8 reasons why these Braves will NOT squander this lead
This young man is about to get going again. Just watch. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
They’d suffered a bad loss late Wednesday, and now the Braves had to play an afternoon game against the team with the National League’s best record on a sweltering day. (Heat index: 106.) They won so easily as to make you believe there’s no way the final 10 1/2 weeks of this regular season hold any danger for this dauntless band. The reasons why:
1. They can pitch. It never changes. As long as you can pitch, you can win. The Braves won breezing Thursday — actually, they did some sweating, too — because Tim Hudson never gave the Padres a chance. He worked seven innings and yielded six baserunners, one of whom was erased by a double play. This isn’t a team apt to lose five in a row because the rotation won’t let that happen. Jair Jurrjens looks hale and hearty, and even if Tommy Hanson and Derek Lowe haven’t been dominant they’re fine as Nos. 3 and 4 starters.
2. They’re buoyant. Not 15 hours after a sobering loss, the Braves had taken a lasting lead in the decisive game of a three-game set against an opponent they might well see in October. Said Billy Wagner, who blew a save Wednesday night: “Good teams are resilient. The heat out there today was awful; I guarantee you the Padres had never felt anything like that. We jumped on them early and kept them out there a long time.”
3. They’re daring. The key play of the first inning was the rookie Jason Heyward going first-to-third on Chipper Jones’ single to left field, which isn’t easy to do. (Heyward scored the only run the Braves would need on Troy Glaus’ sacrifice fly.) Said Bobby Cox of Heyward: “His instincts are off the chart, and he’s got some larceny in him. He’s not afraid to take a base.”
4. They’re clever. The 20-year-old right fielder is wise in the ways of older men, and there are a bunch of older guys to backstop him. Back to Heyward taking third: “You’d be surprised how many [left fielders] at this level can’t make that throw,” Jones said. “We’re a smart team. We steal bases at a very high percentage [69.5 percent, to be precise]. We’re very good at taking the extra base.” Then this: “We’ve got ballplayers. We’ve got guys with great instincts.”
5. They have a dependable shortstop. Alex Gonzalez, nicknamed Sea Bass, had four hits Thursday and made another series of deft defensive swoops. Said Cox: “Watching him play shortstop these past few days has really been special.” Jones likened A-Gonz to Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel, saying: “It’s great that he’s having a great offensive year, but what I want out of a shortstop is defense — to know that 99 percent of the time he gets his mitt on something he’s going to make the play.”
6. They have a healthier Heyward. He was hitting .251 at the All-Star break, but this is in no way a .251 hitter. He carried this team when nobody else could do a thing in April, and he’s capable of more heavy lifting. He hit .321 over the seven-game homestand. He will do even better very soon.
7. They have a working lead but they’re not impressed by it. Said Wagner: “We play as a team. Chipper has said it a million times, but it’s not one person keeping us going. It’s someone new, a new face in the bullpen, helping us win a game. And we worry about one game at a time, and that comes from the manager.”
8. They have it going in a way that makes you believe they’ll keep it going. They didn’t panic when they lost nine consecutive games in April. They didn’t wring their hands over the lost lead Wednesday night. They press on. They’ve won or halved 20 of their past 21 series. Said Gonzalez, on board only a week: “When you watch the way they play ball every day, you think, ‘This is a great team.’ ”
“Great” overstates. This is a good team that has come to maximize every resource. It isn’t without flaws, but after 95 games it holds the best record in its league. Gonzalez again: “We play hard. We do the little things you have to do. We want to put ourselves in position and see what happens at the end of the year.”
What will happen: The Braves will play beyond the 162nd game for the first time since 2005.
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247 comments Add your comment
Trevor Lamis
July 23rd, 2010
10:47 am
The Braves are going all the way this year. When can we get playoff tickets?
Hammer This
July 23rd, 2010
10:53 am
For those who want to bash Cox about the postseason. During the telecast Tuesday, they showed Smoltz and Glavine’s stats from the 1998 NLCS. Anybody want to guess what they were? Yep, 0-3 and a 4.50 ERA. I guess it was Cox’s fault.
Also, I think I remember Sheffield going about 2 for 30 in his two years here during the playoffs. I know, I know it’s Cox’s fault.
