AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > August > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves try to get hot in cool Chicago
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since a 12-game homestand and the chance to distance themselves from the rest of the NL East didn’t inspire the Braves to play a better brand of pennant-race baseball, maybe playoff weather will.
I just arrived in Chicago and the weather is spectactular, sunny and upper-60s, like an October afternoon in Atlanta. Should be crisp and gorgeous for tonight’s series opener, which features the best pitching matchup of the series _ Tim Hudson(9-7, 3.45) against Carlos Zambrano (10-5, 3.97), whose 2.24 ERA is the third-best in the NL. Pretty impressive, considering Wrigley is homer haven whenever the wind’s blowing out.
There are a few negatives in an NL baseball writer’s travel itinerary — frigid Milwaukee in April, steamy St. Louis in mid-July, Shea Stadium any time of the year — but there are many more positives, and one is Chicago in late August, with the air crisp and at least one day game (but preferably three) at Wrigley on the schedule. Damn those lights. The place wasn’t built for night baseball, as any writer knows who’s tried to navigate through the hordes of fans to get to the postgame interviews in the clubhouse, down the same ramps and aisles that the fans use.
Quite aside: After a division series night game here a couple years ago, the one that wasn’t decided until Sosa’s long flyout, I literally had to hang over the railing of a ramp and drop down to a hot dog cart to bypass the standstill pedestrian traffic jam, since all 38,000 or whatever it was stayed until the last pitch and left en masse. Anyway…hey, good that I’m still nimble, daring and athletic.
Another important week for Braves, because last thing they need is to lose more ground to East foes before facing them all down the stretch. The lead’s down to 3-1/2 over the Phils and 4-1/2 over the hard-charging Marlins. Not at all what the Braves had in mind when they opened their longest homestand of the season two weeks ago. But that 6-6 homestand is over, and now they’ve got a chance to win a couple of road series against a Cubs team that’s only 30-30 at home and a Milwaukee team that has no playoff aspirations. Of course, Milwaukee’s 61-64 record is barely worse than San Diego’s, and we know what happened there….
Hey, don’t know how you all feel, but I’m torn between which two ongoing concerns has moved into No. 1 on the Braves’ list of ulcer-inducers: The bullpen, or the Nos. 3-4 starters, Thomson and Hampton, or Hampton and Thomson … or is Ramirez now ahead of them in a potential playoff rotation? Actually, that last question hasn’t been answered, and won’t be until late September, probably. But it certainly could unfold that way, if the two veterans keep struggling and Ramirez pitches as he did this weekend.
As for the bullpen, specifically the closer issue, my guess is that Reitsma reemerges as the guy. I just don’t know if the Braves would trust the other options — Kolb and Farnsworth — in a pressure-save situation in September or October. But we’ll sure find out. They’ve got to hope that a little rest will reinvigorate Reitsma, whose recent struggles are alarmingly similar to his last-season fade last year.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Chief
August 22, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this
Is anyone concerned about the Braves’ recent bout of bad bunts? I don’t come prepared with statistics, but I watch most every game and have seen at least 6 bunting opportunities wasted lately. Both the regulars and the pitchers have seemed to have a hard time laying one down, and it’s loomed large more than once. This used to be a strength of a Cox-managed team. Thoughts?
By Del Young
August 22, 2005 05:03 PM | Link to this
I have been sitting here trying to figure out how best to use the 9/1 call-ups. Not an easy question, because we must assume that we will be in a tight title chase the rest of the season and every win will be golden. The best I could come up with is to keep the rotation on a regular 5 day schedule, but get Smoltz and Hudson out of the game as soon after the 5th inning as is PRACTICAL. Hopefully that would keep them sharp without pitching them excess innings. Of the position players, I would give Andruw, Marcus and Raffy regular days off, say 1 game per series. The rest of the position players I would rest sparingly. I would evenly split the games at catcher. I also wouldn’t overuse Julio, because I think he could be a huge factor in the playoffs unless LaRoche can somehow turn his miserable second half performance around. Assuming the game conditions allow — I would rest the key members of the bullpen (ie. Reitsma, Sosa, Boyer and Farnsworth) as much as is PRACTICAL and let the callups fill in here as much as possible.
