Is it time for Braves' fans to panic? Nah, I bravely aver

Rest in Peace, Mr. Tatum

July 28th, 2010
8:03 am

Of course it’s time to panic. The Braves blow two ninth inning leads in the past week and lose a game to the woebegone Nationals. Wasn’t it about a week ago that someone wrote a smug article about a Phillies writer saying that the Phils ought not be too concerned about the Braves. Water seeks its own level, I guess.

Dylan

July 28th, 2010
8:03 am

First?

Big Al

July 28th, 2010
8:04 am

The Braves will be fine as long as they continue to dominate at Turner Field.

BoroBall3

July 28th, 2010
8:05 am

One game at a time… and I frankly dont care if I’m first on thsi blog… one game at a time… good read Mark

MR

July 28th, 2010
8:05 am

First….if they are to win this thing they had better start hitting with runners in scoring position. They should have swept the Marlins but we all know they cannot beat the bottom feeders of the league.

F-105 Thunderchief

July 28th, 2010
8:07 am

Oh, I don’t know. I’m starting to get an April-y feeling. Hope it passes soon.

Turtsnap

July 28th, 2010
8:08 am

Am I first for once?

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

July 28th, 2010
8:08 am

i’m a little concerned, especially after watching the braves lose 2 of 3 to the fish and get blanked by a 39yr old who hasn’t won a game in 2yrs. glaus is worrying me as well, with his leg injury and his production has dropped off. time for another pep talk with bobby.

Rick Behenna

July 28th, 2010
8:09 am

Hey, what was I … chopped liver? Wait, don’t answer that.

Vinny D

July 28th, 2010
8:09 am

The Escobar trade was important to keep the team together but a spark from a new CF would be nice. Its time to start getting Glaus a lot of rest, wouldn’t mind seeing Freeman called up to let ol Troy take a load off. We need him 100% in a few months. I still say play Diaz more!

Evan

July 28th, 2010
8:09 am

The Phillies are old (in baseball terms), and I dont just mean Moyer, they’ll fade toward the end of the year. Their door of opurtunity is being closed on them.

Turtsnap

July 28th, 2010
8:10 am

Of course not!!! Oh well….

But MB, I do feel they need to pull the trigger on a trade like NOW. Don’t need to sell the farm, just another stick in the OF is needed. I almost feel, too, that they could package Troy Glaus for another bat. Glaus won’t be here long term, and he apparently peaked a month ago, but we could still get some trade value for him?

Tweets that mention Is it time for Braves' fans to panic? Nah, I bravely aver | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com

July 28th, 2010
8:11 am

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and LaTonya Story, Sundeep Kothari. Sundeep Kothari said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC: The lead over Philly is down to 3 1/2 games. Time for the #Braves to panic? Nah, I say bravely. http://bit.ly/9dCKTD [...]

BRAVESFAN1979

July 28th, 2010
8:11 am

Seems as though everytime this blog has something optimistic to say about the Braves, they begin to play horrid. So, yeah between your optimism jinxing them and the fact that the Phillies are on fire right now, I am way concerned.

Glaus and Prado need rest, and the team needs another bat if they are serious about a good postseason run.

Chief Hittabatta

July 28th, 2010
8:12 am

I start to panic when they blow 9th inning leads. Bringing McLouse up in the first place really screwed with this team’s chemistry. And why the HELL didn’t WE get Nyger Morgan???

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
8:14 am

MB:

Good call. But let’s hope that this little stretch makes Wren a little worried and thus a little more serious about getting a bat. Glaus is an unmitigated disaster again. With all the injuries (e.g., Corey Hart), who’s at the top of your list right now?

HT

TO MANY OPPORTUNITES WASTED

July 28th, 2010
8:15 am

THE BRAVES WILL BE ALRIGHT BUT THESE ARE THE STEPS TO KEEPING THIS LEAD OVER PHILLES AND THE REST….
1. NO MATTER WHAT SCORE WITH RUNNERS ON BASE (MARLINS)TOO MANY OPPORTUNITES TO SCORE
2. CALL UP GREGOR BLANCO
3. PUT INFANTE IN THE LINEUP MORE HE HAS BEEN HITTING GOOD AS OF LATE.
4. DONT PANIC THE BRAVES WILL WIN TODAY WITH TIM HUDSON ON MOUND, THIS WILL JUMPSTART OUR OFFENSE. FOR EXAMPLE 8-0 VS PADRES (DID YALL FORGET)

Truedat

July 28th, 2010
8:17 am

It was fun while it lasted. Phillies will be in first within two weeks and will never look back.

buck strickland

July 28th, 2010
8:18 am

As usual this is YOUR fault MB! “8 reasons why these Braves will NOT squander this lead”

Thanks Jinx Boy!!

TommyP

July 28th, 2010
8:18 am

This team has overachieved, let’s face it. Lots of people get irritated with Bobby’s managing but this is one of his best jobs ever. This is a lineup that you could’ve seen in the late ’90s in Pittsburgh.

3B is an aging veteran that is breaking down all the time.
1B is a guy signed off the scrap heap at Dollar General that has had his moments but is streakier than Kelly Johnson.
SS is a journeyman that is normally signed by someone right before spring training on the cheap.
OF is a collection of 4th outfielders/utility guys and one rookie phenom.

The pitching is very good but this is a team with so many flaws. I thought a middle of the order guy in LF was the answer until CF never got solved.

Time to panic? No.

Time to make a move? 30 minutes ago.

I say enjoy the success we’ve had ’cause I just don’t see this team winning the division and will be lucky to squeeze the wild card out.

meh

July 28th, 2010
8:19 am

need to get Glaus hitting like he was in June. Hopefully he’ll come out his slump before too long. They need to start giving Infante some more starts in LF and let Hinske spell Glaus at 1B from time to time. Maybe if he stays fresher he’ll start hitting a little more.

Atticus

July 28th, 2010
8:22 am

Mark, Glaus is a vegetable again and Chipper at 3rd is a liability. This lineup overachieved but to count on the offense playing the way it did right before the break is just foolish. This team does not have enough offense and for all the talk about how great the pitching is, Lowe and Hanson are mediocre right now. Bullpen is great. The Phillies are the better team on paper and over 162 games will still show it unless the Braves find some life out of Glaus. I agree with the above they need to play Infante more too. They should’ve gotten Dejesus before he got hurt, not sure there is a move that makes sense now. I haven’t seen Adam Jones play this year but I know he has the talent and is on a horrible team.

Marty Keough

July 28th, 2010
8:22 am

this team will finish 3rd in the east – at best

P Rose

July 28th, 2010
8:23 am

Can we get a government bailout to get us out of the disastrous McLouth and Kawakami contracts?

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
8:23 am

The sky is falling.

Brad in Jasper

July 28th, 2010
8:23 am

Baseball is truly the game of inches. Look at the NL East teams records against each other. For the most part it’s a wash. Yeah, the late losses at Florida sucked, but how many of those type games have the Braves won this year? More than their share. It’ll be tight all the way in, like most divisions. They’ll be aahight.

Ben

July 28th, 2010
8:24 am

Im of the opinion that we should play for now and make a move for a good hitting outfielder. trade a prospect if you have to. my only requirement would be that this person not be a one and done this year

P Rose

July 28th, 2010
8:25 am

Chemistry: there’s that word again. I hate to say it, but everything was sunshine and roses until the shortstop swap. I was tired of Yunel’s act, and I like Gonzalez, but… I’m just sayin’.

Navigator

July 28th, 2010
8:26 am

MBradley, Wrong!! The Braves better be in the front lines of the Oswalt hunt, because their starters are not the best and most of us knew that. If Philly gets Oswalt the pennant race is over, and Wren saying he’s afraid the impact the make up of the team, what? Grow some big ones man, because upsetting this lazy bunch is exactly what the Braves need, and of course the Braves throw away a whole season to allow Cox to have his fair well tour, are you kidding me? Losers do that not champions.

extremus

July 28th, 2010
8:26 am

I don’t often copy and paste earlier posts, but I thought I’d repeat what I said earlier this morning:

Since the All-Star break the Braves have been looking disturbingly shades of April in key situations, particularly with runners in scoring position and in situations where the pitching had normally been leaving opponents on base. They are now officially BELOW .500 since the All-Star break, and that fat lead they had over the Phillies is now down to 3 1/2 games.

Getting McLouth out of the lineup was much-needed, but it’s far from the only problem needing to be addressed; this team is playing flat right now. Glaus just can’t be depended on if you define “streaky” as “I’m going to give you a month or so of good hitting followed by three where I’m going to stink it up”. The nightly game of musical chairs in the outfield has been exposed as a weakness; the Braves’ only truly everyday-caliber player out there is Heyward. Chipper Jones is like the Third Stooge after Curly left the trio (meaning he’s a shadow of what he used to be). Even Martin Prado has hit a wall, it seems; his frustration is evident.

On the pitching side, you have Hanson’s sudden inconsistency, two straight blown appearances by Billy Wagner, Chavez and Kawakami are taking up two bullpen spots that could go to someone who WOULDN’T torpedo the Braves’ chances every time they step on the mound, and even Kris Medlen has looked very human after all that time off.

Not only do I believe a trade for a SOLID, everyday bat is in order; I think it would be an excellent time for a team meeting right now to regain some focus and fire before hopes of a 2010 Braves playoff run go up in smoke.

bob

July 28th, 2010
8:27 am

Panic is not the right word.

Action is the right word.

This team needs some speed at the top of the order. Nate was supposed to provide some average speed and never did. Shafer was supposed to be the speed of the future and he disappeared after his HGH and wrist problem.

