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
•
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
227 comments Add your comment
bravo bravos
September 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
Ever since the hurricane the Braves spiral has continued downward. This series will be no different. Afraid it’s time to turn on the music, “Goodnight Irene.”
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
3:33 pm
Jeff, is there hugging in the clubhouse? Have you been hugged yet? Do you think all the hugging has anything to do with the lights? Do you think the hitting has been effected by the lights like the fielding has? Could this team be better in the dark? We was thinking so.
Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
DawgDad — Good call. Forgot about the Jordan Schafer connection.
George Washington
September 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
Bravesworstever: AMEN – If the players would get half as angry as Braves fans have deservedly done, or show a little bit of blue collar grit and determination, they’d be okay. If they don’t give a crap, then I don’t.
bruce
September 26th, 2011
3:36 pm
haven’t read the article yet, but did you pick the photo? You don’t need to be a homer but you also do not have to root for failure either.
bruce
September 26th, 2011
3:38 pm
almost as bad as the braves home page photo last Friday of chipper face down on the ground
David C
September 26th, 2011
3:42 pm
Will 680 the Fan stop talking Baseball for at least 3 months if Braves don’t make the post season??
Really wish they would talk more football and less baseball.
The Braves
September 26th, 2011
3:42 pm
Why should we care? We make a lot of money and guess what? If we don’t play in the postseason we get to go golfing and hunting or fishing sooner and we will still make a ton of money. Besides, getting hits and having to run the bases takes up a lot of energy.
DetroitBraves
September 26th, 2011
3:45 pm
Sonny Clusters at 1:21 pm is the best thing I’ve ever read out here. Maybe they should be the manager next year.
Mitchell
September 26th, 2011
3:50 pm
Cliff Lee being held to 70 pitches tonight?
That’s probably all he’s going to need against this offense to wrap up another complete game.
gadawgs
September 26th, 2011
3:51 pm
Not a chance…It’s over!
George Washington
September 26th, 2011
3:51 pm
Chipper will use his Power Nipples to go 3-3 tonight, with 1 HR, 1 Double, a Single and a BB and a total of four RBIs! Braves win 5-3. Mark my word!
Mitchell
September 26th, 2011
3:51 pm
Good call David C.
Great column Mr. Schultz.
Bob
September 26th, 2011
3:52 pm
And Chipper gave Phillies bulletin board material two or three months ago, saying the Braves could beat the Phillies and to bring ‘em on. Braves will get swept.
Charles
September 26th, 2011
3:52 pm
It’s over. The Braves have zero desire and the schedule is not favorable, so start thinking about next year: a) do you bring Gonzalez and his staff back to manage after overseeing one of the biggest chokes in major league history with a team with a rather predictable model — good success through August and then failing in September for 2 consecutive years.. b) goodbye Chipper – replace him with 2-3 sold 260-270 hitters who give us some depth (I saw Moneyball yesterday and this sure looked like a good plan); c) hire a manager and pitching coach who knows now to maintain the condition of and evaluate pitchers instead of being Dr. Andrews’ best source of new business. d) hire some ex-Navy Seals as security to keep Braves away from the Pink Pony and other local watering holes – the entire injured reserve is littered with Pony regulars like Hanson who don’t seem to want to take care of themselves. Hanson can’t finish a bullpen but he can still show up to pound down the shots. Even Freeman has been slumping of late now that he is a Pony regular. It’s no wonder they have no gas left in September.
Oscar D
September 26th, 2011
3:56 pm
Will the Braves put another pennant up when they blow the wild card slot?
superiorblogman
September 26th, 2011
3:57 pm
Will not get a win tonight but the good news is Wandy is on the mound for Houston and is underrated which we had tried to get him during waiver season.
superiorblogman
September 26th, 2011
3:58 pm
Matt Diaz really lit it up against that lefty yesterday. LMAO at Freddie G’s dumb arse. So ready for him to create his own history of being the leader of one of the biggest folds in sports history, and I will never let anyone forget about it either
George Washington
September 26th, 2011
3:58 pm
How do you know about all the players going to the Pony? Man, you really trumped my Power Nipples post with that one.
