Braves win again, now hope fallback plan can carry them
Mike Minor pitched his fourth consecutive strong outing for Braves, giving rotation hope. (AP photo)
(Updated: 9:35 p.m.)
When this season started, Ben Sheets was a youth-league coach in Louisiana and Kris Medlen had pitched 2 1/3 innings in 20 months, the byproduct of Tommy John surgery. They now comprise 40 percent of the Braves’ starting rotation.
So much for the blueprint.
The Braves made official Saturday what can best be described as the backup plan: Medlen, who has been impressive out of the bullpen, will return to the starting rotation Tuesday against Houston barring an unlikely turn of events (completing a trade for a starter). Medlen joins Sheets, who hadn’t pitched a game in two years before signing with the Braves and immediately becoming subject matter for a power point at the next AMA convention.
This is the rotation that likely will guide the Braves down the stretch. It’s not quite what anybody envisioned in the spring and may not be the ideal five to get the Braves back to a postseason. But then the St. Louis Cardinals already set the standard for baseball improbabilities last October.
Kris Medlen showed up in spring training, hoping to get another shot at starting. (Jason Getz/AJC)
Sometimes Plan B’s work out. But this one needs to unfold like a parlay in a Las Vegas sportsbook.
The team’s postseason chances hinge on: 1) Tim Hudson’s ability to stay healthy; 2) Sheets continuing to defy medical logic (one earned run in 18 innings after major surgery and semi-retirement); 3) Tommy Hanson fixing some of his issues; 4) Mike Minor staying consistent after some early hiccups; 5) Medlen pitching as well in a starting role as he did coming out of the bullpen.
We’ll start with Minor, only because he just gave another performance worthy of Frank Wren screaming, “Hah! Told you we didn’t need Zach Greinke!”
After so many early-season issues, Minor is on a roll now. He allowed Philadelphia just one run on four hits in eight innings and struck out nine at Turner Field on Saturday night, leading a 2-1 victory. In his past four starts, Minor has yielded just seven runs in 27 1/3 innings.
In the past five games (four wins), Braves starters Minor (twice), Hudson, Hanson and Sheets have allowed eight earned runs in 33 innings.
That will get it done. But does asterisks by all five starters in the rotation cause some discomfort?
(The depth chart at the start of the season was Hudson-Hanson-Jair Jurrjens-Minor-Brandon Beachy, although Hudson’s back surgery forced him to miss the start of the season.)
Medlen deserved this shot, and he believes the comeback from surgery and the uncertainty of his role all season has made him mentally tougher. Physically, he said, “I feel great. I really feel like my secondary pitches are coming back. I guess it’ll be two years [since the surgery] in August. For the first month or two I felt like I was pitching with just fastball.”
Despite failing to land Greinke and having a deal for Ryan Dempster blocked, the Braves say they’re still trying to make a trade. When asked before Saturday’s game whether Sheets’ improbable ascent makes the team feel any less desperate to acquire a pitcher, manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “No, no, no. We’re looking to upgrade.”
But the reality is there’s probably nothing left on the market that would upgrade the Braves’ pitching. Greinke went to the Angels. Dempster prefers the Dodgers. (He hasn’t been moved yet, but the chances of a 180 seem remote.)
There are two other potential game-changers on the market: Miami’s Josh Johnson and Tampa Bay’s James Shields. But both have time left on their contracts after this season, so it follows the Marlins and Rays don’t feel desperate, and their trade respective requests are inflated.
There are other pitchers available. But all are depth guys – no better than what the Braves already have. So it’s probably not worth it for them to make a move.
From this point on, the Braves will rely on a rotation of 2s, 3s and 4s, their bullpen and what generally has been strong hitting (Dan Uggla’s .209 batting average notwithstanding).
Could this work? The Braves have won four straight, starting the night four games back of Washington in the National League East. Consistency has been an issue all season, particularly in starting pitching.
We’ll know soon enough if this is an aberration.
By Jeff Schultz
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277 comments Add your comment
Sonny Clusters
July 28th, 2012
8:50 pm
.209 and dropping.
