Show #113: Braves’ First Losing Week Since Early May
ChiSox and Tigers. Phillies “home” games. An OF bat. And the injury bug.
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- Momentum on Medlen's side as Braves streak into Citi Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 10:27 pm
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June 27th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Teixeira’s long hair in the back really, really annoys me. I don’t have a good explanation for why.
June 28th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Steve, is it a mullet? I haven’t seen it, but that’s what it sounds like you’re describing. Good show. I am excited about the next stretch of games because a lot of the “ifs” hanging around this team will finally be answered, and we’ll know how well the team really stacks up against the Phils and Mets. We’ll know if Diaz and JJ are both doomed for a bad year, we’ll know what the deal with The Thumb is, and we’ll know if McOut’s concussion somehow helped him figure out how to hit again, to throw home, to call for a ball, and to maybe not bunt with RISP with the pitcher hitting behind him. I’m almost certain Meds is going back to the pen. No use getting fussy about it. Remember who calls the shots for this team. Diaz and McOut are both going to see the field more than they should, and KK will keep on startin’. If the next couple of weeks go bad for Diaz and McOut, then I bet Wren picks up an outfield bat. I don’t think it will be anyone that requires a lot of premier prospects to be given up. I expect that it would be another Hinske type player that can play both corners and maybe some first. Another reliever couldn’t hurt either. You can’t go into the postseason with a bunch of guys with control issues. The Vulture, Meds, and Wags have been consistently good, other than that….
P.S. Props on the US soccer team mention. It was a great run. It’s amazing that we made the final 16 with the likes of Germany, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, and Portugal, all of which have so many more talented players than the US team. The soccer Yanks gave it their all, and won their group, which hasn’t happened since like 1930.
June 28th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Late. Night. Post! I’m never up late and the time stamp will make it look even more impressive! Maybe I’ll get to listen to the show tomorrow…I’m a busy gal and in high demand.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Clarification on if the Braves have announced anything about KK/Medlen. From DOB a few minutes ago: Jurrjens is scheduled to start Wednesday. Beyond that, Cox absolutely refuses to even discuss which way he/they are leaning regarding Kawakami and Medlen and who’ll get bumped. Sorry, but that’s all. Again yesterday, he cut off questions about that subject, said, “Let us decide. We’ll let you know when we have an announcement.”
June 28th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Because he knows he will get killed if he declares Medlen is headed to the pen and wants to stave off the howls until the last minute. Given your numbers last night, and the fact that KK was awful coming out of the pen, i think we grin and bear it. The way Hanson has pitched, we are going to need a good long reliever.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Yeah, the one good thing about having Meds in he pen is that when a starter “lays an egg” , then Meds can come in and hold the other team so the offense can get us back in the game. He can also hold a team when Hanson or Lowe have to leave after 6 or less due to a high pitch count. On the other hand, I just think the team can’t win with KK out there, which is what I think Curt mentioned on the show. It’s ridiculous, but it’s the truth.
Crazy thought of the day: I wonder if KK wouldn’t have any trade value given the numbers Steve gave last night night. I mean, Greinke has a terrible record, but I’m sure many teams would look at him as an excellent trade piece. I’m not saying KK is Greinke, but his numbers aren’t awful (other than W-L), and a lot of teams are going to be looking for another starter at the deadline…
June 28th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I’ll be at the Strasburg game tonight. Allll by my sellllllllffffffffffffffff (don’t wanna be…) Who’s jealous??
June 28th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Mmmmmeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Me too. Headin’ home to Tennessee for the 4th and My mom’s B-day this weekend. I’m going to try to make it down to ATL for a game against the Fish. That’s awesome that you’ll be there tonight, Anne. I’ll look for you on ESPN 2.
June 28th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Do you guys think maybe BC will put Meds in the pen due to a lack of confidence in JJ? Somebody mentioned KK’s long relief work last year and how bad it was. Maybe Bobby anticipates really needing a strong reliever. Just a thought.
Didn’t Terry say many times how badly Heward was hurting but we’d never hear it from him? Isn’t it maybe the hitting coaches job to go to bat for the players. It’s easy to throw Terry under the bus. I kinda like Heyward wanting to play through the pain and not want to bow out. I don’t think we can ever expect him to say he’s too hurt to play. Speaking of hurt…I jammed my thumb during wiffle ball last week and typing on my iPhone kills.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Mara – they’ve got to be weighing that kind of stuff (are we better off with a middling starter -KK-, plus a good long reliever -Meds-, vs. a better starter but a worse long man). To Nate’s point, with Hanson and his short starts of late, plus who knows what we get out of JJ for the first few starts, the long man in the pen may get a lot of work in the coming weeks.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Well, I’ll go on the record as the (one of the) last hold-out. I don’t believe KK belongs in the starting rotation, and I regard his first win as the most unfortunate fluke to hit the club since Jo Jo Reyes’s first decent performances.
KK has looked completely hittable to me since he got here. Sometimes he faces a team for the first time and has some success, but stats show the more a team sees him, the more they crush him (generally). How do we suppose that’s going to work out against NL East opponents as we start to play them more and more often? KK is going to get KILLED. It’s going to get very, very ugly.
Meanwhile, Kris is finally stretched out. The sensible solution would be to use Kris as a starter, skip his starts when off days allowed, and further control his innings with a Mike Minor call up at the end of the season if progress allowed, or in the worst case stretch KK out again and bring him back then. That would be one less round of seeing him for the NL East foes.
I agree having Meds for long relief is very handy, and I’ll grin and bear it like the rest, but I expect KK to really, really struggle as a starter in the second half. It’s so important to be confident in “the next day’s starting pitching.” That suff stops bad streaks and keeps good ones going.
Kris Medlen starting for this team creates wins. KK starting creates losses. I agree Bobby is going to go with KK and I think it’s going to hurt us. Hopefully Meds as a reliever goes some distance in relieving that hurt.
