Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,250 comments Add your comment
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
10:45 pm
Looks more like ello to me
uga-brave
October 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
i think the braves have a much better chance in a one game elimination game vs. the cards then a five game series.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
10:52 pm
uga-brave
truth
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
10:53 pm
4 hits tonight for Miggy
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:02 pm
Will Medlen start on Friday?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
11:03 pm
No, Hanson will.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2012
11:03 pm
Medlen’s the man, as I understand it.
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:04 pm
Hanson? You must be joking.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2012
11:05 pm
I think he is.
Joachim Gilman
October 1st, 2012
11:05 pm
Miggy or Trout? Old school or sabermetrics?
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
11:06 pm
Good for the Tigers.
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:08 pm
I love Trout, but I don’t see how Cabrera can be denied the MVP if he wins the triple crown.
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
11:09 pm
Trout…
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
11:11 pm
(Mainly because I like him more
and he’s doing things that no rookie has ever done. Also, I hope they have already gone ahead and engraves that Rookie of the Year trophy with his name. Not sure if there has been anyone that has run away with an award like he has that one this year…)
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
11:13 pm
Yes, I was joking. It’s Medlen.
I love Trout, but I don’t see how Cabrera can be denied the MVP if he wins the triple crown.
Don’t see how he can be denied period. But, I did see a tweet today that if Trout gets to 50SB, he’d have accomplished a feat more rare than the Triple Crown… having a 30HR-50SB season I believe.
And I can’t find that now, but I did find this Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
ELIAS: Mike Trout is the first player in MLB history with at least 45 steals, 30 HR and 125 runs scored in a single season.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
11:14 pm
Braves’ NL East title hopes end at hands of a former ATL prospect (updated game story with quotes)
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/10/01/braves-nl-east-title-hopes-end-in-2-1-loss-to-pirates/
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
11:15 pm
Braves quotage after Monday loss
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/10/01/braves-quotes-after-mondays-loss-to-pirates/
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
11:19 pm
Oh, and if anyone is curious, Braves finish regular season w/ 4-17 record on Mondays (19-6 on Fridays)
HooRah
October 1st, 2012
11:21 pm
wow, Mitchell thinking somebody else is an idiot. Priceless
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
Where’s the blog darlin’?
lol
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
11:24 pm
keithlaw @keithlaw
Trout has 30 HR and 47 SB. According to @baseball_ref this is only the third such season in MLB history – rarer than a Triple Crown, in fact
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:25 pm
IIRC Ted Williams had two seasons when he won the Triple Crown and lost the MVP
uga-brave
October 1st, 2012
11:25 pm
braves had 199 hits for the month of Sept. good for last in the N.L. and 29th in all of baseball. the red sox the only team with less. tad bit of irony there.
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:25 pm
I’m sad to see this season end. So many great stories around baseball, and I didn’t even know about Cabrera’s triple crown chase until today. Don’t know if it’s because he plays in Detroit or because I’ve been following the Braves so closely that I missed the story. And who saw the Orioles near the top of the AL East in April? Wow.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
11:25 pm
All isn’t lost tonight….the Plowboys are losing!
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
11:25 pm
Why Mike Trout is the MVP:
keithlaw @keithlaw
Trout has 30 HR and 47 SB. According to @baseball_ref this is only the third such season in MLB history – rarer than a Triple Crown, in fact
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:28 pm
it is rarer, but since a lot of stolen bases do not score, it is perhaps less impactful
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:29 pm
and a fair amount that do score would most likely have scored anyway without the steal
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:32 pm
Anyone know what time Friday’s game is?
keyLargo
October 1st, 2012
11:32 pm
I love Trout, but I don’t see how Cabrera can be denied the MVP if he wins the triple crown.
Because there is a group of un-named morons, who will remain nameless to protect the guilty, who refuse to recognize standards that have been in use for 100+ years. Just because it is new and different does not make it better. You can’t throw out the standard that has been in place for 100 years and have a WOPS for WAR Trophy.