Ghostrider
September 26th, 2011
4:02 pm
@Omnipotent One
So what your saying is Cliff Lee is going to throw only 10 Pitches per inning to get to the 6th. or 7th. inning if their holding him to 60-70 pitches…What in God’s Name are you smoking…I may want some of it.
jim
September 26th, 2011
4:17 pm
Fork. All done.
Brave Hokie
September 26th, 2011
4:18 pm
I am in my 20th year of residence in the WORSE professional sports town in America… & it doesn’t seem like anything will change soon.
Other than the Thrashers…
Oregon Brave
September 26th, 2011
4:27 pm
Got nothing to add to this most impassioned conversation except “get ‘er done.” GO BRAVES!
Prado's NOT a 3rd baseman
September 26th, 2011
4:44 pm
They cant win 1 of 3 in either Philly or St. louis, & also lose series to Mutts, Knats, & Fish??? So why exactly do they deserve to go to the playoffs? Playoffs? Playoffs? uhh……………… NOT!
PMC
September 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Brian McCann told SI he didn’t feel what they’ve done in September is choking because, well if they had a poor may they could recover.
Um, Brian, that’s why it’s called a choke. When the team needs it’s best baseball to win, it plays it’s worst.
Blowing an 8.5 game lead would be one of the most epic chokes of all time.
Better win these last 3 so we can ignore that.
JeanE
September 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Shut up about Diaz, he had exactly 2 ab’s, not like the 4 those other regular’s got and went Ofer!!! I’d still start him against Ciffie, he’s better against lefties than any of those other yahoos.
Geno
September 26th, 2011
4:46 pm
I wish the Braves would read these comments and see just how much they’re letting everyone down, themselves included. Of course I know they don’t. How’s the mood in the clubhouse? Are they sticking with, “We just gotta go out there and play well and win some games.” Well you’re not winning any games and the Cardinals are. That’s not my opinion, that’s fact. And there’s no quote that’s going to change that.
PMC
September 26th, 2011
4:46 pm
So much for all this Team CHemistry discussed ad nauseum in the spring.
Lots of hugs, not enough hits.
Prado's NOT a 3rd baseman
September 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
David C, 680 will be talking who we need to get rid of after Wed.after we miss the wild card, Matt Chernoff will say Gonzalez has got to go(Alex not Fredi), stuck with Chipper, but other than SS everyone else is set. Soon as JJ gets healthy again need to trade him before he goes down again(you know its coming) Lowe nobody will take may be next years KK pay but no play, so long McOut, Bourn is a keeper we still have him 1 more year
stingembuzz
September 26th, 2011
4:51 pm
You have no marbles
BLK09GT
September 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
Just wanted to comment to say Clusters is hilarious. If you were not blending comedy with your criticisms directed at my favorite player I would be a little irrate. This is coming from a fellow deer hunter also. Just a little FYI: Hunting with spotlights as far as I know is against the law. I am sure you have heard the saying “Deer in the headlights” It’s because the sight of a bright light causes them to freeze. Many hunt in this manner after dark. You may want to work in a similar line directed at Chipper. Something like: “We was thinking, Larry had the eyes of a deer and the grace of Henry Grady when making the play in the lights at the Sun Shark stadium and its “reconfigured” football lights.”
Bob
September 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
Our Braves have already lost in their minds…bases loaded, no outs=no runs; runners on third and second, no outs=no runs; and Fredi doesn’t have a clue. Oh well. there’s always next season. Maybe time to clean house and change the culture/attitude.
Effin A, Cotton
September 26th, 2011
5:04 pm
Back in the day, the Braves always played hard for Bobby because they knew if they lost, he would go home and beat his wife.
Brave Hokie
September 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
Braves will never change until lemmings {like myself} cease going to the games… I went to too many this season, and now I feel ‘dirty.’
Heartless, Gutless, Losers.
Steve
September 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
Jeff — what frustrates you the most this year in Georgia sports? So much to pick from — Thrashers leave, Falcons struggle in key games, Braves play bad baseball down the stretch, Bulldogs seem to be in perpetual “average” mode, Hawks may not play this season?
Bob
September 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
@Brave Hokie…based on our declining attendance for the past few years, it appears that more than a few of your fellow lemmings have jumped ship. Of course with the high price for mediocrity, I can’t blame them.
lefty fielder
September 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
Sonny
Seems like the Braves could win the wildcard by envisioning that big group hug in the club house afterwards . . .
