Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
Clutch!
Our two veteran starters set out to pick up the team while pitching on short rest, and the aftermath of that decision was a HUGE win for the Braves. Both Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe have really picked up this team, and Lowe is as good as he's been since coming to Atlanta the past month. He is now 5-and-0 with a 1.17 ERA and an unheard-of-for-him 29-to-3 strikeout to walk ratio in just over 30 innings. That is really impressive.
The Cubs couldn't help us out last night as the Padres shut them out, but perhaps they can take the series this evening. That game is on the MLB Network at 6:30pm ET. All Braves eyes will be glued to that game.
Even if the Cubs can beat the Padres, the Braves still have some winning to do. Having clinched already we will get the Phillies in "protect mode" for three games, but even their irregular players will want to beat the Braves, so don't think that it will be a cakewalk for three games. We can't just rely on the Padres to lose.
0 recs | 64 comments
Does anyone know where I can get some Thank Bobby paraphenelia, not online, since there is no way I would receive it for the weekend.
dank7 - September 30, 2010
Not that I know of. Try to overnight one it might get there
Kineticist - September 30, 2010
If you have a decent printer, you can make your own iron on transfer for a plain tshirt.
You can get the Avery Iron On Transfers at your local Walmart/Target (office supply section) and then create the graphic and iron it on. These work pretty good, I’ve made several tshirt designs over the years. They won’t laundry 100 times without fading, but for a few wears and keepsake it’s worth it.
If you have a design idea – and need help making the image – I’m sure you could get some here to help out.
NCChopper - September 30, 2010
Yes make your own!
I used to attend the 2nd leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico in Bmore regularly and we always made our shirts this way. Always repping the Dub Vee of course!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
awesome guys thanks!
dank7 - September 30, 2010
I made a "Believe" shirt last year that way
I wish i hadn’t, that campaign failed miserably.
10-4 - September 30, 2010
I have some "Believe in Atlanta" shirts
They are screen-printed, legitimate shirts. I would sell them to anyone on here for $10 if you’re interested. I’ll be at the game Friday if you want to meet up.
brianshrader at hotmail.com
McGriff the Crime Dog - September 30, 2010
Made a FanPost for this
If anyone wants to share their designs too – post them .. HERE ..
NCChopper - September 30, 2010
I was watching the cubs game last night until Byrd’s two-run homerun was robbed over the CF wall. Figured the game was a lost cause at that point.
Coolstandings.com has Braves playoff odds at 92%!
joshmaurer - September 30, 2010
I don't think the percentages odds are very illuminating.
Basically, if we win 1 more, we’re guaranteed a tie and a 1-game playoff. If we win 2 more (or 3 more, obviously), we win the WC outright. So I just consider how likely we are to win one or two more games.
I think we should definitely take at least one game from Philly this weekend. I think we’re no better than even odds to win two, and maybe a little worse.
SS451 - September 30, 2010
Sweeping the Fish really helped our playoff chances. You’d think we wouldn’t get swept by the Phils’ B squad, but stranger things have happened.
Yakker - September 30, 2010
We definitely shouldn't think the games against the Phillies...
….will be walkovers. We won’t face much of their big three (Hamels is set to pitch 2-3 innings and Halladay is being skipped) but since the games matter to us, as a matter of professionalism, I imagine we will see most of their main hitters. One of those unwritten rule things—-if the game counts, you play your guys except when setting the playoff rotation or if there is an injury issue (e.g. Rollins will play only to the extent they want him to play).
cavebird - September 30, 2010
I don't think that unwritten rule exists.
The Phils want to win their first playoff series. They won’t risk their best players in what, for them, are meaningless games. Some of their regulars may start, but I expect that they will be pulled for defensive replacements early.
SS451 - September 30, 2010
We still need another win or two (plus beating the Phillies is always going to be fun). Other than maybe a day of rest (while still winning the game, of course), it sure doesn’t hurt to play with high intensity up to the when the playoff starts (knock on wood).
It would be awesome to clinch before Sunday, so we can set up our playoff rotation with Huddy going first. A healthy showing in relief by JJ would also be a relief.
Not that we need that much more motivation, but we can’t possibly lose Bobby’s last regular season series.
