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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3,117 comments Add your comment
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:18 pm
Guys, it’s still possible that we could lose this game. In baseball, on any given day, anything can and usually will happen.
But after the collapse last year and their subsequent WS victory, I’m thinking that our guys are like sharks and they are smelling blood in the water today.
So, NO NEGATIVE WAVES folks!!
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:18 pm
Mac is hurt.
There you go.
cricket
October 5th, 2012
1:20 pm
Birth of his child? No excuse.
couldn’t even be bothered to give birth to own son
chipontheroad
October 5th, 2012
1:21 pm
I have to leave for work at 5:30 today so lets start fast today
GO BRAVOS
cricket
October 5th, 2012
1:23 pm
is 7 Bud’s lucky number? what’s with 5:07, 3:07 and 4:37 starts?
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:25 pm
Fin-
Actually, I didn’t realize just how far the star had fallen….I mean I knew he wasn’t great and I knew the numbers since July….BUT Mac has actually been worse according to OWAR than Rossy for the entire season….
And clearing out everything Phil just said…plain and simple, its the shoulder….something 99% of us agree on….
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
MFin04
You really can’t tie a pitchers performance to the catcher. So those numbers are irrelevant. I’ll give you that Ross is a better defensive catcher. And with Mac’s rough year (due mostly to injuries), Ross has been better overall offensively.
I just think it is darned hard to justify rankings on metrics for catchers. I’ve listened to a lot of broadcast teams from the other side (on XM game broadcasts) and have heard several comment about what a good catcher McCann is. And they weren’t trying to suck up to anybody, these guys were speaking from what they have seen on the field.
We see every flaw (or hear for some of us) in our players, and we tend sometimes to overstate the bad. Mac is a very, very good catcher and we have been darned lucky to have him.
Now this is not to say that he can’t improve his overall conditioning to extend his career, as my good friend keylargo is quick to point out. And it is entirely possible that if he doesn’t make some changes to his conditioning routine, he might be short for this league.
Brava
October 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
Heading out to the Ted, fellow bloggies. Fully intend to come home with a NL Wild Card Championship.
GO BRAVES!!!
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
cricket-
Gives him enough time to jack it in the mens room before he has to be on air somewhere
Brian from SC
October 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
is 7 Bud’s lucky number? what’s with 5:07, 3:07 and 4:37 starts?
Most games’ first pitches are at the 7s, including most of the Braves games I watch.
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:27 pm
30 pages and 3 days of the same blog for the playoffs. C’mon let’s get fired up out there. For those of us who will be at the game let’s get loud and proud. Time to get rid of those ghosts from the past.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:27 pm
Brava-
Go get us a W!
And chop and scream to your hearts content….wish I was there.
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:28 pm
Last year Heyward sucked. He had shoulder issues. This year Mac has sucked. Shoulder problems. I have had shoulder issues myself. I am not an athlete, but I can tell you that the shoulder affects just about everything you do. I have empathy for these guys suffering with shoulder issues.
Let’s just hope Mac can return to health in 2013 and show us the All Star form again.
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:28 pm
Let’s go Bravessssssssssssssssssssss
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:29 pm
DS1-
I wouldn’t think you could either….but besides the difference in ERA….
What I did like that I notice from the Meds/Rossy combo, I like the miss % and K rate that Meds has with Rossy…..there’s something about calling the right pitches in the right locations at the right time to get more misses….and that seems to happen quite a bit more w/ that combination.
MFin04
October 5th, 2012
1:29 pm
I actually really like the idea of having McCann come off the bench. With how weak our bench is, it’s nice to at least have the name of Brian McCann coming off the bench. Whether he can hit the ball out or not, I think there is at least a level of fear and respect that could get a walk, and he always has the ability to hit one out.
Mixxo
October 5th, 2012
1:30 pm
Brava -
Chop it up Brava and bring it home !!
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:30 pm
Gates will open in about thirty minutes.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:31 pm
Fin-
I’ll agree w/ you there…..he will more than likely be the 1st lefty off the bench (unless we need JC to PR for someone)
George_George
October 5th, 2012
1:31 pm
Cooch
October 5th, 2012
10:32 am
Selig is such a tool. Yes, I understand they want to put the Yankees in prime time, but 3:07 pm, really?