This is a really interesting challenge and I don’t envy BC his job for the next 6 weeks.
By True Braves Fan
August 22, 2005 05:05 PM | Link to this
DAVID: Not sure where you got that Zambrano has ERA ov 2.45 (3rd best in NL) but the MLB.com records show him with an ERA of 3.07 and ranked 10th in the NL.
By True Braves Fan
August 22, 2005 05:17 PM | Link to this
Chief: In my opinion, you are absolutely right about the inability to lay down a SAC bunt. I can’t find the statistics to back me up, but seems that several games were lost due to the inablity to SAC bunt. Davies, I believe, is the only consistent bunter.
By Kirby
August 22, 2005 05:35 PM | Link to this
Is Thompson healthy enought to pitch effectively? Same question for Hampton.
Right now, they are both pitching wretchedly. Unless one of them shows that he can pitch well, I think that Ramirez, despite the home runs allowed, may be the default choice for the #3 slot. A week ago he was demoted to the bullpen, and now he may be #3. This is not good.
Cox has no good choices for closer. He’ll probably use Reitsma first. I can’t see Kolb used at all in that role.
Finally, the good news is that Cox has managed very well this season. The bad news is that the pitching problems will prevent them advancing far in the playoffs, if they make them.
By JB
August 22, 2005 05:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Del…..with a 3 game lead, you have to go with your best and win games. There won`t be any days off for anybody until the Braves get at least an eight game lead or better with 2 weeks to go.
By Nicholas Irwin
August 22, 2005 06:28 PM | Link to this
I don’t really know, because we haven’t been in a save situation since Reitsma blew that first game against the Dodgers, but it seems to me that maybe Farnsworth has the closer role. He pitched in the ninth inning against both LA and twice against San Diego and both of the San Diego situations came in instances when you would normally use your closer (tied in the 9th inning when you’re the home team and four-run lead going into the ninth with him warming up when it looks like it will be a save situation). I for one welcome this move if this is the move Cox has made. What has Farnsworth done to make you think he shouldn’t be our closer? You seriously would rather have Boyer or Devine? Other than Sosa, who obviously isn’t being made into a closer, Farnsworth has the best closer stuff. Blazing fastball with a breaking ball that is decent enough to make people miss. We really don’t want Devine as our No. 1 closer in the playoffs or down the stretch. He’s too young and raw. The bullpen should have Farnsworth as closer, Reitsma as setup guy, Boyer, Foster and Devine (maybe McBride if he impresses when he comes back up) in middle relief and Ramirez in long relief.
Which brings me to my next point, which isn’t so much about Ramirez as it is about Sosa. I’m sorry, but Jorge Sosa needs to be in the starting rotation. It doesn’t really matter who’s place he takes, but you can’t just take someone who’s been as effective as he has all year and throw them in the bullpen. It makes sense, however, that Ramirez should be the one to go. I know he’s capable of throwing a gem like he did Saturday, but he’s also just as capable of givng up six HRs in a three-inning outing. Also, you have to ask yourself which one of the pitchers in the rotation is least likely to be used as a starter in the playoffs. That obviously eliminates Smoltz and Hudson from bullpen consideration, and of the remaining three, Ramirez is the most likely to be sent to the bullpen come playoff time anyway. He’s way too inconsistent, and assuming either Thomson or Hampton come around (which at least one of them probably will), Ramirez is the obvious choice to send to the ‘pen. That would put Sosa, Hampton and Thomson in a battle for who will be in our playoff rotation. Put the best of those two the rest of the way in and make the other one a spot starter. Why we changed this after we had done the right thing because Ramirez had a bad outing in the bullpen, I have no idea. Who cares what your long reliever does? If you need him, you’re not gonna win anyway. If somebody’s gonna make a spot start in the postseason from that situation, it’s gonna be the one of those three that doesn’t make the rotation, not Ramirez. After sending Ramirez to the bullpen, we should have just left him.
