Talking Chop

haha.
Hopefully. We should have let Pendleton go a loooong time ago (along with Hinske and McOut)
Not if Bobby really thinks that McOut and Hinske are going to deliver anything other than heartache.

In the past 2 weeks McClouth >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Melky + Ankiel.

Sir Veza - September 22, 2010 reply

McOut is right back to double play mode, man. “the TP effect”

so we're back to blaming terry pendleton, i see

still don’t understand that one

lol

i’ve been blaming him all year, man. there’s no “back to it”…..

Was anybody really expecting anything else from Hinske than hitting into a double play? i see no adjustments made at all. same old bullshit. i mean, it’s lucky as crap that the ball deflected off Ankiel.

I partially blame TP, but our demise came when Chipper went down. I know he wasn’t hitting 350 and knocking in 30 homers, but he was still a feared hitter. We no longer have a feared hitter in the lineup. We dont have someone that the other team doesn’t want to pitch too, therefore the guy in front gets better pitches to hit. We had Glaus for a brief period, but right now we have nothing. Granted I would take 5 or 6 guys who can consistently single you to death, unfortunately we dont have that either. This team needs to get hot, stop leaving men on base and stop hitting into so many rally killing double plays. Ankiel needs to sit, strikes out too much. I have been encouraged by McClouth, Lee and Gonzalez the past couple weeks. Prado looks tired and needs a rest. Our starting pitching is ailing big time, having lost Medlen and now possibly JJ. Minor and Beachy are good, but we can’t rely on them to win in the post season, too young and inexperienced at the major league level. I think they will both have brilliant careers from what I have seen. If the Braves manage to win the wild card, playing no better than they are right now, it will be “limping” in to the post season. I pray for a turn-around, I can’t stand to see them lose games like they did the last two nights. The defense really let us down, time to tighten it up!

HeyMikey - September 22, 2010 reply

that would be a big boost...

but the tale will be told, imo, by winning the series against Washington and Florida.

Mr. Sanchez - September 22, 2010 reply

no question about it, but as you say the bounceback win scheduled for tonight will be big.

fandave - September 22, 2010 reply

Win 5 of 6 against those two teams, doesn’t matter should be clinched by that point.

Broccoman - September 22, 2010 reply

Just win any 6 remaining games. 92 wins should at least tie for the wild card.

redwards95 - September 22, 2010 reply

I will get destroyed for this...

But does anyone actually think we can beat the Phillies come play-off time? Yes, we could win a game or two, but winning 4 of 7 is unlikely. Heck, in this series we have as many errors as runs scored. That’s not comforting at all, given that we should be playing focused, determined baseball. In two games that we needed to win, we pitched two rookies, had a poor offensive showing, bone-headed baserunning mistakes, and a an absolute lack of focus in the field. Are we that scared of Philly? In those same two games, they have 8 runs and 0 errors…

I still think we’ll get to the post-season, and I like our chances against whichever team we face in the first round, but I think the Phillies are the best team in the NL. It’s not even close. That depresses me, for we have the tools to beat these guys.

Now, the Braves basically HAVE to win the Nats and Marlins series. Hopefully, we can.

Fire away.

Nats and Marlins……………..should be a cake walk.

ba-hahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we scored 3 runs off roy halladay through 7

and that’s a “poor offensive showing?” excuse me if i wasn’t particularly impressed by the phillies offense in this series. 1 ER off beachy then none the rest of the game? only getting 3 vs minor, and then a blip by dunn. if our starters are matched up evenly our bullpen won’t be as taxed. if they go 6 we can go moylan-venters-wagner (or EOF, or Kimbrel, or Saito).

jason heyward leads the majors in RF defense according to the fielding bible, and that error pretty much opened up game 1 for him. that isn’t going to happen too often.

hamels has a 4.35 ERA against him, and although we haven’t faced oswalt this season we have hit him well in the past. halladay is the only game we should fear.

yeah, we definitely are the underdog to the phillies but we CAN beat them.

opened up game 1 for them*

4.35 ERA against us*

i really should proof before i post

a Win tonite would be nice.

im no longer worried about the division. any ground gained there is just a bonus. stick with the WC. go from there.

Just win, period.

Then, cast a hex on the Phillies so they suddenly forget how to hit and pitch and field.

Fair enough...

I guess I am more bothered by the mental lapses. A team cannot expect to beat a team that is better than them (and any team pitching Minor and Beachy against the Phils in Philly is an underdog) without playing perfect baseball. I do not view 3 runs as a good offensive performance; I don’t care who we face. But if we can only eke out 2 or 3 runs against these guys each night, than the least we can do is not make dumb base-running and fielding errors that cost us runs (either for or against). Take away the blunders, and the Braves win at least one of the first two games. We need to focus better…

The Braves are only better than the Nats, Marlins and Cubbies in fielding percentage. I am not 100% certain what UZR means, but we’re only better than the Pirates with a -27 UZR. That’s bad, and it is clearly costing us games (see: game one against the Phils).

