Show #201: Two Sweeps Mark the Braves Week

September 16, 2012

Show #201: Two Sweeps Mark the Braves Week

The expanded Post Season Hope Meter. We play Trust or Mistrust? The Dan Struggla Meter.

Show #201 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

106 Responses to “Show #201: Two Sweeps Mark the Braves Week”

1
David Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Great show, guys. I’m still holding out hope for the division, even though it’s going to be tough.

The one-game playoff is stupid. Sure, all of the added end-of-the-season suspense is good, but it’s a poor addition to the playoffs because of the undue amount of importance on a single game.

That being said, Medlen should start that game. And the way his schedule lines up, he would go on regular rest:

Wed, 9/19 at Marlins
Tue, 9/25 vs Marlins
Sun, 9/30 vs Mets
Fri, 10/5 vs ____

Of course, that’s if they keep him on regular rest. With two off days after his next start (Thur 9/20 and Mon 9/24), they could give him an extra day of rest and have him pitch the first game in Pittsburgh.
2
DAP Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:07 am
i love it when hammy’s mic randomly glitches and he goes all buffalo bill on us.
3
will Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:25 am
i got that too… thought it might be my connection.

it puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose!

The Braves are going on a 15 game winning streak… and winning the WS.

Or it gets the hose!
4
ham Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:55 am
It hits with runners in scoring position. IT HITS WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION!
5
Steve Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:57 am
@3 – David – Nice work on Medlen’s schedule the rest of the way. I really hope they do the right thing and start him there. I know I said last night that you can’t really go wrong starting Hudson there – but I take it back. Go with your best and Medlen is by far the best right now.
6
DAP Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:19 am
i think id rather face the pirates out of all of those teams. but out of the likely winners ill take the cards. brewers offense is scary, and the dodgers have alot of talent and lefty pitching. but, almost no matter who wins, (other than the brewers) they will likely be stumbling into the playoffs, based on how they are playing now.

i would pitch hanson in the playoffs, but probably not until the 7 game series.

right now, i would work the rotation so that medlen goes on regular rest for the 1 game playoff on oct 5th, with huddy going in game 1 on the 7th. minor in game 2, with medlen coming back to pitch game 3 on regular rest. (off day between game 2 and 3, right) maholm in game for with huddy going again in game 5 if needed.
7
DAP Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:24 am
ham @ 4, awesome.
8
Steve Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@6 – DAP, I like it.
9
David Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
#2 — I’ve noticed that for weeks, but never made the connection with Buffalo Bill. That might be the best comment on this site, ever. At least, it was until #4 came along.

#5 — Hopefully they’ll do it. Here’s what the schedule would look like, assuming they keep at it:

Wed, 9/19: Medlen
(Thurs: off)
Fri, 9/21: Hanson
Sat, 9/22: Minor
Sun, 9/23: Hudson
(Mon: off)
Tue, 9/25: Maholm

Really, Medlen should start on Tue the 25th, but someone has to get skipped in order for that to happen and to line up Medlen for the 5th on regular rest and to avoid pitching him on 3 days’ rest for the wild card play-in game.

Sheesh. I feel like I typed way too much to unnecessarily explain that.

Also, this is great: Your browser does not support iframes.
10
David Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
#9 — if you can’t read that, well…nevermind. Sorry about that. It’s a clip of Kimbrel doing wind-up imitations of Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavine…and then Batista doing his imitation of Kimbrel. If that link didn’t post, search for it on mlb.com.
11
Steve Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Hi David – thanks for the heads up on that Kimbrel thing. Sounds great. And yes, this version of WordPress doesn’t support some things like iframes.
12
Walker Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Medlen definitely get the BIG start.

Also sooner or later MLB will shorten the season to 158 games. Make the Wild card series a 3 game series and extend the Division series to 7 games. At least that’s what I hope.

The idea that a one game playoff makes the season more exciting is false. I can’t really get excited because of unknown of that game. The possibility that our season could be decided in one game is depressing not exciting.
13
Walker Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Here is the link of Kimbrel.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=24764019&c_id=mlb
14
Frigatedoc Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
On more Kimbrel stuff…… One guys talks about STARTING Kimbrell

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/craig-kimbrel-atlanta-play-game-starter-system-makes-190409112–mlb.html
15
Frigatedoc Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
BTW….great show.

Loved it when you asked the “what would Bobby Cox do” question on Medlen vs. Hanson and everyone including me said “NO” at the same time. I even said it outloud to myself alone on the way to work. Great stuff…..