The Braves need someone who is able to swipe 30+ bases from the leadoff spot.

Prado should be batting in the two hole, Jay Hey in the three hole, and McCann in the four hole.

Chipper and Glaus need to hit some homers in the five and six spot.

P Rose

July 28th, 2010
8:28 am

Tim Hudson will stop the madness tonight against the hapless Nationals. It’s good to have a sure-fire stopper in the rotation.

WonderDawg

July 28th, 2010
8:30 am

You know, early on, I enjoyed the Braves’ patience at the plate, working the counts, etc. But now, every batter is 0-1 or 0-2 before they get the bat off their shoulder. Pitchers have obviously adjusted, but the Braves haven’t.

Ted Striker

July 28th, 2010
8:31 am

Playing scared never helped anyone. And Bobby Cox won’t let them play scared.

SKB

July 28th, 2010
8:33 am

Braves lost to Florida
Braves LOOSING to WASHINTON

man, what happened, if you can’t even beat Washington, then plz quit baseball.. I see Phillies overtaking the braves within the next few games. Braves had a few fluke wins, and now will return to its underwhelming medeocre self.

Skeezix

July 28th, 2010
8:34 am

The offense has been and still is my biggest concern. Hopefully Wren will bring in a good stick. Last night the hitters looked a little tight, like maybe they feel that Phillies freight train rolling behind them and picking up steam…… But, yeah it’s too early to start wringing our hands. Altough I wish him well, I am glad McOut is outta there and I hope we don’t lose Venters for 4 games.

Tami

July 28th, 2010
8:35 am

Of course it’s time to panic. The Braves blow two ninth inning leads in the past week and lose a game to the woebegone Nationals. Wasn’t it about a week ago that someone wrote a smug article about a Phillies writer saying that the Phils ought not be too concerned about the Braves. Water seeks its own level, I guess.

I agree. It’s frustrating to watch the 9th inning leads fizzle against teams they should be beating. The other frustrating thing with this team suddenly? The runners left on base! Come on! The Braves should be beating their opponents into submission several times over. It’s not that they can’t get on base. They can’t score! What’s up with that? No. I haven’t lost faith…yet. But, knowing how well this team can play, and seeing them underachieve suddenly is completely frustrating. How many times in recent days has this team caused me to scream at my TV screen, scaring my poor cats to death? Arrgggh! Ok. I feel a little better now.

BamaBill

July 28th, 2010
8:37 am

It’s not time to panic, but the issue of obtaining and/or (calling up from the minors) some offense is becoming imperative. I don’t know the exact stats, but I would be willing to bet that we are at or near the top of the league in runners LOB.
We need some power in CF, and some relief at 1B. I agree that Freeman should be called up (and will probably when rosters expand), but we still need a another good bat. They are out there..

SimpleDawg

July 28th, 2010
8:39 am

Glaus had his month of fame….now he’s back to the bargain basement guy.

Martin has become waaaay too predictable…..takes the first pitch 90% of the time, swings at the second pitch 80% of the time, unless the first pitch was a called strike, then he swings at the second pitch 95% of the time. He usually is 0-2 to start almost every at-bat. His batting average is falling like a rock.

Gonzalez hasn’t hit anything since he came to the Braves.

Infante needs to play at least 3 times per week at third base…..Chipper will be better with less playing time.

Hinske should be platooned with Glaus at first.

Diaz needs to play more….let him platoon with Melky in left.

Blanco should be our everyday center fielder.

Venters needs to be the closer…..Wags can no longer be counted on to deliver in the clutch.

Derek Lowe is like a box of chocolates……..

Hanson….ditto. If he continues to show the batters the ball so prominently, he’s going to continue to have trouble getting good hitters out.

Ted M

July 28th, 2010
8:40 am

I thought we were doomed for sure until they sent McLouth down. Hudson will win tonight. We might get spanked by the Reds in Cincinnati though. Perhaps will then spank the Mets at home.

curtis jones

July 28th, 2010
8:40 am

Thanks to the ineptitude of other NL East teams, the Braves could still win it, or be the wild card team…though unlikely to advance past the first round.

1. Chipper is no longer a major league caliber 3rd baseman or #3 hitter. He never will be again. Leaving him in those spots will cost the Braves, and it’s all because of the HOF manager’s legendary loyalty.

2. Do you really want Glaus at the plate with men on base? He had a good month. Happy trails, big guy.

3. Other than McCann and Prado, the best clutch hitters on the club are Infante, Diaz and Conrad. They reside on the bench.

4. Starting pitching is good, not great. Again, can you count on Derek Lowe or Kris Medlen in a playoff game?

5. Much like last year, the HOF manager is allowing the roster to be clogged with game-losing, worthless minor league “talent.” At the end of the year, let’s figure up how many games were lost single-handedly by Kawakami, Chavez and McLouth. Should be interesting.

Realistically, the Braves have been held together by Wagner (who’s tiring), Hudson, McCann and Prado. Any month-long DL injury to any of these guys, and the party just might be over.

AJC-Hating Braves Fan

July 28th, 2010
8:40 am

Is it time for AJC Management to panic due to historically low readership and a near-complete alienation of the literate and educated citizenry of the city in which the firm attempts to do business and remain financially viable?

Verily.

joe

July 28th, 2010
8:40 am

Bradley, you are a total jinx…since you boldly proclaimed the Braves would win the division, they have lost something like 4 games in the standings…and they stopped hitting. Thanks…

The other Tommy P

July 28th, 2010
8:41 am

The Braves do not need Oswalt…they actually do not need another starting pitcher. If they decide to make a deal it will be for another outfielder. Thanks Mark…you are right… no need to panic here. Phillies are hot right now…but give them time, they’ll cool off again and so will the Mets. Be worried about the Marlins…good pitching in the end will win the East and Wild Card!

Braves are not playoff material!!

July 28th, 2010
8:41 am

panic, it is time. says Yoda.
How quickly we have dropped in one week. Now contemplate, if you may, where we will be if we continue to play like this for one more week. panicking can bring things in to perspective and make yo realize exactly what one may need to do in a situation…now will the Braves realize what they need to do? or will they hang their head (like in the past) and act like whooped dogs? I’m guessing they will act like whooped dogs and pout in the locker room. While Bobby continues to give dumb quotes on how well they played. This is not a play-off team. This is not a WS team…they will get their rear ends handed to them.

Greg White

July 28th, 2010
8:42 am

OMG BRADLEY! Why do you detest this team so much!!!! That’s twice now that you’ve jinxed these guys.

Dick's Dungeon

July 28th, 2010
8:42 am

Hanson needs to work on shortening his wind up, or else all players, not just fast ones, will steal bases on him. He doesn’t have the luxury of taking so much time.

It's all over we're doomed blah blah blah

July 28th, 2010
8:42 am

Gotta love your typical Braves fans. Can’t spell simple words like “loser” yet they know how to manage a team better than a guy who’s done it for over 30 years. Go ahead and freak out because that’s all fair-weathered fans do. Hey, maybe you clowns can jump on the Tampa Bay bandwagon since they are playing well again.

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
8:43 am

It may not have been McLouth after all.

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
8:44 am

Chipper was flashing some deerskin out there last night.

SKB

July 28th, 2010
8:44 am

Enter your comments here

Ted M

July 28th, 2010
8:45 am

Navigator why even suggest that. that about as crazy as trading McLouth for Josh Hamilton

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
8:45 am

curtis jones:

What did you think of Bobby butchering that end of the game on Sunday? What a disgrace. I’d rather have the captain of the Titanic manning this ship than this clown Bobby.

HT

Nate McLousy

July 28th, 2010
8:45 am

Maybe the Braves were distracted by the red panties falling from the sky!

Craig

July 28th, 2010
8:46 am

While I agree that we must continue to dominate Turner Field, do we not have to become a better road team if we are going to be successful in the playoffs? And as I stated last week, we have to bring in a right handed power hitter. We can not depend on Glaus (stuck on 14 hr’s since mid june) to be the answer. We have the trade bait, pull the trigger.

lin

July 28th, 2010
8:47 am

look
the umps cost games also. people the players are human they will have bad days this is normal. only thing is when one brave has bad day the others seem like follow. yes they do awful against bottom teams always seem that way. nate is gone to farm team. now kk needs go also. he just can not handle american baseball. time he retire. blanco comes back but heard yesterday have wait 10 games first that rule i heard. i still put braves in 2nd place this year. also mets go 1st. odds who know just guess.

Mark Richt

July 28th, 2010
8:48 am

I’ll work with the players, and I guarantee that no more than a dozen of them will be arrested.

SouthGaBrave

July 28th, 2010
8:50 am

If we can just tread water for the remainder of this road trip against the Nats and Reds, hope is on the horizon. Given the Braves much better record at home, I think the stat of the day is this: after this road trip the Braves have 24 road games left and 34 games at home. That backloaded home schedule will pay dividends down the stretch.

Don

July 28th, 2010
8:50 am

Evan – Say what? The Phillies infielders are 30, 31, 31, 34 and 31 years old. The outfield is 31, 28, and 38. The starting pitching is 33, 26, 25, 27, and 29. The Phillies have played roughly .600 after the all star break for the past three years. It doesn’t matter how old you are if you can’t hit. The Braves need a couple more bats. The team has overachieved for May and June. Last few weeks at .500 are more likely to continue for the rest of the year if they don’t find some hitters. Getting shut out 3-0 by a bunch of nobody arms last night should tell you something. Also, better hope old man Wagner’s arm doesn’t fall off before Sept.

