Atlanta Braves: Recent road resurgence a great sign, but what’s up with homestand headaches?
The Braves hope for more celebrations like this -- at Turner Field. (AP)
With a nailbiter of a 12-inning 8-7 win May 13 against the NL East-leading Mets, the Braves helped themselves immensely in the division standings. The victory moved Atlanta back to within 1.5 games of New York, evening the Braves’ record to 17-17.
But here’s what interests us, looking at the standings and stats: The Mets’ home record is 12-8 in Citi Field, their brand new ballpark; their away record, 6-7. Atlanta’s away record is 12-8; the team’s stats at The Ted currently clocking in at an unkind 5-9.
YOU TELL US: With a 10-game homestand up next for the Braves (vs. the NL West’s lackluster Arizona and Colorado with interleague play vs. AL East leader Toronto) and a 10-game road trip on tap for Mets (at NL West leaders San Francisco and L.A. Dodgers with interleague play vs. AL East contender Boston), is a major shakeup in the NL East standings in the offing? Or will the Braves’ lacking play at home combined with the Mets’ road woes maintain the status quo? And why can’t the Braves win at Turner Field?
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74 comments Add your comment
Nick
May 14th, 2009
10:25 am
Yeah yeah let’s get some home wins boys!!!
Jay
May 14th, 2009
10:28 am
Sounds like the Toronto series is a perfect time to bring up Mr. Hanson…
Chris
May 14th, 2009
10:30 am
The Braves need a solid 7-3 homestand to put them over the hump of hovering around .500. They don’t need to worry about the Mets right now. The Braves are finally starting to have their opening day line up available on a consistent basis. They’re getting solid starting pitching. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of energy at Turner Field but I’d base their poor record at home more on the timing of team injuries than anything. A healthy Braves team is a team that will contend.
kdbanks
May 14th, 2009
10:34 am
I like to eat spaghetti!
fan fan
May 14th, 2009
10:36 am
perhaps playing in front of a half empty stadium has something to do with it??
1eyedJack
May 14th, 2009
10:40 am
I think their wives are sapping their precious bodily fluids.
1eyedJack
May 14th, 2009
10:41 am
Or it could be the floride in the water.
Steve
May 14th, 2009
10:42 am
I agree with fan fan. It’s hard to play at home with little fan support.
1eyedJack
May 14th, 2009
10:43 am
Seriously though, wasn’t it just the opposite last year?
They won at home and struggled on the road.
DawginLex
May 14th, 2009
10:48 am
Winning on the road is a good sign of improvement over last year’s road kill. The Braves will start winning at home. If the road record can be .500 or better, the Braves will contend all year.
If hudson can come back this year, the pitching could get A LOT better.
That is all we can ask.
Spaghetti
May 14th, 2009
10:51 am
Hmmmmmm….I love Spaghetti too……my favorite
It’s May….don’t worry about the Mets….just take care of business and the wins will come and the Mets can fade away.
jwilli120
May 14th, 2009
10:54 am
let’s just wait and see what this opening day line up does at home before we judge them. I think this road trip they just finished should do a lot for the whole team’s confidence, the Braves looked pretty confident, after the 12 inning win yesterday, Let’s get some distance and take 1st place while at home. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. how about Garrett Anderson racking on the road GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!
TELL EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boriquagm
May 14th, 2009
10:56 am
Its easy. Bring back Chief Noc-A-Homa that should end the curse at the new ball park just like it did back in 1982.
Karl Childers
May 14th, 2009
10:56 am
mmmmm….Spaghetti is ok I reckon, but I like my biscuits and mustard and french fried potaters a lot more….
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……
cseeuisa
May 14th, 2009
10:57 am
I was at Citi Field for that amazing win Wednesday afternoon. NY fans are seriously into their games and I think the Braves feed off all that psychic energy in the park. At Turner a week or so ago vs the Astros, I saw how Braves fans are more into the scene of being at the game rather than game itself. That has to affect the players on the field.
Sethual Healing
May 14th, 2009
11:02 am
The Braves CAN win at Turner Field and they will.
They have only had Garrett Anderson and Brian McCann in the lineup for ONE home game.
Don’t turn this into something it’s not, please.