Hammer This
July 23rd, 2010
10:55 am
Don, you might want to check your facts on Cox stating that Heyward needs to be aggressive. I think right after the comment, he started lighting it up. He only slumped after he injured his wrist.
Don
July 23rd, 2010
11:00 am
Relating to Cox’s World Series record:
People forget that we are extremely, extremely LUCKY that it is not ZERO World Series wins out of 14 Post Season opportunities – instead of ONE World Series win out of the 14 chances.
The ODDS were all in favor of it being ZERO —Remember that in the final game the Braves scored only ONE RUN (on a home run) and it require Glavine to pitch a one hit SHUTOUT of the best team in the American League in order for the Braves to win the final game and have even the ONE World Series championship.
Don
July 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
Hammer, that is correct – which was to be expected — Because Heyward had been taking a lot of good pitches (especiall first pitch pitches) – and thus the Pitchers were laying the ball in with fat pitches early in the count – So naturally when Heyward started swinging early in the count – he was hitting great – until the pithers realized this. Then they stopped doing this – And Heyward (resulting for Cox’s comment) started swinging at bad pitches, overswinging, trying to pull too much (no longer being patient and selective) and as a result his hitting then went significantly declined.
The Red Panties are like St Christopher to me, can't travel safe without 'em
July 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Now that we have Heyward and Diaz back healthy, I say we bring up Gregor again and send McLouth wherever, too bad he’s pretty much untradable at this point.
As for anyone dissing Chipper, all he seems to do is know how to get us a key hit when we need it – he is still good defensively and a real deal professional hitter.
Hammer This
July 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Relating to Cox’s World Series record:
People forget that WE are extremely, extremely unlucky that it is not five. ‘91 – One of the greatest Series ever lost in 7 by one run.
‘96 – Wohlers should have never throw that slider to Dimwitz. Up 2-0 would have swept that series and won the next five in a row.
Hammer This
July 23rd, 2010
11:08 am
Don,
Do you actually believe the crap that you type?
Hammer This
July 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
Don,
Please tell us how many MLB Division Titles you have managed your team to? What is your World Series record?
Mike Bradley, Mark's evil twin
July 23rd, 2010
11:18 am
Mark,
Have you heard of any trade rumors for Braves before the break? Just wonderin if they are satisfied with the outfield or thinking about making a move. McClouth scares me. He just can’t hit high fatsball and can’t stop swingin at it. Diaz is killing the ball but he is streaky. Melky is good off bench and Omar is great at playing everywhere but we will need him at 3rd when Chipper pulls muscle sneezing this weekend.
dent
July 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
DB sounds like you were the one who dropped the ball and wasnt able to pick up the seniors on time. Not the Braves responsibility to be there it is yours. In order to qualify for ADA you must be part of a group designated as such. Being a senoir citizen does not assure such. While I appreciate you taking the senior citizens there you were the one at fault not the Braves! It called common sense. By the way how much advance notice did you give the Braves? None I’ll bet.
You are the problem not the Braves!
George
July 23rd, 2010
11:23 am
Larry, How many games have managed and won; regular or post season and when can we expect your induction in the HOF
George
July 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
Don, I look forward to seeing you in the dugout next year so the Braves will be the first team to win 162 regular season games and sweep the playoffs without a loss.
Kentavo
July 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
I know I’ll get savaged here, but if Medlen can net us an power-hitting OF bat then, so be it; pull the trigger!
Joshua
July 23rd, 2010
11:52 am
First of all, I’m curious as to what Mark Bradley thinks is a flaw on this team. To me what makes us such a good team is our lack of flaws. We may not be the best at any position but we have no glaring weaknesses anywhere.
Joshua
July 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
Don – you are not a Braves fan. Just shut up and go away. You do not know what you are talking about. It is quite obvious that objective reasoning is well outside the scope of your intellectual capacity, and to read post after post of your brainless and inane bantering just makes me feel stupider for reading it.
Joshua
July 23rd, 2010
12:00 pm
Herschel Talker – You are incorrect. Some of us knew the Braves had a good team. Some of us knew that Glaus was a good acquisition. Some of us knew that Vazquez had to be moved and that he wasn’t going to command a lot of trade value. Some of *you* simply don’t know as much about baseball as you would like to think.