Do you think we can guess who is going to pitch closer to time if they switch up the rotation? My only thing with pitching Medlen if he is still lights out till then that he HAS to have a bad outing sometime…..
16
Frigatedoc Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Not “Braves” related, but good luck to the Falcons tonight. HUGE game to prove that they are the team we think and HOPE they are…. On paper anyway….wait a minute, doesn’t that sound like another Atlanta sports team we know?
17
Leah Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I vote Cards…pay back and all that jazz. Did any of you think there was a remote possibility for a W last night? You all sounded like a sweep was impossible and I was right with ya! Go braves!
18
Adam Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
After last week it feels good to get a big lead early.
19
Curt Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
At the Falcons game. Go team
20
Ham Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Curtis, lucky for you, you get to miss the ESPN atrociousness. Also, if you stay there long enough, you too might get an interception.
21
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Prado’s a good egg.
22
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Leah, congrats on the ULM victory. 8)
23
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Also, Leah, my fellow Austen fan, if you can get hold of any of Juliet Stevenson’s readings of Austen audiobooks, get it. She’s one of the best book readers out there. She hasn’t done P & P, but I’m listening to her S & S now and they say her Emma is one of the best audiobooks recorded.
24
Leah Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Thanks Bub! I’ve been thinking it was time for my annual Austen “read”. I bet it’s one of the $29 audiobooks huh. Btw, stellar play by Uggs there.
25
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Leah, I dunno what your audiobook consumption is like, but I pay 7.99 a month to audible.com for a Gold Membership which gives me one credit per month plus discounts on whatever I buy on top of the monthly credit.

A credit can be used for anything, including the $65 unabridged Crime and Punishment, which is seriously the very, very best audio performance of a book I’ve ever heard. It’s a good service. I’ve bought up all the Lewis they have, two Austens, 3 Dostoyevsky’s, some Hawthorne, and Don Quixote, and I don’t think I’ve spent $200 yet.

Also, you can return audio books you don’t like and get your credit back, which I’ve done 3 or 4 times (their Brothers Karamazov’s are awful).
26
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Oh, and while I’m trying to look all cultured, I may as well go all the way with my highest browed discovery of the year (that recording of your singing makes me think you’d like this):

Rudolf Serkin’s performances of Beethoven’s piano concerto’s and also his performances of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. I’ve been liking classical music sort of peripherally for years, but a month ago I got serious enough about it to try and figure out exactly what I like. Definitely it’s Beethoven (first I tried to love Bach … didn’t work out, to my shame), and these Serkin recordings are gold.

Okay, caught up on my pent up Princess Chatter. Pardon the interruption. Go Braves.
27
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
*plural’s with apostrophe’s: I major’s in Englishhhhh.
28
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Whoa. Falcons puttin’ it on Denver so far.
29
Curt Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Bub, try Brahms
30
Leah Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Speaking of Dostoyevsky…I’ve seen 2 Brothers Karamazov references in as many days. Weird.
31
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Curt, you weren’t whistling Dixie. I just youtubed “Violin Concerto in D Major,” and if that’s what he’s usually like, sign me up. I’m not just saying that; that was breathtaking.

Leah, “Hurrah for Karamazov.”
32
Curt Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
He’s great.
33
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
Curt, your mama named you well.

And congrats on breaking the world record for least time between hearing a recommendation and a making a debit from my bank account.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V6S8XO/ref=dm_ty_trk
34
bub Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
… are the Broncos bad?
35
Tcc Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 11:42 pm
ABT…do you feel you are more relevant by being negative? That seems to have always been the theme here. I’m no “yes” man but my impression is that you guys are absorbed with bashing the team and management. I understand that none of us know how the Braves will perform in these last couple of weeks but we hope for the best, right? I’d like to hear some more positive comments from you guys from time to time, not to be token “Rah Rah” but just more about the good things that could happen versus what the ” I told you so” seems to be coming.

Ease up, and let’s support the Braves instead of trying to make ourselves look smart when things don’t work out.

Tcc
36
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 1:31 am
Tcc, making guesses about the personal psychic reasons for somebody’s pessimism is pretty low. Your optimism could just as logically be attributed to a need to say “I told you so” if things work out well… trying to make yourself look smart when things work out? But that would be a rude accusation. Maybe nobody’s trying to make themselves look smart. Maybe it’s their actual opinions? I mean, why wouldn’t it be? I think you’re way out of line.

