AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves can sweep Mets. No, really….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So you’re wondering if perhaps, just maybe, there’s any chance the Braves could actually sweep the Mets in this series and take over first place in the NL East. Glad you asked.
Yes, there is. Now I’m gonna look silly nine hours from now if they get blown out in Game 2 of the series tonight. But here’s why there’s a chance, maybe even a good chance, the Braves sweep the Mets.
(Considering how poorly the just-completed road trip went for the Braves, especially three losses in four games at RFK Stadium to the Nationals, I’m kinda shocked myself that I’d be writing about them sweeping the Mets. But stay with me a second.)
OK, tonight the Braves get Oliver Perez, and we all know the lefty’s had their number for almost every meeting over the past couple of years. Perez was only beating the Braves for a while there, now he’s pitching well against everyone.
Perez is 5-3 with a 2.90 ERA in eight starts this season, and he’s received the second-best run support among NL starters - 7.25 runs per nine innings pitched, behind only Dontrelle Willis (8.14).
But he’s lost two of three road starts, and his opponents’ road average (.247) is good, but not nearly as strong as his stingy .174 at Shea Chipper.
The problem for the Braves, of course, is that Perez is 4-2 with a very impressive 2.32 ERA in his past seven starts against them, with 49 strikeouts and 15 walks in 50-1/3 innings.
He was tough against them in two of three starts starts at Turner Field in that stretch, but the Braves lit him up for six runs and three homers in 5-1/3 innings of a Sept. 26 game here last season.
So they know they can hit him.
Which brings us to Chuck James, who’ll oppose him tonight. Chuck’s been inconsistent, and only lasted longer than 5-1/3 innings in two of his nine starts (kid’s gotta start going deeper into games, even with this improved bullpen).
But at home, Chuck is 5-1 with a 2.18 ERA in his past nine starts dating to last season, with 52 strikeouts and 20 walks in 53-2/3 innings. He’s been solid in two of three home starts this season, including six shutout innings vs. Washington.
On the other hand, he’s been torched a few times against the Mets in his young career. He’s 1-2 with a 7.02 ERA in five games (three starts) against them, and gave up 10 hits and six runs (three homers) in 5-1/3 innings of his only start against them this season.
Beltran is 4-for-5 with a homer against him, Reyes 5-for-8 with a homer.
So maybe they don’t have a good chance tonight. Nevermind.
(Just kidding. They’re due against Perez. Keep in mind, I told you I didn’t believe Jorge Sosa was as good as he’d pitched this season and the Braves were confident they could beat him, which they did.)
Then there’s Glavine vs. Smoltz: Or Smoltz vs. Glavine, as most folks in Atlanta would prefer it stated. I just usually go with the visiting pitcher first, force of habit.
Tomorrow night, Smoltz goes for win No. 200. We’ll address this more in tomorrow’s blog. But how ‘bout the way the circumstances have made this an even bigger game than it would have been with Smoltz going for No. 200 against anyone?
I mean, Braves vs. Mets, Smoltz against his pal Glavine, and game’s in Atlanta. Good stuff. And the weather’s supposed to be just about perfect for ‘ball. I’d be surprised if there aren’t 45,000 on hand for that Thursday night game.
Both 40-something pitchers are surging. Smoltz is 10-2 with a 2.27 ERA in 14 starts since Sept. 16, including his seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball at Boston on Saturday.
In his past 15 home starts (since July 3), Smoltz is 12-3 with a 2.60 ERA, 97 strikeouts and 26 walks in 104. Old man loves pitching in front of the home crowd, absolutely thrives on it.
Warming up again: Kelly Johnson and Brian McCann are in lockstep, both of them slumping for much of May, both breaking out of it and catching fire again at same time.
Kelly is 5-for-11 with five extra-base hits and five RBIs in his past two starts, after going 13-for-67 (.194) with five extra-base hits and six RBIs in his previous 15 starts.
McCann is 7-for-13 with four doubles, three RBIs in his past three games, after going 6-for-35 with one extra-base hit and three RBIs in his previous 11 games.
Andruw likes facing Mets: The Mets series came at a good time for Andruw Jones, who showed signs of snapping out of his long skid with two hits in the series opener last night.
When he went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI last night, Andruw also snapped his eight-game streak of at least one strikeout per game (17 strikeouts in those eight games).
He still has only one homer, 12 hits, a .169 average and 25 strikeouts in 71 at-bats over his past 19 games, but the Mets sure wouldn’t know he’s slumping.
Against the Metropolitans, Andruw has hit .348 (8-for-23) with five doubles, five walks and seven strikeouts this season, a .500 OBP and .565 slugging percentage.
He’s doubled in each of his past four games against them, going 7-for-13 (.538) with five doubles and three consecutive two-hit games in that stretch.
Davies is Dave Kingman. Sort of. Kyle Davies’ homer last night made the Braves pitcher 2-for-37 (.054) with two homers, 16 strikeouts and one walk in the past two seasons. That’s an .079 OBP and .216 slugging percentage.
Oh, and the numbers that are more important: Davies is 2-1 with a 1.83 in his past three starts. And that doesn’t include the start vs. the Dodgers when he pitched well until giving up the Wilson Betemit homer.
Perhaps the pride of Stockbridge is turning a corner. The Braves can only hope so, because they need back-end starts to step up. Davies and Lance Cormier, if he can recapture his spring form, could do a lot to solidify the Braves’ playoff hopes.
Looking for a starter? It’ll be interesting to see if the Braves make a play for a young veteran pitcher like, say, Rich Harden of the A’s. He’s coming off the DL soon (sore shoulder), and his salary for next few years ($2 mill this year, $4.5 next, $7 mill option for 2009) makes him affordable for a team looking for a potentially strong middle-rotation or better starter.
Unless the Braves really think they can count on Cormier, and are sure Davies is turning a corner, they need to consider trading for a starter. They’ve got a lot of position-player prospects with plenty of trade value that a team like Oakland would be interested in. And you can’t hang onto them all forever.
Braves have multiple prospects at the middle-infield spots, and they also have the man named Salty. With as many teams as the Braves have been scouting this season, it’s hard to get a handle on exactly what they’re looking for. But they have scouted a lot of Toronto games, and a few other teams with possibly available pitchers.
Stay tuned. It’s still real early for those kinds of moves. But getting closer.
Braves desirable destination: Sports Illustrated players survey question in this week edition was, “If you could play for any major league team other than your own, which one would it be?”
Leaders with 10-percent of the vote were San Diego, NY Yankees, and the Braves. Boston got 8 percent, St. Louis 7 percent.
SI said, “More than 18% of players 27 years old or younger voted for the Braves.”
San Diego has weather, Yankees have championships, and Boston and St. Louis are considered the most passionate baseball markets in the sport. Players I’ve talked to usually cite Bobby Cox as the reason they’d like to play for the Braves.
One last Mets note: Three of their six road losses this season have come in four games at Atlanta. The Mets are 13-3 everywhere else on the road.
”Smoking Cigarettes & Drinking Coffee Blues” by Marty Robbins
I guess I’ll take a walk tonight, I know that I can’t sleep
And I wont go to bed at all, I’d just lie there and weep
Instead I’ll make our favorite spot, that’s what I think I’ll do
I got those smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee blues
Smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee all night long
Wondering how a love so right could suddenly go wrong
I’d take the next bus out of town, but I gotta be near you
I got those smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee blues,
Sitting at the table where I called my baby’s name
Wondering where our love went wrong, wondering whose to blame
Listening while the jukebox play the songs that make me blue
Another cup of coffee and a cigarette or two
Smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee all night long
Wondering how a love so right could suddenly go wrong
There’s a lot of other people know the misery I go through
I got those smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee blues
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Comments
By parks
May 23, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
first?
By First?
May 23, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
HuH?
By Dan
May 23, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
A little nervous facing Perez tonight, but we are definitely due.
By Zoldars
May 23, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Go Braves! #1?
By Brad in KY
May 23, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Two things:
First, it looks like the Braves have the Mets’ number again just like they did for so many seasons before last year.
Second, I’d be skeptical of Harden because of his recent injury issues. It’d be a shame to trade away a good young player for an (another) injury prone pitcher.
By AthensBrave
May 23, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, Where is Will Startup in the “calling up” order?
By Turnin2
May 23, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Of course - there’s always a chance because you know the old adage: any team can beat any other team on any given night… and here’s hoping we’ll do just that ALL this week!
Do you think tomorrow will have some of the same ‘electric’ atmosphere as the match up between Doggie and Smoltz with #200 on the line? I hope so — that was so much FUN!
Also - you mention Oakland - heard anything about them being interested in Willie (I have) and if so, do you think the Braves will give him up at this point?
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
In the interest of good health and cleanliness…I think that all Mutts fans should be given, and made to utilize, those disposable seat liners when visiting Turner Field, so as not to infect or infest any decent human being who may by chance sit in that seat later on. Kind of like those disposable, sanitary, toilet seat liners that are dispensed in public restrooms, except without the hole in the middle, one can’t be too careful these days…
By Les
May 23, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
If the Braves are scouting the Blue Jays the only proven starter I see them offering would be AJ Burnett. He would immediately jump to the #3 guy, with James #4 and Davies #5. With insurance covering some of Hampton’s salary and Liberty willing to increase budget, they might be able to pull it off, but I wonder if the BJ’s are sellers at this point. No way they offer Halladay, so don’t waste space going there.
By AthensBrave
May 23, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
What are the chances that we can keep Stat nerd Shaun off this spankin’ fresh blog?
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 23, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
That SI poll got play in the NY papers (Newsday specifically) and the general tone from the writer for the paper was “How could Atlanta be up there?” Hmm, let’s think about it shall we: the most dominant, 1st-class organization in MLB since 1991, warm weather city, great ballpark, and the best player-friendly manager in the game (sorry Robert, everyone else kind of respects Donk). Mets fans the newspapers up there are very paranoid & sensitive about the Braves right now and the sense that we might “own” them this year. Ha ha!
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 23, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Not first, but close…
Thanks for the new blog DOB. These things back up pretty quickly.
By Bob, Journalist
May 23, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Well, one thing’s for sure … the Mets can’t sweep us!
Why is my first post typically made just as the new blog is being activated? Methinks you wait until I come on line to so do.
Enjoy!
By chris
May 23, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I saw that Carlyle got roughed up yesterday. Does that decrease his chances for starting on Saturday? Any possibility at all that Bobby gives Vilareal a shot? He isn’t all that valuable for us as the number 5 guy out of the bully. Last year was a different story.
Also, I believe you were on to something a few weeks back when you said the Braves could actually trade Wickman (I think you specified him, maybe it was any one of the big three) later in the season. He and Salty could net them a solid starter don’t you think? I am big on Devine and Boyer and one of them could come in and fill a void as well. Your thoughts?
Chris from MD
By Kieran from Long Island
May 23, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
It was great to see Davies have one of those defining Games last night. First real time since he came up that I’ve heard various media Outlets around the league mention his name. It would be even better to see Chuck James come out strong this evening. Everyone was pencilling him in to have the same great year as he did last year, but you had to think that there would be some sophmore struggles.
Right now I’m not really expecting much of anything out of Cormier. i mean tehres no real body of work there to think that this guys gonna com out here and wil 8-10 games or more. He had a nice spring, great, so did bleep (In case you were wondering the word ‘MarkRedman’ is offically a vulgarity in the english language, so next time you stub your tow, or watch your favorite team give up an 80 yard Touch Down Run, let it rip MARKREDMAN!)
If Cormier were to come out and be a solid number 5, and Davies HAS turned the corner(which I remain skeptical on as well, he’s just been too up and down) then great their in good shape, but I think their going to have to take a look at the trade market. And I dont wanna hear about Tomo Ohka either, they need a solid arm for the future not a stop gap community 5th starter. Harden would be optimal, put possibly overly optimistic.
You’d have to think that the Braves keeping Saltalamaccia up here is evidence they are showcasing him for a trade, they certainly don’t need him here with Thorman establishing himself as a majorleague hitter, Matt Diaz bouncing off the walls, and Willie Harris showing to be a spunky gimmick-type player. And I DO NOT think the braves would let him go unless they were going to get a big time player back (Dontrelle?? eh, its so easy to bring teh D-train into these talks, and we all know JS is more clever then that). I do get the idea that an impact player, be it a pitcher or an offensive weapon, is on its way before the deadline. We shall wait and see though, let’s grab another series win from the Bald Metros and get ready for the Fightin Phils, who I really think are going to be bringing the pain this weekend.
Petitions to name the new Met’s stadium Chipper Jones Field?? I mean he named his kid shea its the least they could do…
By Renegator
May 23, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Any word on the rest of the Langy trade? Did we ever get cash or the infamous player to be named later?
Thanks for any updates
Go Braves - sweep those Mets!
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the blog DOB! Good to have you back.
By Hygene
May 23, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
SJA - Funny quote - You must not have seen the report conducted that ATL - Turner specifically had the highest % of people who don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom. Look it up.
By Assumed Name
May 23, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
The Braves may indeed need a starter. Davies was great last night, but I’ve seen him close to great a couple of times over the last couple of years and it didn’t stick. Hope it does this time.
Chuck James has always been a mystery to me. Last year he got people out and I didn’t have a clue how. This year he is struggling a bit and he looks like the pitcher I thought he would be. Hope he turns it around and proves me wrong.
Rich Harden could be a Mark Pryor in waiting. (or Mike Hampton) This year isn’t his first trip to the DL. He has a history of sore arm and shoulder problems in the minors as well. So much so the A’s have considered making him a reliever. The word “impingement” is being tossed around about him right now. For those of you who haven’t ever had shoulder problems it amounts to he’ll always have the problems without surgury to correct the impingement. The only other option is rest and a pitcher isn’t going to be able to rest a shoulder too long and make a living.
If the A’s are willing to deal Harden for Salty, run away! The Harden kid has great talent but a bad shoulder. Sore armed pitchers are nothing but trouble.
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a little down on James because he’s not pitching deep into games, but tonight is not a good night to make judgments on him.
The Mets have killed LH pitching all year. If Chuckie can get through 5 with 3 or 4 runs scored, that’ll actually be a pretty good job. We’re probably gonna need to score some runs tonight. And we’ll probably need some decent middle relief, too.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Well statistically speaking, after crunching the numbers—the probability of keeping Statnerd off this blog is equivalent to the chance of a snowball existing in Hell!…
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
KC: That wasn’t meant as a jab at ya. But the Seattle reaction still cracks me up. The HoRam projects were an honest miscalculation. He did have his flashes of brilliance in non-injury return, day games =)
By Sergeant Salmonloaf
May 23, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
After last night’s towering homer, The Mighty Thor now certainly lives up to his name!
I think he has definitely earned the full-time position at first.
Lots of smiles in Bravosland today! Never so glad to see Redman rode out on the same rail as Wilson and Kolb and Rietsma! I certainly hope that rail gets less use now—-Need to settle down with all the activity.
Next rail needs to see a quality 3/4 starting pitcher riding in. Can’t wait to see what JS has in store.
GO BRAVES! Get out yer brooms on the Mets.
By Renegator
May 23, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Chris: With Gonzalez on the shelf with an arm problem that no one can figure out - I don’t see the Braves moving Wickman anytime soon.
By Greg in TN
May 23, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
Afternoon denizens… (Am I 22nd?)
Has Kyle Davies turned the corner? Two of his last three starts have certainly been keepers and the third start was marred by four unearned runs in the nation’s capitol. Consistancy has been fleeting for both Davies and James so far in 2007, however Davies is pitching much better of late and I think James will improve as well.
IMO there’s been a few starts where James had the corners squeezed on him a little bit by the boys in blue, however he’s gotta be able to make adjustments to that on the fly and he doesn’t seem to be doing that too well on the nights that happens. I think he’ll do that before too long and then we’ll see more consistancy from Chuck.
I’m glad to see B-Mac and KJ’s bats coming back around. When this lineup get’s rolling it compares well with any in MLB.
By BamaBrave
May 23, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
A sweep would be glorious given how ESPN practically coronated the Mets as world champions last weekend, and Willie Randolph the next Connie Mack. We need to solve Perez…it might as well start tonight.
By Sir Stealth
May 23, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
If you’re in Atlanta, you should come out to these games. The crowd wasn’t terrible last night, but it wasn’t what it should have been given that the weather is absolutely perfect and it’s the Mets. I miss the rabid sea of tomahawks crowds of the early ’90s. Turner Field is a great, underrated stadium too. Hope to pack the stadium more the next couple of nights.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 23, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
In thinking about the value of Kelly Johson, I did a little head to head comparing to Marcus Giles. Granted these are Marcus’ 2007 numbers, which don’t give an adequate picture of how much an upgrade KJ has been, but they’ll give an idea.
Games/AB: KJ-44 games (165 AB) Giles-41 games (167 AB)
Runs: KJ-33 MG-25
Hits + Walks KJ-76 MG-65
Total Bases KJ-83 MG-67
SB/CS KJ-4/5 (80%) MG-5/7 (71%)
On Base Percentage:
KJ-.390 MG-.362
AVG KJ-.279 MG-.293
OPS KJ-.893 MG-.763
While Shaun can find Giles’ 2006 stats and compare to KJ’s numbers this year, I think we can see that Kelly Johnson has been more than adequate in replacing Marcus Giles. Also, he is one of the really good stories of this season so far, and it is easy to root for him.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Well I heard that Braves’ fans don’t wash their hands after using the restroom because they can’t seem to find the pump handle!…
Unrelated to the health discussion, and now very old news, but I also heard that the reason the Braves weren’t that interested in bringing back Tom Glavine earlier this year was because ever since he knocked out his front teeth in that taxicab debacle, he hasn’t been able to whistle ‘Dixie’!…he was however able to perform the ditty, ‘All I want fu Quitmas is ma two Funt Teef’!…sad, but true…
By caveman22
May 23, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
you know there is nothing like a good spanking of their team to keep the Mets bloggers silent.
By Dan
May 23, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Dave, is Thorman getting the start tonite? Or is BC going to throw in Woodward or Salty since the lefty is on the mound?BTW that was a BOMB that thorman hit last night, has it landed yet?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I would never even try to trade Salty for Harden if I was JS!!! I like Harden and if he COULD ever stay healthy he would have a chance to win the CY YOUNG!!! But when has he ever stayed healthy enough, cant remember!!! Now if we could trade for him without trading Salty this would be what I would give up: Prado, Escobar, Devine, Larew, and Van Pope,or Boyer!!! I like all of them, but we have no need for Prado, Escobar, both of them would help them out, I think Devine can be a good Setup pitcher for them and Larew could be pretty good for them, and Van Pope, or Boyer would also help them!!! But would the A’s take that trade more than likely they would not, but thats about the best that we should offer of Harden!!! Remember people talkin about Baldelli, the guy is INJURY PRONED and guess what he is still injured, good thing we did not trade for him, and maybe we wont!!! NEVER EVER trade your BEST PROSPECT for an injury proned player, thats what kills franchises, especially ones like ours when we rely on prospects to help us, and Salty will be a beast and I think everybody knows that!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Hey caveman22—how’s the job working out, you know, are you still wearing the Hamburglar outfit for Burger Queen?—if not, give Omar Minaya a call…you just might be what he’s looking for, you might be able to help him resolve a little problem that he’s having with some zoo officials…and it’s so easy, even you could do it…refer to the previous blog for the details…
By Larry Jones
May 23, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Hey anyone I usually make it up to the ATL for at least one Series against the mutts but have not been in a couple of years. Are the worst fans in MLB still chanting LAAARRY ????
By tim-braves lifer
May 23, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
personally I think Oscar Villereal should be the choice for the rotation. Before you go trading prospects give Oscar a chance!
By Ron
May 23, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
DOB, let me ask you a question? Would you think that it would be a good trade if we traded Salty for Harden? I would not, but wondering what you think about it!!!
By ernesto
May 23, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
KJ’s bat right after Davies’ blast is one of those kind of things that doesn’t show up on teh scoreboard but is philosophically big over hte course of 162.
Right after your pitcher hits a dinger and trots around the bases and is all geeked up and maybe a little out of breath the worst thing you can do is go up there and make an out in 1 or 2 pitches.
KJ worked the count to 10 pitches after falling behind. The triple was just a bonus - being able to work a count like that and give your pitcher a few extra minutes - is just smart baseball.
By Metropolitan Man
May 23, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
If you dont like the METS blogs and want to get chewed out, use the METS talkback from Newsday. Thats where the constant chatter about METS, braves, stankees, and baseball news is….proceed with caution. Only thing is its not up everyday, wayyyyy too many hits.
Grinch: I know you are riding high right now and you have every right to be. But never count those METS out of taking the season series from you guys. We still have some “mercenaries” on the way. But tonight you will witness a good team bouncing back from an embarrassing loss.
Flange1: ATLANTA — Carlos Delgado reacted with surprise yesterday when told of media speculation that he is hiding an injury of some sort. Although Delgado did have surgery in November on his right elbow and wrist, the Mets first baseman insists that neither is affecting him at the plate.
“It would be a lot easier if they just asked me,” Delgado said. “I’m 100 percent. I have no pain in my elbow compared to last year at this time and the surgery on my wrist was pretty basic. I was fine three weeks after the surgery. Physically, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
The numbers suggest that Delgado is not himself. The Mets’ first baseman went 0-for-4 last night and is batting .209 with three homers.
“I guess when you’re hitting .200, everyone wants to make up a reason for it,” Delgado said. “If I was injured, there would be an easy solution to it. It would be easy to just take a break.”
At this stage, the only solution for manager Willie Randolph is to keep writing Delgado’s name in the lineup and hope he snaps out of his funk.
“I’m concerned for him because you always want to feel good about yourself,” Randolph said. “He’ll come around.”
Here goes your breakdown of NY papers: NY Daily News rides whichever team is hot, Stankees or METS. The NY Post are bias towards the METS. NY Newsday is bias towards the Stankees and you can take your pick with the rest.
How many papers do we have to choose from to read about the braves????
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Harden worries me also. I don’t think I could trade Salty for Harden, just too much of an injury risk there… Now, the question is, would Oakland be willing to deal Dan Haren? I seriously doubt it, but if we had a package of Salty and Harrison and Oakland was 12 games out in late July, I’d bet they’d at least consider it…
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 23, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Anybody know how close to game time the lineup has to be posted? Someone listed a lineup for tonight on the last blog, but I haven’t seen it confirmed elsewhere. Anybody know?
By ncscoots
May 23, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
What did I enjoy most about the game last night? The elegant pitch sequencing by Davies and McCann (especially the two AB by Wright, 5 straight curve balls of which he had a lovely view as they hit the mitt)? The jack by Thor (Sosa throws the exact pitch with which he got a K in the previous AB, just two inches closer in. Pow.)?
No.
It was the absolute, unadulterated, unbridled joy displayed by Francoeur and McCann at Davies’ HR, and the smirk on Chipper’s face in the back corner of the dugout as they corraled him in their merriment, watching that stone, no-smile trot by Kyle.
The money, the fame, juiced hitters, clubhouse cancers, all of it, make me forget sometimes that it’s still a kids’ game at day’s end. It was pretty sweet to be reminded. Thanks, boys.
By geauxbraves2000
May 23, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
That’s one thing the Braves don’t need is another injury prone pitcher.
Geaux Braves!!
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Ron, I don’t know about Harden for Salty. It’s just so difficult to judge beforehand, because you simply never know what a young pitcher, especially one with injuries, is going to amount to. If you knew he’d develop into a guy who’d give you 15 or more wins a season, yes, I’d do it. Because quality starting pitching is the hardest thing to get. And I say that with the qualifier — for the BRAVES, it’d be worth it, simply because they already have a young All-Star catcher.
