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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,958 comments Add your comment
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
scoots I’m probably taking Hanson or Maholm as the second starter.
honestly, that just dont make no sense. why would you have inferior pitchers on the roster? take the best 2 SP (or 3, if youre me)
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
Basically, are replacements for injured players allowed to be made in the middle of a series?
I don’t think they are. Or if they are, I think there may be some rule stating that the player who was replaced (Simmons) would have to miss the next series also (or possible the rest of the playoffs).
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
I think Simmons might hit 730 ish fairly often
I probably need to see more of him. If they continue hit him 8th, then we’ll see some walks boost that OBP up. Not sure he can slug .400, so he’s going to need to obp AT .350 to have a chance at .730 year in and year out.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:43 pm
no, thats why so many teams carry an extra catcher. they should cut back on starters for the one game, if healthy no reason Paul and Ty could not both be there. gets trickier if we advance to the actual series games
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
honestly, that just dont make no sense. why would you have inferior pitchers on the roster? take the best 2 SP (or 3, if youre me)
While I’m not sure how I feel about 3, I absolutely agree with the rest of this statement.
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
“Brian from SC, September 20th, 2012, 12:00 pm … “Can you name one that isn’t affected by multiple skills, factors, and environments?”
The Grand Unified Field Stat.
Unfortunately, until the Large Hadron Collider came on line, it couldn’t be discovered. Folks are just now accelerating baseball players to near the speed of light and running them into outfield-wall-shaped targets and analyzing the resulting wreckage. Should have a theory any minute now.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
efrim I guess I just value D at a premium position like SS or C. I don’t see Simmons hitting .730 regularly. And with that said, I don’t believe Wren feels he needs an upgrade there.
RC Considering that a few of the “above average” shortstops play on the Phillies, Marlins, and Cubs, I’d say it’s not hard at all to have a winning team while being below average at a few positions.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:44 pm
Scoots-
Hanson?
Shall I die laughing now or later? — Only way Hanson would get in that big of a game is if there’s a bus crash transporting ALL of the relievers plus Hudson and Minor back to the park from some other location….
Maholm wouldn’t be too bad a choice to take as the 2nd guy though although he has only had 1 career relief appearance….and thats not a great sight there….
BUT I do agree in taking 2 starters and then throwing in a plethora of relievers and bench help….
FWIW, Tim Hudson did have a relief appearance in the 2001 Division Series…he only threw 25 pitches, but he piggybacked Mark Mulder after he didnt pitch all too well
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:45 pm
Cause you know, everything on the interweb must be true
Yeah, I forgot, LOL.
Still, while some sabermetricians might be loony, they’re usually careful with the truth (as they know it, anyhow). You can probably tell pretty quickly whether a site has any cred or not, by using the Glazed Index. This is a measure of how quickly your eyes glaze over when reading the mathematical basis for whatever notion is under scrutiny.
Quicker glaze, more cred. If you can understand it through to the end, it’s probably fake.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
If you take your best starters and use them for whatever reason in that game, who starts in the next series?
abeeeewright
September 20th, 2012
3:47 pm
“ncscoots, September 20th, 2012, 2:42 pm … “And the gods help me, but this would actually lead me to have The Constanza Bonanza on the play-in game roster, LOL.”
Construction of the play-in roster, considering it’s likely the Braves will play it, should give us grist for discussion for many blog pages. This is never before seen territory, and there should be plenty of counter-intuitive ways to approach this single game roster construction.
Instead, we’re talking about Denard Span.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:48 pm
i mean, its more of a guideline than a rule, guys.
Eh, I’d lower the bar for SS’s personally. 10 of em OPS’d above .730 across the MLB with a min. of 300 PA’s.
DAP
September 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
nolie If you take your best starters and use them for whatever reason in that game, who starts in the next series?
doesnt matter if you cant win that game.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
And a couple I wouldn’t have near SS due to their defense.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
being in the top 10 is just where I want mine to be Efrim, I’m not trying to put together an average team.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
3:50 pm
Instead, we’re talking about Denard Span.
I think that just came about in the context of Willingham and Span both coming in a Twins’ deal.
