Show #162: Irene 2, Braves 0
Hanson’s injury. Lowe and JJ on the upswing? Potential NLDS rotations and the post season hope meter.
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August 29th, 2011 at 12:35 am
Hey guys, good show. Do you think we add Teheran and Delgado to the bullpen mix for Septmeber, and would they be eligible for the postseason? I could see those 2 really helping out the team by pitching the 6th or 7th and letting us rest O’Ventbrel for the postseason.
August 29th, 2011 at 5:22 am
My post season rotation:
Hudson
Beachy
JJ
Lowe
August 29th, 2011 at 7:35 am
Nate, depending on how it shakes out, those guys might be getting starts so the starters can rest and the postseason rotation can be set early on. I imagine they, Pastornicky, and a couple of others will be up.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:49 am
I can’t see myself ever putting Lowe in the postseason rotation.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Hi G-Dawg, welcome to the board.
What’s your NLDS rotation look like?
August 29th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Great show guys, as always. Steve — during the Postseason Hope Meter segment, you said exactly what I was thinking: that y’all will need to change it to NLCS Hope Meter or something like that. At this point, there’s no way that we lose a 8.5-game lead with the Giants playing the way they have, and the Cardinals not doing too hot either. Knock on wood, but no way.
My postseason rotation really depends on how Hanson rebounds. I don’t think that we can count him out of playing altogether, but it may not be a bad idea to skip him in the first round when we’re playing the Brewers. Cause if we advance to the NLCS, he could go in game 1 with a fresh, rested arm, and that could make a big difference. I would go:
Hudson
JJ
Lowe
Beachy
Hudson’s a slam-dunk #1. JJ had only one start against Milwaukee this year, but it was a great one. Lowe could be a #2, but even if he does have another great (or even decent) September, he’d be a strong #3. However, Beachy has dominated the Brewers this year in two starts (12 IP, 16 K, 1 earned run), so perhaps he’d be better suited for going #2 or #3.
We have a winning record against the Brewers this season (5-3), but that can be very deceptive. They were 2 games under .500 when they came to Atlanta and we swept them in May, and since that series, they’ve gone 68-36. That’s phenomenal.
But let’s face it — they’re bound for a first-round bounce from the playoffs. I don’t think they keep up this pace through September and into the postseason. Probably the Braves’ homer in me coming out, but I think that they’ll come back to earth before too long.
August 29th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
The most pressurized games are 1,3 and 5. So I only would trust jj or huddy in those games. I know Lowe has experience but I have a feeling he could implode and Beachy is a rookie so game 2 would be the best spot for him. Just in case we are down 2-0 you don’t want a rookie on the mound.
-Happy b-day MJ
August 29th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
Walker – great point about the pressure in certain games. But, doesn’t game 2 become highly pressurized if you lose game 1? My only point being is I don’t know that you can build the rotation in that way.
August 29th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
The stats I meant to have last night during the show. Here are road stats for our four post-season starters (which I think we all agree are Huddy, JJ, Lowe, and Beachy).
Hudson – 5-4 with a 4.04 era
JJ – 6-3 with a 2.61
Lowe – 5-9 with a 4.47 (although he has six more starts than either of the above)
Beachy – 4-1 with a 3.24
Unless we move mountains, let’s face it – we’re opening the playoffs on the road against the Brewers. I think you go Hudson, JJ (on the road) then Lowe (just in case it is an elimination game), then Beachy (or maybe even Hudson again). In a do or die game, I think I trust Lowe over Beachy. Not by a lot, but by enough.
August 29th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Thanks, Steve. Can’t believe I haven’t found this great resource til now!
Assuming Hanson comes back healthy, I’d put down:
Hudson
Hanson
JJ
Beachy
If Hanson isn’t back, which is a scary but plausible scenario, give Minor the job. He’s shown already that he’s capable of pitching in the bigs.
August 29th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
did you cite rickie weeks and prince fielder as MVP candidates for the brewers? weeks hasnt played in a month, with an ankle injury….ryan braun is dominating this season. great year.
