Why the Braves’ 13-inning loss to the Nats gives me pause

Mark, what should they do with Uggla? He’s terrible and is not getting any better. Send him to the minors to make a statement?

• Link
• Report this comment

Third

• Link
• Report this comment

no way

• Link
• Report this comment

I didn’t think so

• Link
• Report this comment

I like Christhian Martinez, and he pitched his heart out. He didn’t deserve to get the loss. However, Roger McDowell should work with him on his delivery. His funky follow-through leaves him out of position to field the ball. If he squared up as he’s supposed to, the Nats never would have gotten that first infield hit up the middle in the 13th.

• Link
• Report this comment

Uggla really stinks. I know he gets paid, but he needs to be the highest paid bench player in the Majors right now. Please move Prado to 2nd! Wake up Fredi or get ready to manage in Houston next year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Kudos?

Hitting killed us last night, we’re too streaky

• Link
• Report this comment

This is about the same time last year they started to fade. Until they prove me wrong, I am a little worried.

• Link
• Report this comment

I still don’t get why everyone is saying that it was a no-brainer for Uggla to come home on that last play. Espinosa got a great jump and replays showed it would have been a very close play– probably ending in the Nats’ favor. Heck, Fredi G said it was the “only play,” but wouldn’t a double play, either by tagging Suzuki or throwing to Janish for the turn, produce the same result (a better one, actually- getting out of the inning) as going home to get Espinosa? It was a lot to digest at once for Uggla, but I thought the smarter play was to try and get two. I imagine it would be a close race between Chad Tracy and Adam LaRoche.

Still, as Bradley points out the game wasn’t lost in that crazy bottom of the 13th but in all those baserunners stranded in the last five or six innings. The absence of clutch hitting is uncomfortably reminiscent of last September…

• Link
• Report this comment

Boy, am I glad I went to bed after seven innings.

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh, and another thing. While this was a terrible loss and we have reason to worry about small things here and there, let’s all make a concerted effort to stop being the worst fans in baseball. We are in great position in the Wild Card, are within reach of the Nats and have 5 games left against them. I would love to see positivity in Atlanta for once.

• Link
• Report this comment

Laron is exactly the type of “fan” I’m pointing to… Go cheer for the Yanks.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves have 4 hits in their last 31 at bats with RISP.

• Link
• Report this comment

Maybe its not about just coming home on the play Lon; how about just make the play so he can at least attempt a play at home! I think that is where everyone is saying. He did not even give us a chance to make the play. It looks like he just had a mental lock on the play and froze up! I mean what the heck?! Stop giving him excuses; not a lot to digest! He gets paid millions to play a kids game and digest the right thing to do! Ask the kids playing for the little leauge title now! Geez! I agree with the clutch hitting and not being able to get a hit, but I still ask Fredi to stop managing by sitting on his hands! How about some small ball, some steals, some of the things to do when everyone does not expect you to do something! How about doing the unexpected?

• Link
• Report this comment

Agree ugafan!

• Link
• Report this comment

This game reminds me of our last game against the Phillies- which we lost in extra innings. It also reminds me of the loss to Houston (where Clemens pitched in relief), also in extra innings. All 3 of these games went into extra innings, all 3- we could not get a hit when we needed one. Plain and simple- this team cannot hit under real pressure! That’s been the case for a LONG time. I hope I’m wrong, but I see another choke coming on.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves problems are quite simple:
McCann .229
Uggla .210
Bourne has dropped below .300 to .290
Chipper is great but only plays 4 games a week.
Pitching (Hanson, Sheets, Minor) is questionable.
FG is as dumb as a bag of rocks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Tony Grazziano, other than the uniform there’s not much in common with this team and the team that played against Houston.

• Link
• Report this comment

First, Prado at second ( he was an All Star there) and Johnson in left would be a better option.
Secondly, I agree w Brian’s assessment of the fans. We have the fourth best record in MLB, the best record happens to be in our division.
I don’t see a swoon like last years unless we lose two starting pitchers, Prado has to have surgery on his leg and comes back too early again, Chipper misses two dozen games and Venters, O’F and Kimbrel have terrible Septembers due to overwork again. THESE are the reasons we blew the
wild card last year. Still don’t know what a manager could have done to prevent any of that from happening, since none of the other relievers we had last year threw strikes.
It’s a different year. Uggs needs to sit, Mac needs to sit and rest. Otherwise, we’re gonna be ok.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sure Uggla should be benched. But we all know that is not gonna happen. Even next next year after Uggla’s 2 really crappy seasons and a slow start of the 2013 season…Uggla is not gonna get benched. We’ll hear junk like we know what Uggla is capable of and at the end of the season Uggla’s stats will work themselves out.

This is the new norm for Uggla…not what he did 3, 4 or 5 years ago.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wonder if the Indians would take him if we ate 2/3 of his salary? Naaah

• Link
• Report this comment

Micheal Borne is an absolute joke. Chipper is so busy being cool, he sucks. Thanks for kicking the ball out of Paul’s reach so we could lose Chipper, you idiot. If Heyward has two stikes, he is going to swing at a ball in the dirt every friggin time. Uggla is making $13 Million, unreal. This team is not good and might win a wild card but so what. Mr. Bradley, please do not start telling us how many games the Dodgers/Giants have to win to catch the Braves if the Braves just play 500. That is so lame and rediculous for the media to continue to trot out that idiotic logic. Can’t wait til football season starts.

