AJC > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEven it up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Smoltzie outduels The Rocket. McCann, not Francoeur, is Our Hometown Hero of the night. Braves get one back from the ‘Stros with Cartman-esque authori-tay.
But in that bandbox Houston calls a ballpark, our pitching has to be spot-on. There is literally no room for error since there is literally no room for much of anything in those field dimensions. This will be the biggest game of Jorge Sosa’s career and he’s got to pitch like it.
What worries me is who’ll be his backstop. If it’s McCann, I feel a sense of comfort. If it’s Estrada, I feel a sense of the Astros going up 2-1 on us. We can all thank a certain Mr. Darin Erstad for knocking the stand-in-there out of Johnny back in June. He’s just not the same catcher he was before that hit and McCann, rookie though he may be, is the guy we need in there for the NLDS.
Let the Kids play, Bobby. They do us more favors in the field than on the bench.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Chop Chick
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By Jim
October 7, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE … the same line-up every game … the rookies have not caught the “Octoberitis” disease yet, so let them play, maybe, just maybe “our senior members” can get the “cure” after last night’s 7-1 WIN. Come on now pitchers, it’s your turn to “look like Smoltzie” and win this series to move on. Bobby, please don’t outsmart yourself with another “lightning in a bottle” IDEA, ok??
By dannycardwell
October 7, 2005 01:54 PM | Link to this
talk about a long night, people were still in the parking lots an hour after the game. not mentioning names but to those that said 3 rookies would not make a better showing over jordan, laroach, and estrada, who won the game for us? you dont take a guy who has not played in three months, put him in and take your hottest 2 hitters out. the kids got us here and win or lose they deserve to stay in until the end. the only really bad choices cox made all year was benching langerhans and orr to play one of his favorites and taking out 3 of our hottest hitters to catch fire in a bottle full of water. lets hope sosa holds up for another road win.
By Eric
October 7, 2005 01:55 PM | Link to this
The thing that impressed me when McCann returned to the dugout is that there were no hugs or wiggly fingers on the helmet or other cutesy stuff. McCann looked like an angry pro wrestler or middle linebacker, and it lit a fire. It was a let’s-cut-the-crap-and-roll-over-these-clowns statement. That, along with Langy’s 2 hits, Francoeur’s great 2nd inning AB, and LaRoche’s (I still think of him as a kid) 2-run double, were the kinds of things that will bring the best out of the veterans. I’ve never seen Chipper and Andruw so animated, and of course it doesn’t hurt to have Smoltz pumping his fist. If Bobby doesn’t stick with this lineup to the bitter end, he will deserve every ounce of wrath that will be heaped upon him.
By dannycardwell
October 7, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
eric, did you see how jacked up andrew and chipper were. i have never seen andrew jones show any real emotion other than smileing all the time until this year. he has come of age and chipper is the captain of this team just as he should be. if furcal and giles stop going for the fence everytime up, i like our chances against anybody. i think bobby has found the fire in the bottle. its is where it has been all along, in the kids.
By Eric
October 7, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this
Danny, in fairness to Furcal, he kept the ball on the ground to the left side in his first two ABs, so it looked like he was trying. Giles is Giles, and when he’s on, he’s very good. The encouraging thing about yesterday’s blowout was that it was accomplished with no real contribution from the top of the lineup. Get Furcal and Giles going, get solid performances from Chipper, Andruw, and Adam, and get more crazy stuff from the kids at the bottom, and Bobby will indeed have his lightning.
HOWEVER, our bullpen just makes it impossible to be optimistic. For example, if Sosa does his Houdini thing and gives up maybe just a couple of runs, it won’t help much if his pitch count is so high after 5 innings that the pen parade has to begin. I hope Bobby remembers the great inning that McBride gave us in game 1.
By Rodger
October 7, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this
Chop Chik, I agree about Estrada-he won’t go near the plate and runners get an ole. A couple weeks ago McCann blocked a runner better than anyone I’ve seen since Sciosia was catching. Until, if ever, he can get his head and heart back in it, McCann needs to be behind the plate.
By Nookah
October 7, 2005 04:46 PM | Link to this
I agree. Let the rooks play. I want to think that Jeff Francoeur’s first at-bat against Clemens was the catalyst and possibly the turning point in our postseason. That at-bat was a thing of beauty, a remarkable display of maturity at the plate, a very patient at-bat. It earned him a walk and just like that….booyah!!! McCann homers. Game over!!!
Play the kids Bobby, they know no fear!!!