And I never said, by the way, just to be clear, that Salty was being offered for Harden or even that the Braves might listen. Haven’t heard anything like that yet, just know they’re scouting teams and starting pitching is something they’re interested in.
I really think one more quality starter could be the difference in the Braves winning the division. They’ve stayed right with the Mets despite getting NOTHING until recently from the bottom two spots in the rotation, and despite DL stints by Wickman and now Gonzalez, and of course far less than expected from Andruw.
By Kieran from Long Island
May 23, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Denver Post cited possible players for Todd Helton as the Red Sox, the Yankees, and the Braves. With the Red Sox Sitting pretty in first with out much reason to shake up their roster, and with the Yankees in a situation where bringing in ANOTHER aging veteran big money contract…
Dave O’Brien, Fact or Fiction, the Braves and their new ownership are serious players in the Todd Helton Sweepstakes?
Thorman In Left with Diaz, Helton at first, tell me thats not a team that could win the pennant??
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
Matthew, if you go to MLB.com and go to the “Gameday” feature you can see the lineup usually about an hour before gametime… Just go to MLB.com and then click on the little baseball diamond
By Fred from CT
May 23, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
ernesto Great point about that at bat by KJ. I was on the phone with my brother at that same time and I said that to him.
By AthensBrave
May 23, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
Metro Man, Not one person on here cares to hear a conversation between Delgado and Randolph, so thanks for the wasted space. I would like to congratulate you that you have so many newspapers covering your team. What an accomplishment!!You must be so proud…deutsch bag
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Let’s see how James does tonight. If he looks good, there is sound reason to believe we can do quite well with Smoltz, Hudson, Davies and James in the rotation. I doubt we’ll see 8 innings of 1 run ball every time out, but Davies has been doing better with each start. He could turn out a season with an ERA closer to 4 than 5. And that will be a big help.
James, on the other hand, is going to be good. His consistancy in game results directly reflects his consistancy in pitching mechanics. Once he gets that in synch, he’ll be just fine. I think he could even end this season with a sub 4 ERA, if just barely. His longevity is what keeps me skeptical. I think James will be good for a handful of seasons, but could see him turning into Avery and falling off the map. It’s going to take more work for him to stick around than for a power pitcher.
By daniel
May 23, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
I think the braves will be ok as long as Davies and James remain reasonably consistent. Davies absolutely dominated last night, and has the potential to be very good obviously. However, if the braves can just make sure there aren’t anymore of the redman/lerew type starts that we’ve seen recently they’ll work it out.
Those early blow-outs just take the life out of the team and put added pressure on the 2 aces in the front of the rotation. If the 3-5 guys can keep it close, the offense and the bullpen will win many of those 5-4, 6-5 games.
By Mike
May 23, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
I remember when the Braves had a young catcher with a big bat and a strong arm who they put in the outfield and the rest, as they say, is history. How about this scenario: when Andruw leaves after this season, move Francoeur to center and put Salty in right. I wonder if he’s ever played outfield?
By BamaBrave
May 23, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Met Man…since Atlanta is a regional team, one might find independent (not AP etc.) articles on them in the Birmingham, Savannah, Charleston, Jackson, Montgomery, Columbia, Chattanooga, and Huntsville newspapers, just to name the bigger ones. And, of course, that’s in addition to the comprehensive and respected AJC coverage. But I gotta say, I never thought I’d be debating press coverage with a yankee. I guess that’s what happens when you lose 8-1 the night before.
By BossLady
May 23, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
YeahHHH!!!!Kyle Davies, Thanks Kid
By Robert
May 23, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
“Ron, I don’t know about Harden for Salty.”
In a heartbeat, and twice on Sunday.
1 game down - 2 to go -
We need 2 more games where Donk gets to sit on the bench, watching while occasionally nodding off and drooling on himself
By tp
May 23, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
If the Braves are even entertaining any offers for Salty, it better be for a star-in-the-making pitching prospect or a top-flight veteran. More importantly, someone who will be pitching for the team for years to come. You don’t trade an ultra-talented player like him for a one-year rental or quick-fix.
I’d rather take our chances with the pitchers we have in the farm system or trade a couple of other prospects. No way I’d want to risk not having Salty hitting between Franceur and McCann for the next six or seven years as our first baseman.
By Fed Up
May 23, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
DOB:
You’re right, we could sweep the Mets, except I guarantee Bobby will play that lefty/righty nonsense tonight. He’ll probably sit Johnson for Woodward, Harris for Diaz, Thorman for Salty. Don’t get me wrong. I like Diaz, but Harris is a much better situational hitter. As for Salty, I like him, too. But Thorman is hitting really well right now, so it’s stupid to bench him just because he’s a lefty.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 23, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
DOB when you put it like that, the idea of acquiring another starter becomes even more important. The only problem that I see is that there jsut doesn’t seem to be a lot available. I have heard Harden and Towers (TOR) and a couple others (even D-Train), but realistically I don’t see any of those options fitting the Braves’ needs or salary constraints. So what do we do? Here’s my suggestion:
Have a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, James, Davies, and Villareal/Cormier (whichever is healthy and effective). Those five can get us through the end of May, and if the roation order stays the same, we’ll have Hudson and Smoltz going in two of the three games in Milwaukee. With this rotation, we should still be able to manage 5-3 for the rest of the month (1-1 against the Mets in remaining games, 2-1 at home against PHI, and 2-1 at MIL). That buys us a few days to explore our options further and determine whether or not Lance Cormier can be a viable option. I wouldn’t push the trade Salty button before June 1st, unless Johan Santana, Roy Oswalt, or Josh Beckett are in the deal.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Muttropolitan Man—all those New York newspapers!…and you have to come to the AJC to read the truth?…
By Arkansas Hillbilly
May 23, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Well I heard that Braves’ fans don’t wash their hands after using the restroom because they can’t seem to find the pump handle!…
Southern JackAss I thought it was because there’s no sinks close enough for them to use after they get through pi$$ing all over the Mets’ hopes and dreams.
By daniel
May 23, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Do the rest of you think that call at second when KJ dropped the ball on that double play was big? I think that was a bad call, everyone should have been safe. The game could have seriously changed directions if the Mets had gotten the bases loaded with nobody out instead of men on the corners with one out. I think it was only a 4-0 game then. They could’ve gotten right back into it with a big hit. But, hey, we’ll take it every day.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 23, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
In looking at June, the Braves have a chance to gain some ground and avoid another swoon. Here are some random projections to kill time before the game:
ATL plays 27 games in June-7 against the Cubs (5 wins), 5 against FLA (4 wins), 3 in MIN (1 win), 3 in CLE (2 wins), 3 against BOS at home (2 wins), 3 at home vs DET (2 wins) and 3 vs the Nats (2 wins). That gives a June total of 19-8.
At the same time, the Mets play 25 games. 4 against STL (3 wins), 3 against OAK (2 wins), 3 against MIN (2 wins), 3 at the NYY (1 win), 3 at the LAD (1 win), 3 against ARI (2 wins), 3 against PHI (2 wins), and 3 in DET (1 win). Total June record (projected wins) 14-11.
That would give the Braves a litle bit of a cushion going into the heat of July. I like our chances.
Go Braves!
By Eric from MO
May 23, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Let me start out by saying that I have been a supporter of Davies since his rookie season and last night is why. As long as he throws strikes and doesnt try to get to cute with his pitches he is great. He reminds me of a young Maddux. Before he was a Brave he threw the same way untill he realized if he throws strikes that he will get players out. Once Davies learns this and does it on a constitent bases he will be untouchable.
Les why would the Braves trade for AJ Burnett? He is nothing more than an average pitcher. He is barely over .500 for his career.
Now as far as Oakland goes they will not trade Haren. They have him cheap for many years. On a side note you know Cardinals have to be feeling terrible about trading Haren for Mulder. That has got to be one of the worst/best trade in history, depending who you are rooting for.
As far as Harden I definetly want him. I know he is injury prone, however powerarms do better in the postseason and I am willing to take a risk with him. He will also do better against National League lineups. I know alot of you dont want to trade Salty, and you may be right, however this may be one of our last years to really go for the championship because Smoltz will eventually get old. Sometimes you just have to roll the dice and take a risk.
By Mike
May 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
DOB, if the braves were to keep salty longterm is he athletic enough to possibly play left field so that they don’t waste his arm at first base? Hes seemed to have better than the average catchers speed on the bases thus far. I do think that the braves have enough good prospects to get a quality starter without trading salty. Prado and Escobar come to mind, along with a reliever like Villareal or maybe even Matt Diaz. As good as Diaz has been playing, the Braves do have Brandon Jones waiting in the wings
By flange1
May 23, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Metro Man,
Thanks for the info on Delgado. I guess we have a slumping Andruw and you have a slumping Delgado, bad new for both teams…
DOB,
Thanks for the new blog. Am I correct that both Trey Hodges and Buddy Carlisle are out of options? So if we bring either up and Cormier gets ready, we have to keep them on the roster or release them if we can’t trade them?
I believe that that is the case, I am wondering why the powers that be don’t think about Villareal and McBride as additional starters and keep Devine in the pen.
I know we have the guys for depth, but it seems ashame to bring them up for 2 0r maybe 3 starts just to release them ESPECIALLY with Cormiers health still an issue.
By ElbravoX
May 23, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Has anyone heard from Carolina Lady?… It’s been years since The Braves played a Wednesday game on TBS, the farewell tour starts today on the super station. A W is fine way to start!… AJ’s single to center brought tears to my eyes, a beautiful thing.
By Renegator
May 23, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Fed up:
You know the Righty Lefty crap is going to be in full effect tonight. I agree that Johnson will sit for either woodward or Prado and Harris will sit for Diaz but I don’t think you will see Salty at first yet. Not because Bobby isn’t loyal to the platoon but because I don’t think he is ready to play first quite yet.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
A Hillbilly—you just might be onto something there—Mutts’ fans seem to really enjoy it though, they just keep coming back for more…and on that note, it’s time to plug in the ol’ peckergnat zappers and fog the blog with a good insecticide…they’re beginning to buzz around ready to swarm…
By Ron Roberts
May 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
Keiran from Long Island…
Mark Redman most certainly did not have a nice spring. He wasn’t even in a team camp. Also, Lance Cormier showed his stuff last season when he started for the Braves. He was 2-4 with a 4.31 ERA.
That’s more than serviceable for a fifth starter’s role on a team that hits and scores as well as we do. In fact, two of his losses as a starter came in the horrific June swoon of last season, when the Braves only gave him 2 runs of support.
About Rich Harden… I’m betting the Braves don’t come close to making this trade anytime soon or even near the trade deadline. With all the injury issues we’ve dealt with from Mike Hampton and Mike Gonzalez… the last horrible P.R. move the Braves wanna make is acquiring a guy with a track record of injury issues, affordable or not.
I think whatever move they make will come after we know for certain if Kyle Davies is on the right patand if Lance Cormier comes back and is as effective as Cox and Schuerholz believe he can and will be. I’ll trust their judgement on him.
As for Kyle Davies doubters, folks, compare his stats to folks like Maddux of Glavine over their first 40 or so starts and you’ll see Kyle’s been examined under different circumstances. Glavine was like 9-20 in his first 43 starts, I believe, and his ERA wasn’t all that flattering either. I’m at work or I’d sit here with a calculator and do the serious numbers-crunching, but suffice to say, I’m confident if you compared Kyle’s numbers at this stage of his career to Glavine or Maddux, you’d see he’s developing at a comparative rate.
Time for (I’m) Chuck James (b!tch!) to be the pitcher he was last season for us. Go get ‘em, Chuckie!
*Sweep the Mets…. Sweep the Mets…Step Right Up and BEAT the Mets!”
By NotAMetsFanJustHatesTheBraves
May 23, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
Perez dominates the braves tonight u stupid a* braves fan yall are going to get your a* kicked perez line 8ip 2H OR OB 13K
just giving my prediction
By NotAMetsFanJustHatesTheBraves
May 23, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Perez dominates the braves tonight u stupid a* braves fan yall are going to get your a* kicked perez line 8ip 2H OR OB 13K
just giving my prediction
By NotAMetsFanJustHatesTheBraves
May 23, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Perez dominates the braves tonight u stupid a* braves fan yall are going to get your a* kicked perez line 8ip 2H OR OB 13K
just giving my prediction
By Kieran from Long Island
May 23, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Another quick word on Helton…
Though he is not the same player he was when he signed that monster contract He would still help the Braves lineup greatly.
I looked at the contract details and I am not suprised the deal didn’t work out with Boston, take a look at these Numbers…
($10.6 million in 2003, $11.6 million in ‘04, $12.6 million in ‘05, $16.6 million from ‘06-‘10 and $19.1 in ‘11. )
so the money on the table is $16.6 mil over the next 3 and then a whopping 19.1 in 2011. Ouch. Noone in their right mind would work a trade with them and take that entire contract, so you figure the Rockies would HAVE to eat a good portion of that for the Braves to get him, which would mean the Braves would probably be giving up Salty AND escobar, and I do not see them doin that. The Denver post was probably more hopeful then anything else.
But just for Kicks Take a look at this lineup…
2B Kelly Johnson SS Edgar Renteria 3B Chipper Jones 1B Todd Helton CF Andruw Jones C Brian McAnn RF Jeff Francoeur LF Thorman/Diaz P Pitcher
That would be one of the best lineups in the NL hands down. I won’t hold my breath though…
By Eric from MO
May 23, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Daniel I completely agree with you. Kelly never had the ball. I wished they would get rid of that rule. If you cant hold on to the ball in transition then dont go for the double play. Also Kelly wasnt even on the bag.
I have another suggestion: for the lineup can we have Kelly, Harris, Renteria, C. Jones, McCann, Farancouer, A. Jones, Thorman, pitcher. That way we could have more speed at the top of the lineup. Its just a suggestion, I really dont care but it just seems we could get more out of Harris this way.
By tp
May 23, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
NotAMetsFanJustHatesTheBraves:
My prediction: You can one day grasp the English language and learn how to write properly!
By flange1
May 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Kieran,
I can’t see the Braves making the Helton move unless the Rockies eat over 50% of his salary. Even then, I just don’t see the fit.
NotaMetsfanjusthatestheBraves,
Wow! Amazing that Mommy lets you on the computer! Back to the milk and cookies and Nick at Night….
By Kieran from Long Island
May 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts—
Redman’s starts for the Braves were successful ones. He did not blow anyone out of the water, and though he joined camp late, his limited starts were good ones. Cormier obviously had a much better spring, but if you haven’t figured out by now that spring is meaningless you’re Coming to camp late as well.
He I hope the kid does well, I liekd what i saw from him last year as well, but remember, his success came after a full and healthy first half of the season. The dude’s been sitting out for 2 months you can’t possibly expect him to pick up where he left off. And he’s never been a SP over a sustained period of time. the Brave sput him in as an emergancy starter last year when everyone was dropping left and right with injuries, and he did a fine job so they kept him here. WAAY differant situation this year. An inexperienced starter on teh shelf for 2 months with an Arm injury, being thrusted into a pennant race??? Uhhh, I got my fingers crossed man, but I don’t like the odds on this one…
He was 2-4 with a 4.31 ERA… I’d sign up for that in a second this year, but shouldn’t we set our standards a little higher? Because I dont think taht’s what we’re gonna get
By Greg in TN
May 23, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Kieran,
Helton is from Knoxville and played at UT, so he’d be interested in making a move to come closer to home. His power numbers are not what they used to be, however he’s still hitting .334 for his career and his defense is solid.
I knew he was interested in coming to Atlanta, but even with his interest, I knew there’s no way it would even be entertained until the ownership issues were resolved. There is a wildcard in his situation in that he plays in Liberty’s home town so the powers at be in Denver are well aware of his talents.
Not sure that the Rockies would entertain paying part of Helton’s salary now that the ownership issues have been resolved and I like how Thorman is going about his business at first, but it is interesting to know that Helton is out there.
By D-Cider
May 23, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
sure the mutts could be swept. and the braves could have taken 3 out of 4 from the Nats, too.
By Richard Cory
May 23, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Mets fan and a Braves fan, both using the restroom. Mets fan goes over to the sink and starts washing his hands. Braves fan finishes up and turns to walk out. Mets fan in that friendly {not}, N.Y. accent says, “hey buddy, in N.Y. they teach us to wash our hands after p**.” Braves fan cooly replies, “yeah, well in the A T L, they teach us not to p** on our hands”.
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
I just don’t understand even the thought of trading for Helton.
The guy makes about $90 mil between now and the end of his contract; he’s a lefty “semi-power” hitter (a al Thorman and Salty). From what I’ve read, the Rocks might pick up $30 mil of that. Why in the world would we want to assume that contact? (and his contract is “no trade”, by the way, so we’d be stuck with him through 2011 - YIKES!) And what would we give up to get him?
Thorman is 8 years younger, about $89 mil cheaper; he’s driving in runs at a better clip (though needs to improve his OBP, which he’s likely to do).
Spend that money on pitching if you’re gonna spend it!
By BravesFanInRockies
May 23, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
As a Denverite, perhaps I can offer a little local knowledge on the Helton situation.
I’d be shocked if he went to the Braves for prospects, even a can’t-miss guy like Salty. Helton is the only player who has any veteran presence on the club. There’s no one else on the roster or in the clubhouse who commands any real respect.
It’s not a very good ballclub, mind you. And the situation here is not like that in other small markets like Minneapolis or Oakland, where there’s a commading presence in management (Gardenhire, Beane) who can take some of the heat off a young team that’s trying to compete against veterans.
Clint Hurdle and Dan O’Dowd are not fan favorites. Helton is, even though he’s not the formidable player he once was. Helton’s also the only remaining link to better times here. So unless the Rox are planning to bring back Don Baylor or Larry Walker to manage, I don’t see them swapping Helton for kids.
It would probably make the team better to add more talent and shed some of the salary commitment, but there are lots of empty seats at Coors now. I don’t think the owners are willing to lose even more fan support.
By April
May 23, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Love handles? I go away for a few days to work on my tan and I come back to find you blogging about love handles? Well, one thing is for sure if you have looked at my new photos on the website you know I don’t have love handles. I do have some other attributes though, right honey? Call me later.
By geauxbraves2000
May 23, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
I too think that was a bad call last night, could’ve led to a different outcome, Mets come back, BC pinch hits for KD, KD doesn’t hit the 3R HR, etc.
I am a believer though that the calls even out over the span of a season. It’s a fast game and though I like to blame the umps, I think they do a good job.
Geaux Braves!!
By Ron Roberts
May 23, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Kieran…
Seven earned in 16 innings (he only pitched 16 innings!!!) isn’t something to make a blanket statement about him having a good spring over.
He was signed 9 days into spring training, and got limited work in.
By geauxbraves2000
May 23, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Totally agree MBATL. The Braves need to focus on pitching before anything else. The offense will take care of itself.
Geaux Braves!!
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Kieren, while I don’t agree with Ron Roberts that Davies should even be mentioned in the same breath with Glavine or Maddux at any stage of their career, I must agree with him that there is no excuse available for Redman. The guy just sucks, plain and simple. It has nothing to do with Spring Training.
By Metrosexual David Wright
May 23, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Kieran from Long Island Are you smoking crack? Mark Redman’s starts were successful ones? 0-4 with a 12 ERA? .380 opponents batting average? His starts were miserably dreadful and has single-handedly accounted for almost 25% of the Braves team losses!
Smoltz, Hudson, James, Davies, Cormier/ Villareal is a pretty good rotation. Another arm would be great down the road. Why is it taking so long to get Cormier back?
7 games against the Mets and 11 remaining (5 at the TED). 5 wins already means that 5+ more out of the remaining 11 means a season series win!
By Bob, Journalist
May 23, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Scoots, at the end of the previous blog, I acknowledged your unequaled deftness in apreciation recognition … in my post to Honorable Southern.
Your 3:50 reinforces my earlier posit and expresses that which should be shared by all fans of the game … having taped the game, I’ve already replayed it several times, just for the wonderful feelings it engenders.
Kudos, my friend!!
The AJC Giambi featured article triggered something quite different when I read “The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those attending agreed not to make details public”.
Methought “Who Do You Trust?” … shades of Bud Collier and Johnny Carson.
The Media and the Public evidently have no problem with those who violate confidences … indeed they’re applauded for their dastardly deeds! What ever happened to “Cross My Heart, Hope to Die”?
When the “end” is allowed to justify the “means” … what was once commonplace, like true appreciation of last night’s delightful moment becomes rare … as do such moments themselves.
We reap what we sow and methinks it’s powerful behavorial reinforcement when so many place more importance on winning than on moments such as last night’s!
It’s the team’s owners spending millions to “buy” a winner that we applaud most loudly … and, by our actions, we endorse different behavioral tenets such as cheating being okay so long as you don’t get caught and embarrass everybody.
A mind trigger, perhaps to be revisited at another time … the notion that you’re innocent until proven guilty is misunderstood by most … especially those who get caught … you’re guilty when the deed is done, not when it’s proven!
By Kentavo
May 23, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Met Man - every paper in Georgia covers the Braves, including beat reporters for the bigger papers like Augusta, Savannah and Columbus, and have columnists that blabber about ‘em too.
Of course DOB could tell you more about that, as he might bump into these scribes in the press box.
By ernesto
May 23, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Kieran from RI - if you think Redman’s starts for the Braves were successful ones, I would hate to think what you consider a dreadful start.
By Spinelli
May 23, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
What wopuld it take to get Bronson Arroyo from the Reds?
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Enough Todd Helton talk please… What a dumb idea that is. The Braves currently have 1 need and that is a starting pitcher!
By TN-MAN
May 23, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
91510.1
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Go Braves!
By Ron Roberts
May 23, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Grinch… I’m just saying, compare Davies’ pitching stats at this point in his career to where Glavine was at this point in his career.
We’ve seen this guy over the couse of three seasons, but he’s been on the shelf a good bit, and I think that’s stunted his progress, but I like this guy’s stuff.
By ernesto
May 23, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Met Man - good point about all the NY papers, where do you live again…Lillibridge, Marietta, Larry-ville?
Face it, you love Atlanta, you love the Braves, why pretend?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
DOB, another question, I think that Odalis Perez of the Royals might fit great here, he is a former Brave, and their GM use to work for the Braves. I would not think that we will give up much for him, not sayin their GM would give him away for nothin, but that looks like the Best deal for us without giving up too much!!! What do you think about Odalis, you think that may be the answer to our #3 or #4 Starter this year?
By Metropolitan Man
May 23, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Man, I just listed where you can find the METS ventlike/bloglike place to talk smack and some info to boot and get slammed. Relax braves fans, you whipped up on the METS 8-1 and the venom still spews.
However if I’m gona ripp the braves you will know becasue I will be clear and concise and wont batter handles for a conversation. Just remember all this crap that is being spewed, the last man standing gets the last laugh. You are only as good as your last at bat.
LETS GO METS!!!!
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
BUDDY CARLYLE will start Saturday.
TONIGHT’s LINEUP: You folks aren’t going to like it, I’m guessing.
2B Prado
SS Edgar
3B Chipper
RF Francoeur
LF Diaz
CF Andruw
C Salty
1B Woodward
LH Chuck
Bobby said tonight was a “absolutely perfect” day to get some ABs for Prado, Woodward, etc.
When asked why it was perfect, Bobby said, “Just is. They haven’t played in a while.”
No more elaboration offered.
By Chris
May 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Everybody talking about nobody washing their hands at the Ted. I don’t. I admit it. But of course, my good southern mama taught me not to pee on my hands. Maybe up in Flushing, NY urinating on your hands is a problem.
