We’re live, and Braves are alive: Do you think it’s for real?
Jason Heyward has a team leading 29 RBI after a game-winning double against Cincinnati Wednesday night. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
So are you feeling a little more comfortable today, or are you still nervous about this Braves’ team?
I’ll be heading out to the stadium later for the finale of a seven-game home stand that has seen the Braves go 4-2. They are back to .500 (20-20) after a nine-game losing streak had dropped them to 8-14 and general manager Frank Wren had angry torch-carrying villagers climbing the hill to his front gates.
If we divide the season into 10-game increments — and yes, I know the season is 162 games, not 160 — here’s how things break down:
♦ Games 1-10: 6-4 record, 56 runs scored, 47 against (plus-9)
♦ Games 11-20: 2-8 record, 21 scored, 38 against (minus-17)
♦ Games 21-30: 5-5 record, 41 scored, 43 against (minus-2)
♦ Games 30-40: 7-3 record, 61 scored, 38 against (plus-23)
What jumps out obviously are the runs scored. The Braves scored 40 more runs in the last 10 games than they did in the second 10. That’s pretty remarkable when you consider three key members of their lineup — Chipper Jones (.234), Yunel Escobar (.198) and Brian McCann (.261) — are still miles from their average levels of production. Nobody expected the top four RBI men in the lineup to this point of the season would be Jason Heyward (29), Troy Glaus (27), Martin Prado (18) and Eric Hinske (18).
Heyward (29) has driven in nearly as many runs as Jones (11), Escobar (8) and McCann (14) combined (33).
About Prado. I love stories like this. Kid spends most of seven years in the minors and developmental leagues (going back to 2001) and he eventually wins the starting second base job because he just keeps getting better — and also Kelly Johnson implodes. He’s hitting .321 this season and his career major league average is now .309.
It doesn’t matter where Bobby Cox sticks him in the order: Prado is hitting .381 (8 for 21) as a leadoff hitter, .309 (42 for 136) second and .400 (2 for 5) third.
Prado vs. lefthanders: .313.
Prado vs. righthanders: .325.
OK, I’m going to hit the road here. When I get to the park, I’ll check back in and then blog live during the game against Cincinnati. Are you feeling comfortable, nervous or somewhere in between?
♦
Earlier post
Fredi Gonzalez should top Braves’ list to replace Cox
♦
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354 comments Add your comment
Casey
May 20th, 2010
1:55 pm
KM,
Execution is on the players hands. Bobby Cox managed them to those playoff series, so you’re the moron. He can’t hit, pitch, and field for them. He can only put them in the best position to win, hence all of the Division Titles, and Pennants. And since he was loaded with talent, you figure the talent would do what they were supposed to and WIN, not go cold during crunch time. You need to wise up dumbass. Go hide somewhere.
PR_Raider
May 20th, 2010
1:56 pm
I hate when BC waits until the game is out of hand to take the pitcher out in this type of games. You know the pitcher is struggling, what are you waiting for? If you let them score 8, it will definitely be a blowout… If you take him out, you give yourself a chance to come back. But then again, with the Bravos offense, it was probably out of reach right after the grand salami…
Steve
May 20th, 2010
1:57 pm
Chip Caray just said after that hit by Glaus, “and there goes the no hit bid.” What a loser. It’s the 2nd inning.
Stratman
May 20th, 2010
1:57 pm
Why does Joe Simpson simply stop talking when things aren’t going well for the Braves? Is he pouting or throwing up somewhere? You can’t shut him up when something good is happening.
kurula
May 20th, 2010
1:58 pm
i gotta admit, i was expecting this yesterday not today.
Mitchell
May 20th, 2010
1:59 pm
Do you think it’s for real?
No.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:01 pm
Marcus — maybe I need to sacrifice a chicken or something.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:03 pm
Stating what you probably figured — That was Hanson’s worst and shortest career start. I was here for his previous worst one, so maybe it’s my fault: first career start last year, allowed 3 HRs, 7 runs (6 ER) in 8-7 loss to Milwaukee…. Last 2 starts, Hanson has allowed 13 ER and 15 hits in 8 2/3
Casey
May 20th, 2010
2:04 pm
I think the Braves took the “blow off work day” seriously.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:04 pm
South Ga Dawg Fan: It’s great weather and they’re still serving beer, so no — not many fans have left.
kurula
May 20th, 2010
2:07 pm
they need to serve more than beer….
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
May 20th, 2010
2:07 pm
nah jeff its because i tried to keep up with the braves today if i hadn’t logged in they would have won by 20 and hanson would have pitched a perfect game
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:09 pm
Casey — Funny line. I may steal that. If I do, email your address and I’ll send you $1.50.
Casey
May 20th, 2010
2:09 pm
Pretty cute how you can’t talk in a civil manner, but attempt to portray me. Keep it coming.
Fire Frank Wren
May 20th, 2010
2:09 pm
How do you like me now?
Tucker T
May 20th, 2010
2:10 pm
Wow Jeff. What a great day for you to decide to blog from a home game. I won’t blame you if you want to leave early. No reason to stick around.
Haha
May 20th, 2010
2:10 pm
Keep pumping this crappy team schultz. good teams don’t lose 9 in a row. Do you see this happen to the phillies or cards? Nope. 8-0 now. Vintage braves. Enjoy another rout and 4 game losing streak.
Phil
May 20th, 2010
2:10 pm
Well Steve,
Can you defend Cox for leaving Hanson in and giving up 8 runs? The game is completely out of reach now. These are the types of decisions I was trying to point out earlier. Hanson is normally a stud but he didn’t have it today. You can’t let the game get this far out of reach, you have to stop the bleeding.
