Hello again, everybody. As you may have noticed, I've been gone for a couple weeks (I got married!). How'd everything go in my absence? Pretty good? Nobody's panicking or anything like that, right?
Seriously, though, I last posted a story on TC on the morning of September 2nd... Since then, the Braves have lost 9 of 14 games and fallen 3 games back of the Phillies in the NL East. Good job holding down the fort, everybody (kidding). However, it could be worse. We are still leading the wild card (by a slim half-game over the similarly plunging Padres), so if we can right the ship here in the last 5 series, we've still got an excellent chance to make the playoffs.
This series begins the final regular-season road trip of Bobby Cox's managerial career. Hopefully the Braves can hype themselves up enough to make this a winning road trip so that Bobby doesn't have to slink off into the sunset after another postseason-less campaign.
As for the Mets, they've won 7 out of 9 to once again rise above the .500 mark. And before you say, "Well, 6 of those 7 wins were against the Pirates and Nats," remember that the Braves haven't exactly dominated those two cellar-dwellers lately. Let's hope that the Braves can put up a bit more of a fight than the Buccos did. Otherwise, this long September is going to get even longer.
The big Mets news items lately have all been related to (what else?) injuries: Jennry Mejia, Johan Santana, and Jason Bay are all likely done for the year. I'm starting to think that Mets management might not know what it is doing with the whole "Prevention and Recovery" thing.
Pitching matchups after the jump.
Friday, 7:00 ET: Tommy Hanson (5.93 IP/S, 3.54 ERA, 3.35 FIP) vs. Jon Niese (5.98 IP/S, 3.85 ERA, 4.12 FIP)
Big Red has pitched very well in his last 3 starts (4 ER in 20 IP, only 3 BB to 12 K), including a dominant 7-shutout-inning performance against the Mets in Atlanta. Niese, a 23-year-old left-hander, has been consistently solid all year for the Mets. He has hit a bit of a rough patch in his last 4 starts (18 ER in 23.1 IP), though his strikeout and walk rates have been just fine in that time (24 K, 10 BB). In one of those starts, he gave up 8 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits to the Braves. Hopefully Derrek Lee and the Braves' other right-handed batters can repeat that performance against Niese.
Saturday, 4:00 ET: Tim Hudson (6.77 IP/S, 2.62 ERA, 3.81 FIP) vs. Dillon Gee (6.50 IP/S, 0.69 ERA, 4.63 FIP)
Huddy has hit his first extended rough patch of 2010 lately, but I'm sure he'll get back on track soon. We need him to step up and be the ace of the staff. Gee, a 24-year-old rookie right-hander, has made two very good starts with the big league club since being called up this month. His peripherals, however, aren't that great (7 K and 7 BB in 13 IP), so a regression from that microscopic ERA would seem to be in order. Gee was decent for AAA Buffalo this year, putting up good K and BB rates (8.91 K/9, 2.28 BB/9) but giving up a fair number of homers (1.17 HR/9).
Sunday, 1:00 ET: Derek Lowe (5.90 IP/S, 4.22 ERA, 4.03 FIP) vs. R.A. Dickey (6.71 IP/S, 2.80 ERA, 3.63 FIP)
Since having his spot in the rotation skipped, Lowe has surprisingly been the Braves' best starter. He even set a career high with 12 strikeouts his last time out. Hopefully, he can keep up that strong work on Sunday, because Dickey and his knuckleballs-of-many-speeds are a tough matchup. I'm starting to believe that Dickey's renaissance is real; while he is 35 and has never even been average before this season, his peripherals are good enough to indicate that he is now at least a solid starter (though that 2.80 ERA is probably not sustainable).
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I know you guys are probably frustrated, but I also hope you haven't given up or anything silly like that. The Braves are still in a very good position, and all it takes is one winning streak to turn our fortunes around. More importantly, what kind of message does it send to Bobby and the players if we start losing hope at the first sign of trouble? They've worked hard all year, and played well for much of it; the only thing we can do is keep watching and rooting.
Go Braves! Let's win this series for Bobby!
