Since Sid slid, it’s been 2 decades of losing for Pirates
PITTSBURGH – If you’re a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, can you imagine what it must be like to hear folks complain about the Braves going back to the postseason for “only” the second time since 2005? Or better yet, to hear complaints about the Braves winning 14 consecutive division titles but only one World Series in that stretch?
Not much good has happened to the Pirates since Sid slid in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS.
We say this only because the Braves arrived in Pittsburgh last night only hours after Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Reds that assured the Pirates of their 20th consecutive losing season. Think about that a moment. Twenty consecutive losing seasons. In a town with deep baseball roots and tradition, not to mention one of the two or three nicest ballparks in the majors.
Twenty consecutive losing seasons. It’s difficult to even comprehend.
And to make matters worse, each of the past two years under manager Clint Hurdle, the Pirates have gotten off to strong starts and looked like serious playoff contenders until mid-summer, then melted down. Two years in a row.
This year they were 63-47 with a 3.58 ERA, 126 homers and 456 runs in 110 games through Aug. 8. The Pirates are 14-35 since then, including 7-22 since Aug. 30 with a .230 average, 4.83 ERA and 103 runs in 29 games.
Now the Braves are in town for the final three games of the season, almost as if the baseball gods are pouring salt in the wounds of Pirates fans with memories of 1992 and a certain slide by a Brave named Sid.
Since Sid Bream slid safely with the game-ending for the Braves in Game 7 of the 1992 NL Championship Series, it’s been nothing but losing for the Pirates. Not only have they not been back to the postseason since then, they haven’t even had a winning season. To repeat, 20 straight losing seasons.
I just crunched the numbers, and here’s what the two teams have done since Opening Day 1993: The Braves have a 1,833-1,336 record and 3.68 ERA, and the Pirates are 1,371-1,795 with a 4.54 ERA.
In that span the Braves have played 102 postseason — and gone exactly 51-51 — while the Pirates have played, well, as we said before, zero postseason games.
Now the Braves are here for the last series of the season, with a wild-card spot sewn up and still not mathematically eliminated from the division race, though they are three games back with three to play, meaning it would take three Washington Nationals losses and three Braves wins to force a tiebreaker that would be played in D.C. on Thursday.
So the Braves are here trying to win every game, to keep pushing the Nationals but also to make sure they go into a likely Wild Card game on Friday against St. Louis with the momentum they’ve established the past few weeks, albeit momentum built mainly on the strength of pitching and not much in the way of offense.
• Braves of late: They are 7-1 with a 1.25 ERA in their past eight games, but the Braves have hit only .222 with 32 runs in that stretch. That’s serious pitching, otherwise the offense would be raising all kinds of red flags.
The Braves are 19-7 with a 2.29 ERA and 95 runs (16 homers) in their past 26 games, or 3.65 runs per game. But 27 of those 95 runs came in three games, and the Braves have scored two runs or fewer in 11 of their past 24 games.
When I asked Fredi Gonzalez this weekend if there was concern about the offense, he said, “Well, for the most part our offense had been kind of in spurts. Yeah, sure, anything concerns you this time of year. A little banged up, injuries, not scoring any runs. But I remember one year when we played the Cubs, our pitching staff wasn’t very good and our offense was real good, and our pitching held and our offense couldn’t score any runs. We had Sheffield, that team had a bunch of guys over 30 home runs, and we couldn’t score a run, so…
The Braves are 32-20 with 2.75 ERA in 52 games since Aug. 4, averaging fewer than four runs in that span. They’ve scored two runs or fewer in 21 of their past 50 games.
If they get the kind of pitching they have lately, particularly from Kris Medlen and Mike Minor but also in most of Tim Hudson’s recent starts, they’ve got a chance to go deep in the postseason. Because as we’ve seen before, a team with two or three starting pitchers on top of their game in the postseason can carry a team.
But the thing about that is, there’s so little room for error. If you’re riding those pitchers and only scoring a couple of runs half the time, you obviously need them to keep pitching like aces, and there’s a good chance that a mere “quality start” of six innings and three runs allowed won’t be enough.
All that being said, given the choice of having a team going into the postseason with either its pitching on a dominant run and its offense a bit anemic many nights, or a team with a high-powered offense but shaky pitching, most managers and players would tell you that the former is the better formula for playoff baseball. Because there’s a good chance the opponent is going to have strong pitching that can quiet an offense on any given night in the postseason.
• And then there’s Kimbrel: Remember last September, how even Craig Kimbrel struggled (like just about every other Brave) during the latter part of the team’s September collapse? Well, this year the game’s best closer shows no signs of faltering. In fact, September was the first month this season in which he allowed no runs, after giving up two in April, two in May, and one each in June, July and August. Talk about steady dominance…
Kimbrel hasn't given up a run since the end of August and has been utterly dominant all season.
The reason that Kimbrel is getting mentioned seriously in Cy Young Award discussions is because he’s doing things that no pitcher has ever done before, including striking out 16.5 batters per nine innings – ahead of the also-astounding 15.4 by Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, the only other major leaguer as high as 13.9 – while allowing a .123 opponents’ batting average, 19 points below the next-best in the majors.
Kimbrel gave up a run in back-to-back games May 2 and May 4, and in 51 appearances since they he has a a 0.53 ERA with 33 saves, .100 opponents’ average, three runs allowed (on three homers), with 94 strikeouts and six walks in 50-2/3 innings.
Not a misprint: 94 strikeouts and six walks in 50-2/3 innings.
Since gave up his last run Aug. 31, he’s pitched in 13 games, converted 10 of 10 saves and allowed six hits and two walks with 25 strikeouts in 12-2/3 scoreless innings.
Again, not a typo: 25 strikeouts and two walks in 12-2/3 innings.
Here are a couple more amazing Kimbrel stats you might not have seen: In 12 day games, he’s allowed four hits and zero walks with 26 strikeouts in 14-1/3 ininngs. That’s quite the strikeouts-to-walks ratio, eh?
Just two more stats: Left-handed hitters are 12-for-110 (.109) with nine walks, 60 strikeouts and a .183 OBP and .136 slugging percentage (.319 OPS) against Kimbrel. Who is, of course, right-handed.
And with runners on, hitters are 4-for-70 (.057) with six walks and 41 strikeouts against him.
BRAVES LINEUP (make it 7 straight starts for Chipper)
- Bourn cf
- Prado lf
- Heyward rf
- Jones 3b
- Freeman 1b
- Uggla 2b
- McCann c
- Simmons ss
- Maholm p
• Another Uggla head shot: And once again, after getting hit in the batting helmet by a pitch on Sunday, Dan Uggla just jogged to first base as if he’d been hit in the thigh, and immediately put his hands up to try to prevent a Braves trainer and Gonzalez from coming out to check on him.
When Gonzalez went out to check on him in Miami earlier this season when Uggla was hit in the left earflap by a fastball, he asked Gonzalez, “What the hell are you doing out here?” and told him not to ever do that again.
By the way, Uggla is hitting .300 with .412 OBP and .883 OPS in past 21 games, after hitting .151 with .299 OBP and .574 OPS in his previous 77 games during an epic three-month slump through Aug. 6.
• Tonight’s matchup: It’s long-time former Pirate Paul Maholm against fellow lefty Jeff Locke (0-3, 6.35), a former Braves prospect who has made nine career starts over the past two seasons and not won any of them.
Maholm faces his former Pirates team for the third time this season and first since being traded to Atlanta.
Maholm has a 41-39 record and 3.70 ERA in 113 starts at PNC Park. He is 4-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 10 starts for the Braves since being traded from the Cubs. With Chicago he went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the Pirates earlier this season, both in Pittsburgh.
Injured Braves shortstop Paul Janish is the only Brave who’s faced Locke., who is 0-3 with a 7.50 ERA and .320 opponents’ average in five starts this season, all in September (he pitched some out of the bullpen before that).
Locked hasn’t worked more than five innings in any start this season. Lefty batters are 9-for-26 (.346) with a .985 OPS vs. the lefty, while righties are 25-for-91 (.275) with a .749 OPS.
• Etc.
For those who’ve asked, Kyle Lohse would start the Wild Card game for St. Louis against the Braves on Friday, unless the Cards have to play the Dodgers in another playoff game Thursday to determine the second wild card. In which case he’d start that game….
Tommy Hanson, who it appears will be making his last start of the year on Tuesday, has the second-highest opponents’ OBP (.343) among NL qualifiers, ahead of only the Padres’ Edinson Volquez (.344). Hanson’s .269 is fifth-highest opponents’ BA among NL starters, and his 13.2 baserunners per nine is third-most among NL starters, while Mike Minor’s 10.6 is 10th-lowest.
Only four NL pitchers have allowed more extra-base hits than Hanson (70). Hanson also has had majors’ highest percentage (.219) of runners at first base attempting to steal (39 of 178) while Hudson has the NL’s fifth-lowest (.039, 7 of 178)….
Martin Prado, who had a pair of two-strike doubles Saturday, leads the majors with a .289 average with two strikes (93-for-322), ahead of Jayson Werth (.287 in barely half as many at-bats, 49-for-171). No other qualifier is over .272, and the AL leaders are Joe Mauer (.270) and Prince Fielder (.264). Prado has the most such at-bats among the top 10 leaders in both leagues.
Prado swings at by far fewest number of first pitches among NL hitters, just 7.9 percent. A.J. Ellis (10 percent) is only other NL hitter who swings at fewer than 14 percent of first pitches. The only hitters in the majors who swing at fewer than Prado are so-called Greek God of Walks, Kevin Youkilis, and Mauer, each at 7.7 percent.
By comparison, Josh Hamilton swings at MLB-high 47 percent and Freddie Freeman is second-highest in the NL at 45 percent.
• OK, let’s get this posted. We’ll close with one of the many great tunes off of The National’s superb High Violet album from 2010. You can hear it by clicking here.
“CONVERSATION 16” by The National
Do not know what all the troubles are for
Give them ice for their fevers
You’re the only thing I ever want anymore
Live on coffee and flowers
Try not to worry what the weather will be
I figured out what we’re missing
I tell you miserable things after you are asleep
Now we’ll leave the silver city ’cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city cause all the silver girls
Everything means everything
It’s a Hollywood summer
You never believe the sh**** thoughts I think
Meet our friends out for dinner
When I said what I said I didn’t mean anything
We belong in a movie
Try to hold it together ’til our friends are gone
We should swim in a fountain
Do not want to disappoint anyone
Now we’ll leave the silver city cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city to all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid, I’d eat your brains
I was afraid, I’d eat your brains
Cause I’m evil
Cause I’m evil
I’m a confident liar
Had my head in the oven so you’d know where I’ll be
I’ll try to be more romantic
I want to believe in everything you believe
But I was less than amazing
Do not know what all the troubles are for
Fall asleep in your branches
You’re the only thing I ever want anymore
Now we’ll leave the silver city cause all the silver girls
Gave us black dreams
Leave the silver city to all the silver girls
Everything means everything
I was afraid, I’d eat your brains
I was afraid, I’d eat your brains
Cause I’m evil
Cause I’m evil
Cause I’m evil
1,250 comments Add your comment
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
3:13 pm
Thanks, DOB!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
3:14 pm
Thank you DOB. Let’s go Braves! Take 2-3, call it a regular season.
jeffrey d
October 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
Thanks for the new blog, DOB
flange1
October 1st, 2012
3:16 pm
Thanks for the new blog and all the hard work DOB!
GO BRAVES!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
Based on Nolie’s list, by my calculations, if Bourjos had played CF for as many innings as Trout has, he’d have saved 17 runs. Trout is at 23.
Seeing Craig Gentry at #4 is pretty good.
Brime Lee
October 1st, 2012
3:19 pm
From South Korea to watch Chipper & (Most important) Braves’ Road to World Series.
and now I am in Pittsburgh, just about to go to PNC Park.
Go Bravos & Thanks DOB! as always!
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:20 pm
no it is not true, Bourjoos is not as good as Trout
To 30 in Runs Saved
Bourn, Michael 25
Trout, Mike 23
Span, Denard 19
Gentry, Craig 14
Harper, Bryce 13
Maxwell, Justin 12
Bourjos, Peter 10
Maybin, Cameron 8
Colvin, Tyler 7
Morgan, Nyjer 7
Young, Chris 7
Rasmus, Colby 6
Ruggiano, Justin 6
Young, Eric 6
Cain, Lorenzo 5
Barnes, Brandon 4
Dyson, Jarrod 4
Jackson, Austin 4
Torres, Andres 4
Gomez, Carlos 3
Parra, Gerardo 3
Bernadina, Roger 2
Byrd, Marlon 2
Ellsbury, Jacoby 2
Gose, Anthony 2
Podsednik, Scott 2
Repko, Jason 2
Stubbs, Drew 2
Sweeney, Ryan 2
Brown, Corey 1
Campana, Tony 1
Carrera, Ezequiel 1
Chambers, Adron 1
Chavez, Endy 1
Crisp, Coco 1
Danks, Jordan 1
Davis, Rajai 1
Denorfia, Chris 1
Dickerson, Chris 1
Donald, Jason 1
Eaton, Adam 1
Ethier, Andre 1
Gwynn, Tony 1
Jay, Jon 1
Lough, David 1
Martinez, Michael 1
Mastroianni, Darin 1
Pollock, A.J. 1
Robinson, Shane 1
Schafer, Logan 1
Schierholtz, Nate 1
Wells, Casper 1
Murph
October 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
Thanks for the new blog DOB. Now you can head to Primanti Brothers for a double egg and cheese sandwich.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
Thanks, DOB. Super report and analysis.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:21 pm
Top Ten +/-
Michael Bourn +39
Michael Trout +33
Denard Span +31
Justin Maxwell +21
Bryce Harper +18
Lorenzo Cain +14
Peter Bourjos +14
Eric Young Jr. +13
Justin Ruggiano +13
Cameron Maybin +12
Chris Young +12
Brave New World
October 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Good blog – thanks DOB! GO BRAVES!
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Thanks DOB, Go Braves!
Bream Is My Homie
October 1st, 2012
3:22 pm
Do you guys think Barry Bonds knew how bad the Pirates would be after the 1992 season and that’s why wanted to go to the Giants?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
3:23 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Tonight’s lineup at PIT (7:05, SPSO/680AM/BRN): Bourn 8 Prado 7 Heyward 9 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Uggla 4 McCann 2 Simmons 6 Maholm 1
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
“Bourjos is not as good as Trout”
Defensively Bourjos is better. If he wasn’t the Angels wouldn’t move Trout to LF when Bourjos comes in.
The problem is he doesn’t play in as many games as Trout thus has lower counting numbers.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
Denard Span +31
I think he’d be a solid CF replacement for Bourn. I know he struggles outside of Minny – but he can take a walk, hit LHP, and play really good defense. I wish he wasn’t a LHH, but he’s a name I would consider for CF next year. And we match up very well with the Twins.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:24 pm
To 30 in Runs Saved
Am I to read this list as saying Andrew McCutcheon has saved zero runs this year?
raleighbravefan
October 1st, 2012
3:25 pm
Bream – It probably had more to do with money.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
Am I to read this list as saying Andrew McCutcheon has saved zero runs this year?
I never really hear about him being that great of a defender. 0 runs surprises me though.
Brian from SC
October 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
Chipper’s in the lineup? Color me surprised. Good for him.
Karl Hungus
October 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
Actually McCutchen ha -5 DRS.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
“Bourn 8 Prado 7 Heyward 9 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Uggla 4 McCann 2 Simmons 6 Maholm 1″
McCann CRUSHES lefties! That .268 on base percentage!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
3:27 pm
I thought Chipper said he was taking today off…. at least there was a tweet from Tom Hart saying so…
Brian from SC
October 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Obviously the Braves are going to go all out for the division as long as they mathematically can.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Actually McCutchen ha -5 DRS.
Thanks, Karl. Wow, that surprises me. Not that I see him play a lot, but still…
Bream Is My Homie
October 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Not sure that money had anything to do with it. He could of made money in any city and with Pittsburgh’s steel industry they could of afforded him.
flange1
October 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
Shouldn’t BJ Upton be on that list too?
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
3:29 pm
I think it’s funny that soo many WAR supporters have this “us against the world” mentality. It really isn’t that way, it’s just illogical that WAR is the end all be-all of stats. And if you don’t want to pick an MVP based on it then somehow you’re illogical.
I’d rather see some sort of overall “runs created” stat that uses RBIs/HRs/SB/Defense/Baserunning that gives a player an overall numbers of runs created.
No one wants to base MVP entirely on WAR. But no one wants to disregard WAR completely either.
And what do you think WAR is? It is essentially runs created and runs prevented formula. So if that’s what you want, there it is.
There is the false idea that everything needs to be stats/sabermetrics versus scouts. Many of you, especially those who want to take a scouting side (for lack of a better term, though most of you would probably be uncomfortable with the knowledge that many scouts have about sabermetrics), think you have to pick sides. You are afraid to embrace one side of this false debate because you think it means giving up the other side.
The most intelligent baseball folks, whether they are in the industry or outside, understand that things have progressed way beyond that. If you are still looking at baseball through the lens of some false dichotomy of stats versus scouts, you are living way back in the Dark Ages.
Most of the civilized baseball world has moved past all this, fully embracing both stats/sabermetrics/advanced stats/whatever you want to call it and scouting. There are a few Neanderthals left that think we have to pick sides and are still living in a world where WAR is less useful than scouting grades and vice versa. But the civilized baseball world has moved beyond that and realize that good information is good information, whether it be a player’s WAR or a player’s scouting grades.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:30 pm
Defensively Bourjos is better. If he wasn’t the Angels wouldn’t move Trout to LF when Bourjos comes in. The problem is he doesn’t play in as many games as Trout thus has lower counting numbers.
But offensively Bourjos is one of the worst players in baseball. If his defense is being used to take points away from Trout, his offense needs to be used to give Trout extra credit.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:31 pm
he is not better, he is well below Trout in +/-
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:32 pm
Bourn 8 Prado 7 Heyward 9 Jones 5 Freeman 3 Uggla 4 McCann 2 Simmons 6 Maholm 1
That’s our playoff game lineup, I’d expect.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:32 pm
Am I to read this list as saying Andrew McCutcheon has saved zero runs this year?
I never really hear about him being that great of a defender. 0 runs surprises me though.
I think the setup of PNC Park contributes to hurting his numbers, as well as the fact that the Pirates have had some good defenders on the corners (meaning that they can “take” outs away from McCutchen).
You know your basic “UZR isn’t perfect” arguments.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
That’s our playoff game lineup, I’d expect.
Hopefully not with Maholm until Game 3/4 though
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:34 pm
yeah McCutcheon has always had bad numbers except for last season when he played less shallow, other years he has been terrible deep
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:35 pm
Upton is a crap centerfielder, he has the tools but loafs and takes a lot of bad routes
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
3:35 pm
Some of them even think that, historically speaking, Jose Canseco was the greatest right fielder ever….
There is absolutely no one who thinks this. But again, make up these attacks on the “sabermetric” crowd to appease your need to create drama and some holy war of sabermetrics versus scouts or sabermetrics versus traditional stats.
A Jerry Springer mentality is feeding baseball debate. Discussions can’t be about good information, regardless of where it comes from. We have to create this holy war of traditionalist/scouts versus sabemetrics. There needs to be this drummed up, constructed drama instead of raising the stakes, being intellectually curious and relying on information.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:36 pm
“he is not better, he is well below Trout in +/-”
Is that not a counting stat? If so, it should be obvious why he is well below Trout. Not to mention the fact that the Angels replace Trout in CF with Bourjos? Why would they do that if Trout was a better CF? To purposely make their defense worse!?!
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:36 pm
Some of them even think that, historically speaking, Jose Canseco was the greatest right fielder ever….
There is absolutely no one who thinks this.
I disagree. I’m pretty sure Jose Canseco thinks this.
Mike S
October 1st, 2012
3:37 pm
FMJ lineup!
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
3:40 pm
Seven starts in a row for Chipper.
Braves lineup: Bourn cf, Prado lf, Heyward rf, Jones 3b, Freeman 1b, Uggla 2b, McCann c, Simmons ss, Maholm p
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
3:42 pm
Good stuff, DOB. Thanks
Chipper starting? Color me a little surprised.
Big dog line up. Win and the Nats lose? Fun, fun, fun
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
We have to create this holy war of traditionalist/scouts versus sabemetrics.
Geez, brother, who do you think has framed the conversation this way, in the first place, LOL? No offense, but the debate would be much further advanced were folks like you less dogmatic. That would have let folks like me, with feet in both camps, move the conversation forward much more easily and without the polarization created by all the arrogance. Instead, you have armed camps willing to annihilate the opposition, should they venture into The Neutral Zone.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
The beginning of an exciting sports week. Let’s hope it doesn’t end with a thud on Friday night.
Go Braves!
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:43 pm
Wasn’t someone saying they wish there was a stat that took into account all the things that “create runs”, while not weighting defense too much?
There is….wRC+ (measures how many runs above “league average” a player creates with 100 being league average, and each number above or below that 1% of the average):
Trout’s wRC+ is 172.
Cabrera’s wRC is 163.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
Runs Saved is a counting stat, +/- is not
1n 2010 when Peter played a lot of CF he was +10. last year he was +14. nowhere near what Trout has done
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
Bourn
Prado
Heyward
Jones
Freeman
Uggla
McCann
Simmons
Maholm
Braves should give McCann three more games, if he doesn’t produce he’s gotta be the back-up catcher come playoff time. He can’t be both a liability offensively and defensively….crap his base-running isn’t going to makeup for that.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
sorry, should have said “Cabrera’s wRC+ is 163″
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
3:44 pm
After hearing Chipper’s comments yesterday about working on his swing, I guess I’m not surprised that he’s playing.
Sounds like he wants the reps.
phil
October 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
Well, no way we win tonight….
It’s a lefty who hasn’t won a game….ever.
Just great.
On the other hand, looks like our best lineup is out there for the first time in months.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
nolie – Why would the Angels replace Trout with Bourjos consistently?
There is the kicker. You might want to forward your response to the Angels as well.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
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
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
If Trout is a worse defender than Bourjos, it’s not by much. And Trout certainly provided a lot more defensive value than Miguel Cabrera.
Trout was a lot better this season on defense, on the bases and was not all that far behind Cabrera at the plate. All this means a lot more than Cabrera winning or coming close to winning a Triple Crown. Just think it through for more than two seconds, please, voters.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
sorry, should have said “Cabrera’s wRC+ is 163″
Yeah, for a minute there, I thought you were using Cabrera’s unweighted number.
A typically sneaky tactic used by saber-geeks to color the comparison.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
nolie – Why would the Angels replace Trout with Bourjos consistently? There is the kicker. You might want to forward your response to the Angels as well.
By the same logic, if Bourjos is so much better, why would they consistently play Trout over Bourjos? Or play whoever starts in LF over Bourjos?
Murph
October 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
It’s probably sinking in for Chipper that he could be down to his last 4 games to play… for the rest of his life. I imagine he’ll want to play as much as possible during this final series ’cause, come Friday, that could be the end.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
“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”
Hopefully not at the cost of the team winning games. I’m all for him sitting out a game or two to get ready for the playoff(s). He looked very tried or overwhelmed in the Mets series. Could be emotional but it could be physical manifestations of the emotions too.
phil
October 1st, 2012
3:50 pm
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
3:35 pm
Some of them even think that, historically speaking, Jose Canseco was the greatest right fielder ever….
There is absolutely no one who thinks this. But again, make up these attacks on the “sabermetric” crowd to appease your need to create drama and some holy war of sabermetrics versus scouts or sabermetrics versus traditional stats.
A Jerry Springer mentality is feeding baseball debate. Discussions can’t be about good information, regardless of where it comes from. We have to create this holy war of traditionalist/scouts versus sabemetrics. There needs to be this drummed up, constructed drama instead of raising the stakes, being intellectually curious and relying on information.
**********
You have the sense of humor of a wet sponge…..
Of course no one thinks that. You’re not nearly as smart or perceptive as you think you are.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:50 pm
Yeah, I used the weighted numbers because the Angels kept Trout down for the first month of the season, putting him in a hole before he even started. Even with those games missed though, he still is pretty damn close to Cabrera’s full season unweighted number.
Cabrera at 133, Trout at 124.
phil
October 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
I’d rather go down with Chipper than without him….
You know, like we always have since 95….
phil
October 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
Except in ‘10….
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
By the same logic, if Bourjos is so much better, why would they consistently play Trout over Bourjos?
Because defense isn’t really that important, LOL?
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Well, I’ll be rooting hard for Kyle Kendrick tonight. I mean, he owns us – why not help us for once?
I will become a believer if we get to Wednesday. Because Cliff Lee has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last few months and he ain’t gonna go quietly.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Hopefully not at the cost of the team winning games. I’m all for him sitting out a game or two to get ready for the playoff(s). He looked very tried or overwhelmed in the Mets series. Could be emotional but it could be physical manifestations of the emotions too.
I’m betting that if the game is in hand late, he’ll be lifted for a replacement. Also bet that as soon as the division is no longer a possibility, he’s out of the lineup for at least one game.
matty
October 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
DOB, any word on the Pirates doing anything for Chipper this series? If so, when? I want to make sure I’m there in time! Thanks…
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
“By the same logic, if Bourjos is so much better, why would they consistently play Trout over Bourjos? Or play whoever starts in LF over Bourjos?”
It isn’t the same logic. The argument isn’t whether Trout is better than Bourjos, it is whether or no one is better than the other defensively. And the Angels believe Bourjos is the better defensive player or they would never move Trout to LF.
It isn’t that hard. Bourjos > Trout defensively. If you don’t believe me talk to the Angels front office and management.
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
Because defense isn’t really that important, LOL?
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Well played.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:53 pm
Also bet that as soon as the division is no longer a possibility,
Just hush.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
Has Trout been moved to LF?
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
ncscoots, if you truly had feet in both camps, I doubt you would be as hostile as you are to metrics like WAR, for instance, or claiming that someone who pays attention to WAR is dogmatic.
Metrics like WAR are pretty much accepted within the game. We’re past the point where paying attention to things like WAR is “dogmatic.”