Tradem or Playem
September 20th, 2012
3:51 pm
Before next Season the Brave’s should trade Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado to Kansas City for Wil Meyers.Meyers could start in right while Heyward moves to Center taking Bourn’s place after he signs a huge contract with Washington.Prado could be left with other options for backups.I would dump Hinske and bring up Meija(sp?)to back up Freeman and also Pinch hit.Prado could be Francisco’s backup and Uggla’s backup at 3rd and 2nd respectively and Janish can back up Simmons.Bethancourt(sp?) should be called up to back up Ross….let McCann go…..another option in the outfield would be to resign Francouer if he would take 2-3 mil a year……A team with Heyward,Freeman,Simmons and Meyers would be dangerous and they would be all 24 years old or younger.Meyers is as slow as Freddie on the basepaths,is a decent fielder and a great contact hitter like Freeman…………….make the trade Franky Baby!
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:52 pm
it will sure matter if you do win it. you don’t go into a series with the mindset of not winning, your future decisions must be based on the assumption that you will win
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:54 pm
maybe we can trade Delgado and Teheran for Trout. He’s just a rook, so unproven in the long run, they might jump at that deal…..
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
Beltran with a 2 RBI 2B for the Cards – up 5-3 now on the Astros.
Great player.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:55 pm
While it would make the most sense to take the 2nd guy as someone who has relief experience, the biggest problem is that the Braves have no starters with a decent amount of relief experience….
Tim Hudson has 1 regular season relief appearance back in 2008 and 1 postseason relief appearance in 2001
Paul Maholm had an early season relief appearance with the Cubs this year…his 1st
Tommy Hanson has NEVER pitched in relief
Mike Minor has 1 career relief appearance as well back in his rookie year
So yeah at that point, I think you go to either who you think is the #2 OR play it based on matchups…
IF you base it on criteria A, its either Hudson or Minor as that guy
IF you base it on criteria B, looking as though it will be St. Louis to play, Hanson and Maholm BY FAR exceed what the other two have done vs the Cardinals…in fact, Hanson has shut down all 3 of the Cards big 3 even to the tune of Beltran being 1 for 14 against him…Holliday is 6 for 31 against Maholm….so that would be all about pick and choose and hope Medlen goes long enough to not have to worry….
But for me, it’d be Maholm….because I look at the numbers and if you needed to bring someone in to shutdown Holliday and Freese, at 9 for 44 (.205) w 4 XBH….he would be the guy
Take Your Meds
September 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
If Gonzalez doesn’t start Medlen in the Wild Card Game(that’s if they get there)then every Brave fan should cry Bloody Murder and not buy tickets to the game as they will certainly Blow it!
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
3:56 pm
I think that just came about in the context of Willingham and Span both coming in a Twins’ deal.
And Jamey Carroll – ya know, since we are taking on extra money to get Josh…..
……..since, ya know, we do that all the time.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
I take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
RC
September 20th, 2012
3:57 pm
Before next Season the Brave’s should trade Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado to Kansas City for Wil Meyers.
The day KC agrees to that trade is the day Kris Medlen starts a playoff game at shortstop.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
HA! Look at Nolie and that Bobby Cox worrying about tomorrow mentality when if you don’t win there isn’t a tomorrow
Classic Nolie
nolie
September 20th, 2012
3:58 pm
I think…..
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
3:59 pm
RC-
The day KC agrees to that trade is the day we’re all in a group jackin it in San Diego….
I’m sure someone will get the South Park reference
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
no reason to think we wouldn’t win in such a way that the #2 and #3 starter would save us. when the #4 couldn’t. and that is pretty much pro-baseball think which is where I learned it
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:00 pm
take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
I guess, though, it would depend on who pitched in 161 and 162. I hadn’t thought of that. Won’t do much good to take a starter who pitched two days earlier.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:01 pm
abeeee – You could get a PhD in “baseball stats (good and bad) available online.
Shaun will bow down and worship you.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
Scoots-
I kinda have the feeling that Fredi may either pitch the young guys the last couple days or do a piggyback scenario to prevent injury and keep guys fresh….