I guess it won’t matter since we will likely lose today anyways, but ridiculous nonetheless. Also this 1 game wild card, and new 2-3 format are completely idiotic.
**********************
AGREED the start times are rediculous for BRAVES. BUD is anti ATLANTA from his silly play-in game to the start times. BRAVES have earned the WC will probilly lose the silly play-in game.
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:32 pm
I know others have mentioned this. Let’s get ready for a double KO of Washington on Sunday.
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Put your positive thinking cap on George.
Mitchell
October 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Brava
October 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
Heading out to the Ted, fellow bloggies. Fully intend to come home with a NL Wild Card Championship.
You really feel comfortable calling it a Wild Card Championship?
We won five NL pennants in nine years and we’re reduced to describing clinching the fourth seed in the post-season a championship?
What happened to us?
All I know is if we lose this game I’m going to throw up.
And for the record, I’m not sitting in the first row.
It could be somebody’s lucky night.
Dear God Braves… PLEASE WIN THIS GAME
MFin04
October 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
“This year Mac has sucked. Shoulder problems.”
The problem is that some on here think McCann is a better player than Ross even with the shoulder issues and that Fredi G is an idiot for starting Ross. I think that is the major point(s) of contention on here.
It’s pretty much gotten to epic proportions of crazy on here over it. My only conclusion is people just don’t watch the games because it is very evident.
tony austin
October 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Getting excited about today’s game, can hardly wait, go Braves!
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Forget Sunday….
We have an 0-8 elimination game nightmare to erase first!
cricket
October 5th, 2012
1:34 pm
Most games’ first pitches are at the 7s, including most of the Braves games I watch.
i watch most of braves games on EI and track on MLB gameday. most of the evening games in ATL start at 7:35, games in miami start at 7 or 7:10. never noticed a single game starting at 7:07 or 7:35 or 7:17 etc. didn’t notice “7″ starts for any of the FOX or ESPN games either.
on a happier note – from 2014, Saturday games FOX blackout does not apply for MLB EI and MLB.tv customers. will be finally able to watch saturday games.
Mitchell
October 5th, 2012
1:35 pm
DS1, “Last year Heyward sucked?”
I thought you said no negative waves.
Very disappointed in you young man.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
Guys, it has more to do w/ tv and market share and revenue as it has to do w/ anything else….
When all 4 games are playing, the NY team gets prime time because no one can touch the tv numbers they draw….
Then you have SF getting the late game because thats the norm for a west coast game…..
So the leftovers are then sent to DET/OAK and NLWC/WSH…..it is what it is…..hey, at least it isn’t a 12p ET start….and you can’t have a 10p ET start so what do you guys want….
You’re NOT GETTING A PRIME TIME GAME
Jersey Gil
October 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
Chipper in MLBNET
Mitchell
October 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
Here’s a positive wave!
If they lose I get a full refund for Game 1.
Yay!
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
P town
But that miss % can be misleading too. Depends on how the catcher is calling things. Is he going for the K’s, or is he trying to get the other team to put the ball in play?
Way too many variables to say that a pitcher works better with 1 catcher than the other.
And that’s not to say that there might be some truth to what you say, but I truly doubt the difference is enough to be measurable.
They used to say that Pudge called a LOT of fastballs for his pitchers with runners on base, so he could keep his caught stealing % up.
I love a guy that can get the strikeout, but for me the most important thing is to put the ball in play and let the defense help you out. Keep the pitch count down, and go deep into the game.
Dum-Bass
October 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
Loved that article by Bernie Miklaczs of the St. Louis Dispatch. He is a great writer. His articles hold my attention and usually are on the subtle comical side. Too bad the AJC doesn’t have anyone like him.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
Just announced that Jeff Kellogg is behind the plate for today’s game
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
Some people LOVE their guy, in spite of reason, best interests of the team, you name it.
They would rather see him succeed than the team, even if it means he could cost us the game.
I don’t necessarily blame them, but there’s a reason folks like us aren’t making the decisions.
FEAR
October 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
3hrs and 20 minutes.
