Somebody Up There must really like the Atlanta Braves
The Braves are 10-14 in September. They’ve won one of the past seven series. They’ve gone from three games ahead of Philadelphia on Sept. 1 to six games back with six to play. And you know what?
They still should win the wild card.
They start the week a half-game behind San Diego, which is a half-game behind San Francisco in the National League West. The Braves play the Marlins these next three days. The Padres have four against the Cubs. The Giants have three against Arizona. But here’s the catch:
The Padres and Giants finish against one other. One of them has to lose each of the season’s final three days. The Braves end against the Phils, who have already clinched a playoff berth and a tie for the East title. That quirk of scheduling should be enough to get the Braves into the postseason. Provided the Braves remember what it is to win a series, which is, as we know, not exactly a certainty.
The Braves have lost three series to last-place clubs in three weeks. Of their 10 victories in September, four have been posted by Derek Lowe. Their rotation is coming unglued. Their batting order fell to pieces a while back. The wonder isn’t that this team is losing but that it still holds the chance to win something. The Braves are most fortunate.
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423 comments Add your comment
Keith
September 27th, 2010
10:00 am
Mark, yes, good work again. I was thinking the same thing! I was thinking how we should be 1.5 or 2.5 out of the standings by now, but it’s right there for the taking.
And more of my thoughts….
You guys that don’t remember past the last 6 games of baseball crack me up.
Those of you that say that this team has no heart have no idea what you’re talking about. Here is some of what we have lost this year:
Chipper Jones (HOF 3b that still has an OBP around .400), Kris Medlen (our “luckiest” pitcher), Jair Jurjens is likely (Cy young discussions last year), Saito as of now (gave up like 1 ER in like a month), and we are relying on these rookies to carry our team:
Heyward, Venters, Kimbrel.
THese guys have not played well: Mclouth, Glaus, Melky, etc. etc.
To say that this team has no heart I guess you all forgot about the 23 wins at our last at-bat and our come-from-behdind wins. Bobby has these guys playing well over their head, and they have performed beautifully.
Now having said that, I agree that losing 2/3 vs the Nats is frustrating and if they don’t win at least 4/6 they will probably miss the playoffs.
But remember, the September play does NOT usually carry into the playoffs. That is a baseball myth. There is a certain mystery with the playoffs and a fresh slate to the season. Remember the floundering St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 that stumbled into the playoffs as they almost gave up a huge lead in the last 2 weeks….and they WON IT ALL!
Just….get….in.
tdog
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
4-2 will gain at least a tie, but I don’t think they’ve got that in them. I think they’ll go 3-3.
jack
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
Make the play-offs…… only to be swept in the first round.
Keith
September 27th, 2010
10:02 am
Hey Mark!
I personally think you should write a blog on how September poor play doesn’t translate into a poor postseason showing.
Then again, those negative people would hate on you for that as well I’m sure.
Good stuff.
papadawg
September 27th, 2010
10:02 am
I hope they don’t make the playoffs. They have a pretty good foundation for the future so let’s pack it in on make some good offseason pickups and win it next year
Keith
September 27th, 2010
10:02 am
I meant *sept poor play doesn’t necessarily translate into poor postseason play*
Bishop Eddie Long
September 27th, 2010
10:04 am
I like my chances better than those of the 2010 Braves.
papadawg
September 27th, 2010
10:04 am
I don’t think you can say the Braves don’t have heart, their bodies showed poor condtioning after the all star break
Sonny Clusters
September 27th, 2010
10:05 am
Now, Brian McCann and Jeff was always good friends but we was wondering about why the AJC keeps interviewing Brian every day? Is there some other good talkers on the team? Here’s what we’ve come to expect . . . “Well, we’ve got 9 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of”. “Well, we’ve got 8 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of.” Now, its, “Well, we’ve got 6 more games to get this done and prove what we’re made of.” Goo. Made of goo. The Braves have a history with tubs of goo.