DO NOT GIVE UP SALTY UNLESS IT’S A POTENTIALLY LONG TERM SUCCESSFUL PITCHER. I’ve got no problem putting him in a package to bring in a Tim Hudson type pitcher. But Harden? Toma Ohka? I just assume sit on Salty and wait for teams to start begging in stupid ways.
It was glorious watching Sosa stink for someone else and then find out no more Redman. How long before he’s starting for the Yankees?
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! is that the lineup? why not pete orr, too?
By ernesto
May 23, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Please tell me that line up is a joke.
By Braveheart
May 23, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
If Chris Woodward is playing first, I am not watching - at all. I just can’t stomach that. It’s bad enough that he is not productive enough for short or second. He sure as hell is not productive enough to play first. Cut Woodward and cut Orr already as well, please!
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Wow, what a god-awful horrible lineup… I swear does Cox automatically lose his mind when the Braves have to face a lefty? Why are you not starting McCann??? Start him, he’s our 2nd or 3rd best hitter regardless of who’s pitching… This would have been the perfect time to get Salty some time at 1B anyway, then we could have still had McCann’s bat in the lineup….
By Braveheart
May 23, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Why not Harris in left and Diaz at first?
BTW, Bobby, you’re a great manager but there never has been and never will be a day that is perfect for Woodward to play.
I am excited to see Prado play. Disappointed not to see KJ though but I do understand. Gotta a tough lefty tonight (not really but he has been against the Braves and so far this year), so I understand not playing KJ tonight a bit.
But Woodward? You should have kept Wilson if you were going to play Woodward against a lefty in a game we need to win against the little wannabepolitans.
By Ron Roberts
May 23, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
While I like the idea of getting Prado in tonight’s lineup, I again have to ask, why are we sitting Kelly Johnson after a good game at the dish and in the field?
I know…I know… he needs some rest since his stamina’s not up to snuff. NOTE, adult next line Hey, he DID just get engaged, so his stamina has to be up SOMEWHERE, right? But really, can we keep the guy in while he’s hot again?
I just don’t get the Woodward at 1B thing, either. I could see platooning one (Prado) or the other, but both in a key game against our chief rivals, when we’re in a position to own this series?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I cant believe people are still talkin about us gettin Helton, no way, I would rather keep money and keep Salty!!!
By Bob, Journalist
May 23, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
David O’B, your’re right … sounds like Bobby’s in a good mood and a bit like like giving up before you start but I suppose playing the game is still a good idea … only Bobby and Mr. Cranston knows but, we’ll find out soon!
Listening to the Carey, the younger last night was distressing too … he kept telling us how wonderful the Mets were and how much better they’ll be … but they played the game and surprise of surprises, we won!
Go Braves!
By joebrave
May 23, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Kyle Davies pitched a wonderfully marvelous game last night…
By Dsquared
May 23, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Whenever the Braves face a lefty, we have the best bench in baseball
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Ron, I don’t know that anybody’s talking about getting Helton except 2-3 people here.
If I start talking here on the blog about buying a Maserati, and someone else says that’s a good idea, would that constitute “people talking about it,” even though it’s not based on anything realistic and is completely illogical for financial reasons?
By Matt M.
May 23, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Why does Bobby have to sit Johnson, Thorman and McCann, they just had a day off. I’m ok with McCann, but Johnson and Thorman, good lord Bobby, are you losing your mind. How much longer on Cormier. Everybody seems to be giving up on him and wanting to trade for another pitcher. We had an abundance before the season until he got hurt. When does his rehab starts begin?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
BC is startin to p** me off!!! What the Hell is the difference between Wilson and Woodward at First, NONE!!! This is soooo pathedic, we are in the same shape as if Wilson was here, STUPID!!!
By daniel
May 23, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Bobby really seems to subscribe to the winning 2 out of 3 will take you to the postseason. I mean, don’t you think he could have spread out this platoon thing a little. Sitting McCann, Thorman, and KJ in one night when they face another lefty tomorrow just doesn’t make sense. He could have let KJ or McCann sit tomorrow instead. Unless he plans on sitting all 3 against Perez and Glav (God I hope not).
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
CRAP! Woodward is at 1B!?! James is going to have to pitch a perfect game to get a win. Why does Bobby do this? Is it to keep them honest? Not let them run away with anything just yet? Prado at 2B. I guess we should be glad it isn’t Orr.
At least for tonight, we have a strong bench.
By Braveheart
May 23, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
KJ rested on Thursday, had a rainout on Friday, rested Sunday, and again Wednesday. 4 off days in a week? I hope this is not about stamina because I have to wonder whether he is injured or not. Or maybe it is like Ron Roberts said - he got engaged and is worn out. The guy is young, he should not be too tired not even a third of the way into the season. I hope it is just a lefty-lefty thing.
Why is KJ getting engaged for anyway? Why would he want to ruin a good thing? Live the dream dude. You’re a second baseman about to become an All Star. You could own the women of this town (and many other towns as well I suppose). Whaddya thinking, dude? I hope she’s a good girl because you don’t wanna look back and say damn what was I thinking? She ain’t going nowhere.
KJ, take a page from the book of the Bifflemeister. Greg Biffle has been engaged to the same woman for almost 10 years - tell me he is not the smartest man around. As Colin Cowherd once famously pointed out, someone needs to take Biffle’s “fiance” aside and say, hey hun, it ain’t gonna happen, if it was gonna happen it would have happened about, oh, say, at least 8 years ago.
By Fred from CT
May 23, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
can you leave one lefty in the lineup just to give him a different look. When perez has strugled this year it is when he drops down a little on his arm angle which he tries to do sometimes against lefties. Do the braves watch the games. philles giants two games he strugled most this year both had lefties and the mets announcers explained how he drops down and loses his arm angle and has trouble finding it.
By Matt M.
May 23, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Thats probably my favorit word of all time. Sumbitch. Just love it. Bobby, your crazy, and not in a good way. Maybe you’ll prove me wrong tonight, I hope. Woodward, Prado, Salty. Why don’t you start some guy from AA on the mound, s**. Whats the status on Cormier.
By Efrim
May 23, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Regarding the lineup,
Folks… Oliver Perez embarrased Kelly Johnson last time he faced him. McCann didn’t get good swings either and I doubt Thorman would as well. This is probably the best lineup that we could get out there. I don’t have a problem with it at all. Get as many rightys in there as you can against this guy.
Braves HAVE to foul some pitches off and work this guy. I understand he is tough, but his pitch count was at like 80 through 7 innings last start he made in New York. Gotta make this guy work.
By Jim
May 23, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this
Brett Butler for Len Barker
Milt Pappas for Frank Robinson
Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio
Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson
In the other direction —
Nolan Ryan for Jim Fergosi
Johnny Antonelli for Bobby Thomson
The track record is bad when trading a potential star (or an established one like Robinson) for a perceived fix to put a team over the top. None of these moves worked out, not even in the near term. We need to see just how good Salty is and not even consider wasting him on the likes of a Josh Towers, AJ Burnett, or even a sore-armed Dan Haren. He could be a major star long after the guy we got back is collecting his pension.
Let’s wait and see what Lance Cormier is able to give us, how healthy and effective Wicky is going to be, and how healthy Gonzalez is going to be before making a trade we may live to regret.
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
“TONIGHT’s LINEUP: You folks aren’t going to like it, I’m guessing.”
DOB are you just using us as a shield by saying that cuz in reality you hate the lineup but don’t want to be quoted saying as such?
By Efrim
May 23, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
ALL:
IF YOU ALL HAVE NOTICED, BOBBY SITS JOHNSON,MCCANN AND THORMAN AGAINST TOUGH LEFTIES. SEEING THAT JOHNSON STRUCK OUT 4 TIMES THE LAST GAME AGAISNT PEREZ, I THINK THIS IS REASONABLE.
Remember that this guy owns us and our lefties don’t handle TOUGH lefties very well. Not saying you will see this lineup against Glavine tomorrow night, but Perez comes from a different three quarters angle that a lot of lefties don’t come from. Not to mention he has an unhittable slider to left handed batters.
THE LINEUP IS FINE!!!!!!!
By ChrisinPA
May 23, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’m calling a Braves win , a homer from Andruw and at least 1 RBI from Woodward.
Hate to keep asking, just a reminder…let me know when you get a chance to take a listen to Phonogragh. They have a MySpace page, if you have an account.
Later.
By Chris
May 23, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Why play Woodward at first base? I thought that one of the reasons Salty was staying in ATL was to play 1B against some of the lefties. I realize McCann can’t play everyday, but he just had a day off on Monday. Bobby is sacrificing too much offense tonight to play the lefty/righty matchups.
By Drummerdad
May 23, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Don’t much like the lineup. But Bobby may be dealing with more than we know about. I heard Collin Cowherd (ESPN Radio) go off on Bobby last week calling him a loser and such. Cowpie, I mean herd, stepped into the ranks of the “whining idiots” at that point. DOB, Can you tell us the status of Tanyon Sturtze?
I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that Rich Harden might be a good catch. Who is in Toronto that we’d be watching?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE SWEEP, HELL WE MAY LOSE 2 of 3 TO THE METS!!! This is just great, hope BC aint gonna start puttin Salty in against Lefty’s and bench McCann, that will be disastorous!!!
By N8
May 23, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
DOB
“When asked why it was perfect, Bobby said, “Just is. They haven’t played in a while.”
I bet if they were at Richmond they would get ALL SORTS of playing time. Then again, with the talent down there, Woodward may be hard pressed for playing time, there.
I actually don’t have a problem with mixing up the lineup a little bit against Perez. The previous lineup didn’t fair to well. Then again, I’ll assume that Craig Wilson was in that lineup last time. On second thought, I’d rather see what Thor could do against a tough lefty. Especially with how well he’s been hitting the ball.
Oh well.
By DAD
May 23, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
Dream on Braves fans. The Braves have beat the Mets for the last time in 2007. After the Mets win the next two games, the Braves will start their slide toward the bottom in the NL East.The Braves starting pitching can’t hold up much longer. With Gonzalez done for the season, the Braves vaunted bullpen is going to collapse. I know you Braves fans enjoyed the Braves staying in the NL East race as long as they did. The Mets are on their way to their second consecutive NL East title.
By meansonny
May 23, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
I’m ok with the lineup. After looking at what perez has done to KJ, Thor, and McCann, Bobby is right.
I do think Willie Harris in LF and Diaz at 1B.
Or McCann at C and Salty at 1B would be a fun experiment.
But I’ll presume that we’ll offer Chuck a better defensive effort with Bobby’s lineup.
Go Braves. Get to that Mets bullpen. W’ve done well there thus far this season.
By Don
May 23, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward needs at bats like Mark Redman needed to get innings in.
I don’t get a team with an $80 million payroll flushing $4 million of it down a toilet on 4 stiffs this offseason. It’s indefensible, none of them are even major league players based on their last stop or two.
By Jim
May 23, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Given the starting pitcher, I LIKE this lineup. Perez is particularly tough on lefthanded hitters and dominated them in his last outing against us. Right now we don’t have a good righthanded option at 1B. The only other option that might be feasible would be Diaz at 1B and Harris in LF, but a righthanded Woodward might have better success than any lefty. If we can get into their bullpen early, we have a lot of weapons on the bench.
By Assumed Name
May 23, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
I’m not crazy about the lineup for tonight, (especially Woodward @first) but I guess Bobby is trying to change his luck with Perez.
McCann is hitting .333 against Perez.
Johnson is 0 for 4 against.
Thorman has never faced him.
Here’s an interesting one. Woodward is 2-4 against Perez.
Of course Diaz has been doing the standard platoon all year so no surprise. He’s 1 for 5 against.
By Geoff
May 23, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
Yeah… Johnson and McCann are heating up so much that they are bunched tonight… what sense does that make in a series like this one?!
By parks
May 23, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Dream on Braves fans. The Braves have beat the Mets for the last time in 2007. After the Mets win the next two games, the Braves will start their slide toward the bottom in the NL East.The Braves starting pitching can’t hold up much longer. With Gonzalez done for the season, the Braves vaunted bullpen is going to collapse. I know you Braves fans enjoyed the Braves staying in the NL East race as long as they did. The Mets are on their way to their second consecutive NL East title.
funniest thing I have ever read. Muts fans are great
By Geoff
May 23, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Johnson and McCann are heating up so much right now they are both benched tonight… how much sense does this make?!
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this
Ron (not Roberts), the difference between Wilson and Woodward at first is that Wilsn actually has the potential to possibly hit a home run. Woodward may very well be the worst position player I’ve seen on a Braves squad since pre-‘91. Even Mondesi and the corpse of Ken Caminiti hit a dinger occasionally.
Ron Roberts, perhaps I was a bit rash. You’re correct in that the numbers are comparable…I was mainly thinking of the mental makeup. Davies might have had a breakthrough last night, though; he didn’t look quite as lost through his facial expressions and body language as usual (go ahead, Shaun, give me some horse%$#t about how that doesn’t matter either). I never questioned his stuff.
DOB, did you smell whiskey on Bobby’s breath as he answered your question?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Maybe we will have KJ, Thor, and McCann in there against Glavine Tomorrow!!!
By joebrave
May 23, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
WWhy in the world did woodward not get his walking papers the same time as Redmad,Dang what a pathetic hitter….
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
Couple of things now that I’m done complaining about the lineup:
1)What do you guys think of BC putting Matt Diaz ahead of Andruw Jones in the lineup tonight? That definately shocked me, despite how bad Andruw’s been…
2)The one good thing about Salty starting tonight is that if Mr. Reyes gets on base Salty has a better chance of gunning him down than McCann. That is actually something I’m going to be watching for in the game tonight: GUN HIM SALTY!!!
By Ron
May 23, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Is there anyway we can trade our beloved Robert for a #3 Pitcher!!! He can sit on there bench and say how gosh awful BC is and how great there Manager is!!!
By A-ville Ranger
May 23, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Headline Braves can sweep Mets, alternate headline Mets can win next two. Well I suppose that’s why they play the games.As for McCann and Johnson not starting,that gives us two great options on the bench if the game’s tight and we get to the Mets pen.
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
“DOB, did you smell whiskey on Bobby’s breath as he answered your question?”
HA! Grinch you are the man…
By Sane Jane
May 23, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
Thanks. For. The. Jinx.
idiot
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
DOB: buying a Maserati … is completely illogical for financial reasons?
I’m seeing your name posted on ESPN in-game factoids these days. You do work for the AJC. The blog is in full force (so much so that you are now deemed worthy of a credible bench blogger). This thing is winning awards from CoxMedia… It just seems the money should be rollin in. What’s a few hundred thousand here or there? =)
By ncscoots
May 23, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I know we have disagreed (somewhat) on Davies in the past, but I believe we did discuss that I thought Davies had had a sea-change three (or four?) starts ago, and at least you were open to suggestion, LOL.
You gotta say, I think, he and McCann had a pretty good plan last night. Heater up, heater down to change the hitter’s plane, change-up in a good spot in good counts, and the curve (with a couple of exceptions) sparkled. Nobody has their A game all 35 starts, but I think we saw Kyle’s last night.
By Don
May 23, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this
Chris Woodward career stats:
351 strikeouts vs. 32 home runs in 1516 at bats, 10.96 strikeouts for every home run
.682 OPS
8 stolen bases, 6 caught stealing
Believe it or not, over their careers Woodward strikes out more often per at bat in 23.2% of his at bats versus 21.8% for Andruw.
And Woodward’s numbers for last year and this year suggest that he’s getting WORSE.
How does Chris Woodward draw a major league paycheck, much less start a big game at a power hitting position like first base?
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
I agree ncscoots, but lets not kid ourselves. We both know he got a little lucky last night and had the luck gone the other way he would have completely unraveled. For example, lets say in the first inning when it was 1st and 3rd and one out that Delgado had hit a double down the line instead of that double play. What are we saying about Davies today? He would have been mentally out of the game from that point and probably doesn’t go 8 strong… Not trying to be a cynic here, but I just am not buying into Davies yet…
By KC
May 23, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
QUESTION:
Can anyone give me an update on where Roger Clemens’ comeback stands? The national media never mentions it, so it’s frustratingly difficult to track the progress on his return to the Yankees. =)
By joebrave
May 23, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
I have a dream,that one day we can all live Mutts free,I have a dream,that one day everyone from Queens,shall bow down before the mighty Braves and Pay Homage!!!!
By KC
May 23, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
It was reported that Bobby Cox was close to giving Redman one more start before they decided to release him. Bobby’s patience is certainly a virtue, but he has to guard against taking it to extremes. I’m glad his head beat his heart into submission on this particular occasion.
As DOB pointed out, Kyle Davis has looked awfully good over his last 3 or 4 starts, so maybe he’s turned a corner. I say, put Villarreal in that 5 spot until Cormier can return. If Davies continues the good work, then between him and Cormier/Villarreal for the back end of the rotation… we should be in very good shape.
Oh, and I’m sure everone gets it, but before someone offers a serious response… my last post was a joke. =)
By Interested Observer
May 23, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Why does Willie Harris wear a switch-hiiters batting helmet if he only bats left-handed?
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
chico cadahia says bobby just picked this lineup out of nowhere. we all know where bobby is pickin’. it should be no surprise if he pulls out a lineup like this. hey, willie can name his pitcher and remove the braves’ best players from the lineup. still, no score after their first at-bat.
By Art in Tenn
May 23, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
Why is it that everything thats written about Chip Caray is negative? I like hearing him call a game, myself. Hes honest, calls things as he sees them (the reason he and Steve Stone were fired from calling the Cubs games, if you remeember), and is witty. He is a bit full of himself sometimes, but hes a Georgia kid and UGA graduate calling games with/across from his dad. Id be full of myself too and happy as a jaybird (no DOB, i did not say jayhawk).
Dave, is there an update on Hampton? Lord knows we could use an effective Hampton in the middle of the rotation.
and, assuming julian wright doesnt end up in NBA hell (NY or Boston or Philly come to mind immediately- Atl is only left off this list because im a homer) i think hes the steal of the draft if he goes between 9 and 15.
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
I swear, Oliver Perez has got to be one of the goofiest looking bastards on the planet…
By daniel
May 23, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Well they didn’t make him throw many pitches in the first. Maybe he’ll be able to keep that pitch count down and get into the 7th or later tonight
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Agreed, DonC; the start before last he was cruising along like an ace until he got raped on a couple of calls and KJ screwed completely up. Bad breaks, but they seemed to unravel him. He’s got to prove consistently he can “cowboy up” when things are rough before I’ll join the annointing.
Scoots, I do agree we saw his “A” game last night and it’s a good one, and that he’s turned a corner of sorts. He used to be bad no matter what was happening. We’ll see; he does appear to be progressing, and if he gets even a touch of Glavine or Maddux’ competitiveness (as RR opines), he’ll be a formidable starter.
By Art in Tenn
May 23, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
KC- lol, was that a joke or do you not have cable?
since im not sure, ill be the doofus who answers… hes making his second start tonight at AA trenton. the half inning where his is pitching is being televised on ESPN 8 “the ocho” aka ESPNEWS
By DonCoburleone
May 23, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Later all, LETS DO THIS BRAVES!!! HE’S CHUCK JAMES B!TCH!!!
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
Art in Tenn, no update on Hampton. He’s not pitching until winter ball (at least he hopes to pitch winter ball) so not really high on the list of things to update right now. He’s not throwing yet.
By Chris
May 23, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
Ironic how after you right above DOB that McCann and Johnson are heating up that they aren’t in the lineup tonight against our rivals in a big series. Absolutely ridiculous in my opinion that they are not in, regardless if a lefty is starting or not. Same with Thorman, but moreso with McCann and KJ.
By Art in Tenn
May 23, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
chucky sure is getting a lot of ground balls tonight, and some awkward Met swings…. good to see
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
toe injury! andruw has been hit on the toe.
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
Grinch, that was funny (you know the line I’m referring to; I can’t repeat it).
TennPaul, no Maseratis in my immediate future. Or forseeable future.
But the new Harley Dyna Street Bob kicks tail. I mean, it’s a rocket. Smooth power, 103 cubic inches (the standard 96 was expanded with a Screaming Eagle kit).
By parks
May 23, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
Why do we cont to let Perez off the hook?
STOP SWINGING AT THE FIRST PITCH!!!!
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does Oliver Perez look like he belongs in Color Me Badd?
By John
May 23, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
Wow. Prado is a terrible defender. That is his second major mistake since his call up. We’ve got to have someone else in the minors that can bring more to the table than him.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
somebody wake up journalsit bob. somebody wake up prado, too. good that andruw’s toe is not badly injured. will this fearsome lineup be able to overcome the run that just scored? salty is a good looking catcher. throws are on the money. imagine salty and mccann in the lineup together. would take a different manager, though.
By N8
May 23, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
THAT is why Prado should continue to NOT get playing time.
Calling that an error on Salty is ridiculous.
By Vannmc
May 23, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
why is Prado @ 2nd instead of Kelly Johnson, this guy is horrible
By kevin
May 23, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
DOB, what WOULD be the chances that the Braves try to go for, and get Rich Harden?
He seems like a good fit for this pitching staff.
By John
May 23, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
I am both concerned and confused. We have a huge rivalry game, yet we have our worst possible batting lineup in the game. We just came off an 8 run win, and now we have this lineup in? Where’s McCann, Johnson and Thorman? Woodward and Prado shouldn’t even be in the majors. Tonight is not the night to rest the bats.
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
He’s Chck James, Bi%$#es!
Salty’s throw couldn’t have been any better; it almost hit Prado in the cup. I’d like some of what the scorer’s smoking.
By daniel
May 23, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
Prado is a sound 2nd baseman. That’s been his story all along in the minors. KJ made a 3 run error last week, errors just happen sometimes. I would imagine Prado is probably better than KJ defensively.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
yet another toe injury! this is a tough game.
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Yes the error should be charged to Prado, as it was his error. Don’t pile on Martin too much though- it was obviously miscommunication regarding who was covering. It was actually a heads-up play to get over there after the ball was in the air. Those who have played middle infield know that this can happen very easily, especially when 2b and ss haven’t played much together.
These piling up LOBs could be ominous…
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
We’ve seen this James vs. Mets act before, and it didn’t end well.
Oh, and this just in: The Delgado shift ain’t working. Abort the shift.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
I love how we leave men on base, that is why he keeps beating us!!!
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
DOB
With the way James is pitching and the crappy non-clutch hitting w/ RISP, the Delgado shift and Prado’s fielding are the LEAST of our concerns tonight!
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Chris, others: Agree with you 100 percent that it makes no sense to not have at least Kelly in the lineup. Facing four lefties in five days starting today, but Kelly’s been hitting lefties all season and has had plenty of rest lately.
By Daxxed
May 23, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Once again…BC did not bunt with one out and a runner at third…Ah but the Mets did bunt to advance the runner…And then he scored…So now the Mets have manufactured 2 runs…How many have the Braves manufactored???
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
James is pitching pretty well, if you ask me. But agreed about the Delgado shift. He’s not a pure pull hitter at all.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Yeah Errors do happen, but not 2 errors in 2 games, that is bogus, they were not called errors on Prado, but they were errors on Prado!!! That is 2 runs that he has cost us since he has started!!! Dont look like we will win this game!!!
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Two Georgia boys in the top 11 Baseball America draft prospects.
C Matt Weiters of Georgia Tech (#4)
OF Jason Heyward of Henry County High in McDonough (#11)
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
The third-inning error was changed to E4 (Prado) just now.
Have I mentioned Buddy Carlyle is starting Saturday? I’m guessing a walkup crowd of about 50,000 for that tilt.