By david o'brien
August 22, 2005 06:39 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the confusion. That’s Zambrano’s ERA at Wrigley Field, is what I meant to say. He’s ranked third in NL in home ERA, not overall ERA. My bad.
By david o'brien
August 22, 2005 08:55 PM | Link to this
I don’t like our new format, which doesn’t allow me to go back and edit my typos after i punch the blog. Anyway, in addition to leaving out the word “home” in front of Zambrano’s ERA (third-best home ERA, not overall ERA, in NL), I also wrote “quite aside” when I meant to say “quick aside.” Not that anybody probably gives a rat’s butt.
Chipper just went deep, way deep, off Zambrano for 2-0 lead, one out after Furcal leadoff double in fourth. Hudson still hasn’t allowed a hit or walk.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 22, 2005 10:00 PM | Link to this
Bobby must be getting senile. How the hell can you send Hudson to the plate in the top of the 8th after that p** poor bottom of the 7th he just had that ended with a play at the plate? I hope he pitches well in the bottom of the 8th, but I gotta believe that was a mistake.
By Zapster
August 22, 2005 10:12 PM | Link to this
As a guy who likes to watch major league baseball, but doesn’t see everything in Braves-colored glasses, I’m amazed by the rah-rah tandem of Joe Simpson and Chip Caray.
Every time they are teamed up, it turns into a three hour Braves praise-a-thon. Pete Van Wieren is another one who needs to be fitted for a cheerleader’s skirt.
I will say that compared to Tom Paciorek on Fox Sports South, they are all three beacons of journalistic integrity.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 22, 2005 10:17 PM | Link to this
I seen Chipper Jones play his entire Atlanta career and I’ve gotta say that since he has come back from the DL, I’ve never seen him hit better. I hope he can keep this up the rest of the way and throughout the playoffs.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 22, 2005 10:28 PM | Link to this
Jeez, Hudson sure has been looking good in his last 3 starts. Nice win.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 22, 2005 10:31 PM | Link to this
Good God Zapp, what do you expect? they are paid by the owners of the Atlanta Braves. Should they root for the Cubs? And to correct you, nobody is more rah rah than Tom Paciorek.
By True Braves Fan
August 22, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this
I know it was only one game, but tonight sure seemed like 1999…….P. S. to Jerry: Bobby must have been right staying with Hudson….
By Nicholas Irwin
August 22, 2005 10:48 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I wasn’t too big on both leaving Hudson in to hit and in leaving him in to pitch the ninth when Farnsworth was up and ready, but oh well…obviously it worked out alright. Apparently it was a cool night in Chicago, so that probably contributed to Hudson being able to go a full nine innings and over 120 pitches. By the way, I’ll trade Chicago our weather for theirs if anyone up there is interested. That 70 degrees sounded oh so good after walking around in the 95 degree heat all day and then getting in to find my A/C wasn’t working properly.
By Eric
August 22, 2005 10:58 PM | Link to this
Let’s see, Jerry. At 10:00 you are calling Bobby senile, calling Hudson’s 7th inning p** poor, and calling the decision to keep him in there a mistake. At 10:28, you are telling us how good Hudson has been looking. Kind of like Atlanta weather. If you don’t like it, just wait 30 minutes and it will change. lol
By T Robb
August 23, 2005 01:00 AM | Link to this
Carroll: My understanding is, last night after the game Chipper had a breakthrough in his work and will be announcing a cure for cancer later this morning.
By Zap
August 23, 2005 01:21 AM | Link to this
You misunderstood Jerry. I meant that Paciorek is by far the biggest “homer” the Braves have calling the games.
I get all the major league games—thanks to the miracle of Satellite TV—and the Braves announcers probably rank second worst for out and out cheerleading.
The clown who does the White Sox games and yells “Yeeeeess” all the time is the worst.
