeman’s defensive ability has become Little League.
Brava
September 17th, 2012
10:02 pm
You were a Constanza advocate last year? I don’t remember ever seeing your moniker before.
Mitchell
September 17th, 2012
10:03 pm
Kimbrel pitching in a game that was 6-0 in the 4th inning.
Not what we needed.
Fredo
September 17th, 2012
10:03 pm
5 games back
Brava
September 17th, 2012
10:04 pm
Great job, Kimmeh!
Braves win!!!!!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:04 pm
BALLGAME!
cabravesfan
September 17th, 2012
10:04 pm
KIMMIE!
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
10:05 pm
Roddy !!!
Kimmie!!!
Bravefaninok
September 17th, 2012
10:05 pm
Another W for the good guys!!!!
ACE
September 17th, 2012
10:06 pm
Another one bites the dust. and another one gone and another one gone
keyLargo
September 17th, 2012
10:06 pm
5 out.
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Harry DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
I like Harry Douglas
ACE
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Half way home tonight. Need the Falcons to follow through.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Thanks ACE…if you’re going to pick a song by Queen after a win, I prefer that one.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Way to go, boys! Screw Mondays.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:07 pm
Man, the Falcons game is turning into a laugher.
abeeeewright
September 17th, 2012
10:08 pm
Weird game. Huddy goes five, gives up four runs, and gets the win.
Lots of hits by both squads.
Braves are five back, six in the loss column.
chipontheroad
September 17th, 2012
10:08 pm
Tonyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy GGGGGGGGGGGG
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
10:08 pm
Whoa, Matt Ryan’s arm looks significantly better so far this year.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 17th, 2012
10:08 pm
NYTOL. I see the good guys won. Four down and we need eight more of these against the FISH and METS.
ACE
September 17th, 2012
10:08 pm
The Falcons have the Gonzalez.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
10:09 pm
I am glad we have a shut down closer like Kimbrell.
One more for da good guys.
And now its 20-0 for the Falcons — a good night in ATL sports this time.
Harry Douglass is a good man to have — he is not a BUMB. No one is a BUMB tonight.
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
10:10 pm
He’s been practicing Mixxo. I really do think he’s taken the next step this year. Hopefully, they let him loose more often and he actually gets to throw.
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
10:10 pm
Might be the best Monday in Atlanta in some time…..
‘
NEXT WEEK: At San Diego — 50-yard line, baby!
brian
September 17th, 2012
10:11 pm
Great win by the braves. Uggla had the big hit and the big defensive play
The A Bomb
September 17th, 2012
10:12 pm
Kudos to Uggla for delivering as well.
Breaking News-AP Wire
September 17th, 2012
10:12 pm
Overbay sucks.
phoenix
September 17th, 2012
10:12 pm
McCann throws out baserunners 25% of the time. David Ross throws them out 43% of the time. Impressive, Mr. Ross.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
10:13 pm
Yeah Sopheee, this ‘new’ offensive scheme will open some things up for him I hope. He looks like he’s been doing his homework alright.
phoenix
September 17th, 2012
10:14 pm
Prado is a runaway choice for Braves MVP, with Kimbrel second, and Freeman third. He has saved Uggla & the other infielders at least 30 throwing errors this year.
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
10:14 pm
That call is one that you see challenged a fair amount, given that the ref that throws the flag is rarely looking at anything but the receiver/db. Which is why it’s challengeable
@CAB — In the end it did not gurt us much but John Fox is just a pain in the tail in this game. I wish he would shut up and go home after we finish the job and kick his tail.
All the Falcons have to do is play disciplined and do their job now and this one is a W.
DawgNole
September 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
WHEW!
Now, if the Falcons will just do their part . . . .
Disgusted
September 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
Another bad call.
These rules this day in time is ridiculous — you cannot play defense.
This is worse than the Arena League.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
A Monday win. Those have been hard to come by in 2012. Some decent offense picked up Huddy’s struggles. And the bullpen didn’t do too badly. See you guys and girls for tomorrow’s game. May be late as hubby and I are going for a nice walk at Rock Creek Park out here in our digs.
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
10:19 pm
“Another bad call.
These rules this day in time is ridiculous — you cannot play defense.
This is worse than the Arena League.”
If your talking about the defensive holding just called on the 4th down play, that’s about the most obvious call of the night. It was just embarassing that the ref right on top of the play didn’t throw his flag and the ref 10 yards away had to throw it. Of course not to mention the fumble that was given to Atlanta when a Denver player came out of the pile with it, still trying to figure that one out. Ain’t no way a ref can get down in a pile like that and see who has the ball on the ground, have to wait and see who comes out of the pile with it.
Ken Stallings
September 17th, 2012
10:20 pm
The Braves are rolling toward post-season. With tonight’s win at Miami, the Braves are now just 5 games back of the Nationals with 14 games remaining to catch them. The Nats, Cardinals, and Dodgers were all idle tonight. The Nats will now play the Dodgers, and frankly, I would like to see the Dodgers sweep the Nats and give the Braves a real shot at closing down the gap for the division.
The Cardinals will also start their series at home versus the Astros on Tuesday. So, one wonders how much help the Astros could provide.
Magic number over the Dodgers is now 7 games and over the Cardinals by 8 games.
bravesgrl4life
September 17th, 2012
10:20 pm
With you 100%, Ken Stallings. Go Dodgers!
ncbravesfan90
September 17th, 2012
10:25 pm
Dang, what a catch….
Kat
September 17th, 2012
10:26 pm
FYI for those in the Atl area ..
@JimCantore
Best chance of a #tornado going forward tonight is east of #Atlanta: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1954.html
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
10:27 pm
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
This situation only fuels Yunel Escobar’s rep as a teammate who just doesn’t get it.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:28 pm
Enter your comments here
HooRah
September 17th, 2012
10:28 pm
I can’t believe they started that worthless bumb Uggla again. He has been crap every day for two seasons, when are they gonna learn?
bobbymahlon
September 17th, 2012
10:28 pm
This is supposed to be about the Braves and the Marlins so where do you Falcon fans come from.
That was and should have been and error on Freeman and not a hit charged to Kimbrel. Once again if a player has to run to catch a fly ball or run to field a ground ball they give the hitter a hit if the out is not made. In high school these are errors.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:35 pm
Tombstone
phil
September 17th, 2012
10:39 pm
Nice win, men!
Keep mashing the gas.
nolie
September 17th, 2012
10:49 pm
well good win. I think I guessed 85-88 wins in the spring so it looks for sure like they are gonna beat that total. Good for them!!
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
10:49 pm
Braves get the win, we get the bobblehead
http://twitter.yfrog.com/hw7avqnj
Sopheee
September 17th, 2012
10:49 pm
This is supposed to be about the Braves and the Marlins so where do you Falcon fans come from.
Yeah, Bat what he said. How dare you?
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
10:49 pm
I agree with Uggla and Brian Jordan – that one game playoff game is scary. Think of all the weird and wacky things that can happen in a game. That sucks too if we lost because we’ve shown we’re better than any of STL, MIL, LA. It will make for a long winter for everybody.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:52 pm
It’s all about me and what I want, Soph.
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:52 pm
It’s all about me and what I want, Soph.
nolie
September 17th, 2012
10:52 pm
yeah I hate the one game cat’s ass trophy too
REMLEY
September 17th, 2012
10:52 pm
Is Heath Bell having a bobblehead night?
Bat Masterson
September 17th, 2012
10:54 pm
Oh yeah,
Go Falcons!!
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:54 pm
Nice, DOB…maybe it’s actually a voodoo doll. You should pin his arms down every time he comes up to bat.
REMLEY
September 17th, 2012
10:56 pm
Yea that one game play in game is a joke another of Bud “lites” made for TV money deals
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
10:56 pm
FALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONSFALCONS.FALCONS…..oh, wait, this is about baseball…..sorry.
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
10:57 pm
This wild card set up won’t last. It’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen in baseball. WTF man! No, tough shi*.-you weren’t even a good enough team to even get a WC spot to begin with. I would say the same thing if the Braves were where the other 3 or 4 teams behind us are right now. Of course I wouldn’t be so mad about it, but I’d still say it’s dumb and pretty unfair.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2012
10:57 pm
Maaan Matty is picking ‘em apart!
nolie
September 17th, 2012
10:58 pm
if you mean that they will do away with the second wild card Brian, I disagree
REMLEY
September 17th, 2012
11:00 pm
The LED tomahawk give away on the 29th looks really cool
Venice Jim
September 17th, 2012
11:02 pm
Nice job, Matty!
Bravefaninok
September 17th, 2012
11:02 pm
If there was no 2nd wildcard ..there would be about 4 less teams in each league in contention.
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
11:03 pm
nolie, that’s what I think, but everything is about money and I’d guess there’s some money to made with the 2nd wild card team getting a chance. I just think there’s going to be some really, REALLY ticked off Braves players and fans if we lose that one game, especially in one of those wacky losses. Of course that’s one team and their fans, so maybe they don’t give a rats ass.
usnavyvolfaninva
September 17th, 2012
11:03 pm
The fairest way to do two WC’s is to do it like the old-school NFL style… the two WC’s play each other in a 3 or 5-game series, while all the Division winners get a first-round bye. See the problem? the WC winner’s played a week’s worth of ball while every other team left gets an extra week of rest. It’s not ideal, but the fairest. For the record, I DON’T support the two WC format either.
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
11:04 pm
Also the AL might have some disgusted players and fans of that team in our position.
Interested Bystander
September 17th, 2012
11:10 pm
Life’s good. The ribs look good and the Braves win.
nolie
September 17th, 2012
11:12 pm
anything else takes too long at this time of year, pushing baseball games even further into October and possible bad weather. I am not really a fan either
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:22 pm
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/20215425/from-july-sellers-to-september-semi–contenders-with-no-regrets
Dum-Bass
September 17th, 2012
11:28 pm
Anybody in Chicago want to see a really late-night game, go on out to Wiggly Field. That would be fun and I would do it, if there. Should let fans in free! They are about to start that rain-delayed game at 11:40PM. Seriously, they are. Cubs and Pirates. Pittsburgh still in the WC hunt so maybe that’s why. Wow, wonder what time they will finish? Perhaps a 20 inning game would be fitting.
ColoradoBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:30 pm
Yunel Escobar’s eye black contained gay slur
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/yunel-escobar-eye-black-contained-gay-slur-photo-221529843–mlb.html
Yunel Escobar has always been a controversial player, though the source of the public’s angst has mostly been derived from the difference between expectations and actual production.
The Toronto Blue Jays shortstop, however, finds himself in a bit of hot water as it has been pointed out that Escobar took the field on Saturday with a gay slur printed in Spanish on his eye black. The “tu ere maricon” (sic) can be translated to “you are a f—-t” and was first pointed out by @james_in_to_, a Jays fan who took a similar picture from behind the Toronto dugout.
Escobar has some explaining to do, but there is some reason to reserve judgment. Former Jays pitcher Dirk Hayhurst believes it to be a clubhouse prank — which basically just means there’s a different source for such blatant homophobia. There’s also the fact that Escobar sometimes wears eye black with funny sayings, so this would be out of character. (These, for instance, read “CHILLING”)
Here’s the thing, though: Eye black now comes in a strip or sticker form and players can write motivational sayings (think Tim Tebow) before applying themselves. There would be no need for Escobar to ask another player to write on his face. The handwriting in the “CHILLING” picture also matches the handwriting from the photo above.
No matter the explanation, it goes without saying that the Blue Jays definitely need to address this. Major League Baseball is already looking into the matter as ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:34 pm
Huddy still making me nervous… not liking what I saw. Struggled again when given a big lead. Please please please don’t let him start the 1-game playoff. Unless he has a really short leash (like first batter to get on, he’s out!) The guy has to be hurting, imo. Hope he gets healthy this offseason.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2012
11:38 pm
Updated GAME STORY
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/17/ugglas-3-run-homer-prados-4-hits-help-braves-beat-marlins/
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:40 pm
Despite the earned run charged to Gearrin, still liking him for our ‘pen next year…
nolie
September 17th, 2012
11:43 pm
not all that sold on Gearrin, but I’m sure he will get consideration next spring
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 17th, 2012
11:46 pm
Just in case you didn’t think/know that Turner is done…
Jeff Schultz @JeffSchultzAJC
Matt Ryan has 4 carries for 22 yards. …. Michael Turner has 12 carries for 17 yards.
MikeInFl
September 17th, 2012
11:49 pm
Yep, TOBF. Nice game for the Falcons. Sure would be nice to be able to pound the ball up the gut, with a big lead. Better find a running game somewhere along the line, I think.
ChattTownBrian
September 17th, 2012
11:59 pm
I have a pretty good feeling we’ll be facing Carpenter in the one gamer. I just don’t see the Nats losing enough games for us to catch them.
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
12:02 am
This game should not be as close as it is right now.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2012
12:04 am
This game should not be as close as it is right now.
It wouldn’t be if Denver’s Quarterback was not named Manning
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:04 am
Those drops early hurt. Defense has done okay, but we still needed to score more in the 2nd half.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:05 am
I guess we could use Snelling more, but he’s kinda our FB now. And Quizz is too small, not physical enough.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:08 am
Wow, Turner got a nice run! Game over! Denver’s out of timeouts.
Ball came out, but Turner was down. =)
Sopheee
September 18th, 2012
12:10 am
Nice win.
Still wish they’d let Ryan go all out since the running game isn’t what it used to be. They’ll improve each week though. Defense was highly impressive for most of the game, very exciting to watch.
Perfect sports night in Atlanta! Yay.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:12 am
Still wish they’d let Ryan go all out since the running game isn’t what it used to be.
