Whoever said "lightning never strikes twice" clearly was not intending that "lightning" be used as a metaphor for "late inning, go-ahead Brooks Conrad grand slams" (and also clearly was not familiar with lightning rods). The "Raw Dog" came through again tonight in a big way, hitting a huge tie-breaking grand slam as part of an epic 8-run rally in the Braves' 8th inning.
Let's set the scene: the Braves entered their half of the 8th down 5-2, with few clutch hits to speak of. Marlins reliever Taylor Tankersley started the inning off by giving up a single to Jason Heyward. Chipper Jones followed by hitting one to the right defender--Jorge Cantu, otherwise known as "The Butcher of Third Base." Cantu booted Chipper's chopper, and everyone was safe. The next batter, Brian McCann, was hit on the arm with a pitch. Honestly, we were pretty lucky that he was awarded first base, because he clearly leaned into it.
The Marlins brought in Jhan Martinez to face Troy Glaus with the bases loaded and no outs. He walked to make it 5-3. Next up was Eric Hinske, who smoked a single over Dan Uggla's head to score two runs and tie it at 5. That was a huge play, too, though it would be overshadowed by later events. After that, Burke Badenhop came on to pitch. Bobby Cox called for Alex Gonzalez to bunt the runners over, which was really stupid because Nate McLouth was due up next. The Braves dodged a bullet when Cantu couldn't find third base with his foot to get a force out on the bunt. Everyone was safe, and the bases were again loaded with no outs.
Next up was McLouth, who did the predictable thing and grounded to first for an easy forceout at home. But his continued ineptitude didn't hurt the Braves tonight, for Conrad was up next, and he blasted a ball in to the right field seats for his second huge grand slam of the year. The Braves didn't stop there, either. Martin Prado and Jason Heyward (again) singled, and Prado scored the Braves' 8th run of the inning on a Chipper Jones groundout. That made it 10-5, Bravos.
Jonny Venters pitched the last two innings to finish the game. Jesse Chavez pitched a perfect 7th to earn the win.
The reason the Braves needed to come back was that Kris Medlen had his worst start of the year. He gave up a 2-run homer to Brave killer Dan Uggla, a solo shot to rookie Mike Stanton, and five runs in all. He did have 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk, but any time you give up 8 hits and 2 homers in 6 innings, you're not going to be pleased with the stat line. His WPA was -0.236, but the Braves bats bailed him out nicely.
Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez got off to a bad start, giving up a leadoff homer to Martin Prado, but he settled in from there and gave up only 1 more run. He finished with a line of 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 7 K, 3 BB, and a 0.148 WPA.
MVP
Brooks Conrad-- 1/1, Grand Slam, 0.281 WPA
Honorable Mention
Jason Heyward-- 3/3, 2 BB, 2 R, SB, 0.171 WPA
Alex Gonzalez-- 1/3, BB, 2B, R, ROE, 0.172 WPA
Eric Hinske-- 1/5, R, 2 RBI, K, 0.138 WPA
Martin Prado-- 2/5, HR, 2R, RBI, 0.030 WPA
(Actually, every hitter but Nate McLouth could be put here.)
LVPs
Jhan Martinez-- 0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, -0.355 WPA
Burke Badenhop-- 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R (1 ER), 1 HR, -0.308 WPA
Taylor Tankersley-- 0 IP, 1 H, 3 R (2 ER), HBP, -0.231 WPA
MVPs in a Losing Effort
Dan Uggla-- 2/4, HR, R, 3 RBI, 0.183 WPA
Los Tres Sanchezes (Gaby Sanchez, Anibal Sanchez, and Brian Sanches)-- combined 0.394 WPA
Clutch Plays
Conrad's slam (0.281 WPA)
Hinske's 2-RBI, game-tying single (0.210 WPA)
Uggla's 2-run, go-ahead HR (0.190 WPA)
Unclutch Plays
McCann grounding into an inning-ending DP with a runner on third (-0.145)
McLouth grounding into a force at home with the bases loaded and no outs (-0.105 WPA)
Bonus: Here's the game graph from FanGraphs:
Isn't that pretty? It looks like the stock market on October 29, 1929. Except this time, it's good!
0 recs | 189 comments
Huge Victory
Order has been restored in Braves Nation.
