Nick Laham - Getty Images
I may not be a religious man, but prayers are welcome this week.
Oh my. Oh my. This is getting desperate ... and ridiculous. It would be great if someone could go on and on about all the problems this team has, but really, there are just a few problems. Problem is those problems are HUGE and GLARING.
Hitting with runners in scoring position. Maybe we could even boil it down to just hitting for some guys. That has been our biggest problem. Kyle Farnsworth = problem. Overusing young pitching arms is a really big problem, and one that could bite us for a few years to come. I'm sure we could find plenty of other smaller issues, but this inability to hit and score runs is the biggest factor in our last season fade.
Luckily San Diego and San Francisco are keeping us in this thing:
The Padres play the Cubs for four games starting tonight. If ever we over-payed for a reason for Derrek Lee, it was so that the Cubbies could beat those Pads out of the playoffs. They owe us a STBNL (Sweep To Be Named Later), and I'm charging them with sweeping the Padres this week.
Our old pals Adam and Kelly need to take care of San Francisco this week and the Dodgers need to take care of the Rockies. Of course, all of that is predicated on the Braves actually taking care of business against the Marlins and then (heaven help us) the Phillies (who will likely have clinched by that point and will be playing their B-team).
For all the Braves great play at home this year, they are just 4-and-5 at home this month. Six more games. Six more chances. Every game should be viewed as a playoff elimination game. There is absolutely no room for error right now. I'm going to need a lot of booze to get through this week.
*************************
Weather concerns for tonight's game should hopefully be alleviated by the rain departing around 8 or 9 p.m. The game start time will likely be delayed, at least that would be the best scenario for the Braves. The worst scenario would be to endure a long delay that would force tonight's starting pitcher, Tommy Hanson, out of the game. The Braves don't have the surplus pitching right now to make up for the loss of those innings, especially if Jair Jurrjens is unable to pitch on Tuesday.
The Marlins don't have an off-day like the Braves do on Thursday, so postponement of tonight's game seems highly unlikely. Though if the game were to be postponed it would be nice if MLB would make the Marlins and Pirates (Florida's final opponent) play a double-header (or just cancel one of their games) so that the game that actually means something can be played in reasonable conditions. But that's probably too much to ask.
0 recs | 114 comments
Unrelated
Is anyone else having to now login every time they come to TC, even when they click the little “Remember Me”? I have noticed this started a few days ago. And before anyone blames my crappy computer, it has now occurred on 3 different computers.
10-4 - September 27, 2010
yes
fandave - September 27, 2010
yep
Cayla - September 27, 2010
Affirmative. But I login through my Yahoo Id.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
they got you guys too? Damn
Shoert - September 27, 2010
YES!
I thought it was just me. It’s getting annoying.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 27, 2010
Yes (and I've asked about it)
What I have found is… if I click my TC bookmark it doesn’t show me as logged in. However, if I click the SBNation logo at the top left, it will see me as logged in, then I just click my TC bookmark again and all is fine. Go figure?
I told Tech support about this. They said they have been having issues and that I should clear my cookies and cache and make sure my security settings are as recommended to “allow” cookies from this site and it should now be fixed.
I did that and nope.
So, for now, I take these extra steps.
Oh, and when I visit via my mobile phone, it always remembers me.
NCChopper - September 27, 2010
I get to TC from the Yahoo Sports Braves page….haven’t had a problem yet. Might want to try that.
bighop - September 27, 2010
I tried your way and it worked for me as well. Thanks for the tip!
10-4 - September 27, 2010
Yeah. It’s a bit annoying.
Sparhawk - September 27, 2010
you know, there seem to be a few other around here who also seem pretty crazy stressed out.
wouldn’t be great, however, if our team could play relaxed for a change. the pressure, the exhaustion of the long grind, or the whatever the hell the problem is seems to be really weighing them down lately.
fandave - September 27, 2010
Braves win six straight, Phillies lose six straight. One game playoff where Jason Heyward is all time batter.
BeatTehMets - September 27, 2010
Best comment evah!
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
McCann and Prado aren’t hitting for jack in September. That’s the biggest problem with the offense.
The only series the Braves have won this month have been against the Mets. They have lost three series to last place teams Pittsburgh and Washington.