Aaron
May 14th, 2009
11:04 am
It’s nice to have the starting line-up back together that should help. A couple of things I’d do to improve this club for the homestand. Send JoJo back to AAA, way to inconsistent and when he’s off he gets hammered. Bring up Hansen to take his place and maybe then that spot in the rotation I won’t have to hold my breathe the 1st 5 innings. 2nd- sit Schafer until someone teaches him how to hit an inside fastball. It’s getting embarrassing to see him strike out 3 times a game!
dog hog
May 14th, 2009
11:06 am
Why don’t Brave fans show up at the Ted to support their team? Get in your Range Rover, hit the 400 and go support your team. Maybe lack of support is a factor into their horrible home record.
the Voice
May 14th, 2009
11:07 am
Lets put them on a pay for production schedule. $500 per hit, $1000 per home run, $-200 for strike out,$5000 each for a win. Bet they start producing then.
RHR
May 14th, 2009
11:11 am
The crowd was very into the home opener because it was an exciting game, even after the long rain delay. As far as attendance goes, they can take care of that by winning some games, Atlanta only cares about its sports teams when they’re winning. Everybody knows this. We get to a handful of games every season, have even done the 2hr drive on a work night. I would go all the time if I lived in Atlanta, but like many Braves fans, I don’t.
RHR
May 14th, 2009
11:12 am
And take that god forsaken cow down. Losing at home started not long after that beast was erected. Coincidence? I think not.
DirtyDawg
May 14th, 2009
11:13 am
As one of the more consistent critics of certain of our ballplayers, it’s incumbent on me to acknowledge that these guys are playin’ ball. That even the failures of Tuesday night, along with poor JoJo’s continued problems, didn’t put ‘em in a funk that they couldn’t get out of. Of note was the Bennett guy who ‘bulldogged’ his way through an inning-plus. I admit I was truly surprised that Bobby started Diaz in place of Francoeur – didn’t start out particularly well, but it’s a move that I’ve been thinking was way overdue. I didn’t expect it to be Diaz, but then who else are you gonna use when you’ve got both Prado and Infante already in the game?
Stay focused guys. Who knows, we may be in a division/pennant race yet.
phoenix falcon
May 14th, 2009
11:14 am
they don’t win at home because they are not a very good team ( right now ).
Skunkydave
May 14th, 2009
11:21 am
They do not win at home, because the atlanta fans suck. They always have (perhaps excluding 1991 and 1992).
Mitch
May 14th, 2009
11:29 am
The Braves had a great road trip to three tough cities. I think that their early season record at Turner will improve. This team has always played well at home. The only time we had a losing record at home in the division title years was the 40-41 mark in 2001.
After what I saw yesterday, I really do hope that the Braves send Jo-Jo Reyes to Richmond. We can’t expect to win consistently, if we have a starter who is getting his butt kicked every fifth day. Hopefully Glavine will be back in a couple of weeks, but until then, I would bring up Tommy Hanson, or give a start to someone else.
With twenty of our next twenty seven games at Turner, we will really where this team goes by mid June. Hopefully we will have at least a six and four or seven and three homestand in the upcoming ten game stanza. If we do that, we can make some headway in the standings.
Mitch
steve
May 14th, 2009
11:35 am
It is too early in the season to say they can’t win at home. It is true that we Atlanta fans tend to be more fickle than fans of other teams and it is must be very disappointing for the player to play in front of so few people each night. However, in baseball, does the crowd have that much influence in the actual game? I can see it basketball or football, but not so much in baseball.
Besides, truthfully, I think the Braves are a mediocre team and before it all said in done, we will have a mediocre home and road record.
bravofan
May 14th, 2009
11:36 am
Atlanta fans are not bad you should come out to the Ted and see that the people that come out are passionate!
Red Clay Hound
May 14th, 2009
11:44 am
I am a dinosaur where online coverage is concerned with limited navigational abilities – with that in mind how can Jair Juirgens fantastic performance not be mentioned in any of the aforementioned stories – if he is credited please forward a compass.
bravesphanatic004
May 14th, 2009
11:45 am
cseeuisa,
i think you are right. i was there for the finale of the astros series and i wasnt paying much attention….it was bark in the park day and i had my two labs so basically i was getting hammered and trying to control those crazy pups. all the sections that had dogs in them, the fans for the most part werent paying full attention to the game. the sad thing is that the rest of the fans (those that didnt have dogs) werent paying much attention either.
