The Atlanta Braves should be on a high after taking 3-out-of-4 games from the best team in baseball, and winning a tough west coast road trip 5 wins to 2 losses. But as tough as the last week and half has been, the next three weeks have the potential to be make or break for the 2009 Braves.
They will have a great opportunity to rest with an off day on Monday and another off day on Thursday. Between those off-days at home, they will face the hottest team in baseball... the Washington Nationals. No, that's not a misprint, the Washington Nationals have won 8 games in a row. That actually may be a blessing in disguise. The Braves always seem to take the Nationals for granted as an easy team, and then end up losing more that they should. With the Nats now a hot team, perhaps the Braves will treat them as a more serious opponent.
After the Nats and another off-day, the Braves face off against the division leading Phillies at home for a 3-game weekend series. We've played the Phillies tough this year, winning 7 games versus just 2 losses, but they've been a hot team lately and may be harder to beat than the club we've faced so far this year. In fact, the Phillies hot streak started in early July, just after the Braves swept them at Turner Field. Let's hope that hot streak has flamed out, and we can bookend it with sweeps. It is conceivable that the Braves could be playing the Phillies for the division lead next weekend... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
After the Phillies we have a make-up game at home against the Diamondbacks, then we go on the road to New York and play the Mets for 3, then back home for more inter-division play against the Marlins for 3 games. Another off-day at home, and then 3 games against the Padres at the Ted.
Twelve of our next 15 games are at home, we have 3 off days mixed in, and we play every team in the NL East during that span. This is certainly a time when a lot of movement within the division can take place. The Braves need to win 11 of those 15 games. If they do that, they may find themselves in first place in the East, with the three key games being next weekend against Philly. That's a tall order, but one that the team should be able to do while playing 9 of those games against teams with records below .500.
If the Braves can't come out of this three week stretch with a winning record, then they may find it hard to pull into contention with time running out in the 2009 season. The time is now to make a move. Atlanta can put the Marlins in third, and can significantly eat away at the Phillies lead, if not boot them out of first. While the Wild Card is in the back of my mind, I don't even want to think about it, as the difference between the Wild Card lead and the NL East division lead is only 1 game. This is the Braves chance to reestablish themselves as the NL East division champs, and it will happen over the next 3 weeks.
0 recs | 80 comments
The closer we get
The more I think we really need Heyward to give us that extra boost we need to seal the deal…
BigG1392 - August 10, 2009
The more I think about it, the more I think you might be right...
Zeus12888 - August 10, 2009
The more I think about you thinking about it, the more I think about it
Yakker - August 10, 2009
I get off to you getting off on me…
wait, what?
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
Go on...
award6 - August 10, 2009
After this string of division games,
we finish the season with 19 straight division games (13 home)…
bwellnjonesco - August 10, 2009
This both excites me as a Braves fan, and scares me to death all at the same time.
I know one thing, I wouldn’t miss the next 3 weeks of games…it will be exciting if nothing else.
NCChopper - August 10, 2009
I’m concentrating on these one at a time. Let’s beat the Nats first.
John Holton - August 10, 2009
+10 on one game at a time.
I know it’s an improtant stretch. But at thins point every game is important. So let’s focus on Tuesday for now.
Fischerking - August 10, 2009
Scheduled return for Nate and Chipper?
blitzerlover - August 10, 2009
Crunch Time
Chipper back Tuesday last I heard, anyone know about Nate or Infante?
TradeAndruw - August 10, 2009
I’ve heard later this month for Infante. How’s Hudson doing? Last I heard he had injured himself on a rehab assignment.
John Holton - August 10, 2009
I heard this week for Infante.
sddbaker - August 10, 2009
can you smell-lel-lel-lel-lel-lel, what the Braves are cooking???
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
+1 for The Rock reference… Jabroney
Swo12bv - August 10, 2009
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
….awesome
heap16 - August 10, 2009
-1 for the Rock reference. Is he even a wrestler anymore.