Nova Scotia Steve - July 24, 2010
the stress of the past two games....
phew. Let’s just get a nice easy W tomorrow with JJ!
abraves - July 24, 2010
please
get rid of mclouth
he’s awful
JasonHeywardisGod - July 24, 2010
I’m all for that every time he bats u know it’s not going to be good he ffn sucks but great win Conrad is the shit GO BRAVES!!!
cali viking - July 25, 2010
WPA
I don’t pretend to understand anything but what the resulting number is for, but if it is based on mathematical analysis of player performance, I’m curious how
3/3, 2 BB, 2 R, SB = 1/3, BB, 2B, R, ROE?
TexUGAn - July 24, 2010
It's all about what you do in what situations.
Gonzalez was also helped by the error that Cantu made on his bunt, which boosted his WPA a fair amount (errors don’t detract from a hitters’ WPA).
WPA is all about situational hitting, though. A guy who goes 1/5 could have a higher WPA than a guy who goes 5/5 if the former had a huge clutch hit and the latter had only meaningless singles in a blowout.
Jacob Peterson - July 24, 2010
Situational
hitting. For example (not in this game) A 2B with the bases loaded is worth much more than a 3B with the bases empty. Also, it depends on the score. A 2B with the bases loaded down 2 runs >>>>>>> a 2B with the bases loaded up 10 runs.
frozendesert - July 24, 2010
The basic idea (I think) is that you look at a situation when the player comes up to bat and say “In the past, 67% of the games that were in this exact situation were won by the visiting team.” and then you look at the situation after their at bat is over and say “In the past, 71% of the games that were in this exact situation were won by the visiting team.” Then the batter in question would get +.04 WPA: they changed the ‘probability’ of their team winning by +.04 (from .67 to .71).
So that’s why people are saying that timing matters; the probabilities shift more wildly in certain situations (runners on, late innings, close scores, &c).
(I could have some of the details wrong, but I’m like 98% sure that’s the core of what WPA means.)
AllSaintsDay - July 25, 2010
The Braves did a great job fighting, but Florida basically gave us the game.
And please get rid of McLouth, put Melky in CF, and find a corner outfielder.
ZC1 - July 24, 2010
We already do
Erik Hinske
Matt Diaz
Gregor Blanco
sag969 - July 24, 2010
agreed
kbertling353 - July 25, 2010
I think
McLouth gets the rest of this road trip (~7 or so games), and if he doesn’t start performing, he’ll be used as trade bait and if all else fails sent down to the minors.
There have already been plenty of situations where having Blanco rather than McLouth would have been so helpful.
sag969 - July 24, 2010
who would trade for him?
Zeus12888 - July 25, 2010
The Royals
drumzalicious - July 25, 2010
+1
AKA The Island Of Misfit Ex-Braves
Sam Jethroe - July 25, 2010
Trade him to the Royals with DeJesus DLed, offer to pay half his remaining salary this year and half next year, ask for nothing in return. If they won’t take that deal, add a C-prospect and offer to pay three quarters,
bighop - July 25, 2010
If we’re going to pay 3/4 salary this year AND next, along with giving up a prospect (however meaningless), we might as well just tell Nate to go home and watch tv – his paycheck will be in the mail.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
Plenty of teams
I don’t think he’s much different than Yunel in the sense that this year is really subpar.
sag969 - July 25, 2010
I agree.
He’s been awful, yeah, but it’s gotten ridiculous how much lower his xBABIP is than his real marks, or even his career averages.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
Name who doesnt belong to the group??
Conrad
Blanco
Diaz
McLout
Hinske
joshant - July 24, 2010
Conrad = 2010 clutch player of the year
Blanco = Very nice surprise and gets on base!
Diaz = Capt. Caveman is back. Gotta love that.
McLouth = I don’t have anything nice to say. :(
Hinske = Started off scorching hot, but has come back to earth. Still a great pickup.
Sparhawk - July 24, 2010
Hinske played with the Yankees. He’s a winnar. Don’t badmouth him
GoBravesNY - July 24, 2010
I blocked out the short period of time that Hinske played for the Evil Empire.
I’ve liked him since he came up with the Blue Jays. Now I have to block out Halladay’s time with the Sillies (sp), something like that.
Sparhawk - July 24, 2010
So did Melky, and at this point I’d rather have Melky in CF than McLouth.
John Holton - July 25, 2010
McLout… that isn’t a name
I’ll take Conrad for the only bench player (I’m counting platoon as a starter)
GoBravesNY - July 24, 2010
I love Shawshank. Always have. Solid utility man who has surprised me with his power this year. Remember when people wanted to send him down back in April? Not anymore…
Something to chew on: Brooks Conrad now has more Grand Slams than the Braves had all of last year
GoBravesNY - July 24, 2010
That’s so funny about Conrad having more GS than the Braves did all of last year.
Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie.
Sparhawk - July 24, 2010
Well
The Braves have already hit four Grand Slams now. I think that’s more than the past 4 or 5 years combined? I think someone was talking about this, anywhere we can verify it?
sag969 - July 24, 2010
Wow...
Prado’s, Conrad’s, BMac’s and Conrad’s again. It doesn’t even seem like that many.
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
Alright
baseball-reference.com is awesome, and I was way off. Anyways, last 5 years.
Grand Slams:
-2010 (so far): 4 (Conrad 2x, Prado, McCann)
-2009: 0
-2008: 2 (Johnson, McCann)
-2007: 2 (2x McCann)
-2006: 4 (2x McCann, LaRoche, and Francour)
-2055: 4 (Andruw Jones, Julio Franco, LaRoche, and Brian Jordan)
sag969 - July 24, 2010
wow
i wonder how good the 2055 braves will be
atl192485 - July 24, 2010
Julio Franco
will definitely be the oldest player still playing baseball in 2055 :)
HEYJUDE - July 24, 2010
I take it
That he’s going to have a Manny-Mota esque pinch hit appearance. Our Grandchildren will tell their grandchildren about the 90 year old who hit a grand slam.
Bronn - July 25, 2010
90? I’m quite sure his age will be listed at 38.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
Haha
Yeah, TOO BAD WE CAN’T EDIT OUR COMMENTS!!!
:-D
sag969 - July 24, 2010
McCann is a monster at hitting GS.
Pavy848 - July 25, 2010
He learned it from one Conrad, Brooks.
UMDBHIK - July 25, 2010
How about Alex Gonzalez?
Esco might have better 2011 and beyond, but Gonzo has been great for us at the plate. And to be honest, I don’t think he’s any worse than Esco in the field. Not to mention his teammates already love him.
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
just wait until agon goes 0-fer one day
then you’ll have all the FIRE FRANK WREN people come out again
atl192485 - July 24, 2010
Those people
are the exact reason SBN gives us the “z” button.
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
for you, does the z button send a mild electric shock to a select person of choice?
cuz to me, it just does deselect/next post
atl192485 - July 24, 2010
I wish.
Scott Coleman - July 25, 2010 via mobile
Yup
This was my point in all the stupid arguments.
He’s just as capable as a shortstop as Yunel. Maybe not as good, but definitely not a drop off in any ways. And as for the batting, even if he hits as bad as Yunel did in the first half, it’ll be an improvement for everyone simply because of his attitude. And obviously, there’s no way he’s going to do as bad as Yunel did.
sag969 - July 24, 2010
Aren't you a dropoff by default if you're not as good?
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
now, where are the Gonzo haters??
9G 361/425/528 4-2B 1-3B 2RBI 4R 3BB
joshant - July 24, 2010
No idea
They seem to have disappeared. I’m sure they’re busy preparing a post to put up as soon as he goes 0-4 with 2Ks though.
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
How many bad games does he have to have before it’s okay to start saying he’s the same guy that he’s been for his entire career?
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Or
They’re like me, and realizing that 9 games is a ridiculously small sample. I’ll look at this again come September.
Bronn - July 25, 2010
+1 for reason.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
You left out the .500 BABIP, which I’m sure will ast …
Lennox - July 24, 2010
I'm still here GUISE
kbertling353 - July 25, 2010
One more extra base hit and he has half as many as Escobar did the entire first half.
BenDuronio - July 25, 2010
That’s pretty eye opening.
Sam Jethroe - July 25, 2010
Sample size people
And yunel isn’t exactly slumping in Toronto
granman29 - July 25, 2010
what are
Yunel’s stats since the trade?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
.400/.444/.680 with a double and two HRs in 6 games. So better than Gonzalez but it’s just too early to judge
Bronn - July 25, 2010
I honestly dont care
What Yunel does the rest of the year or his career for that matter. I think we got a SS that is better suited for our team and team chemistry. We got a team first and not a me first professional. I can guarantee you that Alex won’t ever get Glaus hurt by making a lazy play in a big series. I am glad Yunel is gone.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
I agree gonzo is a much better fit and he’s comming around with multiple hits in every game but next we have to get rid of mclout and Glaus has to start hitting again!!
cali viking - July 25, 2010
Probably the same place the Yunel haters are – you know, since he has hit 2 HRs including a grand slam and all.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
In a hitters friendly park
on a team that hits a lot of home runs, that isnt in a pennant race, and just in a new situation all together. A blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Like Alex.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
No.
