Are Braves playing dangerous game or can magic continue?
The Braves are getting accustomed to ninth-inning comebacks. But how long can this continue?
Before Braves obscurity Brooks Conrad hit the shot heard ’round Atlanta, Pittsfield and Round Rock Thursday, I was on my way to writing a column about the recent collapse of pitcher Tommy Hanson and the team’s starting rotation.
Conrad’s grand salami in the bottom of the ninth against Cincinnati changed all that. A seven-run ninth accounted for the biggest ninth-inning comeback in franchise history. The Braves won in their final at-bat for the third straight game and eighth time this season.
Here’s the question: How long do you think the Braves can keep getting away with these narrow escapes and wins engineered by unlikely sources (Conrad, Troy Glaus, Eric Hinske, etc.)?
These things can work in a short playoff series. But over 162 games in the regular season, the Braves are going to need to start getting more production from their staples.
A brief rundown of the problem areas:
♦ Chipper Jones went 0-for-4 (with two strikeouts) before pulled out of Thursday’s game. His average is down to .225. This is only slightly better than Yunel Escobar (.200) but worse than Brian McCann (.254). Next …
♦ Jones, Escobar and McCann should be the Braves’ primary run producers. I’m not taking anything away from Jason Heyward, who is amazing beyond belief. But the team can’t continue to rely on a rookie. Heyward (30) has nearly as many RBI as Jones, Escobar and McCann combined (33). That’s a dangerous game.
♦ Glaus went 3-for-4 Thursday and his average is up to .289. Hinske is hitting .355. If these moves work out over the full season, general manager Frank Wren deserves some credit. But Glaus and Hinske should be bonuses, not the backbone of the lineup. The Braves’ top four RBI men are Heyward (30), Glaus (27), Martin Prado (19) and Hinske (18). Conrad? With nine RBI, he’s only two behind Jones (11).
♦ Starting pitching is become an issue. Hanson was shelled by the Reds for eight runs (including a grand slam) in the second inning. He has allowed 13 earned runs, 15 hits and two homers in his last two starts (8 2/3 innings). The Braves already have Jair Jurrjens (0-3, 6.38) on the disabled list (hamstring). He’s expected to be out for another month. Kenshin Kawakami is 0-6 with a 4.98 ERA. Derek Lowe is a very fortunate 5-4. His ERA: second worst on the staff at 5.47. Tim Hudson has been solid.
The Braves are built on starting pitching and timely hitting by the core players in the lineup. Stories like those of Brooks Conrad are great. They just don’t happen very often.
♦
Recent Braves posts
Brooks Conrad has his career moment
We’re live, and Braves are alive: Do you think it’s for real?
Fredi Gonzalez should top Braves’ list to replace Cox
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284 comments Add your comment
Fire Frank Wren
May 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
Chef and unfortunately $8 Million more reasons in 2011. Ugh!!!!
cattle dawg
May 21st, 2010
4:08 pm
Good point about the money, but the braves did make a good move in starting Heyward right away and not leaving him in the minors for money reasons. Im just glad to see them playing good ball. Im interested to see what they can do over the next 2-3 weeks.
Trey
May 21st, 2010
4:17 pm
A millionth?
Bobby's Cox
May 21st, 2010
4:18 pm
Here’s the question: How long do you think the Braves can keep getting away with these narrow escapes and wins engineered by unlikely sources
You don’t get it Jeff. Maybe it’s just your attempt at playing devil’s advocate.
These are games we should be losing, yes. However, when you will games you should lose, then add them to your ordinary wins total, that’s how you play over .500 ball and make the playoffs.
Not sure what you’re looking at, but the lineup is coming together, and the pitching despite it’s recent let downs, is still top 5 in the NL. This team will be competitive as long as the magic numbers are above 0.
Trey
May 21st, 2010
4:23 pm
That was a beautiful game, even if it is just a dangerous game let’s not think like that though. Let’s just keep the fair weather fans quiet and hope this is true magic that will continue. The Braves may disappoint every now and then, but so does every team. The Braves are an amazing team, either way and they can make the game very interesting.
AJC sports writers are lame
May 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
“Are Braves playing dangerous game or can magic continue?”
Better question: How can a failing newspaper continue to pay hack writers to write such stupid nonsense?
coach smith
May 21st, 2010
4:29 pm
Way to look at it SOOOOOOOOO NEGATIVELY!
Instead, maybe focus on the fact that the Braves are playing good baseball WITHOUT Chipper, McCann, Escobar, and McLouth playing to potential and with JAIR on the DL…..Now imagine if those guys come back and add their typical stats to this team! It could be fantastic!
But noooooo Schultzy can only look at the bad side
kevin
May 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
Way to create a false dilemma–take a critical thinking class, Schultz. There’s another position; namely, they are neither dangerous or magical. Simply put, they are clearly playing better. Specifically, they are hitting the ball a ton better. If the Braves continue to hit, they will continue to win so long as the pitching remains consistent. They are winning because they are playing better.
Einstein
May 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
The Braves are what they are…average. Chipper’s not what he used to be, and Yunel is not what he thinks he is. Liberty Media doesn’t care.
kevin
May 21st, 2010
4:40 pm
Einstein,
What the hell is “liberty media”?
