AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > July > 23
Sunday, July 23, 2006
From surge to holding pattern … ugh
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is it just me, or does it feel like the four-homers-a-day, seven-game winning streak was a long time ago, or at least more than a few days ago?
Man, the off day Thursday and rainout Saturday reminded me how preferable the every-day pace of baseball is to some of us over other sports….
Anyway, I’ll keep it brief, folks, but I noticed the blog was bogged down again with nearly 500 responses. And with no new one due to be filed until Monday, at which point this thing would be slower than Vinny Castilla’s bat this season, I decided I’d post a quick one here for you good people to continue your banter at a more workable pace.
Just checked with Stats Inc and noticed that, even though the Braves have played only one game in three days, they still had more than twice as many homers (40) this month as the NL average (19) and 11 more than the second-most in the league (Cardinals, 29) before today.
Braves had 135 runs in July, while the Mets (112) were the only other NL team with as many as 100 before today. Just underscores what a remarkable hitting surge that was. Braves just have to hope they didn’t leave it all west of the Mississip, and, more importantly, hope the Jones boys are back quickly.
Without them both continuing to fuel the offense, Braves’ playoff chances obviously would be diminished. It doesn’t sound as if either is a serious concern, but Chipper’s side strain sends up at least a small red flag in that those things can be nagging, annoying problems that linger. And with him on his best hitting surge since 1999, it’d be a shame , for his and the Braves’ sakes, to see it disrupted by another health issue.
For the months, Braves still had three of NL’s top 10 home run hitters before today, with Chipper (seven), Andruw and McCann (six apiece). I just watched Soriano hit his seventh of the month, and am left shaking my head over how hot he is. I think that’s four doubles, a triple and a homer in TWO DAYS.
Andruw still led majors with 23 RBIs for the month before today, just ahead of Big Papi, who had 22 for the BoSox. San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez (21) was the only other NL player with more RBIs this month than Andruw (20) and McCann (20) _ yes, three of four RBI leaders were Braves before today.
But it won’t matter if the bullpen can’t hold leads, now, will it?
Hey, my old colleague Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale pointed out today that Baseball Prospectus’ computer projections still give the Braves a 21 percent chance of making the playoffs, including a 2.2 percent chance of winning their 15th consecutive division title.
But if they don’t sweep the Mets next weekend at Turner Field, or at least win the series, I’d imagine that 2.2 percent goes to about .2 percent. Realistically, I think we all know the wild card is probably the only way the Braves are going to get into the postseason tournament. And that’s good enough. Just get there, and it starts anew. But “just” getting there isn’t going to be easy. Couple of wild-card leaders are starting to show a little bit of life now.
Wins the next two nights in Philly _ provided they play, of course _ would certainly stoke the embers of last week’s hitting surge and winning streak.
OK, I’ll go now. Have at it. Again, just wanted to give you guys a proper platform to discourse at a reasonable downloading speed.
Oh, I got the new Golden Smog CD _ excellent. Any of you who don’t know, it’s guys from Wilco, Jayhawks, etc. First studio album they’ve put out in eight years, I think. Also saw the Leonard Cohen documentary at Midtown Cinemas. Anyone who’s a fan of his must see it. It’s outstanding.
That’s it. I said I’d keep it short, and I did (relatively speaking). The Dude abides (watched The Big Lebowski at 2 a.m. last night, and was reminded of just how freakin’ cool The Dude was, is).