The Braves are totally insane if they pitch JJ again this year. Get him started on whatever surgery or treatment he needs to pitch well next year.
Really the only team the Braves need to scoreboard watch is San Diego. San Francisco is pitching great this month and should win the west. The Rockies are too far back. If the Rockies catch the Braves, it will be because Atlanta hasn’t won any games and at that point they’d be dead for the wild card anyway. Figure the Braves need at least 4 wins to beat or tie San Diego. Go out there and beat the Phils and Fish!
redwards95 - September 27, 2010
attendance
What’s it going to take to get Atlanta to come to games? Been this way far too long.
Murphfan - September 27, 2010
"football mentality" in the south is too overwhelming.
not enough people care about baseball.
a few of us do, sure. but around here, for the most part, it’s either “football, basketball, or get out.”
If the Braves won another Series, the bandwagon would probably be back in full force, but until that happens, the draw will be about the same. That’s the sad truth of it.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
Don’t forget about the elephant in the room either.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
???
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
The notion that has been floating around for a few years that the team is a racist orginization for not having enough African American players. It may have no basis in fact, but if you repeat yourself enough times, some people will start to buy into what you say.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
…………………..lol.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
What’s funny?
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
It’s absolutely ridiculous. That’s what’s funny.
Don’t we have about the same number of African American players as all the other clubs in baseball? They only make up about 10-15% of the players, don’t they?
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
8.4 percent in 2006. But yeah, we probably get more grief because of the region of the country we are in and the demographics of the city.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
I remember the Cardinals not having a single African American on their 40-man....
….for at least the first half of this season. Never once heard anyone mention it….
But with the influx of latino players in this organization, it’s highly unlikely that it’s a racist one.
Fact is just that there aren’t a ton of African American’s in the game, while more and more are opting for football and basketball while international scouting is increasing….
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
I don't think the point is that the Braves are racist.
The point is they have been alleged to be.
parish - September 27, 2010
EXACTLY. Just like in politics, the accusation alone can cause catastrophic damage
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
This was a real conversation I had with someone online, last year...
“Nyjer Morgan sucks.” – me
“That’s racist.” – them
“……How, exactly?” – me
“What you just called him.” – them
“That’s his name.” – me
“Oh…..I thought you said something else.”
that’s how racist the Braves are. they aren’t. the accusation alone is laughable.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
It is laughable. But certain folks will believe what they want to believe.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
lol, that’s fine, tho. none of us really care. just saying.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
Cool Beans :P
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
I am starting to believe that Bobby hates Asians. He probably blames Kawakami for Pearl Harbor.
10-4 - September 27, 2010
Too soon
That movie SUCKED. We are talking about the movie right?
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
Nyjer Morgan reminds me of Blazing Saddles...
The center fielder is a Nyjer!!
cthabeerman - September 27, 2010
Where the white women at?
bighop - September 27, 2010
'Scuse me while I whip this out...
J-Freak - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Work, work, work, work...hello boys!
bighop - September 27, 2010
Anybody with a brain....
…..can tell this isn’t a racist organization. There’s going to be idiots who tag them with that label based on their location, but I wouldn’t pay attention to that crowd.
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
I should add
1) As ridiculous as the accusation is, some people believe it.
2) This is not the reason for our low attendance.
parish - September 27, 2010
Yep. Attendence is low because the ATL unemployment rate is about 10.3%. Cant go to games without the money. (Even though attendance is up by 700 people per game)
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
I have always thought it was
1) Location of the stadium relative to the fans of the team.
2) The many transplants in the city that are more fans of other organizations.
I like numbering my points.
parish - September 27, 2010
I do seem to recall reading somewhere once that the majority of the season ticket holders live 50+ miles away from the city.
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
The distance to the stadium is the biggest thing. The weekend games are always going to sell better as you don’t have to fight rush hour traffic to go to the games then. if they relocated the stadium to say Alpharetta or somewhere on the north side where you didn’t have to fight downtown traffic, that would put a lot more fans in the seats. Unfortunately, it’ll never happen.
Not only that, but it’s hard to get out of work, go down to the game, stay til 10 or so, fight the hour long drive back home and then not get into bed until after midnight.
