Show #190: Another Week of Mixed Results
More questions about the starting rotation. More losses to the Nationals. Bourn, Prado, and Chipper snubbed from the All Star Game.
More questions about the starting rotation. More losses to the Nationals. Bourn, Prado, and Chipper snubbed from the All Star Game.
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:05 am
Great show, guys. I’m at the point where I’d give up some of these young pitchers for Greinke. I just wanna win, and it feels like we’re bringing a knife into a gun fight with our pitching being what it is right now.
July 2nd, 2012 at 10:53 am
Not to be cocky but this could be a easy 4 game sweep.
July 2nd, 2012 at 10:58 am
@2 – As Curt said on the show last night, we’ve been (at least) winning the ones we should win. So yeah, I hope you’re right.
July 2nd, 2012 at 11:28 am
Provocative statement: Time to trade McCann.
He came to the majors playing “older” than he was, meaning he already had “skills” like he had been here awhile.
Well, like the standout kid in little league (early bloomer), they tend to not improve much beyond that level. And McCann has seemed to slowly digress over the years from standout to serviceable.
Hate to see him go, but it might be time…
July 2nd, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Curt, I agree that best record should get home-field in the World Series. I’m not sure why it works for other sports but not baseball. MLB claims it has to do with travel arrangements, etc. I guess that makes some sense, as it’s narrowed down to two cities by the LCS round, giving MLB and the media plenty of time. But, that still doesn’t really explain why best record works in other sports.
But assuming best record isn’t an option, I don’t know that the All-Star game deciding home-field deserves so much outrage. To me it’s not all that much worse, if at all, than the leagues alternating.
McCann’s BABIP is .229, 3rd lowest in the majors (minimum 250 PA). His career BABIP is .295. I don’t think that .229 is sustainable. I expect him to break out at some point. However, I do wonder if he’s doing some thing differently to try to beat the defensive shifts and that’s affecting his overall offensive game.
And Uggla’s doing fine. He has a .362 OBP and a .410 SLG. Uggla’s a nice example of a player who is now being slightly underrated because his baseball card stats don’t match how well he’s actually performed.
July 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I’m currently in the middle of listening to the show, so I might be repeating some stuff here that you talk about later on in the podcast…
In April, the Braves went 14-9 and finished the month 0.5 games out of first place. Since May 1, the Braves are 27-28. So — are the Braves just a .500 team this year?
July 2nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Love the way Frank went about admitting he was wrong about Heyward. Humble pie!
by the way – simmons is defensive player of the month.
July 2nd, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Great show, Curt and Frank. I also really enjoyed the Brian Jordan interview, which was a little bit of a surprise given that I’m not much of a fan of his broadcasting. His answer to the “suppose you’re the GM of this team, do you make any moves?” question was refreshingly honest, and I really appreciated what he said.
July 2nd, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Do you folks care about the Braves (Milwaukee) 1957 World Championship? I didn’t know anything about it, so I Wiki’d it today. It’s pretty cool stuff. In case I’m not the last person here to know this stuff:
Braves beat the Yankees in 7 games.
Braves starter Lew Burdette won 3 games, had a 0.67 ERA.
Burdette beat Whitey Ford in game 5, 1-0!
Warren Spahn won game 4.
Hank Aaron lead all batters with a .393 BA, 3 homers, 1 triple.
Notable Braves:
Ernie Johnson
Hank
Spahn
Eddie Matthews
Yanks:
Yogi Berra
Mickey Mantle
Don Larsen
Whitey Ford
Pretty kewl.
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Come on guys. The dude has an 11+ ERA in his last 4 starts.
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:26 pm
This is a bit embarrassing
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:28 pm
This is freaking amazingly, stupifyingly stupid. This dude, in his last 5 starts:
10.41 ERA
.984 OPS against
33 hits and 15 walks in just 23.1 innings pitched
And his .377 babip isn’t even bad enough to begin to account for it.
Averaging just 4 innings and some change per start. And he is freaking ONE-HITTING us through 5. This is thoroughly gross and disgusting. I’ve been holding this back, but this is the most disgusted I’ve been with them since last year.
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Just matched his career high for Ks
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:41 pm
finally
July 2nd, 2012 at 8:53 pm
and of course that happens
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Total joke
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Maybe Minor should practice pitching against our offense to get his confidence up
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:10 pm
#17, when an unstartable force meets unwatchable object?
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:26 pm
If you check sabre numbers, we actually won this game 6-3
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:31 pm
This game sucks.
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:35 pm
#19, post of the year.
July 2nd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
I hate baseball.