I am just frustrated, for I know we have the tools to be a much better team than we have been over the last few weeks. Right now, I feel like I am watching the Hawks, which is a playoff-caliber team that can’t play with the big boys in the second round of the playoffs.

i can see the hawks analogy

but i think in baseball it is way easier to spring the upset. if we get hot again at the end we can play with anyone, and we have shown that this season. if we can battle the phillies aces with our own and make it to the pens that’s where we have the edge.

I hope you're right...

And I agree. We won’t be pitching Beachy and Minor in the first two games of any playoff series…

Hawks analogy is analogous

BrockSamson - September 22, 2010 reply

Well we sent 2 rookies against 2 aces...

got what… 7 innings out of them combined?

And lost twice by 2 runs with a bunch of errors?

So I’d say…. Yes

If we win the Wild Card...

which team has to play the Phillies in Round 1?

Hopefully it’s San Fran with Lincecum and they eliminate the Phils.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 22, 2010 reply

As it stands now, the Giants.

The Phillies, given that they’ll have the best NL record (presumably) get to play the team with the worst record. Ordinarily, that would be the wild card team, but there’s a rule stating that it can’t be a team from the same division. Therefore, it goes to the playoff team with the next worst record – currently, the Giants.

We would play the team with the second best record and Philly would play the other. Right now, they have pretty much the same record (CIN 86-66, SF 85-66), so it’s still up in the air.

McGriff the Crime Dog - September 22, 2010 reply

Forget the Phils

Who do the Braves have a better chance of beating? I actually like our chances against the Giants over the Reds. I would love to play the Padres…

Anybody but the Rockies.

We are cursed against them.

Thank God the Marlins and Nationals are out of it and we won’t face them either. ;)

We face the Marlins and Nats very soon, and when they’re playing the Braves, they don’t care if they’re out of it.

I think the matchups are good against any team but Philly. I think SF matches up better with Philly though, so I’d rather see Cincy.

Broccoman - September 22, 2010 reply

+1

http://www.sporcle.com/games/bravesfanscout/team_quiz_Atlanta_Braves_history

Braves History Quiz

BravesFanScout - September 22, 2010 reply

Leading the majors with errors since the ASB is concerning.

This is very un-Bravelike.
And, this doesn’t even count the mental lapses in base running, missing signs, absolute lack of being able to throw out base runners, etc.

I just want out team to play focused baseball without all these mistakes that give the opponent extra outs, or end our innings prematurely. Winning is hard enough with our lack of run support for our pitchers without these kind of things making it even harder.

The Phils have been given a gift these first 2 games facing rookie pitchers (heck, Beachy didn’t even know he was going to start until 3pm before the game). But they still didn’t run away with the games. If we hadn’t chosen better pitch selections to Howard in the 6th last night – the outcome may have been very different. I think these past 2 games said a lot about our pitching staff to keep both the games within our reach until the last out.

- – -

Tonight, we face Oswalt. We have a pretty good record against him…but remember:
Oswalt’s previous losses against us were with a totally different offensive team behind him.

A win tonight is possible, but will not be easy.

If we ~~hadn’t~~ had chosen better pitch selections

If the season up until this point is any sign, we’re due for one last tear of good baseball, ie, people start hitting again. I just hope we have something left.

Mac’s been hanging around Hinske too much. He always screws himself by not taking a walk. even with a 3-1 count and a pitch out of the zone.

STRIKE THREE!!!

We had that damned batter struck out if the umpire had called that pitch a strike!!

Next pitch… he ropes a double down the right field line.

Fricking umps SUCK lately.

Seeing Lee warming up is encouraging – Maybe his back is finally feeling much better.

Now, if we can get Prado’s legs rested, and some key hits with men on base – we just might surprise a lot of people!
;-)

is it that far out of the realm of possibility for Bobby to rest Prado, so he can get 2 days off, and start Conrad at 3rd?

it’s not like Bobby’s going to use Conrad to pinch-hit or anything, right?

Reality Check?

Everyone here needs a reality check! The Phillies just punched the Braves in the mouth the last two games, and they are sending Roy Oswalt to the mound tonight to cap the sweep. Throw out the “we’ve hit Oswalt well in the past, we are going to win tonight” stuff. Has anyone actually looked at this guy’s numbers since the Phillies picked him up? 7-1 with a 1.94 era? That isn’t exactly confidence inspiring right there!

And, if we win tonight – will you come back to our lovely blog and admit you were wrong?

Oh anything is possible for sure. But a lot of the chatter on this blog makes it seem like a win tonight will be a cake walk and the Braves winning the NLCS was etched in stone since June.

Hanson is a nice pitcher and all, but I’m not sure he has ever pitched in front of 46k passionate fans.

“Everyone needs to seriously chill.
Tommy Hanson will take care of business and the bats will come alive tonight.
All is well.”

You didn’t answer my question.

Sure thing – I’d be happy to analyze the game with you tomorrow.