Blackberry Cobbler

July 28th, 2010
8:51 am

Comments about Glaus———-

Mark Texeria never shows up offensively until the last half of the season. The same for Larouche.

I never heard any Braves fans bitchin’ about them. So, why dump on Glaus?

Craig

July 28th, 2010
8:52 am

I love how the techies come on a Braves blog and snipe about UGA. Grow up nerds, talk Braves baseball or go back to the X-box and leave us adults alone.

Steve

July 28th, 2010
8:53 am

Get Oswalt and we win two ways big time. One, we keep him from the Phillies and two he pitches for us! Dump Kawakami and get medlin in the pen to make us stronger there. It will be a great mental thing to help ourselves AND hurt the Phillies AT THE SAME TIME.

We are already playing scared with the lead and if the Phillies AGAIN get the top available pitcher (remember Mr. Lee last year) while we sit on our hands or get some more bargain basement crap, we will fail!

Aaron King

July 28th, 2010
8:53 am

miguel batista… that’s all i need to say there.

i’m not panicking, but we’ve missed a lot of opportunities lately. come october, i hope we’re not 2 or 3 games out of it, looking back at this week and wondering what could’ve been.

Ron H

July 28th, 2010
8:54 am

When did the Marlins and Nationals become such offensive and defensive juggernauts? Oh, when we play them on the road…

Skeezix

July 28th, 2010
8:55 am

It is not time to panic but it is time for Wren to go out and get a big stick to add to this offense.

Shug

July 28th, 2010
8:56 am

It’s my understanding that the Mets are trying to trade Jeff Francoeur. He’s an outfielder, right? The Braves need an outfielder, right? Just thinking out loud. . . .

oldfart

July 28th, 2010
8:57 am

Agree completely MB. The other GMs aren’t stupid and you have to give something to get something. Either in young talent or willingness to take on a big guaranteed contract. I wouldn’t panic but I would be willing to talk to anyone shopping a decent hitting outfielder. Isn’t the trade deadline kind of an artificial thing anyway with the gentleman’s agreement thing on the waiver wire we have seen so often in the past?

Ted M

July 28th, 2010
8:58 am

Mark – Has David Ross ever played 1B?

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
9:00 am

Shug:

Francoeur sucks. He is a .240 hitter with few HRs. Terrible idea. The Braves can do better.

HT

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
9:00 am

The chemistry on this team is so good now that they ALL go into slumps together… Except for Hinske. He’s the rebel on the team. You’ve got 14 guys to choose from to play 8 offensive positions. Put the hottest hitters in those 8 positions. If it means sitting Heyward,Chipper,and Glaus so be it. Just by the numbers Infante,Conrad,and Hinske have hit better than the afore mentioned three but are relegated to pinch hitting and spot starts. Why is Chipper hitting 3rd and Glaus 4th ? These are RBI spots and both just suck at driving in runs (lately July).

Troy Glaus

July 28th, 2010
9:00 am

What did Bobby mean when he asked me if I knew where Gwinnett was?

Rill Ist

July 28th, 2010
9:01 am

What about me? In the past month I’ve hit the same number of homers as Glaus, and even though I’ve never coached a day in my life, I have managed only one less team to a championship than Mr. Cox has in his 30 years.

His name is Robert Paulsen

July 28th, 2010
9:02 am

It’s all good guys. We’ll get back on track with Huddy and start a win streak through Cincy. Reds series will be fun to watch.

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
9:04 am

Chipper Jones.

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
9:05 am

Flashing some deerskin last night.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
9:05 am

Somebody kidnap Jay Bruce when we play the Reds and hogtie KK and Glaus to their dugout as collateral payment.

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
9:06 am

We was caught in the filter again! Was is deer skin that did it?

Sonny Clusters

July 28th, 2010
9:07 am

Now we can’t type. Was it deer skin that did it? Nope. Was it “flashing” some deer skin? Could be. Chipper’s fielding is a lot like McLouth’s batting.

raymond

July 28th, 2010
9:07 am

They are starting to play like the team we thought they would be.

PMC

July 28th, 2010
9:09 am

There’s no reason to panic. It’s baseball. Teams go through ebbs and flows. Sure it’s a lot more comfortable to have a 7 game lead but it’s not THAT realistic overall. The Phillies have an excellent team, they weren’t going to be terrible all year. The Braves just need to get right and get back to winning. It will work out over the course of the year. I think they still win the division.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
9:09 am

Chipper went from MVP candidate to old folks home candidate in 1 year.

PMC

July 28th, 2010
9:10 am

One thing we do need to be concerned with…. McCann’s really really poor defense. He calls a great game no doubt…but he’s been lousy in his other catching duties.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
9:11 am

True PMC. He can’t throw runners out or make plays at the plate (drops the ball or misses it A LOT). I’d run on the Braves every chance I got if I were the other teams.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
9:12 am

They don’t run on Medlen. Dude’s got a masterful pick off throw to 1st.

Don

July 28th, 2010
9:14 am

Yeah whatever Bradley. You are wrong way more than you’re right. Just 6 days ago with a 7.5 lead, you wrote this garbage about why the braves would not lose the lead. By the end of next week, the lead will be “squandered”. This team is in a lot of trouble. Of course you’re feeling might stupid for writing that garbage you did less than a week ago and then this happens. Watch for another series loss to Wash, a possible sweep by Cincy and a 7.5 lead vanished to .5 by the end of the weekend.

MitchC

July 28th, 2010
9:14 am

Mark, I told you last week that I thought you were being… boastful with the column you wrote. You almost made it sound like the Braves were definitely going to be division champs, and it was only the third week of July.

Panic? No. Be very concerned. Yes. When a team has a seven game division lead, and blows half of it in a week’s time, it is time to be concerned.

It would be sad to see the Braves blow all of a seven game lead. Yes, there is the wild card, but that can be a bit more dicey, with many more teams involved. Although, at the beginning of the season, I told you my feeling was that the Phillies would win the NL East, and the Braves would get the wild card. I still see that as a strong possibility.

Whatever happens, the Braves need to play better, period, and it doesnt get any easier with the Reds at Cincy this weekend. I hope by this time next week, we aren’t looking up at the Phillies

Bruce Mac

July 28th, 2010
9:14 am

Enough Please stop it with the optimism.

Greg Norton

July 28th, 2010
9:15 am

Hey guys – I’m still for hire. I can hit. No, seriously.

Tweets that mention Is it time for Braves' fans to panic? Nah, I bravely aver | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com

July 28th, 2010
9:16 am

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NEW CARS

July 28th, 2010
9:17 am

Here’s a novel thought..Package a group of minor league prospects like Lopez and Dunn with Jurjjens and McLouth and send to Houston for Oswalt and Hunter Pence…Pence would make do in CF the rest of the season…Then send Kawakami to someone desparate for a starting pitcher, even if you only get a C level prospect…Might be a pipe dream, but if we want to send Bobby out on a high and set the team up for success next year, that looks good…We would be adding a little payroll this year, but Wagner and possibly Chipper coming off after this year would offset for the future…And we might be able to trade Lowe this offseason after a decent year and only 2 years left on his big contract

Red

July 28th, 2010
9:17 am

Glaus is slumping. Prado is slumping. Escobar is gone and his replacement can’t hit anything. Chipper rarrely plays and has one good game per week. Melky has been doing well lately but booby keeps him batting 8th. This team needs an adrenaline shot.

G Morris

July 28th, 2010
9:17 am

MB you also posted last week blasting a Philly writer for saying all the Phils had to do was right their ship and not to worry about the Braves. That was less than a week ago and they cut the lead in half already. Maybe you should write about something else. I don’t think you’re a jinx…you just don’t know what you’re talking about.

Perhaps have journalists write the blog and the fans comment rather a fan write the blog itself.

Dawg Fud

July 28th, 2010
9:18 am

We needed a grand slam to prevent a sweep by Florida. No we lose to an awful team in the Nationals.

It is not time to panic but its time to man up. We should have feasted on these two teams.

loveforthegame

July 28th, 2010
9:19 am

To make the team better quick, bring up Freeman to give Glaus a break. Send down Cleven.

NEW CARS

July 28th, 2010
9:23 am

The other thought, a little bit radical, would be to bring a red-hot Freddie Freeman up instead of Blanco…I think Glaus could use a stint on the DL to get his legs back under him, it hurts to watch the man run…

Prado
Heyward
Jones
McCann
Pence
Hinske/Diaz
Freeman/Glaus
Gonzalez

Oswalt
Hudson
Hanson
Lowe
Medlen

That team is the best we could do right now

Alpha

July 28th, 2010
9:26 am

The George Costanza of prognosticating strikes again.

Dave

July 28th, 2010
9:26 am

Time to panic? No. Time to trade for a hitter? Yes. We have too many holes in our lineup. Gonzalez has always been a poor hitter, save the occasional dinger. In our blown game against the Padres and our first one against the Marlins, he had a chance to put the game away with runners in scoring position and each time he struck out (as he’s done 1/5 times throughout his career.) Center field is a black hole on offense. Blanco is a n okay stopgap, but he’s a singles hitter who can’t steal bases despite being fast. We need a good hitting outfielder who will consistently drive people in- not a Nate McLouth/Alex Gonzalez-type .250 hitter who hits the occasional home run. If we can’t swing a deal for that type of player, we should stand pat. Another mediocre bat on the bench won’t get it done.

