I knew this would be a tough game, especially when I saw the lineup the Braves trotted out there. They did manage to score 3 runs in the 5th, but only after they were down by 4. The Braves actually should have tied the score in that inning, as the first 5 men reached safely. Unfortunately, Brian McCann struck out and the twin quasars of ineptitude (Matt Diaz and Nate McLouth) grounded out to end the threat. Phillies starter Cole Hamels would be pulled after that inning, but the Braves would not muster even a single baserunner against the Phillies supposedly poor bullpen.
Hamels' final line was 5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 5 K, and a -0.002 WPA. The Phillies bullpen combined for 4 perfect innings with 5 strikeouts. Chad Durbin was particularly good, striking out 4 in 2 innings.
Braves' starter Kenshin Kawakami struggled keeping the ball in the park for the second straight game. He gave up 3 homers (to Placido Polanco, Jayson Werth, and Shane Victorino), though they were all solo shots. To his credit, he did pitch 6 and 2/3 innings, giving our bullpen a needed respite. He gave up 7 hits and 2 walks (1 intentional) and struck out 5. His WPA was -0.184.
The Braves also had some issues with fundamentals. Particularly glaring was when Kawakami hurt his cause by bunting into a double play. Immediately after the DP, Infante and Prado singled, meaning the failed bunt cost the Braves at least 1 run. Omar Infante was also thrown out at the plate.
On offense, the Braves' heroes were Troy Glaus, Omar Infante, and Martin Prado, who combined for 7 of the Braves' 8 hits, 2 of the 3 runs, and 2 of the 3 RBIs. Aside from those 3, though, nobody else really did much (Melky Cabrera had an RBI infield hit, and Kawakami walked and scored).
Clearly, the Braves need Heyward back. Chipper and Yunel Escobar should be back soon, too. Hopefully the offense will take off then. Today's game did have a silver lining, as Prado seemed to snap his slump with his 2 hits.
MVPs: Chad Durbin (0.181 WPA); and Jayson Werth-- 1/3, HR, R, 2 RBI, HBP, 0.124 WPA.
LVPs: Matt Diaz-- 0/4, K, -0.143 WPA; and Nate McLouth-- 0/3, HBP, K, -0.116 WPA (I'm really starting to worry about these guys...)
MVPILEs (MVPs in a losing effort): Glaus--2/3, 2 RBI, BB, K, 0.097 WPA; and Infante-- 3/5, 2B, R, K, 0.067 WPA
Clutch Play: Glaus' 2-run single in the 5th (0.131 WPA); the Phillies' highest WPA play was Victorino's HR (0.107 WPA)
0 recs | 196 comments
I like that our B lineup managed 3 runs off an admittedly “inconsistent” Hamels. Woulda coulda shoulda, though.
Let’s take care of the Drunken Cheeseheads this week.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
B lineup? That’s being generous.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
haha, is there a letter lower than Z?
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
i
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
The lttle-known Hyper-Z:
~Z
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
if KK goes 0-10 he needs to go
I however congradulate him for lasting 7 2/3 innings while benching 9 straight haters
southman - May 9, 2010
...hey
I like to lurk and read the other side’s game threads during games, and let me say you’ve been a real pleasure. Some of you are so smart and funny I actually laughed out loud. Alot of fun…aside from the endless, pointless bleating about the size of our park, and the occasional nasty remarks about our fans…that was kind of boring. Like, oh, you don’t say, mhm.
Anyway, you’ve been great…all in all a class act.
See you all over Memorial Weekend!
lpfist - May 9, 2010
Thanks for the kind words. I still think there’s a special place in Hell reserved for Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
FTFY. Werth is a beast- the best revenge wil lbe to sign him this winter :)
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
Not going to happen – the Yankees already have his pinstripes waiting on him.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
Hey, I can dream, can't I?
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
Can you imagine what a Yankees outfield of Crawford/Granderson/Werth could do? It makes me glad the Braves aren’t in the AL…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
Combine that with their IF of Tex, Cano, Jeter, and AFraud- that team ought to be illegal.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
And their rotation anchored by Sabathia, Burnett and Petite….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
Their rotation is meh. Pettitte’s already talking about not returning, Burnett’s always been overblown, etc. They’re like the Phils, they have one genuine ace at the top, and mediocrity after. You can get by on mediocre pitching though when you spend the GDP of Norway buying a lineup that can club every other team to death anyway.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
I’d take Burnett over D. Lowe….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
I’d take Greg Norton over D. Lowe
acie4mvp - May 9, 2010
easy tiger...
