Braves need at least 2 wins (and don’t expect Phillies to fold)
If the Braves don't want to turn this Phillies fan into a prophet, they'll have to show it on the field. (AP photo)
It would be beneficial for the Braves if the Philadelphia Phillies came to town with all of their starters wrapped in bubble wrap and treated the next three games as spring training. But don’t expect it.
Realistically, the fizzling Braves need to win at least two out of three against the Phillies — and maybe sweep – to advance to the postseason. St. Louis, which trails them in the wild card race by only one game, ends the season against the 104-loss Houston Astros.
The Phillies may have everything wrapped up, but they shouldn’t be lacking in motivation. They lost eight straight games until defeating the New York Mets on Sunday and they don’t want to head into the divisional playoffs on a downturn. Eliminating an East Division rival also could be motivating. So while Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn’t going to do anything to endanger his team’s postseason success, he’s certainly not going to lay down.
Manuel pretty much reaffirmed this to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Paul Hagen when addressing the likelihood of starter Cole Hamels not pitching in Wednesday’s regular season finale (it would leave Hamels on short rest for game three of the playoffs).
“We do have to think about that, but that’s tough to handle,” Manuel said. “We’ve got to get ready for ourselves. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready. And we want to play better than we’ve been playing and we want to be ready going in. And we’re not going to be able to use Hamels in that game for quite a long ways because he’s going to pitch that third [NLDS] game for us.”
Don’t forget a year ago. When the Phillies closed last season at Turner Field, they had no clear motivation to win other than to spread misery in Atlanta. But they won the first two games anyway by lopsided scores of 11-5 and 7-0, before the Braves took the finale 8-7 to reach the postseason.
The Braves will have to earn their way into the playoffs the next three nights. In other words, they can’t look anything like the team that is coming off series losses to the Mets, Marlins and Nationals.
By Jeff Schultz
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227 comments Add your comment
skeptomaniac
September 26th, 2011
2:13 pm
We couldn’t hit AAA pitchers against the nats. Cliff Lee will carve us up. Braves need to check Lowe’s meds. I don’t think he has kept up with his adderall regimen.
rich
September 26th, 2011
2:16 pm
The fact is, Charlie M could rest his regulars and the Phillies 2nd stringers would still beat the Braves 2 out of 3.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
2:17 pm
Deerskin may be what this team needs. Rememember Chino Cadahia? We always thought he was wearing deerskin pants. Say they put Uggla in deerskin and let him hug everybody before each at bat. That could be what it takes to turn this team around.
JEB
September 26th, 2011
2:18 pm
If the Phillies knock the Braves out
they will face Cards in 1st round.
Do they want to face Cards in a short series???
Help, I Can't Breathe...
September 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
Why are Atlanta fans so down on Chipper? Why are they so down on the Braves in general? Because of years of excuse-making, of having the ability but lacking the mental toughness to get it done.
chief pitchanono
September 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
Hey its not over till the fat lady sings. However she may be warming up. The Braves have managed to take a talented bunch of hitters and turn their lineup into an ineffective disaster. All u can do is scratch you head. I believe these guys are giveing 100%, but fact is the offense hasn’t clicked all year and its finally catching up to them in the form of the cardinals. The talent is there, this offense can and should be effective and it could start tonight and lead right in too a great playoff run. The problem is we’ve been saying this all year and we have played 158 games. You can blame Frank and Freddy and the tired pullpen and the injured starters the list goes on and on, but I think its just been a bad offensive season. Epic slumps by several guys, Uglla first half McCann the second half. A down year for Prado, Gonzo and Heyward. That leaves you with Chip, Bourn and Uglla giveing the only consistent bats that they have had the whole second half. Players have down years that is normal, unfortunatly for us allot of our guys are haveing them in the same year. I really believe you put the same guys on the field next year and you will get a completely different result. Go Braves!!
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
2:22 pm
Where’s ol’ Jeff? We have some good ideas for him and he’s nowhere to be found. Maybe he’s calling Anne Cox Chambers to ask if he can borrow the Henry Grady statue for the next 3 games. As far as interviewing, instead of interviewing Chipper and getting the same bunch of cliches time after time mixed in with word of the day from the internet . . . how about interviewing a deer? Could get better copy that way. We’re not saying the deer is smarter but it could be. Mr Ed was smarter than Wilbur.
Dadgummit
September 26th, 2011
2:22 pm
We don’t need Fielder when we already have Freddie Freeman.
Ted M
September 26th, 2011
2:24 pm
I hope Prado is not a one year wonder (as a starter).
Ted M
September 26th, 2011
2:25 pm
The Braves could use Kemp but he’ll stay a Dodger.
Ted M
September 26th, 2011
2:27 pm
Jeff chime in anytime.
Chokinandagaggin
September 26th, 2011
2:30 pm
Atlanta sports teams traditionally disappoint and rarely hold true to optimistic forecasts.