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
3:55 pm
“Also bet that as soon as the division is no longer a possibility, he’s out of the lineup for at least one game.”
That’s pretty much what I’m thinking, but it’s scary if he plays 9 in a row because we have a shot at the division and we don’t get it and then we have tired Chipper for the play-in game. I suppose he does have a day off on Thursday, right?
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
MFin04, I agree w/you about Chipper plaing 9 straight; however, consider that if he plays 9, we are going into the final day of the season only 1 game out of first and the Nats will be as tight as we were last year against Philly.
Worth a shot.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
I feel bad for the Pirates. It’s a shame they couldn’t finish the season over .500. Good fans, good ballpark… it’s just too bad.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
3:58 pm
Wow. Mark Trumbo has fallen off of a cliff in the 2nd Half – .218/.265/.354
I was never really a huge fan, but he did have a strong first 2 months. Just been downhill ever since.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
that does not mean Bourjos is better, it might just be the way they both feel the most comfortable, Bourjos has never played anything but center so Trout is more versatile, you are making unwarranted assumptions
RC
October 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
MFin04,
But your entire reason from bringing up Trout/Bourjos was the point out why Trout wasn’t as good as his defensive number say he is. Because you are arguing the “replacement level” for his defense should be higher since there is a good defensive CF on his time.
If that’s the logic you are using, then Trout’s offensive numbers should be given a significant boost, because Bourjos’s offensive numbers are way worse than the replacements for Miguel Cabera (mostly Omar Infante and Ramon Santiago).
You can’t discount one side of the ball without crediting the other side of the ball.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
3:59 pm
Well played.
Hey, listen, Mike Trout is a beast, and that’s a fact. If he had any kind of arm, we’d be talking Mays, DiMaggio, and any other god-like player’s name that drifted to our lips. If he wins the MVP, I certainly won’t be shocked. Or even perturbed, for that matter. It’s not like Rafael Palmeiro winning a Gold Glove, fercrissake. Trout’s legit.
RC
October 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
I suppose he does have a day off on Thursday, right?
Unless we somehow catch the Nationals. But if that happens, then I’d say Chipper playing was probably worth it.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
4:01 pm
Metrics like WAR are pretty much accepted within the game. We’re past the point where paying attention to things like WAR is “dogmatic.”
The most important question to ask in this, or any, debate, though, is… does anyone really give a sh*t?
I think 90% of the people on here don’t, so maybe you should move your debate to another forum where people care.
Thanks.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
I’d vote for Posey in the NL and Trout in the AL.
I think David Wright had a phenomenal season as well. Shame he slumped for 8 weeks, but he had a great season overall.
RC
October 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
It’s not like Rafael Palmeiro winning a Gold Glove, fercrissake. Trout’s legit.
I do love that he’s STILL the go-to for a terrible award winner. Geez that was a terrible vote.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
This will be seventh straight start for #Braves Chipper, who hadn’t started more than 5 in a row this season until this run.
Hope it works out.
RC
October 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
I’d vote for Posey in the NL and Trout in the AL.
I think David Wright had a phenomenal season as well. Shame he slumped for 8 weeks, but he had a great season overall.
I’d probably vote Braun in the NL, but Posey is certainly not a bad choice.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
“that does not mean Bourjos is better, it might just be the way they both feel the most comfortable, Bourjos has never played anything but center so Trout is more versatile, you are making unwarranted assumptions”
What!? Of course it means he is better. You wouldn’t put a guy in a position if he wasn’t better. So if Heyward was more comfortable in CF you’d put Bourn in RF? That doesn’t make any sense.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
I doubt you would be as hostile as you are to metrics like WAR, for instance, or claiming that someone who pays attention to WAR is dogmatic.
I’m not hostile to WAR, you infant. I’m hostile to you, LOL.
Nor did I say that “paying attention to WAR” makes you dogmatic (I don’t think that word means what you think it means). You’re dogmatic in the way that you recite your current position on whatever, without thought and brooking no debate. That has nothing to do with any metric or model, it has to do with that combination-lock mind of yours.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
“but Posey is certainly not a bad choice”
Uggh. Yes he is. He’s the 2nd most valuable catcher in the NL, therefore he is a bad choice.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
I’d probably vote Braun in the NL
Check Braun’s samples again, and do make sure to get it sent overnight.
TennesseePaul
October 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
Thanks for the work DOB.
GO BRAVES!!
Last 9 Starts of the Starting 9
_________AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS_wOBA_L9S9+
Bourn__ .143 .250 .200 0.450 .220 ___39
Prado__ .353 .405 .618 1.023 .439 __204
Heyward .176 .243 .294 0.537 .290 ___62
Chipper .167 .297 .233 0.531 .257 ___64
Freeman .235 .297 .529 0.827 .328 __143
Uggla__ .276 .371 .379 0.751 .365 __129
McCann_ .214 .313 .250 0.563 .269 ___74
Simmons .276 .333 .310 0.644 .295 ___97
Maholm_ .050 .050 .050 0.100 .043 __-70
raleighbravefan
October 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
Who pitches Thursday if we catch the Nats?
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
10 players in the NL had an .880 or better this year. 14 players had an .850 or better.
I think I would of been pretty happy if Jason had landed in the .830 – .850 range.
RC
October 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
Speaking of defense, here’s a fun stat:
Braves are the major league leaders in UZR/150 at 9.2. The second place team are the Angels at 7.7. 3rd are the Athletics at 4.6.
For those keeping track at home, the Braves defense has been TWICE as good as the 3rd best defense in baseball. That is all.
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
ncscoots, I just don’t see much of an argument for Cabrera over Trout. I’m trying hard but I just don’t see a legit argument there.
To get Cabrera over Trout, you have to completely ignore so many facets of the game. It’s just odd that there is so much controversy around the AL MVP. I’ve never seen so much controversy when the choice should be so obvious.
CarRamRod
October 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
Chipper said As long as we have a shot to win the division, I will be in the lineup!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
Who pitches Thursday if we catch the Nats?
Most likely Minor… I wonder what his road stats are for the 2nd half of the season, if you look at it for the whole year, it’s pretty bad.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
“I’ve never seen so much controversy when the choice should be so obvious.”
Ok, so we are good. Cabrera for MVP, right? Since he is the overwhelmingly better offensive player and it isn’t even close. Those 50 points more of slugging won it for him?
raleighbravefan
October 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Does anyone else think that Shaun is starting to sound like Orly Taitz ? (let me finish, LET ME FINISH !!)
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Guys like Trout and Harper are serviceable in CF as their offense makes up for their average to below average defense there. For now they are young, can run, and have good arms. I see that as something either of these 2 could do for a few more years with the occasional late inning defensive replacement coming in and shifting over to a corner spot. Eventually Tori Hunter and Jason Werth will give way and these teams can go get a “true” CF. They may not win gold gloves but there are a lot worse problems a team can have than Trout or Harper in CF.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
“I wonder what his road stats are for the 2nd half of the season, if you look at it for the whole year, it’s pretty bad.”
Well he has been the 3rd best pitcher in the majors since July 1st so probably pretty good.
RC
October 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
I’d probably vote Braun in the NL
Check Braun’s samples again, and do make sure to get it sent overnight.
I’ll get right on that. Make sure you check Posey, McCutchen, Trout, Miguel Cabrera, and every other player in baseball as well. Because under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, they all have the same number of failed tests.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:12 pm
I think I would of been pretty happy if Jason had landed in the .830 – .850 range.
Yeah, but you’re so much more easily pleased than I.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
It’s not too bad….
I care about my teams, not the loser teams of others. If they never win again for the next 50 years, all the better! To heck with em all!!!
StingerSplash
October 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
DOB, could ya please torture us and tweet a pic of whatever it is you order at Primanti Brothers?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:15 pm
What!? Of course it means he is better. You wouldn’t put a guy in a position if he wasn’t better.
you put them in the positions that make them both the best. Boujjos has never played anything but CF so why would they move him , its not like he is not great? man you are dogmatic about your unproven assumptions. state it all you like, you have no proof and tthe numbers say otherwise by a good deal
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
4:15 pm
raleigh,
It would be Minor’s turn, and I wouldn’t have any problem with him getting the ball in that situation. If they were to lose that game, then you’ve still got Medlen in the do-or-die situation Friday.
But they won’t lose.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Fezz Fyolek @fezzisfezz
@espn I’d say Miguel Cabrera is the new #MrOctober, but he’s already Mr. Every Month.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Former Falcon Ray Buchanan charged with DUI
***************
What not a surprise….
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Yeah, but you’re so much more easily pleased than I.
So true. I’ll be looking for some signs of life from the offense over the next three days. Would love to feel good about the bats heading into Thursdays tiebreaker vs. the Nationals……
What?
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
4:17 pm
After what Charlie Manuel said last year about putting his regulars in the lineup all the way to the end of the year, I hope the lineup posted for tonight’s game against Washington is a misprint…..
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
I haven’t felt all that well about the bats in years now….
This week won’t change that feeling, surely.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
Guys like Trout and Harper are serviceable in CF as their offense makes up for their average to below average defense there,,,Heisenberg
are you not paying attention? Trout has been first od second in all baseball all year in CF defense. Exactly how does that equate to ‘average or below average defense’?
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
“After what Charlie Manuel said last year about putting his regulars in the lineup all the way to the end of the year, I hope the lineup posted for tonight’s game against Washington is a misprint…..”
9 out of 10 Braves fans couldn’t even name 50% of the Phillies everyday lineup anymore anyways. They’ve been winning with some weird names on the lineup card ever since getting rid of Pence/Victorino/etc.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Paul #ThanksChipper @jpmccord
This is why he is in the #Braves lineup tonight: RT @Pirates The Bucs will honor #Chipper tonight in a pregame ceremony.
And looking at it, since July 1, Minor has made 15 starts, just 5 on the road. He has 32.1 IP, and has allowed 10 runs. That’s an ERA of 2.80
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Lots of choices for NL MVP. I’d go with McCutchen but Braun, Molina, Wright and Posey are all solid choices. Unlike the AL (should be), there is no clear-cut MVP.
Patrick
October 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
What is the Phils lineup? No Rollins, Utley and Howard in it?
It’s bad enough that kendrick is pitching…
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Braves have had all season to catch the Nats and now it is what it is. I would rather go into the WC game with pitching lined up against an opponent that had to fight to the last day than the prospect of having to play in a tiebreaker game, followed by a WC game (if tiebreaker is lost), then a NLDS game (if tiebreaker won).
I know there would be the chance the tiebreaker would be won but that would still be a 163rd game which is basically what the WC game is. But the tiebreaker route could result in a 163rd and 164th game just to get to the NLDS. Either way Braves are looking at a 163rd game so I would take the path of least resistance and go WC route.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
McNate for AL MVP. Orioles were sinkin’ fast B4 they got him……
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
“DOB, could ya please torture us and tweet a pic of whatever it is you order at Primanti Brothers?”
This !!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:22 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Chipper says he needs to get a few ABs vs a lefty as hes not feeling great at the plate. Last chance vs lefty til Postseason. May rest Tues
May rest…
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:23 pm
“And looking at it, since July 1, Minor has made 15 starts, just 5 on the road. He has 32.1 IP, and has allowed 10 runs. That’s an ERA of 2.80″
3rd best pitcher IN THE LEAGUE since July 1st. Braves have 2 of top 3 pitchers in the league since July 1st. That’ll help…
TennesseePaul
October 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
12 MLB players where at .900; 19 players in MLB were .880 or better; 30 were .850 or better…
… 57 players in MLB were .800 or better.
Freddie Freeman is standing even with Adrian Gonzalez in OPS, and he has 5 more HR than Adrian plus a higher OBP…. and more triples… Didn’t think that would happen.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
McNate for AL MVP. Orioles were sinkin’ fast B4 they got him……
There’s never been a better argument for the existence of luck than what Nate has been able to magically accomplish since joining Baltimore.
He’s still a piece of crap.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
He probably cannot win but it would sure be nice to see Prado in the list of guys with MVP votes. The V is for valuable – not just best numbers. Hope some folks with votes can recognize that.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:26 pm
“and more triples”
Yes, we need to get Freeman more Triples.
That is KEY!
TennesseePaul
October 1st, 2012
4:26 pm
“No clear cut NL MVP”
Perhaps the sort function broke on the WAR column?
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
4:26 pm
Would love to feel good about the bats heading into Thursdays tiebreaker vs. the Nationals……
Done turned believer…in what? 8 hours. I like it.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:29 pm
Done turned believer…in what? 8 hours. I like it.
Efrim simply succumbed to our unassailable logic, HIllbilly.
SpideyMatt
October 1st, 2012
4:29 pm
Thanks, DOB. I know it’s unconventional, and I was skeptical a week or two ago, but every time I see those numbers for Kimbrel, I become more convinced that he may actually get the nod for the Cy Young this year.
Trying my best to take it one day at a time this week. Every time I think about Friday, another gray hair sprouts.
GO BRAVES!!!
extremus
October 1st, 2012
4:30 pm
Those series with the Pirates were nail-biters, and they had some really good teams. While they were serious rivals and the guys we had to beat to get to the World Series, I’d never have wished what’s happened since on the Pirates or their fanbase. It’s a sad state of affairs when market size and revenue (as compared to teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and even the Braves) makes competing so difficult for what historically has been a proud franchise. I was really hoping they’d be able to end the streak of sub-.500 seasons this year. But it’s good to see them finally moving in a better direction.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:31 pm
Chipper not the only one not feeling good at the plate…
sigh.
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
4:32 pm
TennesseePaul, no triple crown winner in the NL, so that will throw some voters off.
Triple Crown is greater than actually being most valuable.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
4:32 pm
“9 out of 10 Braves fans couldn’t even name 50% of the Phillies everyday lineup anymore anyways. They’ve been winning with some weird names on the lineup card ever since getting rid of Pence/Victorino/etc.”
Utley, Howard, Rollins, Ruiz, Pierre……Utley and Ruiz are the only two household names in the lineup…I mean come on, all I’m asking is for the same thing to happen as it did last year, Charlie plays his regulars till the end.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:33 pm
91 and 92 were great falls, given the dearth of success before then…..
as for the pirates, to heck with em. They have 2 titles, the steelers have 6, the penguins have at least one, the sixers won it in 83…..
We have a grand total of one……i spit on pittsburgh, even though i love the steelers!
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:34 pm
Howard is out for year because he dropped a lead weight on his foot in the on deck circle. Not making it up.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:36 pm
Fangraphs ESPN Average
Braun 8.0 6.9 7.5
Posey 7.8 6.7 7.3
Wright 7.6 6.8 7.2
McCutchen 7.5 7.1 7.3
Molina 6.7 6.8 6.8
DunwoodyBrave
October 1st, 2012
4:36 pm
Unrelated question, but what is the game time for the Wild Card game Friday? I ask because TBS shows “6 pm” and “9:30″ for the two games. I’m assuming the Western-most home team gets the later game, but you’ve got the possibility of the Yankees or O’s hosting the AL game. Is TBS really gonna start a game at 9:30 pm? I checked to see if this was PST, but appears not.
primetime Curtis
October 1st, 2012
4:37 pm
Still can’t believe the o’s and the A’s this season, but braves is the way to go I like there chances in the postseason they are one of the hottest teams in September also I want the Yankees to play against the braves in the world series payback for the Hof chipper Jones some in the family like the Yankees can’t stand them but, i do respect them do any of u know who the braves could pick in the off-season right handed power bat
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:37 pm
Howard = Brilliant
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:37 pm
Utley and Ruiz are the only two household names in the lineup
Doesn’t matter. If the planets are aligned properly, Phightens could beat ‘em with the ballgirls. If not, then not.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:37 pm
Last year his season ended trying to get out of the batters box and this year it ended getting into the batters box.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
Well, if one of em starts at 6, what a relief.
I can actually watch it!!!
Murph
October 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
So Howard made, what, about $1.5 mil per HR this season? $70k per plate appearance?
It’s going to only get worse for him and the Phillies.
Yay!
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
Howard is out for year because he dropped a lead weight on his foot in the on deck circle. Not making it up.
New rule…no more fishing in the on deck circle, Ryan.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
Hope Braves get late game so I can watch after getting home from Lassiter taking Walton to the woodshed.
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
Nats’ll kill em tonight and chipper can get his rest….
AZBravoFan
October 1st, 2012
4:41 pm
It’s gotta be a good sign when it’s October 1st and we’re still trotting the FMJ lineup out there!
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:41 pm
WAR!
Fangraphs:
Braun 8.0
Posey 7.8
Wright 7.6
McCutch 7.5
Molina 6.7
ESPN:
McCutch 7.1
Braun 6.9
Wright 6.8
Molina 6.8
Posey 6.7
Average:
Braun 7.5
Posey 7.3
Wright 7.2
McCutch 7.3
Molina 6.8
phil
October 1st, 2012
4:41 pm
Until we blog again…
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:42 pm
Just thought of this…. if we catch the Nats and beat them in that tiebreaker game, and the Reds win out, we’d both have the same record, if the playin game isn’t counted. So to decide who we face next, are we seeded based on our head2head matchup with the Giants?
Currently, the Braves and Giants have the same record, and the Nats/Reds have the same record.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:43 pm
“So Howard made, what, about $1.5 mil per HR this season?”
Well heck that means the Braves are paying his whole salary. He certainly crushed homers against us it seemed.
FSURob
October 1st, 2012
4:44 pm
Locke was part of the McLouth trade wasn’t he?
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:44 pm
“He certainly crushed homers against us it seemed.”
******************
Somewhere, someone of the Philly blog just posted same thing about McCann.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
if the playin game isn’t counted.
Tiebreaker games are regular season games. Given two teams with the same record after 162, the team winning a tiebreaker game would have the better record.
Shaun
October 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
Heisenberg, I’m sure Prado will get some votes. He’s been a top 20 position player in 2012. But two of his teammates have been at least as valuable: Bourn and Heyward.
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
TOBF, Game 163 counts in the regular season standings I believe, doesn’t it?
Murph
October 1st, 2012
4:46 pm
Howard hit 5 of his 14 HR against the Braves this year.
MIdtown
October 1st, 2012
4:47 pm
We played a part in breaking Clint Hurdle’s heart last year when Lugo slid in the top of 19th inning. Poor man.
MIdtown
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
I should have said the bottom of the 19th.
MIdtown
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
I should have said the bottom of the 19th.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
I am good with that Shaun. Just a few votes will do.
Midtown, where were you when Julio slid? Just not quite the same ring.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
“Howard hit 5 of his 14 HR against the Braves this year.”
So we paid a third of his salary. Finally I was right about something.
Well close enough.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
So we would be the #1 seed over the Reds and Giants if they win out? Also meaning that we have no idea where we play next… I was “hoping” that somehow we’d be the 2-seed. Get to host the games in ATL to start.
primetime Curtis
October 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
Yea that Ryan Howard has to be one of the weirdest injury in baseball poor guy can’t catch a break but not are problem. Its going to be crazy next year with the new schedule different teams to play chipper will be missed but I see another power switch hitting third baseman in SD. Dreams can come true
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:50 pm
yeah, Locke and Morton and Gorkys
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
4:50 pm
Did anybody ever ID the blonde in the Red Braves hat yesterday?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
4:50 pm
Jim Powell @Jim_Powell
Rumor floating that if #Braves and #Pirates are rained out tomorrow, game will be rescheduled for Thursday here. #unimaginable
My my my… 80% chance of rain in Pittsburgh tomorrow
Quack Quack
October 1st, 2012
4:52 pm
Thanks DOB. Interesting stories.
Kimbrel’s stats are amazing. Just nice to be named a maybe for Cy Young Award! Wish him the best.
It’s hard to be a fan of the Phillies, but it would be nIce to see them win their last three.
GO BRAVES!!! Lets go deep this month!!
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:53 pm
why would we even need to play it if the Nats have clinched?
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:53 pm
“Game will be rescheduled for Thursday here.”
I’m assuming it will be rescheduled if necessary correct?!?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
4:53 pm
Chipper’s retirement present from Hooters……
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:54 pm
why would we even need to play it if the Nats have clinched?
They wouldn’t. If Lannan or Gio win, they could bang the whole dang series, if needed.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
4:56 pm
A rainout would be really nice if the Nationals happened to win one more game or the Braves lose one.
ncscoots
October 1st, 2012
4:57 pm
On the other hand, if the division is still dicey, they’d wait forever before banging tomorrow. I forget how late they can start a game by rule, but my guess is that they would take every minute of it.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
4:59 pm
Good to see Gorkys up with the fish. He was the one guy in that deal I wished they would have kept.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
5:01 pm
Braves would start Minor on Thursday if they played Nats in a tiebreaker game for division title. That’s not a surprise, since he’d be on regular rest. But Fredi made it official today, first time he’s said it.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
Chipper playing today mainly because he’s not felt good at plate and wanted to face a lefty, today is only lefty starter in series for Pirates (Jeff Locke). Also wanted to play while Braves alive for division title.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
Oh man, a rainout would be crazy. I think it could be argued that by not playing that game, advantage Braves, however slight it might be.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
This is something…
Lev V @Tankarelli
@Jim_Powell If Nats clinch division, why even make it up? Just to not refund the tickets?
now Jim Powell @Jim_Powell
#Pirates allegedly need the gate, so if #Braves are eliminated they will want to play Thurs. Supposedly. @Tankarelli
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:05 pm
Can the Braves refuse to play the Thursday makeup game? Is there any precedent for this?
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
5:06 pm
If such a game is played on Thursday and Nats have clinched look for Braves lineup to resemble Philly lineup tonight. But I doubt it would be played.
P – Teheran/Sheets/Batista
C – Boscan
1B – Hinske
2B – Baker
3B – Francisco
SS – Pastornicky
LF – Overbay
CF – Constanza
RF – Johnson
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:06 pm
The two teams are already playing at noon on Wednesday… makes 100% more sense for the makeup game to be that evening rather than the following day.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
5:07 pm
And how about the Oakland – Texas series, that could be real dramatic. There are some crazy scenarios with the 2 WCs – but still don’t like the 1 game play-in
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
5:07 pm
“Can the Braves refuse to play the Thursday makeup game?”
Bad karma there. They could but it would look bad and they’d appear to be the villain. Not very good idea to carry that baggage into the game Friday.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
5:08 pm
So decision to play the rain out lies entirely with Pirates? Interesting
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:09 pm
Regardless, Wednesday is already tailor-made for playing two… forcing the team to wait until Thursday and change travel plans makes the Pirates look all the more villainous.
If tomorrow is rained out, play two on Wednesday or don’t play the makeup. Screw the politics, we’ve got a play-in game to win!
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
5:11 pm
P – Teheran/Sheets/Batista
C – Boscan
1B – Hinske
2B – Baker
3B – Francisco
SS – Pastornicky
LF – Overbay
CF – Constanza
RF – Johnson
Don’t forget Delgado too!
Ok, I’m ready for lineup suggestions with that roster.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
5:11 pm
Yeah, doubleheader makes more sense, and we could put a lineup like Heisenberg suggested, assuming division not at issue. And if it were at issue, couldn’t play Pirates on Thurs anyway.
So theoretically, Braves could play double header Wens, Nats Thurs, and Cards Friday…that would kind of suck.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
5:12 pm
Murph: Andrew Gibbons @AndrewJGibbons
@Jim_Powell Do the Braves have to show up? Like what if they said, “na, we are headed back”
Jim Powell @Jim_Powell
You can’t just forfeit a game. No sense getting overly worked up about this. Hopefully games will be played. 40% rain Tues. @AndrewJGibbons
Though his 40% rain figure is wrong… A DH on Wednesday makes so much more sense, for us at least.
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
5:13 pm
C Boscan
1B Overbay
2B Baker
SS Pastornicky
3B Francisco
LF Johnson
CF Constanza
RF Hinske
P Sheets
Pen
Bautista
Teheran
Delgado
Moylan
There you go Pittsburgh. Lets play ball.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
5:15 pm
Gates receipts? They would have to pay people to come watch.
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
5:16 pm
and give away free beer
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:17 pm
Did I tell you guys what the 4 year old is going as for Halloween this year? Not a princess, not a mermaid… she’s going as Jimi Hendrix! The kid is totally obsessed with his music (thanks to me) and has decided to go with the big fro wig, headband, bell-bottoms, and fringe vest look that Jimi made famous.
Yes, I’ll figure out a way to post pictures. Going to be epic.
DAP
October 1st, 2012
5:17 pm
“Can the Braves refuse to play the Thursday makeup game?”
im pretty sure they arent allowed to do that.
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
5:19 pm
Murph, That’s awesome. For the sake of accuracy, though, remember Jimi was a lefty.
MFin04
October 1st, 2012
5:19 pm
“A DH on Wednesday makes so much more sense, for us at least.”
Does for the Pirates too. They can all go fishing on Thursday…or play Video Games…or whatever MLB players do in the offseason.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:21 pm
Unless the Pirates have a concert or something already booked for PNC on Wednesday night then there is absolutely zero reason to delay the makeup game to Thursday. Zero, nada, zip, nil.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:22 pm
Murph, That’s awesome. For the sake of accuracy, though, remember Jimi was a lefty.
As is the 4 year old. We’ll be strapping the Guitar Hero guitar on her upside down, just like Jimi used to do.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
5:22 pm
Free Beer, I’m there
Kendell Jones
October 1st, 2012
5:28 pm
Jason Heyward may not be hiitting as well as he has done in some of the games I have seen, but I will place him at the top as far as being able to field his position. And you cannot neglect Mafrtin Prado who is the most versatile player on the team. Wherever you need him to play,, he plays well at any position that he is put in.
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
5:30 pm
As is the 4 year old. We’ll be strapping the Guitar Hero guitar on her upside down, just like Jimi used to do.
Should be great. My 4 year old wants to be a Ghostbuster. He was walking around yesterday with a french fry hanging off his lower lip like a cigarette and saying “Venkman!, Venkman! What a disgusting blob. I’ll have to hold him myself.”
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
5:34 pm
I am helping H Jr make a homemade LMFAO robot costume. Not as cool as Hendrix but should get a few laughs.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
5:38 pm
That’s awesome Hillbilly.
One of my favorite things about having kids is sharing movies and music that I grew up with. Last year the 6 year old wanted to go as Dusty Bottoms from The Three Amigos. She knows all the songs from the movie by heart.