LEastCoastBears - September 30, 2010
Are any of you local DISH network subscribers hearing about this deal where we could lose FSN South and Sportsouth October 1? Does DISH want to have customers?
www.getwhatipaidfor.com
10-4 - September 30, 2010
Good lord man, I dumped DISH network years ago. If you just want a few more channels than you can get by putting up an antennae, I guess they’re fine, but they absolutely suck compared to what you can get with DirecTV or most cable companies
Rhyno18 - September 30, 2010
i actually don’t have any problems with DISH, other than they don’t have mlb network, but if this goes down, i’m headed to directv.
10-4 - September 30, 2010
I have DISH and heard absolutely nothing about this until just now. FSN Midwest is my only outlet to watch the Braves when they are playing in St. Louis, as mlb.tv blacks me out of those games. I should thank my lucky stars that they are not nixing CSN Cincinnati as well.
I watch a lot of shows on FX, and DISH is about to lose that channel as well. Looks like I’m going to be working the phone to cancel my account, and get a DirecTV setup asap.
Dammit.
Chopaholic - September 30, 2010
Postseason prospects
The Braves are only one game ahead of San Diego in the lost column. I expect they will have to beat Philadelphia at least once to win the wildcard outright.
This has been a gutsy performance by the Braves. The most impressive aspect has been the way they have overcome all the injuries. In a playoff format, they might be able to work around Jurrgens’ injury, especially with Lowe pitching so well right now. But the loss of Prado is more worrisome.
On a different note, it was very good to see Freddie Freeman hit a gapper against a lefty in an important late-inning scenario last night.
Messenger - September 30, 2010 via mobile
This is why I said winning the WC isn't bad at all
so long as we can WIN our way into it instead of limping in by relying on other teams to lose. We’re gonna be on FIYAAAAAAAAAA!
Sir Veza - September 30, 2010
It would be great to see the Giants and Padres lose today. It would be nice to win tomorrow and have this thing over with to prepare for the playoffs. If the Padres fall two games back with three to play they’d have to win all three games against the Giants. Unless we get swept, we’ll be in.
mdhenshaw - September 30, 2010
Depending on what they both do today...
we need to win 1 or 2 vs. the Phils. If San Diego loses, one win and they can’t both top us (because they’d need a sweep, and that’d leave the Giants out). If both win today, we need to win at least 2 to guarantee a playoff appearance.
Beachy/Kendrick
Hanson/Hamels
and then Sunday is kind of a ? with Hudson going if we need it (if we win games 1 and 2, and I’d assume we’d rest him and start Martinez, KK or Minor) and they have slated Vance Worley?
Mr. Sanchez - September 30, 2010
Another "OT" Q
Does anyone have the link to the screenshot of the “tributes” Bobby has received from clubs around the league? The one showing how terrible the Marlins are?
dank7 - September 30, 2010
I actually do
I’ll post it when I get back to my apartment
SuperNewb - September 30, 2010 via mobile
thanks a lot
dank7 - September 30, 2010
This will not be easy..
but I think we can definately win 2 from Philly. It will be the toughest series of the season, but with momentum on our side and being at home – we have a good shot.
You can bet on the Phillies trying everything they can to knock us out of the race. I’ve heard some people say they aren’t bringing their perfect game or they will throw out their B team. Wouldn’t you expect division rivals to play their best just so they can crush the other teams hopes of going to the playoffs? If I were Philly, I wouldn’t want to see the Braves in the playoffs and having a shot at possibly going on a hot streak and riding it all the way to the end. I think they see us as a possible threat and wouldn’t want to have to face that if they had another chance.
I expect them to show no mercy.
Forget about what happened last game or last month..Let’s ride this momentum and hot streak to the very end! LET’S GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WeStillHaveBobby - September 30, 2010
toughest series of the season?
Did you not see the last time we went to Philly?
Doghnut - September 30, 2010
yes I did. Did you see what I wrote about forgetting about all other games before this?
The only thing that matters now are these last 3 games. They will be the hardest games since more is on the line – our season could possibly be over if we don’t win.
WeStillHaveBobby - September 30, 2010
That doesnt make them harder, it makes them more important.
I think facing Halladay/Hamels/Oswalt is much harder than whatever crap the Phillies will roll out this weekend. Your point doesn’t make any sense.
