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Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,978 comments Add your comment
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
Bourn’s jammed left thumb is swollen and sore today, which was to be expected. He still hopes to be ready by Tuesday.
RBI
September 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
No brainer. Guess that’s why it was easy for Fredi Gonzalez to make the decision.
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
I read your posts Jeff, and yes such thing. You just reworded what he had already said and repeated it like he hadn’t said it.
I wonder if perhaps you might be the guy who keeps getting into it with Noles under different names. Certainly sound like it anyway.
ChattTownBrian
September 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
Baker batting 6th, Simmons hitting 8th? I guess since Baker has been around MLB longer and all.
Phillies 6, Braves 2; Braves 8, Phillies 2
September 23rd, 2012
12:03 pm
[...] after Saturday’s win against PhilliesSimmons likely to play Sunday; Hanson stays in rotationBraves plan on streaking Medlen to start Wild Card gameBraves quotes after Friday’s loss to [...]
ChattTownBrian
September 23rd, 2012
12:03 pm
Good to see Bourn didn’t rush back in the lineup, or that Fredi didn’t try and push it. Something like a sore thumb could cause some swing and misses and we don’t need that out of the leadoff spot
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
12:05 pm
Thomas Smith: If Braves officials were confident, after watching Mejia all season and getting reports on him from their minor league coaches and managers, that he could hit major league pitching and help them win right now in playoff race, he’d be here. They have a vested interest in winning, and he’d be making minimum salary. So they have no reason to keep him off the roster if they thought he could help. Obviously they do not think that at this time.
Besides, you’re comparing Mejia, a right-handed hitter, to Overbay, a veteran left-handed bench player and pinch-hitter who has 14 plate appearances (and seven strikeouts, by the way). He gets the other team to change pitchers, is basically all he’s done.
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
12:06 pm
Baker batting 6th, Simmons hitting 8th? I guess since Baker has been around MLB longer and all. CTB
don’t be questioning such things Brian, you will be ground into the dirt by Jeff the blog storm trooper
ChattTownBrian
September 23rd, 2012
12:09 pm
Half Empty, well, that’s fine. Jeff can call me what he wants, just as long as he doesn’t call me late for dinner.
Lane Kiffin
September 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Only five pages in two days?? Time to free ace and George
ChattTownBrian
September 23rd, 2012
12:13 pm
DOB, who is Mejia? Sounds like the name of a wart on the —- where the sun don’t shine.
Nah, I just haven’t heard of a lot of the minor league guys we have there. It is obvious there aren’t many future Heyward’s, Freeman, McCann’s there right now where our announcers talk about them before they get to the bigs. Not even a peep from our guys on tv in a long while.
George_George
September 23rd, 2012
12:17 pm
Lew
September 23rd, 2012
9:37 am
The way they’ve been going in the last month and more, I’d pitch Medlen in the one game playoff and MInor in game one of the Division series. I realize Hudson is the “Old Man” of the rotation and is still a good pitcher, but right now I trust both Meds and MInor a lot more than Huddy. Can’t afford to be down 4 zip in the first inning of either of those games.
***************************************************************
Lane I am here. Lew I AGREE, MINOR awful early season but has been very good latey. BTW your TED WILLIAMS rendering on facebook is excellent, not often we see a young TED.
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Braves trying once again today to get to 23 games over .500 for first time since second week of September 2011. Have gotten to 22 games over several times this year, but lost next game each time.
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
12:45 pm
Happy birthday to the Real George Constanza (and Bruce Springsteen, of course)…
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
Well, here’s hoping that they see 23 today
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
Sigh – the real Goerge Costanza…
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
12:47 pm
Really – my stupidity is overwhelming – “George”…
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
12:48 pm
23 on the 23rd makes sense…
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
12:59 pm
Beware of 23’s yesterday D O’B posted at 11:11 coincidence I think not
GO BRAVOS
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
1:04 pm
OK…Brian Jordan’s getting it cranked up—Chip and Joe wearing red polos under their respective jackets…..Huddy on the hill, Medlin’s the man….it’s all good.
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
.299 .365 .404 .769 McLouth in Baltimore
Antwan Mitchell
September 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
No brainer of the year. In a game that you absolutely have to win in order to advance to the real play-offs….you start the man whose presence on the mound has led to the Braves winning 21 straight games when he’s started.
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:07 pm
OK…Brian Jordan’s getting it cranked up
Is he doing that thing where he says one word really loud followed by a few seconds of awkward silence?