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:39 am
Monday.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:50 am
@5 – I think Curt was suggesting that Uggla is not doing fine right now.
For June – .160/.327/.321. There’s nothing to underrate about that. He’s been bad. We all know Uggla is a nice player and he’ll likely come out of it, but having him in the middle of the order right now has been killing the Braves run production. See wRC+ of 77 in June.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:55 am
Interesting take by Fangraphs on what to do if the game really does count and the leagues really needed to win, rather than treating the All-Star game like a showcase. In other words, selecting the players based on talent level and not based on rewarding players for their performances over the first three months.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/if-it-really-counted-nl-edition/
The Braves whom writer Wendy Thurm selected: Kimbrel, Bourn, Prado and Heyward.
July 3rd, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Chipper is currently first in fan voting for the final slot. Bourn is 5th. Prado is still getting screwed.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Yep, Curt. One could reasonably argue that all three of the Braves outfielders are better than any other NL outfielder with the exceptions of Braun and McCutchen, if one appropriately values defense.
How sweet it is to finally see the Braves put together a great outfield, probably the best in baseball, no less.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Totally forgot yesterday was Monday! I feel so much better about last night’s loss.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Agreed that @19 is truly inspired.
Or, as I like to call it, the exact opposite of the Braves last night. Was actually there last night with my son. It was too depressing to even Tweet about. The ONLY good thing about it was our seats in right field next to the Braves bullpen where we could see how really nice Eddie Perez is to the little kids in the section. Lots of waving, handing out candy to the younger ones. Pretty cool stuff.
A couple of the CBS Sports guys are tweeting today that Greinke is interested in the Braves, btw.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Curt – regarding the changing the Saturday afternoon game time, I think the issue a team faces on Sunday is now the same on Saturday with Fox’s new primetime game.
July 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
If the Braves can get Greinke to agree to a 5/6 year deal, then I hope they give the Brewers whatever they want, even if you have to give up Teheran. Greinke is a proven front of the rotation ML starter, and he’s young. That gives you Greinke, Hanson, and Beachy at the front of your rotation, and you only have to ask Delgado to develop into a middle of the rotation guy. Sheets might be able to be a steady 4 or 5 guy for a while. Maybe they can get the Brewers to take a package of Teheran, Pastornicky, Gilmartin, and a lower level player. Would be a good swap for both clubs, and it gives the Braves what they need to win a championship now. Greinke gets to play for another mid-market legitimate contender. Seems like a good match for everyone. Greinke just has to take a little bit of a pay cut.
July 3rd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
#31, absolutely, if you can bring Greinke in for an extension, he is worth any single prospect. (I know I sounded different when someone else brought up Greinke – was it you, Adam? But I thought we were talking strictly rental.)
Of course, the Rangers are in on Greinke now, for whatever reason, and they might have more farm they’re willing to part with – for whatever reason
And I know I should be banned from the comments for the following, but I just can’t help myself:
“Meanwhile, a rival official said the Blue Jays are “souring” on Yunel Escobar and Knobler suggests the Blue Jays could decide to trade the shortstop just one year after extending him.”
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I just voted 50+ times for Chipper. I think he owes me half of his All Star Bonus.
July 3rd, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Chipper finally named as a replacement NL All-Star for Matt Kemp — git some!!
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/07/03/chipper-jones-named-to-nl-all-star-team/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:32 pm
If you are throwing pitchers in, I’d rather Minor than Gilmartin
July 3rd, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Just curious: if we get swept by the Cubs at home, do you think Fredi will get fired midseason?
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Probably not. He’s made a few boneheaded moves this season, but I really don’t think it was his fault we got dominated by a pitcher with an 11 ERA yesterday.
He also had no hand in throwing a ball into left field and letting the cubs score 3 unearned runs.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:03 pm
If we can get Greinke I think it will give a boost to the team and get them out of this “We’re bad in every aspect of baseball” funk.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Joe Simpson brings up a great point, if the Brewers keep winning they might not be sellers. If the Braves keep this up, Wren might not be in a position to buy anything.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:13 pm
This pitcher we’re facing is effing terrible. Somebody please tell the Braves.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@34, awesome news. Does Bourn get Chipper’s votes?
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Now that I know the votes are unlimited I’m going to spend the next hour voting for Bourn.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Is it even worth pointing out that Volstad has something like a 16 game losing streak? 19 if you include AAA this season?
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Brave Killer. If the Nationals sign KK we’re done.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Livan Hernandez won tonight, and Melky Cabrera is starting in the All Star game. What universe is this?
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:40 pm
All Star.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Apparently it was worth pointing out
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Our outfield is good.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Crap, I missed it. Whuh happen?