This!!! Worked for Manning in Indy and Brady in NE… I trust Ryan to throw the ball. Trying to run with Turner isn’t helping much, hasn’t since late last year.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:34 am
Skimming the blog when I returned in the 7th inning, it was amusing to see the folks who jumped on when Huddy started struggling (e.g., dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot Braves) in hopes of witnessing a debacle did not last too long after the Braves held on…not that I am trying to make fun of anyone in particular, unless you know Morse Code…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:37 am
Good night rooting for the ATL sports…glad everyone enjoyed the eveing…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:46 am
Good segment on ESPN on Roberto Clemente…I was shooting baskets at home when I heard the awful news nearly 40 years ago…
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
12:49 am
Hey @VJ….I was out town today and just got bits and pieces of our game @Fish….Did we look like we meant business tonight?
Rusty
September 18th, 2012
12:52 am
PRADO IS A BIG LEADER OF NL;
AVG= 303 (9 th)
2B= 38 (4 th)
HITS= 174 (2 nd)
MULTI-HITS GAMES= 54 (1 st)
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:53 am
Capt – by the time I watched (other than Gameday on my phone) I only saw our last run – the early Uggla HR was quite welcome, certainly…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:54 am
Speaking of which, Dan’s HR led the Baseball Tonight cavalcade…
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:55 am
And, I am outta here…
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
12:56 am
Yes….certainly a plus for Dan and the team–in addition; it most likely spurred Ole Huddy on to a truly inspiring outing.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
12:59 am
No ACE….No Ward…..No kenhotlanta….no Noliee….The OnlyBravesFan? Where are you all?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:02 am
after years of a great record for Huddy when he has a 4 run lead, this season it seems like the worst thing you can do is give him a big lead
ACE
September 18th, 2012
1:17 am
Back in Black
Veer
September 18th, 2012
1:25 am
Not liking what i am seeing from Hudson. It is either he has shutout stuff or he has nothing. I just hope he brings his shutout stuff in October.
Prado should get some 7th or 8th place MVP votes
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:31 am
ACE…….Someone savedmy life tonight—shoulda been……
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:33 am
@Veer….Regarding Huddy, did the ground outs come in bunches or was he smacked around a bit?
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
1:49 am
Braves lead early and don’t add on………..squeak by
Falcons lead earlyand don’t add on………..squeak by
This is too familiar…..
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
1:53 am
Fredi should have sat Uggla for a few games back in June and July…..
Anyone wonder what the standings might look like if Medlen had been a starter out of the gate like Strasberg ??? Since we’re like one game apart after the break, we could be even with them with a few extra wins early on this year….
And if so, would we be shutting hime down now?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:58 am
they say they would shut Meds down at about the same point
Ward
September 18th, 2012
2:44 am
Hello everyone! Gald to see another win, and Uggs hitting in the clutch. I’m baffled at why Mejia hasn’t been called up too. I think Bobby cox would’ve picked up on Mejia, and he would be on the bench. How did Baker do?
Ward
September 18th, 2012
2:46 am
Should the Nats have done the same as the Braves did with Medlen, but start Strasburg late? I still think it will hurt the Nats in the Playoffs.
Ward
September 18th, 2012
2:54 am
Congratulations to Atlanta Fans…….Can’t stand the Broncs!!!!!
Ward
September 18th, 2012
2:56 am
Would rather have Huddy, than Lowe at this time, and glad Lowe isn’t around.
Ward
September 18th, 2012
2:58 am
Even Peyton Manning shows he’s human tonight……..Little humor.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
3:36 am
Huddy was getting ground outs earlier in the game. His fastball was sitting around 88mph. 2 starts ago when he had a good game his fastball was hitting 91-92. Dont know if it is varying radar guns but 4 MPH more on the sinking fastball can make a world of difference.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
3:38 am
Payton Manning isn’t the same Manning of 3-4 yrs ago. This guy is close to being finished.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
3:40 am
Hudson probably is between an average #2 starter and a good number 3 starter.
Medlen the way he is pitching is an elite number 1 starter
Minor is between a below average number 3 starter and a great number 4 starter
Malholm is a number 4 starter
Hanson is between a below average number 4 starter and a good number 5 starter
Ward
September 18th, 2012
3:56 am
Veer – I think Huddy is an Ace, Minor will become an Ace, Medlen is already an Ace, and Maholm is a number 2 starter. Hanson is not even a 5th starter……Peace my friends, and talk tomorrow, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Veer
September 18th, 2012
3:59 am
Gio Gonzalez is an average number 2 starter- dont be fooled by his wins
Zimmerman is an avg number 2 starter and a very good number 3
Detwiller is a very good number 4 guy and a below averege 3
Jackson is an average 4 starter and above averge 5th starter
Lannan is a 5 starter
Lee in S GA
September 18th, 2012
5:41 am
Braves keep winning, Falcons put Broncos in their place and the SEC is starting to rule again in the top college polls….life is good in the world of sports.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
6:42 am
DOB – Going to the game tomorrow again – that place is so empty it kinda gets boring after a while
How about a Tour of the Press area? I’ll buy u a beer — trbaves
Speaking of half-empty, they only passed 2 million for the season on Monday, a lot later than projected. The Marlins thought they’d draw about 2.7 million in their first season at the new ballpark.
Oh, and no, sorry, but a credential-less tour of the press area would be frowned upon by security.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
6:45 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
This situation only fuels Yunel Escobar’s rep as a teammate who just doesn’t get it.
Yunel? Come on, not Yunel.
By the way, we’re not talking about a still-maturing kid. The guy is 29 and has been in the U.S. for eight years.
And about that .295 OBP and .642 OPS….
ncgary
September 18th, 2012
6:46 am
looked like huddy may have had a blister late in the game
ncgary
September 18th, 2012
6:51 am
29? i didnt start growing up til i hit 35
lol
Couch Tater
September 18th, 2012
6:53 am
Oh, and no, sorry, but a credential-less tour of the press area would be frowned upon by security
Yunel – I guess that answers your question.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:06 am
.642 OPS… Yeesh. That’s just embarrassing. He’s losing potential suitors with his attitude and bone-headedness by the day.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
7:08 am
Looks like my take on YUNEL after our brief convo was pretty much spot on.
CB
September 18th, 2012
7:25 am
I figure on growing up just before I die, need to laugh your way through this world.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:28 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
If Yunel Escobar says he’s the victim of a prank, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/major-league-baseball-looking-into-reported-homophobic-slur-on-yunel-escobars-eye-black/article4550313/ he could be the first to apply eye-black patches without a mirror.
It is unclear if Mr. Escobar wrote the words himself, or if the shortstop is the victim of a tasteless prank.
Puh-lease.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:28 am
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
If Yunel Escobar says he’s the victim of a prank, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/major-league-baseball-looking-into-reported-homophobic-slur-on-yunel-escobars-eye-black/article4550313/ he could be the first to apply eye-black patches without a mirror.
It is unclear if Mr. Escobar wrote the words himself, or if the shortstop is the victim of a tasteless prank.
Puh-lease.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
7:42 am
Falcons RB Michael Turner Arrested on susp of DUI/Speeding. Booked at Gwinnett Cty Detention at 5:08am.
Sigh
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
7:51 am
Yunel = Non-story.
Couch Tater
September 18th, 2012
7:55 am
RHR –
I knew it. Those mean ice Canadian Curlers done rurnt Yunel! He shoulda stayed away from that broom wielding bunch. He tried to prove he had the stones to hang.
cowdogit
September 18th, 2012
7:57 am
No trades until next year ! Need to concentrate on a speedy playoff roster, Don’t think the big swingers are going to hit the playoff pitchers. Need to manufacture cheap runs in these close games where one run will be the difference.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:02 am
The Braves have reached 22 games over .500 for the first time this season, on their third attempt.
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
8:05 am
Cincinnati, Washington and Texas.
Those are the only teams with a better record than the Braves.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:07 am
And the Angels, at least by winning percentage. They are same # of games over .500 as Atlanta.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:08 am
The Yankees, Rangers, and Nationals are the only teams with a better run differential than the Braves.
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
8:19 am
Angels? Oh, the A’s. Yeah, I see that now Brian.
Missed it at first glance.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:20 am
Yeah, sorry Jimmy. Get those two mixed up all the time.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:29 am
Tim didn’t have his stuff last night. He threw strikes, but he only got one swing and miss. But he gritted it out for a win. No strikeouts, no walks.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
8:30 am
Speaking of half-empty, they only passed 2 million for the season on Monday, a lot later than projected. The Marlins thought they’d draw about 2.7 million in their first season at the new ballpark.
A poor product on the field in Miami can’t help keep attendance down. Also, seems to me that south Florida has never really been strong for the Marlins. Just not fertile MLB territory. Just an impression.
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
8:31 am
“Eovaldi was once again hit hard Tuesday night, which was been a recurring theme for the 22-year-old since joining the Marlins. He is now 3-6 with a 5.44 ERA in nine starts since joining Miami and has only pitched past the sixth inning twice over that stretch. He is scheduled to take the mound again next Tuesday against the Braves. Eovaldi allowed six runs over two innings in his last start against the Braves back on Aug. 2.”
Sounds good. I’ll have some of that.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:32 am
Player A: .346 OBP, .388 SLG, 155 K
Player B: .346 OBP, .391 SLG, 145 K
Player A is Dan Uggla. Player B is Michael Bourn.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
8:34 am
Brian from SC, interesting comparison, Uggla versus Bourn.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
8:37 am
which was been a recurring theme for the 22-year-old since joining the Marlins.
Big-league life is seldom kind to 22-year-olds, pitchers especially. But scar tissue makes for a tough hide later, if one manages to survive the beatings.
Ask Mike Minor.
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
8:38 am
Brian – very good stat there. Is that the CF Bourn that we “must” resign to multiple millions, and the Uggla that is a “total bust”?
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:38 am
Obviously, Bourn adds value that Dan doesn’t on the bases and on defense. But it goes to show you how far Bourn has fallen. His OPS+ is now 99, which means his OPS is below league average. He’s hitting .174 over his last 26 games and .215 over his last 59 games.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:42 am
Player A is Dan Uggla. Player B is Michael Bourn.
Uggla is such a bust and failure, and Bourn is so good that we should be willing to pay him 18+mil/yr. And look at his batting average when we lose games… he’s so important.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:44 am
NL leaders in strikeouts since the All-Star break:
1. Ryan Howard, 83
2. Danny Espinosa, 79
3. Pedro Alvarez, 73
3. Alfonso Soriano, 73
5. Michael Bourn, 71
6. Chase Headley, 70
7. Jason Heyward, 69
7. Drew Stubbs, 69
Lew
September 18th, 2012
8:50 am
Not to support Bourn, but I would imagine that most players have lower batting averages (and all numbers) when their teams lose. It’s likely why they lost. Bet all pitchers have lower numbers in losses for the most part, too.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
8:50 am
He’s hitting .174 over his last 26 games and .215 over his last 59 games.
Probably the worst slump of his career, though. It’s hardly indicative of the player, any more than his career-year numbers in the earlier part of the season.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
8:53 am
I think the Braves make a qualifying offer to Bourn for a draft pick. Given Bourn’s tail-off, the braves would be goofy to throw the sort of money at him that Boras will still want.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
8:54 am
Worst OPS in the NL since All-Star break, minimum 180 PAs:
1. Paul Janish, .502
2. Drew Stubbs, .591
3. Ruben Tejada, .609
4. Shane Victorino, .614
5. Everth Cabrera, .615
6. Michael Bourn, .621
UKUGA
September 18th, 2012
8:55 am
But Jimmy, I was told vehemently on Saturday that the Braves were not one of the best teams in baseball.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
8:56 am
Lew @ 8:50 Spot on, right there. Which is why I was amazed that DOB used that to support his reasoning on why we need to keep Bourn. I was doing some pretty snarky mocking.
I mean, even Uggla hits well when we win, around .260. The only Brave who has hit well in losses is Prado, by the way.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
8:57 am
I think the Braves make a qualifying offer to Bourn for a draft pick.
In today’s market, Bourn is probably a good value at the qualifying offer of $13MM. Personally, I consider that insane, LOL, but the market is the market. The worst that could happen is that he takes it, and there wouldn’t be a single thing wrong with that.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
9:02 am
n today’s market, Bourn is probably a good value at the qualifying offer of $13MM. Personally, I consider that insane, LOL, but the market is the market. The worst that could happen is that he takes it, and there wouldn’t be a single thing wrong with that.
Possible, but Boras does a remarkable job leveraging his clients. I still think Bourn does better than $13MM. And, if I’m correct, the Braves wouldn’t be required to offer a multi-year deal to qualify? That would have to be a poison pill for Bourn and Boras, I’d think.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
9:03 am
Freeman leads the team in RBI right now with 87. Barring a torrid hot streak the last few weeks, the Braves should finish their 5th consecutive season without a single 100-RBI player. Last time was 2007, when Francoeur had 105 and Chipper had 102.
Another odd stat, other than Uggla’s 36-homer season last year, the Braves have had zero 30-homer seasons since Andruw Jones had 41 in 2006.
I wonder how many other teams in baseball have had fewer 30 homer, 100 RBI seasons over the past half decade.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:03 am
4. Shane Victorino, .614
I guarantee there will be tons of folks here who would vehemently deny Bourn his money, but would be more than willing to give #4 there in excess of eight figures.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
9:05 am
OnlyBraves – I think what DOB was saying is that when Bourn DOES hit, the Braves win an amazingly high percentage of the time. When Bourn hits, the Braves win – just like when Furcal was in Atlanta, the Braves won a huge percentage of games where he scored a run.