So that would mean Delgado and Teheran going in Pittsburgh if things are all sewn up by then….
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
Two weeks away. Can’t believe we are 150 games through. Time flies….
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
it might scoot, you can use a guy for an inning or so on his session day if pressed. thats why I would likely take two other starters,
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:04 pm
think what Chipper must now be beginning to fathom @ the 150 game stead
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
Efrim-
Yeah I know…..bought tix months ago….can’t believe its almost time for me to get on a plane and head to the ATL
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
it might scoot, you can use a guy for an inning or so on his session day if pressed. thats why I would likely take two other starters,
Yeah, that’s true. But that would have to be some kind of “pressed” if you got six other pitchers in the bullpen.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:05 pm
http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance
Braves are on pace for 2.36 million in attendance, and will most likely be higher… And extra 50K for that WC game might just get us Josh Hamilton.
Wait, what?
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
take Meds, Hanson and Maholm, a buncha bench and pen
I guess, though, it would depend on who pitched in 161 and 162. I hadn’t thought of that. Won’t do much good to take a starter who pitched two days earlier.
True, but if you plan is to have Hudson and Minor ready in Games 1 and 2 of the division series, it’s pretty unlikely they would have pitched in games 161 and 162, since you’d have been setting up your rotation that entire week. The Game 2 starter might not be ready, but the Game 1 starter should be good to go in the pen for the WC game.
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
Efrim-
Puff Puff Pass…..
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/09/marlins-plan-to-fire-beinfest-promote-jennings.html
The Marlins are planning to fire vice president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest and replace him with assistant GM and VP of player personnel Dan Jennings, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. The dismissal could occur as early as next week. Two Marlins executives told Nightengale they’d be stunned if the Marlins don’t make further changes.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:07 pm
Braves did 2,510,119 in 2010 – Bobby Cox last season. Plus 2 home playoff games that year.
Guesing around 2.6 million in total that year. Don’t think we’ll get there this year, but you never know. We have one more home stand during the weekend vs. the Mets and then the Fish at home Monday-Wednesday.
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:08 pm
Can Loria fire himself? Is that possible?
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
Not saying that I don’t trust Efrim’s attendance numbers, but how did the Phillies sell 100.9% of their tickets??
I think that’s an example of a “bad” internet statistic.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:09 pm
they should fire the owner. I’d much rather have LM
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:10 pm
KW moving to Team President and Rich Hahn to GM. Isn’t JS Team Pres? I keep forgetting…
nolie
September 20th, 2012
4:11 pm
10% SRO. every arena has some
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:12 pm
I think that’s an example of a “bad” internet statistic.
Possibly. I haven’t checked MLB.com or if they even have attendance #’s.
RC
September 20th, 2012
4:14 pm
KW moving to Team President and Rich Hahn to GM. Isn’t JS Team Pres? I keep forgetting…
Yeah, JS is Team Pres.
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:16 pm
Take Your Meds – I would favor starting Medlen, but I sure as Hell don’t assume we would lose with Huddy or Minor…or even Maholm or Hanson…. Or did Medlen start 86 games this year, and I just missed it?
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:20 pm
Well, the roster decisions will be interesting, anyway. At least, for one year. Wouldn’t surprise me if we get a hue and cry in the offseason about “distorted” rosters, and “integrity”, and whatnot, and they change the rule for next year.
Making managers think outside the box? What’s next, wOBA on the Jumbotron?
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:24 pm
Hello everyone! Good post,and good talking. I still like the idea of trading Hanson. I also hope the Yanks don’t pick up Nick Swishers contract. I Like Swisher, Bourn, Heyward, Or Swisher Durango, Heyward.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
4:26 pm
We don’t want no Swisher in Atlanta and no Bourn for 9 plus a year.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:26 pm
If we can get Swisher? Braves should have the money to sign both, and trade Hanson for prospects.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Swisher is a winner, and can come up big in the clutch. I want both Bourn, and Swisher for long term.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:28 pm
Two Marlins executives told Nightengale they’d be stunned if the Marlins don’t make further changes.
yup, heard they are going to have a fish fry and replace all the fish in the tank
Efrim
September 20th, 2012
4:29 pm
Hello everyone!