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
That team would be boring as hell to watch. Why the hell would you wanna watch a bunch of established all stars every night?
I mean, this would be my mindset: “Oh fuck, ARod is struggling, but it’s okay because Tex and Werth are gonna pick it up at the plate and CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett are doing work on the mound.”
Where’s the fun in being a fan in that?
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010 via mobile
No one said Yankee fans were smart.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
THIS
to the Nth power
ROBravo - May 9, 2010
winning is fun.
get swoll yunel - May 9, 2010
Also, the Braves aren’t going to be able to afford him.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
Maybe not
He doesn’t seem to be the type who’d allow himself to be gelded, like Damon and Giambi were.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
haha
+1 for “gelded”
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
S.T.F.U.
lpfist - May 9, 2010
lol
My sentiments exactly when people say that Heyward, Strasburg, et al are just going to end up on the Yankees or Red Sox in 6 years so you might as well get used to it.
soup du jour - May 10, 2010
Re: CBP
Personally, I’m aware that CBP is more neutral than others like to give it credit for, but it’s hard for a lot of people to not be influenced by the local broadcasters who go to great lengths to call CBP is a bandbox, high school-sized field, and other diminishing adjectives that really don’t do the Braves any favors. Not to mention Chipper, Brian McCann, and Bobby Cox complaining about the size as well, which doesn’t do them any favors either; because if CBP is still “so small,” what does that really say about the Braves and their inability to hit homers in a bandbox?
With the exception of today, because Hinske and Infante, as much as I hate to use the excuse of weather conditions, that wind appeared to be whipping hard enough to actually make a difference in ball flight to deny some homers. Polanco’s homer wasn’t high enough to have been altered, and Victorino crushed it into the right direction; but Werth, my goodness he got every bit of his homer, and that’s gone no matter what park in baseball it’s hit at, regardless of the weather.
royhobbs - May 9, 2010
I thought the ball Infante hit was gone but the wind definitely affected it. Same thing with Hinske except I thought that the ball would hit the wall.
Braves24 - May 9, 2010
The ball Infante hit was CRUSHED. That would’ve almost been an Adam Dunn HR if not for the damn wind.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
by the way
the worst are over in Pinstripe Alley. All they did for a week after we beat LA was bitch about how the Phillies weren’t “marquee” (their word) enough to play the Yankees. That was pretty poor.
lpfist - May 9, 2010
I think one thing that everyone can agree on...
is that anytime you’re dealing with the Yankees you’re dealing with a bunch of ne’er-do-wells.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
300 in the game thread is that normal for a Phillies game?
romone_braves91 - May 9, 2010
I was wondering the same thing, are the rest of us just losers for having 1000+ every game?
Maybe all THEIR fans are, you know, AT THE GAME? zing.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
TGP is probably the only blog I don’t read. I don’t agree with a lot of what they say… they just piss me off.
lpfist - May 9, 2010
Yeah…you can stay over on Talking Chop just as long as you’d like. I agree 100%.
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010
quick question Ipfist,
Why do Philly fans hate Santa Clause? I know it an idiot in an santa costume that ran on the field, but still.
southman - May 10, 2010
I'm actually pretty encouraged by this loss
I mean that was about as crappy of a lineup as we could march out there and we still hit pretty well…I mean KK gave up 3 HRs which is bad…but he actually pitched pretty well. I think we might start turning things around…
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
If we continue to get that kind of effort from our #5 (HR aside), we’ll be in pretty good shape.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
this was is worst start this year. Every other start has not given up more than four runs, so he while he hasn’t been great he has been ok. Good for a #5 starter
Braves24 - May 9, 2010
Aye...
This was one of his worst starts, and it still wasn’t terrible. The man doesn’t deserve an 0-6 record. He should have at least a 2-4 record.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
Sounds like people say that after every KK start. What does he have to do to actually have peole say he had a bad start? Looks like he pitched pretty crappy.
FitzFan - May 9, 2010
Not pitch well? Because he didn’t do that today.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
He is what he is
And that is a league average starter. He’s gonna give you a couple great starts, a couple crappy ones, but mostly be in that 5-6 IP 3 ER range where he’s keeping you in the ball game… which is pretty solid for a 5th starter.
