Talking Chop

So did I, but I don’t tend to take any of that to heart…I am too stubborn

:)

justincredubil02 - March 24, 2010 reply

And you continue to be blasted in the comments section of the opinion poll.

…Even though Melky has a considerable lead there. Personally, I would rather see a Diaz/Melky platoon with a 75/25 split.

Think I might have to go out for a long lunch today. I am sure I can find somewhere to watch for a bit.

Mountngrown - March 24, 2010 reply

XM Radio is interviewing Braves today... XM 175

Chipper up now with Jim Duquette and Cal Ripkin.

Did we upset your routine with this interview? Naw, just my nap time.
Chipper says he’s about ready to pay attention to some results at this time. Nonetheless, he’s been pretty happy with the results — no K’s, getting good wood on the ball.
His emphasis is on solid contact – jokes that he’s probably won a couple of Grapefruit League batting championships, but that nobody notices this (laughs). Can’t help how he’s defensed.
Talks about his usual spring routine… 2-3 ABs and field work; then weight room and conditioning.
Is is getting harder at age 37/38? Yeah, it’s getting a lot harder — young kids trying to take your job. I refuse to let that happen. Gotta keep the kids at arm’s length.
“I still have a few good years left” “Dunno if I’m gonna play that long”, but still going to work hard to keep up to the his standards.
Question to Chipper about Jason: “he’s a heckuva lot better than I was at 20.” “Wise beyond his years.” “Done exactly what he needed to do here at spring.”

Tommy Hanson was up earlier – didn’t seem awed at all in talking with Cal. Nothing earthshaking in the Q&A.

Fren Wren and John Scherholz will be up soon.

Hanson did address a sideways question about the ‘sophomore jinx’ issue — acknowledged he needs to continue to adjust as others adjust to him. Pitching game plans are developed between Mack, himself, and blackjack… and ‘Everybody watches film these days.’

Thanks for taking the time to do a recap!

Sure thing – really hard to type this fast!! Hope it’s coherent… they’re on a break now.

http://espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/index

Ok this game is definitely on ESPN 360 for all those people that aren’t by a tv.

At the game

Section 215 is a lot better place to be than my my cube is right now.

demsei - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

I'm at the game too

No way work was going to interfere with this matchup.

Beautiful day but almost on the hot side. And there’s a living ton of Phillies fans here. Orat least there are in 107

Sid Bream's Moustache - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

Y’all go see if you can shake hands with Cal Ripkin

I hear ya!

Too much philly red walking around.

demsei - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

Fren Wren interview now.

Nice, quiet campe so far? Quiet is Really Good in this business.
New guys assimilating well.
Lot of subtractions for a good club down the stretch in 2009. 7 names out. Is that normal/usual? Well, Pete Van Wieran told me that during the 14 straight wins run, we averaged 12 roster changes per year. That shocked me.
We needed more balance in our lineup. Talking about Melky, Glaus, Jason (“splashed onto the scene”). Apparently, they talked with JH earlier.
The one thing that separates Jason: he ONLY played baseball — 100-120 games a year in his youth. No football, hoops, etc. Highlighting plate discipline…
Any decision yet on making the club? He and Frank had long talks on Caravan bus rides about the approach this year. Don’t worry about your stats this Spring; have fun, work hard, etc. Discussing various decision aspects. Won’t worry about Super-2, service time, whatever: if he’s the best for the club, he’ll be here.

Now discussing Nate. Any concern? Yeah, some — he’s having better ABs now. Maybe starting to come out of it. Nate had several ABs already today at the 11am minor league game.

Glaus – great hands, moves well. Good move to get him for 1st. Figured 6 weeks at 1st would be enough to acclimate to the new position.

Pitching, Derek Lowe: subtle changes this spring. “I’m 6-6, why am I pitching like I’m 5-10?” Trying to pitch downhill, upright… results good so far.

About Heyward’s interview. They apparently asked him “Hey, you’re 20: how do you go out ‘with the boys’ (being underage).” Answer “I look like I’m 34”. They added that he also sounds like he’s 34.

Guess I’ll try to catch it on MLB.TV here at work while I continue to work on my changes for tomorrow night…I’d rather be there photographing the game though. :-)

I hear that!

Billy Wags Interview.

Was it hard to learn hitters (in going to the AL, I guess)? Credits Veritek in helping with that. Had to learn to throw breaking balls more.

From last year to this, battling TJ surgery: are you past that now? I dunno if you ever get past that, but now we’re just trying to get in shape and get the arm ready.
He thinks the Braves match up well in the East — if we stay healthy, then we should be competitive.
Just trying to “survive” spring training. It doesn’t matter what I throw, these guys just wear me out at this time of year. The hitters have no anxiety, I’m pitching in the sixth inning, it’s an entirely different feeling. It’s the pressure of the situation that helps fuel me along with the anxiety on the hitters (in a ninth inning situation). These guys in AA and AAA don’t care – they don’t know Billy Wagner – I throw a strike and they whale away at it. So I’m just worrying about my mechanics and getting the spin on my slider and such, and just trying to get ready.