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
1:20 pm
Brian got hit in the helmet once too often and forgets what he is saying sometimes
GTI in Brooklyn
September 23rd, 2012
1:25 pm
A modest assessment of potential match-ups for the Braves in a 1-Game WC playoff on Oct. 5th (including rotation alignments and September Records/Stats):
CARDINALS:
ACES – Lohse & Wainwright – Lohse is the ace this year, while Wainwright has the proven track-record, but Wainwright is having an average year (13-13 with a 4.07 era, including 0-2, 4.88 in Sept.). Both pitched mediocre games against the Braves earlier this year (though that was in May). Both are right handers. Lohse will start today, and his spot in the rotation could be slotted for the Cardinals 162nd game on the 3rd, if they need him, or he could easily be held for the WC game on the 5th. However, Wainwright pitched yesterday and his last regular turn would come up for game 162, Leaving Lohse for the WC play-in.
HITTERS – It’s a tough lineup (I’d hate to be facing Carlos Beltran in the late innings with the game on the line), BUT they are currently easing their way into the post-season. They are currently 6-4 in their last 10 games, and are just 10-10 in September. Their offensive numbers, across the board, sit right in the middle of the 16 team league. They have not faced MEDLEN as a starter this year. He pitched 3 innings against them in relief back in May.
The Braves are 5-1 against the Cardinals this year; all 6 games were in two May series.
BREWERS:
ACES – Yovani Gallardo is their ace, but Marco Estrada has been their best pitcher lately, with a 1.75 ERA in 4 Sept. starts. (The Braves faced him in MIL on 9/11 and he gave up 0R on 4H, 1BB & 6K in 6.2IP.) Both pitchers are Right-Handed. Gallardo’s rotation spot is currently scheduled for the Brewers’ 162nd game on the 3rd. Estrada is pitching right after him in the rotation and would be right in line to start the WC game on the 5th (with an extra day of rest).
HITTERS – The Brewers are still fearsome on the road, but they really are a different team away from MIL. Luckily, is seems we’d get to face them in Atlanta. BIG difference. The Brewers are 46-29 in MIL, but only 32-44 on the road. They also have not faced the MED-MAN as a starter this year (he pitched 2 innings in 2 games against them in relief back in April).
The Braves are 3-3 against the Brewers, with ATL sweeping at home back in April, and MIL sweeping at home 10 days ago.
DODGERS:
ACES – Lots of danger for the Braves here, as 2 of the Dodgers top starters are Left-Handed, Kershaw and Capuano – and Kershaw would be dangerous anyway, because he is one of the very best pitchers in all of baseball. Kershaw, however, is currently dealing with a “hip issue” which has him out of the rotation. His health status is very much up in the air, and the unusual nature of his injury has his team unsure about what to do with him. He may be able to pitch without doing further damage, but will the pain be a factor and can he be the same pitcher? (It will, though, be easy for the Dodgers to re-insert him in the rotation to be sure he is in line to pitch on Oct. 5th, if he proves healthy.)
Capuano is less deadly than Kershaw, but any Lefty is a threat to the Braves in a 1-game playoff. He did have a modest Quality Start against the Braves while taking a no decision back in August, but is also 0-1 with an ERA over 5 in September.
HITTERS – The Dodgers have what should be an impressive lineup, but they are only 8-11 in September and – surprisingly – are last in the league with both a .224 team average and a .615 team OPS. They are also last for the month in Runs, BBs, SLG, OBP, and next to last in HR. (Though, to be fair, the Braves don’t rank a whole lot higher in most of those categories.)
MEDLEN faced only 3 batters in 2/3 INN of relief against the Dodgers back in April, and they haven’t seen him live since. The Braves went 2-1 in LA back in April and 1-2 against them in ATL in August.
I’m not even going to look at the PHILLIES. We know all about them anyway. Even with HALLADAY a shell of his usual self, those Phillies can hurt us in so many ways in a 1-Game playoff. We don’t want to see them there. Period.
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
1:25 pm
The rare two-bobblehead two-city trip — got Reyes in Miami, and this Hamels figurine in Philly (technically it’s not a bobblehead, but it’s cool)
http://twitter.yfrog.com/nw7cbnxj
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
1:27 pm
He has already termed today’s contest as a win….in lieu of, of course; a potential win! Brian be………one, ……..two,……….three,…….{4,…..10 sec.}……………………………Brian y’all!
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
1:28 pm
most of our jocks
are dumb as rocks
Wee Willie Keeler
September 23rd, 2012
1:34 pm
Blog late, yet again,,,,yawn……Mr. Vacation needs to step it up.
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:34 pm
I like Brian Jordan. He seems like a nice enough guy. And I know he does a lot for the community. He just can’t….talk
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
1:36 pm
there are only 5 pages, there might not be a new blog ACE
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
1:39 pm
And Reed J. gets it started with a leadoff single…
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
1:40 pm
Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!!
DS1
September 23rd, 2012
1:42 pm
VJ
Birthdays for today: Former Braves Brian Asselstine and Woody Woodward. Current players Matt Kemp, Chris Volstad and Joba Chamberlain. And your humble servant DS1!