PMC

July 28th, 2010
9:30 am

Players with big contracts and no value (Kawakami; McClouth) are impossible to trade. No one wants to pay them for no production. The only players with trade value are players with potential (like Escobar) or players that other teams feel they can win now with. If the Braves are going to make a trade more than likely other teams are going to covet our young pitchers. At this point it might just be that there isn’t anyone available that Frank Wren feels can really put them over the top as a hitter that would not damage his ability to improve the team further with perhaps better options in the off season.

There are a few good options in the Outfield that are free agents this offseason if the money is available.

CLevelan will be sent down as soon as Blanco is eligable to come back up.

Chicken Little

July 28th, 2010
9:31 am

Mark: I never panic but I’d suggest that you call the funeral home and tell them to start digging the hole. It’s over. They’re done. Last night rigor mortis started setting in. All hope is lost. Throw in the towel. Raise the white flag.

Phil

July 28th, 2010
9:34 am

Is it time to panic you ask? Whenever you have Bobby Cox in the dugout, it’s always time to panic.

JR

July 28th, 2010
9:39 am

Great read Brad. And you’re spot on.

And there will always be people who think the sky’s falling… right up to the last out of a Braves WS victory.

If you’re the type that likes perfect seasons, baseball is not for you.

Ramblin Wrecker

July 28th, 2010
9:41 am

I’m inclined to agree with Mark Bradley, but I’m one step closer to wanting to panic a bit. The reason I’m not quite ready to run around arms flailing with my hair on fire is that this current malaise is against Florida and Washington, two teams the Braves always seem to struggle against with no logical explanation. If they struggle against the Reds this weekend then I might push the red flashing Bat signal button and go all Chicken Little. But I don’t think we’re there yet.

I do however think this might give Frank Wren more incentive to make a deal and not be as concerned with upsetting a clubhouse chemistry, now that they’ve lost a series and dropped another series opener. But only if it is for a difference maker, not a role player.

Andy

July 28th, 2010
9:43 am

Everyone knows that the Phils have a much deeper offense and they are starting to get heathy and will be even healthier when Utley gets back. If they pick up Oswalt that will give them 3 quality starters in Doc, Hamels, and Oswalt. In addition, Happ is back and pitching well. That could put them over the top if Utley comes back and Rollins returns to form. I won’t be surprised at all if they pass the Braves and win the division. The Braves do need to find a centerfielder but I wouldn’t mortgage the future to get one.

Angus

July 28th, 2010
9:43 am

Panic in the middle of a marathon certainly will not help.

I think we’re OK, but….
- a 4-tool-at-least OF would be great, although that’s looking unlikely
- Troy needs a rest – how ’bout a relaxing stint on the 15-day DL with Freeman getting a taste of the bigs?

Keith

July 28th, 2010
9:44 am

I would say it’s NOT time to panic, but it IS time for action.

Do the deal, Wren. Get us a power hitting OF, please. Willingham, Dunn, Hart if he’s healthy and ok.

Bring Blanco up when he’s available in 3 days (hopefully they’ll do this anyway).

Give Glaus a few days off.

Play Infante more.

Greg White

July 28th, 2010
9:44 am

Bradley, it’s not your job to make excuses. That’s all you guys do good! It’s either a *leg* thing or a *spiritual* thing, or a *psychological* thing, or a *heart attack*!

Dawg Whisperer

July 28th, 2010
9:44 am

As long as there are games to be played, there will be peaks and valleys. That’s why baseball is an endurance run and a one of attrition, not for the faint-hearted. The Braves depth will put them on top in the end.

dean

July 28th, 2010
9:44 am

The Braves need to be up by 4 on Sept. 30. That’s all that matters. Wild card entry to the playoffs is ok, but Bobby and crew wants the division.

I think most people, me included, are squirming a bit because we’re seeing flashbacks of The Losing Streak.

#100?

Bravomasochist

July 28th, 2010
9:46 am

I agree Mark, we all need to climb back off the ledge for a while. However, the old baseball adage that you’ve got to be strong up the middle is rearing its ugly head on us as we’re weak in CF. I like Blanco but am not convinced he’s the guy you want starting in CF in the playoffs. You gotta give up something to get something, of course. I wonder what kind of value Medlen and Blanco together would have? Next year’s starters: Hudson, JJ, Lowe, Hanson, Minor. . .Medlen’s done a great job but might be more valuable as trade bait to help boost us in CF.

Bama Aaron

July 28th, 2010
9:47 am

Why not panic? Collectively I’m not sure if they could hit right now if you gave them a wiffle ball bat! Good pitching will only hold up for so long when you’re hitting around Mendoza with RISP. Sending McClouth down will help, but he’s not the only one lost at the plate right now.

O'Brien

July 28th, 2010
9:49 am

Mark,

Assuming this team makes the playoffs, do you think they are a World Series contender?

I don’t. Questionable defense, not enough timely hitting (although they are among the team leaders of OBP), not enough speed, and not enough power.

PMC

July 28th, 2010
9:52 am

With all this handwringing over a couple of losses though….

57-42 and 3.5 in on the happy side of 1st place After the last 5 years and the way it felt struggling just to be at .500 I’m really happy for the most part.

chin music

July 28th, 2010
9:52 am

if someone told me at the start of the season that the braves would be within four-and-a-half games of the phillies heading into august, i’d have been thrilled. that we’re leading them is pure bonus.

but i think you should stick to writing pessimistic pieces, bradley, because your estimations and reality always seem to be on opposing sides.

Army Vet

July 28th, 2010
9:54 am

What happened. The Braves usually choke in October.

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
9:54 am

Ramblin Wrecker at 9:41am:

Well said.

HT

bvillebaron

July 28th, 2010
9:57 am

Ah, the panicking negative nellies coming out of the woodwork are as predictable as the sun rising in the east. I guess you all thought that the Braves were going to continue to play at the pace that they did from May through the Allstar break without a hiccup. EVERY team goes through a rough patch or funk. I forgot who the manager was that says every team wins 54 games and loses 54 games and it is what you do with the other third of the season that defines it. The fact of the matter is guys that despite their 6 game winning streak and the Braves sub .500 play since the Allstar break, the Phillies have picked up a whopping 1 1/2 games during that stretch. Wagner and Chipper had it right earlier this season after the Braves beat the Phillies; this race is going to go down to the wire folks.

FWIW, the player I think the Braves should target is Jose Bautista from Toronto. He obviously brings the much needed right handed power bat and from what I understand can play both corner infield positions in addition to the outfield (could come in handly with Glaus and Chipper’s injury histories). Unfortunately, given his recent hot streak, the Braves would probably have to buy “high” to land him now.

RJM Dawg

July 28th, 2010
9:59 am

Why in the world is Matt Diaz not starting?? He homers in three straight games and then gets benched last weekend?? And I don’t think he has started a game since. Can anyone explain to me why?

Ted M

July 28th, 2010
10:01 am

The Phillies are going to lose a pretty big share of high scoring games except when Halladay pitches. Its gonna be close down the stretch. I feel someone is going to lose it rather than someone is going to win it.

Glaus will have another hot streak not as good as the last one but still pretty good.

Chipper just go for the walks and concentrate on defense.

C from Marietta

July 28th, 2010
10:02 am

People- Yes, they got shut down last night. However, they scored 55 runs since the All Star break. That 5.5 runs a game. NOT BAD. The 2 blown saves for Wagner are what’s hurt them. If the Braves were sitting 5.5 games up. Would you guys be crying then.

Stanley Crowe

July 28th, 2010
10:02 am

As the Braves struggle a bit, it’s worth remembering what the Cardinals are doing right now — a team with an excellent pitching staff and some of the best hitters in baseball has been having all kinds of trouble with teams like the Cubs and the Mets. I think the Cards will be in at the finish, and I expect the Braves to be there too. As for deploring the losses to the Marlins — yes, they were tough, but the Marlins have been a tough team in the division all year. They’ll give the Phillies fits too, when the time comes. As I said in an earlier post — let’s get Blanco up as soon as soon as we legally can. I saw McLouth in a clip of an interview last night — classy response to a tough situation for him. I don’t rule out a return to form and some late season contribution from him after the roster expansion.

Looking for A WINNING STREAK

July 28th, 2010
10:04 am

Bradley:
Write about something other than the Braves, like golf or baking or woodworking or something. Just do us all a favor and don’t write about the Braves anymore. It would be greatly appreciated.

Robards

July 28th, 2010
10:08 am

Mark is correct. Don’t panic. This team once lost 9 in a row and still had a 7-game lead a few days ago. Things will get better.

Jamie

July 28th, 2010
10:10 am

A lot of folks on here underestimate the two-time NL Pennant-winning Phillies. Yes they’re a little older than their WS win year (a little) – but they have shown that they know how to win relentlessly in August and September. Before some of you dismiss them as merely “streaking” – remember they are a very talented team and I doubt the Braves players are as dismissive of the Phils ability to win the division.

Cornfuzed

July 28th, 2010
10:11 am

I still think the best move would be to put Heyward in CF and trade for a corner outfielder. The Braves may very well reach the postseason with this roster, but they have no chance to win the WS unless they add another bat. They also need another bullpen arm, but that can be solved by getting rid of KK when Eric O. comes back. They should demote him just like they did Nate.

Robards

July 28th, 2010
10:11 am

RJM Dawg, the Braves’ skipper believes that Diaz is nothing more than a platoon outfielder who is only allowed to start against lefthanders. This would be true even if Diaz had a higher average against RHP.

