So I was thinking about it, and I think that was arguably the most frustrating series of the year. Why? Because the Rockies are a good team, and maybe even a great team at home, and we had a good chance to win every game. As you know, we came up short all three times. Combine that with yesterday probably being the worst game I've watched since the meltdown in Philly last season and you have a pretty bad series.
Game 1 Recap
Game 2 Recap
Game 3 "Recap"
The Good:
1. The Phillies fail at home - If it was the beginning of the week and I told you the Braves would be swept and the Phillies would be playing the Astros at home, what do you think would be the outcome would be in the standings? I'm guessing you'd say we wouldn't be in 1st place anymore. The Astros showed up to play, and are just a few outs away from a 4-game sweep. So we get swept, and we could possibly gain 0.5 games in the standings? Sweet.
2. Jason Heyward - 5-for-12, 3 BB, 2B, 3B; Welcome back, Jason.
3. Alex Gonzalez - 4-for-11, 2B, 4 RBI; Not many hitters showed up on Monday or Tuesday, but Gonzo did. Combine that with his solid defense in the entire series and he continues to be an improvement over Escobar.
4. Brian McCann - 6-for-10, 2B, 2 RBI; BMac also threw Carlos Gonzalez out in the 8th inning on Monday, but the umpire missed the call. It would've been a huge play from Heap, but the umpires wouldn't have any of it.
5. Martin Prado - 4-for-13, 2B, HR, 5 RBI; another fine series from Martin since breaking his knuckle.
The Bad:
1. The Bullpen - 6.2IP, 11H, 8R, 6BB, 8K; That's disgusting.
2. Derrek Lee - 2-for-13, 2 RBI, 5K; It's been a week now, and I'm not very impressed with Mr. Lee. Hopefully some home cookin' in Atlanta will heat his bat up. If not, well, maybe Troy gets his old job back once he comes off the DL.
3. Jair Jurrjens - 5.1IP, 5H, 7ER, 2BB, 4K; Not only is the line ugly, but he was given an enormous lead to protect and he blew it. I'm starting to think we should skip his starts on the road whenever we can. He's just not the same pitcher away from The Ted.
4. 9th Inning Umpiring - Apparently, Houston Street gets any pitch within a foot of the strike zone called a strike. Maybe it's the stupid Six Flags music they play during the ABs, or maybe it's the fat Dinosaur they have behind the plate, but the homeplate umpire's zone was huge for Street in both games.
5. Melky Cabrera - 1-for-9, 1RBI; basically a non-factor in any of the three games.
What's Next:
The Braves will host the Florida Marlins in Atlanta for a 3-game series. Thank heaven for The Ted. It looks like it'll be Volstad vs. Hanson in Game 1, Nolasco vs. Hudson in Game 2, and Josh Johnson (gulp.) vs. Derek Lowe (LOL) in game 3.
Go Braves!
0 recs | 117 comments
Nice job with the justinbait
Cue 900 post argument in 3, 2, 1….
fphjr01 - August 26, 2010
:)
it’s a slow day…
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
So I wasn't the only one who saw that...
RichmondBraves - August 26, 2010
I'm sorry
Why is this justinbait?
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
comment about gonzalez.
moreso the mention of yunel
RichmondBraves - August 26, 2010
That’s funny. I thought it was both that and mentioning Melky as a “non-factor.” Which he pretty much was last series as well.
J-Freak - August 26, 2010 via mobile
I know a lot of people on TC like him, but I personally can’t stand him.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
I’m with you all the way. But I think every single time I’ve voiced that opinion I’ve been justinbombed. “He’s the reason we’re in first place!”
J-Freak - August 26, 2010 via mobile
melky was a factor
a negative one. first pitch outs suck.
telemakhos - August 26, 2010
You mean the younger, more cost-controlled
version of Gonzalez sans the 17 home runs hit in an AL hitter friendly park?
UMDBHIK - August 26, 2010
Team controlled, sure, but not cost-controlled after this season.
No one knows what Yunel will get in arbitration, but it’s no longer going to be near league minimum.