Dave_D - September 27, 2010
Every organization, business, household is allegedly 'something'
Doesn’t mean people actually believe it. It’s a complete non-issue, as far as I’m concerned.
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
Not sure that people are aware
Although the Braves are currently essentially 1 game back on both SF and SD, because they play each other for the last 3, someone will have to lose at least 2.
Bottomline, Braves still control their own destiny. Just need to win at home.
LEastCoastBears - September 27, 2010 via mobile
This is a great point
If we just stay close, we have it.
Bob Mackie - September 27, 2010
1. Change the economy
2. Bring in a STAR player
3. Develop a workman’s attitude…blue collar approach
Braves12 - September 27, 2010
say what?
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
Reply fail as to why no one goes to the games
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
Everybody relax, I know just what to do in times like this................
PANIC!!!!
Shoert - September 27, 2010
You look like you have a bit of pain behind those eyes......
There’s only one cure for pain like that.
Yea, Whats that?
Weed. Ya got any?
bluelg - September 27, 2010
Oh the weather outside is weather
bpk228480 - September 27, 2010
I once saw him beat a guy up with a starfish.
Pavy848 - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Some good news....
Hanley and Bonafacio will likely be out for tonights game, and Hanley is questionable for the entire series. Still have to deal with Sanchez, Morrison, Stanton, and Uggla though…
I’ll say this, I hate the Marlins more than anything. Losing to them here could possibly kill me. They got a taste of ‘spoiler’ when downing the Mets two years in a row, and I know they’re hungry for more. Hanson needs to walk on the mound, hit the first batter in the face, and then shut them down from there.
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
Hopefully Nate’s role for the rest of the season is reduced to pinch runner, if anything.
His “defense/arm” are too much of a liability. At least Rick saves us some runs.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
Beachy has been a breath of fresh air
He’s thrown well considering the circumstances. He’s given us a chance to win twice as we fight for the playoffs (fight might be a strong word).
I can only guess he’ll get another start since Bobby Cox said, “I can’t wait to see him pitch again.”
I think JJ is done, you can’t force a guy to throw through knee pain like that. Why give up a game when we can start someone healthy?
Back to Beachy…
He was thrown into a playoff push, has faced 2 World Series MVPs as opponents on the mound, the former World Series Champs and acting NL pennant winners, pitched against All-Stars, MVPs…struckout All-Stars and MVPs…and has kept his cool in both games as all heck has been ready to break loose…and he finds a way to settle in and compete.
I like this guy more than before. His make-up is phenomenal and he is doing a stand up job for the other 25 guys who have played 156 games for the Braves this season. I hope he gets to toe the slab one more time this season.
Braves12 - September 27, 2010
Really like Beachy...
Hudson
Hanson
Lowe
Beachy
Minor
What’s the earliest Medlen will be back?
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
July 2011
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
That’s a little optimistic. mid- to late August is probably the best case scenario.
J-Freak - September 27, 2010 via mobile
He has really impressed me in the 2 outings so far.
9Ks were ridiculous!
Too bad our offense didn’t find a way to give him some run support.
(I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve said that for one of our SPs this year).
NCChopper - September 27, 2010
Beachy looks like he’s going to be a good one. This years experience will only help him. Where will put all our pitchers? By this time next year we could be dealing with Hudson, Hanson, Lowe, Jurrjens, Minor, Beachy, Medlen, Ortegano, Diamond, DelGado and Teheran being ready and available. Great problem to have, but where do we put them all?
bighop - September 27, 2010
Medlen should be counted out for next year…(anything he give us is a plus)
Ortegano won’t be ready, neither will DelGado.
Tehran will be close…possible call up.
Diamond will continue to improve and be close…if not serviceable next year.
Beachy will earn a spot. Minor should earn a spot.
Braves12 - September 27, 2010
Interesting picture.
A cross & a star of David?
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
Throw in a crescent moon, a voodoo doll, Jobu...
can’t take any chance of pissing off the wrong God(s) at a time like this
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
I was about to make a separate comment on the photo. I like the way it looks. The lighting and composition are great. And I like that there’s a backstory in the necklace. It’s open to interpretation.
TheLetter2 - September 27, 2010
Yes...
I think it’s a very cool picture as well. I’m guessing that it is Martin Prado, based on the fact that I often see his cross necklace while he is playing.