BraveFan
July 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
Big inning for Minor here. 3 up 3 down.
Homer
July 28th, 2012
8:53 pm
Minor is looking Great !
jharber
July 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Does anyone see the Sheets effect now?
VinceVanGo
July 28th, 2012
9:00 pm
With Minor improving each outing and Medlen going Tuesday the Braves starting rotation will be fine. A Hudson, Sheets, Hanson, Minor & Medlen rotation with Delgado ready to replace anyone that falters will be okay. But the Braves need Uggla to step it up or be benched, and they need a right handed hitter to platoon and pinch hit. I like Scott Harrison of the Mets and Ty Wiggington of the Phillies but I doubt our division rivals are going to help out the Braves. If the Braves could land a righty who can hit to play left field, Prado could be moved to second. I hate to hurt Uggla’s feelings but he must know that he’s hurting the team.
BraveFan
July 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Great game Minor! Who needs an overpriced primadonna? We just beat one of those last night. Win with these guys. Get some insurance the Kimbrel time
jharber
July 28th, 2012
9:01 pm
Have to admit, I am real proud of my neighbor
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Bring him back out or light the wall?
Larry30
July 28th, 2012
9:05 pm
The legendary john scherholz? Please. The biggest place he is a legend is in his own mind. He was personally responsible for one of the worst trades ever made in Atlanta braves history. The only thing legendary was his timing, stepping in as GM after bobby cox had fixed the scouting dept. for the braves and stocked the team with fine young talent. Does everyone forget that this team has only reached he playoffs once since 2005 and they wouldn’t have been in 2010 except that Troy Glaus pulled the team out of last place during the month of May as he won NL player of the month. They might make the playoffs this year now that the playoff pool gets closer to he NHL in format. And stop blaming liberty media. The rays and diamondbacks reached the playoffs last year with half the braves payroll.
Rt
July 28th, 2012
9:08 pm
The Braves need to send Uggla down! He is the worst hitter in the last 20 years!!!!!!!!
Rt
July 28th, 2012
9:10 pm
VinceVanGo, Great comment!!!!!
The GM
July 28th, 2012
9:12 pm
Rumor circulated Braves looking at starting pitcher Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies !!!
AthensBrave
July 28th, 2012
9:20 pm
For all of those who are down on the young pitchers [listening, Schultzy?], Minor went 8 innings tonight. Not bad, not bad at all. Delgado will develop as well–give him a little time. It makes no sense giving young pitchers up who are who are top-of-the-line talent. Medlin is a great example of sticking with the young lions.
No Flag Since Lemke
July 28th, 2012
9:21 pm
Wren is seeing a lot of mirages and chooses to believe them. Not a strategy that will get us anywhere in October.
CRM300
July 28th, 2012
9:24 pm
Braves don’t need a trade! Medlen in the starting rotation solves the starting pitching problem, especially with Minor pitching like he did tonite. Moylan is coming back to the bullpen to take Medlen’s place. Don’t mortgage the future by trading Delgado! Uggla will hit sooner or later. Team chemistry is good. Simmons back soon! Have faith, Braves fans! Best closer in baseball. Braves win!!!! First!!
TROTTINGHOME
July 28th, 2012
9:28 pm
Kinbrel messed them up…………..Go Bravo’s
Evelyn
July 28th, 2012
9:29 pm
The Braves NEED to re-sign Bourne. He holds it all together. And, yes the Braves have to give up some dough if they want to be “players.
BraveFan
July 28th, 2012
9:31 pm
Sweep the Phil’s! Braves are very hot right now
urban redneck
July 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
this armchairs GM says it’s about time we made this no-brainer move. this should have happened weeks ago. i would just like to see us trade for a good reliever and someone off the bench that can actually hit.
eight innings for minor? seems like ol boy is finally finding his grooved. is gilmartin starting tomorrow? i’d like to get a look-see.. go bravos!
barrock odrama
July 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
way too go frank use my strategy do nothing and spin away lol
Stretch
July 28th, 2012
9:41 pm
When Jack Wilson and subsequently, Andre Simmons come off the DL, the Bravos have to make a decision Janish. Thoughts? I say keep Janish and dump Wilson. Neither one of their bats speak much so that is a wash. Jani is superior defensively and does have a spark to him that excites the fans.
