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Talking Chop

You Asked For It! Braves Bat Melky Fifth For Game Two

Here is the Braves lineup for game two of the NLDS:

  1. Omar Infante, 3B
  2. Jason Heyward, RF
  3. Derrek Lee, 1B
  4. Brian McCann, C
  5. Melky Cabrera, LF
  6. Brooks Conrad, 2B
  7. Alex Gonzalez, SS
  8. Rick Ankiel, CF
  9. Tommy Hanson, P

Wowa. I told everyone yesterday not to be amazed when Melk was hitting fifth. This probably has a lot to do with the prolonged slump that Gonzalez is in. Pretty much the Braves lineup is four good hitters and four big fat outs.

Yay!

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Comments

Did Stevie Wonder pick out this lineup by throwing darts at Helen Keller?
 
Melky should not be batting fifth. Ever.

Given what we have now...

…it doesn’t matter what order we put 5-8, none of them can hit. Hell, when Huddy pitches, 5-9 are all about the same. It is the danger of putting together a lineup of 6-7 decent hitters with no super stud (yeah, Jason will be, but not yet), two have a bad year and two are done for the year, and wow, the lineup looks ugly.

FWIW, Melky does have the 2nd highest BA against Cain of those in the lineup

Granted he’s only 1 for 3, and that’s the best excuse/reason I can come up with, aside from Milk Dud’s got incriminating photos on Bobby stashed in his locker.

Wow...

so we are trying not to win right?

Now watch Melky hit a 3 run bomb tonight to win the game and make us all look silly.

Won’t happen. Its televised.

He did hit a home run in one of the hardest parks to hit one in Minneapolis this year.
 
Stranger things have happened.

I was at that game

and I’m still not convinced it was actually him. Troy went ape shit in that game too if I remember right.

I've seen Melky hit a homer, live and in person.

I totally didn’t believe it

If management can learn anything from this series is....

our offense stinks to high heaven for a long time now. Do something about it!!!!!!!! (Reminds me of those Braves from 2003-2007 when we had NOBODY to close games for us.)

meaning the team has huge glaring holes that needs to be filled (please no pun).

If by management, you mean Liberty Media, they could not care less.
 
If by management, you mean Frank Wren, then we’ll see what he’s given to work with in the offseason.

I know that we are dealing with a lot of injuries...

But this line-up does not make much sense. At a minimum, I would rather see McLouth over Ankiel…

I would not. They’re both black holes at the plate, and Nate’s defense is worse than Rick’s.

If Pat Burrell can play left field, Eric Hinske can play left field.

Seriously. Dude has an OPS of 1.194 the last 2 weeks. Give him another shot. It’s not like Diaz, Melky, or McLouth are Gold Glovers or anything.

On the bright side

I will be probably be too drunk by game time to notice this.

This is true.
Reply FAIL

Should have been reply to BraveSaluki

Bobby going with his gut again...

who knows, maybe Melky will reward us with his patented bloop double

What I'd like to see.

Give Glaus a start at 3b.

As it is our 3d string and 4th string 3b are making at least one error per game, usually at critical times. Glaus cannot do worse. What he can do is hit for power and, perhaps, turn a game around with one swing.

With Glaus at 3b, we then have Infante at his natural position and Conrad doing what he does better than anyone: delivering late inning pinchhit magic.

Why not?

Honestly, he will do much worse. He cannot move. And he hasn’t hit in months. I don’t get this obsession with Glaus so many seem to have.

I’m exhausted from trying to put out this fire lest it grow.

Wow.

You’re the first person today to make that suggestion. Congratulations.

Why not?

Because 2002 was 8 years ago.

Remember May 2010?

Remember July 2010?

Remember April, 1865?

Like it was yesterday.

Remember the Alamo?

I’ve been to the Alamo.
 
Let me just say I know why Ozzy pissed on it.

/banned

ENOUGH WITH THE GLAUS PLAYING 3B COMMENTS.

READ PAST POSTS.

HE CANT DO IT.

FUCK.

-C

Holy shit

is our offense bad or what?

Lineup

1. Omar
2. Jason
3. Derek
4. Brian
5. Auto-out 1
6. Auto out 2
7. Auto out 3
8. Auto out 4
9. Auto out 5

Holy SH1t, they have 15 outs before the game starts.