It’s my favorite post of the day, not gonna lie. Good spirited Hello!.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
4:30 pm
Bourn will be out of our range, he’s getting more than 9mil/yr. Swisher is 32 and supposedly wants a Jason Werth-like contract. No thanks!
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:31 pm
Efrim – Enjoy your post, and trade talks. some interesting ideas…..
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:32 pm
Well, I want offense over a streaky pitcher named Greinke, and not thanks on Greinke.
Ward
September 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
Well, could only come on for a few minutes. Talk later tonight, but I repsect all your post. We all have some interesting ideas. Peace my friends, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
raleighbravefan
September 20th, 2012
4:35 pm
Oh, Lorrr…Ward doesn’t want Greinke. Maybe TOBF is right.
TTFN…Go Braves.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
4:49 pm
Ward was in the house… I always seem to just miss him.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:49 pm
“Kemp is a great player,” teenage phenom Bryce Harper said. “That’s why he was MVP last year. I think with one swing of the bat he can change the ballgame. There’s really nothing you can do about it.”
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
4:50 pm
It sure would have been nice had they actually gotten in on the Cespedes derby last year. We wouldn’t be looking for anything but a centerfielder.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
4:51 pm
interesting
Tonight’s Caught Looking, airing at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, goes behind the scenes at last weekend’s Nationals-Braves series. Spoiler alert! The Braves swept the series.
But Caught Looking is about more than the game action:
… the episode features compelling in-game audio, highlighted by wireless microphones worn by Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and Braves pitcher Kris Medlen. The episode also features in-depth interviews with Nationals manager Davey Johnson, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, as well as profiles of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and third baseman Ryan Zimmermann. Off the field, a camera crew spent time with Jones as he met Emily Wynn, a huge Braves fan who barehanded Jones’ walk off home run on September 2nd. The band OAR is also featured, as they take in Saturday’s game and prepare for a postgame concert that night.
ncscoots
September 20th, 2012
4:53 pm
I think with one swing of the bat he can change the ballgame.
Good to see that some thoughtful vet well-instructed Harper on cliche usage.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
5:00 pm
Series preview: Braves at Phillies
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/20/series-preview-braves-at-phillies/
Jimmy
September 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
Someone earlier mention Nintendo-like stats. Look at this:
34 Games started, 28 complete games.
13 Shutouts.
304 2/3 innings.
22 wins, 9 losses….with five 1-0 losses.
1.12 era.
I was looking at some of my old ball cards last night and saw that on the back of my 1969 Bob Gibson card. He did that in 1968 – The Year of the Pitcher.
That is truly Nintendo numbers. And with no pitch count to worry over.
Later good folks.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
Is that show Caught Looking available online? I don’t think I get the NBC Sports Network.
cricket
September 20th, 2012
5:10 pm
doesn’t look like NBC Sports Network is available online legally. i get it in tampa on brighthouse cable.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:25 pm
I would thank David for the preview but I caint stand the thought of ACE calling me a DOBBER……
P-Town Brave ©
September 20th, 2012
5:31 pm
Nolie-
Is that DOB’er or like Dobber from Coach?
Better than being a Frittata like Ward
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:32 pm
ACE calls it DOBBERS. what do I know??
nolie
September 20th, 2012
5:33 pm
s’posed to be DOB’er I guess , but ACE ain’t all that bright some times……
Bay Area Steve
September 20th, 2012
5:34 pm
You probably get it, Murph.
Used to be Outdoor Life, then Versus. You know, random hockey and bicycling that makes the four-year-old want to hurt people.
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
5:34 pm
Reds clinch playoff berth.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
5:36 pm
Maybe he means doppelganger but thinks it’s spelled dobberganger?
cricket
September 20th, 2012
5:38 pm
come on nolie, if ACE calls you names, you know you’ve done something right
Murph
September 20th, 2012
5:44 pm
Used to be Outdoor Life, then Versus. You know, random hockey and bicycling that makes the four-year-old want to hurt people.
Ahhh… that channel.