WC man. WC.

nobody’s worried about the divison anymore

Fair enough. The good news is the Phillies will most likely have the best record clinched by the final series in Atlanta which will make things easier for the Brave’s WC hopes.

Cholly's old school

If the division is decided by October, there’s a line of wanting to make a statement against the Braves, resting starters, keeping momentum, or simply staying in routine that will have to be considered. Look at the 2005 White Sox, they swept the division rival Indians in the final weekend when they really didn’t have to, and despite clinching the division. If there’s a possibility that the Phillies could keep the Braves outright out of the playoffs, who’s to say that they, and their fans wouldn’t jump all over that?

This is a good point. If the Braves are hanging on by a game going into that last series, the Phillies may be inclined to not TOTALLY pack it in.

That being said, I don’t want to see any of the aces pitching 7-8 innings with 115 pitches when the team is sitting on 95 wins and the NL’s best record.

I had no doubt ;-)

You clearly don't read this blog...

If you think people are positive and overconfident.

This

unfortunately

BravesDawg16 - September 22, 2010 reply

I love umbrella statements from noobs

I’m not sure what you mean by this?

Not everyone

Thinks Roy Oswalt is a walk in the park. Not everyone cares about past numbers versus a ton of guys who aren’t even on the team anymore. Not everyone needs the purported reality check.

Thanks for clarifying. You’re right, I should of stereotyped all the posters here.

Shouldn’t*

“Shouldn’t’ve.” It’s short for “should not have” or “shouldn’t have”.

“Of” makes no sense there.

Please don't feed the visitors...

It’s one thing to correct a fellow Braves fan on grammar/spelling, etc., but doing it to a visitor from the rival team smacks of attitude akin to that of an insolent child.

We’re looking for wins on the field, not grammatical superiority in the comments. The way I see it, the fewer rude quotes and attitudes they can report back to their brethren, the better.

I apologize for calling you out on it.

-C

Its ok, I read your post, saw you had 10 total posts and stereotyped you as a trolling newb and promptly added you to the list of posters I just ignore.

Rhyno18 - September 22, 2010 reply

I’m not trying to be an obnoxious troll, simply trying to debate the rest of the season with people who have a different perspective than my own. If you have a comment that pertains to any of the points on baseball I have made, I would be glad to listen.

Even if there’s a sweep tonight. The good thing is you get the Phils in ATL to end the year- you can win games, get into the PS, and rebuild confidence that way.

If you keep losing, well it doesn’t matter cause you wouldn’t deserve it anyways.

Broccoman - September 22, 2010 reply

As I stated before, those final three games should be easy ones for the Braves.

I continue...

…to just shake my head every time the Braves pop into my mind.

gondeee - September 22, 2010 reply

hopefully Freddi cuts TP loose.

It’s not TP’s fault Frank Wren thought Melky and Ankiel were good outfielders to acquire.

redwards95 - September 22, 2010 reply

at least Ankiel gets on-base, occasionally.

Melky has had a pretty decent year, man. Decent.

so wait? according to you we've gotten decent production out of complete suckbags...

and we should fire our hitting coach?

15ks - September 22, 2010 reply

Dude, please

At least spread it around a bit. I hate Cox’s mamaging “style” and can’t wait for him to be gone but I don’t shoehorn it into literally every post.

I don't know any Braves fans

I need to find a place to debate baseball with the Phillies main competition! Making fun of the Mets isn’t as fun as it used to be up where I live.

making fun of the Mets is always fun :)

Step right up and beat the Mets!

BeatTehMets - September 22, 2010 reply

for anyone that is a fan of Fire Joe Morgan

they are back on deadspin today, and it is HILARIOUS

anybody with any sense can just mute Morgan, anyway.

I’d like to see Joe Morgan and Jon Miller pull a “Notebook” and die in each other’s arms.

lol. that would be Pimp.

Fire Joe Morgan

is an ex-sports blog that makes fun of terrible sports journalism in the funniest ways possible. the writers of it are the head writers for parks and recreation. since they disbanded, deadspin (also a sports blog) has a reunion one day out of a year.

"And, you know...." tell them to check out Fred Hickman. lol. and Brian Jordan.

We can still win the division. Ten games left. We win today. The Phils go 2-4 playing the Nats and Mets, we win on those days they lose, and then we win the last series of the year.

There’s a better chance the Phills die in a horrible plane crash.

yea

since the Phils going 2-4 is absolutely impossible

wait……are you starting and finishing your own argument?

lol. i agree, tho. they wont go 2-4 againts Gants/Mets. more like 5-1.

lol

anything can happen

Their last loss was to the Mets, and they’ll have two scrubs pitching against them. Just hope Washington doesn’t roll over and play dead against them.

Actually, plane crashes are pretty rare.

They’d have a greater chance of getting into a car accident on the way to the ballpark than dying in a plane crash. We all do.

E-Lizz - September 22, 2010 reply

So...

Who wants to set up a Phillies carpool to work day??

I keed.