ArkyTech
May 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
I guess another way of looking at it is that the Braves are 21-20 and 2 games out of the WC with chip, mac, McLouth and yunel contributing nothing and Jair Jurjens on the DL. Could certainly argue Braves have weathered the storm and may very well take off soon.
bvillebaron
May 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
Schultz, John Tucker and others:
Your myopic perspectives are hilarious. Hanson has one bad outing where he gives up 8 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings while pitching with the flu and you guys want to bury him and/or make more panic trades to bring in other starters. Even with yesterday’s performance, the worst in his young career, his ERA is still 4.18. In case you haven’t noticed, there are a ton of pitchers in MLB, some of them who have had very good careers, who have higher ERAs. I guess the Giants should consider getting rid of Lincecum too since he gave up 5 earned runs yesterday. Hanson will be fine and is one of the most promising young pitchers in MLB.
As I predicted before the season, Hudson has demonstrated why he is an remains a better pitcher than Javier “Career Year” Vazquez. Although Lowe and KK have been somewhat disappointing so far, the starting pitching is fine and will be much improved when Jurrjens returns. The bullpen is a real strength.
As everyone knows the real question is whether the team will have enough offense to compete for the wild card (no bigger Braves’ fan than yours truly, but this team isn’t beating the Phils this year even if they make another stupid panic 1 1/2 year “Texeira” rental). I think that McCann, Escobar and McLouth will eventually start hitting close to their career norms. However, I do have concerns about Chipper. I still think this team has a legitimate shot at the wild card and if they claim it, could potentially surprise in the playoffs with Hudson, Hanson and Jurrjens.
Taylor Hanson
May 21st, 2010
4:44 pm
It that your dead arm in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
shane
May 21st, 2010
4:48 pm
Better question: How can a failing newspaper continue to pay hack writers to write such stupid nonsense?
Every newspaper in the country is hurting. A little thing came along called the internet. They are having a hard time adjusting there business model. Some will and will succeed. Others wont.
Colin
May 21st, 2010
4:54 pm
I hope you all enjoy watching the game tonight!!GO BRAVOS
!!!! Ill be at my nephews little league game so ill be jumping into the action mid-way through, hopefully then its a 15 run cushion and need for drama and heart failure..but good luck to the Braves and hope everyone has enjoyed their fridays.
jfreak13713
May 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
Starting pitching is the biggest area of concern for this team and I never thought I’d say that about this staff. ONLY Hudson has pitched like everyone expected him to. Hanson, JJ, Lowe and KK have ALL pitched less than expected and we did really have high expectations for two of those guys. It doesn’t matter how they hit if they don’t have three good starters going at the same time! With that I do think Hanson and JJ when he gets back will pitch well over the long haul but it’s pitching that keeps you in the season when you’re not hitting and hitting may be an issues all year so we really need these guys healthy and pitching well.
McCann will hit period! If his bat is our biggest issue then we are in relly good shape. It’s Chipper and Escobar that has me worried. I know Chipper is aged and won’t put up 30 homerun years but he looks terrible at the plate and how Cox can justify keeping him hitting 3rd is another COXISM. Chipper should be hitting 6th or 7th while he works out his swing not 3rd or 2nd!
Escobar is a mental case and I say that lovingly. I like the kid because he is emotional but it appears that his emotions are getting the best of him right now. I hope he gets his head worked out because the Braves need him to be the .290 avg with gap power right now. He’s hit since day one so I think he’ll get it going soon.
Einstein
May 21st, 2010
4:57 pm
Kevin, Liberty Media is the code name for the owners of your Atlanta Braves…but you probably knew that.
kevin
May 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
einstein,
I did not know that, and without explanation, I am not sure what it means–enlighten me.
Pop
May 21st, 2010
5:11 pm
As long TP is hitting coach they will never hit.
Einstein
May 21st, 2010
5:15 pm
Kevin, you are enlighened! Go spread the light!
freshd
May 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
After watching UNDER THE LIGHTS featuring CHIPPER deer hunting, I guess the BRAVES should bring in a big buck and put him out in the bullpen when CHIPPER comes up to bat. That is the only thing he seems to hit these days.
Garett Anderson
May 21st, 2010
5:25 pm
I say Chipper Should move to 6th in the order
Garett Anderson
May 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
Prado
chem
May 21st, 2010
5:28 pm
I’m not saying Kawakami should be moved out of the rotation, but everyone who uses a players salary to justify keeping him in the rotation is just plain dumb. There are two options: 1.) Move KK to the pen and pay him $8 mill. 2.) Keep him as a starter and pay him $8 mill. Either way he’s making the same money, so could someone please explain what his salary has to do with that decision?
fieldofdreams
May 21st, 2010
5:28 pm
When a team wins “magical” games, they start to believe in themselves. If you ask me, both the Division and the Wild Card are well within Atlanta’s grasp.
awesomeo
May 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
i agree with most of this article but not the part about starting pitching.
after a horrible april as a whole
our bats are coming alive
and lowe kk have been much better the last couple starts.