DS1
September 23rd, 2012
1:43 pm
And Jeffrey “Flap Down” or “Penitentiary Face” Leonard is 1 day older than me.
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
1:43 pm
Good job, Freddie!
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:44 pm
“Flap Down” or “Penitentiary Face” Leonard is 1 day older than me.
Well first off, happy birthday, but second, who’s that??
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
Happy Birthday, WAYNE!!!
cabravesfan
September 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
Happy Birthday Wayne!
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
1:46 pm
Uggla whiffs to leave ‘em on corners in 1st
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:46 pm
My birthday buddies are Vlad Guerrero and Todd Pratt. whoooooo!
Dum-Bass
September 23rd, 2012
1:46 pm
I read that tiebreaker rules “thingy-dingy” that was up at one time on MLB, but can’t find it lately. I needed a dang lawyer to translate it and didn’t quite get it. Just a simple quick question that may have already been tossed about here and I missed it. If two teams end up tied for the second wildcard slot, will there be a one game playoff on Thursday to see who plays the Braves, or will it be decided via other means? That could easily happen and would be an advantage possibly for the Braves. Anybody know?
HooRah
September 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
I’m thinking that Lee will carve this line up to pieces if they let him off the hook much early.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Cliff Lee’s cutter is unhittable, but at least the Braves made him work a little bit in the first inning.
sometimesiwonder
September 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Danny-K being Danny-K……………
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
1:48 pm
I believe it is a playoff game now
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Brian Asselstine would have been a good one if he hadn;t run into the wall hustling too hard to make the club
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Howard owns Huddy IIRC
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Pierre’s wearing his hat underneath his helmet
Mixxo
September 23rd, 2012
1:53 pm
Whew!!
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
so…..anybody read any good books lately?
Philly Phanatic
September 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
You put a stamp on any chance we had but after last year it’s only poetic. I sincerely wish you guys good luck for several reasons. Number 1 is you got screwed with a 1 game playoff. Last year the a- hole Cardinals snuck in unfortunately because we swept you when we didn’t need to win any games at all. Let me tell you why. They had lost 7 straight prior to the Braves series and ideally Manuel wanted some kind of momentum so he played all the regulars for the Braves. They win 4 or 5 before the series with the Braves and they sit their regulars. Anybody can get hot in the playoffs and the Cards sure did. That’s not the only reason I hate them but guys like Molina are bully’s.
You’ve got two secret weapons with Medlen and the absolute unhitable Kimbrall. I think it would be poetic for Jones to get a ring his last season as he has killed the Phillies. His home run in the 9th a couple weeks ago deflated a roll we were on. Once again since our interests (2013) don’t interfere with yours which they usually do this time of year good luck rest of the year.
Philly Phanatic
September 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
You put a stamp on any chance we had but after last year it’s only poetic. I sincerely wish you guys good luck for several reasons. Number 1 is you got screwed with a 1 game playoff. Last year the a- hole Cardinals snuck in unfortunately because we swept you when we didn’t need to win any games at all. Let me tell you why. They had lost 7 straight prior to the Braves series and ideally Manuel wanted some kind of momentum so he played all the regulars for the Braves. They win 4 or 5 before the series with the Braves and they sit their regulars. Anybody can get hot in the playoffs and the Cards sure did. That’s not the only reason I hate them but guys like Molina are bully’s.
You’ve got two secret weapons with Medlen and the absolute unhitable Kimbrall. I think it would be poetic for Jones to get a ring his last season as he has killed the Phillies. His home run in the 9th a couple weeks ago deflated a roll we were on. Once again since our interests (2013) don’t interfere with yours which they usually do this time of year good luck rest of the year.
Mixxo
September 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
OMG Rossy got hold of that one!!
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
DAVID!!!
Dum-Bass
September 23rd, 2012
1:58 pm
Thanks HALF EMPTY! That’s what I was assuming also. Apparently no one else really knows based on no other answers. That would put both those clubs in a “pickle” as to whether to start their best or second best pitcher just to get to the wildcard game.
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
1:59 pm
Rooooooooooooossssssssssssssssssssyyyyyyyyy!!!
Animus
September 23rd, 2012
1:59 pm
Wow – considering Utley’s didn’t go out – Ross really hit that ball hard. Good to get on the board first. And it was the dreaded cutter
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
1:59 pm
I still wish Chipper was in today
Dum-Bass
September 23rd, 2012
2:01 pm
PHILLY PHANATIC, you can be really “classy” when you want to be. That’s appreciated!
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
2:01 pm
Dum – definitely a playoff game…
Bravefaninok
September 23rd, 2012
2:02 pm
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Cliff Lee’s cutter is unhittable, but at least the Braves made him work a little bit in the first inning.
Shhhhhhhhhhh don’t tell Rossy it was an unhittable cutter.