Our best chances to score are: Top of 1st, 4th, 7th and maybe 9th

The last few weeks 1, 2, and 4 have been pretty bad too. I wonder if Hudson can play the outfield?

He could probably play 3rd and not suck too badly at it.

Cox should pull a LaRussa

and bat Hudson 8th for game 3.

or put him in the LF in the other games

a la Oswalt

how bout 5th?
You forgot Hanson...
Pretty much the Braves lineup is four good hitters and four big fat outs.

Unless you consider him one of the good hitters.

Hm - why not...

Infante
Conrad
Heyward
Lee
McCann
Gonzalez
Cabrera
Ankiel

Or even...

Omar
Brooks
Heyward
Lee
McCann
Hinske
Gonzalez
Ankiel

Because that's a terrible idea?

Because Brooks Conrad couldn’t hit second for the Dominican Summer League Braves?

Or

Omar
Heyward
Heyward (ghost runner)
Mac
Lee
Heyward
Mac
Lee
Huddy permapitcherspot

or

1. Omar
2. Jason
3. Lee
4. McCann

the other players are Designated Fielders

When you designate Brooks Conrad to field

You know something’s already gone terribly, terribly wrong.

...or

Infante
Hinske
Lee
McCann
Heyward
Glaus
McLouth
Gonzalez

this but

switch hinkke jhey

Seriously

What’s the fascination with sticking our best or second best hitter in the bottom half of the order so that he’ll get fewer PAs?

Bobby prefers to have all the bad guy together
Hate to say it, but...

Continuing to run Conrad out there is equivalent to a declaration of surrender. He can’t hit, and he’s an absolute butcher in the field.

But other than that...

I’ve got nothing.

I for one welcome our new feline overlords.

Poll Time. How many comments will be posted in the game threads tonight?
Way, way too many.
good answer
It is ridiculous isn't it?

I don’t even bother coming here cause I just can’t keep up and watch the game at the same time.

I tried last night...

But it was impossible. I never made it to the second game thread.

You both suck at multitasking – get more 1337.

5218 w/ a Braves win
3971 w/ a Braves loss
 
8954 if we’re nuked during the game

I vote we offer up bpk228084 as a human sacrifice to whoever nukes us. Maybe they’ll take it easier on us.

Oooooh, I’m sorry. The answer we were looking for is Spain. Spain.

I’m sorry but “Spain” was not in the form of a question…

I’m sorry, but it wasn’t your turn.

We shoulda sacrificed a live chicken...

Willie Mays Hayes here!!

A better poll would be this:

How many times will we see the pic of Kotsay’s wife during the game tonight?
 
A) 1
B) 3
C ) Every time Ankiel steps to the plate
D) I like men now

Posting just a “link” would be better IMO.

How many times will we see the pic of Kotsay’s wife during the game tonight?
 
A) 1
B) 3
C ) Every time Ankiel steps to the plate
D) I like men now
E) Not enough times

ftfy

THIS MAN SPEAKS THE TRUTH
ugh

RicKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK getting another start wtf id rather let Jason play the OF by himself

Isn’t he already doing that?

I can't stand him either

But the fact is we have exactly 0 CFs who can pull their own weight.

well

we had Gregor Blanco but we the Royals fleeced Wren lol

Agreed

I’ve always been a big fan of Greg White. That trade made me sick to my stomach.

agree

he was the only player on the team that could bunt himself on to first. Nobody can do that now.

He's probably our best defensive option.

Yes, even after that pathetic drop/drop effort last night. He’s at least got the range

He definitely is

I just leave the room when he has a bat in his hands.

I've got a really good feeling about tonight's game.
HA!

You must be a Phillies fan.

Haha, I don't know why.

I’m usually not that optimistic of a fan either. I dunno, I just think that Hanson will pitch well and we’ll scratch across a couple.

Seriously?

You looked at the lineup and you have a good feeling? What are you smoking and may I have some?

It's getting pretty bad when you have to explain yourself when you are optimistic.
Wow

It really has come to that. How sad.

Phillips HR

Nice to see Rickie Weeks doing so well

Hooray for Cincy...leadoff homer off Oswalt

Prediction: Reds will swing at every first pitch in every AB

i was

wishing Diory could get the start over Gonzo

You obviously don't know how bad Diory is
cant be

any worse then gonzo right now did you see his ABs last night

Diory would be much, much worse.

