Braves collapsing, may need another last-day miracle
Dan Uggla consoles closer Craig Kimbrel after the Braves blew a game to Florida.
As much as last season was filled with positive memories for the Braves, their preference was that this year not turn into a repeat.
They didn’t want to have to scramble again to make it in as a wild card. They didn’t want their postseason chances to come down to the final series of the regular season again. They didn’t want to be in a position of having to beat Philadelphia, the best team in baseball, in game No. 162 to make the playoffs. But it may come to that.
The Braves lost at Florida 6-5 Monday night. This time, Omar Infante hit a two-run homer off suddenly fallible closer Craig Kimbrel, as the Braves lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Their National League wild card lead is down to 2½ games lead over St. Louis and 3½ over San Francisco — neither of whom are falling apart like Atlanta (numbers below).
Much like last season, the Braves are dropping engine parts down the stretch and all of those postseason ticket ads that have been running on radio and television seem a tad premature. I’ll have more on this in a column Tuesday.
But here are your wild card essentials.
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First, the standings, showing the records of the three teams in September and since the All-Star break:
Team Record GB Sept AS break Atlanta 87-67 – 7-12 33-29 St. Louis 84-69 2.5 12-5 35-26 San Fran. 83-70 3.5 11-5 31-30•
Here are the remaining schedules:
• Braves (8): 2 at Florida, 3 at Washington, 3 vs. Philadelphia. • Cardinals (9): 3 vs. New York (N) 3 vs. Chicago (N), 3 at Houston. • Giants (9): 3 at Los Angeles (N), 3 at Arizona, 3 vs. Colorado.•
Last season, the Braves were 23 games over .500 (78-55) and held a three-game lead over Philadelphia on Sept. 1. But they lost five of their next six and nine of their next 14 and needed a final-day, 6-5 victory over the Phillies, in combination with a San Diego loss to San Francisco, to reach the postseason. (That was after losing the first two games of the Phillies series, 11-5 and 7-0.)
It’s not a great situation. But the loss of starters Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hansen, along with a dreadful decline by Derek Lowe, has wrecked the starting rotation, and one of the the ripple effects has been an overworked bullpen.
The Braves remain in a good position. But they certainly don’t look like a playoff team, and if they can’t close this thing out in the next five games against the Marlins and Nationals, then it’s going to come down to the last three against the Phillies. And that’s not what they wanted.
By Jeff Schultz
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185 comments Add your comment
Spineless punks
September 20th, 2011
2:50 am
I have never seen a worse group of spineless chumps where is their pride what a bunch of wimps and freddi Gonzalez he alone is responsible for most of it never has a closer up and ready to go when the bum in the game needs to be taken out fire freddigonzalez.com he is notorious for long losing streaks at Florida cut the bum loose
Spineless punks
September 20th, 2011
3:04 am
Freddi has not managed squat this year just put it on cruise control same old sorry hitters offense is offensive this team is the dullest time I have ever seen sorry mr professional that always makes excuses and claims someone lives in their parents basement this is for u go to h— u r a spineless excuse maker I figured since I have had to endure these Underachievers for the last twenty years I can say whatever I want and if u don’t like it tough sh–
melky cabrera
September 20th, 2011
3:57 am
i’d be amongst the team leader in almost all of the offensive categories.. batting average, doubles, rbi’s , runs
Stinger2
September 20th, 2011
4:20 am
I have nothing left to say about this Braves team except that they are a sad and pitiful group.
MitchC
September 20th, 2011
4:40 am
Jeff, the Braves are playing just dreadfully.
The only solace they have if it does come down to the final three games is that the Phillies wont pitch people like Halliday for long outings in that series.
It would be infuriating if they blew such a big lead in such a short time, but it wouldnt surprise me if they did. Hopefully they can get in, but.. it wouldnt surprise me either way. If they dont make it, it would be one of the worst collapses by a playoff team in baseball history.
jbwbly19
September 20th, 2011
6:21 am
Jose, where are you? The Braves are 18-10 with Constanza in the lineup. With Heyward since the hurricane, the Braves are 5-10. Maybe the front office should have kept their mouth shut and let Fredi decide who should play.
Savannah Seer
September 20th, 2011
6:30 am
Some days, there just ain’t enough vodka
PhightinPhil
September 20th, 2011
6:36 am
@idiots will say the dumbest things
Project much?
I love how people who complain about people complaining like to use the argument that they must not have played organized sports, as if it’s some kind of fraternity.
