Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
Oh that's the problem! Brooks, the glove goes ON the hand.
There is a lot of "blame Bobby" sentiment going on out there, and while I get that the manager is responsible for a lot of what transpires, I just can't pin this one entirely on him. Yes, I do disagree with the decision to pull Craig Kimbrel in favor of Michael Dunn, but I also disagreed with the decision to burn Troy Glaus as a pinch hitter in favor of Eric Hinske -- that certainly worked out well.
Should Brooks Conrad have been replaced by Diory Hernandez? Sure. But remember that Jason Heyward was a bit banged up from earlier in the game and Diory was the last non-catcher on the bench. Cox may have been a bit gun-shy to use his last bench player with such a frail team on the field. Besides, Diory Hernandez is not that slick of a fielder (though he is likely better than Conrad).
There was a bit of completeness to the failure of last night's game, which was the worst loss the Braves have suffered since that 18 inning affair in Houston in 2005. The guy who got us out of of the jam in last night's loss was the same guy who caused the drama in 2005, Kyle Farnsworth. That doesn't really mean anything, but in remembering the last two games that really stabbed me in the heart, it's curious that he's been in both of them.
The Braves still have chance, though. It's more of an uphill climb, but there's still a chance. I don't know how many times it needs to be repeated, but we need to get some hits and score some runs. Outside of game two we have six total hits, and one of them is by a pitcher. Perhaps putting Troy Glaus at third base and moving Omar Infante to second will improve the defense and add more offense to the lineup. Inserting Diory Hernandez into the lineup is just giving the Giants another out.
Another thought that crossed my mind since last night is that all of these games have been one-run affairs. The Braves have been in every game, even when it seemed like they were out of it. Of course, that's probably why the losses have hurt so much.
The Braves are dangerous when they're backs are up against the wall, and this season they have left everything until the last minute, so is it really any surprise that they are going to have to come back to win this series? This is what they do. Really, though, I don't know how much more of this I can take.
0 recs | 121 comments
Fuck it. Let’s just go out and kick the shit out the Giants these next 2 games. We’re the Atlanta Braves!
NCBraves - October 11, 2010
+a googol
Fuckin’ A. Let’s do this!
John Holton - October 11, 2010
+1000
I kinda want lincecum in game 5! Did any hear what he said to the fans on the dugout cam once huff got that two out hit! Plus my grandpa says he looks like a school girl lmao
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - October 11, 2010
Didn’t he say something along the lines of “F..k you?” I think that’s what he said..along with F..k YEAH – right in front of the camera.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Hell Ya
After last nights game I was so mad and just shocked actually that this all happened, but after waking up this morning, i realize that if Hinske doesn’t hit that HR, then we are in the same situation as we are right now. Even though it was one of the best moments of this great season, lets go D Lowe!!!!!!!!!!! This is it!!! GO crazy people!!! LETS GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BravesFan22 - October 11, 2010
+infinity
TonyAlmeyda - October 11, 2010
If you don’t use Diory when the situation calls for it most, then when do you use him? Or is he only on the roster in case of another in-game injury (not rhetorical). And what is the difference if you are going to burn another backup IF just to play matchup at the plate. I think you have to put more on Bobby. Kimbrel is the guy that gives you the best chance to win. ERA, BAA, BAA with 2 outs, Huff’s splits – all of it point to leaving Kimbrel in. That one is on Bobby. And if you’re going to burn an IF pinch hitter and not use your best defensive option in the 9th inning, well that’s on Bobby too.
Yes, if you are on a major league roster you should be able to field a baseball, but the manager is responsible for giving the team the best chance to win, especially in the last inning – which Bobby failed on twice. The Hinske switcharoo was the right one I think. Manage to win, not not to lose (or to save a guy in case of injury). IMO of course.
Still waiting for you to put second baseman in quotations like you did to Glaus after he saved the game in Game 2, Gondee.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
I agree...
This game is on Bobby.
Why keep Diory on the bench? Just in case there is an injury? What’s the worst that could happen? We have to use a player who can’t field come into the game? We might lose?
Well, we still had a player in the game who can’t field right now, and we still lost.
If Bobby Cox is willing to use four pitchers in an inning to try and win the game/keep a game tied/close, then why is he unwilling to burn his last infielder under the same logic?
Who was left in our pen? Martinez? Saito? What were we going to do, have Martinez pitch 5 innings if needed? What if HE got hurt? The same logic applies to the pitchers as it does the fielders. Thus, Cox should have pulled Conrad.