The problem is that we usually become the worst hitting team in baseball when he’s on the mound so any mistake he (or anyone else makes) is magnified tenfold.
It’s getting really old.
get swoll yunel - May 9, 2010
KK pitched well enough to lose
Frozen Fan - May 10, 2010
btw
I aswell am starting to really worry about Nate and Matty D, they are not hinting at breaking their slumps…they might become moveable at the deadline?
SouthernPanther - May 9, 2010
Not if they’re still struggling.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
With every outfielder not named Heyward struggling when will Hinske get a shot at some playing time? He might not turn out any better but shouldn’t he at least get a look?
coltzfan - May 9, 2010
McLouth worries me the most because he isn’t even hitting the ball hard and getting unlucky. He just looks completely lost up there.
And if you go back to when we acquired him last year, he’s really been pretty terrible in a Braves uniform.
Anyone remember that opening series we had against the Pirates like 2 years ago where Nasty Nate was eating our lunch in every game? Man, I miss that guy.
get swoll yunel - May 9, 2010
I keep flip-flopping on McLouth. He’ll put together a couple of ABs where it looks like he’s getting his shit together, and then just look absolutely lost for a stretch of 6-8 ABs.
Diaz has always been a mystery to me. Maybe he’s finally just done, I dunno.
Smoltz's Beard - May 10, 2010
I’m surprised there was no mention of melkys dipshit move in the first inning. He’s a disaster.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010 via mobile
Very true
I understand that 2-3 of those steps is necessary to maybe crow hop before airmailing, but that doesn’t explain the 13 other steps he took before quadruple-clutching the ball before throwing in the towel and allowing the run to score.
royhobbs - May 9, 2010
Exactly.
That was an unmitigated disaster. I still don’t understand why he wasn’t pulled. Bobby seems almost trigger-happy to yank Yunel when he fouls up, so why does Spoiled Melk get a pass?
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
That's an excellent question.
If Escobar had done anything that howlingly awful, he’d be sitting for 2 weeks.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
Honestly
Pulling him is hard to do when most of the backups are already in the game, with guys in pain resting. As much as I’d wanted to see Escobar, or Melky benched for boneheaded moves, so often times this year, we haven’t been able to without depleting the bench, and you know how much cushion Bobby likes to have the bench in the event of needing PHs. Like today, pulling Melky means putting in Hinske, because Heyward is only PH, Chipper is only PH, Conrad’s already in, and Ross is the last bat off the bench because Bobby is always saying “what if” with the backup catcher.
royhobbs - May 10, 2010
I had next to no expectations for Melk coming into this year, so I’m not terribly disappointed.
McLouth and Matty D are the real head scratchers.
But yeah, I don’t what the fuck happened there either. Isn’t dude supposed to have a pretty good arm, too?
get swoll yunel - May 9, 2010
I think there’s an old indian burial ground or something under the Ted’s outfield, cuz even though the faces have changed since the beginning of last year, the black holes remain.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
I actually started thinking to myself the other day that we could suit up Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp in a Braves uni, and they’d immediately start sucking by virtue of being tainted with the dreaded “Braves outfield stink.”
BRING BACK GARRETT ANDERSON!!!
get swoll yunel - May 9, 2010
Took a page out of lpfist's book and checked out the Good Phights blog. This gave me a good laugh.
Lidge time. Should I be nervous? Well I am.
by FuquaManuel on May 9, 2010 1:10 PM PDT reply actions
9-1-2. They’ve got Larry and Jesus left on the bench, so it won’t be easy.
by dajafi on May 9, 2010 1:11 PM PDT reply actions
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
LOL!
Larry and Jesus :)
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
hahaha, even the Phils recognize he's the son of God
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Jesus on the bench?
I’m pretty sure Melky was hitting 3rd and in RF today…
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010 via mobile
Shun the heretic!
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
haha, i thought it sounded a little heretical too.
forget shunning, burn him at the stake!
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
I’, starting to feel better when Lidge takes the hill…but the …fear? knowledge? certainty? that it could all go horribly wrong is still there and probably will be for a long time.
Understanding what fans think of their own teams is interesting, but no the main reason I lurk. The truth is, I have been a Phillies fan my entire life, inherited from my dad and my grandmother. I don’t need to elaborate, you know our history….I’ve experienced pain, much of it at the hands of your Bravos. And they lost the WS on my wedding night…10/23/93. So to see my team, my Phillies, get so much respect, FINALLY…well,. it’s pretty awesome. I treasure each word.
lpfist - May 9, 2010
Well, I lurked on your board and to be honest, I couldn't believe how many people were actually bitching.