And there’s always the chance I’m just dead wrong and KK will indeed be “middling.” Middling I can accept. Maybe he’ll come out strong with new confidence.
Great show, as per usual.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
p.s. A long man can only do so much. It’s not inconceivable that we would need a long reliever for Hanson, JJ, and KK all in the same week. I’d rather have one more good starter.
June 28th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Bub, I hope you’re wrong. What about the theory that Hanson’s doing something to tip his pitches? That could make the next couple of weeks very sad. Good news on Heyward.
June 28th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Sitting in the theatre waiting for the picture show.
June 28th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
You at Toy Story 3, Mara?
June 28th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I expect Strasburg will carve us up pretty nicely. Am I the only one?
June 28th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I’m with you, Bub. Not going to be pretty, score-wise, but will be beautiful to watch, baseball-wise. AND I’ve discovered – thanks to my friend Sarah – there exists @ Turner Field this glorious thing called the Season Ticketholder Clubhouse. This lovely air-conditioned room where I can go when it’s hot or rain-delay or just because. They have comfy couches and big-screen TVs AND because they’re on whatever channel broadcasts whatever game, the TVs are on time delay. So, the crowd goes wild, and about 8 seconds later you find out why. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Theory: Escobar WANTS to be traded.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Over/Under: 2 pitches for Morgan to steal 2nd.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Escobar should be glad KK and McOut are on this team.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I can’t remember, or I never knew: why do they call Ivan Rodriguez “Pudge” ?? Oh, and there went Morgan. Waaaaaah…back to first!
June 28th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I don’t know, Anne. Bub probably does.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Hell yeah.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I’d like to see two games in a row where a manager gets tossed…and it’s NOT Bobby!!
June 28th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Ah, sh*t. That hurt. Oh, man, that really, really freaking hurt. Dammit.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Melky is so sllllllllooooooooooowwwwwwwwww.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Sid Bream cuts the bag at 3rd faster than Melky.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Love me some Timothy, son of Hud.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
What happened? What’d Melky do?? TS3 is a winner. I love Woody using the toilet paper square so he didn’t have to touch the toilet seat. The tortilla was hilarious! Great movie. And yes…I cried. Ok…twice.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Got thrown out at home, Mara. He might be the slowest on the team.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
You guys missed it – Melky and Chino Cadahia had a footrace before the game. Chino was like a Hammer to Melky’s Drill. Thank you, Home Depot Tool Race reference…
June 28th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Florida currently up 5-1 over the stinkin’ Mets. Yessssssss.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Escobar is garbage tonight.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Gotta get in that bullpen.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Reds 4 – Phils 0
June 28th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Niiiiiiiiiiiice. Somebody’s throwin’ in their pen, Anne. I hope they go to the pen…
June 28th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I can’t see who it is from here!! …but ANYONE isn’t as good as Strasburg. (kinda like Nobody Doesn’t Like Sara Lee)
June 28th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Phils pick up a run. Going to the Reds half of the 7th, 4-1.
Florida scores again. 6-1.
And this game is playing right into our hands. Bullpen vs. Bullpen.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Err… not sure about bullpen versus bullpen. Didn’t notice Strasb.’s pitch count is so low.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Strasburg has thrown 40 fewer pitches than Hudson. A little surprised Bobby left him in.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Bobby needs to pull Strasburg NOW.
He can do that, right? It’s our field.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
All I’m hoping for is Saito not facing the middle of the Natinals order.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Don’t count Huddy out YET.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
TIMOTHY HUDSONNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
Now, get this rookie and let’s get us some runzzzzz.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I wish Hudson had Strasburg’s strike zone.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
lol, settle down, Huddy. It was outside.
Good job, Bravos! Now let’s slap this kid back to Cali!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I’m wondering if the Fish’s 4 run lead is enough for their bullpen…
June 28th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Here we go, ladies and gents.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Poopie. Take the gift
June 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Error Error bo berror
banana fanna fo ferror
fe fi mo merror
… ERRRRRROR!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
welcome to the Natinals kid.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Ball 3 baby! Come onnnn, Hinske!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
BIG.TIME.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Yeah!! A fe fi mofreaking RUNNNN!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Get the GIDP and they are out of it right there. Thank you E-6
June 28th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Give me some insurance, some Vulture, some Wags, and some Jack Daniel’s.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Oh happy day.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
YUNEL IS SWELL!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
See ya’ later Strasburd. I love it. The kid leaving to the chop.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Oh, happy day, indeed! Is this Christmas??
June 28th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Greg White! Yes sir.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Suddenly we’re playing The Cubs at their finest. Tee hee.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRAVES HUSTLE AND NATIONAL FUSSLE!!! 4-0!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
This is why they got swept by the Orioles.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Fussle?
June 28th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Anne, I am even more jealous of you now.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I love this game.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
42k+ at the game tonight. They sold more than 9,000 tickets today.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Oh Prado, time to get that hit. Come on baby!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
We just sent Strasburg’s ERA above 2, finally!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Ok…I guess I’ll take a sac fly but I really wanted a homer.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive.
Number five is alive!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Mets getting killed now. 10 to 3. Phils spanked 7 to 1.
And us? Well, you know us!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Mara… the crap’s wrong with you????
It’s five to zip! Get happy!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Bub – I’ve never been so happy to have been wrong. How ’bout you??
June 28th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Hon, I’d change my name to McWrong for this.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
This is exactly how the superior team should have handled this game. I am very, very proud of the team tonight.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
That’s okay, Chipper. Good at bat.
HERE WE GO BULLPEN, LET’S SHUT THIS PUPPY DOWN!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Well said, Stevie. It’s like they drew it up. Keep it under control. Get ‘em late.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Philly game final. 7 – 3.
Go Marlins!
Go Bravos!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Yeah baby! K! 5 outs to vvvvvvvictoryyyyyyyy.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Jonny’s the man!