Just because a guy is paid by a team doesn’t mean he has to be a cheerleader in the booth. It’s a turn-off for the casual fan who just wants to see a good ball game.
At various times this year, Joe Simpson has had Smoltz winning the Cy Young, Cox as manager of the year and Andruw the MVP.
Tonight, he seemed to suggest the Braves have the top several rookie of the year candidates.
I just wish he’d take a stab at objectivity now and then.
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 23, 2005 01:31 AM | Link to this
Jerald - I too thought it was an interesting move that Bobby let Hudson go on to pitch into the 8th and 9th. But upon thinking about it, I think I understand why he did it. There is an off day on Thursday, so Hudson won’t pitch again until Sunday. Also, the bullpen has been overworked lately, with John Thomson and Mike Hampton not going deep into their starts last week, and then the 13 inning game on Saturday. Plus, Thomson and Hampton pitch the next two days at Wrigley, so who knows what’s gonna happen. Maybe the bullpen will be used some more. All of that, and the kinda cool whether they had up here at Wrigley.
Nick - I think Sosa has to go to the pen. I realize that he’s been a good starter, but he’s been good out of the pen too, and the pen is a weakness. Ramirez has pitched well at home, but not on the road.
General Thoughts - Obviously, Chipper played a huge part in the way tonight. But a big key was Hudson getting out of the 4th inning bases loaded jam with nobody out. He only gave up one run there. Zambrano was tough tonight. By the way, I was sitting six rows up, directly behind the plate. Anybody see a guy in a home braves jersey with a hat on backwards? Just curious if I was on TV. (Probably not….)
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 23, 2005 01:41 AM | Link to this
Zap - AJ as MVP is legit — certainly one can make an arguement for that, Smoltz and the Cy Young, well if he had more wins, he’d get a lot more consideration and Cox as manager of the year is certainly legit. Actually, that lead in to my next point.
I heard on ESPN (you Americans are lucky to get it!) that the Braves have had six rookies with at least 100 at bats, and that no team with as many as 5 rookies with at least one hundred at bats has ever made the postseason. (Of course, not to mention a converted reliever, and a 21 year old rookie starter). If the Braves win the division, then Bobby is manager of the year. They’ve been playing MLB for what, 120 years and that hasn’t happened? If it does this year, Bobby is manager of the year hands down.
DOB - At this point, I’d be comfortable with Ramirez starting in the playoffs — at home that is. He has like a 2.80 ERA at home, but is terrible on the road. I’d put him between Smoltz and Hudson. Smoltz pitches game 1, Ramirez game 2, and Hudson game 3. Of course, at this point, and well, assuming we get that far.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 23, 2005 05:33 AM | Link to this
So many people to address that I’ll just make several comments and you guys put them to wherever they need be. First, with hind-sight and all, I still would have removed Hudson for a pinchhitter in the top of the 8th. Yes, Hudson pitched a great game with the exception being the bottom of the 7th but good common sense says that it should have ended for him at that point. Most of know what Bobby is going to do before he does it because he has been that consistant over the years. I don’t believe that Bobby was trying to give the bullpen a rest because it’s never enter his thought processes before so why now? At any rate, it turned out well, so all is well, but I still would have made the move. And Eric, I knew someone would note the times at which my statements were made, so I’m not surprised. To Nick, yes I would like to see Boyer get the chance to close. He has done the job since being called up and he seems to have the mental approach to closing, so why not give him a shot. I don’t trust Fartsworth. He should be setting up, nothing more. He’s too much of a head case and prone to losing his temper. That can’t be good for a closer. And no, Andruw should not be the MVP because he had a great streak for us, but he’s cooled off and Pujols never cools off. Bobby should always be Manager of the Year because nobody else can do what he does year in and year out. Even though he makes a lot of strange moves to most of us, he still has his teams in positions where it matters. And as long as Roger Clemens is pitching, that Cy Young award belongs to him and when he retires, they should rename it. The man started his career as one type of pitcher and when we all thought he was on his way out at the end of his stay in Boston, he remade himself into a pitcher from a being a thrower. If he got any run support, he would have close to 20 wins right now. I respect Carpenter, but no way should he get the CY before Clemens.