NEW CARS

July 28th, 2010
10:13 am

RJM,
He platoons with Hinske and this is Hinske’s line in the last week
Last 7 days 6 16 2 6 1 0 1 4 4 4 0 0 .375 .524 .625 1.149
Now maybe, just a thought, we should give Glaus a couple of days off and play Hinske at first…But I would like to see Freeman get a swing with Hinske in lf…I think Freeman for a slumping Glaus > Blanco for Melkie

Ted M

July 28th, 2010
10:14 am

The Phillies pitching stinks. Rollins is hurt again. Chase may struggle for a little while when he gets back.

The Braves have holes all over the place. It’s gonna be close.

Bushwacker

July 28th, 2010
10:14 am

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO BURN THOSE DAMN BLUE JERSEYS, WE’VE LOST 3 OUT OF THE LAST 4, 2 OF THE 3 IN THE BLUES, PLEASE LOOK AT THE STATS, WE LOSE ALMOST EVERY TIME WE WEAR THE BLUES, FIRE THE PERSDON WHO MAKES THAT DECISION!!!

Joe M

July 28th, 2010
10:14 am

Two reasons the Braves are losing games on the field and in the standings.

1. Bobby’s utter refusual to play Omar Infante and his redicluloud dedication to Nate McLouth until Frank Wren finally stepped in and did the right thing. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON Omar Infante doesn’t play everyday.

2. Bobby Cox has gotten comfortable again and gone back to his old ways of NOT managing the game. He’s back to sittin on his hands and waiting for the three-run homer. The wins and the lead came from bunting, hit-&-running, moving players in and out as necessary, squezzing! ALL THAT HAS BEEN SHELVED by the great Bobby Cox!

And for a quick 3rd, why not play Hinske at 1st a little more? NO REASON not to.

Nacho Daddy

July 28th, 2010
10:15 am

I would like to see a battle for first place with it coming down to the last three games on Oct 1,2,and 3 here at the Ted. That would feel like early 90’s again. SWEET !

Chief Nocahoma

July 28th, 2010
10:16 am

I panicked the moment I saw Mark Bradley’s topic on 8 reasons the Braves Won’t Squander this Lead. I seem to recall some AJC columnist – there was no Internet Blog then – writing about the Braves being a better team than the 1927 Yankees. Only to see them lose the next four games of the World Series to the Yankees – who went on to win three WS in a row. Maybe Philly is taking the lead of the Yankees.

coach smith

July 28th, 2010
10:18 am

you people are a JOKE

The Braves lose 3 tough games (2 of them walk offs and 2 in extra innings) and then have a last minute let down last night and You people come in here hand wringing ready to FIRE, TRADE, and/or KILL everyone

LOL

This team has lost 2, thats right 2 series out of their last 25 and everyone thinks the sky is falling

It is BASEBALL NOT FOOTBALL!!!!! The Braves will get back to normal, the Phillies winning streak will not go on forever (eventually they’ll have to leave their band box and play teams with a pulse), and the Braves will be comfortable again

Just ask yourselves this, If the Braves take the next 2 from the Nats and the Phillies lose the next 2, will you be all comfortable again? YES!

So STOP this rollercoaster of “we’re great” and “we’re terrible”

just watch how the Phillies are winning….their games are a high-wire act with their starting pitching and then they remove the safety net when their Relief pitching enters…they are having to win games by outscoring people and that kind of approach can never be maintained

RELAX, the Braves are FINE!!!!

droopydawg

July 28th, 2010
10:19 am

Let us not forget that the Braves play horribly against the Marlins, Nats, or both every single year no matter how good or bad those teams are in a given year.

Tyler NJ Brave

July 28th, 2010
10:19 am

No big deal. Right before that Mets series(before the AS game)I would have killed for a 3.5 game lead. Besides that 9 game skid this braves team doesn’t go into funks for long. Individuals might but as a team they pull each other out and that’s what makes a championship caliber team. Braves will bounce back tonight with Huddy on the mound.

I really like Podsednik as a cheap CF. He can bat leadoff and put Martin back in the 2 hole. Then slide Heyward down for more ribbies.
1. Podsednik
2. Prado
3. Jones
4. McCann
5. Glaus
6. Heyward
7. Gonzo
8. Hinske/ Diaz
9. Pitcher

NEW CARS

July 28th, 2010
10:19 am

As everyone else is vasilating about Adam Dunn, what if we went in another direction and grabbed the Big Donkey…We have the pitching prospects to get him and offer arbitration and restock with picks when he signs..then Hinske can platoon with Glaus (part of the reason we got him originally) and Diaz can pinch hit and maybe spell Heyward against a tough lefty..I thin as wew get closer to the deadline, he could be had for someone like Dunn and Delgado and maybe a lower hitting prospect like Heffingler,,
Could be interesting, but I’m sure it would be pipe dream

nojinx

July 28th, 2010
10:19 am

Chemistry will take you a long way in this game, but talent plus chemistry, like the Phillies have, will get you to the promised land of the playoffs. The Braves are too old at the wrong positions (3rd & 1st), they’re too weak in the outfield and too overworked in the bullpen to sustain the kind of chemistry necessary to win.

Nacho Daddy

July 28th, 2010
10:22 am

I hated chemistry in school, the lab coats made me look fat.

Bushwacker

July 28th, 2010
10:23 am

Joe M you are sooo right about Infante, we have am ALL STAR sitting on the bench except when the old man “chipper” needs a rest.
Omar should be starting at shortstop.
Melky in left, blanco if cf, hinske at first!

NEW CARS

July 28th, 2010
10:28 am

Let’s keeping throwing options out there…I know he’s a lefty, but how about sending someone like Juan Abreau to the Brewers for Jim Edmonds…I would rather have him in CF than Cabrera and Blanco out there…Cabrera could go back to platooning a little in lf, or better yet while we are dreaming…Cabrera, JJ Hoover, Dunn and Abreau for Corey Hart and Edmonds…

Just Me

July 28th, 2010
10:30 am

1. Chipper should not be hitting in the 3 spot
2. Wren must trade for a power hitting centerfielder
3. Glaus must start to hit again
4. They need to go back to basics and stop the nonsense of not being able to hit bad teams
5. The Phillies were hurt but they arent anymore. Yes we need to give them respect, they are a good club.
6. The trade for centerfield needs to be a good one that will jump start this team like the Fred McGriff trade did.

Put that together and there you have it. If they dont move Chipper down the lineup and find that power bat to go in the number 2 or 3 hold (move Hayward to number 3) then this will be just another ALMOST club and Braves fans are very tired of the almost players. Get the job done and the fans will show up.

Don Schell

July 28th, 2010
10:31 am

They are not going to beat the Phillies for Division. They are not going to post season without a middle of the order RBI hitter.

J-Smoove

July 28th, 2010
10:34 am

I’m pretty sure the reason Diaz has not started the last few games is becuase he got hit on the hand game 1 in Miami. Bobby gave him a couple of days off and he pinch hit last night and seemed to be fine. I’m sure he’ll be back in there tonight in D.C.

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
10:39 am

MB:

I believe it was your old buddy Terence Moore that wrote that about the 1927 Yankees. I’m guessing that is what the person who posted was referring to.

HT

BuckheadBrave

July 28th, 2010
10:41 am

SOUND THE ALARMS! THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE WAGON, ITS ON FIRE AND WE’RE HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A CLIFF! THIS SHIP IS SINKING, THERE IS NO CHANCE FOR SALVATION! ABORT! ABORT!

Bill

July 28th, 2010
10:42 am

Someone mentioned earlier in this blog about Glaus and him falling back on his hitting. In the last two Florida games I watched him at bat. During his swing he was looking pretty well at the pitcher and not following the ball. Watch the film. As everyone knows a batter needs to follow the ball to his bat. Just something small that could be causing a problem.

Bobby's Cox

July 28th, 2010
10:43 am

Mark, It certainly isn’t Hammer Time or Miller Time in the ATL. The only thing hotter than the parking lot at the TED at 1PM is FW’s phone trying to find some players. The Braves are wilting in the heat..Don’t Ed Mangun and his grounds crew have a cure for that??? Chipper is chopped, Glaus is playing like “Lip Gloss”, our old shortstop is now hot and our new shortstop is..just “Old”…McClouth is McOut and we have a MelkMan delivering in CF..problem is he appears to only be a part-time delivery driver. Kamakazee in the Pen waiting to go all Harikari..At this point I would prefer him committing Harry Caray or even Mariah Carey..Oh, forgot to mention that we now have Chip Caray instead Skip Caray..Holy Cow

Randy

July 28th, 2010
10:43 am

Not panic…..but a healthy sense of urgency would be useful. Glaus’ play is very worrisome……if a player can’t hit at least .250, he becomes a big-time liability. Compare Troy’s play to the way Fred McGriff tore things up when he became a Brave. Where is Joe Adcock when we need him?

Renegade 41

July 28th, 2010
10:45 am

I would prefer to see Hinske play more at first and let Diaz play more. I really think the Braves would be better offensively with those two in the lineup instead of one or the other. What’s Glaus done lately anyway? Diaz was on fire and now he hasn’t started a game in a week.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
10:46 am

They would still hit better from their graves than McLouth and Glaus hit though…Or at least the same .000

emo

July 28th, 2010
10:47 am

The dye has been cast, bradley emoted, braves are doomed….

BC

July 28th, 2010
10:48 am

I am optimistic but will admit that today is a must win. The Phillies have Halladay going and it seems like every team they are playing right now is playing their worst baseball of the season. The Braves players need to realize that if it is a first pitch fastball right down the middle belt high, they are allowed to swing.