Also, did you listen to the show?

“The team is not tight … they seem like buddies … patting on the shoulder … great, great chemistry in the dug-out.”

“That’s a great vantage point to watch the game.”

“I will be scoreboard watching … I’m absolutely watching the scoreboard”

“I’ll take our remaining schedule any day of the week … it means the Braves’ll go 10-5 and the Nats 6-10 … but I have some hope around it…”

“There’s no way we’re blowing the Wild Card … just don’t see any of those teams having the ability to make that ground up … especially with Medlen in the rotation … I don’t see any chance that we don’t make the playoffs…”

“He seems unflappable … to not get shaken … the numbers are almost too good to be believed … why not start him?”

“… one of the best pitchers in baseball right now…”

“I believe that Fredi will start Medlen in that game …”

“… Fredi is ready to do whatever it takes…”

“it creates this great opportunity to wash away the demons of last year by knocking them out …”

“I think Bud [Selig] deserves credit …”

And the trust/mistrust section is built around troubled players. That’s legit and it’s interesting. There’s a comfort in sizing up your weak spots that’s pretty common to sports fans. It’s implied here that most of the team is trusted. I’m a Bama fan. Go visit the RBR blog; main topics of discussion are Fluker’s struggles and penalty yardage. We think the Tide’s the best team in the land, but these are the natural topics of discussion. “What’s between us and a championship?” The answer to that is always whatever’s the weak link.

“I’m still fairly confident in Durbin … been way more good than bad.”

“Heyward … Chipper … Kimbrel …”

“The pitching’s making up for a lot of the ills…”

“On the bright side, he only struck out twice.”

“Of course you trust Prado … Simmons … he’s been good since he came back. Two weeks from now he’ll be better than he is now.”

“It’s great to have Simmons back.”

“I trust him a little … he can at times will himself to be good. We need to trust him.”

“Good week for [Prado] … he’s someone I will always trust … trust his work ethic.”

“I thought Simmons looked good in his return.”

“Kimbrel can go days and days without an appearance and then come in and … strike out the side.”

“O’Flaherty has continued to look dominant as well.”

“Gearrin should be thrown into the good signs …”

“To take two of three … if that’s the way it turns out … gotta do so much for their confidence … to know they could play with some good teams…”

“It’s good to … beat a good team here.”

“We sweep the Marlins …”

“Go Braves!”
37
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 1:33 am
*correction: it isn’t “implied here that most of the team is trusted…” I typed that and then y’all blew it up and I didn’t erase it. Way to wreck my high horse.
38
will Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 6:05 am
yeah
39
will Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 6:31 am
….just felt like being a smart ellek with a 1 word response to bub’s documentary….but im going to chime in too…cant. resist.

this show didnt strike me as particularly negative or cynical towards management or the team. I’m pretty sure these guys do this for fun, and do not try to appear smart. (Not that Curt could ever appear smart, even by accident. Unless it was opposite day)

i think ive been listening for about 5 years… just around a month or so before Curt joined….(and it has gone downhill ever since)

ABT is pretty consistently balanced, even cautiously optimistic at times, but basically realists. How can you not be a little cynical and skeptical after last year, or after 20 years of incredible talent and only on WS win…

definitely anti-Bobby bias, but Bobby had some bad habits.

definitely anti-Liberty bias, but they suck.

other than that…pretty much unicorns and rainbows. except for Curt.
40
will Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 6:32 am
one WS win….
41
Curt Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Tcc, the only thing I would offer, and you’ve come on here and criticized us before, is offer up your opinion about the things we discuss in the show. Do you trust guys we mistrust? Do you feel confident in the offense? Do you think Hudson should start a one game WC game over Medlen? If you disagree with us, fine, tell us where.

And my favorite “I told you so” moment has been and will be for some time, my full-throated endorsement of putting Medlen in the starting rotation and the joy I have gotten out of watching him pitch from that point forward. Far from a pessimistic thing.

One last thing – if you think I am playing some character to be more relevant, ask Will, who have known since maybe the 4th grade, or Hamilton, who I have known since the 6th grade, or Steve, who I have known for close to 15 years now, if I have changed one bit since I started doing this show.
42
Steve Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Tcc – feels like piling on now, but…

The team had been swept by the Brewers, looked abysmal doing it and had stopped hitting for the better part of 3 weeks. That said, we were all 8 or higher on the WC hope meter and 80% of the show was about the team making it to the post season. I’m not sure what you’re pointing to.