Brave rock. Wrestling is fake and sucks. Stopped watching when my childhood heroes turned bad. Damn you Hulk! Damn you Brett The Hitman Hart!
Sparhawk - August 10, 2009
That’s some pent up frustration and life issues right there.
rhinoskin - August 10, 2009
Nah, it’s called getting a life.
Sparhawk - August 10, 2009
It doesn’t matter what your childhood heroes did! The Braves are going to layeth the smaketh down all over the NLE’s candy ass!
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
haha Yeah, the Braves will put a hurtin’ on their divisional rivals.
Sparhawk - August 10, 2009
No one holds a candle to the “Total Package” Lex Luger. You get in that torture rack, you’re not getting out son.
10-4 - August 10, 2009
The People’s Elbow (the most ELECTRIFYING move in sports!!!) and the Rock Bottom strongly disagree!
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
It may be the most electrifying move, but it has to rank up there with the Hulk Hogan Leg Drop as the weakest finishing move in wrestling. (In terms of actual “pain” inflicted from move)
10-4 - August 10, 2009
you try taking the Bramah Bull’s 250 lb elbow to the chest sometime!
:)
nah, I agree…it was weak-sauce.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
I’ll take a “perfect plex” any day over the rock’s elbow
beeswax - August 10, 2009
I thought...
this was a Braves blog.
BeantownVol - August 10, 2009
Nope.
The Four Horsemen have taken over. WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
10-4 - August 10, 2009
It's relevant
A lot of those wrestlers (Jake the Snake, Big Boss Man, etc) were from Georgia. I’m sure they’re Braves fans.
beeswax - August 11, 2009
it is the PEOPLE’s elbow! The Rock is the channel through which it is administered.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
We can do it.
We WILL do it.
sddbaker - August 10, 2009
Yes we can?
rhinoskin - August 10, 2009
Hope for change that you can believe in, yes you can.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
Banish
the question mark!
sddbaker - August 10, 2009
4.5 out
i dont even remember the last time….
traphicg - August 10, 2009
Bret Hart
Started off as a bad guy before he become a good guy because it use to be Bret and Jim the Anvil Neidhart or close to that . The Hart Foundation .
~~banditwolf~~ - August 10, 2009
Heres hoping
the Nats “luck ?” is starting to wane. An 8 game win streak is long enough. Time to start losing some games & the Braves are coming along just in time. The Philly series will be tough. Philly will be playing w/a revenge motivation the way we’ve owned them this year however it’s the Marlins series, I believe, will be the most competitive. The Braves are neck & neck w/them in the division & the Marlins don’t look to go down quietly the way they spanked Philly the other night.
adc62 - August 10, 2009
This^
HEYJUDE - August 11, 2009
hopefully
we can still get that much needed right handed hitter we desperately need .
~~banditwolf~~ - August 10, 2009
Maybe the Braves can get a real strong hitting streak going,the pitching is very good and we’ve taken San Diego 2-3 and Dodgers 3-4. I hope the BP doesn’t have to be mostly 3 players, Medlen looked real good and I hope he’ll be a starter next year! It would be another pitching dynasty if Hanson,Medlen,Jurjenns get mature. Look at Vazquez,Lowe and KK this week, not to mention Hanson. The Braves I feel have the best pitching staff in the majors. Hopefully Hudson will be 100% when he gets off the DL. Chipper’s been working with Pendleton helping with the batting ,who knows? We may already have the RH hitter.
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
Sorry meant to type 2 out of 3 and 3 out of 4
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
I find myself wondering what the Braves will do against the Phillies on Sunday. Hanson pitches Tuesday, but with the extra day of Rest today for him and Thursday as well I wonder if Bobby would start him on Sunday? With these two days of rest we could have Hanson pitch in the Phillies series instead of KK. I’m not bashing KK but this is a big series and Hanson has been the more consistent pitcher since he’s come up. Especially considering the Phillies potent offense.
michaelcooksey - August 10, 2009
If KK goes against Hamels, he’ll deliver. He seems to give his best when he plays against the best.