• Link
• Report this comment

If we were not doing a 6th man rotation we would have another reliever in this type games instead of havig christian pitch more then he should or could have brought Kimbrel in to get out of that mess amd worry about saving it later. If any managing has to be done we lose. Bourn has only 31 stolen bases this year. Why do we not hit and run or have him straight stealing more to put pressure early on the other team. We don’t do the little things when it counts. That is the Cox mentality of waiting for the long ball that doomed us in the post season for years and will continue to cost us in the future. Winning 6-0 or 6-1 like we have lately requires no managing skill.

• Link
• Report this comment

F. Gonzalez has to set aside “player loyalty” and sit Uggla and Mac. Ross is a better catcher and is now unfortunately the better hitter, it’s time for some painful decisions that will ruffle some feathers but Braves fans deserve to see the team that gives them the best chance to win. Platoon left and put Prado at second….it’s time to get serious folks and waiting all season for players to snap out of it is going to cost them dearly.

• Link
• Report this comment

6-4-3 is the only DB to consider in that situation.

Where Uggla caught it, he had to come home as soon as the runner broke, or stare down the runner and maybe consider a quick flip to first base only for 1 out. Anything else was gonna end badly.

How wierd was that too watch on TV? The announcers were excited at the stop, and then …. Uggla dropped it and the game ended. I had NO idea that guy was even running toward home!

• Link
• Report this comment

I THANK WE SHOULD MAKE BASTORNICKY PLAY SECOND SEND UGGLA TO THE MOON

• Link
• Report this comment

See Ted, there in lies our problem I believe. Everyone speaks of the culture of the Braves and how business the organization is and all of the other things they say, but as long as we continue to “stick’ with this culture we are going to be in trouble! If memory serves me correct, when the Braves won it all we had young guys who played with hearts on their sleeves! Now its the business approach. The “Braves Way”. Sick of that crap! Show some frigging fire in your belly. Have some intestinal fortitude! Stop with this crap about doing it the “Braves Way” and let some of these guys play with passion! Its a kids game and it should be played with passion. Stop allowing these players like Uggla to come in and not be held accountable for what he is doing or should I say the lack of what he is doing. We benched Heyward last year……….right? No one should be higher than the team. Its about the team and if you cant help the team win Uggla sit your Donkey on the bench and be a high paid cheerleader! Same for you McCann. I dont want to hear your gripes about not playing, I want you to play to the level we expect. Dont make me wish for Ross behind the plate if you are the MAN! We got Johnson for a reason! Not to play every 5 days! Show us that your thinking was correct Frank Wren and that you saw the righting on the wall and knew Uggla would not break out of this year long slump! Show us you have the GUTS to put him on the bench and play to win. Regardless of what salary he is making! Show us that you want the best players on the field at all times! SHOW US the FANS that you will not settle for nothing less. Who care how much he gets paid?! Show us that you want to win………….SIMPLE!

• Link
• Report this comment

Tried to post this last night…this game reminded me…and it may be what’s got Mr. Bradley concerned…recalled a comment by, the great, Tom Hughes, following yet another display of 80’s-era Braves’ ineptitude the evening before, ‘They never missed a chance to miss an opportunity.’ So many chances to make plays and/or get hits…failed.

• Link
• Report this comment

Why does Uggla take every pitch down the middle and swing at every pitch in the dirt?

I blame him more for his pathetic at-bats in the previous extra innings than the final play.

And Chipper caused the first-inning big-inning by nonchalanting and missing an easy ground ball for the double to get it rolling.

• Link
• Report this comment

UGGLA is horrible. What a waste of money.

• Link
• Report this comment

Post blocked again?

• Link
• Report this comment

Great point TomB, I think we would have caught the Nats off guard if they did that last night with Heyward up when Prado lead off with the double. Although many of you will say let him swing away (and he did and RIPPED the ball) I think doing the unexpected sometimes catches a team off balance! Just saying

• Link
• Report this comment

If is it Bourn you don’t have to bunt him over. Half the time he was caught were bad calls. We like to sit back and wait for a double.

• Link
• Report this comment

Really the worst part about the loss is that for me personally anyway I invested at least 3 hours of sleep to watch mostly horrible baseball that ended in an annoying loss.

• Link
• Report this comment

You are right they made a lot of thinking mistakes that cost them the game last night. I thought the throw to third instead of first, filling the bases with no outs was not well done either. The bunt that was poped up reminded me how bad that has gone all year. They seem to snap out of these Monday games and play well the next two. Hope that happens here.

• Link
• Report this comment

No #### – and Uggla’s contract is too big to eat, but that streakiness is killing us….

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m not ready to declare the sky is falling or that the Braves are about to have the aforementioned 2011-like collapse…yet…,but I am really beginning to think they’re looking at a Wild Card at best scenario. Yeah, technically it’s still the playoffs (by MLB’s capitalistic-motivated definition), but if the Braves get eliminated in a one-game playoff by another also-ran (what wild card teams would have been called 20 years ago), then there’d BETTER NOT be another banner hung at Turner Field “commemorating” it. The question of “who wants/deserves it more” really still is decided by who does what it takes to win their division over 162 games, regardless of the playoff crapshoot’s outcome.

• Link
• Report this comment

MLB.com has a good video perspective of the play, from the third base side between the catcher and third base with Uggla’s play in between. Uggla “had” the ball when the runner was about halfway down the line and I’m telling you, if he had fired immediately home that guy was as dead as 4 o’clock in a government office.

• Link
• Report this comment

I didn’t see it but if the infield was in, which I think it was, that means they want you to go to the plate first. If the IF is in Uggla cannot see the baserunner at 1st so McCann or Freeman have to be yelling where the play is. By bringing the infield in they are not going for 2.