How would you know who played or didn’t play an organized sport? That brush of yours is awfully wide.
So, for future reference, anytime someone defends a player or manager for a job not well done, we are to assume that that person played an organized sport. Gotcha.
Just to be clear, idiots say the dumbest things.
Jonathan
September 20th, 2011
7:20 am
The saving grace may be the Phillies sure won’t want to play the Cards or the Giants in Round 1 as opposed to maybe the Diamonbacks so we will be playing far from best team in baseball that series.
SimpleDawg
September 20th, 2011
7:21 am
The Braves are meat.
They can’t beat the Nationals, and they can’t beat the Phillies.
Oh yeah, they can’t beat the Marlins either.
Snatching post season observer status out of the jaws of post season participant status.
Strange Murphy
September 20th, 2011
7:24 am
Well duh!!!! Braves have tanked.
But Vick lost so everything is not so bad!
O'Brien
September 20th, 2011
7:24 am
Jeff,
I still think the Braves will win the WC. But I have very little confidence in them advancing in the playoffs, especially if they face the Brewers.
JoeBrave
September 20th, 2011
7:27 am
Folks, the reality of all of this comes down to Old assed players that should not be here in the first place, Lowe, Gonzalez, yes even Chipper Jones, and now I will throw Hudson in that mix too., you simply cannot hold a team at ransom when 3 of the old ass over the hill gang are making up half the damn payroll, hence you are stuck with TRASH like Alex Gonzalez, Matt Diaz,Brooks Conrad,and continually playing draft busts like Jordan Schafer, and Jason Heywad, when you have no other choice, Baseball is a long and grueling season, and is for the young guys, but nope, Wren decided that turds like Kawakami, Lowe, Jones all needed to be overpaid, and now you get a wal-mart manager, and brokedown old geriatrics to finish up the season.Oh and by the way 30+ homeruns aint worth a damn if you can’t even hit your weight! see Uggla, never should have been acquired, but no Wren has hitched his wagon to this boatload of B/S and we are watching the rewards!
Patrick Bateman
September 20th, 2011
7:31 am
Chipper sux he tanked that ball on purpose. Loser by birth and by choice. The Braves don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. The way they’re playing now they would be out in 3 games anyway. It’s sad to blow it in the final week, but both the Cardinals and Giants want it more. Plus, the Braves schedule is not easy. Washington plays us like its the World Series every nite. St. Louis has a much easier schedule and a better team right now. Attendance blows at weekday Braves’ games now, if we fold, Turner Field will look like a graveyard next year.
taxman
September 20th, 2011
7:31 am
This is my prediction for the sinking braves. They will manage ONE win in Florida and then lose 3 straight to the Nationals who they simply cannot beat and the Phillies series will be a Joke because they are no match for the Phillies. They could possibly win only one game our of the next 8. St Louis is winning and playing their best baseball now and the braves are reeling out of control. I agree with one other venter who said at least they won’t embrass their fans in the first round of the playoffs by losing 3 straight. They will be watching at home.
Hit A Single
September 20th, 2011
7:35 am
Once again the Braves situational hitting is killing them. Terrible swings with two outs and bases loaded. Upper cuts and trying to hit it to Mars. Can’t hit with men in scoring position except Chipper.
Boobys' Booger
September 20th, 2011
7:35 am
Biggest all time collapse at least top 3 ever. The boys of CHOKE
Donny in Suwanee
September 20th, 2011
7:36 am
I’ve been following the Braves since Bob Bruce and Arnold Umbach were coming out of our bullpen (that would be 1967…) and I’ve had to think long and hard about any loss that felt as bad as last night’s did. It isn’t Kimbrell’s fault. That guy has brought us to where we are along with his other 2 bullpen cohorts. Our pitching is showing some signs of fatigue, and I’m troubled. BUT, we are still in the lead with 8 to go. I’d rather be worried about losing first place in the WC than trying to catch someone.
Boobys' Booger
September 20th, 2011
7:36 am
@taxman: I see you as a visionary. PLease Continue
Donny in Suwanee
September 20th, 2011
7:38 am
Hey, JoeBrave, we traded Schafer to Houston….
Boobys' Booger
September 20th, 2011
7:39 am
It is true that : IF we go 6-2 (which IS what we need to get some momentum for the playoffs, we actually would have a chance in the NLDS. BUT, they aren’t going 6-2. This will be the NATS WORLD SERIES…lucky to win 1 game in Washington…which is a complete embarrassment. This team cannot stick greased needles up their you know whats
Ted
September 20th, 2011
7:40 am
Heh…this is so much fun to read about…and the losing really started after Chipper started talking trash about how they could beat the Phillies! The Braves are getting exactly what they deserve.
fildawg
September 20th, 2011
7:41 am
LET’S GO REDBIRDS!!