I mean, I still think our staff is better than yours, but with your effing offense…jeezus. Do your phans know how many fans here would get wood over the very idea of swapping our outfields (speak of the devil, i’ve got a semi)?. That was surprising, and although you will see words of respect, you will also see “I hope Victorino dies after being anally raped by pineapples” and “Yunel Escobar smuggled his enitre family from Cuba in RyHow’s nostrils”. So steady yourself. Haha
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
insult away…that doesn’t bother me. and you’re right, those guys over on the Phils blog are very negative. It’s like everyone wants to be on the record as saying ‘they suck’ so if we do start to suck they can say “well I never really thought they were any good”. buncha pussies.
lpfist - May 9, 2010
We’ll get ‘em next time! All in all, the way things have been going I still think we have reason tonbe encouraged! We’ll come around! Go Braves!
jdmarine - May 9, 2010 via mobile
In progress….everyones favorite ARod hater….Dallas Braden going for a perfect game 1 out in the 9th
bpk228480 - May 9, 2010
make it 2
bpk228480 - May 9, 2010
PERFECT GAME
against the Rays of all teams
bpk228480 - May 9, 2010
wow. perfect game.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
SUCK IT AROD
bpk228480 - May 9, 2010
AROD >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Braden
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
On the “Who’s the Bigger Asshole?” scale…
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
Yeah really. I’ll take Braden every time over that sleazy douchebag A-Roid.
FitzFan - May 9, 2010
OH RLY?
You just hate AROD cause he’s good and the media tells you he’s an asshole. That’s the sad state of America now days, where the sucessful man is douche and the crappy player is put on a pedestal.
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
A-Rod has always sucked as a sportsman. He tried to knock the ball out of the fielder’s hand in the playoffs, he distracted another fielder so he would drop a ball (while not wrong it was pretty bush league). A-Rod sucks.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
Also, he’s cheated. Ya know, both on the field and off.
UMDBHIK - May 9, 2010
Braden cryed like a baby after AROD ran over a hill of dirt.
Braden = hero/gamer/manly/ect.
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
Please go back to the Yankees blog.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
Second'd
All in favor?
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
lol
Smoltz's Beard - May 10, 2010
*cried FTW
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Incidentally, it's "etc."
As in “et cetera.”
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
technically, it was Busch league
but I still like him. I’m not apt to overreact to all the hype. Not saying you are, just. yeah.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
I hate A-Fraud because he is an arrogant cheating asshole. He cheated at baseball, he cheated on his wife. He’s not remorseful. He’s the original Tiger Woods. He also ignores baseball’s honor code by distracting infielders on popups and dissing Dallas Braden (who repsonded by throwing a perfect game a couple of weeks later). A-Fraud can eat shit and die.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
interesting points...
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
hahahahahahaha this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
+1
+0 hits +0BB + 0err + immortality > 585 Hrs*
*let cousin stick something in butt in DR
15ks - May 10, 2010
Wha…?
justincredubil02 - May 10, 2010
Really?
I thought it was pretty straightforward…
J-Freak - May 10, 2010
Hahahah. +1
justincredubil02 - May 11, 2010
Also,
For the record, crappy players are not put on pedestals. Ask anyone here how they feel about Melky if you doubt that. Braden is anything but a crappy player. Just because he isn’t an ace, or being paid $30 mil year does not automatically make him crappy, and the attitude that he is is the very thing that got A-Rod on everyone’s bad side. I don’t give a damn how much money you make or how many roids you take, there is no place in this game for a shithead that thinks he has the right to walk all over everybody else. Didn’t work for Bonds, not gonna work for AFraud.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
Haha, a quote from granny:
Dallas Braden’s grandmother is here and speaking to the press. She says, and I’m not joking, “Stick it, A-Rod.”
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
That is EPIC. +1M internets for granny.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
The last time the A’s had a no-hitter they went to the World Series.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
Errrrrrrr……..sorry bout the typo! That should read to be encouraged! Still trying to learn type on this touchscreen phone!
jdmarine - May 9, 2010 via mobile
The Braves have more road losses (14) than the Nats (12) or Mets (12) have total road games. What idiot came up with this schedule?
redwards95 - May 9, 2010
While we have 12 home games played (8-4).