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:49 pm
McCann opposite field hit, Simmons hustle infield single on bad play by Cubs 2B, Hinske PH walk, JJ pouty, Bourn 3 run 3B that hit the RF line, Prado Sacrifice Fly to CF with 2 strikes, Heyward no doubter to left center.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Awesome. Tanks.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:11 pm
lol, cubs.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Holy Crap, Chipper!
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 pm
No kidding. Talk the talk. Walk the walk.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:48 pm
So now we’re not bad at everything? What a difference an inning makes.
C’mon Chipper get your 5th hit.
July 3rd, 2012 at 10:52 pm
The man is unstoppable!
July 4th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Headed to the game. Go, cooling rain/game delay…go Braves!
July 4th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Anne, hopefully Rick Camp will be there tonight.
July 4th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
I thought hits would be here tonight too!
July 4th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Gas meet fire. Venters is in the game….
July 4th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Can’t wait to hear the “we’re hittin’ em where they’re standin’ quotes post-game
July 4th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
This is a weird team. I truly don’t understand them or the manager. I’m perplexed, confused, and baffled.
July 4th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
There’s a kid down by the Braves on-deck circle wearing a Gonzalez #33 jersey. I’m gonna go punch him in the face.
July 4th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Greetings from Turner Field jail. It was worth it.
July 4th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
So we’re just a .500 team this year I guess. That’s frustrating.
July 4th, 2012 at 10:39 pm
#63 & #64, awesome.
#66: I quit.
July 4th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
The fireworks were great. I escaped easily from Turner Field jail. The guards are pretty mediocre too.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:19 am
Streaky, that’s the story of the 2012 Braves and streaky teams don’t go far, if at all, in the playoffs… even with a second wildcard team in the mix.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Tony LaRussa is slick. By picking Chipper It probably helps Freese win the Final Vote. Chipper was going to win and Bourn should have been picked to replace Kemp. Slick Tony.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:39 am
And here comes Minor.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:22 am
#70 reminds me – I was talking to Alan – the best Braves Usher ever – at the game last night. He threw up his hands over another (minor) Minor (major) start. He’s a great observer of the game and is honestly worried about Venters. “Something’s wrong with that kid.” “He’s not the same pitcher.” Tell us about it, I know, but also throwing in the, “But Fredi keeps putting him in there…”
July 5th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Well, Wren finally figured out a way to get Venters out of Fredi’s arsenal. The ol’ fake injury manuever. DOB’s tweet about it is great. “Elbow impingement that we haven’t heard about this whole month, or last night or ever” – or something to that effect. What a ridiculous season this has been at times for the Bravos.
July 5th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports’ Hardball Talk points out, “Since the beginning of 2010 the Braves have called on Venters for 204 appearances, which is the most in baseball and no one else is above 193. He was ridden hard and put away wet.”
July 5th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Mediocre, streaky baseball was the theme for the first half of this season. It would be great to end it with a 4 game winning streak.
Note to Fredi: Your job is on the line. The Braves better make the playoffs.
July 5th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Freese won the final vote. Arrrgghhh
July 5th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
“Sorry about the millions of dollars, Jonny” – Fredi
July 5th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
Two 2-run homers. Exactly what we need
July 5th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/26482/do-braves-have-all-time-great-outfield
July 5th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Great game tonight. Now let’s freaking dominate the Phils this weekend and head into the break on a high.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Game not over yet Steve. Hopefully Medlen can get through this.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@80 – I know, the second I hit submit, it was 2 on. Not cool on my part.
Here’s a great entry from DOB on his main blog from tonight:
Fredi Gonzalez said Venters didn’t tell him about the elbow when he came out of game, that he (Gonzalez) didn’t know about it when he talked to reporters after game.
The whole thing doesn’t jibe very well, if you were trying to put together a timetable. Venters on one hand said it just started hurting past couple of days, then said it was “off and on” longer than that, then said there’s only so many times you can get a shot and rest a few days, but then said he never got a shot….
He said the elbow wasn’t reason he’s struggled, but that trying to make adjustments with arm angle, etc, might have been reason elbow started hurting. Said it hurts in a couple of different spots, but that doc was sure it’s structurally sound and no MRI was taken or is scheduled. And Fredi said he thinks Venters will be back in 15 days.
Hey, your guess is as good as ours as to what exactly is happening. I asked Jonny when he was told he was going on DL, and he said Frank called him this morning. But Double-A guys were contratulating Avilan last night for being called up, after Avilan was told Jonny was hurt and he was going to the majors.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Its obvious whats going on. I like DOB’s investigative reporting. Next stop 60 minutes.