The annoying bit for me is that while XM is on site, they apparently do not have an audio feed of the game today.

Scherholz

Heyward: I don’t know (whether he makes the team), but based on comments by our manager, writers, other managers, scouts, etc., etc., …. “I think he wakes on water”

“Walks”

Heywards throwing

Sid Bream's Moustache - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

Phone fail

Watching Heyward warm up. Heywards throwing motion is slightly unorthodox. Noticed this last year too.

That said the ball really pops out of his hand. Alot of zip

Sid Bream's Moustache - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

Yeah, I noticed his awkward throwing style in Gwinnett last year. it seems a bit herky jerky when he’s just playing toss, but when he rears back to let it go, it looks pretty good, and you can’t complain about the results he gets.

Dammit, my office co-workers pick a fine time to want to go to lunch. Looks like I will be joining/watching this game late. I wish Dish would let me set my DVR from my phone like Direct TV…

justincredubil02 - March 24, 2010 reply

Ugh, that happened to me yesterday. And prob. today too. Yep, there she goes, I hear her grabbing her keys right now. I get transcript and enrollment verification duty after 12, and of course that’s when everyone wakes up and wants one, or is on their lunch and comes by. Argh.

More from the Prez.

Chipper and Jason similar… JH more outgoing, at ease in conversation, interviews. In tools, they are very similar (Chipper @20 vs. Jason @20).

John S. sez we kept core guys, but averaged 10 roster shifts per year during that 14-year run. Nucleus remained in place for most part.

Bobby – honest guy. Wants to retire after this year; wanted to make it known… wanted to be up front about it. Search? Yeah, they are laying foundations for that, but totally under wraps since they Will Not dishonor Bobby in that process. But it’s a reality that the Braves must face.

Comparing Bobby to Earl Weaver favorably (Cal’s 1st year was Earl’s year in Baltimore).

Dismisses view of some that ‘championships won’ is only measure of success. Were in position to win five, got one, won 14 years in a row… extraordinarily difficult and successful.

Chipper – ‘student of hitting’, works on mechanics with his Dad a lot (maybe too much at times).

McCann and days off vs. a Mauer in the AL — do you like the DH? “No – not in the National League”. I would like the same rules in both leagues, but no – don’t like NL DH. (this is referring to his position on the Commish’s new rules committee).

We have stability in the sport; need to be open-minded about realignment; but NOT radical realignment. Maybe adjust to a “moderately unbalanced schedule”.

Cal Jr. is now campaigning for Jason to be on the roster on day 1!

I live in PA im afraid this is going to get blacked out and I don’t get comcast because Comcast and Directv hate everything about eachother.

It’s on MLB.TV or ESPN360 if you have access

I don’t have 360 here cus of something I can;t figure out and I have extra innings so no MLB.TV but it looks like im getting it on ESPN

That's good

They may not black out spring training games…I’m not sure though. I have the same problems sometimes I’m from PA too

Yeah it sucks. I’m not sure if comcast picks up phillies ST anyway, so.

They shouldn’t, but they absolutely do black out games based on regular season territories.

I got a black screen with “Now playing, Braves vs. Phillies” at the bottom, sigh.

really? that sucks are you from PA?

Nope, sitting here about 15 miles north of downtown Atlanta.

is it on Sport South or something?

Supposed to be on ESPN. I’m at work, practically in a cave, with a restrictive internet.

Valentine Kruk and Ravech doing the game.

Great answer from Gondee about prospect that Valentine might be a Braves manager candidate for next year (Mets fans interviewing, of course). Shot that trial balloon down in flames.

I really think it’s going to be a FW guy. He is putting his mark all over the organization.

Oh boy, we get the Krukster… too bad I’m on a computer at the library and forgot my headphones and can’t listen to the sound

New camera angles this game….

Happ hasn’t giving up a long ball yet in ST. What are the odds thats changed today?

Bravely going forward - March 24, 2010 reply

getting really tired of people reminding us we finished third last year without mentioning how close it was with florida

Laz Diaz behind the dish

Also...

Barring injury, McLouth’s hitting leadoff and in center opening day. There’s no way Bobby benches him because of a poor spring

THIS

Melky lgot real tied up there.

The camera on that fly ball makes me want to puke

I think were getting that all day haha

But I just found this!

copy & paste it (I think, I don’t know why it didn’t all turn blue, too excited to care)
http://www.justin.tv/peneiraspt20#r=UHhhLJw~

I tried that site for the Pac-Man fight last week and it wouldn’t work at all.

They didn’t have the game yesterday either. I guess it’s just touch and go. Now it’s frozen. Blech.

Marteeni!

Odarp with a diving stop.

Great play by Prado!

nice play by Prado. Too bad the messed up camera made me not see it

playing hard in ST. Gotta love the hustle

Nah...too high.

Howard waringing track power.

Tim Hudson

Didn’t look good that inning. Everyone except Ibanez hit the ball hard.

WTF is this camera? we couldn’t see anything?

Yea they have some kinks to work out.

Triple. What up. Thats a fantasy point.

You play fantasy ST?

Haha. You don’t?