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
MFin04
Remember, I am one of those that disagrees with benching Mac for today’s game. The Cardinals really don’t have much of a running game. I like having my game tested starter in there. Love Rossy, but I love Mac even more. Even when banged up.
Let’s not rehash yesterday though.
Venice Jim
October 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
Capt Mudd – sorry for the delayed answer – had to run to the store. The 2:07 start means I’ll see half before heading off – can listen to Boog on the 15 minute drive to work – will probably shut off commmunications with the outside world at that point and wait to watch the DVR 4 hours later…
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:42 pm
207 minutes to game time
George_George
October 5th, 2012
1:42 pm
Blog won’t let me say “BELIEVE IN THE MEDS” it said I said it before. I say it a lot and will say it again BELIEVE IN THE MEDS.
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
212-931-7800 number for the commish of baseball. If anyone wants to complain about this one game playoff. Not that anyone on this blog would complain.
cricket
October 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
Kris Medlen and the Braves are -170 favorites over Kyle Lohse and the Cardinals, which means you’d have to risk $170 to win $100 and Atlanta must win at least 63 percent of the time for that to be a profitable bet.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
DS1-
See thats the thing though….banged up is quite the understatement when talking about Mac….
Banged up would still net a few XBH here and there and probably an average somewhere around .260….
He’s not even close to that…..his shoulder for lack of a better term is DEAD….D-E-A-D DEAD….
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
phil
In the best interest of the team and the game, I STILL would prefer to have Mac starting a 1 game play in game. Call me crazy, but that just the way I feel about it.
I’m not worried much about the Cardinals running on Medlen. Besides, have you seen that kid’s pickoff move??? He is downright filthy with it! I really think Fredi is over thinking on this one.
DAP
October 5th, 2012
1:45 pm
cricket never noticed a single game starting at 7:07 or 7:35 or 7:17 etc. didn’t notice “7″ starts for any of the FOX or ESPN games either.
in the tbs days, everything started in the 7s. every braves game started at 7:07, or 1:07, or 7:37. al of them. its a tbs thing, always has been.
David O'Brien
October 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Chipper: “Riding in with my mom and dad today, I turned and told my dad, this is why I know it’s time to go: I’m not even nervous.”
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Countdown to the gates opening.
George_George
October 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
PLEASE if we get past this silly unfair play-in game I think we would do ok in 3 of 5 series. PLEASE LET US WIN BUDS UNFAIR GAME. We have already won the WC over 162 games.
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
On the contrary, DS1, I think it shows just how bad they know Mac’s deal really is.
Can’t chance him in a game of this magnitude. In other words, little thought was actually required.
We’ll know eventually, probably, when they can be honest about it all.
cricket
October 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
thanks DAP, that explains it. may be it’s Ted’s lucky number, not Bud’s
i forgot about tbs, seems so long ago they were showing braves’ games..
Mixxo
October 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
DS1
What does McFann have on you?
Pics?
Tapes?
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
Folks, lets just leave the Mac/Ross situation alone. I do respect your opinions. But Fredi has made his decision. All wasted time talking about it now.
Let’s channel all our energy towards the 2:20 minute from now start!
Bo Graves!!
raleighbravefan
October 5th, 2012
1:51 pm
mitchell – What happened to us? Main difference is no Ted Turner Money anymore. I don’t think that’s too hard to understand…at least for most of us. I think we’re doing damn well under the current circumstances. Damn well, indeed.
George_George
October 5th, 2012
1:52 pm
Lane Kiffin
October 5th, 2012
1:44 pm
212-931-7800 number for the commish of baseball. If anyone wants to complain about this one game playoff. Not that anyone on this blog would complain
***************
Tjank you Lane, I will call Monday morning if we lose.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
1:54 pm
DS1,
Re my Dad–Yes, there was a lot of peace after my Dad and I made up. He did two tours in ‘Nam, and I think he brought the war home with him. Let’s just say he did a lot of bad things, and I was glad when my Mom divorced him. But, like you said, life is short; Didn’t see him again for about 20 years, and when I finally did, he was a sick, frail, old man; it was hard to keep hating him.
