For the rest of the season we'll keep a daily tally of the Atlanta Braves chances of making the post season, along with daily commentary. Also consider this a daily open thread for general chatting.
| NL East | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | Magic Num | Playoff Odds |
| Braves | 77 | 55 | .583 | - | W4 | 28 | 96% |
| Phillies | 74 | 58 | .561 | 3 | W1 | 34 | 58.5% |
A pair of 3-run homeruns sealed the deal for the Phils last night as they beat the Dodgers, who are slowly surrendering the season. The Braves once again scored nine runs against the Muts -- I'd be perfectly happy if they continued to score nine runs each game for the rest of the season.
Nate McLouth returned to the pennant race last night, and by that I mean the same Nate McLouth we saw earlier in the season, who couldn't hit. The only hit he got in three plate appearances last night was when the pitcher hit him. He still looks unbalanced at the plate, and seems to be reaching for everything. We'll see how long Bobby stays with him. Of course, I don't know how much better Rick Ankiel is at the plate.
The Reds got a big jolt of energy from Aroldis Chapman last night, perhaps the Braves can get their own jolt from the excitement of debuting another rookie phenom tonight when Freddie Freeman is in the house. Of course the biggest September addition to the roster could be J.C. Boscan ... I'm just kidding ... really, the biggest addition will likely be reliever Scott Proctor. Peter Moylan has struggled this year, and Kyle Farnsworth has been bad like it's the 8th inning in Houston all the time. The Braves can not effectively use Takashi Saito on back to back days, so another power right-handed reliever with postseason experience like Proctor could be a huge factor in the late innings. Ignore the high ERA in the minors, Proctor has pitched very well of late.
After seeing the dregs of the New York rotation the last two days, we'll see the tough side of their staff today and tomorrow. Mike Pelfrey faces Tommy Hanson tonight, and Johan Santana faces Tim Hudson tomorrow night. Maybe Hanson will pitch better now that his buddy Meds is back in the dugout cheering him on.
By the way, what is it with the Braves and rookie roommates. First we had the OGL (original guy love) Frenchy and McCann roommates, last year we had Hanson and Meds, and this year it's Freddie and Jason. Perhaps this deserves an appropriate video:
0 recs | 114 comments
McLouth
Gah…Why?
Jman781 - September 1, 2010
One of my all time favorite Scrubs moments. Right up there with human space invaders.
Doghnut - September 1, 2010
No homo.
oVecKid - September 1, 2010
i plan on singing that song at my wedding with my best man….its gonna freak out some people…but i dont give a shit…its awesome
Swo12bv - September 1, 2010
Make sure to record it and post it. That’d be freaking awesome. If I had known about this song, I would have suggested it at my best friend’s wedding, which was just a few week’s ago. Darn it all!
Sparhawk - September 1, 2010
The best part?
It’s Turk’s ringtone in a later episode. Cracks me up.
nickfeely8 - September 1, 2010
I remember that
Doghnut - September 1, 2010
Ankiel hits better. Throws better. Covers more ground.
Other than a pinch-runner, I wouldn’t even use McOut.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Ankiel swings way to hard and strikes out too much. I think McClouth can cover a lot of ground and has good speed, but I give the throwing arm to Ankiel. They both suck.
HeyMikey - September 1, 2010
"Ankiel swings way to hard and strikes out too much."
And Nate… doesn’t?
SuperNewb - September 1, 2010
I do not see it as even being a close call at this point: Ankiel is a far more solid player.
fandave - September 1, 2010
I'm confused as to why we even need McOut anymore. Wouldn't most clubs have cut him loose?
This could seriously backfire on us. If Bobby starts giving him playing time in center (which he will), it’s going to f*ck up our rythym. We don’t need McOut in the outfield. And we don’t need a hole in our line-up. We had plugged all the leaks, and this makes me uneasy.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
No, most wouldn't because of the guaranteed contract...
he can pinch run, and if he can work back into form he’s a valuable contributor.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
Do we really want him trying to “work back into form” in the middle of a playoff race? And, if he worked back into form, would we even need him anyway? That’s my only point. The risk is outweighing the reward, here.