Doghnut - September 30, 2010
sweep!
Sweep the Phillies and go into the playoffs on a 6 game winning streak. It might be enough momentum to take the Braves to the NLCS.
For all the frustrations we’ve had this season, it’s still pretty impressive the Braves have been able to win 90+ games despite all their major injuries and possibly make the playoffs.
redwards95 - September 30, 2010
I don’t believe in much. But I do believe in momentum.
Go Braves!
fandave - September 30, 2010
Padres and San Fran
play at 1:10. So there’s a chance we can clinch and be able to celebrate at the ted. That would be so awesome.
Kineticist - September 30, 2010
Talking about Saturday's game
Kineticist - September 30, 2010
Almost Everything Else You Need to Know about NL playoff scenarios
SEEDINGS:
1. Philly has the #1 seed clinched. They also hold home field advantage for as long as they last.
2. San Fran currently has a 2 game lead over Cincy for the #2 seed. They also hold the tiebreaker.
3. In Round 1, the Wild Card team plays the highest seed not in their own division.
SCHEDULE:
TODAY: Arizona at San Fran; Chicago at San Diego; Houston at Cincy.
WEEKEND: Philly at Atlanta for 3 games; San Diego at San Fran for 3. Milwaukee at Cincy for 3.
TIE-BREAKERS:
Note: These matter for sake of determining home-field for games OR seeding in case of ties between teams who BOTH make playoffs.
ATLANTA: Holds advantage over San Fran and San Diego. Also Cincy, but that doesn’t matter in any scenario.
SAN DIEGO: Holds advantage over San Fran and Cincy.
SAN FRAN: Holds advantage over Cincy.
IN CASE OF TIES:
1. SAN DIEGO and SAN FRAN tie, ATL behind both. San Diego wins West; San Fran gets Wild Card. ATL eliminated.
2. SAN DIEGO and SAN FRAN tie, ATL ahead of both. ATL gets Wild Card; SD and SF play one game in SDiego to determine West winner. Loser eliminated.
3. SAN DIEGO and SAN FRAN and ATL tie. SD and SF play one game in SDiego to determine West winner. Loser goes to Atlanta to play one game to determine wild card. That loser eliminated.
4. West Winner and ATL tie. No issue – Braves get wild card and 4th seed.
5. West Winner ties with Cincy. West winner gets #2 seed; Cincy gets #3 seed.
6. SD and SF and Cincy all tie, ATL behind all. See #1 and #5.
7. SD and SF and Cincy all tie, ATL ahead both. See #2 and #5.
8. SD and SF and ATL and CINCY ALL tie. See #3 and #5.
I think that’s all correct.
carpengui - September 30, 2010
Left out one scenario...
9. ATL ties with WEST Runner-up: West Team travels to ATL for one-game playoff. Winner gets Wild Card.
carpengui - September 30, 2010
Thanks.
It’s good to know that if there’s a one-game playoff, the game will be here.
McGriff the Crime Dog - September 30, 2010
Don't we only need to win two (or maybe one) games to clinch?...
Correct me if I’m wrong here, but doesn’t having SF/SD play each other only require us to win one or two more games…rather than needing the possible 3 that our magic number says. Here’s what I’ve figured:
1. If both SD/SF lose today, then SD will be at 88 wins and SF will be at 90 wins (we’re at 90). Thus, if we win one more game, for SD to tie us at 91 wins, they’d have to sweep SF, which would then put them in the lead for the West and SF out (stuck at 90 wins).
2. If SD wins today and SF loses, then SD would have to win 2 of 3 to tie us….otherwise, we clinch. If we won one more game, that’d put us in three-way tie. If we win two, we’d clinch regardless of the result of their games.
3. If SF wins today and SD loses, then we again only need to win one game. See #1.
4. If both SF and SD win today, then we would have to win two games because we’d be at 92 wins…and both SF and SD could not get to 92 wins by playing each other. We could also get there with one win, but that’d just to the magic number stuff.