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
I think its an awesome picture. I wouldn’t put much stock into it though, because my guess is it (the it being the Star of David) is just a symbol to him, a la Wade Boggs and ‘Chai’
GoBravesNY - September 27, 2010
Pretty sure...
he’s probably Catholic.
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
September offensive numbers so far
Record: 10-14 (T-14th)
DIFF: 82 – 96 = -14 (13th)
AVG: .246 (196-798) (11th)
OBP: .315 (10th)
SLG: .352 (15th)
OPS: .667 (13th)
2B: 42 (T-7th)
3B: 2 (T-w/5 teams last place)
HR: 13 (T-Last)
R: 82 (14th)
RBI: 77 (14th)
BB:77 (T-6th)
SO: 169 (T-8th)
SB: 3 (16th)
CS: 5 (T-7th)
GIDP: 24 (1st)
wOBA: .295 (13th)
April`s numbers
Record: 9-14 (T-13th)
DIFF: 85-103 = -18 (13th)
AVG: .227 (16th)
OBP: .326 (12th)
SLG: .342 (15th)
OPS: .667 (15th)
2B: 36 (11th)
3B: 2 (T-14th)
HR: 15 (15th)
R: 85 (14th)
RBI: 78 (15th)
BB: 106 (1st)
SO: 165 (10th)
SB: 9 (12th)
CS: 4 (10th)
GIDP: 19 (3th)
wOBA: .301 (15th)
joshant - September 27, 2010
Hey cool
We’re leading in GIDP! At least that’s something.
Richard R - September 27, 2010
Don’t worry, we’ll just get hot next month again!………….what?
bravos1984 - September 27, 2010
Sheesh
If only we hadn’t had that nine game losing streak in April, things would not be as desperate right now.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Same could be said for the Padres
They had a 10 game losing streak just a few weeks ago. Thats the only reason why the NL West is even a race
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
54% chance to make the playoffs, down from 90%...
Just 7 days ago.
This would be an epic choke if we cannot pull it out.
parish - September 27, 2010
Would it be surprising though?
Isn’t the Braves way to choke around September/October
BravesFanScout - September 27, 2010
It’s generally just October.
The non-playoff years were basically done prior to September.
LEastCoastBears - September 27, 2010 via mobile
People who use the word "choke"
are, in my opinion, extremely unimaginative, and in general, not very smart.
That’s just my opinion, though.
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
Reggie Miller says hi
Yakker - September 27, 2010
The end to this season is looking similar to last year
The Braves were behind for most of the year last year, but the similarities come from the Nationals and Marlins knocking the Braves out of the playoffs. The Braves need to wake up tonight and treat every game like a playoff game. If they don’t wake up for the Marlins then we could end up being 3 back in the wild card with 3 to play.
BravesFanScout - September 27, 2010
I wish I was 21
Because I need the booze too.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Depending on your age....
….just smoke lots, and lots of weed. Not only will you take losses better, but you will never be more interested in a hitters batting stance and pitchers wind-ups…..
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
lol
yeah, booze usually leads to stuff getting broken. the other usually leads to stuff getting eaten.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
Drugs aren't really my thing
But let’s hope this week isn’t so bad that I make an exception.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Are we allowed to be negative now?
SuperHeyward - September 27, 2010
not until this weekend
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
well hopefully I won’t have to be
SuperHeyward - September 27, 2010
NO
Never.
sddbaker - September 27, 2010
Completly OT
But was anyone else in Alpharetta Saturday night for the Widespread Panic show? It was EPIC!
Nathan Lowery - September 27, 2010
Not completely off
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
green them
Tim Goad - September 27, 2010
green them???
Nathan Lowery - September 27, 2010
yea...as in turning them green. epic fails get green'd
Tim Goad - September 27, 2010
Not completely off
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Not completely OT
I think widespread panic describes TC pretty accurately right about now.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Wow. Biggest reply fail ever.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Not completely OT
But did anyone see the season premiere of Eastbound and Down last night?