I hope that some more home cooking gets this team back on track.
5-14 is our road record so far. Need to do a better job no matter what.
jgalmonte - May 9, 2010
Melky in the "three hole" LOLOLOL
TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect - May 9, 2010
I really think bobby could put together better lineups when using these bench players
drumzalicious - May 9, 2010
Against righties:
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Glaus
BMac
Escobar
Hinske
McLouth
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010 via mobile
i like
+1
MacsGlasses - May 9, 2010
I'd appreciate it
If you’d hop up on Heap’s nose again. The sooner the better.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
I SWYDT
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Damn, the Rays people are going insane, acting like our trolls and retards and they are 21-9! Wow.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
i saw that too!
the phillies board had some whiners and complainers too. Do these idiots realize what we would give for a lineup like the Rays?
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
there's no such thing...
as “Rays people.” I live 45 minutes from the Trop. They can’t get people in the seats and they have one of the best teams in baseball.
mdhenshaw - May 9, 2010
that’s pretty weird. Florida is a funny baseball state anyway. Look at the Marlins.
romone_braves91 - May 9, 2010
I've heard that from a friend who used to go there on business before they went to the WS.
He said it was a ghost town…I figured it would’ve gotten better since then though. Damn.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Well no offense
It’s because the Trop stinks. I haven’t been to every single park yet, but honestly, the one that sits at the bottom of my list is no doubt Tropicana. It’s the only one I’ve reminisced about after visiting, and just realized that it wasn’t that great.
royhobbs - May 10, 2010
It is a freakin warehouse. The Trop sucks – bigtime.
justincredubil02 - May 10, 2010
I’m either a fan, an idiot or a homer. I feel like 6 games back with the whole team either hurt or sucking is not that bad. If we can get to a decent home stand and win a few, maybe it will carry over to a road trip against less than playoff caliber teams.
bighop - May 9, 2010
I agree.
And if you skip look at only the games since the 9 game losing streak, the team isn’t playing terribly. It just takes a while to dig out of that kind of hole.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
-skip
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 9, 2010
I see what you are saying. I followed the off season and spring training closer this year than I ever have. I honestly felt we had a solid offensive team with no automatic outs. We’ve played for 3 weeks with nothing but automatic outs (exagerration). I know the offense is still there and I know it will eventually show up. I refuse to accept that we will suck like this all season. What will cause that worm to turn is beyond me, but I’m really looking forward to it.
bighop - May 9, 2010
I honestly believe it will be the release or trade of one of these supernovas of suck we have on the roster. I’d rather pay Melky $3 mil to sit at home and drink mai-tais than Vidro and pick grass in the outfield.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
I’d rather trade McLouth. His issues go back a pretty good while. Dismal ST, bad Sept, eye issues, contract getting bigger. Cabrera might get back to .250 with no power, I don’t see McLouth at .260 with 20+HR
bighop - May 9, 2010
I'd rather...
Oh wait. Rather nothing, do ’em both.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
I’d bet a good bit of money, that come next March, two of Diaz, Cabrera, McLouth are gone. I hope one is gone in a trade in June. It might take a decent pitching prospect to get one moved and get anything in return, I’d bite the bullet.
bighop - May 9, 2010
I've come to the conclusion, after seeing Phillies and Rays fans upset with their teams, that every fan hates their team to some degree.
Hates, knows what it would take to fix it, etc. I really and truly believe, for some reason which is beyond me, that McLouth is a GOOD hitter. I believe that. Nasty is a good hitter. I think even Melky is a serviceable option. While it is hard for all of us to wait for the kinks to be worked out, and some feel it will be too late by the time they finally do, I think it’s important to have some consistency in a lineup that is constantly being shuffled around. I actually really like Infante at the leadoff spot, but when Esco comes back and he returns to the bench, I think it’s important to build chemistry in our lineup.
Nasty
Odarp
Chipper
Glaus
Mac
Esco
J-Hey
Hinske vs Righties/Diaz vs. Lefties
Go with that and just stick with it for 2 weeks. I think people would start hitting. And if not, I’d have a date with a razorblade and a bathtub.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
and trade/release melky
Braves24 - May 9, 2010
Having said that, Melky Cabrera is a 4th outfielder and if I have to see him hit in the 3 spot ever again
I will literally step off the fucking ledge. I woke up and turned on the TV this morning (read “afternoon”) and thought I was still dreaming. That was unbelievable.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
You're on to something, but...