Like I said earlier, Ankiel isn’t batting .300, but he’s not batting .165, either. And he can throw. McOut concedes runs. He doesn’t throw.
And I used to like McLouth. But dude fell off the freaking wagon.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
He’s had nearly a year and a half to do so.
It’s just not there.
UMDBHIK - September 1, 2010
If he got back to how he was last year for us...
that’s better than Ankiel or Hinske lately. He’s been bad this year; last year was just worse than he was with the Pirates.
And to Chief above, I think of it more like Kelly Johnson last year when he came back. He was horrific in the first half, but came back from his injury, and contributed. It’s basically a contest between the 3 of Hinske, Ankiel, and McLouth for the two OF spots off the bench alongside Melky and Diaz (who have clearly been the better of the 5 since Ankiel arrived). I’d expect Melky and Diaz to get the majority of OF starts between now and the end of the season, with some combination of Infante, Prado, Gonzalez, Lee, Freeman, Conrad and Glaus in the IF. Since Melky is a switch hitter, it’s a competition for the lefty at bats when Bobby sits Diaz, or calls on one off the bench.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
what’s with all the 2009 mclouth hate? he hit .257/.354/.419, good for a .773 OPS, which is pretty damn good for a center fielder. He has decent range and an average arm, pretty much what melky brings to the table but with the ability to work the count better.
Sure, 2010 has been horrible, but that doesn’t change him being good in 2009. If he can get back to his career averages, mclouth could be a very good left or center fielder in a platoon.
telemakhos - September 1, 2010
“He has decent range and an average arm”
How do you know his arm, he never throws. It’s not average, it’s non existent. Melky has been our 2nd most productive OF behind Heyward. McLouth, Ankiel, and Hinske only need to get pinch hit at bats, plus maybe 1 or 2 starts between the 3 per week with Diaz.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
IF he can get back to his career averages...
…then he’ll be essentially as good as everybody else playing the outfield already who isn’t named “Heyward”. That gives us 4 other options (incl. Hinske).
And as for defense, anybody who can throw a strike to third base on the fly from the warning track in dead center (Ankiel) is gonna get my nod over Nate — who has exactly ONE outfield assist this year.
carpengui - September 1, 2010
Do we really need to play the IF game in September? (when the outfield is essentially already covered)
How many more groundouts / double plays will he have to hit into?
We’re not talking about a .220 avg. We’re talking .160.
McLouth has been nothing but a disappointment. Let him prove himself in Triple A. Not in freaking October. That would be a very. Bad. Call.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
THIS
fandave - September 1, 2010
Who said October?...
He proves himself in September, same with Ankiel and Hinske.
We all know how McLouth has struggled, but he was .250/.350/.400 last year, and if he can get even close to that, he’s better than what we’ve gotten from Ankiel and Hinske.
Ankiel since he arrived here is hitting .215, .311 obp and .329 slg.
Hinske this month has been .180/.328/.320. The month before it was .212/.300/.442.
Suffice it to say, none of the 3 has really played well enough lately to be a lock for October. So if one of the 3 can stand above the others this month, that’ll work. Melky has clearly been our 2nd most productive OF for month, so that leaves Diaz (who can work lefties), and then whoever emerges from Hinske, Ankiel, and McLouth. No one is saying hand him a gig, but if he outplays the others, he’s good enough to make a post season roster.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
October will be moot...
if we don’t take care of business in September
At some point the Phillies are going to start playing like everyone expected them to, and given what they have done in recent Septembers, that’s not a bad bet.
Likewise, at least one of the wild card contenders is bound to catch fire.
We can’t afford to play the “let’s see if McClouth will ever rebound into the player we hoped we were getting from Pitt” game.
DCP916 - September 1, 2010
I wouldn't say it's a given
that the Phils will play better. They weren’t playing all that well when they did have Utley and Howard in the lineup earlier this year. Picking up 3 games in a month on a really good team with our pitching depth is very difficult.
king of games - September 1, 2010
Again, since you can't read to well...