The opne thing about Bourn’s game that bothers me is how often he strikes out. It’s one thing to K that often if you’re a power hitter, but yet another when you’re supposed to be an OBP Dude.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
9:09 am
As to not hitting 30 HR’s (except Uggla last year) since Andruw left – that’s why they got Uggla – AND whyso many advocated for someone who could hit 30.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:10 am
And, if I’m correct, the Braves wouldn’t be required to offer a multi-year deal to qualify?
The only requirement is that, in any multi-year offer, the AAV must equal or exceed the qualifying amount. In other words, a 5/50MM would not garner a draft pick.
However, I assume that, if Bourn turns down the one-year qualifying offer within the specified time-period, the Braves could then make a multi-year offer at whatever AAV they desire, the conditions for a draft pick having been met. Then, it’s win-win: Bourn signs at a Braves’ number, or they get the extra pick.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
9:11 am
Bourn has 145 K’s so far this season. He’s a good player, but I think everyone jumped the gun by labeling him as an elite center fielder after his good first half. Who knows, maybe the crappy second half will bring his value down to something the Braves can afford. I think he’s a great piece to have. Not at $13m a year though.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
9:13 am
scoots, thanks for the clarification.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
9:20 am
Be curious to see if Fredi flip flops Medlen and Maholm after the off day next Monday. Otherwise, Medlen lines up to have his last start on a Monday and he would be on 3 days rest to pitch in the one-game wild card.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:23 am
It’s easy to sit at home or in the stands and judge players for not performing up to the expectations that we the fans have for them. But we have to remember that after more than 145 games this season there’s not a player on the field who isn’t hurting in some way. The Atlanta Braves 40-year old third baseman Chipper Jones lays out the pain he plays through:
“I’ve had seven knee surgeries, so it feels like somebody is jabbing me with a knife in the knee joint with every step,” says the future Hall of Famer trying to coax his 40-year-old body through the final month of a 20-year career.
“And sometimes the back just says, ‘Nope, not gonna do it today.’”
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/9/18/3351524/braves-quote-for-the-day-the-pain-that-chipper-plays-through
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/braves/story/2012/09/17/atlanta-braves-star-chipper-jones-reflects-on-retirement-after-20-seasons-with-same-team/57797760/1
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
9:24 am
The Braves have plenty of time to get their rotation in order. At this point, unless something drastic changes, Medlen will make that start, on full rest. The Braves will also have the luxury to take it easy on the bullpen and hitters over the last couple of weeks. The only thing that would cause the Braves to stay on the gas is if Washington collapses and the Braves have a shot at the division.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
9:28 am
Washington’s remaining games are all against the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies, and Cardinals. All of those teams are desperate.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
9:32 am
To add to the Bourn conversation…………..he IS AN ELITE CF………..with the glove and with speed…
….however with the bat he is missing the ability to make consistant contact to turn K’s into BB’s hence the high strikeout ratio….
I’d think his focus with hiting instructors in the cage should be making contact, not driving the ball…
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:35 am
Not at $13m a year though.
I dunno. That’s the average of the top 125 salaries, and Bourn is certainly in top 20-25% of players, considering positional scarcity and his skillset. Can’t expect the Braves to always get Hudson-lucky on players, so they’re gonna have to pay somebody more than fans would like.
Unfortunately for this particular case, CF should be the third priority (in my opinion) and it’s unlikely they can fill other needs and still have funds left to pay Bourn remotely enough to retain him.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:40 am
Bourn actually has a career high in walks this year. One of the results of taking a lot of pitches is that you also take a lot of strikes. Just the nature of the approach.
phil
September 18th, 2012
9:45 am
Are we giving up on this year?
Boras is not coming back. Why keep talking $$ about him? He’ll want too much money, and besides, we’ll likely blow it all on Buffet Brian anyway, regardless of the bad shoulder, bad knee, bad eyes and spare tire of a body he sports. i love the guy, but…..
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
9:47 am
Washington’s remaining games are all against the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies, and Cardinals. All of those teams are desperate.
Yes, in fact. And I still say watch the Phils. They could well sneak into the last wild card slot with a strong run to end the season.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:47 am
Everyone must be reading those articles…
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
9:49 am
Braves need to put a knife in the Phillies this weekend. That is the last team I want to see in the one-game wild card.
If all pitching orders stay on pace for the contenders, here is who would be available to pitch on normal rest in the wild card playoff…
Cardinals – Lohse or Lynn (one off day, but little chance they can rearrange to have Wainwright or Carpenter lined up)
Dodgers – Harang or Beckett (assuming Kershaw doesn’t come back, one off day, so Capuano could get lined up)
Phillies – Lee or Cloyd (one off day, so if they skip a Cloyd start, Hamels could be ready for playoff game as well)
Pirates – McPherson or Rodriguez (no off days)
Brewers – Estrada or Fiers (no off days)
This will change between now and Oct 5 as some teams send guys out on 3 days rest, but I think it’s pretty clear the Braves would have a more favorable pitching matchup against any team other than the Phillies, or maybe the Dodgers if Kershaw comes back and gets lined up for that start. But worst case scenario would be a one-game playoff against one the two best lefty postseason pitchers of the recent past, Hamels or Lee.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:49 am
He’ll want too much money
Reading stuff here, you’d think everybody wants too much money.
Players should be willing to play for the thrill of wearing the uni, plus maybe a few hot dogs when the family shows up at the park.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
9:50 am
Braves need to put a knife in the Phillies this weekend. That is the last team I want to see in the one-game wild card.
Absolutely.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
9:52 am
phil @9:45 – “i love the guy, but…” Yeah, I can tell…
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:53 am
Braves need to put a knife in the Phillies this weekend.
I’m torn on this. Braves really need to win just about every game left, but I’d kinda like the Phillies to be just close enough to the WC to tango with the Nats in their six left. Probably can’t have both, though, so I’m going with “Sweep the Phightens!”.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
9:54 am
But worst case scenario would be a one-game playoff [involving the Braves] against one the two best lefty postseason pitchers of the recent past, Hamels or Lee.
Either should strike fear in the hearts of Braves’ stalwarts.
Jimmy
September 18th, 2012
9:55 am
I agree with lowercase phil. There is no way the Braves should extend McCann beyond his current contract – next years option. There is nothing to indicate he will return to his form of the last several years. In fact, the trend is just the opposite.
Now, he is having trouble with his knees?
The problem is, who can we put back there when he is gone?
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
9:55 am
scoots, we should always want the Braves to win every game remaining. Losing a game to the Phillies wouldn’t have nearly as much positive effect (from them having momentum against Washingt) as it would negative effect on the Braves, from actually losing the game.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
9:55 am
Anyone still whining about the Yunel trade? ANYONE???
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
9:56 am
After losing their first game against the Marlins this season, the Braves have won 10 of the past 12.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:56 am
Either should strike fear in the hearts of Braves’ stalwarts.
Scroom.
Both.
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
9:57 am
Brian from SC…”The only thing that would cause the Braves to stay on the gas is if Washington collapses and the Braves have a shot at the division.”
Which is exactly what’s going to happen, my friend. But regardless of what happens, Medlen needs to make his last regular season start before that last Monday. Skipping his last start would put him on 8-9 days rest for the one-game playoff, which is not a good idea in my opinion. I bet we’ll see Medlen pitching next Tuesday instead of Maholm.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
9:58 am
Anyone still whining about the Yunel trade? ANYONE???
Two-plus years later, it appears that the only folks who care are O’Brien and you.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
9:58 am
Brian – I’m with you…try to win every game. Period.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
9:58 am
I agree, Knuckler. Medlen will be lined up for that wild card game, or in the best case scenario, Game 1 of the NLDS.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
9:59 am
No such thing as “clutch” losses?
CB
September 18th, 2012
9:59 am
I said it before last night’s game,Braves need to go 12-3 and put fear in Nats heart. I believe they may be ripe for a choke!
Lew
September 18th, 2012
10:00 am
CNN just did a segment on Yunel’s eye black fiasco – right after showing McNate going yard for the O’s last night. Must be some weird ex-Braves day on tv.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:02 am
Bourn will absolutely get 13.5 AAV from some team on a multi year deal. It’s ridiculous to think otherwise. I think he gets at least five years, 75 million. To me, that’s still the floor.
On Bourn’s importance to the team, offensively, not as much as some here think. Every hitters splits in wins/losses is different. When you don’t hit, you don’t win. The only player on the team with good stats in losses is Prado. Every other hitter has huge splits. I don’t think you can justify Bourn’s importance based on that.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
10:02 am
I have been predicting a Nats collapse…or at least, a significant slowdown, for 2-3 months. Running out of time, but still could happen. “Cracks” are appearing, and Stras is shut down. It ain’t over until it’s over.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
10:05 am
scoots – I hear you. I will now sit down and shut up.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:05 am
I think Hamilton, Bourn, Ortiz, and Swisher are locks for the qualifying offer. Perhaps BJ Upton, although if I was him, I’d take the 13.5 million.
I think Peavy, Lohse, Jackson, and Kuroda might get the offer as well.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
10:05 am
Where’s CraZy? I haven’t seen him on here in a while.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:06 am
Mets may trade Ike Davis soon, they aren’t real happy with him apparently. Would be a nice power bat, despite his down year this season. He’s a 1B, though he did play some RF in the minors. IF Bourn were to move to CF, I wonder if Davis could handle right. Or if he could even play LF.
The Mets are disappointed with Davis’ unwillingness to make changes based on coaching advice. Although he is personable and by no means a troublemaker, they also worry — fairly or unfairly — he is out too late after games, and that could influence other young players.
Davis reportedly had Valley Fever this past spring. According to people that have had it, it takes a few months to get back to normal. That time frame fits pretty well with Davis’ turn around.
9:00am: The Mets won’t shop either Davis or Duda aggressively, but they’ll be open to the right deal for either player, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports (on Twitter).
8:26am: The Mets will consider trading Ike Davis as a way of addressing other needs this offseason, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports. There’s no guarantee Davis will be moved, but it’s at least “a very plausible option,” Rubin writes.
The Mets are disappointed with Davis’ attitude toward coaching advice and they worry that he’s out too late after games, according to Rubin. Trading Davis would open up first base for Lucas Duda, who’s viewed as an inferior defender to Davis.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:07 am
Dan Uggla is hitting .250/.366/.492 in his last 37 games, 142 plate appearances.
Atlanta BBQ festival
September 18th, 2012
10:07 am
ATlanta BBQ festival would like to thank DOB for his judging skills.. The man knows his BBQ !!!!
Go Braves..catch Nats and Win Division outright and avoid 1 game playoff!!!
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Only four MLB teams have 85 or more wins: Nationals (89), Reds (88), Rangers (87) and Braves (85).
Not the Yankees (83).
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:08 am
He took the Meds and isn’t crazy no mo!
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Duda is an inferior defender and player overall. Mets shouldn’t be trading away Tejada or Davis, imo. Those two are keepers.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:11 am
Bourn’s OPS+ is now at 99.
I’ll say it again, signing Michael Bourn to a five or six year deal worth 15-18 million would be one of the worst decisions the Braves have made in the last decade.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:11 am
15-18 million per year, of course.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:13 am
smaller sample size please, Efrim!
last 17 games: .296/.397/.537/.934, 9 BB vs 10 Ks Just 1 DP grounded into. He’s recorded at least 1 hit in 14 of his last 19 games, 3 of which he had multi-hit games
Atlanta BBQ festival
September 18th, 2012
10:15 am
Here’s why braves finish 1st in Division.. We have games against mia, philly mets and pit.. 2 easy 2 tough. Nats have Dodgers, Mil, Philly , StL. 4 tough teams — 5 games out with 15 to go. No inconceivable….
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:16 am
If Heyward were to move to CF, I meant in my 10:06…
Efrim: I agree that the Mets shouldn’t trade those 2, esp. Davis. Good young power bat. They’d be stupid to trade him.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
10:16 am
I agree with lowercase phil. There is no way the Braves should extend McCann beyond his current contract – next years option. There is nothing to indicate he will return to his form of the last several years. In fact, the trend is just the opposite.
The question remains: “Who do the Braves replace McCann with?
The point about McCann’s health and faltering production are well made, so I don’t think the Braves should pursue a long term deal with him. But for ‘13, what are the Braves’ options behind the plate? Ross? I don’t think Ross has the stamina for the everyday grind. Boscan? Of course not.
Absent a viable alternative to McCann, if I were Wren, I’d take a chance that McCann can at least produce as well in ‘13 as this season, maybe a bit better… maybe a bit healthier.
2014 is a different story.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
10:19 am
Not the Yankees (83).
Would love to see the Os push the Yanks out of first. The horse manure would really hit the fan in NYC if the Yanks had to play in the wild card match up.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:19 am
I’d play it out with McCann, unfortunately. Pick up the option and see how next year goes. His injury plagued year this year has been a bad situation for him, the Braves and the hopes that the two can connect on a long term contract that both are happy with.
It was going to be tough even before this season. Now it;s made it even harder.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
10:21 am
I think Hamilton, Bourn, Ortiz, and Swisher are locks for the qualifying offer. Perhaps BJ Upton, although if I was him, I’d take the 13.5 million.
Cracks me up how little respect you toss BJ’s way.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:25 am
Prado tied career high with four hits (sixth time he’s done it). It was his NL-leading 55th multi-hit game.
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
10:26 am
Where’s CraZy? I haven’t seen him on here in a while.
And Ease? Of course Ease said he was leaving……… pity
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:28 am
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these six as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Beachy, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
Simmons, you can wait at least year or two to try to sign long-term, since he’s not even going to be arb-eligible until after the 2015 season.
monty
September 18th, 2012
10:29 am
Totally disagree with what Yunel did. The guy just begs for attention of the wrong sort when all he has to do is keep his mouth and thoughts to himself and make a tremendous living that most of us on the blog would give our…. well..(you know)…for. Having said that, times sure have changed.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:30 am
Cracks me up how little respect you toss BJ’s way.