I can’t wait until they are old enough to let them watch Airplane! and The Naked Gun. Last thing I need right now is the 4 year old going up to her teacher during “Northern States Month” and saying “Saaaay… nice beaver.”
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
5:40 pm
Atlanta Braves @Braves
Lineup change for tonight. Uggla has been scratched for precautionary reasons (swelling in his right hand).
Damn… Pastornicky or Baker? Maybe Prado to 2B and Baker/Constanza in left.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
5:41 pm
Uggla scratched from lineup with swelling in right hand, precautionary move. Prado goes to 2nd, Johnson batting 6th in LF.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
5:42 pm
And the answer: Mark Bowman @mlbbowman
Uggla has been scratched for precautionary reasons w/ swelling in his right hand. Johnson will bat 6th and play LF. Prado moves to 2B
was surprised that Uggla’s hand hadn’t bothered him before. Hope it heals up before Friday.
brian
October 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
back to the previous blog starting debate about Heyward being top 15 most valuable players in the league………if you take age into the equation, yes he is.
brian
October 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
back to the previous blog starting debate about Heyward being top 15 most valuable players in the league………if you take age into the equation, yes he is.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
Prado has never played CF or catcher in the bigs. That should be rectified immediately
jeffrey d
October 1st, 2012
5:47 pm
I think Uggla’s been scratched for precautionary reasons.
Bigwheel
October 1st, 2012
5:47 pm
Mmmmmmmmmm..mm.mmm.mmmm.. I love Mami’s dumplins. Im all full of fanta tonight
nolie
October 1st, 2012
5:48 pm
yeah Jeffrey they prolly scratched him to not take any chances……
Hillbilly
October 1st, 2012
5:49 pm
One of my favorite things about having kids is sharing movies and music that I grew up with.
It’s pretty crazy isn’t it. I told him the other day that I have a picture of myself on my first day of kindegarten wearing a ghostbusters t-shirt and here he is at almost the same age reciting it word-for-word.
Then there’s my 9 year old. She’s out of control. Her first dog was named Johnny Cash. I took her picture riding the tube behind our party barge this summer and she was standing up on it with her arms in an X-shape above her head. She learned that watching Pink Floyd: The Wall with me a few years back. And just last week, she won the County Fair Queen Pageant…Whe she walked off the stage, I was going in for a hug, but she cut me off with a Dan Uggla elbow smash. I can’t take her anywhere.
brian
October 1st, 2012
5:50 pm
I have been opposed the Braves resting their regulars for any length of time once they clinched. Of course, since they are still alive for the division title, that was not going to happen anyway.
Now as far as the possibility of having to play a rain out game on Thursday and a 1 game playoff series on Friday, absolutely put 2nd string and send the regulars back to Atlanta to prepare for the playoff game. That make up game, if it were to happen, would put the Braves at a disadvantage in the wildcard playoff
Heisenberg
October 1st, 2012
5:55 pm
gotta go – braves/orioles in WS
nolie
October 1st, 2012
6:00 pm
I would be thrilled with a Braves/Orioles WS
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
6:03 pm
Uggla’s hand swelled up from the flight, around the staples (which he has instead of stitches, for cut in hand). So they’re giving it a day for swelling to subside, Fredi said.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
6:03 pm
Murph & Hillbilly
Thanks for sharing the kids stories. Made me smile, good stuff.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
6:04 pm
I’d like either a Braves/O’s or Braves/Tigers.
I think Tigers will be the team to beat though.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
6:04 pm
Chipper’s parents came up on the team’s charter flight.
Puma
October 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
I would take Braves/Insert any team name in WS. Lets just get there baby!
DOB – do you and other press peeps fly on team charter or you fly commercial?
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
Chipper said he’ll probably take tomorrow (Tuesday) off. Wanted to face a lefty tonight
Couch Tater
October 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
Pittsburgh has good fans. Shame they can’t put it together.
.. and get beat by us in the NLCS, again.
2 million attendance this year. 1.8 million in ‘92.
Coleman
October 1st, 2012
6:24 pm
DOB,
Sorry if you have answered this question already, but what time would the wildcard game be on Friday? Thanks
AZBravoFan
October 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
They better make sure that thing’s not infected for that could be the end of Uggla for the season…#staph
Waffle House or Bust
October 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
What the hell are you doing out here? – Uggla
I think we all have felt the same about Uggla this season. Ha!
jeffrey d
October 1st, 2012
6:28 pm
Coleman – I don’t think the times have been announced yet. I’ve heard that if the Yankees end up in the AL Wild Card game that one would be slated for night putting the NL one earlier in the afternoon.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
6:39 pm
If we lose Uggla in the play-in game or further due to some infection/shoddy ER procedure….I’ma be a PO’d fan.
O.M.G.
October 1st, 2012
6:40 pm
How did Uggla cut his hand?
DS1
October 1st, 2012
6:43 pm
If the Nats win tonight, on the last day of the year Fredi should start Prado at every position during the game. And let him close it out as the pitcher in the 9th inning.
Now that would be cool. Didn’t somebody from the Twins do something like that back in the 60’s or 70’s?
Murph
October 1st, 2012
6:43 pm
Prado in LF with Baker at 2B, or Prado at 2B and Constanza in LF?
Yikes. Get Uggla some ice!
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
6:43 pm
Mixxo @ 6:39
And that would be different from other times how?
Murph
October 1st, 2012
6:46 pm
How did Uggla cut his hand?
Held on too tight to the kite string
jeffrey d
October 1st, 2012
6:46 pm
How did Uggla cut his hand?
Opening a can of spinach
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
6:47 pm
McCutchen presenting Chipper with one of the commemorative bases that the Pirates will use during the series. Also gave $5,000 to Cystic Fibrosis group in Chipper’s name
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
6:47 pm
O M G
He cut it reaching into a cooler during the WC celebration, I think.
DS1
October 1st, 2012
6:48 pm
Move him from SS to 1B to C to LF to 3B to 2B to CF to RF to P in that order.
Murph
October 1st, 2012
6:50 pm
How did Uggla cut his hand?
He was trying to break ice blocks like Daniel Laruso in Karate Kid II. Needless to say he made it through the stack.
O.M.G.
October 1st, 2012
6:51 pm
Bat, thanks. That’s just amazing. Murph and jeffrey d–LOL
Murph
October 1st, 2012
6:53 pm
How did Uggla cut his hand?
The Hawkmen made Uggla reach into the stump as a test… that green scorpion thing really tagged him good.
O.M.G.
October 1st, 2012
6:56 pm
Murph, maybe Uggla has taken one to many balls off his noodle.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
6:59 pm
Sure thing, OMG
Carolina Gent
October 1st, 2012
7:03 pm
I’ll be at work all evening.. anyone know of a place I can watch the game on my computer? Someone last week posted a link here and I watched Freddie’s magnificent walk-off…..
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
7:03 pm
I have Pirates feed tonight.
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:03 pm
Good evening all
I can’t believe how nice I was earller today.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 1st, 2012
7:05 pm
Go get ‘em Paul!
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:07 pm
Me either, George. Don’t get carried away with that sort of thing, okay
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:08 pm
Great line from LEE CHILD’s new book REACHER says” the rifle round came in on target from 400 yds out like a curve ball dropping into the strike zone”.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:09 pm
Whoa! great look from behind the pitcher
Couch Tater
October 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
Nice ice ice ice. Crowd owd owd owd.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
Could be a no hitter for this horrible pitcher. Lefty with a good fastball.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
Come on, Jason
Let’s get something started here
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
Or don’t
BiggDawgK
October 1st, 2012
7:13 pm
DO’B
Great job as always. You are a consumate pro. I look forward to you working hard and keeping us informed for the rest of the season. Let’s hope that you don’t get a break until the second week in November.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:13 pm
Good line Tater
Kind of the same in here lately
BiggDawgK
October 1st, 2012
7:15 pm
George George
One of my favorite lines from that book.
Reacher said nothing.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
7:16 pm
Uggla cut his hand in an uncalled for, not necessary, premature celebration. How many times have we heard of players getting injured while throwing a tantrum or celebrating? Someone got injured not long ago in the bottom of a pile on the field. Would be a bad omen if there’s infection and he’s lost for the post season, NOW that he has it somewhat together.
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:18 pm
Here is something to think about. How cou;d you talk for one minute without usesing the letter A or a word with a in it? This is not a joke it can be done.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
October 1st, 2012
7:21 pm
nolie
October 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
“…….Prado has never played CF or catcher in the bigs. That should be rectified immediately…….”
Chuckle.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
7:21 pm
I know that already, GG. You can count to 999 before using the letter A. You don’t see or hear it until one thousand. Very odd!
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:21 pm
LEE CHILD is English but has moved to this country and is a great baseball fan, has season tickets to YANKEE games.
Couch Tater
October 1st, 2012
7:22 pm
Kind of the same in here lately
Bat – Not necessarily a bad thing. I was surprise there weren’t more on here for Chipper’s last game, yesterday.
Braveone
October 1st, 2012
7:22 pm
From the previous blog which had 1,370 comments, TheOnlyBravesFan led the way with 129 posts. There were 116 different poster names. Here are the Top 25:
Rank Poster Frequency
1 TheOnlyBravesFan 129
2 nolie 69
3 Efrim 67
4 Venice Jim 59
5 phil 48
6 MFin04 39
7 Bat Masterson 36
8 DS1 35
9 George_George 35
10 cabravesfan 34
11 Brian from SC 33
12 Disgusted 33
13 Capt.Mudd 30
14 MiaBchBravesFan 30
15 ncscoots 29
16 Tomahawk Mafia 28
17 TennesseePaul 27
18 chipontheroad 26
19 raleighbravefan 24
20 Couch Tater 23
21 Jeff R 23
22 jeffrey d 23
23 David O’Brien 22
24 Kat 21
25 Shaun 21
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:22 pm
Hit it on the screws…..Dang!
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:24 pm
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
7:21 pm
Yup.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
7:26 pm
Uggla scratched from lineup due to swollen hand
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/10/01/uggla-scratched-from-lineup-for-swollen-hand/
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
7:27 pm
Sorry if you have answered this question already, but what time would the wildcard game be on Friday? Thanks
Not determined. You’re welcome.
ncgary
October 1st, 2012
7:27 pm
go braves
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:28 pm
WOW George_George is in the top 10, good for him.
Trader Jack
October 1st, 2012
7:28 pm
Phils 2 Nats 0
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:29 pm
Me too, Tater.
I guess it will pick up for Fridays game or sooner depending
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
7:29 pm
2-0 Philly Middle of 2nd inning
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
7:31 pm
I think Uggla will end up with a higher batting average than McCann….
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:31 pm
My goodness he’s s-l-o-w !!
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
In a way it is better when fewer are here. the submit button gets very slow when a lot of folks are here.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
Wonderful, Brian.
What a great year he’s had.
Dan Uggla and Brian McCann are why we lost the division.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
7:35 pm
No reason to play Brian McCann any more his season.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
7:35 pm
DOB says if it’s the Cards, it will be Lohse on Friday. Matheny must be another stubborn, hardhead like FG, if he’s not going with a LH. I know he has GARCIA, and could have set that up. It’s to the Braves advantage though, so maybe he doesn’t read stats much. ATL has scored twice as many runs against RHs this year. As of a couple days ago it was 448 vs righties, and an unbelievable 238 vs lefties. Keep that quiet, maybe the Cards skipper doesn’t know that. Personally, if I were the manager of the team facing the Braves in a one game playoff I would use a young lefthander just up from AAA possibly. One they had not seen before.
Kat
October 1st, 2012
7:36 pm
Thanks for the new DOB blog David.
Scary part as Fredit admits about the offense having spurts is if the one WC game day is a down spurt. Rough part of playing just one game.
David are the umpire lineups set yet from the WC game? Interested to see who our umps will be. Now that every missed call will mean even more in this one game playoff.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:39 pm
God, I’m so proud of not making Bravesone’s list.
I would have thought for sure I was in there somewhere.
Turns out I’m not nearly as big a loser I thought I was.
Winning!
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
Thank you, Charlie Sheen.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
It’s interesting that at the beginning of the season the Braves front office was counting on Hanson to slide into that ACE pitching role and for McCann to be our best hitter.
George_George
October 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
Kat
October 1st, 2012
7:36 pm
To much bad can happen with one game , it sure scaires me. The owners should insist on 2 out of 3 next year. Of course the best thing would be go back to one WC,that would be the fairest.
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
7:45 pm
No, we were the winners…
phil
October 1st, 2012
7:46 pm
Mac…..
Sigh.
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
7:46 pm
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Lannan grounds out to leave the bases loaded.
Trey
October 1st, 2012
7:47 pm
The umpiring has been awful this year. I wonder if we have replacement umps.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Man, I thought Andy tagged it better.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Bigwheel
October 1st, 2012
5:47 pm
Mmmmmmmmmm..mm.mmm.mmmm.. I love Mami’s dumplins. Im all full of fanta tonight
Honey Boo Boo Child in the house tonight.
Welcome, Honey Boo Boo.
Rick C
October 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
Damn I thought that one was gone off the bat
phil
October 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
Yeah.
Umps are why we don’t hit worth a toot…
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:50 pm
Good to see that from bourn
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
How the hell was that not a home run?
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:52 pm
Nice to see Michael getting his stroke back.
phil
October 1st, 2012
7:52 pm
Rally killer Heyward, folks….
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:53 pm
Jason needs to come through here!
For cryin’ out loud.
phil
October 1st, 2012
7:53 pm
How? Dude caught it.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Attaboy JHey!!
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Good job, Jason!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Hit for JHey! Who cares that he’s hitting .176 for his last 19 games?
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Good job J-Hey. More please.
phil
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Great at bat, heyward!
Attaboy!
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
Heyward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
7:58 pm
Jason Heyward almost just murdered that guy.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
7:58 pm
Atta boy, Jason
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
7:59 pm
Braves had 2 outs in the third inning before a Bourn single, Prado walk and Heyward’s lined single drove in 1st run of game
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
7:59 pm
Chipper has this guy measured…..watch this!
Kat
October 1st, 2012
7:59 pm
Fingers crossed that there’s a slight chance I could see at Pitt the Braves run at a Division title if the Nats keep losing and we keep winning.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:00 pm
Come on Chipper.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:01 pm
Some lone drunk soul in the stands yelling “Larry”. How disrespectful can you be? Must be a lost Mets fan!
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:01 pm
Lets go Freddie!
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
8:01 pm
Make ‘em pay, Freddie
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:01 pm
ah the 1st pitch swinging disease
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:02 pm
God this team is so clutch.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:02 pm
Fat Freddie flops….
Sigh.
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
8:02 pm
30 pitch inning and only 1 run given up? You take that every single time
TBbravesfan
October 1st, 2012
8:02 pm
freddie first swing freeman
GTI in Brooklyn
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
The TV guys just quoted a weird stat: “the Braves are 50-15 when BOURN gets a hit and scores a run in the game.” BOURN has played in 152 games. He has 170 hits and 94 runs scored, but he has only done both in the same game 65 times? Could this stat be correct? Did I hear it wrong?
bravofan
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
dang seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
Sloppy… lucky Marte stopped.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
Give it right back, bumbling boobs….
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
Clown show has begun.
TBbravesfan
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
seems like old times give that run right back
George_George
October 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
That was not good
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
8:06 pm
Fudge…
Remley
October 1st, 2012
8:06 pm
Dr. Strangeglove
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:06 pm
W-w-w happened?
I get up to let the dog out and we’re tied already?!
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
Triple?
Hardly.
TBbravesfan
October 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
they have thirty pitches we get one run we pitch 2 they get one run
Remley
October 1st, 2012
8:08 pm
I hate the Yankees!
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
Fire Chip Caray!!
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
did he get to it and mishandle it or did it just take a bad carom?
If a carom then it likely should be a triple
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
Fire phil
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:11 pm
“did he get to it and mishandle it or did it just take a bad carom?
If a carom then it likely should be a triple”
Hard to tell from the camera angle, looked like a bad carom to me but like i said, its hard to tell.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
8:11 pm
Nats get out of a bases loaded one out jamb.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:11 pm
Think about how hard it was for us to get one run. Then think about how easy it was for the Pirates to get it back. So sad
George_George
October 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
Rain letting up a bit, need to take Peanut out, so outta here. Have a good one all.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
We get run and we’re in familiar territory…..1-0…. immediately followed by 1-……..it’s just the way we roll.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:15 pm
He just missed it….it was bad.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:15 pm
Please. No more McCann. Please. It’s WAY beyond injury excuse time
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:15 pm
Mac….just quit man. You’re done kid….it’ll be alright.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
Awwh……George_@George
“Need to take Peanut out”
Have a heart; let Peanut watch the game…he can poo later
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
Was a bad carom
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
He just missed it….it was bad. Really doesn’t matter either way i guess….
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
another lefty we have never seen who has an astronomical ERA…We are dead in the water
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
8:18 pm
this guy seems like he’s going to pitch his best game of the year tonight …. lefty w/ high ERA, i guess I shouldn’t be surprised
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:20 pm
smart move prolly
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:20 pm
Of course this bumb is owning us….
Hardly surprising.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:22 pm
Towne House crackers, CB aged cheddar, celery stks., ranch dressing……Coca Cola…it’s all good.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:22 pm
2 hits…..
Why even play on Friday?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:23 pm
ever tried Cabot Cheddar?
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:24 pm
Celery sticks?
Dear God….
DS1
October 1st, 2012
8:24 pm
Capt Mudd
Can I interest you in some Taco Soup? Put some corn chips on the bottom of the bowl, add a little grated cheddar, sour cream and a few slices of avocado and mmmmmmmmmmmm…..
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:24 pm
Henry Cabot Lodge?
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
That’s why I keep saying the Cards would be crazy not to throw a LH at the Braves Friday. Has been this way all year.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
Boyzie State…vs. The Southern Misses’/ wonder who will be on top?
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
What is Hinske doing sitting in the stands?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:27 pm
they are not throwing a lefty, but I see your point
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
8:27 pm
Minor would start potential tiebreaker
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/10/01/minor-would-start-potential-nl-east-tiebreaker/
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:28 pm
This is my source of greatest consternation with these guys. The opposing pitcher has a plus-5.00 ERA… and we muddle along with little to show for it. Hell, the stiff has even allowed FIVE walks.
One run!?!?!?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:28 pm
Darn
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:29 pm
Man we suck
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:29 pm
He might as well…..useless on the bench.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:29 pm
Lefty+Very high ERA= Bad night for Braves offense
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:29 pm
Your best one yet, CM. I said last year I was surprised the NCAA didn’t force Idaho to come up with a “Girlsie State” to match “Boysie State”.
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
8:30 pm
Ouch…
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:30 pm
Prado will be out a month now….
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
8:31 pm
That’ll leave a mark!
Frankie
October 1st, 2012
8:31 pm
All the Chipper talk makes me remember how good George Brett was. Still think playing in small market like KC the guy never really got as much attention as he probably deserved. What a pure hitter.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:32 pm
No heart. No effort. No desire. No will to win.
SoCalMom
October 1st, 2012
8:32 pm
I wanted to share a good article on Medlen from here in SoCal”
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/medlen-373191-innings-games.html
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
8:33 pm
Keep it up, offense. Is not like this Locke guy is a bum, right?
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:33 pm
DOB, I know you have zero input and perhaps even less interest in how your editors choose layouts for the paper (hell, you probably don’t even get the paper) but how can you justify putting Chipper below the fold in the lower right hand corner of the sports section, just above an ad for Brandsmart USA?
How the %#$& does Chipper’s last regular season home game get second, if not third or fourth, billing to the %#*& Falcons in week five?
That’s absolutely embarrassing.
The very little of sports talk I heard today was all football.
I just don’t get it.
All they ever want to do is criticize fans for not being “passionate” enough, for not selling out Turner Field on a nightly basis but they could care less what the Braves do.
Bunch of f’ng hypocrites.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:33 pm
It is amazing the Braves are where they are with this anemic offense, and a manager who only started managing about a month ago. The pitching must be about 10 times better than it actually shows. Maybe a hidden stat somewhere that tells the true story.
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:33 pm
Loved Brett…..
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
8:34 pm
Outside the Yankees, no one has scored all the much tonight … so far.
june bug
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
just bring on a lefty with a high ERA in the playoffs we will lose.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
It’s ‘ballgame’ now.
SoCalMom
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
There is another from the Long Beach Press Telegram coming our tomorrow
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
gopher bug bites Maholm
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
SAD
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
Pirates have hit for the cycle in this game
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
Oh, we’re losing. Great.
To the Pirates.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
That’s what we should be doing…….
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:36 pm
Batting Practice
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
Get the bp ready…
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
If I’m not mistaken, Pittsburgh’s bullpen can be spectacularly awful.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
FG must have some super glue on his buttocks. Keep sittin there dodohead until it’s too late!
Brava
October 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
Wow. Guess the Pirates have Maholm’s number.
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
8:37 pm
Come on, dude.
SoCalMom
October 1st, 2012
8:38 pm
There will be another article in the Long Beach Press Telegram tomorrow on Medlen
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:38 pm
No need to blame Maholm thus far, blame the offense if you want to blame anybody…
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:39 pm
Dum-Bass, the Braves pitching has been far better than they get recognized for.
They’ve carried the load, frankly, for years.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:40 pm
Wow….just awful
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:40 pm
Nat losing…..
…so are we.
See a trend?
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
8:40 pm
What is up with Fox sports, twitter, and girls. This has to be the third experiment of this nature that they’ve tried this year.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:41 pm
frankly, I shirley don’t give a damb
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:41 pm
Booooooooooooo!!
Nerdville
October 1st, 2012
8:41 pm
here they go again. braves offense dominated once again by a bush league pitcher.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:41 pm
Pirates BP has a 3.42 ERA for the year
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
No heart, no effort, no desire –no Phil to win:)
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
Nice play, old man.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
got lucky there
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
Yaaaaaaaay!!
GTI in Brooklyn
October 1st, 2012
8:42 pm
That was nifty.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
8:43 pm
Come on offense, it’s your fault Maholm gave up those runs, so you must score two now to make up for it!
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
8:43 pm
The offense on the other hand, f*ing blows.
Meanwhile, the A’s, O’s and Nats have gone from turned the corner from doormat to World Series contenders in the blink of an eye.
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
8:44 pm
Oh, we’re losing. Great.
To the Pirates.
What did you expect?
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:45 pm
“Come on offense, it’s your fault Maholm gave up those runs, so you must score two now to make up for it!”
Multiple chances for the offense to open this game up where two runs given up by Maholm wouldn’t have mattered. Sucks I know
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:46 pm
Are we getting beat by urgency, talent or ‘want?’
Or all three?
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
8:46 pm
The Braves are:
A) Coasting
B) Floating
C) In a bind
D) Having fun with “1″
E) Inhaling #49’s poisonous recipe
SOS Braves
October 1st, 2012
8:47 pm
Braves back to their no hitting. How in the he!! can this team be where they are with such weak hitting?
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:47 pm
And now a Pirate Punch-&-Judy hitter hits a BOMB off Maholm to take the lead.
This has to be the most vexing, irritating 93 win team in baseball history. The Bronx Zoo Yankees of ‘77 were soothing by comparison.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:48 pm
AND THE FREAKIN’ FILLIES ARE DOING THEIR PART!!!
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:48 pm
Dominated by yet another pathetic reject…..it truly is astounding.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:48 pm
And this is what should give us cause for concern in a one game playoff game, no offense.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
easy to be flat today after all the emotional turmoil of the last series
SOS Braves
October 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
McCann needs to retire after the game.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
OH, I’m sorry, I forgot. The Braves are like Garfield…
They hate Mondays.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:49 pm
“Braves back to their no hitting. How in the he!! can this team be where they are with such weak hitting?”
Pretty incredible isn’t it?
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:50 pm
Kinda cold, Chip?
Moron.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:50 pm
No high socks tonight…..might need to try ‘em!
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
o-w-n-e-d
SOS Braves
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
Freeman the strike out king comes thru again
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
Wow, this is something else. I don’t know why I should expect anything different though. Lefty pitching, astronomical ERA. Ho hum
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
ah, cold players heading into a playoff … that’s what you want to hear about
*thank goodness, out of the inning maybe now his night is over
phil
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
No time for excuses….
Excuses are for losers.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:51 pm
nolie, all they have to do is look at the scoreboard. The gNats are in the midst of a free-fall, and we’re screwing around like the Bad News Bears before Amanda & Kelly joined the team!
Brava
October 1st, 2012
8:52 pm
Futility abounds once again.
SOS Braves
October 1st, 2012
8:52 pm
Oh I forgot. It’s Monday
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
8:52 pm
Any other team in the majors would be raping this guy right now, except the Braves.
0-3, 5+ ERA and they can’t muster more than a miserable run against him…
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:52 pm
2 hits 5 walks 1 run…..Ouch. Not the pitching hurting us tonight for sure.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:52 pm
“McCann needs to retire after the game.”
Why yes, yes he does.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:53 pm
Matt Chernoff @RealMattlanta
If the #Braves offense can score 3 runs a game they can be dangerous in postseason. Honestly though I’m not sure this offense can do that.
scary…
SOS Braves
October 1st, 2012
8:53 pm
All high ERA pitchers get well against the braves
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
8:54 pm
How in the #$!! did this team win more than 70 games? If a pitcher throws strikes we have zero chance in scoring runs. Our only hope is that every other pitcher (starting with Lohse) can’t find the strike zone and walks in runs.
Jaime Garcia
October 1st, 2012
8:54 pm
Hi Braves fans. Know me? I play for the Cardinals and I throw from the left side. The Cardinals aren’t idiots and are going to start me against the Braves because the Brave look pathetic against left handers. The Cards know that and aren’t fools so all they have to do is throw a mediocre lefty against the Braves and have success. Yes face it. The Braves still have problems scoring runs and they have MORE trouble scoring against lefties.
See you Friday! Saturday, you guys can start making Tee times!
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
8:54 pm
Pirates haven’t made any errors, thus no extra runs.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
8:55 pm
scary…
Who the hell is Matt Chernoff?
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
8:57 pm
“Who the hell is Matt Chernoff?”