whats even worse is when we play a good team at home, the away crowd is more bosterious than our own. its sad. and the amount of fans that show up to the home games is outright pathetic…. something has to be done about that. but in all honesty its been that way forever. atlanta fans as a whole are not the best fans. its like most of the city could care less until we are actually winning a lot games…..bandwagon fans. if you put the braves in birmingham it wouldnt matter if we were 12 games out of first and 10 games under .500, the stadium would be more than half full night in and night out. and if we just went 6-2 on the road and were coming back home playing .500 baseball and only 1.5 games out of first….well, it would be packed. i just dont think atlanta fans (for the most part) appreciate having a baseball team. they take it for granted. i would love if the braves moved to bham. it would never happen but us alabamians would appreciate it. and we would be at every game. birmingham is not even half the size of atlanta and yet would would easily double the attendence year in and year out….no matter the record.
sorry for the rant it just really p$$$es me off that i go to more games a year than most people in atlanta do and i live 3 hours away (tuscaloosa)….
anyways, go braves!
Shadydave
May 14th, 2009
11:51 am
Afraid the economy has a lot (but not all) to do with the half-empty seats at Turner, fan apathy no doubt also plays a role…
Agree, enough Jo Jo, bring on Tommy!
And I also like to eat spagetti!
Manny
May 14th, 2009
12:00 pm
I also think the Braves feed off the energy of Mets games and their fans. I was at the Braves vs Mets game on Monday (Lowe vs Santana) and it was a great atmosphere and the crowd was really hyped as was I everyone was really into the game.
I feel that at Turner Field the fans aren’t as hyped up for the Braves and this null atmosphere affects the Braves they will be laid back just as the home fans, if I lived in Atlanta I would go to every Braves game. The Braves at home don’t get enough support by the fans in attendance that’s just my thought.
Go Braves
Knuckle Sandwich
May 14th, 2009
12:02 pm
1eyedJack, I think you might be on to something there…
fan fan
May 14th, 2009
12:04 pm
I agree, the economy is playing a factor, but there are ways around it. I got two tickets from Ebay (sec. 232) for $11.50 See you guys at the Ted tomorrow!!
Knuckle Sandwich
May 14th, 2009
12:09 pm
After schools get out for the summer, attendance will rise dramatically. Happens every year in this town.
getnathan
May 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
Braves need to have 7-3 homestand which would put them at 24-20 or 6-4 at worst (23-21). Anything less than 6-4 would be very disappointing. IN fact, Braves have 20 of next 27 games at home. I would accept no less than 12-8 during those 20 games.
Liberty Braves
May 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
I do agree that the stupid cow needs to be taken down. What does it take to get this done? Who is in charge to make these kind of decisions?
Also, I think the more winning that occurs, the more people will show up.
But, for God’s sake, take down that stupid cow!!!
timthebrave
May 14th, 2009
12:38 pm
You can’t really blame the economy completely. You can’t get upper deck seats for like $5. Attendance should take a dip but not to this degree. Do you think the Gwinnett Braves have anything to do with that? That and the bandwagon atlanta fans…I’ll be there Friday and Wed and will try to cheer as loud as 10,000 people. Hope that helps. HUGE win yesterday. Really helps to not think about Tuesday’s game. Go Braves!
singndablues
May 14th, 2009
12:40 pm
Why are the crowds passive? Well the Braves, as much as I love em, has no pizzazz. Which means no speed & little power. No player that excites on the base paths, no player that you can expect consistent big power from. Bobby’s coaching style involves little movement on the basepaths, few h&r’s, few stolen bases, few players that can change the pace by bunting for a hit. A solid team just not an exciting team. But I’ll still watch em.
Brave fan and a baseball fan
May 14th, 2009
12:43 pm
Couple issues here, some already pointed out:
1) McCann and Anderson have only been in a lineup for a home game 1 time out of 14 games so far. Lets see what happens with this next homestand with both healthy.
2) Cincinnati is tied for the NL Cental at 20-14. Their home record? 7-9. Road record? 13-5. It can be done as long as you are .500 at home and winning on the road like the Braves are currently.
3) Atmosphere wise, the TED is very much like a California park (Los Angeles or Anaheim) Laid back, late arriving crowd, there for the scene not the game, etc.. It’s the way it is, its the way it always has been, and will probably not change.
Daniel
May 14th, 2009
12:59 pm
The crowd involvement at the Ted has absolutely nothing to do with this teams home record.
The issue is the lack of McCann and Andersen in the line up. I certainly hope this next 10 games helps the Braves. Either way this is still only May. Remember the Dodgers were 7 games below .500 at Father’s Day last year.