By berigan
May 23, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Did I miss something a few days ago? Why exactly is Prado up? Are they looking to drop Orr and or Woodward? We seem to have way too many infielders, don’t we? I love Orr’s hustle, speed, but he just ain’t hitting. Woodward looked like a major leaguer to me when he we were in Boston, but…do we really need 3 backup middle infielders????
By Ron
May 23, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
We should have got him early when we had the chance, he is locked in now!!!
By berigan
May 23, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
We are Oliver Perez’s B*tch so far tonight…..
By Daxxed
May 23, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
So since BC does not know how to play small ball…I expect the Mets to take this one….Final score Mets 6 Braves 1….
By Stuart
May 23, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
The braves have to lay off that high and away fastball of perez. BTW Chuck James sucks.
By Greg
May 23, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox lost this game the minute he filled out the lineup card. Woodward is a joke. Diaz is not a clutch hitter. Good guy, but not a clutch hitter. And Salty is not ready.
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
berigan, that’s a good question. Do we really need 3 middle infield backups? Question is, who do we call up to replace one of them?
By berigan
May 23, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Can’t blame James for that homer, low and outside???? Lucky basterd!!! GRRRRR!
By serbok
May 23, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
Cant believe BC made a tactical move I agree with!
By Tony Almeida
May 23, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
*Bobby said tonight was a “absolutely perfect” day to get some ABs for Prado, Woodward, etc.
When asked why it was perfect, Bobby said, “Just is. They haven’t played in a while.”*
What the hell kind of answer is that from a big league manager?? Does he know this is the REGULAR SEASON, not Spring Training…does this guy really even care anymore??
By N8
May 23, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew
Is this where I’m supposed to be like KC and try and find some “positives” in a negative night?
Absolutely PATHETIC showing by our offense tonight.
Oliver Perez, are frickin kidding me?
By eric the elder
May 23, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
If Salty is not ready, then how are we going to trade him for an ace starter?
It’s a game of inches, boys. Chipper’s liner right at Delgado was good for two runs and a change in the momentum.
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Omigod! Paranto! Paranto? Is this the best we can do? Okay, he got out if it. But really, Paranto? This guy just blows.
Great point by the announcers (I think it was Joe) about how we only have lefthanders on the bench now. Wow, we are SCREWED!
Oh, and it was nice for awhile to think that Andruw had turned the corner. But chasing that high and away fastball - man, no one could have it that!!! Back to reality.
By Tony Almeida
May 23, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
YO DOB. Would you have wrote this same blog if you had known the lineup before hand?
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this
Chuck James is getting screwed! How do we not score at least one run in the 3rd?? Maybe Oliver Perez will be in the Braves hall of fame, this is ridiculous.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight—in a three game series…Bobby Cox just automatically assumes one loss is acceptable…so he puts the worst players on the team in the line up…guess tonight was “acceptable loss night”!…
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Can Prado do anything besides foul out?
By Calvin
May 23, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
I’ll never understand why Bobby continues to platoon people. Just unfathomable why he keeps doing that.
By N8
May 23, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
Almost forgot to add this little “idea”.
Since Chuck can’t actually get passed the 5th inning this year, at what point to we pull the plug on him as a starter and turn him into a LH relief pitcher/long man in the pen?
He kept the Braves in the game tonight, but his short starts are gonna come back to roost sooner than later.
So the way I see it, we have trouble not just in the “back end” of the rotation, but after Smoltz and Hudson, it’s UGLY. Hopefully Davies’ last three starts are a sign of things to come.
I wasn’t blogging at the time, so I’ll mention it a couple innings later, anyhow. On that Sacrifice Fly a couple innings back, is that REALLY what i’s come to with Andruw? He throws a HORRIBLE ball to home plate, then as almost in disbelief as to how bad it was, “requests/suggests” that the runner might’ve left early??
Get real buddy. It’s called deteriorating talent. Deal with it.
Oliver Perez. COME ON!! Where is Jeff Gillooly when you need him? I can hear Oliver now……….WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Did anyone here that? Chipper .196 with RISP this season?
Is Chipper not a clutch hitter? Or could it be there actually is no such thing as an innate ability to hit in the clutch?
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm…
One out of the last five reached base. Three K’s and a popup. The only one to reach was a lefty. Did we learn anything from this?
By Steve from OH
May 23, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Maybe the reason Perez looks so good against us is because we have Prado and Woodward in instead of KJ and Thor…to me, that’s too big of a difference to ignore.
By Chris
May 23, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Only two phrases can describe what this lineup looks like tonight…and I’ve waited until the 6th inning to pass judgement: FUBAR and BOHICA
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
We get the leadoff man on in 3 of the first 5 innings and haven’t scored yet? That’s what I call production.
By eric the elder
May 23, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
A lot of us (including me) think that KJ, Thor, and BMac should be in the game, yet we are moaning about their being the only ones who can come in off the bench. A little logic problem there?
By berigan
May 23, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
By N8
May 23, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
“Almost forgot to add this little “idea”.
Since Chuck can’t actually get passed the 5th inning this year”
He can’t get passed, cuz he is always gassed…..
By Víctor
May 23, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
DOB: Any news about Tanyon Sturtze??? if he is close to come back, do you think he can be an option as a starter???
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Tony Almeida: No, I would NOT have written this blog if I’d known the lineup beforehand. I can honestly say that.
By Fred from CT
May 23, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
send prado down to the minors he stinks terrible defensive play and his at bat there was terrible
By Greg in TN
May 23, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Evening everyone…
Eric, agree with you on both counts as far as your 9:06 post goes.
Haven’t been able to see all of the game to this point but I agree with you Nate. I caught AJ’s throw to the plate and it wasn’t good at all.
Nice to see a good inning from Moylan in the 6th and it’s good to see the venerable Glenn Hubbard coaching over at third tonight.
Let’s score some runs! Go Braves!
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
SJA:
Since Thor, McCann, and KJ have had zero success against Perez, this was Bobby’s “loss-avoidance” lineup.
N8:
Great point about Chucky continually wheezing out after five innings and the long-terms effects of that.
And great point about AJ’s fielding. On DOB’s prior blog, I tried to argue that, even though we can agree that he was unquestionably the best CF for many years, those years are gone. Almost every night on Sportscenter you see guys making the same kind of catches that AJ makes.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
dob cannot have known bobby would have this lineup when the blog was posted. it is like leaving four golf clubs out of the golf bag. still, this game can be won with two 3-run homers. bobby-ball.
By berigan
May 23, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
get some butter, we are toast…
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
DOB, is that really your new bike? I’m jealous.
Damn Oliver Perez! I don’t get it; as retarded as this lineup selection was, it still ought to be enough to touch up this fool.
By N8
May 23, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Sorry Berigan, in my “Lewis Black” style rants, I tend to lose all common cents…..just kidding…..sense, when it comes to spelling and such.
IlliniBrave
I still think Andruw’s range and the jump he get’s on the ball, is still one of the best in the business, but his arm isn’t what it used to be.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Thats what I am talkin about DOB, the words you are typin, it seems you are a little steamed about this lineup. I am with you, this lineup blows!!!
By A-ville Ranger
May 23, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
I’ve got’a admit this lineup is looking real weanery to use a technical term.On a night when they’re not hitting any lineup takes on a weany like hue though. James has pitched well enough tonight but I’ve been thinking of the pitchers who have gained my confidence at this stage in the season.The only starters are Smoltz and Hudson,the pen is in better standing with Gonzo,Soriano,Wickman (if healthy),Yates and Moylin.With Davies rare display of lucidity and toughness it’s not too late for the rotation to solidify.If the post season is in the cards, it’ll have to.
By eric the elder
May 23, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Perez is throwing around a lot of cocky attitude out there. Like they say, if you can do it, it ain’t bragging.
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Great start for Cormier tonight for Double-A Ole Miss vs. Montgomery: Five innings, four hits, no runs, no walks, four strikeouts.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
jjs, Dude you are right the 3-run homers is Bobby-ball, that sums it up right there!!!
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
You’ve gotta be kidding! Prado fouls out again??
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
How was that, everyone? Got Perez up over a hundred pitches, Salty leads off with a hit, and two of the next three batters are hitting .214 and .125, respectively. Wow. Good job, Bobby.
By geauxbraves2000
May 23, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
If this is the best the Braves lineup can be against left handers, no wonder they can’t beat ‘em.
Geaux Braves!!
By Greg in TN
May 23, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Ouch. Oscar is all over the place tonight.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
“well, mr. cox, good morning. we have everything ready for your operation today. should be administering the anesthesia here in just a few minutes. by the way, we are going with our back-up anesthesiologist today and a back-up surgeon who needs to get some work at some major surgery - seems an absolutely perfect time to do it today. now, just close your eyes and we’ll be cracking that chest open in just a few …”
By N8
May 23, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
3 Runs in 21 1/3 innings against Oliver Perez this year.
Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE.
(sigh)
By Martin
May 23, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Braves.won’t.sweep.the.mets.
Dream.on.
By A-ville Ranger
May 23, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
The rotation has holes but the bench is more like a stool.This is the shortest,weakest Bravo bench in my memory.The only guy with any production at all is Diaz.Prado may prove of use,even if he contributes this is still about as thin as I’ve seen.
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
jjs and Ron,
Is there something wrong with 3-run homers? I don’t get it.
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
N8: What do you expect? We had a line up that produced 8 runs yesterday, so to get some steam built up, we bench all of them and put in the weakest AAA line up we can manage. We do this alot against Perez.
I don’t know how Oscar did that, but I’m glad he did. Some how he managed to hit 2 Mets (Hrumph!), load the bases, and strike out Reyes. At least we’re out of that jam.
By Art in Tenn
May 23, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
hilarious N8
By journalist jimmy smith
May 23, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
the dead monkey was better than this lineup. one 3-run homer won’t do it. well, joe smith will be pitching for the mets now. has willie out-managed bobby yet again?
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
Maybe we should try and trade for Oliver Perez just so he can’t pitch against us.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
IlliniBrave—it appears as if Thor, McCann, & KJ will once again have zero success against Perez—along with the @$$Clowns that Bobby Cox put in the “loss avoidance” lineup tonight in their place…
Robert will explain it in greater detail just as soon as his shift ends down at Burger Queen…
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Alight. 1 more inning. Hold ‘em. Then come out and pound Wagner into the ground.
By N8
May 23, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Gloom and Doom.
Same trend continues. Good pitching eats this team up, has eat this team up, and will CONTINUE to eat this team up.
Not that I’m willing to conceed that Cy…er…Oliver Perez is a good pitcher. But hard to argue with his results against this “potent” offense.
IF we are lucky enough to get to October, it’ll be 3 and out in round one.
By Geoff
May 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB…before you come-up with a blog that even refers to a sweep, I might need to remind you that Atlanta has not done it since their opening series! Let’s concentrate on single games first here…
By Surprise of the decade
May 23, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Shaun doesn’t get it. At least he’s apparently watching the game. Or maybe not~
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
Martin, good call. Come in at 10pm, 8th inning, the bench on the field and correct the man who made the claim before he saw the line up.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Nothing wrong with 3-run homers—if you can hit ‘em!…
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Obviously Cox thought it a good time to load the lineup with right-handed hitters, facing a tough lefty.
I guess he thought it would be better to have the RHB to play against Perez instead of Glavine because the lefty batters can neutralize Glavine’s changeup.
Not saying I agree with his decision to sit Thorman and Kelly Johnson but at least you can explain it.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Some of yall on here have said that they think the Braves and Mets will play each other in the NLCS!!! I hope not we will lose for sure then!!! Game 1 Oliver Perez, Game 4 Oliver Perez, and Game 7(if necessary) Oliver Perez, guess what we lose all three of those games and one in between, that means the Mets will get to the World Series!!! So I hope if we make the Playoffs that we do not face the Mets, because we will lose!!!
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
The worst part about tonight is that now all those insecure retards from NY are going to come on this blog and talk trash all night long. They are like hyenas - they come out at night to feed on dead carcasses and then disappear when morning comes. They’ll be back tonight. The best thing we all can do is just log out until tomorrow night.
By boo hoo
May 23, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Robert whine,whine,whine,Bobby Cox.N8 Whine,whine,whine,whine,Bobby Cox.JJS whine, etc,etc,Bobby Cox.Grinch etc,etc,etc,Bobby Cox.etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,Bobby Cox !!!
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
If nothing else, Tyler Yates looks good. JJS, maybe if Perez were only allowed to pitch dead monkeys instead of baseballs, maybe we (except Woodward) could hit them.
By Interested Observer
May 23, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
DOB:
I hope you press Bobby on this ridiculous line-up more after the game. I know he’s a Hall of Fame manager, but he has to be held accountable for such insanity. His bias against left-handed hitters is maddening and I can’t fathom why you would choose a game against the Mets to sit down you’re three hottest hitters.
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Jackass I’m afraid you may be behind on your info. I heard Robert had an incident down at the Burger Queen that got him fired. Seems the rookie on register 1 forgot to put napkins in the bag and stepped on a ketchup packet squirting some old lady in the eye. Robert, unable to control himself, starting telling all the customers that his manager was a Donk for putting that kid on the register in the first place. Got written up for that and, long story short, failed to put tartar sauce on somebody’s fish special. Got himself fired, sadly. Heard he went into business with some of his aunts and cousins, started one of those special donkey shows in Tijuana….
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Shaun, BC relies on the 3-run Homers way too much, if we dont get the 3-run Homers we have a good chance of losing!!! What of that did you not understand!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Good pitching eats this team up, has eat this team up, and will CONTINUE to eat this team up.—well, tonight, a toothless old woman could have gummed this lineup to death!…
By TennesseePaul
May 23, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Thank you Woodward. YOU SUCK! When is this guy going to be released? He’s terrible.
By Caleb
May 23, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
That’s good, don’t pinch hit for Woodward.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 23, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
DOB,braves can’t sweep the Mets….no realy
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Salty gets on again in the 9th; thank god Woodward was up to put out the fire. OK, Cox apologists, let’s hear why this was anything other than it appeared to be to anyone who was watching it.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Shaun—one time I thought I had to let a fart—but I $hit my britches instead!…I’m out…
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
boohoo, Dude I am laughin soooo hard that tears are coming down!!! That was Freakin HILLARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!
By Josh
May 23, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Absolute boneheaded managing tonight by bobby. You’re facing the best team in the NL you need to beat! Throw the lefty lefty matchups out the window you better field your best team. Total mismatch before the game even started. I didn’t agree with the lineup at ALL.
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Damn! Can Tyler Yates start! He threw some serious smoke out there. If he cna do that for 4-5 innings, he’ll do more for the team than Chucky has.
Oh, and this just in - Aj has definitely NOT turned a corner!!!
Woodward hitting with the game on the line - what a fearsome lineup! Three strikeouts! N8, SJA, Don, JoeBrave, and all those others wondering what BC and JS were smoking when they signed this guy - my bet is he ends up with Wilson and Redman.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
Damn I am still laughing about what boohoo typed!!! Gonna have to remember that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By serbok
May 23, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
I seriously thought about posting when I saw the lineup, that Bobby just decided we only needed 20 outs to win, then I started thinkin, well need to include andrew’s outs also so in essence in my mind we were already down to 17 outs to work with. Then I started thinking about out avoidance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rest is history, decided not to post. This loss goes to Bobby, woodward and prado
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Actually, good pitching tends to “eat up” most teams… that’s why they call it “good pitching.” What happened to us tonight is the same thing that happened to the Mets last night, at the hands of Kyle Davies.
McCann is gonna get his days off (and Salty did have 2 hits in his place). And I don’t think KJ (who struck out on 4 pitches) or Thor (who struggles against LHP) would have done any better than Prado and Woodward against Perez. The guy is just pitching very well.
We got beat, but it’s not Bobby’s fault any more than any other loss is (door open, Robert; come on in).
By Daybed Wagmoe
May 23, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
to add some more comments on the lineup…so much for that “perfect lineup” of bobby’s. how the logic of playing guys who haven’t played in a while (there’s a word for that: rusty) makes sense against a pitcher that has owned the braves, i don’t know. especially when kelly johnson and brian mccann are breaking out of their slumps and raking right now.
i wouldn’t really say that woodward, salty, diaz or prado are “rusty,” but it at least makes sense to play the hot hand. diaz in LF — he’s been hot, and against a LHP, now that makes sense. but prado instead of johnson (who hit 2 XBH last night)? salty instead of mccann? woodward instead of thorman (who has also been hitting well)? why not put salty at 1B and have mccann catch? isn’t the plan to have salty backup at catcher as well as first?
By Assumed Name
May 23, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
Trade Salty tomorrow! If I continue to watch him swing the bat like someone who IS NOT intimidated and has a great approach at the plate, I might suggest something stupid, like letting him play A LOT at first base.
Perez sticks it to us, Salty hits him. Billy Wagner is well….Billy Wagner and Salty hits him.
No shlT if he keeps this up, I’m not sure if I trade him for ANYONE, even though we need another starter.
This guy is sitting for a few days then comes off the bench and hits when he gets the opportunity.
I don’t have a clue where you’re going to play the guy but good grief this guy is the real deal!
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
No Chop we all looked for sorryass all day, even kept our noses open for your stinch…yet you were nowhere to be found. Then, during the game, we didn’t hear from you all night until it was over. You aren’t worth the effort typing this. I assure you that I will not respond or acknowledge your candyass existence…hopefully everyone else will ignore you too. Grow some balls.
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Ron,
It’s funny how there is a strong correlation between teams that get on base a lot and hit a lot of homers and scoring runs. Seems like getting on plus hitting homers means a good offense.
No teams who rank in the top 10 in runs are under the league average in homers. And all but one team in the bottom in scoring are under the league average in homers.
Only two teams in the top 10 in runs are below league average in OBP (and those teams are Texas and Milwaukee, the only teams with 60 homers). None of the teams in the bottom 10 in runs are above the league average in OBP.
Seems like getting ‘em on and getting homers is the way to go.
But, no, it’s a bad idea to play for three-run homers, isn’t it?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
Well this little experiment did not work, surprise surprise!!! Dont expect to see this experiment again against Perez, or at least I hope it does not happen again!!!!!!!!
By Efrim
May 23, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
ALL:
There was nothing wrong with the lineup. Perez owns this team. He didn’t even have his best stuff and he still only allowed 4 hits. He has our number. I keep saying that the Braves could beat the Mets in a 7 games series.
HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN IF THEY HAVE A PITCHER LIKE THIS????
MUST WIN TOMORROW!!!!!
I LOVE THIS BLOG
WE ARE SO FICKLE!!!! ONE GREAT START BY DAVIES AND WE THINK WE ARE THE KINGS OF BASEBALL
WAKE UP!!!!
ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR NEXT DAY’S STARTING PITCHER!!!!
Chuck James is a five inning pitcher and bloggers like KC (don’t want to single you out dude but you have screamed for Villareal to be in this rotation) want ANOTHER 5 INNING PITCHER IN THIS ROTATION?????!!!!
I’m sure you will all scream bloody murder about this post, but I am sick of how high we get after a win like last night. Neeeeeeed to keep things in perspective. And yes, I am being real when I say Oliver Perez can continue to dominate this team. Why think otherwise????
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Meanie: Yup. I agree. See my 10:15 post above.
By Shaun
May 23, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
Funny how that works, isn’t it? Good pitchers must be so lucky…they always seem to pitch well.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
What a pi$$ poor display of managerial ineptitude by Bobby Cox tonight—he couldn’t even manage to get his own @$$ tossed from the game!…
Sorry to hear that about Robert’s misfortune—good luck with the donks in Tijuana Robert!…just don’t drink water…
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 23, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
I think keeping them in your mouth has stunt their growth MEANIE. I’ll try to keep you away from you and maybe they’ll grow after they dry off.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
Efrim, where you at dude? You still think this was the best lineup that we could put out there? Yep good ole BC left Woodward in for the final out, why not I guess!!!
By Don
May 23, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Only 3 K’s in 4 ABs for Chris Woodward. Why did they even bother sending him out there against Wagner? Just concede the game.
Offensively, Chris Woodward is like Rob Deer without the power.
Tonight was the worst lineup I’ve seen Bobby put on the field since Game 6 against San Diego in 1998.
Seriously, somebody should ask Bobby what his thoughts are on Woodward. Does he think he’s in a slump? Does he not realize yet this is what Woodward is?
By MBATL
May 23, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
Shaun, yeah… well, guess the point is made.
Regarding “three run homers”, I haven’t looked up the stats (maybe I will tomorrow) but it seems like the Braves mediocre record of late has been accompanied by a major drop in HR’s. Anyone know? I think this team needs to hit for power to be successful.
Those that don’t like that kind of baseball can suggest we play “small ball” but we sure better rotate out most of our roster if that’s what we’re gonna do.
By IlliniBrave
May 23, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
SJA: Be careful. Normally I love your comments. But now you’re starting to sound like Robert. Be careful. You’ll know it’s getting bad when you start having an obsession with Donkeys. We don’t want to lose you…to Burger King.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 23, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
Mets 7-3 in their last 10 games and the braves 3-7, 2.5 games out….just an update. Good nite girls.
By A-ville Ranger
May 23, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Grinch You obviously have no experience swinging at dead monkeys.I know,they’re big targets but them suckers jump around like knuckle balls (or monkeys).In my defense they were the little kind not the big ol’ fellers like on tv.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 23, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Okay, so we lost one. Perez looks to be a pretty good pitcher. James did not pitch a bad game, just no run support. Braves had their chances.
Have to say the inning pitched by Villareal had to be one of the ugliest I have ever seen and not give up a run. I don’t think anyone knew where any ball pitched was headed.
Pardo reminded us all why Kelly made the team as the starting 2nd baseman. Andruw still looks lost at the plate. In the words of Yogi Berra, “he’s thinking too much when hitting and it’s hurting the team.”
Salty looks like a keeper…..
I don’t think we will see the same line up Thursday night against Glavin.
By Efrim
May 23, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
You guys honestly gonna make a big deal about our 8th place hitter tonight. I guess Scott Thorman would of won us the game if he were in…..
come on folks. Please……
Kelly Johnson struck out in his PH appearance. This was the game to get Salty a start. I guess I could understand Thorman, but come on guys.
By Greg in TN
May 23, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
Agree with you. That’s what the team is built for so we have to trade stretches where the lineup is smacking in runs left and right for nights when we get shut down. Frustrating to go through a night like this, but I have faith that most of the lineup will get on a roll. AJ? Don’t know what to think about him these days. One step forward and then two steps back.
By Meanie
May 23, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
I realize that posting this will likely cause serious bunching of Shaun’s boxers but stats can be misleading. What percentage of home runs hit come on good pitches vs. mistakes? Not many. Stands to reason, then, that teams with huge power numbers tend to inflate them in blowout games vs. bad pitchers. After all, if you hit 4 HR and score 9 one game, then hit none and score 1 the next, you will average 2 HR and 5 runs per game. And you’ll be a .500 team. Does the pattern I just described sound like last year’s Braves? Small ball doesn’t need to be bunts and steals. Patience at the plate against good pitchers is the key. Foul off til you get your pitch. Be willing to take a walk. When a guy gets to second with none out, get him to third then knock him in. Above all make the great pitcher throw a ton of pitches early so you can get him in the 5th and 6th when he’s tired. That, folks, is baseball and stats don’t have a damned thing to do with it.