Also, what was Bobby’s rationale in taking Kimbrel out? It’s not like Dunn is any more of a veteran. Huff actually hits lefties better. But Bobby loves the lefty-lefty and righty-righty matchups. I love Bobby, but I won’t miss his head scratching line-ups and archaic game management.
Jman781 - October 11, 2010
Also
If you do take Kimbrel out, why not put in Moylan? You’ve got runners on first and second and need one out. He’s consistently gotten the ground ball needed to get the job done (see last night), whether or not the infield can make a play on said ground ball (again, see last night).
Also, if the strike zone/other calls were as bad as everyone says (I was at the game in a bad position for plate coverage, but I’ve seen some pitch tracking that seems to back it up), where was Bobby? Isn’t this the career leader in manager ejections? Isn’t this the guy that will get tossed from games fighting for his players and trying to get them riled up? This seemed like a perfect game to go out and yell and scream at anyone in a black shirt that would listen, but he just sat on the bench. What happened there?
fdoubleprime - October 11, 2010
well said
Bobby deserves his props, but it is time. Most of us believe that winning just 1 WS was not good enough during our salad years. Alot of the blame, not all, has to be on him. Cooperstown is waiting and I am waiting for our next manager and please let Terry P go with Bobby, please! I still am not over Charlie Liebrant!
Fortune favors the brave(s) - October 11, 2010
Beachy
He’s obviously not the Game 4 starter, so he’d be the late-game, extra innings guy.
I’m more than okay burning through the bullpen with Beachy shoring it up behind them, if we’re going for the win/hold.
-C
cthabeerman - October 11, 2010
Okay...
I forgot that Beachy was on the roster.
Jman781 - October 11, 2010
Bobby thinks statistics are for beatniks. He uses his gut.
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
Our Bandwagon over flows with all fans that the Braves deserve. Now we just need for them to be behind the team instead of throwing them under the bus. Braves are not done yet.
ATL_BUC - October 11, 2010
this..
Go Braves!!
rookiefan - October 11, 2010
It could happen… This is the braves team who is the team of improbable.. So yes, I agree, we should not be surprised that it is coming down to last minute heroics to pull this series off, in fact we should still have a glimmer of hope in our eyes.
rookiefan - October 11, 2010
Perspective people
For one, without Brooksie (I still love you man) we are going over the 2010 season and are gearing up for rosterbation-season not the postseason.
Injuries have totally desroyed this team but we are still alive. We have now lost our leadoff hitter, 3 hole hitter, two starting pitchers, our shut down closer, a vital lefty reliever and our best hitters are a 21 year old at the end of the longest season of his life still battling tha thumb injury, a catcher who is is no doubt exausted from so man starts and a respected aging star with a bad back…. but we are only two wins away from a trip to the NLCS!
I think it’s pretty freaking impressive that we are where we are with the amount of talent not on the field.
bbxxj - October 11, 2010 via mobile
This
I posted something similar in the FCP if any of you happen over there and read the comments… Hearts, Guts and Great Pitching… That’s our Braves.
Klemson Krash - October 11, 2010
+1
I’ve tried to post this very thought, it never came out this well.
bighop - October 11, 2010
Good point
But I think we all agree Bobby is a fantastic manager. He proved this year he can get a bad team into the postseason by keeping them on an even keel and making good decisions over the course of the year. It doesn’t change the fact that he overmanages playoff games. We’ve seen it year after year. This post that has the big green thumb next to it is the equivalent of, “we’re just happy to be here.” While we’re not dead yet, I’m not just happy to be here. We lost a game we should have won last night. It’s not over, but perspective isn’t saying “we’re glad to be here,” it’s saying that with all of the injuries, we are still good enough to win the NLDS. It’s a shame that Bobby’s micromanaging made that so difficult.
ruxsin - October 11, 2010
Did Bobby really expect anything else out of Nate but a groundout? Can someone explain to me why Bobby switched out Ankiel for Nate?
But I’m not trying to blame this on any one person…..Brooks’ “D” essentially lost us the game.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
Didn’t all the pinch-hitting moves (Glaus, Hinske) come in Ankiel’s spot? He took Ankiel out of the LH/LH matchup for Glaus. Glaus was taken out for Hinske to face Romo. All in the 8th spot. Then Cabrera PH for the pitchers spot.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
I would plug Diory in tonite, and let Brooks pinch hit later in the game. It’s really killing us softly.
but if Nate comes up in a clutch situation, my money is on the Braves losing.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
I felt so bad watching the ninth inning
after that home run I thought they would win.