August 29th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
personally, i bump beachy up a slot in the postseason rotation. let him pitch game 3, at least.
honestly, its hard to go wrong with the postseason rotation. the guys we have are all solid, and all capable of putting up a shutout on any given night. id like to have it set up for hudson to pitch game 1. outside of that, im ok with letting it fall where it will.
this braves team may produce some very memorable post season games, by the way. im gonna expect a few extra innings along the way.
August 29th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
I meant Braun, not Weeks. It wouldn’t be a good show if I didn’t have at least one huge gaffe.
August 29th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Steve
Game 2 is highly pressurized but it isn’t an elimination game. I just don’t feel comfortable with Lowe or Beachy in a win or go home situation. Without Hanson he is our only swing and miss pitcher and could really work well in game two. Lets say the Brewers lose game 1. They will come out game two impatient and aggressive. Beach can frustate them. JJ is perfect for the 1st home game. And my feelings on Lowe is that I dont trust him.
August 29th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
To follow up on an earlier thread…
I can see sitting McCann on Friday.
Since coming off the DL he has played 11 of 12 consecutive games on consecutive days (one game off 5 days previous), it is his (somewhat) usual day to rest and you are facing a lefty.
It isn’t so much about “he can rest later” as it is “don’t tire him so much that he hurts himself again”…
I see the three days off as a good thing for “down the line”…
August 29th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Postseason Rotation:
Huddy
Beachy
Lowe
JJ
When we’re up or down 2-1 to the Brewers, I want JJ and Huddy pitching for the series win or to save us from elimination. I wouldn’t feel very good about a 2-1 series deficit and a rookie or Lowe as our only hope of staying alive. The problem I see with my postseason rotation is if we drop game 1, I want JJ pitching instead of the other 2, so maybe you swap Beachy and JJ in my rotation. The problem there is if you’re down in the series 2-1, it all falls on the shoulders of the rookie in his first postseason appearance. I’m glad I don’t have to make these decisions, and I am terrified that Fredi has to make these decisions.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
If Hanson is healthy: Huddy, Hanson, Lowe, JJ
August 29th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Lot of baseball left to see which starters hold up during September. I’m betting though that Lowe is going to have to earn a start against Brewers with more than a couple of quality starts between now and then. Lowe hasn’t shown much big game success this year and getting your pitchers of the future in these games builds them for more success. ON the other hand, if Lowe is hot, he starts at least one in first series. It also makes him more tradeable in off season.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
It sounds like most Braves fans would choose Beachy over Lowe for a postseason start.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
M in M, no acknowledgement that it might be important to get your most important offensive weapon back in a game the day after he said he’s found his swing and there’s at least 2 days of rest to follow? I get the giving him rest thing, but after an 0 – 15, you’ve got to get him back in there after that kind of declaration.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Hey all. Buried my mom today. My first evening of rest in months, and I’m listening to the podcast as a way of returning to some sense of normalcy. It’s working, too, I have to say. Good to hear your voices. I checked the standings just now; it’s nice to see we’re at least closer to Philly than the next WC contenders are to us. Missed you guys. Starting school tomorrow, so I’ll be sparse, but be back soon.
(In lieu of flooding the comments with condolences, the family requests silent birdie fingers be lifted North toward Citi Field for 30 seconds. Go Braves.)
August 29th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Bub – huge double birds in a southwest direction from me – I’ll be in Philly in two weeks to deliver them in person on behalf of you and your family.
All the best – glad you are back. Hang in there.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
#23, Bub, consider it done.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Had company all weekend and can’t wait to listen to the show. Soooooooooo ready for baseball and shooting serious birds for Bub.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Bub – my fingers are raised northward. Sorry to hear it and welcome back. You’ve been missed.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
A very feel good story about our boys. http://bit.ly/pR0Kjt
August 29th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Great story. I am very lucky to have grown up in Atlanta and become a fan of this franchise.
August 30th, 2011 at 7:51 am
Bub, the kids and I were shooting birds in full force for you last night.
August 30th, 2011 at 8:15 am
bub – done. Welcome back
August 30th, 2011 at 8:41 am
Lookin’ forward to Braves baseball tonight – live at the Ted – it’s been a while! Go Braves!!
