Live from Braves-Bucs: There’s good and better news
Good news: The Braves are playing really, really well. They’ve won 14 of 18. They’re a whisker out of first place, and not long ago they were last. They’ve raised their team batting average to .253, and a month ago they were under .230.
Better news: They’ve still got one game remaining against Pittsburgh, which isn’t the worst team in baseball but is looking like it.
Best news: They don’t have to face Roy Halladay when Philadelphia arrives this week.
It being (almost) Memorial Day, I’m tempted to make of the (in)famous Bradley milepost predictions: You know, like the one from two years ago where I said the Braves would be in first place by the Fourth and pulling away by Labor Day. I’m not going to do it this time, for a basic reason: I’m not yet sure how good these Braves are.
They had a rugged schedule in April. They had a soft slate for most of May. They look good at the moment. I’d like to wait and see how they look a few weeks hence. In other words, I’m resisting the urge — for maybe the first time ever — to pass judgment.
But certainly you’re free to express your sentiments as we proceed through the day, and I suspect we’ll be here awhile. Rain is surely coming, though the field is uncovered as of 12:55 p.m. (The ground grew is standing in the outfield. Ominous sign.) Still, that’s the beauty of baseball: You can tell me how wrong I am about the Braves — even though I’m kind of fence-sitting at the moment — at length.
As ever, I welcome your company. As ever, I say thanks in advance.
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424 comments Add your comment
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
Wren mentioned that Venters might be starting in the future, which means the Braves future rotations have a lot of potential starters. I think he would be wise to hang onto most of them because you never know how these guys in A and AA are gonna pan out. The trio of Teheran, Delgado, and Vizcaino in A ball is pretty exciting, though. Masters is having a good year in A ball, too. That said, it is A ball. Sutton just said it’s EOF warming up.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:32 pm
stranded 10 thru 6.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:32 pm
MANBEAST appearing human again.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:32 pm
The home side has left about 70 men on. Which is statistically impossible over six innings.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:33 pm
raining here @ Chef’s Manor.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:34 pm
Pouring in TB. Little ways away from you guys, though.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:34 pm
Phillies being shut out .. in the 8th. They have scored 7 runs total in the past 8 games. wow. not sure if that is a great thing though heading into tomorrow. they have to start hitting at some point (see Bravos April to May transformation)
Marty
May 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
Our lack of getting runners home with less than 2 outs is getting a little concerning.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
Kawakami stays on the hill.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:35 pm
He has thrown 77 pitches through six innings.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:36 pm
nola, I think it has a lot to do with Rollins and Polanco both being out. Those guys usually hit 1 and 2 when they play. Imagine the Braves offense if Prado and Heyward were out. Not to say that the Phillies first 2 hitters are better than the Braves because they’re not.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:36 pm
nola: Just thinking of the punchless Phillies coming to town is sweet.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
Ross thought he caught the foul tip. Plate umpire agree. Third base umpire overruled. Cox to complain.
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May 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
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#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
Here comes #6.
Marty
May 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
Come on Marlins, get us three more outs.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
The ball was trapped. Good call. (By the third base umpire, who’s Chris Guccione.)
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
Ump #6 showing Bobby no love.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:38 pm
agree on both counts chef and #22, just figure even with backups they will start to hit at some point, they do have a guy who hits braves pitching fairly well in Howard. Just hope that hitting starts after Wed.
kurula
May 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
careful what you wish for, chef. puchless phils are perfectly capable of turning a pitching staff into a punching bag fairly easily.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
Kawakami walks the leadoff hitter and slaps himself on the thigh.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
Tie game.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
is the hook coming?
kurula
May 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
kenshin shouldn’t have come back in this inning. he was scuffling last inning and that baserunning must have taken it out of him…
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
Jeff Clement with a homer on the first pitch. He was hitting .205. Could almost feel it coming the way Kawakami responded to the walk.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:40 pm
Dude behind the Hanook sign in front row on Braves dugout side must be raping Suntrust in the all you can eat seats…
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
Unbelievable… KK will never get a win with 2 runs worth of support.
Marty
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
Now the lack of getting runners home is biting us in the rear.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
Kenshin stays in. Not sure why. The Braves had two men ready.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
Philadelphia lost 1-0.
KK
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
So sorry! So sorry!
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:41 pm
Is KK cursed or what this year. if lowe is pitching the braves would have knocked in at least half of those 70 men left on base
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:42 pm
Mark, double switch coming up.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:42 pm
I know the Braves haven’t scored a bunch today, but Kawakami had a two-run lead against a lousy team in the seventh inning and walked the leadoff man. He can’t blame that on his offense.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
This is when McOut leaving 6 guys on base really hurts.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:43 pm
Indeed, here’s the pitching change. Kawakami does not win.
kurula
May 30th, 2010
3:44 pm
why have leave him in if not to finish the inning? if he gets through it, he is at least in line for the win.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:44 pm
ok, i see how this is going down. bradley is at the game… it needs to be tied, hayward will need to be batting in the 9th, etc, etc, etc…
(or maybe it will be our new fav Mr. Glaus this time)
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:44 pm
Good point Mark. Usually when Braves pitchers have done that it’s cost them run(s). Bobby pulled him before he got a chance to pitch to a guy hitting .174. OUCH!
kurula
May 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
having mclouth really hurts period, manbeast.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
O’Flaherty to pitch. To Iwamura. Who’s hitting .174. That could be construed as overkill.
We_Run_This_Country
May 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
MB,
J-Hey looks a little lost on most of his swings against Maholm this game (save for the single). Is Maholm pitching him any different than most lefties pitch him? Thanks!
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:46 pm
Good point nola, I forgot about the late inning heroics when MB’s around the park.
Geezer
May 30th, 2010
3:46 pm
Kawakami stinks up the place again…..send him back to Japan and open up his spot for someone who can pitch!
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:46 pm
O’Flaherty strikes out Iwamura.
Flappy the Wounded Hawk!
May 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
Garrett Jones should have been out. He didn’t tip the ball. He swung and missed. Didn’t matter if the ball hit the dirt. Tag him and he is out. Should be 2-1.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
mark – if Glaus hits a game winner you have to run the photo one more time in a blog tomorrow before retiring to the ATL photo hall of fame wall (filled with pictures of Koncak, Bruce Sutter, Andre Bruce…
Walker, Texas Ranger
May 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
Guy would have to throw a perfect game for Philly these days to get a win. Bet they start hitting when they get on the plane for Atlanta
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
Geezer, was that supposed to be funny or just dumb?
jake
May 30th, 2010
3:48 pm
Cox is up to his old tricks. This time he’s trying to kill O’Flaherty the same way he overused relievers like Moylan, Remlinger, etc.