Bishop Eddie Schlong
September 27th, 2010
10:06 am
Enter your comments here
Bishop Eddie Schlong
September 27th, 2010
10:07 am
I like my chances of survival better than those of the 2010 Braves.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:10 am
I couldn’t believe McCann went to 3rd after Dunn hit him in the head…he was lucky to get there safely.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
10:12 am
That’s a good idea, Keith. Thanks very much.
Mike
September 27th, 2010
10:12 am
Mark,
If the Braves are to improve next year they will need a CF, LF, & a healthy and mostly productive Chipper. And preferably that CF & LF can come with speed (lead off) and the other with true power (clean up hitter).
I still think we should have gotten Dunn. Maybe we still can.
In an ideal world we would clear enough salary & get just enough of a raise to afford Crawford in CF and Dunn in LF. Problem solved!!!
GermanBravesFan
September 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Mike: The Braves won’t be able to afford a really good LF or CF if Chipper comes back next season. Where would they take the money from? Best case scenario: Chipper retires (as much as I would hate that to happen) AND D. Lowe is traded (he may have improved his value a bit over the past few weeks).
Herschel Talker
September 27th, 2010
10:16 am
“On the record, Herschel, the Braves and Phillies were the two best teams in the National League as of last Monday, which is when I wrote those words.”
Based on what?!? Based on records? Do you have no subjective ability to have looked at this team and to have said that their record was not indicative of the fact that they were in fact NOT one of the two best teams? It’s staring you right in the face. They can’t field. They can’t run bases. They can’t get a clutch hit. Now they can’t pitch. Face it – it’s over.
JJ
September 27th, 2010
10:16 am
Just win the next 2 series and the Braves will at least get to a 163rd game. Padres aren’t capable of sweeping the Cubs over 4 games, and they’ll likely lose 2 of 3 in San Diego. Let’s just say Padres go 4-3 to finish the season, and the Braves go 4-2 (which would be sad considering the circumstances of the 2 teams they are still playing), and you’ll have a dead even tie for the wild card.
Now, if Bobby wises up and goes Hanson-Hudson-Lowe for each of these last 2 series, it is possible that the Braves could finish 6-0. He’s not going to do that though, and his rationale will be that he had to save somebody for the playoffs, which will be ironic if they don’t make it. That will be a sad but fitting way for Bobby’s career to end, with another senile moment.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:18 am
Mike – The Braves are committed to Freddie at first. Crawford would be another lefty in the lineup so the Braves won’t go after him regardless of price which will be 20 mil per for 7 years.
bjohndawg
September 27th, 2010
10:20 am
Bobby deserves to be in the playoffs. And I hope the Braves have enough in the tank to get him there. One last run in the playoffs.Great for baseball, the fans, and Bobby.
But they hitting is light once again. And they could use some additional pitching..
Like I said before, they should have brought back Kenny Powers.
He is killing it in the Mexican League.
bruce mac
September 27th, 2010
10:21 am
If you haven’t noticed, Chipper Jones is not on the team anymore (reference first half). Of course we scored runs wih Chipper hitting third and a healthy Prado leading off. Some people say the dumbest things.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:21 am
JJ – The Braves haven’t been losing because of pitching.
kent
September 27th, 2010
10:21 am
shutup -you face!
JJ
September 27th, 2010
10:23 am
Ted – I agree, but when your offense is anemic, you lessen your chances by not putting your best arms on the mound. Now is not the time to be pressing your luck with Beachy or a crippled Jurrjens.
A folding Fan
September 27th, 2010
10:26 am
“Braves are not dead” How long can they live on life support?