This is where they miss Wagner.
bestbostonsports - October 11, 2010
They miss Wags in the sense that Bobby would have left him in to create his own destiny. Otherwise he could have used the same mentality for Kimbrel to determine his own fate. They didn’t miss Wags as much as they missed Cox’s confidence in his self-determined closer to finish what he started.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
agreed
I said something similar in another post. if that had been Wags, Bobby would have left him in to finish it. Now if it is close again, you basically take Kimbrel out of the picture because he is going to be pre-occupied thinking if he gives up one hit he is going to get yanked. doesn’t do much to build confidence.
nuftjedi - October 11, 2010
Kimbrel would have finished it, too.
Dunn is going to get lit up in a clutch situation. Otherwise, he’s pretty good.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
well yeah that too. Huff was pretty primed to be struck out in that spot and I didn’t see him catching up to Kimbrel’s stuff in that spot.
nuftjedi - October 11, 2010
Like I wrote last night
Kimbrel will get to blossom under another, hopefully smarter, manager.
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
Complete emotional roller coaster. Jumping around, fist pumping to shocked mouth agape in 10 minutes. I guess that’s why we’re fans.
joshmaurer - October 11, 2010
to be honest....
man i feel so sad right, But lets all just pretend Hinske didn’t homer….. (sobbing) if doesn’t hit it we would had lost anyway…
ill watch tonight… ill root for my braves but ill try to not get too excited… i don’t think i could bear another heartbreak like last night…
Go braves…!!
Hektor DiPaula - October 11, 2010
I’m not really sure how good a defender Diory is because, well, Bobby never played him the last 3 months. But Conrad is experiencing a mental breakdown on the level of what Ankiel went through in 2000, so he simply has to be replaced. Whether it’s Hernandez, Glaus, or Hinske that takes his spot doesn’t really matter at this point.
redwards95 - October 11, 2010
Diory has pretty good D. But I’m sure the bench is where he’ll stay.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
2B Infante
RF Heyward
1B Lee
3B Glaus
C McCann
LF Diaz
SS Gonzo
CF Ankiel/Melky
P D Lowe
I hope that’s what we see tonight!
NCBraves - October 11, 2010
2B Infante
LF Diaz
1B Lee
3B Glaus
C McCann
SS Gonzo
RF Heyward
CF Melky
P Lowe
No time to see if Heyward is going to break out against a lefty while hitting in the 2 spot.
AvoidTheDolphin - October 11, 2010
Too late...
tonight that may not work.
20/20 hindsight, yes, but Glaus should have started instead of Conrad yesterday. Today that’s questionable. If Glaus starts, maybe we get to Sanchez earlier, and also it changes the late inning subs.
Mr. Sanchez - October 11, 2010
This series has been defined by errors and great pitching (or poor hitting) so far
We just got to play a clean game. I still believe in the Braves and Conrad but he needs to be just a pinch hitter for tonight (and I’m sure no one would be surprised if deliver a big hit to hopefully put the game out of reach or something tonight). The extra scrutiny of the playoff is probably too much for him.
We have been saying it a few times already this year but this is really it…our backs are against the wall and it is definitely now a must win. Let’s take care of business at home tonight and who knows what will happen in game 5.
Hoping for a reverse of the 2002 NLDS against the Giants…we were up 2-1 but the Giants won game 4 (Tom Glavine’s 2nd bad start that series…and the last one before he bolted for the Mets) and Russ Ortiz (before he was a Brave) beat Millwood in game 5.
LEastCoastBears - October 11, 2010
Like Roy (I think) said in another thread....
If you do see Brooks in any form tomorrow night, cheer for him! It does nobody any service to boo him. He is a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and I bet nobody feels as bad as he does. This could possibly be the last game of 2010 we see at the Ted, so let’s show the team how much we appreciate their accomplishments, no matter the outcome!
Go Braves!!!
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
I agree with you. I know people originally (myself included) were pissed he made the error(s). Taking a step back and objectively thinking about it helped me realize, that a) the guy tries as hard as he can on every play and that’s probably the #1 reason he made it this far, b) he is at best a 5th IF so it’s hard to take out frustration too much like you would on a perennial starter, and c) look at what the positive things the guy has done for the Braves this year and some of the hits he came up with.
Do I blame Conrad for the errors? Well, yes, he was in the game to make the play. But, does he deserve the blame for losing? No way. And I’m glad I understood that after about 30 minutes of overwhelming frustration.