PMC
July 23rd, 2010
12:10 pm
All is right with the world again. The Braves are in thier right place atop the NL East and the Phillies are firing thier hitting coach and talking about weakening thier lineup significantly so they can try and bring in a 34 year old to compete… NICE.
chip1960
July 23rd, 2010
12:14 pm
Hi my name is Don. Judge Wopner 4:00. I’m an excellent driver. 245 toothpicks, 245. Bobby Cox no good, Raymond, Bobby Cox no good. Just call me Rainman. I’m an excellent driver. Judge Wopner 4:00. Pitch shutout to win ONE WS, pitch shutout to win ONE WS.
GOOD GOD man!! Try coming up with some new material Rainman. Do you just keep repeating the same crap over and over? You are a sad and pitiful man and I’m sure I speak for all blogggers here who wish you would just go away or at least go to Vegas and and count some cards with your brother.
Jeff Blouser
July 23rd, 2010
12:34 pm
NO MORE TRADES PLEASE! Lets let this team play! GO BRAVES!
gcs
July 23rd, 2010
12:37 pm
One more reason: Even when they play bad, they win.
Game 1 vs San Diego is a good example. Three Braves errors, Padre baserunners all over the place early in the game and ATL still come out on top.
.
Mike Honcho
July 23rd, 2010
12:38 pm
Anybody know how the playoffs work? Which division winner will play the wild card winner? The one with the most wins?
ReddJonn68
July 23rd, 2010
12:59 pm
@ whomever thinks the Cards are getting Oswalt, fat chance too much money tied into Holliday & they must resign Pujols next year. Pujols is gonna break the bank just like Iso-Joe !!!!!
Flatsdawg1
July 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
I think Bobby likes this teams makeup enough to come back one more year. This team isn’t scared of anyone and has a lot of players that can really contribute. Everyone in the lineup swings the bat with confidence. It would be so sweet to beat the Yanks in the final game of the season. They have made me a believer! This team doesn’t need to get a big lead and get complacent, It thrives on the underdog role, nobody in baseball is really believing they are a yankee killer yet, they just believe they can beat anybody , anytime, and that is the making of a great team! GO BRAVES!!
Flatsdawg1
July 23rd, 2010
1:05 pm
Let’s face it, Frank Wren was shuerholz -like when he got these players, kudos to him, Do ya think Bobby felt the great when he got the players he did?
Mike
July 23rd, 2010
1:23 pm
Wonderful team. Terrific instincts. Players who like to work and win together. Three holes that must be plugged: Pitcher #10, Pitcher #11 and Pitcher #12. One of those should sort out okay when O’Flaherty gets well and is strong enough to pitch. Currently you cannot do anything with Chavez, Dunn and Kawakami. Their presence means we are wearing out Moylan, Venters and Wagner. Add back in O’Flaherty and you have fixed one-third of the problem. Nobody will want Kawakami ever so Braves should concentrate on finding one more middle inning reliever.
GTSteve
July 23rd, 2010
1:33 pm
Yes Mike if you are still here, the team with the most wins draws the wildcard team, unless both teams are from the same conference, then the wildcard team would play the division winner with the 2nd best record
Rimfire
July 23rd, 2010
1:37 pm
Don,
U r an IDIOT.
Have you actually watched A game this year?
Don’t you have a clue…
Batman bin Suparman
July 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Mark, I lost track: how long before Liberty Media is allowed to sell the Braves to Arthur Blank, er I mean, to new owner?
39YearBravesFan
July 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
It sure is fun to watch them right now. Take it Home, Guys, into Sep & Oct.
GO BRAVES!!
Nads
July 23rd, 2010
2:02 pm
Braves all the way. Ditching Yunel was the right thing to do. And I agree that McLouth has no business anywhere but the bench.
It’s gonna be a fun few months.
tampabrave86
July 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
Go Bravos I haven’t been this exciting watching the Braves since Frenchy came up my senior year!!! Lets go get em Braves!!! Take em to the woodshed!
Chipper Jones stayed hurt
July 23rd, 2010
2:16 pm
I haven’t been this excited about the Braves since they finally traded McLouth.
Oh wait…
frank james
July 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm
I hope the Braves do hire a manager that will keep the coaching staff in tact. They are Braves and have always been loyal to the Braves. I feel since Fredi knows all of them well and he would do this. He would be a good hire.