and hansons last start was one so i wouldnt look at that and panic as u seem to schultz
just like i wouldnt panic about hansons last start
im not gonna get all confident in kk and lowe just cause of their last few games
but KK has atleast shown in the past that he can do real good
but lowe on the other hand…..
lets just say someones gonna find a crow bar in his/her knee in the parking lot
(not really so dont track me ip and find where i live)
VoiceOfReason
May 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
Cox will finish the season with his head up his @$$. Chipper Jones will continue to lose credibility with the fans and the team as he takes every opportunity to proclaim to the media that he is grooming Heyward. The Braves will on the butt end of two more no-hitters before the year is out. Cox and Chipper will ride the clock and pad their retirement. Hinske and Glaus will enjoy a half season return to their glory days. Escobar will whine. McCann will wince. McClouth will uppercut, hit 14 HRs, and bat 230. Prado and Heyward will sit quietly through it all, knowing that this charade will end just like their playoff hopes…in late August. Is it football season yet??????????????
137th?
May 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
Let’s go… you are crazy. Escobar was rock solid the last season… he was the best hitter on the team. If we let him go, somebody else will have a very good player. Arizona would love to add him to the list of former Braves making Frank Wren look stupid.
Fire Frank Wren
May 21st, 2010
5:49 pm
Now now Chem, you can’t use common sence here. We use Frankie logic on this team. Pay guys that are over the hill millions, don’t trade players when they are at their max value and don’t teach players the fundementals of the game. That outta do it. Go Braves.
Jeff Francoeur
May 21st, 2010
5:52 pm
Escobar is a proven major league hitter who has been probably our most clutch hitter for the past few seasons
So was I
Billy
May 21st, 2010
5:57 pm
We love the Braves as far back as Mack Jones, and will always love them, however this club, will soon smoke out!!!
James Munson
May 21st, 2010
6:07 pm
Did yall see the Heyward’s Houdinis at the game Thursday?? Sharp lookin! And while Heyward wasnt the one with the magic hand, it musta been put on Conrad. Its me and some work buddies that started it because he Makes Magic Happen. Like? Dislike?
Trey
May 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
bvillebaron, very true. Hanson is a great starter and he has proven time and time again that he is promising. Every great pitcher has had awful games, even Greg Maddux. Maddux against the Astros had given up 10 runs the first time in his career, he was still one of the best in the game. To criticize Hanson, who is a rookie for having a bad game is unfair, as he already has proven he can get the job done, unlike Jo-Jo Reyes.
Trey
May 21st, 2010
6:26 pm
VoiceofReason, you seem to have a very negative outlook on the Braves. If you dislike Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones or the rest of the Braves then don’t watch them, no one is forcing you.
RT
May 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
Good article Jeff,I think this team will be pressed to play 500 ball,they don”t match up with none of the top teams in N L.But its a nice ride for the time being.I would love for us to trade our older players and change the makeup of the team.Our big salary players are not,and most likely want produce up to there ability anymore.We could start by getting a true leadoff hitter.
Mr Charlie
May 21st, 2010
7:03 pm
No Jeff, you were never a major league hitter, you were a hacker, sometimes you hit it, sometimes you did not, but you never walked, you never worked the count, you never learned the strike zone, and by the end of the season, you were lucky to bat OBP of .275, not major league at all.
david
May 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
cant we just enjoy a 7 run 9th?
Mr Charlie
May 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
No live? I guess the AJC is kinda like the braves, trying the save pennies.
Mr Charlie
May 21st, 2010
7:07 pm
Nice Start.
D-MAN
May 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
JJ is the key,also Chip and Mac and Yuni wil hit.Everybody just chill and burn one!
Mr Charlie
May 21st, 2010
7:10 pm
Why does everyone say Yunal has a bad attitude. He can’t speak english, he never says a word.
jesse james
May 21st, 2010
7:13 pm
Yesterday’s game is why baseball will always be the American Pastime. There is no clock in Baseball. Go Braves! To Hell with the Yankees and Red Sox.
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May 21st, 2010
7:14 pm
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jesse james
May 21st, 2010
7:15 pm
If Yunal’s attitude was that bad he would be gone. Cox never has and never will put up with it.
MattyO
May 21st, 2010
7:25 pm
Have you watched the team recently? Chipper and McCann are starting to hit, Lowe and Kawakami are starting to pitch. It’s not just those other guys you mentioned helping the team win, everybody is contributing which is what good teams do. And to be worried about Hanson, come on, really?
Colin
May 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
well good start to get the lead, gotta leave these bases loaded!
Braves One
May 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
Roy Oswald today has officially asked the Astros to trade him. One of the two teams he prefers is Atlanta. He comes with a solid performance record but with a price tag of about $15 mil this year and about $16 mil next year. The price is high but it would sure be nice.
Braves One
May 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
Sorry…its Oswalt ending with a ‘t’ not a ‘d’…
Colin
May 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
Oswalt would be awesome EXCEPT we’d have to mortgage the farm to get him.
Braves One
May 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
Jason Heyward let’s go with a “Hey-maker”!