I promise you that

2-for-40

Good lord. I miss Esco.

but

our team chemistry is over 9000 that has to mean something

not with Glaus and McLouth on the bench..

Cherrypicking alert

But do you still like the trade?

Probably not

but none of us truly know how bad Esco was in the clubhouse. I mean, they gave Gonzo a standing ovation for goodness sake. If he was really that bad, then I guess I still like the trade. But if it was more of just Bobby being senile, then I don’t like the trade at all.

Diory has a record that whe he homers

Braves wins

Over Gonzalez? You're nuts.

Over Conrad is the correct answer.

How is Diory's defense?

Don’t think I’ve ever seen him with a glove.

109 errors in 2609 chances with minor league teams in 655 games

.959 FPct

Not very good.

But better than Brooks.

GUESS WHAT!

The Braves are going to win tonight!

Your positivity is annoying me.

;)

i will say it again. the keys of the game

1. Dont swing the ball
2. If you swing the ball, try to hit it to Panda. (Induce errors)

 BB, errors, WP and HBP also score runs, not only hits.

I would love to see a final boxscore for the Braves like this: 4-0-1
the first run scored after. HBP, WP, E, DP
the second run: BB, SH, Balk, FC
third run: K PB, SH, FC, E
fourth run: E, FC, BB, WP, SF

If you swing the ball, you can get a contusion. Not a good thing.

This has to be the worst postseason lineup EVER!
have we had a worse lineup in the regular season than tonight´s game?
I wonder if that's close to accurate

like total rbi’s, BA, hits etc.

I know we tied a low for the person with the most rbi’s on our team being 77(BMac) and still making the postseason.

Pandas are annoying

That makes me a very sad panda.
i just hope

the Braves arent swinging at pitches in the dirt today

2 games, 0 starts for Nate

I know he had a terrible season but at least he made some solid contact in september, Rick hasn’t made solid contact ever.

Rick hasnt made contact ever
you know who we really need right now

PETE ORR!!!!

also

whatever happened to Joe Thurston?

Couldn’t hit in AAA

we have about

3 guys starting tonight that couldnt hit AAA

yet nate, who murders AAA pitching is still on the bench
Speaking of murdering AAA pitching....

Freeman! Alas, it was not in the cards.

I think he’s an extra on Fringe now……

THIS

we have not won a single postseason game since pete orr left the team

Oswalt

is not looking to hot tonight

Why isn't Hinske starting?

It’s a serious question-we’re so inept offensively that it makes little sense to keep a halfway capable hitter on the bench in favor of the Choppah

Bobby Cox likes to run shitty lineups into the ground until they have on good game.
Seriously

I’ll be surprised if Melky gets a ball out of the infield tonight.

Melky doesnt need to

remember the walk off error thats why he is the MVP

True that

But seriously, during our best stretch this year, we had Hinske playing pretty much every day in LF.

This x1000

I don’t know why the fans are the only ones that see these things, but I think that is what is disliked the most about Bobby Cox managerial style. He does a lot of things that a lot of us don’t understand… especially with the lineups.

I’d rather him not swing if there’s guys on base. His swing is a 4-6-3 double play waiting to happen.

Bobby saving him for PH apparently.

Melky and Ankiel have THE PICTURES. Yes, those legendary pictures of Bobby, first taken by Vinny Castilla, passed down to Pete Orr, who upon his release, hid them in the his old locker, leading to their eventual discovery by Melky, who, on a drunken off night, revealed their existence to Ankiel after 5 rounds of Jager bombs.

Chase Utley playing D like Brooks Conrad tonight

Probably wondering where his wife is at.

i still hope you end up homeless because you're a dickhead, but this was funny
GROUP HUG!!

Utley’s cheating wife – bringing enemies together since 2009!

I’m sorry that you’re so immature as to express this much animosity to someone. I can only imagine the grown-up you’ll become.

hopefully

Conrad can bat like Utley tonight..

2 Chase Utley E's, a WP

2-0 Reds

aka “pulling a Conrad”

More like Chase Uggla, amirite?

Oswalt @ 61 pitches through 3
this pic is making me laugh a lot

...

Really Bobby? Flying the white flag before we even get started? Do you WANT to go out a winner?

who

knew that one hit in Chicago bought Rick 50 starts

Someone please promise me, that we'll at least see Troy as a PH tonight.