Drixie
May 14th, 2009
1:05 pm
Mets have no starting pitching beyond Santana (who usually exits after 6 innings). They improved their bullpen with Rodriguez but Putz clearly is good and no longer dominant. While Beltran, Reyes and Wright are very good talents, the rest of the Mets lineup is ordinary with has beens like Castillo and Delgado. The Mets choke when the big games are on the line which explains why Santana usually gets little run support – The rest of the team is looking for him to lead the way. Mets will finish 3rd or 4th.
nobama
May 14th, 2009
1:07 pm
Birmingham, or any other place in Alabama, is not worthy of having the Braves.
Sorry.
leggomyego
May 14th, 2009
1:16 pm
Sure we’ll be better; we’ve got McCann back and hitting well, Anderson is starting to warm up, and the bullpen is (..fingers crossed..) better than it was early on (not great mind you, but w/ Gonzo, Soriano, and Moylan getting themselves straightened out, better). Pitching is good, and when Glavine gets back and Campillo gets back our 5th spot and our long relief will both improve. Also i think it’s time to give Charlie Morton another look-see before Glavine returns, and he could be an upgrade as well (sorry Jo Jo, you had your shot). This is a good team folks… the Atlanta Braves will be competitive throughout this year.
Scott S.
May 14th, 2009
1:19 pm
Has anyone seen this Kris Medlen kid at Gwinnett? Bring up him if we are worried about rushing Tommy Hanson. He has been lights out or hell C. Morton would be great too. Jo Jo needs a change of scenery or something. He would look great to Texas!!!
atl38
May 14th, 2009
1:28 pm
So we should attentd more games and give the Braves are support so they can play better for them to have to look down on us and make us beg are butts off for a baseball..What do you think??
Marc
May 14th, 2009
1:38 pm
I agree this team has no pizzazz. I love the team, want them to win, but aside from Moylan, Soriano, and Gonzo in the back of the bullpen, there’s really no player on this team that does something extraordinary on a regular basis like a Reyes does a Rollins does. Javy is proving to be a good guy to see for big strikeout tallies, in fact I am starting to enjoy watching his games even if we lose a little more. I’ll take Chipper’s consistency in a heart beat, but he doesn’t excatly blow your breath away with mind boggling defense, speed, or “OMG how did he hit it that far?” offense. It’s just a dull team, all around good in my opinion, but dull.
Willy
May 14th, 2009
1:58 pm
Does anyone think that Omar Infante should be the regular second baseman? He does nothing but hit and field. He’s batting .338 with a .369 OBP (not great), .429 SLG and .798 OPS. Kelly Johnson .243 BA, .322 OBP (not great), .398 SLG and .720 OPS. Go with the player that produces, not the one you want to produce. Kelly can start sometimes, but he’s better off then bench (see last night’s game).
Also, Reyes may have had good stuff in Spring, but it’s not translating to the regular season. Send him to Gwinnett to get his head on straight and bring up Medlen or Hanson. We couldn’t trade Reyes now without adding something else to the package. Better to see if he can straighten out in the minors.
I agree with the apathetic fan comments, but I think that the location of the stadium without Marta access hurts attendance as much as prices. Few people want to park and wait for a bus before and after games.
It’s easy to trash a team when they’re skittering. Either you’re loyal or you’re not.
Steve Stevenson
May 14th, 2009
2:10 pm
The Braves have been horrid since they put the giant chopping cow in the stadium. We must burn it! it is evil!
Lady
May 14th, 2009
2:11 pm
I think they are just finally learning how to play with each other. Its only the beginning of the season. Those bad bull pen game blows were a total mess.
The braves have McCann back and if they take Johnson out of the leadoff stop and put in in the 7 hole where he belongs, things will fall into place. I agree with a writter a while ago. If they are not going to play Johnson where he can hit, they mine as well trade him.
Chipper, McCann, Anderson hitting and Francoeur being patient at the plate. Give the pitchers some run support. The Braves will be just fine. Its time to go on a tear.
WhiteMike10
May 14th, 2009
2:15 pm
If you sit in the Lexus Aka Golden Moon Aka Club Level seats…yeah the fans pretty much blow. So, go sit in the outfield. That’s where the real fans go. Get a lower bowl outfield seat and you won’t be disappointed…..plus it is easier to heckle there.
chrisw148
May 14th, 2009
2:22 pm
Atlanta is not a great sports city and it is depressing to see us play the Mets at home and Turner Field is empty. I think they are more into the games on the road because they feed off the big crowds we have seen the last couple games and when they go home there is no motivation.
