If it's Monday, then it's the Atlanta Braves fan confidence poll. As always, this poll and therefore your confidence level should encompasses several areas of the team. These areas include, but are not limited to, the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, and general playing ability on the field. The poll will stay open for 48 hours, and then the results will be posted and graphed against the previous weeks.
0 recs | 24 comments
I know this poll is about more than our current-season playoff chances (both the chance we make the post-season and the likelihood of our performing well if we get there), but obviously that is what’s at the forefront of most Braves fans’ minds right now. That being said, the awful weekend series against the nationals was a major blow to my confidence that we’ll even make the post-season. And frankly, if we do, I don’t expect us to make it past the division series given how tired the pitching staff has looked lately.
Having been at nationals stadium for both losses this weekend, I am going with (an admittedly reactionary) 5.
epatl - September 27, 2010
I am struggling...
I think our future is bright, but our present looks dismal. Yes, we’re only 1/2 game back, but I have little confidence that we will overtake the Huge Humans or the Fathers.
Unfortunately, baseball is a finesse and timing sport. A team cannot simply play harder to win a game. If that’s all it took, then we would not be losing games to inferior teams like the Nats and Pirates down the stretch. Thus, sheer desire to win one for Bobby is not enough.
Thus, we are left with how the team is currently playing. Maybe they’ll surpise me, but I predict a 3-3 split of the last 6 games…I just don’t know if that’s going to be enough…We’ll see.
Maybe this season is shaping up to be one, crazy come-from-behind victory…That would fit many of the games from earlier in the season.
Jman781 - September 27, 2010
Huge Humans or the Fathers:)
That is funny, although when I laugh these days I cry.
jaleemom - September 28, 2010
Well, it looks like I'm in the majority thus far, unfortunately.
Mine dropped from a 7 to a 5, and it reflects everything that has gone awry since September 1st. Not being able to get the big hit is flat out killing us.
Not to mention, and I know I’ve said this before – good teams beat the teams they’re supposed to beat, more often than not, and the Braves aren’t doing that this month, period. Losing to the Pirates and Nats is inexcusable IMHO.
Jman – I’d be more than pleased with winning 3 out of 6 this week. I think that gets the Braves in the WC.
DolphinNation - September 27, 2010
I'm down to a 7.
Still love our system, and I still think this team has the talent to compete in the playoffs, especially with a shortened rotation, but going to the Series isn’t looking too possible at the moment.
king of games - September 27, 2010
Still at 8
Braves are still in the thick of the playoff race, if we make it, anything can happen. If we don’t, we have a great base to build on and a youth movement and pitching surplus that bodes well for the future. On top of that, we get a new manager next year, probably one that learned the job from Bobby Cox. After watching years, even decades of Braves futility in the 70’s and 80’s, there’s no way I’ll lose confidence in a team knocking on the door of a 90 win season.
bighop - September 27, 2010
You guys are ridiculous.
I’m sorry, but the votes on the poll are pathetic. And I know you’re entitled to your own opinion, but it’s wrong.
Fun stat of the day: We’re 1/2 a game out for the 2nd best record in the National League.
Sure, we’re 4-6 in our last 10 games. Wanna know the records of SF, SD and Colorado in their last 10 games? 6-4, 5-5, and 4-6, respectively.
And if you take in effect the entire organization (as you’re supposed to), you’ll know that we have three top-25 prospects for 2011 (Teheran, Freeman and Delgado), and even more in the top-100 (Minor, Vizcaino) with the possibility of a guy like Salcedo or Bethancourt too. That’s pretty damn impressive.
And then I look up and see 5, 4 and 6 being the most popular in the poll. Seriously? That’s bullshit.
Scott Coleman - September 27, 2010
Herding Cats!
Good luck.
bighop - September 27, 2010
I can't speak for everyone (voted a 7 myself)
I can think of two out of those five that i would currently give a 6 or below to-those being Current Management (I know, its Bobby’s last year and he’s magical and the best manager ever) and General Playing ability on the field. So, if you want to get into mathematical equations, they may not be that far off. Especially if you also factor in some people’s hatred of Liberty Media (I’m indifferent to them-they give us a payroll near 100M and stay out of the way), its not an extreme over reaction.
