Braves taking survival in playoff chase to new levels
Brian McCann didn't do too much Sunday -- just a homer, five RBI and a tiebreaking, two-run hit to give the Braves a 7-5 win over Florida. (AP photo)
Regardless of whether this Braves’ season ends in a division title, a wild card berth or one minor spasm short of the playoffs, this much can be said about them: They chose the most difficult way to get there.
Fall behind? Rally late.
Lose four regulars? Start an outfield worthy of camp Disney but somehow get by.
Drop game one of the series (again)? Feh! Come back and win the next two (again).
“I don’t know what the [expletive] is wrong with us – we lose the first game every time,” Bobby Cox said Sunday, the sting of those words softened by a slight smile and a post-game victory cigar.
They won again Sunday, 7-5. They won after blowing an early 3-0 lead and falling behind, 5-3, thanks to another dreadful start by Derek Lowe (20 hits and 13 runs, 11 earned, allowed in his last 8 2/3 innings). They won despite missing Nate McLouth and Garret Anderson and Martin Prado and Ryan Church or any semblance of a bench (pinch hitter: Javier Vazquez).
“Shorthanded is an understatement,” Chipper Jones said. “We’ve got nobody.”
Slight overstatement. They’ve got Brian McCann, who drove in five runs with a three-run crush job in the first and a tie-breaking two-run single in the eighth. They’ve also got a bullpen that held the Marlins to two hits after Lowe was carried out in the fifth.
Mostly, they have resolve.
They have lost game one in seven straight series of three games or more. But they have come back to win four of the last five of those series.
Just to be clear, Matt Diaz said: “We prefer not to lose game one. We would like to reverse that trend.”
Comforting.
How does this end? We can’t possibly know.
But this team is unique. It scraps, maybe like no Braves team we’ve seen in a while. Many point to the improved depth. That’s a factor. But it goes beyond that.
“You have a team where everybody wants to play,” coach Terry Pendleton said. “You have a team of guys who all know how to prepare themselves and work hard in the cage and in the field. We’ve had a few other teams where guys showed up every day. But this one stands out because a number of guys have been hurt but guys have stepped in to help the team keep pace. That says a lot.”
They are now a season-high eight games over .500 (66-58). Since June 28, they own the second-best record in the National League (32-18). The Phillies remain furlongs ahead in the East (6 ½ games with three games in hand). But Colorado is only four ahead in the wild card race, and the Braves have moved to within a game of second place San Francisco in that chase.
How did they make it this close? Still trying to figure that one out.
Cox: “We’ve been scrambling.”
Frank Wren: “There’s some resiliency there.”
Jones: “I like the fact that guys don’t hang their heads and remain confident and play better than we did after losing the first game. We come back late, we win on walk-off hits – all those things build character.
“If we can get to 10 games over .500 by the end of this month, with a ton of games left in our division, I like our chances, if not in the East, then the wild card.”
Lose one, win two. It’s not the path most chosen. Or preferred.
But the math works out the same.
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131 comments Add your comment
MightyQuinn
August 23rd, 2009
11:18 pm
Hey Jeff, has any team in the modern era ever used a six man rotation for any period of time with any success? I personally can’t recall any but I defer to your infinite sports wisdom and resources.
Bob
August 23rd, 2009
11:22 pm
Instead of doing the 8 games over .500 bit, or looking for a 10 game winning streak, we continue to put pressure by winning 6 or 7 out of 10. There are 10 games to Labor Day weekend. The Braves need to win at least 7 of these. The next 9 are against Cin, Hou, and Stl. The Stl will be a huge test for possible post-season. Here, at least 6-3. The next 9 are against the Phils & Mets. Again, 6-3 at least. That leaves the last 10 against the Fish & Nats – 6 of 10 here, and we have 91 wins. I do not want to go into the last 10 games having to win 7 or 8 out of 10. Quite, consistent, winning each series one at a time, will get us in.