• Link
• Report this comment

I really believe that this team just drove the bus over the cliff. Hope I’m wrong.

• Link
• Report this comment

For starters, a large part of your problem is your rating of the talent of the Braves vis a vis the Nationals. In fact, the only place the Braves ARE stronger than the Nats is at closer. The Nats ‘pen overall is better than Atlanta’s, the Nats have the best run differential in baseball and since the AS game, lead baseball in runs scored. They are better offensively than the Braves, and they field better. Oh, and they have the best starting rotation in baseball, and even when they move Strasburg out and bring in Lannan, they will still have a better rotation than ATL.

“They bothered me because they fly in the face of what I’ve come to believe — and, truth to tell, what some in the Braves’ organization have come to believe — about this team vis-a-vis the Nationals. I (and certain Braves folks) believe the local nine is better than Washington everywhere but in the starting rotation, and here let’s concede that starting pitching has an outsize importance.”

So yeah, silly thoughts to have that have no evidentiary basis. Kimbrel is the only place the Braves are as good as Washington, and even that is only because Kimbrel has been so damn good, as the Nats closer this season has been very good.

• Link
• Report this comment

Reed Johnson should be starting every day to give one of the three outfielders rest. Bourn especially needs a day or two off. Prado should play at 2nd some to give Uggla some rest. And why not start our opening day shortstop at shortstop??? Janish has been solid on D, but even as average as Pastor was on O, he was better than Janish. Also, get Hinske a start or two at first to give Freddie some rest. And start Ross; McCann is hurting, and Ross is simply more productive at the moment. If Betancourt was healthy, I’d say put McCann on the 15 day DL, but for now, just let him be the one who plays once every 5 days in an effort to try to get him to heal some. Yes, these are key games, but we’re gonna need some gas left in the tank at the end if we want to have any chance.

• Link
• Report this comment

@ SundropKid
I appreciate your post was unable to understand why Uggla was in lineup after reading Johnsons numbers yesterday afternoon.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, please explain to me how it is that you and some in the Braves organization have come to believe “the local nine” are better than the Nats “everywhere but in the starting rotation.” Ludicrous. You are seriously deluding yourselves.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, sorry you felt discomfort after the Braves’ game. Next time, take some Metamucil and it’ll go away.

• Link
• Report this comment

Braves team > Braves fans. Clusters has not come on today yet but if or when he does, there will be more of the negative posts. Count on it and take it to the bank.

• Link
• Report this comment

Uggla’s lack of a play in the 13th really isn’t what bothers me. In fact, I have been pretty happy with Ugglas defensively. My issue is that Uggla seems to decide if he is going to swing or not before the pitcher even winds up. He takes strikes down the middle and swings at balls in the dirt…CONSTANTLY. There is no rhyme or reason behind it. You can’t lead the league in walks and strikeouts unless you are playing a guessing game and simply electing to swing or not before the wind-up regardless of what the ball looks like coming down the pipe.

Love this team…just tired of FG (have been since halfway through last year) and Uggla in the line-up..

• Link
• Report this comment

Eric Hinske has the greatest job in the world. Once every 2 or 3 days, he walks to the plate, swings 3 times, then goes back to the clubhouse and has another beer and cheeseburger.
He looks more like Doug Heffernan everyday

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, I don’t always agree with you, but it’s great to hear you are no longer drinking the Kool-Aid from Wren and the front office. You can slice and dice the final plays until you are blue in the face, but, as you point out, the Nationals have much better starting pitching, and the Braves had a chance to win tonight. All they needed was 1 meager run over six innings and then they could have brought in Kimbrell for lights out. But that didn’t happen because the Braves have too many non-hitters or inconsistent hitters: Janish can’t hit, McCann is hitting .220, Uggla has no average, and the Nats broadcasters pointed out every time Bourn came to the plate that he has struck out 123 times, 7th in the National League, hardly the thing you want from your “franchise” leadoff hitter. The bullpen performed valiantly against the Nats juggernaut, hoping for that meager run that never came. It was only a matter of time before the Nats offense produced the winning run, albeit in a most unusual manner. Bottom line – the Braves aren’t good enought to win at the top level to advance beyond the first playoff series. They have done a good job at mending their pitching problems, but you’re not going to win at the playoff level (which last night’s game was a harbinger) with 3-4 players who don’t hit.

• Link
• Report this comment

Marteen is a Ballplayer, exactly

He has the worst eye in baseball, and his at-bats are terrible as a result

• Link
• Report this comment

And how is it that the Nats’ bullpen has become a perceived weakness? Of the Nats’ key relievers, only Drew Storen, who was hurt for the first half of the season, has an ERA above 3.16. Burnett (1.90), Mattheus (2.42), M. Gonzalez (2.42), Stammen (2.45), Clippard (2.83), Gorzellany (3.16). I will concede the Braves bullpen is solid. Kimbrel, O’Flaherty, and Venters are beasts. But even Venters checks in with a 3.38 ERA to date. Mark, take off your blinders, buddy. Don’t sleep on the Nats. They play with the same kind of heart that fueled the Braves’ playoff runs back in the day.

• Link
• Report this comment

Actually RealNCBravesFan, Uggla sees more pitches per plate appearance than anyone in the league. Outside of that, I’d like to see him riding the pine as well.

• Link
• Report this comment

I am as disappointed as anyone with last night’s game, but not the team as a whole. If you are 18 games above 500 and played 42 straight games against winning teams in the first half, you are not a bad team…the issue is that we are not as good as the Nats or the Dodgers post-deadline. My guess is that you will see the Dodgers vs. the Nats for the NLCS.