Melky starts in CF. Diaz rotates with Hinske, Ankiel, or McLouth. If one steps up and deserves more time, give it to them. Between the 3, they are all going to get some at bats, it’s just a matter of if one can actually do anything with them. Remember Kelly Johnson last year, horrible early, but came back from the minors and played well. I doubt McLouth does, but if over the next month he outplays Ankiel or Hinske, or both, we shouldn’t ignore that.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
but like you said earlier....
Isn’t McLouth the biggest defensive liability in the outfield?
“he never throws. It’s not average, it’s non existent”
Why bother? Even if he was hitting .250, I still wouldn’t bother. His defense is lackidaisical/pathetic.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Enough talk about McClouth!
Freeman is free!
king of games - September 1, 2010
......lol. That's one way to look at it.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
He covers more ground than Hinske, and...
it’s not like he throws enough people out. Especially if we were willing to put him in LF, McLouth’s lack of an arm can be covered, IF he hits. Now, if Ankiel hits, he’s better. If Hinske hits, that’d be a big help. But if they don’t and McLouth does (as unlikely as that may be), play the one who’s hitting. Melky is, and Diaz is some (but not much). So it depends on who of the group can actually start producing at the plate since none of the 4 (Diaz, McLouth, Hinske, Ankiel) are at the moment. Diaz some, but not at the level he has in the past.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
Ankiel has been doing alot better at the plate. He’s not swinging at as much shit. He takes walks, gets hits. and he’s starting in CF tonite. That makes me happy.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
It's not showing in the numbers...
in the last week, he’s 2-9, 1 double, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 SB.
In the week before, it’s 4-19, a double, a triple, a HR, and 1 BB with 7 Ks.
As I said, if one can outplay the others down the stretch, GREAT! But no one aside from Melky and Heyward are really playing at a level worthy of more time.
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
Aside from the few Butterfingers instances (I think from being so amped up from Bobby’s praise) his defense has saved some runs as well. imo, this makes a .215 avg go to .235. which is still better than .160. and again, dude can throw. did i already say that?
Keep Hinske around, if anything else, bc of his WS good luck charm. but I would have kept Nate in Triple A. mark my words….we’ll pay for it.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Exactly.
carpengui - September 1, 2010
Guy Love. That's all it is.
ConradsComrades - September 1, 2010
those girls' faces are priceless
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
My favorite is the one on the far right. I crack up every time.
Sarahbeth - September 1, 2010
TM(visual)I
carpengui - September 1, 2010
Meds is a chubby little man
KINGSLYTUT - September 1, 2010
Hanson is a lanky tall man
lol
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
so close...
jason and freddie were roomies
in the carolina boonies
now in the big show
it’s all systems go
a distinguished pair of loonies.
blazon - September 1, 2010
NATE
of all the cruel fickles of fate
none can match the nadir of Nate
once bold and athletic
now downright pathetic
his chance of redemption not great.
blazon - September 1, 2010
Right up there with The Raven.
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
CHAPMAN THE RED
Aroidis the Cuban hurler
is likely to come a purler
when Matty emerges
his fast ball he purges
too late now to try the curler
blazon - September 1, 2010
TAKASHI
in Japan we want you to know
like our honorable Saito
we don’t work back to back
if we did they’d attack
our best fastball, suddenly slow.
blazon - September 1, 2010
Now try all of that in Haiku's
garlick - September 1, 2010
No front page update about Frenchy being traded to the Rangers? I figured you guys would love a chance to rag on FYF. CYBORG HANSON TOMMY’s update yesterday was hilarious.
Cyborg
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
Um, we’ve stopped caring about Francoeur.
gondeee - September 1, 2010
this.
he sucks, everyone knows, its like beating a dead horse now!
JasonHeywardisGod - September 1, 2010
Is that why he was mentioned in a write up yesterday comparing him to Heyward?
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
...........Frenchy?
Probably more contrasting than comparing, if I was to guess.
the most obvious difference: JHey makes adjustments. Frenchy does not.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
You posted about him
less than a week ago.
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
gotta stop caring at some point
Doghnut - September 1, 2010
Schadenfreude
For all those who want to wallow in the FYF MLB Trade Tour, head on over to Amazin Avenue for a fix. The rest of us are just glad he’s somebody else’s headache.
skymuse - September 1, 2010
GLAUS
hot as a firecracker in May
in July his knees went away
he coudn’t get a hit
his glove went to shit
did a miracle occur at Triple-A?
