The Braves used to be able to hit. What the heck happened?
A sight seldom seen of late: The Atlanta Braves scoring a run. (AP photo by John Amis)
We begin by saying that no one regular-season series tells anything approaching the whole story. Remember when the Braves were swept by the Yankees here in June? Remember how that series seemed an example of boys against men? Well, if you check today, you’ll find that the Braves have a better record than the Bronx Bombers. (Only a half-game better, but still.)
That said, it was nonetheless chilling that the Braves could go the final three games of a four-game set against Colorado and not score a single earned run. The Rockies have the worst team ERA in the big leagues, and here, after a 6-1 victory on Labor Day, is how the Braves fared: Shut out on Tuesday, won 1-0 on a run scored via a bad throw on Wednesday, won 1-0 on a run scored on a flubbed return catcher’s toss by the pitcher, which might have happened in the big leagues twice in the past two decades.
For the first half of the season, the Braves hit better than they pitched. Indeed, they were fourth in the National League in runs scored at the All-Star break. Here are their numbers since: Ninth in runs, 10th in on-base percentage, 14th in batting average, 12th in slugging percentage. They hit .232 as a team in August; they’ve hit .230 in September.
The good news is that they’ve pitched superbly. (Their team ERA is the league’s best since the All-Star break.) The bad news is that they’ve had to pitch superbly, and much of that pitching has been done against lesser opposition. (Since the break, only 17 of the Braves’ 53 games have been against teams currently above .500.)
This is worrisome not because the Braves are apt to play themselves out of the postseason — with 24 games remaining, they still hold a five-game lead over Pittsburgh and Los Angeles for the second wild card — but because they won’t be facing substandard teams once there. There’s no reason this lineup shouldn’t hit better than it has the past month. This same lineup, give or take, hit rather well for the season’s first half. But now it isn’t, and that’s troubling.
By Mark Bradley
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115 comments Add your comment
don shoe
September 7th, 2012
2:43 pm
Well, you gotta tip your cap.
Dawg Haus
September 7th, 2012
2:44 pm
Simmons coming back (Saturday?) should provide a bit of a spark in the lineup. Janish is a fine defensive SS but the Braves need more hitters right now. Heck, maybe Janish could just take over for Uggla at 2nd? His average isn’t that much lower and he has a much better glove.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:03 pm
It’s crystal clear, from the data of most of this year, that the Braves have a team that can score runs. Certain factors, which many have mentioned here, have combined to produce a real reduction in output. Just change the lineup a bit and provide support for players who really can hit. It seems likely that this drought will end and the Braves will begin to score some runs very soon.
Meanwhile, it’s a big piece of good fortune and planning that our pitching seems to be peaking now. Best ERA since the All Star break – that’s pretty good. I love the way Medlen and Minor both have stepped up. Hudson usually finds a way to be effective and to win, and Maholm, though he has had a bad outing or two, generally gives us a chance to win also. Hanson pitched reasonably well last time out, but he does worry me.
ABF
Wrecker
September 7th, 2012
3:08 pm
McCann’s BABIP is .224 this year, versus his career .292. It is clear that he is hitting in bad luck and that the line drives right at them comments of Joe Simpson are not just anecdotal.
Bye Bye fg
September 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
Boy, these posters won’t give MB a break. If he is all sugar and spice it makes people mad. If he tells the truth, as he tried to in this blog, he’s in trouble for that too. And Sonny Clusters is very smart about baseball, so let him alone too. It’s clear as the nose on your face; fg has not a clue how to be a major league manager. Why does it matter if Uggla is striking out or sitting on the bench. The Braves have no fire in their belly, and as said before, the only good that may come from these dismal showings if that fg is outtahere. And I wish, just once, that Joe and Chip would have the guts to call it like it is. They must not be watching the same games the rest of us are watching.
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:21 pm
Agree with Hillbilly @ 12;09…its not the hitting coaches its the players not getting “Quality at Bats”.They got to have the right mindset which some don’t. I know Greg Walker and he preaches it and so does Chipper.
Uggla is a lost cause…McCann blames injury but he has other problems with his eyes and depends on Brother and Father rather than hitting coaches. I would not resign Mac but trade to AL team. Take Bourn, Prado, Freeman, J-Hey and Chipper the rest suck..maybe Simie will help sure can’t hurt. Go Braves!
poolcue
September 7th, 2012
3:21 pm
out of things to say sad just sad frank and fredi on a rail
Bye Bye fg
September 7th, 2012
3:27 pm
Boy, you folks on this blog will not give MB a break. If he is all sugar and sweet, people get upset. If he tries to get close to the truth, people get upset. What difference does it make if Uggla is on the bench or strking out? He still collects a paycheck. The only good that may come of this up and down season is that fg can start packing. Too bad the picture at the top of this article wasn’t even an earned run. Depressing. 2 runs in 2 nights. Neither one earned. Pathetic.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:29 pm
This team is scrapping, and just won three of four from the Rockies. No, everything isn’t wonderful, but we have a super chance of making the playoffs through the wild card. Most other teams – like, maybe, the Yankees – would love to have a pitching staff that is getting the results ours is.