In his first year of arbitration after last season, Ryan Theriot lost his arbitration hearing and still got paid more than Gonzalez will be paid in 2011 with the option the Braves will probably accept. Theriot had worse numbers at the same position, lower WAR, etc., so you have to figure Escobar’s going to be making some money next season.
Start adding up Yunel’s arbitration raises over the next three years, and the value proposition isn’t such a great argument if he continues at his current clip. If he turns it around, he might be worth what he’ll get paid, but probably not much more than that.
-C
cthabeerman - August 26, 2010
His last two weeks are ugly
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=escobyu01&year=2010&t=b
Sam Jethroe - August 26, 2010
Is this the first time all year...
the bullpen has been in the “Bad” section?
Richard R - August 26, 2010
I was thinking, and I can’t remember any other series. Maybe for the White Sox.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
Bottom of the 9th
Get 3 outs Astros.
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
1
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
2
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
ugh
2 guys on. End this shit.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
FINISH THEM
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
3!
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
SWEEEEEP!
Who would have thought the Astros could win 4 straight IN Philly?
Southern IN Chopper - August 26, 2010
3 game lead!
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
Alterraun Verner!
VivaLosBravos - August 26, 2010
I bet Verner could have beaten the Rockies
gramsey712 - August 26, 2010
This is unbelievable!
The Phillies were sweep in Philly by the Astros!!! WOW!!! You never know in baseball though but dang swept IN PHILLY WOW again! Big, big help 4 the Braves.
Jay212033 - August 26, 2010
We get swept
and we still gain .5 game on the phils. That is how scary good the Braves are.
kp.atl - August 26, 2010
First 4 game sweep of the Phillies EVER at citizens bank park.
The Astros are now something like 17-6(!) at citizens bank park.
Braves picked a good week to be swept.
beeswax - August 26, 2010
Let's Go Astros!
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
Troy Glaus
He won’t get his job back once he comes off the DL. That is Derrek Lee’s job now. Glaus might make a spot start there each week, but it is no longer his job.
Buffalo Braves - August 26, 2010
Thank
Goodness.
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
he is trying his damnedest to get the 3rd base job now.
Slee - August 26, 2010
His damnedest isn't nearly good enough
king of games - August 26, 2010
Maybe it is?! Check the ajc
ryantex - August 26, 2010
He’s been terrible on defense in his first two games. Not even bad, but awful.
king of games - August 26, 2010
Hey, it's not me saying it, it's the ajc
ryantex - August 26, 2010
At this point, I’de rather see Freeman at 3rd than Glaus.
king of games - August 26, 2010
I’d rather see Ken Oberkfell
ryantex - August 26, 2010
to be fair
the manager in AAA did make a good point in that we shouldnt have expected him to be re-acquainted with the position over night.
He seems to have been solid over there this week. We will see how he does the next few days
drumzalicious - August 27, 2010
if its not his job
it wouldnt be because of his bat but more so his knees. as of right now i would be more than willing to give Glaus another shot at 1B the way he is hitting in AAA.
drumzalicious - August 27, 2010
I heard he was gonna be moved to 3rd. Do not want to see him there though...
EyePod - August 27, 2010
SWEEEEEEEP!
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
And Carlos Ruiz,
the second-best catcher in the NL, behind Yadier Molina, flies out to end the game!
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
wait...
what?
Tim Goad - August 26, 2010
Haha
that’s funny.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
is that you, joe morgan?
telemakhos - August 26, 2010
I’m not convinced Joe knows who Yadier Molina is. The only catchers he knows are Johnny Bench and Jorge Posada.
UMDBHIK - August 26, 2010
BLASPHEMY!!!
TonyAlmeyda - August 26, 2010
I like how we got swept and still gained a half-game on the Sillies.
Ivan the Great - August 26, 2010
Coors Field seems to inflict some sort of hex on visiting bullpens.
TonyAlmeyda - August 26, 2010
In addition, Jurrjens actually pitched well in his two road starts prior to this one, so it’s not like he struggles in every road start.