I’m boycotting any game that Melky starts. That fat, no hustle, tub of lard is the sorriest excuse for a major leaguer. I’m out….

but he haz

teh RINGZ and knows the Yankee way

Like Jeter, he knows how to win.

(i.e. play on the Yankees.)

I know Diaz starting 2 games in a row against a righty was too good to be true. SADFACE

BRUUUUUUUUCE!
Benedict?
Nah, Jay.

Going second deck at CBP

Bruce, Jay.

Gone, Ball.

I just woke up

I had this crazy nightmare the melky was batting fifth… whew

No way that happens...oh wait
Go Braves Go!

Win one for Victory Cat, woooo!!

 (\_/)
(=‘.’=)
(“)_(”)

Victory cat looks suspiciously like a bunny.

We can all be happy that neither Melky nor Bobby Cox will be here next year.

Nor Ankiel, nor Glaus, nor Gonzo, nor McOut

Meh…wishful thinking anyway.

I have a feeling that Gonzalez and McLouth will be starters next year.

OK that's it...

I’m suiting up next season at SS. At least I can bunt…oh wait…Bobby doesn’t bunt. Maybe Freddi does, though?

I feel like we might let Gonzo walk... and let Infante play short.

Infante would be cheaper and if he hits like he did this year I would be fine with it. Maybe save some money for a guy like Carl Crawford (DREAMING). Just think of a lineup of
Carl Crawford
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
McCann
Freeman
Infante
McLouth

Not to rosterbate, but

there’s no chance we’ll see Crawford unless Liberty sells the team before FA starts. We can’t play in that pool anymore. SMH….I miss Ted.

Letting Gonzalez go doesn’t really save money, and Infante’s true value is as a utility man. Even if he were to start, we’d just have the same issue we have right now – no depth. You need at least two guys capable of playing SS. And as much as people like to hate on Gonzalez right now, he’s still one of the best short stops for the money – top 10 defense, a bit below average offense, but with some power, all for the low price of $1.5mil next season.

My B. I didn't know he was only making that. I'd just really like Carl Crawford or

Jason Werth on our team next year. We need another outfield bat. We’ll be getting a lot of available money to spend in the offseason with the loss of some players, so maybe we can use that to get another legit bat (not a Troy Glaus April/August type).

Infante has no range at 3B...

And you’re talking about moving him to SS?

I'd do it for Carl Crawford. The fact is we aren't going to be any better offensively

unless we get another good outfielder. But that was just be Dreaming here, not to cause a stir.

wait

in the phillies game they got 2 hits in a row that must be some kind of witchcraft or black magic

What's a hit??
Something the opposition gets when you have a statue at 3B.
At least he didn't spike himself
Let's go Braves
If Glaus can't hit or field...

Why in the hell was he included on the postseason roster? At least bringing Freeman allows us to pinch run for Lee late if he gets on. Bringing Glaus does absolutely nothing….

Glaus brings a veteran presence to the dugout

with post season experience and a WS ring to boot. He’s a great clubhouse guy too.

But yeah umm, other than that, he’s effing useless.

Playoff experience, huh?

I think that’s only a plus when you can actually play and all. Some people on fangraphs today were talking about some ailment that’s preventing him from playing, and if true…..it makes even less sense to include him.

GO REDS

4-0! surprised noone talking about it

Not getting my hopes up

Neither am I, but Cincy getting out of Philly with a split would be huge for them.

Have you guys seen the brooksbaseball chart for balls/strikes in the yankees game yesterday?
here deadspins story on it

Nope, I don’t know what that is? Do you have a link?

fail

sorry here it is

Yikes. That’s a horrific resume.

the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito. (Posey wound up scoring the game’s only run.)

quoted from deadspin, in the link.

Never been to Sausalito, but I saw it as an out from my couch.

Jesus

was he standing off to his right side the entire night?

wow

i cant wait til we have robots calling balls and strikes

Seriously it would be way better
"What do you mean the Phillies don't automatically get to play in the NLCS" - FOX Broadcasting Company
Was hoping to see Hinske in LF and Nate in CF

but I guess their def would be a liability in the spacious SF outfield?

Not any moreso than Cabrera

Perhaps less

Bobby's trying something new tonight

He’s tying a stick around Melky’s head and dangling a hot dog off of it.