I kinda want to now.

Its the fantasy game that never predicts how well you are going to do in the normal fantasy game.

haha

What if I had Nate? would his 3 for 6 minor league simulated game count?

Melkman with a 3 bagger

Triple

for Cabrera

this new camera view

sucks, I can’t see the damn ball

ATLandUNC - March 24, 2010 reply

true that son

Another baserunning blunder by Melky

Only this time didn’t hurt him because he’s hit by the throw. If it doesn’t, he’s way, way out at third.

agreed

Melky is a little too aggressive on the basepaths. Also, this camera sucks.

Windu - March 24, 2010 reply

Yeah this camera is terrible.

That streaming TV link....

Use this — the rest of that link is site-supplied: http://www.justin.tv/peneiraspt20

Yeah, Melky doesn’t need to impress THAT much — never make the first out at third!

Its on ESPN360.

That’s one’s blocked for me — IT Dept doesn’t know about this one…. yet!

Got it. Thats what I figured. Just wanted to make sure you knew.

This game is reallllly getting in the way of me studying for a test at 2:30

lol, and do me a favor, never go get a transcript while the Braves are playing (and I’m finally able to get a feed!)
How dare your prof schedule a test during a game!

I know. What an ass.

THIS IS HORRIBLE!! We have yet to see one play made and were 5 outs in.

Arrrrgggg – 2 non-productive outs.

Leadoff triple and we can't freakin score!

Here comes a patented Glaus single.

Damn how did he get his helmet that dirty in spring training.

That helmet is pined tar’d up real nice for spring training

It looks like the pine tar is melting off his helmet.

From the Craig Biggio helmet collection.

DAMN IT

The Phillies are clearly cheating.

GLAUS back.. back … back … caught

Warning track power

HAHA anyone catch that little girl hiding behind the wall? Troy just missed her by 2 ft.

Alright off to class. Enjoy the game guys.

always nice to see Victorino make an out

He is by far my most hated player in baseball. I live in PA and I swear he could run for Gov. They are in love with him. It’s disgusting.

I second that. People love the flyin hawaiin

When I was growing up (a long time ago), I would watch every Braves game I could – usually an NBC Game of the Week or something. But I swear the only memories I have were that they seemed to always be playing the Dodgers and Don Sutton was always pitching — and striking everybody out. He was my Most Hated Player back in the day.

But now he’s a great announcer and I’m fine with that.

I’m on board with this.

Nice 7 or 8 inning for Huddy. I lost count.

That was the longest movie trailer ever.

JJ interview!

yea, love his voice. and smile.

Me too. No homo. He always seems so happy

He’s throws pretty good, too.

SEE YA

HR MAC

I think

McCann wants the seasn to start now!

Blame him?

Not at all! He just has to stay hot for another week and a half

Big Mac attack

HEAP!!!!

HAMMERIN' HEAP!

John Holton - March 24, 2010 reply

Who do you guys want as our starting LF - Melky or Diaz?

mattlanta - March 24, 2010 reply

I love Diaz

But Melky gives us more speed, and from the looks of things it might be McLouth on the bench if he doesn’t start hitting.

Diaz. But I’m a homer.

awesomeness @ the plate

75%/25% platoon Diaz/Melky

I’ll give him credit Howard’s D has gotten soo much better.

Look what Howard found in his glove. Nice pick.

Huddy looks good

Got dinged up a bit in the first but so far so good.

Yeah, settling down nicely.

Btw

Ashley West has a sort of circa 2004 pre coke binge Lindsay Lohan look to her. Between that and the braves jersey I’m totally into her

Sid Bream's Moustache - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

Did Heyward Hit

I missed it had to log off for the last inning

Ground out to first

Hard bouncer to 1st. Howard picked it.

Regarding MLB.tv...

Does anyone know if there is a pre-season discount to MLB.tv premium buyers? Or will the price be the same now than it will be on April 1st?

mattlanta - March 24, 2010 reply

I think it's the same.

The Most Useless Feature on the ESPN Gamecast app: “Predicted Winner”. For cryin’ out loud, it is irrelevant and distracting to have this meter indicate a “70% chance” of a braves win…. particularly in the third inning. The score matters. Nothing else.

(end rant)

Hey I love the Win Probability on Fangraphs

It seems like

We’re putting good wood on the ball agiasnt Happ so far

everyone has been since after the all star break last year. Kid was over achieving, ALOT.

Melky

Fly Out

Hudson

K’ed before that

Roger kind of sounds like Bill Murray in character. Anyone else hear that?

Yea. Caddyshack all over it.

Prado

Single up the middle

Hey guys, what’s up? how we doing?

Huddy looks real good since the first, Mac had a shot.

Glaus and Howard had shots to the wall with one on each but were caught.

Melky had a lead off single and we couldn’t score, too.

that makes me sad

i thought

it was a triple

It was a triple.