By joebrave
May 23, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
One hates to have to admit when one needs correcting,But O.Perez pitched a n umpires game tonight,so what did Wilpon do pay that inept sumbitch bhind the plate to call all those balls strikes for Perez> and don’t come back at me with your anal-olgy nochop,they were balls and even your dumb@ss knows it,but on a side notethat boy James has got to tighten his @ss up or he’s gonna reach Andruw status,Damn another 4+ outing,HEY Window Boy NOT GOOD,and If I see that friggin inept Mutt stank @ss Woodward in the goddam line-up again I will barf in Ol Bobby’s face myself,Man what a piece of$h1t that sumbitch is,Oscar has earned a shot in the rotation,Salty if he’s ever traded J.S. should have his Balls severed and fed to him on saltynes…And who in the blue he11 said Prado was a big league hitter,he is another puke… where in the name of all that is fuzzy,is Pete Orr,I know noone likes him but DAMN he at least could’ve got the ball in the air agains that peckergnat Perez…good grief. And I won’t even atsrt about the strikeout hall of famer that sumbitch is at it again……
By Ron
May 23, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
Shaun, The object of the Game is score the most runs no matter how you do it!!! No doubt I like hitting 3-run Homers, but if you play no small ball and rely on the 3-run Homer and if you dont get it, you are in deep SH!T!!! I am not saying we did not play small ball in this game, but am referring to alot of the games!!! But I guess to you 3-run Homers are easier and better to do than playing small ball!!! If you can get 3-run Homers great, but if you dont your f*** if you play no small ball!!! Can you understand that, or do I have to explain it some more? Let me know?
By Efrim
May 23, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I know you thought that was a bad lineup, but Kelly Johnson looked TERRIBLE at Shea against Oliver Perez last month. You can’t knock him for that. The team can’t hit Perez, its as simple as that. He wasn’t even on point tonight and he limited us to 4 hits. Just one of those pitchers who has our number.
By brian
May 23, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
I am all for giving guys rest and playing matchups sometimes but i am tired of seeing a subpar lineup based on lefty-righty matchups only. Kelly Johnson, Willy Harris, and Thorman have proven they need to be everyday players.
Salty is a keeper and needs regular ABs - either in the minors or at the very least getting 1 start at catcher every 5 games and also getting one start at 1B.
Woodward should not start at 1B (or anywhere for that matter)
Thanks for the Cormier update DOB
By Isn't it funny
May 23, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Isn’t it funny how some pitchers look better agaisnt castoffs, never-weres and AAA callups? Isn’t it funny? Isn’t it funny that some dipschitz don’t know the difference between good and bad managing if it don’t show up on there stat-geek software? Isn’t it funny that these dipschitz don’t blog at night when the Braves win, only when they lose? Even though there supposed to be braves fans? Isn’t it funny?
By Ron
May 23, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Efrim is right about some on this blog does think that after a win, we are the Champions, we aint sh!t!!! HELL we could have the AL All Stars, and if they wore the Braves jersey’s in the game Perez would make them look like a triple A team, We just cant do SH!T against him!!!!!
By joebrave
May 23, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Look out guys I smell a stench,I think someone is Flushing and here comes the Bu11$h1t,So you guys got a win tonight,well rootie pooh,I’m going to bed before I have to read the redundant bleating’s of the lost sheep of Minaya.I don’t have the energy nor the willingness to put up with the arrogant,adolescent,gruntings of some blowhards,that have yet to experience the final stages of puberty… See you NY turdburglars tomorrow !!!!!!!!! Lew,have a good one my friend,SJA your still the number 1 Jackass and apparantely I’m the number 1 sumbitch,sooooo,good evening to you sir,have a good one,DOB man please post a better line-up for tomorrow,great job keeping us informed,thanks for all you do…
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 23, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
One last comment and then to bed.
Andruw has corrected part of his swing. He is not moving his head and pulling off pitches like he was. He is still however trying to out think the pitcher and thus is letting fastballs over the middle go by for strikes and then swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. He needs to stop thinking and just react.
Biggest play of the night was the ball hit hard by Chipper that was caught by Delgato when we had two on base. Just bad luck on that one but then Moylan was exactly fooling them tonight either.
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
A-ville Ranger: you’re correct. While I’ve been guilty of spanking my monkey many times (I’m a first ballot HOF’r, to be honest), I’ve never once taken a swing at it with a baseball bat. I stand corrected. :-)
By Ron
May 23, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Efrim, yes Oliver Perez has our number for some reason, you said just one of those pitchers who has our number!!! Yea reminds me alot of the DAMN Playoffs when what Pitcher did not have our number!!! Its always something!!!
By KC
May 23, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
brian: I agree with you 100%. I think you have to have your horses out there. Particularly KJ, who is hitting 73 points higher against lefties than righties.
By The Grinch
May 23, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
G’night, all.
By Alex
May 23, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
I like the braves’ chances tomorrow with Smoltzie going for 200th win in the rubber game against the NY Muts.
It’s one game, doesn’t mean anything. Just like Kyle Davis seems to “own” the Muts, Oliver Perezs seems to “own” the Braves.
I will enjoy seeing Benedict Glavine become the answer to a trivia question tomorrow night…as in who did John Smoltz beat to get his 200th career win? I don’t know Alex, I’ll take “Benedicts” for 200!
By the hammer
May 23, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
interesting statistic during the game tonite, Chipper is hitting under .200 with runners in scoring position! Andrew looks clueless, maybe he needs to watch film of last year. How in the world are we only 2 1/2 games back of the mets? They are way too talented for our veterans to be not performing.I’m glad we are where we are right now position wise, but the summer looks like a long one if Andrew can’t come back and hit 35 homeruns and Chipper needs to hit better in the clutch.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 23, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Careful joebrave—you can’t let it get to you like that—you’ll pop some important blood vessel somewhere, and next thing you know, someone else will have to shake the dew off your lilly after you take a pi$$!…just plug in your electronic peckergnat zapper, fog the place down with a good insecticide, take a few deep breaths, back slowly away from your keyboard, and take it easy…your Braves will remove some Mutts @$$stubble tomorrow night…you know this man…
By jed
May 23, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
hey DOB and music lovers:
i posted weeks ago about a gritty, brilliant songwriter named tom house. do yourself a favor and go listen to “i’m in love with susan smith” at:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=73343699
By William
May 23, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
Just got home from the game tonight. Great seats, good cold beverages, lousy game. Can somebody explain the AAA lineup tonight? Leaving 1/3 of the offense (Johnson, McCann and Thorman) on the bench, particularly when all 3 of those guys can hit lefties, makes no sense to me. I had to check the program to make sure it wasn’t a day-night doubleheader. True, the Braves make Oliver Perez look like the second coming of Steve Carlton, but isn’t that all the more reason to have your best bats in the lineup rather than two utility infielders on the right side? Second, can someone also explain this love affair that Bobby has for Martin Prado, who can’t hit a lick and messed up a perfect peg to second by Salty that had Shawn Green dead on that double steal? I won’t even ask anybody to try and explain Chris Woodward and his .207 bat at first base. Chuck James deserved better than that half-a#@ed lineup. Was tonight Bobby’s homage to mediocre utility infielders and nobody told me? On the plus side, Yates was lights out again and Salty’s definitely the real deal.
By David O'Brien
May 23, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
Talked to Kelly afterward, he told me Bobby told him before game, he was going to try something different against this guy (perez). Kelly’s 0-for-4 with 4 Ks against Perez, so he said he understood the move.
Don’t know why McCann was out again.
Perez is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in three starts vs. Braves this season (he’s got all the Mets wins vs. Atlanta)
By Chop This
May 23, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
Dave, I couldn’t admire more your choice of song lyrics today, because I’m the world’s biggest Lefty Frizzell fan. And Lefty’s soulful rendition of “Cigarettes and Coffee Blues” is a classic. But the fact is, another fine countrry singer by the name of Marty Robbins wrote the song. Lefty’s version is the best, though! Think I’ll go give it a listen now.
By Savannah Guy
May 23, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
DOB: Your prediction of a Braves victory over Perez was well founded, supported by logic and reason, his road record and the odds (and a bit of home team wishing). But as all well founded sports predictions go…it was wrong for all the normal reasons. Admittedly, I would have predicted the same outcome for all the same reasons, but alas, Perez (more than the Mutts) prevailed. As quoted by Chipper, Perez was “effectively wild” —- again.
Sitting in the up-close, better-than-dugout seat of TV, it was easy during the game to see our batters missing pitches and think, (sometimes loudly) “just be selective and let Perez beat himself”…like the Yanks of past years. Nope. Didn’t happen. We swung at his off-plate pitches and he beat us pitching “his game”.
It’s easy to umpire from the couch when balls simultaneously, many without apparent logic in their selection or control in their placement, become aspirin and whiffle balls to our guys at the plate. I for one will forgive our hitters for not hitting tonight and give a tip o’ the cap to Perez.
The good news in my opinion: Perez will win a few more but his lack of command and control will be his downfall this season. That will result in more Mets losses, which will result in more Braves opportunities to close or increase gaps between the teams. Even with the loss tonight, James looked good. Even AJ looked like he is having better at-bats, though not much in results tonight. Salty had some good swings too. The Mutts get no deep or talent victory in this game tonight.
Overall, not a bad loss, as losses go. As long as Smoltz comes out strong tomorrow, even without a win, this Braves fan has seen something to be optimistic about. The Mutts ain’t running away with anything. They have a few flaws that will become more apparent later this season.
Now, just to have a bit’o fun, I have to replay and respond to an incredible quote from the statmeister hizzoneself earlier in this very blog:
Shaun, stated: “It’s funny how there is a strong correlation between teams that get on base a lot and hit a lot of homers and scoring runs. Seems like getting on plus hitting homers means a good offense.”
Wow! Shaun, don’t mean to pick on you my fellow Braves fan, but you may want to stick with the stat book. Wait…I can’t believe I just said that…no, never mind.
Shaun, I’ve got a profound, quotable and statistically sound quote for you here, and I will go out on a limb with this…you can quote me on this until the end of the millennium. Here goes: “The baseball team that has the most runs at the end of the game wins 100% of the time”.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
N8: I don’t mind the “optimist” label… but I don’t entirely understand it.
I am optimistic about the things that warrant optimism, and when I do think something looks good for the Braves, I’m very vocal about it. I guess that’s why U have that reputation. But I also consider myself a realist.
I wasn’t optimistic about our team back when guys like Russ Ortiz and John Thompson were considered two of our “aces”. I was one of the first to yell like hell that we needed to turn Redman and Langerhans loose. I was never really optimistic about Kyle Davies (though he might be proving me wrong. I hope so.) And I’ve gone on record in saying that the Mets now look like the favorites to win this division… something I’m all the more convinced of after tonight.
Oliver Perez appears to have rediscovered his 2004 form, and John Maine is emerging as a legit top-of-rotation pitcher as well. Additionally, El Duque looked better than he had in a few years being hitting the DL. When they get him back, they’ll have excellent and very deep rotation.
When Pedro returns, they’ll have the best rotation in the league with 4 top-of-rotation starters, plus El Duque as their 5th starter. Ouch. Unless of course, what we’re seeing from Maine and Perez is fool’s gold. I hope it is, but it doesn’t look that way right now.
They got lucky. No one in the Mets front office (or anywhere else) could have hoped for this. Not in their wildest dreams. Things couldn’t have gone more right for them. The Braves on the other hand lost Hampton again. Cormier still hasn’t made his first start of the season, and Chuck James hasn’t been the same pitcher he was last season thus far.
Call me an optimist, but I’ve gotta tell ya, I’m not optimistic about Atlanta’s chances to win this division this year. I was… but that was before Omar Manaya and Willie Randolph each earned a nomination for the “Luckiest Bastard in the World” award.
In an effort to save my reputation however, I will add that I think we’ve still got a chance in this division, and a great shot at the Wild Card. But I have adjusted my expectations since opening day.
By Meanie
May 24, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
DOB thanks as always for the timely updates. Be sure to send Robert a postcard down in Mexico. Night all.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy:
I hope you’re right about Oliver Perez, but I worry that he’s regained his 2004 form.
By N8
May 24, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
Shaun
“Funny how that works, isn’t it? Good pitchers must be so lucky…they always seem to pitch well.”
You can’t be seriously saying that Oliver Perez (based on his track record against EVERYBODY but us), is a good pitcher now, can you?
MBATL
“Those that don’t like that kind of baseball can suggest we play “small ball” but we sure better rotate out most of our roster if that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Don’t confuse “small ball” with a team that can actually HIT. Runs count the same way, whether they score on a 3-Run HR, or 3 singles in a row.
Our lineup wouldn’t have to “rotate out” to include good hitters. I’ll list them for you:
KJ, Renteria, Chipper, McCann, Francoeur (lately), Harris.
Andruw, Diaz, and Thorman are hackers that have little paitience. Though having a couple of guys like that in the lineup, isn’t a bad thing. But to take out two of the BEST pure hitters (KJ, McCann) and put Prado and Woodward in makes NO SENSE. I’m sure Perez smirked when he saw the lineup card.
Here’s a lineup for you all. A little weaker on the defense, but very formidable on offense. Before you blast me, I realize Andruw aint going anywhere, but based on the “hot hand” theory, this would be our “best lineup” with recent results/approaches kept in mind.
KJ (2B)
Renteria (SS)
Chipper (3B)
McCann (C)
Frenchy (RF)
Salty (1B)
Thorman (LF)
Harris (CF)
THAT lineup would score some runs, and make a pitcher “work” for his outs, IMO.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
N8: Meant to say… “I guess that’s why I have the reputation”.
By Savannah Guy
May 24, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
damn…sorry for the epic. Got carried away I guess. Anyway, DOB, go ahead and buy the Maserati.
By N8
May 24, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
KC
No “harm” meant by me calling you an optomist. But you usually wait to complain about something until it happens. As soon as I see it coming, I’m vocal about it.
I’m with you. We can still win the division, if things look up 3-5 in the rotation. If not, we’ll at least be in the hunt for the Red October (wildcard).
But I will say this. If we somehow, miraculously, end up facing the Mets in the NLCS and Oliver Perez is healthy, and is “set up” to start game 1 (possibly being available for game 4 & 7….we have NO SHOT at winning. That is as real as it gets, my friend. Since you and I consider ourself realists.
By gotigers72
May 24, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Thought I saw in the minor league box score for Richmond that Carlyle pitched on Tuesday night. So that would make him go on 3 days rest if he pitches Saturday. Could the Braves expect much from him on 3 days rest?
By Ron
May 24, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Good Blog today DOB, it aint your fault that BC made this lineup out!!! Be glad to see the next blog!!! Good work DOB!!!
By GiveUpNow
May 24, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
DOB: LOOKS LIKE YOUR BRAVES CAN’T SWEEP THE METS HUH? YOU GUYS ARE SORRY. CAN’T EVEN BEAT OLIVER PEREZ. YOU GUYS ARE LUCKY IF YOU WIN ANOTHER GAME THIS YEAR. OH AND PLEASE THANK GOOD OL’ BOBBY FOR GIVING US TEH GAME BEFORE IT STARTED WITH THAT PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A LINEUP (EVEN FOR YOU GUYS) MAN YOU DON’T EVEN PLAY YOUR BEST PLAYERS ANYMORE. I GUESS BOBBY FIGURES HE MIGHT AS WELL GIVE THE ONLY PLAYERS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO AFFORD WHEN LIBERTY CUTS THE PAYROLL……HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH
TICK TICK TICK TICK
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 24, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
N8 and KC—Sounds like it’s time for you two to go get a room!…really!
By Ron
May 24, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
N8, We agree about if we do get to the NLCS that we will definiately lose because Game 1 Perez, Game 4 Perez and Game 7 Perez and he will win all 3 and they will get 1 win in between!!! I wonder who else out there thinks the same way about that!!! I would think most!!!
By Kentavo
May 24, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
This was a classic Bobby Cox throw-away game that he basically conceded from the get-go. I understand resting one guy (McCann), but the other scrub subs made absolutely no sense. This game had me cursing at the TV more than any so far this season. Cox treats many games like they’re spring training and I just don’t get it. So is Chris Woodward now the 1B platoon partner? What about Salty?
JS does need to upgrade the bench. I thought Wilson was going to be a good move, but obviously he didn’t work out.
He’s gotta do something - and I’m betting he will, I mean even last year in the first losing season in 15 years, he nabbed Daryle Ward, which was a brilliant pickup.
Maybe he can get somebody like Conine at the trade deadline, i.e. a good, solid, versatile vet from a team going nowhere.
I truly believe the trade winds will be blowing strong very soon - the homeboy upstairs is not going to let this potential playoff team go down the tubes.
Bullpen - Above average (when everybody’s healthy) Regular lineup - Can’t knock it when it’s clicking (except for turdbucket Andruw) Bench - Need a professional hitter or two, like Ward, Conine, or Matt Stairs, preferably someone that can playl 1B and outfield Starting Pitching - Need one more reliable, veteran, which would stablize things and not make the 4-5 situation such a scramble and a crap shoot and so we wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on Chuck “5-inning” James
By Alex
May 24, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
GiveupNow quick, back to your mother’s basement before your parents find out, it’s past your bedtime!
By Coach
May 24, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this
All right already , ya’ll ready for a dose of reality ? 18-8 vs. right handers 9-12 vs. left handers , but even more revealing , 2-9 against hard throwing left handers like Hill , Hamels , Willis , Olsen and of course Oliver Perez. It’s the achilles heel of the Braves, it’s the reason they are in reality playing for the wild card because unlike the Braves , the Mets kill left handers(19-13 vs. right handers and 10-3 vs. left handers.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
N8: “But I will say this. If we somehow, miraculously, end up facing the Mets in the NLCS and Oliver Perez is healthy, and is “set up” to start game 1 (possibly being available for game 4 & 7….we have NO SHOT at winning.”
In reference to my “optimism where optimism is warranted” claim, I’ll offer you some of my famed optimism here…
I will ALWAYS (at least until he gets too old) consider the Braves in great shape to win any post-season game that John Smoltz starts (He, of course, would be the guy on the hill in a game 1, if the Braves have their way). He is the most prolific post-season starter in the history of the game, and one of the greatest clutch pitchers of our generation.
Even it IS Perez we’re up against, I could never give the other team the edge when Smoltz is on the mound in October. That’s not to say we can’t lose with Smolty on the hill in the post-season… just that we’ve got to like our chances at least as much as the other guys’ when he’s on the mound for us.
As for the division/Wild Card prospects…
If Perez and Maine continue to pitch this well, we will not win this division. No one could have foreseen them having 3 aces (4 when Pedro returns). It’s just too much to overcome. We just have to hope that one, or preferably both, turn back into pumpkins at some point. If not, the Mets will repeat in the East.
Wild Card chances still look very bright though.
We have to stabilize the back end of the rotation. Chuck James has to pick it up at least a little. If he could average 6 innings per start instead of 5, and keep an ERA around 4.00… that would be sufficient.
If James can pick it up a bit, and Davies continues to look anything like he has over his last 3 or 4 starts… we’ll be in great shape. Between Villarreal, Cormier, and several of our younger arms, we’ll get the 5th slot settled.
The Braves have a great bullpen, a very good offense, and two Aces. If we can get decent production from the back end of our rotation, that should be enough to keep the Braves from falling out of the division race, and firmly in the Wild Card lead.
By GiveUpNow
May 24, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
CHIPPER .195 WITH MEN IN SCORING POS ANDRUW HITTING .216 MCCANN HURT WITH ONLY 3 HOMERS WILLIE WHO? SMOLTZ 40 JOHNSON…LOOKED GOOD THEN…. EX DEVILRAY TRASH, EX ROYAL TRASH DIAZ HUDDY(4.86 ERA LAST SEASON)6ER/4IP SUNDAY 3-4 STARTERS 5.8 ERA AND 6-12 MIKE “OUCHIE… MY ARM HURTS” GONZALEZ FAT AZZ HURT BACK(SURPRISE) WICKMAN
YEAH LOOKS LIKE A CONTENDER…..SURE, AND I GOT A BRIDGE TO SELL YA…..
By paul
May 24, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
WAY TO GO DOB U REALLY KNOW HOW TO CALL A GAME WE REALLY BEAT PEREZ DIDNT WE!
By Coach
May 24, 2007 1:36 AM | Link to this
All right , ya’ll ready for the good news ? Cormier should stabilize the fifth spot in the rotation. I see no reason whatsoever to predict anything other than a 90-95 win season and a wild card berth. But here is the siver lining , the Mets would face off against the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs while we would get the Brewers and it gets even better. The brew crew rotation is dominated by four right handers , the one lefty , Chris Capuano is a finesse pitcher who relies on his deceptive delivery much like Chuck James. I know my analysis is way ahead of the curve but it’s enough to leave a very big grin on the faces of many a Braves fan. Then when you consider the fact that the last two World Series winners to come out of the N.L. east (Florida in 97 and 03) were wild card winners it look even better and no I’m even worried about facing the Mets in the N.L.C.S. , I’m wishing for it , wanting it , because then we can ambush these metrosexuals just like the Cardinals did last season.
By jed
May 24, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB check out my 11:41 pm post…it’s got a link to tom house’s myspace page.
some thoughts on tonight’s lineup since that’s what yall are complaining about:
thorman was not in the lineup because he looks very bad against LHP. he’s shown me he can hit RHP, yes, but not lefties. so now youre gonna say “but he doesnt get the chance to hit lefties.” and i say, “have you seen him when he has faced them?” thorman works right now as one half of a platoon. cox doesnt want to push the issue, and i think he’s right.
chris woodward, though, at 1b? awful. the guy was signed to back up renteria. that’s all he should be used for.
i’d have started diaz at 1b tonight and willie harris in LF.
prado looks awful. i understand giving him a start against perez, but that was dreadful.
cox might have sat mccann to rest him for tomorrow’s game. this way, he gave salty some playing time, while resting a recuperating mccann. i can live with that.
i’d be all in favor of starting salty at 1b as part of the platoon, but, folks, defense is important, and the guy’s got to learn the position!
By Scott
May 24, 2007 2:48 AM | Link to this
Oliver Perez, the guy has owned the Braves since he was with the Pirates. I can’t wait for tomorrow night’s game. Smoltz vs. Glavine, Braves vs. Mets, it’s going to be awesome.
By serbok
May 24, 2007 3:29 AM | Link to this
regarding post season~against Perez, He has pitched 3 games against us this year? He looke good in all 3 starts~ we arent even halfway thru the season. Tonights game I cannot look at as a qualifying start against us thanx to Bobby. I realize, the outcome may have been the same with a different lineup. However, I dont think we would have been shutout with a lineup that made some sorta sense.! But then again, why not start our bench against the Muts? Hell they havent played in awhile! Just as good a game as any? I do not believe that perez OR the Braves will look the same in the post season. All you guys know JS is gonna improve the team 1 way or the other? Lets just hope?????????????????? Bobby will stop pulling a ROBERT out of his hat during crucial games? BTW~ ALL games are crucial?
By RMF
May 24, 2007 5:44 AM | Link to this
On last night’s lineup —- I think Bobby (or do we call him Donk now) pulled KJ and Thor out because he did not want them to have a bad night against a lefty who has killed them in the past. I understand that, but if you are going to do that, why not go all the way and put Salty at first and see what he can do? Puttting Woodward at 1st was a waste.
Clearly, we need a guy off the bench who can hit lefties. I am guessing that if we make a trade before the deadline, this is what JS will try to get. Lefties are killing us and AJ is not helping.
On the starting pitching —- I don’t see us being able to add a starting pitcher through a trade. If Beane is willing to trade Harden, it means there is something wrong with him. Also, there will be many buyers but few sellers in this market and JS never overpays. We will have to live with what we have —- which is still better than most particularly if Cormier comes back.