Maybe 100 rookies come into the league every year but none of them or any veteran players have led the league in all three categories for about 45 years.
Tradition
Joachim Gilman
October 1st, 2012
11:33 pm
Cat Stevens – Moonshadow
MikeInFl
October 1st, 2012
11:33 pm
Trout is in line to post the highest WAR (non-pitcher) in the AL since Griffey Jr in ‘96 (that’s per Fangraphs; if you use baseball-reference, highest since Ripkin Jr in ‘91)
He’ll end up with the 10th highest WAR since 1962; one of the top 10 seasons in the past half-decade.
I know some don’t buy into WAR and I can see both sides of it. But Trout gets my vote.
MikeInFl
October 1st, 2012
11:35 pm
keylargo, some time you should look up the top 10, or 20 or 50 all-time leaders in WAR, and then decide if it’s a worthless stat.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:37 pm
1942 Teddy Ballgame Second in MVP
RS H 2B HR RBI BB K BA OBP S& OPS OPS+
141* 186 34 5 36* 137* 145* 51 .356* .499* .648* 1.147* 216*
elb Expos
October 1st, 2012
11:38 pm
Win Friday and the Braves can take the Expos.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:40 pm
RS…. H… 2B……….. HR… RBI.. BB. K……. BA.. OBP.. S%. OPS…. OPS+
141* 186 34 5 36* 137* 145* 51 .356* .499* .648* 1.147* 216*
Joachim Gilman
October 1st, 2012
11:40 pm
Cat Stevens- Peace Train
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:41 pm
that did not line up much better. Damn that 10Paul for refusing to reveal how he constructs charts that align
Leeman Bennett
October 1st, 2012
11:47 pm
Falcon Fever
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
11:48 pm
Looks like Friday’s game time is TBA. Hope it’s a night game because I want to watch it.
Leeman Bennett
October 1st, 2012
11:50 pm
Enter your comments here
keyLargo
October 1st, 2012
11:51 pm
anyone know where I can buy a Cadillac?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
11:53 pm
ESPN Insider Wild Card Rosters
Atlanta Braves
Starting pitching: The Braves probably will carry three starting pitchers: Kris Medlen (who’s slated to start), Tim Hudson (who is set to start Game 1 of the NLDS if they win the wild-card game) and Mike Minor. Hudson is only on the roster in case of injury or an unexpected early exit by Medlen, and Minor serves as a third left-handed reliever just in case they have a need in the fifth or sixth inning.
Possible Braves wild-card roster
Player POS Bat Thw
Luis Avilan RP L L
Chad Durbin RP R R
Tim Hudson SP R R
Craig Kimbrel RP R R
Cristhian Martinez RP R R
Kris Medlen SP B R
Mike Minor SP R L
Eric O’Flaherty RP L L
Jonny Venters RP L L
J.C. Boscan C R R
Brian McCann C L R
David Ross C R R
Juan Francisco 3B L R
Freddie Freeman 1B L R
Chipper Jones 3B B R
Lyle Overbay 1B L L
Tyler Pastornicky SS R R
Andrelton Simmons SS R R
Dan Uggla 2B R R
Michael Bourn CF L R
Jose Constanza LF L L
Jason Heyward RF L L
Eric Hinske LF L R
Reed Johnson RF R R
Martin Prado LF R R
Who gets left off: Tommy Hanson and Paul Maholm, as both will be on short rest at that point and will be lined up to potentially pitch in the NLDS.
Relief pitching: The Braves will carry their six best relievers, hands down. The one possible surprise in that group is lefty Luis Avilan, who has been quite effective down the stretch, giving up a total of two runs since Aug. 11.