Sorry about my therapy session. I’m done now.
DS1
October 5th, 2012
1:55 pm
Mixxo
Don’t give me no shyt man! I don’t wanna have to come over there and skool you, OK.
So keep this thing positive today, OK!!! Dammit! (said for affect)
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:57 pm
“Folks, folks, folks….Merry Christmas!”
‘I’ll be outside….for the season.”
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
1:57 pm
DOB,
that surprises me a bit; granted, he’s been there, done that as far as the playoffs are concerned. But knowing this could be his last game ever?
BTW, I’m a fan of Chipper the person as much as Chipper the player. He’s made his share of mistakes in his personal life, but I think he knows that. I could be wrong (never met him personally), but I’ve seen a lot of stones being thrown on here before. I wish him the best in everything.
raleighbravefan
October 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
George – Could you complain a little more about how unfair the silly play-in game is? We get it. You don’t like it . The last time I heard someone whine this much about something being “not fair”, was when my daughter was about 6 years old.
Mixxo
October 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
I’m positive! I’m positive!
phil
October 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
No need to be sorry, Navy…
Sorry it was that way for so long, but glad it became better.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
1:59 pm
DS1,
It’s possible the game could be rained out today.
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
1:59 pm
Navy-
Its alright….the blog is all about talking about anything and everything (short of religion and politics)
Sorry that you and your dad weren’t closer….but glad you can at least talk about it with a free and clear mind….
I still recall clear as day my dad running into my room to wake us up the night “Sid Slid”…. (too bad for him he didn’t know I was already awake sneaking a peek at the tv from the hallway)
Dum-Bass
October 5th, 2012
1:59 pm
I’m not worried about the traffic at that time of day but am worried about the sun in JHey’s eyes. Didn’t he have trouble during the year with that a couple of times? This is a one game do-0r-die situation. Would hate to know it was decided by a dropped fly ball due to the sun! Advantage should go to both pitchers with the shadows at some point in the game.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:00 pm
phil,
Thanks.. I’m a better man for it, and a better father as well.
George_George
October 5th, 2012
2:00 pm
David O’Brien
October 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Chipper: “Riding in with my mom and dad today, I turned and told my dad, this is why I know it’s time to go: I’m not even nervous.”
****************************************************************
This is not good if CHIPPER is not nervous, I sure am.
Powder Blue
October 5th, 2012
2:00 pm
Wish I could be at the game today.
phil
October 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
Raleigh, quit whining about whining….
the last time…..
;_)
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
Raleigh-
I thought it was unfair too….but I also said MONTHS ago this is why you win the division as thats the idea…placing more emphasis on winning the division….
No sense in talking about it now…..only thing to do is nut up or shut up and win this game!
P-Town Brave ©
October 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
Time 4 lunch break….
Be back in an hour to not do more work
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
P-town;
That’s cool. i was away at Tulane (sophomore year, I think); I turned the TV off when Cabrera came up to the plate, b/c I couldn’t bear to watch. But I turned on the radio. When he got that hit, and Sid slid and scored, I and one of my suite mates who was also a braves fan were jumping up and down going nuts. We then went outside on the balcony and started Chopping…. the RA yelled at us and told us to be quiet. Ah, the memories.
DS1
October 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
navy
Though I sure as heck don’t always do things the right way, we gotta just live today like it’s our last one. No regrets. My oldest son’s buddy was on the outs with his dad. His dad was younger than me and was a contractor over in Afghanistan. Somebody drove a truck full of explosives into their bus (it was all on the news last year) and ended it for him.
Now his son is having a darned hard time dealing with their relationship that was unresolved.
Just always a good idea to let bygones be bygones.
(that’s why I am still OK with Mitchell and Mixxo!!)
phil
October 5th, 2012
2:03 pm
sigh…
Jersey Gil
October 5th, 2012
2:03 pm
Ok..i already Prepared….went to get some more beer and Ice…..Put my Braves White Jersey and my Hat……GO BRAVES
Mixxo
October 5th, 2012
2:04 pm
Alrighty folks, headed to the venue for my 3:00 stage call. Y’all keep it betwixt the ditches and chop us to victory.