Alex has been producing and getting on base in an average park offensively and he is now on a top team. He’s also better for the character of the team.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Word association fail
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
No.
Pelican. But Alex is better for the team whether he hits home runs every game or not.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Agreed. But that isn’t really the topic of discussion.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Sure it is.
Youre trying to sit there and make the deal look like shit because Yunel has finally hit a couple of Home Runs. He was supposed to do that with us, and didnt, and also acted like a prima donna with his .238 BA and 19 RBIs.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
I was not doing anything of the sort.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
I hate the ffn marlins and there stupid brodcast team f them
cali viking - July 25, 2010
No one
On God’s green earth, is worse than Rich Waltz.
Steven Segall would call a better game.
Sam Jethroe - July 25, 2010
Their constant bickering about balls and strikes makes me want to kill myself.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
getting on base
let’s just hold off on that one. I like the guy’s glove (even though it is not as good as Yunel’s), but he DOES NOT get on base very often. In fact, Francoeur gets on base more often. Listen I can understand if he was just too much of a punk to put up with in the clubhouse, but we did not get a good return.
granman29 - July 25, 2010
Where are all those people who complain every time Yunel’s name is brought up.
“THE TRADE IS OVER! GET OVER IT! RAWR!”
Oh wait, I forgot that the anti-Yunels are allowed to bring this up whenever they want.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
I think Yunel is
very talented and until the game in NY i was behind him one hundred percent. And he has a shot to be one of the best shortstops in the game. But for the Braves team this year I think Alex is a better fit. I don’t hate Yunel. But I love maximum effort players that work hard and run out ground balls. Yunel just wasn’t that type of guy. I am not sold that Alex is great. But he is solid.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Alex is playing way above his head right now. Just remember this in August when his numbers average out – which means he will be hitting below the Mendoza line.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Oh I think
that Alex is playing better this year than anyone expected. And I hope he stays that way all year but the odds are his numbers will even out. I just think he brings some of the intangibles and leadership this team needs. And I am happy to have him.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Don’t get me wrong, if Yunel was as big of a cancer (and I don’t really believe too much in the cancer in the clubhouse theory in baseball) as the reports have made him out to be, the trade was the best thing for all parties involved.
I just hate it when people bitch that someone said that Yunel hit a grand slam, and then they are the very same people who turn around and post crap like “Where are the Gonzo haters now??? He had HITZ!”
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
I’m late to this whole discussion due to being stuck at a graveyard shift all night, but I would just like to chime in here and say that I absolutely, 100% am behind everything you’ve said on this matter. We are on exactly the same wavelength. Keep up the good work.
J-Freak - July 25, 2010 via mobile
I’ve been one of the dissenters against posting Yunel stat lines but have never said “where are the haters now?” blah blah blah.
My only reason for those responses was that when Yunel’s stats were being posted, it was followed fairly quickly with a “that was an awful trade” statement. I simply got tired of seeing the same stupid discussion that never made any headway on the matter being rehashed over and over daily.
I have no issues with other players stat lines being posted, it was just such a controversial move that it always brought up angry sentiments one side or the other, at some point. People can post Yuney’s stats, I can’t stop that and I welcome the knowledge just not the bickering over the trade. I believe you can reevaluate it at the end of this and next season.
Pavy848 - July 25, 2010
Welcome to TC, where we still deal with people complaining about the JD Drew trade and the Mark Tiexiera trade…
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
That’s true. I guess the sheer amount of the Yunel discussion just got to me. Every single article had comments on it for days. No harm, no foul.
Pavy848 - July 25, 2010
And those people deal with the people trying to justify dumping two young, cost-controlled All-Stars for third place.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
Because small sample sizes are called that for a reason?
I’m not a Gonzalez hater, I just disagree with the trade. I hope the guy has a monster second half, but his career numbers tell a different story.
Maybe it’s time you Yunel haters dropped the snarky attitudes.
UMDBHIK - July 25, 2010
This, this, oh god, this!
(I just egasmed)
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
I’ve been impressed with him. And so far (SSS alert), he’s even been avoiding his one major downfall – the low OBP – by getting on base at an amazing rate. He’s been taking a lot of walks for a guy who everyone said never walked. TP IS TO BLAME!!!