-C

Werth strikes me

As the most likely Braylon Edwards on that team.

JamesFromPhilly - September 22, 2010 reply

sold

15ks - September 22, 2010 reply

Stay classy, Atlanta.

Thanks

For assuming we all wish bodily harm on Philadelphians because one person said it

aaaaandTheBravesWin - September 22, 2010 reply

Let's not lose sight of the fact that

the Braves pitchers have kept us in each game so far. I know we’ve dipped into the bullpen early in both games. But, we lost each game by 2 runs, despite not throwing Hudson or Lowe. We have also had a fair share of scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, the Braves have made some costly errors (both defensively and base running), hit into some killer DPs, and failed to put together a big inning.

Last September, the Braves were in an equally important series with the Phillies. We had a chance to improve our standing within the division, our best shot at making the playoffs (I believe there were multiple teams ahead of us in the WC). We made a few costly mistakes in a close loss on Sunday night baseball. In the recap the following day, I remember Gondeee stating that playoff teams make those plays and the Braves didn’t.

Now, I’m not saying the Braves aren’t going to make the playoffs. But, sloppy baseball isn’t going to help our cause, WC or division.

so, in a nutshell....

our pitching is always ok, even when it’s bad.

hitting is our main problem. almost like there is a lack of focus, in this department.

….perplexing…..

aaaaandTheBravesWin - September 22, 2010 reply

Agreed

More or less. The only batter I seem to have any confidence in is McCann. Also, can we move Prado in the lineup?! Our #3 hitter is 2 for his last 19. Jeez.

Bobby

seems content as a cucumber with the way it is right now.

It’s going to be an uphill battle, bc Prado hits better lead off, and Infante hits better 3rd.

we had better win

the rest of the way, or at least win the last series..

cuz i’ll be making my first trip down to ATL for that.

dank7 - September 22, 2010 reply

You know what really hurt?

I woke up this morning. I thought of how good of a day it would be with only one class and no work.

And then I thought of the Braves, and similar to gondeee, I just shook my head and laid there for a few minutes in frustration. It sucks.

Scott Coleman - September 22, 2010 via mobile reply

Love hurts.

True

Nazareth says “Love Hurts”

J. Geils says “Love Stinks”

Donnie Iris says “Love is like a Rock”

Apparently all three are Braves fans.

Dave Matthews says, “Love is hell.”

Pat Benatar says, “Love Is A Battlefield”

The Beatles said, “Love is all you need”

but they were all doped up at the time. lol

STYX

Love is the Ritual

adc62 - September 22, 2010 reply

Love did

Alone Again Or

Wait, that’s not the same…

Baseball hurts.

sddbaker - September 22, 2010 reply

see my sig...

sddbaker - September 22, 2010 reply

In a nutshell - until that chart way up there ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ says - 0%

I’m going to remain optimistic and hopeful.

And likely end the season with an ulcer.
It’s been one heckuva ride ain’t it? :-)

the irony of it.....

we would probably have a better shot of getting to the postseason WITHOUT Hinske.

clubhouse mentality is one thing, but looking like a 9 year old at the plate negates the other. you’ve gotta talk the talk and……yeah.

Ankiel with a walk and a hit last night were good signs. ???

when’s the last time Hinske got a walk and a hit in a game? ….June?

ByrneSupremacy - September 22, 2010 reply

Aug 23 vs Colorado

1/3 with a walk

stop beating the horse.

we just know you hate Hinske! we are not getting rid of him now, get over it.

Kobe:The Legend - September 22, 2010 reply

stop beating the dead horse^

Kobe:The Legend - September 22, 2010 reply

tell that to Hinske.

lol

Let's face it.

We’re not playing really good baseball right now.

That said, the Phillies haven’t been beating us like a red-headed stepchild. It could be a lot worse.

Unless we experience total collapse in the next 10 games, the Rockies will have to win 9-10 of their remaining games (3 of which come against SF) to even sniff the wild card. The Padres also play the Giants, so they’ve got an uphill climb as well. Even the Giants could very well collapse, with six of their 11 games coming against the Rockies and the Padres.

We’ll have our top guys going at home against some pretty poor teams coming up. We can find our groove again and replay this Phillies series, which really hasn’t gone incredibly poorly, considering our play.

-C

Exactly

Like I said last night…perspective.

LEastCoastBears - September 22, 2010 reply

Mike Minor

I agree that Minor needs to be shut down. The drop in velocity is rather alarming.

I don't think it's that alarming

dude’s just tired. He’s never come close to pitching this many innings in a season, and he’s facing the best competition in the world.

it's alarming that.....

Bobby might run him out there, again.

LEastCoastBears - September 22, 2010 reply

Mac

So he bolted the clubhouse before the reporters showed up?

I’m disappointed by that. As a leader of the team, Mac needs to face the press. Chipper have made similar mistakes like this in the past, so I hope Mac will just grow out of this.

I can't understand the revamped TP witch hunt.