gobravos
August 23rd, 2009
11:41 pm
It is sooooo nice to see the braves at it again in the playoff race again. After the off-season, I was expecting to be looking forward to football season at this time, but the bravos have been somewhat of a surprise in my opinion. I am so excited about Hanson coming into his own at the big league level. Its amazing to see kids my age excelling at the major league level. You have to admit that seeing 22, 23, 25, and 26 year-olds carrying the team is impressive to say the least. I think we have a lot of brighter days to look forward to with a nice young core of Hanson, JJ, McCann, and Escobar. Plus if Freeman and HEYWARD come up and contribute at all its huge. I must say I would be really pumped if the team had another arm like Neftali, who is throwin hammer-torches at hitters for Texas, but the past is the past and its time to move on towars the future. Whatever they do this year IS Gravy. Honestly, I don’t think they have a snowball’s chance in hell in the playoffs if they get there, and I’d rather not see them get swept in October and hear the poo poo talk from all of my friends for rooting for the Braves. The Braves are notorious for not hitting once they get to the post-season, and for that reason this team really worries me if they do get there. The bottom line is that this organization as a whole has to continue to improve because the Phils aren’t going away and the Mets will be back. The Marlins always scare me. That team, if they stay together, is going to be something special. The Braves, whether they like it or not, play in the most competitive division in baseball. There are no easy series. These guys are paid a lot of money to win, and they can. They just have to quit just showing up on game days, which this team obviously does from time to time. They have to play consistent ball like the old braves used to do on a regular basis.
Sonny Clusters
August 23rd, 2009
11:46 pm
We was downsized at the plant so don’t let it bother you going to Dunwoody. They is some nice places there and you will be real close to the mall if you need some shoes or some sunglasses.
We was reading that Lowe and LaRoche both have ADHD and we had that too with Comcast until recently. We can never tell what station the Braves will be on and we was thinking it may be best to listen to the radio and read Jeff the next morning.
keith
August 23rd, 2009
11:52 pm
Resolve – Yes. Resillency – Definitely. When the Braves lost the first game (in another walk-off, Soriano fashion) to the Dodgers, I was so frustrated and disappointed that I gave up. I said if they come back to win the next 3 to let me know…cause at that point I would start watching and caring again. I’ve been watching (again) ever since!
I will say that we MUST put together a 6 or 7 game winning streak to really be in it. Most divisions and wildcards with this kind of stretch would have right in the mix, but Colorado and Philly have been fantastic, too. It has given me hope the last few weeks and more hope about the coming few years.
We MUST continue to win the series and put together a serious streak (more than 5 games in my opinion) to really have a shot.
Jeff – Hudson: Should he be the closer or starter?
cdog
August 24th, 2009
12:01 am
great job bobby but please get kelly johnson off the field asap. even if you have to call up a aa player, just get him off the field. chipper, stop trying to be barry bonds at the plate and stay in their and drive the ball. your homeruns will come. glad to see soriano righting himself. there is no hope for kelly johnson. i am wondering how did he become a professional ball player? he’s terrible.
UltimateBravesFan
August 24th, 2009
12:02 am
To start, anyone that mentions benching Chipper must be out of their mind. The guy is in a horrendous slump yea, but he has been the staple of the franchise since the mid 90’s and has carried the team on his back quite a few times between then and now. You don’t bench a guy with that capability who just won a batting title the previous season because he is slumping and insert someone like Prado or Infante in his place. (No dig on those guys as I love them both, especially Prado). Finally, the guy hasn’t been seeing any pitches during McCann’s slump. With McCann hitting maybe Chipper will start seeing some pitches to hit.
Injuries could hamper us from getting back into the playoffs this season, but just getting two of the four guys back would be good enough thanks to the utility of Infante. If we can get an outfielder back, to me at least I’d prefer seeing McClouth back, we can get Gorcecki out of there. Then we just need Prado back to play 2B and get KJ back to the bench. Also getting GA or Chruch back would allow Infante to play 2B if Prado’s headaches continue to occur.
One thing I noticed while watching todays game that “I Got Questions” hit on the head is KJ’s patience at the plate. I appreciate this hitting style. The guy is in a horrendous slump, and is, simply overmatched by pitchers a good amount of the time. But we are forced to play him and drawing two walks and taking 29 pitches over the course of the game is a way to help the team even if you can’t hit the broadside of a barn.
Medlen is nasty. His changeup is disgusting, I like the kid more every time I see him.
curtis jones
August 24th, 2009
12:29 am
1. Lowe will probably end up costing the Braves a trip to the playoffs. He can’t hold a lead, and when his one pitch doesn’t work, he’s toast. Even when his one pitch does work, it requires four infielders who can catch a ground ball. The Braves have good fielders at short and first, but that’s it.