Voice of Reason
September 20th, 2011
7:43 am
Idiot has a good point but a wide brush as was stated by one of his detractors. But the main thing to remember, I believe, is that this is a long season and we have hitched our star to a young relief corps and they have, for the vast majority of the time, come through for us. They will again. The Braves will play in the NLCS after taking down the Diamondbacks in 4. You gotta’ believe!
urban redneck
September 20th, 2011
7:45 am
dear braves,
please play better. when the season is over, i have to start “listening” to my wife again. God bless.
UR
Mark
September 20th, 2011
7:52 am
This all started 3 weeks ago when the Braves starting sitting their regulars in huge chunks to get ready for the playoffs – wait til you clinch like Philly did. They started coasting, saying putting in a AAA guy was a “luxury” since they were so far ahead, and lost their edge. They won’t get it back – this year is over and will leave a horrible taste going into 2012. The run is over folks. We didn’t finish the deal.
AtlSean
September 20th, 2011
7:55 am
Good thing I don’t have anything but the basic satellite package and can’t watch any of the Braves games – I probably would have thrown the tv out the window by now.
Frustrated
September 20th, 2011
7:56 am
They need to change their name to the SOB’s so when I say the SOB’s lost again everyone will know exactly who I am talking about.
ramblingbuzz
September 20th, 2011
7:57 am
Who would have thought that the highly acclaimed starting rotation would come unglued? Without the pitching, the Bravos are dead because they sure have trouble scoring runs.
Aubrey
September 20th, 2011
8:00 am
It was nice while it lasted. See ya next year Braves.
Mike is Back
September 20th, 2011
8:02 am
Geeeeeeeeez Schultzy, how can you lose two high powered guys like that from your rotation…and not be impacted….I LIKE Garcia…the BRAVES will prevail.
BobfromAcworth
September 20th, 2011
8:03 am
Face it I have watched the Braves since 1977 and they are a warm weather team. If it is too cool when they play they have trouble. It needs to be 95+ and humidity about 80%+ for them to do their best.
Shug
September 20th, 2011
8:04 am
Typical Chipper Jones game–0 for 4 when it matters, and a dimwit fielding play in the clutch. The only thing missing was his usual baserunning boner.
Really?
September 20th, 2011
8:12 am
For those of you saying the Braves will win the WC… only if WC stands for ‘water closet’ a.k.a. toilet. After 20+ years of watching faithfully, I am so disillusioned that I forgot to turn them on last night. It’s football season and the last 4 years that’s what we turn to at this time of the year. Looks like this year is no different. Even if they did get ‘hot’ (well warm), I just have a bad feeling for the playoffs.
BaseballBuff
September 20th, 2011
8:14 am
This is a classic choke, but the Braves are in elite company with the Red Sox, who are also gagging down the stretch. Even if the Bravos slip into the playoffs, one now has little confidence they will advance beyond the division series. Hats off to St. Louis and San Francisco for playing well when it counts most.
BaseballBuff
September 20th, 2011
8:17 am
@jbwbly19 I’m with you. Why in the world isn’t Constanza starting?
Lou Baseball Fan
September 20th, 2011
8:23 am
Don’t try to over analyze this bad stretch. It is simple to explain with two guys not pitching right now- Juergens and Hansen. When you take two premier starters out of the rotation your won lost record will suffer. Minor and Beechy are future pitching stars but not quite there yet. Lowe is a jekyll and hyde and I can’t figure him out. I think the bullpen is starting to wear down. They probably have some of the most innings pitched in the league. All we can hope for is one spark to get us going again-we’ll get it, these guys are pros.
Mike Lum
September 20th, 2011
8:25 am
One person says the relievers are too young. Another guy says the starters are too old. Uggla can’t hit a home run every time he bats. It’s Fredi’s fault we lost…why did he let the NL saves leader pitch?
I guess this offseason y’all want the Braves to spend $200 million to buy a gold glove .350 hitting shortstop (not that one exists) and “a veteran starter” WITHOUT trading any prospects. Then we can be like the Red Sox. No, wait…they’re stumbling as well.
Fire everyone, and get a team who can go 162-0. Then you “fans” will be happy. Unless they lose the World Series.