We coaxed walks out of Halladay, and really didn’t deviate from our patient approach for the most part, except the few times when we tried to “ambush” first pitch strikes (which strategically makes sense). A hitting coach can only do so much, and I really think Pendleton has done a lot to help our opportunities to score runs. The Braves get more opportunities than any team in the NL to score runs, and I can’t really call for TP’s head when we don’t cash in.

There’s no one to blame for these past two losses. Statistically, it was to be expected with two completely green pitches facing top-of-the-rotation starters from the Phils. I mean, what did you want? I’d love to pull a Cinderella story and see Beachy and Minor prevail, but it’s not all that abominable that they didn’t.

The errors? Yeah, they get tiresome, but you can only hope they play better defense going forward. That has little to do with hiting, and fielding has been our most suspect dimension (we are above average offensively, despite recent rancor).

We played Hamels tough at first, and Halladay never got into a “Halladay” groove against us. I think it was promising, and given our 1-2-3 starters versus theirs, I’d look for an even better series.

our hitting has been inconsistent all year. it’s got nothing to do with only getting 3 runs against Halladay

I hate to tell you

but EVERY team has states of offensive flux. Look at any blog, at any given time, and you will find bellyaching about offense. In baseball, the only reliably reproducible aspect is good defense, which is why the errors are frustrating.

Every time Melky swings a bat a hitting coach somewhere should get fired.

That's a good laugh leading up to game time.

They Made Me A Lousy, Undisciplined Hitter Starring John Garfield

Only?

3 runs against Halladay seems like a good effort offensively to me.

lol

Hinske got pretty lucky avoiding that DP, huh?

You know how in Corporate America

There’s always GOT TO be someone to blame?

Yeah, kinda similar here too, sometimes

to have the mentality that “everything will take care of itself” will get you no where.

i know everyone already knows this, but THE PHILLIES fired their hitting coach recently. ……………the Phillies. and the Braves remain content with their hitting coach. i know it’s apples and oranges here, but I know both teams strengths and weaknesses, and that is bogus.

As fans we’re not going to have an effect of Braves baseball operations whether we sit back and “let things take care of themselves” or we compile a list of extensive data explaining how something could be fixed. You could explain, in length, why Alex Gonzalez needs to bat 6th every night and at the end of the day it won’t change what the Braves do. As I said, it boils down to perspective, and at the end of the day I’m more content looking at the bright side of things. If there’s no perceptible bright side, then I commence with bitching and moaning. In this instance, there are many bright sides.

You have to admit, our hitters have some horrible habits that don’t seem to be getting fixed.

he’ll admit nothing because TP couldn’t be the problem here.

So you're thinking for me now?

Chill out.

lol, well, what do you think.....

“You have to admit, our hitters have some horrible habits that don’t seem to be getting fixed.”

I think calling me out isn’t the best way to coerce an opinion out of me.

lol

i didn’t “call you out” man. i was being sarcastic. there’s a subtle difference.

the whole “hitting coach” argument always comes back to the chicken or the egg, and I just think it’s beyond time that we got a new chicken.

I'll admit that freely

But who’s to say that TP isn’t trying to fix them? We have no idea what’s going on with the Braves at every minute of the day. And when it comes to when they’re at the plate, it’s the hitter’s decision on whether to follow any advice if there was any, or if adrenaline and instinct kicks in, and they see a pitch they can think they can hit, but were wrong, and they instead pop out, or ground into an unfortunate double play.

I'm sure he is trying to fix them, but what if his methods aren't working?

Haven’t Mac and Chipper (probably others) been quoted as saying they have gone to get help elsewhere for hitting instruction?

doesn’t sound any good to me

I'll also admit that I won't shed any tears if TP goes

Because some new blood would do good for a new regime starting next season, but I’m also under the belief that hitting coaches are very minimal in influence in the first place. Otherwise, all the Cards would be be on PEDs and hitting 30+ HRs from Felipe Lopez to Brendan Ryan, and every single Met would be able to competently go the other way whenever they wanted to.

Most hitting coaches today are all former players in some capacity, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re good coaches. Bill Mueller, a few years ago retired from the Dodgers and then became their hitting coach a week later. Bill Mueller – a mediocre switch hitter with a slightly notable .291 career batting average over 10 years. I have a hard time believing he had much influence over guys like Furcal, Nomar, J.D. Drew and Ethier, especially when a week prior he was an underperforming peer.

Sometimes it’s a matter of comfort for guys like Chipper and McCann to go back to their dads for guidance. Sometimes its a key adjustment that needs to be pointed out, like Chipper did with McLouth. And sometimes, unfortunately, maybe it’s just a player isn’t the all-star we hope they are playing for us. There’s a reason why Eric Hinske’s been with a new team every year for the last four years, but even with the slump considered, it could always be worse – he’s literally outproduced Greg Norton from last year by almost eight times over this year.

Sometimes a new voice gets those new ideas to stick. It’s not like this is a new problem for the Braves, our hitting has been mediocre at best for years now. It might not be TPs fault, but hitting coaches have certainly been fired for much less.