2. Speaking of Kelly Johnson, what does it say about the HOF manager that he continues to put a no-hit, no-field “2nd baseman” out there during a playoff battle, while Brooks Conrad continues to toil away in AAA?
3. Kris Medlen is lights out. Something Derek Lowe is not. Switcheroo? I know Lowe cashes a million dollar check every other week, but he’s atrocious.
4. Y’all like that Matt Diaz kid? The one who hits and hustles? Yeah, that’s the same guy Bobby benched the first 80 games, in favor of guaranteed outs like Schafer and Franceour.
5. We’re down to 2 healthy outfielders. Take a ride up I-75 to Chattanooga between now and Wednesday, and tell me that Jason Heyward isn’t ready for a call-up. He’s solid as a rock, hits ropes, and has the best OF arm in the Braves organization. Fires lasers from RF to 3B and home plate. He’s far more qualified to be playing in the bigs, right now, than Gorecki.
chemdawg
August 24th, 2009
12:32 am
Schultz, do you need some help describing Bill James pythagorean theorem and playoff odds simulations? I have a feeling some blog topics come from my comments…
Johnny Anderson
August 24th, 2009
12:46 am
This team needs a big bat the last month of the season. And with limited funds, the chances of us bringing in a difference maker is slim. SO…why not bring Heyward up the final month? He is probably better than any option they can find. And let’s face it, he will more than likely be with the big club by next season at some point anyway. I saw the kid go deep in March at Disney as well as bring a home run back in RF, so ya know he can play some D. I would really like to see the kid help this team over the final month.
J
Under Rated!!
August 24th, 2009
12:51 am
Why is it the Braves have got guys going down daily and are doing outstanding and the Mets have been in this boat pretty much all season and not responding as we have, and you hear the excuse about the Mets from the national media yet no one stops to say that the Braves backups are the ones getting it done! Got to love (hate) the New York and LA media… Go Braves!!!!
Who would have thought in March that one of our problems is what do you do when your team has SIX great pitchers?!!!
Bravid
August 24th, 2009
12:57 am
The Braves need to get healthy & fast. 38 games left, we need to win at least 25 to have a chance at the wild card. The Phillies just don’t seem to have any give in em. 6.5 out of first is a giant gap to cover in 38 games against the World Champs. So we have to win at least 25 games the rest of the way. This is the stretch run & I think the Braves have a legit chance to get into the playoffs.
Tom
August 24th, 2009
1:30 am
We certainly are running out of time. It’s now August 23rd and we are 4 games out in the wild card race. On July 23rd we were 3.5 games out; on June 23, 4 games out; and on May 23rd, 3.5 games out. Hopefully, things change before Sept 23rd.
Philliesuk
August 24th, 2009
1:35 am
Those of you who advocate putting Chipper on the bench are insane. He won the batting title last year. He is still one of the most feared hitters in the lineup. He is in a bad slump, and he will come out of it. Just be patient; we are still winning games.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
August 24th, 2009
3:09 am
All the statements from Bobby Cox and the players aside……this is a very mediocre baseball team being carried by some great pitching, including Derek Lowe.
Bash Lowe all ya’ll want over his last two starts, he still leads the team in quality starts with 19. Prior to these last two dreadful starts he had reeled off seven quality starts in a row and the team has went 16-11 over the course of Lowe’s 27 starts. I think Derek Lowe has been worth every cent so far.
I’m satisfied with the 66-58 record as I expected this team to win. Although I’m not expecting them to make the playoffs. They are too slow on the base paths, Don’t hit for enough power and the outfield is a joke….ten guys have manned it already!!!
The good news is, this team is a lead off hitter and one big right handed bat away from being a playoff contender, but the off season will be challenging. LaRoche and Soriano have to be resigned, period. I doubt the Braves have any shot at keeping Gonzo, he want’s to close and that opportunity has passed in Atlanta.
We have six starters, somebody will be traded like it or not and I don’t like it.
Jordan Schafer and Jason Heyward will be big question marks next season? Will they both contribute in 2010? Only time will tell.
