Show #140: The Braves 2011 Campaign Set to Begin
Discussing the final roster moves. Making our predictions for the 2011 season. And what we hope to see during the first week.
125 Responses to “Show #140: The Braves 2011 Campaign Set to Begin”
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Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 » Show All
March 28th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
I am pumped about this year! Our two biggest festering “Ifs” seem to be our two biggest surprises this spring(Chipper and Nate). I am now so optimistic that I think the rehab work this winter may keep Chipper healthy for most of the year!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Danny – I love the optimism. Deep down inside I am right there with you. Even though my head tells me to be cautious of Chipper’s rapid rehab, I can’t help but feel unrealistically optimistic about this season for Chipper. I am sure he will break my heart, but I am bought in. If he could start for just 80% of our games consistently throughout the season and avoid any long injury stretches, I think he could have a storybook season of sorts.
He could also pull his hammy running out a grounder to third in the second week and then go downhill from there.
I am rooting for the first one.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Greinke…awesome.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
When you do these podcasts, do you just use phones? Or can you see each other via webcams? I’m asking because with 4 people in the call, its really hard to control the flow of discussion. In the latest podcast with Scott in the mix, there were plenty of times when you were running over each other to make a point and it was getting chaotic. If you can see each other, even if its just via webcams, maybe it will improve the communication. Go Braves! 95 wins this season!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Pure, it’s done over skype. Obviously, it is normally just the 3 of us and hopefully we have gotten pretty good about our timing with each other. The round table tends to get a little wacky. And we normally we have 5 guys.
Keep on listening and tell all your friends.
March 29th, 2011 at 11:10 am
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14874254/power-rankings-starting-with-the-good-the-bad-and-the-royals
March 29th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for the link, Curt. That was really funny.
March 29th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
GOMEZZZZZZZ!!!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
How great was the picture of Glavine, Smoltz, Neagle and Maddux in Part I of DOB’s Chipper Q&A? Nice glasses!
March 30th, 2011 at 7:01 am
So we made our predictions on the show. Anyone else care to weigh in on them? Wins? Chipper homers? McLouth BA? Freeman homers? Most wins and by whom? Venters or Kimbrel, most saves?
Let’s hear it.
I have to say I’m amazed I was the only one picking the Yanks to make the playoffs. Seems to me that there is no way that lineup does not win a bunch of games. They still have Sabathia, Hughes, and Burnett can still do some things.
March 30th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Curt, regarding the Yanks, you’re probably right. It’s just fun (and heartening for me) to see any kind of chink in their armor, and then pick against them. That said, AJ is their #2. Does he really bounce back? Does Hughes continue to grow? I realize they’ll get a pitcher at the deadline and the Sox could be vulnerable if Beckett and Dice K don’t bounce back, but I’m sticking to my guns on this. Wager? A real one, that we actually pay up on? Tickets to a Braves game in late September (when the Yanks are mathematically eliminated)?
March 30th, 2011 at 8:53 am
I’ll get us those tickets we had right behind home plate
March 30th, 2011 at 8:59 am
Curt, this is how it’s going to go down…
AL East Red Sox
AL Central Twins
AL West A’s
AL Wildcard Yankees
AL MVP Joe Mauer
AL Cy Young Gio Gonzalez
AL ROY Mike Moustakas
NL East Braves
NL Central Brewers
NL West Rockies
NL Wildcard Phillies
NL MVP Prince Fielder
NL Cy Young Roy Halladay
NL ROY Freddie Freeman
March 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
Braves win 95, Chipper and Freeman both hit 20 homers, and McLouth bats .260. that’ll be fine though because he will OBP .360. Kimbrel will have the most saves and Braves will have a 1-2 punch at the back end of the bullpen that folks will be talking about all season long.
I think the Braves edge out the Phillies for a dramatic Division title win, and the Yanks play many long, high scoring games and win most of them, getting them the AL Wild Card.
