We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win
Melky Cabrera, the Braves' latest hero, is somewhere in the middle of the mob. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
I’ve made it to Turner Field for the start of tonight’s Braves’ game. But I figure I could’ve waited out the traffic for a few hours.
True story: I turned on Monday night’s game just in time for the ninth inning rally against Los Angeles, which ended with Melky Cabrera’s two-run single to give the Braves a 4-3 win. So I’m thinking: What was the rush to get here?
This team’s resolve and flare for the dramatic has been well-chronicled. The win over the Dodgers was their majors-leading 20th win of the season in their final at-bat. How significant is that? Well, Philadelphia is second overall with 18 final at-bat victories. The Braves lead the Phillies by only 2 1/2 games in the National League East. Do the math: Two fewer late-game rallies and the lead is a half-game.
The Braves’ good news doesn’t end there: Martin Prado is back. The Braves’ unofficial MVP will be activated off the disabled list (fractured small finger) for tonight’s game, and his return answers two questions: Who will start at third base (Prado) and who will bat third in the order (Prado). Manager Bobby Cox decided not to mess with Omar Infante, who is playing solid at second base and is hitting .372 over the last 18 games. Infante also will bat lead off.
This is a good chance for the Braves to go on a little run. They’ll be facing two teams (Washington and Chicago) with losing records in the next two series. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. The Braves have losing records against only four teams this season, and the Nationals (4-5) are one of them. Offense has been the biggest issue, with only 12 runs scored in the last five meetings.
Last thing: You probably know this by now but a rumor has been floating around that the Braves might be interested in acquiring Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez in a waiver trade. David O’Brien did a fine job shooting this down for all of the obvious reasons: Ramirez is hitting .229 and will be owed a ridiculous amount of money — $31.6 million for two more seasons — if the Cubs deal him. He has a player option (sure to be exercised) for next year and a 2012 team option that automatically triggers in case of a trade.
These are the kind of trade rumors that generally get started either by someone with an agenda or someone under the influence of hallucinogens. Or possibly both.
OK, that’s it’s for now. Mike Minor makes his second start against Washington’s Scott Olson, who is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts against the Braves this season.
I’ll check back shortly. Or in the ninth.
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495 comments Add your comment
John
August 17th, 2010
10:43 pm
Why did none of you stand up and shout for Bream to keep his firstbase job in 1993? Why let that mean ole Fred McGriff take over when Bream “showed us how to win”? I mean, the guy scored that miracle winning run in the 1992 NLCS. You hypocrites.
povox
August 17th, 2010
10:45 pm
NCBravesFan: I’ll support them because they are my home team. The fact that they play their butts off and are winning is just a bonus for me.
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:45 pm
*Yawn* Night everyone!
NCBravesFan
August 17th, 2010
10:45 pm
Nice, povox.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:46 pm
Sure I would like to replace Glaus with Albert Pujols or Ryan Howard, but that is not an option. Hinske has his own struggles. Glaus is this teams leader, especially since Chipper is out.
Fact is, you do not want all the players hot at the same time, because then they all go cold at the same time too.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:48 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June. ***
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:49 pm
John, you are a real moron, arn’t you? Just tell me about a player of McGriffs calibur that is available?
Also, Sid was not in the middle of a 100 RBI season either.
Nor did Bream single handidly carry the team that year.
Sid was done, and I am not advocating keeping Glaus after this season, but he absolutely deserves the opportunity to finish this season. This team is nowhere without him.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:50 pm
“Fact is, you do not want all the players hot at the same time, because then they all go cold at the same time too.”
There is zero scientific basis for what you said here, Charlie, but why would you care about science. Sense and reason are worthless.
And I take exception to the suggestion that Glaus is “cold”. He’s hurt, and he’s killing our offense.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:51 pm
povox, I agree, all I ask for this team is for a reason to watch. To stay relevant. I am proud to follow them.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:51 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
John
August 17th, 2010
10:51 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
*
Tokyo Bravo
August 17th, 2010
10:52 pm
Given the wailing and moaning over how that Glaus guy is just killing us after we’ve just won yet again, you’d think we were 5-11, not 11-5 this month.