Oh by the way, Reitsma is due some luck. Let’s hope it starts on Saturday, if he pitches.
Go Braves!!!!
By Carroll
October 7, 2005 07:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t think BC will go back to BJ and Julio tommorrow, however, I just have this funny feeling that he might get cute and start Kelly Johnson in LF and very possibly start Estrada behind the plate (Laroche is safe for sure). Thank gawd Holly didn’t make the roster because with BC’s love of the useless vets, you know he’d be starting in LF against right handed pitchers (instead of Langy).
By Joe Roman
October 8, 2005 06:30 PM | Link to this
I’m hoping for the kids too. No matter what Estrada’s conditon, youth means better durability. If McCann goes down, Johnny is good insurance, not the other way around. I’ve got no problem with Julio, but I think Jordan is done. Bench inspiration and possible pinch hitting is about it. What applies to our pitchers applies to theirs too. The ballpark dimensions are a wash, chick.
By Joe Roman
October 8, 2005 06:35 PM | Link to this
I hope everybody heard Smoltz’s comments about the “negative atmosphere in Atlanta”. Keep it in check until hot stove time, OK?
By Joe Roman
October 8, 2005 08:48 PM | Link to this
If anyone is interested, I understand Steve Lyons is offering pretentious idiot lessons. Here’s your chance to learn from a master.
By Carroll
October 8, 2005 09:00 PM | Link to this
I know!! Let it go already, Steve! It would’ve been ball 4 and the same net result anyway! They’re just lucky our manager is a complete retard and din’t give the obvious bunt sign for Francy afterward. If he had any brains (a la the ChiSox) we would have at least a 2run lead right now!
By Carroll
October 8, 2005 09:28 PM | Link to this
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE??!! Where’s the passion….the enthusiasm…the hits???!!! We HAVE to take this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Marc Spoor
October 8, 2005 11:09 PM | Link to this
I am about to vent, and I don’t care if all of those positive bloggers want to b***.
First off what the hell happens to Bobby Cox in the playoffs.
Why not let Sosa throw seven or even eight innigs? He had thrown pretty well and he kept us in the game. What the hell is Bobby Cox saving him for, next year? Like our bullpen is going to do better.
Why bring in Reeksma in the seventh, the guy flat out sucks. He should be used in blow out situations only, like game 2. Why not bring in Devine to start the inning? He throws hard, let him get himself in trouble. Instead Bobby is going to destroy this kid by bringing him into impossible situations.
Why bring in Foster instead of McBride? Foster sucks, he can’t get anyone out. He is not a situational pitcher.
Why not bring in McBride to startt the inning if you are not going to use him situationally.
Why not use Thompson? Committ to the fact that Hudson must start game four, and Smoltz game five.
Why pinch hit with Jordan, he is worthless. Look at Franco’s hit off Lidge. Bobby should have pinch hit with Franco.
I am sick of BC loosing playoff games for us, and I am sick of this bullpen. It is time to man up. Hitters need to come through, pitchers need to step up, and BC needs to stop outmanaging himself.
I am also tired of this at least we got here b*t, does anyone really care that much about getting 4 extra games. I want these guys to win a World Series, I think they can do it. Go Braves, now is the time.
By Marc Spoor
October 9, 2005 12:20 AM | Link to this
Jerry, you should reread my blog, and read Eric’s blog before calling me delusional. I think you will find my blog well thought out. Maybe you just don’t understand the nuiances of baseball. BC doesn’t deserve any criticism. I think you are delusional. Sosa is a major league pitcher, I am quiet sure he is capable of throwing more than 90 pitches. He was matching Oswalt almost. If you give him another inning or two, than I don’t know you do the math, we would have tied the game. Have we ever tried using McBride or Devine to start an inning. All I am saying is mix it up, the sign of a good manager is one who can adapt, and BC doesn’t show that. If you were trying to unlock a door with a key, and it didn’t work over and aver again, wouldn’t you try to use another key?
BC isn’t the only one to blame, but two starters kept us in the game and our offense has scored enough. IN my opinion these two losses fall squarely on the shoulders of Tim Hudson, Bobby Cox, and the bullpen.
By paul
October 9, 2005 07:04 PM | Link to this
You know, i am done with this. Its not worth the anguish of knowing what is gonna happen every year. I wish everyone well, but i am over and out. Later.
By Marie
October 9, 2005 07:13 PM | Link to this
They played so hard. If you do not have pitchers who can save a game for you what would you suggest they do?