August 30th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Okay, good — apparently we aren’t the only team that Randy Wells owns. The guy threw a 2-hitter against the Giants last night.
August 30th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Is is STILL baseball season?? Looks like most of US took a break too!
August 30th, 2011 at 11:51 am
Anyone going to the Tweet Up Thursday night at the Ted? I will be there.
August 30th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I wish! When will we have a date for the “annual ABT playoff game reunion party of awesomeness”?
August 30th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Leah – assuming the Braves are the Wildcard team, then games 3 and 4 of the NLDS should be in Atlanta and those would be October 4 and 5 (a Tuesday and Wednesday). Do you have a preference?
August 30th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Damn. Forgot about the family beach trip. I don’t expect ABT to wait on me but I’ll have to come to the next round of games. Do we know those dates yet? I’ll look into a fully refundable plane ticket.
August 30th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Leah – assuming that the NLCS will be the 2-3-2 format and, assuming it’s Atlanta vs. Philly, those three home games would be 10/12, 10/13, 10/14.
Here’s a link to the Postseason schedule:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp?y=11
August 30th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
#37 Love the careful antijinx wording. Out of those dates the 13th is my favorite. The 12th is second favorite. I couldn’t make the 14th. Has anyone told you you’d be a great secretary?
August 30th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Steve prefers taking dictation.
August 30th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Hate when we play the Nats…blacked out. Hopes someone on here feels chatty…
August 30th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Leah: so far bottom of first 0-0 and Bourne just got a single
August 30th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
What fresh hell is this, Jair? Wash up 1-0 with men at the corners
August 30th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
OK now I’m officially worried about JJ. He just hasn’t been the same. Velocity is down. Location is bad.
August 30th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Sad…Anne, watching gameday…pitch by pitch. Very boring.
August 30th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Okay, how about this for our postseason rotation?
Hudson
Beachy
Livan Hernandez
Lowe
We get Livan on a waiver trade. What do y’all think?
August 30th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Yuck.
August 30th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
The Nationals have the two best kept secrets to beat he Braves……… Livan Hernandez and John Lannan.
August 30th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Just for the record, Hardball Talk is reporting that Tommy Hanson could be pitching again in only a few weeks and will likely be part of the starting postseason rotation. Get on your knees and thank God, people.
August 30th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
#45, Funny and sad.
August 30th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
#48, Let it be true. It was certainly good news coming out of Dr. Andrews’ office today.
August 30th, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Told u guys before…… As much as I hate it….. I think Hanson is done. Just like Manning….he may be out for a while too. His doctors should be canned for waiting until May todo surgery…..OR did Manning not want to say anything so he could get paid? Sorry know it’s not the Braves.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:25 am
That was pitiful last night…but not unexpected (unless my name is Steve). Back at the Ted Saturday vs Dodgers and I expect wins inbetween, Bravos!
August 31st, 2011 at 9:05 am
#51 “is doctors should be canned for waiting until May todo surgery…..OR did Manning not want to say anything so he could get paid?”
dont want to take us down a football road, but i think it had alot to do with the lockout. manning wasnt allowed to see team doctors during the lockout.
August 31st, 2011 at 9:40 am
#53, And, to add to that, Peyton is a creature of habit, has his guys he’s comfortable with, etc. Had he been able to see the Colts staff in the offseason he’d be ready now. He was set back tremendously by the lock out
August 31st, 2011 at 9:40 am
#51 – Done for the season or done forever?
August 31st, 2011 at 10:08 am
i dont think hanson will throw any more meaningful innings for the braves in 2011.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:09 am
#56 booooooooooooo
August 31st, 2011 at 11:32 am
I’m more worried that JJ and Lowe don’t throw any more meaningful innings for us at this point.
What happened to our starting pitching?
August 31st, 2011 at 11:46 am
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Matt Diaz is returning to the Braves, as the Pirates announced they’ve traded him to Atlanta for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Diaz fits the Braves’ desire to add a right-handed hitting bench bat, and of course they had him in the organization from 2006-10 before non-tendering him last winter.