Mets game final as well. 3 outs to some breathing room.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
And the Vulture feeds on the carcass of the Natinals.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
In Strasburg’s last three starts the Nats have scored 1 run
June 28th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
So, do you think this ends the Strasburg All-Star talk?
June 28th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Uh, Venters’ troublesome outings have been when Bobby makes him go two. Here’s hoping.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I see what you were sayin’, Bub.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Dammit. Stop using him two innings. Is this complicated? He does great in the first one, and then fades.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
He looks tired.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Whew. Natty swung at ball 3.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Yes sir. Big Win.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
June 28th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
BALLGAME BABY!!!!!
TIM HUDSON IS MY DAAAADDDDDYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Wahooooooooo!!!!!!!! I’m happy Bub! Just kidding about the homer…sort of. I’m at my mom’s in the backwoods of the countriest of countriness so I get crappy reception. I was fist pumping and bouncing in my seat as I listened to the game and snapped peas. Great win. Really great. Let me know what kind of shout outs we get on Baseball Tonight. Did I mention no TV? We do have running water just in case you were wondering.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Mara, a little. They mostly talked about Strasburg, though. I think I’ve hear his name 5 million times today. It’s like when one of Favre’s teams is on MNF and all they talk about is him. ESPN gets really tiresome with their love fests.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Just got the following Press Release: ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves announced after tonight’s game that rookie outfielder Jason Heyward will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 27, with a deep bone bruise in his left thumb. Heyward had an MRI on his left thumb this morning and met with Dr. Gary Lourie prior to this evening’s game.
The thumb will be placed in a cast tomorrow (Tuesday, June 29) and will remain in a cast for one week. Heyward will be eligible to come off the disabled list during the All-Star break (July 12-14), and is expected to be back in uniform when the Braves open the second half of the season at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, July 15.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
For the record, I’m glad about this (given the situation). Let’s get the kid healed up so the he can go back to tearing it up. On the other hand …. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
June 28th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Hmmmm…so does that mean he’s not eligable to play in the All-star game? Cause that’s…ya know…sad and stuff. Honestly, I’m glad they’re giving him time to heal since it’s not like he was helping with his steller offense.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
BBT just mentioned Heyward to DL rumor…
June 28th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Kawakami will move to the bullpen to open spot for Jurrjens.
Per DOB. Talk amongst yourselves.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
I guess it’s not a rumor. Thanks for that insider info, Steve. I was thinking the same thing. I think it’s better to shut him down for a while so he can maybe come back in MANBEAST form for the second half. I’d like to see Omar get some more starts in the outfield. Diaz has been doing well at Gwinett, too, so maybe there’s hope for him. I hope McLouth retires.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
DOB just reported KK to the bullpen. And Diaz to be activated tomorrow. Wow.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Mara, where did you see that? Is it on the blog. I am crazy excited about Meds staying in the rotation. I wish KK would retire with McLouth.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Wow indeed Steve. We all got what we hoped for, but I don’t think any of us expected it.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
I do understand the argument for Strasburg going to the All-Star game, and I agree that he is one of the best 12 pitchers in the league. I just hope he doesn’t get Huddy’s spot, which he shouldn’t.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Per BBT, there’s a rift between Torre and Dodgers on contract talks. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Braves uniform at the helm. Especially if he could bring Mattingly with him. Probably a long shot, though, particularly with Fredi being available.
June 28th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Nate, careful what you wish for..I think KK suffers a bit from Steve Avery Syndrome AKA No run support! Sorry not to share the joy tonight but I was giving a banjo lesson (yes, I said Banjo) so stop your snickering out there! My student is gracious enough to practice her exercises while I have the tv on with sound turned down…heh heh heh! I explained to her the significance of S’Berg pitching and we took a short break in the home half of the 7th. Glorious stuff…errors and all!
I look forward to Diaz coming back. Heyward can use some time off as Chipper and McCann heat up.
I just scanned through the comments and haven’t had time to listen to the show. Go Braves!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Heyward to the DL according to some posters on the dark side. Haven’t seen it myself. I kind of hope so. Needs to heal.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
No snickering Cledus…banjo is freaking awesome and so is your student! How fun that you got to stop your lesson to watch baseball!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Welcome to comments 100-111 Bubdylan.
We know what’s on the downlow on this website…thanks to Twitter (to answer Nate’s question).
June 28th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
lol, DOH!
This just in. We beat Strasburg!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Cledus, as a Tennessee man, I have mucho respecto for banjo players. The dexterity required to play that instrument is very hard to develop, and I love the sound.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Hudson
Hanson
Lowe
Jurrjens
Medlen
Just look at it. In all its glory. Might be bumpy for a couple weeks, but this will even out into a rockin’ rotation in the second half.
And with Minor’s promotion today – oh my goodness, I just realized: they’re doing exaclty what I said! They’re planning to keep Meds in the rotation until the # of innings gets dangerous, and then promote Minor!! I’m a genius!!!
June 28th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I don’t understand. What do you mean “They’re planning to keep Meds in the rotation until the # of innings gets dangerous, and then promote Minor!”
June 28th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I’m watching the bottom of the seventh. Nats look just silly.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Mara, Medlen only pitched (small # I can’t remember) innings last season. It’s dangerous to arm health of young pitchers to increase the load too much from one year to the next. If he pitched the typical # of innings for the rest of his starts this year, the increase could get close to 80 innings, I think. Way too much.
One way to combat that is to skip him when there’s an offday. But another perfectly good way is to get close to the desired number – but not too close, cuz you’ll still want him available for relief – and then replace him.
Voila. Mike Minor.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Heady Times, as Stevie says. In one day:
1. Braves beat Strasburg
2. Philles get hammered.
3. Mets get hammered.
4. Medlen in!
5. Kawakami out!
6. J-Hey to the DL
7. Diaz returns.
8. Minor promoted to AAA
Wow! I’m going to be up all night.
June 29th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Hellooooo?
