AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves’ big win is more like it
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think we can all agree: That was how we drew it up.
Jair Jurrjens went a solid five-plus innings in his Braves debut, the offense busted out, the defense was flawless, and the bullpen did exactly what it was supposed to do (with the bonus that Manny Acosta threw a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh).
We were also reminded of something very important. If you get on in front of Chipper Jones, more often than not, he’ll drive you in. Good thing Martin Prado hadn’t forgotten that — he played the role of table-setter perfectly, finding ways to get on base. If Mark Texiera had had anything going early, last night’s game would have been blown open much sooner.
The scary thing is that Tex may have gotten it going with that blast in the eighth, which means there could be plenty of games that aren’t close.
The only minor blemish on last night’s game for me — and I do mean minor — is that there was yet another three-pitcher inning in the eighth. It’s like Bobby Cox isn’t satisfied until someone blows it; he’ll just keep going through guys until he finds the one who doesn’t have it. When is Mike Gonzalez due back again to solve the set-up situation and save some of these arms for September? (Rhetorical question: I know it’s not until June.) You can’t use six relievers every night and not wear them out.
I understand Bobby’s playing the percentages, but if you look at Peter Moylan’s and Royce Ring’s career numbers, you’ll see they’re equally effective against righties and lefties.
Bobby is going to into the Hall of Fame and I most certainly am not, so I’ll stop second-guessing him and just enjoy the win. (I can’t promise not to revisit this topic, though.)
So does this big victory put things in perspective for you? Will Kelly Johnson’s knee injury give Martin Prado the opportunity to win the starting job? How would you rate Jurrjens’ debut?
Permalink | Comments (66) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
Comments
By geekboy
April 3, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Great game! I like this Jurrjens kid. He’s not afraid to pitch in the strike zone like the usual Braves nibbler (James, Glavine, Davies, blah).
Cox is using too many pitchers … he tends to wear the bullpen out and then wonder why the wheels come off in August.
Prado is a better 2B than Johnson, just doesn’t have the outfielder pop that Johnson does.
I would like to see Moylan play 1B! He allegedly was brought up as a 1B and it would be radical to see him come in late in a laugher and spell Tex.
By Jim H.
April 3, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Giving up Renteria was tough, but getting Jurrjens in return made it worth it and was the correct move (not to mention that it looks like Escobar might turn into a flat out star).
Jurrjens looks like the real deal (I bet the Mets would like to have him, eh?). With Smoltz and Glavine closing in on the end of their careers we need to rebuild the starting staff with young pitchers, and it looks like Jurrjens might be an excellent start.
By bravesfanbob
April 3, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Great starting pitching, strong bullpen, and timely hitting. All three is the perfect recipe for a World Series championship. Well done! However, I agree with you Chick, Bobby needs to have a looser leash on the bullpen, and let them go a couple of innings if they can, and take the next game off. The warming up alone wears them down. No reason whatsoever that Jeff Bennett shouldn’t have pitched the 7th, and been pinch hit for in the bottom. He is a perfect candidate for a 3 or 4 inning stint. We were only one run away from another extra inning game, and no pitchers. But again, I agree with Chick, I’m not a Hall of Fame manager, and Bobby Cox is. Great win, guys!
By CBL
April 3, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
That game and the rally on opening day are what can carry this team back to the post season. We will see how mentally distracted or drained they are come September.
By Ed Smith
April 3, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Great game its what i thougt was going to happen on Monday night.We sat right behind home plate and Glav was really cutting the cornors.If Cox would have let some of the bull pen guys stay in longer I think we could have won that game.What’s up with Cox is he on to much caffine?
By rekkidbraka
April 3, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
My friend Jill in K-Zoo (Michigan), who eats, sleeps and breathes Tigers baseball told me we were getting a great return in Jurrjens for Edgar. I mean, she was thrilled that The Stripes got Renteria b/c she knows what a classy guy and fine baseball man he is but she didn’t mince words in telling me that “we’re really giving up a great pitcher in the Jurrjens kid.”
Wordy McWord to my bud geekboy, who’s right on about pitching in the strike zone. Can guys please quit throwing junkballs and acting terrified of a batter making contact? There’s a whole field of fellows behind the pitcher. Their jobs? To make plays. National League ball already looks too much like the AL game. Give me a 1-0 pitching duel anyday over an 11-9 slugfest, but I’m an old school girl.
By Da Mick
April 3, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
My feeling over this first three games is that our manager pulls pitchers when he should leave them in, and leaves some of them in too long when the signs say they should come out (i.e. Jurrjens looked all-in before he let the second run score, but was allowed to keep throwing balls all around the plate).
By 'Hawk Head
April 3, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Does Jurrjens remind anyone else of Pedro Martinez? Of course, Pedro had much more velocity that Jurrjens at the same age, but Jair has the same pinpoint control and craftiness. Similar deliveries too. I dunno, that’s just what I thought while watching him last night.
