LIVE: Braves can clinch tonight (and it starts with Lowe)
The Braves will do more scoreboard watching tonight, and hope to have another banner to raise.
Amid all of the angst of the Braves’ collapse (10-18), the injured starters (Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson), the slumping hitters (Martin Prado, Jason Heyward, Brian McCann) and the overused bullpen, guess what? The Braves can actually clinch the wild card tonight.
OK, for that to happen, the Braves need to hit a long-odds parlay: 1) The maligned starter, Derek Lowe, needs a strong outing to defeat the Phillies at Turner Field; 2) The St. Louis Cardinals need to lose for a second straight game in Houston. Those two developments would give the Braves the National League wild card spot for the second straight year, and render Wednesday’s regular-season finale against Philadelphia meaningless.
Few expected the Cards to lose to the Astros Monday night. It happened (5-4 in 10 innings). But the Braves’ postseason chances mostly hinge on Lowe. If he and the Braves win tonight, at worst the magic number is down to one, with Tim Hudson on the mound Wednesday against Joe Blanton (advantage: Braves).
What the Braves need is the Lowe of Sept. 2010, not 2011. Last season, he went 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA (29 strikeouts, three walks) in his final five regular season starts. But this has been the worst season of his career. He’s 9-16 with a 4.92 ERA. He’s 0-4 in his last four starts with an 8.24 ERA (though his last start at Florida was solid).
The other obvious issue for the Braves is a lack of offense. They lost 4-2 on Monday, have scored two or fewer runs in four of their last five games and three or fewer in six of their last 10. They’re also hitting only .239 in the month of September and .181 (32-for-177) with with runners in scoring position this month.
They’ll need to break out of that against the Phillies’ Roy Oswalt, who has been strong in two starts against the Braves this season (1-0, 2.08 in two starts) but in his career is only 1-3 with a 5.15 ERA.
As you prepare to scoreboard watch, your second favorite team, the Astros, will start Henry Sosa (3-5, 4.68) against the Cardinals’ Jake Westbrook (12-9, 4.48).
And with that, I turn it over to you. We wait to see what Lowe gives us.
Can this be an omen? There was a rainbow over Turner Field two hours before the Braves' game.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,258 comments Add your comment
Rowsdower
September 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Can we pretend Lowe is dead and start ANYBODY else?
ATLien
September 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
Lowe outpitches Westbrook…Braves clinch tonight
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
6:45 pm
Playing ball comes easy for a Clusters. We was never so happy as when we was playing ball. One time, we was at bat and our Mama came driving by and asked us if we wanted to go to the Dairy Queen. We didn’t hesitate. We dug in and concentrated really hard and when the pitcher turned it loose, we turned on it and drove it out to the deepest part of the park. Then, we jumped in the car and before long we was enjoying a delicious Dairy Queen treat. We think it was a Oreo Cookie Blizzard but it may have been a Pecan Mudslide. We can’t remember. We was hoping that somehow, some way, Derek Lowe can keep us in the game long enough for someone to hit a 3-run homer which is the only way this team wins.
MitchC
September 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
Tonight is difficult to handicap. On one hand, Lowe has had an awful season. On the other, he can be known as a big game pitcher.
We really need to win tonight even to maintain status quo. We cant rely on a 100 plus loss Astros team to do our work for us.
It wont surprise me if it goes to tomorrow. Whatever happens, tonight is a must win game.
Bob
September 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
Sonny Clusters…you are the man! Are you sure your mama and daddy weren’t related before they was married?
Sam
September 27th, 2011
6:47 pm
If the braves clinch tonight (not saying it happens, just posing the question), do you still start Hudson tomorrow or rest him for Game 1 on Saturday (so he can also pitch a potential Game 4)? Or do you keep it as is and just use him in Game 3 on standard rest?
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
6:48 pm
Brave4life — “Schultz. You think we will win?”
I don’t think any more. (There’s your setup line, folks.)
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
6:48 pm
Jeff Schultz’s … Dealer —- Dude. Change your screen name.
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
“Chef” Tim Dix — Shockingly, I passed on the Shepherd’s Pie.
showme714
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
With Lowe pitching we might as well forfeit the game. Add that on top of a struggling offense, why even show up for the game?
But I do hope we win.
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
We aren’t sure but it looked like Chipper may have pulled something in his fanny last night and we was wondering if all that fanny patting had anything to do with it. When your superstar future Hall of Fame third baseman pulls up limp like he did last night the first thing you think is quad, adductor, oblique, ankle, fanny, hammy, or flu-like symptoms. We was thinking all that and more. That boy is a mess!