Herschel Talker
May 14th, 2009
2:46 pm
Great road trip, but it is all irrelevant as long as Cox will continue to throw Kawakami and Reyes 2 out of every 5 games. There is no way to win in the long run with those clowns in the rotation. Francouer should be demoted again. And Cox should be canned. Those would be good starts.
Horner's Corner
May 14th, 2009
2:48 pm
Yesterday was one of the best Braves games I’ve seen in a long time. No quit, guys playing with a lot of intensity and Bobby acting quite managerial.
By the way, one of my favorite off-season acquisitions has to be David Ross. That guy has been amazing with the bat, the glove, the arm and the enthusiasm. Never like to see McCann out of the line-up, but I sure don’t dread it like I used to.
The Wreck
May 14th, 2009
3:05 pm
Herschel Talker – What are you talking about? How is Kawakami and Reyes Bobby Cox’s fault. Those are two of the starters Frank Wren provided. Who else is he gonna start? Jeff Bennett? LOL! If you are gonna start pointing fingers, point them in the right direction. Injuries are the reason the Braves are not leading the division by many games. Like any team, if the stars stay healthy, the Braves will win.
the real Andy
May 14th, 2009
3:07 pm
SkunkyDave — “They do not win at home, because the atlanta fans suck. They always have (perhaps excluding 1991 and 1992).”
I’ve been to a lot of different cities now, and the Braves have by far the worst home crowd . too few fans show up. They pay more attention to the Home Depot tool race and to what sugary/alcoholic beverage they’re gonna buy next than to the actual game.
A few years back I was at a tense game, with the Braves down 3-2 in the 7th inning in mid-July to a division-leading rival that Atlanta trailed by 1 game in the standings. This is regular season baseball at its most riveting – and the frockin WAVE breaks out!
Atlanta fans rarely cheer spontaneously – instead wait for the PA system and giant TV to tell them what to do. We’re regularly shown up by the opposing team’s fans – including in the playoffs. For goodness sake, we can’t even sell out playoff games with the help of the other team’s fans! it’s embarrassing.
The ones who do show up are often fickle fans who show an astonishing lack of baseball knowledge and a very short memory. At the Braves home opener last year, Moylan – arguably our only good reliever the year before, who posted a sub-2.00 ERA in 80+ IP as a rookie – was roundly booed bc he had given up a homerun the night before in Washington. Matt Diaz, who hit .338 the year before, was being heckled by Atlanta “fans” because he started the year 0-4 or something. It made me sick.
Despite the fact that I have never lived within 75 miles of Atlanta, am only 31, and have lived for 5 years out of the area altogether, I have made it to, as a rough estimate, 150 games – and I cheer my guts out. I’ve only booed a Braves player twice, and trust me, they deserved it. So no saying this doesn’t come from a true fan.
I realize most people on the blogs are good fans who actually watch the games and pay attention, so no offense to y’all. But Atlanta fans do suck, with the brief exception of the early 1990s. Remember how electric it was then? We actually had a home field advantage.
Anyhow, Go Braves.
Waylen
May 14th, 2009
3:15 pm
I think this team has a renewed desire to win. I love the chemistry and the role players are great. If Chipper can stay away from nagging injuries and a reliable 5th starter can take the mound it’s looking good for this home stand!!
Herschel Talker
May 14th, 2009
3:20 pm
The Wreck – let me clarify. Kawakami and Reyes are not Cox’s fault in that they can’t pitch. My comments regarding Cox are for his general mismanagement of game situations and the bullpen. They are two independent problems. But in one sense, Reyes is Cox’s fault since Cox keeps running him out there every 5 games to get shelled. If it is not Cox who is to pull the plug on the Reyes experiment by not pitching him, then who? Frank Wren?
wilson
May 14th, 2009
3:31 pm
When is Cox going to start giving Infante starts in Center?
bry22
May 14th, 2009
3:42 pm
If I never ever saw JoJo pitch again it would be to soon. Bobby Cox, remember every game you give away might be the one game behind at the end of the year. Every game counts. Reyes is a loser!
bry22
May 14th, 2009
3:46 pm
Cox being canned would be a good start. The game has changed. His thinking is to old school to win in todays game.
go north young man
May 14th, 2009
3:48 pm
a stadium in the northern suburbs would sell out every night. Beautiful stadium, wrong location
Herschel Talker
May 14th, 2009
3:56 pm
bry22 – Cox never had it. That’s what people don’t get. Any of us could have gotten to the playoffs with Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine.