• Link
• Report this comment

These Braves are never going to be anything. It is a group of scittish players who have never really gel’d as a team. They don’t look like they really care, which surprises me. I’m starting to think they brought in the wrong type of mgr after Bobby retired. Needed someone to bring in some real energy and wake them up.

• Link
• Report this comment

P.S. — Davey Johnson’s stool samples have more managerial promise than Fredi.

• Link
• Report this comment

The series will show that Washington is the better team. Braves need to hope that their underperforming players can get back to playing as expected. Given McCann’s health issue and Uggla propensity to slump, this is not likely to happen. The good play of Hayward and Bourne is not enough. To win the division, a team must be deep and have all the pieces in place and working.

What the Braves need in a bona fide left fielder and Prado in the infield.

Just wishful thinking, but I want a re-do on Infante for Uggla

• Link
• Report this comment

I bet everyone counted the ST LOUIS CARDS out last year too. If this was the wild card game, i could see reason to complain. BRAVES don’t ever give up. Get off the floor and come out SWINGING.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Clusters has not come on today yet but if or when he does, there will be more of the negative posts. Count on it and take it to the bank.”

That little fella just gets creepier and creepier. We think it was him Skip Caray had in mind when he said, “don’t put downed power lines in your mouth.” Not to disappoint, we have some things to say. (1) The AJC runs quotes after the games and we was wondering where Chipper’s quote was today after he waved at grounders, kicked a ball, and left all those men on base? (2) Uggla is not slumping. This is Uggla. We have seen enough of him to know by now what he gives the team. Not much. (3) The HOFer and the All-Star did not come up big last night and we was wondering if maybe this is what we have seen before again and again and if maybe it’s what we saw at the end of last season . . . an EPIC Collapse. What’s worse than an EPIC Collapse?

• Link
• Report this comment

By estimate, 80% or more of the post on this blog have been negative
about anything or everything relating to the Braves. It a good thing the players and management don`t read these blogs or they would be demoralized.

• Link
• Report this comment

I love the premise. “I, and some unnamed Braves, have come to believe that our local nine are better than the Nats everywhere except the starting rotation. So, everywhere except, like, half the game on any given day. But, everywhere else! And it is that superiority, well, that superiority everywhere except for the most important player on the field in any given game, that explains…why…we…have been trailing the Nats all season? SO, in sum, that explains why I am troubled. I am troubled because my baseless theory that I just made up failed to be proven correct, and now we are six games behind instead of five. This gives me pause.” Excellent analysis. Very insightful.

• Link
• Report this comment

When we was at our last game last year, Derek Lowe was pitching and we spent about $150 on tickets, and food, and parking, and beverages . . . and Derek Lowe didn’t come to play. The Braves tanked and they stayed in the tank and we was wondering if the tank is about to be filled up again with lost opportunities and lost games? Don’t ever believe the marketing associated with this Braves team because they’d have you believe Uggla is a worthy All-Star and this organization is of championship caliber. How is an organization without a championship a championship organization? And where are Chipper’s quotes from yesterday’s game? He got a pass from the AJC.

• Link
• Report this comment

Do they sell replicas of the glasses Davey Johnson wears at Nats park? I think a pair of those with a fear-the-beard could get fan of the game.

• Link
• Report this comment

I figure that in order for the Braves to take the division, they have to go 30-10 over the rest of the year while Washington has to go 23-17. Somehow I really don’t see either of those two happening and that means a one game playoff for the wild card and I don’t think there is anyone out there that doesn’t think they won’t choke and lose that game.

• Link
• Report this comment

Clusters: My answers to your comments are: Last year and D. Lowe are gone forever. Why dwell on the past? Secondly, the Braves have won many
Division Championships, NL championships and a WS. Why did Chipper need a pass from making comments?

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

Little fella, you don’t have to answer us. You can answer the riddle, though. We are an equal opportunity riddle maker and we will even spot you a couple words . . . “Uh,” and “error”.

• Link
• Report this comment

Carl Sagan said it and it rings true here. “The last way for skeptics to get the attention of bright, curious, intelligent people is to belittle or condescend or to show arrogance toward their beliefs.” It’s like having a little pretend mama following us around telling us how to think and behave. Dull crayons make it hard to stay within the lines. We was wondering how much use that crayon has had lately?

• Link
• Report this comment

Is it just me or does Uggla stink? 217? And I’m tired of him moving out of the way at the plate like the pitch is right up on him then it crosses the plate for a strike. He reminds me of a soccer player faking a foul — the problem is that by changing his stance like he’s dealing with a pitch way inside, he puts himself out of the play with no opportunity to hit the ball.

• Link
• Report this comment

After the last few games i think you can say the offense is in a little funk right now. Its gonna happen a few times a year. The problem is the defense and the starting pitching could have been better last night. Huddy is supposed to be our ace. He cant spot the other team 4 runs in the first and expect the team to win in a big game/ playoff. That was my major concern. The offense gave em four runs against a good pitcher and it should have been enough. Hes gotta stop the big inning if were gonna win a playoff game. The offense will come around but sometimes u need a strong start and last night we needed just that and we didnt get it. Even more frustrating when he puts up zeros after first but a little too late.

• Link
• Report this comment

It is obvious that Chipper’s knee is bothering. He has trouble with balls not hit directly to him. He should have never tried to get the ball by the mound. Washington made him look foolish by take 3rd easily.
Uggla needs to sit! I don’t care what he is getting paid or how hard he tries. Even Dale Murphy was let go when he didn’t have. Granted, the Braves weren’t in the playoff hunt then, but the best team is not on the field right now. Let’s hope the “M” boys can give us a couple of wins tonight and tomorrow.

