Live from Braves-Phillies: A playoff series to reach the playoffs
A tight-lipped Fredi Gonzalez before tonight's titanic tilt. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
One game up, three to go. If the Braves take two of three from Philadelphia, they’ll be assured of playing beyond the 162nd game — even if it’s a Thursday play-in in St. Louis. If they sweep the Phillies, this nose-diving team will have bounded into the playoffs and all those who’d dismissed their chances will conveniently forget those dismissals.
“We still control our own destiny,” Chipper Jones said, speaking late Monday afternoon. And it’s true. They do, at least for the moment. But the colder truth is that these Braves haven’t controlled much of anything since Labor Day.
The Braves led the wild-card chase by 8 1/2 games on Sept. 1. They’ve won two of the eight series since, and one of those two wasn’t really a series: It was a doubleheader in New York rescheduled from the washed-out Irene weekend of August. On Sept. 1, these Braves won their 81st game. Twenty-two games later, they still haven’t reached 90 victories.
The past week has been spent asking where this would rank among epic collapses over the fullness of baseball history — worse than the ‘69 Cubs or the ‘78 Red Sox or the ‘64 Phillies? — but this caveat needs to be attached: All those teams had to win their division/league to reach postseason; these Braves have only to finish first among runners-up. And they’ve spent a month casting doubt on their capacity to achieve even that.
Some of this has been bad luck: When you lose your two best starting pitchers, you’re going to feel it. The Braves are trying to make the playoffs with a rotation that includes three rookies, which nobody can remember happening, and if they get there it’s unclear who, if anyone, will start the games in the Division Series. But that’s a different discussion for (perhaps) another day.
At issue now: Can the flagging Braves steel themselves for three days more? Game 1 didn’t figure to be easy: The Braves were scheduled to face Cliff Lee and the full complement of Phillies starters Monday night, and in a weird way that didn’t seem a mismatch. Because the Braves, who’d won four of their past 10 games, had actually been the hotter of the teams.
The Phillies clinched the National League East on Sept. 17. They then lost their next eight games. Yeah, they’ve been resting guys, but still: Is that the way to prepare for the playoffs? (One thing the Phillies’ skid did do was yield another of baseball’s bizarre benchmarks: This became the first team ever to lose eight straight after winning its 98th game.)
At their September nadir, the Braves have only lose four in a row. They haven’t been winning much, but they’ve won just enough to stay in front. That might sound like the faintest of praise, but it’s still something to note: With three games left, you’d rather be ahead than behind.
Said Jones: “We’ve had more than enough opportunities to walk off the field with wins that would have put this away long ago.”
They have, absolutely. But they haven’t blown this yet, and there’s no guarantee they will. “We have to treat this as a playoff series,” Jones said.
Then, asked about the mood in the locker room: “The locker room’s fine. The dugout might get a little tight at times.”
Someone wondered if Jones, who’s 39, still gets nervous. He smiled. “I don’t really get nervous,” he said. “I break it down to its simplest form: It’s the game of baseball; I’ve done this thousands and thousands of times.”
In his star-spangled career, Chipper Jones has seen everything — a World Series title, an MVP season in which he essentially decided a tight race, 13 playoff appearances. But he has never seen his Braves blow an 8 1/2-game lead in September and miss the postseason. If it happens, this would be a first.
But it might not happen. They might just ride out the worst ride of their lives. According to Baseball Prospectus, the Braves awoke Monday with a 71.7 percent chance of making the playoffs. That’s probably better than they deserve, but in baseball as in life, you don’t always get what you deserve.
And with that, the floor is again open for questions, comments and prophecies of doom. I welcome your input. I value your company. I appreciate your insights.
OK, enough. Join me, won’t you? And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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835 comments Add your comment
kerryb
September 26th, 2011
10:27 pm
Simpletons=Philly fans. Worst fans in sports period
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:27 pm
kerryb… Please Root Against the Phils. That’s all you got the braves are done. They folded. But good news. Derrick Lowe tomorrow. I would feel good if I was a braves fan. He is a money pitcher if the year was 2004
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
of course attendance and atmosphere matter….the stench of apathy lingers in atlanta and it IS affecting the baseball team…
wins-by-a-link
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
Braves were beaten by Phils 4-2, Cards losing to Astros in 6th in Houston, Could remain at one game if Cards lose, I have to say that its really sad to see a team come apart like the Braves have, I have never seen a team struggle to score runs, Last in scoring with runners on third, Its been this way all season, Pitching carried the team the first half and as the pitching wore down the losses started to add up, Its amazing they won 89 games with the poor hitting, You have to realize even if the Braves made the post season some how they would be quickly dispatched by whom ever they play.