Just going off of industry speculation this point. I actually like him quite a bit.
So, why do you keep mistaking me for others?
On the Hanson stuff – clearly, MFin and TOBF are the ring leaders there.
On Upton, clearly, nolie has been the one to show little respect.
Again, mistaking me for thinking I have strong opinions on the two in a negative way.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
10:30 am
Prado at third should be solid next year, but Wren must get a masher. Prado at third is a down grade offensively, largely because of Chipper’s Hall of Fame caliber play…
For 2012
_________AVG__OBP__SLG__OPS_OPS+
Team 3B .301 .366 .482 .849 125
Chipper .297 .382 .477 .859 130
Prado.. .303 .357 .434 .791 112
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
10:31 am
Jeff R McCann can at least produce as well in ‘13 as this season, maybe a bit better…
“Maybe” nothing—He WILL be better than this next year.
monty
September 18th, 2012
10:31 am
DOB
Absolutely!
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
10:32 am
I know people are hating on the one-game play-in game, since it looks like the Braves might have to play in it.
However, the new WC format has fundamentally changed the final weeks of the race. Both the Braves and Nats could be coasting, setting up their rotations, resting players.
In the divisions where the top WC is located (Oakland, Atlanta) both teams are still competing for the division, as is the top team in that division (Texas, Washington).
I’d hate it if the Braves lost the play-in game. But, the new format has made the end of the season much more interesting than it would have been last year.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
10:32 am
Again, mistaking me for thinking I have strong opinions on the two in a negative way.
Ha! Yes. I box you in with scoots and his morbid fear of short people. ( :
DAP
September 18th, 2012
10:32 am
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these six as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Beachy, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
totally agree, DOB. id probably wait a year on those pitchers, but prado heyward, freeman, absolutely. lock ‘em up. and im talking 10 years deals for heyward and freeman, if they would take them.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:34 am
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these five as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
I’m down to go year to year with Kimbrel, given that he’s a pitcher and a reliever at that.
Maybe now is a good time to lock Medlen up to a five year deal worth around 25 million. I don’t know, the Braves rarely extend pitchers.
Completely agree on Prado, Heyward and Freeman. Really hope Heyward and Prado get done this offseason. Freeman by the next offseason.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:34 am
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these five as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
I’m down to go year to year with Kimbrel, given that he’s a pitcher and a reliever at that.
Maybe now is a good time to lock Medlen up to a five year deal worth around 25 million. I don’t know, the Braves rarely extend pitchers.
Completely agree on Prado, Heyward and Freeman. Really hope Heyward and Prado get done this offseason. Freeman by the next offseason.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
10:35 am
I box you in with scoots and his morbid fear of short people.
You confuse disdain with fear.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
10:37 am
I would pick up 2013 option on McCann (no brainer, IMO). Depending on health and perfoprmance, I would make a decision late next year. Choices include 1) Work out reasonable extension. 2) Make a “qualifying offer” for 2014, and 3) let him go.
I believe you cannot make a long term decision now, based on unknowns.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
10:38 am
You confuse disdain with fear.
Ha!
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:38 am
On the Hanson stuff – clearly, MFin and TOBF are the ring leaders there.
Not me… I don’t hate him. I’m not the guy who b!tches over him not going 6 routinely. That’s MFin and 10Paul.
I just look at his stats and obvious declining trend and wonder why should we expect better? Why would any GM trade a decent prospect for the guy? I can guarantee you that if we’re only offered a “Salary Relief” type prospect for Tommy (which is what I’d do if I was an opposing GM), Tommy will be back next season (unfortunately). That means that likely no upgrades to the rotation will happen.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:39 am
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these six as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Beachy, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
totally agree, DOB. id probably wait a year on those pitchers…
Why? Two of them have already had Tommy John surgery. I’m not talking about offering 6-year, $100 million deals, but 3-5 years to buy out arbitration and a year or two of free agency.
Don’t know how many of those guys would take reasonable offers that give them some security and give the team affordability over 4-5 years, but I think you make them offers and find out.
If you go year-to-year with Kimbrel, he’s going to quickly become a HUGE salary in arbitration because he’s a closer. Saves = cash in arbitration. Same with Medlen. You go year-to-year with a guy who’s doing what he’s done so far in his career as a starter, and you’re going to quickly have a big salary after a couple of years of arbitration.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
10:39 am
just found this pic of scoots playing ball back in the day: http://tinyurl.com/8tk7mfx
and of course, this was his walk-up music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFmv22ghzQw
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
10:40 am
Kimbrel will break Papelbon’s records for salaries by a relief pitcher in arbitration.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
10:41 am
Papelbon made $6.25 million his first arb year, 9.35 his second, and 12 in his third. That’s the floor for Kimbrel.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
10:41 am
just found this pic of scoots playing ball back in the day:
Love it, love it, love it, LOL.
(Though, in truth, I was faster than that picture looks. Just sayin’)
phil
September 18th, 2012
10:42 am
David O’Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:08 am
Only four MLB teams have 85 or more wins: Nationals (89), Reds (88), Rangers (87) and Braves (85).
Not the Yankees (83).
***********
And yet who will win the World Series? Hasn’t it been one of the teams that’s last to the dance that won it all the past 3 or so seasons? Because said team “got hot” at the last minute?
DAP
September 18th, 2012
10:43 am
DOB Why? Two of them have already had Tommy John surgery
one of them hasnt even returned from TJ. not sure its the time for a long term deal. another hasnt started for a full season yet. kimbrel has one more year making the minimum, and if you wait, you can buy out more arb and free agent years with the same length contract.
but the position players? heck yes.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
10:45 am
kimbrel has one more year making the minimum
is that right, or is he a super 2 guy?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:45 am
Jon Niese, Madison Bumgarner, Derek Holland, Ricky Romero, Jaime Garcia – I believe all of these pitchers got deals in the five year 25-35 million dollar range.
I’d consider it for Medlen.
phil
September 18th, 2012
10:45 am
TJ surgery will be a requirement for pitchers to even be drafted in about 10 years….sigh.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
10:46 am
What Prado lacks as far as matching Chipper’s numbers are easily offset by the fact he’s playing every day and Chipper isn’t. Certainly not a knock on Chipper, but he just isn’t able to go every day and Prado is and Martin’s numbers aren’t all that much off of Chipper’s. Not to mention that Martin is by far the better defensive player at this point in time.
We’ll definitely miss Chipper’s presence and his bat has been better than maybe we anticipated, but having that consistent presence in the lineup will compensate a good bit for what we are l;osing with Chipper’s retirement.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:48 am
Don’t know how many of those guys would take reasonable offers that give them some security and give the team affordability over 4-5 years, but I think you make them offers and find out.
Prado, obviously. Heyward and Freeman – they should. Like I’ve said, it would be a disappointment to not hear Wren make offers. If they don;t take it, that’d suck. But hopefully recent deals for position players will help guide the conversation for both Heyward and Freeman.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
10:48 am
I’d hold off on a Beachy extension until next winter, but it is time to lock the others up this year.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:49 am
one of them hasnt even returned from TJ. not sure its the time for a long term deal. another hasnt started for a full season yet. kimbrel has one more year making the minimum, and if you wait, you can buy out more arb and free agent years with the same length contract. — DAP
You seen recovery rates for TJ surgery these days? With a pitcher that young, there’s not much risk.
As for Kimbrel, yeah, you can buy out one more arb year. But by the same token, if he does what he’s done the past two years, after one more year a long-term deal with cost far more than it might now.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
10:49 am
I’m all for locking Medlen up… the sooner the better. We all know he’s the next Cy Young. He’ll be expensive soon. Get it done now!
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:52 am
How about five years, $27.5 million for Meds?
2013: 2.5M 2014: 4M 2015: 6M 2016: 6.5M 2017: 7.5M 2018: 8M(1M buyout)
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
10:53 am
kimbrel has one more year making the minimum
is that right, or is he a super 2 guy? — DAP
No, he’s not going to be a Super 2.
He’ll be arb elgible for first time in 2014 (after 2013 season).
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:54 am
It’d be pretty bizarre for them to lock up Beachy this winter. Has there been a similar long term deal for a pitcher a few months removed from TJ surgery?
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
10:54 am
I’d sign as many of these six as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Beachy, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
I’m hoping they are proactive on this issue as well. Specially since this year we’ll have the flexibility to such, plus this gives us a pretty good road map for down the road on how much and where our needs will be.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
10:54 am
DOB You seen recovery rates for TJ surgery these days? With a pitcher that young, there’s not much risk.
yeah, i guess it depends on how much money were talking about. one thing is for sure, the braves have lots of young talent, and lots of payroll flexibility. i really want to see them lock up some guys for stability’s sake. if they can keep most of the talent they have for seasons to come, we wont stop being competitive for awhile.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
10:57 am
The Huntsville Missile
by Rob Neyer • Sep 18, 2012 8:15 AM EDT
Remember last month, when people were saying Aroldis Chapman deserved serious Cy Young Award consideration because of his strikeouts?
Strikeouts / 9 Innings
Craig Kimbrel – 16.8
Ar. Chapman – 15.8
The best Craig Kimbrel statistic of all, though?
Games this season in which he’s given up more than one hit:
Zero.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
10:58 am
It is time for some long term deals for young players to be worked out. Lots of younger guys on the 25 man approaching arbitration years. Near nothing on the books over the next few years. Now is the time to lock up some of the youngersters.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
11:00 am
But I’d also shy away from the big contract with Bourn. Qualifing offer would be just about it unless we could sign him for around 9-10/yr. which is extremely unlikely given the market value that will be placed on him. I really would like the addition of Gentry in CF, I think he could fill that void equally well compared to Bourn.
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:00 am
If you go year-to-year with Kimbrel, he’s going to quickly become a HUGE salary in arbitration because he’s a closer. Saves = cash in arbitration.
There is no question about that. However, I’m fairly sure that Kimbrel and his agent are well aware of that fact as well, so in order to get him signed to a long-term deal I’m betting the Braves will have to go a bit beyond what many here would consider “reasonable”.
Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try though. Just means that it’s going to be mighty tough to find some common ground that assures Kimbrel won’t be taking too much of a pay cut and that the Braves won’t be extending their risk too much.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:01 am
Anyone have the full insider article? http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/8394328/wild-card-roster-rules-allow-managers-experiment-mlb
Some of the San Francisco Giants spoke recently about how they view the Atlanta Braves as a really dangerous postseason team, because of their dominant bullpen pieces and the power in their lineup. It’s possible that the Braves will finish this season with the second-best record in the National League, a reflection of how well they’ve performed.
But it’s also possible that their postseason will last exactly one game. If the Braves finish as the No. 1 wild-card seed — and right now, that appears likely — then they’ll have to win the wild card game against the St. Louis Cardinals or Los Angeles Dodgers or one of the other five teams vying for the last NL playoff spot. “When it’s just one game, the worst team in baseball can knock out the best team,” a GM mused last week. “Anything is possible.”
The wild-card games will be conducted under circumstances we’ve never seen before in the postseason. The participating teams will set 25-man rosters for this one-game, winner-take-all extravaganza — rosters that don’t have to carry over to the Division series matchup.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
11:01 am
Playoff bench roster is a tough one. We have 9 candidates and only 6 will be chosen. Let us look at each of the candidates
1. Ross- is a gurantee as a back up catcher
2. Johnson- Solid right handed bat is a sure thing to be on the roster
3. Fransisco- Good power but a lot of strikeouts. In ability to cut down swings and move runners over. Prado can be 3B should he be not on roster. Provides good power off the bench but nothing else
4.Hinske- One of the fan favourites in clubhouse. A lot of key hits in the past but this season hitting below 200. Provides a LF power bat but he hasn’t produced much
5.Overbay- Solid career numbers, hasn’t done much as a Brave but has made more contact than Hinske. Probably him or Hinske gets chosen as LF bat
6.Pasternicky- Solid guy to bring in a bunt situation. Can move runners over. Has some pop. Defensive liability. At best will be a pinch hitter. Close call on Pasternicky
7.Constanza- Has speed can be good defense but can he get the ball out of the infield. Good option for late pinch running. Another close call
8.Janish- Amazing defense but no offense. Do you keep his defense for post season. You would think Braves will want to have a solid defensive guy. Again close call.
9.Baker- good RH bat but too much competition. I think he will have to show alot in last 3 weeks to be given a shot at the roster.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
11:02 am
The best Craig Kimbrel statistic of all, though? Games this season in which he’s given up more than one hit: Zero.
Nintendo.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:02 am
Not gonna lie, hoping for Heyward to get to 30 HR’s and 60 BB’s over these last 14 games.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:02 am
Craig Kimbrel has pitched 7 games this year of at least one inning, where he struck out every batter he faced. One more will tie the all-time record, set by…whaddya know. John Rocker of the Braves in 1999.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:03 am
The recovery rate for TJ surgery is phenomenal – no doubt about it – and few need the procedure twice. However, re: Beachy…..
Beachy has been surprisingly good since becoming a Brave – - again, no doubt about it – but he has only pitched on complete season so far and that only at 141 IP. His 13 starts this year were great, but next year in his thrid full season, he will still only have had one full performing year. Not as if he’s going to be able to go FA, so no need to lock him up quite yet. Let’s see how he comes back first, see whether or not there are setbacks in his recovery and then lock hi up next winter if all looks good. Really not seeing a need to hurry in Brandon;s instance.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
11:03 am
TOBF – I was about to make the same request…
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:04 am
It is time for some long term deals for young players to be worked out. Lots of younger guys on the 25 man approaching arbitration years. Near nothing on the books over the next few years. Now is the time to lock up some of the youngersters.