Now that the 2.5 game curse is broken, it’s time to lay the smackdown on everyone the rest of the way!
TonyAlmeyda - August 26, 2010
A few comments
Yesterday’s loss was terrible, but we up by 3 games, and today’s Phillies loss puts everything in a slightly better light.
Despite the loss yesterday, our chances of going to the playoffs actually went UP by 0.34%. Doesn’t really mean anything, but that also makes me feel a little better. Before today’s game, the Phillies’ playoffs chances were 35%. They have seen a 23.9% drop in the past 7 days. Must feel frustrating for them to reel off 20 wins in 20 games, and still be in the position they are in.
ryantex - August 26, 2010
I meant 20 wins in 25 games
ryantex - August 26, 2010
Thanks Astros- the team that took us out the last time we were in the playoffs trying to help us make it back again!
jbeachbum24 - August 26, 2010
Watch Lowe
go 8 innings of one run ball against Bizzarro JJ
king of games - August 26, 2010
that would be
his arbitrary one good 15 million dollar start. Like opening day last year against the Phillies
drumzalicious - August 27, 2010
Coming back home to play the Marlins
after getting swept and still 3 games up while the phillies get to go deal with SD’s pitching staff….awesome,
Slee - August 26, 2010
But
We have had all kinds of problems with the Marlins over the years so it’s not a given but point taken though.
Jay212033 - August 26, 2010
As it stands right now
The Phillies are not in the playoffs…..I love how that sounds
KJDH2154 - August 26, 2010
If we maintain this lead the Phails would have to sweep one series from us and win the other.
king of games - August 26, 2010
and this week is the perfect reminder that anything can happen,
but I like this weekend’s chances with us against the Fish in Atlanta and the Phails going to San Diego to face a hot Padres club.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
Fish play us tough though. We HAVE to win 2 of 3. We need to gain 1-2 games on the Phillies while they are out west.
ryantex - August 26, 2010
Not sure who to root for
I want the Phils to miss the playoffs, but I really want home field through the NLCS.
king of games - August 26, 2010
Easy. Just let the Padres beat down the Phillies, then hope they (and the Reds, Cardinals and Giants) struggle the rest of the way.
TonyAlmeyda - August 26, 2010
I'm rotting for the Padres
Even if they sweep the Phils we still have time to catch them.
StapleGun - August 26, 2010
We gotta make it first. Go Padres.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
I was just gonna say that
I love the fact that we play a Marlins team less Ross and Cantu, and they are playing a very good Padres team that has arguably some of the best pitching in the league, lets just hope Adrian plays better against the Phils than he did against us!
KJDH2154 - August 26, 2010
it will come down to the last game of the season
if we win, we will win game 7 of the world series
(vs. the Yankees)
willlinn - August 26, 2010
the good news is
we´re swept and even gain .5 game lead, but, that isnt all.
Also, it means that there´re fewer games to play and more games lead
joshant - August 26, 2010
I’m glad mvs brought up the stupid dinosaur behind the plate.
ryantex - August 26, 2010
I hate that stupid thing..
..with an unreasonable hatred.
sddbaker - August 26, 2010
Just for Shiggles
So far, Alex Gonzalez has played 38 games for the Braves and Yunel Escobar has played 33 games for the Blue Jays.
AG’s stat line v. Yunel’s:
138 AB, 18 R, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 64 TB, 10 BB, 25 K, .342 OBP, .464 SLG, .275 AVG, 127 A, 7 E, 27 DP, .963 FPCT
136 AB, 18 R, 6 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 54 TB, 9 BB, 17 K, .340 OBP, .397 SLG, .287 AVG, 91 A, 4 E, 20 DP, .974 FPCT
fandave - August 26, 2010
Plus he’s already starting to bug some Toronto players in the clubhouse.
king of games - August 26, 2010
link?
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
I'll 2nd that
request for the link…would love to read that article.
Southern IN Chopper - August 26, 2010
I think
that it was sarcasm.