Judging from his tweet, sounds like someone who knows what he’s talking about….
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:58 pm
How in the #$!! did this team win more than 70 games?…
I thought we’d win 80 but, I’m one of the kool-aid drinkers so….
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
8:58 pm
Simba!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
8:59 pm
A local sports talk radio host, Efrim.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
Come on we need to score runs. washington is losing and probably loses their game.
We have a shot and we can’t score aganist the lowely Pirates?
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
WHAH!!!!
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
Former Braves prospect Locke allowed 2 hits, 1 run and 5 BB w/ 6 K in 6 inn for Pirates, has 2-1 lead
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
How the f does a playoff bound team get two hits against the f’ing Pirates?
WTF
Ridiculous.
Venice Jim
October 1st, 2012
9:00 pm
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
Bryce Harper tags, advances to third on a fly ball to the second baseman.
But does not score on the first pitch LaRoche pop to short…
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
Fredi is a blithering idiot! Why the @#$% did he start McCripple against a lefty!?!?!?
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
Matt Chernoff rings a bell for someone. Maybe the Salvation Army
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
We have 2 hits.
What more do you whiners want?
Baseball is just entertainment. Who cares if we win.
David O'Brien
October 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
Yes, it’s best start of Locke’s young career. He’s 0-6 with 7.08 ERA in 9 starts before tonight.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:02 pm
@Jaime Garcia……
“The moment you walked inside my door…
I knew that I need not look no more…
I’ve seen many other souls before
Ah but Heaven must’ve programmed you”
You’re one of a kind….very impressive Garcia!
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
9:02 pm
All right let’s hammer this cat. No more screwing around
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:03 pm
Very Hansonesque line there… too many walks, but 1 run. Good job by Locke tonight.
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:03 pm
Did anyone honestly expect us to hit locke?
Of course not.
Jaime Garcia
October 1st, 2012
9:04 pm
“Who the hell is Matt Chernoff?”
A hard as it may be to beilieve, Matt Chernoff is a local Atlanta medial.non-koolaid drinker. He doesn’t buy that the Braves are going to win simply because Chip, Joe, Frank Wren and the Bravess PR machine say so.
I mean, you asked.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:04 pm
REED JOHNSON HASN’T DONE ANYTHING TO IMPRESS ME
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:04 pm
dang… his best start? Geez. Not good as we head into playoff play. Anything can happen, but we should be hitting these pitchers better. At least we need to.
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
9:05 pm
Yes, it’s best start of Locke’s young career. He’s 0-6 with 7.08 ERA in 9 starts before tonight.
I never would’ve guessed that…
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:05 pm
Like I said……………..s-l-o-w.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:05 pm
If only BMac wasn’t running…. shame for him.
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:05 pm
I’m sick to death of mccann…
He is killing us this year.
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:05 pm
My guess is….If Ty Cobb wore a Brave uniform he would have finished with a below .200 batting average.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
There’s a lot of stuff moving, it’s just not going anywhere.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
This is frustrating to watch. Losing to a pahtetic Pirates team While Nationals are giving us the division.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
Enough with the “Peace Train,” let’s get mean/mad/monsterous!!!!! NoW!!!
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
Cernoff is an idiot who specializes in pumping up the idiots in the audience…
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
This one’s gonna hurt kids.
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
Very Hansonesque line there… too many walks, but 1 run. Good job by Locke tonight.
Are you sure it was a good job by HIM?
I wouldn’t give credit to a lefty pitcher for a quality start against the Braves.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:07 pm
If there were a positional player / non-pitcher Expansion Draft today, the only players I would place on an untouchables list are Heyward, Freeman, Prado, & Simmons (Chipper’s retired).
They can have the rest of the wretched refuse.
Hinske, Francisco, Overbay, & Reed – 0 for 44 in their last collective 44 at-bats!!!
Frank Wren, you are the REAL idiot!
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:08 pm
I think thispast weekend was so taxing on these guys? Tank empty? Stank Ready?
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:08 pm
Early in the game, it looked like the Braves were putting together decent ABs. The last few innings … just giving away the ABs.
tony austin
October 1st, 2012
9:08 pm
I see this potent offense has pounded out 2 whole hits tonight. If Meds gives up 2 or 3 apparently the Braves are going to be cooked.
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
9:09 pm
they could at least make the Nats win the division themselves instead of the Nats losing and still getting to celebrate
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:09 pm
Chernoff is indeed a bufoon….
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:09 pm
Braves just will not score when Maholm starts.
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
9:09 pm
You could throw the ‘tub of goo’ out there today and shut this line up down. One thru 7. It defies logic.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:10 pm
I wouldn’t give credit to a lefty pitcher for a quality start against the Braves.
Why not? He pitched…
As for Chernoff, he think that the Braves can make some noise, if the offense shows up. Isn’t that what everyone else has said? Can’t try to win all those games 1-0
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:10 pm
No excuses….
Win!
Jaime Garcia
October 1st, 2012
9:11 pm
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:06 pm
Nolie is an idiot who specializes in pumping up the idiots in the audience…
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:11 pm
it really doesn’t defy logic. No surprise at all that they are flat after the last homestand.
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:11 pm
We’ve followed this script all year….
But, we will rally and win this thing.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:12 pm
wow, that was really really really original moron
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:12 pm
Lefty up in the ‘pen for the Bucs.
Hope Braves can scratch a couple off the closer in the ninth.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:12 pm
Nothing ‘good’ to this guy Paul. Nothing!
Sopheee
October 1st, 2012
9:12 pm
Plus, it’s Monday.
Blah.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:14 pm
pitched a damn fine game
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
9:14 pm
Hi Sopheee
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:14 pm
Good job Paul!
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:14 pm
Excellent job tonight Maholm, offense just didn’t show up for you tonight.
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Flat is for pancakes…. Ha ha
No excuses.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Good thing the play-in game is on a Friday.
Braves have owned Friday.
Sopheee
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Hi cab!
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Strong outing from a starting pitcher – again. Really need the offense to get going. Just been real bad for the last six weeks.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
Reed at .260/.290/.313/.603 in 100 PAs since coming over. 63 OPS+ He’s 3 for his last 22.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:15 pm
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:01 pm
We have 2 hits.
What more do you whiners want?
Baseball is just entertainment. Who cares if we win.
I agree phil.
The people who get worked up over who wins and which team loses ruins it for me.
Me, I’m satisfied just looking out the bay window for my entertainment.
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:16 pm
no wonder we had a great September the way those three guys pitched
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:17 pm
Baker? Sigh…
Bat Masterson
October 1st, 2012
9:17 pm
Enter your comments here
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
9:17 pm
Yup. Just bring in the LH reliever late in the game.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:17 pm
JEFF BAKER IN A CRUCIAL DIVISION TITLE GAME?
JEFF BAKER? IS THAT ALL WE HAVE IN THE BENCH? FAQ!!!!!!!!!!!
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:18 pm
might be one of the worst 100 PAs in Reed’s career. whatever it is, it seems to be contagious
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
at least Baker as an RBI and a run scored, Overbay can’t even say that much
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
As terribly boring as the Pittsburgh announcers are, they have been heaping praise on the Braves all night- currently drooling on Kimmie
Sopheee
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
Fudgesicles.
Wake up, bats, wake up.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
nolie… “pitched a damn fine game”
The BUMB di’n't pitch a shut out. He deserves to lose.
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
Ted Williams would’ve hit .240 with us….
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:19 pm
“JEFF BAKER IN A CRUCIAL DIVISION TITLE GAME?”
Yep, our bench is pretty weak.
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
9:20 pm
abeeeewright, channelling his inner Disgusted
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:20 pm
guys come to Atlanta and sukk, then go away and hit well again. Its gotta be the water
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:20 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Paul Maholm’s line: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 105 pitches (63 for strikes). #Braves
He did his job. Show up offense.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:20 pm
Braves bench is incredibly rancid. Just let the pitcher hit.
BobDawg
October 1st, 2012
9:20 pm
I see there is a lot of TROUT conversation on this blog… Good Millville, NJ kid . What do some of you feel about him becoming a switch hitter like Chipper?? and with that speed… Goodness!!! He struck out 4 times in the DHeader yesterday…. In fact, his Dad played Minor league ball so why is the kid not switch hitting????
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:21 pm
We keep sending out the Frank Wren discount trash and it keep failing. Shocking!
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:21 pm
I would have gone with Constanza there to pinch hit. to try and get on base with a bunt. Whocares if its lefty pitching. Bottom line is Baker stinks you can have a pitcher who throws with his legs and he still wouldn’t be able to hit. Looks like he will make our post season roster just because he hits right handed. Pathetic
phil
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Good nite all…
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
lovely
nolie
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
looks at a strike and swings at a ball
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Oh, it’s Monday.
Just remembered.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
cmon teen !
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
cabravesfan, October 1st, 2012, 9:20 pm … abeeeewright, channelling his inner Disgusted.
I blame the bean burrito with extra beans and bean sauce.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Offense been so inconsistent all year long, looks like it may cost us the division tonight
All Joking Aside
October 1st, 2012
9:22 pm
Joking Aside, if you’re the Cardinals do you consider starting anyone besides a left hander against this team? They are ridiculously incompetent against lefties.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:23 pm
That was bad by Bourn… save us ‘teen ‘teen
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
If we bring back Bourn, McCann, Freeman and Heyward next year you can expect the same results as we are seeing tonight.
Carolina Gent
October 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
I’m in agreement with those who say we’re in trouble with this anemic offense when it comes to the postseason. Look back at TennPaul’s 4:06 post about recent batting averages and you really do wonder how i the world this team is winning as much as it is. We’re not going to win many 1-0 playoff games. Maybe it is just the Monday thing. If it’s the lefty thing, guess what we’ll see every start beginning with Friday?
smallmouth6
October 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
T-Dawg: Definitely tonight’s DH.
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
Great, Heyward against a lefty…
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:24 pm
Heyward needs to do something here. for last 1 month he has been grounding out to 2nd or striking out
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:25 pm
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:21 pm
We keep sending out the Frank Wren discount trash and it keep failing. Shocking!
Except when it winds up in San Fran in the form of Gregor Blanco securing a perfect game and Nate McClouth in Baltimore on the verge of a division title.
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
9:25 pm
abeeeewright-
That would probably do it
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:26 pm
HEYWARD NEEDS TO BE BENCHED.
Half Empty
October 1st, 2012
9:26 pm
obsess about the Cards starter much??
Sopheee
October 1st, 2012
9:26 pm
No me gusta.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:27 pm
I mean Heyward is hitting .223 against lefties this year….
Nerdville
October 1st, 2012
9:27 pm
the braves are mailing it in tonight. their body language says they don’t care about the division title; and, the pathetic at bats against weak pitching says it all. 2 lousy hits through 8 innings. once again the offense snubs their own pitcher. mccann has been a liability tonight and most of the season. fredi needs to man up, bench brian and start ross.
you can bet the red birds will throw a lefty at this sad excuse for an offense.
JC Brave
October 1st, 2012
9:27 pm
2 hits.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:27 pm
We’re really tearin’ the cover off the ball ain’t we?
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
9:27 pm
Nats prepping for the bubbly, 3 outs to go
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:28 pm
So frustrating watching this team.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:28 pm
I just wish the Nationals win tonight so that this loss doesn’t sting our hearts.
Noway do you lose to Pirates and Locke. If this was A.J. Burnet Ok i can see us losing to a good pitcher but Locke and the Pirates?
Half Empty
October 1st, 2012
9:28 pm
does not matter a damn if we win or lose this game
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:29 pm
Three outs left. This is an excellent microcosm of the season. All of a sudden, with the way this team is hitting, do I really want to take an afternoon off to watch this team lose on Friday 1-0 in extras, thanks to a defensive gaff by either Uggla or Freeman???
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:29 pm
Moylan sent out there shows Gonzalez has thrown in the towel for this game.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:29 pm
This team has mailed it in folks. Nothing we can do about that.
Half Empty
October 1st, 2012
9:30 pm
speaking of kids and baseball like Chipper just was, where is tiger the last month or so??
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:31 pm
Kinda glad I have to work all day & night Friday and will miss that game.
N8
October 1st, 2012
9:31 pm
Nats are just trying their hardest to give the Braves the NL East and their bats are just not up to the task.
Kinda makes you appreciate what the Cards did last year a little. Because even with the Braves losing the way they were, the Cards HAD TO keep winning to make it happen for them.
Nats are playing their worst ball of the year and the Braves just aren’t capable of running the table to take what they all claim they want so badly.
Jeff Locke? really? REALLY? Jeff F’n Locke?
Pray for a shutout from Medlen and company every night in October, because this lineup isn’t hitting ANYBODY that actually knows how to pitch.
Simply amazing the run this team went on in the past 26 games with how pathetic the offense has been.
The pitching staff deserves better.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:33 pm
I forgot Moylan was on the team.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:33 pm
Thank you for the fine inning, Peter!!!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:34 pm
Comes to this… (assuming Nats don’t come back)
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:34 pm
Chipper tries to hit one out but me thinks his swing is off a bit and pops up to center field
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:36 pm
All of you, THANK YOU!!!, for finally feeling my season-long pain.
Next step in the recovery: the realization that Frank Wren is responsible for this travesty heaped upon the finest pitching in the NL, possibly the entire league!
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:36 pm
Jones Freeman and REED JOHNSON?
REED JOHNSON HITTING 6TH? ALL THIS GUY CAN DO IS FOUL PITCHES NOT GET A HIT
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:37 pm
Shut up Veer…all you ever do is complain.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:37 pm
Tarp the lockers…. Nat clubhouse guys!
David from Athens, AL
October 1st, 2012
9:37 pm
Chipper is cold at the bat … not such a tough out
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
Does Lyle Overbay get a hit here? And don’t get picked off Georgie.
Trey
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
Freeman got lucky.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
Overbay??
the season's over
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
the braves are only 3 outs away for say goodbye to a chance to play in division series because THEY DONT GONNA WIN THE WC-GAME VS ST LOUIS…..even if Medlen throws a good game . they can’t score runs….sooooo
pray for 9th inning comeback and Philly hold the game in WSH or this season it’s over for ATL
the possible matchup is STL : Lynn vs ATL: Medlen….
it’s sad when you saw how Freddie” Retarded Face” Freeman swings the bat every AB on the 1st pitch and groundout or popout or whatever…. Locke was very wild and he didn’t take a foking pitches?? ….the braves lost the game in this inning…
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
Paul Maholm pitched a GEM tonight. You cannot expect our pitchers to throw a shutout every night out…
Unless you are pitching against the Braves every night out!
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
“The Braves get a break in the 9th,” says Chip Caray.
Gee, I wonder if they will squander it?
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:39 pm
Where have you gone, Lyle Overbay? Braves Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Nah, just doesn’t have that ring to it.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:39 pm
C’mon, Lyle…
tmc
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
Lyle F’ing Overbay?
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
The level of moron on here has really gone up lately. You idiots know this team has 93 wins, right?
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
Overbay…. Will he ever do anything as a Brave?
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
Nuts!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
Well, at least he put it in play, but that’s now 1-17 as a Brave. Our hope rests in BMac
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
Before the blaming Overbay starts, blame all the other opportunites the offense has had early in the game too…
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
It will take several ‘gifts’ to get this thing tied….as Overbay makes out. Sigh!
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
Come on, Mac……
gcs
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
Lyle Overbay???! Are you kidding me?
Fredi is turning back into Bobby Cox again.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
Look at how many shut-outs we’ve had this month.
It’s ridiculous.
We’d have collapsed all over again if not for the starters and bullpen.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:41 pm
Division hopes resting on Mac…….figures.
N8
October 1st, 2012
9:42 pm
I was just thinking “really?”… Lyle Overbay? And thinking it couldn’t get much worse for who you want up with the division on the line…..
Then th 2012 version of B-Mac came to plate.
Yikes.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:42 pm
McCann has a plan fans
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
Crap, he almost swung at that!
gcs
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
The Phillies are doing their part but the Braves cannot manage more than 1 run against the slumping Pirates?
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
Crap, he almost swung at that!
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
Chip Caray with the ultra deep…’lined foul!” What a ‘Home Tool.’
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
“njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
The level of moron on here has really gone up lately. You idiots know this team has 93 wins, right?”
You are an idiot.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
“njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:40 pm
The level of moron on here has really gone up lately. You idiots know this team has 93 wins, right?”
You are an idiot.
Kris
October 1st, 2012
9:44 pm
Pathetic – absolutely pathetic. We can’t score more than 1 run off a Pirates team that has given up and is starting a guy who has an ERA north of 5.00. And this is a playoff team? Our offense flat out sucks, St. Louis is going to roll right through us in the Wild Card game. 1 and done folks!
lexbrave
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Anybody remember when McCann used to be a threat at the plate?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Dang. Well, onto the WC play-in. Get rested. No need to worry about that Thursday tiebreaker, and maybe don’t even need to make up the possible rainout with Pittsburgh.
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
time to go all out b team, see the a team again on Friday
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Losers!
tony austin
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Absolutely pathetic showing by the offense again tonight.
gcs
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Well, let’s get this one game playoff run for the Braves over with.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
9:45 pm
Sorry, didn’t mean to post that twice.
That’s God working in his mysterious ways.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
This offense has been pathetic for a month now.
tmc
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
If as Fredi Gonzalez has said on many occasions “we are going to fight until the end…” why the hell to you bat Lyle Overbay. He has done less than nothing with this club!
nice move fredi…
T-Dawg
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Worst hitting team in baseball folks.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
The 2012 B -Mac strikes again. Weak roller to the mound. I would rather see David Ross play in the playoff game. He can hit.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Doesn’t really matter…Nats weren’t going to get swept by Philly.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Hope to see the AAA lineup the next few days.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Welp Nats clinch.
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
It most certainly defies logic. Flat doesnt cut it. That’s an excuse. Pathetic.
Brava
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
What a crap game. I sure hope the Braves play better Friday night.
Efrim
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
Bummer. Friday night it is.
ncbravesfan90
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
And the song “Celebrate good times” is fixing to be playing in Washington….
That last play sums up the offensive performance for tonight. That camera shot of Chipper checking out the out-of-town scoreboard just then really almost brought a tear to me, to see him pour everything he has left out there this year and to fall short on a lack luster performance tonight by the offense really hurts.
N8
October 1st, 2012
9:46 pm
“The level of moron on here has really gone up lately. You idiots know this team has 93 wins, right?”
You realize with the Nats losing and the division still up for the taking, this team just got bitch-slapped by Jeff Locke, right?
The Nate McLouth trade…. the gift that keeps on giving.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
9:47 pm
I’ll be a “Honey Boo Boo bisquit” We got our ‘jewels’ handed to us by some Pirates.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
9:47 pm
Lets go Reds!!!!!!!!!!
Lets go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
9:47 pm
McCann could use about six months off.
Starting tomorrow.
BTW, the Nationals color commentator is a ninny. He and Chip would make quite a combo.
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 1st, 2012
9:47 pm
Dang! OK, come on Friday!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
Won’t have to worry about the N.L. yie-breaker. BRAVES just let the NATS in the frony door. At least, PHILLIES doing their job.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
The Braves’ kryptonite was on display tonight in the form of a pube-haired Jeff Locke.
tony austin
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
All the Cardinals have to do is to throw their crappiest pitcher and they’ll head to the division series. Especially if that pitcher is left-handed.
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
Tip that cap to 1-6.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
A feeble, pathetic, inert grounder to the pitcher to end ANY hopes for a division title by a guy this team will pay $12 million for next year.
Frank Wren is an IDIOT!
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
Meek, meek effort by the Braves. They were definitely flat. Sad at bats from Braves boppers.
Run the scrubs out there the next two days. Rest your startering pitchers. Get ready for the one gamer later in the week.
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
Just imagine our guys without that 8 game losing streak earlier this season.
Sopheee
October 1st, 2012
9:49 pm
Rest up, boys and don’t forget your bats on Friday.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
9:49 pm
Glad that’s over. The Nats were not going to get swept by the Phillies. Now we can rest Chipper and some of the guys and get ready for Friday.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
9:49 pm
I loved that in one of the biggest games of the year, Bourn got on base and really wreaked havoc.
Also glad to see Mac, who can’t hit or run, start against the lefty, Locke.
Lovely.
Go Braves!
SoWeGa Fanatic
October 1st, 2012
9:50 pm
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
A feeble, pathetic, inert grounder to the pitcher to end ANY hopes for a division title by a guy this team will pay $12 million for next year.
Frank Wren is an IDIOT!
********************************************
Huh? What? Frank got an AB and I missed it! Crap!
warren in philly
October 1st, 2012
9:50 pm
wtf braves fans – phils doing their job for ya and your team goes and shlits the bed. good luck in the playoffs
btw the only ‘regular’ that didn’t play was jimmy popup
Mark
October 1st, 2012
9:50 pm
Our OFFENSIVE Offense will be our DEMISE!
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:50 pm
Better hope the Cardinals don’t clinch tonight, or they can be just as rested too.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:51 pm
The Braves’ kraptonite is not an opposing pitcher, it’s themselves, from one to eight.
Can’t make chicken salad out of chicken…
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:51 pm
Mitchell…you’re a real piece of work man. All you ever do is complain, yet you’re calling me an idiot? Braves entered tonight tied for the 3rd best record in MLB and you and the other morons are crying like a bunch of babies. Nats were never going to get swept, get over it and get ready to complain again on Friday. You’re like a little kid whose parents took away his toys..grow up
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
9:51 pm
I hope Freddie goes with Ross on Friday because B-Mac is pathetic. Freddie probably won’t because he’s like Bobby. He doesn’t want to show up or hurt one of his players feelings. That’s more important than winning.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:52 pm
Matt Chernoff @RealMattlanta
This game tonight for the #Braves is a reminder of how scary a 1 game playoff scenario will be. All we can hope is the offense will show up.
Totally. Also saw a tweet that I’m sure sums up Efrim’s emotion about the game, but it can’t be posted…
Mark
October 1st, 2012
9:52 pm
This is one PATHETIC OFFENSE!
brian
October 1st, 2012
9:52 pm
2 hits against Locke??? Seriously
tmc
October 1st, 2012
9:53 pm
this team has been crapping the bed all season against lefthanded inferior pitching… no surprise tonight either.
Braves can beat anybody, but they can lose to anybody too.
Let’s hope Friday is not another Crapping of the bed after a day off…
Cause they’ve been doing that all season too.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:53 pm
Kinda relieved that we put the longshot division dreams to bed… let’s rest up now. We all knew it wasn’t happening, so the earlier the better, I guess.
TN Jeff
October 1st, 2012
9:53 pm
Cardinals just need to send out a Lefty and the Braves are doomed on Friday. We should have put the pressure on the Nat’s but we choked in the clutch … as usual.
Veer
October 1st, 2012
9:53 pm
I want to see Hinske, Overbay, Constanza, Pasternicky and other bench players to start and see what they can give us. Sick of this bench.
Loshe is Cardinals best pitcher. Somehow if they play a Thursday tie breaker game then I will take my chances with Wainwright.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
Medlin’s going to have to pitch a shutout Friday the way this offense is hitting.
Spud
October 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
It’s too bad that Pittsburgh and KC have become advanced triple A clubs, where talent is cultivated, and if it is good talent, it is traded before it becomes too expensive. Small market teams have become part of the talent pipeline for the Spankees, Red Sox, and other big spenders.
When you look at the challenges the Braves have with a $100M or so payroll, it’s no wonder some of the teams know going to spring training that their is no hope of playing in the WS. Finishing 82-20 would be a major feat for the Pirates, Royals, and perhaps the Twins and Indians are dropping down as well.
One team that I think should be better and have a much better history considering the big market they play in, is the Astros. On the other hand, the Rays and Cards do a good job with smaller payrolls. The Pirates probably have a good chance to have a losing record for the next twenty years! Their fans must be weary of the hopelessness.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
N8…come on man, you really think the Braves were going to catch the Nats? 3 out with 3 to play just to force a playoff? Never was going to happen. Braves looked bad tonight, but its been a heck of a season so far and we’ve all known the Braves were playing in the WC game for weeks now.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
No, SoWeGaFanatic, Frank Wren did worse than have an AB – he put together this positional lineup, signed Uggla to a wasteful extension, and did nothing the past THREE seasons to address the team’s lack of hitting. I mean NOTHING!!! Add Lowe, McLouth, KK, and an undeniable truth is exposed.
Frank Wren knows absolutely NOTHING about what it takes to put together a hitting ball club.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
“Run the scrubs out there the next two days. Rest your startering pitchers. Get ready for the one gamer later in the week.”
And hope these guys can “flip the switch???”
Yeah, that sounds encouraging.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
Those of you who say the Nats weren’t going to get swept – just curious, did you watch them tonight?
They were tight and had the yips. That would’ve only intensified tomorrow.
MiaBchBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
njbraves: I guess we won’t that now that the Braves spat out the bit tonight.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
“They were tight and had the yips. That would’ve only intensified tomorrow.”
Exactly and might have crumbled with a Braves win tonight. Ya never know but, I know one thing…….we can’t hit…. at all.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
The Nats may just get to bring that hangover to ATL on Sunday.
Kris
October 1st, 2012
9:58 pm
This team has excelled at putting me in a bad mood this year. The offense is so grossly pathetic that it defies logic. I’m excited about a play-off run, but this team inability to hit and take advantage of opportunities is going to be it’s undoing. I’m hoping for a playoff miracle, but realisitically I see us losing 3-1 to St. Louis on Friday and leaving plenty of scoring opportunities go wasted.
I can’t even count the number of times some no-name bum pitcher who should be bagging groceries has absolutely shut down our offense this year. It’s just flat out pathetic.
N8
October 1st, 2012
9:59 pm
You’re right nj. It was never going to happen. Cuz the Braves lineup didn’t have it in them.
How do you know it wasn’t going to happen? The Cards weren’t going to catch the Braves last year either. DOB said so.
My gripe is more about getting man-handled by Jeff Locke. Braves are fighting for the division and they let this young inconsistent pile of crap who hadn’t won a game yet push them around.
Not a good sign. Thank god the Cards don’t have Jamie Moyer set up to pitch Friday.