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m an Uggla fan, but reason dictates that you sit him down for 2-3 games. Put Johnson in left & Prado back at 2nd. Maybe Uggla can be the right-handed bat off the bench. If you’re watching closely, he watches the good pitches go by & swing at the bad ones in the dirt. Reminds me of Javy Lopez in his last few seasons here.

• Link
• Report this comment

The box score may not contain an error but errors are very subjective things. The box score will forever say (though for a short time it did not) that the Nats got a clutch hit at the end to win the thing. How heroic!!! But do any of us really think a play could not have been made on the ball hit to Uggla? The subjectivity of the scoring is one of many reasons errors are a poor way to evaluate defense. But enough of Uggla and his occasional miscues. His results may not be what we want but I’m sure he is trying. I’m not going to get down too much on a guy trying to make a play but not making it. Happens. However, we should not be subjected to our head guy being so often out-managed. Seldom are these decisions made in the split seconds. He may well be trying hard too but maybe it would be best if he tried hard at another vocation.

• Link
• Report this comment

When is Dan Uggla Bobble Glove Night?

• Link
• Report this comment

They owe me an hour of sleep. 4 a.m. came early this morning.

• Link
• Report this comment

We would be having a different conversation right now had it not been for a 4 run first inning. I gotta lotta luv for Huddy but even he would agree this habit of 4-5 run innings early in the game is not acceptable. However I cannot help but wonder if Nats ground crew makes the mound in visitors bullpen just a little bit different than the game mound. A wee bit taller/shorter with more/less slope. Just enough that a pitcher needs an inning to adjust. Nothing like a good conspiracy theory. For the game tonight Braves should request swapping bullpens just as pitchers begin warmups.

• Link
• Report this comment

Players need to “sit out” a few games, or go to
Gwinnett when they become liabilities. Right
now Uggla and McCann are liabilities. A week
at Gwinnett might do Uggla some good.

Someone ought to be able to make Uggla stop
swinging for the fence every time he swings.

I agree with other posters that suspect McCann
is still having problems with his vision.

• Link
• Report this comment

1B Freeman push LaRouche
2B Uggla ad Lombardozi
SS Janish push Espinoza
3B Jones push Zimmerman (because CJ doesn’t play everyday)
C McCann push Suzuki (they both blow)
LF Prado ad Morse
CF Bourn ad Werth
RF Heyward ad Harper

That’s my take on the starting 9.
I wanted to give B-Mac the ad, but his defense is horrible and Suzuki is very good defensively.

All that means nothing though. Each one has to refuse to lose… and i don’t see that.

• Link
• Report this comment

“………I would love to see positivity in Atlanta for once.” To respond to this…..Given our history in the post season and last years epic collapse it would be nice for the Braves to give Atlanta a reason to be positive for once.

• Link
• Report this comment

I know it wont happen but if I was managing the Braves, in spite of his hugh salary, Dan Uggla would either be playing for Gwinnett or be on the bench permanently.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves and Falcons are remarkably similar. They both have slightly-better-than average talent, they both tend to beat the bad teams, and they will probably both squeak into the playoffs and disappear without much of a fight in the first round.

• Link
• Report this comment

Here, dude, I fixed this for you.

1B Freeman push LaRouche
2B Espinosa ad Uggla
SS Desmond ad Janish
3B Jones push Zimmerman (because CJ doesn’t play everyday)
C McCann push Suzuki (they both blow)
LF Prado ad Morse
CF Bourn ad Werth
RF Heyward ad Harper

Nats Rotation ad Braves Rotation

Nats Bullpen ad Braves Bullpen

Nats Manager ad Braves “Manager”

Nats Record ad Braves Record

• Link
• Report this comment

tmc, you left out Ian Desmond. Desmond vs. Janish is not a push. Advantage Nats. And Espinosa is far better defensively than Uggla. In fact, he is probably the most underrated second baseman (he’s actually a natural SS) in the League. Offensively, Espinosa has been up and down, but he’s celarly been better than Uggla to this point, especially taking speed/base-running into account.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mister Frisky: The Braves have the 5th best record in MLB before play begins tonight. How can you justify saying Fredi is the worst manager in baseball?

• Link
• Report this comment

I see Paddy DC beat me to it. Well done, Paddy.

• Link
• Report this comment

my bad, i did miss Desmond and would give him the ad over Janish.

But to say the Braves have the advantage over the Nats on the 8 position players is just not correct. it’s that kind of writing/thinking that makes one think we are better than the Nats and should be beating them… It’s just not true. (that was my point)

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, every time I read one of your columns, it gives me pause to wonder if you’re finally going to realize your potential to become more than a mediocre writer a la Mr. Schultz… this one gives no assurances that it will ever happen… You do match up well with the armchairs that are your audience, though… You ought to know…

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves Suck, dont analyze it, dont talk about it, just face it , They suck..

• Link
• Report this comment

“we’ll note that he emphasized how well the Braves “catch the ball”

the Nationals make the Braves do stupid things.

• Link
• Report this comment

Stinger, Barry Switzer coached the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory.

• Link
• Report this comment

McCann and Uggla would be elsewhere next year. Pastornicky and the Johnson in left and Prado at second.

Ross can catch and pickup a fill in.

Keep Borne and pay $$$ to a FA 3rd baseman.

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t like the nonchalant attitude on the opening hit, a double down the line. Chipper may well be the problem with his attitude. What kinda of effort did he make to the ball and after it went by him. I’m sorry but , I just can’t handle that lack of hustle. I truly believe we need to put a little mustard on the hot dog. That one play set the tone for this game.