ESPN

says our projected pen is

Wagner
Saito
Moylan
Medlen
Proctor
EoF
Chavez

I bet that’s who we take

i disagree

I believe Proctor will start in the minors and I believe Venters will make the pen

Slightly disagree

Proctor will probably start on the DL

We’re up 1-0 right now…MAC hit a rocket to right and I thought that Glaus shot was going to get out to left.

i did too

sucks Melky didnt score after a lead of 3B

So

If Heyward doesnt start the season in RF do you guys think we will carry Thurston AND Conrad and utilize Hinske/Infante in back up OF roles or carry a 4th OF and one of Thurston/Conrad

That competition is over

Heyward is going to start the season

to be honest

now that all he is seeing is Major League Level Pitching he is not doing so hot the last 3-4 games

It's only been two games.

And yes, it has been 0-6 with 3 K’s plus 0-1 on a hard hit ball today. That all being said, despite the denial by management, I think the decision has already been made. If we were going to send him down, I think we would have another OF up, and it would probably be Cleven or Jones, and both have been sent down already. Blanco can’t hit and I doubt we go with Matt Young, although that is possible.

i mean

Blanco could be serviceable as a 4th OF. He isnt terrible. Gets on base at a nice clip

I can back that… but i mean JHey is making the team.

Not if he spends the next two weeks...

like McLouth’s last two. It’s doubtful he’s in AAA, but it’s not a lock he’s in Ted on opening day either.

Agreed.

There’s simply not a better alternative getting any innings enough to even entertain the question.

I just don’t envision the premise of that scenario coming to pass.

Jesus Melky

He had two fly balls in the first that turned him around bad but he caught them. And his triple was a double he would have been out by alot at third but the throw hit him.

That's a calculated risk though

From that angle it had to be an absolute perfect throw

IDK, it hit him before he even started to slide.

Not shocked at all. Milky is no defensive wonder some make him out to be. He always would get turned around on fly balls in NY & took bad routes at times. I see him & Matty being equal on defense.

FitzFan - March 24, 2010 reply

Polanco

Lead Off 2B

that was ugly by Melky

OK i'm already sick of Valentine.

DrB - March 24, 2010 reply

I wish

He would go back to Japan

You get the sense that he's a 12 yr old

wanting to snicker and laugh every time someone messes up, and if you’d just do what he says you’d never lose.

DrB - March 24, 2010 reply

Ibanez

looks worse than Mitch Jones

Hudson just made Rauuuuuuuuul look silly

Yeah, nice split.

IDK

why Polanco is hitting 2nd instead of Victorino

Can we get a game on MLBN so Matt Vasgersian to call the game?

Go buy MLB 10 the show … He calls all the games there.

I know.. just another reason why MLB the show> MLB 2k series

Yes sir

Huddy the Giant Slayer

He’s looking good.

They just said

Hudson looks good enough for the #3/#4 spot

. . . .

haha… what do they think hes the swingman?

Braves are probably going to be careful

early in the year but he’s probably going to have the best year of any pitcher

That might be a little stretch

I cna see it.

Matchups would certainly tend to be in his favor vs. other team’s #3 or 4.

All that says is that we are judging his pitching based on his wins, which is flawed. It does not matter who he pitches against. His pitching remains the same. Which I believe will make him our #3 behind Hanson and Jurrjens

Let me restate — it’s quality vs. not-as-good quality, which certainly should result in more wins, but the real point is the incredible depth of this rotation…. 4 guys that are “top half” of the rotation starters… and that means excellent outings and a chance for the team to win virtually every day.

He’s a #1.5 not a #3

And right now the Braves don't have a true

Number 1 starter

They absolutely do. He’s just too young right now.

THIS

Tommy is definitely an ace

if this change up of his works

he will def become the ace of the staff. 4 dominant pitches??? nasty

3 dominant and a avg pitch? good enough.

apparently

his change up is becoming very good

i know that

they were referring to his talent not his health

First time I’ve seen Victorino in person. He’s small, BMac dwarfs him. How does this guy kill us?

Sid Bream's Moustache - March 24, 2010 via mobile reply

they take walks

and run all over the bases

Two outs though

with this guy up

he’s scrappy…

And gritty

and hustles

Lol, when will you guys learn that bigger isn’t always better? Although in his case I like to think he’s small all over and compensating by being overaggressive. Little shit.

and just like that i’m out again. see everyone later

Huddy is sharp on his location.

I’m late and can only stay until 4pm – how are we doing so far?

I see a 1-0 score.

Huddy looks real good. Heap HR.

Melky is alittle out of control.

Lead off triple was stranded at 3rd

Hudson was in and out of some trouble last inning.

Glaus just missed a HR, and so did Howard.

Lot of action for a 1-0 game so far.

We stranded Melky at 3rd, after he led off with a triple, he hustled to make it a triple,

and we let him standing there. Huddy’s looked good, Mac has now hit 2 homers.

Thanks for the recap :-)

Happy you could join us.....

This is the inning

That Happ crumbles

SEE YA

HEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MCCANN

TWO RUN HOMER!!!

hell yea!

MAAAACCCCCCCCC

Big Mac attack combo

McCann is having a pretty good day.

Windu - March 24, 2010 reply

Mac is ready for the season to start

Anyone else think he might hit 35 HRs this year?

25 yeah, but 35 is a bit ambitious.

