Talking Chop

Diaz's #s are almost all from July...

and Melky’s improve a lot if you take out April.

I know, it’s an easy game to play, but Melky has contributed a lot more at the plate throughout the full year.

Mr. Sanchez - September 1, 2010 reply

Matt Diaz has contributed a lot more at the plate throughout his career.

justincredubil02 - September 1, 2010 reply

no question.

fandave - September 1, 2010 reply

better d?

don’t know about that. It looks like melky flips a coin every time he sees the ball of the bat (or does he?) to decide which way to run

how many times have we watched him run in circles/throw the ball into CF/run into the wall without the ball/run the opposite way/stand there like a squirrel in the middle of the road?

tbbrown - September 1, 2010 reply

How many times have we watched him throw someone out on the basepaths?

MVP

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MELKY IS NOT MVP SHAME ON YOU!!!

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Great News!!!

fandave - September 1, 2010 reply

Pelfry isn't the same guy though

…and Heyward is killing the ball right now. I predict 2 hits for him today! ;)

Two Words:

“Crooked Numbers”

carpengui - September 1, 2010 reply

Pelf

1.47 ERA in last 3 starts

astros, pirates, phillies

espcially last of the three

weak offensive teams, we won’t continue it against the braves!

abraves - September 1, 2010 reply

*he

abraves - September 1, 2010 reply

Stros have been hot lately.

They are hip to being the spoiler squad.

Pavy848 - September 1, 2010 reply

I'm so excited!

I’m going tonight, and I absolutely adore Freddie (ever since the first time he talked to me on Twitter, haha), so I was like “I just hope he gets to pinch run or something tonight.” I about screamed when I found out he was starting. Can’t wait to see him in his MLB debut!!

And that quote is precious.

+1

Jacob Peterson - September 1, 2010 reply

I doeth believeth

that I just shat upon myself.

king of games - September 1, 2010 reply

Love it

Hopefully a day off now and then will help Lee continue with what he started last night. We need him to come up big this month and next.

KC Ryan - September 1, 2010 reply

Freddie and Jason

this is too damn perfect.

Scott Coleman - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Love Freeman getting the start...

Anyone else surprised at all by Conrad at 2nd and Prado at 3rd? I assume Bobby just wants Martin focusing on 3rd, but figured they would have moved him over for tonight.

TEXVIKE - September 1, 2010 reply

i figured he'd be at second.. and there'd be glaus

so is troy not off the dl?

15ks - September 1, 2010 reply

don't think he's eligible until later this week

15-day DL are 15 days. Not until the rosters expand…

theatlfan - September 1, 2010 reply

Tonight’s game should be fun. I look forward to seeing Freddie’s debut. He and Heyward are going to be a fantastic duo for a long time.

This team is really exciting. Not only do we have an excellent chance to make the World Series this year, but the young talent is ridiculous. If we can find a half-decent CF for next year, we’re going to be pretty darn good then too.

+1

Ahhhhh!!!

I’m so excited for the game. This is going to be a slooooow afternoon waiting until 7.

Cayla - September 1, 2010 reply

Phillies game around 3 will help pass the time til 5 tho.

I’m leaving for the game around 4 so I can see batting practice, and it’s still going slow for me. This next hour will be mind numbing.

is freeman gonna be platooned with Lee?

Braves Biceps - September 1, 2010 reply

Lee has a slipped disc, and stayed down for a while, last night on that one play.

days off aren’t always a bad thing

I know Lee has a balky back...

But are you implying that he hurt himself further? I don’t know what play you are referencing. I hope that he’s not hurt, and we are merely resting him for the sake of resting him. He swung the bat pretty well last night.

sometimes with back problems, it can be good to have a day off, as opposed to putting him in he line-up “just because he’s hot.”

Bobby’s a smart guy……he knows what he’s doing.

Okay

I just didn’t know if reports came out that he further agrivated his back. While I am excited to see Freeman, I also want to see Lee healthy (at least as much as possible).

In reference to your earlier question,

Derrek Lee had to dive back to the bag at first to avoid being tagged out. He was a bit slow getting up, but looked okay to me once he was up. Then again, he was replaced shortly thereafter with Hinske after his pinch hit AB.

certainly isn’t likely, but here is the thing: Bobby likes to go with hunches and really likes to ride hot hitters. Freddie has been scalding hot and, viola, here he is in the starting lineup. If he rakes tonight and keeps on raking, he may get lots of chances.

fandave - September 1, 2010 reply

FREDDIE!!!!!

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Heyward and Freeman

or 3-4 hitters of the future?

Sean N - September 1, 2010 reply

2Heyward
3Prado
4Freeman
5McCann

Braves Biceps - September 1, 2010 reply

Yeah, that looks right for next year. But...

Heyward WILL be our three hitter by the time its 2012.

nick9314 - September 1, 2010 reply

He’ll be the 3 hitter next year assuming Chipper doesn’t come back.

