Four games up, 74 to play: Can the Braves hold on? Sure
Even the All-Star Game broke right for the Atlanta Braves and Brian McCann. (AP photo)
On Opening Day the ballyhooed rookie hit a three-run homer on his first big-league swing. On Tuesday an All-Star catcher not having nearly his best year stroked a three-run double to ensure that the World Series will start in a National League city. And it could — yes it could — be this city.
The Braves are having that sort of year. From Jason Heyward’s first at-bat to Brian McCann breaking the NL’s 13-year All-Star Game litany of failure, 2010 began uproariously and has gotten better.
Here’s a team that had no runs after 26 outs in its first meeting against the reigning league champion … and won by hitting three home runs in the next four at-bats. Here’s a team that trailed first-place Cincinnati by seven runs after eight innings … and won in the ninth. Here’s a team that lost nine consecutive games in April … and it begins post-All-Star play with a four-game lead in the NL East.
When it’s your year, it’s your year.
This is the smartest Braves’ team since the early ’90s. These guys work the count. They get on base. They don’t hit a ton but they hit for maximum effect. They didn’t hit at all back in April, but they worked their way through that month and have been a metronome since.
Since May 9 they’ve played 19 series; they’ve lost one of the 19. One. They haven’t dropped consecutive home games since April 21 and 22. They entered the All-Star break by taking four of six on the road from teams in third and second place. When everything turned in May it was permissible to wonder if this was just a club having a hot month, but May ended a while ago and June is gone, too, and here the Braves sit, four games up with 74 to play.
Not everything has gone right. Jair Jurrjens got hurt. Heyward got hurt and didn’t tell anybody until his average had dipped under .260. Chipper Jones has had to work to lift his average above .250. Kenshin Kawakami needed 15 starts to win a game. In the final week of June the Braves used a starting outfield of Eric Hinske, Gregor Blanco and Melky Cabrera.
And none of it has mattered. This is one of those harmonic convergences where the whole outshines the sum of its parts. The Braves are eighth among National League teams in batting and 11th in home runs, but they’re first in walks and on-base percentage, which makes this a Braves’ team unlike any we’ve seen. Their starting pitching has been as advertised, and the bullpen has been great.
Even with five All-Star selections, this isn’t a collection of stars. It’s simply a heck of a ballclub. The Braves went from last in the division to first in two dizzying weeks, and they’ve increased their lead by grinding out five more winning weeks since Memorial Day. The starting pitching gives them a shot every night, and the offense fashions enough runs to make it work. It’s not quite domination, but it’s absolutely the formula for winning baseball.
Loading ...And yes, for winning a division. The pitching shouldn’t falter, and the hitting isn’t reliant on any one Brave. This is team in the strict definition of the word, a team that has patched the holes that were apparent in April. It’s also a team that feeds off itself. There’s a confidence among Braves, the confidence that comes from the sight of someone different — Omar Infante, Kris Medlen, Brooks Conrad — delivering when deployed. (And the subtraction of Yunel Escobar should only enhance the ambiance.)
It’s also Bobby Cox’s final season. The notion of a big-league club carrying a win-one-for-the-skipper imperative through a six-month season was always fanciful, but if gets down to September and the race tightens … well, these players’ feelings for their manager might well take hold.
Four games up, 74 to go. Can they hold on? Yes they can. Sure they can. I didn’t believe in March and April, but I’ve learned my lesson. And I’ve been around enough division winners to know this:
When it’s your year, it’s your year. This is the Braves’ year.
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146 comments Add your comment
Furman Bitcher
July 14th, 2010
10:39 am
It is their year. There has been too much magic. With McCann getting the Home Field for the NL this year it is all falling into place. Bobby & Chipper’s last year. I see a Yankee’s – Braves series on the horizon.
Jesse Stone
July 14th, 2010
10:39 am
How about the number of players with connections to the state of Georgia? Phillips, Capps, Byrd, Wainwright, McCann, Hudson, others?
The Bees Nees
July 14th, 2010
10:40 am
Well Mark, I’m ready to run through a brick wall now. Thanks for the pep talk.
Randy
July 14th, 2010
10:40 am
No doubt we can hang on, if we stay healthy. It feels like the 90s again.
Jesse Stone
July 14th, 2010
10:42 am
Forgot Broxton
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July 14th, 2010
10:46 am
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chin music
July 14th, 2010
10:51 am
take it back, bradley! i want to see late october baseball at the ted.
61 year Braves Fan
July 14th, 2010
10:51 am
Wish I lived near Atlanta, I would attend many games. This is a fun “TEAM” to watch. Living in
Connecticut , I watch most games via the MLB Package. Good luck Braves.