I would try to stick Infante and Yesco out there at the same time. We need to try to field our nine best players every night with no regard to salary, team history, who Bobby thinks has grit & moxie or any other ancillary consideration.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
Last year, Prado, Infante and Escobar played good D together and moved each other around the bases. Sit Chipper more often until he gets back near 100%
bighop - May 9, 2010
Absolutely agree.
I love those three guys together.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
hahaha, i just got this thought our 3B, SS, and 2B all being of Latin descent
and T Roy standing outside their circle going “Look, I don’t speak SPANISH” in his best Ron Burgundy voice. Hahaha
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
He'll be cool
As long as somebody tells him what “Yo la Tenga!” means.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
haha i'm guessing roughly "I got it"?
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Yes
Google that phrase. It’s one of the all time classic Baseball stories.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
haha, that is pretty funny
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Freeman would be OK with it next year, he’d have Heyward to sit with on the bench.
bighop - May 9, 2010
really wish I knew how to strike words because
I think
Jake TaylorChipper Jones might be filling out the lineup card…kreese555 - May 9, 2010
holy shit it worked. party me
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Is anyone prepared to say that Infante could shift over to 3rd?
And Chipper gets early retirement? I mean, in order to get them both on the field at the same time it’s either that or LF for him, which I actually don’t mind the thought of.
Infante LF
Prado 2B
Chipper 3B
Glaus 1B
Mac C
J-Hey RF
Esco SS
Nasty CF
Huddy P (cause I like him and he can hit)
Now that’s a pretty fuckin good lineup…
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Infante doesn’t have Chipper’s OB%, but otherwise I like him at 3rd more often.
Was there a report today about Chipper saying he’s done after this year?
bighop - May 9, 2010
No, not that I know of, but I think his (rapidly) declining defense
and lack of production at the plate are having people throwing dirt on him…
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
I agree the lineup needs to go static soon, but I’d flip J-Hey and Esco in that lineup. Esco’s had a rough start and there is 0 reason to keep J-Hey buried in the 7-hole any longer.
Also, put Melky in the escape pod and blast him to the moon.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
While I agree with you, that would make the lineup
L R S R L L R L/R and we both know how much Bobby hates that…I really wish he would stop putting so much fucking emphasis on matchups and situations and just put the best 8 fucking hitters out there….sigh. fuck.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
So flip Glaus and Mac also. L R S L R L R L/R.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
but that makes too much sense
:-)
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Braves definitely need a consistent line up. The constant shuffling can’t help. Maybe you’re right about McLouth, but he hasn’t shown it for a long time. $6.5 mil next year is a lot of money in the Braves payroll, I’d find him a new home.
bighop - May 9, 2010
I just look at him, his past production. The kid's a ball player.
I would say he just isn’t a lead off hitter, which he is NOT, but he’s hit poorly at the 7 and 8 spots too. It’s vexing. I’m terribly vexed. Like when I was watching McCann last week, I KNEW something was wrong with him, I had never seen him look that bad. And sure enough, his eyes. But then with McLouth, the only thing I can think is lack of confidence/no rhythm in the lineup or a different approach being taught by TP. I think we would have another KJ situation on our hands if we opted to trade him.
kreese555 - May 9, 2010
Personally
I’m willing to give him much more rope than most of our other problem spot guys.
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
agreed
plus atleast McLouth can drive the ball and plays good defense
SouthernPanther - May 10, 2010
As long as you play above average defense, Bobby will pencil you in every game.
romone_braves91 - May 10, 2010
LOL
Gladiator Reference….. go braves.
ATL_BUC - May 10, 2010
This was not a game we should have won with the Little Giants in the lineup today. We kept it close and got TWO hits in the first inning. Better than any other game we have played in the past week or so it seems.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
Yeah, that line up was one for the ages. The #1 pre season worry was injuries, especially if anything happened to Yunel. Too late now. He’ll be back for the homestand, I hope he’s ready
bighop - May 9, 2010
People are saying “give McLouth time, it’s only a month into the season.” I guess they don’t remember that he was playing just as poorly in Spring Training.
BullManUGA - May 9, 2010
Just posted the same thing
bighop - May 9, 2010
What do you suggest the team should do since you feel like McLouth is under-performing?
romone_braves91 - May 10, 2010
The problem is there isn’t anything to do right now.