…….wait a second….
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
we didn't need to trade for an OBP guy anyway
Having a guy who gets on base in the bottom of the lineup wasn’t a pressing need. We already rank #1 in OBP as a team. The problem is our 1-6 hitters were getting on base and the the absolute blackhole bottom of our lineup couldn’t drive them in. We needed a bat to drive them in. And drive them in with power because those guys in the middle are SLOW.
DCP916 - July 25, 2010
Just so we’re clear (and this is not me hating Sea Bass), but Alex Gonzalez neither gets hits with regularity nor hits for power. He HAS his for power this season, but one has to believe that this was not a turning point in the 33 year old’s career.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Not even.
Our 1-2 hitters were getting on base, and then 3-7 continued to walk the bases full without actually plating anybody.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
I’ve seen that his actual fielding numbers are slightly better. HE can still make many of the tough plays Escobar was noted for.
iamthesgt - July 25, 2010
Just without a need to ham it up for Web Gems on routine gruonders.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
After watching him,
I think he’s even better than Escobar in the field. Certainly, he’s more consistent defensively.
Jacob Peterson - July 25, 2010
This
I’ve been impressed thus far.
HEYJUDE - July 26, 2010
Brooksy
only the second player to hit 2 pinch hit GS’s in a season since the 1950’s per ESPN!
HEYJUDE - July 24, 2010
Nice
According to Stats_MLB twitter:
sag969 - July 24, 2010
I sensed it coming.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 24, 2010
Look at the front page! :)
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
uhh
Or is it your point that the Braves have zero mention?
sag969 - July 24, 2010
no
the Front Page of TC you dummy!
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
I’m sorry but the Braves only won a regular season game that they were supposed to win the hard way. I’m not really sure that’s ESPN front page worthy.
Despite his recent struggle, Ubaldo Jiminez getting hammered by the Phillies is more of a news than the Braves game.
LEastCoastBears - July 25, 2010
I would like to know
how winning 3 games in a row makes Philadelphia “red-hot” all of a sudden. They’re still just 4-6 in their last 10.
BigG1392 - July 25, 2010
I agree with this one. I understand why NY/Bos/Philly teams get a lot of coverage – they are big markets and ESPN knows what its audience wants. However, the crazy analyzing and saying things like the Mets or Phillies are still the team to beat, or that the Phillies, while on a 3 game winning streak are “red hot” etc is just ridiculous.
There is a team down in Atlanta that has the best record IN BASEBALL since something like mid-May, and this same Braves team has the 2nd or 3rd best record in baseball since 17 July 2009. I’d say that this particular team down in Atlanta is pretty good at the sport that they play (5 All-stars – without their own manager picking the team!) and that they deserve some respect from time to time.
Having said all that, it is a good thing that games are not won or lost based on the amount of respect a team gets in the media. If the Bravos just keep winning, they will get all the media attention that they can handle come November.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Well yeah
But if a Yankees/Red Sox/Dodgers/[insert big market team] player had hit a 2nd PH grand slam, it would be front page worthy.
I mean, Braves don’t even have a blurb on the MLB front page:
sag969 - July 25, 2010
And,
In stark contrast, the front page for mlb.com:
sag969 - July 25, 2010
Is it really that big of a deal? People get grand slams all the time. Does every grand slam deserve to be on the front page of espn’s mlb section?
The grand slam is only a story to us Atlanta fans. The rest of the baseball world couldn’t care less.
Would you like to read about Greg Dobbs hitting 2 PH grand slams in a season? I know I wouldn’t, and I am sure the rest of the baseball world doesn’t want to read about “Brooks Who?” hitting his second.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
yeah
You’re absolutely right, hitting two PH grand slams in less than two months is no big deal. “Blue Jays Win”, “Dodgers outlast Mets”, “Yanks Fall to KC”…etc. are much bigger stories.
Sarcasm aside, are you seriously suggesting saying that such a big moment shouldn’t even be a story on their MLB page?
.sag969 - July 25, 2010
I’m saying that you need to stop crying about it not being there, because it is not a big deal to people outside of the Braves fan circles.
justincredubil02 - July 26, 2010
That makes no sense
Going with your logic, no sports stories should ever be covered! I mean, who outside of Toronto really cares that they won? Or outside of KC that the Royals lost?