We got rid of cable for the summer and only recently got it hooked back up. I have no idea what the channels are anymore… the Time Warner channel lineup says they carry it, but I’m not sure if it’s on one of those $6.99/month tiers that I refuse to pay for.
Bay Area Steve
September 20th, 2012
5:55 pm
Brandon McCarthy @BMcCarthy32
“Those helpless two weeks after the cable company changes your channel lineup is prob my best comparison for concussion recovery.”
It’s OK, Murph. You’re just slightly behind a guy who recently took a 120 mph missile off the side of his dome.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
5:57 pm
So the Redlegs are the first to make the postseason. They’ve still got a division to clinch, and they can do it as soon as tomorrow. Congrats to them…that’s a neat bunch they have over there.
Brian from SC
September 20th, 2012
6:01 pm
Other playoff implications today: with the Reds’ win the Brewers were eliminated from the NL Central race. With St. Louis’s win, the Mets are now one loss tonight away from packing it in for the season.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:06 pm
To the poster who recommended a Will Myers to the Braves deal—
Anyone who thinks that KC would trade Will Myers is going to be disappointed.
We do not have anything within reason that would make KC budge and why should they.
Will Myers is one of their building blocks. I’d be shocked if he is traded.
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
6:09 pm
I wouldn’t mind having Bubba from KC, but I think he’d be as, if not more untouchable than Myers.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:11 pm
I hope they never go to High School Football on Thursday nights.
Come on — HS Football belongs on Friday nite and Friday nite only — It is still about Education and preparing the HS kids for College, trade school military or work after HS now, isn’t it.
Just looking at the ad in the AJC — I guess they are replaying a game that was on last Friday. At least I hope so.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:12 pm
Maybe we can pick up Jake Peavey in this off season after all — Wren can finally get his man four winters later heh????? (sarcasim)
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
AK Transplant — Who is Bubba? You talking about Billy Butler?
Venice Jim
September 20th, 2012
6:13 pm
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
Florida Atlantic DE says Alabama ‘can be beat’
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Hes right! Bama can be beaten. By the Niners!!!
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
@RealCJ10 poor guy…meanwhile your squad is 3-0 (and mine!)
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Little better than expected huh???
Erin Andrews @ErinAndrews
@RealCJ10 mercy..me too…how many more gifts are you going to get from teams??
Chipper Jones @RealCJ10
@ErinAndrews Ha….2!
Arkansas Transplant
September 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
Bubba Starling
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
6:16 pm
Peter Moylan @PeterMoylan
1 of many http://pic.twitter.com/IMhgcRAG
Poor rooks, esp. Tyler.
Disgusted
September 20th, 2012
6:49 pm
@AK Transplant — I don’t know much about Bubba Starling — have to look his prospectus up.
Murph
September 20th, 2012
6:55 pm
Starling is at least a couple of years away from being ready… would be a nice move for the future, but not likely to help the team out next year.
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
6:59 pm
With postseason near, Braves hope Bourn can get back in groove
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/09/20/braves-hope-bourn-can-get-back-in-groove/
David O'Brien
September 20th, 2012
7:05 pm
Nolie-
Is that DOB’er or like Dobber from Coach?
— P-Town Brave
At the Marlins game Wednesday, we saw this group of little kids wearing shirts with “Lil’ Dobbers” on the front. I almost asked their coach — they were a team of some kind — where I could get some adult-sized shirts like the kids were wearing. Figured we could distribute them to blog denizens.
nolie
September 20th, 2012
7:06 pm
OK I am gonna bolster up my courage and say “Thank you DOB”:, I will try to deal with ACE’s disdain the best I can……
TheOnlyBravesFan
September 20th, 2012
7:07 pm
I almost asked their coach
Got afraid to ask the tough question….
Fredo
September 20th, 2012
7:33 pm
Mets Jeremy Hefner doesn’t make it out of the first inning (faced 7 batters and didn’t retire a single one)
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:42 pm
To Nolie and others, DOBBERS is the right name. Always buzzing around not doing anything useful…
ACE
September 20th, 2012
7:43 pm
maybe the brave one can start doing a frequency of who says thank you DOB most.