Diaz, 33, is hitting .259/.303/.324 in 231 plate appearances for the Pirates this year while playing mostly right field. He was signed to a two-year, $4.25MM deal in December, but hasn’t shown the expected power production against left-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ press release does not say anything about the Braves receiving money, so GM Neal Huntington did well in unloading the $2MM owed to Diaz next year.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
#59 – Congratulations Anne.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Congratulations to ALL of us. He’s quality people. An allegedly great teammate and guts it out on the playing field. Who wants to be a Pirate, anyway?
August 31st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I can hear Anne squealing through my phone. That’s awesome! Right? I think it’s awesome. I could never be a baseball wife.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Steve……done for this year. I hate to say it, but i think he is. Even if he does come back, will he bounce back? DAP…..I am with you.
One reason Kimbrel is so good is because he truly believes he can get everyone out. With a gimp arm, Hanson probably no confidence in himself or his “stuff”
I always liked Diaz. He will be welcomed back I am sure by the fans and especially the club house. I wish he was coming from the Nats though so he can tell us how to beat those guys. Question is…who will go to AAA or does he fit in with the Sept call ups?
I don’t believe the lock out thing for a minute…..Did they not do a physical on him when he signed the contract in July?
August 31st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
#57, haha! sorry leah!
August 31st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
BREAKING: Giants have designated OF Aaron Rowand and INF Miguel Tejada for assignment.
Can we say white flag?
August 31st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@60
Steve, I can’t believe you haven’t had an epiphany…
Diaz is the platoon guy against LH pitching w/ Jason against RH pitching down the stretch (and possibly into the playoffs):
2011 vs LH pitching
Heyward:.. .188/.271/.313/.584 .. 96AB
Diaz:……… .295/.342/.362/.704 .. 105AB
August 31st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@65
I think instead of “white flag”, it might be better described as “desperation” (don’t know WHAT to do, but we have to do SOMETHING to shake this club up…)
August 31st, 2011 at 4:20 pm
#66 – It’s a great point. And certainly explains Diaz in the lineup tonight against Lannan. The one (potential) flaw in the theory is where does that leave Georgie? In your platoon scenario, Georgie only plays when Chipper has a night off and Prado’s spot in Left is vacant.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:20 pm
#67 – Yeah. The bloodshed in SF today is crazy to say the least.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:33 pm
66 and 68 — y’all read my mind. I was just thinking that this trade could set up a RF platoon with Diaz and Heyward, and Constanza becomes a 4th outfielder and starts when Chipper sits and Prado plays 3rd. Perhaps that will help Heyward to focus more for the remainder of the season, and Diaz remembers how to hit now that he’s back home.
I love Georgie and the spark he’s given this club, but his fun ride has really slowed down. Last 10 games: .185/.241/.185 with 2 stolen bases, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.
August 31st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
What are Diaz’s numbers like against Lee and Hamels?
August 31st, 2011 at 6:43 pm
@70
MLB is all about the adjustments.
Apearently, “the pitchers” have adjusted their approach to Georgie…
Now we have to see if Georgie can adjust his approach to what “the pitchers” are doing to him…
I think the ability to make adjustments is what separates the MLB players from the (so called) AAAA players…
August 31st, 2011 at 6:45 pm
@71
Not sure, but in 10AB against Phil this year, it doesn’t look good:
.200/.333/.200/.533
August 31st, 2011 at 6:47 pm
@73
But it is better than Jason’s 29AB against Phil:
.172/.250/.310/.560
(it made me sad to post this…)
August 31st, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Worried, I am. Where are the bats? Last 10 games: Mac, .167; Gonzo, .152; Constanza, .185; Prado, .205. This happens but usually someone is hot and helps carry the load. Not a good time for the starters to struggle either. Hope it blows over quickly. Who will be the spark? Lowe needs to start his September tonight.
August 31st, 2011 at 8:43 pm
WTG Lowe and great to see Matty contributing on his first night back. Go Braves!