Chris
September 27th, 2010
10:28 am
Yeah, talent is a major factor, but the metaphoric images to me are things like AG deciding to go to first instead of cutting the run down at the plate against Philly (everybody knows what I’m talking about) and taking two strikes yesterday before flailing at a ridiculously wide and low pitch for strike three. Not that it’s all his fault, but just poor efforts all over the field. Heyward, for example, has enough talent to field a fly ball in a clutch situation. C’mon, man – I see the frustration – just not the effort.
chris
September 27th, 2010
10:28 am
The Braves were on the verge of putting the Phillies away. We then trade to get Gonzlez and Lee which I consider an upgrade over what we had (with the exception that we lost Chipper). The problem I think is two reasons:
First, think about how many games they have won in their last at bat? The Braves have been living on the edge all year and now the miracle finishes are not falling their way. Second, is pitching!! Hudson has faded in the most important month of the season. Jurgens can’t stay healthy and when he was he couldn’t get out of the 5th innning. We’ve asked two minor leaguers to come up and try to fill in the 5th spot and save us. That daunted pitching staff everybody loves to talk about no longer scares anyone and it just goes to show you really do never have enough pitching. Oh and the next 6 games are against the Marlins whom the Braves have a record of 8-7 and the Phillies whom the Braves have a record of 7-8. Not exactly a SURE THING.
Everybody also assumes the Phillies won’t play to win this weekend. The Braves will have to face 2 of the big three pitchers if the Phillies go for the knockout. The Phillies saw what happens when the Braves get hot and I think they will try to knock them out to keep from seeing them again in October.
Jim Pierce
September 27th, 2010
10:28 am
**NEWSFLASH to Bobby Cox. Your current lineup isn’t working. DUH Ever thought about changing it? lol
bruce mac
September 27th, 2010
10:29 am
German, no Ankiel ($1 Million), no Glaus ($3 Million), no Wagner ($7 Million), no Saito ($4 Million), and no Lee ($1.5 Million). The Braves have money to give Jason Worth $15 Million multi year contract. In 2012, KK comes off at $8 Million). Please keep up.
Mark Bradley
September 27th, 2010
10:29 am
I doubt the Braves see Hamels, Halladay or Oswalt this weekend, chris.
DHD
September 27th, 2010
10:31 am
The Braves would HOST a playoff game against the Giants or the Padres next Monday in case of a tie for the Wild Card.
VincerVanGo
September 27th, 2010
10:31 am
I’ve promoted all year that Bobby Cox should play the hot hitters daily, but who or where are they? Infante, Prado, Heyward and McCann are all “off” lately and the rest never got “on.” With the hitting anemic, the fielding terrible, and the pitchers worn out what did we expect? Frank Wren put a patchwork quilt team on the field this year and it finally wore out. We should be doing like the Twins and get some young hungry players on the field next year. Another year of cheap utility veterans won’t cut it. If the Braves don’t want to spend, then promote. We’ll have a new manager next year, I hope Wren can give him a team balanced with veterans and plenty of youth. I’m a member of AARP but I don’t want the Atlanta Braves to be.
reality check
September 27th, 2010
10:32 am
Mark why do you keep leading the fans on and acting as if this team has any hope of the play offs? Get real and look at the facts….
Nats won 2 of 3. The Fish kill us and we will be long gone by the time we play the Phat Phils triple a team.
GermanBravesFan
September 27th, 2010
10:32 am
bruce mac: who will be the closer? who will be the set-up guy? Braves need at least one veteran there. Jason W-e-r-t-h? Might not be bad, but Scott Boras is his agent, so you won’t be able to get him for less than $ 18 million. What options might be out there via trade? Braves have plenty of young pitchers – even though I would prefer to see Lowe traded.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:33 am
Chris – “just not the effort” …don’t forget McLouth’s sissy throw to the plate too.
GermanBravesFan
September 27th, 2010
10:35 am
bruce mac: what would Jason Werth be worth?
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:37 am
Zambrano could beat the Padres tonight.
steve brown
September 27th, 2010
10:37 am
Cox and Richt are both “players” managers/coaches but do they get the most out of their talent? I don’t think so. The Braves are so relaxed maybe someone needs to tell them that if they don’t win any more games they will not make the playoffs.