The computer model recently(this September) showed the Braves were over 90 percent sure to make the playoffs. That’s the problem-making the playoffs is acceptable. If getting there and then three and out is all-I’d rather they not make it. Braves starting pitching to be strong and hold up. In reality all it did was “hold up” through most of the season before it folded. And what’s with all the arm injuries experienced by the starters? Jurrgens, Hanson, Medlen. Three at one time is a lot. Training? Conditioning?
Lowe is awful and Beachy is suddenly clueless at the worst possible time. Phillies are about to put a hush on all the advertising puffery about playoff tickets for sale.
And the Falcons are going to be in the Super bowl? Really? And all of that early puffery about how each of four preseason sucker-chump losses will mean nothing once the real season begins-was bull. The Falcons suck, and flip a coin over who sucks worse, Falcons or Braves.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
Prado has been hurt most of the season. He was an All-Star 2B that was forced to give up his position. He was moved to the OF and has played third on a moments notice and even has played 1B this year. Prado could probably benefit from a day off here and there but he is too versatile and valuable. Instead, the Braves give Constanza a month off because as DOP or whatever his name is reports, he slumped and then hurt his ankle. We must have missed the slump. He was still far more productive than most of the position players. We think the problem with Constanza is that he won’t hug. Not hugging and fanny patting has probably cost him playing time.
skeptomaniac
September 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
In the quick arriving off season I have a trade for Wren. Heyward for Stanton with the Marlins and we will even throw in Lowe and pay his salary?
Shakey
September 26th, 2011
2:33 pm
I want a competitive team that gives a good effort without a lot of clubhouse drama. The Braves have given that. I’m proud to be a Braves fan, and I would take the existing roster and coaching staff into next season and have a good time with it.
Stinger2
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
so bad and sad….I refuse to say anything else about the Braves until this disaster is over.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
New television show: Is your 3rd Baseman smarter than a deer?
DCBrave33
September 26th, 2011
2:35 pm
Schultz,
The best hope is for the Astros to be able to steal 1 of the 3 games from the Cardinals in Houston. They have Wandy Rodriguez tonight and a much-better-of-late Brett Myers on Wednesday. Maybe one of the two will be able to get it done. Then it is up to the Braves to do their part. Winning 2 out of 3 would be the optimum thing, but if not, then you just have to accept that the one-game playoff is a product of how poorly we have played and just accept the fate of whatever that toss-up game brings.
I hope like heck that the local 9 can get it done, but we can’t do it ourselves anymore (we won’t sweep).
Go Braves! Go Astros!
freddi leo cox
September 26th, 2011
2:37 pm
news flash: derek lowe retired when he signed with the braves. he is just a body to fill a spot. but dont worry he will snap out of it. he isnt any worse now than he has been. ask freddie leo cox.
Derrick Keeter
September 26th, 2011
2:37 pm
When Bobby Cox was manager, we continually saw the sickening decision to stick with overpaid babies who couldn’t get the job done on the field. And now, with Fredi as manager, management continues to hand the ball over to Derek Lowe every five days. Am I the only one to notice his 9-16 record and an ERA hovering near 5.00? If our third starter were 13-12 with an ERA around 4.00, this whole wild card issue would be over and we would be only six games behind the best team in the major leagues. I say next year’s rotation should be Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, Beachy and Medlin. Let Delgado, Vizcaino, Minor and the others mature another season at Gwinnett.
JoeFan
September 26th, 2011
2:38 pm
The Braves may need to win two but they would need at least 10 more games in order to accomplish that feat.
freddi leo cox
September 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
i want a manager that kick butt and takes names. tired of the bobby cox, leo and freddi stroking and patting and spouting non sense to everyone. the talent is there. but someone needs to light a fire under them. i want ozzie from the white soxs. that would be a fun time.
taxman
September 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
I agree with Dadgummit @ 2:22 PM. Why do the braves need Fielder when they have Freeman. Fielder can only place first base and I don’t think he does very well at times and Freddie is much younger and I think a better defensive first baseman. He does not possess the power numbers that Fielder has but on the other hand he will not be making 25-30 million a year either. They don’t need Fielder or Pujols. Pujols has played a little 3rd base but his position is first base. I am not sure what crazy team will give him the 30 or so million he wants. The Yankees and Red Sox already have first covered so they are out of the picture.Maybe the Cubs will dish out what he wants but I doubt it. It will be interesting on where either Fielder or Pujols will end up.
Bravehomey
September 26th, 2011
2:43 pm
I can hear the old Braves jingle on WSB-AM from the 1960s and early ’70s: Ernie Johnson was the lead broadcaster of Braves baseball from the Atlanta Stadium:
“COME ON….LET’S GO, PITCHER’S STARTING TO THROW…..WE’RE ALL SO GLAD THAT WE CAME: ‘CAUSE IT’S A BRAND NEW GAME!!”
JSS
September 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
F-e-a-r-l-e-s-s L-e-a-d-e-r!
Ben
September 26th, 2011
2:52 pm
Jeff,
If these bums blow this, PLEASE eviscerate them in your column. No more kid gloves. It’ll be the worst collapse I’ve ever witnessed.
Show no mercy.