And just because other teams we are contending with are sputtering too doesn’t automatically make us better. I see this team every day, and i will judge them based solely on their performance, not how they compare to other teams.
10-4 - September 27, 2010
If the Braves had a payroll of $100mil this year, it would’ve helped a lot. It’s been closer to $90mil.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - September 27, 2010
35 votes for 1...
Signals intruders.
-C
cthabeerman - September 27, 2010
6
Only the equally pathetic September play of the Padres may save this Braves team from epic fail.
The Mets are literally the only team the Braves have won a series against in September. They somehow managed to lose all 3 series to Pittsburgh and Washington.
But but but the future is so bright? Well Heyward’s future is at least. I’m not sure Freddie can make enough contact and walk enough to be the star everybody wants him to be. Maybe with Bobby gone Venters and Kimbrel might actually pitch for the Braves for a few more years before undergoing TJ surgery. As for all our overhyped minor league pitchers, anybody remember Chuck James, Horacio Ramirez, Jojo Reyes, and Charlie Morton? I’ll believe all those young guys are great when I see them having success in the big leagues.
Frank Wren has a lot of work to do this offseason (yet again).
redwards95 - September 27, 2010
I don't think
It’s fair to make assumptions about Freeman after only one month in the bigs and not playing everyday… It took him half a season to adjust to AAA, and look what he did after he adjusted
HansonManCrush - September 27, 2010 via mobile
Sure. I’m not saying he won’t be good eventually. But some fans and possibly Braves’ management seem to think Freeman will be next year’s Heyward. I don’t know if he’s quite ready to play at that level of performance. If he doesn’t and the Braves don’t have a plan B, then first base will again be a huge hole in the line up next year.
redwards95 - September 27, 2010
In a big way
He will be next years Heyward. He’s a highly anticipated, highly ranked and regarded prospect expected to be a big part of the Braves future. He is not Heywards clone, does not have the same skill set. But there is no doubt in my mind that he will be one of the better rookies in the NL in 2011. His defense is already exceptional and this years cup of coffee should give him a head start in preparing to hit major league pitching. OB% aside, Freeman might get close to Heyward’s numbers next year, the walk offs and dramatics aside. Why not?
bighop - September 27, 2010
This is such a bad post
I’m not sure Freddie can make enough contact and walk enough to be the star everybody wants him to be
alxn - September 27, 2010
what I meant to say right there
None of the pitchers you mentioned were over-hyped by anyone who knew what they were talking about. They were considered potential mid-rotation starters at best. It isn’t fair at all to compare scrubs like that to a phenom like Teheran.
Your comments about Freeman have no basis at all. His minor league track record at a very young age indicates the complete opposite. I would love to know what drove you to say that, other than an extremely small MLB sample size.
alxn - September 27, 2010
He might not be a star, but the kid is a serious ball player. AAA POY at 20 yrs old doesn’t suck.
bighop - September 27, 2010
I meant to agree with you
but when I quoted what that dude said it screwed up my post for some reason
alxn - September 27, 2010
I just noticed the post you put up was quoting his….I agree completely with your expanded post
bighop - September 27, 2010
Voted an 8
Have you heard of this Jason Heyward kid? Might be a good start to a future championship team.
joshmaurer - September 27, 2010
I have different method to the madness
the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, and general playing ability on the field.
I pretty much allot a certain amount to each and add them up to get to a number to convey my “confidence”. 5 categories with different weight to each
“the team’s ownership” – 0.5 out of 2
“current management,” – 1.5 out of 3
“talent,” – 2.0 out of 4
“minor-league system” – 1.0 out of 2
“general playing ability on the field” – 1.0 out of 3
this is a 6 for me. Does it vary weekly? Yep. General playing ability being the biggest. Just my thoughts. The highest I’ve been all season was at an 8.
murph35 - September 27, 2010
and i fully realize things dont add up
but i take each category into a percentage and try to convey that into a confidence level
murph35 - September 27, 2010
Apparently the celebration for clinching the NL East includes trolling our confidence poll.
Is there a way to phase out all the 1 votes?
bravos1984 - September 28, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.