The only thing I worry about is if our starters can go deep into games. The bullpen has been downright shaky at the end. Although Medlen has been great lately.
Sparhawk - August 10, 2009
Been wondering about that too. If we go just straight through the rotation, Vazquez starts on Sunday coming off of 6 days rest. Considering that normal rest is 4 days, that might really throw off his routine, and you wouldn’t want to do that with your best starter.
Back in the 90s, Bobby was not shy about skipping the 5th starters turn in the rotation as often as the days off allowed, so that he could get a couple more starts for Maddux and Glavine. Considering that the Braves have won each of JV’s last 7 starts, I’d push up his spot in the rotation.
Bronn - August 10, 2009
Hanson has NOT been more consistent than KK. Hanson has been, at best, sporadic.
Hanson’s line for July/August:
7 IP, 1R, 5K, 1BB
5 IP, 4R, 2K, 2BB
7 IP, 3R, 11K, 3BB
7 IP, 2R, 1K, 2BB
6 IP, 4R, 4K, 1BB
6 IP, 2R, 5K, 3BB
KK’s July/August lines:
4.1 IP, 5R, 3BB, 6K
6 IP, 1R, 2BB, 2K
6.2 IP, 2R, 4BB, 3K
5 IP, 1R, 3BB, 1K
4.2 IP, 6R, 3BB, 4K
6 IP, 3R, 0BB, 4K
7 IP, 0R, 3BB, 4K
neither has been extremely consistent. Hanson has had more flashy games (Ks), but KK has been better overall, IMO. I would want the 33 year old vet over the rookie in a big spot any day.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
By your pitching lines...
I’d disagree. KK has been more sporadic with the 2 4+ and 5+ ERs in two starts. Also, just July and August for KK. What about the earlier starts?
BeantownVol - August 10, 2009
I didn’t include his earlier months because Hanson wasn’t up during the same time. Also, KK has had games where he has given up more runs than Hanson, but he also has games where he has dominated more than Hanson has.
I was replying to this comment:
This is just not true. Both have been somewhat sporadic, but KK has had the better games, IMO.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
just saying...
if Kawakami has both more dominant starts and starts where he’s given up more runs than Hanson, isn’t that the very definition of inconsistent?
Mr. Sanchez - August 11, 2009
it is. But just because Hanson’s numbers are sandwiched in between KK’s extremes doesn’t mean he is MORE consistant. KKs walks and strikeouts have been roughly the same, but Hanson’s are very much up and down.
I just think it is a little bit of a reach to write off KK in favor of Hanson in a big game, especially since KK pitches his best in big games.
justincredubil02 - August 11, 2009
Yes
You can make the argument that Hanson is a better starter, but not based on consistency.
VivaLosBravos - August 10, 2009
Another positive for our upcoming series with Philly
Lee is not scheduled to pitch in the series, as his next is this Wednesday against the Cubs so WOOOHOOO!!!!!!
RaffyGonzo - August 10, 2009
It's go time
TradeAndruw - August 10, 2009
+1
Doghnut - August 10, 2009
you think you’re better than me?
10-4 - August 10, 2009
Mandelbaum! Mandelbaum! Mandelbaum!
Michael Scarn, FBI - August 10, 2009
Crap man...
Now I have to watch Seinfeld…
Michael Scarn, FBI - August 10, 2009
Rec'd
Yakker - August 10, 2009
Heyward
Who goes on the “DL” so Heyward can come up? Please be Norton!
Chesterhighwater - August 10, 2009 via mobile
I fully support that move.
gondeee - August 10, 2009
I’d rather Diory go down when Omar comes back, then Acosta when Hudson comes back, and finally, yes, Norton if/when Heyward comes up.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
bench
That would make for one hell of a bench. Maybe the best in baseball.
Chesterhighwater - August 10, 2009 via mobile
I totally agree send Diory down,but can Norton ply SS? I don’t know about that, who would you have to sub for Yunel if we had too? Also do you know why they didn’t keep Conrad?