By BB FAN
August 23, 2005 07:57 AM | Link to this
Andruw has cooled off a bit, but he deserves consideration for MVP. If it wasn’t for him, the Braves would not be leading the NL East. He carried the team for 2 months. If he gets hot again in September, he could win it. He has had very good Septembers in the past, so lets hope for the best.
If it wasn’t for Kolb and Reitsma, Smoltz would have 17 wins and would be the top Cy Young canidate. If Francoeur hits another 10 homers in the last 35 games, he should be rookie of the year. And of course, with the job Cox had done with this team, he should be the manager of the year.
By Eric
August 23, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this
Obviously, I wish all you folks were right about the year-end awards, but I think it’s just wishful thinking. We don’t have anything even close to a Cy Young. Andruw’s horrible RISP average will tip the balance away from him unless he turns into a September dynamo. As John Kruk said, the award is called Rookie of the YEAR, not rookie of a few months. There are enough other good candidates who have played all year. Bobby can and probably should get Manager of the Year, but if the White Sox go farther into the playoffs than the Braves do, watch for Ozzie Guillen to get the nod.
By BB FAN
August 23, 2005 12:56 PM | Link to this
Eric, I think the votes are all in before the playoffs start. So postseason does not have any affect on the outcome. I agree with you about the CY Young award. But if the bullpen had not blown 5 of Smoltz’s wins, he would have had a great chance. I think if Francoeur were to duplicate what he has done already this year in the last 35 or so games, he could win the ROY. As for Andruw, it would take a great September for him to win the MVP. Kind of like Vladimir Guerrero did last year and Chipper Jones did in 1999. Their Septembers won the award for each of them. I don’t even think Chipper made the All Star team in 1999.
By T Robb
August 23, 2005 01:49 PM | Link to this
Jerry: I almost agree with everything you said - except Hudson. The guy makes $11m and feels great, let him give the ‘pen some rest and earn his money. He did, and they did. We needed a start like that.
Fab: How do you live without ESPN? Do they have running water and electricity in Ontario? Have you ever considered immigrating? ;-)
Bobby is MOY, Francoeur is ROY. Sometimes ROY is a ROFM, Eric (the only other standout is Zach Duke, who has the same problem Franky has…don’t give me Willy Taveras), and if Andruw hits 12 more dingers in September, he’s MVP.
Kolb and Reitsma cost Smoltz a shot at the Cy, and Farnsworth’s head worries me. I’d try Boyer, Jerry, but I’d try Devine first. He looks filthy dirty.
By Jerry Holcombe
August 23, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this
Boyer deserves the shot before Devine because he has worked hard for that chance while Devine has just arrived. And the argument that is being made for Smoltz can be made easier for Clemens. Look at his ERA and how many games his team lost for him.
By Fabrizio Di Muro
August 24, 2005 01:11 AM | Link to this
T Robb - It truly is tough to go without ESPN. It’s way better than anything they have in Canada. It’s a government thing — they know all US networks are better than all Canadian networks, so to make sure we buy Canadian networks, they don’t let us access US networks. As far as coming to the US, well, I almost ended up in Mississippi, and I may come after I finish my Ph.D. I do agree with you about AJ. If he gets to 50 HRs, 110+ RBI, and leads the league in both catagories, I think he deserves. However, I’m afraid that the voters will give it to Pujols due to his body of work in the last 4 - 5 years. Smoltz, with his 2.88 ERA, deserves consideration for the Cy, but ultimately I think Clemens ought to win it, as his ERA is below 1.50, I think. But the voters will probably give it to Carpenter. Today, I saw Devine warm up in the bullpen areas at Wrigley, and that guy basically throws sidearm!! Wow! But I would go with Boyer before Devine. Devine is too raw a talent at this point. He’ll be good in the future, but needs some fine tuning, though.