Glaus is mighty streaky, but I’ll love him all the more if his next scorching three or four weeks starts in late September and carries through October.
Some of y’all really should learn to enjoy things more. It’s been a while since we’ve been in the thick of a pennant race.
Tweets that mention We're LIVE, as Braves try for something new -- an early win | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
August 17th, 2010
10:52 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by tonegully, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Braves just started. I'll get back to you in the ninth when they rally again. But we're LIVE blogging now http://bit.ly/cU5pNG [...]
John
August 17th, 2010
10:53 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
Also, I never said anything about wanting to trade for a McGriff to replace him. I would be fine with Brooks Conrad starting in his place. conrad puts it in play.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:53 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
Also, I never said anything about wanting to trade for a McGriff to replace him. I would be fine with Brooks Conrad starting in his place. conrad puts it in play.
*
John
August 17th, 2010
10:54 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
Also, I never said anything about wanting to trade for a McGriff to replace him. I would be fine with Brooks Conrad starting in his place. conrad puts it in play.
***
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:55 pm
John, you do not know the first thing about baseball, do you? What is the “scientific basis” for a guy going 2-36, then going 15-22? Baseball is not a science.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:56 pm
And I think it’s ridiculous to talk about what Glaus is “on pace for” First, he actually isn’t on pace for 100 RBI, but who cares about facts, right? He projects to have around 95 IF he keeps his season pace up, but he got half of those in 1 month. If you project from his last 2 month pace, he will finish with about 85.
None of you will admit you were wrong when he goes 1-23 in the NLCS with 4 GIDP’s. You’ll still hold to your guns and say “he got us there”. Nevermind he hasn’t contributed meaningfully to a game since mid-June
Also, I never said anything about wanting to trade for a McGriff to replace him. I was using that as an example to show you that you don’t always “dance with the one who brought you”. You can’t think abstractly enough to get people’s arguments. I would be fine with Brooks Conrad starting in his place. conrad puts it in play.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
10:56 pm
I agree Tokyo, This team is just enjoyable to watch.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:57 pm
Charlie, it’s called variance. Ignorant people always shout so loudly that, no, on the contrary, everyone else is actually ignorant.
John
August 17th, 2010
10:59 pm
Also, I didn’t say there’s no such thing as a hot streak (actually it’s debatable). But what I’m sure of is that there’s no predicting when streaks happen if they actually do. The assumption that “everyone who’s hot now will get cold at the same time” has no support whatsoever except your own thick-headed anecdotal evidence.
John
August 17th, 2010
11:00 pm
And, Charlie, you haven’t ever taken a science or math class past the high school level, have you? I can tell.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
11:05 pm
No, I actually have a degree in Finance. I understand numbers probably much better than you do. I understand the difference between micro and macro. Do you?
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
11:08 pm
Bobby Cox does not manage by numbers, but somehow has the best W/L record in the modern era. He is 5th on the all time wins list. If baseball is about numbers, who did he do that?
charles
August 17th, 2010
11:09 pm
Folks,this is the year of the pitcher- there’s been a whole lot of games that are low-scoring and we’re not involved in a lot of them!
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
11:12 pm
Charles, it is the year of the non-doped up hitter.
keith
August 17th, 2010
11:23 pm
Jeff, I was just like you on the thrilling 9th inning. I had been teaching a class until a little before 10pm and tuned in as the 9th was starting. Told my fiance that and she said…
“You lucky bastard!”
Then this morning I found out I won the grand prize via courtesy of 680 the fan…
Which means thursday I have suite tickets, get to see BP (if they actually have it), and you ready???
Throw out the 1st pitch!!
I guess she was right.
Look for me thursday.
bulldog bubba
August 17th, 2010
11:25 pm
It’s “CLUSTER-RIFFIC”. Braves win again!!!!
Herschel Talker
August 17th, 2010
11:29 pm
Mr Charlie:
I’ll give you 3 reasons.
1. Maddux
2. Glavine
3. Smoltz
I’d be in the Top 5 all-time wins given those 3 for all those years.