I'm just really on board with his results this spring

Coming into this game, he was slugging .850.

In 33 plate appearances now, he’s got 4 Spring HRs. I mean, that rate over 500 PAs (which is less than he got last year) is like 60 HRs. I’m trying not to overrate a spring performance, but he’s killing the ball every time he swings.

Which gives you a warm fuzzy about him having his vision back for sure. I just don’t see a Piazza-like performance out of him, as good as he’s going to be this year.

That being said

The potential is there

Lord knows I’d be leading the parade for his MVP vote if he does.

I'd just throw a parade

regardless if he won the MVP.

Did they just say

Hall-of-Fame swing?

If he gets rest

Maybe 28ish

if he hits 17 before the allstar break

its hard to keep it up late in the season for an NL catcher

In reading – I hear that’s Heap’s 2nd!!

Seriously, it is now time to cryogenically freeze McCann and defrost him on opening day so he can have this going then without losing it.

Has Ross been playing much?

Escobar

Single

Ok Heyward

It’s your turn

I said this about an hour ago

Happ hasn’t giving up a long ball yet in ST. What are the odds thats changed today?

will we get 35 homers from our catchers?

This is more likely

That's a possiblity

8 or 9 from Ross is not out of the equation

didnt he hit 20 in 95 games one year?

21 hr in 90 games and 296 abs

Heyward

. . . .

1st pitch swinging . . .

He just missed it

Did you see his reaction?

i know

im just not used to seeing him swing at the 1st pitch

Oh gosh, do I hear Valentine?

Why yes, you do! Rumor is he’s wearing his disguise, but we can see through his ruse.

How did he hit that inside pitch to LF?

OMG, Heyward is hitless in his last 8, yes, 8 ABs. Not games, ABs.

….Send him back on a bus to Mississippi tonight.

I’ve only seen him yesterday and this 1 at bat today – I wish he’d show some of the awesomeness I’ve been reading about. I know it’s coming.

Just reading between the comments, Heyward hit a long fly to left on an inside pitch?

not to long.

Shallow fly

It was basically a pop up that cleared the infield …

From mine to Reg’s to yours, the pop got shorter and shorter.

I think Heyward is pressing a bit right now…he hit the ball hard in his first at bat, just right to Howard, and his 2nd one he got jammed a bit but didn’t look foolish on it.

I forgot about the GDT today, so I’m late. but I’ve been watching the game. Initial thoughts: Brian McCann for president. I would quit my job to work for his campaign. Also, “J.A.” should stand for something cooler than “James Anthony.” Also, I have a solution for the Diaz/overloaded outfield problem. It involves Diaz sitting on Cabrera’s shoulder and a long trenchcoat.

Like Just Average? J.A.

At this point

I’m not thrilled with our defense anywhere

Plus for the outfield problem. How would we explain the growth spurt?

What? Same height as JHey, right?

There ya go. Two tall guys in left and right, one short one in center. Symmetry is key.

We’ll pull out the old “new diet and exercise regimen” soundbite. It that fails, we’ll attribute it to God’s wonderful, mysterious plan.

We could say they drink from JHey’s water cooler that was forbidden to anyone else in the MLB.

See? These are all good solutions. Postseason, here we come.

ross hit 21 homers in less than 300 abs in 06...our catcher combo is insane

+1

I think his brain cramps were an aberration yesterday – not typical Ross. Our catcher combo is amazing IMO.

This.

didnt he lead the team in slg last year too?

According to my research, Diaz did (.488), followed by McCann (.486).

So

what do the Braves do if Bethancourt becomes a stud?

Shoot a swimsuit calendar, I suppose.

HAHA

It's a good problem to have

That won’t be for a couple of years and when/if it happens we’ll have a better idea of where mac’s knees are and if Freeman is hitting his potential.

yea

If Freeman isnt mashing move Mac to 1B

let’s just wait til then

let him flourish in the minors for a few more years?...

we have time with him. But if he does, that’s a good problem to have. Regardless he won’t be near ready this year, likely spending it in Rome with maybe a month or two in Myrtle. And Ross’ deal is up after this year, and I’d assume someone will offer him a starting spot and the money that goes with it.

Does anybody else

Think the Phillies are way overrated? Their pitching depth is horrible

eh

their offense makes up for it though.

Philly

Offense is too lefty-heavy too easy to pitch around

yea

until you get to that Werth guy.

Their pitching is not different than the Mets. Halladay is better than Johan but that it’s the rest is J.A. – just average.

That's just not true.

Halladay is better than Johan now, and Hamels is far better than anything else the Mets trot out there. There rest is average to blah, but the Mets aren’t even that good. I think you are overrating the Mets more than underrating the Phillies, for whatever that is worth.

To be honest

the Mets have a good offensive core if everyone was healthy.

I just dont know why they didnt pursue Lackey more this offseason

They’re basically the same team that went to the WS last year …

They can hit like crazy yeah. I’m saying the 5 man rotation is the same as NYM.

except

they have a stud ace the entire season instead of half a season

right except for the ace.

?

Didnt they get Cliff Lee halfway through last season?