Totally agree.
On the pitchers, I do think that if you are going to lock a few up Medlen and Beachy are fine candidates for it. The only thing that concerns me is the volatility of pitchers in general. If we were having this discussion 2 years ago, there’s a pretty good chance that people would have been clamoring for the Braves to lock up Jurrjens and Hanson to long-term deals.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:04 am
5.Overbay- Solid career numbers, hasn’t done much as a Brave but has made more contact than Hinske.
Saw him K looking on Sunday… Hinske hit a ball to right-center. Not impressed with either guy, as of now, neither would be on my roster.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:05 am
I love that folks are now saying that the Braves should not sign Bourn to a long term extension. Would of loved to seen these comments made in early June, when his career OPS+ was still around 94ish, yet he was having a career year at .320/.372/.469(June 10th).
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:05 am
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
You got it!
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:05 am
Kimbrel has already broken the all-time record with 14 games pitched where he struck out the side in one inning of work. He broke his own record that he set last year with 13.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:06 am
I’d kinda like the Phillies to be just close enough to the WC to tango with the Nats in their six left.
phooey..crush’m and knock’m out. all major leaguers are professionals, they will still bring it to tango with Nats in their remaining games..
Brave New World
September 18th, 2012
11:06 am
Efrim: I agree with you on Bourn. He’s a good to very good player, but not worth more than $10 million per year. His value as a leadoff hitter is suspect – he strikes out way too much and needs a better OBP to be paid elite leadoff hitter money. Will some team overpay for him? Yes, so let him walk (something he needs to do more of anyway).
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:07 am
I love Beachy’s potential, but I don;t think it makes much sense to extend him this winter. Gonna have to overpay for Kimbrel. Don’t see that happening.
Prado, Heyward, Freeman and maybe Medlen, I could see that happening.
UKUGA
September 18th, 2012
11:07 am
DOB @ 10:28
i agree
I feel much better about those guys, especially given what they already shown us in their careers, than I did about Francouer/McCann/Daviess, etc., 5 years ago.
Then again, hindsight is crystal clear.
Will someone with deep pockets please buy this team?
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:08 am
I love that folks are now saying that the Braves should not sign Bourn to a long term extension. Would of loved to seen these comments made in early June, when his career OPS+ was still around 94ish, yet he was having a career year at .320/.372/.469(June 10th).
Well, circumstances do change perceptions, in defense of those who advocated resigning Bourn.
I never thought the Braves would do so, given the price tag. So a nonstarter in my book.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
11:08 am
The participating teams will set 25-man rosters for this one-game, winner-take-all extravaganza — rosters that don’t have to carry over to the Division series matchup.
Wow, that could make for some fun stuff. One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players? Why not? None of the other SPs even need to be on the squad. I guess you could carry more relievers, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need the seventh guy in the bully, you’re probably hip-deep in doo-doo, already.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:08 am
Since his high OPS mark on June 10th(.841), Michael Bourn has hit .240/.328/.333 in 87 games, 395 plate appearances.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
11:10 am
David O’Brien:
If it was my money, my team to invest in, I’d sign as many of these six as possible to multi-year deals: Kimbrel, Medlen, Beachy, Prado, Heyward, Freeman.
I’d agree with all of those for a core going forward. That leaves the BMac/catcher decision for later down the road and continue shopping for a McCann replacement and 3B, LF, CF…..
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:10 am
Kimbrel is our Mo Rivera, pay him
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:10 am
Been saying all year, max contract I’d give Bourn is 3 years at 9mil each, with a 4th year option
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:11 am
Well, circumstances do change perceptions, in defense of those who advocated resigning Bourn.
I get that, but his career OPS+ was still below average and he is turning 30 years old in December of this year. Gotta recognize that folks are playing above their heads sometimes. Too often people here get caught up in the moment, and I understand that to a degree, but perhaps taking a breather is the better course of action than saying give Michael Bourn seven years and up to 18 million a year just because of his breakout 2.5 months at 29 years of age.
monty
September 18th, 2012
11:12 am
Haven’t looked up to see long term repercussions of tendenitis and if’s it’s curable. I have it in my elbows and they do fine as long as I don’t play golf much. Hope BMACS can be treated in the off season and he can get back to who he used to be but from talking to some friends in the medical field you just treat it you don’t cure it. The less you use affected body part the better off you are. Brian now says he can play 1st base or 3rd base. He may have to do something different because he can’t squat.
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
11:14 am
Bourn’s out of here….moot point….
I’m pretty sure FW has already moved on with that one….we might not like his decidions all the time but he is not ignorant of salary realities…
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:14 am
One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players?
how many do they have on bench now? marlins’ announcers were kidding about braves’ crowded bench yesterday. those announcers are pretty bearable when marlins are out of it.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:14 am
What Prado lacks as far as matching Chipper’s numbers are easily offset by the fact he’s playing every day and Chipper isn’t
I like Prado, but this statement just isn’t true. Prado playing everyday doesn’t make up for the lack of production found in Chipper’s playing time. Chipper’s presence on this team this year improves this team more than it “hurts” this team. When he is not here next year, it will be 100% performance at 3B without Chipper, which is less than total performance at third base this year including Chipper. Prado will not be making up for it as he is less than Chipper, and when Prado has his days off, which he’ll get, it will be a player less than Prado filling in.
The team needs to get some more thump because losing Chipper has a larger negative impact than any other offensive change this off-season… (ehm, not re-signing Bourn)
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
11:14 am
Been saying all year, max contract I’d give Bourn is 3 years at 9mil each, with a 4th year option
Well, when you make that offer, at least you won’t have to spit in his face, too.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Been saying all year, max contract I’d give Bourn is 3 years at 9mil each, with a 4th year option
Well, when you make that offer, at least you won’t have to spit in his face, too. – ncscoots
Yes, but Boras will laugh in his face when he makes it.
Veer
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
I don’t see Phillies coming out as the 2nd wildcard but we need the Phillies to stay close so that they can play with sense of urgency aganist the Nationals. They have 6 games left aganist them. As long as they are close they might be helping out the Braves for the division. However we need to take care of business on our end. 5 down with 14 to go isn’t impossible considering Nationals will be playing those games aganist teams with sense of urgency.
I see the Phillies series as a big series for us as they are capable of ending our division hopes.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel has:
The highest strikeout rate (16.78/9 IP) of ALL TIME
The fourth-lowest WHIP (0.675) of all time
The second-lowest opponents’ slugging percentage (.177) of all time
The third-lowest opponents OBP (.184) of all time
The lowest opponents OPS (.374) of ALL TIME
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
Bourn’s out of here….moot point….
tru dat..also, greinke will not be signed by braves..
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
As much as I love to do so, it’s tough to make even a two year plan in baseball. I’d just say for 2013, Hudson, Maholm, Medlen, Minor in the rotation, Kimbrel as the closer(borderline on O’Flaherty and Venters as set-up men, Martinez as the long man), Prado, Heyward, Freeman, Uggla, McCann and Simmons on the field and in the lineup.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:16 am
I get that [about some fans wanting to resign Bourn], but his career OPS+ was still below average and he is turning 30 years old in December of this year.
Granted, but averages aren’t always predictors. Some guys actually do mature into the game and perform better as their careers advance.
Nonetheless, Bourn was never worth signing for the term and dollars figures thrown around on the blog.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:17 am
Lew: Really not seeing a need to hurry in Brandon;s instance.
Agreed. No reason to get on that this off-season. The other guys.. Freeman, Heyward, Kimbrel, Prado, perhaps Medlen… worth looking into.
Efrim: Not gonna lie, hoping for Heyward to get to 30 HR’s and 60 BB’s over these last 14 games.
I like Heyward, but this is absurd. No way he hits 30 HR’s and walks 60 times in a 14 game span. It’s just not a reasonable expectation.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:18 am
tru dat..also, greinke will not be signed by braves..
No! No! Say it ain’t so!
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
Well, when you make that offer, at least you won’t have to spit in his face, too.
boras will be hit with way more than his usual 10% of that spit
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
Granted, but averages aren’t always predictors. Some guys actually do mature into the game and perform better as their careers advance.
Not as likely for a player that relies so much on their legs. I understand averages aren’t always predictors, but that’s a lot of money to invest in a player and hope that he’s figured it out at 29.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:20 am
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel has
Are these single season rankings or is this a total career number rankings?
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:22 am
I like Heyward, but this is absurd. No way he hits 30 HR’s and walks 60 times in a 14 game span. It’s just not a reasonable expectation.
I doubt he’ll even have 90 plate appearances over that time span….
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:22 am
10Paul…single season. I’ll repost:
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel for the 2012 season has:
The highest strikeout rate (16.78/9 IP) of ALL TIME
The fourth-lowest WHIP (0.675) of all time
The second-lowest opponents’ slugging percentage (.177) of all time
The third-lowest opponents OBP (.184) of all time
The lowest opponents OPS (.374) of ALL TIME
Ghost of Chipper Jones
September 18th, 2012
11:23 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either. They all are effective for three innings as things now stand. And all are worth a ST invite.
Neither is HUDSON, as you can readily see. He’s 38 and now is when it shows. But he’s good for a back-end of the rotation guy for two-years with back-end of the rotation money. Frankly, given the home-town discounts he’s given the BRAVES over the last decade plus, I offer a bit more than he’s worth at this point, seven million guaranteed for two with fairly easy incentives to 9.5 million max out. That way if he’s stellar and consistant he gets a half-million raise for two and if not, the BRAVES aren’t left holding an enormous bag, as they were on some previous pitching contracts in our recent past.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Freeman and Heyward right now: Difference in XBH, 5… Difference in BB, 5. Difference in age ~1 month.
So glad they are Braves.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Is Cunningham a legitimate MLB prospect? We don’t hear much about him around here, but the numbers he put up this season were pretty darned good.
If Prado is hitting leadoff, Simmons 2nd, and Cunningham 8th… is that horrible? Will the team lose all that much production in letting Bourn walk away?
I’m not saying Cunningham is comparable to Bourn, but I wonder if the team nosedives without Bourn hitting first or if they thrive with Prado hitting at the top of the order enough to make Bourn’s absence hurt less.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:24 am
Kimbrel’s also got, by a fairly significant margin, the highest Strikeout-to-Baserunners ratio (2.69) of all time for a season of at least 50 IP.
RC
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either. They all are effective for three innings as things now stand. And all are worth a ST invite.
Neither is HUDSON, as you can readily see. He’s 38 and now is when it shows. But he’s good for a back-end of the rotation guy for two-years with back-end of the rotation money. Frankly, given the home-town discounts he’s given the BRAVES over the last decade plus, I offer a bit more than he’s worth at this point, seven million guaranteed for two with fairly easy incentives to 9.5 million max out. That way if he’s stellar and consistant he gets a half-million raise for two and if not, the BRAVES aren’t left holding an enormous bag, as they were on some previous pitching contracts in our recent past.
Ok, to address the contract issues of each of these 4 pitchers:
Maholm and Hudson both have options for 2013 only, after which they will be free agents. Both options are affordable and very likely to be exercised by the Braves.
Sheets is a free agent. You can offer him a spring training invite, but he’s going to sign with someone as a starting pitcher if he wants to. Best to simply be glad that it worked out well for both him and the Braves and wish him well.
Jurrjens is going to be non-tendered. No way you pay an arbitration salary for a guy who fell off like he did. His career with the Braves is over.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
Is Cunningham a legitimate MLB prospect?
As a 4th outfielder? Sure.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:26 am
TenPaul – Chipper’s been great, but having someone play every day with much better defense and second in the league in hits, a good batting average and OBP in his own right and just somewhat less HR power, should offset his loss pretty well. What he won’t replace is Chipper’s clubhouse presence and leadership qualities.
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2012
11:27 am
Wow, that could make for some fun stuff. One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players?
Me, I’m carrying two starters. If Medlen pulls a groin in the bullpen warming up, I don’t want to put all of my eggs in Cristhian Martinez’s basket.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
I doubt he’ll even have 90 plate appearances over that time span…
I suppose if he is walking or going yard every time he steps to the plate, then the line up would turn over faster… maybe… but not a reasonable expectation, even for a once in a 4 generation talent.
monty
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
Bourn is still one of the best 4-5 leadoff guys in baseball and he will get his money. So we lose 2 of the main gogs that make us go, Bourn and Chipper. Gonna be hard to replace them adequately. Chipper’s presence in the lineup alone is a game changer and his situational hitting in pressure AB”s will be near impossible to match. The little things Bourn can do with his speed alone will be near impossible to match. Make a deal for Bernadina(might be hard to get) to match Bourn’s performance and get a “Willingham type”(veteran presence,good head on his shoulders) for LF to give us the punch we miss with Chipper gone.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF and actually improving on the power numbers. Not to mention Martin has thrown out quite a few runners from LF.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
11:28 am
it’s tough to make even a two year plan in baseball.
why not in baseball? teams usually have young players under control for reasonable number of years and sign players to > 4 yr contracts regularly. that should help with the >2yr planning.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:29 am
MAHOLM and SHEETS are not long-term solutions at the SP position. Frankly, I like JURRJENS’ prospects now over either.
What reason would you have to like JJ over Maholm, Sheets, or anyone not named Proctor at this point? That’s ridiculous.
I’m not all that high on Maholm or Sheets, either, but c’mon… to say JJ is a better choice is just being dramatic for the sake of being dramatic.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:30 am
should offset his loss pretty well
I agree with that. He’ll do well, but it will be an overall decrease in offensive production at 3B next year.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:30 am
I think I’ve said this before but….aside from kidnapping Chase Headley, Prado should really be our third baseman in 2013. Not LF. 3rd base. And I’m hoping he stays there and isn’t shuffled around too much. Might actually help him be a better hitter…?