Who gets left off: Miguel Batista, Randall Delgado, Peter Moylan, Julio Teheran
Position players: Jose Constanza should win one of the final two spots on the roster because of his speed, especially important if they need a pinch runner. Costanza can go from first to third on a single or score from first on a double. J.C. Boscan also could make the team because they might want a third catcher, something former Braves manager Bobby Cox always favored in the postseason. Lyle Overbay makes the team to replace Matt Diaz, who underwent season-ending surgery Aug. 16. Overbay was in the organization Aug. 31, which makes him postseason eligible.
Who gets left off: Paul Janish and Jeff Baker. However, if Janish’s shoulder is OK by early next week, he will make the team over Tyler Pastornicky.
Possible weakness: The Braves’ bench is heavily left-handed. This offers another reason for Boscan to make the team, as manager Fredi Gonzalez can use David Ross as a second right-handed hitter off the bench after Reed Johnson, leaving Boscan available to catch.
keyLargo
October 2nd, 2012
12:02 am
You don’t get what I’m saying “MikeinFL”. You want to have a new award to reflect modern stats? Go for it. Buy a 5′ trophy and call it what you want. But I’m following the Triple Crown, a stat that has been accomplished 16 times in about 160 of baseball. And stolen bases aren’t one of the criterium.
And to show you I just am not pulling for Cabrera, I wish someone else was winning it after he acted like his off field problems didn’t really apply to him since he was such a famous ballplayer.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
12:04 am
Somebody going all Tevye here…
Veer
October 2nd, 2012
12:07 am
Lynn won’t start for Cardinals? Why would he when they have Loshe and Wainright in the wings?
MikeInFl
October 2nd, 2012
12:17 am
Gonna be left in the dust with that attitude, kl. I gave up on ‘tradition’ about the time they admitted Arkansas to the SEC, and surely left it behind when they came up with the wildcard in baseball.
Now we’re seeing 1-game “playoffs.”
As to WAR, computers have made it practical to drill down on the data and assign a more accurate value to it. WAR values power, getting on base, running the bases, and defense. What’s so non-traditional about that?
Anyway, I’m not a sabre-geek by any means, but reading up on this stat has convinced me that it has value.
But like I said, I can see both sides. Even though I’m using a “new” stat to make my choice, the BBWA has no obligation to do so. It’ll be an interesting vote.
But make no mistake… your side is losing ground year after year.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
12:58 am
Keith Olbermann @KeithOlbermann
I am old school. I saw Yaz. But Trout’s season had speed, defense too Trout’s overall season was 20-30% better than anybody else in the AL. Were it close I’d defer to tradition. Ain’t.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
1:04 am
Nate Silver @fivethirtyeight
Mike Trout this year: .321/.395/.557. Joe DiMaggio, career: .325/.398/.579. Mike Trout steals this year: 48. DiMaggio, career: 30.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
Its MVP, not greatest season.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
Not espousing a position (that would be antithetical to my long-standing ambivalence to anything requiring thought) – just funny that I saw those shortly after the conversation here…
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
1:08 am
Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Dodgers win. Braves will wait at least one more day to learn whether they’ll play the Cards or Dodgers in the Wild Card game.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
1:23 am
POY is best season supposedly
carney johnson
October 2nd, 2012
1:43 am
when do we find out game time on friday?
jeffrey d
October 2nd, 2012
4:34 am
Rookie left-hander Jeff Locke, a second-round draft pick by the Braves in 2006 and part of the trio they gave to get Nate McLouth
Nate McLouth…the gift that keeps on giving
Couch Tater
October 2nd, 2012
5:52 am
Just throwing these splits on the spit. 2 outs RISP..
Cabrera: 57 PA’s .420/.491/.720/1.211
Trout: 62 PA’s .286/.435/.347/.782
_________
M’PANts split
Heyward: 73 PA’s .186/.342/.305/.648
Mac: 66 PA’s .161/.288/.375/.663
___
B’NNana split?