I love Bobby Cox but the old man has worn out his welcome. Winning record aside, he has done a bad job of managing this year. Example: Not benching Francoeur or KJ until after the damage was already done. Greg Norton has no business playing baseball and everybody knows it except Cox. Bobby’s mismanagement of the pitching is evidenced by the fact that three of the Braves bullpen pitchers rank in the top six in game appearances among all major league pitchers. The inning totals from 2006-07 and 08 thrown by their respective bullpens were the three highest totals in the entire history of the Braves since 1966. Not to mention the non-coincidence of losing Leo Mazzone after the 2005 season.
I could go on and on. Cox needs to retire as every year he continues to manage the man tarnishes his own Hall of Fame resume.
So far it’s been a good year but not good enough to be called playoff worthy as of yet.
1966 Falcons
August 24th, 2009
3:45 am
SIXTY-SIXTH!
Bob
August 24th, 2009
7:03 am
Rolling Stone in the blogroll- how avant garde
JeanE
August 24th, 2009
7:56 am
I absolutely love this team! And when Chipper says “We’ve got nobody”, he means you, Greg Norton!! These guys never give up & play tough every out, every inning, ba— to the wall! Led by Capt. Caveman, Matty Diaz!! And Brian McCann, our fearless, mypoic leader! And I resent calling this outfield, Camp Disney. Garret Anderson may be able to hit but he can’t field any longer. We find ways to win. Despite Derek Lowe (can we stop calling him our ace now?) And without Chipper being healthy or able to contribute offense or defense. Go Braves!!
Bravesgal
August 24th, 2009
8:04 am
Your “blog” about Tommy Hanson’s first start look pretty stupid now don’t they? Were you really at one time a journalist?
JeanE
August 24th, 2009
8:06 am
Also, Chipper isn’t done, he’s hurting. Big time. Wrists, I think, he said. He needs rest but can’t get it b/c of injuries. Also, I will be majorly PO’d if Bobby starts pulling Matty D. out against Righties! He is a spark plug for this team, he has proven he can play & hit every day & he should be rotated in the outfield to keep him in there!
Brian
August 24th, 2009
8:20 am
Hey Navigator…Chipper is the fourth highest paid player on the team this year.
braveshoo
August 24th, 2009
8:29 am
Laroche has been a great move. The guy loves the Braves,and plays better in a Braves uniform. He may not be Ryan Howard, but he is the only Brave who will hit 30 homeruns and we need to resign him for the next 2-3 years. Conrad for Norton. Lowe will be OK. Sign Hudson for next year. We have his option for 12 million. This gives us 6 starting pitchers, but other teams always need starting pitching Then we can trade Hudson or Vasques or Lowe and get an excellent relief pitcher and good prospects, including a stud who can eventually relace Chipper, and save 11.5 to 15 million. Our starting piching will still be Hudson/Vasques/Lowe (2 of 3),JJ,Hanson,& KK-probably the best in baseball, especially with Medlin in reserve.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 24th, 2009
8:33 am
If I was the Marlins, I don’t think I would have pitched to McCann with first base open and one out, but hey that’s why they’re in the Big Leagues and I’m here doing whatever it is that I do, right?
You have to hand it to this Braves team; at least they don’t quit.
Jeff Schultz
August 24th, 2009
8:35 am
Nativebird, other – Chipper has been asked about the season and has answered. I had some comments from him recently about him being disappointed in the lack of power, etc. As for this being the career slide, that’s a little premature. As for this being a “bad” year – obviously HRs and avg are down, but he’s also hitting .363 with MISP.
Reid – pretty sure the High Holidays isn’t the reason there aren’t more Jewish players. In my case, I was slow and couldn’t hit.
MightyQuinn – Don’t think so. And for what it’s worth, I think some folks are getting carried away with the Hudson stuff. We shouldn’t assume he’s major-league ready or major-league strong after that surgery. Not saying he’s not. Just saying he’s got a lot to prove.
Chemdawg – Uhhh….. yeah.
Coach – I’ve never suggested Derek Lowe was a bad pitcher. I’ve just said you don’t want him as your No. 1 starter, which is what he was signed to be.
Bob – Would you prefer bikerchicksfromdesmoines.com?
Bravesgal – Stupid how? He got drilled and wrote he got drilled.