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
11:31 am
Maholm would be used as trade bait this winter if I could get the right deal in return.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:32 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF
I fear this as well, largely because this front office has shunned Left Field for decades. It’s scary to think what they might find as an apt placement for LF… Biff? Pastornicky? …shudder…
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
Think about it. This year, of the 206 batters Kimbrel has faced:
51.0% of them have struck out (lol)
41.7% have put the ball in play
18.4% have reached base
11.7% have gotten a hit
3.4% of them have scored
1.9% of them have gotten an extra-base hit
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
why not in baseball? teams usually have young players under control for reasonable number of years and sign players to > 4 yr contracts regularly. that should help with the >2yr planning.
Underperformance, injuries, trades,etc. I think you can do your best to map it out, but realistically most things are on a year to year basis.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
I’m a lot less concerned about Prado replacing Chipper at third than I am in someone replacing Martin’s numbers in LF and actually improving on the power numbers. Not to mention Martin has thrown out quite a few runners from LF.
As you’ve said previously, Lew (I believe), maybe Prado remains in left if Wren can’t bring in a suitable left fielder, via trade or free agency.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:34 am
Jeff R You got it!
Of course!…:)
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Trivia time! Ryan Braun now in 40-HR, 20-SB Club. Only 3 other active players who are NOT Yankees have ever had a 40-20 season. Name them!
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Time to reveal that @MikeandMike trivia answer. Soriano, Chipper & Mark Reynolds were the other 40-20 club members. Almost no one got it!
monty
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
Best thing for BMAC right now might be magnet therapy. Wear magnetic wraps around pain areas to relieve it, I’ve tried it, it works, many golfers on the senior tour swear by them. Some even sleep on magnets.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:35 am
monty—
Oh, that I really needed to hear! That helps a lot…
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:36 am
I think I’ve said this before but….aside from kidnapping Chase Headley, Prado should really be our third baseman in 2013. Not LF. 3rd base.
This is where his versatility comes in play. Wren can get “creative” if needs be.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:36 am
It’s scary to think what they might find as an apt placement for LF… Biff? Pastornicky? …shudder…
BJ Upton in CF, Prado at 3rd base and a platoon of Reed Johnson and a left handed hitting outfielder – maybe our boy Seth Smith.
If the above happens, I’ll be hoping for “Big Game” on Opening Day.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
Maholm would be used as trade bait this winter if I could get the right deal in return.
Ha! Uggla, Maholm for Infante and McCann.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
JeffR – It’s going to be interesting to see which way they go and which works out better for the Braves. Martin’s versatility gives Wren some serious leeway in his options.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
This is where his versatility comes in play. Wren can get “creative” if needs be.
Like Prado in LF vs. RHP(Juan Francisco) and Prado at 3rd Base vs. LHP(Reed Johnson).
Perfect! Can’t wait to hear that speech from Wren.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
Magnets…?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:38 am
I’d wait a year on the pitchers, extend the hitters and offer Bourn 5/70 max
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:40 am
Don’t ruin my hopes guys! Come closer to home Zack. California is waay different than Florida.
Wow, that could make for some fun stuff. One starter, five relievers, and nineteen position players?
Me, I’m carrying two starters.
3 here…. Medle, Minor, and Huddy. Maholm and slow-arm Hanson can stay at home. Not gonna try to make them go out of the bullpen that game. Get ready for the NLDS (except Hanson, hah!)
Bringing the 19 (or now 18) position players is interesting though. Could do lots of matchups late in the game. Would feel more comfy having the normal 7 guys in the ‘pen, especially since my starter would have a short leash.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Ha! Uggla, Maholm for Infante and McCann.
That’s quite a bit of an overpay.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
Efrim – I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:42 am
I’d wait a year on the pitchers, extend the hitters and offer Bourn 5/70 max
I love the one liners nolie brings. Took me about three pages of N8 type posts to get there.
I think I’m more in the four year, 52 million dollar range for Bourn though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
11:46 am
Bourn making Uggla money…
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Beware of strength-of-schedule talk this time of year. #Astros have better record in Sept (8-7) than #Cardinals, #Reds, #Pirates or #Dodgers
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:46 am
I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
You’re probably right, Lew. It’s just the nature of who Martin is as a player. But I really wanted a LF banger, and I don’t want Martin’s versatility to be in the way of that.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
I see your point, but if they get someone to platoon effectively aginast LHP in LF, it could work out pretty well for the Braves. I just don’t see Martin playing 162 (or 157 or whatever) all at one position. I’m betting there is some positional movement next year no matter who they get.
You’re probably right, Lew. That’s thje nature of Martin as a player. I guess I just wanted a LF power hitter for the middle of the lineup and I don’t want Martin’s versatility to be in the way of that is all.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
prolly doesn’t matter Efrim since neither of those offers are likely to get it done.
I like the guy, the way he hustles and his great D which to an extent makes up for his poorish OPS, but there is a limit to how much he is worth to the Braves and 13-15 per is definitely the very top
Bat Masterson
September 18th, 2012
11:48 am
For players with at least 50 innings pitched in a season, Craig Kimbrel for the 2012 season has:
I wonder how many teenagers out there have incorporated long tossing from their knees into their training routine.
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
11:53 am
Everyone is assuming we will re-sign Reed Johnson. I hope that is true, but have no idea what the cost will be.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:53 am
JeffR – It’s going to be interesting to see which way they go and which works out better for the Braves. Martin’s versatility gives Wren some serious leeway in his options.
Yes, I agree, Lew.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Efrim – I’d like that Banger in LF, too – just not sure who that might be. Is BJ Upton worth signing for LF and going with a more defensive orientd CFer?
Never really was a fan of Bossman Junior, but he did put up a good year this year, though he may well be sought after this winter.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
Everyone is assuming we will re-sign Reed Johnson. I hope that is true, but have no idea what the cost will be.
Not cheap, but I doubt prohibitive. Roll Hinske’s annual salary into a Johnson deal, for starters.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
11:56 am
I’d rather see the Braves pursue Pagan than give Bourn $14-15mil per season.
Lew
September 18th, 2012
11:58 am
Yeah, I’m not even concerned about Johnson’s re-signing being in any way prohibitive. He’d e a fairly decent fall back option for that platoon if the desired thumper in LF doesn’t appear.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
11:59 am
Johnson has never made all that much money a year. IIRC he has averaged about a mil per the last three years. If they want him, and I sure hope they do, he should not cost too much 1.5m/per maybe?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Upton had pretty much the same year he has had the last three or four, an OPS around 750, with erratic defense I ca practically guarantee that most here will not like him long term if we get him unless he makes a major change in his approach and attitude
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Would you guys rather he BJ Upton or Bourn in CF? Guessing they will get similar contracts this winter, maybe Upton gets a little more.
Either way, Braves are still short middle of the order hitter. I miss the days when we would just go out and get Sheffield or Gallaraga…
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
Perfect! Can’t wait to hear that speech from Wren.
Was thinking more on trade front… but hey, that works!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
there is no way that Upton gets as much as Bourn will
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
I disagree Nolie, more power, younger, and more “potential” to have monster year than Bourn. I would put money on Upton getting at least as much as Bourn
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:07 pm
Reed shouldn’t be much of a problem to sign… he’ll likely get Hinske’s money + a little more.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hello Braves fans!!!!!
Back in time for the Braves playoff march baby.
Anything changed?
Let’s see I still want Dempster( guy has pitched well for Texas and getting to NLDS would have been nice to have him start game 3 but oh well, he blew us off.
Let’s see, Kyle Lohse is still a stud(want Huddy over this guy next year?)
Let’s see, Yunel Escobar has a brain the size of a walnut. In hot water again for what he wore playing the other day. Were are the Yunel supporters here???? He’s a class act and great guy to have on the team. Love his sub .300 OBP very Gonzo like. 10M good investment by the Jays.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
Pagan would be a better use of available funds than either Bourn or Upton.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
Actually Dempster would have probably pitched Game 2 if Medlen goes WC game. Oh well. Still haunted by this.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
I disagree Nolie, more power, younger, and more “potential” to have monster year than Bourn…puma
way too many questions and bad rep hide and watch
it will not even be all that close unless Upton ends up as the last available CFer and a rich team gets desperate
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
Rob Neyer on playoff rosters, reacting to Buster’s comment that it might be “very fair”:
Very fair, though? Again, sure. One might argue that it’s most fair. But is fairness what we want? If the Braves finish with the second-best record in the National League, maybe six or eight games ahead of their Wild Card competition, don’t they deserve an advantage? They’ll have an advantage, because they can spend the last week of the season getting the pitching rotation in exactly the order they like. But you take some of that advantage away, if you allow the other team to carry 10 relief pitchers, and start playing the match game in the sixth inning.
So yes, it’s “fair” … but I’m not sure you want to be fair.
And this argument leaves aside the fact that an 10-man bullpen distorts the game. It’s bad enough that September baseball becomes a parade of relief pitchers, beginning in the sixth or seventh inning. Do we really want to see a dozen pitching changes in a postseason game? I don’t.
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3352360/wild-card-roster-loophole-might-mean-10-man-bullpens
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:21 pm
I don’t want fair, I want advantage Braves, huge advantage Braves actually
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
The best use of available funds would be to trade for Craig Gentry for CF.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
12:24 pm
Jayson Stark has changed his mind:
Jayson Stark (12:03 PM)
I’m actually working on an NL Cy Young piece for later this week, so I’ll look at this in more detail then. But right this minute, if I were going to vote for a starting pitcher in the NL, I’d vote for Dickey. But I’m still leaning toward a reliever, to be honest. And at this point, I’d favor Kimbrel over Chapman. Feel free to argue!
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
I think that Kimbrel should definitely be in the serious running
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Nolie – I am sure I will forget this, but once both are signed in offseason, lets revisit this “wager”
Assuming Braves could afford both, who would you rather have, Upton or Bourn? I think I lean to Bourn, but Upton is enticing when you think about what he could do, but probably won’t do.
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Kimbrel a beast but that slider isn’t as sharp as it’s been most of the year. Still awesome and almost unhittable but snapping off that slider he’s untouchable.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Gentry is too unproven for hopefully a contending team once again IMO
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:30 pm
Bourn, I watch Upton play almost every day and thank the Lord that he is not on “my” team. and don’t worry, I’ll remember
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:30 pm
Looking ahead, is Mike Minor going to start game 2 of the NLDS(WHEN WE GET THERE!) ?
Guy has come pretty far in a short period of time.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
The ESPN.com power rankings are out and the Texas Rangers have returned to the top spot. They were No. 2 last week.
Top Five:
1. Texas Rangers (2 last week)
2. Washington Nationals (1)
3. Cincinnati Reds (3)
4. Oakland A’s (7)
5. San Francisco Giants (6)
Braves fall from 4th to 6th. That sweep to the Brewers had to hurt.
After finishing off a sweep of the Mets, the Braves were then swept by the Brewers. They then turned around and swept the Nationals. It’s likely too little, too late to catch Washington, but Atlanta remains firmly in control of a wild-card spot. Mike Minor and Kris Medlen seem to be coming into their own, while Jason Heyward is staring down 30 homers. — Franklin Rabon: Capitol Avenue Club
Puma
September 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
Dickey gets and deserves Cy Young IMO, but then again I am in that Relievers shouldn’t win Cy Young awards group of thought.
Better debate is who is NL MVP, hate to say it cause I don’t like him, but Posey should win unless Pittsburgh can get back in wild card.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:35 pm
The participating teams will set 25-man rosters for this one-game, winner-take-all extravaganza — rosters that don’t have to carry over to the Division series matchup.
really…now that is interesting. a few extra bats in place of SPers might be good.
scoots if you find yourself in a situation where you need the seventh guy in the bully, you’re probably hip-deep in doo-doo, already.
or extra innings. id keep a couple of SPers just in case.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
12:36 pm
Cards, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers (all fighting for #2 WC) are 13-16 (in that order).
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:37 pm
We really beat up Eovaldi last time out. Johnson pitched us pretty well. Finally got to Kendrick last outing. Same with Doc. Lee owned us. That’s the rest of the week for the Braves. 4 RHP’s – good thing.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:41 pm
Gentry is too unproven for hopefully a contending team once again IMO
Gentry is actually on a contending team, the Rangers. As far as unproven, he’s played in 112 of their games this year posting an average of .306 and an OBP of .372. He totaled 64 games played last year with every reasonable stats. Granted he’s mostly used as a defensive replacement that season and much of this one but he’s still had over 200 at bats.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
12:43 pm
Good day all
Good win last night keeping the pressure on the NATS. GREAT game MARTIN. HUDDY did not look sharp. I have to AGREE with the post below about HUDDY. FREDI is not smart.
**************************************************************************************************
gotigers72
September 18th, 2012
1:14 am
Braves getting into Miami at 3:30 AM? Does that include Hudson? Used to the next day pitcher would be sent to the venue a day early. Why not now? As soon as they saw that the Sunday game was moved from a day game to 8:00 PM, plans should’ve been made to send Hudson to Miami on a noon flight so he could get proper rest.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
Not to mention, he’s not arb eligible until 2014 and won’t become a free agent until 2017. He’s right handed and over the last 2 years he has stolen 30 bases and only caught 6 times and that’s in a limited playing role mostly because the Ranger’s have Hamilton, Cruz and Murphy in the starting roles. He hits lefties very well, something we need extremely bad.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
200 at bats = unproven, real unproven actually
let’s just say that I hope we do not have to resort to that level of player as a starter anywhere
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:45 pm
Not sure if the Braves are going to trade for ALL of their needs this offseason. That’d cost quite a bit in terms of prospects. But, I could see both Hanson and Delgado shopped, so we may be able to get the outfield squared away with those two plus some others.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
I really really want Heyward to get to 30 HR this season.