Uggla: 83 PA’s .308/.458/.631/1.089
Frankie
October 2nd, 2012
6:51 am
“Glad Chipper can get a little rest. He was beginning to look tired and was hitting weak grounders since last Friday.”
Last Friday? You mean the last 4 weeks don’t you? Huge hit against the Phillies and to start the rally that clinched against the Marlins and little in between. He’s probably hurting and guy probably has another surgery right after the season(hopefully not scheduled next week). Let’s hope he has some magic left, he’s looked pretty mediocre last month.
Great season, nice wins and bounce back from last year’s disappointment.
Still, if we they lose Friday really bad taste in mouth. This lineup constructed 1-8 has been terrible and pitching obviously has carried this team last 6 weeks. Prado shouldn’t be batting 2nd and moved down to drive in runs, Chipper no way should be batting cleanup and singles hitter. Fredi’s stubbornness in not mixing up this lineup is in question right now. Hopefully he knows all along what he is doing, I’m not feeling warm and fuzzy right now though.
Frankie
October 2nd, 2012
6:53 am
And of course the Cardinals on the other hand have been playing very solid baseball and have Kyle Lohse throwing Friday. Liked this game more on paper over a week ago, now a major tossup and either way.
Couch Tater
October 2nd, 2012
6:57 am
Someone somewhere is awake waiting and waiting…in a cold sweat..for game time confirmation…so they can bust their azz to have whatever they’re selling; written, printed, delivered, cooked, trinkified, brewed, popped, sized or oiled for Friday’s game.
So..whoever you are. Keep in mind, the person you’re waiting on, just hit their snooze button and they didn’t authorized the overtime.
Relax..it’ll probably rain.
Stevie Ray Vaughn – “Tight Rope”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UYkQTK9pos
phil
October 2nd, 2012
7:08 am
Fire FG!!
Kat
October 2nd, 2012
7:16 am
Getting ready to head over and down to Pittsburgh all 500miles to the steel city this morning.
Kat
October 2nd, 2012
7:28 am
And DOB you have to try some of Manny’s BBQ at PNC if you have a chance this series. Great pulled pork sliders! Definitely what I’ll be getting.
jeffrey d
October 2nd, 2012
7:33 am
Kat would walk 500 miles and she would walk 500 more just to be that man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at third.
Kat
October 2nd, 2012
7:36 am
jeffrey d .. if I had some pulled pork in my hand I don’t think I’d mind stumbling over 3rd lol.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
7:45 am
Time to get ready for Friday at the Ted. The Braves’ opponent in that game is the only playoff berth that hasn’t been decided yet. St. Louis can clinch that spot with a win or Dodgers loss tonight. Last night, Detroit and Oakland both clinched playoff spots, while Washington clinched the NL East division.
Almost all playoff spots are claimed, but not the order. Washington is still competing with Cincinnati for the #1 seed in the NL. The AL East and AL West are still up in the air, though the all teams involved have clinched at least a wild card berth. In the, home field for the wild card playoff is still to be decided, as is the #1 overall seed. Those are things to keep an eye on.
Here is the updated magic numbers:
NL East – Washington – clinched
NL Central – Cincinnati- clinched
NL West – San Francisco – clinched
NL Wild Card
Atlanta – clinched
St. Louis – 1 (over Los Angeles)
NL #1 seed – Washington – 2 (hold tiebreaker over Cincinnati)
NL #1 wild card – Atlanta – clinched
AL East – New York – 2
AL Central – Detroit – clinched
AL West – Texas – 2
AL Wild Card
New York – clinched
Texas – clinched
Oakland – clinched
Baltimore – clinched
AL #1 seed – New York – 2 (hold tiebreaker over Texas)
AL #1 wild card – Oakland – 2 (hold tiebreaker over Baltimore)
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
7:47 am
I think Chipper is really becoming aware of just how little time he has left and wants to be on the field for it as much as possible
I would agree. I don’t think Chipper wants to end the regular season riding the pines. I think he plays on Wednesday, at least.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
7:51 am
B-team lineup tonight?