BullManUGA - May 10, 2010
Does anybody know if Heyward will be in the lineup tomorrow?
romone_braves91 - May 9, 2010
Last I saw
He’s saying “Tuesday”
Sam Jethroe - May 9, 2010
I got up this morning, looked on Twitter, saw Melky was hitting third and immediately decided I wasn’t going anywhere near the TV during this game. Looks like, despite the latino FYF in the 3 hole, the game was fairly entertaining and maybe I should have given it a chance.
I’m starting to worry now about Diaz and Nate myself. I really thought they were being hurt by losing ABs to Melky, but even playing everyday since Jesus tweaked his love muscle they still seem to suck this year, especially Diaz. How much is Dye asking for play LF? Is there some provision in the rulebook where if your offense is bad enough you can play with 4 outfielders like a softball team does if you REALLY need another bat in your lineup and the only options left in free agency can’t play defense anymore? Maybe we could move to the AL and get a DH or something.
Rhyno18 - May 9, 2010
you know
i kinda forgot about dye… might not be a bad idea if he comes cheap
the cow - May 9, 2010
Dye is awful in the field and he fell apart in the 2nd half of 2010 while playing in a hitters paradise. I’d ONLY take him for a million bucks, but we all know that isn’t happening if he honestly thinks he’s worth $3-5MM.
Scott Coleman - May 9, 2010
Why does it matter if he comes cheap? The Braves already have all that money sitting in a bank account somewhere from the Vasquez-Melky deal. Plus he wouldnt be signed for more than a year by anybody.
mastermike - May 9, 2010
i just got in from mom;s :)
started dallas braden in fantasy. heard this game on radio, was encouraged by kk’s late innings, and like the offense except with bases loaded. all in all, i think with our pitching and lineup we should be able to have a 22-23 win month sometime soon/june
dc_allday - May 9, 2010
I agree on the 22-23 win month. When this team finally starts hitting, gets healthy and plays like they should, 22 or 23 out of 28 is not out of the question.
bighop - May 9, 2010
Diaz
It’s time for him to get DFA’ed or benched for all of eternity. He just can’t hit a thing, you know he is going bad when he can’t live up to his nickname as the “lefty killer” that things aren’t going good. He hasn’t ever been able to hit righties, but now hitting just .179 off the southpaws is too much of a concern.
Hinske needs to get more PT. I figured the Braves might give a game or two too Glaus at third with Chipper out and use Hinske at first over Conrad.
Melky hitting #3? Is Bobby losing his mind? Why not Glaus 3 and McCann 4 today? Melky? Seriously?
mastermike - May 9, 2010
False. He’s never slugged much against righties, but he hit over .300 against righties his first two years here.
J-Freak - May 9, 2010
Our outfield needs to change
Diaz, McLouth, Melky just isn’t cuttin it. We need to get rid of one of them and put the other 2 on notice. I think that one should be Diaz because he can’t really play defense and all of them can’t hit. I’m glad Hinske will get more playing time and I think when Esky comes back Infante should get some playing time there. Maybe we should give Young a shot in the bigs. And does anyone else think we should give a shot to McDonald if the Red Sox don’t ask to much?
bravesforever16 - May 9, 2010
If those guys you just mention don’t pan out either, would you want to get rid of them too? The team is lock the way it is and DFAing or letting players go and calling up AAA players will not make the OF better. We just have to be really patient and hope these guys will perform to their respective career averages.
romone_braves91 - May 10, 2010
And
We also need to stop acting like we’re on some sacred quest this season, one that demands we do anything and everything, including a Teixeira-level foolish trade, to win this year.
Sam Jethroe - May 10, 2010
I’m ready to accept Mitch Jones over Milky every day of the week and twice on Sunday. At least he may run into one, even if its accidental. At this point Milky is basically guranteed suck.
I still hold out some sliver of hope that McLouth will get better, but the realist in me hopes Schafer rakes at AAA very, VERY soon so’s he can replace McLouth.
J-Freak - May 10, 2010
I heard Schafer will not be available to the Braves until at least September.
romone_braves91 - May 10, 2010
Really, I’ve hear July quite often as a possibility
bighop - May 10, 2010
Where have you heard that? I troll these interwebs quite often and have never heard that one.
justincredubil02 - May 10, 2010
I didn’t say he WOULD be available, I just said I really hoped he ends up begin ready soon, because I just have no faith in McLouth. I wasn’t thrilled when we picked him up, and he’s only gotten worse since then.