I think what you said about cheering for Conrad tonight is well said. To the point that TC should post on it, and even DOB at AJC. Conrad is a guy we’d all love to be. The 30 year old rookie. So it didn’t work out like he planned, but we are all fans and in crunchtime, we should support the players we are so much a fan of. I don’t blame the fans for booing last night, in immidiate frustration that is expected. But I like to think Braves fans are good fans and support the players, especially those that work their tails off. I’d love to see the guy get a standing O in his first at bat tonight or as a pinch hitter. He deserves it.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
Exactly, Brooks is not a starter and has never been pegged as one. He didn’t injure Chipper or Prado. And beyond that, booing a guy isn’t going to help him turn it around, but cheering and showing support very well could provide a spark.
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
I'm sure that Brooks feels bad, as he should, again. He should be taking ground balls right now.
But I’m Nate in a very good mood right now.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
Dude back off Nate, dang he is 1-2. Im sorry he hasnt hit a 1.000 clip but he has half as many hits as Ankiel in a fraction of the at bats. And, I would also like to say McLouth gives you a better at bat than Ankiel. Rick just swings hard and hopes the pitch finds his bat.
AvoidTheDolphin - October 11, 2010
even tho Ankiel almost hit another bomb, earlier in the game, that just missed.
we can always go with Nate’s groundouts tho, sure. he’s a defensive liability, as well.
here’s the crazy thing about it tho: once he’s finally released, he’ll pull a Yunel and bat .300 next year. screw him.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
Goodluck Brooks! Hate to see it happen to ya man, we wouldn't be here without you!
Still can’t blame this one on Bobby. Maybe it’s just me, but I really felt like Kimbrel was all over the place last night. Had he been throwing better I don’t think Bobby would have taken him out. Did you guys watch the Sanchez at bat? He got lucky to get 2 strikes.
jdmarine - October 11, 2010
The Giants always seem to get timely hits against the Braves. We always have close games. But now, it’s personal. Because each team had a very close win over 2 games.
We just have to man up, and be the better team. Otherwise, they get bragging rights for a year.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
Exactly.
This is what we expected. Two teams with awesome SP, awesome bull pens, but lousy offense. What’s one difference between the two teams? The Giants have a good D and the Braves, well not so much. Even though our hitters aren’t going to routinely blow people away, they are still underperforming to a degree, which gives us optimism that they still have some fight left in them.
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
He was a tad off, but I still think Cox could have left him in. However, had Cox left him in and he gives up the lead we would all shout that Cox left him in too long.
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
I agree..
Bobby mentioned this in the press conference after the game. If he left him in too long and gave up a double or HR to Huff then they would have his head for not putting in the lefty reliever.
Tonights game is ours- and we are taking game 5 in SF!
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
That's so stupid
You play to win the game – not to worry about what could happen. And let’s be honest – how spotty the Braves offense is – it really didn’t matter if the Giants pulled ahead by 1 or 5 runs…we probably wouldn’t be able to come back in the bottom of the 9th. Not to mention the fact that we were going against Brian Wilson.
He should have left Kimbrel in there until we did lose the lead. Simple as that.
sag969 - October 11, 2010
His point wasn’t that he was thinking about what the reaction was, his point was that when things don’t work in your favor people will always say you made the wrong move. If he brings in the lefty and he gets the out to end the game people will say it was a great move, but if he brings in the lefty and he blows it like last night everyone will say he made the wrong move. Cox’s point was that people will say you made the wrong move if it fails, no matter how right it could have turned out. And he’s right, nobody thinks about how much sense it makes at the time, or what their reaction would have been if it worked, they only want to second guess it later.
cbwilk - October 11, 2010
Exactly
So its stupid! No matter what decision a manager ever makes, if it doesn’t work out it will get questioned. Just like he didn’t make the move to remove Conrad and everyone is questioning that.
I’m just kind of shocked that Cox – with all the experience he has – would really fall back on the idea that people would criticize him no matter what he did. Its kind of a…duh! statement.
sag969 - October 11, 2010
Exactly. I still can’t make up my mind which of Cox’s chickenshit rationalizations is worse: this one or the thing about not using Diory because he was the last position player other than Ross on the bench.
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
I agree
Kimbrel didn’t look as sharp as he usually is. I know Huff’s stats suggest he hits lefties and righties equally well THIS YEAR, but for his career, he has been much better against righties. Small sample size probably has a lot to do with his numbers against lefties this year. Plus, you also have to look at how the pitchers do against lefties. Dunn has been way better against lefties than righties. Dunn is very, very tough for lefties to hit.
The more I really look at it, the more I think Bobby actually made the right call by putting Dunn in. A soft line drive fell a few feat in front of Heyward and it didn’t work out. That’s the luck of baseball.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
I disagree with you on Huff. Huff’s career split is .10 points better against RHP than LHP. Defintely not enough to say much better. And really not enough to overcome the SSS of this season.