Fredi Cox
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
1st and second no outs for cards
Fredi Cox
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
Time for a lance 3 run homer. In his old stadium!!
Crash Davis
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
9 and 16 …. how have we won 9 …
It’s a miracle.
PMC
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
This is Atlanta. They just aren’t very good, they make up for that by being vanilla and boring and yet they wonder why it’s difficult to sell tickets……
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
kerryb. Why are we the worst? Check out our attendance and what our players say about our fans. Thats the only opinion of us I care about
Philly Phanatic
September 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
I wouldn’t feel too bad. The Carl Crawford sweepstakes isn’t doing Boston much good. After tonight they are officially tied. And their payroll tops ours. One good natured question. What in the world has happened to McCann? Outside of Utley in his prime, McCann was the scariest guy in baseball to face in the clutch. And so much for your Super Soph. i know B-ball is a game of streaks but not for 162 games. How’s it feel rootin for the worst team in baseball?
GT23
September 26th, 2011
10:29 pm
Tomorrow is a new day! Derek Lowe needs to be sharp! I’ll be there tomorrow! Go Braves! Oh yeah, Go Astros! Play your starters! Don’t play those Minor League rookies that you played
over that last week. Philly is playing theirs!
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
10:29 pm
Did Fredi really say that? Well, he knows BobbyBall better than anybody. Not having a game plan may explain all those swings at first pitches and failures to advance runners and score runs. Hmmm . . .
Big Wally
September 26th, 2011
10:29 pm
Do they have a jail underneath that Little League Park they play in Filthadelphia, like the old Vet?. If you have to have an on-site jail you might have a fan problem.
Fredi Cox
September 26th, 2011
10:30 pm
It’s the 8th inning wins and the cards are about to take the lead
Braves Fan 80
September 26th, 2011
10:30 pm
Hey Phillie Fans
How hard is it to spend 173 million to buy a good team of players of whom many came from other teams?Not that hard I say.
So you guys just chill and remember most teams operate on 70-100 million less then you.
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:30 pm
Big Wally… I actually volunteer at Children’s Hospital at their Sea Shore House you Jack Ass. Please don’t compare ragging on Braves fans with making fun of someone with cancer you jack ass
Former Stroh
September 26th, 2011
10:31 pm
About to crush the braves
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
10:31 pm
Sadly, nobody is hugging or fanny patting tonight. As for Freddie Freeman, that thick head of hair should be rewarded.
stupup74
September 26th, 2011
10:31 pm
Fan apathy is not affecting this team. Hell,the team should be happy anyone comes out to watch them epicly fail every single year.
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Braves Fan 80… THe phillies run a better and more successful business then the braves therefore have more to spend. Deal with it or show up to a game and put some $ in the braves accounts
Former Stroh
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Haha double steal by albert and holliday
Prado's NOT a 3rd baseman
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Bravos story in a nutshell in 9th: Freeman strikes out, McCann strikes out. End of story. Only 3 more games left at the most cause if they tie they will surely lose in St. Louie. McCann & Prado sub par years, Chipper & Freeman better than expected, Heyward sophomore slump, Bourn is a keeper, Uggla about as expected, good riddance to McOut & Lowe( Yanks or Bosox will pay part of his salary next year, Bravos will eat the rest) Wait till next year boys, chop chop
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Big Wally… I actually volunteer at Children’s Hospital at their Sea Shore House you Jack Ass. Please don’t compare ragging on Braves fans with making fun of someone with cancer you jack ass
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Hey Braves Fan 80 – tell your owners to spend more money, its not our fault they’re cheap. The Braves have virtually the whole South to themselves. Have any more excuses???
Let’s Go Phillies!!!
Former Stroh
September 26th, 2011
10:32 pm
Cards have tied it. Told you. Lance double
eric
September 26th, 2011
10:34 pm
PATHETIC LOSERS!
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 26th, 2011
10:34 pm
bravos fans…apathy for dinner and excuses for desert – lame, just lame….
dustin
September 26th, 2011
10:34 pm
and the cards tie it up…
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
HAHA 4-4 Cards tied it. THe braves fold is almost complete. Also where are all of the braves fans who i argued with all year that this series would be meaningless. I apologize I am wrong this series has a ton of meaning just not for the Phils
Derek D
September 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
The same six words describe both the departed Thrashers and the Braves. Spineless wimps, gutless wonders, overpaid underachievers. 18 trips to the playoffs and 1 World Series ring? It’s the same pattern every time, all the big hitters bat .200 or below and the bullpen goes south for the winter. I’ve been watching MLB since 1946, and this is by far the worst extended choke job I’ve ever seen. The Braves are a disgrace to the NL and the city of Atlanta. I drive from Augusta to Cincy to see real MLB games. Maybe there’s another opening in Winnipeg for a new Canadian franchise??