John
July 14th, 2010
10:54 am
How bout BMAC last night?
Good thing he laid off the monster energy drinks, huh? http://TwitPWR.com/M2r/
Ross
July 14th, 2010
10:57 am
I’m happy for McCann and his swooning admirers, and I’m happy we’ll have home field advantage, but it doesn’t cover the facts – McCann has lost his short swing, he pulls everything, they shift him, and worst of all his defense is awful – mental and physical mistakes out the wazoo.
Ted M
July 14th, 2010
10:58 am
Yes we can win it, but we can also blow it. The Braves are only for games up, what if McCouth becomes are starting CF again and he goes 3 weeks or MORE (oh god) and hits .140 in that stretch? Their offense isn’t strong enough to absorb that. They could easily drop 5 or 6 games East standing.
Then again what if Escobar has a great second half, Infante becomes an every day player albeit at various positions.
Mark can you get us an update on McCann’s eye sight?
collegeballfan
July 14th, 2010
10:59 am
I am not sure I would say it is the Braves year. But I will say this team is playing the best baseball a Braves teaam has played in over 10 years.
The bench has been incredible so far this year. Can the bench keep it up?
And we get Heyward & McLouth back in a few days.
Turlock Brave
July 14th, 2010
11:05 am
Did anybody have Gagne flashbacks when Broxton was pitching last night? I was sure that Broxton was going to blow McCann’s MVP chance like Gagne did for Andruw a few years ago.
chief pitchanono
July 14th, 2010
11:07 am
Great article Mark, that about sums it up fot the first half. The Phillies arn’t done yet though, they will get healthy and this will go down to the wire. It will be a little like David vs. Goliath but the Braves have that magic that will put the NL east title back in Atlanta.
Go Braves!
Herschel Talker
July 14th, 2010
11:10 am
MB:
Stellar writeup, both in content and in style. This team is hot, has the right chemistry, has a dominant rotation and dominant closer, something we’ve lacked for years. A perfect formula. We still need another bat. Do you think Corey Hart is the best option out there, or do you have someone better in mind?
HT
Ted M
July 14th, 2010
11:15 am
Matt Diaz may very well be our best option as the second half bat to spark this team.
Space Monkey
July 14th, 2010
11:17 am
You hit the nail right on the head as to what has made this team better. It doesn’t care about home runs (except idiot Yunel who swings for the fences every time); it cares about winning. These are selfless, smart players who know how to win. They are a joy to watch (except Yunel). And how about that bullpen? All we need is a solid six from our starters and the bullpen will hold. They’ve been stellar.
ChippersLoveChild
July 14th, 2010
11:17 am
“Just want to know how many FORMER braves now with other teams were in the ALL Star game, it’s mind boggling cause we give talent away but have no problem replacing it.”
Pretty sure besides those that mentioned Andrus, Feliz made it this year as well, no? And it isn’t “mind boggling” at how the Braves replace talent? It’s not like they instantly replaced those guys.. it’s been five years since the Braves were a relevant team… it’s nice to see them competing and playing well, but they didn’t just reload magically.. they depeleted their system with wasted trades… tell me you wouldn’t want Wainwright, Jurrjens, Hanson, Feliz, Medlen for the next seven years as your rotation.. Andrus and Prado sounds a lot better than Escobar and Prado… and if nothing else Yunel could have been Chipper’s replacement at third with Prado and Andrus manning second and short… Salty could have even been first… they would all still be relatively cheap as well, allowing you to spend on a Matt Holliday in the OF this past season etc… I love the team, but they didn’t easily replace any of the talent they gave away, and those moves still hindered the Braves development and progress.
Matt
July 14th, 2010
11:18 am
Mark, now you can give us the hyperlink to two articles when you pronounce the Braves dead in September – that way you can be wrong twice in one season. Stick to one opinion and stop filp-flopping.