Quick question – how’s his postseason winning percentage?
HT
Tuckerman
August 17th, 2010
11:30 pm
Jeff – was that you that Cox was ribbing in the post-game interview? Geez, Jeff. Show up on time for the game, how about it.
Love your columns, man. Just had to give you a hard time.
thunderbull56
August 17th, 2010
11:41 pm
You ain’t good for much.but you good for comments.Could it be ’cause you hogging the baseball, you and Mark ? Poor Davey and Carroll have to live with after game comments.Furm and Lewis would have puked over you two.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
11:43 pm
Herschel, if his post season record was better, he would be the unquestioned best manager of his era.
So,a Charlie Lebrant pitch, a Lonnie Smith base running mistake, and a Jim Leyritz homer prevents him from being the best manager of our era. So, were does that leave him in history?
Also, Smoltz was the only player how was on the roster for all 14 years, so they did not win all with them.
Finally, there have been a LOT of talent of a LOT of teams in a LOT of sports, but nobody in any pro sport has come close to winning 14 consecutive division titles.
The guy deserves a LOT of credit.
Mr Charlie
August 17th, 2010
11:52 pm
BTW, Bobby Cox’s post season winning percentage is .544. Pretty much the same as his regular season winning percentage.
Idot
August 17th, 2010
11:55 pm
John@7:01pm…..congratulations on being the 1st, to trash Glaus tonight. And it only took you 16 minutes from the time that Shultz put his rag on the board.
Shultz, you are slipping, perfect opportunity to trash Glaus and you let him off easy.
Idot
August 17th, 2010
11:57 pm
Now let me go back and see who the 1st poster will be, for the mandatory, Bring Freeman Up Call.
Prado has three hits in comeback — and why not N.L. MVP? | Jeff Schultz
August 17th, 2010
11:59 pm
[...] ♦ We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win [...]
Jeff Schultz
August 18th, 2010
12:08 am
Just to let you all know, I posted a blog on Martin Prado. I personally believe he should be given N.L. MVP consideration, even though he won’t have the power numbers that generally draw the votes. Give it a look and let me know if you agree. Thanks. J
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/08/17/prado-has-three-hits-in-comeback-and-why-not-n-l-mvp/
Herschel Talker
August 18th, 2010
12:12 am
Mr. Charlie:
Are you serious??? A .544 winning percentage over 162 games will get you places. A .544 winning percentage in multiple playoff series will get you 1 world title in 15 tries.
HT
Idot
August 18th, 2010
12:18 am
Well, I went through two pages and didn’t see a single Call Up Freeman comment.
But I will have to give John his props, for being the biggest whiner and bellyacher. He sho do hate him some Glaus.
UPPER ECHELON
August 18th, 2010
5:03 am
I think it’s funny that all the Braves fans show up to make comments on this blog, but their actual stadium has about 3 people in the outfield seats in the 6th inning!! Instead of getting mad at Frank Wren for not making any trade deadline moves, why don’t all of you put down the deer carcass you ate for dinner.Stop posting stupid comments about the Phillies and actually go to the F!@#$ng game. We might be 2 1/2 games out but at least we fill the stadium come back to school time!!
PHILLIES
ARE
COMING!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.- ROCK ON DON WITH THOSE SCORING UPDATES-
Idot
August 18th, 2010
8:59 am
UPPER ECH…………Your participation is not required here.
So if you don’t like what you see here, we can get by without you.
“The Phillies are coming,” well maybe, but they’ve been coming for a while now and haven’t got here as of 8/18/10.
They were suppose to have already have clinched the East, what happened?
Please don’t whine about injuries, the Braves have had just as big a share of those also.
Poll time: If Braves get Lee, should they drop-kick Glaus? | Jeff Schultz
August 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
[...] ♦ We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win [...]
david michel
August 23rd, 2010
10:13 pm
people are stupid
ThreeDawgKnight
August 24th, 2010
4:50 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zKkcfq3gec
Glaus deserves credit for way he reacts to Braves' trade | Jeff Schultz
August 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
[...] ♦ We’re LIVE, as Braves try for something new — an early win [...]