June 29th, 2010 at 12:16 am
Super Dee-duper baseball night fo’ shizzle. So were you terribly funny in your darkside comments? If so, I will have to go searching for the hilarious Bubdylan posts.
TS3 rocks.
June 29th, 2010 at 12:34 am
Meh. Not really. Not in an especially funny mood. But especially HAP HAP HAPPY!!!
High on some severe Braves love. What a year, and it’s not half over. Can you list the great games? This one was right up there. Steve said it right, we had a gameplan versus this kid, and it worked. Just awesome, awesome stuff.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Bub – Love you r#119. Can you guys remember a more eventful day? And a Monday no less. I absolutely have an extra hop in my step this morning.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Steve, no I can’t. Bub, for me, that game is number 2 behind the Brooks Conrad walk-off grand slam.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:20 am
And how about Opening Day? Or the Phillies game with the Heward/Glaus/McLouth homers? Or the Brooks squeeze against the Twins? The Glaus bottom of the ninth homer against KC? So many memorable games already this year.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Steve – you and the wifey will be thrilled to know that Hot Tub Time Machine releases to DVD on July 27th.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:51 am
The Memorial Day thrashing of the Sillies was pretty good ,too. I think we took first place with that game (not positive, though). Opening Day was phenomenal. Steve, I completely forgot about the triple homer comeback. What about Heyward’s walk-off hits against the Reds and Rockies? There’s just been too many to remember them all. Last night was so huge because it gives us so much momentum coming off a tough week. The team has to be really feeling good about themselves. I am so proud. Go Braves.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:54 am
AND…the Phillies game where Glaus hit a three run homer in the first.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Mom’s threatening to where her Yankees hat. That woman loves to get under my skin.
June 29th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Steve, love you, too. I haven’t gone by “r#119″ in years.
Still high on Bravos this morning. C’mon, Lowe, keep it going.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Hah!!! That made me laugh way out loud, when I read Steve’s misprint and when I read Bub’s response.
June 29th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I’ve downloaded Lowe’s At-Bat song to my iTunes to prep for this evening. Go Braves!!
June 29th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I think we are all hesitant to think how much this team is about to rock because Hanson and Jurrjens are up in the air. But in the second half, oh man, I see some tiny little numbers in the Runs Allowed column for this team.
Oh, it’s going to be good. So good. We’ve forgotten that we assembled a team based on run prevention because the offense surprised us and the pitching hasn’t quite put it all together. But look out for this rotation in August. There shall be streaks. Nice, long streaks.
June 29th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Keith Law has moved Teheran and Vizcaino into his TOP 25. Wow. I mean, we JUST graduated Hanson and Heyward, lost a whole farm’s worth in the Tex trade, and here we are.
11. Julio Teheran, RHP, Atlanta. A big fastball, a plus change and an improved breaking ball have helped him dominate at two levels this year — and it’s not just being in pitcher-friendly Myrtle Beach. Six of the nine Colombians to reach the big leagues came from Cartagena — as does Teheran. I’m still waiting for our first prospect from Macondo. Previous ranking: No. 63
19. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Atlanta. He’s producing outstanding numbers so far with a plus fastball/above-average curve and a very low-effort delivery. Previous ranking: No. 43
June 29th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Phils place Utley and Polanco on DL.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5340054
June 29th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Nice call on Medlen to the pen.
June 29th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
If in the spring, I’d said:
Jurrjens will post a six plus ERA and go to the DL
Hanson will post a 4.50
Kawakami will post a 4.50 with one win
Lowe another 4+ ERA
Escobar, McCann, and Chipper under .265 Batting averages
Heyward .250 and to the DL
McLouth .167 and to the DL
Diaz .178 and to the DL
Where would you suggest we would be in the standings?
June 29th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Kate, karma might come back to me, but I’m giddy over Post #135.
June 29th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Please, no bad DL Karma. Heyward’s injury is identical to Utley’s. They even got it the same way and had identical MRI reports.
June 29th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Hello from Turner Field…play ball!!!
June 29th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Pudge Rodriguez’s At-Bat song (I now know why the “Pudge”): Fat Bottom Girls. Awesome, organ-dude!
June 29th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Marteeeeeeen!
June 29th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Yuck.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Boooooh.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Low-de-mort.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
The post-April Braves need to show up for the second half of this game.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
For the record, I did NOT applaud Lowe’s walk off the mound to the dugout.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
This must be the Natinals version of Kyle Kendrick…
June 29th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Ugh!
June 29th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Thanks Pete.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Good job Anne…don’t clap for Moylan either ok?
June 29th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Was that Moylen’s Mojo going over the fence with that HR?
June 29th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I guess we used up all our luck last night. Jesse Chavez warming up. This game is over.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
The Mets are starting to take advantage of the Marlins pen…
June 29th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Lol, who is this kid?
June 29th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Tankersley gets ‘em out in the top of the 7th. 6-4 Fish.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Spoke to soon. They were changing pitchers. I’m flipping between that game and CWS.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
So, when Chavez comes in, do the players just accept that it’s over too?
June 29th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
6-4 Fish. Bot 7th.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Hell no! They can come back. It’s the freakin Nats! Come on Bravos…I believe!
June 29th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Dare I say that Stammen has deflowered the Braves…………..
June 29th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Wow, Votto goes yard on Lidge on the last out of the 9th to tie it at 6. Go Reds.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Curt, good one.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Bay GIDP. 6-4 Fish. Bot 8.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Crap. Philly promptly gets a double and a walk. No outs. Two on. Top of the tenth.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Double crap. Phillies score. And now threatening to have a big inning.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Triple crap. Phillies score again. Eight to six, no outs, runners all over the place.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Sigh.
Quadruple crap.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Martinez plucks the bloom off the rose!
June 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Top 9. Mets have runners on 2nd and 3rd. Nobody out. The Marlin Bullpen is garbage.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Mets mounting a comeback. Two on, no out. Sigh. Frenchy up. Come on, Jeff. Do that thing you do.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
6-5. runner on 3rd. 1 out.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Mets are about to hurt us. What a yuckfest from just one night ago.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Tie ball game.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
And there it goes.