Also, even though Dunn is better this year against LH than RH, Kimbrel is even better against LH – by 50+ points.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
That’s a good point about Kimbrel. Again, small sample size with the numbers against’ lefties on Kimbrel and Dunn both. Hard to tell anything yet.
But, look at Huff’s OBP and OPS against lefties, not just batting average. He has an .847 OPS against righties and a .757 against lefties. That’s pretty significant and he has over 5,000 career at-bats. He has a pretty typical platoon split.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
good point on the OPS. I stand by Kimbrel though. .167 against LHP is plenty good enough to leave his fate up to himself.
CharlotteChop - October 11, 2010
I don’t think he was doing too bad before Bobby took him out. He knew Sanchez was going to come in swinging and did throw him some stuff he couldn’t hit. The pitch he hit I believe was closer to the middle. Sanchez was just going to swing at anything to get a hit. I think he could have closed it out – but it’s easy to say now that we know the outcome of the game.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Raw Dog
Brooks Conrad is the type of player every fan (and manager) has to love. A 30 year old rookie who finally makes it to the big leagues as a tough gritty guy who obviously loves the game. Today, he has to be in baseball hell. The fault is not entirely his. His troubles in the field go back to the series in Philadelphia and extend almost unbroken through the fiasco last night. It has seemed obvious for some time that the Braves needed to get him out of the lineup. Could Glaus or Henske do any worse? Contrary to some of the comments I’ve read, Hernandez is actually a pretty solid defensive player, albeit one who has never been able to hit major league pitching worth a hoot. It would be an act of cruelty to send Conrad back out tonight.
icepick - October 11, 2010
I wouldn’t want to start Conrad with a chance his mind just isn’t in it right now after last night. He could let it get to his game and cost us even more tonight.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
I would lean toward taking Conrad out for exactly that reason … His head probably isn’t right. But, it’s a tough call. I don’t have much confidence in Glaus or Hinske at third. Hernandez gives the Giants another easy out.
The Braves have to consider it is important to score at least one run. If you don’t score at least one run, it doesn’t matter how many errors you make.
Very tough call. Bobby said he would have to sleep on it. I can’t imagine he got any sleep with a decision like that to make. There just aren’t any good choices. Bobby hasn’t had any good choices for weeks. Yet, with a few breaks the Braves could have just swept the Giants.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
Clut
chz Conrad needs to sit, at least for today.nuftjedi - October 11, 2010
I agree about not pinning this on Bobby. At the time, I thought he should leave Kimbrel in the game. But, I could understand turning to Dunn, too. As it turned out, Huff hit a tough pitch and it fell in. It wasn’t hit that well. If Heyward had been playing in a little more, it easily could have been an out. Blaming Bobby for a soft line drive that happened to find grass is ridiculous. And then Moylan got a ground ball to get the Braves out of the inning, only it didn’t.
Putting Hernandez in defensively would have burned the last non catcher. I don’t think that is a move many managers make. I certainly wasn’t screaming at the TV for Hernandez to come in when the inning started. So, I have no room to criticize Bobby.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
With the lead in the ninth inning of a playoff game you put your best defensive options on the field, at any cost. Plain and simple.
-InsertWittyNameHere- - October 11, 2010 via mobile
With Conrad starting at either 2nd or 3rd, we aren’t going to be advancing any farther. I don’t blame him since he’s doing the best he can but his best is at pinch hitting – not starting crucial playoff games.
As much as I want to see Glaus starting at 3rd, I think Bobby will keep throwing Conrad out there even if he makes 5+ errors in a game. I don’t know what he has against certain players, but Glaus needs to be starting. A veteran 3rd baseman with playoff experience should have been in the lineup since game 1. Most will say he can’t field or hit, but neither can the rest of the team.
No matter what happens tonight, it’s been an increibly fun season with so much to look forward to in the future and next season. Thanks for the many great years Bobby! GO BRAVES!!!! Let’s take this to 5!
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Im in favor of having DH in....
I know he isn’t much of a hitter, but I would rather have Glaus and Conrad off the bench. How cool would it be for Conrad to come thru in the clutch for us?
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
We can have a DH
when we go to New York in the World Series. I’m fine with that.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
haha
reply fail..thought you were talking about designated hitter. Still early here on the west.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
haha no problem
I was too lazy to type out a name.
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
Although if Cox does start Glaus...
Over/Under 3 on Giants bunts to third base?
