LIVE: Ailing Braves try to end skid against Strasburg
The Braves hope to break out of a slump today but will face Washington's young fireballer, Stephen Strasburg (AP photo).
The Braves are not completely devoid of positive signs these days. It’s just that after starting the season 22-13 and beginning to take the form of a wrecking ball, there has been a market correction.
And the question is: How ugly will this get?
Losers of five straight games and faced with the prospects of missing Chipper Jones for another several games, the Braves face the Washington Nationals today (4 p.m.).
Mike Minor (2-4, 6.96) — who allowed four home runs in his last start and generally has been a mess for the past month — will be opposed by Stephen Strasburg (4-1, 2.21). So much for positive foreshadowing.
It’s only late May. The Braves are two games out of first place, and trail
Mike Minor has allowed 31 runs and 11 homers in his last five starts. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
a team (Nationals) who don’t exactly have a resume of Octobers behind them. So it’s hardly panic time. But yes, there is concern.
The positives: Martin Prado (.333) is on a tear. Michael Bourn (.307 with 13 stolen bases) is still doing his part. Dan Uggla (.256, 6 homers, 25 RBI) is fine.
But overall, the team is struggling to come up with key base hits — they stranded eight base runners in Friday’s 7-4 loss, including six in the first three innings — and the starting pitching has fallen off. Then there are the individuals:
• Jones was put on the 15-day disabled list after Friday’s game, retroactive to his pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday. His contused left calf is still to painful to play on and the Braves needed his roster spot because . . .
• No. 2 catcher David Ross suffered a minor groin strain Friday and will miss at least a few games. The Braves recalled J.C. Boscan, who will start today. Ross was playing because . . .
• Starting catcher Brian McCann is still weak from the flu. He replaced Ross in the game but by late in the evening felt sapped of energy. There’s a chance he could start Sunday night.
• First baseman Freddie Freeman is struggling with blurred vision and is adjusting to new contact lenses. Freeman’s batting average is down to .247, which isn’t much higher than Jason Heyward’s .239. Stating the obvious: The Braves can’t succeed with those two hitting at that level.
The Braves, only 4-8 since that 22-13 start, need a strong effort from Minor, who hasn’t had a quality start since winning at Los Angeles 4-3 April 24 (six innings, three runs, eight hits). In five starts since, he has allowed 31 earned runs, 37 hits and 11 home runs in 26 2/3 innings (10.46 ERA).
Sometimes in sports, teams win games they’re not necessarily expected to win. The Braves better hope that’s the case today.
And now, the cyber floor is yours. We’ll be live blogging from the first pitch.
By Jeff Schultz
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234 comments Add your comment
59bulldawg
May 26th, 2012
4:43 pm
He needs to go down to the minors and work things out. He’s stinking up the joint yet again.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
You just have to tip your cap and believe the back of the bubble gum card.
G
May 26th, 2012
4:44 pm
Still trying to see where everyone was seeing a team that could win consistently. Everyone talking about how great the pitching is. This staff was not good entering the season. What did everyone expect?
Mike
May 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
This is why I love Minor’s games. I go and move my car and check on the grill and bam! 4-0.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
It is time to give Tehran a chance. Could he do any worse.
Adam
May 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
Why the change from Minor’s first few starts? Is it his mechanics?
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
4:46 pm
Turtsnap — Still time to buy some 50-50 tickets. Maybe you can win the jackpot.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
4:47 pm
And the wind cries: Juan Francisco. 4-1 with 2 in scoring position for Boscan.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
4:49 pm
The braves can’t win on Mondays, can’t win on GIVE AWAY days and now can’t win when Minor pitches. Time to do something even if it’s wrong.
Adam
May 26th, 2012
4:52 pm
Got 2 back, it’s a start on what should be a painful game
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
4:53 pm
For those wondering about potential starting pitchers in Gwinnett — and you know who you are — Todd Redmond and Julio Teheran each have started 9 games. Redmond is 4-3, 2.63; Teheran is 4-2, 2.98.
bronkelliott
May 26th, 2012
4:56 pm
The Braves will have to score at least 8 or 9 runs if Minor stays in the game. They need an offensive miracle to win this one. Although Straussburg doesn’t look invincible!
ACE
May 26th, 2012
4:59 pm
Thanks for the info Jeff. Looks like time to give those guys a shot.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:00 pm
No runs. Kegger!
Plate Appearance
May 26th, 2012
5:01 pm
HOME RUNS
It’s the home runs more than anything that have killed Minor — and are killing the Braves.
TURTSNAP
May 26th, 2012
5:02 pm
Good one Jeff, my son just said the same thing.
So….. Why not give Tehran the chance? Is it simply because the Braves are too proud to admit drafting Minor number 1 might’ve been a mistake? They just had to admit signing Kawakami was a mistake!
Sonny Clusters
May 26th, 2012
5:06 pm
We was hoping we was wrong about Chipper being on the DL in May but here it is happening right in front of us. Jeff, when is a losing streak EPIC like the EPIC Collapse? We was wondering what the difference is if they can’t win no matter what they do? One more question, if you was Fredi would you do anything different?