Wow. What a painful evening.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Our 3-6 put up an 0-16.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Nunez settles down after blowing the save. On the bright side we get to face that bullpen this weekend.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
No pressure tomorrow, Jair. No pressure.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Great help from around the league. Marlins blow a 9th inning lead, Reds score 3 to tie it and then GIVE UP 3 in the 10th. What the hell?Q!Q?Q?Q?QQ?
June 29th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
There’s a lot of Mets fans at this Marlins home game in Puerto Rico. I guess the Marlins have no home fan support no matter where they play.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Jorge Cantu on 2nd. 2 out.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Uggla will now swing for the fences on every pitch.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Los Marlins win!
June 29th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Whew. Thank you, Dan Uggla, for easing the pain.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Well done Fish
June 29th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Lose a KK, gain a KK.
June 29th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I’m nervous about tomorrow night. I really hope JJ’s Ready.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Mara, I highly doubt he’s ready. I look for a rusty start. 5-6 innings, 3-4 runs would be a major victory for me. I’m considering his first 3 starts extended Spring Training as long as it yields a good and healthy JJ down the stretch.
But I’ve been so wrong lately that it’s a pleasure to type out my bad (though honest) feelings.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Did anyone see the KK to the pen move coming? Bobby, once again going against his own judgement for the good of everyone involved.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Waiting on Ballpark Frank @ Octane Coffeehouse. This is as close as he’ll get to a comment post.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Tell Ballpark Frank hi and I’ll “nevah give up”!
June 30th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Curt, maybe he’s been following the ABT show…
June 30th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
“Mara” – we missed each other at the coffee place…maybe tomorrow I can at least take dictation for him. (…and if Ballpark’s ladyfriend reads the comments section, that was NOT an euphemism!) (though for the record, Ballpark Frank is quite the looker)
June 30th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Anne, how dare BP Frank fade you.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Breaking news from the clubhouse: Yunel dyed his hair. No more frosted tips. His power numbers are now sure to follow.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Lol, Steve, I think he saw that Zambrano stole his style. Although Z’s are more like frosted curls.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Interested in everyone’s take. Article on AJC.com about various folks that the Braves could add at the trading deadline to play Centerfield. The writer was suggesting BJ Upton? Wow.
The other thought would be including McOUT as a throw in to whatever deal we make. We can’t have one CF still on the roster while going out to get another.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Hard hitting journalism, Steve. Hope it leads to a few homers to get Yuni rolling before the All Star break.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Please, no B.J. Upton. One Yunel is enough.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Math for the day:
AJC Writers minus DOB equals ZERO.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I take it back. Upton is much, much worse than Escobar. I feel bad for comparing them.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Trading for BJ Upton is like trading for a brain tumor. We already have one Yunel. We don’t need another. I live in Tampa, and he is everyone’s least favorite player for a reason. I think if they were going to go after anyone, then Willingham would be the best choice. Decent power, always hits around .265, decent arm. If it requires a Minor, Teheran, Delgado, Vizcaino, Dunn, or Kimbrel, then I wouldn’t do any trade.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Lol, Bub , I posted without reading what you wrote (didn’t refresh the page after Wade’s posts). Looks like you and I have similar thoughts on the subject of Sir BJ. And yes, he is worse than Yunel. This is Yunel’s first down year. P.S. That’s right, I keep the ABT page around all day baby! Suck it AJC!
June 30th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I know I ask this about twice a month, but I have held off lately: Why isn’t Mike Dunn on this team? Is the answer obvious and I’m just oblivious to it?
June 30th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Some observations from batting/fielding practice:
- Glaus absolutely DESTROYS the ball in bp. I know it doesn’t mean anything but, they are majestic shots.
- Prado busts his tail even taking grounders during bp.
- Melky does not look nearly as heavy in person as he does on TV. Same goes for Mac.
- Weird and kind of jarring to see Heyward with the cast.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Steve, does Melky looks as slow in person as he does on TV?
June 30th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Nate – that was hilarious.
June 30th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Overheard in the cafeteria: Ron Gant and Rob Dibble telling Fred Hickman about the crazy times they had in Puerto Rico playing winter ball together.
June 30th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
“- Prado busts his tail even taking grounders during bp”. *rolls eyes in a dreamy sorta way*
June 30th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Reds did their job. JJs turn.
June 30th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Frank and Bobby just awarded Derek Lowe on the field with a crystal trophy in honor of his 150th win (the KC game on 6/18).
June 30th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Big cheers for JJ as he’s introduced. If we get 5 innings and 3 ER from him tonight, will that be acceptable? Because that’s what’s probably on tap.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
J.D. Martin- Another pitcher I’ve never heard of who scares me due to the Braves rate of success against such players. ex: last night.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Steve, I think so. I just hope he keeps us in the game, which giving up 3 to the Nats should do.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
So far so good. How’s he look Steve? Was there a collective sigh of relief?
June 30th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Great start. He had early trouble at the beginning of the year. He looks thinner to me.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
So we figure an OFer has to die for McCann and Glaus to both score?
June 30th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
We certainly should have gotten more that inning but, Martin’s almost up to 40 pitches already after only one inning. JJ is looking good. Throwing lots of strikes and looking effortless.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
His fastball was not this good before he got hurt. I got me some Braves bonus coverage on ESPN down here in Florida.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Damn!
June 30th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Damn!
June 30th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Luh.
Ving.
It.
June 30th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Reyes will be out of the Mets lineup with back stiffness. Go Fish!
June 30th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Yuck. Vizcaino partially tore his ulnar col. ligament. Sent to Florida for rehab, hoping to avoid Tommy John.