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
Giants Strategy
Bunt to 3rd
with Conrad
Hit to 2nd
Braves strategy should be
Hit to Emmel until he gets injured and should be replaced
joshant - October 11, 2010
nice…
I like it.
rookiefan - October 11, 2010
I think 3 is a pretty good number. It’s hard to believe they would only bunt twice, so I’ll take over.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
Could the Giants bunt to second base?
It would have to be a very hard bunt and well placed, right between the pitcher and first baseman.
BrandonG - October 11, 2010
by the way
Tim Lincecum is a little bitch. Did you see him last night after they scored in the 9th?
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
he looked like a 12 year old punk in Toys R Us.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
Okay
That’s funny.
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
what did he do?
chrisdaugherty - October 11, 2010
Yeah
He was cheering for his team and excited about what was happening.
What are you trying to say?
sag969 - October 11, 2010
Mr.Good Luck Chuck
All in favor for hinske at third? We need a spark and no one is hiting write now. Swap him and RawDawg, and let Conrad do what he does best pinch hitting late off the bench. If its between Hinske or Glaus there defense at third is probably going to be about the same, if not tilting alittle in hinske’s favor.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - October 11, 2010
Putting in Dunn...
was a terrible decision from a manager who has a history of over managing in the playoffs. No one is solely responsible for the loss. Heyward didn’t attempt to dive for the ball and then didn’t make a good throw. I guess he was banged up out there.
I have been giving the Braves’ postseason chances a 1 in the poll because they’re never going to win a World Series with this team. Too many injuries and too many players who can field.
mdhenshaw - October 11, 2010
Wrongheaded.
And taking away maybe 3 outs from them on defense. The team is inadequate on both offense and defense. Those are both critical aspects of the game, and defense is especially critical when you have a sinkerballer taking the mound for you. You can’t just note that Diory has downsides and act as if that settles the matter. There is a real tradeoff here, and it may not be the tradeoff we think. (Since when is Troy Glaus an offensive savior? Not since May.)
SS451 - October 11, 2010
Why such little confidence
in Glaus at 3rd? He’s played there his whole career. He has experience in the playoffs and he showed us he knows what he’s doing out there. It’s not like he doesn’t know how to field a ball or throw. Yeah his range might not be all there but neither are the other options we have out there.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Cause of the range.
Don’t see how you can just dismiss that. If he can’t get to balls, that translates into more hits. He’s probably better than Conrad out there, but we do have a player (Diory) who is reasonably expected to be better than either of them on defense.
Also, why so much confidence in Troy’s offensive abilities at this point in his career?
SS451 - October 11, 2010
He had a slump just like any other player goes through. You can say that none of our team is spectacular with the bat right now. Our beloved Heyward doesn’t even have a hit in the series yet. He deserves a chance like anyone else on the team… Yeah he played a few games in AAA but this is different. There are more emotions in the playoffs and who knows if he feels more comfortable out there now. He sure proved himself game 2 on that double play. If it wasn’t for that, we would be swept right now.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Because
Whenever Torres or Renteria are at the plate, they’re going to bunt it at him and hoof it out. Then, when there are any ground balls that are not right at him, he’s going to struggle, really struggle, to field them.
sag969 - October 11, 2010
name one player
on our team not struggling right now?
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
I’m actually forcing myself into having a litttle optimism based on the fact that hitters like BMac and Heyward are underachieving right now. Maybe tonight is the night they snap into it!
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
Diory Hernandez
nuftjedi - October 11, 2010
Burning Glaus
I actually agreed with that move, thought it was done exactly right. Priority #1 at that point was to get Sanchez out of the game. Glaus is the only righty on the bench that you could afford to burn, and that would actually force Bochy to pull Sanchez for a righty. Then you get the matchup you really want which is Hinske v Romo (and that did work out nicely didn’t it?)
Dr Galakiewicz - October 11, 2010
Uhm
Where, or what, are you basing this on?
I don’t see how you pin this on anyone other than Bobby. I love the man, but after Brooks made two errors in two innings, he never should have come back out in the 3rd inning. He’s not even batting that well! He’s 1/10 with one sacrifice bunt in game 2. Last night he was called again to do the sacrifice bunt – and he pops it up. He’s simply struggling. Cox should have taken him out and put Diory in.
Also, not sticking with Kimbrel when we were one out away from a win was another mistake by Cox. You just can’t micromanage the 9th inning.
sag969 - October 11, 2010
Well, we’ve got to go up against a new pitcher that we’ve never seen before (I’m going to guess he’s a lefty) and then if we get past him, Timmah, again.
Either way, it’s going to be an interesting couple of days. I still think we can advance, but the amazing thing is really that we’ve come as far as we have. I’m just not sure how much gas is left in the tank.