Bird Dawg Country
September 26th, 2011
5:20 pm
@Schultzie, …Dan Patrick said looking at Brian Van Gorder’s mustache reminded him of Uncle Rico in “Napolean Dynamite”! That’s hilarious!
Braves still playing?
Effin A, Cotton
September 26th, 2011
5:25 pm
Good call, Bird Dawg! I was just saying yesterday that it had some definite porn quality.
Robert
September 26th, 2011
5:37 pm
“If Chipper is ever going to be known as a leader these next 3 games will define him”
I hope he finds it in him to help the team and the franchise find it’s collective guts, desire and backbone
But I wouldnt hold my breath
I hope the Braves make it. I really do
My gut feeling is Chipper doesnt care. He loses no money and gets more time to hunt and play golf if they dont make it
If the Braves somehow find their collective desire, guts, and backbone, I’m afraid it might well have to be without Chipper Jones
I hope that turns out to be oh so wrong
Robert
September 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
“Chipper Jones our team leader-announces that he should not be batting second, schedules his son’s sinus surgery on a game day instead of the next day which happens to be an off day, leading off he does not attempt to slide into first to avoid a very high throw.”
DUDE. Next thing you know you’re gonna expect Chipper to like dive for a ball in the field.
Roger Dorn dont play that
Robert
September 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
“And Chipper gave Phillies bulletin board material two or three months ago, saying the Braves could beat the Phillies and to bring ‘em on. Braves will get swept.”
Chipper talks a LOT.
Jason Heyward gets hurt and misses time. Chipper Jones’ wife has a migraine and he flies home to Atlanta for a few days. Chipper calls out Heyward
Chipper misplays an easy ground ball and therefore loses it in the lights. It costs the Braves a game – maybe THE game that woulda been the cushion they needed. Chipper tells the fans to kiss his behind
I think if Chipper stayed as quiet as I bet he is when he is in his favorite deer stand (might not be long now!) the Braves would be much better off
Noholdsbarred
September 26th, 2011
5:53 pm
The only thing I’ll miss after Braves go home for the year is reading Sonny Clusters’ posts–funny, truthful and to the point. Should put them in a scrapbook for Chipper when he heads off to deer hunt for good. Will I miss baseball? Not the kind this team plays. Following an American Legion team would be more exciting than Freddi G’s cap tippers.
Craig
September 26th, 2011
5:57 pm
They scored 1 run in the last two against wash. Wash played like the team trying to make the playoffs. This team is full of losers with no emotion at all. I hope philly sweeps their pathetic butts
urban redneck
September 26th, 2011
10:05 pm
it’s no fun to watch or listen to these games. making my ulcer act up.
double
September 26th, 2011
10:47 pm
diconnect tubes,they are dead.Cards deserve to be in play offs,and possibly series.They have earned while Braves faltered.Be sure to bring LOWE back for 12.
MJ
September 27th, 2011
1:48 am
Chipper bashers – back off – he doing his job, just like always. What the Braves need is a right fielder hitting .285, with 20 HR’s, 87 RBI’s, a slugging % of .476, who can throw slow runners out at first base. If you want to see that guy – check out the KC Royals. He’s playing for Ned Youst- name is Frenchy – we had him locked up a long time ago and mishandles the kid. If you are dreaming about fixing shortstop, look at Texas. Andrus was ours a well. We traded him and kept Escobar, who we traded to Toronto for a .222 hitter. If we have either guy, this series would be done. Lets go get them tommorrow – Go Braves.
loserville!
September 27th, 2011
1:53 am
the ATL — another pro choke!!! loserville — well deserved.
M&M
September 27th, 2011
2:00 am
stronger…..
FL dawg
September 27th, 2011
7:52 am
So the Falcons season is a wash, I’ll buy that. But get used to it. Dimitroff threw ATL under the bus for the next 5 yrs. I hope I’m wrong, maybe he is some kind of genius. JJ gonna be a heck of a rcvr for somebody. I dont see Ryan throwing Bartkowskiesque bombs to him, or anybody else for that matter. ATL needs a QB!