It’s AMAZING that this team has won 93 games this year. This is one of the worst offensive teams I’ve ever watched play. They have the consistency of a bowl of cheap oatmeal coocked in frozen orange juice.
I said it before. I’ll say it again.
This pitching staff deserves better.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
Shaun has converted more folks than I thought to his vision of robotic ball players.
If you can’t see the difference in the energized, focussed bunch that played in Chipper’s final home series and this dispirited, wrung out bunch who just surrendered the division, you might want to get your eyes checked.
Kat
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
Chris Berman’s MNF ties are always entertaining…. yeah going off topic of the Bravos. Stinks we lost.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
Hope to see this tomorrow..
@S_______: Tomorrow’s lineup: Johnson 8, Pastornicky 6, Francisco 5, Overbay 3, Hinske 9, Boscan 2, Baker 4, Constanza 7, Hanson, 1”
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
Didnt the braves get swept to end the ec?
BAD FEELING
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
i have a bad feeling about WC-GAME…….
my predictions:
CARDINALS 3
BRAVES 1
WP: Lynn, LP: Medlen.. SV: Motte
SCORING PLAYS: Molina doubles vs Medlen…1-0 . Beltran. HR vs Medlen. 2-0. Prado singles.vs Lynn . 2-1. Holliday out on a sac fly vs OFlaherty…3-1…
NLDS : STL VS WSH…. SF VS CIN: NLCS: STL VS SF…..NL CHAMPIONS: SF,MVP: Posey
AL WC-GAME: ORIOLES VS A’s : A’s win 6-4—
NLDS : A’s vs TEX,,, DET vs NYY. ALCS : A’s vs DET…….. AL CHAMPIONS: DET…MVP:Cabrera
WORLD SERIES: DET VS SF ….. DET WIN THE WORLD SERIES 4-2
MVP : MIGUEL CABRERA
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:00 pm
If Hanson was going to pitch this series we were not going to win all 3 games anyway. Hanson is the guaranteed loss that Derrick Lowe was last year.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
10:01 pm
Win the play-in, hope the Nats are #1, and we beat them up in the LDS. I’d love that.
Halbert
October 1st, 2012
10:01 pm
Wow…….that right there is why this 1 game playoff nonsense is scary. This offense is capable at any time of throwing out a 1 or 2 hit game against anybody, and looking pretty non-plussed about it.
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
10:02 pm
Bad time for the offense to return to form.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:02 pm
BAD FEELING, your predictions are dumb.
elb Expos
October 1st, 2012
10:02 pm
The Expos finally won a division title! How many of you thought that funky red, white, and blue M was the letters “e”, “l”, and “b” the first time you saw it? I did, and I know other folks that did too!
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:02 pm
Braves may as well mail the final two in. Rest the main guys for Friday.
Ken Stallings
October 1st, 2012
10:03 pm
Posted my comments about the game in the post-game blog. I want to go back to the theme of this blog.
There were tons of poignant images from that game where Sid brought home the bacon (as Terry Pendleton put it as he rounded third base). One of them was Pirates centerfielder, Andy van Slyke, crouching down with his glove on the grass in front of him, with his mouth wide open in a trance. One second, he was a play away from the World Series, then he saw the end of his season and a group of Braves going wild at the plate.
It was a great call by the home plate umpire. Pirates catcher, Mike Lavallee, actually got the ball in time, but the best he could do since the throw pulled his glove slightly up the first base line was to wheel to make a snap tag, and that meant his glove went over the middle of the plate. So, since the front of the plate was Sid’s to take, his foot touched the front of the plate before it made contact with Lavallee’s glove. So, good call.
Vel Crow
October 1st, 2012
10:03 pm
The Braves better learn how to play small ball, because pitching rules in the playoffs. Remember that Giants series in 2010. It doesn’t hurt to bunt a man over like they should have done in the first inning.FG is a rookie playoff manager and that’s where games will be won.
warren in philly
October 1st, 2012
10:03 pm
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I want the Braves to win the WS
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
10:05 pm
Cards have scored 4 or more runs in 14 of their last 16 games (and 3 or more in 15 of 16). Braves in that same timeframe …. not as consistent
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
10:05 pm
Look on the bright side … Braves can let Tommy go the full eight tomorrow.
brian
October 1st, 2012
10:06 pm
I rest people tomorrow but play Wednesday. Got to keep the guys sharp
Ken Stallings
October 1st, 2012
10:06 pm
LOL!!! Yeah, that Expos hat logo was just plain dumb! Then again, despite some good players, everything about the Expos was sub-standard. Their stadium was horrible and got even worse when they put up the teflon roof which was supposed to be the centerpiece of the modifications made for the 1976 Olympics that nearly bankrupted Montreal the city. First time they tried to use it as the “innovative retractable roof” it broke and never got fixed!
The franchise is so much better off in Washington.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
Fredi needs to play the scrubs the next two games. Maybe a few regulars to keep their mojo going, but for most part, scrubs.
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
Hanson 8ip 203picthes
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
The fact that Chipper himself had no response to Adam Wainwright’s absolute slap in the face to the Braves says everything about what this organization has become.
A true shell of its former self.
This team takes the field every night at the mercy of the baseball gods, with no faith in their own talent and abilities, with no confidence to control their own destiny, with will to win.
This falls high up in a short list of one of the most inglorious and disgraceful moments in Braves history.
The Braves gift-wrapped a division title to a team that has not won a division title in their history.
Given every conceivable opportunity to take back control of the East, they gave each and every one right back.
The Nationals never had one reason to take the Braves seriously as a legitimate threat.
They weren’t even forced to win their division clinching game.
Haven’t won a single playoff series in eleven years.
Shameful.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
Let Tommy go 8? He’ll be at over 150 pitches!
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
Fredi needs to play the scrubs the next two games. Maybe a few regulars to keep their mojo going, but for most part, scrubs.
_______________________________________________________________________
Don’t you mean get their mojo back? Some of them have lost it.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
Mitchell, you have to give the Nats SOME credit. They played good baseball all year.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
10:11 pm
I guarantee you the Phillies wanted to win that game as much for the Braves as for themselves.
Un-f’ing-believable.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
If BMac is in the lineup Fri., I’m entirely through with this organization.
I said it here first.
Capt.Mudd
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Fredi….”Yeah, right we just didn’t get the bats going.’
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
kerryb
I was referring to the few that have their mojo going, but yeah, you’re right.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Wah wah wah…I’m Mitchell and I’m mad!
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
Devin Hester ‘wants’ this!
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
Mixxo…Guess you’ll be looking for a new team because Mac is gonna play Friday. Right or wrong, he’s playing.
Kat
October 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
Anyone know of a good place to grab some food near PNC? I’m going to the next two games but arriving right before tomorrow’s game and leaving right after the Wed game (due to the long drive). Pamela’s which is 1.5mi away from the park looks like a good breakfast place. Any thoughts? (And I’ve already had Primanti’s)
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
Kevin McAlpin @KevinMcAlpin
Fredi says now that the Division is out of play, he’ll get some of the bench players some ABs over the last 2 games. #Braves
Finally… even if it is only 6-8 ABs.
cabravesfan
October 1st, 2012
10:15 pm
betting that is ruled incomplete…but wouldn’t be surprised if it was a touchdown
elb Expos
October 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Are you old enough to remember Park Jarry in Montreal? That was like a AAA stadium, holding about 28,000. Baseball should have never gone to Montreal, but it gave the rest of the NL a team to beat up on for 35 years.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Hopefully they wear their hitting shoes Friday.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
10:16 pm
Mitchell…you’ve really got some deep rooted issues man.
BFChris28
October 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
Good decision in getting the bench players some ABs the next two games.
abeeeewright
October 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
October 1st, 2012
10:12 pm
If BMac is in the lineup Fri., I’m entirely through with this organization.
I said it here first.
This has been a pretty good night after all. It would be miraculous if Fredi didn’t start his starting catcher in the play offs.
UKUGA
October 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Did anybody really not think Fredi would get the regulars some rest once the division race was decided?
ChattTownBrian
October 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Chipper looks wore out. He needs to maybe PH once or twice the next two nights and that’s it.
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
And the Braves didn’t.
Davey Johnson credited his team for quote, “Playing to their abilities.”
How many everyday players can the same be said about on the Braves?
If it’s that simple, they have no excuse.
They lost the first four games of the season, went 4-17 on Monday and lost the division by three games.
They gave it to them.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:20 pm
Glad Chipper can get a little rest. He was beginning to look tired and was hitting weak grounders since last Friday.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
10:21 pm
njbraves -
Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m OK with that even though I’ve spent the last 41 years behind this and only this organization.
Sad but, there’s something about following a ‘motivated’ organization that intrigues me.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:22 pm
Mitchell, let’s see how all of this works out in the end then we can be happy or start complaining. If the Braves wins the WS and not the Division I believe we will all be happy.
Mixxo
October 1st, 2012
10:24 pm
abeeeewright -
What about “our starting catcher sucks right now and has for a while,” don’t you understand chief?
Fredo
October 1st, 2012
10:25 pm
LA losing early 1-0, Cards could wrap up the 2nd WC spot tonight (though they really don’t need to rest players … they’re actually hitting and scoring runs)
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
10:26 pm
“And the Braves didn’t” in response to kerryb’s 10:11pm comment suggesting I give the Nats credit.
njbraves
October 1st, 2012
10:26 pm
Mitchell won’t be happy no matter what happens. He’d complain if the Braves won the WS in 5 games because they didn’t have the “will” to sweep.
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:30 pm
It still ticks me off that stupid MLB came up with this completely dumb playoff format. A team that wins the wildcard by 7 games should not have to play a one game playoff. Bud Selig and crew must have been drunk when they came up with this.
Dum-Bass
October 1st, 2012
10:31 pm
Wonder if the Braves went in and “celebrated” their official wildcard spot tonight? As good a reason as the other night. Maybe an opportunity for somebody else to get hurt like Uggla did. Since he has been coming on lately, he may have made the difference. Really surprised FG allowed that celebration the other night, then again, why should I be?
Mitchell
October 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
“If the Braves win the World Series and not the division…”
kerryb, whatever you’re on, it’s working.
JAFO
October 1st, 2012
10:33 pm
Don’t be DumBass
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:35 pm
Mitchell, your nothing but a sorry negative pathetic A-hole.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2012
10:35 pm
Good to see the night crew is on with its assorted vampires, vultures, and the world-is-coming-to-an-end-for-the-Braves segment.
Haven’t seen a FIRE FREDI! yet. You guys getting lazy?
kerryb
October 1st, 2012
10:36 pm
I’m beginning to think that Mitchell is not even a Braves fan. He’s just a troll.
Jeff R
October 1st, 2012
10:39 pm
“Troll” is being charitable.
Powder Blue
October 1st, 2012
10:39 pm
Heyward’s been hitting a lot of grounders to second again lately. Hope he’ll start driving the ball again.
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.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:10 am
LOL @ Scoots….
Able to ignore the black hole we call an offense!
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
Heyward is 7 for his last 41 and hitting .171/.222/.268 over his last 11 games.
eight RBI, though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
What we need next year is for the hitters to not fall off in the 2nd half.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:15 am
Depends on what they do in CF and whether they go with LaRoche or Morse or just maintain the status quo.
Strasburg, Zimmermann, Gonzalez, Detwiler, Burnett, Clippard, Storen, Harper, Werth, Zimmerman, Desmond, Espinosa, Ramos/Suzuki
That’s a pretty good stable of talent that may not be another 96-98 win team, but certainly in the 90-92 range. And I expect them to add Bourn or Upton in CF and perhaps trade Morse, resign LaRoche. They are going to increase payroll – I’m almost certaon of that after the outcome of this season.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:16 am
Maybe they need a new hitting coach?
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
9:17 am
What we need next year is for the hitters to not fall off in the 2nd half.
The resulting combination of youthful inexperience and league scouting.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:19 am
Able to ignore the black hole we call an offense
The myopic look at a dot so closely that they perceive it as something gargantuan. I just look at it with a longer view and see it for what it is. That’s all.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:21 am
What have the Braves hit the last four Septembers? I’d love to know their OPS and Runs rank within the NL. They ranked 15th in OPS, 12th in Runs scored for this year. I really think it’s been almost as bad in 2011 and 2010 – partially in 2010 because of the injuries to Jones and Prado.
But these 2nd half fades in offense are getting tiresome.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:21 am
excuses, excuses, excuses….
Until we man up, expect the same results.
2 hits in an elimination game last night. It’s the same old thing, every time we’re really faced with it. Totally roll over and die….
I am hopeful about Friday, but I fully expect to lose.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
What is it they say about sports? Most of it is mental?
Well there you go….
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
2012: Braves ranked 12th in runs scored and 15th in OPS in September
2011: Braves ranked 14th in runs scored and 14th in OPS in September
2010: Braves ranked 13th in runs scored and 13th in OPS in September
2009: Braves ranked 6th in runs scored and 8th in OPS in September
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:25 am
I am hopeful about Friday, but I fully expect to lose.
Then why bother to worry about it? You’re already deep into pitiful, and they haven’t set the bleepin’ rosters yet. Just roll over and curl up, fercrissake. That crap gets old, man.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:27 am
I’m serious, Scoots. I do expect to lose, BASED ON OUR FREAKIN TRACK RECORD!
Damn right it gets old. The losing part.
But I’m not going to pretend like I’m optimistic when I’m not. I’m glad you and others are. It’s not my nature to be optimistic after year after year of choking it away.
Frankie
October 2nd, 2012
9:28 am
Braves haven’t played a Friday night playoff game at Turner in over a decade. Regardless what happens the crowd is going to be terrific. Bringing my 6 yr old so regardless hard to leave the park totally disappointed as can’t wait for him to experience the atmosphere.
Let’s hope the Yankees clinch today so we get a official time for the game and get that placed sold out and rocking baby.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
9:28 am
Medlen is fully capable of holding the Cardinals to 1 or 2 runs. Is the offense capable of scoring the 2 or 3 runs necessary to win? Definitely capable. No question about it. Will they, though? We’ll know on Friday.
Win or lose, I’ll take the Braves’ season over the Red Sox season, or the Pirates’ season, or a dozen other teams who would kill to get one more game.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:29 am
Post All Star Break:
2012: 10th in Runs Scored, 12th in OPS
2011: 11th in Runs Scored, 12th in OPS
2010: 6th in Runs Scored, 5th in OPS
Damn shame about that 2010 season. Could of been special if Chipper and Prado didn’t get hurt.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:30 am
2 hits in an elimination game last night. It’s the same old thing, every time we’re really faced with it. Totally roll over and die….
You’re sounding like the night crew, phil. Come back into the light.
The Braves collapsed last season, and have secured a post season berth this year. The Braves have “faced” it in fine fashion.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:30 am
Fine, phil. You have plenty of company here, after all.
don
October 2nd, 2012
9:31 am
Jeff Locke got his first win. He played at Myrtle Beach and was a part of the McLouth trade. Like a number of good young players, I doubt he would have ever gotten a chance in Atlanta. I hope he wins many games for Pittsburgh. He is a good young man.
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
9:31 am
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?
You mean, this offense, the one which scored less than the Nats… sans the OPS leader, replaced by marginal players? That offense is good enough to carry the team to over 90 wins? Medlen will only be pitching in 30 to 35 of those games. The team still needs 60 wins more. The other scrubs need to be able to win as well.
As it stands now, this team needs a starter and some pop for next year to maintain… and hopes that the Phillies don’t effectively rebuild/rebound, and the Marlins don’t aptly use this season as a learning experience and re-invest.
I’d like to say “just replace the lost offense with defense.” as that is the meme of the day. But that will cripple this team. It’d lead to a lot of 1 run games and extra innings with a thinned out bull-pen down the stretch.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:31 am
Sept 2009- .254/.339/.385/.724
Sept 2010- .244/.319/.359/.678
Sept 2011- .235/.300/.357/.657
Sept 2012- .230/.305/.342/.646
That’s a trend in the wrong direction.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:33 am
Damn right it gets old. The losing part.
Huh? Really, phil, what Braves’ team are you following? Quick – what season is this?
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
9:33 am
DOB … “Oh, and if anyone is curious, Braves finish regular season … 19-6 on Fridays”
Can I hear a 20-6?!?
Amen.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:33 am
2 hits is not fine.
There is no spin for that garbage in a game that important.
It was pathetic.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:35 am
Jeff R, go on back to la la land or wherever it is that you stay most days….
In the past, you doof.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:35 am
Spin? The Braves are 93-67 and heading to the post season. Spin?
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:35 am
I’d rather not rest everyone tonight. McCann and Chipper, sure. Heyward had some good plate appearances last night – might be able to build on that. Hope he’s in there tonight and perhaps even tomorrow.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:36 am
phil, I think you’re having a bad day and need to vent and have a hissy fit. Keep hissing… get it out of your system. You’ll feel so much better.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
9:36 am
I am a firm believer in the ol’ “using up your runs” theory… I’d prefer the Braves only score one or two runs today and tomorrow, then explode for 10 on Friday.
Time to get some guys some rest, throw Delgado and Teheran out there, and get ready for Friday.
Winning the division was not going to happen. Best to stop crying about it and move on.
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
9:39 am
They haven’t even set the rosters yet?
What? Are Mickey and the Babe gonna play on Friday?
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:39 am
You mean, this offense, the one which scored less than the Nats… sans the OPS leader, replaced by marginal players?
“Relatively” marginal, and by that, I mean something less than a couple of .900 bangers, not scrubs.
Is it your expectation that Uggla and McCann will repeat their seasons, or is it reasonable to expect them to contribute more next year? How about Heyward and Freeman, better or worse?
We’re in agreement that they need another RH bat with some sock. We disagree that they’re doomed if that bat isn’t Willingham or the like.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
“Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
2012: Braves ranked 12th in runs scored and 15th in OPS in September
2011: Braves ranked 14th in runs scored and 14th in OPS in September
2010: Braves ranked 13th in runs scored and 13th in OPS in September
2009: Braves ranked 6th in runs scored and 8th in OPS in September”
If memory serves, 2009 was the year the Braves had an amazing run in September, only to fall short of a Colorado team that got hot at the right time.
I suspect that 2009 is the aberration, not 2010-2012. The Atlanta heat through the summer has to take it out of a team. I suspect, if you look at all the hot-weather teams, you’ll see a drop off in September and October, whereas the cold-weather teams have a more even performance.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
I will say, I don’t think it’s going to be an easy task to revamp the team this offseason. I do expect Heyward and Freeman to get better and McCann and Uggla to get better as well.
However, it does seem like every year we are saying “I expect player x to bounce back or be healthy” or “I expect player y to continue to grow as a player”. Sometimes these things do not happen, and we end up short offensively.
Then there are injuries, and all teams have injuries, but the depth of the lineup will be comprimised if one of the middle order bats is out for a long stretch.
I think the frustrations on the offense are legit. 3 straight years of terrible September hitting and 2 straight years of bad 2nd half run production. Gotta have a strong full year next year – and it can’t just fall on the two 23 year olds.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:41 am
2009: 1st half- .261/.332/.396/.728 2nd half- .266/.347/.416/.763
2010: 1st half- .260/.343/.394/.737 2nd half- .256/.334/.409/.743
2011: 1st half- .237/.305/.385/.690 2nd half- .251/.313/.389/.702
2012: 1st half- .259/.324/.408/.732 2nd half- .232/.315/.369/.684
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
9:41 am
Is it your expectation that Uggla and McCann will repeat their seasons, or is it reasonable to expect them to contribute more next year?
BMac will have a season for the ages in 2013… I mean, it is his contract year and all.
Uggla will take his usual 2 months off during the season and finish somewhere between last year and this year’s numbers.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:42 am
Jeff, I’m good, but I am pissed that in a game of magnitude, we managed two stinkin hits….
It does not bode well for Friday. We all know it. I don’t blame you and the lolly pop brigade for not wanting to acknowledge it, but it’s there….like it or not.
We fall flat on our faces when it matters most. We will again on Friday in my book until we actually go out and WIN!
Maybe i am pissed off. It’s my birthday after all….
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
9:43 am
After the epic collapse, when this season started, the doom-and-gloomers were predicting things like 4th place in the division, and 75 wins. Now we have the 3rd best record in the league, 93 wins, and 95 wins possible. Great year by any REALISTIC measure.
So let the whiners continue, because that’s their nature. It’s guaranteed that we will lose Friday, and next year is a downward spiraling black hole. (Serious roll of eyes inserted here).
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
9:43 am
phil – 12?
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:44 am
Well, happy birthday, phil. Don’t get too upset. Enjoy the day.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
9:45 am
“What is it they say about sports? Most of it is mental?”
90% is physical and the other 90% is mental.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:46 am
It’s my birthday after all….
You probably expect the damn cake to collapse and the candles to burn down the house, LOL.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
Uggla will take his usual 2 months off during the season and finish somewhere between last year and this year’s numbers.
He better not…. I want to see better numbers, esp. average wise. After seeing his hot streak last year, I expected more than a .220 finish. Yes, he did hit well for the first 2 months, and again now in September, but that slump in between was horrible. Worse than last years’.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
raleigh – bug off…
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
9:49 am
It does not bode well for Friday. We all know it. I don’t blame you and the lolly pop brigade for not wanting to acknowledge it, but it’s there….like it or not.
What if they score 8 tonight, phil? Or a dozen tomorrow? How will that bode?
Meaningless, right?
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
9:50 am
Phil on his birthday:
http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PCH12990.jpg
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:50 am
Well, at least we’ll know what time the games are at on Friday in about 30 hours…..
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
9:52 am
What if they score 8 tonight, phil? Or a dozen tomorrow? How will that bode?
That would be bad. They’ll use up all of their runs and have nothing left on Friday.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:52 am
Yep. The last 2 games ARE meaningless…..if Overbay knocks in 5 runs tonight, so what.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
9:53 am
What if they score 8 tonight, phil? Or a dozen tomorrow? How will that bode?
Will the 8 runs be scored in part by the contributions of Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann?
Or are we talking Juan Francisco, Eric Hinske and Reed Johnson?
Would feel great if it were the first three…..
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
9:53 am
Yep, we all know that a great team is NEVER held to 2 runs in a meaningful game.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
9:55 am
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
By the way, haven’t been asked in 45 seconds, so I’ll just let folks know: Friday’s game time, specific or general, hasn’t been announced.
People keep asking all week… sigh
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
9:55 am
Think the game is played tonight in Pittsburgh? Forecast shows rain.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
9:58 am
phil – As you mature, you will probably learn that there is a lot more in life than a ballgame. Sure, we are all disappointed, but in the overall scheme of things, last night’s game…and even Friday’s game, should not define your happiness in life. It just shouldn’t.
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
9:58 am
We disagree that they’re doomed if that bat isn’t Willingham or the like.
Doomed? Now scoots, don’t type words in my post. ( :
I only stated that “at this stage”… meaning, this team as is isn’t a contender next season. Wasn’t that your stance on the Nats in 2013… Depends on what they do …?
As for Uggla and McCann next year, wasn’t the knock on the salad dressing that it wouldn’t last long? Two years in a row of 75+ game mega slumps. I’d say it isn’t that far out of reason going forward.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:58 am
Cute, Murph…..lol
phil
October 2nd, 2012
9:59 am
raleigh – mind your own freakin business….you know zero about me. when I mature?
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
Yep. The last 2 games ARE meaningless
Well, that’s good to know. If they score 2 or 3, at least I won’t have to listen to people b!tch and moan about it. I mean, being meaningless and all.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
ESPN @espn
Miguel Cabrera has the Triple Crown right now. The regular season ends tomorrow. #KindOfABigDeal
MVP! MVP!
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
Ha, Happy Birthday, phil
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
Jeff R – Yep, and a DH makeup game tomorrow would truly succkk. I would start Delgado or Teheran, and clear the bottom of the bench for that game.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
I know folks are really big on Bourn at the top of the order, but he hasn’t been all that stellar offensively. Not trivial to replace, but not the gaping hole (in the offense) that so many seem to think.
Replacing Chipper’s 2012 will be difficult … but it’s really replacing a fusion of Chipper/Francisco.
Chipper’s .829 OPS in 111 games and Francisco’s .723 OPS in the remainder could be replaced by Willingham’s .890 with someone more marginal than Bourn in CF, and the offense would be about the same as it is now, maybe a little better.
Braves should get some consistency at SS, which was a big question mark coming into 2012.
I’m not pessimistic that the Braves in 2013 are going to be much worse than the 2012 version.
Get bounce-back years from McCann, Uggla, and progress on Heyward, Freeman, and Simmons, and the 2013 team could be better than in 2012.
Now … put scrubs in CF and LF … .600 OPS guys … and we might be competing for the bottom of the division.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:01 am
Thank you, Bat.
But I’m too unhappy to enjoy my life….
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:01 am
phil – When you post here, you open it up to everyone. Vent on if you must. I stand by my statement.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:02 am
raleighbravefan, does the league require the makeup? What would be the purpose?
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:05 am
True, raleigh, much as you show that you too are an ass….
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:05 am
Jeff – Someone said it would be up to the Pirates, and they want the revenue. I don’t know.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
10:08 am
When folks were deconstructing the 1982 Braves (years after the fact) they noted that almost everyone on the team had a career year.
It’s possible that Washington had similar situation. Lots of guys clicking at the same time. The offensive additions that they made in the off-season (relative to 2011) shouldn’t have generated the increased run differential that it did.
Or, maybe 2011 was the down year. We’ll see what happens in 2013.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
10:08 am
Well the Braves will play a game on Friday and I’ll be watching.
Might be dramatic
Might be anti-climatic
Might win a blowout
Or lose one
I’ll try to keep my expectations
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
phil – You are probably right, at least sometimes. I think of it more as being a part-time curmudgeon. I definitely find the negativism tiresome, but that’s just me. As I said, vent on…especially if it makes you feel better. The blog is wide open (except to the abusive). And happy birthday (sorry for the “12″ snark)
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
raleighbravefan, weekday day game. Not sure about the draw. I bet the Pirates scrub it.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
10:09 am
In check*
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:10 am
Jeff R – I hoep you are right. Besides, maybe they play tonight (hopefully without delays involved).
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
10:11 am
I wasn’t able to watch the game last night, but I did listen to it… from the sound of the radio announcers, the crowd wasn’t all that big.