CF Constanza
SS Pastornicky
3B Francisco
LF Hinske
C Ross
1B Overbay
RF Johnson
2B Baker
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
7:53 am
Oh, and if anyone is curious, Braves finish regular season w/ 4-17 record on Mondays (19-6 on Fridays)
Glad the league could accommodate the Braves with a Friday wild card match up.
So, what’s the Cards record on Fridays, DOB?
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
7:54 am
Brian from SC, definitely a B-team line up tonight – if the game isn’t rained out.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
7:57 am
Lots of typical overnight overreaction, mostly on the offense (natch…everybody knows that the last game played is always indicative of the team as a whole). Truth is, the team lost one (count ‘em, one) game last month when they scored three or more runs, and they scored three or more runs more often than they failed to do so. In fact, they scored four or more runs as often as they scored two or fewer.
Now, I’d be a lot happier if that ratio of four-or-more were better, and that’s a fact. But all the hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing is a little misplaced, when the bats have broken out just as often as they have been shut down. You read stuff here, and you’d think they hadn’t scored a run in a month.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
8:00 am
I’m seeng 9-17, I’ll double-check
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:01 am
We didn’t learn anything last night we haven’t known for a while: the Braves will have to pitch very well in the playoffs to advance, barring a sudden hot streak by the offense.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:02 am
We should have a contest to see who guesses the lineup for tonight the closest.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:04 am
If it’s 9-17 for the Cards on Fridays, I like it very, very much.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
8:04 am
Yep, they’re 9-17 on Fridays. Me gusto.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:04 am
I’ll take strong pitching over a strong offense anytime, particularly in the post season.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:05 am
TheOnlyBravesFan, thank you, sir!
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:08 am
Do note that the Nats backed into the division crown last night.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
8:08 am
barring a sudden hot streak by the offense.
Part of my point was that it wouldn’t be “sudden”.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
8:10 am
What happened last night was what was expected to happen for over a week. Fredi said that he still gonna get his regulars some ABs the last 2 days, so…. not much “rest”. Also, not much time to see what Baker, Hinske, and Overbay can bring to us. Assuming we make LDS, we have to just pick a lefty hitter, go with Hinske. Not even Rev has gotten much ABs lately.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:13 am
Also, not much time to see what Baker, Hinske, and Overbay can bring to us.
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that we shouldn’t expect much of anything from any of them. Just gotta hope the regulars produce and stay healthy.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:15 am
I really think it’s on Medlen’s shoulders for next Friday’s WC. I would expect a low-scoring contest.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:17 am
Here’s the current seeding scenarios:
In the National League
1. Washington/Cincinnati
2. Cincinnati/Washington
3. San Francisco
4. Atlanta
5. St. Louis/Los Angeles
So the Braves, with a win Friday would play at home against Washington or Cincinnati on Sunday. They are currently tied in the standings, but Washington holds the tiebreaker.
American League:
1. New York/Texas/Oakland/Baltimore
2. New York/Texas/Oakland/Baltimore
3. Detroit
4. New York/Texas/Oakland/Baltimore
5. New York/Texas/Oakland Baltimore
Obviously a lot more muddy. The division races will need to be settled first. Then, settle the 1/2 and 4/5 seedings. Lots of tiebreaker scenarios with each team. If the playoffs started today, it would be 1. New York, 2. Texas, 4. Oakland, 5. Baltimore
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
8:20 am
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that we shouldn’t expect much of anything from any of them.
You don’t need much. All you’re looking for is some LH and RH pop on the bench, not BA or even OBP, really. Just guys who can go deep late. Johnson and Hinske are fine for that. Anybody else added is sitting at the end of the beach, ready to take an early PH if the starter goes belly-up.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:22 am
It would be fun if Oakland beat Texas tonight, the Yankees lost, and Baltimore won. There would be four 93-68 teams with one game left to decide things in the AL.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:24 am
Meanwhile, Detroit, who is five games worse than any of those teams in the standings, gets to sit and wait while the other teams prepare for possible extra playin games.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:25 am
It would be fun if Oakland beat Texas tonight, the Yankees lost, and Baltimore won. There would be four 93-68 teams with one game left to decide things in the AL.