Well, there goes that trade chip, and that’s the only one I cared to lose.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Sounds like Arodys Vizcaino is headin’ towards Tommy John surgery. That sucks. It’s only a partial tear right now, but there is hope that it heals with scare tissue covering the tear. Tommy John is still a high possibility in the end.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
The Vizcaino thing sucks, particularly I can’t believe it won’t end up with TJ surgery.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I wonder if part of Chipper’s resurgence at the plate is simply that he feels better physically. He’s flying around the infield tonight like he feels good.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
lol, happiness is named Jair.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
How great was that? And then Prado squares up to bunt on his first pitch. The Nats are befuddled.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Bobby’s either a genius, or he just got them mixed up.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
That line drive at JJ was very scary looking in real time. And sounded scarier.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Mets all over Volstad early.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Gang – a work thing has come up and I need to bail early. It’s been fun tonight.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Boooooooooo, Steve’s employer! Steve can never have nice things.
June 30th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Here comes Moylan…
June 30th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Good outing from JJ. He just ran out of gas.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Whew.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Fish get 2 back. 3-2 Mets.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
And give one back. 4-2
June 30th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Gabby Sanchez is the slowest human I have ever seen.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Riggleman’s a douche.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Slower than Mac?
June 30th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Just how freakin’ big is Adam Dunn??? You see him towering over McCann at first? Jeez!!!
June 30th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
6’6″ I think, Tcc. I looked at his stats last night because his size against Glenn Hubbard is even more hilarious.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Thanks Nats.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Kate, definitely slower than Mac. It’s funny because he’s working so hard churning those legs, but he’s going sooooooooo slow. He makes Melky look like Furcal.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Is some ahole blowing a vuvuzela? Taze him!!!
June 30th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I’m amazed at the restraint of the TV announcers NOT talking about the vuvuzelas over the past few nights. This is why North Americans hate soccer. Or football…or whatever it is.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
at some point the fish might want to start teaching plate discipline in the minors
June 30th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Man oh man…that was nastier than a circus peep show!
June 30th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Tcc, well played sir. well played. big win. good stuff from jj.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
The Puerto Rican fans are now having a contest to see who among them has the most annoying noise maker.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Our old friend John “Boog” Sciambi is doing the game for ESPN.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Love me some Jurrjens.
Love me some Wags.
Love me some Venters.
Love me some Braves.
GREAT WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 30th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Boog!! I miss Boog.
Yes – great win.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Cantu doubles in Hanley, 4-3 Mets.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Uggla drives in Cantu. Tie game.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
I like Boog too. Very restrained and intelligent.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Uggla rockin’ the biggest chaw since Lenny Dykstra.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
…and his HAIR PRODUCT! Oh, I could go on for hours… No, seriously – funny AND smart is hard to beat.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Great news, by the way, on the Civil Rights game here in 2011 & 2012. I’ve mentioned before that I went to the first one in Memphis at the Redbirds stadium some years back. Really great, historically, and great for the local kids.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
The man must go through more hair product than a Portuguese soccer team.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I remember the first time I saw Sciambi..I thought “who the heck is this big, goofy red head with the wild hair?!?” Yes to the funny, yes to the smart, Yes to hard to beat…
June 30th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Good on you, Anne.
June 30th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
http://epicponyz.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/the-incredibles-syndrome.jpg
My favorite picture of Boog.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Boog showin’ his former team some love on the air. Mets still up 6-4. Did the Marlins GM actually look at this bullpen before the season and say “You know, I think this is gonna work. We can contend.” In the end it probably cost Fredi a job. Now it’s 6-5. Bot 8th. Man on 2nd. 2 out.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
And Wes Helms goes poo-poo on that scoring opportunity. Still 6-5 Mets. Marlins with 15 hits and 4 errors in this game.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Could have used a hit from Helms there. He always seems to kill us.
July 1st, 2010 at 12:01 am
Curt, thought the same thing. If he were facing the Braves it would have been a 2 run double.
July 1st, 2010 at 12:08 am
Lol, Boog sounds like he’s ready to get the hell out of Puerto Rico. I will say this, the vendor selling novelty horns must have had a very lucrative evening. I’m about to put this game on mute.
July 1st, 2010 at 12:19 am
Fish can’t do it.
July 1st, 2010 at 12:23 am
I thought they might pull it off. Good game tonight! So glad JJ looked like a stud.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:31 am
Tcc – yes, there was definitely some goof ball with a vuvuzela last night. Sounded like he was somewhere behind home plate. Mentioning it last night felt too hackneyed, but yes – it was very annoying.
So, I left the stadium right when JJ gave up that first single in the 6th and then turned on the radio in my car right as Moylan induced the double play. What a great game. JJ looked so much better than I expected and hoped for. I guess we have an answer about how much stock to put in to his results in AAA …
July 1st, 2010 at 10:16 am
From Twitterville.
Just heard that the Phillies have Dan Haren on their radar. The D-backs are out scouting Phils prospects for possible trade.
July 1st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Nice win, great to see JJ back! I really hope that rumors about Haren going to Philadelphia don’t amount to anything. Those Philthies just don’t know how to give up, do they? Either way I loved watching the game yesterday, & I enjoyed this week’s show! GO BRAVES!!!
July 1st, 2010 at 12:50 pm
I want to start to hear rumors about who the Braves are looking at. Even if none of it comes to anything, I want to believe that they are out there trying to do everything they can to make this team a champion.
July 1st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Chase Utley needs surgery
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2010-07-01/phillies-utley-will-need-thumb-surgery
July 1st, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Oh snap.
July 1st, 2010 at 4:07 pm
“Mara” – he can neither snap…nor twiddle. Or hitch, for that matter.
July 1st, 2010 at 6:52 pm
I can be awful in the playoffs and then insult the fans, can I get a max contract from the Hawks?
July 1st, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Kate – it’s insane, isn’t it? This will hamstring the Hawks for the majority of that contract. Just awful.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Watching Minor’s AAA debut on gameday. So far, so awesome.