So, if #1 or 3 happen and we win tomorrow, we’re in. And, if #2 and 4 happen and we win the first two, then we’re in too. Am I missing something? Does this make sense?
bradleyjah - September 30, 2010
That’s pretty well on it – personally, I’m hoping for SD to rebound and eliminate SF while Cincy wins a couple so that Atlanta doesn’t have to (a) travel to the West Coast; and (b) face the Giants pitching staff.
carpengui - September 30, 2010
Agreed
Dont wanna face SF in the first round
Kineticist - September 30, 2010 via mobile
This
Yakker - September 30, 2010
What would also work would be for Cincinnati to gain the 2 games on SF, right? I’d much rather play the Reds than the Giants as well. But I think the Giants have a better chance to beat the Phillies.
This is what would be ideal to me:
- Braves play Cincinnati
- Giants play Philly
McGriff the Crime Dog - September 30, 2010
The “magic number” of 3 doesn’t mean we have to win 3 games to clinch. It means any combination of Braves wins and SD failures adding up to 3 put us in the playoffs. Right now our magic number is 3, but if the Cubs beat SD today our magic number will be reduced to 2.
Rhyno18 - September 30, 2010
I actually went through all of the scenarios, and this is what I came up with...
I assumed SF and SD will both win tonight (just for the WORST case scenario going into the weekend).
1. The only way that we will be eliminated from the playoffs, without at least a tie-break game, will be if we are swept AND SD wins 2 or more games. Very low chance of the stars aligning in this way (2 wins tonight, us swept, and SD winning the series in SF). Made me feel better.
2. If we win 2 games, we’re in.
3. If we win 1 game, we’re in…unless SD wins the series. If they do, then there is a tiebreak (against either SD or SF). Both tiebreak game would be at home.
Now, if SD and/or SF happen to lose tonight, then our odds of going to the playoffs increase substantially. If BOTH of them lose tonight, then we cannot be eliminated without a tiebreak game, even if we are swept.
Feeling a little better after figuring this out, but we need to win, regardless.
ryantex - September 30, 2010
The last thing I want to happen right now....
……is San Francisco going into their last series with nothing to play for. If they clinch in the first game, San Diego will be facing scrubs.
Undocorkscrew - September 30, 2010
Not sure about this…I think they’d still like to play for home-field advantage and to avoid playing the Phils in the first round. They might not go all out for it, but I doubt they’ll roll over if they clinch on Friday.
Yakker - September 30, 2010
Can we have an open thread tonight for the Giants and Padres games? That would be fun.
MBL1 - September 30, 2010 via mobile
I completely agree....
…..and I also want to note that living in Florida is horrible. Very few people to talk baseball with, so an open thread for tonight’s game probably saves me some money, as I was gonna go watch 127 Hours(with Danny Boyle in attendance, so can’t believe I’m choosing this over that, but it’s a f_cking playoff race).
Undocorkscrew - September 30, 2010
Has it been said BY Manuel.....
…..that Halladay and Oswalt won’t pitch in this series?
Undocorkscrew - September 30, 2010
yes
nuftjedi - September 30, 2010
…and even Hamels will be limited significantly.
carpengui - September 30, 2010
NLDS Game 1(in ATL) tickets purchased.
musicman - September 30, 2010
Same with me. I actually went ahead and bought tickets for all three home games the day the came out. Obviously I’ll be getting the money back for the third game (since there can’t be a Game 5 at home for a WC winner), but hopefully that’s all I’ll be getting back!
McGriff the Crime Dog - September 30, 2010
Anyone remember 95?
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
No, no one remembers 95.
MBL1 - September 30, 2010 via mobile
That's a bummer, was a great year!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
what happened
in 95?
WeStillHaveBobby - September 30, 2010
We swept cinci!
I sent my cousin a casket with a reds hat and a broom in it!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
We won the World Series.
MBL1 - September 30, 2010 via mobile
oh yeah
and we beat the lesser Native American mascot team, who talked a lot of trash!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
Earl Horsehider
Still thinks he told Maddux off when Greg buzzed Steady Eddie’s tower.
Earl is delusional.
Sam Jethroe - September 30, 2010
houston rockets won....!!!!!
Hektor DiPaula - September 30, 2010
I definitely remember 1995.
My son was born and the Braves rocked.
carpengui - September 30, 2010
We swept cinci!
I sent my cousin a casket with a reds hat and a broom in it!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
omg fail!
TCfromDubVee - September 30, 2010
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