Chief Nocahoma

July 28th, 2010
10:49 am

Mark,
You and Steve have to have some of the thickest skin available. No where do I know of a profession where one has to put their opinions out there while everyone with access to a computer can second guess you, call you an idiot or otherwise publicly flog you for your opinions daily. With talk radio, the hosts have screeners to weed out the nut cases. Politicians have secret service and handlers to keep the nay sayers away. But you and Mr. Schultz, have no net and no filters. Just put your opinion out there and let the masses throw rocks all day without fear of retribution or someone finding out that everything they’ve ever done or said wasn’t exactly perfect either. I applaud you. Just wish when one of my teams was going good you wouldn’t write about them so glowingly. Lest I want them to fall flat on their faces. For future reference my teams are the Yellow Jackets and Braves. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.

Chief Nocahoma

July 28th, 2010
10:49 am

I meant Jeff. But Steve Hummer should have a blog as well.

Ranger Randy

July 28th, 2010
10:49 am

Not panic……but a little urgency might be a useful thing. Ya gotta win the close ones. Ya gotta SCORE. And Glaus’ bat has been pathetic for quite awhile…..popups, groundouts, routine flys. Where is Joe Adcock or Fred McGriff when you need them>

Stephen

July 28th, 2010
10:50 am

This is when the Braves need to start managing players’ playing time and put the right lineups out there to get a good balance of rested guys and fresh guys. Bobby Cox has never been good at this, and he’s going to mismanage this, too.

RGP

July 28th, 2010
10:50 am

I agree with you Mark, lots of games to be played. I remember a month ago Philly was in a funk and losing lots of games. Now they are hot and we have cooled off. The Braves need to RELAX and keep playing hard.and SMART.(Like moving runners over by bunting instead of hitting into double plays!) Or how bout stealing a base once in a while!

Don

July 28th, 2010
10:50 am

Mr. Bradley:
The TIME for the Braves fans to “PANIC” is long past. It was when the Braves annonced that they were going to let Bobby Cox manage again this season.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
10:51 am

Even if the Braves got Hart,Dunn,A.Jones,DeJesus,etc. Bobby would want to platoon them… I wonder if Bobby has two garderners,two chefs,two caddies,two women at home that he also platoons ?

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
10:53 am

Capps made Glaus look like a little leaguer last night.

Tyler NJ Brave

July 28th, 2010
10:56 am

Alright……….everyone who is saying Infante should be starting everyday because he’s an all star, needs to stop talking. He was on the all star team for doing just what he’s doing right now. That is, coming off the bench, making spot starts, getting clutch hits. He was an all- star because he’s a very valuable utility player. He makes this team a lot stronger on the bench.

Chipper is valuable in the 3 hole. Even though he may not hit bombs like he used to, he’s still a presence in the line -up. Pitchers still walk him and pitch around him. I’d like to see him in the 2 or 6 spot but batting 3rd is not the worst thing.

pick up podsednik! We don’t need a big bat….we have pop 1 through 8 as is. It’s not all about the longball ladies! We got where we are by having great obp’s and timely hitting.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
10:56 am

He probably platoons the grand kids to cut the corns off his feet…

Bobby's Cox

July 28th, 2010
10:58 am

robdaw08-At least Bobby isn’t a “Switch Hitter”..But, if he doesn’t get himself in better shape he may need a “Designated Hitter” in the home though..Wondering how the pinch hitter and pinch runner would come into play as well…Almost forgot-We are in a National League city and the DH may not be allowed..

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
10:58 am

Pitchers don’t fear Chipper they just strike him out or allow him to hit lazy flies to the OF…

Ty

July 28th, 2010
10:59 am

first?

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:00 am

Bobby probably goes to a Toby Keith concert and half way thru asks if they could switch him for Keith Urban…

ScBravesFan

July 28th, 2010
11:01 am

Mark,

I’m hoping for the best but I fear this team is a little overrated. They were 29-10 from May 10 – June 20 but are 28-32 outside of that one hot stretch. How many teams win the World Series with a #3 hitter who is averaging 10 rbi per month? And the #5 hitter has 5 rbi in July? This team is so dependent on McCann and Glaus producing because Chipper doesn’t drive in runs anymore and when Mac or Glaus is struggling, the offense is terrible. I don’t think they can get it done with Chipper and Glaus clogging up two of the run producing spots in the lineup. I don’t have all the answers but maybe moving Heyward to 3 spot in the order and moving Hinske/Diaz to 5 spot in the order could help.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:02 am

Diaz hits 3 homeruns to win 3 games then gets benched. WTF ?

Bobby's Cox

July 28th, 2010
11:03 am

robdawg08-The only people fearing Chipper are the insurance administrators that have to constantly fill out the paperwork for Chipper’s claims.

Tyler NJ Brave

July 28th, 2010
11:03 am

Diaz isn’t hitting right handers…

BC

July 28th, 2010
11:05 am

On the bright side, at least Billy Wagner has had a chance to rest his arm/ankle….hopefully he will come back re-energized when the Braves decide they want to start winning games again

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:05 am

Diaz can’t hit right handers but McCann,Gonzalez,Glaus,Prado,etc. can hit lefties and righties ?
Nice way to label Diaz as “can only hit lefties”.

Too tough 44

July 28th, 2010
11:05 am

I just b SH#T! What a depressing outting…I mean, the Braves get a scrub pitcher, get shut out…Pretenders! Cant beat the teams you are supposed to! Chipper in NOT an everyday player anymore…Gluas, trade him while we can…please! get us another pitcher and CF…Do it now, or The Braves are done. Mr. Wren, dont sit here on your thumbs and think this team can win the divison or a wild card with this INCONSISTENT group of players…The future belongs to you Mr. Wren! Please, the Fans deserve it!

Don

July 28th, 2010
11:06 am

The Braves don’t have the money for Oswalt because the fans don’t show up for the games. Given the team is in a top 10 metro area and has the whole southeast to draw from – nearest teams are Nationals, Rays, Astros and Cardinals – they should sell out most games, particularly given the low ticket prices, excellent stadium, and recent performance. Another 10,000 fans for 81 games at $15 a pop is Oswalt money….

Dave

July 28th, 2010
11:06 am

Okay, guys, let’s look at this logically.

Last night the Braves just got beat; that happens in baseball for at least one-third of your games.

In the loss to San Diego and BOTH losses to the Marlins, the Braves win those games if they get a base hit (and in two cases just a deep FLY ball) with men in scoring position. Had that happened, they would be 8-3 after the break instead of 5-6.

These are games that the Braves SHOULD have won, but did not. There have been many MORE games that the Braves should have LOST, but won because they got the clutch hit or the strategic strikeout.

And did ANYONE out there REALLY think the Phillies were going to roll over and play dead??

That said, it would be nice if Frank Wren could trade for another right-handed bat without giving up the cream of the crop in the Braves minor league propsects.

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:06 am

Glaus can’t hit period…But starts every game.

Herschel Talker

July 28th, 2010
11:07 am

Don at 10:50am

Indeed. Our manager is an imbecile. That game Sunday was the last 15+ years in a nutshell. That game couldn’t have been managed more poorly. What a disgrace.

HT

Too tough 44

July 28th, 2010
11:08 am

Hey robdog….Diaz 3 homers and benched…..LOL! thats Bobby Cox baseball….disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! uggghhhhhhhh!

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:11 am

In every big game Cox manages poorly. Remember when Carlos Beltran was hitting like .700 for the Astros in the playoffs hitting homeruns left and right. Bobby brings in Chris Reitsma to face him with 1st & 3rd in the 7th inning. Instead of walking Beltran, Reitsma serves up a 3 run dinger. Game over. Bobby’s fault for not walking Beltran on 4 straight.

jimmya

July 28th, 2010
11:11 am

when was the last time we brought up an outfeilder besides heyward that could make the team is there no one in the minors how about a new 3rd baseman down there to train

Too tough 44

July 28th, 2010
11:12 am

Sundays game ws typical of BC…! So, disgusting….to let the game get away…and as for last nights pathetic performance…I look for the Braves to go back to loose 9 or 10 in a row…they are making little league throwing errors….uggggggghhhhhhhhh Sh#T!Fire!

Jake Wolfe

July 28th, 2010
11:14 am

Did someone say Josh Willingham?

jimmya

July 28th, 2010
11:17 am

whitch outfeilder besides heyward could start for any other team in baseball time to make a couple of trades im thinking wren waiting for next year

Matt the Brave

July 28th, 2010
11:18 am

Panic, no. Worried, yes.

Matt the Brave

July 28th, 2010
11:21 am

Oh, and random comment. MB, did you know that you’re in a book called “The Experts Speak” which is all about wrong predictions. Sadly, it’s your quote after the first two games of the 1996 World Series stating that we were going to win a lot more WSs in a row. I think that you would have been correct had not every last Yankee been pumped up on ‘roids between 1996-2005.

reason

July 28th, 2010
11:25 am

The Braves should enjoy first place — for a upcoming downfall, if Cox doesn’t put his best players into the game, and play his
favorities , Bench Glaus, for more than a few game, he haven’t help the Braves win a game in quite a while, Bring up a rookie.

Arlo

July 28th, 2010
11:26 am

First! (sic) Go Braves!!! I’m not panicked.