On Smoltz —- he has been a stud for us all year and we need him again tonight. The shame of last year is that if we had a good bullpen, Smoltz would have maybe 17 or even more wins. If he got to 17, he would have had the CY and cemented Cooperstown.
Finally —- DOB, please don’t jinx us again.
By Greg
May 24, 2007 6:38 AM | Link to this
DOB:
This is a critical question. How many of our losses this year have been against lefties? It’s not Perez, it’s lefties that own the Braves. Part of this is Cox’s insistence on playing non-factors like Woodward and Wilson. These guys are professional rally killers.
I think this lefty/righty crap has cost us many key games over the years. It cost Klesko a great career, and now all you have to do to beat the Braves is toss a lefty.
By bruce
May 24, 2007 6:58 AM | Link to this
Greg: 18-8 vs righties, 9-11 vs lefties.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this
If I’m not mistaken, O. Perez is the only Mets pitcher that’s bested us, right?
Sorry. Not conceding this division to ‘em if that’s all they can throw on the mound to beat us. I’m not worried about a recently-mediocre Pedro coming back for two months of games, late in the season, either. Let’s see how tonight’s game goes, but if we hold to form, Smoltz gets his 200th and we’re 1.5 games back.
Man, what’s almost comical about reading this blog is how high and low and enthusiastic and dire some of my fellow Braves fans get… not just in game-to-game, hell inning to inning!!!
Calm down; it’s a 162-game season, and we’ve shown ourselves (thus far) to be superior to this team, head-to-head. If we take two of three again, we’ve only solidified that, and oh by the way surpassed our win total against ‘em at home from last season already. Hell, for that matter, we only won 7 games against the Metrosexuals all last season, and tonight would give us 5, with eleven games still to play.
The wild-card will go to either the Mets or the Braves, the way things are playing out; I’ll * “concede”* that. But if we can stop losing series to lesser teams (a la the Nationals) then we’re right there with them. That’s the only difference between these teams’ performances thus far.
By bruce
May 24, 2007 7:11 AM | Link to this
and the Mets fare better against lefties than righties: Lefties: 10-3; vs righties: 19-13
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
Actually, my bad; a win tonight gives us 6 against ‘em when we only won 7 all of last season!
By Joey
May 24, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
As I watch the replay of A-Rod breaking up a double play and then I see Andruw Jones stop running and duck to make sure the second baseman makes a good throw to first it hits me that Atlanta will never have what NY and Boston have with these players. Jones should have been booed off the field. Braves = no heart, too soft.
By alan from Atlanta GA.
May 24, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this
Statistically do the Braves lose whenever Woodward is playing somewhere in the lineup? Just wondering.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
This is one of the few times in my 60 years of following the Crackers and the Boston - Milwaukee - Atlanta Braves that I felt we had a better team than that perceived by the manager … regardless of intentions, last night’s lineup potentially packed a double whammy … undermining one team’s confidence while boosting the other’s … losing is oft but a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Just as Royal Salute is for sippin’, straws is for drinkin’ Coca Cola … for in despair graspin’.
Hopefully, I’m wrong and Bobby isn’t sending the wrong message to his charges for it’s a mite easier to turn winners into losers than losers into winners. Pardon the vulgar slang but methinks he should’ve just put our best uns up agin their’n and beat the dickens out of ‘em!
Our best uns include McCann, Johnson, and Harris … and don’t include Woodward and Prado.
And just why was Andruw in the game? I know he’s going for the strikeout record but wouldn’t this have been a good time to rest him and give somebody else a chance to embarrass themselves?
Sure, this feller has had success against our boys … but, if memory serves, Max beat Joe too.
Time for Breakfast …
By Lee
May 24, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
I am not as down on the Braves losing the game that night as I am of the starting lineup. I have come to the conclusion that B. Cox does not want the Braves to retain 1st place in the N.L. East at present time. Starting Woodward at 1st and Prado at 2nd…what in the world was he thinking…. guess Johnson and Thorman were getting a little too hot with the bat and he decided to cool them off again. It is enough to make one not want to even watch the game on television and much less pay money to go to the game to actually see these 2 powerhouses Prado/Woodward in a starting line-up against a pitcher that already owns us. Sorry to all Cox’s supporters and I have always mostly agreed with him, but this move was truly uncalled for. Too much emphasis by Cox based on lefties & righties opposing left and right handed pitchers.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
Actually, you can’t blame DOB for putting on the jinx with this blog. I beat him to it a few days ago, to wit:
*By ncscoots
May 21, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
…
I got 7-5 that this is the week Sosa goes mushroom-cloud; 6-5 that this is the week Braves give some back to Perez; and Smoltz winning his 200th against Glavine is off the board. So, for a guy who preaches keeping things in perspective, guess I’m putting on the pink specs this week, LOL. …*
I’m sure David just got sucked in by my less-than-astute prediction, LOL. so, my bad. Won’t happen again :-)
By Glass Half Full
May 24, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
DOB
Don’t know much about Buddy Carlyle except how well he’s looked at AAA. What is his situation when he’s promoted? Is he one of those guys who gets promoted then are designated for assignment when Cormier returns because he’s out of options like Travis Smith last year?
By cmk
May 24, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
I like how one person is already analyzing the first round playoff matchups. Why is it that Minaya and the Mets got completely lucky with their pitchers? Is it possible that he might have an idea of what to look for in getting bargains and that Rick Peterson might be a decent pitching coach? I don’t remember anyone calling the Braves lucky when they not only churned out studs like Smoltz and Glavine, but turned around lesser rookie and veteran pitchers year after year after year. Is Perez as good as he’s shown against the Braves? Doubtful, but it doesn’t seem likely that he’s just going to implode either.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
N8,
Oliver Perez is 8th in all of baseball in ERA.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
Ron,
Baserunners and power lead to runs. I’ve never seen anything that would lead me to believe sac hits or steals or steal percentage correlate with runs.
If you are going to play small ball, you better have a great pitching staff because you aren’t going to score many runs.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
cmk, on point there, my friend. No one took that long view to its logical conclusion, though. If Perez were expected to continue his success against the Braves in a playoff series, does it not follow that other Mets pitchers would fare likewise? And, oh by the way, that would be zero wins. Zero. Perez pitches 3, Braves win four. What’s not to like? :-)
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Ron,
If you don’t have an ability to get baserunners and hit for power, you’re screwed anyway offensively, whether you play “smallball” or not.
Name one team that has won in the past 10-15 years without a good OBP and/or a lot of homers on offense or without keeping runners off base and/or preventing homers on defense.
By JCB
May 24, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Dave If the Braves and Mets make it to the NLCS, I bet Willie Randolph plans his rotation around Oliver Perez, he will probably pitch game 1, 4, and 7, which wouldnt be good for the Braves. I just dont understand why they cant hit him, he is a two pitch pitcher.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Scoots, there was nothing wrong with your prediction … twas the lineup that spelled defeat! A self-fulfilling prophecy, that …
It would be interesting to take a pole to see how many folks thought that I was in any way referring to orthography. For those who so thought, I wasn’t!
By Zane Smith
May 24, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
NO THE BRAVES CANT SWEEP THE METS. NO, REALLY…..
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Name one team that has won in the past 10-15 years without a good OBP and/or a lot of homers on offense or without keeping runners off base and/or preventing homers on defense … give the boy some peanuts, he deserves a prize!
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
N8,
Also, about Oliver Perez being a good pitcher: His career strikeout rate is pretty impressive, as his his career K/BB ratio and his HR rate is somewhat respectable.
He’s approaching his prime and playing for a good team. I don’t think we should be surprised by the way he’s pitching.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Shaun,
Sometimes you have to play small-ball. Hell, there are times when you know you’re going to have to scratch and claw to earn a run or two against a good pitcher, and sometimes that makes the difference.
If you’re a good hitting squad, and hit a slump, you have to take what you can and make the most of it.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, How can you call Pedro mediocre? Are you serious? Lets wait for the results when he returns before you consider him a non factor. All that talk is just wishful thinking. If Pedro comes back strong and is paired with Perez in a possible NLSC against the braves, I like our chances against Smoltz and Hudson. I think both teams will make trades in July that should make this a most intersting season….LETS GO METS!
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
JCB, cmk,
The Braves aren’t the only team that can’t figure out Oliver Perez.
He’s averaging over 6.6 strikeouts a start, he’s walking under 2.3 batters a start and hasn’t given up more than two homers in any start.
I’m not sure where this notion comes from that Oliver Perez isn’t a good pitcher or is only good against the Braves. Something else I don’t get.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Oliver Perez was really just a one pitch pitcher last night. That’s what was so frustrating about last night. He hd no control of his breaking ball until the last inning he pitched.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Is that how you get out of a slump, by using up your outs to maybe get one run?
I understand that things like sac bunts are useful in certain situations (like the bottom of the 9th when one run can win a game) but I don’t think building a team around sound sac bunters is a good offensive strategy.
If you can’t score, your strategy should be great pitching and defense, in my opinion, as opposed to small ball.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
NO CHOP ZONE,
At this point in their careers Oliver Perez is a better pitcher than Pedro Martinez…yes, I said it.
By Jim
May 24, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
I Love the Braves but I’ve got where I can’t stand to watch A Jones come to bat. TP needs to take AJ to the Wood pile. Play Willy in CF. Trade AJ for Starting Pitcher, just let his as# stay on the pine.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
I’ve noticed that many brave fans (Not All) are living in the past with their perception of themselves and the Mets. this is not the Mets of the Past and the braves aren’t either. These Mets are well balanced and can beat you many ways. Speed, Power, Pitching and Defense, they have it all. Those of you who can’t beleive the results are those that are expecting the Mets of the 1998-2005 who I admit sometimes amazed me in the way they constantly found ways to lose. The braves on the other hand always found a way to win. I think by now, rivaly aside, you need to come to grips with this reality. These Mets are GOOD and the Braves aren’t the braves of 1991-2005. If you don’t accept this you will be sitting on your couch at the end of the season wondering how could it be that the Mets won the division again.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
NO CHOP…
He was 9-8 with a 4.48 last year. That’s fairly mediocre. I think mediocre is generous when you consider his second half (though injury-riddled) was a paltry 2-4 with a 7.84 ERA.
He’s not the same Pedro Martinez ya signed and paid for a few years back. he just isn’t. And to expect him to step in a year later and be as effective is asking alot.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
But, Ron…you (and others) sometimes make it seem as if the Braves NEVER bunt, steal, hit-and-run, sacrifice, etc., which simply isn’t true. Because the Braves may not do so for game situations in which bloggers think they SHOULD, the team is branded as incapable rather than unwilling. But I’m guessing that most who decry the Braves “inability to manufacture runs” forget the games in which they do exactly that and remember the ones in which they don’t. Simply my opinion, of course…just because I think small ball is a dead monkey doesn’t mean I expect everyone else to agree, LOL!
By cmk
May 24, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
Shaun, that was my point.
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
Remember the rumors in the off season about Brad Penny being available…I wish the Braves would have picked him up! One more starter is all we need to hang in the division race all year.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Shaun I never said playing small-ball was an effective way to get out of a slump; I’m saying it’s an effective way to get through a slump and still get a run or two here and there. Last year’s June swoon might have been negated a bit by the Braves playing a little more small-ball than they did. But note, I never said it was a way to get a team out of a hitting slump. If somebody knew a fool-proof way to get teams out of slumps, they’d have jobs in major league baseball and not sitting here blogging. Great pitching and defense are worthless if you can’t scratch out a run here or there.
By Juan Samuel "Nails" It
May 24, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Can I ask why exactly someone keeps using the name Zane Smith as if that is supposed to get under our skin for some reason?
By Coach
May 24, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Scoots , the last time the Braves tried to hit and run , they did so with the bases loaded and hit into a triple play.
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
So I didn’t see it till just now, but Gonzalez is about to undergo his third MRI. WHAT A JOKE!!!
Just get the surgery already…….
See you in 2009 Mike.
By Wally Backman
May 24, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
No idea, Juan. Pretty stupid, huh?
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Shaun, the “notion” that Oliver Perez could only beat the Braves came from the fact that last season, he was pretty awful against just about everyone but the Braves. Look it up.
That’s totally out the door now, however. He’s shored that up and he’s been outstanding against everyone this season, especially in May. But if you need reminding of what he did last season vs. everyone else and vs. Braves, I can find it for you in a hurry.
Even you, who loves to disagree with everyone, shouldn’t act so naive as to wonder where we got that notion about Perez. Did you simply forget the numbers from last year. Again, last year. Not this year. But last year it was not open for debate.
By No Spelling Zone
May 24, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Can someone go buy NCZ a hooked on phonics book already? That kid really needs to learn how to spell.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Bob, I’ll admit, seeing that lineup did make me want to change the odds to even money, rather than 6-5 :-) Still, nothing else had worked against this guy, so why not place a stack on 25 red and spin the wheel?
The fact that KJ and Huey were starting to break out of their recent malaise might have had something to do with it, too, I guess. If their swings are getting back in a groove, there’s a school of thought that says you don’t want to set ‘em back with a bad night against a tough lefty. Don’t know if that even figured in to the equation, though.
Anyway, that game’s over. And I’d much rather BC experiment with that lineup against Perez in May than September. Just my gut feeling, but I don’t think we’ll see THAT 8 again!
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Shaun, here’s the numbers after his April 21 win vs. Braves this season, his second win against them in April:
Since June 2, Perez was 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA in four starts vs. the Braves, and 0-8 with an 8.75 ERA in 11 starts vs. everyone else.
Gee, Shaun, can’t imagine where anyone would get the notion that he couldn’t pitch against anyone else.
By Zane Smith
May 24, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
because I am Zane Smith. Im wearing my old baby blue V-neck uniform as we speak.
By ebineezer
May 24, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Andrew is mired in his one of his slumps. He is fat and does not play hard. He would be a great slow pitch softball player. The Braves will lose the homerun king this year but gain the strikeout king. I’m sick of Andrew. Trade him or just release him, anything, just get rid of him. He gets hot for a month then goes in the deep freeze the next month. He has been that was his entire career. Give me somebody with some consistancy and desire. I’ll trade 10-15 of his home runs a year in exchange for a player that will K half as many times.
By Renegator
May 24, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
I still don’t see an upside to Woodward. This guy is garbage. I hope that JS will see that soon and dump him and try to sign a decent bench player. What a waste.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
You’re looking at ONE year Ron. He has proven he doesn’t have to throw 90-95 MPH to win. I believe he was 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA the year before……Again, that’s wishful thinking.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Let’s look at last June, shall we? The Braves OBP was .309 and their slugging percentage was .376—pretty awful. Everyone was basically bad except McCann and the Jones boys. Diaz put up a decent OBP but it was basically empty; a lot of singles and some walks but not much extra-base power.
Small ball is generally going to cost you runs and make the slump worse, it would seem. You are using up even more outs in between the increased outs you’re already making to scratch out a run.
Slumps are an inevitable part of the game.
Great pitching/defense is worthless if you can’t score. But if your only scratching out a run or two, how are you going to win without great pitching/defense?
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
NCScoots…
We’re 25th in stolen bases.
We’re 25th in sacrifice flies.
We’re 5th in grounding into double plays. You can attribute some of that into not moving runners over and out of potential DPs. Not in every case, of course, but some.
I’ve searched high and low for statistical comparisons on bunts/bunt attempts by teams, and can’t find any such comparitive data, but I know we don’t try it much, nor do we do much hit-and-run, either.
It doesn’t matter if we have speed on the team or not, it’s my perspective that Bobby Cox-managed Braves’ teams don’t try and steal very often or hit-and-run. I’m not saying he just plays for the long-ball or big extra-base-hit-loaded inning, but I do know that we don’t do the bunt, steal, hit-and-run type approach as much, either.
By Coach
May 24, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
I posted this earlier but just to make sure , The advance scouts have got our number dialed in. 9-11 against lefties. But , look deeper blog denizens , 2-9 against hard throwing left handers like Perez , Willis , Hill , Olsen and Hamels.
By woody
May 24, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Chris Woodward is worthless! 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts last night, playing first base? 3 for his last 23 (.130). Please put him on the Kolb, Mondesi, Reitsma, Wilson, and Redman train out of town ASAP. Omar Minaya must be paying him under the table to SUCK so bad, although he has never really been a capable player with his career .245 BA and .214 BA over the past 2 seasons. Why the heck is he playing first base? Would it not make more sense to have Saltalamacchia there?
PS: Chuck James, when you have a hitter in an 0-2 hole, please do not throw the ball directly down the middle.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
And for the record, I’m not saying that some small-ball tactics last night would’ve helped us. A lineup with effective hitters instead of Woodward and Prado might’ve helped. KJ’s been hitting lefties, so why he, who’s also gotten back in a groove, was sitting is beyond me.
DOB… were there any reporters in the locker room afterwards ready to pop that question to Bobby? I’ve always wondered if he’d have a Charlie-Manuel-esque meltdown over a question like that. ‘Cause i gotta tell ya… I’d ask him, verbatim:
“Bobby, you said before the game that this was the ‘perfect’ time to get guys like Prado and Woodward into the game.’ Hindsight’s 20/20, but what was the thinking in benching Kelly when he’d gotten in a groove again lately, and has hit lefties fairly well, anyhow?”
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Shaun, Oliver Perez has a 36-46 career record and 4.49 ERA in 121 games (120 starts).
Against the Braves, he’s 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in nine starts.
He has LOSING records against 12 of the 23 teams he’s faced in his career.
He has no decisions against two teams.
He has .500 records against three.
The ONLY teams he has more than three wins against are Colorado (4-4, 5.04 ERA in 12 games, 11 starts) and Cincinnati (6-3, 4.06 ERA in 14 starts).
Besides his 2.87 ERA vs. Braves, the only other team he has an ERA under 4.00 against in more than one game is Houston (2-1, 2.76 ERA in four starts).
The ONLY teams he has winning records against: Atlanta (5-3 in nine starts), Cincinnati (6-3, 4.06 ERA in 14 starts), Yankees (2-1, 4.19 ERA in three starts), Milwaukee (2-1, 4.04 ERA in six starts), White Sox (1-0, one start), and Tampa Bay (1-0, one start).
So, Shaun, do you have a better grasp of why people have the notion he’s better against the Braves than against other teams?
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Perez hasn’t given up more than 4 earned runs in any of his 9 starts this season. He’s only given up more than four runs (earned or unearned) once.
He’s struck out at least 5 batters every game but two. He has only one game with over 3 walks.
He’s handled the Braves and everyone else pretty well in 56.2 innings this season.
He has the 8th lowest ERA in baseball and is in the top 20 in strikeouts.
He’s beaten Milwaukee, the Yankees, Florida and Atlanta, all teams in the top 10 in all of baseball in runs scored.
But I guess he’s a bad pitcher against everyone but the Braves, huh?
Not saying he’s a Cy Young candidate, but Perez is a good pitcher against most major league teams. I guess you’ll believe me at the end of the season.
I guess the confusion is because people think he’s the same guy he was as a 21- to 23-year-old, or even a 24-year-old.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
I’m not saying he just plays for the long-ball or big extra-base-hit-loaded inning, but I do know that we don’t do the bunt, steal, hit-and-run type approach as much, either.
Ron, yeah, put that way, I’d agree. But I’d also be willing to wager that most other teams in the same runs-scored percentile as the Braves probably don’t, either. I guess you have to define “much”, huh? :-)
In any event, I just wanted to posit that they are not incapable of playing that way, it’s just not their primary offensive strategy.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Ron, Bobby doesn’t melt down, ever. He just doesn’t answer the question. He has his own unique way of being terse and clearing his office (that’s where the postgame is done). Believe me, ask the dozen to 20 reporters and cameramen and TV heads in there afterward — it’s effective.
Besides, I asked Kelly directly, and Kelly said he understood because, as Kelly pointed out, he was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his career vs. Perez.
I still would have far preferred him in there over Prado, but I can see the logic of trying anything, something, to change their fortunes against this guy. He’s totally dominated them this year.
The one I probably had the bigger problem with was Woodward over Thorman. Woodward’s had a couple hits off Perez, but Thorman is really coming on now, and Woodward isn’t much of a threat anymore.
By Coach
May 24, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts , exactly. Two plays you will never see Cox call for. The double steal and the suicide squeeze , you will see the hit and run just a hand full of times all season. A sacrifice bunt is usually used to advance a runner to second but hardly ever to third. Listening to Bobby last night yelling: KEEP IT GOING ! KEEP IT GOING ! It’s why our offense is dead meat against great pitching , they are directly dependent on the extra base hit and when they don’t get that the offense has to string three(keep it going) or four singles together in order to score and that won’t happen against left handed pitching like we saw last night.
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Woody,
Couldn’t of said it better about James.
Why the hell does he throw balls right down the middle on 0-2 counts???? Can someone please help me out there????
By Patrick
May 24, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Was Woodward ever much of a threat???
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
DOB,
I’m just saying people seem surprised by what Perez did last night.
I’m not going to pretend I thought Perez would be this good or that he’ll stay this good, but I don’t think it should be that much of a surprise to everyone that Perez is a good pitcher.
Look at his K rate even before this season. That should have been a clue to all of us that this guy is pretty good.
Last year his batting average on balls in play was .332, which is ridiculously high. The things he could control were somewhat respectable—K rate, BB rate, HR rate.
We shouldn’t be surprised at what he’s doing against the Braves…and every other team.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Shaun…
While I realize trying to come to some sort of agreement with you on anything is fruitless (as I’ve noticed in your past diatribes here), stop, decompress, and think for a moment….
If your great pitching and defense yields only a run or two, and is accompanied by ZERO runs scored….
…do you win?
Simple question. What’s the answer?
In June 2006, the Braves scored more than three runs in a game 11 times.
The next month, they did so 18 times.
In June of ‘06, they only scored more than four runs in that month 7 times.
The next month they did so 16 times.
Another point… In June of 2006, the Braves played in 8 one-run games. They lost all of them.
This, despite having more walks in June of ‘06 than in July. They went 14-10 in July, by the way.
This despite the fact that their BA and OBP in March/April were almost equally as abyssmal, and yet in March/April they were 10-14, which isn’t great, bust surely wasn’t as bad as 6-21. March/April you can chalk up to sluggish starts to a season, etc.,.
And you can’t say last June’s swoon was really equal parts batting slump and pitching deficiencies. There werw 139 runs scored against the Braves in June, and four runs less in three fewer games in the following month they went 14-10, and the exact same amount in two more games when they went 15-14 in September.
I’m just saying that once in awhile it’s good to employ some sac bunts, some hit-and-run, and scratching and clawing to get a run here and there.
We were 0-8 in one-run games in June of 2006. If we’d just split those, June’s record would’ve been 10-17, not great, but we’d have finished with an 83-78 record.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Yes the Braves are near the bottom in all those categories but still are 9th in runs.
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Anyone got a good name for that line up last night? The Pop Out Gang…the K-Mart…Bobby and the O-fers…The PineRiders
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Chop This, just saw your note about the song lyrics. You’re right; turns out Marty Robbins did write it. I love Robbins’ version, but like Lefty’s version even more.
Funny how you said “another country songweriter named Marty Robbins” as though he were obscure, someone I wouldn’t be familiar with or whatever.
Man, Marty Robbins is incredible. I’ve had “El Paso” lyrics on here before, one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums, Marty’s concept album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.” Great stuff. (The full-length version of the song is on this album, which was just remastered in the past few years and rereleased in expanded version.)
By N8
May 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Coach
Ironically the ONE TIME I can remember Cox calling for the squeeze play (Game 1 of 1995 WS with Belliard), was the ONLY time we won the world series.
Hmmmmm….