No More Bobby
May 14th, 2009
4:05 pm
One word for our homestand headaches…… HOOTERS!!!
Let's Go Bravos!
May 14th, 2009
4:11 pm
I expect to see the Braves win 7 of their next 10 games at home, while the Mets only win 4 or 5. The Braves will hopefully be on top of the standings or tied with the Phillies in the East after these 10 games! Let’s go guys, keep it up. Frenchy, go back to being patient. It worked to start the season. And can we please steal some bases!!
steve
May 14th, 2009
4:14 pm
Maybe the player’s wives/girlfriends should tell them “No more lovin’ til I see some winnin’”.
If that won’t turn around their home record nothing will.
Ross
May 14th, 2009
4:41 pm
The seats at TF are too closely packed. It’s extremely uncomfortable to sit there for any time at all for a normal sized man. (I’m 6′2″ and it’s damn near impossible.) It’s hard to get to the park even if you are dead set against driving. MARTA is hopeless – it leaves from the obscure end of UATL and takes forever to go 2 miles. Shuttles from the northern suburbs with onboard kegs would help. The beer is too expensive, the food is terrible and overpriced. Try lowering the prices and improving the access and people will show up. It’s a shame the park was not built near Chastain or Atlantic Station.
-drl
Mike
May 14th, 2009
4:46 pm
“is a major shakeup in the NL East standings in the offing?” Not if they keep sending out Ho Ho Reyes to pitch. Seriously how many 10 K, 2 hit games does Hanson need to get called up? He’s obviously done all he can in the minors. And please find a power hitter somewhere in our talent pool in the minors….this Anderson, Prado, Kotchman, Johnson group isn’t going to take us very far.
Right
May 14th, 2009
4:49 pm
Because they certainly don’t get any “lovin’” on the road. No sir. Not these choir boys. And especially not Larry.
Arkansas Braves fan
May 14th, 2009
5:09 pm
I think some of it has to do with the fact they seem to get early leads on the road. They bat first obviously and they get to see the pitcher the 3rd or 4th time before their oppenent does. When this team has a lead in the 7th inning or later we have a good chance to win every game as long as Moylan,Soriano, and Gonzalez stay healthy. Our Starters will allow us to stay in most games. Barring no injuries the Braves will have a shot at the postseason come september.Lowe and Vazquez will give u 200 or more innings. JJ almost did last year and expect him to this year. We need Hanson to come up, Reyes doesn’t give us a chance consistently. Glavine is an injury waiting to happen!! Only other gripe is Schafer is an automatic out along with the pitcher. We can’t afford to have to many of those. Too bad we can’t have Anderson back.
Drixie
May 14th, 2009
5:28 pm
There is no dominant team in The NL East. Whichever team wins about 90 games in 2009 will take the division. With the exception of The Nats, it looks to be a 4 team race. As far as the Braves go, they need a reliable 4th and 5th starter and some help in the middle relief area. On offense they need to average about 4 -5 runs and they will be in a position to win most games.
Cherokee STH
May 14th, 2009
5:30 pm
The baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. The large number of home losses statistically coincide with the absence of the three primary offensive weapons comprising the center of the Braves’ lineup. Put Anderson, Jones and McCann together for the games that were lost and there is a likelihood you swing the outcome by a couple of games. Check back on this topic in July/August. This team is built for its field and will do fine.
Michael
May 14th, 2009
5:43 pm
I love the arrogance of the couch-stationed fan who believes that he knows what should be done with the rotation better than Bobby Cox. The long rope he affords rookies is part of his managerial style. It allows the youngsters to work through their struggles without fear of being benched after a few rough games. Jordan is talented and will work it out and the rotation will be handled appropriately.
For all you doomsdayers, our offense will logically be more productive now that our 2nd best and arguably 3rd best hitters are back in the line up. Also, our 4th and 5th spots in the rotation should also improve, as Kawakami makes his adjustment and Glavine, Hanson, Medlin, Morton will surely be better than Reyes has been.
Last thing, we should not give up so quickly on young Reyes, lest he go elsewhere and become a solid started (Marquis, Wainright…).
bravesphanatic004
May 14th, 2009
7:15 pm
alabama is not worthy of having the braves in their state? too bad on any given night bammers make up nearly half of the crappy attendence. it seems to me atlanta is not worthy of having the braves. last time i checked turner field was still in atlanta, right?
Aunt Esther
May 14th, 2009
8:14 pm
Go Braves, sucka.