Doom and gloom never helps a team, particularly when we’re in the thick of it and have some real bright spots to cheer. Come on! Don’t be such pessimists! It may not turn out well, but we certainly have a great shot!
ABF
yep
September 7th, 2012
3:30 pm
it isn’t that they aren’t hitting at all, the problem is that they aren’t hitting with RISP. once someone gets on base whoever comes up next is trying to hit the ball 1000 feet and they end up with a strike out or a pop out.
Wrecker
September 7th, 2012
3:33 pm
Alaska Braves Fan: I think some of these people could win the lottery and then complain about the cost of gas to go claim the money. The Braves have the third best record in the NL, but the sky is apparently falling. If the season ended today, the Braves would be in the playoffs (albeit a one-gamer to start). 18 games above .500 and 5 games up in the wildcard race. Like you said, we just won three out of four from a surging Rockies team. Cheer up, everybody!
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:33 pm
yep: Yep.
ABF
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:34 pm
Yep..u right.
Alaska..one and done wild card game is a joke. One damn game proves nothing.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:34 pm
Wrecker: Thanks! You are absolutely right.
ABF
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:35 pm
Wrecker, 3 games up in wild card chase.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:36 pm
afan: Winning that “one damn game” would prove we were in, and not out!
ABF
Stinger 2
September 7th, 2012
3:37 pm
bulldogbubba: You can sing the praises of Clusters all you like. I will continue to say that he is full of himself based on his repeated references to himself. He also has a penchant or hobby of bashing Braves leadership and players without including any reasons of substance. As for you saying the Braves are lucky to win the last two games because of pitching….what would you say if they won the games by a 10-9 score? Lucky again I guess. Also, when they make the playoffs are you going to admit you were wrong?
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:38 pm
u right and I pray we do but MLB play-off wild card (1 game) does suck.
Wrecker
September 7th, 2012
3:41 pm
We are 5 games up on the team currently in third place in the wild card race. We could change places with the second place team and it would only change the home field.
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:42 pm
ABF nothing would make me more happy that Braves go deep in play-off. I have alot of my life invested in Braves since 66.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:44 pm
afan: I agree that a one-game playoff is not appropriate for this sport. When MLB decided upon two wild card teams, they boxed themselves in. A series even as long as three games would extend the playoffs too much. Personally, I wish they had stayed with a single wild card.
ABF
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:44 pm
who cares about third place. MLB said 3 games up on Cards..thats what counts.
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:46 pm
agree Alaska..are u from Alaska are transplant? Its go to have fans from there on blog.
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
good not go…
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:49 pm
afan: My mother’s side is from South Georgia, and I lived in GA for many years. We came up here about a dozen years ago, and love it! Despite being an Alaskan citizen, I never have lost my enthusiasm for the Braves. Whenever possible, I get down to San Francisco or San Diego to see them. We’re four hours behind GA time – it’s 11:50 AM here now – and that actually makes it easier to follow the games on-line.
ABF
afan
September 7th, 2012
3:51 pm
Thats great..what town in S-Ga?..I’m from SG also.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
afan: Nashville. I remember it from the ’40’s, when all the streets were sand. Lovely place, but really hot and humid and quite buggy. Nonetheless, I return to visit, though only in the winter.
ABF
Justin
September 7th, 2012
3:57 pm
The Braves never can seem to put it all together at once. When the pitching gets going, the bats stop. When bats get hot, pitchers forget how to pitch. Peanut butter no jelly, ham but no bread, if we ever get a whole sandwich we’d be awesome!!!
afan
September 7th, 2012
4:02 pm
I’m from Douglas Ga, 30 miles from Nashville and u right its very hot in summer. Move to Cobb Co in 1971- Kennesaw, Ga.
Man its good to know you and I look forward to more blog talk. Would love to go to Alaska one day. Go Braves.
Homer the Braves
September 7th, 2012
4:04 pm
Yesterday the Braves became the first team in history to win two consecutive games without an RBI. It’s good when the other team defeats themselves.
Alaska Braves Fan
September 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
afan: Be careful. We came to visit, and then found that we never wanted to leave.
ABF
sidslid
September 7th, 2012
4:24 pm
Medlen, rain, then pray for a hurricane
tjhook
September 7th, 2012
4:39 pm
A Braves fan just wished for a hurricane. SMH – the team has not played ball that badly. We’re frustrated, not ready to for a natural disaster to lay waste to our entertainment. I’m excited about this month but also worried about a grand collapse. Just glad we are up and control our own fate.