JIM

July 28th, 2010
11:30 am

for one thing when they say that’s baseball, well that’s something that losers say and I think the braves are playing like they did in april

Too tough 44

July 28th, 2010
11:31 am

Hey RobDawg…why bring that up…H#ll, Im still trying to get over him bringing in ole Charlie Liebrandt in the WS to face Kirby Puckett. I, mean, Im sitting there thinking OMG…his best pitch is the circle change…and I KNOW KIRBY PUCKET KNOWS THAT…”CRACK” HOME RUN KIRBY PUCKET, BRAVES LOOSE GAME AND EVENTYALLY THE WS! UGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Bill Donohoo

July 28th, 2010
11:35 am

The Braves best bet for a first baseman is catching. Move McCann to first, he is getting beat up too often and if not behind the plate maybe his average would return to the 300+ level. Find some one else to share the duties with Ross.

Ron Roberts

July 28th, 2010
11:37 am

That’s nice and all, Mark, but with Glaus sucking, Matty D. ailing, Prado “only” hitting in the .250s this month, we’re left with Brian McCann and Jason Heyward having the hot hand, offensively, and it’s not enough without people on ahead of ‘em.

I think we all knew we weren’t going to walk away with the division as easily as it looked a week ago, but if the Phils pick up an Oswalt, they match us, rotation-wise, and exceed us offensively, with only our small cushion seperating us. The NL has TOO many good teams (Phils, Braves, Reds, Cards, Pads, Giants, Dodgers) to presume the wild card is ours for the taking, either.

We need Glaus raking (but it’s starting to look like May was a fluke – most of our games were against Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Arizona and the Nats, mind you…) or a 1B who WILL (LaRoche for another 2nd half surge?), and for Chipper to find some of his old magic, and for Diaz to get well and back at it. We need Tommy Hanson to to pitch better – more consistently, and for Billy Wagner to get back on-track. We should still have a 5.5 game lead, if you ask him…

Melky’s fine, as is Alex G., and I know Martin, J-Hey and B-Mac are gonna be alright. The rest of that lineup….. ehhh.

JASon

July 28th, 2010
11:39 am

Isn’t it interesting how for 14 years you knew this team would end up winning the division. Now, we all know that, one way or another, this team is going to choke.

Love the Braves in NC

July 28th, 2010
11:41 am

Mark, I enjoyed your optimistic column…it certainly isn’t Doomsday.

Let's Go

July 28th, 2010
11:41 am

People can panic all they want but the 2 keys are Wagner & Glaus. The Braves can go out and get whoever but these 2 players have to produce for this team to win. If Glaus had not lost his power and Billy had not blown 2 ninth inning leads last week then Mark does not write this article and no one would be using the word panic around here.

Let's Go

July 28th, 2010
11:42 am

I also agree with Bushwacker. I HATE THOSE BLUE JERSEYS. Don’t really like the red ones either.

The Wad

July 28th, 2010
11:45 am

Not time to panic, just time to get serious about the game again. This team was unpredictable in how it played key situations for two months. Now they have gone back to playing “by the book” and it has cost them games. We don`t work the count at the plate, don`t run to surprise the pitcher/catcher, don`t bunt or suicide squeeze. All these and more were staples of the Braves as they surprised the world in May/June to have the best NL record.
At all cost Infante should play somewhere everyday! Glaus should platoon with Freeman starting right now! Blanco in center with Melke platoon and Diaz ppalying 5 out of 6 games.
WORK THE COUNT!!!!!! EVERY AT BAT!!!!!! BUNT YOUR WAY ON!!!!!

Sutton's Fro

July 28th, 2010
11:47 am

Glaus needs a rest; Chipper needs a rest. Diaz and Conrad need to play! How about this?

1. Prado 2B
2. Infante CF
3. Heyward RF
4. McCann C
5. Hinske 1B
6. Diaz LF
7. Gonzalez SS
8. Conrad 3B
9. Hudson P

FrankTheFalcon

July 28th, 2010
11:53 am

Tommy Hanson is a big wuss! There is no hustle or get up and go in him! He needs to warm up longer so he will be ready to pitch in the 1st and 2nd innings. We only need 6 innings out of him. It should not take to the 3rd inning before he starts pitching!!! What a big goofball, and Troy Glaus is not far behind. If Troy’s legs hurt, give him some rest, because he is hurting us right now!!!!!!

Puppet Please!!

July 28th, 2010
11:56 am

Well its never time to panic, but it is time to realize this team is not good enough as currently constructed to make the playoffs. If by some miracle they DO make it, they will get blown out in 3-4 games by INSERT TEAM NAME HERE. First, Bobby has got to be the worst playoff manager ever…thats not even a debate anymore. Second, we need to worry more about the future, we have no less than 5 field positions to fill by 2012 and NOBODY other than Freeman, scheduled to come up to help. We are going to need a 1st baseman, SS, 3b, LF and CF, and all we have right now to deal from is pitching strength and only Hanson and Medlen could get you a package of prospects that might help the situation. We aren’t winning this year no matter what so don’t blow the farm out trying make a run that won’t amount to anything. Like my boy Obama says, HOPE AND CHANGE, people.

Bob Horner's perm

July 28th, 2010
12:01 pm

Sutton’s Fro….I like that line-up…don’t let anybody give you crap about your hair…..

Bobby's Cox

July 28th, 2010
12:07 pm

FW did it again..he traded for the wrong Gonzales..Thought he was getting Speedy Gonzales ended up with ole man Gonzalez. FW needs to study geography better, the one the Braves got is from North of the Border, the one we needed was from South of the Border…”¡Andale! ¡Andale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! ¡Yii-hah!”

Nosepicking Future Hall of Famer

July 28th, 2010
12:10 pm

I’d like to slap Wren for sending Nate down. He’s a good kid.

Wren better leave Chavez alone. He’s a good kid.

Chip’s about to break out – got to leave him in the 3-spot.

Marc in FL

July 28th, 2010
12:12 pm

I think this team is fine. A little more help with the bat wouldn’t hurt, but for the most part these guys just make wins look really exciting and losses look really pathetic.

Eric C.

July 28th, 2010
12:13 pm

Mark, you are the consummate “homer” and I appreciate you for it…I sure hope you are right. Another interesting article might be…”when will Heyward hit another homerun?”

bvillebaron

July 28th, 2010
12:18 pm

FranktheFalcon:

Hanson wasn’t why the Braves lost last night. If I recall correctly, he gave up 6 hits, one earned run, issued no walks and struck out 8 in 6 innings. Don’t know about you, but I would take that line from a starting pitcher every night with the Braves’ bullpen (this, of course, assumes that the Braves aren’t going to get make 2 errors and get shut out by an emergency starter and some relievers on a last place team).

Nevada Roy

July 28th, 2010
12:24 pm

A more consistent lineup like the Phillies do would be helpful … how is this?

[1] Infante (CF/LF)
[2] Prado (2B)
[3] Hayward (RF)
[4] McCann (C)
[5] Gonzales (SS)

[6] and [7] Jones (3B) – Glaus (1B) – Hinske (1B/3B) Select two based on injury status, match-ups, etc, with each one getting minimum 4-starts a week and days off

[8] Cabrera (CF) platoon with Diaz (LF)

hornblowermg

July 28th, 2010
12:34 pm

braves did the right thing with McLouth. now they have an aging third baseman who is progressively diminishing in his willingness to place himself in front of a hot grounder, let alone charge the ball. he needs to be a dh for somebody where defense is not a requirement. also, they have someone at first base who is not a first baseman, cannot make routine first-baseman quality plays, and has seemed to have lost his slugging ability; time for LaRoach again? McCann is not immune to defense criticism because of his unwillingness or inability to play true catcher’s defense by blocking errant throws. hmmmmm, it seems like we have almost half a team who is afraid of the ball. if they make the playoffs they will not last long due to pooooor defense.

Eric C.

July 28th, 2010
12:37 pm

There is no doubt the power is down…Glaus and Heyward have really cooled off in the power department, McCann is inconsistent, Jones has been down all year…it would help to have someone step it up.

Shane

July 28th, 2010
12:47 pm

My old man used to talk about that Trade for Barker. He swears all Brker ever did was pitch a pefect game one time. He never did anything in Atlanta

Brook Jacoby was a solid player and of course Brett Butler was an outstanding lead off man for years.

bigstack19

July 28th, 2010
12:50 pm

What concerns me is they have dropped three games in the last week that they should have won. They need a big bat in the lineup that can drive in some runs. If they score 5 runs they are basically unbeatable. Too many times this season I have watched them load the bases with less than two outs and only score a run or in most cases not score at all. There needs to be an RBI guy to drive in some runs. The Braves really don’t have one and the two best hitters in the lineup bat 1 and 2. Trade for a hitter please.

bigstack19

July 28th, 2010
12:56 pm

robdawg08

July 28th, 2010
11:00 am

Bobby probably goes to a Toby Keith concert and half way thru asks if they could switch him for Keith Urban…

Everyone knows Bobby Cox is in to straight up gangsta rap. Come on now.

houstondawg

July 28th, 2010
12:59 pm

I am trying to think positive, but philly is making a move and I am sure if they take first the braves will not be able to overcome them. Here are the reasons:

the hitting lineup is not as competitive as the Mets or Phillies.

Starting Pitching about even, maybe a little less against Philly

Bullpin, Atlanta has the advantage against both teams

Heart and will(intangibles) we have seen the braves falter lately in extra innnings or tight games, comes down to will and desire to win at all cost. This braves team does not have the it factor.

Only way to improve is to improve the offense, if you guys will listen to other broadcasters, they all know the offense for atlanta is far from the top teams, ex. the Chi Sox series, that is what will happen when you play top slugging teams with quality hitters. You get beat up in every game.