The idea that a big moment for the Braves isn’t a national story just because its the Braves is just stupid.
And, to follow up, after the Marlins won the next night (4th comeback win in one week), that made all kinds of front pages. But come on, how many people outside of Florida (and how many inside Florida I might add) actually give a shit? But wait, that was posted everywhere on ESPN!
sag969 - July 28, 2010
Go Braves GO!!!
p.s. Melky tends to catch fire when he gets regular playing time. And he can throw, as opposed to McOut.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 24, 2010
+1
John Holton - July 25, 2010
Can You Name this Player?
Stat just for the month of July.
Line: 51 ABs .216 AVE .349 OBP .275 SLG 0 HR 4 RBI
romone_braves91 - July 24, 2010
Hmmm....I'll go with
Eric Hinske?
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
Ah, no, I think he HR’d against the Brewers last week.
Melky?
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
Troy Glaus
romone_braves91 - July 24, 2010
Well i was 0-for-2
Never go to Vegas, Scott.
At least he admits that he’s streaky. He’s just getting ready for May and June 2.0 in August and September…and October too.
Scott Coleman - July 24, 2010
I hope so. We need his bat.
romone_braves91 - July 24, 2010
it's nice to see that even when the balls he's hitter aren't dropping for hits
he’s still walking a lot and his .349 OBP is still solid. he’ll bounce back.
atl192485 - July 24, 2010
So he is one of the better guys on the team at not making outs, and his batting average has leveled out to his career average – all while maintaining a good OBP. I fail to see the problem – especially since we have a 6.5 game lead in the division (largest in baseball) and the best record in the National League.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
I agree
Glaus is gonna hit .250 with 25 homers and 100 rbis. He doesn’t give away at bats and has a decent on base percentage. Nothing wrong with that. Plus he really carried us (with the help of a few others) through a tough stretch. He is solid
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Good to see Heyward back:
Season line: .273/.385/.460
romone_braves91 - July 24, 2010
damn
gotta love that OBP out of a rookie
kbertling353 - July 25, 2010
He lost a lot of game and still leading the rookies in BB
joshant - July 25, 2010
and RBI
iamthesgt - July 25, 2010
Came into tonight seeing 4.13 P/PA, that’s a very large number for a 20-year-old rookie. It’s been the most impressive part of his game, in my opinion.
BenDuronio - July 25, 2010
lmao. The cats at Sportcenter still taking out Phils/Mets grief on Braves
Conrad’s Grand Slam NOWHERE in Sportcenter’s Top 10. Only Braves play in Top 10 was a Marlins DP against the Braves. lol. So sad.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 24, 2010
I guess Baseball does not exist below the Mason-Dixion Line better known as Braves Country.
romone_braves91 - July 25, 2010
There are plenty of grand slams that don’t make the top 10.
Prado had the #2 play the other day for his glove-scoop, which wasn’t even all that impressive of a play, so just stop complaining. I’d prefer ESPN to NOT show everything that happens, otherwise, we become the Yanks/BoSox.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
lol. whatever, dude
Chief Noc-A-Homa - July 25, 2010
Dude, wtf.
Its a pinch hit grand slam. That’s pretty damn impressive.
sag969 - July 25, 2010
Yea
its only happened one time since 1950, and its Brooks Conrad making it happen. Not a big deal.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Before this week, did you know who the last person who did it was?
I mean, if Tommy Hanson goes out and becomes the first person in MLB to strike out the 2nd batter of the first 3 innings on a 2-2 curve ball, does that belong on the front page too?
justincredubil02 - July 26, 2010
No, because it hadnt been done in so long
noone cared to mention it. Its like Tatis hitting two grand slams in one inning, its pretty freaking badass.
Tim Goad - July 26, 2010
Hitting 2 GS in a month is no way comparable to hitting 2 in one inning.
And the reason that you didn’t know who the last person to do it wasn’t because it hadn’t been done in so long. Who was the last person to have a 56 game hitting streak? Who was the last person to throw a perfect game in the WS? Both of those happened a long time ago, and we all know exactly who did it.
The reason that you didn’t know who the last person to do it was because it just isn’t that big of a deal.
justincredubil02 - July 26, 2010
The Braves are 11-1 when Kris Medlen starts.
BenDuronio - July 25, 2010
that’s an incredible stat.
Weldon - July 25, 2010
How many runs are we averaging in those starts?