7 innings pitched. 1 ER, TWO hits, NINE K’s, 3 bb’s.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Also, Freeman’s picked up a single, a double, and 2 RBI’s in 4 AB’s to raise his average to .283 and his OPS to a who-knew-it-was-this-good .825!!
July 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Minor’s AAA Debut: 7 and 2/3 innings. 3 hits. 1 run. 9 K’s. 3 BB’s. 1.17 ERA.
Awesome.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Joe Johnson’s contract would make him a $20 mill a year 35-year-old by the time it will be done. I was listening to Mad Dog Radio yesterday and the Knicks fans were calling in beside themselves over the thought of him playing for their team. And the Hawks fans were calling into 790 today killing the possibility of the move. Haven’t we seen the best of what he has to offer? We are never getting out of the 2nd round. Here’s hoping for a sign and trade.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:53 pm
And by beside themselves I mean they hated it.
July 1st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Mets and Phillies lose.
July 1st, 2010 at 10:00 pm
They lost withing 3 minutes of each other. To… Pittsburgh with Hamels facing an 11+ ERA pitcher?? And to the Naaaats, with Santana on the mound. Johan’s gonna be grumpy.
July 1st, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Nobody’s excited about Minor’s very first game at AAA going so well?
July 1st, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Sorry Bub…I’m distracted by a mean, blood drawing game of speed scrabble. I’m very excited about MM. It’s hard for me to keep up with the goings on in the Big leagues much less the minors. I’m ashamed to say I never really paid much attention at all until this year in fact.
July 1st, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Well, Minor’s our big draft pick from last year that most (including me) hated. It was Atlanta’s first chance to draft high in a long time, and instead of picking a guy with a super-high potential, we picked a guy who would be ready sooner, but wouldn’t project to be more than a #4 or #5 starter. Also the pick was criticized because it cost less money.
A Vanderbilt star, Minor’s fastball rested around 88 or 89 MPH and he relied on crafty pitching and command. Not really a stud or anything. Not many strikeouts.
But this year his fastball speed jumped up to 92-95 and he’s been blowing guys away, striking out hitters at a very high rate. He’s worked through the system very quickly, landing today at the highest level short of Atlanta (Sorry if this is talking down to you, I’m sure you know some of this), and he knocked it out of the park in his first start. Well, reverse that, since he’s a pitcher.
He’s looking very ready very soon (assuming he pitches like this in AAA regularly, which might not happen of course). Probably projecting to be Medlen-or-better ready for Atlanta by the start of next year. Or if you believe my crackpot theory, this year, to replace Medlen at the very end before his innings total gets too high.
And he’s lefthanded.
Thus: I am thrilled.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:19 am
Bub, it’s great stuff. Especially with the bad news about Vizcaino coming out this week. if that’s the stuff of our 5 future guy I will take it.
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:23 am
Thanks for the tutorial Bub. Now I really am excited about Minor. So, what about tonight? I really haven’t had time to keep up with things like I normally do. How does the pitching matchup look?
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:43 pm
It looks like somebody wins 3 to 1 or something. My feeling is it will be Florida.
But my feeling was that Jurrjens would get knocked around, so…
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Bub – I’m crazy excited about the Mike Minor ascension. Especially after Kevin Goldstein tried to rain on that parade in February when we spoke to him.
Mara – tonight will be tough. Johnson is their ace and has been pitching like it. In his last 5 starts, his ERA is .118 and teams’ BA is .187 against him. But, we’re at home and Medlen’s got to be feeling extremely good about his first start as a formal member of the starting rotation.
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
.118…ugh.
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Tonight’s lineup: Prado – 4 Cabrera – 9 Chipper – 5 McCann – 2 Glaus – 3 Hinske – 7 Escobar – 6 Blanco – 8 Medlen – 1
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Golly. We need a RF.
July 2nd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Got one Bub. We just need to hold on to first for a few weeks.
July 2nd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Utley is out 8 weeks
July 2nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Utley and Heyward: Two Thumbs Down.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
According to Fangraphs, Heyward, Hinske, Venters, Medlen, Hanson, and Glaus have combined to provide 42 million dollaras worth of free market value (in other words, if you add up what these players would have earned so far this year if they made market value for their level of play) … 42 million dollars just so far this year.
Their salaries for that period of time: grand total of $3.5 million.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:10 pm
So with Chipper, KK, and Lowe providing about $2 million of value, are we about even?
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Think we’ll see the bullpen in the 7th?
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Mar~freakin~teen!!!!!!!!
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:43 pm
He’s amazing. 2 2 out RBI. Amazing
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Well, I felt that coming. Not too disappointed. He hasn’t blown one since May 19.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Bummer
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:08 pm
We got this.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Bub, please be right.
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:18 pm
And the Atlanta House Painters take the field!! Let’s give ‘em a White Washing!!!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Come on Bravos!!!!!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Nice…time to put a finish coat on this game..
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Melque toast…
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Walk Off Blooper!!!!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Whatever the hell works!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
So glad we won that cause I’m losing speed scrabble and I DON’T like to lose!
July 2nd, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Omah
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Double letter score for Omar!
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 am
Great, great game…am finally home. Our house painters beat their house painters. Go Braves!!
July 3rd, 2010 at 12:47 am
Had to drive from Jacksonville back to the lake to WFUZ radio (fuzzy signal), so I could barely tell what was going on. Never doubted ‘em, though. Just seemed impossible to lose tonight. I love it.
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Traded in my tickets for today…have been baking all afternoon and am pleased to finally turn on the TV and see: 4-1. GO BRAVES!!!
July 3rd, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Seeing Saito reminds me: I noticed last night that when he came in to pitch, Brian’s hand gestures are incredibly big and deliberate – like a Catholic blessing himself – not little gestures in the crotch. I never noticed for Kawakami…is that a Japanese-style thing that Brian has taught himself to do for Saito, you think?
July 3rd, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Oh, B Wags. Very nice.
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:03 pm
lol, K-Rod.