Brian
August 24th, 2009
8:52 am
Here’s a tough but doable scenario: Sweep SD at home, lose 2 of 3 in Philly, split 2 of four in Florida, sweep Cincy at home, win 2 of 3 at Houston, lose 2 of 3 at St. Louis, sweep NY at home, win 2 of 3 at home from Philly, win 2 of 3 at NY, sweep in DC, win 2 of 3 at home vs. Florida, win 3 of 4 at home vs. the Nats.
That’s 27-11 to end the year, putting us at 93 wins. The way things are looking, we’re gonna need about 93 wins, IMO. Favorable schedule the last couple weeks…that scenario has us going 15-4 over the last 19.
Blackberry Cobbler
August 24th, 2009
8:53 am
If you really need someone to come through in the clutch, look to McCann. Chipper is pathetic. It’s now even more clear who the real leader is on this team. It’s McCann. Chippers better days are behind him now. Frankly, he’s a liability defensively and offensively. I’d just as soon see Infante at 3B.
Angus
August 24th, 2009
8:54 am
13 games in 13 days. Two series on the road vs the Phils & Fish, book-ended by home series with two of the NL’s worst.
While I’d love to see some damage done in Philly & So. FL, I expect .500 ball (+/- a game).
Taking care of business vs SD and Cincy is a must (5 out of 6).
If some guys don’t get healthy, this 13 in 13 could kill us.
JEZ
August 24th, 2009
9:01 am
Nobody mentioned that Aaron cook from the rockies went on the DL. Hopefully that will put a little damper in the rockies’ flame and we can catch ground on them
Sonny Clusters
August 24th, 2009
9:03 am
We was wanting Jeff to know that we was going to Camp David for a few days and might not be blogging because they may not be an internet connection out there in the woods. They didn’t say if they got wi-fi. Anyway, when we get back we’ll be happy to help with the move and any baseball questions Jeff may have. After all, we was state championship.
Sonny Clusters
August 24th, 2009
9:08 am
We was also noticing how many people call Jeff stupid on here and it’s his blog. Jeff may be the last journalist at the paper and when they move he may be the only one in Dunwoody that can conjugate. We was always admiring those that can write as good as us and Jeff is one. Jeff, they is a Dairy Queen on Ashford Dunwoody Road and we can go there for lunch. Your buddy, Sonny Clusters, state championship
Brian
August 24th, 2009
9:14 am
People sure do turn on players quickly. The venom being spewed about Chipper is pretty amazing. I guess he got some fans pretty spoiled. He’s 37 years old…only his recent frigid spell put his average under .300. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to hit .300, especially at his age. Only 23 players in modern MLB history hit over .300 at age 37 or older. Twelve of them are in the Hall of Fame. 2 others are Pete Rose and Barry Bonds. Chipper still has an OBP over .400. Only 15 players have done that for a season at age 37 or older. 11 of those 15 are in the Hall of Fame or named Rose or Bonds.
Braves Mom
August 24th, 2009
9:22 am
Even if they don’t make the playoffs, at least it is still fun to watch in late August and the games are meaningful.
Chipper needs to heat up.
Should Hudson start in place of Lowe when he is ready? Lowe seems to be falling apart.
As a fan, I am remaining hopeful!
Bench KJ
August 24th, 2009
9:26 am
KJ seems like a very nice guy, but he is a defensive liability. I hold my breath every time a ball is hit to 2B … even on slow-rollers. If he was hitting a ton, then maybe you could tolerate some bad defense, but he’s not hitting much either. Need to bring Conrad back up from Gwinnett. Sorry, KJ, but the conversion from OF to 2B just isn’t working at a major league level.
Bat Masterson
August 24th, 2009
9:33 am
I got a kick out of John Kruk saying the wild card was the Braves to lose last night on ESPN.
Bravo
August 24th, 2009
9:35 am
84th!
Bravo
August 24th, 2009
9:35 am
And 85th!
Born in the ATL
August 24th, 2009
9:35 am
YES WE McCANN! YOU ARE THE MAN!
Coach (2010 or Bust)
August 24th, 2009
9:37 am
Jeff Schultz, I agree with you totally. Derek Lowe isn’t an Ace but he is a very good two starter.
As far as Tim Hudson goes, I’m a big fan ( he’s from my hometown) and Hudson is an Ace. It’s just that the rotation isn’t broke and it doesn’t need fixing. Hudson is barely one year removed from TJ surgery, it’s too soon for Huddy to be counted on. Keep him in the minors or the bullpen until 2010.