0 recs | 87 comments
Stop the slide!
Right now, we still control our own destiny in the Wild Card, man up and take it!
Buffalo Braves - September 17, 2010
winning the division would be better because then we wouldn’t have to go on the road as much
Albert K - September 17, 2010
Baby steps my friend, baby steps.
Buffalo Braves - September 17, 2010
I BLAME YOOOOOOUUU
MBL1 - September 17, 2010 via mobile
But I’m to blame, too.
I went on vacation on the 6th and came back on the 16th. The Braves always play like crap when I’m on vacation.
No more September vacations for me. And no more September marriages for you!
MBL1 - September 17, 2010 via mobile
I wondered what happened to you!
Did you have a good vacation?
sddbaker - September 17, 2010
Yeah, thanks for asking. But Florida is so dang hot….
MBL1 - September 17, 2010 via mobile
The Braves usually play well when I go on vacation, do you guys all want to send me somewhere? Maybe Cozumel?
Shoert - September 17, 2010
Screw the pitching matchups
Screw analyzing whether “we should win this game” or “we may not win this game”
JUST WIN GAMES
DreamWithinADream - September 17, 2010
Congrats!
On getting married.
Dandretti - September 17, 2010
pacgnosis speaks for me!
however, never ever go away again in the middle of a championship season stretch drive.
fandave - September 17, 2010
Well, thank goodness...
Now we know what happened. You’re back just in the nick of time!
Also, congratulations!
sddbaker - September 17, 2010
The outcome
of this particular grouping of athletic contests is cloudy.
UMDBHIK - September 17, 2010
with a 60% chance of rain
MBL1 - September 17, 2010 via mobile
That's just the cloud
Of badluck that perpetually hangs over Queens and the LOLMets.
Jman781 - September 17, 2010
If the season were a baseball game,
this is the 8th inning and we have to come up with one of those dramatic comebacks for the win. I have no doubt that our team can bounce back and get into the playoffs. Let’s Go Bravos!
romone_braves91 - September 17, 2010
^this
WeStillHaveBobby - September 17, 2010
Despite how things appear, this is a good ballclub that just needs to get rolling again.
May-August was no fluke.
UMDBHIK - September 17, 2010
I missed you Jacob.
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2010
You missed him because he’s a WINNAR, and you just bring bad luck to the Braves with your series previews and game recaps. You’re on the Phillies payroll, aren’t you?
EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 17, 2010
Fun stat of the day:
Jacob is 26-17, or a .604 winning percentage.
I’m 24-27, or a .470 winning percentage.
In other words, he’s basically the Yankees, and I’m just slightly better than Brewers. FML.
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2010
Don't worry
I’m 1-2, which is a frigid .333. Or unless you want to hang out in your fortress of emo, and declare it SSS.
royhobbs - September 17, 2010
So the rest of the way,...
only pac and gondee can do previews. That’s what must be done to be Lowe’s and not Kenshin’s.
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2010
Hey now...
Ben is actually .002 better than Jacob this year. No one can touch Gondeee’s numbers though, as he’s sitting above .700 on the year.
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2010
No more recaps for you! You’re moving to the bullpen.
MBL1 - September 17, 2010 via mobile
This.
So much this!
EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 17, 2010
3 man rotation sounds good then
but you and roy need to be banished to the minors.
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2010
Never going to happen
gondeee will text me once the first sign of bad happens and say something like “I’m going to get hammered, you do the series,” and armageddon will commence again.
royhobbs - September 17, 2010
perhaps you should try...
a psuedonym next time?
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2010
No panicking at all.
There were a few FanPosts about kittens and rainbows, but things have been mostly quiet around here.
Jman781 - September 17, 2010
Congrats on getting married. I went on vacation too from 8/30 through 9/11 (went to Alaska) and was unable to really follow the team that much in those two weeks. I hope they get back to their winning ways now though! Go BRAVES!
Dave_D - September 17, 2010
Congrats, amigo. I hope your honeymoon was free of the frustrations experienced in Braves country.
Ivan the Great - September 17, 2010
Welcome Back!