Jeff Schultz
July 28th, 2012
9:44 pm
Column updated folks. Thank you for your digital patronage . . .
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/07/28/live-braves-now-hoping-fallback-plan-can-carry-them/
Billy
July 28th, 2012
9:45 pm
Thanks Jeff for doing a great job..love it when someone tells it like it is.
Teddy B
July 28th, 2012
9:48 pm
I hope, and PRAY that someone has enough sense to move Christhian Martinez into Medlen’s spot! Martinez is always solid, I haven’t seen him blow up in quite a long while. Hope Freddi G does the right thing and doesn’t rely on Miguel freakin Batista to take over middle relief.
Medlen got his chance, now its on him to deliver. GG tonight Bravos, wtg Heyward! Guy is heating up again and winning us a whole bunch of games can’t say enough good stuff about him.
Billy
July 28th, 2012
9:50 pm
Joe— Tonight the only hits Bourn, prado and J-Hey.Yes Bourn k’s to much..where would we be without him. He is the spark plug of this team.
jharber
July 28th, 2012
10:00 pm
Does anyone see the Sheets effect now, conversation with Minor has helped tremendously
LIVE: Braves now hoping fallback plan can carry them – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
July 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
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The Dude
July 28th, 2012
10:06 pm
The next time “nolakid” has a thought, hopefully he decides to go play in traffic instead. Go Braves.
wondering
July 28th, 2012
10:09 pm
why arent we looking for another big bat? dont know twins’ willingham’s contract number. but a guy that always had tons of potential and now last 2 years playing up to it. might not cost much, could move prado to second, sit uggla for rest of season, then have problem solved for next year when chipper retires. prado plays second or third and we look for the other in off-season. plus isnt he right-handed? too many lefties in lineup right now. all of our righties have zero pop. also need to find starting middle infielder in case of injuries. why wait til you have a problem to solve it? especially when other clubs are in “selling” mode.
BraveFan
July 28th, 2012
10:12 pm
Check out Philadelphia Inquirer blog. Thought there were some negative folks on this one? Living in a miserable city like Phily must cause a lot of stress and anger issues. They hate everybody.
Braves Fan 3
July 28th, 2012
10:13 pm
Medlen in the rotation might just make us sold 1-5. Hanson is the one I am worried about. Need to bring Delgado up for bullpen and send JJ to minors. Just because Uggla signed a huge contract does that mean we have to play him if he doesn’t produce. Put Constanza in left and move Prado to 2nd and we will be ok.
tdawgg37
July 28th, 2012
10:19 pm
In my opinion pitching is not the real problem this season. Yes another good arm would be great…but what about our run support? How long will the team wait for Uggla to catch fire? has he ever batted over .300 in a season? We need another bat!
Biggun
July 28th, 2012
10:24 pm
Why not trade Tommy “my arms going to fall off any minute” Hanson, the runs support beneficiary, instead of our young arms? Surely we could atleast get a serviceable 3rd- 5th starter to go with Huddy,Sheets,Minor and Medlin. With his current delivery, I dont see a huge upside in keeping him long term.
joel beach
July 28th, 2012
10:26 pm
They are moving people around to make it look like they did something fw sucks.
wondering
July 28th, 2012
10:37 pm
just checked, twins’ willingham is in the first year of a 3yr/21,000,000 contract. that means “only” 7mil a year for next 2 years. go get him frank. probably only cost 2 mid-level prospects
fan
July 28th, 2012
10:41 pm
don’t worry these primadonnas will choke their guts out down the stretch
Keith
July 28th, 2012
10:43 pm
Minor did look good.
Still think we could use another starter.
But I do like Medlen as a plan B.
Still think Wren did the right thing by NOT giving up Teheran + Delgado for Greinke. That’s what it would have required for a rental.
Remember Tex?