How much revenue do the Pirates think they’ll bring in on a makeup game to end the season? With all the staff they have to pay just to open the gates, sounds like a losing proposition to me.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:11 am
that’s better and thx…
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:12 am
As for Uggla and McCann next year, wasn’t the knock on the salad dressing that it wouldn’t last long? Two years in a row of 75+ game mega slumps. I’d say it isn’t that far out of reason going forward.
Sort of the way I feel. Shouldn’t be a jaw dropper if they both have less than great seasons in 2013. That RH thump in LF is going to need to be a darn good player.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
abeeee – I hope you are right…However, I tend to think of it as similar to our 1991 season, with similar future for the Nats. Good young talent, smart baseball people in charge, and plenty of money to spend. Doesn’t mean that I don’t think we can compete.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
raleighbravefan, I think they’ll do everything in their power to get the game in tonight versus a doubleheader tomorrow.
Little known fact about Pittsburgh: It’s about as rainy as Seattle. (I don’t know why I know that.)
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
next year, dan needs to have this years OBP and last years slg%.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:14 am
i fully expect to win the game on friday. the braves do, too.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
Here’s a nice takeaway from 2012 – Heyward has played in 157 games this season.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
Murph
“I wasn’t able to watch the game last night, but I did listen to it… from the sound of the radio announcers, the crowd wasn’t all that big.”
Probably the most Boring Last Series/September Game I have ever watched, I turned it off in the 5th and started watching Monday Night Football….
Annouced crowd was around 15K but I have seen games at AAA games in Memphis that have drawn better
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:16 am
next year, dan needs to have this years OBP and last years slg%.
.250/.350/.460ish – That’s what I’ll be hoping for from Uggla.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
@phil
Wipe away your sorrow abt last night and show up for the WC elimination Game!
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
Paul Maholm with 140 K’s this year. Most in his career. Highest K rate – 6.67 per 9 innings.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
so the nats lose 2-0 against the phils, and go in the clubhouse and party? they have earned it, but its got to be a weird way to celebrate clinching.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:18 am
Jeff R – I didn’t know that. Are they close enough to get the “lake effect” like Cleveland and Buffaloe? Just wondering.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:19 am
Heyward, Freeman, Prado, Uggla, McCann, Simmons, Hudson, Medlen, Minor, Maholm, Kimbrel, O’Flaherty, Venters is a pretty good team for 2013. Not sure if it’s going to be better than the Nats and Phils, but that’s what the offseason is for.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
For a game that meant so much, it was a pathetic, embarassing performance.
2 hits, fielding flubs all over the place, none of which were ever quite bad enough to result in errors, but we simply played like we didn’t give one crap about that game. It was odd and personally sad to me to see such wretched baseball with a chance to get within 2 just begging to be grabbed….
I just don’t get it. Losing is one thing but that was just plain bad.
The pitching was superb, I’ll say that, but that’s where it ends, other than the one excellent Heyward AB.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
Have a great birthday, phil!
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:21 am
Thank you, VJ…
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:22 am
I expect the Braves to bring Maholm back…pretty cheap mid to bottom of rotation guy. Of course, the entire dynamic of the rotation will depend on who we do or do not add. (cue TOBF
)
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:22 am
I sincerely hope that the Braves get someone this offseason who can hit clean-up…. given Dan’s struggles, I’m not too sure I want him hitting there. I like the guy, but I need my clean-up hitter to be more consistent. He needs to hit 5th or 6th next year.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:23 am
Any decent seats left for the game Friday? Anyone know? Maybe I’ll take the kids and show up in a desperate attempt to change our elimination game luck.
It will be me that you hear loudly boooooing…..lol
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:23 am
raleighbravefan, no. Pittsburgh is a couple of hours south of the lakes. Cleveland and Erie PA get the lake-effect.
A friend of mine in Cleveland tells me it depends where you are in Cleveland about the lake-effect snowfall amounts. The east side is typically hit hardest.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:24 am
It will be me that you hear loudly boooooing…..lol
Boo loudly and hold up a sign. I’ll be watching.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:25 am
phil – I just don’t think you can judge intent and desire by the results. Bad game? Maybe. Didn’t give a crap? I doubt that. I find the “the other team just wanted it more” assessments tiresome.
Mixxo
October 2nd, 2012
10:26 am
I like our chances in the elimination game if our awfense shows up.
Deal with it.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:26 am
I’m adding the not having Hanson effect to the rotation.
Meds for a full year, an improved Minor, a full year of Maholm, and a top SP whether it be my guy, “Big Game”, or Haren should be better than this year. Shouldn’t struggle as much as they did in April/May this year.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:26 am
phil
“Any decent seats left for the game Friday? Anyone know? ”
I dunno, It depends on the start time if any will be left at the gate, Forget seats, I will be at the Chop House
I’m assuming its gonna be either a 4pm or 7pm start time, Hopefully 4pm
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:28 am
Jeff R – Maybe it’s something about the northern jet stream.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
It will be me that you hear loudly boooooing…..lol—Phil
Honestly there is too much going on at the game to focus on booing…Unless its a Crap Umpire
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:29 am
I didn’t say the other team wanted it more….
We looked disinterested, however, and it showed in the field and at the plate. Listless.
It was perplexing given the situation.
Anyway, over and done with….
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
10:31 am
a full year of Maholm, and a top SP
I don’t think you’ll see both.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
10:31 am
phil – just for fun, I pulled up the ticketing – most sections showing none available or single seats available. Seems to be very limited…
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
Looks like Yankees will probably win the division, so we may get prime time. (Braves vs Cards should be a draw). However, the fact that Oakland will be playing in the AL game means that we probably get 4:00.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
I’ve got $5 for anyone who goes to the game and holds up a sign that’s either a tribute to Samantha, The Rally Stripper, or Ward.
Go!!!! Braves!!!!
A little humor
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
Actually, 4:00 would be better…gives us an easier travel schedule.
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
Happy Birthday phil
Headed out anywhere special tonight? Jim Shaw’s for seafood or Natalia’s for Italian perhaps?
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
Adam Kilgore @AdamKilgoreWP
This got lost in the shuffle, but Tom Gorzelanny will be tonight’s Nats starter in place of Gio Gonzalez.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:34 am
I don’t think you’ll see both.
You may be right sir, but from what I see, we can afford to.
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
10:35 am
Venice Jim
I’ve had the new CD by your old buddy, Bruce Hornsby, in heavy rotation for the past couple of weeks. Have you heard it?
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
Here you go (what a bargain):
Braves Ticket Guy @BravesTicketGuy
The #Braves have just released some individual suite tickets. The tickets are $100 & include $25 to spend on concessions/merchandise.
Retweeted by Jim Powell
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
Lining up Gio just for us…not good news.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
I know folks are really big on Bourn at the top of the order, but he hasn’t been all that stellar offensively. Not trivial to replace, but not the gaping hole (in the offense) that so many seem to think.
I absolutely agree with this. Bourn’s a very solid offensive player, considering that he’s a great defensive centerfielder. But most of his value comes from his centerfield defense.
However, I realize for many defense at a key defensive position and baserunning shouldn’t factor in to player value.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:36 am
I didn’t think last night’s game was “bad.”
I think the Pirates’ Jeff Locke had all the motivation in the world to pitch well, and he did. The kid’s looking for a spot on the roster next season in Pittsburgh.
The Braves aren’t generating the sort of offense most of us want. Been a topic of discussion on the blog throughout the season. And I’m sure Wren appreciates the need to improve the hitting and will seek to upgrade the offense this winter.
But pitching is the name of the game, and the Braves have it to the tune of 90+ wins and counting and a shot at the WS.
Lew
October 2nd, 2012
10:37 am
They aren’t going to go out and get a starter this winter -they just aren’t cause they have plenty of pitching (one of the best staffs in the NL since May). It’s why Wren got a pitcher (Maholm) that was under contract through next year.
MAYBE Hanson is traded in a package for a bat, maybe not. But what Wren will do is fill the needs that actually need filling.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
You may be right sir, but from what I see, we can afford to.
If they pick up a front-line starter, they aren’t going to spend $6MM for a fifth starter.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
However, I realize for many defense at a key defensive position and baserunning shouldn’t factor in to player value.
A funny from Shaun, and one I happen to agree with.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
TOBF – We can afford to…If you want to see Francisco at 3rd, or a less than stellar LF…OR, unless we go deep in the playoffs, and LM increases payroll.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
haggard – I have not heard it, but I knew it was out. I noticed that he’s taking part in the Love for Levon Benefit to Save the Barn tomorrow night, and have been tracking concert info in case he heads out this way…
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
10:40 am
We looked disinterested, however, and it showed in the field and at the plate.
Looking disinterested to one random fan and actually being disinterested are two separate things.
Maybe that one random fan is some sort of expert at interpreting body language or can actually get inside the heads of baseball players he’s watching from afar. If that’s the case, I wish I had that skill.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:40 am
If they pick up a front-line starter, they aren’t going to spend $6MM for a fifth starter.
Or 3 million for the 6th best starter on the team….
Although I’d say it’s a near certainty that tonight will be Tommy Hanson’s last start with the Atlanta Braves.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
10:40 am
Just finished the game. Absolute 100% choke job last night. I have no idea why a team in a 1-game playoff wouldn’t throw a lefty the Braves way. Guy has a career 6+ ERA, never won a game in 10 starts in the majors and absolutely goes Cy Young on our complete lineup. It’s games like this that make me believe we have no chance at winning. Hopefully we don’t face a lefty, but I don’t know how a team could think about throwing anything but a lefty against the Braves.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
scoots If they pick up a front-line starter, they aren’t going to spend $6MM for a fifth starter.
then slot him 4th.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
If they pick up a front-line starter, they aren’t going to spend $6MM for a fifth starter.
It’d be really nice if we can fit a RH thumper in LF, a frontline starter, pay Maholm to be the 5th starter and go get a glove first CF. I’d love that plan.
Not gonna happen, though.
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
10:42 am
Lew – “But what Wren will do is fill the needs that actually need filling.”
Exactly right. SP is not the “need”. 3b or LF and CF is what we need to be looking at.
A maybe a decent starting catcher.
Murph – I’ll add my $5 to that. That should get them a beer.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
10:33 am
Happy Birthday phil
Headed out anywhere special tonight? Jim Shaw’s for seafood or Natalia’s for Italian perhaps?
**********
Thank you, sir!
We celebrated 2 or 3 times already, here and there. Son’s game tonight, and that will be plenty!
Now, time ot check on that suite thing….
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
RE: The boring crowd
I found myself watching the Nats game more than the Braves simply because the fan enthusiasm was higher. It was like watching real pennant race baseball.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
If we spend 7mil for LF, and get a cheap defensive CF, keep EOF, trade Hanson and Venters, payroll will be approx. 75mil. That’s if we don’t resign Prado/Heyward at cheaper rates than their expected arb. That gives us approximately 20mil to spend on a pitcher. Trading EOF and Maholm would make it easier, but isn’t necessary.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
Ok, we’re up to $10 now… a nice “Samantha, will you marry me? NM Lee” sign would definitely get on TV.
Anyone else willing to contribute?
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
Lew
Would you like to see Hanson traded? I’m a bit perplexed by what seems to be a combination of physical problems (that only signal more trouble down the road) and his seemed inability to make adjustments in his method of attack as problems present themselves during the season. Plus, I have enough confidence in McDowell to believe Hanson has all the sound advice he needs.
How’s John doing?
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
Just finished the game. Absolute 100% choke job last night. I have no idea why a team in a 1-game playoff wouldn’t throw a lefty the Braves way. Guy has a career 6+ ERA, never won a game in 10 starts in the majors and absolutely goes Cy Young on our complete lineup. It’s games like this that make me believe we have no chance at winning. Hopefully we don’t face a lefty, but I don’t know how a team could think about throwing anything but a lefty against the Braves.
“It’s a rainy night in Georgia, a rainy night in Georgia. I think it’s raining all over the world.”
Geez, buck there, MFin04. The Braves may just surprise you.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:46 am
Shaun, you have seriosu issues in need of immediate attention at a clinic near you…..now bug off.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
10:46 am
and i can’t spell serious….age i guess
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
Or 3 million for the 6th best starter on the team….
7th, 8th….
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
I wish you could see my face as I read your posts Shaun… disinterested personified.
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
And again. Gio is sitting tonight because the Nats clinched the division.
We win last night, and Gio’s out there today.
Yes, this stuff matters.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
I found myself watching the Nats game more than the Braves simply because the fan enthusiasm was higher. It was like watching real pennant race baseball.
What do Pirates’ fans have to cheer for?
David O'Brien
October 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
Didn’t Wainwright say last week that the Cardinals would wait till they beat the Braves in Atlanta before celebrating, that they wouldn’t celebrate just getting in the wild card game? So, I wonder if he stuck around with the rest of his teammates who stayed at Busch Stadium for two hours after last night’s game to wait and celebrate in case Dodgers lost?
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2012/10/02/cards-top-reds-clinch-tie-for-nl-wild-card/1607779/
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
MFin04
“Just finished the game. Absolute 100% choke job last night. I have no idea why a team in a 1-game playoff wouldn’t throw a lefty the Braves way. Guy has a career 6+ ERA, never won a game in 10 starts in the majors and absolutely goes Cy Young on our complete lineup. It’s games like this that make me believe we have no chance at winning. Hopefully we don’t face a lefty, but I don’t know how a team could think about throwing anything but a lefty against the Braves.”
Damn, Dude You just Put it on Real Thick on the Assessment…Expect more of the same the next 2 games, they are all but meaningless, or in other words, “Its Just 1 Game”
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
Or 3 million for the 6th best starter on the team….
Almost certainly not. As to Maholm, they may feel that Hudson, Minor, and Medlen are enough at the top and maintain the status quo. Availability of the type of pitcher they might seek plays into it, too. They might want a guy and not be able to get him, for reasons of trade currency or cash. Dunno.
Me, I think they need a big-time guy.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
I’m sure that tonight is Hanson’s last start as a Brave… he won’t be starting in the playoffs. Hope he does well. It would be nice to weasel a GM into giving up something valuable for him. Frank Wren’s gonna have to get his magic working.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:50 am
phil
“Shaun, you have seriosu issues in need of immediate attention at a clinic near you…..now bug off.”
ouch, I dunno, I don’t think he’s that bad
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
Yes, tickets went fast starting Sunday afternoon.
I bought mine a week ago, but was checking out availability and the system that let you choose your exact seats was “overloaded”.
A good sign, IMO. The only things left were the overpriced seats down in the corners.
I suspect, with this thing on a Friday, the crowd will be just like last week-end, unless the game is in the afternoon, and fans come trickling in late.
(Exactly what our offense needs. Hitting with shadows between the pitcher’s mound and home plate).
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
“Samantha, will you marry me? NM Lee” sign would definitely get on TV.”
You know it would. Someone on here HAS to do it. A chance to be talked about for years to come.
Well, on this here blog, anyway.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
I’m sure that tonight is Hanson’s last start as a Brave… he won’t be starting in the playoffs. Hope he does well. It would be nice to weasel a GM into giving up something valuable for him. Frank Wren’s gonna have to get his magic working.
I imagine Hanson would go as part of a package.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
then slot him 4th.
Ahead of whom? Minor? Medlen? That wouldn’t seem to be optimal.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
Every team in baseball has scored exactly 1 run in a game at least 18 times this season. I don’t think scoring only one run in a game means a team choked.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
Jeff R
[I found myself watching the Nats game more than the Braves simply because the fan enthusiasm was higher. It was like watching real pennant race baseball.]
“What do Pirates’ fans have to cheer for?”
Pirates Fans are Stillers Fans, They atleast have a SuperBowl Title over the last decade
So I’m not that compassionate, and I swear I saw some Stillers sweaters last night in that crowd
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
I wonder how many pitchers with 6+ ERAs on were responsible for those 1 run offensive outputs?
O.M.G.
October 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
Murph, I’m in for 5.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
@UKUGA
“(Exactly what our offense needs. Hitting with shadows between the pitcher’s mound and home plate).”
Yeah, Thats a Big homefield advantage
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
“the system that let you choose your exact seats was “overloaded”.”
Thats where McFann sits.
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
Venice Jim
It’s low and slow and soulful. Different and good.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
Pirates Fans are Stillers Fans, They atleast have a SuperBowl Title over the last decade
Definitely a football (Steelers) and hockey town (Penguins). Both solid, winning franchises.
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
Obviously, the “McFann” should have been “McCann”.
I was thinking of her wrath as I was typing it.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
scoots Ahead of whom? Minor? Medlen? That wouldn’t seem to be optimal.
who cares? its arbitrary.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
I’ve got $5 for anyone who goes to the game and holds up a sign that’s either a tribute to Samantha, The Rally Stripper, or Ward.
Something about The Hanna Rule
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
10:58 am
then slot him 4th.
And remove who from the rotation? Minor, Medlen and Hudson will be 1-2-3 and the frontline starter will be …. up front.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
scoots, if they have the money to pay maholm, they’ll pay him his $6mil, even if he is supposedly a “5th starter”. if you want to slot guys based on how they are paid, do it. maholm will be 3rd after huddy and before medlen, with dan haren at 1, and minor in the 5th spot.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
“I wonder how many pitchers with 6+ ERAs on were responsible for those 1 run offensive outputs?”
Yep. And I wonder how many of those teams have won 90+ games. That game was a must win last night. It was. That or you seal your fate to a 1-game play-in game against a team that SHOULD throw another lefty at the Braves. If they don’t well they should clear house.
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
Seems to me, that back in Feb/March, someone on here coined the phrase “Win for 10″.
Think it was Sopheee.
I haven’t heard that in a while.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
who cares? its arbitrary.
It’s not, actually.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:00 am
WE have too many guys that can’t hit lefty pitching. McCann, Heyward, maybe Freeman, and with Uggla out and Chipper tired, that’s a disaster.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
What was the Hanna Rule again, Bat? Something about not scoring?
I’m sure somebody going to the game could come up with a good Medlen/Hanna Rule sign.
C’mon people, you’re up to $15.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
11:02 am
scoots who cares? its arbitrary.
It’s not, actually.
sure it is. the 5th starter might get 29 or 30 starts instead of 32-35 #1 gets. but there isnt much of a difference between 4th and 5th as far as how amny starts they get, and thats the only difference.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
Oh, forgot Bourn can’t hit lefties either.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:03 am
who cares? its arbitrary.
I love when folks say this. Ya know, front office execs and scouts don’t consider it arbitrary and a big “who cares how we slot folks in the rotation”. Just not the way it’s done. I’d bet good money they sondier Maholm their 4th best starter – therefore a #4 in the rotation, and if a top line pitcher is acquired, he is now #5 in the rotation – making $6.5 million.
Me, I think they need a big-time guy.
Same.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:04 am
So our bench for the playoffs is Reed Johnson, Tyler Pastornicky and Constanza. Can anyone hit righties off the bench?
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
11:05 am
Teddy Cahill @tedcahill
Former Braves hitting coach RT @joeynowak: RT @brian_calloway: Larry Parrish named the new manager of the Midwest League’s West Michigan.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
11:05 am
MFin04
“WE have too many guys that can’t hit lefty pitching. McCann, Heyward, maybe Freeman, and with Uggla out and Chipper tired, that’s a disaster.”
True but Matt Chernoff on 680thefan said it Best a month ago…
He says that We have too many Streaky Guys in our lineup who go into deep slumps all at the same time it seems…That has been the motto since the start of the 2011 season
Thats why he thinks it will be the offense as to why we lose that stupid WC elimination game…A 1 run on 8 hits kind of performance
Lew
October 2nd, 2012
11:05 am
haggard – JOhn’s doing pretty well – thanks for asking.
Re:Hanson – It wouldn’t bother me much if he were traded, but I don’t see it anywhere near s likely as some here and certainly don’t feel he’ll be ridden out on a rail like a few others seem to desire. In the grand scheme of things, Hanson is still young, not overly expensive in first year arbitration nd has much more value (even to the Braves as a memeber of the rotation) that some seem to believe.
So would I be surprised if he’s included as a part of a package for an outfielder? Not particularly. However, it also wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he gets another year in Atlanta before a more permanent disposition is decided. One half season lost to injury and a season with mixed results recovering from said injury does not Kenshin Kawakami make – especially given that he has had success to this point. They may well wait and see if he can recapture his previous success.
But given that we do have so many other arms about to spend more quality time with the Braves, his leash may well be short if he is retained.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
WE have too many guys that can’t hit lefty pitching.
But let’s go get Shin Soo Choo because he’s so much better vs. LHP and their are only 38% LH in the sport!
Mixxo
October 2nd, 2012
11:06 am
Happy for the best Mgr. in MLB today.
Congrats Mr. Jimmy Leyland!!
phil
October 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
Clearly, Larry Parrish wasn’t the problem last year…..
We sure have won a lot of games, but most of the credit goes to the pitching.
We couldn’t hit a blimp with a bat right now….
phil
October 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
FG’s record of success puts Leyland in his place….
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:09 am
So our bench for the playoffs is Reed Johnson, Tyler Pastornicky and Constanza. Can anyone hit righties off the bench?
Reed Johnson was hitting them at a .300 clip before he started slumping…Pastornicky hits .266 against righties, .196 against lefties (of course in limited at bats). Jose is well, Jose.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
11:11 am
Sign Pagan, sign Haren, trade Hanson and Delgado for either a LF or 3B (Headley!!!), pick up a bench bat or two, and the team is good to go for 2013.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:11 am
But given that we do have so many other arms about to spend more quality time with the Braves, his leash may well be short if he is retained.
Then they may as well cut the leash now…
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
True but Matt Chernoff on 680thefan said it Best a month ago…
Chernoff also said Brandon Beachy was a back-end starter because of his win totals.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
In the grand scheme of things, Hanson is still young, not overly expensive in first year arbitration nd has much more value (even to the Braves as a memeber of the rotation) that some seem to believe.
Lew, the point is that he will be expensive in 2014 and it’s best to trade him now given the depth of starters we have to fill the back of the rotation and other needs on the team for 2013. Not the time to hold strong on Hanson, imo. Plenty of teams looking for rotation help and Hanson could net the Braves enough of a return for it to make sense for all parties. Not looking for top prospects or impact bats for Hanson – he isn’t that type of pitcher any longer and he isn’t 22 years old either. Turning 27 in August of next year.
And yes, teams will understand the type of pitcher he is now and provide correct value based on the results and contractual status. This does not mean that the Braves should be stubborn and hold onto him because of the type of pitcher he USED to be. Probablity of him getting back there is long off, but he can still be a solid #4 starter for a great number of teams that lack the pitching depth the Braves have.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
We couldn’t hit a blimp with a bat right now….
Are we talking about a blimp that’s tethered to the ground or one that’s in flight?
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:13 am
“A 1 run on 8 hits kind of performance” Be lucky to get 8 hits.
“and their are only 38% LH in the sport!” Yeh, but it seems teams throw lefties at us more than a 38% clip. And certainly in important series I would hope teams would throw lefties at us.
We play .636 ball against righties.
We play .492 ball against lefties.
You want 64% odds of winning a play-in game or 49% odds?
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
11:13 am
phil
“Clearly, Larry Parrish wasn’t the problem last year…..
We sure have won a lot of games, but most of the credit goes to the pitching.”
And The Bullpen…Gas Can Durbin has made me eat Crow after Mid May, He is an unsung hero who was signed on the Cheap…Give Fredi a A- on how he handled the pitching staff as a whole during this season…His only blip was the Meds Situation
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
11:14 am
But given that we do have so many other arms about to spend more quality time with the Braves, his [Hanson's] leash may well be short if he is retained.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there, Lew. “[S]o many other arms about to spend more quality time with the Braves.”
I think with Delgado knocking on the door, Teheran perhaps a call up next season, and Beachy coming back mid summer, there’s less room or reason to retain Hanson.
I think Hanson is a talented guy. I believe he needs to overhaul his mechanics in a big way, though, to avoid future episodes of second half shoulder fatigue or blowouts.
My guess is that he’ll be figuring that out somewhere other than Atlanta.
RC
October 2nd, 2012
11:14 am
Sign Pagan, sign Haren, trade Hanson and Delgado for either a LF or 3B (Headley!!!), pick up a bench bat or two, and the team is good to go for 2013.
I don’t think there’s any way that Hanson and Delgado nets us Headley, but if that situation was possible I would be all for it.
Mixxo
October 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
“…We couldn’t hit a blimp with a bat right now….”
So true but…..
Bourn’s stroke is looking better.
Uggla was coming around before the champagne glass incident.
Mac….still sux (give me Rossy)
Teen is still Teen
Hoss is worn out
Simba’s stroke is starting to gel
Freddie is up & down
Jason hit a ball hard last night
phil
October 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
Tethered to the ground….stupid of me not to clarify.
Lew
October 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
Efrim – Yes, and maybe they trade him and maybe they don’t. Guess we’ll see, won’t we? I just don’t think it’s as cut and dried as some seem to believe is all. Like I said – it won’t surprise me if he’s traded or if he’s not.
PMC
October 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
To this I say… shoulda paid Sid Bream.
Pirates have the worst owner in sports, all he has to do is keep the talent they brought through there and they’d win. Guy is a jerk.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
11:15 am
But given that we do have so many other arms about to spend more quality time with the Braves
Frankly, if I were a Braves’ pitcher, of just about any name, I wouldn’t be signing any long-term leases.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
11:16 am
Shaun
“True but Matt Chernoff on 680thefan said it Best a month ago…
Chernoff also said Brandon Beachy was a back-end starter because of his win totals.”
I think he made that thesis more on the fact of BB’s inexperience on a staff that has Huddy and several others that have more experience than BB, I don’t think he was knocking BB
Matt-lanta is Beachy’s biggest homer in that he tried to promote the Beachclub/crew at the Ted
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:16 am
Trade for Bourjos (or other cheap defensive CF), trade for Willingham or sign Ross for LF (7mil), trade Hanson, and get a bench bat or 2…. we’ve got 20mil or so to spend on a pitcher.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:17 am
Headley was 5th in the league in WAR yesterday on one of the sites I read. Up there with all the NL MVP candidates.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
11:18 am
Pirates have the worst owner in sports
I reserve that spot for Loria… although he might not be the worst owner in sports, just the worst person who happens to own a sports franchise.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:19 am
In the heat of pennant races and Buster Olney posts a blog with this headline:
Will Arizona trade Justin Upton?