J-Freak - May 10, 2010
Would you have more faith in him if he added a C to his name, or perhaps another O?
UMDBHIK - May 10, 2010
Nope. McCcLLouth isn’t doing it for me either.
J-Freak - May 10, 2010
I don’t get what the buzz is. We knew Hayward was going to be very good right away. I think Schafer will be good eventually as well, but we haven’t seen enough of him at 100 percent in the majors to be able to say he’d be a difference maker in this lineup regardless of when he rejoins the club.
UMDBHIK - May 10, 2010
KK..
i think wren should help KK get his first win of the year… he should trade him to the nats… for anything… then when he pitches against us…. he will get his first win of the season.. and his first CG shoutout of his career…
Hektor DiPaula - May 9, 2010
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAH I agree.
Goggles Piazzano - May 10, 2010
i lurk here too, but I’ll comment once in a while.
Don’t think The Good Phight is overly negative, no more than any other blog you read.
Bilzo - May 9, 2010
we probs should have won that game....
It was just a sloppy game. the werth HBP… the KK DP bunt… sigh…Melky batting 3rd really?
infante getting thrown out at home, after prado or the melk man couldn’t advance infante… only we can blow a leadoff double.
Without great power hitting, you can’t afford to make mistake after mistake.
BMac will get heated up soon. Hes not hitting this badly all season folks. Heyward will be back soon. KK started really poorly last season, then he turned it on…I’m confident Diaz will start stroking it…. he had a .920 ops last season right?
We probably have gotten a little bit unlucky with our HR drought. Glaus, Mac and Heyward will soon start launching and others, prado, escobar, mcclouth, chipper will get some. the lack of HRs is really hurting us.
Hanson and hudson will throw many gems, JJ will get back and throw many gems. Lowe will pitch well every other start… so I’m not worried.
Braves Biceps - May 10, 2010
Disappointing
Especially due to satellite snafus. I had to listen to the Braves lose on radio.
Mr. Glavine #47 - May 10, 2010
The lineup
When Escobar comes back, if I was the manager (which I ain’t), I would go with this lineup:
I like the righty-lefty balance and I like Escobar in the 7 hole, he hit well last year when getting dropped down in the order. The only thing is Heyward isn’t in a RBI producing spot, but the upside is he will get more PA’s and maybe he could do something when Prado gets on base. Having Chip protected in the front by Heyward and in the rear by Mac could also pay off and maybe produce some RBI’s for him. I say enough of the Diaz and Melky experiment.
Hinske is 3rd on the team in RBI with 9, and he has done it in 32 PA’s.
Hinske has a 1 RBI in every 3.5 PA rate (small sample, but he has been productive). Heyward is 3.30 PA/RBI. Glaus is second in RBI but has a 6.25 PA/RBI rate.
mastermike - May 10, 2010
Oops, meant AB/RBI rates, not PA.
mastermike - May 10, 2010
not entirely bad
i have to admit, as far as losing a series goes, that wasn’t such a bad one. it seems like the braves had some fight in them.
my main concern remains that this b team might not be that, outside of heyward (and remember his main concern coming into the season was small nagging injuries) this b team may not be a hell of a lot worse than the a team.
jerryclore - May 10, 2010
ugh
you know what i mean
jerryclore - May 10, 2010
I had hope up until the very last out of the game – which was nice.
It was good to see KK get himself together and pitch a few more innings than it looked like he might at the start of the game.
I’ve been patient with the Melky experiment, but yesterday’s no throw was just about all I can stand now. It’s time to give Hinske some regular playing time… hell, it can’t be any worse.
Hope the Brewers let us get our road trip record decent this time before heading back home.
NCChopper - May 10, 2010
When Esco returns this weekend, I’d like to see Hinske in left and Infante keep playing, maybe 3rd some, left field some. At this point, we need somebody in the line up that can hit, sit the ones who don’t.
bighop - May 10, 2010
You and I gave up on Melky at the same time for the same reason.
justincredubil02 - May 10, 2010
Welcome to the anti-Melky party, to both you and NCChopper.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 10, 2010
He’s the only player on the team who I can’t bring myself to defend….at all.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 10, 2010
He and Conrad are the two that I will no longer defend.
justincredubil02 - May 10, 2010
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