Jeff Schultz
August 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Sonny – thanks for noticin’ my conjugating. I heard when people wuz in prison they asked for conjugatin’ visits, but I don’t know about that because I never been to prison. I’ll have to practice my conjugating at the DQ on Ashford Dunwoody.
Bravo — You rock!
wreckmaniac
August 24th, 2009
9:45 am
Also the Braves have decided to get serious right at the moment where
the Phils look like they will never lose again and Florida is playing
like world series wannabees.
wreckmaniac
August 24th, 2009
9:49 am
Not one game has been gained on Phil or the Rocks in the past week. The
Braves picked the wrong time to get hot.
Arkansas Transplant
August 24th, 2009
9:56 am
I’m really thinking that it’s going to take a winning streak of 6 or more games to get this thing close. I just don’t think winning 2 of 3 will get it done this year.
But once again, Lowe disappoints!! He’s just plain terrible!! He better be glad this wasn’t a contract year, but he’s got his money so what does he care?
Brian
August 24th, 2009
9:58 am
This is one indicator that the Braves are going to have to get even hotter: They’ve gone 5-2 over their last 7 games, and according to Baseball Prospectus, their odds of making the playoffs has decreased over that span. Over the last two weeks, we have lost more than 5% odds for each loss and gained less than 2% per win.
Smooth
August 24th, 2009
10:00 am
Jeff, I think you should move to Philly with all the other Brave haters! What we really need is for Kelly Johnson to get sent down along with our young center fielder who played yesterday. We have Conrad down there just waiting to come up and help, and we all know that we have a very good center fielder who could bring up to help out. How many games has Church actually played for us? I think we would have been better off keeping Frenchy who never missed a game.
midnite
August 24th, 2009
10:01 am
Would 38-0 the rest of the way be good for some of you? Enough of the Braves having inconsistent hitting, the Braves have a team BA of .265. That is better than the Rockies and Giants, who we are chasing for the WC. Also better than the Cardinals and Philly.
Brian
August 24th, 2009
10:03 am
This is what I call baseball relativity: Because of their track records, both Chipper and Lowe are being described here as “terrible”, despite the fact that both have been above average (Chipper well above average) this season. Once Chipper goes on a 12-game hit streak and Lowe wins 3 starts in a row, they’ll be superheroes once again. Oh, those crazy sports fans…
Arkansas Transplant
August 24th, 2009
10:14 am
Midnite, BA says nothing. Did you know as a team you can hit .500 in an inning and still not score a run? We need more consistent hitting in clutch situations, not so much just the hitting. There is a difference.
Smooth, let me guess.. you were one of those praising Schafer when he was hitting in the first 10 games of the season. Just cause Conrad hit when he was up in limited playing time doesn’t make him a superstar, but I’m also not disagreeing with you over of Johnson either. Something needs to be done there, but I don’t think the fix is Conrad.
curtis jones
August 24th, 2009
10:20 am
I still see some Derek Lowe worshippers on here. One question concerning your favorite $ 60 million dollar “ace:” Let’s say there’s a one-game playoff to break a tie and get into post-season. It’s Lowe’s turn in the rotation. Do you trust him with the ball? I don’t.
The only thing he’s thrown with any authority lately was the Gatorade cooler in the dugout Sunday after his latest lead-blowing flameout. He’s the # 5 guy right now, maybe 6th or 7th behind Hudson and Medlen.
Arkansas Transplant
August 24th, 2009
10:23 am
Brian, you can be rest-a-sured I WILL NOT jump on the Lowe bandwagon even if he wins every game the rest of the season. He’s never impressed me.
curtis jones
August 24th, 2009
10:24 am
Let’s hope there are changes made before the AAA Padres arrive Tuesday. The Braves gutted out a win Sunday despite having only 6 major league hitters in the lineup, and zero on the bench. Great pitching (after Lowe of course) and heroics from Mac, Diaz, etc. who are carrying this team.
Cox lucked up again. What if recent games had gone to extra innings? We’d be seeing Kawakami in the outfield. Come to think of it, he’d be an improvement over Garret. Kawakami shows more hustle shagging flies in BP than Garret does in a game.