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
When we get Infante back…that’s when we send down Diory. And Infante could be back tomorrow.
Bronn - August 10, 2009
missed that,sorry,doing 2 things at once right now
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
Can Norton play any where?
Diory down when Infante gets back.
I think Conrad is trade bait for next year. He did a great job when he was up and you want a guy like to get as many AB’s as possible but I can’t see him in the Braves extended plans.
Any thoughts on Huddy or KK being a setup or closer? I know this is out there and I’m not saying full time but just when smoke and gonzo have pitched a few days in a row.
Chesterhighwater - August 10, 2009 via mobile
I read somwhere that Hudson was going to the Bullpen,but can’t remember where
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
Can I be the one to say..
its good to have Kelly hitting again? He really saved our asses this series
bravesguy311 - August 10, 2009
Yes you can, and I agree!
HEYJUDE - August 11, 2009
If You Were Wondering
As to why Norton is still here as a PH, I mean I don’t have anything against the guy but .138 BA! Damn! His OBP is .286 though, so I guess that’s what they want him to do. Hit in the pitcher’s spot and get on base for Mclouth. Only problem is he doesn’t always PH in the pitcher’s spot.I thought they would keep Conrad but they didn’t. I’m very happy for KJ as well, I was worried we might not get to see him again when he went on the DL and then to the minors.
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
Test…
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
Test him out Huh? What will they do if he does well tho?
jimmontg - August 10, 2009
It was a test post. lol.
justincredubil02 - August 10, 2009
So I just read Eric Cooper's comments on Braves.com
about that strike 2 fiasco.
He says that he was raising his right hand to get the attention of second base umpire Chuck Meriweather, to alert him that Furcal was stealing.
1) Why use your right hand to do this?
2) If it was ball 4, why does the second base ump need alerting?
3) He claims that he understands why Cox was upset…but he sure had a quick trigger anyway.
Also, I’ve never done any umpiring, so someone please tell me-is it normal for the homeplate ump to alert the second base ump when a runner is going? I don’t feel like is a common occurrence.
Bronn - August 10, 2009
The only thing I can think a homeplate umpire would singal to other umpires is the infield fly rule. In my umpiring career (little league for 2 summers) we would just do something simple like slide our fingers over the bill of our cap.
Let me translate what the ump was saying…I f’ed up and had to come up w/ some excuse.
Chesterhighwater - August 10, 2009 via mobile
You know what would be refreshing to me?
Hearing an ump say “Sorry, I fucked up.”
This type of backtracking is nonsense. He had to say something in order to cover his ass, and it’s one of the most transparent explanations I’ve ever heard. I mean, if the runner attempting to steal is going to be awarded second base, then the reason for his gesture is completely pointless, and what’s more, it confused even the second base ump.
Plus, I don’t feel like I’ve seen an ump gesture like that in less damning situations.
What’s wrong with admitting when you screw up? Baseball players have egos as big as anyone, but even they will occasionally even admit their mistakes. Umpires are never held accountable to the fans (although, sometimes the league takes very quiet actions).
Bronn - August 10, 2009
Im an Ump and have been for a while and Eric Cooper is full of shit. If its Ball four you dont make any hand gestures except one with the right hand pointing at first base telling the Batter to take his base. Why in the world do you signal to the second base umpire that a runner is stealing when it doesn’t matter he is safe. Dude fucked up and MLB does not hold its umpires accountable at all. They are getting away with so much and its not fair to the game of baseball anymore.
That a boy - August 10, 2009
maybe it was really Leslie Neilson behind the plate
Fischerking - August 10, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-S-eeInJVk
bravos1984 - August 10, 2009
Absolutely not…The only thing that right hand is used for is to call strikes and outs. If you watch you will notice that they even use their left hand when motioning a runner to first after a walk or asking for an appeal on a check swing. Bottom line is he screwed up. I don’t know if his verbal call contridicted his visual call but the motion he made with his right arm can only be interpreted as a called strike.
Mountngrown - August 10, 2009
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