Right.

How has Hamels fared so far this Spring? I would expect him to be better this year (more like 2008).

Better

I think he is overrated and Blanton is average. Happ fell off after the break last year and is a 4 at best. I think if Pelfrey and Maine and them can stay healthy, the Mets 2-5 is as good as the Phillies.

Hamels is not as good as he was in 2008

or as bad as he was in 2009. His FIP both years was around 3.70. Still, he is definitely better than Pelfrey and Maine, neither of whom are particularly good.

For us to win the NL East

we have to take advantage of the first month. Hopefully this team comes out on fire.

The Mets and the Phillies both will be missing players the first couple of months and that is our time to take it.

LETS GO BRAVES!!

i

if we did that last year we would have won it.

Is there a game tomorrow too? I’ll be out all morning, but home around noonish.

12:05 Central

dunnytwogloves - March 24, 2010 reply

On ESPN friday at 1

Not tomorrow on TV—one on Friday, I think, at 1 pm—maybe espn

rawleigh - March 24, 2010 reply

Huddy is due up first — has thrown close to 70 pitches now.

We're killing Happ

And he's the number 3 starter for them

first 3 HR’s he has given up this spring, too.

I was just about to say: “Well, at least Heap is killing him”….

NITRAM ODARP

Odarp

Yeah, baby!

ODARP HR

Prado HR

Prado

HR

Prado!

Indeed,

we do.

Best. Commercial. Ever.

Marteeny. The Bravos are showing some power today.

Aces...

truth be told, atlanta had 2 legit aces (vazquez and jurrjens), 1/2 of an ace (hanson), and 2 #3s in kawakami and lowe (in terms of era from all SPs with a minimum of 15 starts and no more than 5 per team).

with that being said, it’s definitely a possibilty to duplicate that success with the pitchers we have. hudson, jurrjens, and hanson could easily finish in the top 20% in era, making them an “ace”.

ryan c - March 24, 2010 reply

That Swing

Prado just took kinda looked like an Ichiro Swing

Ichiro Swing = dance craze that swept Seattle in 1998-99.

Chip

Walks

And I thought Chip was irritating at times… geez BV.

He gets excited and sounds like Alvin the Chipmunk with a cold.

HaHa

Here comes Glaus

You know he sees something with McCann on deck

Or not

Well, maybe not…. he’s losing it.

Through the Looking Glaus

Ouch. Can we ban that line for the season now?

I’ll agree to it, but you know I’ll just come up with more. : ^)

indeed

2 straight walks with Mac up

Glaus Walks

McCann back

lol

they just called McCann Babe Ruth

I’m sure they’re both fans of a well-made Georgia slaw dog.

Notice how good we are without McLouth

Come on Heap – get a turkey

lol

i actually bowled a turkey last night

I hope to have one or more tomorrow morning.
I had one last week too.

Alllllllllmost.

McCann

Almost hit a 3rd home run

If that was chase field

it was gone

rats. not enough

rawleigh - March 24, 2010 reply

Happ is not

looking forward to his first regular season start agiasnt us

Anyone

have a video of that mammoth HR McCann hit in Philly last year?

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4015797

dutchschultz - March 24, 2010 reply

such a beauty

That was hit 1 section over from me.

eh

Ground Ball right by Chip

grounders are okay — only 3rd hit now in the 6th inning.

Think that was a 4-0 lead, ST effort.

Gold Glove play

by McCann

HEAP!!!!!!!!!!!

McCann

picks Polanco off

Way to go Mac

McCann is a one man wrecking crew today.

Heap must have ate his Wheaties this morning.

He ate Jason Heyward's Wheaties.

haha

horrible grammar fail – must have “eaten” his Wheaties.
Damn, that’s awful. (hangs head)

He's got a McCann-do attitude.

All right now…. settle down….

It’s a victimless crime!

I don’t know if I McChandle much more of this.

YES! That’s the spirit!

I got class. enjoy the game everyone.

Hudson

wearing down a little bit.

I think he’s at about 80-82 pitches thru 6.

Howard

grounds out

3 out

hudson pitches 6 scoreless

So...

I finally have an opportunity to watch the Braves this year and McCann picks someone off immediately. Color me excited.

Heyward up

and smoked it.

Shotgun

Heyward

Singles!!!

i can rest

My first Heyward hit!

Congrats,

you are no longer a Jay-Hey virgin :)

Should I note my diary? ;-)

lol

:)

I’m guessing that how he handles getting in and out of slumps is gonna weigh on the decision to keep him on the ML squad…. trouble is, he had to get into a slump “just to see what it felt like”.

Was it off Happ?

he’s been bad today, but it’d be nice if Heyward got a hit off a lefty.

It wasn't

I’ve lost track of who’s pitching, but he’s a rightie

’fraid not.

First Heyward at bat for me...

I’m on a roll today!

Is Happ still in? If so, it is Heyward’s first ST hit against a lefty.

D Herndon®

dang substitutions…. he’s a Righty.

Man, talking about rolling the Diaz.

Gondee? We have a cleanup on aisle 3, please?