Skeezix
September 7th, 2012
4:56 pm
It’s pretty bad when you can’t score runs against Colorado. The mutts have been playing pretty good lately, so I don’t think this trip to NY will be easy. I would love to see Chipper go on a hitting binge just one more time at NY.
heartofdarkness
September 7th, 2012
5:14 pm
Might want to check the clubhouse to see if Melky left any unmarked bottles or random pills around. If nothing shows up, might want to buy the team a round of what Clusters is drinking.
Sonny Clusters
September 7th, 2012
5:44 pm
“You must be the change you wish to see in others. We forgot which one of our Clusters cousins said that but you can bet it was one smart Clusters. There is a little fella blogging here who says we have nothing to contribute and that we are a terrible Braves fan and that we have poor personal hygiene and that we don’t like light hitting Dan Uggla in the lineup. We think it may be light hitting Dan Uggla himself but we can’t be sure. Until we know for sure we’re going to refer to him as light thinking Stinger2. Deep thoughts must not run in the Stinger family.
Pat's Rockett
September 7th, 2012
6:00 pm
I know why they are not hitting.
They’re tired. Its September.
GB's Hamburgers
September 7th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tana, hitting is incidental to scorkng. The game is about scoring more runs than the other guy. I doesn’t matter how many hits they get if none of them are when it matters. What we are seeing are hits when they really don’t matter …. so they are irrelevant. They are paid to produce runs.
so al brave fan,
September 7th, 2012
6:05 pm
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, YEP
longtimefan
September 7th, 2012
6:25 pm
In a 162 game season there are many ups and downs. We appear well positioned for the playoffs, even if only for the WC. The team that wins the WS is not usually the most dominant regular season club, but the team with the hot hand. We will see in 25 games where the Braves stand, They have as good a chance as any team in the post season. They have the best defense in the NL by multiple metrics. Their best 3 starters and bullpen can hang with anyone. If the hitting comes alive like it can, we can score enough runs. Spending big money on gig name free agents doesn’t necessarily guarantee a winning season or post season play. Look at the Phillies, Red Sox, fading Yankees and big spending LA. I’d rather home grow our players. That’s mainly what our roster is comprised of-drafted home grown players.
GermanBravesFan
September 7th, 2012
6:40 pm
“Until we know for sure we’re going to refer to him as light thinking Stinger2. Deep thoughts must not run in the Stinger family.” Clusters, that was an instant classic!! Keep ‘em coming!
Musky
September 7th, 2012
6:41 pm
I wouldn’t care if Dan StrUGGLA was making $50 million per year. If he plays like sheet then he sits.
Dawgdad (The Original)
September 7th, 2012
6:42 pm
Cluster comments are always appreciated. Sonny you have a unique take, so keep it up.
Musky
September 7th, 2012
6:45 pm
Let’s look at some of Wren’s moves : Kawakami = bust, McLouth = bust,Glaus = bust,Uggla = bust,
Bourn = winner,Reed Johnson = mediocre,Sheets = mediocre. Grade ? D+
mayor of ponce
September 7th, 2012
6:47 pm
SONNY! You worried us for a sec with that morbid goodbye post. Don’t do anything drastic, son. I for one would be broken up. And the Cluster’s clan, well, I don’t even want to think about how they would handle it.
You and Stinger might need to sit down like adults and hash this thing out.
dawg4u
September 7th, 2012
6:50 pm
The title of this article could have been written in September, 2011 as well. The batting averages and runs scored going down in August and September just points to the fact that these guys just choke when the pressure (just look at our hits with RISP) is on. The batters just look like they are pressing plus Fredi looks like the world is coming to an end or that he just is totally frustrated. I have really stopped blaming Fredi as I did earlier in the season. These guys just need to look at themselves in the mirror and know that they can get the job done and not get back on this negative rerun of September 2011. These next few weeks will tell if we are contenders or pretenders. Come on guys we still believe in you – but you have to start breaking out the bats and score some runs for these pitchers at some point!
BartBuzz
September 7th, 2012
6:51 pm
I’m beginning to have déjà vu all over again.
GermanBravesFan
September 7th, 2012
6:56 pm
Will the light hitting Atlanta Braves make the playoffs? If they’ll make it despite their hitting woes, iit’ll be another disaster during the first round. Who wants to see that????
steve dush
September 7th, 2012
7:02 pm
Bobby Cox let ‘em swing for homers unabated. Perhaps Freddies teams doing the same. Not a good recipe for this team.
southgabrave
September 7th, 2012
7:03 pm
Uggla hitting 7th in front of Ross….REALLY Fredi? What happen to that benching?