August 31st, 2011 at 9:35 pm
WOW. What a game! If Lowe can keep pitching like this…the postseason rotation looks more like this:
Huddy
Lowe
Beachy
Livan Hernandez
Still holding out hope that we can get Livan on a waiver deal, or one of those Nationals-cut-him-and-Atlanta-signs-him deals in September. Kidding, of course.
But seriously, if Lowe can have another September like he had last year, that’d be huge. And seriously — don’t pitch JJ against Washington again!
August 31st, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Great to get back on track. In the future, Gonzo bats 9th when Lowe is pitching.
August 31st, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Braves acquire Jack Wilson from the Mariners for a PTBNL.
August 31st, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Hopefully the Jack Wilson acquisition means two things:
A) see ya Julio Lugo in 2011 and
B) see ya Alex Gonzalez in 2012
Heck, even one of those would be acceptable!
August 31st, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Great to get Jack Wilson for a month but lets get one thing straight. Alex Gonzales is far and above a better player than Wilson. Wilson has no power nor does he hit for average. He has no offensive value and shouldn’t be anybody’s starting SS.
August 31st, 2011 at 11:05 pm
#75, Chipper and Bourn have been carrying the team offensively, right?
#77 – Problem is, midnight tonight is the deadline for an acquisition to be on the post season roster.
September 1st, 2011 at 7:51 am
#80, it might mean see ya Julio Lugo for the rest of this year, but I don’t know how much of an upgrade he is over Lugo. I got excited when Buster Olney mentioned we might be pursuing Jamey Carroll for Lugo’s bench spot, but that obviously did not happen. I think your Braves’ SS for 2012 is Alex Gonzalez. Hopefully we can just leave Alex in the 8th spot in the order from here on out and just hope he can clear the pitcher’s spot in the order every once in a while.
#82, I’ve been wanting Fredi to move Chipper closer to Bourn for a while. I was thinking they should batting Chip second since he is our best hitter and by far our best situational hitter, but with Mac struggling I might just give him the 3 spot back. Prado and Mac have looked pretty bad at the plate for a while now. Sorry, Leah. I still love Martin.
September 1st, 2011 at 11:07 am
Tread lightly Nate…
September 1st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I actually just read that the proper translation for Prado is middling…
September 1st, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Curt…unnecessary. He’ll bounce back, just you wait.
September 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I love it when Curt gets whistle-blown for unnecessary roughness.
September 1st, 2011 at 3:13 pm
5 for fighting
September 1st, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Let me get into the fight……..Welcome back Diaz, just add in Francoeur and the Braves are complete!
September 1st, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@ 88
Yeah, that’s the hockey spirit!
September 1st, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Went to the TweetUp tonight at the stadium. Pretty cool to hear from the Braves organist, Medlen and Jim Powell.
The crowd was absolutely dead tonight but then the Venters drama and Kimbrel’s entrance livened things up. We were sitting in the right field bleachers (a part of the stadium I almost never sit in) and our section was really, really mean to Ankiel in right. I felt bad for the guy. He probably doesn’t care BUT he has an absolute huge homerun in Braves post season history. I mean, c’mon people.
September 1st, 2011 at 10:49 pm
When Medlen was asked who on the team is least likely to start tweeting he answered, “c’mon, you know, Chipper. And then Fredi Gonzalez.”
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:02 am
What happened to the talk of Chipper needing to retire or take a pay cut?
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:35 am
Does Wednesday mean Derek Lowe doesn’t suck anymore? I have conflicting feelings about my opinion on him now…
As for last night, Huddy was still dominant. Venters needs a rest or something, though. He was completely on edge and off his game.
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:55 am
94- I’m willing to believe Lowe is good again until he isn’t. We know he has it in him, so it’s not the craziest thing in the world. Regarding Venters, I don’t think that rest is the issue. He just loses the strike zone every once in a while, but seems to be able to buckle down just in time.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 pm
A two-week stint on the DL has reportedly done little to help Jair Jurrjens’ sore right knee. [And] now he’s planning to travel to Vail, Colo., to get a second opinion from knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman. Jurrjens was scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Dodgers, but that’s doubtful now. The Braves held back Randall Delgado in Triple-A Gwinnett so he can pitch in that spot. They’ll still have Julio Teheran available to pitch the second game of the doubleheader in New York on Sept. 8. Jurrjens said his concern now is not finishing the regular season, but being ready for the postseason. This same knee kept him out of the postseason a year ago.