@36 – Bub, I’m embarrassed at the perverse thrill I got reading quotes from the show. But mostly thrilled.
43
Steve Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:12 am
@25 – Your mention of audible.com reminded me of the Moth. If you don’t subscribe to the Moth podcast, I could not recommend it more stongly. The Moth is a live story telling series. The stories are 8 – 15 minutes long and told by a collection of regular folks and famous people. It is one of my favorite things out there.
44
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Eh… anyone is free to ignore bub’s rant. Bub had a weird night.

http://www.sabinabecker.com/media/someone-wrong-on-internet.png

#43, I’ll check it out. Sounds right down my alley.
45
Leah Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Remember my first post was berating you all for being so negative about Frenchie? Laughable. I’ve learned that the more negative you three are about particular players the “righter” you prove to be. I hate it sometimes but there it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcqWyyHlCDA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
46
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
lol, oh Yunel.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8393013/mlb-investigating-slur-toronto-blue-jays-yunel-escobar-eye-black
47
Steve Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@46 – Yeah, how about that madness?! What a good dude Yunel is. Reminds of the story DOB told about the first day Gonzo walked in to the Braves clubhouse after the Yunel trade and that they gave him a standing O. DOB’s contention is they were so relieved to see a professional SS after enduring Yunel that they were compelled to applaud.
48
Mark in Memphis Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@46
@47

That trade is looking better and better…

Just think, if we still had him Mr. Simmons might have been used as trade bait…
49
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Sigh, come on, Maholm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKhE-2tOaE0
50
Curt Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Et tu Gorkys
51
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
I trust Moylan. I trust him to do that.
52
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Mike Dunn, huh. This could get interesting yet.
53
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
new game :0
54
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
That passed ball, to state the obvious, could be costly.
55
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Please walk Buck.
56
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Well I sure never thought we’d live to see the 10th.

Leah?
57
Adam Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I’m nervous about Reyes.
58
Adam Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Well that was the stupidest walk-off hit ever.
59
bub Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Yay. Losing to Jose Reyes. Just … yay.
60
will Says:
September 18th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
ffffffffffffffft
61
Leah Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Poopy loss. Bub, I’m usually watching the game on my DVR about 30 minutes behind so I avoid the board. No spoilers and all that jazz. Go Braves! Get ‘em Meds!
62
Walker Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
I’m glad we are playing the one game playoff at home. Otherwise, if we were on the road Fredi would never use Kimbrel in a tie game as if we playing game of baseball in another universe. The madness continues.
63
Steve Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@62 – Yes, yes, yes. At the very least, bring EOF in for the 10th. Leaving Gearrin in was madness.
64
Frigatedoc Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Anyone remember ealier this year when the Braves were close to the top in runs scored? That was our strength….not pitching. Now it seems the other way around (on some nights)

What happened? NOBODY is hitting really (except heyward) and some of us were doggin him when he was the only one that was not hitting. How can a ENTIRE team just stop? Coaching? Tiredness?

Janish having a dislocated shoulder is BAD stuff. We need that guy…. Can we go back to Jack Wilson and say sorry?
65
Frigatedoc Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
And I meant to say… WHAT HAPPENED TO BOURN?? Remember earlier this year when we said pay the man anything he wants?
66
will Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
@62 & 63 I remember thinking who IS this punk and then the first pitch was a ball
67
Curt Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Man were we off base criticizing Bourn. Lord is he useless right now.
68
bub Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
.96 WHIP in 121 innings pitched. Has anybody published anything good on how Kris Medlen is doing all this? It’s pretty crazy.
69
Walker Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Sign Martin Prado to a multi year deal NOW!!
70
Mark in Memphis Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
So, shortstop is supposed to be Prado’s weakest position defensively… Anybody know what happened to Andrelton Pipp?
71
Leah Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Curt, tsk tsk. He’s a pretty good center fielder. M in M…hurt shoulder, ankle, something. Should play Friday.
72
Curt Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
There are 2 phases to being a good player. And I actually missed the double to open the game. We need much more of that.
73
Walker Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Let me get this straight. It’s more important to use Kimbrel when we have a 3 run lead but when we are tied in extra innings we can’t. #Smart baseball
74
Curt Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
fredi-ball
75
Curt Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Beckett, 2 hitting the Nats
76
Adam Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
And Medlen continues to dominate the entire world.