July 5th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
@82 – What do you think this is? Simply not sending him down to save his options? Why else go the injury route if its not really an injury?
July 5th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Is it really that big a deal if Ventors isn’t actually injured? It was clear that he’d been struggling this year. I’m fine with him taking some time off and figuring stuff out.
Also Francisco has had a strangely great night at the plate tonight. Good for him.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
There needs to be a “Honk if Craig Kimbrel Struck Your Ass Out” bumper sticker.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Crappers. Here comes the Nats in the bottom of the 9th. 1st and 3rd, zero outs, down one.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Br*ce H*rper ties it up. Still zero outs. This one’s over. Stupid Nationals.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
LaRoche wins it for the Nats. Stink.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
@Steve
I guess this is a way to work with him on the side without sending him down. I really don’t know. But Venters was caught in a lie. You either got a shot or you didn’t
Anyway, great win tonight.
July 5th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
This is one of the greatest things I ever read 12 years late:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/magazine/life_of_reilly/news/2000/10/10/life_of_reilly/
July 5th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
#90 that is hilarious. And a little sad but mostly hilarious
July 5th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Who cares about Rick Reilly? Everyone wants to gang up on baseball. I dont like to watch hockey but I don’t down it every chance I get. If you don’t like baseball then dont watch it.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Walker, I can laugh at a hit piece against baseball for the same reason I can laugh at a hit piece at My Cousin Vinny even though I’m from the South. Funny is funny.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
#93 got all screwed up. I’m not drunk, but I should be.
I meant:
I can laugh at a piece mocking baseball for the same reason I can laugh at a movie mocking the South. Because the jokes are funny.
July 6th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Reports that St Louis isn’t willing to pay the price for Grienke, which lends itself to the question, what is the price for Grienke? How much do you give up, and certainly you don’t do any deal unless you sign him to a deal, right?
July 6th, 2012 at 11:14 am
lots of deal there. what’s the deal?
July 6th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
If we trade for him and can’t sign him, we’ll be in a deal pickle.
*veers into oncoming traffic*
July 6th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Hudson you are NOT allowed to get hurt.
July 6th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Suck. So Uggla is fine?
July 6th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Is there a worse team with runners in scoring position? At least over the past month?
July 6th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
I need a new adjective for this ballteam. How about pukey? Is pukey taken?
July 6th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
As excited as I am right now, I still know we have their ballpark and our bullpen to contend with
July 6th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
My son had a baseball game tonight so I could only follow on the free At Bat app (which sucks, as a side note) and it was just zeros and zeros and zeros. I get in my car, turn on the radio and Jim Powell is literally in mid-sentence, calling Mac’s about to be grandslam as it’s flying through the air. It was the least stress I had following a game all year.
All the problems aside, great to get game 1 against the Phils.
July 7th, 2012 at 12:17 am
@101 Speaking of adjectives…don’t you feel a “Braves 2012 tribute in the form Of original song by Bub” coming on? That’d be so awesome! Bring it!
July 7th, 2012 at 2:57 am
My songwriting these days is weak. And my fandom is a touch too cynical for a tribute. Unless Wren fires Fredi, and then I’ll write Frank a tribute that’d make Don McLean blush.
July 7th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Good read here, by David Schoenfield, about whether this year’s Braves outfield has a chance to be one of the best of any season: http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/26482/do-braves-have-all-time-great-outfield
July 7th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Uggla’s in a slump I think.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I love Andrelton Simmons!
July 7th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
I love burying the Phillies. The tables have turned.
July 7th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Yep. You don’t hear too much out of those troll Phillies fans on the AJC blogs these days. I love it!
July 7th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
And to come back down 3 – 1 to score 5 unanswered. Extremely satisfying win. And nice for Simmons to show the national audience his glove tonight, too.
July 7th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
These couple of games have helped my feelings a lot.
July 7th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Bub, I couldn’t say it better. If we go up there and get buried by that team and those pitchers…. Very gratifying, and reassuring.
July 8th, 2012 at 1:25 am
Just got caught up on Walking Dead season 2. I’m totally freaked out and cannot sleep.
July 8th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@114 – From the repetitive storylines and the boredom? Sorry, season 2 left me really angry.
July 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I have a couple of episodes left. Thought I saw them all but alas…boredom was not my problem.
Victorino makes me laugh. Way to go buddy!
July 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@115, for real. They should steal some of Breaking Bad’s writers.
July 8th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Fantastic at bat by Uggla there.