Read more: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/304593-regular-season-in-jeopardy-for-jurrjens?xid=siextra_090211#ixzz1Woc7zKiw
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:21 pm
95- Agreed on Lower. Also, that’s a good point you made about Johnny. He literally zoned out to get those last two.
September 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
*Lowe
September 2nd, 2011 at 2:37 pm
#97 – I though that “Lower” was intentional. It works, G-Dawg.
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:02 pm
#99 was me, btw.
Did y’all see this from Bowman’s blog today? Spectacular:
As I was leaving Turner Field around midnight Tuesday, I was told Martin Prado was still in the clubhouse taking batting practice while his mother was across the hall watching television in the room reserved for family members of players and coaches.
When I casually asked bullpen coach Eddie Perez, who threw the BP pitches, why Prado had chosen to keep his mother there so late, he said, “She’s the one who told him to stay in there until he got things right.”
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:07 pm
#100 Is my favorite post…forever and always…done. I want to meet that lady more than I want to meet her son. Ok, that’s a lie. But I wouldn’t hate meeting her.
September 2nd, 2011 at 4:44 pm
That madness is officially over: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/09/braves-release-julio-lugo.html
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I kinda wish we could have kept Wes Helms. I have no interest in his playing for the Braves, I just don’t want him playing for anyone else.
September 2nd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
100 is awesome!
September 2nd, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Leah – no worries about Helms this year. He’s injured and can’t play the rest of the season.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Didn’t the Dodgers expand their roster, too? Surprised Billingsly is in there for so long.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:08 pm
The release of Lugo really goes to show how much of this game is a business. I thought they would at least keep him until the end of the year. I bet he was excited to see some postseason ball on the bench and cheer on his teammates.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Just went to MLB.com to check the Philly score. Had a feeling they’d be losing. That feeling was wrong.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
The Jack Wilson signing was solely so they could release Lugo.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:11 pm
@ 100
That was great. Mama Prado don’t play. She knows that multimillion dollar contract is within their grasps and she wants it bad.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:20 pm
I really feel bad for whoever has to face Verlander in the ALDS. That’s an automatic 2 losses.
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Hats off to Curt. Good luck catching Kate.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Gordan looks like a sane, unbleached Michael Jackson.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Is the kid nervous?
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:02 pm
I guess 4 straight hits is too early to take a reliever out…
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:04 pm
I guess the kid will either get out of it or we’ll be down by at least 3. Seems logical, Fredi.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Finally!!!!!
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 pm
6 straight men reach base. I hope Fredi improves his in-game managing in the next month. Otherwise he might be good for at least one L in October, maybe more considering the offenses we’ll be facing and his inability to “get the hook”.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:12 pm
This game is sad.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Not to mention, you’re bringing Christian into a terrible situation. Bases loaded, 1 out, Ethier up. Just bad.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 pm
That was so ugly.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:17 pm
#119, #121, yes and yes.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Wasn’t Sherrill available to pitch to Eithier?
On the bright side, The Braves would have been able to win this game if they wanted to. If this were October, O’ventrable would be in full effect.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Sherrill on the DL. Is Fredi ever gonna get tossed?
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Oh Martin…if ya love me…
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Mama Prado ain’t happy.
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Looks like it’s gonna be a late one for Martin.
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Can’t watch…
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:11 pm
I remember a time I would have been happy to see J-Hey come to the plate in the bottom of the 9th with 1 on and 2 outs. Those were the days.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 am
first of all, I missed last nights game, though I kept up with it on my phone and read tweets and postgame comments. It seems like fredi managed the game poorly by leaving vizcaino in for too long and not arguing the call at 2nd (uggla on the dp).