It all boils down to perspective.

I’m not going to kick the Braves when they’re down so long as they look like they’re putting forth the effort to win.

New Rule:

Bobby must be ejected at least once per series to keep this team focused.

I could dig this

I want him to get to 162 total ejections so he can say that he missed a full season of games

BravesDawg16 - September 22, 2010 reply

Although the division title is out of reach, the Wild Card is still attainable. Rather than focus on what could have been, let’s remember what still lies ahead!

LEastCoastBears - September 22, 2010 reply

This sounds like something my mother would say.

Nonetheless, it is true. Gotta focus on what we can get at this point.

E-Lizz - September 22, 2010 reply

The focus should have always been and will be to win the game tonight. At least with Bobby Cox in charge, this is not something that I worry about.

“We either figure out why Joe Morgan was walking around the Reds clubhouse naked together…or we die alone.”

TradeAndruw - September 22, 2010 reply

If the standings today hold up the remainder of the year, the playoffs will look like this:

NLDS:

San Francisco @ Philadelphia
Atlanta @ Cincinnati

Having to play on the road in 2 very hitter friendly parks just to attain homefield for the WS is a daunting task for a team that just does not play that well on the road.

For this reason, I’m glad Bobby did not make a desperate leap at the division title by running our staff out on short rest, which is no guarantee anyway. Huddy, DLowe, and JJ will need to be as rested as possible for October baseball.

That’s assuming JJ even makes another start. He’s got a partially torn meniscus in his knee.

In which case, we’re looking for a forth starter, or trying to rely on just a 3 man rotation in October. I’m a little concerned with Cyborg going on short rest for a full month. That’s a lot of innings for one year for a sophomore.

*fourth

For some reason, playing Cincinnati actually worries me a bit

I saw a few people on here the other day writing them off. I’m not writing them off.

E-Lizz - September 22, 2010 reply

Not unless we turn back into that team that can score 6 or 7 runs in the 9th inning.

I don’t see that happening with McOut and Hinske back in the mix. I know I’ve hated alot on those 2 guys, but it’s just the truth. Those are gaping holes in the line-up where a 7 run inning couldn’t happen bc of the double play factor.

McLouth has been hitting well this month, so I don’t think he’ll be nearly as much of a DP candidate as he was at the start of the season.

I do.

he went thru a spell where he hit again……surprise! but it’s back to his patented ground outs, now.

forgotten_glory - September 22, 2010 reply

in a couple games you’re willing to write off a couple weeks? interesting…
i will give u the hinske argument..haha..but i would rather see mclouth out there right now than melky or ankiel…i would rather just never see melky start again..

if I need a guy to bat in the 9th with men on base, and my options are McLouth or Ankiel, I go Ankiel. without question.

Ankiel will either take a walk or strike out.
Mcouth will either strike out or ground out.

the chance of either hitting a homer / let alone a double is remote, at best.

I’m not writing them off, either, but I think the Braves would have an advantage against them as far as pitching. If the 1995 Series taught us anything, it’s that good pitching beats good hitting.

I was encouraged by the offense against Halladay, by far the best offensive showing against him ever by the Braves. They’ve gotten progressively better against him. I hope they stay close enough to the Phillies for the last series to matter, because then I believe we’d have a good chance to beat them.

As for today, Hanson better be on his game tonight. I’d like the Braves to get out of Philly with a win and focus on the Nats this weekend. I like the chances of a winning series with Hudson and Lowe pitching the way they’ve pitched in each of their last starts.

As for the Phillies/Mets series, it looks like they’ll skip Kendrick’s start and go with Blanton/Hamels/Halladay while the Mets probably go with Gee/Dickey/Pelfrey. The Mets and Nats need to help out the Braves this time because I still think they can win the division. The Wild Card may be inevitable, but I don’t see why the Braves can’t put together a winning streak and make the last series of the year against the Phillies mean something.

we have to do what we did earlier this year, to start winning: Prado’s lead-off mentality could go a long way.

when Prado and Heyward have gotten on base, this is where Infante could shine. i guarantee it. but it could be too late to get into this kind of groove, and both of their respective averages will continue to decline.

The last series will mean something because we still have a chance to win the division

A chance, yes. But again, how about a reality check!

BP postseason odds has the Braves at a 4% chance of winning the division. Has anyone cared to look at the Phillies record this month? Oh yea, it is 16-3! Does anyone actually see the Braves making up 6 games over the next 10? Come on now…

6 games...

no. But 4 games, with 3 at home against the team you’re chasing to close things out, is definitely possible.

Let’s not count tonight as a Phillies win until the game is played… Tommy can be an entirely different beast than you’ve seen the last 2 nights (though Beachy looked pretty damn solid against you guys for it being his first major league start)

I’ll give you the win tonight, fine. Please do not assume that the Braves will not loose any ground between tomorrow and when we meet in Atlanta. This is the Braves team that was swept by the Marlins and lost 2 of 3 to the Pirates recently – ouch!