Blasphemy!

apoxonbothyourhouses - September 1, 2010 reply

ummmmm, no

Prado
Heyward
McCann
Freeman

no!

Heyward
Freddie
Heyward
Freddie
Heyward
Freddie
Heyward
Freddie

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

To be fair to the other teams:

Heyward
Freddie
Heyward
McCann
Freddie
Heyward
McOut (a teaser)
Freddie
Hanson

I like this.

We do need to play fair, after all.

+1

i’ll bet you $50 that bobby would never do heyward-mccann-freeman. three lefties in a row?

I gotta dollar, I gotta dollar, I’ve gotta dollar, hey hey hey hey!

You're right

Heyward-Werth-McCann-Freeman is much better.

Werth gonna play left? Sign me up.

I’ve been signed up for that since last off-season when we figured they couldn’t afford him.

I know a lot of people don't consider this

But Werth is a scumbag. As much as he’s capable of producing, I just don’t think he’s the kind of material that the organization will want representing them.

Also, he’s likely going to be looking for a long-term, and the idea of overpaying for a 35-36 year old Werth doesn’t seem that appealing.

I guess, but Atlanta is much more laid back than Philly. It’s just tough to see that he’s a scumbag with those numbers.

I wouldn't complain to have his potential production

But after reading the piece on him in SI, is where I came to my conclusion that he was garbage.

It sounds like he just wants to be left alone...

I don’t really blame him.

Then he shouldn't have accepted the interview

Instead, he accepts it, sits there and tells SI that he won’t really answer any questions.

I guess

still though, the dude is one of the better hitters in baseball and is a very solid defender. I’d take him with open arms.

No denying that

But I imagine he’s going to end up on the Yankees, considering they would probably prefer his power over Brett Gardner, and Reggie Jackson’s been courting him since ST.

I’m thinking Crawford will end up in NY, but either guy could.

Werth to Yankees

Crawford to Braves

if we get crawford

we will absolutely CRUSH righties

… lefties, not so much

This

garlick - September 1, 2010 reply

Tigers have 60M coming off

Angels look serious too. It’ll be a tough sign.

Crawford better come here

he’s got my last name, no we’re not related in ANY way

+1

I want no piece of the megadouche

Ivan the Great - September 1, 2010 reply

Words

Cannot express how mad I am that i have stupid school tonight and am going to miss Freeman’s debut… Is it in bad taste to cutthe first class of the semester??

HansonManCrush - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Your first class of the semester is at night?

Isn’t that weird?

I have work tonight

fuck that.

Now that sucks

whodat? - September 1, 2010 reply

Me too.

My tickets are going to waste

kauf67 - September 1, 2010 reply

depends

how many people are in teh class? if the teacher doesn’t take roll, then screw it.

first days of class are always a pushover anyways.

Tell that to my Professors today.

I didn’t even have a notebook, and we had to take notes in two of the classes.

Bitch.

First day’s always a gamble. Sometimes you get the full workload, sometimes it’s just introductions, syllabus, outta here.

TheLetter2 - September 1, 2010 reply

Tru.

DVR

And if you don’t have a DVR…Then VHS…And if you don’t have a VHS, then you’re screwed.

I do not advocate skipping class, but if you are striken with, say, J-Hey Fever, I’d say stay home in bed.

michaelcooksey - September 1, 2010 reply

I love Freeman getting the start

But I don’t understand, if you want to go with a lefty heavy lineup and Hinske is starting in LF, why isn’t Melky starting in Center over Ankiel? I really don’t get what Bobby’s love for him is based off…

his arm

Braves Biceps - September 1, 2010 reply

Melky should be in left. that’s the one weakness of this line-up.

Ankiel in CF is ideal, given the options available.

He’s handsome.

I think Ankiel could pull of an indian headdress. he looks like a Native American in the face.

lol. this girl i was watching the game with a few days ago said, with a smile on her face, “he looks like a Ken Doll.”

A friend of mine calls him “Chesney”. Because he looks like Kenny Chesney.

not like Melky

My wife says Ankiel=Zac Efron + 10 years.

I then had to Google Zac Efron.

jtw126 - September 1, 2010 reply

I then had to Google Zac Efron.

Dude, you’re married.

Now way

This is awesome. Get him some ABs and rest D Lee for the playoff run

taney71 - September 1, 2010 reply

that article got really sad at the end there

makes me root for him even more now.

go Freddy… maybe a lil Opening Day all over again would be perfect

ChitownBravos - September 1, 2010 reply

UGH I won’t be able to see his first at bat…

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Well I’m sure you’ll hear the crack of the bat like everyone else around the world did with Heyward

SuperHeyward - September 1, 2010 reply

turn your brain to channel 3. i’ll send you psychic messages of what you miss.

[testing…….testing]

/turns brain to channel 3
oooh this is cool

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

this could get kinky

Kinky and the brain.

what are we gonna do today, Brain? :-)

We’re going to take over the world!

sign me up for the telepathic orgy

This is one of those sentences

that hasn’t been said too often before.