Welcome to Baseball. The Hot Stove season is more popular than any other sports offseason, so you’ve constantly got fans and writers talking about the future. Hence, why prospects and minor leagues are so often talked about within this sport than the others – and because Baseball allows it and the others do not other than Hockey.
Hope that helps some that can’t understand why we’d be talking about November, December, January here on the 2nd day of October…..
Oh, and here is his blog:
NEW YORK — The Washington Nationals went crazy after clinching the NL East, the Detroit Tigers partied in Kansas City, and the Oakland Athletics sprayed champagne all over the place after wrapping up a playoff spot.
But all was quiet where Arizona Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers called from, in the last hours of the Diamondbacks’ disappointing season. A year ago, Arizona came very close to playing for the NL championship, and this year they are among those who must watch others celebrate.
“Last year, we exceeded expectations,” said Towers. “This year, we fell below them.”
So Towers is like most baseball executives these days, planning adjustments, preparing for changes. Because of rotation struggles and injuries, three young pitchers — Wade Miley, Patrick Corbin and Tyler Skaggs — were pushed into the rotation, probably a little sooner than the team expected. Miley is among the leading candidates for the NL Rookie of the Year, and Corbin and Skaggs have performed well, and Towers believes all three will be better for their experience. Arizona actually scored about as many runs as it did last season.
But the Diamondbacks ran the bases atrociously, and they have a clear need at shortstop and a glut of outfielders. There would seem to be almost no chance that the group of Justin Upton, Chris Young, Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra and Adam Eaton will return intact. One or more of them is likely to be moved.
Rival executives believe that Young will be traded — and in fact, some say that they think Arizona would have let Young go on waivers if he had been claimed in August. Young is set to make $8.5 million next year, and he has an $11 million option for 2014 (with a $1.5 million buyout, which means that he’s guaranteed $10 million). He started well this season, but injuries limited him to 100 games, and in those he hit .231 with 14 homers and 79 strikeouts. At age 29, he is regarded as a good defensive outfielder; he ranked very well in FanGraphs’ UZR/150.
But the most central question that hovers over the Diamondbacks has carried over from the trade deadline: Will they move Upton?
Towers has been on record as saying he will listen to offers on any players, and he leaves it at that. Some rival executives, however, sense that Towers is less likely to move Upton this winter than he might have been a year ago or even before the trade deadline for several reasons:
1. While there will be teams willing to give up good packages of prospects for Upton, it may be that nobody is going to surrender a deal worthy of a superstar-level player — and that is how Upton’s potential has generally been viewed early in his career. And now that Upton is about to get more expensive — he’ll make $9.75 million next year, $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015 — the offers will be mitigated by the pay increases.
2. Upton is coming off a subpar season where he hit .276 with 17 homers. Even if Arizona wanted to deal him, now would not be the best possible time.
3. Upton is just 25 years old, and there is always the concern — if the D-backs were to trade him, it would be fear, really — that he is going to blossom into a monster offensive player. Scouts who watched the Diamondbacks this year felt that Upton lost his way in his approach at the plate, taking too many pitches and getting himself into unfavorable counts, and they thought that too often, he clung to what he perceived to be wrong ball-strike calls by home plate umpires. In other words, they thought that if a call went against him on the first pitch of the at-bat, it would affect the rest of that at-bat and the at-bats that followed.
“That’s not unusual,” said one talent evaluator. “He’s a young player. He’s 25 years old. We all make mistakes at that age. Once he figures that out, I think he’s going to come back and be a really great player.”
The Diamondbacks have a nice core of young pitching, but Towers would like to add a veteran starting pitcher, as well. These are things Arizona and other clubs will be thinking about, as meaningful games are played elsewhere in October.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
Realistically, what would it take to get a guy like Headley? And do the Braves even have the chips to land a guy like him?
Teheran, Delgado, and Ahmed? I’m not saying the Braves should pay that price, but is that what it would take?
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
“stupid of me…..” You could have stopped right there, lower case phil.
Oh, and Happy Birthday!
RC
October 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
Efrim – Yes, and maybe they trade him and maybe they don’t. Guess we’ll see, won’t we? I just don’t think it’s as cut and dried as some seem to believe is all. Like I said – it won’t surprise me if he’s traded or if he’s not.
I agree….wouldn’t surprise me either way. While it’s easy to say “We should get something for him before he gets to expensive”, I’m sure the teams that he would be traded too are well aware of his performance and contract situation, so there’s not necessarily any excess value to be obtained there. The only two ways I know of to get excess value for a player are 1) you know something about the player that the team you are trading them to don’t know (which means we fans wouldn’t know either), or 2) you have an excess of something to the point that you won’t be able to put that value on the field, and can trade some of it for value in an area you are lacking (this could be the case with Hanson or any other pitcher…if we think we’ve got enough pitching without him, let’s upgrade somewhere else).
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
The Diamondbacks have a nice core of young pitching, but Towers would like to add a veteran starting pitcher, as well.
Maholm+Delgado
RC
October 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
Realistically, what would it take to get a guy like Headley? And do the Braves even have the chips to land a guy like him?
Teheran, Delgado, and Ahmed? I’m not saying the Braves should pay that price, but is that what it would take?
Probably. I think SD would prefer position players to pitchers, but if you are throwing guys like that into a deal it’s probably possible to get some 3rd team involved to take one of the pitchers for a position prospect.
Arkansas Transplant
October 2nd, 2012
11:23 am
One thing about acquiring Headley, the price won’t equal the value.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
11:25 am
Thanks, Jimmy…
Now go to, well, you know.
RC
October 2nd, 2012
11:25 am
Realistically, what would it take to get a guy like Headley? And do the Braves even have the chips to land a guy like him?
Another alternative, assuming we have the money to pay him, would be to try and trade for David Wright. You’d have to accept that Delgado and/or Teheran will be pitching against you for years, but he’s a pretty nice fit for the current Braves team. Probably too expensive in both trade and $$ though.
David O'Brien
October 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
Lohse has 9.00 ERA in 1 start vs. Braves this season (5 ER, 9 H in 5 IP), and a 2.71 ERA in 32 starts vs. everyone else.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
Also from Buster:
Among all teams, I think the Atlanta Braves have the most to lose with the new wild-card format. They’ve had an excellent season and have posted one of the best records in the sport. But Washington won the NL East, which means that Atlanta’s postseason might last just one game.
I couldn’t agree more with Buster. A lot to lose for the Braves, who have seen one playoff series to date since 2005 and have been a very good baseball team since the start of the 2009 season.
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
Lew
I. too, am reluctant for the same reasons as you,(youth, past success) and I wish I could point to the one thing that says, “No, keep him. Things will be different”. But, unless there’s something resembling a major makeover in his mechanics during the off season,(and that’s probably not happening), we’re probably looking at same old, same old in the future. Yet, I’m reluctant. After all, his likeness hangs on my wall as a Wurlitzer!
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
11:30 am
Was it Towers who screwed around with the Braves when Wren was trying to acquire Jake Peavy?
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
11:30 am
efrim Ya know, front office execs and scouts don’t consider it arbitrary and a big “who cares how we slot folks in the rotation”. Just not the way it’s done.
but its a huge difference between being #4 in rotation and being #5? c’mon. were not talking the difference between a #1 and a #5. it wont hurt anyone for minor to pitch in the 5th slot, if a top pitcher is aquired.
efrim But let’s go get Shin Soo Choo because he’s so much better vs. LHP and their are only 38% LH in the sport!
phil
October 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
Clearly Buster is a hater for daring to voice that we could well lose this game on Friday….
Not that the Cards are red hot offensively or anything like that.
Not that other teams we’ve faced this year that were hot haven’t owned us.
We’ll be fine regardless!
Jimmy
October 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
phil – I was hoping for one of your “Now, Bug off!”
Instead, you just told me to go to work…which is where I am.
haggard
October 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Efrim @ 11:12
A strong argument indeed.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Among all teams, I think the Atlanta Braves have the most to lose with the new wild-card format.
Don’t finish second, then.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:36 am
Lohse hasn’t been all that great in Sept… 6 starts 37IP, 36 Hits, 6 BB, 36 K, 5 HR… 3.89 ERA. Team went 3-3 in his starts.
Opponents hit .243/.273/.412/.685 off of him that month. He threw 69% strikes, so be prepared to swing!
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
I couldn’t agree more with Buster.
There is a nice section in my local grocery store which offers all sorts of cheese to go with that whine.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
While it’s easy to say “We should get something for him before he gets to expensive”, I’m sure the teams that he would be traded too are well aware of his performance and contract situation, so there’s not necessarily any excess value to be obtained there. The only two ways I know of to get excess value for a player are 1) you know something about the player that the team you are trading them to don’t know (which means we fans wouldn’t know either), or 2) you have an excess of something to the point that you won’t be able to put that value on the field, and can trade some of it for value in an area you are lacking (this could be the case with Hanson or any other pitcher…if we think we’ve got enough pitching without him, let’s upgrade somewhere else).
We have an excess of starting pitching options for the back of the rotation. Absolutely. We also know Hanson is climbing in salary and his stuff/results were down. Of course the team acquiring him will understand this and provide value which is equal to what they are getting(hopefully). But this is not the time to slot Hanson in the #5 spot “just cause”. I think it makes a great deal more sense to trade him this winter. Should be near a slam dunk, imo.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
efrim Ya know, front office execs and scouts don’t consider it arbitrary and a big “who cares how we slot folks in the rotation”. Just not the way it’s done.
but its a huge difference between being #4 in rotation and being #5? c’mon. were not talking the difference between a #1 and a #5. it wont hurt anyone for minor to pitch in the 5th slot, if a top pitcher is aquired.
efrim But let’s go get Shin Soo Choo because he’s so much better vs. LHP and their are only 38% LH in the sport!
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
11:40 am
whoops, sorry bout that
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
11:40 am
Don’t finish second, then.
I think this whole thing was sprung on them just yesterday otherwise they would have.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
But take out his 1st start (which was a disaster) he has a 3.16 ERA .225/.262/.367/.629
Last 3 outings… Sep 18, 7 IP, 0 ER… Sep 23, 6 IP, 3 ER….Sep 29 6 IP, 4 ER
TennesseePaul
October 2nd, 2012
11:44 am
so there’s not necessarily any excess value to be obtained there
Ah, the trouble with going to the bargaining table with the goal of “winning the trade”, implying screwing over those you do business with. No, I don’t think the Braves will be able to screw over anyone in a deal with Hanson. But I’d imagine they could reach a fair deal which would work out well for both parties.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:44 am
There is a nice section in my local grocery store which offers all sorts of cheese to go with that whine.
Don’t finish second, then.
Get off of it, you two. I’m not even agreeing with Buster about the formatting issues, moreso agreeing with him that the Braves – who collapsed in 2011, and have won an average of 90 games over the course of 4 regular seasons are possibly faced with not seeing a playoff series…..again. Hence, lots to lose.
Cardinals? I think they can deal with not winning a 3rd title over the course of seven seasons.
Orioles? Shouldn’t even be here. Enjoy it.
A’s? Ditto.
Yankees and Rangers haven’t clinched, but as of right now, they are in line for a bye – so that’s my reasoning there, but it would be horrific for either if they lost that one gamer.
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
Lohse hasn’t been all that great in Sept… 6 starts 37IP, 36 Hits, 6 BB, 36 K, 5 HR… 3.89 ERA. Team went 3-3 in his starts.
Thing that concerns me more than who the Cards throw at the Braves is that this is largely a group of post-season tested guys. They’ve been through the fire.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:47 am
“Among all teams, I think the Atlanta Braves have the most to lose with the new wild-card format.”
No they don’t. Stupid comment. Whoever loses the two wild card games has the most to lose. I mean the Braves pretty much have “recovered” from the collapse in the eyes of management, front office, and Chipper Jones, so at this point they have nothing to lose and at best a World Series to gain.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
11:47 am
Get off of it, you two.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, LOL. I don’t know that TennPaul and I were aiming at the same target, though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:47 am
No, I don’t think the Braves will be able to screw over anyone in a deal with Hanson.
They already would be…
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
11:48 am
DOB,
Can you please increase the frequency of your Fridy game time updates to once every 15 minutes (both here and on Twitter)?
thanks,
UKUGA
Veer
October 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
Key to post season scoring will be our ability to draw walks. Heyward and Uggla need to be patient and get on base. Same with Chipper. Being aggressive might cost us. Key is to get on base and bunt the runner over and hope someone drives them in.
Mac is the X factor. He seems to have lost it this year. He is supposed to be getting in his prime but he looks like a 38 yr old catcher who is at the back end of his career.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
I don’t know that TennPaul and I were aiming at the same target, though.
I know. And honestly, I’m being sort of a jerk about the 360-288 over the last 4 years and only one playoff series.
But I find that astounding and would love to know if any team has posted that record over a four year period and seen only one playoff series appearance during the Wild Card era. It could be an incredibly frustrating October for Braves fans, players and the organization if they don’t win that game on Friday. Let’s just win it, baby!
CB
October 2nd, 2012
11:53 am
Happy birthday,phil! I thought Murph’s baby picture was appropriate but it should have had an empty glass beside of you.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
Key to the playoffs is scoring runs PERIOD
Veer
October 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
What I would like to see in today’s game is bench players playing for their roster spots in the NLDS should we make it that far. Obviously for the one game wildcard playoff rosters will be different but for NLDS who do you carry Hinske or Overbay? Pasternicky or Baker? You have to assume Ross, Johnson, Fransisco, and Constanza are 4 lock in’s.
Pitching wise I am not sold on Chiristan Martinez. Moylan looked good yesterday.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
@Veer
“Mac is the X factor. He seems to have lost it this year. ”
And he still has almost 70 Ribeyes, just Imagine if he hits .280????
Arkansas Transplant
October 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
The measurement of this team will be determined by the outcome of this game Friday night. Plain and simple. You don’t put a team together for the sole purpose to only say, “Hey we got close, but oh well.”
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
Ah, the trouble with going to the bargaining table with the goal of “winning the trade”, implying screwing over those you do business with. No, I don’t think the Braves will be able to screw over anyone in a deal with Hanson. But I’d imagine they could reach a fair deal which would work out well for both parties.
Exactly. Why do we have to destroy a team in a trade. Properly value the player who plays a role that some others can and get a fair return. Folks are used to Mike Dunn and Omar Infante for Dan Uggla.
On a side note, we haven’t had too many Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Jon Gilmore, Santos Rodriguez for Big Game Javy trades in a while(supposed pay dearly in prospects for big leaguer trade for Braves) – so fans better get ready for that this offseason.
Heck, I better get ready for it.
Arkansas Transplant
October 2nd, 2012
11:58 am
Key to the playoffs is scoring runs PERIOD
Actually the goal is to score at least one run more than your opponent, whether that 1-0 or 10-11.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
Pitching wise I am not sold on Chiristan Martinez. Moylan looked good yesterday.
Moylan just got back… I pick Gearrin. Struggles against lefties, but he can get ground balls.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
If McCann can’t produce in these next two games he shouldn’t be starting in any playoff game and should be used in emergencies only.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
“1-0 or 10-11.”
Lol. That’s a funny slip-up. We can win 1-0 games, but as you said, probably gonna lose the 10-11 game.
This team isn’t gonna be able to score a ton of runs. Just aren’t consistent enough to do so. The pitching should be there, like it was last night, but if we can only muster 2 hits, better hope we have some walks and homers.
Sad thing is one hit last night blows the game wide open. Just haven’t been getting that one hit and I’m not sure we have the guys that CAN get that one hit.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
thx, CB….i hate losing though! picture works…
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
Good morning all
Sad night we just could not push across runs, all season long we wasted good pitching. BUT WAIT the season as a whole was pretty good we stayed in contention down to last three days of season. It was great and sad at the same time to watch CHIPPERS last season. Good to watch MEDLEN and MINOR develop and JASON improve, also FREDDY. Now two days of ST LINEUPS a loss Friday and we can relax and look for even better things next year, with our pitching it could happen.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
“Lining up Gio just for us…not good news.”
This is the reason the Braves needed to bring it last night. They’d have forced Gio to start and compete in one more game. Now, Nats can line him up for the post-season.
Patrick
October 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
DOB, did Chipper pass Alomar on the all time hits list?
Or is he still tied with him?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
Regarding W.A.R……
Jayson Stark
It’s not perfect, but it’s far from subjective. I swapped several emails with Sean Forman of baseball-reference.com this week. And the formula for WAR is exhaustive. It really is a serious attempt to measure everything that goes on in every game. So I don’t see it as a magic formula. But it’s extremely revealing. And anyone who doesn’t see that is way too close-minded about modern metrics.
Jason (Nashville, TN)
If your Cy Young ballot had 10 instead of 5 spots, would Medlen have made it? I realize he only pitched 130 innings, but his dominance over that period rivals Kimbrel.
Jayson Stark (12:04 PM)
Absolutely. When I wrote my Cy Young column last week, I mentioned how intriguing a candidate he is. If I’m going to consider Kimbrel based on limited innings, how could I not consider Medlen, too. But no way he could fit in the top five.
Veer
October 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
I would like Mac to get some at bats next 2 games to get his bat going without having to catch so It would be a good idea to start him at 1B and Ross at Catcher and then you can have Hinske or Overbay come in later.
Bourn needs to get some at bats after the layoff
Mac and Ross needs at bats
Prado Jones Heyward Freeman all need time off
Simmons needs to get his bat going as well
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
Gio ain’t nothing. We KILL lefties! Plus we have the Cy Young winner which we may not use in the playoffs.
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:08 pm
So it looks like it will be Gio against Hudson on Sunday (going to assume that Little Man Meds gets the job done on Friday)
Don’t wanna hear any of them negative waves around here………..
Bo Graves!!
Jeff R
October 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
Key to the playoffs is scoring runs PERIOD
The key to a Braves’ win Friday and thereafter is scoring one more run than their opponents.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
Brian McCann should be treated as the backup catcher the next two games and should get some at bats in. No doubt. The guy has not proven anything that he should start in a 1-game playoff.
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:10 pm
Veer
Don’t think you’ll see Mac playing any first base, though stranger things have happened. But you are not correct on Simmons. The guy has been hitting the ball with authority the past week.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
12:11 pm
@Jeff R
“The key to a Braves’ win Friday and thereafter is scoring one more run than their opponents.”
Co-Sign!
And Like The Man Said “By Any Means Necessary!!!”
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
Oh Well, Time for Buck and Kincade
That Philly Homer Kincade isfull of it! Masquerading as a Braves Fan since his Phillies Bit the Dust
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
I’m thinking that if Medlen pitches a shut out and hits a homer, we’ll be OK.
Jay Dubu
October 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
How is it that the Braves can only muster 2 hits and 1 run against Locke in 6 innings, while the Mets beat him up to the toon of 9 hits, and 5 runs in 3.2 innings?
Kat
October 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
After driving 220mi and having another 280 I I get to see at least one.starter. Boring drive.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
Maybe someone has posted this, but Jayson Stark’s top two choices for AL LVP (least valuable player) this year are Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur. LOL
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
Braves should be giving away tickets to the Friday game after last season. Pack that place. 80,000 to 100,000 people. Oh and make it bark in the park too. 100k people, 25k dogs.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
Some advance word on the lineup:
Kris Medlen @KrisMedlen54
@mlbbowman I’m playing 3rd tonight. We need to keep a switch hitter in the lineup.
MFin04
October 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
“Medlen pitches a shut out and hits a homer, we’ll be OK.”
More likely a triple and scores on a wild pitch or error.
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:17 pm
Kat
I’m hoping Fredi doesn’t go all ape shyt on resting the team in the next two days. We need these guys in playing form, not sitting form.
Give the catchers a day off each and Chipper gets today off. Put the rest of the guys in and let them stay sharp. Besides, if we don’t win Friday, they’ll have all winter to rest up.
Bring us some luck up there sister!
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
Hudson is a big game pitcher. He’ll keep the team in the game.
Just an FYI, Gio is 2-2 vs the Braves this season… gave up 11 runs in 22 innings.
He can and will be beat.
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
Jay Dubu
“How is it that the Braves can only muster 2 hits and 1 run against Locke in 6 innings, while the Mets beat him up to the toon of 9 hits, and 5 runs in 3.2 innings?”
Thats Baseball dude…Just like we are just about the only Team to Completely OWN Roy Halliday (Total Slappage) this year…Braves offense just plays to the level of their competition at times
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:13 pm
I’m thinking that if Medlen pitches a shut out and hits a homer, we’ll be OK.
********
If the above happens we do win.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:20 pm
I’ve got a new theory on the Braves offense … call it the Cicada theory.
The cicadas start out kind of quiet and disorganized in the spring. As summer goes along, their chirping starts to synchronize. After they mate and start to die out in the late summer and early fall, the chirping gets more random until, by October, quiet reigns.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
-Among all teams, I think the Atlanta Braves have the most to lose with the new wild-card format.
-Don’t finish second, then.
Or just petition MLB to play in a weaker division.
There is a nice section in my local grocery store which offers all sorts of cheese to go with that whine.
No one is saying any team should whine.
We are just saying that regular season success should be rewarded. Getting a play-in-round bye simply because you play in and won a weak division isn’t rewarding regular season success.
There are at least 5 AL teams that could have won the AL Central over the Tigers, had those teams played in that division. Yet, at least two of those 5 teams that qualified for the playoffs and who out-played the Tigers get a lower seed than the team they out-played.
No one is saying those teams should whine about it. We are saying the game is better when the best teams have the best shot to win the championship. If you give the best teams the greatest edge in the postseason and they still don’t win, so be it. We do want some degree of randomness. But at least give the best teams the best shots so that trying in the regular season actually means more than it does now.
The Tigers have no incentive to win more than 87 games. But the A’s, Rangers, Yankees and Orioles have an incentive to try to win 94-95 games. Yet, winning 94-95 games will get those teams no more of an advantage. And at least a couple of those teams that are trying their darndest to win 94-95 games will be at more of a disadvantage than the 87-win Tigers. Sounds like a great system to me!
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Rangers/Yankees in the one-gamer. That would be soooooooooo funny.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
12:15 pm
Some advance word on the lineup:
Kris Medlen @KrisMedlen54
@mlbbowman I’m playing 3rd tonight. We need to keep a switch hitter in the lineup.
*********
Got to love that MEDLEN kid.
DS1
October 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
I’d love to see Juan Fran get a start tonight. He could be a big bat off the bench in the playoffs. Just needs to get pumped up by Fredi and the staff.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:23 pm
I’m pretty sure, everyone on the A squad is already back in Atlanta. There are enough call ups to get in a couple of games.
Hanson better throw a shut-out and hit a home run.
Venice Jim
October 2nd, 2012
12:25 pm
I think Mitchell is writing for the LA Times under the name Mike DiGiovanna:
It was a common refrain — a mantra, really — in April and early May, when Albert Pujols couldn’t hit, the offense couldn’t score and the bullpen blew six of its first seven save opportunities.
“It’s not how you start,” the Angels kept saying, “it’s how you finish.”
Well, sometimes it is how you start.
The Angels beat the Seattle Mariners, 8-4, in Safeco Field on Monday night to improve to 27-11 since Aug. 21, the best record in baseball in that span. But they were 18-25 in the first seven weeks of the season, and because of that awful start, they’re now finished.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
Not that anyone cares about Pythagorean W/L, but look at where the Reds/Cardinals would be if they played to their expected W/L.
Braves should hope for Reds to win the best record. Win the one-gamer against the better team (Cards) and then get a weaker opponent, at home, for the NLDS.
tony austin
October 2nd, 2012
12:26 pm
Braves offense just plays to the level of their competition at times – Tomahawkin
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:27 pm
“[WAR] really is a serious attempt to measure everything that goes on in every game.”–Jayson Stark
That is a great, succinct way to put it. It throws everything right back at those folks who think WAR is some sort of grand, nefarious conspiracy against traditionalists or traditionalism or whatever the paranoid baseball truthers and flat-earthers think.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
This Friday game is SO UNFAIR. The BRAVES have won the WC and should continue on.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Not that anyone cares about Pythagorean W/L, but look at where the Reds/Cardinals would be if they played to their expected W/L.
Ah, but what about their third-order wins?
I think there’s a trophy somewhere for most third-order wins. I could be wrong, though.
jeffrey d
October 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Mitchell would’ve found a way to include Bobby Cox into that Angels article
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Tonight’s Line up …
1. Constanza … CF
2. Pastornicky … 2B
3. Hinske … 1B
4. Francisco … 3B
5. Johnson … LF
6. Baker … RF
7. Boscan … C
8. Simmons … SS
9. Hanson … SP, RP
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Eric (San Diego)
Any idea what time WC games would be Friday? I need to know if I’m calling in sick to watch the Braves win!
Jayson Stark (12:29 PM)
Too soon to say. They’re talking about one game in the mid-to-late afternoon and another at night. The AL game is most likely a night game, but it depends on matchups, where the games will be played, whether there’s a tiebreaker game Thursday, etc.
Asking him too… sigh. Prepare for a 4o’clock game though.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
Simmons at SS? Go with Rev… he needs the ABs.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
This Friday game is SO UNFAIR. The BRAVES have won the WC and should continue on to the first round.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
12:34 pm
It is almost possible for everything to be settled today, all but one game tomorrow meaning nothing.
If:
Washington beats Philadelphia
Cincinnati loses to St. Louis
New York beats Boston
Baltimore loses to Tampa Bay
Texas beats Oakland
Then everything would be settled except which team between Baltimore and Oakland gets home field in the AL wild card game.
I doubt it happens.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
Ah, but what about their third-order wins?
I think there’s a trophy somewhere for most third-order wins. I could be wrong, though.
No trophy. It’s just useful information if you are doing your best to determine which teams are the best and worst over the course of a season.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
“I think there’s a trophy somewhere for most third-order wins”
Somewhere in “What if …?” land, there’s got to be a list of all the teams that should have won the World Series, but didn’t.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
and Hinske in right… Baker at 2B
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Actually, I lied. In the case above, the AL #1 seed would also still be up in the air between New York and Texas.