I mean Nationals, my mistake.

No you're right

We did lose 2 of 3 to the Pirates too. But you got swept by the Astros. Both outcomes suck.

Very true. What has the Phillies record been since that sweep?

Like 162-0

15-0 ?

JamesFromPhilly - September 22, 2010 reply

To be fair...

The Astros are being picked to win the Central next year. Have you seen Houston’s post-ASB record (37-25? .596 is pretty impressive stretch.) It’s signifigantly better than the Pirates. They remind me of the 2009 Padres, some. Dug themselves a MASSIVE hole, but did very well — just not well enough to draw attention away from “Haha, you guys have an awful record.” The Pirates on the other-hand? Awful all year long.

Oh, and...

Their pitching is quite surprisingly strong. Brett Myers is having a bit of a Renaissance this year with them, with 1.20 WHIP, 3.31 FIP in 212 innings. Wandy Rodriguez has also been extremely well since the ASB this season, putting up some obnoxious numbers. Finally, say what you will, but Houston did get a pretty good (And cheap) addition in exchange for Oswalt. J. Happ was a solid starter in Philadelphia, and while he’s hardly an ace like Oswalt was for Houston, he’s a reliable #3 for them.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/pitching/_/split/182/league/nl/order/false/minip/60

The Astros are now a better team than their record indicates.

JamesFromPhilly - September 22, 2010 reply

Not that you'll likely see this

But who cares?

I like numbers and stats as much as the next nerd does, but there’s a time and place to interject into a meaningless back and forth, and this isn’t exactly the best example. Sure, it’ll be irrelevant when the Phillies win the NL, but to those who have the idiot savant-like ability to remember stretches of games, will look back and might think “ha ha, the Phillies got swept by the Astros,” and not think “oh snap the Phillies got swept by the Astros whom despite the woeful record are playing closer to their true potential as justified by Brett Myers’ WHIP, FIP and IPs, so it’s not that humiliating after all.”

royhobbs - September 23, 2010 reply

Tommy Hanson is a really good pitcher (would be the Phillies number four starter), but Oswalt isn’t a slouch, either.

Roy might decide to pull the plug on your life support tonight.

never called Oswalt a slouch

but you, like most Phillies fans, are writing off this team as if it’s nothing… Have they been playing good baseball lately? definitely not. Do they have weaknesses? of course they do. Can they play with the Phillies? I think the last 2 nights, with 2 pitchers who have combined for a total of 8 starts at the Major League level definitely proves they can.

I’ll be happy to take our chances with our top 3-4 starters vs your top 3, and hope it comes to an NLCS where we get to see it happen, cause those will be some great pitching battles.

The only thing that scares me on the Braves is the bullpen. You’re mediocre pitchers are like the buzzing of flies to the Phillies. Take a look at the playoffs games from 2008 and 2009 – the Phillies have faced stiffer competition than Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson’s lucky BABIP.

but winning 2 WS titles back-to-back isn’t as easy as it looks, is it?

sorry

have to keep reminding myself not to feed the trolls.

Your insight isn’t exactly steller there, “Slugga”. Your smack is weak, your life is weak, and your city is weak. I invite you to head out to any highway surrounding Philadelphia and sit down for a nice picnic. I promise you the ants will stay away.

sowhatifitisasportste - September 22, 2010 reply

I’m sorry I don’t think the Braves pitchers did anything great. They had good luck with the BABIP, so far the Phillies have 15 LOB and when the outs being recorded are hard hit line drives that’s just luck.

In defense...

Infante fielded plenty of weak grounders in last evening’s game. I counted eight in the play-by-play, one of which was a DP. That’s an average of one/inning, since the Phils didn’t bat in the ninth. Toss in eight strikeouts, and that’s 2/3 of the Phillies outs in the game.

The other outs came on two popouts, two flyouts, and three of your aforementioned liners, one of which did result in a DP. So, as far as the BABIP is concerned, I don’t know if 3 liners out of 15 outs is tremendously lucky or not over the stretch of a game.

-C

Also, the Braves had three lineouts as well. So it evens out.

-C

we get it, Slugga. probly not happening.

let them stay ridiculously overly-optimistic. what could it hurt? lol

You've had quite a change in attitude after getting what you wanted

I could’ve sworn you boasting about how much you wanted the Phillies, and now that the Braves have gotten beat by the Phillies, your pitch has changed quite a bit. lol

yeah

I shifted from “division” to “WC”. we got pwned.

I. Still. Want. Phillie. tho

we have 4 games left.

;)p

We all may have some gripes with the guy

But man, it is not going to hit home that he is gone until he is actually gone. We will all miss him. I really am going to miss the greatest coach this town has ever seen. Long live number 6!!

BravesDawg16 - September 22, 2010 reply

he better fight by switching Prado and Infante

OK, no more from me. I swear. I love Bobby. see my ava.

Can somebody point me to the link where either royhobbs or cbwilk (can't remember) wrote reviews of recent stadiums he visited, including Nationals Park?