Aw, hey. It’s not that bad.

I think we’ll be taking this to the Matts before long.

See, I knew there was a punster in you yet. I promise I’m not this bad during the regular season.

Does anyone ever laugh at those type jokes?

Boo

Omar walks

Question:

Heyward’s spring batting average?

It was .343 before the single.

Awesome!

Thanks for replying

Blanco walks

Prado up with bases juiced

and left them loaded.

How many outs?

inning over

I was afraid that's what you meant.

The play-by-play has been a little lacking these last two games, since I guess everyone assumes we can all watch the game on ESPN.

Yep,

I’ve laid off of the play-by-play these last 2 games, thinking everyone is watching or listening.

Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, but I think they’ve been pretty good considering no one’s obligated to do it. ’Course I also keep getting interrupted by stupid work, too.

Did I really sound that harsh or that entitled?

All I said was that it was lacking. Good grief!

No, didn’t think you sounded harsh, that’s why I didn’t say or imply that you did. I don’t think I did either. I do think everyone’s entitled to an opinion since we are all given a sense of reason and thinking, sorry if you took it to mean something insulting; sure wasn’t meant that way. Grain of salt.

I meant entitled to the play-by-play, not my own opinion.

My words were “entitled to your opinion”. I said nothing about being entitled to the play-by-play.

At least it's not Jon Miller and Joe Morgan

But I have no idea why they suddenly started laughing at a no swing by Prado.

“He’s a smart hitter! He pays attention!”

Methinks booze may have been involved.

Two quick outs for Saito

Ground out and soft fly to left.

No clue who the batters were.

This conversation with Hudson is getting a little out of control.

sleezer1788 - March 24, 2010 reply

Tim’s cracking ’em up in the interview.

Cool. Always like the sound of that.

Yeah, and he wraps up with, “Go Braves!”

rawleigh - March 24, 2010 reply

Saito issues a walk

I think that was Ruiz? There’s no graphics, and no play-by-play, so i’m winging it.

Yeah — Victorino groundout; Dobbs Flied out; Ruiz walked.
1-2 now to Castro with two fouls.

Castro flies out to right to end the half inning.

Inning over, short pop to right

I think that was Juan Castro, but again, struggling now to keep up with who is whom.

Inning over,

st ill up 4-0

Seventh Inning Stretch time.

Due up: Chipp, Glaus, McThumper.

Bunch of changes for the Phils in the Phield… I won’t bother with the names.

Danys Baez in to pitch

Chipper up,

and walks

Two walks

For Chip

Thuston running for Chipper

Krukie and Valentines's picks

Kruk: Phillies in the East, Cardinals in the Central, Rockies in the West, Giants with the WC.
Valentine: Phillies, Cubs, Giants, and Cardinals with the WC.

No love for the Braves, there.

But a little confidence in the Giants, which I’m sure we’ll take gladly.

No freaking way. The Cubs don’t have it; the Giants don’t have enough offense. Cards should dominate the Central.

Agreed

Cards probably the best team in the NL. Giants among the worst, I think, despite great pitching.

Don’t sleep on the D-Backs.

Call me crazy

But I think the Cards at this point are the most complete team in the NL

Strike 1, Foul 2, Strike 3 looking for Glaus. One out.

that was a spring training strike

Glaus,

called strike for out, not even close, imo

The mute will be on for the next game Valentine calls.

Ball gets away and Thurston on to second

Valentine all over Kruk's pick of the Twins in the AL Central

Because they lost Joe Nathan. No other reason.

The Central sucks-Twins should take it easily, even without Nathan.

What about the White Sox rotation?

There's some question marks at the back end for Minnesota, sure

But Baker, Slowey, and Blackburn isn’t a bad trio.

White Sox might be an offensive disaster. Konerko is the anchor in that line-up. Konerko? At DH, they’re looking at like, Andruw Jones and Mark Kotsay. They have Juan Pierre likely to lead off for them and play. Alex Rios is starting in CF.

They’re going to need a huge bounce back from Quentin and a big year from Beckham in order to score runs.

Don't even think of...

…dissing Andruw like that. The rest of your concerns about the White Sox seem correct, however.

Andruw probably still has value for them

I think he can still play average CF defense if he stays in shape, which makes him better than Rios. And if Rios doesn’t have a HUGE rebound at the plate, they’re about the same offensive player. But they’re determined to use him at DH, and that really saps his value.

Mac knocks in Thurston

BMAC with another

McCann MVP.

And I’d quit my job to work for that campaign, too.

Nothing near the strike zone so far for Mac… singles anyway on a 2-2 count. 5-0.

Hicks better not GIDP.

Right through the 5 hole

But scooped up Castro and throw out at first.

Heyward up

gets a single

Going outside corner on him… can’t tell from gamecast what kind of pitches.

Heyward with a single off the pitcher’s foot

and the foot survived the impact.

Baez in a shooting gallery right now

Heyward nails him.

nearly severed his foot

Ouch

I’m surprised he can walk!

2 hit day for Heyward

3, if you count Baez. :D

really 5. He was channeling through McCann.

Why didn't Heyward Slide?