CSpin
September 27th, 2010
10:39 am
How about a blog on the incredible Falcons game yesterday? It was the great silver lining to a poor weekend and may get our minds off the crumbling bravos. It’d be like a cold beer on a Friday evening.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:39 am
Thank god the Falcons won otherwise Atlanta would have had another miserable weekend.
bruce mac
September 27th, 2010
10:41 am
German, there closer will be the new right handed Wagner (Kimbrel) and Johnny Venters will be the set up man. Then you have Dunn, O’flarity, and plenty more young tallented pitchers Without Farnsworth Braves can still sign a Saito type veteran and Moylan is still in the mix with plenty of experience. D Lowe is a Boras client also, Wren gets along with him better than most. Don’t worry about that.
Avid Braves Fan
September 27th, 2010
10:42 am
Cox’s handling of his players sucks. He has never been able to handle a pitching staff and now he has gone senile on us with 6 games left. He refuses to make moves and offend anyone. Bunt, steal, hit by pitch, whatever you have to do to score runs. He leaves Venters in to pitch to a right handed batter, when Moylan is waiting in the wings. He has been a very good manager but it is obvious that it is past time for him to retire. I believe Gonzalez could take this same team and win 10 more games in a season. Good luck in your retirement Bobby.
Ted M
September 27th, 2010
10:43 am
The Braves suck but they just might back into the playoffs. The west is capable of choking more than the Braves.
bruce mac
September 27th, 2010
10:45 am
Oh yea, I forgot the best part. Jason Worth signed with the Georgia Bulldawgs out of high school. He wants to play in Atlanta, no doubt. 5 years, $85 Million would do it with partial loading after KK is gone. It does work and it can happen if Frank will just work his arzz off to make it happen.
Keith
September 27th, 2010
10:46 am
Mark,
Sounds good! Give us Braves fan a little bit of hope, even though our bats aren’t experiencing that hope right now.
I look forward to your upcoming blog.
Now, should I fetch you some coffee, too?
Keith
September 27th, 2010
10:48 am
Re: Avid Braves fan
Sorry, but you are crazy if you don’t think he handles players well!
He’s had this bunch playing well over their heads for like 3-4 mos. They held the division for how many consecutive days? No, I have more respect for Bobby for his handling players than any other year with the Braves.
His tactics do frustrate me at times, but his handling of players has lead him to his 2,500th win!
GermanBravesFan
September 27th, 2010
10:49 am
bruce mac: yeah, Wren gets along with Boras… is that why the Braves “only” pay D. Lowe $16 million per year? That deal was made out of desperation: the Braves needed a starting pitcher and Boras knew it. The same can be said about Werth. Good luck!
help needed
September 27th, 2010
10:49 am
lets get Andrew Jones in cf Tonight. 222 is o.k. he will hit 3 hrs this week to lift the braves. Prado cant play 2nd right now. but has alot of experience in of . lf would be eaiser on the finger. pyt Troy in at 3b. Prado and Heyward switch in batting order. Troy can hit the hr also. were not hitting with runners in scoring pos. so lets get as much power in as possible. also dont mess with rotation moving guys up their already tired. thursday will give them extra rest they need. Huddie is wore out would help to miss a turn. moving him up would shut him down. so the playoffs would be embarassing anyway. go with Martineze or K.K. he won some big time games last year. (if J.J. is not ready) DO NOT LOSE 5 GAMES instead of maybe 1.
Sabre
September 27th, 2010
10:49 am
Mark,
Your point is EXACTLY what makes baseball one of the most intriguing sports. Not only is it a game of inches, but it is a game of incremental nuances. If the Braves win that last series, they statistically must gain (at least) one game on the Padres or Giants. They key to this whole thing is the next series vs. the Marlins. They must put themselves in a position to capitalize on the “quirk.”
benchwarmer
September 27th, 2010
10:50 am
If the Braves make the playoff and then get swept that would be a fitting send off for Bobby Cox. I like the guy and he is great in so many ways but through the years they should have been better.
benchwarmer
September 27th, 2010
10:52 am
In Bobby’s defence he was just not given enough to work with this year. The wheelsdidn’t come off so much as they wern’t all there to begin with. The car eventually was wrecked because of it.