Go BRAVES!
Keith
July 28th, 2012
10:44 pm
Re: tdawg37
Pitching HAS been the real problem. When our starter’s ERA is like almost last in the league , and our offense is 3rd in runs…it’s the pitching, not the offense that needs a boost.
thomas smith
July 28th, 2012
11:03 pm
call ernesto mejia up to be rh hitter off bench and back up ff at first..Ernesto Antonio Mejia 21 hr,74 rbi’s,.307 ave,120 hits 29 2b…he has more hr and rbi than anybody on ml roster.give the man a chance..what about this trade. dan uggla, jair jurrens,tommy hanson to twins for josh willingham and scott diamond.
Trey
July 28th, 2012
11:14 pm
I, for one, am surprised at the way Minor has come around. I was on the side that had no confidence in him. Hopefully he can keep it up and we won’t need to go out for a new starter, especially as Medlen is finally going to start.
Trey
July 28th, 2012
11:16 pm
nolakid, please try and refrain from those asinine comments. If you don’t like his articles, then don’t read. Simple as that.
Phineas T. Philpot
July 28th, 2012
11:33 pm
One thing that may be overlooked is strength of schedule the rest of the way.
Rittmann
July 28th, 2012
11:41 pm
What a Bunch of Whiney boys you all are- Braves are FOUR games from the best record in Baseball. Yes, they need to fix a couple of things- Uggla is terrible. He is not being traded or sat on the bench ($$$) He needs to get his Mojo back- And when Simmons gets back We’ll be that much better. How can anyone Dis Chipper- Best 40 yr old ever- This team can Def win the World Series-just play well. And you idiots need to just shut up
banned poster
July 28th, 2012
11:43 pm
I like Medlen just as much as the next guy, but he is not a #1 and the Braves need a #1 or they are not winning the NL East or Wildcard. I want a World Series and this rotation is just not going to cut it. If that worthless excuse for a GM Frank Wren has given up looking for one, well then, I will make my one visit to Turner Field in late Sept to honor Chipper Jones and say good bye. Because after that, I will not be spending my money on a team that doesn’t want to put a title contending team on the field. Enough with holding onto the young pitchers for the future. The future is now.
NorCal Brave
July 29th, 2012
12:03 am
ML scouts are backing off Josh Johnson; his outing vs. Braves was only decent one in last five, and his stock has fallen. Our needs should shift to getting a solid RH bat and a reliable middle reliever. If Venters can return to form, would be a big boost. Have just about given up on Uggla…What a waste.
Pal Joey
July 29th, 2012
12:07 am
Medlen should have been tried in the rotation long before now. Can’t be any worse that Jair. After all, he can do no worse than lose every five days like Jair is now doing.
Something is going to have to break with Uggla. He may be the most automatic out in the league and is a huge rally killer. It would seem to make sense to insert someone into the lineup who just might run into a pitch occasionally and get a base hit. This guy is a $14 million bust and needs to be off the field. Waiting around for him to hit a long one once in a blue moon is sheer madness. Fredi just can’t seem to make a decision about him. Someone up the ladder needs to whisper in Fredi’s ear that he is not enhancing his future with this club with his indecision in the matter. A substantial stint on the bench just might do Uggla good. It certainly would upgrade the offense.
usnavyvolfaninva
July 29th, 2012
12:13 am
LOL… is that really Medlen holding the Braves sign? Funny!!
usnavyvolfaninva
July 29th, 2012
12:14 am
@norcal,
that, and apparently they’re asking the world for JJ
usnavyvolfaninva
July 29th, 2012
12:17 am
Rittmann…
You have a good point, there is too much whining on this blog, but just as they’re 4 games from the best record in baseball, they’re also 2 games from missing the playoffs. They need to do whatever they can to put themselves in the best position to make the postseason. I’m sure they will.
Donte080
July 29th, 2012
12:41 am
Braves won tonight 2-1….doesn’t appear that suspect starting pitching is doing so badly…
Horrible piece of journalism, Jeff. Braves are steaking, and this is the best you can come up with?