• Link
• Report this comment

So if Kimbrell pitches a scoreless bottom of the 10th and is even stretched to a scoreless bottom of the 11th. Then Braves score in top of 12 because manager used Ross to hit a pinch hit HR, only to lose in bottom of 12 because closer was pinch hit for. Then Fredi is still an idiot because he not only used his backup catcher but also did not have closer available?

• Link
• Report this comment

@birdo – I can’t believe I’m actually about to come to Larry’s defense here, but…I mean, you do realize that Chipper is 85 years old, right? His days of diving stops went out with disco. Opposing managers demand that the umps check his walker for pine tar. If he has a game winning hit, the Braves douse him with prune juice. I don’t think hustle was the issue there, I think it’s more of a “third baseman who is 137 years old with arthritic knees that feel about 150″ type issue, or a “boy, I bet Chip wishes the NL had a DH right about now” issue or a “his reflexes are about the same as your gammy’s at his age” issue. I’m impressed the guy is still able to put on his own uni, let alone rake.

• Link
• Report this comment

So leave 3B uncovered to turn a double into a triple? Ball went into LF. There was a guy there to retrieve it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey folks, Nats fan here. I think this series is way over-rated.
We’re going to be fighting it out with each other–hopefully for the division top spot–for the next few years.
Just enjoy the rivalry.

ps: I wish you bad luck.

• Link
• Report this comment

@Shelby you don’t need to be nice to us.Your team has thoroughbreds our Braves are donkeys.Enjoy the parade in October.

• Link
• Report this comment

When the Braves play, it’s six against eight on offense. Between Janish, Uggla, and the pitcher, the Braves batting average for the last 1/3rd of the line-up is less than .200. The league has figured out that Uggla and Janish are easy outs. Sorry Dan if you’re reading this, but this is the reality. It’s hard to overcome this problem, and it will be even harder to win games down the stretch in September with the 7th, 8th, and 9th hitters getting a hit 1 out of every 5 times at the plate. Call them the 3-up-3-down gang.

• Link
• Report this comment

OH COME ON! One game does not make a season! Sometimes the ball just does not bounce your way. They can keep getting guys on base but for some reason in some really bizarre games, the team just can’t get them home.

Not that this really matters all that much. Even if the Braves make the wild card they can get knocked off in that ridiculous one game playoff, or because the way the off season is structured, the chances of getting to the World Series is slim to none. Doesn’t seem to matter about your record or how skilled your team is, it only seems to be a game of chance.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sorry Mark, but I’ve been on record since even before game one that the Nationals were a better team than the Braves. With the addition of Bryce Harper, the Nationals are a better lineup of hitters. They have a bullpen the equal of Atlanta and a far better starting rotation. The trades to acquire Maholm, the signing of Sheets, and the move of Medlen to the rotation, means the Braves may have a starting rotation a lot closer to the talent on the Nationals’ rotation. If Strasburg is sat down, then perhaps the Braves might then have a better rotation, but only barely.

I predicted that the Nationals would be the best team in the NL and that is true. I even said it was easy to see because the Nats did it the way the Braves did in the late eighties to early nineties — draft wisely, development effectively, and keep the talent on the field. Whether they keep their elite status a long time as the Braves did is something to still see, but the Nationals have followed the same formula.

The Braves are playing for the Wild Card and in the NL this year, that’s nothing to be ashamed of.

• Link
• Report this comment

Chances of Mr. Frisky starting at 2B for the Braves tonight? Strong to quite strong.

• Link
• Report this comment

When almost half the team is an automatic out it’s tough to put a few hits together. Uggla, McCann, Janish and the pitcher. McCann’s shoulder is worse than he is admitting or his bat speed is slowing down faster than normal with the wear and tear of the catching position. Whether he likes it or not Ross should be playing more. Janish is doing the job in the field and battles at the plate but his average tells the truth. After 2 seasons of Uggla it is obvious he is overrated and overpaid.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves loss last night means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I am PROUD of the team for coming back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game. That kind of competitivenes will go a long way, especially when the Braves are crowned CHAMPIONS OF THE BASEBALL WORLD, later this fall for the second time since 1995. Go Braves, I am proud of you regardless of your lack of sense of urgency.

• Link
• Report this comment

And just what is Uggla’s problem? If I knew I would tell the dumb ass.

• Link
• Report this comment

“Losers make excuses, winners make commitments” – John Schuerholz. After reading most of these posts, I would say we have a lot of losers for fans. Our fans always seem to be making excuses. The Nationals are in the top 5 with most players spent on the DL this season, and they are still leading the division. I don’t hear any excuses coming from their end. We have a delusional team, and a delusional fan base.

• Link
• Report this comment

Liberty doesn’t care….why do you?

• Link
• Report this comment

The extra inning at-bats were just horrible. Looked like everyone was trying to win the game with one swing instead of trying to manufacture a run. Until they start playing like a team in that regard, they wont be a team.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves are not that far removed from the Nationals level. Our biggest deficiencies in comparision to the Nats is middle infield (a healthy Simmons takes care of the left side), starting pitching that has been good, just not as good as the Nats…and most importantly a manager who manages to lose five to 10 games for us a year. While it is all conjecture, if we had a competent manager, a slightly better rotation (most notably an Ace) or a .270 2nd baseman, we likely would be knotted with the Nats.

• Link
• Report this comment

Spelled “this” incorrectly in my prior post.

I would like to add that Fredi should have Uggla
attempt to bunt with runners on base.. At least he
would have some chance of making contact..