Be back late tonight to check the (hopefully) happy blog.
George_George
October 5th, 2012
2:06 pm
raleighbravefan
October 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
George – Could you complain a little more about how unfair the silly play-in game is? We get it. You don’t like it . The last time I heard someone whine this much about something being “not fair”, was when my daughter was about 6 years old.
********************************
Over 162 games we are 6 games better than STL. Why should we have to play another game to prove it?TOTALLY UNFAIR.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:08 pm
DS1,
That’s heartbreaking indeed. I’ve made my share of mistakes, lost my temper like a lot of dads do, but after that I ask my kids to forgive me. They’ve known from a very early age that their father isn’t perfect, but still respect me. I think that’s part of the reason why my first and only wife and I have stayed together thru 15 years of marriage.
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:08 pm
We have to play another game to “prove it” because that is the rule. It’s not anti-Atlanta, or pro-some other team. It’s just the rule.
FEAR
October 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
Sounds cheesy. But I feel like I’m preparing for war. HAHA
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
cab,
good call. BTW, congrats on y’alls win over Utah last night. Close game for a while.
cricket
October 5th, 2012
2:09 pm
my proposed slogan for this game – eat mor redbird
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:10 pm
cricket,
LOL!
phil
October 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
Play by the rules, george george…..it is what it is.
DS1
October 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
cab
We can really turn this into a positive, if we use this game to kick some serious Cardinal hiney today! Could give us a boost going into the Nats series.
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:12 pm
usnavyvolfaninva-
Should have never been that close. Early mistakes against a far better team would have been disastrous. But a win is a win
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
cab or VJ,
I see on the news CA is running out of gas. How you guys doing?
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
DS1-
I seem to be missing the negative?
Win One For The Chipper
October 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
“Over 162 games we are 6 games better than STL. Why should we have to play another game to prove it?TOTALLY UNFAIR.”
It is what it is. We have our best pitcher on the mound. Let’s see what happens!
Personally, I like our matchup in this one game better than if it were a series and we were having to face Lohse, Garcia and Wainwright.
If Meds pitches like he has been and we get a few timely hits, we will come out on top.
Plus I really think that they will feed off of the crowd.
Go Braves!!!!!!! Less than 3 hours to first pitch (this has been the LONGEST day ever)
cricket
October 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
the big cow should hold a sign today that says eat mor redbird
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:17 pm
usnavyvolfaninva-
Apparently there is some sort of refinery problem- all I know is prices have gone up $0.38 in the last 2 days. Fortunately for me, I don’t drive much and when I do, I drive a car that gets 40 MPG. VJ, on the other hand, drives my V8 4×4 Jeep Grand Cherokee that gets 14.5 if he’s lucky…
George_George
October 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:08 pm
We have to play another game to “prove it” because that is the rule. It’s not anti-Atlanta, or pro-some other team. It’s just the rule.
***************************************************************
hi cab
It is BUD’s rule an attempt this spring to give his beloved BREW CREW a better chance to get to postseason. CONGRADS on USC it was scairey for a while.
Powder Blue
October 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
I think I have a little man crush on Kris Medlen.
Venice Jim
October 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
Brian Finneran @BFinn86
Made it to our parking spot at the Ted! Traffic not bad yet but volume is picking up. Lets go #Braves
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
cab,
That sucks. Just bought a Chevy Sonic this summer, and gets about 30-35. Actually, I don’t know how much you watch the news, but I bought it from the same dealership that had that guy arrested when he wouldn’t return a car he bought there after they undercharged him by like $6,000
cabravesfan
October 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
No, it is not Bud’s rule for any reason- it was approved by the owners.
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:20 pm
Powder,
He does have a delightful looking babyface appearance, doesn’t he!
usnavyvolfaninva
October 5th, 2012
2:21 pm
cab,
I agree. I’ve grown weary of the one-game playin complaining. NOthing we can do to fix it today.
cricket
October 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
I think I have a little man crush on Kris Medlen.
“little man” crush – that’s the only type of man-crush one can have for the braves’ big little man
brian
October 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
love Bfinn
Murph
October 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
So I guess scoots is staying off the blog for the day?