We have to start him in the wild card game right? He literally hasn’t had a single non-amazing start the entire season. I understand that Hudson is the veteran and that he’s having a good year in his own right, but Medlen’s numbers are mythical. It’ll be hard to stomach losing knowing we had a 0.94 WHIP, 1.51 ERA, undefeated starter unused on our bench.
77
Leah Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
@72 So he’s half useless.
78
Walker Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
It’s safe to say Medlen will be our starter in the playoff game. Hell, it’s safe to say he’s our ace and #1 starter for years to come.
79
Ham Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Just to continue the ridiculous love for Medlen (and maybe take it to another level), is there any way that he wins a Cy Young? Is he even eligible? I know Gio Gonzalez has been pretty good, but no one has been as dominant as Meds.

Oops, I mean, the Braves suck.
80
Leah Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Lol…dial it down Hammy.
81
Frigatedoc Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 11:35 pm
I was wondering that earlier…… for the sake of the argument, say Medlen wins or has no losses for the remainder of the season and the Braves go as far as the NLCS and he pitches well in the playoffs…. Medlen HAS pitched all year, does he at least get 1 Cy Young vote?
82
ham Says:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:46 am
#81 – I don’t think post season factors in, does it. Sadly, I think meds doesn’t have a big enough body of (amazingly awesome) work.

We here at ABT will certainly be using our vote on him (if MLB would just tell us where we’re supposed to vote).
83
Curt Says:
September 20th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
“Medlen threw the crap out of the ball,” Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Well put, sir
84
bub Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Ghosty up in here when the Braves don’t play.
85
Leah Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Too bad nobody on here ever watches movies.
86
Walker Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I feel sorry for the guy who wrote this. He is obviously jealous. The very definition of a HATER. It was funny article though.

http://www.thegoodphight.com/2012/9/21/3363530/chipper
87
bub Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I guess it won’t surprise anybody that I half-sympathize with the writer of that article. Chipper’s very often seemed like a world class jerk to me. Both my mother and grandmother, may they rest in peace, had to like the Braves in spite of him.

But I never saw a better hitter. And he’s shown more class and proved me wrong more times about his personality the last couple years than I can count. So … long live Larry.

I’ve lost track of the Braves rotation, but it was already 1-0 when I tuned in and I said, “Hanson or Maholm, eh?” Not that I don’t trust them.
88
Anonymous Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 8:08 pm
I mean, c’mon, it’s Tommy Hanson the long ball specialist.
89
will Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 8:47 pm
wow that piece on chipper was wrong on many levels.
im all for free speech, but i think that piece is all about that guy and not chipper. & that guy is the real dbag. the internet allows him to publicly display chippers dirty laundry for his gain. his hatred of chipper and “old war stories” probably gets him 10 minutes and free beer at his local bar. ef you.

if chipper was a hipocrite that would be one thing, but i dont think he is. this makes him just seem more normal to me. so he was a bit of a dumb jock when he was younger. he obviously likes the comfort of women to a fault. maybe its just the halo of this awesome last season, but he seems more of an example of a guy that rose above his own weaknesses and keeps moving forward. not public enemy 1.
90
will Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 8:47 pm
ps this game sux
91
will Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 9:00 pm
pps for fair disclosure, my current corporate network login password is ChipperJones10
92
Walker Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Does this really look like a jerk?

http://listia.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/b4ed85cf351f78dc2738/medium.jpg?1329229689
93
bub Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Hanson and Jurrjens. Sigh. It’s amazing we’re headed to the playoffs with those two catastrophes. They were gonna be our #1 and #2 straight into Glory.
94
bub Says:
September 21st, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I have a movie review of sorts. It comes in three short parts:

1. I have officially eschewed all of the Star Wars prequels from my life. I resisted for a long time, but they are dead to me. I have to see the Hayden’s ghosty face at the end of RTOTJ, but that’s where it ends. The originals are way, way too good to be diluted with that garbage.

2. The blu-rays of IV, V, and VI have a bunch of nigh unforgivable audio and visual additions from a megalomaniacal Lucas who can’t stop screwing with perfection.