• Link
• Report this comment

People want to know why the Nats are better than the Braves. Here are the two essential reasons.

First, the Braves have not lost big over six to eight years as they did in the 1980’s so they could draft a stable of excellent players in their farm system.

Second, the Braves don’t have the budget of top-tier spending teams to keep that farm team and recycle the losses with free agents.

The Nats are where they are at with a smaller budget because they suffered for all those many years and their draft talent has finally paid off. The anger I hear from some would be dwarfed by the six to eight years of big losing it would take to replicate what the Braves did for that unparalleled run, and they are not willing to spend their cash to put money in the Braves coffers to match the Yankees payroll.

Next question?

• Link
• Report this comment

I’d say the Lowe/Uggla comparison is fair. We should have seen it coming with Lowe, but in Uggla we had every reason to believe we were getting the best offensive 2nd baseman in baseball. I don’t think anyone in Atlanta (or elsewhere) would have reasonably predicted what we got instead. Now he has what, three years left on his deal?

Time for Fredi to man up and start benching some dudes. Team first, skipper. You think LaRussa would still be running him out there?

• Link
• Report this comment

@ Ken Stallings – good comments. All the Atlanta teams essentially suffer from the same disease; good enough to be playoff teams, not good enough to win it all. So we get stuck in the middle. How would everyone feel about the Braves going Hawks and just blowing it up? My guess – not good.

• Link
• Report this comment

We know this fellow that has a friend who lives close to the restaurant Fredi likes to go to when he’s at home. He says that Fredi is now carrying a “Lucky Booger” that he got from Bobby Cox. Fredi seems to think this is going to be helpful when he needs to make some decisions as the team battles with Washington for the division. Oh, we don’t know what we was thinking when we said that. There’s no battle and very little decision making. Fredi just runs them out there and waits for them to get hot. He’s been with Uggla a long time and knows him better than anybody (well, not as well as they know him on the movie set, though). He’s sure to hit.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s simple as this to me. What you have is a team that lacks confidence and a “killer instinct” when it comes to pressure games. When your veteran leaders can’t get it done and fold under the pressure of a big game, what do you expect from the others? In a game of significant importance last night, a game by which you had the chance to shake the confidence of the team that’s ahead of you and gain ground, what do your veterans do? Hudson gives up four runs, Chipper helps by “olaying” a grounder to third base, a ball at the very least should have been knocked down. We won’t even mention the play involving he and Janish and of course Uggla’s play to end it. Don’t exactly remember what year it was but the Braves were trailing first place in the standings and got on a roll. What stood out to me that year was a game in San Francisco where Maddux pitch and was facing Bonds and a very good Giants team and he struck him out. I say that to say the Braves were on a mission, the veterans stepped up when needed. You don’t have that on this team. Everyone is facing away from the “mirror” seems like. I hear no quotes really of personal accountability, which should at least come from the veterans if no one else. Managers that care force accountabilty upon their players. Others appear to be just happy managing. Which one does it appear we have? We have players who at times appear to play with no “brains”, which would be the second major organ they are missing. Their heart has been missing for a while now.

• Link
• Report this comment

Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

@bruce mac…..amen brother. don’t tell them the truth…they can’t handle the truth.

• Link
• Report this comment

Having 6 (#3 or#4 starters) doesn’t bode to well for the next couple of weeks, especially when the braves are fighting for a wildcard. This is a terrible time to start experimenting with the starting rotation. Braves biggest weakness is showing once again, and that is Wren&Fredi. If these 2 clowns had a clue, they would know who the best starters are, and they wouldn’t be experimenting and trying to find out. If the braves blow a couple of games they shouldn’t the next 2 weeks, it could be the difference in making the playoffs, just like last year. Too bad braves don’t have a real owner that wouldn’t allow these clowns to do this at the worst possible time. Thank God it’s football season in 2 weeks.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, last night’s blown scoring chances are nothing new; the team just doesn’t have a consistent offensive flow. Great pitching has kept us close since the all star game, and should it break down even the slightest the rest of the way, we’ll be done after 162.

• Link
• Report this comment

All the yelling for Prado. In the first two games against the Dodgers, he left a running at 3rd with less than 2 out. Struck out both times, looked horrible. Choked. Last night, 8th inning man on second with one out, looked horrible, popped out on a 2-0 pitch down the middle. All of the Braves hitters are choking when it matters against good teams.

• Link
• Report this comment

I am sincerely ready to see this team completely fall apart and FAIL just like they did last year…..maybe then and only then will we get rid of that dumb suck for a manager we have Fredi Failure.

• Link
• Report this comment

Clusters: Keep on bashing Fredi all you like. Do you keep up with MLB standings day by day? If you do, then you know this terrible manager
has led the Braves to the 5th best record in MLB. So why be so hard on him? What makes him so bad?
Also, your feeble attempt at making a joke about boogers was gross.

• Link
• Report this comment

I agree with Smoltz fan and Baloo. These guys are smarter than Fredi. He can’t manage a win in close games.

• Link
• Report this comment

If we implode again ala 2011, Wren has at least three priorities before next spring: 1. Sign Bourne to a big (realistic) contract. 2. Unload Uggla and get a more reliable 2nd baseman. 3. Unload Fredi and hire someone not in the Bobby Cox mold (be nice to the players and hope they motivate themselves).

• Link
• Report this comment

Could someone please explain to me why Dan Uggla is the highest paid second baseman in baseball? I’m really dying to hear the logic behind that one. You know he isn’t going down to the minor leagues. I’m guilty of wishful thinking wanting him to be traded. What team is going to take his contract? If we traded him we’d have to work a deal where we paid most of the contract. Since we can’t trade him I’d wondering; can we trade the man who gave him that contract?