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
Filtered!
We was so eloquent, too.
Jake
September 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….. Berkman doubles … 2 runs score…. Cardinals tie it!
kerryb
September 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
Philly fans, gloat while you can. The Phillies will be irrelevant in about 2 years with your old players. The Braves are a young team with only one real old player in the field. Young phenom starters coming up. Better young bull pen. You guys will be an after thought with only one WS to talk about for all that money you spent.The Braves are about to go on a run like in the 90’s again.
Braves fan with common sense(something Freddi Gonzalez doesn't have)
September 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
You Philly fans don’t have anything better to do than get on the ATL paper website and harrasing Braves fans? Get a life, seriously.
Weenis Weiner
September 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
I have been a Braves season ticket holder for 20 years and have been to all their post season games including the memorable game 7 in 1992. I am also a charter member of the Tomahawk Express in the early 1990’s. I have never seen such pathetic baseball in September from any major sports team in my life. The Manager has got to go. I am already canceling my season tickets for next year and will never watch another Braves game again. I have earned the right to reject the Braves. I REJECT them…..THEY STINK!!! And to have Glavine in the booth is the biggest insult to Brave’s fan ever in the history of the game. What an insensitive franchise they have become.
Greg
September 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
Fredi G is to blame for this embarrassing collapse. Another one of his teams has quit on him. Frank Wren’s to do list: (1) Fire Fredi G (2) Resign.
Sonny Clusters
September 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
Deer liniment. That cures sore runners.
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
I seriously would like apologies from the lowly braves fans that ACTUALLY thought the braves could hang with The Juggernaut Phillies this year….that’s just wrong and very disrespectful to the well-oiled Phillies Machine.
Ekim
September 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
I really get off all the BENCH THIS GUY, BENCH THAT GUY, comments.
Shoot, why not just bring up Myrtle Beach? At LEAST you’d have some guys that are hungry and want to win, not like those lollygaggers like Chipper who won’t dive into first to avoid a tag! (Never mind the fact that he had about a step and a half n which to make that decision.) Disgraceful! Losers!
Erk Russell's Dog
September 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
Cards down 4-2 in 8th pull off double steal and Berkman comes through to tie game. Braves in 8th stand around and wait for 3 run homer and get routine double play. Braves playing scared and Cards are playing aggressively making things happen. Braves will be sitting home in October.
kerryb
September 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
When the run starts we are going to win more than one WS this time.
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:37 pm
kerryb… HAHAHAHA now you are hoping we will be bad in 2 years this is great. Nothing left to cheer for hahaha
Greg
September 26th, 2011
10:38 pm
If I was a Phillies fan…I would be pulling for the Braves right now. The Cards are hot enough to win the World Series.
the truth...
September 26th, 2011
10:39 pm
Hey Phillies do you understand why all of America will be cheering for Milwaukee when you play them ?
Because Philly is full of pathetic losers……….please go crawl into your slime pits where you belong……………
PhillyGuy
September 26th, 2011
10:39 pm
Greg,.. Good point the Cards are hot but it’s too much fun watching you guys fold
Phillies, Class of The NL
September 26th, 2011
10:39 pm
Hey Greg, we don’t care who we play, after all, we are The Class of The NL.
Ekim
September 26th, 2011
10:39 pm
@Phillies, (no) class of the NL
You’re welcome to post articulate comments about the subject on an opponent’s blog. But you’ve gone past that, now into troll territory. Which makes you kind of icky, scummy and yellow.
kerryb
September 26th, 2011
10:39 pm
Where would the Phillies be if they lost Halliday and Lee for 2 months like the Braves lost Hanson and Jurrjens. My guess is they would have gone into a free fall too. Your only as good as your top two starters. Without them you see what happens.
the truth...
September 26th, 2011
10:40 pm
Fredi’s comment about “baseball is not a sport where you have a game play”….
….was in reply to the question:
“will you have a short leash on Lowe tomorrow night?”
kerryb
September 26th, 2011
10:40 pm
I’m not hoping that. The Phillies WILL be that in 2 years.