His head would have still been halfway back to third.

Sammons scored, heyward to third

These long shot “fan perspective” angles they keep using suck.

When Heyward goes slump-busting

He prowls for righties. Good choice.

King 9 - March 24, 2010 reply

Lizzie doesn't think I show enough gratitude for the complementary play-by-play.

So, let me say a big THANK YOU for all of us without a working internet stream or access to ESPN.

complimentary

Scroll up, doll. And please don’t put words in my mouth. It’s not polite without asking first.

But to that point...

none of us are entitled to a play by play. Those who provide us poor working stiffs with such should be appreciated for what they are, a gracious, generous person helping another through no obligation of their own.

Thank you to all those who are giving the updates.

Concern

He doesn’t hit lefties well

…but Matty D sure does…

Phillies playing sloppy in the field,

and we have taken advantaged.

Hudson and Saito

Have looked good. But here comes Reyes

Omar hit,

bases loaded

Ouch for Infante. That will leave a bruise.

Yikes. Seriously.

Where?

This game,

is more like what we’ve seen in ST, compared to yesterday’s loss to the Muts.

The world is returning to normal.

In the Mets-Astros game, Francouer is 0-3 with 2 K’s and 0 BB. Yesterday was just one of those wacky days.

I knew the world seemed a little brighter today.

and it had to be against us,

but happy to see he’s back to his norm.

Or as Heap said...

“We were just setting him up for the regular season,” joked Braves catcher Brian McCann.
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/setting_francoeur_up_for_the_r.html

Blanco K's,

to end the inning.

Jo-Jo on the hill

gets a k to start the inning.

another quick out.

Walks one

Fly out,

to end the inning.

Chuck Norris has a beard like Brian McCann

not vice versa

Who was that guy?

He’s tall.

Great interview with BMac. I always enjoy hearing him talk extemporaneously.

extemporaneously,

over the ole county girl’s head. :)

He speaks real pretty. :^D

Freeman just misses a HR

Off the top of the wall on a ball that nearly jammed him.

wow.. FREEMAN crushed that ball

Jo-Jo looked pretty good

I hope he makes the team.

Jo-Jo pitched at my high school and was flilthy and confident

..I hope he gets that confidence back, he’s still filthy

Maybe he should have showered between high school and now

good one.. not

lol

Baseball players and their superstitions…

399 feet off the center field wall, and was jammed!

So all the talk about the kid not having power should stop.

Thurston single up the middle

That is what gets me excited about Freeman. A solid MLB pitcher made a good pitch on him & he killed that ball.

FitzFan - March 24, 2010 reply

Sammons with a solid single to RF, RBI!!

Back to back RBI singles by Thurston and Conrad

The battle for that last roster spot is still hot.

Conrad fouled out.

sleezer1788 - March 24, 2010 reply

That's what happens when I stop paying attention for a second.

Sammons, yes.

I think this spot is going to come down to the wire.

Conrad fouled out..

Thuston scores,

8-0 Braves!

Well, gotta leave now – looks like we have this one handled.
Girls night out – steak dinner and shopping!

See you all Friday! :-)

Have a good afternoon.

See ya later!

Adam Milligan flies out to CF

Just stopping by...

Anybody else got a suspiciously good feeling about the season?

SuperNewb - March 24, 2010 reply

I think we're playoff-bound

But it’s still going to require some good health.

I like,

what I’ve been seeing thus far ….

Adam Milligan sighting!

Fly out to CF.

Was it shot on grainy film with poor lighting?

I maintain there was a second batter. Look closely at the grassy outfield — there’s another figure cloaked in shadow in frames 231-235.

On the grassy knoll?

Was it McDowell?...

aka The Second Spitter.

I love

That we can have the Second Spitter as a pitching coach.

I should have known something was up when the new bullpen coach, Zapruder, showed up.

Adam Milligan

Is this his first appearance this spring?...

guess that means the club thinks pretty highly of him, and the work he has done since the minors camp began. I didn’t think he was in the big boy camp.

he played a little bit last week

Jay Hey interview

God, that voice

If baseball doesn’t work out for him, he’s got a career as the next James Earl Jones.

Chicks dig the resonant bass.

yes, we do

haha, beat me to it

he had me at hello :)

We need a Jason Heyward soundboard

It's crazy that he's got a voice that deep at age 20.

and Tim Kirkjian is in his 50s and sounds like an 11 yr old girl

Kimbrel,

on the hill.

Karl Ravech called him Wimbrel.

The Worldwide Leader…of Sorts.

I like what you did there.

Is Manny Acosta gonna make the 25?

SuperNewb - March 24, 2010 reply

Kimbrell is WILD right now.. nowhere near the strikezone on 4 pitches

shhhh just listen to j hey talk

SuperNewb - March 24, 2010 reply

Kimbrell has a sharp slider, but still wild

They keep commenting on how mature he is..

If I had photoshop skills i would make a pic of Kruk with a wistful look in his eye with the little thought bubbles coming out of his head with a pic of Heyward in it with little pink hearts around it.

And then the same thought bubble, but with a fully-loaded buffet inside it.