July 8th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Now that we’re at the All-Star break, I thought it would be interesting to go back to episode 177 of the podcast and check how everyone is doing with their pre-season predictions. Here we go:
July 8th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
How many games will Chipper play in 2012? Over/under: 125
Ham: under
Curt: under (112)
Steve: under (95-100)
answer: 49
winner: Steve
July 8th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Dan Uggla’s output. Over/under: 36 HR, 82 RBI? (Dan’s 2011 stats)
Curt: under HR, over RBI
Ham: over for both
Steve: over for both
answer: 12 HR, 45 RBI
winner: Curt
July 8th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Jason Heyward’s batting average: Over/under: .270
Steve: under (.260/.265)
Ham: under (.255)
Curt: under (.260)
answer: .271
winner: Steve (closest)
July 8th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Who has a lower ERA — Minor or Beachy
Curt: Minor (drank the spring training cool aid)
Ham: Minor
Steve: Beachy
answer: Beachy (2.00); Minor (5.97)
winner: Steve
July 8th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
True or False — JJ is still a Brave after the trade deadline
Curt: True (injured, can’t trade him)
Ham: True (we need him)
Steve: False (season out of reach, or we don’t need him)
answer: we’ll know in 3 weeks
winner: Ham (closest)
July 8th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Staff leader in wins, and how many?
Ham: Hudson (14)
Curt: Hanson (16)
Steve: Hanson (16)
answer: Hanson (10)
winner: Curt/Steve
July 8th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Braves wins
Ham: 89
Curt: 87
Steve: 91
answer 46 (I’m optimistic about today’s game)
winner: Steve
July 8th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Division winners and wildcards (East/Central/West)-(WC1/WC2)
Curt: Phillies/St Louis/Giants-(Miami/Reds)
Steve: Phillies/Reds/Giants-(Braves/Marlins)
Ham: Phillies/Cubs/Diamondbacks-(Giants/Braves)
answer: Nats/Pirates/Dodgers-(Reds/Giants/Mets)
winner: none. Ham should get a negative score for picking the Cubs
July 8th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
#126, even if the Braves win today, their winning percentage would be .541, projecting out to 87.6 wins: Curt takes it.
(There are more games played in the first “half” of the season)
July 8th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Hammy, I had the Cubs, too. Foolishness.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Braves up 4 to 3 in the ninth on the road, Nats down 4 to 3 in the ninth at home. Pretty significant swing on the line in the next few minutes.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Seriously? Simmons with a broken bone in his hand. Give me a break
July 8th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
What is the recovery time?
July 8th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
And here comes the reason I still watch the games: Craig Kimbrel. Do it up, kid.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Howard, say Hello to strikes one, two, and three. Now say g’bye.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Ruiz, say Hell to strikes one, two, and three. Now go sit by Howard.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
7 strikes, no balls, 3 outs. Just call wake me for the 9th innings.
Simmons broke his hand? %$^&.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Nats 90 feet away from tying it up in the bottom of the 9th. Strikes out. Braves gain.
July 8th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Reason #43 that baseball is hard to love: injuries spoil the best plans. Look at the Phillies. They sell out every game, spend 170 million dollars on payroll. Injuries have them in last place.
Why are the first place Nats considering benching the best pitcher in the league in the middle of their best season since they were Expos? Injury.
Middle market team takes a big money chance on Mike Hampton? Whole team now crippled by his injury.
Now Beachy and Simmons, the two brightest new spots on the Braves team. Snap, crackle, pop.
July 8th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Oh well
Our new starting SS……………………….. Jack Wilson
July 8th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Does Pastornicky get called back up? Who would you rather have Patornicky or Wilson, which is kind of like asking if you’d rather go to North Dakota or South Dakota on your next vacation?
July 8th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Good call, Tweeters. ‘Course, I’d have said “Bittersweep Ending to First Half” but I have a black belt in punning.
July 8th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Curt gets all the credit on Bittersweep.
The Simmons injury is nothing short of brutal. 4 – 6 weeks I just saw from DOB. Brutal.
July 8th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Pastor’s slash line since being sent down: .255/.301/.355
July 8th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Pastor’s defensive slash line since being born: oops/damn/uh-oh
July 8th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Some classy Phil’s fan responded to that tweet with “haha. Sucks for you”. L-O-S-E-R
July 8th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
@145 – Saw that. Made my blood boil.
@144 – So true. Pastor had a HR and 2 RBI today, fwiw.
July 8th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
We cant put Pastornicky’s horrible defense at SS anymore. I would rather start Wilson. Pastorniciky’s range absolutely positively sucked. We can’t afford it.
July 8th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Walker, I’m with you.