HalleyGator - September 1, 2010
like it
Braves Biceps - September 1, 2010
Can't wait to see Freeman
Tear up the AFL. Interested to see Beachy pitch too.
king of games - September 1, 2010
Home field advantage
In the case of a tie for best record overall, if I understand correctly, the initial tie-breaker is the head-to-head record between the teams. So, on the season series, since I’m too lazy to look it up, how did we come out vs. the Padres, Reds and Giants? Also, what is the secondary tie-breaker?
fandave - September 1, 2010
We beat all three of those teams in the season series.
4-2 vs. pads, 3-2 vs. Reds, 4-3 vs. Giants
J-Turn14 - September 1, 2010
Thank God for Brooks
FeartheChop - September 1, 2010
+10
SuperNewb - September 1, 2010
So Excited
I got tix to Sat’s game in South Florida… But then I saw it’s JJ vs. JJ lol… Low scoring game I’m sure… Hopefully I’ll get to see Freeman jack one right into the Fish Tank!
HansonManCrush - September 1, 2010
JJ
is so much better than JJ
MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile
I’ll actually be at that game.
gondeee - September 1, 2010
Nice
Guess I won’t have to send u a view from my seat pic… I’ll be in sec 146 by the Marlins dugout, but after the first inning I may venture over to the Braves dugout… Where will u be? I’ll be sure to stop by and say hi!
HansonManCrush - September 1, 2010 via mobile
I'm pretty sure
gondeee is secretly Frank Wren, spying on the fanbase via TC.
So you can find him in the GM’s suite.
UMDBHIK - September 1, 2010
I don't think
I’m allowed back in the GM suite after what happened last time
HansonManCrush - September 1, 2010 via mobile
I'm imagining
something like from Saving Silverman with Neil Diamond.
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
i wanna party with youuuuuu!!!!
traphicg - September 2, 2010
Hey!
We’ve got the ESPN game again tonight! Woot!
king of games - September 1, 2010
….pretty sure it’s Yanks/A’s.
But you never know, ESPN can never have too much Mets analysis. Never.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
I was wondering
that too. My phone/braves.com says the game is on ESPN, but when I look at the actual channel it says Yankees/A’s. Wtf?
joshmaurer - September 1, 2010
It’s on ESPN and Peachtree TV.
JDMaker1 - September 1, 2010
I.E. If you're in ATL, I assume it's only on Peachtree.
But out of market, like where I live, will be ESPN.
JDMaker1 - September 1, 2010
I live in Atlanta
And watched the game on ESPN monday night. I’m not sure what the deal is, but it wasn’t blacked out
kauf67 - September 1, 2010
the game on ESPN was almost better than hearing Ernie’s crock. And I used to look forward to Smoltz calling games, but he’s always paired with Ernie, who is continuously riding on Smoltz, amost belittling him sometimes, which just makes Ernie look that much more pathetic.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
I love Ernie
How can you not? Hes one of the best announcers we have, especially among the play by play guys.
Doghnut - September 1, 2010
…..Ernie sucks. I’ve said this before, but…..I’ve had chemistry teachers that were more fun.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
I agree with you.
Reminds me of Ben Stein in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Definitely not his dad.
Guess EJ, Jr. beats Chip Carey’s ridiculous, loud, squeeking calls when he gets excited. Funny how Chip has a deep voice when speaking normally, but when he gets excited he hits and octave range that would an eight-year old girl jealous.
I miss Boog. Pete and Skip, too, of course.
Old Braves' Fan - September 1, 2010
I gotta say Im surprised...
I just love Ernie. Of course, the last few years, Ive had to endure Chip and the idiots at MASN when I lived in MD…I mean, everything smells good when compared to a shit sandwich.
Still tho, I really like Ernie.
Doghnut - September 1, 2010
Great.
Another game where I could potentially be on national television. Why do I keep choosing these?
Sarahbeth - September 1, 2010
i think king of games might have been mistaken, tho.