BFChris27
September 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
Rossy!!!!!!!!!!!!
jeffrey d
September 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
Shhhhhhhhhhh don’t tell Rossy it was an unhittable cutter.
Or Chip
David O'Brien
September 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
Entering today’s game: Ryan Howard is 9-for-27 with five homers and 12 RBIs in his past six games vs. the Braves, with a homer in five of those six games.
His 300 career homers include career-high 42 vs. Braves in 133 games (490 at-bats). Also has career-high 119 RBIs vs. Braves. His next-highest totals are 36 homers and 109 RBIs in 125 games (465 at-bats) vs. Nationals, the only other team he has as many as 100 RBIs against.
He has a .300 average and .995 OPS lifetime against the Braves, compared to a .272 overall career average and .917 OPS.
Howard has 14 homers this season including five in 50 at-bats against the Braves.
Against Tim Hudson, he’s 22-for-62 (.355) with seven homers, 17 RBIs, 12 walks and a .453 OBP
He homered Saturday off Mike Minor (his 300th) to make him 6-for-15 with three homers off the left-hander.
Animus
September 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
Does anyone expect Chipper to play in more than six of the remaining 9 games prior to the 5 Oct game? I think Fredi/Chipper want him rested for that game and hopefully a run after that.
GTI in Brooklyn
September 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
I think that’s why the 4th is currently scheduled as an off day – to allow for any tie breaking games that need to be played, including for that 2nd WC spot.
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
Come back next year and help us beat down the exponats PP
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
2:07 pm
Sure rest Chipper, but not on the day that two other starters are also out, IMO anyway.
BFChris27
September 23rd, 2012
2:09 pm
Reeeeeeeed!!!!!!!!!!!
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
Not having Bourn play not exactly killing us when Reed does that again…
Dum-Bass
September 23rd, 2012
2:10 pm
Thanks VJ and GTI in BROOKLYN! Guess it will be a “real mess” if 3 teams end up tied. I wouldn’t care if that happened myself. It can only benefit the Braves, and just like the college football BCS, I want to see Bud Selig “get his tail in a crack” so it will have to be changed.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
2:11 pm
Bravefaninok
I was thinking the same thing.
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
2:11 pm
Nice job running by Reed!
GTI in Brooklyn
September 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Nice job bouncing from 1st to 2nd on that pop up by REED.
Reed Johnson
September 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Nice job running by Reed!
Thanks, VJ
BFChris27
September 23rd, 2012
2:13 pm
JHey!!!!!!!!!
SNEAKY PETE
September 23rd, 2012
2:13 pm
thank you Mr Lee
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
2:13 pm
J Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeustleeeeeeeeeeeee!!y
Animus
September 23rd, 2012
2:13 pm
Bases loaded on 3 SMASH hits …. wait, you mean other teams have this happen to them too??? Just hope it turns into runs.
GTI in Brooklyn
September 23rd, 2012
2:13 pm
Wow. I’d rather be lucky than good, right?
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
2:14 pm
with Lee pitching I would have rested Bourn and McCann but played Chipper
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
2:15 pm
@@Jeffrey d……Re: Brian Jordan
I agree….he is a great guy to hang around with I am sure; and, I have the uppermost repect for his effort as a professional athlete.
Mixxo
September 23rd, 2012
2:15 pm
Need ya Dan……c’mon!
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
It would be wise to score a run or two in this golden opportunity, but the Braves do struggle in these situations.
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
wow, Dan 363 with bases loaded in career. pretty good.Do it again Dan, walk would be ok too
tony austin
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
Why do I always dread it when the Braves get the bases loaded and no one out?
Mixxo
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
NICE!
chipontheroad
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
sac flyyyyyyyyyyy uggggggggggla!!!
Venice Jim
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
Good shot, Danny!!! One RBI better than none…
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
2:17 pm
Uggla almost grand there
GTI in Brooklyn
September 23rd, 2012
2:18 pm
Ok, that’s one baserunner cashed in…
Mixxo
September 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
“Why do I always dread it when the Braves get the bases loaded and no one out?”
Tony, same here when considering our history in that situation. I think we’re starting to turn the tide there though.
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
Without the wind, that ball off the bat of Uggla would have been a grand slam. A sac fly works well though.
tony austin
September 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
I have never seen a team struggle so much in those situations. One run is better than none of course, but seriously?
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
@tony austin……Because production with the 2012 edition is not timely.
Half Empty
September 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
yes it would have been. Let’s hope that doesn’t hurt in the long run
Tomahawk Mafia
September 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
At least they got one run after they loaded the bases with nobody out, but it is easy feel disappointed with only one run scoring.
T-Dawg
September 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
Dear god our bench is awful.
Capt.Mudd
September 23rd, 2012
2:21 pm
It is somewhat good to see/know that Uggla still can drive ‘em.