I’m heading up this week and would like some info on the place.

ATLBRVS_19 - September 22, 2010 reply

I've been to Nationals Park so many times

I never really did an official write up on it. Having lived in the area, I didn’t really feel the need to do one. But I have written about experiences at there before.

how bout autograph opportunties from the visiting team?

ATLBRVS_19 - September 22, 2010 reply

If you hang near the dugouts

You might score sigs from those Braves players willing to sign stuff. I’ve even seen Chipper sign things in D.C. But I’m not that big of an autograph hound, so I can’t help out too much there. I don’t know where they enter, or which hotel they’re likely to stay at to ambush them there.

I live in the area too...

Don’t really have the time but Nats Park is awesome, great sight lines in particular… you’ll have a great time!

If we shut Minor down...

Who starts?

Beachy? KK? Martinez?

Man I miss Meds…

I could see beachy getting one more start

and probably skipping the spot in the rotation the other time

Doubt we need Minor to make another start

we should be able to skip him with the off-days.

What about the six game stretch @WAS vs FLA?

Ah damn

I was thinking the off day was Monday.

If JJ can make his next start, maybe we start Beachy instead of Minor?

How about we combine Minor and Beach into one pitcher. Three innings each = 1 quality start.

That's not a bad idea.

Kawakami has obviously put a ninja curse on this team after the way Bobby has treated him. We are doomed.

10-4 - September 22, 2010 reply

lol. facepalm.

Saito sensed this, and reversed it.

hahahahahahaha

maizebaseball10 - September 22, 2010 via mobile reply

Why did Chipper and Medlen have to go and get hurt? We had a chance at the division with both of them. Everyone pitches around Chipper and Meds sat everyone down.

BeatTehMets - September 22, 2010 reply

very true, but...

Don’t count your losses. Just move on.

We had a chance of winning the division even without them.

And if we win tonight and pick up a game from them in the next six we’ll be a sweep away from winning the division anyway…. don’t go all apocalypse.

Ugh

Infante
Heyward
Prado
McCann
Lee
McLouth
Gonzalez
Ankiel
Hanson

Minus the non-switching of the top 3

I like it?

lmfao

it’s like riding a bike uphill vs riding a bike downhill.

obviously, Bob likes the uphill battle, more.

I don't like any lineup

that has Rick Ankiel or Melky Cabrera in it.

Who for left then?

Hinske?

Caveman

I'd prefer

Matty D… at least Melky’s not in there

Unless Oswalt switched his pitching hand, Matty D will still see this end of the platoon.

This

That's why I want Werth (or even Crawford) so much

I’m so f’ing sick of our weak ass platoon in LF for the last 3 years or so. It’s time to open up the bank and bring someone in.

Why the hell did we even sell the club to Liberty anyways? They’re a bunch of greedy bastards who refuse to spend money.

give Ted a call

(insert Time Warner into final comment)

for tax purposes

this

Crawford

yeah, i know...

this is how Cox insists on playing LF… but his #s against righties really aren’t that different from Hinske or Ankiel. Earlier in the season I’d say Hinske hands down, right now, not so much

then why watch?

As much as i hate to say it

You guys should pick up Jason Werth this offseason. He would be a good upgrade in the outfield and a nice right handed bat behind Heyward.

andyb - September 22, 2010 reply

His contract demands will likely be too expensive and for too many years to make a deal worthwhile. I would be surprised if Jayson Werth were a Brave next April.

I've been calling for Werth ever since he didn't re-sign with you guys last year.

I still have my mancrush on him, even if he is an asshole.

The only way we can get him (or Crawford) is if Chipper retires or if we trade DLowe. I didn’t think Chipper would come back, but with his comments a few weeks ago about how much money he could still make, I think he’ll return. I think it would be best if he went out with Bobby, but that’s a whole different discussion.

There’s a chance someone like the Mets would be stupid and take on DLowe’s contract, but I don’t see anyone really taking on the $30M that he’s owed.

If

Lowe keeps pitching the way he has, somebody could take him. We will need to eat 5-15 million of his contract but we could trade him

$5-15M is quite a range…

In a perfect world, or at least the one I think would make the Braves the best team possible, the Braves would work a KK for Chone Figgins trade, Chipper would retire, and then we would sign Werth. It would probably never happen, but…

Figgins
Prado
Heyward
BMac
Werth
Freeman
Gonzalez
McLouth

tell me that doesn’t get you really excited.

yea I think that gets everyone excited but

in a perfect world, we find a taker for Lowe and sign Crawford.

Crawford
Prado
Chipper
Mac
Heyward
Gonzo
Freeman
McLouth

Shit. I been saying I want Crawford over Werth, but can’t decide which lineup I like more.

IF Chipper comes back

he better be hitting 2nd next year.

yea probably

but I can’t see Chipper not in the three hole. And he has said he will come back

If only

DLowe had a Latin name. Minaya would snag him for sure!