PS I thought they were dead in April too!
coach joe
July 14th, 2010
11:18 am
Soriano was a cancer. Wagner is the real deal and helps the young pitchers.
no negatives here… this is adream season and I am enjoying every minute.
bruce
July 14th, 2010
11:18 am
Mark, As promised, I went for a Strasburger on July 1, but got clobbered when a truck ran into the back of my car when I was stopped on the interstate in traffic. Tried again on July 10, but they were no longer offering the Strasburger. Disappointing, but the burger I got was a good one. I tried. Over $6K in damage and multiple trips to the chiropractor, but doing well. I also got a red Wagner t-shirt to put on during Philly-Braves series in late innings, but between the wreck and 100 degree temps decided not to make the drive. Thanks for the great article. Bruce
Tom in ATL
July 14th, 2010
11:20 am
Yeah Don – Glaus wasn’t producing either when Melky and McClouth were struggling – so by your logic he should have been benched too. Tommy Hanson got bombed in two consecutvie outings – so apparently he’s no good and should be sent to the minors. Please people – take a look at this team – this is not a collection of all-stars and dominant talent – they are winning due to great managing and getting the max out of what they have. How many games did the Braves win due to Bobby calling for squeezes, adjusting his lineup to bat Prado 1 and Heyward 2? To letting Johnny Ventors be utilized in key late inning roles with the game on the line. By mixing and matching his OF – keeping the guys fresh and interested? On and on – Bobby is not the problem – this team is 10 games under .500 with Lou Pinella or Dusty Baker, etc. If you want to harp on Bobby’s past failures – you certainly can – but to criticize the job he’s done in 2010 is just flat out crazy.
Love the Braves in NC
July 14th, 2010
11:25 am
Really, really enjoyed your blog today, MB. Makes me very excited to be a Braves fan this year. Go Braves!
Dick Doss
July 14th, 2010
11:26 am
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Brian-McCann-National-League-American-League-All-Star-Game-071310 this guy is an ahole
He’s not chiseled or handsome. He’ll never make the cut as a celebrity endorser. Thickly-built and balding, the Atlanta Braves catcher looks like the guy at the end of the bar.
Blaze
July 14th, 2010
11:27 am
I for one don’t want Corey Hart. He has more holes in his swing than swiss cheese.
Ross
July 14th, 2010
11:28 am
The key to finishing out on top will be SMALL BALL – that means – at bat – shortening your swing – get the ball in play – move the runners over – work the count to get the pitch count up. It DOESN’T mean – trying to pull everything – head flopping around – giant cuts with a bat too large – retrogression into the roids era. In the field – keep your head in the game – situational awareness – play your position – know who to back up and when.
Are you listening, Mac and Chipper? Will we see flopping heads, giant futile cuts, first pitch swings? Let’s hope not.
Don
July 14th, 2010
11:28 am
A big factor relating to the 2nd half is how Bobby Cox deals with the outfield situation. Diaz now seems to be healthy and back to hitting great. Hopefully, Heyward will come off the DL healed and back to his first of season production. Infante is hitting great. Hinske is producing effectively. Blanco has been hitting good in his limited time this season – although his past record does not seem to support the probability of his continuing this. McLouth will be coming off the DL with a terrible first half but the one very good year in 08 in Pittsburg.
The key to what outfield combination to play is – What are the Center Field options. Blanco, Melky, and McLouth are all Centerfielders, and Infante has played some Center. The big question is – Is Infante good enough defensively to handle the Center Field job. If he is then the outfield combination is simple – Infante in Center, Heyward in Right, and a Diaz/Hinske combination in Left – That is, as long as these guys continue to hit effectively. This way (although not power laden) you do have a good hitting outfield. Problem is Cox will probably not give Infante a chance to show whether or not he can play Center.
If Cox does not give Infante a chance in Center or if Infante shows that he cannot play Center, then the situation becomes more complicated.
Do you go with Blance as long as he coninues to hit; or do you go with Melky who has a career average in the .260s, had a bad first part of the season, but is now hitting better; or do you give McLouth a chance to see if he can bounce back from his terrible first half (hitting in the .170s) and his careeer of hitting in the .250s or below in every season but one – to the kind of production that he had in his one very good year in Pittsburg in 08 when he hit in the .270s with 28 HR and RBI in the 90s.
Whatever is done relating to Center, the corners must be Heyward and a Diaz/Infante(if he is not in Center)/Hinske combination (depeding on who is hitting best) – as long as these guys continue to hit.
The Cox dangers are:
(1) That Cox will make a selection for Center Field and play him on and on and on even if he is not hitting – instead of making a change.
(2) That Cox will go back to playing both McLouth and Melky in the outfield at the same time – even if one or both are not hitting.
(3) That Cox will play someone in one of the Corner postions on and on even if he stops hitting.
The big problem with Cox is that it takes him weeks, sometimes months to make a needed change that is obvious to everyone.
THE KEY FOR THE SECOND HALF IS – With as many options as he has for Outfield combinations, he absolutely must not do this – must not go on and on with a outfielder who is not procucing.
BartBuzz
July 14th, 2010
11:35 am
It’s Bobby Cox’s last year, the NL wins the All-Star game for home field advantage in the World Series, the Braves are in first place, their pitching is reminiscent of years gone by, the home crowd is filling the Ted….that’s enough to make one believe in fate.
