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
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:49 pm
I don’t know about Maholm, we run this country. Hayward hit the double very hard. I think he has seen more breaking balls since.
But Maholm is out now.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:49 pm
That “God Bless America” was Awesome! I’m glad radio let us here it. Is that the same guy who sang on opening day? That is one gifted individual!
STRETCH
May 30th, 2010
3:50 pm
Classic Bobby Cox! Why do you leave a pitcher thats struggling the way this guy has been in a game like this? Pitchers like this, sometimes you have to save them from themselves before they get hurt. The Braves really need this game cause the Phillies are going to come to town P.ssed! Like i said, classic Bobby Cox.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
I believe that tenor — he’s from the Atlanta Opera — is the go-to “God Bless America” singer at Turner Field.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:52 pm
The leave-him-in/take-him-out is the easiest second-guess there is. That said … I might have pulled Kawakami after the base on balls. I wouldn’t have let him face the tying run.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:52 pm
Timothy Miller is his name
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:53 pm
Thanks, #22.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:53 pm
Did this guy used to be on the Natinals.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:54 pm
thunder at the Manor = dog in my lap.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:56 pm
Yes, Joel Hanrahan was a National. Traded to the Bucs last year. Rarely is a trade away from Washington a step down.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:57 pm
That was as they say, “in short order”.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:57 pm
Takashi Saito in.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:58 pm
Bucko’s with just 4 hits.
todd grantham
May 30th, 2010
3:58 pm
i’m afraid kawakami might not ring up a win all year.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
3:58 pm
It’s Sammy time!
todd grantham
May 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
but his effort today will keep him in the starting rotation, for better or worse.
Senor24
May 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
Not feeling good about this game right now. When you blow as many scoring chances as the Braves have done today, the baseball gods have a way of making you pay.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
You’d have to think today was about as a good a chance as he’ll have, Coach TG.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
In Pro Wrestling, Mr. Saito would throw salt in your eyes. I’m guess that’s not an option in baseball.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
4:00 pm
Todd, he does seem doomed. The Braves have score over six runs every day except Tuesday and Sunday. Guess who pitched Tuesday? I’ll give you a hint.. His name rhymes with Salami…
Sonny Clusters
May 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Sure could use a big walk right about now.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Going back to the trapped tipped ball … Ross himself showed the plate umpire his glove, as if to say, “I caught it.” Ross didn’t argue that Garrett had missed the pitch entirely.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
Attendance: 31,070.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
*every day this week, that is…
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
Two K’s for Saito. (But no W for KK.)
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
31,078 today’s attendence. Can still hear Marshall Mann repeat those numbers.
Greg
May 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
That 2nd inning will cause the braves to lose.
Then it will be a sweep by the phillies and 4 losses in a row.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
I recall Mr. Mann myself, Chef TD.
kurula
May 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
here we go! it’s time for mclouth to put the braves ahead!
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:04 pm
Greg wins today’s Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm competition.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
He and his family were dear friends.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
Hinske to pinch-hit. But not for McLouth. For Cabrera.
Senor24
May 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
If Franceour hadn’t messed up his head, and Schafer hadn’t messed up his wrist, imagine the outfield the Braves could now have.
todd grantham
May 30th, 2010
4:05 pm
you gotta believe the world has come a long way in 65 years with 2 of today’s Braves hurlers being of Japanese ancestry on the day before Memorial Day.
todd grantham
May 30th, 2010
4:06 pm
Senor 24, and if Kelly Johnson could only hit with a Braves uniform on..
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:06 pm
Hinske’s nickname is “Ski,” by the way. And Bobby Cox didn’t dub him that.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
4:07 pm
i don’t even get your ultra-educated reference mark (wait, actually didn’t you go to school in KY, nevermind), but it made me laugh. i guess that award goes to the daily optimist?
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
and if grandma had balls she’d be grandpa…. c’mon guys, get over it.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Yes, nola. I believe “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” was both a book and a movie. (Though I didn’t read or see it.)
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
“Specs” on deck…
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
McLouth draws a base on balls. And McCann pinch-hits.
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
You have to let McLouth run here, do you not?
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
Chipper grabbing a helmet
todd grantham
May 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
if Bobby had dubbed him that, he would be Ski-Ski
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
Pittsburgh thinks so. A throw-over and a pitchout already.
#22=MANBEAST
May 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
McOut miraculously reaches base.
nola braves fan
May 30th, 2010
4:11 pm
rookie catcher caught stealing is 32%
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:11 pm
McLouth steals the base. Got the jump, and the catcher had a bad pitch to handle.
"Chef" Tim Dix
May 30th, 2010
4:11 pm
Good call Mark
Mark Bradley
May 30th, 2010
4:12 pm
Can’t walk McCann. Not to face Prado.