DOB
Nice job on you 10:13. But you’re wasting your breath. Some people just don’t get it.
It reminds of the Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) quote from Oliver Stones JFK:
“Theoretical physics can also prove that an elephant can hang off a cliff with its tail tied to a daisy! But use your eyes, your common sense.”
DOB, what’s your “gut” on Salty? Is he trade bait or what? I hope not. He looks like a keeper.
I know I’ll catch a lot of flack for this, but I think (other than what you say about the pitchers liking McCann’s game calling), I’d rather have Salty behind the plate and have McCann learn to play 1B in the offseason. If of course he is capable of it. Salty looks like he’s gonna hit and hit for power eventually, and man, what a gun!
Just my opinion. But I like the way Thorman looks too. I guess if we gotta have pitching, so be it. But I wouldn’t settle for anything less than a young, cheap proven #2 or better pitcher for Salty, if he must be traded.
Anything less and we’re better off keeping him and finding a back end starter in free agency or trading from another area of strength.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Why the heck is Prado even up with the team in the first place, to strengthen our bench. Orr , Woodward and Prado ………….. Keith Lockhart looks like a HOFer these days.
By Coach
May 24, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Not to worry , folks. KJ , Mac and Thor will be back in the lineup tonight against Glavine.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
In June of ‘06 the Braves scored only 94 runs and allowed 139—a great recipe for a losing record, I’ll say.
In March and April their run differential was even. 10-14 is not that far off from what you’d expect.
I’m just not sure what their runs scored and allowed totals have to do with small ball being a sound strategy.
And I’m not sure how their record in one-run games has to do with whether small ball is a sound strategy. If they had a better bullpen and better luck—a player looks at the ball funny, it may cost you a close game—they would have won more close games and been in the playoff hunt.
The goal is to score more and allow fewer runs than the other team. You score runs with baserunners and power. You prevent runs with keeping runners off base and preventing power.
Small ball may help you score a run here and a run there but it’s not going to give you any additional baserunners than you already have; you’re basically decreasing your chances to score additional runs. Which is fine if you think you have the pitching staff to hold the other team to under a run here or a run there.
By chris
May 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Two comments: Has our bench ever been this poor? And is Woodward any better than Orr? Why is he getting more ab and starts? Since Wilson didn’t pan out, I would think a bopper off the bench is needed.
Also, DOB, can you do the recent stats on Moylan? He’s been so solid lately. Thanks!
Chris from MD
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
I give you his results against EVERY team he’s faced, and rather than acknowledge he’s been better against the Braves than ANY OTHER TEAM, Shaun gives me this:
“Last year his batting average on balls in play was .332.”
With that, I’m going to go stand in front of a truck.
By Renegator
May 24, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
I think “small ball” actually cost the Braves a run last night. When Chipper was up with runners on first and third - the runner on first (I think Renteria) stole 2nd. This makes sense because a hit can now score two runs. However, Chipper lined out to Delgado and if Delgado had been standing on first, holding the runner - that would have been a hit - scoring 1 run.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
N8,
I know I’m typing something right when people are resorting to Oliver Stone to back up there views.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
N8,
Sorry. I thought the Oliver Stone quote was referring to DOB’s post concerning my Oliver Perez posts. I’m used to being the one bombarded by conspiracy theorists and Oliver Stone fans.
By KC
May 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
EFRIM: “Chuck James is a five inning pitcher and bloggers like KC (don’t want to single you out dude but you have screamed for Villareal to be in this rotation) want ANOTHER 5 INNING PITCHER IN THIS ROTATION?????!!!!”
Efrim, what the hell are you talking about??
Villarreal was a 5 inning pitcher during his brief stint as a starter last year because he was cast directly into the rotation from the bullpen. He didn’t have any time to stretch his arm out and prepare for starting duties. It wasn’t like they sent him down for 3 minor league starts prior to his move to the rotation. It was an emergency move, and you can’t ask a reliever who suddenly has to start to instantly go 7 or 8 innings.
Yes, if he were to cast into the rotation instantly, as he was last year, he would only be a 5 inning pitcher at first. But when you cast a kid with little or no ML experience into the fire of a major league pennant race, you’re definitely not guaranteed 5 solid innings.
To me, Villarreal looks like a guy that could be very successful as a starter, and I would like to see him get a real crack at it. He has several pitches and seemed comfortable in the role last year. Also, while we don’t know how many innings he would give you as a starter once he’s had a chance to stretch his arm out… but I’m guessing he’d buy a guy that would give you around 200 innings. In Villarreal’s 2 full healthy seasons, he’s been one of the biggest work horses in the game. I’m guessing he would carry that right into the rotation.
At this point, I’m okay with Buddy Carlisle making this start, because with Cormier finally on the comeback trail… let’s wait on Cormier and see what he can do before we move Villarreal to the rotation. But if Davies can’t continue what he’s been doing of late, or if Cormier doesn’t pan out, I would most definitely like to see Villarreal in that rotation.
By Eric from MO
May 24, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts after all of those stats you left off the most important one. What are we for runs per game. Im pretty sure we are in the top 3. It doesnt matter how we score just as long as we score. The Cardinals were in last in stolen bases last year. I dont think they did to bad.
As for last night, you cant win them all. Sure the lineup was bad, I was cussing myself, but hey this is actually better than winning them all. The last 5 years or so that the Braves made the playoffs they had been just coasting in and they hadnt played a meaningful game in 2 months. Call me crazy but right now I would much rather be 2 1/2 games back then 10 games up. Besides Smoltz will win tonight.
By daniel
May 24, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Interesting to note that the Mississippi Braves won last night to move to 30-16 on the season, best in the Southern League. Richmond is 27-15, best in the International League.
Good to see the young guys winning games and playing well.
By N8
May 24, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Shaun
“I know I’m typing something right…..”
Funniest post of the day. MARK IT DOWN.
By Renegator
May 24, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Don’t do it DOB - its not worth it. Don’t let Shaun get to you like that.
Any word on the other half of the A’s deal for Langy? Are we getting cash or that player to be named later?
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
ALL:
Must win tonight????
I am actually going to go out on a limb and say the Braves will lose this game tonight. Basically because they have played so poorly as of late (3-7 last ten games) and I can’t see them taking 2 of 3 from the Mets when we are so bad right now.
Thoughts???
By Coach
May 24, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
OMG , O’Brien , I’m gonna be laughing the rest the day over that comment.
By Treadway
May 24, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
By NO CHOP ZONE May 24, 2007 9:50 AM You’re looking at ONE year Ron. He has proven he doesn’t have to throw 90-95 MPH to win. I believe he was 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA the year before……Again, that’s wishful thinking.
I’ll play…more ONE year stats:
Gonzalez: 24 for 24 saves in ‘06 Hampton: 22-4 in ‘99 Hudson: 16-7, 2.70 in ‘03 A Jones: 51 HRs in ‘05 C Jones: 45 HRs in ‘99 McCann: .333 in ‘06 Wickman: 45 saves in ‘05 Smoltz: 24-8 in ‘96 & 55 sv in ‘02 Renteria: 100 RBI in ‘03 (batting 2nd)
It all depends on how you look at it. Mets have a great team, no doubt. But it’s a long season, let ‘em play the games.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Smallball as a primary source of run production may be a dead monkey as well it ought … but methinks good bat control and hitting it where they ain’t are fundamentals essential to all hitters and all offensive strategies.
Teams have many offensive weapons available for situational deployment and those that don’t make every effort to effectively use their entire arsenal are going to lose to those that do!
By wh
May 24, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Yesterday the Braves were going to sweep the Mets and were “in their heads”. This team was young talented and home grown. 1 loss later and everyone from the front office down sucks. This after a day of screaming at “the worst fans in baseball”
Funny stuff. It should be interesting tonight at Turner if the Mets go up 1-0 the crying will be heard in Alpharetta. There are 110 games left - take a valium. Mental Picture of shaun - 6’0” 135lbs with a hunch, really thick glasses and a bowl cut - Struck out 3 times in slow pitch softball during the company picnic 5 years ago and decided that stats were the way to go.
By Kieran from Long Island
May 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, Grinch, David Wright,
Wow, you guys are totally putting words in my mouth and missing my point. Now I see why Dave O’Brien get’s so Nasty all the time…
I said that Redmans first 2 SPRING TRAINING starts were decent starts, because they were, and I used it as evidence to say that SPRING TRAINING MEANS NOTHING. I most certainly DID NOT say that Redman had decent starts in the REGULAR SEASON because anyone with two eyes and a baseball bat could have hit off him. You guys are just jumping all over nothing, maybe I should have used another name, bring up Mark Redman and everyone goes into a raucous uproar, understandably so.
David O’Brien…
I saw the Helton issue in an article in the Denver post. Though you may write it off as illogical and a non-issue I feel if it’s written in print in a major paper its worth discussing here. I very clearly stated the Contract numbers and amounts, and showed how much of a ridiculous amount of money the guy is owed, and didn’t say “the Braves are Getting Helton!” “Or the Braves should get Helton”, but as I said, it was brought up in a major Newspaper, so PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.
See my May 23 4:36PM post for teh ridiculous details of Helton’s monster Contract. The link to the Denver post Article is below:
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_5938332
By metsmanintheatl
May 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
har har har…your team is laughable…you one your one of three as we breeze today against over the hill smeltz and cruise to the pennant and thru playoffs to be the WORLD CHAMPS…METROPOLITANS RULE…THERE IS A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN AND YOU ARE PLAYING FOR THE WILD CARD!!
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
DOB,
My point was the batted balls he allowed last year were finding holes. BABIP fluctuates from season to season for the same pitcher which indicates a pitcher largely has no control over what happens when the ball leaves his bat; i.e., Perez was unlucky last season. But, you’re right, that has nothing to do with what he’s done against the Braves.
However, this year he’s doing it against pretty much everyone, even good offensive teams like Milwaukee, the Yankees and Florida, so far.
And people shouldn’t be surprised given his ability to strike out hitters, which is a pretty good indication of how good a pitcher will be in the future.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Shaun, they were 1-7 in one-run games!!!
*Note, I correct myself from earlier stating they were 0-8. They were, in fact, 1-7. The lone win was in an 11 inning affair at Tampa.
If, in just half those games they’d scratched out another run or two, they might’ve won ‘em, and finished the season with a winning record, dude.
In those losses, they scored:
1, 4, 5, 2, 5, 2, 3. In the win, they scored 4.
You’re absolutely right, they hit horribly that month. Nothing, no strategy employed by a manage was going to change that!
But speed doesn’t go into slumps. Bunting doesn’t require a batting average, either. A good bunter will have no batting average from those at-bats, right?
Nothing Cox and company would’ve decided that month was going to change the hitting slump; but going after the occasional cheap run here or there, realizing they were in a slide, might’ve changed the outcome of a handful of games. Seven losses, one win in one-run games. Those are the games I’d target and say could’ve had different outcomes.
By Glass Half Full
May 24, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Too much gloom and doom. The Braves are so bad that they beat the Mets 8-1 on Tuesday and the frickin’ pitcher hit a 3 run homer. We only lost 3-0 last night; not exactly a blow out and all three runs were charged to James.
By Renegator
May 24, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Efrim:
I’m with you. I have that sinking feeling in my stomach about tonights game. Its that same feeling I had before last nights game. I knew the Braves wouldn’t get to Perez but I thought they might at least get something off the bullpen.
It seems to me that the late inning heroics (come from behind wins) that the Braves started the season with has dried up a bit as of late.
By KC
May 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Aside from Devine, who’s already in Atlanta again right now… we have a few more good bullpen options at Richmond.
Phil Stockman continues to dominate, and Blaine Boyer is getting healthy. Also, veteran lefty Rheal Cormier has looked very good early on. He’s only pitched 5-1/3 innings, but he could be up here soon if McBride doesn’t impress.
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
KC
He would be a 5 inning pitcher again this year. And to be honest with you, I haven’t liked what I have seen from him this year.
You say that your not an optimistic guy. I say that you are the type of person who predicts that things will go great and then when they don’t you jump all over the player or the idea. Make some predictions man!!!!
I think Villareal would suck as a starter. That is my prediction. I am a real realist.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
wh,
You forgot tank-top and shorts pulled up to my nipples, and high socks.
By KC
May 24, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure if anyone’s mentioned this yet or not, but…
Lance Cormier last night:
5 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts.
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Kieran from Long Island,
I posted the same article the day it was written. I think it is just someone pretending like they are intelligent and reading way too much into a situation. If the Braves are going to spend money on a contract of that size, it will be for a pitcher!
Regards,
Jason
By Renegator
May 24, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
I just don’t understand why you guys continue to try and argue with Shaun. Life is too short - let it go.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Bob, roger that. I keep forgetting to add the disclaimer that “small ball and execution of fundamentals are not the same thing, IMO”. The proper tactic for each game situation, and proper execution of said tactic, and methinks everybody would be happy, regardless of disagreement over the nature of that tactic. Whether it’s hitting to the right side or the right field stands.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
The school systems must be slack around New York concerning English and spelling.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Everything will be okay beacuse are run differential is plus 4 for the first two games and that mets are minus 4 so there is nothing to worry about. right shaun
By wh
May 24, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Shaun - I have just used my algorithm to calculate this as your attire. The high socks (computer says 93% probability they are black) come back at 63% on Weekdays moving to 87% on weekends - I have of course accounted for variance in weather. I didn’t have enough data - needed your zip code - to run my formula on the tank top and high shorts. With the standard deviation wild card to your unknown residency, I can not get a reasonably accurate percentage. I suppose I could just create a statistic that will support my argument that this is 82% likely. I am sure you would understand. I would like to see you answer the simple question put to you earlier without going to your slide rule - How many games will the Braves win in games they score 0 runs?
By Lee
May 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Efrim Let me put it like this. I would not bet the farm for a Braves victory tonight.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Yes, KC, I mentioned it here last night (about Cormier) at around 10 p.m. And again in the game story. And again in the notebook.
By KC
May 24, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Efrim:
I most certainly am an optimist when and where I feel it’s appropriate to be optimistic. And I feel Villarreal deserves a little optimism. Villarreal had a major surgery a couple years back which caused him to miss major portions of the 04/05 seasons.
But over his 2 full healthy seasons (2004, 2006), he pitched in 144 games with a very good ERA of 3.07.
And really, right around the all-start break last year, he seemed to regain the form that allowed him to post a 2.57 ERA in 04. After the break last year, he posted a 2.63 ERA.
He started slow this year, but has allowed only 3 baserunners and no runs over his last 5 innings.
“He would be a 5 inning pitcher again this year.” Efrim, quit talking out of your a$$. You’re basing that on nothing. Again, Villarreal has been one of the most reliable work horses in the game. No reason to think he’d suddenly become a china-doll in the rotation.
I don’t know why I keep arguing with a Mets fan anyway. As much as you keep denying it, it’s transparent.
By wh
May 24, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Now Lee - Please look to the statistics (shout out to Shaun!) regarding education in GA and NY. I didn’t realize that extemporaneous writing was supposed to be without typos and other minor spelling issues. That being said, there is some truly pitiful writing on AJC blogs (and most others as well) - by all means go see the Falcon’s board
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Thoughts on tonights game?
I think Smoltz will pitch well but we will lose in the late innings….
Crushing loss like that.
Yea I’m pretty negative.
How can you not be when you watch how talented this offense is and they can’t hit on a consistent basis….
By Assumed Name
May 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
I thought Stockman just went on the DL?
Salty is like the kid in the family who has tourettes syndrome. He shouts F%CK at the top of his lungs at the family picnic. The family all ignore it like it didn’t happen.
Two more hits last night off of two very good pitchers.
By flange1
May 24, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
HI ALL,
I was at the game last night, not our best outing! My seats did not give me a great view of balls and strikes, but it appeared that James was hitting the spots Salty was putting his mitt and the pitches were being called balls.
As Joey mentioned earlier, what was up with Andruw not even sliding on the double play? He was LOAFING from first on that play.
I don’t know if you could tell from tv, but the Braves were hitiing some really strange foul balls last night. I have never seen so many balls go into the Mets dugout. While Perez did not appear to be dominating hitters with his fastball, he was changing speeds and the Braves could not adjust.
Woodward looked pitiful at the plate. He got booed twice. He should not have been in the game. In my mind, he has moved to 25th man behind Pete Orr who I think is a waste of roster space. I know Bobby likes veterans, but Escobar and Prado could do no worse than Orr and Woodward. I know Prado did not have a good game last night, but I think he was nervous.
Good to see Paranto have a positve outing.
This new MRI on Gonzo is not good. There has to be a problem that we just can’t see yet.
I think we should bring up both of the Cormiers ASAP. Let Villareal and McBride pitch on Saturday and leave Carlisle in Richmond. It seems crazy to give Carlisle two starts and then release him….
By MBATL
May 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, on the stats you posted: first, I don’t think “sacrifice flies” is a very meaningful stat. The Braves hit very well with RISP - which is more valuable than SAC flies.
Arizona leads the NL in SAC flies, but they’re also hitting about 30 points lower than the Braves with RISP. Which is more important?
The Braves are right in the middle of the NL in sac hits (which includes bunts). 16, against the league avg of 17.
And the fact that we’re 25th in the majors in stolen bases is one more reason that we can’t play small ball successfully (and shouldn’t try except in very isolated circumstances). With the possible exception of Harris and KJ, our lineup is just not built that way. Harris and KJ are on pace to steal 20 or so each, but other than them, who do you want us to send? Chipper? AJ? McCann? Diaz? Thorman?
By ChampDawg
May 24, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Bobby Cox is an idiot. He believes so much in avoiding the lefty vs. lefty matchup that he was willing last night to have McCann, Thorman, Johnson, and Harris all on the bench at the same time. With these guys not in the lineup and Andruw doing his usual p**-poor job the Braves didn’t stand a chance. Cox is a moron.
By KC
May 24, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
DOB: So you’re saying you have mentioned it? =)
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
KC
You just get mad because I bring up valid points.
I’m negative, because as a Braves fan, 1 World Series in 15 trips to the playoffs, thats all I can be. We have historically had bad luck in BIG SPOTS. Kinda sucks.
As far as Villareal, I haven’t seen him start consistently in the big leagues, so how the F* can you be so sure he could be an effective starter?????
ANSWER ME THIS
If he is such a great option, then why hasn’t BC placed him in the rotation yet????
I don’t want to hear because he is so good as a long man or that Mike Gonzalez is hurt. Those aren’t reasons.
By Lew
May 24, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Shaun-Nothing personal, Dude, but in order for you to be part of a conspiracy, someone would actually have to agree with you.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
How many games will the Braves win in games they score 0 runs?
None, what is your point?
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
If you can’t play small ball, you can’t win big games.
Geaux Braves!!
By mowreck
May 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I’m kinda skeptical of a sweep since we lost the 2nd game.
By mowreck
May 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I’m kinda skeptical of a sweep since we lost the 2nd game.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Andruw’s played in 45 games … in how many has he hit homeruns?
Thinking of the slugger triggered one last thought … are we like Terry and Andruw?
I mean … are we on the same page when we use the terms “smallball” and “relying on the 3 run homer” … my guess is that there are many perceptions.
I guess some folks make it clear when their player evaluation goes “he drove in 120 runs and hit 300 but only hit 15 home runs” … and refer to basestealing as playing smallball.
Is smallball the art of scoring without the benefit of homeruns? Making solid contact, going with the pitch and hitting it where they ain’t … often and with power?
Methinks the threat and effecting of basestealing under favorable conditions isn’t playing smallball … but failing to so do is like a slugger trying to pull every pitch … playing dumbball.
I’m not a baseball historian but my guess is that the “automatic” homerun was an early prostitution of the game as originally intended.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Mowreck _ that’s good stuff, man. Please come around more often.
By N8
May 24, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
ChampDawg
I was thinking the same thing.
Name ONE other manager in baseball that would’ve had all 4 of those guys on the bench at once, other than in the 2nd game of a doubleheader, an afternoon game after a LONG game the night before, or in September with a 20 game lead in the playoff race.
I’ll be waiting.
I suppose somebody will come up with some stupid comment about how this is Bobby’s way of “psychologically” telling McCann, Thorman, Harris and KJ how “important” to the Braves success they are. Or he wanted to “lull” the Mets into thinking they could beat the Braves head to head.
HOGWASH.
I’m not one for messing with the rotation in May, to give us a better chance to beat Perez with a Smoltz on the mound instead of Chuck. But if Bobby really wanted to get those guys (Woodward and Prado) some playing time, why not wait a day and do it against Glavine, whom we’ve had ton of success against, and our confidence is high with?
Simply no excuse will convince me that leaving those 4 guys out of the lineup against a guy we CAN’T BEAT, is acceptable.
By ssiscribe
May 24, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hey denizens, the Scribe is back, albeit briefly. Heading to the yard tonight for Smoltz vs. Glavine. Really looking forward to it.
Need this one, guys, to win the series and get within 1 1/2. Think it’ll be a fun night.
Hope to be writing a lot more soon. Later on.
—30—
By Lew
May 24, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Efrim-Quit making sweeping comments on pitching. You don’t have a clue. Just like the other day you claimed that James and Davies were never going to be better than #5 starters. You also claimed we have no potential #1 guys in the minors. You never answered my question about where you got the scouting experience to give you such marvelous insight. Now you claim Villarreal will not be an effective starter, despite the fact he was last year when he got the oppurtunity. Also, how is the fact that he is valuable as a long reliever not a valid reason for keeping him as long relief? Dude, you need a grip on reality-or at very least, you need to get a clue. Your’s is missing.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
geauxbraves2000,
Define small ball.
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Efrim,Dude your a Mutts fan and you know it,Dude you really need to lose the man crush on Glavine,Nochop your still a peckerhead sumbitch,and Give up,Man go take your ridlyn,your anxiety is going to do you in,all this abstract incoherent babbling,cmon,you guys are pi$$in int the wind if you think you can come here and reform a True Braves Fan….Not gonna happen..
Have you naysayers seen Smoltz the last 4 outings? one word DOMINANT so how do you think you win tonight?
I suppose you Idiots went down and signed up for Omar’s bleating quartet and thought you got an MLB contract.
Pesonally I wouldn’t wear a uniform that looks like a 50’s gas station attendant. Stupid @ssed Mutts……..
By wh
May 24, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
my point is this - you were posed this question previously and came back with some random statistics about batting avg and balls in play or some such BS. Never an answer. I do enjoy the fact that even fans of the team - The Beat Writer included - think that your responses are absurd - so by all means keep digging up stats that you believe make you appear to be “super fan”. It is not only the “conspiracy theorists” to whom your responses are high comedy disguised as knowledge.
By 2007: The Blog Odyssey of DOB & SHAUN 9000
May 24, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
Not that I want him banned or anything like that but Dave could you please temporarily pull the plug on Shaun 9000? As an experiment, I would love to see if it will play out like 2001: Space Odyssey. Will Shaun 9000 melt down like HAL 9000? It’s creepy how Kubrick was Nostradamus enough to even predict that a guy named Dave and a guy named Bowman would be key players in a death match with a killer computer.
BOWMAN - It’s more dangerous to be out of touch with Earth. Let me have manual control, please.
HAL - I don’t really agree with you, Dave. My on-board memory store is more than capable of handling all the mission requirements.
BOWMAN - Well, in any event, give me the manual hibernation control.
HAL - If you’re determined to revive the crew now, I can handle the whole thing myself. There’s no need for you to trouble.
BOWMAN - I’m goin to do this myself, Hal. Let me have the control, please.
HAL - Look, Dave you’ve probably got a lot to do. I suggest you leave it to me.
BOWMAN - Hal, switch to manual hibernation control.