Chizek is funny looking
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
Ok, all you geniuses who don’t want Lowe to start tonight. Please tell me who should start?
KME
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
As I have told others…this last series of the year, with the Phillies…we need 2/3. We lost last night…so did the Cards…and we got lucky by the skin of our ukws’. Well, another omen has occurred…maybe by standards (as Muncie said: “Ladyluck” maybe behind us, after all”.
De-Lowe has got to have a good night.
The offense must put together some blistering numbers..
Boys, THIS is the time to shine…let’s get it altogether…and……………………….
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BRAVES!
Elliot
September 27th, 2011
6:51 pm
Doesn’t matter how he pitches, the team still needs to score runs.
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
6:52 pm
Sam — “If the braves clinch tonight (not saying it happens, just posing the question), do you still start Hudson tomorrow or rest him for Game 1 on Saturday ….”
<<< I would think in that scenario Hudson would be rested, or perhaps just throw a couple of innings.
DonMobile
September 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
As strange as this might sound, it might be better if the Braves don’t win the wild-card spot. The team desparately needs more offense and a batter that can carry the team when needed, Only if the Braves don’t win will Wren consider the need for a major overhaul.
blazerdawg
September 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
RR- if you cannot determine the architecture (brick, modern Georgian) then you have never been.
I love the Ted – GREAT sightlines (closest seats to home plate in NL), LARGE portals and decks (unlike some of the chopped-up versions in other parks, and 52,000 seat capacity – so when it is packed – and check the record it almost always is on non-school nights and in the playoffs – it can be very LOUD. 10,000 seats more than any other MLB park may look bad on some nights, but when it is full the place ROCKS.
I just wish it were located on the site of the old Ponce de Leon Park or in south Buckhead. How the city has not managed to develop the intersection of Capitol/Georgia (Aaron/Abernathy) into a great neighborhood that borders the stadium and Grant Park is beyond me.
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
Playing the statue of Henry Grady at third base may be a better idea than some think. We would not want to see anybody get hurt worse over there tonight. A bonus of having the HG statue in the lineup is they can ask him for his post game comments rather than uh, Chipper. If a deer could talk . . .
ijonathan
September 27th, 2011
6:56 pm
Schultzy, the only thing “solid” we’re going to get out of Derek bLowe tonigh is what he leaves behind in the toilet after the post-game buffet.
P Rose
September 27th, 2011
6:57 pm
Yes, the rainbow over Turner Field is doubtless a good omen. But for whom?
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
6:57 pm
Constanza will not be in the lineup tonight so the Braves must think they can score their run without him. Once they get that run, we’ll see if Lowe can make it stand up. Of course, there is the risk Lowe will give up nine hits in 2 1/3 innings like he did awhile back before things got so bad for the Braves. In fact, things started getting bad that night.
Vain Jangling
September 27th, 2011
6:57 pm
Will Lowe pitch a complete game shutout tonight? Well, even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then.
norman
September 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
Schultz- Did I miss the Tuesday Countdown? That’s one thing I look forward to especially the photos of the gorgeous females. Hope my wife doesn’t read this.
Rowsdower
September 27th, 2011
7:01 pm
Chizek is funny looking
September 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
Ok, all you geniuses who don’t want Lowe to start tonight. Please tell me who should start?
A dead cat?
Red Clay Hound
September 27th, 2011
7:01 pm
Just curious…..lets say you had 2 choices….
a) Lowe starts and Uggla starts at 2nd.
b) Lowe will not pitch at all…Conrad starts at 2nd…Uggla pinch hits late in the game for Conrad.
What do you choose. I choose option B.
billy bob
September 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
How many runs tonight? 0 or 1? I’m putting my money on 0!!!
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
Is it us or have the Braves cut down on the pre-game hugging and fanny patting? If it’s true that Chipper tweaked his fanny last night on the basepaths then Fredi should probably ban anymore fanny patting this season. When Jeff talks about them clinching tonight we was thinking the only thing that’s clinched real tight on the Braves is, well, let your imagination help with what we was thinking.
Qturbchn
September 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
That is an awesome photo of the rainbow over the stadium…and a cool looking stadium.
Vain Jangling
September 27th, 2011
7:03 pm
Yeah, I guess we dance with the one what brung us. But . . . I would like to know the dead cat’s ERA.
["Hey Maw, man says I'm a genius!"]
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
7:03 pm
Starting a dead cat could work out if he could get the ball hit to Henry Grady at third base.
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
7:04 pm
Norman — Thanks for the love of The Countdown (and the Count) but he’s in hibernation during football season.