What are the qualifications for Comeback Player of the Year? Given the season he had last year I’d think he’d be a good candidate.
Oh, and Pagan for CF in 2013.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
I’ll agree that IF they feel the need to go cheap, that Gentry is an interesting player
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
12:48 pm
…..The feeling far and wide is that the Braves will not catch D.C……….with what? Nineteen games or so that remain: Question of The Day IMO: Since we’re not mathematically out, what’s holding us back? {Please don’t get Uggla with replies}
brian
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
DOB – I hope the BRaves are thinking like you are – those 6 are the core of the Braves. I would add Minor to the Simmons group of waiting until next year then I would want them signed long term as well.
A young rotation under contract starting with Medlen, Beachy, and Minor is not a bad place to start at all, especially with Kimbrel closing. Prado, JHey, Freeman and Simmons gives us a great, young position player core as well.
I hope the Braves and their number crunchers consider spending more on salary now to lock these guys up knowing they will save in the long run an keep this group together
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
Over his mlb experience….
207 games, 451 plate appearances, 31 steals, .278/.345/.351
Not exactly bad numbers, not much power but he’s quite capable at all other aspects.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
The Braves have 14 games left. That’s a good bit less than 19. If the Nats go 8-8 over their last 16, the Braves would have to go 12-2 just to tie. And so on.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
When was the last time we made a significant prospect trade during the offseason? I know we’ve made some in season trades like McLouth and Bourn.
Didn’t make any significant trades last offseason. I wouldn’t consider Omar Infante and Mike Dunn for Dan Uggla(2010) a prospect trade. In 2009, we traded away Vazquez and received Arodys + others. I guess it really was Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, Brent Lillibridge and Santos Rodriguez for Vazquez and Boone Logan, which was in December of 2008 – near four years ago. Gotta imagine one is coming this winter.
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
id have medlen, huddy, and minor on the roster for the one gamer, along with my 7 best bullpen arms and 15 position players (3 catchers).
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:52 pm
What are the qualifications for Comeback Player of the Year?
I don’t think there’s any set criteria. Very subjective.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
Really, would tying the Nationals be any better than finishing behind them?
Either way, you’d have to play one game to get in the NLDS. In one scenario, if you lose, you go home. In the other scenario, if you lose, you play again the next day for the hope of playing for a 3rd straight day in the NLDS.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
yeah, I’d cut back to three starters, add some RPs and bench guys
Lemke's Knuckler
September 18th, 2012
12:56 pm
I’m sorry, I just hate this whole one-game wild card playoff. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.
There needs to be some advantage for the team with the better record. Maybe they could do it like they do in college baseball, where the higher seed only has to win once, but the lower seed team has to win twice. Do a same-day doubleheader if the lower seed teams wins the first game.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
12:58 pm
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
id have medlen, huddy, and minor on the roster for the one gamer, along with my 7 best bullpen arms and 15 position players (3 catchers).
*********************************************
That silly play-in game should not even be played. If we finish where we arw in standings. We should be the ONLY WC.
Puma
September 18th, 2012
1:00 pm
get a room Arkansas!
DAP
September 18th, 2012
1:00 pm
lemke’s knuckler There needs to be some advantage for the team with the better record.
how about home field?
Brave New World
September 18th, 2012
1:01 pm
Getting Angel Pagan would be a good move for 2013. I also wouldn’t mind getting Shane Victorino.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:01 pm
In fact, I’ll take it one step further.
If the Braves are one game behind Washington on the last day, should they try to lose the last game?
If they tie Washington, they’ll have to fly to Washington for a one-game playoff on the next day. If they win, they are in the NLDS. If they lose, they have to fly to Atlanta the next day for a one-game playoff.
If they finish behind Washington, they’ll just have to play one game at home to get in the NLDS.
RC
September 18th, 2012
1:01 pm
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Time to reveal that @MikeandMike trivia answer. Soriano, Chipper & Mark Reynolds were the other 40-20 club members. Almost no one got it!
This prompted me to go look at Chipper’s baseball reference page to see what that season looked like. Holy cow, Chipper Jones’s 1999 season was freakin’ incredible.
Another random thing that I didn’t realize until seeing his page: Chipper has NEVER had 100 strikeouts in a season. His closest total was 99….in his rookie year.
That’s freakin’ impressive.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
1:04 pm
Shane Victorino? No thank you. The guy is over the hill and in decline.
RC
September 18th, 2012
1:04 pm
In fact, I’ll take it one step further.
If the Braves are one game behind Washington on the last day, should they try to lose the last game?
If they tie Washington, they’ll have to fly to Washington for a one-game playoff on the next day. If they win, they are in the NLDS. If they lose, they have to fly to Atlanta the next day for a one-game playoff.
If they finish behind Washington, they’ll just have to play one game at home to get in the NLDS.
No, they should go for the win. Having 2 chances to win 1 game are much better odds than having 1 chance to win 1 game, no matter how much travel is involved.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:05 pm
yup, Chipper did it all in ‘99. only player with 100 RS and RBI, 300BA 40+ doubles, 40+ homers and 25 steals in one season IIRC
George_George
September 18th, 2012
1:06 pm
George_George Repost, they stuck me at bottom of page again
September 18th, 2012
12:58 pm
DAP
September 18th, 2012
12:51 pm
id have medlen, huddy, and minor on the roster for the one gamer, along with my 7 best bullpen arms and 15 position players (3 catchers).
*********************************************
That silly play-in game should not even be played. If we finish where we arw in standings. We should be the ONLY WC.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
1:07 pm
The best use of available funds would be to trade for Craig Gentry for CF.
So… just offer the Rangers a pile of cash and see if they send back Craig? If he’s as good as you hype him to be, why would the Rangers trade him for “cash considerations”?
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:08 pm
Having 2 chances to win 1 game are much better odds than having 1 chance to win 1 game, no matter how much travel is involved.
Does playing the first game make it significantly more likely you would lose the second? Enough to tip the scales?
I’m not saying one way or the other. It’s something to think about.
Pros for being tied with Washington, compared to finishing behind them:
If you win the division playoff, you get 3 home games in the NLDS.
If you have one bad day, your season is not over.
Pros for finishing behind Washington:
A day of rest between the end of the season and the playoff.
Using Medlen in a home game for an NLDS spot.
You stand to have a better rotation set up for the NLDS.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
1:08 pm
There needs to be some advantage for the team with the better record.
Geez, they already give you a playoff berth for finishing second. Asking for more just seems greedy, no?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:10 pm
your reward/advantage is home court.
and yes you would go for the win in the previous question
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
1:10 pm
Chipper has NEVER had 100 strikeouts in a season.
I had reasonable expectations Heyward would do this, but that’s not happening.
You know who else did this? Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams…
RC
September 18th, 2012
1:11 pm
Does playing the first game make it significantly more likely you would lose the second? Enough to tip the scales?
I’m not saying one way or the other. It’s something to think about.
It is something to think about. I don’t think that it does make it enough more likely to tip the scales. Heck, it could make you more likely to win since the opposition will have to wait a day without playing. One day isn’t likely to make a difference, but a team can still “get cold” waiting to play.
Plus, the upside of winning that first game is significant enough to outweigh the risk of playing game 2 at less than full strength.
George_George
September 18th, 2012
1:12 pm
Outta here for a bit, hope to be back before game start. If not KEEP IT GOING BRAVES.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
1:12 pm
I had reasonable expectations Heyward would do this, but that’s not happening.
Hateraid.
All because Heyward is tall, most likely.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
1:12 pm
why would the Rangers trade him for “cash considerations”?
cash considerations? don’t see it happening but I don’t see them asking much in return either… and by asking much, I mean one of our top 10 prospects.
If he’s as good as you hype him to be
What makes him such a good fit for the Braves, doesn’t necessarily make him indispensible to the Rangers.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:13 pm
nobody plays to lose
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:13 pm
For sure, these are the preferable scenarios:
1. Tied with Washington, win the playoff in Washington
2. Finish behind Washington
3. Tied with Washington, lose the playoff in Washington
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:14 pm
nobody plays to lose
There’s never been much of a reason to, right?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:15 pm
our top 10 prospects are now pretty mediocre, I’m willing to bet you would not get him for less, why would thay do that?
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
1:15 pm
your reward/advantage is home court.
I know you mean home field but it would make it much more interesting if they made them play a game of b-ball to determine who’s going to advance.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:16 pm
there still is no reason to, I disagree with your opinion and I’m pretty sure that most any professional would also
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
1:16 pm
I don’t really mind if Heyward is going to strikeout 120-140 times in a season.
I’d just rather not see 160+. Really tough to hit for a high batting average that way. I had hope that Heyward was going to hit at least .280 this year, but that probably isn;t happening
George_George
September 18th, 2012
1:16 pm
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:13 pm
nobody plays to lose
*************************
TRUE WORDS nolie.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:20 pm
@BrianSC…………..You make a compelling analysis for why we can’t, try one for how we might; is it that far-fetched to think the Nats could go minus 3-4 wins re: 8-8 ref in your post and, perhaps we go 13-1?
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
1:20 pm
Alot of ways Wren can go. We have enough money to fill a need or 2 and We also have enough young talent to swing a trade to fill needs. I see Wren doing both. But what is priority? CF? LF? SP? I really don’t see us making a big splash but I see us bringing in a handfull of solid to good players instead of just 1 major addition.
Maybe Bourn’s price has dropped a little with his bad 2nd half, but with so many teams needing a CFer he is gonna get overpayed still. To keep Bourn in ATL we would have to spend over half of our available funds. We are way more likely to look at cheaper options such as Pagan and also the trade market.
Prado gives us flexibility so now Wren can still explore any 3rd base options to go along with OFers. Hell Prado even gives us the ability to possibly kick the tires on trading Uggla (I know Longshot)
Overall we can go alot of different ways. Replacing Chipper and Bourn’s impact will be impossible. But with rebound seasons from McCann and Uggla, and a Heyward and Freeman who are only getting better this team can be better regardless of what it looks like on paper.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:20 pm
I would be more interested in seeing Jason up his performance significantly against Lefties than keep his Ks lower. course both would be nice….
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:21 pm
Doing some math. Let’s make some assumptions and see where it gets us.
Let’s say Washington has a 55% chance of winning a divisional playoff in Washington.
Let’s say Atlanta has a 55% chance of winning wild card playoff in Atlanta.
Let’s say Atlanta has a 50% chance of winning the wild card playoff if they just played the divisional playoff.
If the Braves finish tied with Washington, they would have a 72.5% chance of making the NLDS. If they finish behind Washington, it would obviously be 55%.
You can change up the probabilities to suit your thinking.
If Washington has a 60% chance of winning in Washington, Atlanta has a 60% chance of winning the wild card playoff, and the Braves have only a 40% chance of winning a 2nd game in two days, the probabilities shift to:
64% chance of making the NLDS if the Braves finish tied with Washington
60% chance of making the NLDS if the Braves finish behind Washington
So, yeah…being tied looks like the preferable choice. But it is interesting to think about.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:22 pm
I disagree with your opinion and I’m pretty sure that most any professional would also
I hadn’t given an opinion on it, until the post I just made at 1:21.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
1:22 pm
our top 10 prospects are now pretty mediocre
Excited to see how our list nets out. I’ll guess Teheran, Graham, Bethancourt, Sims and Gilmartin will be the Top 5 for every list that comes out. The rest is a toss up, with potentials being Ed Salcedo, Alex Wood, Zeke Spruill, Nick Ahmed, Mauricio Cabrera, Jose Peraza, and Matt Lipka.
Would not have any of Terdoslavich, Gattis or Cunningham in there.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:23 pm
lets just say that you never know what will happen in any given game so you play to win. anything else is insulting to the players and the game
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
ok proposal/suggestion then, that better ??
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
Unless Jason Heyward has fewer than 100 Ks a year, and walks 75 times a year, he’s a bum……
Puma
September 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
I think the one game wildcard sucks too, but the lesson is to win the division. There was not enough of an advantage to winning the division before (or penalty for being WC), not there is. Not sure I like the idea of playing Nats in that first round though.
When you feel sorry for your Braves, just remember the ‘93 Giants.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
ok proposal/suggestion then, that better ??
Yes.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
Re … play in roster rules …
Obviously, only need for one SP on the play-in roster. That frees up four roster spots.
Room for lots of RPs and PHs.
Starter gets one AB (say in the second or third inning). Then, PH, RP, PH, RP, PH, RP, …
Wonder if there’s ever been a game where nine pitchers each pitched an inning apiece.
Might not even have to consider using a starter … save him for the NLDS.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
Might not even have to consider using a starter … save him for the NLDS.
Nah, I’d rather have Medlen for as long as he can take us than Martinez, Gearrin, Durbin, Avilan, etc.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
good, I’d hate to upset you over word choice
VaBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Hopefully Heyward improves each season. Right now he is slugging like crazy. Hopefully he can cut down on his K’s, improve his OBP, and gradually hit LHP better.
His rookie season
623 PAs 277/393/456
2012 Season
598 PAs 273/342/493
Flip Flopped with his approach quite a bit. Less Walks, More K’s, More Power.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
I say start Hanson for the play-in game…. save our good pitchers for the NLDS.
Wait, if we do that, there’d be no NLDS. What was I thinking…. The thought of Hanson starting any game, esp. an important one is revolting
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
If the Braves are one game behind Washington on the last day, should they try to lose the last game?
If intent could be proven, the league would have a mini-Black Sox scandal on its hands. Besides, there’s always the Law of Unintended Consequences. You think a loss may help the Braves, but due to imponderables, it may just do the reverse.