We’re like the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
This?
It’s just a scratch!! Come back here!!
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
I’ve been calling for Troy to play 3B ever since Prado went down. Nobody thought that was a good idea. Glad to see yall finally agree with me
gsAppState - October 11, 2010
+1
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
I still don’t. The guy can barely walk, let alone play third. He got lucky the other night that the ball was hit right at him. He looked like he was struggling to run off the field afterwards.
cbwilk - October 11, 2010
This!
Glaus is not a defensive improvement over Conrad. I think Diory needs to get the start. He is an auto out, but that’s no different than Conrad in this series. Fact is, the guy is not mentally capable of fielding the position at this point, and isn’t even close to making it up at the plate.
king of games - October 11, 2010
Diory is no worse on defense than Conrad, so why not give him a chance? Conrad is apparently struggling mentally with his defense.
TonyAlmeyda - October 11, 2010
Let's go Braves
I feel terrible for Conrad. The guy is trying is ass off out there.
I think we, as fans, understand the plight of the Braves. I mean, what are you going to do? The Giants are completely healthy, have three horses on the mound, the best bullpen in baseball, and they can’t put us away. What does that say about our guys? Everything.
The 2010 Braves just scream the word “Team.” Let’s go get ’em tonight.
Oh, and Paul Emmel can jump in a lake. Is he trying to screw us? You’re going to call strikes on check swings and then give Brian Wilson three inches on the outside corner?
kalesi - October 11, 2010
One game at a time....
Glaus is solid on D. He also made that incredible clutch DP in Game 2. Brooks is a great bench player who has been thrust into the spotlight. He’s obviously struggling a bit between the ears. I say give Glaus the nod at 3rd tonight. He is better defensively and can’t be any worse than everybody else has been offensively.
We are still alive. Backs to the wall these boys come out fighting. I’m proud of them and still holding out hope.
We need to somehow beat this guy we don’t know much about tonight (tall task) and eat through their bullpen giving no room for error to Timmy in Game 5.
slc333 - October 11, 2010
I agree on Emmel
Brooksie’s errors completely overshadowed Emmel’s suddenly expansive strike zone for Wilson. Heyward’s K was 5 inches outside and low. Not even close.
slc333 - October 11, 2010
that's been the Braves story the last several years....
The Braves vs Whomever AND the umpires.
just makes it that much harder to win games, really. because there is something going on there, and Bud Selig is probably too busy tossing some dude’s salad to care.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - October 11, 2010
You think Selig is a honey, or ranch dressing kinda guy?
Frozen Fan - October 11, 2010
Jelly of course
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItAzJD0o9NQ&feature=related
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - October 11, 2010
Hi Braves fans!
I’m a writer over at Red Reporter, and until this week I had only experienced two Braves games this season—which happened to be those painful Reds losses (which partially inspired this post over there). But I’m down in Atlanta with my father for these two games, and I’m a Braves fan now.
Several thoughts:
(1) I have no beef with Bobby about his use of the pitchers in that game, since I’m willing to accept that he has a better feel for such things and he did nothing supremely stupid there. Pitching wasn’t the problem.
(2) What was a problem was that Conrad was left in there when he was clearly struggling. At the least, he needs to be pulled for a defensive replacement in the ninth. Given that he wasn’t doing anything offensively either, he probably needed to be pulled earlier. But, okay. That’s over. Which brings me to…
(3) I still have a much better feeling about the Braves winning this series than I did after the Reds lost game 2. They can pull out a win here and even up the series, at which point they have a chance of winning this thing. Not the greatest chance, but they don’t look ready to pack this in and I’m not, either. So maybe I just selfishly want to see a playoff win, but whatever. I’ll be there again, cheering them on tonight—and feeling much better about this than I did about the Reds game last night.
Gray - October 11, 2010
Welcome to the Chop!
Pretty much agree with everything there. Bobby does tend to overmanage with pitching matchups, but it tends to work about as often as not, so it’s a wash. Conrad obviously needs to be replaced, though we just don’t have many infield options at this points, which probably should have been anticipated more when the roster was set (it was the first thing I noticed when the roster was released, you would think someone upstairs would have noticed as well).
king of games - October 11, 2010
if you're actaully playing matchups
then play the ACTUAL matchups. KNOW something about the ACTUAL matchup. KNOW that Huff hits lefties better than righties.
Spazio Elutherius - October 11, 2010
I keep replaying Huff’s single over and over again. Watching Heyward I noticed that he hesitated when the ball was hit causing him to be maybe a second or 2 from catching it. I really think he could have caught it on a dive.