Congrats to you and the lucky lady :-)
NCChopper - September 17, 2010
Are you a happy goldfish now?
sddbaker - September 17, 2010
My sincerest congratulations to you and the newly-minted Mrs. Pacgnosis. May you have many happy years together.
TheLetter2 - September 17, 2010
Interestingly,
Lowes stats for the year are now better than JJs.
Lowe: 4.22 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 121/58 K/W
JJ : 4.64 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 86/42 K/W
king of games - September 17, 2010
JJ's been off lately...
I hope he can turn it around, for we need all our pitchers to step it up.
Jman781 - September 17, 2010
JJ was on the DL
Braves24 - September 17, 2010
wow
you really prefer JJ over Lowe? just wow
Kobe:The Legend - September 17, 2010
When at his best, for certain
Mr. Sanchez - September 17, 2010
Congrats on the marriage!
I got married in May (when the Braves were killing it) so hopefully you can bring us back to the days of May.
Sir Veza - September 17, 2010
True to my word, I won't be watching this weekend.
I’ll be working today and Sunday, and I’ll have all of the Arizona/Iowa
festivitiesdrinking and screaming going on tomorrow.That being said, I would really, really, really, really like to come back to a 3-0 sweep of the Mets.
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2010
You’ll be amazed at how many Iowans will be there. We’re one of the most well traveled teams. I hope it’s a good game!
vooodooo - September 17, 2010
The Prevention and Recovery plan
refers to preventing our players from finishing seasons, and then getting the fans into rehab. Also this is an odd time for me as I’m actually pulling for you guys to sweep us in the off chance the phils can get knocked out of they playoffs this year somehow (and we might as well shoot for some good draft picks). While I have more cumulative disdain for the Braves over the years, the Phils have evoked a lot more concentrated rage the last few years.
KeithsMoustache - September 17, 2010
This is certainly a first. With the way Philadelphia sports fans act, I really hope the Phils dont get into the playoffs, but I think they’re going, just too much star power. Thanks for the kind years, and hopefully Bobby’s last series in NY will be a fun one
Shoert - September 17, 2010
Yeah their fans really push them over the top.
that and that scumbag Shane Victorino. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cheering for the Braves, im just cheering for the spirit of the Phils and their fans to be decimated beyond redemption. Unfortunately it would take a Metsian collapse for the phils to miss the postseason with the team they have, and I’m not sure if karma is willing to lend a hand. However I will miss hating Bobby for sure, he was a worthy adversary.
KeithsMoustache - September 17, 2010
I see where youre coming from for sure. And I meant to say “kind words” not “kind years” hahaha
Shoert - September 17, 2010
Victorino as Scumbag
+100, Good Sir.
Sam Jethroe - September 17, 2010
Just completely awesome video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVkalfhzvVA&feature=player_embedded
Tim Goad - September 17, 2010
i love that video
KeithsMoustache - September 17, 2010
holy crap that’s funny. I seriously LOL’d at work.
Sparhawk - September 17, 2010
Just wondering I know this is unrelated but does anyone down in Atlanta watch the Atlanta Thrashers?
Albert K - September 17, 2010
It sucks
That 2 of our 3 best pitchers are going to miss the Phillies. Our bats are gonna have to come alive before that series rolls around.
kauf67 - September 17, 2010
Thumbs up
Let’s do this.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2010
Christ, Melky is in the lineup
I know its a lefty tonight but PLEASE do not ever put Melky in the lineup anymore. He is just awful and looks completely lost up there all the time. Free McLouth!
BravesDawg16 - September 17, 2010
I dont get why people were blasting me for hating on Melky who is probably our worst outfielder other than Ankiel
Albert K - September 17, 2010
I completely agree
I can’t see any reason why melky should be in over nate.
s.r.j - September 17, 2010
Melky's worse than Ankiel.
Ankiel strikes out at a Francouerian clip but he’s a decent outfielder. Melky grounds out and run to first, much like he runs in the outfield after balls that get by him on the way to the wall, like a broken legged daschund.
Sam Jethroe - September 17, 2010
We’re going to win this.