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:07 pm
Turtsnap: 2 possible reasons: 1) They still think Minor will come around; 2) Teheran wasn’t ready last time they tried him so he’s no certainty.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 26th, 2012
5:10 pm
mark my wrods
Biff Pocoroba
May 26th, 2012
5:10 pm
Scotty McCreery is doing the postgame concert and was a good pitcher in high school. Why not give him a shot today since he can’t do any worse than Minor?
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:10 pm
Clusters — I was thinking we’re a long way from “epic.”
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 26th, 2012
5:11 pm
THis blog suxs just like the Braves it wont let me post N E thing
ACE
May 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
I bet Niekro would be good for a few innings.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
My favroite potatoe chips R actualy Doritos.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
Larry DL Jones.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
“Braves in last palce by the all star brake” — You didn’t have any comments flagged by spam, so maybe they just spontaneously combusted for being stupid or bad spelling.
Sonny Clusters
May 26th, 2012
5:16 pm
We thought we’d do some research to see what we’re dealing with here. Flu symptoms include:
A 100oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever), A cough and/or sore throat, A runny or stuffy nose, Headaches and/or body aches, Chills, Fatigue Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. WE WOULD BAN ALL HUGGING until this has passed.
bulldogbubba
May 26th, 2012
5:18 pm
Clusters- Do you think we could get some Panther players to fill the holes while these guys are out of the line-up.Maybe having some “winners” on the team will help the morale. Oh , the flags in the Orange Jungle are for “real” championships!
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 26th, 2012
5:19 pm
Dont call me stupid.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:20 pm
Minor threw 46 pitches (4 runs) in first 2 innings, 24 pitches (0 runs, 1 hit) in next two.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:22 pm
Time out for this out-of-town pitching line: Derek Lowe vs. White Sox today: 2.1 IP 10 H, 8 ER, 3 Ks, 0 BB
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:23 pm
Guys (and gals) … Straburg not looking that great. Has walked 3 of last 4 batters. Up to 69 pitches with none out in 4th.
Onion & Apple Soup
May 26th, 2012
5:23 pm
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:14 pm
“Braves in last palce by the all star brake” — You didn’t have any comments flagged by spam, so maybe they just spontaneously combusted for being stupid or bad spelling.
Schultz, are you always this classy?
TURTSNAP
May 26th, 2012
5:24 pm
What level is last years number 1 playing, and how is he doing? And how is that catcher that they are now grooming to be a LF doing?
bulldogbubba
May 26th, 2012
5:25 pm
I Lowe done the year?
Sonny Clusters
May 26th, 2012
5:25 pm
Yes, there was no fake banners in Growing Gwinnett. When we won a championship everybody knew it was real. If we finished first in the division we were just happy – we didn’t put up any fake little signs in the outfield. If we ever put up a sign for getting the wild card the last day Coach would have gone crazy.
iTiSi
May 26th, 2012
5:25 pm
SC, no one has said BMac had the “flu” except Dr. Fredi Gonzalez. Everyone else said “flu-like symptoms”, whatever that is. I would like to know the difference in the two.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:25 pm
Onion and Apple Soup — Pretty much.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
5:26 pm
That is the Derek Lowe we all know and love. That is what we want for our 10 Million.
Biff Pocoroba
May 26th, 2012
5:28 pm
Pinch hit for Minor here and try and take the lead. He always runs out of gas in the fifh and gets knocked out anyway. I wish that Fredi had a clue what he was doing.
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:28 pm
Agggggggggggh.
Braves in last palce by the all star brake
May 26th, 2012
5:29 pm
Would U say that 2 my face Shultz? If so let meat somewere so U can say that 2 my face. R U brave enuff?
TURTSNAP
May 26th, 2012
5:29 pm
Why in the heck do you swing? Bunt with 2 strikes. 1st and 3rd, no out….. And nothing!
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:30 pm
Biff — was thinking same thing on using PH. That’s why he was going sacrifice route (until there were 2 strikes).
iTiSi
May 26th, 2012
5:31 pm
JS, sounds to me like he wants to have “lunch” with you.
TURTSNAP
May 26th, 2012
5:32 pm
But even with 2 strikes, against Strasburg, bunt again. Miss it you K and Bourn still gets a chance!
bucket
May 26th, 2012
5:32 pm
This team is almost unwatchable right now. You have 1st and 3rd with no outs and the rookie swings on a 2-0 count and pops up. Then Minor can’t get a bunt down before he hits into a DP. This team looks very similar to the team that fell apart in September last year.
bronkelliott
May 26th, 2012
5:33 pm
Now now fellas let’s behave. Let’s be good ponies and keep our focus on the game not each other : )
Jeff Schultz
May 26th, 2012
5:33 pm
Sure. There’s a Waffle House on Holcomb Bridge Road near 400. Meet me there at 6.
ACE
May 26th, 2012
5:36 pm
Chances lost for scoring runs are like losing games in April and May they still hurt come september.