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
62 runs in 12 starts by my count
(that’s total, not just while he’s in the game). So a bit more than 5/game, which is above average but not ridiculously so.
Jacob Peterson - July 25, 2010
And how many did we average in KK’s starts?
My simple point here is that Medlen is not the next great pitcher in baseball, and we should stop putting him on this pedestal that he doesn’t belong on. Is he a good pitcher? Absolutely. Is he on the “untouchable” list? Absolutely not.
He wasn’t pitching much better than KK at the time of KK’s demotion. He has better stuff, for sure, but in the grand scheme of things, he isn’t that much of a better pitcher.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
And the moderate upgrade is hardly worth deleting an entire usable pitcher from our bullpen.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
I heart this team
that is all.
Chin Music - July 25, 2010
Kris Medlen....
hasn’t looked like the same pitcher that he has before the all star break
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
I think the whole “Lots of rest to save his arm” experiment is yielding questionable results. He looked pretty rusty early.
I’m not advocating throwing him out there and letting the chips fall where they may. I’m not really advocating anything. I just think that observation is valid.
Sam Jethroe - July 25, 2010
I agree
We need to figure out what our plan is with him and let him have the same consistency that all of our other starters have. When he knew he was pitching every fifth day he was really solid. Tonight may have been rust or a fluke or whatever but something just wasn’t the same about him.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Agree with you. I hate when teams jerk guys around between bullpen and starting rotation. I know they are doing this to keep him active and the Braves have had a few off days in their schedule so the fifth man has been getting skipped, but I hate jerking guys around. It seems like it messes with guys’ heads and they aren’t as effective. That being said, Medlen has still been really good, just not as sharp as he was pre- AS break (or at least it seems).
CharlotteChop - July 25, 2010
I don’t mind giving him extra rest when we can, but I feel like using him out of the ’pen between starts is just going to make him less effective in both roles.
Lennox - July 25, 2010
THIS
/golf clap
J-Freak - July 25, 2010 via mobile
One wonders whether using Kawakami once a month changes HIS effectiveness.
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
I would like to humbly apologize for all the nasty things I've said about Melky.
Nate makes Melky look like Babe ruth
Zeus12888 - July 25, 2010
They're definitely
Wearing the same size shirts.
Sam Jethroe - July 25, 2010
A question:
Do you guys and girls honestly think we have the roster to win it all, or do we need to add someone……..and who would you say (that is a realistic pickup) would improve our team the most?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
I think we need a CF
too bad about DeJesus.
drumzalicious - July 25, 2010
I think this team can GET to the World Series as is, in order to win it all I think they need a CF too.
CharlotteChop - July 25, 2010
CF
Who are some possible solutions in center that won’t hurt the amazing team chemistry that we have?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Bring Blanco back up
and send McOUT to the minors. That would be an upgrade.
rubbles88 - July 25, 2010
If we can get to the WS, we can win it.
Anything can happen in a short series, especially if you have good pitching (which we do).
To say we can make the WS without a CF but can’t win it just doesn’t make any sense.
Jacob Peterson - July 25, 2010
+1
MichaelProcton - July 30, 2010
Good game
I think we can say this start for Medlen was full of rust. I believe he’ll be fine going forward.
Also our Bench is AMAZING!!!
Annnnd McLouth’s time is winding down. he needs to go on a Martin Prado-esque hitting spree
drumzalicious - July 25, 2010
Whats the situation with Josh Willingham?
I heard his name in lots of trade rumors several weeks ago but not much since? Can he play CF?
ATLBRVS_19 - July 25, 2010
No
He cannot
granman29 - July 25, 2010
I just think
That if we go into the playoffs with either Melky or Nate in center it will hurt us offensively. I am good with the Matt/Hinske platoon in left……but we need someone in center and I don’t think Gregor is the answer either.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
no way we stand pat at the deadline
with those two guys as our CF options. Melky can be a good batter with a strong arm in CF but he’s better suited as the 4th outfielder. Nate is shit. end of story
ATLBRVS_19 - July 25, 2010
so...
Who do you think are some viable options for us to bring in?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
i've thought cody ross from the beginning
esp if we win tomorrow and push the Fish to 10 GB
ATLBRVS_19 - July 25, 2010
I like cody ross
and the way he plays but most posts I read on here want nothing to do with him. Why are people so down on him?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
not sure
he’s always been a hard working guy with avg numbers. i think he would fit in nicely and all indications are he wouldnt be too costly
ATLBRVS_19 - July 25, 2010
I really
think he would fit in well in the clubhouse and on the field. He plays the game right. He always hustles and the price is right. I honestly would like the see the braves add him.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Because at his best he’s a poor defensive CFer who has the stats of a RH platoon player that is going to cost too much to get in a trade, and has been hitting absolutely horribly for a month now …
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Well
I would have to see what the Marlins are wanting in return I guess, but we can’t go into the post season with Melky as our best CF option. Thats scary
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
And?