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
or a joke.
frozendesert - August 26, 2010
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100824&content_id=13870804¬ebook_id=13870810&vkey=notebook_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor
I also rember reading some teammate quotes regarding this ejection that didn’t seem overly supportive, but still looking for those.
king of games - August 26, 2010
ha – must have been a magic word.
fandave - August 26, 2010
and that’s with Esco playing in one of the best hitter’s parks in baseball, and Gonzo playing in one of the better pitcher’s parks in baseball.
Scott Coleman - August 26, 2010
i would be interested in seeing Gonzalez’ home/away splits since coming to Atlanta…it seems like most of his power is on the road. I may be very wrong on that…that just seems to be the case.
forgotten_glory - August 26, 2010
Can't figure away without finding out how he did during Interleague...
But his slash line at Turner Field is .303/.368/.474/.842. That’s better in his ATL totals in all respects, and better than his totals for the season except SLUG (.487 in 2010 v. .474 at Turner Field).
He’s had 2 HR, 2 triples, and 3 doubles at Turner Field thus far. He tends to hit more doubles on the road, but all his triples and half his HRs came at home.
-C
cthabeerman - August 26, 2010
i hear some people complain about Gonzalez defense
if we analice those number.
Gonzalez FPCT = .963 vs .974 of Escobar
That means that Gonzalez made 3.7 errors per 100 plays and Escobar 2.6 errors per 100 plays.
but Gonzalez had turned 7 more DP and had made 36 more assist.
To make a better conclusion we need more data, like how were those errors
joshant - August 26, 2010
I don’t think I want to know what analice are….
TennKen - August 26, 2010
hahaha, I was thinking the same thing. I think they make a spray or a powder for that.
vooodooo - August 26, 2010
sounds very cool and soothing
fandave - August 26, 2010
Also...
Most of those errors came in one week (or it felt like that)…
Jman781 - August 26, 2010
It wasn’t a week, but he did kinda rapidfire them after getting here. I’d say over the first three weeks.
J-Freak - August 26, 2010
I think this is another reason we should all hold off our Judgment of the D. Lee trade….this guy was on fire right before we traded for him, he JUST got back from a back injury and had some trouble catching up to some fastballs, but I don’t think 10 games is enough to start placing a grade on this trade, I have a strong feeling he is going to catch fire once again. A. Gonz didn’t start producing for us right away either.
KJDH2154 - August 26, 2010
someone should make a stat that adds strikeouts to GIDPs
willlinn - August 26, 2010
cause I know..
…Gonzalez has more strikeouts, but I bet he was less GIDPs
willlinn - August 26, 2010
you would lose that bet – both have 4 GDP post-trade.
fandave - August 26, 2010
3% of PA for Yunel while a Brave this season, 2.6% for Gonzalez.
10.1% K/PA for Yunel, 16.1% K/PA for Gonzalez
.334 OBP for Yunel as a Brave v. .342 OBP for Gonzalez
-C
cthabeerman - August 26, 2010
also adds how many flyball turn into 2B because he didnt caught the ball
joshant - August 26, 2010
Wait, what? Phils lost and we didn’t lose? Didn ’t get rained out? Baseball Gods, you confuse me!
MBL1 - August 26, 2010 via mobile
2.5 games lead curse is over
it´s time to take more advantage
joshant - August 26, 2010
I just worry about the flip side of that coin. Wouldn’t mind riding out a 2.5 game advantage till there’s only two games left.
J-Freak - August 26, 2010 via mobile
2010 is going to come down to game 159-162
with the season as crazy as it is (All the second places in the each NL division have a legit shot at the Wild Card), this season will come down to the last week. It’s just that simple. No lead is safe and every series is big. Let’s take two of three from the Fish and forget Colorado ever happened. Go Bravos!
romone_braves91 - August 26, 2010
you said it
willlinn - August 26, 2010
I'm going to Game 160
Hopefully they clinch it then, but i won’t cry if they do so before then.
10-4 - August 27, 2010
Someone earlier said that they were hoping the Phillies wouldn’t know what to do because we don’t have a game today and that they would fail because of it. Looks like he/she got their wish.
sleezer1788 - August 26, 2010 via mobile
oh, I think this was me.