Undocorkscrew - September 27, 2010
missed it. ill be watching after the game tonite tho
Chief Noc-A-Homa - September 27, 2010
Yep
it was good
McGriff the Crime Dog - September 27, 2010
Hopefully the Braves are following the Cardinals 2006 model. They barely finished over .500 and limped into the playoffs.
mdhenshaw - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Yankees lost 13 of their final 15
In 2000 and still won it all.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010 via mobile
There is an interesting article on ESPN
but it requires insider access. It basically says that momentum in baseball is completely useless going into the playoffs. Generally speaking, it doesn’t matter if you had won 10 in a row or lost 10 in a row, it is usually not a good predictor of future results in the postseason
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
Probably because of the ridiculous amount of off days. See World Series 2007: Rockies, Colorado.
10-4 - September 27, 2010
Well it addressed that
said that the 2007 Rockies team was an outlier, not the norm. As someone said earlier, the 2000 Yanks lost 13 of 15 going in and took the whole thing. Just saying that if we make the playoffs, playing poorly going in does not necessarily indicate that we will do the same in the playoffs. Once you are in, its a whole new season and anything can happen
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
Harsh
I feel like this is getting a bit harsh. Do I want the braves to make the playoffs? Hell yes! I even raised my expectations to that during the season, but how many of us really thought we were a 90 win team when the season started? I sure didn’t and I’m proud of the winning thus far.
The Beard - September 27, 2010
I thought they would be good coming out of Spring Training. But having suffered through the 70’s and 80’s with the Braves, I’ve really enjoyed this season. I can understand the folks that were too young to remember how bad the Braves ALWAYS were being up in arms. Not me, we can still win 90 games, playoffs or not, a great year in my opinion.
bighop - September 27, 2010
It’s a sad state of affairs when we start blaming our poor attendance on racism. Wow, we are really grasping. As I said before, if there are not more than 20,000 fans at the game tonight, then I will be ashamed. Having a poor turnout tonight will only validate what other fans say about Braves fans. They should all be sellouts.
Who here was not envious of the energy at the Phillies stadium last week? I haven’t seen that in Atlanta for years, except for rare occasions.
ryantex - September 27, 2010
Well tonight may be bad
just cause it is suppose to rain. Otherwise, I agree. These next 6 games its imperative to give our boys some support
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
number should be good....
with it being Boby’s last homestand
Shoert - September 27, 2010
"Bobby's"
I cant spell
Shoert - September 27, 2010
I don’t understand why Cox is thinking of throwing Huddy (who looks gassed) and Lowe on 3 days rest instead of giving one of these other kids on the 40 man a spot start. Look at what we’ve gotten out of Beachy, why not see if we can strike lightning in a bottle twice. If anything they could give Christian Martinez a spot start and hope to get 5 innings out of him. He pitched 4 innings against the Fish earlier this month and pitched very well. He’s started in AAA a few game so it would not be new to him. I’d rather we do that and give at least Huddy the rest he needs so he can at least bring his B game when he starts.
Martinez hasn’t pitched since the 21st, so he should be well rested. It’s not the best option, but I don’t want to gas all of our starters just to make the playoffs only to have them suck even worse in the NLDS.
Dave_D - September 27, 2010
The reason he would do it
is because you are much more certain to get a quality start or at least some innings from Huddy and Lowe. Granted, Huddy looks gased, but at this point you want to ride the horses that got you to this point to try and finish the job. We don’t have the luxury of time to see if another guys works out and Bobby knows this
BravesDawg16 - September 27, 2010
for real....
its unfair to Beachy or Martinez to put a good deal of your playoff hopes on him. If we make the playoffs, we get a few days rest to get back to normal.
Shoert - September 27, 2010
A small note of optimism.
We have one small advantage here if we play well. Even though we are one game back in the WC, we do control our own destiny. The Padres and Giants play three games against each other; one of those teams must lose two games. Therefore, if we go 6-0, we win the WC. If we go 5-1, we at least get to game 163. Beyond that, the more we lose the more help we need. What we really need to do is win some f’in games.
cavebird - September 27, 2010
We’ve been lucky to not be further behind than we are. At some point maybe the offense will wake up and the Braves will win 4 or 5 in a row. Needs to happen right about now!
bighop - September 27, 2010
This makes sense
But the problem is, I doubt we will go 6-0 or 5-1. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised at this point if we went 0-6.
E-Lizz - September 27, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.