These are the types of decisons Cox makes that will cost you 10 games or more per year. Might be the difference in getting that wild card spot or not.
Now who is the moron.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:11 pm
Tucker T — yeah, except I need a print column for tomorrow. But thanks for the offer.
Scott
May 20th, 2010
2:11 pm
I get off work early and come home to this. Ugh this team is sooo inconsistent.
BoroBall3
May 20th, 2010
2:12 pm
Do you think that Hanson’s lack of a third pitch is starting to show? Beign in the league a full year now has enabled some hitters to guess his stuff of late.
Rich
May 20th, 2010
2:12 pm
Heyward kicked the ball after the pitcher dropped it. It was accidental but I thought they would call it dead.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:12 pm
They scored! Unearned run. Mike Leake drops ball at first base, allows Prado to come around to score. … 8 to only 1.
Tucker T
May 20th, 2010
2:13 pm
Why do they even play day games during the week anymore? Especially before school is out for the summer. Attendance is always going to be much less. That’s a tradition that needs to die.
Mooseberg
May 20th, 2010
2:13 pm
The Braves coaching staff have been slowly but surely taking the “Nasty” out of Hanson to make him a “better” pitcher. He needs to get his nasty back.
Todd
May 20th, 2010
2:14 pm
What a surprise. Chipper strikes out. QUIT. YOU SUCK. Just go back to your ranch in texas and chew dip and quit screwing this team. Bring back Brooks.
Kashi
May 20th, 2010
2:15 pm
Listen gamee live at http://www.freebaseballradio.com/AtlantaMay.html
Tucker T
May 20th, 2010
2:16 pm
Understood Jeff. You can write all about Tommy’s meltdown and speculate about a possible injury. Good reading.
Blackberry Cobbler
May 20th, 2010
2:16 pm
I.m with you Phil. Steve and Booby Cox are both morons.
No, Cox can’t throw the pitches for Hanson……… BUT, he can determine HOW MANY pitches he throws. And this game is just another in a long, long line of examples why Booby Cox will be the dumbest manager to ever make the HOF.
Kashi
May 20th, 2010
2:16 pm
Jesse Chavez already in game? Ugh!
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:17 pm
Jesse Chavez is a machine!!!
Kashi
May 20th, 2010
2:19 pm
Jesse Chavez is a machine? You must be joking.
Phil
May 20th, 2010
2:20 pm
Sandy, where are you??? Steve needs help defending Booby Cox!!
Big Guy
May 20th, 2010
2:21 pm
8 of their last 12 wins since they were 8-14 have come against Dregs of the National League right now. Six of those wins against the Awful Astros and Brewers. Anybody who feels good about the Braves being 20-20 right now is deluding themselves. The Braves went 3-5 Vs NL East and had error that aided their win over the Mets and had to go to 10th inning to beat the Nats 7-6. Five of the six losses have come against sub-500 teams and they’re trailing 8-0 to the Reds today. IMO, getting a strectch that included 9 games Vs sub .500 Diamondback, Astros and Brewers (mired in 9 game losing streak) are the only reason this team is .500 right now.
kurula
May 20th, 2010
2:23 pm
i will say this about chavez…he hasn’t given up 8 runs yet.
Big Guy
May 20th, 2010
2:23 pm
five of six losses have come to above .500 teams
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:24 pm
Reds may try to give this one away … Bruce drops McCann flyball for 2-base error. Glaus singles.
Chris
May 20th, 2010
2:24 pm
Doesn’t matter if you win on an error, it still shows up in the standings columns the same as a 16-3 win.
I don’t care if we lose 35-1 today, as long as we go out and win tomorrow.
Marc in FL
May 20th, 2010
2:25 pm
We can still win this, I know that sounds crazy, but it’s early enough into the game we could jump on this rookie pitcher and put another 5-6 spot on the board before you know it. We’re not out of it yet.
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:26 pm
Escobar — 6-4-3 … Don’t know what’s going on with that guy.
BoroBall3
May 20th, 2010
2:27 pm
Yunel having a season
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
Kashi — Hey, this game he has been: He’s retired 7 straight since coming in.
Colin
May 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
Hey Infante keep warming the pine your good at that, Yunel has got this SS job covered…what a joke.
Oh! I just fired up the AJC Sports section....
May 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
“So are you feeling a little more comfortable today, or are you still nervous about this Braves’ team?”
I was, until I sat down for lunch at my desk and linked to AJC sports Braves online.
8-1. Rats.
Phil
May 20th, 2010
2:29 pm
Casey,
What about you? Since you seem to understand Cox’s decisions, can you explain the strategy of leaving Hanson in and giving up 8 runs and making the game completely out of reach?
Please explain that to us morons.
steve whitmire
May 20th, 2010
2:30 pm
JEFF: down 9-1, Chipper and Escobar stinkin’ it up, why not bring in Conrad for Chipper and Infante for Cuba Libre?, just askin’
Jeff Schultz
May 20th, 2010
2:30 pm
Jesse Chavez is back! Allows solo ding-dong to Laynce Nix after retiring 8 straight.
kurula
May 20th, 2010
2:31 pm
jesse chavez is a run producing machine!
Ashley
May 20th, 2010
2:32 pm
Can someone please explain the insanity of Escobar continuing to play over Infante? Seems like more often than not this year, Escobar can be counted on to consistently hit into double plays. It’s hard to want to cut him slack when you consider his obnoxious, lazy attitude.
Escobar – .196 B.A. and .291 OBP.
Infante – .310 B.A. and .344 OBP.
Phil
May 20th, 2010
2:34 pm
“Can someone please explain the insanity of Escobar continuing to play over Infante?’
Bobby Cox.