That sebtence

I’m gonna quote it in everyday convos just to mess with people

murph35 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Totally unrelated, but…..i believe it was brought up in the recap last night? Anyone seeing anything about Glaus getting moved to the AL?

Go Freddie! You know what really surprises me about these two the most(J-Hey & Freddie?) They seem to so respectful and mature for 20 years old! When I was 20 I was a U.S. Marine in Norway getting drunk and climbing an International fence line to get back on base! Man, these kids have got it together!

jdmarine - September 1, 2010 reply

I doubt anyone would trade for him now, considering he won’t be eligible for a postseason roster

telemakhos - September 1, 2010 reply

GO DODGERS!

and go Clayton Kershaw!

1st inning just started…

and shit

Rollins HR to lead off the game.

life stinks

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

LOL

Not the HR. Just that I read both of your comments at the same time…Stupid Phils…

And now...

Oswalt is no-hitting them…Great.

ugh dodgers

worthless fcks

15ks - September 1, 2010 reply

Utley double…

They seemed to packed it in this year.

Maybe Freddie can channel his inner Jason tonight…

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

OMG HAHAHHA

ROBOTHEYWARD
AS A “JOKE” – BRAVES TEAMMATES AND I INFORMED FREEMAN, FREDDIE THAT HE HAD BEEN TRADED TO TEAM METS. HE LEAKED EYE FLUID. LAUGHTER WAS HAD.

lmfao

good job FF

man i wish i made it to the bigs

u KNO he’s gonna get crazy female attention in spite of this

15ks - September 1, 2010 reply

haha damn

JC29 - September 1, 2010 reply

he looks like he's a ladies man

let’s hope his bat is a man’s bat, and that he will make J-Hey even better than ha already is

what language is that?

German? Russian? Chinese? Japanese? Portuguese?

Interested to see Freeman, but am once again flummoxed by the Bobby Cox strategy of sitting a player after he finally has a hot game, to kill his momentum.

If you're talking about Derrek Lee,

it may be that he tweeked his back in that dive back to first base last night. He was slow getting up, then Hinske replaced him at 1B after his pinch-hit AB.

Lee looked fine to me, he was removed from the game when the Hinske walk moved him into scoring position and they then pinch ran for him with Diory.

what is FF #?

I’ve heard he’ll wear 5.

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

thanks

5

that’s gonna look sexy.

thanks

what was his number in ST?

70

eaheckman10 - September 1, 2010 reply

The next

Albert Pujols?

kauf67 - September 1, 2010 reply

the next Jason heyward

SuperNewb - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Number 5 and plays 1st base?

kauf67 - September 1, 2010 reply

and has baseball skillz

5

SuperNewb - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

This lineup has only 3 opening day starters...

And only 2 of them are playing the same place they played opening day.

That being said it only features one player that wasn’t in the organization on opening day… Pretty amazing.

SuperNewb - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

YAY

i really didnt expect him to get a lot of starts, thought bobby would ease him in. Nice to see they are gonna give him a shot right away.

Slee - September 1, 2010 reply

NCChopper, got your Freddie hit graphic yet?

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

hit graphic? hopefully she’ll need RBI/HR ones too

Slee - September 1, 2010 reply

Dear Dodgers,

A hit might be helpful.

Cayla - September 1, 2010 reply

[IMG]http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh24/jayjaxon/freeman_show.png[/IMG]

oops

this is made of win

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Thank you ;)

justincredubil02 - September 1, 2010 reply

Unrelated, but funny

Did anybody else see this link on MLBTR? Adam LaRoche plays a prank on KJ by switching his walkup music to something… gayer.

It’s Raining Men!

joshmaurer - September 1, 2010 reply

Nice.

What channels?

This game has been listed as being shown on ESPN for a while now but when I look at my DirectTV guide it shows the Yankee/Oakland game. I know I’m not blacked out here in Indiana so I think I’m just out of luck. Anyone else out of market that is still getting the Bankies and Moneyballs game?

bbxxj - September 1, 2010 reply

You knew it was coming...

steeeeezzzzzz - September 1, 2010 reply

Philly isn't mad,

they’re so scared they pee and poop their pants, AND they sweat their shirt off

Thanks, Blake. Apparently runs are another issue.

Freddy signing his MLB contract

Picture

joshmaurer - September 1, 2010 reply

thing of beauty

Hektor DiPaula - September 1, 2010 reply

amazing

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

umm...

he uses glasses…. does this mean he wears contacts when he’s playing…..??

Anyone else think FF looks a bit like a young Chipper?

No. He’s Val Kilmer circa The Saint.

woah

mlbbowman
Lowe told the Braves he won’t be ready for Friday’s start. Kawakami will likely get the nod.

no

KK IS NOT A WINNAR! WE’RE DOOMED

MBL1 - September 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Let's just hope that

KK shows up at the right stadium. He’s been on 3 teams this week…