Steve
September 20th, 2011
8:30 am
Are you all surprise??? Fredi Gonzalez was hand pick by Bobby Cox. They both are losers!!! Gonzalez had a losing season in Miami so what makes you think he will be a winner here. The Bobby Cox regime continues…..
up north
September 20th, 2011
8:32 am
Last time I checked, you look towards the field for the ground ball, not up in the lights!
JSS
September 20th, 2011
8:35 am
Clusters came from such humble beginnings, a simple reference to Francoeur and Dairy Queen. Now, nearly a half decade later, he has ascend to the Mount Rushmore of Bloggers! That line about the statue pretending to play third base for the Braves was a classic!
“Clusters,” like Lombardi, just the name!
JeanE
September 20th, 2011
8:35 am
That was just gut-wrenching to watch. I keep telling myself it’s only baseball. I can’t fault Chipper because where would we be without him? I did find it interesting when the announcers tactfully said it might not have been the best idea to throw Omar another fastball. Would David Ross had done differently? And the bullpen is completely overworked, fatigued and full of young guys who are feeling the stress. It’s a recipe for disaster. I’m really rooting for the guys but don’t feel hopeful at all. When our starters with the exception of Hudson, can’t or don’t go more than 5 innings, the bullpen is going to breakdown. And we haven’t hit all season. We can’t even beat the Marlins, our previous whipping boy and then we have to face our nemsis, the Nats and Stasburg??? Eyy yi yi.
BG
September 20th, 2011
8:35 am
Um Schultz, even if they win the next 5, that doesn’t mean it’s “closed out”. They could easily get swepted by Philly and be still up 2 while the cards sweep the astrohs and get in. This team always chokes and finds a way to lose in Sept. I guess if Philly doesn’t want to play St louis or San Fran, they can let us win and get in. LOL
CharlestonDAWG
September 20th, 2011
8:36 am
I hate being a Braves fan. We are down 2-1 in the 6th. There are 2 outs. Prado almost homers but instead doubles off the wall. He reaches second and there is ABSOLUTELY no emotion. No excitement. It was like he got a seeing eye single and the Braves were already up 10-1. Where is the sense of urgency? Braves are just to complacent. Minor throws 3 fast balls in a row. The first two are called strikes on outside edge of plate. Next third one belt high down middle. Why not throw a fastball 6 inches outside and have a batter maybe chase worrying about a called strike 3. Chipper should have gotten throw out of the Omar error that started us a rally bc he jogs the first 3rd of baseline. Those are coaching corrections. Get the team excited. Call a pitch for a young pitcher. Sit chipper for being lazy. UUUGGGGGHHHH I’ll support this team til the end. Better than being a cubs fan But Im so sick of the same thing. We will probably luck into the playoffs. If we get lucky enough to beat the Brewers, we will get CRUSHED by the Phillies. But whats knew in ATL. 20 years of first round playoff baseball. Oh wait, we did have that one year.
CharlestonDAWG
September 20th, 2011
8:37 am
New* And BTW that third strike belt high was knocked out of the ball park
Fire Freddi
September 20th, 2011
8:39 am
This is just more evidence that Freddi is a HORRIBLE manager. All those games where we were up by 5 runs (or down by 5) going into the 8th and he ran Venters and Kimbrell out there. Yes, it resulted in Kimbrell getting the most saves of any rookie closer, but the negative is their arms fall off right as you go into September.
I could name more, but I wont, because we all know them anyway. I am hoping against hope that the cards catch us and Freddi is fired before the last pitch of the 2011 season.
oldmike
September 20th, 2011
8:40 am
can’t watch them anymore. what is the point of making the playoffs. without hanson or jj in the rotation we are toast. lowe is awful. once again our manager has completely overworked the major strength of the club – the bullpen. the starters need to go at aminimum 7. not 6 or 5. If so then you can rotate venters and moylan and oflaherty to minimize their innings. even rotate closers. why am i thinking of this. shouldn’t fredi consider it? what a drag being a braves fan this year. and all those 14 years when they lost in the post season to sub standard teams because we played station to staion ball. ughhh.
George
September 20th, 2011
8:41 am
Its over the braves once again will pass out when it gets close to the post season. They just seem to not to be able to handle the reality of post season baseball.
THE CURSE OF DAVID JUSTICE LIVES ON!
September 20th, 2011
8:46 am
DAVID JUSTICE SAID THE BRAVES WOULD NEVER WIN AGAIN
Bernard
September 20th, 2011
8:47 am
I’m just sayin’….”The Braves SSSSSSUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-(