So no matter what, tomorrow will mean something to some teams.
Win One For The Chipper
October 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
“This Friday game is SO UNFAIR. The BRAVES have won the WC and should continue on.”
Just need to take care of business and all will be good. Got Meds on the mound. Get him an early lead, hand it over to the bullpen, and let Kimbrel shut the door.
Anything can happen in one game, but the Braves are playing better baseball than the Cards and are at home. I like their chances.
tony austin
October 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
Chipper only has 2 reg season games left, plus the WC game so far. Since the WC game is such a coin flip, I wonder if Fredi would sit Chipper tonight or not.
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
MFin04 If McCann can’t produce in these next two games he shouldn’t be starting in any playoff game and should be used in emergencies only.
That;s a little ridiculous…
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:30 pm
Tonight’s Line up …
1. Constanza … CF
2. Pastornicky … 2B
3. Hinske … 1B
4. Francisco … 3B
5. Johnson … LF
6. Baker … RF
7. Boscan … C
8. Simmons … SS
9. Hanson … SP, RP
***************
It would be great if we won the game LOL
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:38 pm
“It’s just useful information if you are doing your best to determine which teams are the best and worst over the course of a season.”
‘Cause we know that baseball teams are stationary, ergodic processes.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Got a guess for which playoff team has the worst record over their last 10 games, 20 games, and 30 games?
It’s the Texas Rangers. As good as they’ve been all year, it’s still possible that they go on the road for the wild card playoff game.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:40 pm
“It would be great if we won the game”
10-0 Braves. I’m calling it now.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:40 pm
If we really want to get at how the Braves played baseball relative to other teams this season, looking at things like Pythagorean record and third-order wins is useful. Those things give us better insight into their underlying performance than just looking on the surface at wins and losses and whether they won a division title or a league pennant or a World Series. Yes, I realize no one gets a trophy for third-order wins or Pythagorean wins. No one is trying to award trophies based on those things. All we are trying to get from those things is information.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
12:41 pm
“and Hinske in right… Baker at 2B”
Who’s on first?
Ba-dum-bing!
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:41 pm
McFann :Ô: :Ô: :ô:
October 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
MFin04 If McCann can’t produce in these next two games he shouldn’t be starting in any playoff game and should be used in emergencies only.
That;s a little ridiculous…
***********************
AGREED
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
12:41 pm
Tonight’s Line up …
Well, phil was right, after all; this bleep is pretty frickin’ meaningless, LOL.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
.287/.336/.438/.775
29 SB
8 HR
Angel Pagan, everyone. Angel Pagan.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
‘Cause we know that baseball teams are stationary, ergodic processes.
So because they aren’t, no one should try to gather information about teams’ underlying performances over the course of the season?
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
Who’s on first?
Overbay
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
12:48 pm
Angel Pagan, everyone. Angel Pagan.
In other words, a lesser Bourn at the same age and with the same likelihood of diminishing skillset, but it’s OK because they’ll be wasting less money? Like that?
Tomahawkin
October 2nd, 2012
12:49 pm
Win One For The Chipper
“This Friday game is SO UNFAIR. The BRAVES have won the WC and should continue on.”
“Just need to take care of business and all will be good. Got Meds on the mound. Get him an early lead, hand it over to the bullpen, and let Kimbrel shut the door.”
Easier said than done on Giving Little Big Man Meds The Early Lead part….
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Would love to see Texas and New York in the one gamer. That’d be the end of that if the Yankees lose.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
Ah, but what about their third-order wins?
*****************************************
I don’t even know what “third-order wins” are I guess some sort of fantesy stat.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
12:54 pm
“I think there’s a trophy somewhere for most third-order wins”
Somewhere in “What if …?” land, there’s got to be a list of all the teams that should have won the World Series, but didn’t.
No. There is just having a better idea of which teams performed the best and worst that goes beyond win-loss record and whether they won trophies. Some of us like to know things about teams beyond whether they won trophies. If you don’t, fine.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
but it’s OK because they’ll be wasting less money
Exactly. Pagan is a perfect fit for the Braves. Almost the exact same production the team would get from Bourn offensively, average defense, at a much lower price.
If you have a more realistic CF option, I’d love to hear it.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
There’s wins. Then there’s a calculation of expected wins based on things behind the wins, i.e. scoring and allowing runs. Those would be 2nd order wins. Then there’s a calculation of expected wins based on things behind those things, like what affects how many runs you score and allow. I think that would be 3rd order wins.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Tom Hart @tom_hart
#Braves lineup I’d like to see tonite: Constanza CF,Baker LF, Overbay 1B,Francisco 3B, Hinske RF,Medlen SS,Pastornicky 2B,Boscan C, Hanson P
Medlen SS!
Ghost of Chipper Jones
October 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
Let’s win one for the CHIPPER
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
If you have a more realistic CF option, I’d love to hear it.
I don’t, as yet. I’ll know I will have found one when the name mentioned doesn’t also trigger the gag reflex.
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
scoots In other words, a lesser Bourn at the same age and with the same likelihood of diminishing skillset
pagan is a lesser bourn how? not offensively. on defense, yeah. less money for a lesser player is usually how it works, right?
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
#Braves lineup I’d like to see tonite: Constanza CF,Baker LF, Overbay 1B,Francisco 3B, Hinske RF,Medlen SS,Pastornicky 2B,Boscan C, Hanson P
I want to see both Heyward and Freeman in the lineup. Especially Jason. Need to build on some good plate appearances last night. Bourn too. Game action is a good thing for a few of our regulars.
Veer
October 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
I have a bad feeling about the Friday game against the Cardinals. They have an amazing offense. I expect them to get off to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Braves will get a chance in the bottom of the first with 2 runners on but Fredie Freeman will swing at the first pitch ball and ground into a double play. The score probably will be 2-0 until Cardinals score 2 more on Beltran Homerun. 4-0. Braves come up with numerous opportunities but Mac and Uggla continue to strike out.
Simmons will probably get a chance to drive a run but probably is too aggressive and ends the rally.
Martin Prado will probably be our only shinning star that night. He will be responsible for the solo run that Braves will score. Braves will lose 4-1. Chipper goes 0-2 with 1 walk. Crowd chants his name and Chipper comes out and tips his cap while tears come down his eyes.
Braves lose this game because Freedie Freeman kept swinging at first pitch balls.
Jason Heyward trying to pull outside pitch resulting in ground out to second.
Uggla striking out 3 times with a lot of runners left on base.
Simmons like Freeman taking early hacks and popping it up.
The End
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Tom Hart @tom_hart
Changed my mind. I’ll put Pastornicky at SS, Baker at 2B, and Johnson in LF.
Aye, that’s better.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
1:02 pm
George_George, it’s just an attempt to get at a team’s underlying performance beyond just wins and losses.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Tom Hart @tom_hart
#Braves lineup I’d like to see tonite: Constanza CF,Baker LF, Overbay 1B,Francisco 3B, Hinske RF,Medlen SS,Pastornicky 2B,Boscan C, Hanson P
Medlen SS!
***********
If he was not pitching Friday and BRAVES season was over, for tonights meaningless game, I would say HELL YES to MEDS at SS.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
If you have a more realistic CF option, I’d love to hear it.
Bourjos!
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Veer, sounds like you don’t even need to watch. You got it all covered!
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Tom Hart @tom_hart
#Braves lineup I’d like to see tonite: Constanza CF,Baker LF, Overbay 1B,Francisco 3B, Hinske RF,Medlen SS,Pastornicky 2B,Boscan C, Hanson P
Medlen SS!
***********
If he was not pitching Friday and BRAVES season was over, for tonights meaningless game, I would say HELL YES to MEDS at SS.
p
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
1:06 pm
murph If you have a more realistic CF option, I’d love to hear it.
ill throw one out there. chris young from AZ. $8.5mil on his contract for 2013, $10mil in 2014, with a $1.5 buy out, so $10mil garunteed left on the deal.
great defense, lots of pop, and hits lefties. drawbacks are his batting average and health, as he has been injured a good but in 2012. but we might could take a chance on a 28 year old athlete without a long commitment. with pagan, we would have to shell out for at least 3 years, probbaly, for a 31 year old.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
veer is probably closer than anyone else will be to what happens….sigh.
Nowhere man
October 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Chipper’s Hawaii vacation. 2 ex wives, one Hooters waitress, 4 kids, two parents and a surf board.
Ghost of Chipper Jones
October 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
I start HANSON and SHEETS in the next two. Let HANSON go at least seven no matter the score. Same with SHEETS to keep the pen fresh.
Friday MEDS, off-day, Sunday MINOR [1], Monday HUDSON [2], off-day Wednesday MEDS [3]. Thursday MINOR [4] and Friday HUDSON [5] if needed after that. Worry about the NLCS later.
Nowhere man
October 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
Chipper’s favorite song. Family man by Hall and Oates
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
Great idea….
Let’s play Medlen, he of one of the most incredible pitching accomplishments EVER, at SS so he can risk a shoulder injury like Janish just suffered diving after a grounder….
Brilliant.
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
Or, Lohse could strain his back on the first batter of the game and have to come out. Lynn takes over, but can’t get in rhythm out of the bullpen, and the Braves put up 5 runs in the first three innings. The Cardinals’ mediocre bullpen doesn’t help, and the Braves end up taking it 8-1.
George_George
October 2nd, 2012
1:12 pm
Sorry double posts, this darn Submit button is so slow I don’t know when it works.
Nowhere man
October 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Chipper’s dogs name alimony
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm
NLDS? NLCS?
Forgetting Friday’s loss?
tony austin
October 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
I don’t understand why the Cardinals are starting Lohse. Do they not pay attention to the Braves Achilles heel, any LHP or any pitcher with an amazingly high ERA.
Veer, on the 4-0 Cardinals prediction, you do remember who is pitching for the Braves right? I can see Medlen maybe giving up a run or two at the most, but, imo, there’s no way he gives up 4.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
Nowhere man = bigger idiot than most
Brian from SC
October 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
tony, the Cardinals would have to start Garcia on three days’ rest. If they could pitch him on regular rest, I bet they would.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
Medlen gave up three not long ago….
He’s done.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
So, am I right that if we win the play-in, and the Nats win home field, they start the series IN ATLANTA? Weird.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:19 pm
And I’ve never been a Dodgers fan, but I swear, if I see one more replay of the epic 2011 collapse, I’m gonna puke! I hope the Dodgers overtake STL and force a playoff!
Nowhere man
October 2nd, 2012
1:23 pm
Chipper’s advice to all the young guys on the team. Make sure you sign a prenup.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
I don’t know why y’all are getting your collectives noses out of joint over a few meaningless series of fall baseball.
Not me baby, I’ll watch but as a free man. I learned that right here …………. Feel free to join me ………….
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
AUM AUM AUM AUM AUM AUM >>>>>>>>>>>>
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
1:24 pm
veer at 1pm…its clear you are over thinking that one game, bud.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
Yes, Navy, but they would then clinch the series at home in 3 or 4….
jeffrey d
October 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
Looks like someone’s got a little Chipper obsession
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
Is Marteen pitching tonight?
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:26 pm
phil,
So, first two in ATL, then last 3 in WAS. Got it.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:27 pm
Lol at Bat….love those idiots in the Airplane movie.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:29 pm
That was Airplane? My favorite part was Barbara Billingsley speaking “Jive”
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
1:30 pm
Not me baby, I’ll watch but as a free man. I learned that right here …………. Feel free to join me ………….
Remember that scene in Stripes when they just got their hair cut and Russell(Harold Ramis) sees John Candy’s character and sings that. Good stuff. Great movie.
tony austin
October 2nd, 2012
1:33 pm
If the Yankees have to play the play-in game and lose, you can bet your bottom dollar next season’s WC format will be changed.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
My guess is we’ll see at least one game on Thursday night for either the AL West or AL East. I’m gonna say the AL East.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
“Three veeks in zhe cooler!” – The Great Escape
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
1:37 pm
John Winger: Chicks dig me, because I rarely wear underwear and when I do it’s usually something unusual. But now I know why I have always lost women to guys like you. I mean, it’s not just the uniform. It’s the stories that you tell. So much fun and imagination.
[points to the soldier next to him]
John Winger: Lee Harvey, you are a madman. When you stole that cow, and your friend tried to make it with the cow. I want to party with you, cowboy. If the two of us together, forget it. I’m gonna go out on a limb here. I’m gonna volunteer my leadership to this platoon. An army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe. And Sergeant Hulka isn’t always gonna be here to be that big toe for us. I think that we owe a big round of applause to our newest, bestest buddy, and big toe… Sergeant Hulka.
[the soldiers start clapping]
Just quality stuff right there…..
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
Efim,
I’m sort of a Rangers fan just ‘cuz my wife’s from TX, and I like to keep her happy; but it’d be flippin’ sweet to see the O’s battle back and win the AL East.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:38 pm
Efrim,
Now I’m gonna have to order Stripes…thanks.
cowdogit
October 2nd, 2012
1:39 pm
Last night Canstanza should have started in left field. With no stress on the pitcher even the worst pitcher in the league can make the braves look stupid. If Fredi has no plan to put stress on the top pitchers in baseball, the braves may as well stay home.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
There were some krishnas in Airplane….
Bat’s deal wasn’t from the movie.
And yes, Mrs. cleaver talking jive was awesome.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
If the Yankees have to play the play-in game and lose, you can bet your bottom dollar next season’s WC format will be changed.
One can only hope. There is no way the Yankees should be playing in that game instead of the Tigers.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
It’s been a while since I watched Stripes or Airplane.
Probably should now, might help my mood.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
1:47 pm
Bat’s deal wasn’t from the movie.
Nope, just a little poke at Shaun.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
Actually it’s hard to argue that any sensible format would have any of the other playoff qualifiers in the play-in game instead of the Tigers.
Waffle House or Bust
October 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
I smell the 90’s coming again folks. You are playing the Pirates and take your chances with Phillies closing out strong against the Nats. What do we do? LOSE. I still am not buying into anything yet.
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
Cardinals should pitch Rick Ankiel on Friday night.
brian
October 2nd, 2012
1:49 pm
I am holding out hope that the Orioles still take the division
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
1:51 pm
“Some of us like to know things about teams beyond whether they won trophies.”
Such as … ?
UKUGA
October 2nd, 2012
1:53 pm
I think the problem with MLB is that it’s the only sport that lacks complete and total competitive balance, has divisional play, has league and interleague play, and has an unbalanced schedule.
MLB should be like all other professional sports leagues and move all its teams to Omaha and play all events on a neutral field.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
1:54 pm
abeeeewright, such as which teams outplayed others over the course of the season.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
1:54 pm
phil is never gonna mature. he is a confirmed dyed-in-the-wool pissymist and always will be.
cricket
October 2nd, 2012
1:56 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan – Any idea what time WC games would be Friday?
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
1:57 pm
great defense, lots of pop, and hits lefties. drawbacks are his batting average and health,..DAP
biggest drawback is that he absolutely stinks away from ‘zona. Just what we need, another mediocre hitter coming in here and totally tanking. NOT!!
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
1:57 pm
Such as … ?
Which Team is the best. In a couple of days someone will be able to tell us. Then they’ll play a tournament and that team may, or not, win. Even if they do it’s just luck so who cares.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
1:58 pm
“Stripes … i…s…a…Great movie.”
Should get the unexpurgated version. Really funny out-takes that didn’t make the main movie.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
Stripes > Down Periscope
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan – Any idea what time WC games would be Friday?
LOL Sometime in the afternoon, that’s all I, or anyone else, knows. I’m seeing some places say 4:30 and 8:30, and others say 6:30 and 9:30.
cricket
October 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
Cardinals should pitch Rick Ankiel on Friday night.
traitor..that’s sure loss for braves since Ankiel throws LH
phil
October 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
LOL at the notion of Constanza putting pressure on a pitcher from the batter’s box….
As it is, we stick him in to run, knowing damn well that actually HITTING the ball was unlikely with Mac up there, so instead of sending the runner (why not), he just stands there for the pathetic one hopper to the mound.
Frustrating game….
Of course, had Fredi sent Constanza, i would’ve raised hell at the stupidity of such a move had he been thrown out!
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
2:01 pm
UKUGA, so there is no in between? It’s either move teams to Omaha and try to achieve complete balance and neutrality or stick with a system that over-rewards teams that win weak divisions over superior teams?
You have to love this. Because I can’t be Mother Teresa, I should just become a serial killer. Makes sense.
cricket
October 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
Stripes > Down Periscope
agreed, however -
Down Periscope Lauren Holly shrunk shirt scene > whatever Stripes had in that category
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
Happy Birthday phil.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
2:03 pm
You have to love this. Because I can’t be Mother Teresa, I should just become a serial killer. Makes sense.
Ha, you do that all the time.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
2:04 pm
I don’t think the Braves will be able to afford Chris Young unless the D-Backs eat a sizable portion of the deal. I’m okay with him in CF…..but he is not the LF RH banger that we need.
David O'Brien
October 2nd, 2012
2:04 pm
Braves have hit .222 in the past 32 games, have 20-12 record in those mainly because of 2.67 ERA. Scored two or fewer runs in 16 of those 32 games.
David O'Brien
October 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
Jayson Stark’s top two AL “least valuable players”: Yunel Escobar and Jeff Francoeur
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:05 pm
I guess y’all just never get tired of watching guys hit 220
O.M.G.
October 2nd, 2012
2:06 pm
Shaun, you already are a serial killer. Your posts kill me everytime.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
I’m a cereal killer, Raisin Bran Crunch mostly
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
Unfortunately, I saw Lauren Holley in NCIS before I saw Down Periscope for the first time. That probably didn’t do her justice.
Powder Blue
October 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
Our offense needs to get it in gear.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
LOL at Jayson Starks top 2 LVPs for AL.
Bat Masterson
October 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
Frosted Flakes
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
Ha, you do that all the time.
Well, I don’t know from whom Shaun stole that, but props to that guy. That’s actually a pretty good one.
I don’t know that I want to use it, in public, when I have that about-to-go-postal look in my eye, but still…
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves have hit .222 in the past 32 games, 20-12 with 2.67 ERA. Scored 2 or fewer runs in 16 of those 32 games.
And Prado hit .324 for the month, Uggla’s .291. The other guys really struggled, esp. at catcher.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
“Down Periscope Lauren Holly shrunk shirt scene > whatever Stripes had in that category”
Stripes … Shaun Young, PJ Soles in the altogether >> Down Periscope … Lauren Holly wet t-shirt
DAP
October 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
nolie biggest drawback is that he absolutely stinks away from ‘zona.
i did not check that split, but youre right. i still think he could be an option if the dbacks throw in some cash, but i doubt thats what they are looking to do with him.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Jason Heyward is too streaky for my taste.
raleighbravefan
October 2nd, 2012
2:11 pm
Lucky Charms are magically delicious.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
nolie, come up with some CF option that will get Murph off Angel Pagan. Please.
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
2:14 pm
Stripes … Shaun Young, PJ Soles in the altogether >> Down Periscope … Lauren Holly wet t-shirt
Yeah, but Sean Young is such a psycho head-case that much of the attraction fades away.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
Which Team is the best. In a couple of days someone will be able to tell us. Then they’ll play a tournament and that team may, or not, win. Even if they do it’s just luck so who cares.
In a sense, this is correct. The postseason is entirely for fun (and money). It doesn’t determine which team was the best MLB team in a given season.
The randomness of the postseason is what makes it fun. The possibility that the Braves, though they may not be the very best MLB team of 2012, still have a shot to win the World Series is fun for us Braves fans.
We certainly don’t want to take away this randomness. But MLB should want to reward the teams that have done more to prove themselves as the best. It’s about finding that balance between keeping the enjoyment of this randomness and rewarding the teams that have proven themselves over the long haul.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
2:15 pm
Shaun’s a self-confessed serial killer????
I thought NM Lee was going to end up dead in an alley behind a strip club over the summer.
Now, we have Psycho Killers on the blog …
I can’t seem to face up to the facts
I’m tense and nervous and I
Can’t relax
I can’t sleep ’cause my bed’s on fire
Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire
Psycho Killer
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
You start a conversation you can’t even finish it.
You’re talkin’ a lot, but you’re not sayin’ anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho Killer,
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Ce que j’ai fais, ce soir la
Ce qu’elle a dit, ce soir la
Realisant mon espoir
Je me lance, vers la gloire … OK
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they’re not polite
Psycho Killer,
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer,
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm
“Yeah, but Sean Young is such a psycho head-case that much of the attraction fades away.”
I can compartmentalize.
Bigwheel
October 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
Lets hope our offense plays a little more laid back, no pressure. Now we are eliminated from NL east contention
cricket
October 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
Stripes … Shaun Young, PJ Soles in the altogether >> Down Periscope … Lauren Holly wet t-shirt
Stripes may be WAR leader in that regard, but my old school self loves the triple (double?) crown winner Holly based on that single scene
may be my memory is fading, guess have to watch stripes once again
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:18 pm
I guess we could do worse than Pagan. If he can hit in San Fran maybe he could hit in the Ted???….
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
2:19 pm
“The postseason is entirely for fun (and money). “
And the regular season isn’t?????
Baseball is not a gigantic statistics experiment. It is a business, based on a game, to entertain.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:19 pm
Sean Young = living dangerously. Some guys like that….
ncscoots
October 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
I can compartmentalize.
Good thinking, LOL.
Plus, it’s hard to hide knives and guns and such, in the buff.
abeeeewright
October 2nd, 2012
2:21 pm
“may be my memory is fading, guess have to watch stripes once again”
If you watch the TV version, you’re missing some footage. Might not be your memory after all.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
2:23 pm
nolie, come up with some CF option that will get Murph off Angel Pagan. Please.
I don’t get your dislike of Pagan. He’s a good hitter, can swipe some bases, and plays average defense… and he’s going to be sooooo much cheaper than Bourn.
It doesn’t matter all that much that he’s 30 or 31… it’s not like the team is going to sign him to an 8 year deal. Give him 3 years with an option, use the money saved on another SP or some bench bats, and the team is better off than they would be giving Bourn $15mil + per season.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
Down Periscope sukked. Even Big Jake, a career Navy/Seal hated it
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
Anyone read into anything into Jason’s .750 at home this year? Similar walk rate away – but less power at home with what seems to be less luck as well.
nolie
October 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
tougher park that most
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
I’d rather not go after any free agent this offseason. I know, that means we need to trade prospects, but I’d rather go that route. I’m getting less impressed with BJ Upton as well, now that the Rays will be making the qualifying offer and it’s going to cost the Braves a first round pick. Stay away from him, Swisher and re-signing Bourn. Use Hanson, Delgado, Ahmed, etc. others to fill needs.
That probably means no starter – but I’m getting the feeling that isn’t happening anyway.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
If Pagan only plays average defense, try to get Jay instead. He’s younger, with room to develop. .300 hitter already.
RC
October 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
I’d rather not go after any free agent this offseason. I know, that means we need to trade prospects, but I’d rather go that route. I’m getting less impressed with BJ Upton as well, now that the Rays will be making the qualifying offer and it’s going to cost the Braves a first round pick. Stay away from him, Swisher and re-signing Bourn. Use Hanson, Delgado, Ahmed, etc. others to fill needs.
So is your CF target if you are not going into FA market? Chris Young? I can’t think of any others that would be available.
phil
October 2nd, 2012
2:30 pm
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
2:09 pm
David O’Brien @ajcbraves
#Braves have hit .222 in the past 32 games, 20-12 with 2.67 ERA. Scored 2 or fewer runs in 16 of those 32 games.
And Prado hit .324 for the month, Uggla’s .291. The other guys really struggled, esp. at catcher.
****************
Who cares. Hitting isn’t a very big deal with us and hasn’t been in years.
And thanks, Nolie.
Murph
October 2nd, 2012
2:31 pm
Why would St Louis want to get rid of Jay? I don’t know that it makes much sense for them to trade him.
RC
October 2nd, 2012
2:33 pm
If Pagan only plays average defense, try to get Jay instead. He’s younger, with room to develop. .300 hitter already.
Jay is not as good a hitter as Pagan, and I actually am not sure he’s as good defensively either.
Shaun
October 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Pagan has the potential to be an above-average all-around centerfielder for at least a couple more seasons. He’s a solid option to replace Bourn, if the Braves lose Bourn.
How good an option he is depends on what they do in left/third. If they can’t get a player who is clearly above-average at one of those spots, they may need to take a chance on someone better than Pagan, at least a player with more upside than Pagan.
TheOnlyBravesFan
October 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
They need a lefty reliever… dangle EOF or Venters along with Hanson and/or a prospect, that might entice them. I believe they have a CF (Taveras?) in the minors who may be ready next year.
cricket
October 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
“The postseason is entirely for fun (and money). “
And the regular season isn’t?????
only way to select best regular season team is to have all teams play all other teams exactly at the same time so that variables like players missing time due to injury, uggla getting hot for a fortnight etc. do not affect the outcomes of the games.
since we don’t have parallel worlds available to make it possible, define a model that takes into account all activities on the field and assigns some sort of points to each team after each game. ancient dumb stats like runs and wins should be banished as they don’t really reflect which team actually played better over the course of 9 innings and may be got burned by a single play resulting in a “conventional” loss (or win for opponent).
the day this happens, this beautiful game will finally become completely fair, team and player evaluation will be logical and fair and i will be free to concentrate on other interests during the summer.
Efrim
October 2nd, 2012
2:36 pm
So is your CF target if you are not going into FA market? Chris Young? I can’t think of any others that would be available.
Jon Jay, Denard Span, Dexter Fowler, Colby Rasmus, etc. off the top of my head. I’d want to stay away from any overpriced free agents for CF that also require the loss of a first round draft selection.
Under Frank Wren, the Braves have given up the 2008 1st rounder(Tom Glavine), 2009 2nd rounder(Derek Lowe), 2010 1st rounder(Billy Wagner). With the two first round selections he had, he selected Mike Minor(#7 overall) and Sean Gilmartin(#28 overall). Just be nice to have two Top 40 draft selections and spend them both on position players as the Braves have one of the worst crops in the entire minors.
Patrick