Ahahaha

That’s just crazy enough to work.

As much as I hate Melky

I am more pissed at the Braves for thinking he actually can play the outfield.

He literally may be a worse outfielder than he is a hitter.

He's got an accurate throwing arm

But other than that, he’s just a big bag of ass.

I just wish Hinske could get 3-4 AB in a game for once

The Braves severely need some power, and he is a left handed bat with some pop. Also I loved how he stepped out of the box last night during his AB trying to break Lincecum’s rhythm even though he K’d, the other guys just seemed to be in a hurry to get their AB over.

Yup I noticed that too. Crowd was going nuts and he made the world pause.

that was the Braves offensive highlight of the night after the 1st lol

I’d like to see him get more than a PH chance too. You may contain him for 1 AB, but if he sees you 3x in a game, sooner or later he’s likely to make good contact.

The Reds

are doing their best Braves impression

Leadoff homer in the first?

Epic Cincy collapse is imminent
They wouldn't shut up about Rolen's Gold Gloves either
chutley will tie it ....
imminent collapses is imminent- joe mrgan
Apparently the Phillies have only had 17 games this year with 8 All-Stars in the field

Must be tough.

At least the there is a 60% chance that days they only had only like 5-7 hitting All-Stars they had an All-Star starting pitcher.

It’s really impressive through all that adversity that they even finished .500.

Its always so inspiring

to see a small market team overcome their handicaps and make a run

Harold Reynolds said it was...

….one of the most amazing things he’s ever seen in baseball.

"Dangerous guy to have up there"

Joe Simpson, master of understatement

Was it a productive out?
and dusty leaves him.....

and look at the homer…..

i see reds are doing a good braves impression

2 fielding errors against phillies leading to the middle of their line-up?

good job.

POSEUR
my bad didn't see the post

just logged in hehe

You're fired
This guy knows what you're talking about

what is that from???

forget

alright at least arroyo gets a good foul tip
what happened

to the Pitch Tracker on TBS?

Bud Selig

told them to turn it off its making the umps look more stupid

I want to laugh

But you seriously might be right!

4 innings, 2 run gap

Dig in folks, this is about to get good

Good......or sloppy
Can't it be both
Example

Les Miles running the 4th quarter: sloppy.

Watching it while rooting against LSU: good.

don't wanna jinx anything

but phils are into their bullpen, and reds are actually leading.. good omens so far

i’m actually intrested in seeing chapman live. i’m guessing he should be in the 7th or 8th to face utley and howard.

my secret wish of course would be a 105 mph fastball that accidentally slips and plunks either of them. ;)

Serious question...

What would a different manager (let’s say Freddi Gonzalez) would do different with this team compared to Bobby?

freddi would bat heyward 3rd....

Dusty Baker would still have Medlen pitching every fifth day

Where has cyborg hanson been????

figured he would have many updates haha

arthur rhodes for president!

Ouch

They way that ball bounced off of his knee he was caught good

RUIZ PLUCKED YESSSSSSS
fans can cheer but he will have a tough time the rest of the series

being the catcher and all..

Bobby Cox: Worst playoff manager ever

I’ll never forgive Bobby for putting Greg McMichael in those times in 96’ but this is just awful. Where is McLouth? Why is Conrad still playing? Why not put Glaus or Hinske in there? This is disgusting and the Braves just wrote themselves out of the playoffs.

I could post the stats, but I have a feeling it won’t change your mind

reply epic. fail. i forever quit

hit their GOOD players damnit
Daaaamn headshot
oh wasn't as bad as it initially looked
yeah not nearly, might not even be feeling anything. the helmet just torqued on his head a little bit
what happened?
reds reliever hit francisco on the bill of the helmet
then walked victorino w bases loaded. 4-3
yeah, it just hit the bill of the cap.
CINCY REDS EPIC FAIL

2 WALKS 2 HIT BATSMEN

how much more fail can you get

it could be worse

they could have Melky and Ankiel starting for them

Reds are going to lose this thing by 4 or 5 runs...amazing they are still ahead.

I bet utley just saw his life flash before his eyes

took a little off at 99mph lol
wow

he looked out

lolRedsDefense
looks like

the Braves way is rubbing off on other teams

and the Reds lose...what a shocker
im tired of this....

everithing goes the phucks way…..

patented Dusty Baker maneuver leaving pitches in to long

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