Keep it up Braves! Way to go Mac!
Tb
July 14th, 2010
11:36 am
I think McCann is setting himself up to be one of the best Braves of all-time. He is a very likable young man who can hit. Jason Haywood please take note. This duo is the future alone with Hason,Jurrjen,Medlen and Prado. Go Braves!!!!
Gumby
July 14th, 2010
11:36 am
Great read Mark, thanks. You nailed it with this. I want to win the WS too but also realize the journey is the fun part and I am having a blast watching this team play baseball.
I agree with PMC and dread hearing McCarver say some crap like “what the batter will do here is take the bat and hold it in a way that…..”. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Maybe we can hire Deion to come back and throw Gatoraide on him again. And his toadie Joe Buck.
Tommy
July 14th, 2010
11:42 am
The Bradley curse!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark why couldnt you have written an article about how you still think they will finish third in the division???? Doing that would punch their ticket to the post-season for sure! But in all honesty, great article MB. This year has a truly special feel to it…
Dirty Dawg
July 14th, 2010
11:44 am
Now stop that Bradley…just when you start to get cocky and let us know just how smart you are, that’s when the Baseball Gods – or any of the ones that are supposed to be paying attention to sports-writers/fans/teams/players ‘certainty quotient’ – let you know why they call it ’superstition’.
ATLBrave
July 14th, 2010
11:44 am
Hear Yunell was traded to Toronto for Alex Gonzales.
TommyJack
July 14th, 2010
11:51 am
Need a SS with a mental age north of 14.
Roger Dorn
July 14th, 2010
11:55 am
Give em the heater ricky!
Roger Dorn
July 14th, 2010
11:57 am
Keys to winning: Trade McLouth for gatorade and sunflower seeds
Tom
July 14th, 2010
11:58 am
I will help fill up the Ted in late August….It will be my second trip to Atlanta as I will be traveling from Omaha. Sec 105 row 2….Anyone sat around this area before….Was it as awesome as it looks?
AXE
July 14th, 2010
11:58 am
SURE WE CAN WIN IT ALL. TO BAD THE AJC CAN’T PUT A PICTURE FROM THIS YEAR AS THE LEAD STORY. ADAM LAROCHE AND GREG NORTON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PICTURE. THANKS FOR THE MID SUMMER JINX
papadawg
July 14th, 2010
11:58 am
I’ll admit one thing. The Braves are alot better than I thought they’d be especially after April. I’m enjoying watching them loving the game of Baseball
nola atl fan
July 14th, 2010
12:05 pm
ATL Brave – where are you hearing that trade rumor?
Kentavo
July 14th, 2010
12:05 pm
I said “no thanks” to Corey Hart, too – He looked absolutely lost at the plate last night. He looked like the second coming of Frenchy.
I’d take DeJesus, Ross or Willingham over him anyday.
That being said, I think if we made a couple of pickups in the spirt of when JS nabbed Luis Polonia and Mike Devereaux in ‘95, we should be OK, rather than looking for the Tex/Crimedog sort of punch out.
It's a shame what they did to that dog
July 14th, 2010
12:08 pm
Anything can happen at this point. The Mets are good and the Phillies will come back, no doubt. The Braves still need a BIG bat. The pitching is good but not awesome.
Tale of Woe
July 14th, 2010
12:09 pm
Escobar just got traded for Alex Gonzalez – JoJo also is the package
Correction
July 14th, 2010
12:10 pm
Mark – you said 5 All-Stars. We had 6 (not all were able to make it).
GTSteve
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
“ATL Brave – where are you hearing that trade rumor?”
The voices in his head
Tale of Woe
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
Tiim Collins seems like a decent pitching prospect – lots of strikeouts
nola atl fan
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
where is that being reported Tale of Woe?
Don
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
Sure, the Braves can win the division. It just won’t be easy. They’ve been riding a wave of Tsunami proportions. Can it last? Probably not – but it doesn’t need to. But, to keep the Phillies from catching them, they’ll have to keep the starters all healthy, the bullpen, particularly Wagner overachieving, and Glaus, Heyward and McCann from prolonged slumps.
Remember, the Phillies list of significant injuries in the first half was huge compared to the Braves. In the first half, 4 of the 5 starting infielders, 2 starters and half the bullpen were on the DL for extended periods. In a week, they’ll have everyone back except Utley. This will be interesting!
Koz
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
First?
Tale of Woe
July 14th, 2010
12:11 pm
Trade is completed