Adam Edge
July 23rd, 2010
2:26 pm
Mark, I couldn’t agree with you more. However, your writing this article makes me a little nervous. In 1996, you wrote an article that crowned the Braves WS champs after we gained a 2-0 lead on the resurgent New York Yankees. We went on to lose that series in heartbreaking fashion. While I cannot deny your points, I ask you please, don’t jump the shark. Let us enjoy the Braves resurgence and live in the moment. For too long we had expectations and didn’t enjoy the ride, lets do something different this time around.
Chief Hittabatta
July 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
Wow, Bradley cursed the Braves blog even before there was an Internets. Way to go, pal.
JASon
July 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
Teams can go into huge slumps at any time. I feel as confident as everyone else with this team, but we need to support the team as much as possible right now, to make sure they don’t falter. Go braves.
Tale of Woe
July 23rd, 2010
2:34 pm
MB – Not sure if someone mentioned this – but your first comment
“This isn’t a team apt to lose five in a row because the rotation won’t let that happen.” is about as silly as one comment can be. I know it was just 2 months ago -but we did lose 9 in a row. I am pretty sure 9 is more than 5….
N
July 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
Wow — Mark saying kind words about the Braves and even Lowe. Agree, I’ve been saying since Feb that their offense is better then people thought and pitching is great – holding true so far.
DB
July 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Dent,
You must not have ever attended a Braves game, they block off all the streets and will not allow a bus anywhere near the stadium until the traffic clears. The Braves had a months notice about a group that needed to use the elevators to reach their Lexus level tickets (they didn’t buy the cheap seats) yet once the tickets were paid for, they were on their own. During the 6th inning I tried to get the bus in position at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive but was forced to move, I could not get along side the stadium because that is where they line up all the Taxis. I even went to a precienct headquarters to request help from a Captain and was told that they would just have to stand at the curb until the traffic clears.
The Atlanta PD and the Braves policy is clear, they could care less about a group of seniors standing in the heat, they simply want what makes it the easiest on themselves, ignore the problem, they already have their money.
Gary Nolan
July 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
but the number one reason the Braves will not squander the lead……??? They are having FUN playing baseball.
Omar! Omar!
July 23rd, 2010
3:36 pm
Did you see the article in SI by Thomas Lake about Bobby Cox – “gran-Bobby” as the grandkids call him: “Thumbing His Way Back Home”?
Check it out at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172328/1/index.htm
Bobby Cox
July 23rd, 2010
3:54 pm
Mark: I agree with #1 through #8 and I’d like to add one more—
#9. The Master and future hall of famer – Bobby Cox
Skeezix
July 23rd, 2010
3:59 pm
I agree with Bobby Cox.
Mrs. Cox
July 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
You forgot #9 Mark. They have Bobby Cox. Oh, that’s right, your article listed 8 ways why they would keep the lead, not 8 ways they would blow it.
Even if this team does make it to the post season, there is no reason to believe they will get very far. Before this “dry spell” of no post seasons, this team was knocked out in the Division Series (first round for you life long Braves fans) in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Now that is a streak!
Jinxed
July 23rd, 2010
5:10 pm
Great, Mark. Now you’ve gone and done it. I agree with everything you said, but did you have to say it? You know you are the kiss of death. Hide the kids, sell the tickets, we’re doomed.
MyPatooti
July 23rd, 2010
5:24 pm
I always knew my cost accounting experience would come in handy one day. If ATL only plays 500 ball the rest of the season(67games left) they will still finish at 90-72. That’s probably not going to happen, but let’s say it does. Then the Mets or Phillies would have to play over 600 ball, and go 41-26 for the remainder, to finish tied with the Braves at 90-72. The odds (and the Gods, remember Big Mc and the All Star game) are definitely in the Braves favor. Now, I’m gonna go check my crystal balls and see if one of them shows the Bravos winning it all this year. Will let you know.
Chip's Mama
July 23rd, 2010
5:45 pm
MyPatooti……You got a pair of crystal balls?
bartbuzz
July 23rd, 2010
7:38 pm
I hope you are right. But I just watched Nate McLouth hit into an inning-ending double play. I hope Cox doesn’t let Nate ruin the Braves chances.
StillLoveLarry
July 23rd, 2010
7:58 pm
But he blows right now dude. Play Conrad more. Dont blow this season being loyal Bobby, we can win it this year.