Yes, that would be fun.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:28 am
Here’s a thought: you think Washington and Cincinnati would rather kick off an NLDS on Saturday at home against San Francisco, or go on the road to face Atlanta, St. Louis, or Los Angeles on Sunday?
Might we see some…not so great effort…from the Nats and Reds in these last two games?
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
8:30 am
Of course, both the Nats and Reds would have their eye on home field advantage in the NLCS. But, it’s something to think about.
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
8:40 am
BTW, If the Braves take an early lead in Friday’s tilt, especially if it’s a homerun, I think you’ll be able to hear the exhalation all the way to Athens.
Fans are already getting tense for this game. Deep down, fans expect the Braves to lose. (I know, 5-6 of you will say you don’t, and back it up with something, and that’s fine), but with all the times we’ve been eliminated at TF since 1997, it really has gotten to the point where I think most fans have low expectations in elimination games.
Heading into a series? Sure, I think fans can logically analyze it and make a rationale argument for why we will beat a certain team.
But in an elimination game? Fans are tense and with the offense struggling, it’ll only make it that much worse.
But that said, I agree with uga-brave’s comment last night about having a better shot to beat St. Louis in one game than in a best of 5. Right now, St. Louis is hot and we are relying strictly on pitching.
Friday, we get a packed house at home, with our best pitcher going, Winner take all.
Yes, I will take that chance over a best of 5 against a hot team, where we’ll have to put up at least some offense in 3 games in order to have a chance at a series win, while simultaneously having to get a strong performance out of multiple pitchers with ZERO play-off experience.
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
8:42 am
Well scoots, can you finally admit that the Nats are a good team, contenders all the way?
Bob the Blogger
October 2nd, 2012
8:47 am
Bourn, McCann, Freeman and Chipper have all hit below .230 for the last 30 days. Hopefully, this won’t carry over into the play-in game, or whatever they call it.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
8:50 am
The Nats are sputtering right now.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
8:51 am
Well scoots, can you finally admit that the Nats are a good team, contenders all the way?
Smoke and mirrors, and a dash of luck.
Probably won’t even make the playoffs next year, LOL.
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
8:56 am
Probably won’t even make the playoffs next year,
At this stage, I question the Braves ability to make it next year. The off-season will answer a lot of questions.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
8:59 am
At this stage, I question the Braves ability to make it next year.
Really? I think that, even with relatively marginal replacements for Bourn and Chipper, they’ll be solid on offense. And how can the pitching not be great with your boy Medlen getting 34 starts?
Dan Finnegan
October 2nd, 2012
9:06 am
That’s all right DOB, we’ve gotten a couple of Lombardi trophies and a Stanley Cup to help ease the pain during the Pirates 20 consecutive losing seasons. One of these years, we’ll get the Pirates fixed and back to winning WS titles.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:06 am
As for the Nats, they get Ramos back, which is a plus, and Strasburg and Zimmerman still look wicked at the top of their rotation. If Gio can replicate his 2012, I might have to change my mind about him. He probably wouldn’t want me to do that, though, so he’ll probably turn turtle.
Depends on what they do in CF and whether they go with LaRoche or Morse or just maintain the status quo.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:07 am
At this stage, I question the Braves ability to make it next year. The off-season will answer a lot of questions. – TenneseePaul
Really? I think that, even with relatively marginal replacements for Bourn and Chipper, they’ll be solid on offense. – ncscoots
These two comments sum you both up so well.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:09 am
Heyward is 7 for his last 41 and hitting .171/.222/.268 over his last 11 games.