I'm with Braves (Always)
September 26th, 2011
3:01 pm
Can we somehow add propane booster to Braves wagon??????????
DHD
September 26th, 2011
3:12 pm
The Braves don’t NEED 2 wins. They NEED to be one game up after these next 3 games. Maybe the Cards an Braves lose all of their games. That works for us.
MikeR
September 26th, 2011
3:14 pm
Doesn’t matter who the Phils play tonight. A high school LH pitcher throwing in the upper 80’s shuts down these Braves. They are dead and I wonder if they even care.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:15 pm
Jamaaliver — “Never thought I’d say this, but TP needs to return as the hitting coach next season.”
Now what did I do with my told-you-so button?
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
Sonny Clusters — I do believe Chipper Jones would use words other than fizzling.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
Ted M — Yes. They’ll make the playoffs. (I say that only because that was my answer when somebody asked me two days ago. I’d rather be consistent than correct.)
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:18 pm
Dozer — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
Monarch — “swing hard, in case you hit the ball”
That comment gave me Little League flashbacks.
DawgDad
September 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
“That leaves you with Chip, Bourn and Uglla giveing the only consistent bats that they have had the whole second half.”
Not quite. Don’t look now, but Bourn’s average is on the downslide and Uggla is hitting .233 – right about what he was hitting a month ago, and the same with Chipper. Uggla has been – Troy Glaus. He got hot and carried the team for a month and a half, and the rest of the year he’s been worse than a minor league replacement player. He does have those homers, but he doesn’t have the RBIs to go with them and he’s stringing horrible at-bats together at a breathtaking clip down the stretch in crunch-time.
I’d like to see where the Braves would be right now if they had Infante and Vasquez all year instead of Uggla and Vizcaino. I venture to say, no worse, and Vasquez would look REAL good in the rotation right now, huh?
Prado’s lack of production has hurt all second-half, and the McCann slump is VERY worrisome given his eyesight history.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:20 pm
Sonny Clusters — Actually, I was thinking the Henry Grady statue could be the Braves’ No. 3 starter. Not much of an arm but he’s pretty intimidating.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:21 pm
TedM — “Jeff chime in anytime.”
Ding.
rudy
September 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
of course, philly will not lay down….they have a world series to win,but GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!
DawgDad
September 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
. . . and so here we are, in crunch time, hoping Jordan Schafer can help us bring it home. Funny how life is, huh?
Bravehomey
September 26th, 2011
3:24 pm
C’mon, Braves!!! At least play your best to honor Ernie Johnson for these last 3 games!!
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:24 pm
DCBrave33 — I could see Cardinals dropping 1 to Astros, but that’s it. Even then, Braves would have to win 2 of 3 to avoid a 1-game playoff, which would be in St. Louis.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:25 pm
Ben — I’ve never been shy about eviscerating when I felt it was appropriate. And we’re about at that point.
Boyz From North Ave
September 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
Braves will get swept and stay home…..where they belong.
Pauls Johnson
September 26th, 2011
3:27 pm
prepare for some serious Cap Tipping and see ya next year!
UGAFAN13
September 26th, 2011
3:27 pm
Right now the team the Braves are playing could field a team of Little Leaguers and the Bravo’s would have a hard time hitting against them. Go back and look at the season and you will see the Braves almost never play well against a pitcher they are seeing for the first time. Come to think of it they don’t do well against others either of late.
JeanE
September 26th, 2011
3:27 pm
I say that Phillies fan hit the nail on the proverbial head. But if I were the Phils, I’d rather face us than the Cards. Just Sayin’. This team has no intensity, no fighting spririt. And I’m sick of the hugs, too! Enough with the nice, get mean and nasty!!!! Uggly looks that way but sure doesn’t play that way. Just helicopters that dam* bat over his head, never hits when it counts EVER.
Pauls Johnson
September 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
GO BRAVES! AND TAKE THE FALCONS WITH YOU!,,, sorry i was having a flashback to 1985
Hope It is Over Soon
September 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
Well all the IFs we have heard since Spring Training have caught up with us……ready for it to be over for the Bravos and let a real team play for the division and league…….
MitchC
September 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
Jeff, I agree that the Braves need to win at least two out of three to make the playoffs. However, with the competition the Cardinals are playing, all that may earn us is a one game playoff in St Louie on Thursday.
The way this season has gone: What will probably end up happening is: The Braves will win two of three from the Phillies, and the Cards will sweep the Astros, creating the one game playoff, which the Braves will then lose.
I hope I’m wrong, but I dont have confidence in this team now.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
3:30 pm
For about a hundred or so dollars counting tickets, parking, and concessions we could go with a friend and see Derek Lowe tomorrow. Last time we did, Lowe stunk up the place. Like somebody said, when Lowe pitches so does Linebrink because when Lowe comes out the game is pretty much already lost. Lowe and Linebrink is a pretty tempting ticket, wouldn’t you say? Linebrink is the poor man’s Proctor. Could be the smallest crowd of the season. On the bright side, it will be Lowe’s last start as a Brave. Surely, they will dump him now.