Show #142: The Braves Offense Goes Missing
Discussing the bats and relief pitching. Assessing Freeman and McLouth at the plate. And best and worst signs of the week.
173 Responses to “Show #142: The Braves Offense Goes Missing”
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Pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 » Show All
April 14th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Curt, I think it’s because Josh Johnson’s name is so boring. He really should change it to something more dynamic and memorable.
Steve, I agree with Curt about Atlanta fans. There is no such thing as “not a good baseball town.” You would also have to say Atlanta is also not a very good basketball or hockey town either. The only team that gets any support is the Falcons, and that’s because it’s the NFL.
I think Curt’s point about Atlanta being a city of transplants is smart. They’ll go out to a game as an occasion, but not on a regular basis.
Another thing to consider is the nature of fandom. Numerous studies have indicated that fans identify most with tradition and history (think Domers, Terrible Towels, Buckeyes, Yankees, Celtics, etc.). Fans will turn quickly enough on players and coaches, so it’s much easier develop and draw on history and nostalgia. The Braves only posted a handful of winning seasons from 1966-1990. It’s hard to cultivate a vibrant fan base when a team puts crap on the field for nearly 3 decades.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
I’m still doing theater things so in my shared season ticket package this year, I made sure I wasn’t going until after April. So, I’m yelling at my iPhone or TV until, I think May 2nd. That doesn’t mean I won’t sneak into some cheap seats before then, but next home stand before I can add to the live fan totals.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
#75 is like a punch in the gut…I need to get my pilot’s license and a small crop duster to get me back and forth so I can take advantage of Curt’s extra tickets. It’s killing me not to have a game on my calendar. Looks like it’s time to schedule the 2nd annual ABT party at Turner Field!
April 14th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
I’m not at all complaining about Martin getting to third on McLouth’s single but didn’t the Braves outlaw head first slides? Did I dream that? Seems like I saw it in twitterverse.
April 14th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Leah – do it and I’ll help as you need.
How many more runs does Beachy have to give up for Fredi to take him out? I was sure he was gone after the Gaby Sanchez homer.
April 14th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Fredi is giving Beachy every chance to get that first win.
April 14th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Last year Bobby leaves Beachy in for just one too many batters.
I’ll take a look at my calendar and see if I’m ever coming through town close to game day.
April 14th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Conrad just got robbed.
April 14th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Wes Helms……….
April 14th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
I wish Hinske was the first option off the bench. I kinda worried he is not getting enough at bats. We don’t need him rusty.
April 14th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
I wish Conrad was not on this team.
Really need Mac, Uggla, Heyward, to prove their worth this inning. Need it
April 14th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
This one’s really shaping up to be a heart breaker. (reverse jinx now firmly in place)
April 14th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hmmm…I’ll go ahead and go to bed. Then they’re sure to win!
April 14th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
I feel like my prediction of a 5 – 1 week is not looking so good.
Dammit. 4.5 out. Another series loss. Dammit.
April 14th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Wow, another series loss after winning game 1. This is getting really old.
April 14th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
This team is just really uncompelling right now.
It seems virtually impossible that the Braves have won the opening game in every series this season, and they’ve won one other game.
April 14th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
This is a lot like last April where a couple batting avgs look okay to pretty good but the rest look pretty rough.
I’m glad Uggla decided to get a hit on this homestand.
April 14th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
The pitching has not been as dominant as we all thought it would be either. Lowe, Venters, and Kimbrel have looked as advertised in ST, as for the rest…
April 14th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Matt Young instead of Hinske?
O’Flaherty up to face a string of righties, including Joe Buck who OPS’s a hundred points higher against LHP?
The unpleasant feeling I got listening to the Marlins guy y’all interviewed talk about Fredi is increasing by the ballgame.
“Heyward was Atlanta’s best hitter in 2010, leading the club in OPS. He’s Atlanta’s best hitter in 2011, sailing along with a .273/.429/.636 line through 11 games.
So it makes perfect sense that new Atlanta Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez is hitting Heyward sixth, right?
No, of course it doesn’t. Nobody bats their best hitter sixth, not even Tony Muser” -ESPN
Is it good when ESPN’s actually making fun of us?
April 15th, 2011 at 12:21 am
McClouth – 45 Atbats .222 AVG 11 Strike outs 3 BB .286 OBP
Heyward – 38 at bates .237 AVG 7 Strike outs 11 BB .408 OBP
45- 38= 7 AT BATS!!!!
They braves have missed out on about two more walks, a home run, and a single.
These could have been a difference makers.
Fredi Gonzalez is not impressing me at all and he is making STUPID decisions.
April 15th, 2011 at 12:26 am
On a good team and especially on a good American League team McClouth hits 7th or 8th. He is not a top of the order hitter. Just thinking back to when he first came over and we hit him third now makes me laugh.
April 15th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Im scared at Fredi’s quote:
“I think the way the lineup is constructed is more important [than getting your best hitters more plate appearances]. Then why don’t we lead off [Albert] Pujols? Or [Barry] Bonds? Lead ‘em off.”
Hello Fredi. You don’t bat Pujols and Bonds first because the 8 and 9 hitters dont get on base as much as the 1 and 2 hitters. Therefore you bat these guys 3 and 4 so they can be in position where you maximize their RBI potential and also get them as many at bats as possible. Batting 6th doesn’t do that.
Our manager has faulty baseball logic. Frightening.
April 15th, 2011 at 6:42 am
I’m just going out on a limb here but I don’t think Walker’s happy.
April 15th, 2011 at 7:00 am
I miss Bobby.
April 15th, 2011 at 7:53 am
Oh Kate…careful there. Back away from the ledge.