LET’S DO IT NOW!!
TonyAlmeyda - September 17, 2010
Maybe I'm being a blind optimist
But that off day gave me a strange boost in confidence in this team. I know they haven’t played well lately but something tells me that they are about to turn it on when it matters most. This season means more to them than any of us. They want this for Bobby. They have shown their resiliency throughout the year, bouncing back from several extended suckfests by going on a tear. We all were about to kill ourselves after that 9 game skid and then the team was in first place for over 100 days. That is not an aberration. I believe in this team. GO BRAVES
BravesDawg16 - September 17, 2010
Welcome back! Hopefully we’ll get back to better Braves baseball and better writing from TalkingChop writers…
ChrisK562 - September 17, 2010
all the other writers are lazy, right?
MBL1 - September 17, 2010
nah, just one was showing their immaturity the other day in their writing.
ChrisK562 - September 17, 2010
I'd argue
He was just expressing in words the frustration a lot of us are feeling
HansonManCrush - September 17, 2010 via mobile
LOL
Who is this immature one you’re talking about?
Scott Coleman - September 17, 2010 via mobile
I think he's referring to you.
Tim Goad - September 17, 2010
Don’t stop believin, hold on to that feelin…..
/dances around in bedroom like an idiot
MBL1 - September 17, 2010
Now I’m going to have Journey stuck in my head for the next three days, thanks a lot.
king of games - September 17, 2010
lol
try this one instead. it’s been stuck in my head for 3 days. all girl band. they really rock it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdq59LXlOC0
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2010
Lineup
1. Single Machine 2B.
2, OBP Machine RF,
3. Hitting Machine 3B,
4, 3FSK series 1B,
5. Heaptron C,
6. Lefty Killer Machine LF,
7. Sea-Basstron SS,
8. Chopper Machine CF,
9. Cyborg P
joshant - September 17, 2010
MORE of these great Bobby Cox and the Delta #6 photos
Can be seen by clicking HERE!
He also got a 2 round trip tickets to anywhere in the world and a lifetime Platinum Skymiles status
NCChopper - September 17, 2010
Go Bobby Go! loving the pics
(cough)
Prado
Heyward
Infante
(cough)
: )
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2010
I love the briefcase.
sddbaker - September 17, 2010
He looks sharp.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2010
he's earned it
how many miles do you think Bobby has flown in his career?
I bet he flies 100 times a year, between road trips, spring training, meetings, vacations, etc.
DCP916 - September 17, 2010
I learned nothing from this preview.
TradeAndruw - September 17, 2010
Maybe you’re learner is broken.
NCChopper - September 17, 2010
This is not a place of learning, it’s a place of opinion and hyperbole.
king of games - September 17, 2010
This is a house of learned doctors.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 17, 2010
youre not a doctor
youre a big, fat, curly headed fuck.
Tim Goad - September 17, 2010
Harsh.
king of games - September 17, 2010
from a movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSS1MYTTKH4
Tim Goad - September 17, 2010
Nice article on the Boss.
http://fewproudbrave.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/brian-mccann-vs-david-ross/
king of games - September 17, 2010
Thanks, enjoyed reading that.
NCChopper - September 17, 2010
Assuming Chipper returns for 2011....
….roughly how much do you think the Braves will have to spend this offseason? Gonzo’s and Infante’s options will almost definitely be picked up. I don’t see Melky or Ankiel returning. Wagner’s retiring.
So assuming Chipper returns, Wagner retires, Gonzo and Infante’s options are picked up……..what are we looking at roughly?
Undocorkscrew - September 17, 2010
I don’t know if this is right, but without including Wagner, Melky, Ankiel, Lee, Glaus, Saito, and Farsworth I think we’re somewhere around 60-65 mil for next season so far. I would also assume that KK gets traded over the winter, which would save us some more depending on how much se have to eat.
king of games - September 17, 2010
who's the girl?
Who’s the girl with Bobby? She’s a cutie!
Bobby must still have it…unless of course that’s his daughter or something haha.
elevenforbraves - September 18, 2010
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