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Braves look great. Picking each other up. Having fun. Timely hitting. Winning in all kinds of different ways. So much fun to watch. SO MUCH fun to watch. 3 games up on the Mets. Phillies FIVE back. I love winning baseball.
Have a happy and safe 4th, everyone!
July 3rd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Anne, I didn’t see that. I wonder if that’s like speaking louder to someone who is not fluent in your language? “YOU THROW PLENTY BEEG STRIKEY THING NOW” Hope that’s not the case. Go Braves.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Bub – your #302 is pretty amazing. That’s Mets loss today was their 10th loss on their opponents final at-bat. Quite a contrast to what the Braves have been doing. Have a great 4th everyone!
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Post #32 is missing a name: Prado. I did include him when I did the math, but forgot to list him.
Heyward, Hinske, Prado, Glaus, Venters, Hanson, and Medlen.
Will, lol, I didn’t add up the poor value players, but I peeked at a few. It’s not nearly bad enough to make it even I don’t think.
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 pm
(Think of it this way, Will:
Those seven players across half a season are worth 42 million.
Our payroll for half a season = about 45 million.
So, in a way, talking in terms of market value, we’re paying 3 million dollars per half season for: Hudson, Jurrjens, Chipper, Lowe, Wagner, Saito, Moylan, McCann, Escobar, Ross, etc, etc… the whole team besides those seven.
Eat your heart out, Bill James.
Happy America’s Birthday to All!!!
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 pm
*post #302, I meant…
July 4th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Can’t Sleep. I shall now babble aimlessly about why I am more excited about this team than I’ve ever been before:
First, has it dawned on you guys why, exactly On Base Percentage + Bullpen + Bench has put us in such a dominant postion when our regular hitters are having off years and our pitching staff has been bested by the Mets and Phillies (until recently, now we are catching both of them)?
I think I have it: listen to how obvious it is.
The Braves high OBP is running up the pitch counts of the opposing starter. This isn’t new, but I mention it because it’s the foundation of the whole strategy. The other starter gets tired. You know all those singles we hit and don’t drive them in? Well, it sucks not to score, but those are extra batters for the starter to face and extra stress. A pitcher can only work out of so many jams before it wears him down. So, we break their starters. If we can’t break them by scoring, we just tire them out. See Strasburg, Johnson, Anibal. We sent them all packing an inning earlier than usual.
Once we are into the other team’s bullpen, unless that team is the Padres, we have two huge advantages, namely: better pitchers than them and better hitters than them. Because our bench is superior as well as our BP.
See how that works? The construction of both teams start to change late, and the Braves are running another A-team out there while other teams are turning to their B-guys. Thus, all these late wins.
But that’s just one way of expressing what we all knew intuitively: Braves scrap out wins late with a good bench and pen.
BUT, this is where it gets good. That’s only the HARD way for Atlanta to win games. The way to win without having the better starter every time, or the best line up.
But NOW… in the second half of this season, that all changes. Hanson looks poised to return to dominance. The kid is a quick study. Jurrjens looks poised to do the same. Hudson is already there, and look up his career July and August winning percentages, they are stunning.
Medlen is the freaking bees knees. And Lowe will give us a chance more times than not, and will make up for his layed eggs with a few dominating outings when the sinker is really falling.
In other words, this starting rotation is about to be what we envisioned. Make no mistake, it hasn’t been this far. We’ve gotten to first place WITHOUT a dominant Hanson or Jurrjens. But get ready for long strings of games where our starters give up 2 runs or less. That’s coming soon.
AND
When Heyward gets back, and Escobar takes off, this team is going to explode offensively. I believe those two will be major productive in the second half.
We got where we are now with our OFFENSE, did you guys know that? When we took over first, we were way behind the Phils and Mets in pitching. But we had the most runs scored in the league. We’re going to get that offense BACK in the second half!
When everything settles, this team will have an A+ rotation, and A+ bullpen, a B+ offense, an A+ bench, and a C+ defense. This team will EXPLODE.
Even if ALL those things don’t happen all the way, I think most of those things will happen most of the way. So, maybe Heyward is somewhere between his April dominance and his June slump. Hanson lays maybe 2 more eggs this year. Prado and Hudson regress 10% or so. We have lots of breathing room to absorb those blows.
Braves will win the NL East by 7 games unless Mets get Lee. If the Mets get Lee, Braves will win the NL East by 3 games.
Go Braves!
July 4th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
“Braves will win the NL East by 7 games unless Mets get Lee. If the Mets get Lee, Braves will win the NL East by 3 games.” That made me laugh out loud, Bub. When I read the first half of that sentence, I didn’t think the second half would end that way.
And kind of uncanny riff on the starting rotation. We’ve planned that as our Long Ball for tonight’s show.
July 4th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Braves have 5 all stars, McCann, Hudson, Heyward, Prado, and Infante.
July 4th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Ahhhh, five all stars. Am I the only one who feels the validation of the Braves’ return to relevance just went up a big notch?
I’m proud for all of them, but especially for Prado and Hudson. Votto not making it shows that deserving to be there doesn’t always get you there. So I’m thrilled that both of our super-deserving guys made it. I hope they fix the selection system soon.
July 4th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
How about Omar. I think it is the most amazing thing that a utility player made the team on his clutchness. So great that Charlie Manuel picked him. Disappointed for Glaus but his comeback player of the year award is in the mail.
July 5th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Some tool at yahoo sports called Infante the worst all star ever. I’m sending him something in the mail.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-tendegrees070410
July 5th, 2010 at 9:36 am
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2010/fv/ballot_pop.html?tcid=cp_fm2010_ballot&cmpid=123790&cme=310714
Let’s vote folks!
July 5th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Infante is more deserving than Yadier Molina, but the media doesn’t have a problem with his selection.
July 5th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I voted for Votto. The rest of you are sinners.
July 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Let’s Go Braves!!!
July 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Chipper!!
July 5th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
How about Chipper! New show will be up in about an hour. Along with a clubhouse interview with Brooks Conrad.