Show #163: A Middling Week for the Braves
The good and bad with the offense. Hanson and JJ in the post season. Faith in Fredi. And the NLCS Hope Meter.
236 Responses to “Show #163: A Middling Week for the Braves”
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Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 » Show All
September 9th, 2011 at 10:36 am
David – I completely agree. I would much rather face the D’Bags. Then again, at this point, let’s just face someone.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:20 am
I second the preference of the DBacks.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Definitely snakes over beer makers when it comes to baseball.
Is Blaine Boyer still on the D’Backs?
September 9th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Atlanta Braves
Position: Second in NL East; wild card leader by 6 ½ games
X-Factor: Martin Prado
Maybe the most consistent hitter in baseball the past three seasons, Prado is having his worst year, down to .260 with a terrible .307 OBP. Unlike with Jason Heyward, whom manager Fredi Gonzalez has benched for not hitting, Prado continues to bat second for the Braves. This is a problem if he doesn’t hit — not only is his low OBP crippling the offense in the most important spot in the order, but as a right-handed groundball hitter, he’s a huge double-play threat. Prado is fourth in MLB (min. 200 PA) in double-play rate, grounding into one every four chances he has. The Braves need the line-drive Prado back, or their already shaky offense could fall off the cliff.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/joe_sheehan/09/08/playoff.x.factors/index.html#ixzz1XU920HyV
September 9th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
#179 – Yes. Fredi better keep him at 6 or 7 for the time being. I mean, seriously, how good did the lineup look with Chipper at 2 yesterday. It seemed to make a huge difference.
September 9th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I agree with facing the D-Backs as well. I guess it’s time to officially resign from the NL east race and root for the Phillies…..Did I just type that?
September 9th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Jack Wilson playing in place of Seabass.
I missed what Seabass did last night that lead to his “benching.” Was it really egrigious?
September 9th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
#182 – Joe Simpson made a comment (though unconnected with his benching) that, him being out of position at second base to catch the throwdown by David Ross might have been attributed to Gonzales’ mind being on his previous AB, where I believe he popup up in a bases loaded situation.
September 9th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
DOB said Gonzo was getting a scheduled day off.
September 9th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
…and I agree with Fredie on that move. If a guy wants to take his defensive play down with his offense, let him think about it on the bench. Besides, we all know the game has been finding Alex in those situations all year long. I say, give Wilson a shot.
September 9th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Some hope for you, Steve!
From the article linked:
Gonzalez said ultimately his goal is to get Jason Heyward more at-bats and move him back to the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/09/08/chipper-hits-seconds-as-braves-juggle-lineup/
September 9th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
#184 – It’s probably a good thing for him as well as for the team. Maybe Wilson can get a hit or two in that spot.
September 9th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@140
@145
And just to answer a bit of the grief I took over a post earlier (from the same article – see the last line):
Neither Gonzalez nor Jones want the veteran to change his approach at the plate. In other words, don’t expect any bunts. It will also be important that Jones not take hittable pitches should Bourn get on base, in an effort to allow him to steal. That became an issue in the first few games after the Braves acquired Bourn as Martin Prado passed on strikes.
September 9th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Martin’s problem was he didn’t understand that you don’t have to completely change your approach just because of Bourn. Maybe now he can realize that in baseball, it all about driving the ball. All that cutsey stuff about a #2 hitter poking the ball through the right side of the field and taking 2 pitches is overrated. Instead of a runner on second and 1 out, how about runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs.
September 9th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
If it ain’t finding Gonzo, it’s finding Wilson. Much to the same effect, at least tonight.
September 9th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Come on Kid! You can do it! You want nothing to do with Albert.
September 9th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Venters seems tired…I guess that’s why EOF is resting.
Who said Uggla can’t play D?
September 9th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
#192 – His throw to complete that DP was just amazing.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
I know it makes me a weenie but I’d say walk Pujols.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Alright…back to work.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Um, that just sucked. What a strange game. Free baseball.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
My way we still coulda wrapped it up in the 9th. I hope they watch Kimbrel and don’t let him go hit stuff. Not with his hands anyway.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Seriously?
September 9th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
Lead blown, now Linebrink in?
Roll Tide.
September 9th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
If my heart was a balloon, it would be making this sound:
pffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff…
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…ffffff….ffff…ff…..ffffffft.