3. However, the blu-rays are gorgeous. Seeing these films in high definition is startling, “like seeing them for the first time” as the cliche goes. Not every frame is great, but 50% of the time or more I’m sitting there freaking out how gorgeous they are, especially, MOST especially The Empire Strikes Back. The late 70’s/ early 80’s film aesthetic, if that’s your thing, is on display to the maximum. I never realized how much of a 70’s film Star Wars was till I saw this super-filmic transfers of it on a decent tv. Empire, too. Until Lucas is himself a ghost beside Ben & Yoda, and someone sensible re-transfers the originals onto Blu-ray un-monkeyed-with, these will have to do, and I think I can live with that, though I understand why purists/nerds reject them.

/film review
95
bub Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 9:38 am
That’s the first time I ever made a dismissive wanking gesture at something I wrote myself. :/
96
bub Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 am
Jayson Stark pushes Kimbrel for the Cy Young. Pretty impressive.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8404780/there-no-pitcher-better-craig-kimbrel-national-league

I’ll snip the juicy bits for ya:

Has any starting pitcher in the National League been even remotely as dominating as Craig Kimbrel or Aroldis Chapman? That answer, beyond dispute, is no. And this hasn’t been just routine domination. This has been historic levels of domination — particularly in the case of Kimbrel, who has had possibly the most dominant, overpowering season any NL closer has ever had.

Curt Schilling … laughed at the idea that starters “deserve” to be considered first.

“I have ZERO bias one way or the other,” Schilling wrote, via the miracle of email. “Cy Young is for the BEST pitcher, not most valuable or anything else. When anyone in this game does something that hasn’t been done in 112 years [as Kimbrel has], it bears noticing.

Ready for Kimbrel’s historic credentials? Fasten your seat belts. (Note: To rank Kimbrel’s place in history, I compared him only to pitchers — starters or relievers — who worked at least 50 innings in a season.)

Strikeouts: 105 in 57 1/3 IP, the best strikeout ratio ever (16.5/9 IP)
Opponent AVG.: .128, the lowest against any pitcher since 1900
Opponent OPS: .368, the lowest against any pitcher in the expansion era
WHIP: 0.68, best by any National League reliever since 1900
Percentage of hitters struck out: 49.5 pct., best in live-ball era
Strikeout-to-hit ratio: 105 whiffs, 25 hits (4.2), best of all time

And then there’s the other stuff. With runners on base, he’s faced 71 hitters — and allowed a hit to four of them. … With runners in scoring position, he’s faced 29 hitters — and given up a hit to one of them. … Of his past 125 outs, 81 of them have come on strikeouts. … He’s had eight outings in which he struck out all three hitters he’s faced — more than Chapman, Fernando Rodney, Jonathan Papelbon, Rafael Soriano, Jim Johnson and Jason Motte combined. … And have we mentioned this man has whiffed 11 more hitters for the season than his rotation amigo, Tim Hudson — but in 107 1/3 fewer innings?

“He’s a special guy,” one NL scout said of Kimbrel. “When you go and watch him pitch, it’s absolutely amazing. The hitters can’t swing and hit the ball. It’s that simple. They can’t time him. You see guys try to cheat or do everything they can do to hit him. They can’t do it.”

Looking for a good definition of a Cy Young? “The hitters can’t swing and hit the ball” sure works for me. So if I had to vote right now, it would be for Craig Kimbrel. No contest.
97
Leah Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Wahoooo! It’s still so super fun beating the Phillies.
98
Curt Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:05 pm
A nice little check in on the score there.
99
Leah Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Hey now…watching pitch by pitch, Mister football. Until the Hubs steals the TV to watch Auburn lose. Then the DVR takes over.
100
Frigatedoc Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Ryan Howard hit home run #300. 236 of those were against the Braves…….
101
Curt Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:39 pm
127 against Rafael Soriano
102
Curt Says:
September 22nd, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Leah, that comment was to me. In Boston, headed to dinner with Ham shortly, and just had a chance to check in. Nice to see 7-0.
103
Leah Says:
September 23rd, 2012 at 12:22 am
Oh good… Thought I was gonna have to bust your chops. Just kidding. Thought you were getting me back for that crack I made about you watching football on Fb. . Since we’re Fb friends and all. Nice win! Minor looks pretty good. Mac looks dreadful.
104
Curt Says:
September 23rd, 2012 at 8:14 am
Georgia Tech, killing me
105
Curt Says:
September 23rd, 2012 at 5:46 pm
How about those 2 games?
106
Adam Says:
September 23rd, 2012 at 9:38 pm
I love beating the Phillies.

Show #201: Two Sweeps Mark the Braves Week

106 Responses to “Show #201: Two Sweeps Mark the Braves Week”

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