Overall, I haven’t been very impressed with Fredi this year, but I think in his defense, the decisions with pitching weren’t that bad. For one, it seems like he’s more concerned with getting a) o’ventbrel, who have proven to be excellent, rested for the postseason, and b) opportunities for other relievers to prove what they can do and how valuable they can be for the postseason. In doing this, he’s basically conceding the divisional race, which I don’t like to see, but realistically, we’re not catching the phillies, even if we do have 6 games remaining with them.
its a gamble to turn the game over to younger, more inexperienced relievers. If it works, it can build their confidence which in turn is useful for the playoffs. If it doesn’t work, we lose one game while still keeping a large wild card lead, and the next game he can go back to the studs in the bullpen. Its not a no-lose situation, but it’s not the end of our season either.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:11 am
First of all, I think everyone and their mom realizes losing 1 game during the regular season in baseball is 9 times out of 10 never a big deal, guys. Second of all, 6 straight guys reached base. The pitching coach never went to the mound. Mac went out there once. I thought it was fairly obvious that Vizcaino didn’t have his best stuff. His fastballs weren’t hitting the desired location, and they were all relatively flat. He was hanging most of his breaking balls. His “stuff” usually looks better than it did last night. It’s fine to use these games to see what you have in all of these young guys, but I have a feeling Fredi was still trying to win that game.
Most fans’ complaints about Fredi’s managing are built off of watching a season’s worth of questionable moves. His bullpen managing in Florida was terrible. They lost so many games because Fredi refused to take a guy out when he was struggling. Fortunately for us, the fans, we have much better pitching in Atlanta, so we run into those situations far less frequently than they did in Florida with Fredi managing.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:07 am
On a positive note……..Braves magic number is 17!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:52 am
Leah, thanks for the props. Don’t think I am catching Kate though.
Did you guys see the Phils record? 46 games over. Amazing we are as close as we are with all the injuries and young guys.
September 3rd, 2011 at 2:06 pm
133 – actually phillies are a measly 42 games over .500
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Reply to AtlantaBaseballTalk’s tweet from earlier: last time Alex Gonzalez had 2 walks in a game was June 14, 2010. When he was with Toronto. That was his first 2-walk game with Atlanta.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Can’t believe we’re going to lose again.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:36 pm
The game was tough to watch
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Didn’t look like a playoff team tonight. Minor did good.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:56 pm
And sadly, I have been spending my time watching UGA get drilled by Boise
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Fredi Gonzales management. So how long with this guy be around? The Braves were loyal to Bobby because of his track record. How long is Fredie’s leash? My guess is, a longer one than most oranizations.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Tough one tonight. The offense is looking scary bad again.
Are people with me on the madness of Fredi burning almost all of his outfield bench in the 7th (or 8th)? Crazy.
September 4th, 2011 at 12:10 am
I was at the game today and it really showed how uncreative Fredi is as a manager. Runners at 1st and 3rd 1 out with Bourn at 1st. And he doesn’t steal with Bourn to avoid DP. Ridiculous.
On another note, I know I’m in the minority but I’m glad Georgia lost to Boise. I’m really tired of SEC schools acting elitist as if they have automatic rights to the National Championship. The whole College Football system is messed up and those kids are seriously exploited. I’ll stick to the NFL.
September 4th, 2011 at 12:47 am
I think the reason the SEC has that elitist mindset is because they stock the NFL with more talent than any other college conference.
September 4th, 2011 at 5:43 am
#140, that’s a real good question on Fredi.
The SEC is hands down the best conference. A two loss SEC team should play in the National Championship. I’m a Tennessee fan. Part of the reason we would be lucky to go 7-5 this year is because of our schedule. In a 6 game stretch we will play UGA, LSU, Alabama, South Cackalacky, and Arkansas. I would love to watch Boise, Oregon, or Oklahoma play that schedule. It’s just a harder conference. The SEC has also never lost a BCS NC game. UT, UF twice, LSU twice, Alabama, and Auburn twice- if u count ’04 when they went 13-0 and somehow got shafted from the NC game for a 1 loss Oklahoma team. None of those NC games were really that close, either.
September 4th, 2011 at 5:48 am
Has the SEC lost a BCS game other than Arkansas to OSU last year and UGA to West Virginia in like ’04 or ’05?