We need a big game from Heyward tonight and Wednesday when we beat Timmy in SF.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Looks like they haven’t sold out the game tonight. The Facebook page says there are still lower level and upper level seats available. That’s too bad.
BullManUGA - October 11, 2010
If plane tickets
weren’t $450 for me to get there from CA, I would go in a heartbeat.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Blah blah Brooks... Blah blah Bobby...
Fuck it all. Just win tonight. Go Braves!
Frozen Fan - October 11, 2010 via mobile
and Wednesday night.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
Screw Wednsday
Just win tonight
Frozen Fan - October 11, 2010
*Wednesday
Frozen Fan - October 11, 2010
I think a really key thing so far in this series
is Heyward and BMac doing zilch so far. Our depleted offense relies on these two to do something. Perhaps tonight they can start to turn things around…
jbeachbum24 - October 11, 2010
This
Frozen Fan - October 11, 2010
McCann is 4-11 batting .364 right now in the series. I’d say he is doing fairly well against these tough pitchers.
We could really use production from Heyward. He has only been on base 1 time this whole series due to a walk. If we can get him going we will be looking good.
WeStillHaveBobby - October 11, 2010
The thing about PLAYING MATCHUPS
is that you should know what the matchup IS in the particular situation. HUFF has better numbers against lefties than righties. So if you’re playing matchups you take that into account. BUT ONLY if you’re paying attention and actually know the numbers. Cox clearly didn’t, which is WHY he made the switch (lefty-lefty is the ONLY reason to bring DUNN in there and that’s ONLY if you don;t have any info on the actual hitter. HERE, the info was available: Huff hits lefties better than righties, PERIOD). Therefore, Cox made a HUGE mistake because he didn’t know what he was doing. That IS bad management which cost us the game regardless of whether the Hinkske move put us in the position to win it.
The real, and only, important managerial screwup from Bobby Cox was taking Kimbrel out and bringing in Dunn to face Huff. After losing Wagner, Cox said the braves would be playing “matchups.” “MATCHUPS” has to mean something more than lefty-against-lefty doesn’t it? Huff has consistently hit lefties better all season long. How does Cox NOT know that??? How does Cox take out a righty who’s hurling it at 96/97 for a lefty (who THIS PARTICULAR BATTER hits better) just in the name of playing a matchup when the ACTUAL matchup argues AGAINST such a move? Why hasn’t anyone asked Cox that question?
Spazio Elutherius - October 11, 2010
^This guy is a horrible, terrible broken record^ Like Macarena bad.
Kimbrel was NOT effective. He walked a guy and gave up a hit. Bobby made what he believed to be the correct move.
BullManUGA - October 11, 2010
wrong
Kimbrel had gotten 2 outs, and pitched 12 of 19 for strikes. Ishikawa worked the walk and Sanchez’s grounder up the middle was a good hit by a good hitter. That’s not ineffective. The guy has been effective since the moment he got called up.
My point isn’t that Kimbrel definitely gets Huff out, but that MATCHUP-WISE he’s a better MATCHUP against HUFF.0 Given that the move was 100% entirely about matchup, then the move can/SHOULD be scrutinized on those terms and Bobby clearly didn’t know the matchup didn’t favor putting in a lefty. You wouldn’t hear me squawk if he’d put in Moylan. Putting in a righty to face Huff would indicate that Bobby wasn’t autopiloting the thing, that he actually knew that throwing a lefty against Huff (in particular) was a BAD matchup.
Spazio Elutherius - October 11, 2010
monday morning QBs always have a 100% completion rate
Look, when Wagner went down, we were in trouble. Our setup guys are young, tired and overworked. You can’t reasonably expect our bullpen to go out there every single night and throw 100 pitches over 90 mph and never give up a run. Something had to give.
Kimbrel had thrown something like 60 pitches this series. He was all over the place. Did you see where his pitches were going in relation to McCann’s setup? We were playing with fire, and if anything we left Kimbrel in for too long.
DCP916 - October 11, 2010
I thought bringing Dunn in was a mistake at the time.
I’m guessing most of the people complaining abiout it here did as well. This “Monday morning” jazz is a lot like the term “second guessing”, in that it’s tossed around a lot without really thinking about what it means.
If you thought lifting Kimbrel for Dunn was a good move but changed your tune when it went south, then you’re second guessing (hence the word “second”)
Simply reviewing what happened and seeing the obvious moves that any good manager should make isn’t some sort of disreputable practice. It’s what people who watch the games are supposed to do.
Sam Jethroe - October 11, 2010
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