Since their disappointing start to their first road trip against San Francisco, the Braves have won two series in a row. In the process they've overcome crushing defeats to rally from behind. These rallies have not gone unnoticed by the fans and their confidence in the team has rebounded as a result. After dropping to a 72% confidence last week, the fan confidence rose to 78% this week, buoyed by series wins against San Diego and Colorado.
The Braves have a chance to keep that confidence high when they take the field against Philadelphia tonight. If they can win this game, after being shutout by Roy Halladay, then that will continue their streak of resilient play and series wins.
0 recs | 15 comments
Unlike last year at this time, the Braves seem to be a better come from behind team and a can hit with runners in scoring position. We shouldn’t sweat the Halladay game. He’s one hard pitcher to hit on.
Walker Wallace - April 22, 2010
I’m liking this team more every day. The hitting will come, until then we are winning without it being a regular thing. We have great starting pitching, a sick bullpen and a bunch of guys that will eventually get very hot to bring their averages up to career levels. When that happens, it will be a lot of fun.
bighop - April 22, 2010
Halladay
That game doesn’t bother me because after watching I realize we should have won that game. Take away the STELLAR defense the Phillies played, and the Braves are looking at a minimum of 3 runs if not more scored on Halladay. Victorino robbed the HR, and Utley robbed a single that would have scored two, thats 3 runs there and we still would have had 1 out and runners on if Utley hadn’t ended the inning. Braves look good, the hits will fall in soon, they are hitting the ball very hard. Good sign! Go Braves!
bashby20sh - April 22, 2010
Classic terrible managing from Bobby Cox last night
Phillies score in Top of 6th to get it to 2-0, then Hudson holds them.
Melky leads off the bottom of the 6th with a single, and the pitcher’s spot is up next. In this scenario, there are 3 great, winning options.
1) let Hudson bat, put down a bunt and get Melky to 2nd with one out.
2) Substitute our best pinch-hitter(and the man who should be starting at 1B) Eric Hinske. Hinske has 33 career plate appearances vs. Halladay and a respectable .226 average. What is the point in saving Hinske? This might be the last opportunity to bat our pest pinch-hitter against Halladay with men on base, and an extra-base hit there may actually get the Phil’s bullpen warming up.
3) Bring in another pinch-hitter to lay down a sac bunt.
Those are 3 very good options, and could have given the Braves a chance to start a 6th inning rally and get Halladay out of the game.
Instead, what did Bobby do? He pinch hit Brooks Conrad who meekly popped out in fould territory on one pitch. Bang, inning killed. That was terrible, terrible managing by Bobby when he had a chance to really change the game from the bench.
Fred Pen - April 22, 2010
Yeah, there’s no denying that was a poor choice.
Smoltz's Beard - April 22, 2010
I don’t think it was a poor choice not to use Hinske since the pitcher’s spot was going to come up again later in the game, I think it was a poor choice to use Conrad. I mean, where’s Infante in that situation? Conrad has shown he’s a terrible pinch hitter, and Infante is a solid pinch hitter. No offense to Conrad, but he really should only be used in games where we’re up by 10 or down by 10.
alligatorimpersonator - April 22, 2010
Poor choice
But I doubt anything would be said if he hit a double
Skyagusta - April 22, 2010
Bullpen
I love the bullpen !!! That Venters kid is VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!
ggotch - April 22, 2010
Knowing Jason Heyward wasn’t about to get the day off today for the finale between the Braves and Phillies.
I heard Jamie Moyer spent a sleep-less night, pacing the floor at his Atlanta area hotel fighting cold sweats and severe nervous diarrhea all night.
Charlie Manual found the guy with his pants around his ankles in the hotel bathroom, curled up in a ball on his cell phone crying to his mother with Dr. Phil in high definition blasting on the television in the background.
J.A Happ was nowhere to be found…and apparently left Atlanta upon learning of the news.
The legend grows….
Nova Scotia Steve - April 22, 2010
Was Moyer worried about JHey or his wife beating him again?
kreese555 - April 22, 2010
Lineup
I feel like bobby cox should move Glaus down in the line-up untill he heats up. Why not put Heyward in the fifth spot since he obviously performs in pressure situations. It is crazy to me that our leading run producer is hitting out of the 6 and 7 hole. With Prado getting on base as much as he is and of course Chipper with an obp over .400 Heyward would have over 20rbi’s. I also think that Glaus could benefit from a placement lower in the line-up until he gets back in the swing of things. Less pressure situations and more fastballs.
Glaus did look pretty good against Halladay apart from the K.
rcates - April 22, 2010
Glaus has been looking pretty good the last few games, just getting unlucky. I’m predicting a big game against Moyer.
Smoltz's Beard - April 22, 2010
Prediction = fail. Who knew he’d almost go yard on Halladay and then strike out twice against Moyer.
Smoltz's Beard - April 23, 2010
That first K was horrid – looking at a meatball down the heart of the plate!
justincredubil02 - April 23, 2010
That Glaus guy really sucks. He should know better than to hit it within 400 feet of Dexter Fowler. He also should have hit the ball 5 more feet last night so Victorino couldn’t rob a home-run.
justincredubil02 - April 22, 2010
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