September 4th, 2011 at 6:31 am
Heck, watch a replay of the LSU vs. Oregon game, lol. While doing so think about this, a lot of DOBs of the SEC are picking LSU to finish behind Alabama or Arkansas or both this year.
September 4th, 2011 at 10:06 am
War eagle!
September 4th, 2011 at 11:39 am
I would love to see how the SEC would do if there was a playoff every year. Could you imagine if the MLB just chose the Phillies and Redsox to go to go the World series? What a stupid system.
September 4th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Did I just read that Diaz is batting 3rd today?? Even I think that’s crazy.
September 4th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Braves lineup: 1. Bourn CF, 2. Prado 1B, 3. Diaz Rf, 4.Uggla 2B, 5. Ross C, 6. Gonzalez SS, 7. Wilson 3B, 8. Constanza LF, 9. Delgado P
I don’t have high hopes for today.
September 4th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
#149, #150: It’s like a Bobby Sunday lineup, but even worse. This was one of the things that Fredi had really done right this year – not taking too many starters out at one time. And then there’s today…
September 4th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
This is definitely a Bobby Cox influenced lineup.
September 4th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Seriously, WTF with today’s lineup. Does Fredi know that we still need to win games?
September 4th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Gonna get swept if we ain’t very careful.
September 4th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Did anyone think by the lineup that we were going to win against the best pitcher in the NL?
September 4th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Fredi G. is an idiot! I gues he’s going to make sure that the Phillies will remain the only team not swept in the regular season. This is pathetic!
September 4th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
This game has a strange feel to it. It’s being played as if we’ve already clinched the wild card.
September 4th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
McCourt must have hired that shaman guy again to curse the Braves and give the Dodgers one last hurrah before he gets run out of town on a rail. Seriously, why do we suck so bad against them lately!?
September 4th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Everybody still lives when Brooksy comes in to pinch hit. #memoriesof2010
September 4th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
I mean love and he dies it again!
September 4th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Damn…I mean does.
September 4th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Ooops…it’s Sunday…I mean darn.
September 4th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Marteeeeeen! Makin Mama proud!
September 4th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Great comeback
September 4th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Wow…..put my foot in my mouth about the lineup, BUT they won with most of the regulars in the game!!!
Go Braves!
September 4th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Coming back against a legit Cy Young pitcher like Kershaw is my good sign of the week. Looking forward to listening to the show!
Now, off to see “The Debt”
September 4th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
That was a spectacular comeback. Miles sucks at the hot corner, but I can’t completely hate him cause he threw a foul ball to that kid in the stands…
September 4th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Magic number is now 15!
September 4th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Such an improbable comeback. And what a great way to end the week and head off to Philly. I completely gave up on the game, went to a movie with the kids and could not believe what I saw on my BB when I checked it. And a very profitable day as well with losses by STL, SF and Philly.
By the way – no show tonight. We’ll record and post it tomorrow night. Have a happy Labor Day.
September 5th, 2011 at 11:52 am
David – how was the Debt?
September 5th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
After watching this game, all I have to say is……………..
Congratulations to the Braves for being the 2011 NL Wild Card Champions.
September 5th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
a Lowe blow
September 5th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
I’m not liking the way this team is trending lately. And Lowe needs to go.
I thought last year’s team was much better if only they could have stayed healthy.
September 5th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
What the?
Welp, back to studies…
September 5th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
With Bourn, Freeman, and a right handed batter (Uggla) with pop, and an AMAZING Bullpen, I think this team is way better than last year.
September 5th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
I would agree on paper, but we have to play the games.
September 5th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Starting to look like another NLDS and out team. Time to step it up.
September 5th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Good team but with starter problems, team will have to hit much better then they currently are; particularly. Mac and Prado will have to do better than they have done since the all star break or Braves aren’t going far. Chipper seems to bring a fire to the team that no one else can bring. Who else is going to step up in October? No fun watching everyone’s average fall daily; are they tired or just conceding until October?
September 5th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
John J – Your post (178) is a lot of what we discuss in tonight’s show. Should be posted in 30 – 60 minutes.