Play to win, and move forward with confidence.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
Yeah…”trying to lose” was probably too strong a thing to say anyway. Maybe something softer like “wouldn’t mind losing so much” would have been better.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Besides, there’s always the Law of Unintended Consequences. You think a loss may help the Braves, but due to imponderables, it may just do the reverse….Jeff R
exactly, especially as unpredictable as baseball is compared to most other sports
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Brian from SC, a-okay. This is a blog, not a law school!
Jeff R
September 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Brian from SC, a-okay. This a blog, not a law school!
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
That’s cool stuff there @BrndianSC….good work; and let the waspish wail.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:47 pm
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
1:47 pm
would be more interested in seeing Jason up his performance significantly against Lefties than keep his Ks lower.
The latter would surely be a by-product of the former, don’t you think?
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
1:49 pm
cash considerations?
Well, I was responding to your: “What to do with available funds…trade for Gentry” post. Doesn’t really follow if a cash trade isn’t the point.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
1:50 pm
nobody plays to lose
that sometimes depends on the availability of once-in-a-generation talent available in draft
cricket
September 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
get one more lefty and convert him to LF -
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/57189/trade-ike-davis-its-on-the-table
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
Maybe something softer like “wouldn’t mind losing so much” would have been better.
Phillies had a great year last season, going 102-60. However, September was their worst month record wise. Went 16-14. Around the time they clinched the division, they lost 8 straight. Right after that, they won 1 game over the Mets then swept the Braves.
They proceeded to lose in the NLDS.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
@ncscoots………..The by-product is most desired….cetainly, I get the vibe that JeyHey shows too anxious when facing a good LHP…..I really think he needs to take a deep breath or two, step out of the box, etc.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
The latter would surely be a by-product of the former, don’t you think?
Perhaps a little. It isn’t that much of a difference in his K-rate for splits.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
I really think he needs to take a deep breath or two, step out of the box
, go back to the dugout and wait for a right handed pitcher.
Jay Dubu
September 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
“Nonetheless, Bourn was never worth signing for the term and dollars figures thrown around on the blog.”
A-Rod, Teixeira, R. Soriano, A. Soriano, Reyes, Crawford, Beckett, Pujols, Howard, etc.
Baseball contracts are decided without the use of real world common sense, so there will be some team willing to contribute to the “Bourn Fund” even if it’s not the Braves. His performance down the stretch will not enable the Brave to sign him at a cheaper price or for a shorter term than market.
Who is his agent again?…Boras, you say! He’ll get his money , and then some.
nolie
September 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
that sometimes depends on the availability of once-in-a-generation talent available in draft…cricket
in baseball that would be kindadumb since any number of once in a generation talents have flopped
nolie
September 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
Can wasps really wail?
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
I know…yeah…@TennesseePaul; re: 1:55pm post……..especially on bright sunny afternoons:)
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
2:02 pm
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
Really, would tying the Nationals be any better than finishing behind them?
Either way, you’d have to play one game to get in the NLDS. In one scenario, if you lose, you go home. In the other scenario, if you lose, you play again the next day for the hope of playing for a 3rd straight day in the NLDS.
My guess is that the loser would then be the Wild Card #1 winner and would then play the one game Wild Card game at home?
How would you see either Atlanta oir the Nationals falling behind the #2 Wild Card winner?
nolie
September 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Jason has actually had some big important hits against lefties, I do not read it as anxious at all.
the splits among lefties are usually though not always more pronounced than among righties
raleighbravefan
September 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
nolie – Depends on whether the “wasps” are insects, or a demographic group.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
The Braves have dominated the Marlins to a +44 run differential this season. That’s the biggest between any two teams head-to-head.
ATL-MIA +44
ARI-HOU +37
CHW-MIN +36
OAK-BOS +34
SFG-COL +34
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
I say we offer Uggla straight up to the Nats for Harper.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
@Nolieee….re: 2:00pm post
Answer is definitively yes, Nols; you see when the Wasps drop in Premiership—they ‘wail.’ [London Wasps, five time English champion].
nolie
September 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
I’d rather trade him for Trout….
TP
September 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
Surprise the Braves marketing dept has thrown in the towel for the team to win the division.
The Nats are stumbling a bit.
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
nolie, I like how you think.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
My guess is that the loser would then be the Wild Card #1 winner and would then play the one game Wild Card game at home?
Yes.
How would you see either Atlanta oir the Nationals falling behind the #2 Wild Card winner?
I don’t. I don’t know how you got that from my post.
Puma
September 18th, 2012
2:11 pm
The biggest issue with some of these contracts is the length. Hamilton is clearly the best hitter on the market next year, but he’s 31 and will probably want at least 6 years, but probably 8. Even Chipper, first ballot HOF, slipped as he got past about 35. So best case you’ll end up with a 38 year old making $25 mil a year hitting 280, 20 hrs and 80 RBIs. Not horrible, but not worth $25 mil.
Pujols will be making $30 mil at 41…insane!
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
May be old news here, but this is pretty cool:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/09/18/12/Fans-honor-Chipper-with-corn-maze/landing_braves.html?blockID=792067&feedID=3703
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
Jason has actually had some big important hits against lefties, I do not read it as anxious at all.
Well, he hit lefties pretty well in the minors, maybe he gets back to that next year. Finding that sweet spot between patience and aggression ought to help, regardless of pitchers’ arm-side.
Guy practically rebuilt his swing this year, and it stands to reason he wanted to use the bat once he got right. I know he’s swinging at tons more first pitches than he did as a rookie (or seems that way, anyhow). Kid wants to do damage and I can’t fault him for that, walk-rate notwithstanding.
cricket
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
Jason has actually had some big important hits against lefties
thanks a lot nolie, now we have to hear about one more stat – what is a hitter’s BIHAL?
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
Jason has actually had some big important hits against lefties, I do not read it as anxious at all.
the splits among lefties are usually though not always more pronounced than among righties
HR vs. Bumgarner
2 2B’s vs. Hamels
HR vs. Niese
Yup. Recent memory, those are the ones I can think of.
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
May be old news here, but this is pretty cool:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/09/18/12/Fans-honor-Chipper-with-corn-maze/landing_braves.html?blockID=792067&feedID=3703
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
May be old news here, but this is pretty cool:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/09/18/12/Fans-honor-Chipper-with-corn-maze/landing_braves.html?blockID=792067&feedID=3703
Powder Blue
September 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
May be old news here, but this is pretty cool:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/09/18/12/Fans-honor-Chipper-with-corn-maze/landing_braves.html?blockID=792067&feedID=3703
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
Since that Sunday Night game vs. the Giants when he hit that 3 run shot off of Bumgarner, he’s been going pretty cold – .238/.274/.400.
Still above .800 for September though, but that cold week cost him a high 800’s OPS in August and he hasn’t gone nuts yet in September.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
2:15 pm
@Nolieee…2:03….yes, indeed Jason has had some reat one’s vs. lefties and that’s because he is a guy that can play—anytime, anywhere IMO.
But I think what we’re talking about here are minute personal habits and just fodder for the heart and soul……no big competitive analysis—certainly not in the ‘Joe Morgan’ sense.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
2:16 pm
20 games, 84 PA’s in that stretch.
phil
September 18th, 2012
2:19 pm
Frankie
September 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Kimbrel a beast but that slider isn’t as sharp as it’s been most of the year. Still awesome and almost unhittable but snapping off that slider he’s untouchable.
***********
Kimbrel’s just prepping us for his epic October 5th blown save in the wildcard game….
No big deal since we will have had a good, solid season. Winning in the playoffs is unimportant, you know, as we’ve proven countless times since 1991.
phil
September 18th, 2012
2:20 pm
The cornfield tribute to Chipper is indeed pretty sweet….
I do feel for the sacrificed corn, however.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
2:20 pm
Hah! Both Heyward and Freeman at .878 since June 19th. Gotta love it.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
Kimbrel a beast but that slider isn’t as sharp as it’s been most of the year
You mean instead of totally unhittable, it’s only nearly unhittable?
I think you gotta be really searching deep for problems, if the depth on Kimbrel’s slider is what comes to mind.
Efrim
September 18th, 2012
2:24 pm
Hoping for at least a 9-5 finish to the season to end at 94-68. That’ll give the Braves 360 wins over the last four seasons – average of 90 wins a year.
And, ya know, if they lose the coin flip game, they’ll of only played in one….ONE playoff series in four seasons despite a 360-288 record.
As Skip would say, “that’ll drive a man to drink”.
Capt.Mudd
September 18th, 2012
2:25 pm
There’s the ice creme truck….Mommy left me dimes……I go now! Yum!
It’s all goo!
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
2:25 pm
Brian from Sc
How would you see either Atlanta oir the Nationals falling behind the #2 Wild Card winner?
I don’t. I don’t know how you got that from my post.
didn’t your post say something like “one team goes home…..” ??????
….that’s what I got from it, maybe I missed something which does happen a bit more these days in my life…
the truth...
September 18th, 2012
2:29 pm
Brian from SC
Here’s how I came up with it:
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
Really, would tying the Nationals be any better than finishing behind them?
Either way, you’d have to play one game to get in the NLDS. In one scenario, if you lose, you go home. In the other scenario, if you lose, you play again the next day for the hope of playing for a 3rd straight day in the NLDS.
Brian from SC
September 18th, 2012
2:29 pm
the truth…
Maybe I said it wrong in the post, but what I meant was that in the scenario of the Braves finishing behind Washington, one loss (in the wild card playoff) would send them home. If the Braves finish tied with Washington, they can lose a game and still live on til tomorrow.
Venice Jim
September 18th, 2012
2:34 pm
Weather looking questionable for the Nationals today…
phil
September 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
Until Gonzalez is canned, regular winning isn’t in our cards….
ncscoots
September 18th, 2012
2:38 pm
Weather looking questionable for the Nationals today…
Good. Make ‘em play double-headers the rest of the way, as far as I’m concerned.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
2:44 pm
Well, I was responding to your: “What to do with available funds…trade for Gentry” post. Doesn’t really follow if a cash trade isn’t the point.
available funds = limited monetary funds, budget restraints, funds required to retain other players currently on roster, contract extensions, arb hearings, contract options.. etc..etc..
Gentry is both budget friendly and would come at a lower cost than any of the forementioned options, outside of Cunningham.
Jay Dubu
September 18th, 2012
2:46 pm
“Unless Jason Heyward has fewer than 100 Ks a year, and walks 75 times a year, he’s a bum……”
Of the top 20 HR hitters in the NL, (Heyward is tied for 11th), not one of them meet this criteria, and of the top 20 in the AL, 3 could possibly do it, but only of of them has a realistic chance.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
2:48 pm
Based on match-ups, you might have something crazy like …
1st inning: Martinez
2nd inning: Martinez
3rd inning: Avilan
4th inning: Gearrin
5th inning: Venters
6th inning: Moylan
7th inning: Durbin
8th inning: O’Flaherty
9th inning: Kimbrel
Murph
September 18th, 2012
2:50 pm
I don’t want Martinez anywhere near the mound during the WC game.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
2:50 pm
Or Venters.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2012
2:52 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/18/chipper-wont-play-in-wbc-but-plans-spring-training-visit/
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 18th, 2012
2:52 pm
I was being sarcastic, Jay. Most guys like Jason (and Uggla) are gonna strike out alot. He’s doing pretty well for a 3rd year player.
Murph
September 18th, 2012
2:52 pm
PS – Angel Pagan, CF, Atlanta, 2013. Pass it on.
abeeeewright
September 18th, 2012
2:53 pm
nolie, September 18th, 2012, 1:13 pm … “nobody plays to lose”
You haven’t been reading the same blog I have. There’s plenty on here who play to lose.
TennesseePaul
September 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
limited monetary funds, budget restraints, funds required to retain other players currently on roster, contract extensions, arb hearings, contract options.. etc..etc..
You live in a backwards world AT. This is the first off-season in a long, long time the team cannot be described as having “limited monetary funds” or “budget restraints.” They have over $20M available, perhaps has much as $35M, when including raises, arbitration, and options. Excluding those, they have only $13.2M committed for next season. It doesn’t get more flexible than that.
Arkansas Transplant
September 18th, 2012
3:18 pm
It doesn’t get more flexible than that.
You just discribed several ways that flexibility will be eaten up, including raises, arbitration, and options. Not to mention the holes that will need to be filled. I’m not exactly sure how you come up with backwards when the team could possibly acquire a CFer that would be under team control for several years at a very minimium salary, all the while they will be possilby looking to extend players such as Heyward, Freeman, Prado, Kimbrel, Beachy, Medlen and possibly McCann. Not exactly sure how they plan on fitting those under the budget restraints even with the flexibility you stated they have this coming offseason if they spend at will by resigning Bourn and acquiring the other needs.
Braveone
September 19th, 2012
2:05 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,142 comments, Bat Masterson led the way with 53 posts. There were 119 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 Bat Masterson 53
2 chipontheroad 52
3 Mixxo 51
4 Venice Jim 47
5 nolie 44
6 cabravesfan 40
7 ncscoots 38
8 TheOnlyBravesFan 36
9 count_schemula 34
10 Efrim 32
11 abeeeewright 27
12 Capt.Mudd 26
13 usnavyvolfaninva 26
14 raleighbravefan 24
15 Sopheee 22
16 Mitchell 21
17 jeffrey d 21
18 ChattTownBrian 20
19 MFin04 20
20 bravesgrl4life 19
21 Bravefaninok 18
22 Ghost of Chipper Jones 18
23 Tomahawk Mafia 18
24 George_George 17
25 Tomahawkin 17
icon pack
September 21st, 2012
10:07 pm
It was and with me. We can communicate on this theme. Here ro in PM.