Knhate McVidroth has been horrible ALL SEASON. Ross would at least spark something offensively.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Cody is
hitting .275 with almost 50 rbis. I would take that from my number 8 hitter.
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Exactly
Beggers cant be choosers. Folks on here want big time production but dont want to give up anything in return. Or, if the guy isnt producing Mickey Mantle like numbers, he isnt worth trading for.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
Batting average and RBI are two of the worst stats to look at …
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Why
are these two stats bad to look at?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
Because RBIs are a team stat that are built more on how the people hitting in front of you do. You can have a shitty season but drive in a ton of runs if the guys in front of you are always getting in to scoring position.
And Batting Average is much less important than OBP (aka the ability to not make an out). A guy with a decent batting average and a low OBP isn’t worth as much as the guy with a low batting average and a high OBP.
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Example: Adam Dunn
Example #2: Troy Glaus.
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Example: two players (Joe Carter and Tony Batista, I think) had 100-rbi seasons and had negative VORP (Value over Replacement Player)
iamthesgt - July 25, 2010
If you drive in a ton of runs then you didn’t have a shitty season, unless MLB has changed the rules of the game to award wins and losses according to OBP (in which case we would have about 85 wins right now)
There will be a few outliers of guys who didn’t hit well in RBI opportunities but had good RBI totals simply because they had a ton of opportunities as well as guys who hit really well in RBI situations but rarely got the chance. But overall RBIs are a good indicator of how a player performs in a critical aspect of the game – putting runs on the scoreboard.
Look at guys who consistently put up huge RBI totals – Pujols, Howard, Manny, etc. They hit a lot better with men on base or men in scoring position – better than the slight league wide increase you expect from those situations due to pitchers working out of the stretch, defensive alignments, etc.
DCP916 - July 25, 2010
Do you have the numbers to support this claim?
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
Who gives a damn about Nate? No one is going to take him and his contract off our hands at this point, we’re basically stuck with him on the roster unless we’re willing to cut him and eat his contract.
The thing of it is that Ross, between his splits against RHP and poor defense really isn’t any better of an option against RHP than Melky or Blanco have been for us.
The question is whether upgrading against LHP is worth what we’d have to give up in a trade (and would have to face for years to come).
If the Marlins want something reasonable for Ross, a return befitting a RH platoon player, then great, make the deal. If they’re looking for a big return (which they likely will) then he’s not worth it.
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Have you
heard who is being rumored in the deal for Ross?
medlenisking - July 25, 2010
No, but the Marlins are in our own division and tend to be pretty shrewd about getting a good return in a trade.
Lennox - July 25, 2010
Mike Dunn.
Scott Coleman - July 25, 2010 via mobile
Brooks needs to stop with the pinch-hit rally killers.
Shit.
Tim Goad - July 25, 2010
This.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
There is nothing I hate more than a rall-killing Grand Slam.
What pitcher doesn’t try to get everyone off base with one swing of the bat? God, Brooks, you just played right into the Marlin’s hands!
justincredubil02 - July 25, 2010
This.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
DAMN'T!!
I had to stop following the game (I can’t really watch it – out of market) in the 8th inning for the second straight night. Last night, I assumed the Braves had the game won when I left. And we all know what happens when you make assumptions. Tonight, not learning from last night’s lesson, I assumed they had the game lost. Then, Brooks Conrad had the Marlins’ relief pitcher put on a Reds jersey and say, “Be gentle with me, Big Daddy.” I love this team.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
Uhm
MLB.tv
:-p
sag969 - July 25, 2010
Costs monies…
EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 25, 2010
Two nights in a row that I missed it
I fell asleep in the late innings both nights – I’m in Europe this week and it’s about 3am in the latter part of the game – and have woken up to be surprised both days! Wow.
40% of Raw Dog’s RBIs this year have come on two swings of the bat!
blwfish - July 25, 2010
I prayed hard before the 8th inning. It was great to see them answered in such an awesome way!
Joseph_C - July 25, 2010
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