I at least thought something similar to this, and I seem to remember forming that out into words.
So yay me! I hope they keep “phailing” against the Padres this weekend, too.
Sarahbeth - August 27, 2010
Yes, yay you!
I’m nominating you for Offficial Braves Oracle. Keep up the good work.
Old Braves' Fan - August 27, 2010
Unrelated....
….but Freddie Freeman is having an eerily similar season to his 2008 season, just had a higher level….
2008:
.316 AVG
.378 OBP
.521 SLG
.899 OPS
18 HR
95 RBI
5 SB
46 BB
84 K’s
2010:
.317 AVG
.378 OBP
.522 SLG
.900 OPS
17 HR
83 RBI
6 SB
43 BB
82 K’s
So we have no choice but to assume that those will be his 2011 numbers in the bigs.
Undocorkscrew - August 26, 2010
ya alright
you expect him to put up those numbers in the bigs? you must be crazy.
Don’t you know that there are 162 games in the bigs? I expect at least 20 HR’ s and 110 RBI’s over a full season. You need to get with the program.
Jaymin Patel - August 26, 2010
Is there any way I can find his lefty/righty splits?
I don’t think baseball-reference shows them for minor leaguers.
Undocorkscrew - August 26, 2010
http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/
2010 splits
vs. LHP: 0.287 0.331 0.454 0.785
vs. RHP: 0.320 0.388 0.534 0.922
atl192485 - August 26, 2010
not bad, not bad at all
Kobe:The Legend - August 26, 2010
He hits lefties better than most of our RH hitters
KJDH2154 - August 26, 2010
don´t forget he is in top 5 in some hitting categories in IL
3rd AVG
6th OBP
3rd SLG
3rd OPS
3rd RBI
4rd R
1st H
2nd 2B
1st TB
considering that FF is 20 years old and the only guy low than 25 years old above him in some of these hitting stats is Desmong Jennings, who is 3rd in Runs Scored
joshant - August 26, 2010
get er done at home
the series with the rockies was the worst i’ve watched this season,especially the last game. it looked to me and the fellows i watch the game with that jj stopped pitching and just started throwing. once the rox got the big MO in their favor the game was theirs. the braves better get their collective heads out of their asses and start playing like they want to play in the post-season or they can watch it on t.v. GO BRAVES!
williejay1 - August 26, 2010
Positives from this series:
1. The Phailes (i’m proud of this nickname)
2. Jason is Back (and Prado, just for good measure)
3. Freeman has apparently already won Rookie of the Year for next season with an estimated .900 OPS
4. We almost won 2 of three at coors field. ( i know this is a strech)
5. Go Braves!
Braves Biceps - August 26, 2010
1. Please don’t tell me you think you thought of that
3. Except we all KNEW JHey was going to win RotY at the beginning of 2010 and that looks unlikely now.
4. Right…
5. Yes
SuperNewb - August 26, 2010
ROY for Jason
is not out of the picture. If he has a monster September, helping us make it into the playoffs, I say he would be the favorite.
sddbaker - August 27, 2010
Go D-Backs!
One step closer to HFA!
king of games - August 26, 2010
big weekend ahead
I think the pitching matchups favor us Friday and Saturday nights, not so much Sunday. We can’t allow the epic fail Wednesday in Denver to beat us more than once. We need to get some early run support for Hanson and Huddy, and let them do their thing, and I’m confident that we win the series. The Phillies have a tough series in San Diego, so there is potential to gain some ground in the standings if things go our way.
leedawg - August 26, 2010
It's just sad to think...
If we’d won even one of those games we could be up 4 right now, that’d be huge.
SuperNewb - August 26, 2010
Glass half full....
You have to look at the positives and how this all shaped up….we got swept by the Rox at Coors field (not a HUGE surprise)…the Phillies got swept in a 4 game series to the ASTROS at HOME!! I love the way this all worked out, and I’ll take it anyday!
KJDH2154 - August 27, 2010
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