If the game is on ESPN tho. And Ernie is in the booth. I’ll go with ESPN (on mute). because the color is always better.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
The Braves and Yankees are both listed to be shown on ESPN. Might just be a regional thing, not sure.
king of games - September 1, 2010
Is Freddie gonna get a start?
MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile
alternate between Freddie and DLee (to give him rest)
I like that.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Once again,
you can’t spell McLouth without out.
UMDBHIK - September 1, 2010
As Thou Sayest, thine art McLout-eth.
carpengui - September 1, 2010
Yall pumped for Freeman??
Bravo! - September 1, 2010
Recent offensive surge
Over the past sixteen games the offense is averaging 6.94 runs a game. I know its been a bit of good and bad (4.48 run standard deviation in that time span) but roughly seven runs a game for over two weeks is good no matter how you want to look at it.
bbxxj - September 1, 2010
To be fair to McLouth
The AB that he got hit, he had worked a full count, so if he had gotten out of the way of the pitch that hit him, he would’ve gotten the BB. Either way, he got on base and ended up scoring the first run of the awesome inning.
award6 - September 1, 2010
Freddie get the start tonight?
We all want to see him play and we face a RHP, but DLEE is starting to hit really well
Any updates on FF playing?
KINGSLYTUT - September 1, 2010
i really don’t think he will play…if he gets 20 PAs the rest of the year I’d be a bit surprised…Glaus and Lee will get the lion’s share of ABs, which doesnt leave a lot left over, especially bc we can use Ross as a PH now (with Boscan up)…along with the rest of our bench.
From the looks of it, the Braves brought Freeman up because he can start working with the team and becoming acclimated to the clubhouse and big league life. He isn’t here to play that much (as I say this Bobby is probably penciling him in to the starting lineup to make me look like na ass)
Swo12bv - September 1, 2010
Freeman's in the lineup
batting 6th
epatl - September 1, 2010
That was quick.
Can’t wait to see the Freddie Freeman Era begin tonight.
Jman781 - September 1, 2010
FREDDIE FREEMAN IS IN THE LINEUP TONIGHT
atl192485 - September 1, 2010
YOU BEAT ME TO IT
Bronn - September 1, 2010
OMGWTFROFLMAO!
That is all.
king of games - September 1, 2010
I concur.
Cayla - September 1, 2010
FIRST LINEUP WITH FF IN IT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE
Infante SS
Heyward RF
Prado 3B
McCann C
Hinske LF
Freeman 1B
Conrad 2B
Ankiel CF
Hanson P
atl192485 - September 1, 2010
That is a sweet lineup
Hopefully GOOD Cyborg Hanson will show up tonight……
skymuse - September 1, 2010
I thought a lineup with the awsomeness of both Heyward and Freeman would destroy the space-time continuum. Let’s hope the universe survives long enough for the Braves to win the Series.
king of games - September 1, 2010
Chipper's out, so the dark matter is reduced and gravity cannot win
skymuse - September 1, 2010
Does it still count if he’s sitting in the dugout?
carpengui - September 1, 2010
He's not in the lineup, so I'm guessing the universe is safe for now
skymuse - September 1, 2010
Good thing Teheran isn’t pitching tonight.
king of games - September 1, 2010
Thank God McOut isn't in there. Seriously.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Is that for real?
Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010
http://twitter.com/Braves/status/22726570443
Cayla - September 1, 2010
I know that a lot of people see Freeman as the awesomest thing in the history of awesome things, but… uh… I’d rather see the proven big leaguer who went 3-for-3 yesterday get the start at 1st base today.
Just sayin’.
kidnarcolepsy - September 1, 2010
those slipped discs can be kind of tricky. days off can be a good thing.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 1, 2010
Exactly.
And when he dove back to the bag at first last night, he took his time getting back up, like he had tweeked something. After Hinske’s pinch-hit AB, they switched them out.
Old Braves' Fan - September 1, 2010
I missed that detail. I guess it’s a good call, then.
kidnarcolepsy - September 1, 2010
okay
who’s making the cyborg/robot freeman twitter account?
atl192485 - September 1, 2010
Speaking of Freddie and Jason...
Freddy vs Jason
SwedishBrave - September 1, 2010
Phillies have taken out the Dodgers today, 5-1.
carpengui - September 1, 2010
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