WTF?
September 27th, 2011
7:05 pm
with it all on the line, the bumbling manager goes with the worst pitcher in the league for the most important game of the season for Atlanta. Way to throw in the towel you mutt. They are better off starting a rookie or backup catcher or anyone from the stands in attendance. I bet Philly can’t wait to launch off this fool tonight. We all know Lowe is outta here but do they need to keep making that point by letting him get a guaranteed loss each outing? Looks like the Braves have bad pitching and bad management. Good luck phools even if you make it you’ll be out quicker than you got into the playoffs
ijonathan
September 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
We’ll know in the first 5 or 10 pitches if Lowe has any chance tonight. If his “stuff” is diving and darting out of the strike zone, maybe we have September 2010 Lowe. If his “stuff” is just rolling up there and staying within the strike zone, God help us. Of couse, Fredi and Roger should know this too and take him out immediately if it is the former…
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
7:06 pm
Ol’ Jeff must be in the buffet line. They have cheeses from around the world. It could take awhile for him to get back.
TeheranTime
September 27th, 2011
7:07 pm
Do you really see any way possible Atlanta endures another season of Derek Lowe next year with his horrible performances and extremely high salary.
TeheranTime
September 27th, 2011
7:09 pm
ijonathan, pretty ironice isn’t it? Fredi Gonzalez has rarely let starting pitchers go longer than six innings this season EXCEPT when he should take them out. Then he’s a step or two late.
ijonathan
September 27th, 2011
7:11 pm
TeheranTime…I think they will pay heavily to have someone take him next year.
Chas
September 27th, 2011
7:11 pm
I hope we get the Lowe of old and not MethuseLowe that we have seen lately. Let’s win this darn wildcard after all! Reminds me of the ‘82 Braves limping in. Go Braves!
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
7:11 pm
Joe Simpson is looking for a big game from Derek Lowe tonight. That’s comforting. We heard the Georgia State Patrol will be looking for him on the way home.
Neil-Bobby Inness
September 27th, 2011
7:11 pm
O’ the Sheiks of The Ted
Will always see red
In a world full of ‘taters & beer
Chip’s cigarettes and Freddi’s bad bets
And Glavine the brown-nosed reindeer
So I’m goin back to my Mableton shack
And drink me a jar full of ’shine
That was mis en bouteille just about yesterday
And have me a f***in’ good time
Rain on my tin roof sounds like a drum
We’re clinching big nothing today
Yeay
Turn on your headlights and sound your horn
If people get in the way
Let me turn you on to the neverending song
Of Bobby and his fourteen no things
Even hired for the day he has something to say
But what the hhehhellll does he mean
I may be accused of being confused
But I’m average weight for my height
My philosophy like color tv
Is all there in black and white
rain on my tin roof sounds like a drum
We’re clinching big nothing today
yeay!
Turn on your headlights and sound your horn
If people get in the way
Bob
September 27th, 2011
7:11 pm
@ijonathan…you are right. A great manager would act accordingly; however, Fredi will merely say “senior leadership and our top pitcher” will win or lose it for us. That’s why Fredi got fired at Florida and probably isn’t long for this job either. You can’t spell underachiever without Fredi Gonzalez.
Jeff Schultz
September 27th, 2011
7:12 pm
Oh dear . . .
blazerdawg
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
I am not as concerned about Lowe tonight as I am the lineup against Oswalt. Lowe has had decent movement on his pitches and I think can hold the Phils to under four runs in the first six or so innings, but I am doubtful that the bats can string together some hits, paticularly with one or two outs. Freddi will rest Venters tonight, so I think it may be a Phils win tonight with the season on the line on Wednesday.
Vain Jangling
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
Well, downhill from here . . .
Trbaes
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
BALLGAME!!!!!
LOWE STYLE
Bill Stanfill
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
All right, I’m gonna get a plate of pot roast, potatoes and carrots, fried okra (from my garden), 3 of my sweet wife’s biscuits, a big glass of iced tea–and watch the Braves pound these Phillets into admission.
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
Oh, crap.
heartofdarkness
September 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
To those who question the capability of the hitting coach, if the entire team had a career year, it would not make the Braves offense one of the weaker run scoring outfits in the league. In fact, under those conditions, the biggest question mark relative to the team’s success, would be whether you get Chipper Jones for 67% or 100% of the season.
Space Monkey
September 27th, 2011
7:14 pm
I swear Freddi just asked Roger: How bad is this going to be?
Texas Braves Fan
September 27th, 2011
7:15 pm
FIRE FREDI NOW! Not Lowe’s fault that he is pitching!