If Wren does not at least make a move to bring in a quality slugger for the middle of the lineup, don’t expect these braves to go anywhere except for Bobby Cox’s retirement party.
I don;t expect wren to do anything, so GO FALCONS AND DAWGS. Braves you got us excited at least for a little while.

Greg Mendel

July 28th, 2010
1:07 pm

Braves fans don’t need to panic, but the players could use some terror. The Braves seem to go into these bottomless free-fall swoons from time to time. Until recently, they’ve played with grit, hacking out wins for a solid division lead — only to bungle against Florida and Washington. A team that sent several players to the All Star game shouldn’t lose games the way it’s losing them. Without a correction, the Phillies — and even the Mets — are going to pass them by simply getting runners on and getting them home.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:20 pm

Bobby: “Its tattood on Diaz’s butt. Not an everyday player. Look, see? That’s how I derermine who plays and who doesn’t”.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:21 pm

Determine.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:21 pm

“Omar’s got it too”.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:22 pm

“Chipper doesn’t”.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:22 pm

“Hinske’s got it”.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:23 pm

“Glaus doesn’t”.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:24 pm

“That’s called managin’.”

ATLfan15

July 28th, 2010
1:33 pm

@Donny Corleone: you gonna go up to DC and make him an offer he can’t refuse?

Ralph

July 28th, 2010
1:41 pm

What if Glaus doesn’t come out of his slump??? How long do you think Cox will kleep sending him out there day after day, will his average have to reach the McOut level, how many games will we be out of 1st when Cox wakes up this time.. Also I think they should package Infante with Minor and get someone like Carl Crawford or Nigel Morgan to play center field and make things happen. If Cox is not going to use (ALL Star) Infante, which apparently he isn’t then there are lot of teams that would love to have him.

Donny Corleone

July 28th, 2010
1:43 pm

ATL, start taking up a collection.

Sons of Rick Matula

July 28th, 2010
1:57 pm

The turnaround was fueld by – in great part – a miraculous resurgence on the part of Troy Glaus. April he stunk. May & June, he was awesome. He now looks like he’s breaking down. He can hardly run. Every time he runs out a ground ball or slides, I assume he’s going to pull or break something. He’s been stuck on 14 & 50 for it seems weeks. Unless he gets to 23 and 100, the Braves are going to be hurting.

Sons of Rick Matula

July 28th, 2010
2:00 pm

The miracle of Troy in May-June carried this team. he’s now back to April. He’s been stuck on 14 and 50 for weeks. He can’t hardly run. We need another 10 and 40 from him to have any chance. Looking more and more doubtful.

ATLfan15

July 28th, 2010
2:00 pm

Donny, it’s time for the Braves to ‘go to the mattresses’.

C’mon fellas, let’s step it up for the stretch run!

don

July 28th, 2010
2:04 pm

From reading the posts, it is obvious that many of the fans are in panic mode. That is no big deal.

What worries me is that management may well panic and make another stupid trade. The Lenny Barker trade is a good example. The Drew and Teixeira trades are other examples of last minute mindless disasters.

Ron H

July 28th, 2010
2:31 pm

CNNSI article reads, “Here come the Phillies.” Um, no DUH!!!!!

No panic here, but I think the Braves need to go ahead and make whatever trades they’re going to make now, and not wait until the last minute.

And last night’s loss had me scratching my head…shutout by the mighty nationals? I know we were due for a slump, but what a freakin’ coincidence that it happened right as the Phils got hot!

Let’s go, Braves. Rock on!

Ralph

July 28th, 2010
3:15 pm

What if Glaus doesn’t come out of his slump??? How long does Cox keep sending him out there day after day and how many games will we be out of 1st when Cox wakes up this time, does he have to reach the McOut level? Also I think they should package Infante and Minor for someone like Carl Crawford or Nigel Morgan who can make things happen, if Cox isn’t going to use his all star who leads the team in hitting then why not trade him for something they need despertly.

Billy Packer

July 28th, 2010
3:28 pm

Great! I love basketball blogs. I am a great prognosticator and I predict that Georgia Tech will not win the ACC basketball title this year.

Cory

July 28th, 2010
3:36 pm

first off, kawakami has GOT to go..i have to been to 3 of to his starts plus his most recent outing where he gave up three runs to milwaukee. needless to say we should have sent him off a LONG time ago..also nate mclouth just might win the award for LEAST improved player..he hasnt got an RBI since when last year? come on now….maybe the braves need another starter….Hanson has been struggling lately as well..so yes its ABSOLUTELY time to panic.

Billy Wagner & the Braves Offense

July 28th, 2010
3:46 pm

The Braves haven’t played well lately because of Bobby Cox, Frank Wren, the umpires, the fans, the bloggers & venters, AJC & that Mark Bradley (”Mr. Smarty Pants”), the media, society, that guy with the red panties (it was distracting us), British Petroleum and President O’Bama.

Gigga

July 28th, 2010
3:51 pm

Nevada Roy If we are going to stand pat and not get another bat. I like your batting order…… Think what would have happened the last 4 games if this was the line up…. we would have won at least 3 games out of the four

July 28th, 2010
12:24 pm
A more consistent lineup like the Phillies do would be helpful … how is this?

[1] Infante (CF/LF)
[2] Prado (2B)
[3] Hayward (RF)
[4] McCann (C)
[5] Gonzales (SS)

[6] and [7] Jones (3B) – Glaus (1B) – Hinske (1B/3B) Select two based on injury status, match-ups, etc, with each one getting minimum 4-starts a week and days off

[8] Cabrera (CF) platoon with Diaz (LF)

Gigga

July 28th, 2010
3:54 pm

Did any one notice that Hanson got two strikes on almost every batter last night and could not close the deal. Was it the pitch selection from the dug out or from the catcher?

Rick Camp

July 28th, 2010
4:24 pm

Hey, if Wags can no longer seal the deal, I’m pretty sure I have a few innings left in me.

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

July 28th, 2010
4:37 pm

Mark Bradley: “Most of the 1927 Yankees were dead in 1996, so they wouldn’t have hit very well, now would they?”

Better than Nate.

TOMY FOURNIER

July 28th, 2010
5:10 pm

SAME AND MORE OF THE SAME…AT THE END…ATLANTA OUT OF FIRST…MAY-BE THIRD..AND NOT PANIC…WILL BE THE NEXT YEAR…MORON COX OUT AND EVERY BODY HAPPY..RIGHT MR. BRADLEY…NO..PLEASE…NOT PANIC…JUST SCREAMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

nique

July 28th, 2010
6:07 pm

let’s hope wagner can last the season. if not, we’re in trouble.

BoomerBB

July 28th, 2010
6:51 pm

Bring back Andruw… provide a spark to the team and fans, and he’s got life back in his bat.

M Money

July 28th, 2010
8:01 pm

Well its not time to panic yet…I’m probally the only Braves fan in NY….I live around a bunch of Mets and Yankees fans…I have faith in these Braves…Do it for Bobby Cox and Chipper….If they lose the lead I won’t be able to talk smack to all my neighbors…GO BRAVES!!!

Ashley

July 28th, 2010
9:40 pm

I noticed the promo for the Braves-Reds upcoming game DIDN’T mention any special pitching matchup. Guess TV people got burned by the pitching change last night!

Dallas

July 28th, 2010
10:21 pm

Panic? Heck no! no need too, way to early. Phillies are playing good AT HOME, they lost 3 of 4 to the Cubs and 3 of 4 to the Cards. They beat a struggling Rockies team and are beating a horrible Diamondbacks team, At home may I add. This nothing that bothers me. I want to see how the Braves play against the Reds, that will be fun. If they can take 2 of 4 on the Road in Cincy, I think we will be fine. People spazz out. We lost last night and it was the first time we straight up got beat. A couple errors and blown saves by a good closer and we would be on a 7 game streak(before last night). It happens, it’s baseball people.

Henry Huggins

July 29th, 2010
12:24 am

I’m not going to panic, I’m gonna laugh when it all falls apart just like I said it did. Got to get some satisfaction out of this bunch of poseurs.

Braves2010

July 29th, 2010
12:25 am

Second?

houstondawg

July 29th, 2010
1:03 am

Here is the problem fans, the braves lose 2 of 3 to the marlins, then let a journey man Batista look like Pedro Martinez in his prime against them. Sorry but reality tells you and everyone else in baseball on tv say the same thing that the Lineup is lacking some type of pop/ and no Glaus is not the answer. To win a championship you need the slugger in your lineup, right now they don’t have one. sorry to say. I am a braves fan, but I don;t see them holding on with the lineup they have right now, unless there is some miracle trade to get someone that can swing a big bat consistantly, we used to have Chipper but has lost a notch due to age. Don;t say I told you so if or when the phillies take over first. Might be by next week well see. Go Falcons, Dawgs.

Tofu Dan

July 29th, 2010
2:53 am

Oswalt’s a Phillie… Great…

Trying…not…to panic… Powers…draining….

Ripccr34

July 29th, 2010
6:50 am

AHHHHHHHHHHHHOHHNOOOOOO OK now that I’m done panicking the Braves hit a lul in momentum first one since break it happens in baseball.The Phillys are surging the braves in turn
will surge as well.The great thing is we will fight it out head to head in September! Been awhile since
the Braves have taken a true race for a pennant and I believe in those there 14 and 0 their last 14 tries.
GO!!! BRAVES!!!

Thursday Links (A Day Late) »

July 30th, 2010
6:23 pm

[...] It’s not quite time to panic, says Mark Bradley of the AJC. [...]

Is it time for Braves’ fans to panic? Nah, I say bravely

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Is it time for Braves’ fans to panic? Nah, I say bravely

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