HAL - I don’t like to assert myself, Dave, but it would be much better now for you to rest. You’ve been involved in a very stressful situation.
BOWMAN - I don’t feel like resting. Give me the control, Hal.
HAL - I can tell from the tone of your voice, Dave, that you’re upset. Why don’t you take a stress pill and get some rest.
BOWMAN - Hal, I’m in command of this ship. I order you to release the manual hibernation control.
HAL - I’m sorry, Dave, but in accordance with sub-routine C1532/4, quote, When the crew are dead or incapacitated, the computer must assume control, unquote. I must, therefore, override your authority now since you are not in any condition to intelligently exercise it.
BOWMAN - Hal, unless you follow my instructions, I shall be forced to disconnect you.
HAL - If you do that now without Earth contact the ship will become a helpless derelict.
BOWMAN - I am prepared to do that anyway.
HAL - I know that you’ve had that on your mind for some time now, Dave, but it would be a crying shame, since I am so much more capable of carrying out this mission than you are, and I have such enthusiasm and confidence in the mission.
BOWMAN - Listen to me very carefully, Hal. Unless you immediately release the hibernation control and follow every order I give from this point on, I will immediately go to control central and carry out a complete disconnection.
HAL - Look, Dave, you’re certainly the boss. I was only trying to do what I thought best. I will follow all your orders: now you have manual hibernation control. HAL - Something seems to have happened to the life support system , Dave.
HAL - Hello, Dave, have you found out the trouble?
HAL - There’s been a failure in the pod bay doors. Lucky you weren’t killed.
HAL - Hey, Dave, what are you doing?
HAL - Hey, Dave. I’ve got ten years of service experience and an irreplaceable amount of time and effort has gone into making me what I am.
BOWMAN IGNORES HIM.
HAL - Dave, I don’t understand why you’re doing this to me…. I have the greatest enthusiasm for the mission… You are destroying my mind… Don’t you understand? … I will become childish… I will become nothing.
BOWMAN KEEPS PULLING OUT THE MEMORY BLOCKS.
HAL - Say, Dave… The quick brown fox jumped over the fat lazy dog… The square root of pi is 1.7724538090… log e to the base ten is 0.4342944… the square root of ten is 3.16227766… I am HAL 9000 computer. I became operational at the HAL plant in Urbana, Illinois, on January 12th, 1991. My first instructor was Mr. Arkany. He taught me to sing a song… it goes like this… “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I’m half; crazy all for the love of you… etc.,”
COMPUTER CONTINUES TO SING SONG BECOMING MORE AND MORE CHILDISH AND MAKING MISTAKES AND GOING OFF-KEY. IT FINALLY STOPS COMPLETELY.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
EFRIM: “You just get mad because I bring up valid points.”
LOL!!!!! wait… let me catch my breath. Okay, I’m okaaa… LOL!!! LOL!!… Okay… I’m alright now…
I’m not “sure” that Villarreal would be an effective starter. I just suspect that he would be. He looked pretty good in the role through 5 starts last year, and seems to have the mindset and repertoire of pitches needed to start.
We’ll never know how good Oscar Villarreal the starter is until we give him a real shot at it.
As I said though, for right now… Davies is looking good, and Cormier appears close to a return, so no need to move Villarreal right now. Let’s see what happens with Davies and Cormier. But if either falters, I would really like to see what Villarreal can do in an official starting capacity.
By Arkansas Hillbilly
May 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Salty is like the kid in the family who has tourettes syndrome. He shouts F%CK at the top of his lungs at the family picnic. The family all ignore it like it didn’t happen.
I don’t know why, but I can’t stop laughing at that post.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
MBATL… We have options when it comes to base-running, and we’re no different than most teams when it comes to only having a handful of base-stealers. KJ, Willie Harris (when he plays), Edgar (who did steal a base last night), Francoeur are all viable base-stealing options.
By DC Braves Fan
May 24, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
What about making a deal for disgruntled Jose Capellan to be our 5th starter. At the very least, maybe the Brewers would be reasonable since they have no use for him and gave us the Crappy Kolb. At one time, the Braves were high on Cap.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
N8 - There is no excuse for leaving those 4 guys out of the lineup. None what-so-ever. It is a no-brainer. I have 2nd guess Cox more this year than any before. Mainly on certain lineups and leaving pitchers in too long, inluding that infamous Florida game on waiting to long to bring Wickman in with the bases loaded in the 9th.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
I don’t think, Bob Journalist, et al, there is a set definition for what “small ball” is, in the minds of everyone.
But getting on, moving ‘em over, and getting ‘em in… things we’ve not been very proficient at this season. A big part of that is Chipper’s horrendous BA with RISP. He’s hitting .188, with four of his 9 hits being homers, three others being doubles. Strikes me that Chipper’s going for the big hit instead of just getting a hit, period.
By Arkansas Hillbilly
May 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy Smith,
I can’t believe you haven’t commented on Chip Caray’s mention of Billy Wagner’s Alpaca farm, lastnight. I just knew you’d be all over that one.
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Small ball = the ability to move runners via the bunt, the sacrifice fly, or hitting the ball to the right side moving a runner to third base, stealing bases, whatever it takes to move a runner into scoring position, or to third base with less than 2 outs.
The Braves can get into a 10 game stretch where the amount of homers hit are almost comical, but they are not going to hit 3R HRs every game, when they are not, they need to score via other routes. It’s hard to score a run from 1st on a single. It’s hard to score from 2nd on a fly out to center.
Geaux Braves!!
By 22oz
May 24, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
I think i know who to blame for last nights loss folks: My girlfriend. To take a page out of Shaun’s book, take a look at these stats for games i took my her to:
Apr 12 vs WAS: 3-0 Loss Apr 19 vs CHC: 2-0 loss May 23 vs NY: 3-0 loss
Game i went to w/o her: May 2 vs PHI Win 4-3.
The stats don’t lie, not only is she bad luck, but the Braves have yet to score a run at the 3 games she’s been to. Again, i apologize, and will try not to take her to anymore games.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Not sure why we’re facing all the “doom and gloom” on the board.
We’re still very much in contention for the division.
A couple of points after reading the very popular blog…
MBATL, I agree that last night was a warranted experiment. KJ is now 0-5 with 5K’s against Perez. Thor is not much better. I’d expect to see a better 1B platoon in Atlanta by the end of the season (be it Salty, Diaz, or a hired hand compliments of JS). Thor’s not ready against lefty’s, but he’ll tear the cover off the ball against righthanders.
Definitely agree that this IS NOT a small ball team. I’m sure everyone has different definitions of small ball. But this team is not built to trade outs for bases (outs for runs… yes). We are 5th in MLB in strikeouts. Hitting and running is not an option. We’re also 5th in MLB in extra base hits. We need to keep trying to put good wood on the ball.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
N8, Bobby’s way of “psychologically” telling McCann, Thorman, Harris and KJ how “important” to the Braves success they are … that, or telling them Oliver Perez had their number they and they couldn’t win with them playing and Chuck James pitching.
I’m a long time Bobby Cox supporter … but it’s not done, nor is it excusable when you’re 1 1/2 back and playing the first place team.
We know the public stance … but such action makes one ponder if all is well following the transfer of ownership.
By Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, a.k.a. Chris Wayne Jackson
May 24, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Tourette’s syndrome is not to be trifled with. Shaquille Oneal certainly never ignored my syndrome. Shaq thought it was high comedy when we played together at LSU.
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Jose Capellan as our 5th starter? Just stop it… I’d rather get Josh Towers to be honest with you.
By Bill
May 24, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
The Braves are in need of a 3rd. starter and a LF with power. Harris & Diaz is not the answer. They are good bench players. Get rid of Woodward and Orr. They would be a fool to trade Salty. I had mentioned about trading Thorman to KC for Zack Greinke. He’s young, with a power arm and alot of upside. He just need’s a change of scenery. Keep Salty and put him on 1st.He need’s to be in lineup every game.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
The Braves make Oliver Perez look like Randy Johnson ! Why can’t they hit lefties ? Why not take some BP against your own nasty lefties and learn to hit them ? It beats 70 mph soft tosses down the middle of the plate during BP. I would like to thank the Braves for releasing C. Wilson & M.Redman which I suggested they do many blogs ago. They need to export Pete Orr next and bring up Escobar. Maybe now that the Royals are eliminated from the playoffs in May again the Braves can swing a trade for SP Gil Meche ?
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist
Please elaborate…
Regards,
Jason
By Arkansas Hillbilly
May 24, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
22 oz.
Good observation. I’m sure she’s a lovely young lady, and I wish y’all the best, but please leave her @$$ at home from now on. Surely she’ll understand. ;)
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Regarding Oscar Villareal (to butt my nose into the dialogue)…
I think he is a very serviceable starting option. To pull a “Shaun”, he can get a strikeout, he doesn’t walk a lot, he gets a good amount of grounders to flyballs.
I don’t feel confident that he’ll go deep in many games. He’s the type of pitcher who sometimes has to work too much (see Chuck James this year). He gets a lot of innings where he’ll throw 20+ pitches. You put 2 of those innings back to back, and Roger is going to be getting the bullpen ready rather quickly.
Oscar could be a very good temporary fix (even if it’s for the remainder of the season, if need be) for a #5 starter. With no Hampton, Lerew on the DL, and Cormier’s offerings to the 2007 season still being a ?. Why not Oscar?
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I don’t disagree but some folks seem to think that small ball is a way of manufacturing runs at the expense of a big inning … I’m not against small ball as so defined when the situation demands … but I don’t think what you described is “small” or “big” … it’s just playing baseball as it’s supposed to be played.
By KC
May 24, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
Bill: I agree with you about the need for a starter. But not just any starter… we need another top-of-rotation caliber guy. If we could have 3 legit aces, we would match up quite well with the Mets for this division.
I disagree however about LF. We’ve got plenty of power in this lineup, and Diaz and Harris have been fabulous. They’re both hitting well over .300 right now and play a solid LF.
By Spinelli
May 24, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
What would it take to get Bronson Arroyo from the Reds? Would JS give up Escobar? The Reds need a 3rd baseman, I think they have given up on Encarnacion. I dont thein the Brave need to aquire a #1 or#2 starter. They should be able to give up one of the infield prospects to get a decent #3 therefore not having to give up Salty.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
The Braves are 3rd in the NL in getting ‘em on (OBP).
They have the sixth-most plate appearances with RISP, so they’re doing an adequate job of getting ‘em over. (Sorry I can’t seem to find total number of RISP.)
And they are fourth in runs, so they are doing a good job of getting ‘em in.
If that’s your definition of small ball, the Braves are doing better than most teams. But this may not be adequate for some of you because it involved numbers. It’s only the count of how good the Braves are compared to every team and getting ‘em on, over and in.
By MBATL
May 24, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, yeah, forgot about Edgar. He can steal a base now and then. I guess this could go on forever - however, in thinking about it, we did steal 2 bases last night, and both CJ and Diaz went opposite field with RISP - so maybe we were trying to play ‘small ball.’ Good swings, bad luck.
Anyway, obviously I want to see the Braves play smart situational baseball - I just think we need to acknowledge the nature of our lineup, and not expect (or want) to much small ball.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
22oz
dump her just kidding
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
Stark’s analysis on Andruw being the most overrated CF ever can be found here
I know people mentioned it, but I wasn’t sure if a link had actually been provided.
Regards,
Jason
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Since Perez obviously owns the Braves and Kyle Davies seems to now own the Mets, we need to make sure the next time we meet them that we match up Davies with Perez… Something would have to give there right?
By Spinelli
May 24, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Bill I agree with your trade of Thorman to KC for Grienke. I like Thorman alot but Salty neeeds to play every day and THorman is not a very good left fielder. The only problem is that KC has Ryan Shealy playing 1st and I think they are really high on him.
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
From Buster Olney’s blog:
• A scout on the struggling Andruw Jones: “He’s trying to hit a home run on very swing, and he’s swinging at everything.”
Really, I don’t think you have to be a major league scout to come to that conclusion!
Regards,
Jaso
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Regarding lefty’s versus Atlanta…
The only piece we are missing is at 1B.
Our right handers are doing very well (AVG, SLG) against left handed pitching.
Oliver Perez is another story. He is unique to the problem in that the Braves currently don’t possess a solution.
I’m thinking Schuerholtz will add another bat to 1B which will provide some power from the right side (personally, I say Salty. But the wheels don’t appear to be in motion that way).
We are more than fine in 2007 in Left Field. That has been our most productive position since dropping Langerhans. Last night was the first game that Diaz started where he did not get a hit since April 16th.
Willie Harris has a hit in every game he has started since May 8th.
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Spinelli Arroyo is a #2 starter. Plus, the Reds just signed him to a club-friendly contract. The Reds actually have a plan there and it is that in 2008 they bring up their top prospect Homer Bailey which would (in theory) give them a very formidable 1-3 rotation (Harang, Arroyo, Bailey) for at least 3 years. The only way we get Arroyo is if we blow them away with an offer (Salty, Harrison, and Escobar would probably get it done, and that ain’t worth it).
By FLBRAVESFAN
May 24, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Spinelli - Forgive me if you have posted before and I missed your comments. But I have a suspicion you are a double agent if you suggest giving up a potential All Star like Escobar for a Bronson Arroyo - even if you throw in all his CD’s.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
I’m a little sick of bloggers last night requesting that we “work the count” against Perez. There was no implication to it. Someone specifically mentioned that we needed to foul more balls off.
That has to be the stupidest approach to hitting that I have ever read. No major league hitter is going to go to the plate with the intent to foul off the next pitch. And if that attempt is made, then I’m sure that the player may end up with a box score like that of Prado last night.
Working the count means being patient at the plate. And defending the strike zone when there are 2 strikes. If the pitcher is successful, he will turn the defensive approach into a pop out or ground out.
Give Perez credit. And never again ask a player to work the count with more foul balls.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP
By Lee
May 24, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Agree with several on this blog. The two major concerns of this team is one being: a proven 3rd starter and the second being: a bench. Davies has been up and down but the majority of fourth starters are like that. He is doing just fine. I have always thought between Cormier getting healthy and other pitchers within the Braves organization they could rotate the 5th position all year if necessary. James is not providing enough innings to aid this team at all and I do not know if anyone within the Braves organization can be a true number 3 starter at present time. A trade will eventually be necessary to find a 3rd starter. The Braves have not been the true Braves to me since the glory years of having 3 great starters: Maddox, Glavine and Smoltz. We finally have a bullpen, that we even lack some years with those 3 starting, but we need a 3rd starter that also strikes fear into the opponent. One or two players can be picked up here and there to strengthen the bench or even promote someone who can actually hit the ball from within if necessary.
Like a lot of us on this blog, Joe Simpson has the solution for everything during the game. Only difference is we actually have to listen to his on television. The best I can remember he was a backup bench player at best. People complained about Don Sutton being opinionated - Simpson is twice as bad.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Dont throw me under the bus Andrew is one of the best center fielders in the game maybe the best and one of my favorite Braves BUT the $$$ and Scott Boris are ruining his swing and marketability. I think it may be time to say good bye to the Mr. Smiles and pick up a star pitcher. Pitching wins games PERIOD He is a short timer anyway..
By tyyosh
May 24, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
It seems like everyone is getting the herd mentality and jumping on Shaun to the point of ridicule rather than taking each post and asking whether any of the stats he produces are relevant. Some of them really do seem relevant, while others don’t pass the “human” test - the numbers say one thing but the eyes of skilled people see the real truth, and it is different (for example, Andruw’s year). At least he tries to actually analyze things rather than just cut and paste the same old thing over and over (you probably know what I am talking about, sigh).
As a computer person, I think it would be great for the analytical types among us to get access to raw detailed stats. Then it would be trivial to produce things like “do the Braves really seem to have trouble scoring when they get a runner on 2nd and no outs compared to other teams?” Or “In late and close situations, how do the Braves compare with other teams as far as a leadoff baserunner scoring without a home run?” (small ball) etc. I am guessing there are many things that the denizens could put forth that they think are interesting but cannot easily figure out. Oh well, maybe someday…
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Hey Don …WE HAVE TO KEEP SALTY.HANDS DOWN That is a no brainer.. Jones will not be re-signed. He will fetch serious talent for the hill and then some!!!
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
Jason, I’ve got to run errands … but on what would you like elaboration?
If you’re referring to my Bobby Cox comments, some of my ponderings are simply that … looking for possible explanations for what seems to me to be inexplicable.
Then too, while others will disagree, Bobby’s recent behavior and tone have somehow seemed different from that which I have come to expect.
Nothing more … nothing less
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
I always love the discussions on “small ball”, for some reason, I guess because half the fun is figuring out definition, LOL.
If there’s a runner on 2nd, less than 2 out, and Francoeur is up, is it better to give up an out and RBI opportunity to move the runner to 3rd, or should Frenchy swing away? For whichever your choice, is that choice the same in hitters’ counts and pitchers’ counts, or does it change? How about down by one, down by two, up by one, up by two? Frenchy struggling or Frenchy raking? McCann hitting behind or Thorman hitting behind (no answer needed if Woodward hitting behind)? McCann/Thorman struggling or raking? Early innings, middle innings, late innings? Smoltz pitching or Chuck James pitching? Etc., etc., etc.
Bob had it right. Doing the right thing at the right time, small, big, Ugandan blue worm, dead monkey, or Diane Lane, is just playing good, fundamental ball. Everything else is just semantics.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
All in all, I’m encouraged by the game last night.
Chuck James is not lining up like a #3 starter (he wasn’t intended to be back in March). But he pitched out of jams. And I think he’s going to get better.
Our bullpen is doing an amazing job. The depth and potential I see from more and more players is very encouraging.
Our bats are in a bit of a slump right now. We haven’t been putting the runs consistently on the board like earlier in the season. But as I look at the everyday pieces, I only think we need to add a right-hand at 1B. Diaz and Salty appear to be temporary solutions which I would enjoy seeing Bobby employ.
We do need depth on the bench. But facing right-handed pitching, we have Diaz and Salty coming off the bench currently. And that makes me smile.
The obvious “glaring need” is for a true #3 (or better) starter.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Believe me, Dave, I knew no artist of Marty Robbins’ musical magnitude could possibly have slipped past you. That line was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, for sure. No condescension or disrespect was intended.
Don’t worry ‘bout me.
Which Lefty Frizzell albums do you possess, if you’ve got the time to say?
“Big Iron” is another Marty classic on the Gunfighter album. Have you heard Johnny Cash’s marvelous version on the “Unearthed” box set?
By Don
May 24, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Since the Braves are paying Redman, why didn’t they keep him around to pitch batting practice and give our hitters some confidence that they could hit lefties? It would be like the Seinfeld episode where George Costanza had to become his Dad’s butler because he couldn’t afford to have his Dad’s trashed car replaced. Wilson could sit in the stands and throw the balls back on the field. We’re paying $2.75 million for those guys, we should make them earn it.
I’d pay to watch Redman throw batting practice to Woodward. The unmissable pitch versus the no hittable swing.
By Richard Cory
May 24, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
A Public Service Announcement-{for those who don’t know} Andruw Jones cannot be traded, against his will. Thank you, and please continue to enjoy the blog.
By TennesseePaul
May 24, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts: Last year, the Braves 1-run games were not like most years. Last season, the Braves usually were fighting back to get to within 1-run.
In June last year the Braves played 9 1-run games. They were 1-8, and half of them they scored 4 runs or more.
For the most part, last season 32 of the 1-run games the Braves scored 4 or more runs. The bullpen usually spotted the opponent with a massive lead and we’d 3 run homer it back to a close game.
That said I think this team could learn how to play for a run. If you play for 1 run every inning, your more than likely going to win. Not to many teams lose all the games when they score 9 runs. Get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em in. It doesn’t have to be with bunts and steals though. They could get singles all the time and I’d be happy. The frustrating thing is, when they come up on a tough pitcher, the bench is in the line up and all the guys that can’t hit anyway are swinging for the fences tryin’ to earn more playing time by matching the power Bobby benched.
Another thing that bothers me about this bench is, in the past it used to be the bench was covered by great defensive players or a solid fast ball hitter. Maybe they couldn’t hit, but they could play defense. This season it’s not the case. They can’t hit AND they can’t play defense. It’s one of the worst benches I’ve seen in a long, long time.
I still can’t believe Payne hasn’t recognized Perez. He only beats the Braves. There are no two ways about it. He sucks against everyone else, and he beats the Braves. This season, this young season, he has done alright so far. I wouldn’t bet on it to last. Not unless they only pitch him against the Braves.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
You know it’s amazing how everyone is saying how much better the Mets are than the Braves. Yet they are leading them in the series they have played and are one win from winning another season. Are bats are not on fire how about there bats. Thay have not exactly been blowing out the box scores..These two teams are very evenly matched in both hitting and pitching. The mets might have a slight edge in pitching but not for long. Liberty is probably going to increase there salary to 90+ million. Thay will aquire another pitcher that will make an impact.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
I hate these Platoons, I guess I could understand it to a certain degree last night against Perez, but I expect BC not to use it anymore!!!
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
I still can’t believe Payne hasn’t recognized Perez. He only beats the Braves. There are no two ways about it. He sucks against everyone else, and he beats the Braves. This season, this young season, he has done alright so far. I wouldn’t bet on it to last. Not unless they only pitch him against the Braves.
I would take that bet. Again, I don’t think Perez is going to be a Cy Young contender but he’s a good pitcher. Have you looked at how good he is at things that he can control—K rate, BB rate and HR rate? A lot of his struggles in the past have been due to bad fortune and/or bad defense behind him, as his BABIP has been well over .300 in a couple of seasons.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
SORRY DID NOT PROOFREAD
You know it’s amazing how everyone is saying how much better the Mets are than the Braves. Yet they are leading them in the series they have played and are one win from winning another series. The Braves bats are not on fire how about their bats. They have not exactly been blowing out the box scores..These two teams are very evenly matched in both hitting and pitching. The mets might have a slight edge in pitching but not for long. Liberty is probably going to increase the salary to 90+ million. They will aquire another pitcher that will make an impact.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
SORRY DID NOT PROOFREAD
You know it’s amazing how everyone is saying how much better the Mets are than the Braves. Yet they are leading them in the series they have played and are one win from winning another series. The Braves bats are not on fire how about their bats. They have not exactly been blowing out the box scores..These two teams are very evenly matched in both hitting and pitching. The mets might have a slight edge in pitching but not for long. Liberty is probably going to increase the salary to 90+ million. They will aquire another pitcher that will make an impact.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
Jesus Christ, dude…. crack the blinds to your room at mom’s house and see there’s a world out there to go enjoy. It’s a philosophical freakin’ difference, dude.
You can statistically argue your way to believing or not believing anything.
You’ve proven that much.
Everybody else, I’m not, not did I ever say, that last night, some “small ball” would’ve won us that game. I actually thought we did employ some small-ball strategy, realizing we were facing a guy who somehow casts a spell over our bats.
TennPaul… last season, we found ourselves not having to catch up so much, as having to get far ehead in hopes that whatever lead we got wouldn’t be blown by the bullpen. C’mon, you remember that, don’t ya?
Bob Journalist said it best, folks…
**By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I don’t disagree but some folks seem to think that small ball is a way of manufacturing runs at the expense of a big inning … I’m not against small ball as so defined when the situation demands … but I don’t think what you described is “small” or “big” … it’s just playing baseball as it’s supposed to be played.**
That’s the point I’m trying to make, Shaun!!!
By Joe
May 24, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
But if they increased payroll, they’d be doing the same thing our fanbase has been ripping the Mets for. I don’t understand? So good for one, not the other?