• Link
• Report this comment

OK, the games out of rain delay. Somebody better do something and get some runs. Would hate to lose a shut out 1 to zip to these guys.If we had a manager that knew how to manage that would be a step in the right direction.

• Link
• Report this comment

Dan Uggla is the Braves’ answer to Joe Johnson’s contract.

• Link
• Report this comment

We should have known the curse was on when AJC writers began referring to the statistical odds of the Braves making the postseason which were reportedly very good. It was about the same time last year that they did the same and we all know what happened last year. Three losses in a row now and on the way to number four and a downward spiral to the end of the season. One postseason in the last seven years it will be and nothing past round one in thirteen. Usually I’m positive but……

• Link
• Report this comment

Look, I am a Braves fan from 1973. I am also a realist, Not a kool-aide drinker. This is basically the same team as last year. A team (2011 version) that skated by due to RedSox Epic Fail also. The 2011 team should go down as the worst choking team in ATL history…which really is saying something. There shouldve been more changes than letting the bogus hitting coach go. Anyway, this years version is just as bad and is set up for the massive, inevitable EPIC FAIL again. It really is sad. I want them to do good, but really they just are a mirror of the manangement staff, FG MUST Go. Roger is really poor also. Liberty Media…really it would be a blessing if they would give our team back…they SUCK. Period.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves are the Buffalo Bills of Baseball, only they don’t make it to the World Series!

• Link
• Report this comment

Why do they all hit first pitch? Same as last night !

• Link
• Report this comment

hehe…. i’m waiting for Tuesday night’s game to end, before i can haze Mark Bradley for his silly musing that other than starting pitching, the Braves are better than the Nationals. initally, starting is pitching is everything, so why even bother assuming it’s not. secondly, while the Braves have a great team, the Nationals have very good players and exceptional chemistry. lastly, the Nationals’ bullpen has been shutting down people all year. but hey, let the record do the talking. how many games back are the Braves now?? oh yeh… seven …that’s 7.

• Link
• Report this comment

looks like another loss tonight

• Link
• Report this comment

McCann gets ticked off he’s not in the lineup. He shouldn’t be. Give Ross more playing time. And, don’t worry Overbay will save the day.

• Link
• Report this comment

And PLEEZ don’t say Francisco is the savior of this team.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mark, the difference is Management. Nats have it, Braves do not. Wild Card locked up. So is one-and-done for the Braves. It’s the “Bobby Cox Reprise.”

• Link
• Report this comment

Better than Washington everywhere but the rotation? Minus a miracle comeback in July you’d be 3-11 vs the Nats. That’s quite a bit of fanagling you must be performing in that noggin of yours, Mark. Your infield defense is better? You’re clearly better at 3rd, 2nd and 1st? Really? Our lineup has DECIMATED by injuries this year and it is remarkable how well they’ve held up and excelled. Our full lineup is actually better, younger, and far deeper than yours, as the remainder of the season will show now that we have close to our full lineup (no Ramos). Fact is, our pitching staff is better, our lineup is better, our infield d is better (Uggla….really?) and our bullpen is pretty close to yours. Certainly not far enough off to be a huge liability. The Braves are an outstanding team and franchise, but to sit there and spout what you just did is truly asinine. Some objectvi
ty would be nice.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Nats are a force. Their hitters all have killer instinct. I don’t know if messing with the Braves line up is really the best way to go, but McGann is obviously hurting, and Uggla is spotty at best. But, Gonzalez is obviously hoping for the best continuing to start them. The Braves might make it into the play offs because of scheduling angels, but it won’t last long. Both LA and Washington way out class them, and maybe even San Fran and Pittsburgh. But, it’s fun to watch Chipper. There is lots to like. And they should get into the wild card, and maybe even play for the pennant, but that will be as far as they can go this year. They can’t beat a team like Washington. Braves fans should just lower their expectations and enjoy the rest of the season. It should e fun to watch.

• Link
• Report this comment

someone was dumb enough to take d. lowe and joe johnson. could there be another g.m. out there to take dan upper cut uggla.

• Link
• Report this comment

Goodbye Fredi, Goodbye Fredi. Goodbye Fredi….your team is about to collapse now.
We won’t miss you and we won’t miss Larry…we won’t miss Brian – you are were lousy in 2012.
Git out of town..git out of town…Sorry you did not know anything but how to collapse.

• Link
• Report this comment

What’s worse the tex trade or fugla?
Wren is an idiot.

• Link
• Report this comment

What about moving Janish to second when Simmons returns? Can’t see any downside to that. Buh-bye Uggla.

• Link
• Report this comment

It’s time to face the music, folks. The Braves are not going to the World Series this year. The division belongs to Washington, and even if the Braves win the wild card by ten games, they still have to win a one-game playoff — the ultimate opportunity to be clutch or choke — what do you think the Braves will do? The sad fact is, they simply do not have the rotation to compare with the likes of the Nationals, Dodgers and Giants; and the bottom half of the batting order has become a black hole with Uggla, McCann, Janish and the pitcher’s spot — there are at least three sure outs within those four at-bats, especially against said teams with superior rotations.

In Chipper’s Farewell Tour, you’d think getting to the playoffs would be his prime motivating factor. But by excusing himself from a must-win game against the division’s leader, simply because of having to go 13 innings the night before, thereby taking away the team’s most important bat, he’s sending a message to the rest of the team. Like it or not, the only flag for the Braves in 2012 will be a white one.

• Link
• Report this comment