March 30th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Wins – 92
Chipper homers – 20
McLouth BA – .262
Freeman homers – 16
Pitcher with most wins – Hanson 17
Most saves – Kimbrel
AL East – Red Sox
AL Central – White Sox
AL West – Rangers
AL wildcard – Yanks
NL East – Phils
NL Central – Cards
NL West – Rockies
NL wildcard – Braves
March 30th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Wins – 93
Chipper homers – 16, but a nice slugging % from doubles
McLouth BA – .268
Freeman homers – 18
Pitcher with most wins – Hudson 17
Most saves – Venters b/c Kimbrel will struggle with his control at some point
I would weigh on the rest of the MLB, but I can’t pretend to know or care about any other team.
March 30th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Sorry I forgto about these:
Wins- 94
Chipper Home Runs- 16
McLouth’s AVG- .256 (17 HR, 19 SB)
Freeman Home Runs- 21
Most Wins- Lowe 17
Most Saves- Kimbrel 29
March 30th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
I would take those numbers from McLouth, but they’d have to drop him in the order. They need better than .256 our of the 2-spot.
March 30th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I caught the end of the game on 680 today. Don Sutton said David Ross bought all the new guys tailored suits. No wonder everyone likes him.
March 30th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
From some other experts:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14875265
March 30th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Eric. That is awesome. Thanks for passing that along.
In other news, here’s the official press release on the final 25:
Braves Set 2011 Opening Day Roster
Club set to open campaign at Washington tomorrow
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves today officially set their 25-man roster for opening day. Also, as part of an agreement with former pitcher Billy Wagner, the Braves today officially released Wagner in lieu of his placement on the Voluntary Retired List. In addition, outfielder Joe Mather cleared waivers and was sent outright to Gwinnett (AAA).
The Braves open the 2011 campaign – their 46th in Atlanta – tomorrow (Thursday, March 31) at the Washington Nationals (1:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth).
The season-opening roster includes 12 pitchers, two catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders:
PITCHERS (12): Brandon Beachy (RH), Tommy Hanson (RH), Tim Hudson (RH), Jair Jurrjens (RH),
Craig Kimbrel (RH), Scott Linebrink (RH), Derek Lowe (RH), Cristhian Martinez (RH),
Peter Moylan (RH), Eric O’Flaherty (LH), George Sherrill (LH) and Jonny Venters (LH)
CATCHERS (2): Brian McCann and David Ross
INFIELDERS (7): Brooks Conrad, Freddie Freeman, Alex Gonzalez, Brandon Hicks, Eric Hinske,
Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla
OUTFIELDERS (4): Jason Heyward, Nate McLouth, Martin Prado and Matt Young
March 30th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
New SI – Braves NOT making playoffs. Phils, Giants, Reds, Rockies from NL.
They do have ap retty funny line from their “Opposing scout’s take” on the Braves: “Uggla is a big, righthanded home run bat. When it comes to his defense at second, he’s a big, righthanded home run bat.”
I know it is a repeat of some other lines, but funny nonetheless.
March 30th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Braves win 97 games.
Chipper hits 21 homers.
McClouth in his free agent year hits .282 24 homers 77 RBIs.
Freeman hits 18 homers.
Hanson dominates and wins 21 games.
By July Kimbrel gets closer job and ends up with 28 saves. Venters gets 14 saves.
NL East- Braves
NL Central- Reds ( Originally had Brewers but they are without Grienke and Marcum for April)
NL West- Giants
NL Wild Card- Phillies
AL East- Red Sox
AL Central- White Sox
AL West- Rangers
AL Wild Card- Yankees
WORLD SERIES
BRAVES OVER WHITE SOX in 5 games. GO BRAVES!!!!!
March 30th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
BIG Shout out to Jerry Crasnick.
Did anybody see that idiot from espn who picked the Astros to win the central? LOL
March 30th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Wins- 97 WAHOOOO!
Chipper homers – 14 (I’m afraid he’s going to break mid season)
McLouth BA – .290 (homer…right here folks)
Freeman homers – 19 (again…homer)
Pitcher with most wins – Hudson
Most saves – Venters
AL East – Red Sox
AL Central – Twins
AL West – Rangers
AL wildcard – Yanks (although it pains me)
NL East – Braves
NL Central –Brew Crew
NL West – Rockies
NL wildcard – Phillies