By Jeremiah
April 3, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Die hard, Lifelong Braves fan here. I am loving this team! This Jurrjens kid may be the next great ace we stole from Detroit. Not to discount Edgar, or Doyle Alexander whom helped the Tigers to a playoff run in 87’, But I really like what I see from him. Great fastball, nasty change-up, he attacked every hitter…absolutely NO FEAR! And boy oh boy, it is going to be awesome watching Chip and Tex for a full year together. Seems like Tex knocked a little of his rust of last night with that blast to center, and I could not be any happier! Yunel looked great, Prado filled in great, so many good things happened last night, I almost can’t cover it all! As far as Cox wearing out the pen, I think, like many have said, that Cox is the HoF guy, who am I to Monday morning quarterback, that being said, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. I assume he has his reasons, and I think it is still early to criticize. He may not have seen enough of certain guys in Spring Training to know what he is comfortable with yet. If he is working the pen like that in another couple fo months, then maybe I will see a reason to criticize. None the less though, great game, and I am loving what I see… Oh yeah, I almost forgot, props to Diaz as well for the sweet shot down the line!
By BrandonC
April 3, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I will agree with a lot of you about Bobby using to many pitchers, but I think he did it last night because it was such a tight game until the 8th inning. In that situation I’m completely fine with going righty/righty or lefty/lefty. He probably could have used Bennett another inning, but I’m not going to complain because everything worked out fine.
This offense is going to be amazing this year, it will be fun to see how many runs they end up scoring. Every guy in the lineup can hurt you at any point on any given night. And I think Teixeira will finally get going after that bomb last night. It’s really exciting to see Frenchy working the count to 3-2 as well. He hit a couple of balls to right field and that shows me he’s primed for a big year. And this Escobar kid is something special. He’s going to have a huge year/career.
By Turn2
April 3, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.
GO BRAVES!! Good luck Hampton!
By VaBravesfan
April 3, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Over the long haul, Prado may not hit as good as Johnson. But I don’t hold my breath when a ground ball is hit to second when Prado is out there. I am glad I don’t have to decide who plays and who doesn’t.
By Algenis
April 3, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
I seriously think we should be 3-0.Tim Hudson pitched a great game in the opener and so did Tommy. The bullpen was ‘OK’ but I think Cox might be using it alittle too much.I was very impressed with the rookie last night and the bats are coming alive now and Iam looking forward for tonight with Hampton on the mound.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
VaBRAVESFAN:
Did you see Prado here in Richmond? I think his hitting is twice around the league. Then the sheen is off. Those ML pitcher’s books are pretty good. But that said, he hit .301 here last year, and if you know anything about “the Diamond” you know how hard that accomplishment is. I think Prado’s finally arrived. Third time’s a charm in the majors. His fielding is improved over last year. I thought Lillibridge the better glove man, and Martin the better hitter at this stage in their relative developments. Winter ball was good for Prado I guess. Guess he knew this was his chance and he is seizing it. Carpe diem as it were. Good luck to a good guy.
By Eric from MO
April 3, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Im a huge Bobby Cox fan but he is going to kill our bullpin by May, not August. This is ridiculous. Didnt Smoltz say back when he was in the bullpin the hardest thing on his arm was warming up for the game. So stop warming up so many pitchers. Can we please bring back Leo Mazzone to handle the pitching. The Braves never did want to give Mazzone the credit that he diserved and I never understood that. Do they believe it was meerly a coincidence that our pitching got severely worse when Mazzone left.
By frank thompson
April 3, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
great game ,this is going to be a great year for die hard brave fan, being out fo the playoff for two year and finishing third that,s not for the awsome brave welcome back tomhawks go let the met feel your wrath.
By PEPr
April 3, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Great read, Wiregrass Gal! As most of us know, Bobby Cox is a great tactical manager; he also is a great stategic manager. The way he is using the pen is not always just for the game at hand but to determine the long term use of the members of the staff. Example, a roster move, barring an injury (God forbid) is going to happen when Smoltzie comes off the DL. Who stays? Who goes? To make the best decision, pitchers must be used. In my observation, Bobby doesn’t play favorites; he must keep the most effective pitcher for the right circumstance, that’s part of his success. He definitely is a HOFer.
By frank thompson
April 3, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
i have a brother in law that a brave fan and know he glad to see this year start off with a great way.bobby cox is and excellent manager he know the in and out of baseball so don,t be to quit to judge his manage abitiy.
By Greg
April 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
PEPr is right. Cox is using guys who are young in a lot of different roles to see how the bullpen will shake out. His most experienced relievers are Soriano and Ohman. He needs to see what that kids can do.
Also, when a Brave fails, Bobby will get him back in the game as soon as possible. He won’t let a guy stew in the juices of his mistake. Since the whole bullpen screwed up on Monday, he gave them all a chance on Wednesday.
By ChampDawg
April 3, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Do we have a starter that can go more than 5 or 6 innings??? It doesn’t look like it!!!
By Hud47
April 3, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I really like Prado over Johnson. Smoother fielder, more range, better at the plate. And pop? I believe he hit a triple to start off last night’s game. I’ve never been convinced by Johnson. Better to trade him for another arm for the BP.
By Cooper
April 3, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Bobby is great in many ways but saying he is a great strategic manager is a stretch.
He overuses the pen from almost day one every year and the results speak for themselves.
His style relies on pitchers who can pitch 1-2 run ball for 7+ innings.
When he has to deal with pitchers who come out in the 5 or 6th inning he micromanages the pen and burns it up.
The game has changed re: starters and the pen but Bobby’s “strategy” has not.
This is not a put down as I think Bobby is clearly a HOF guy but he needs to evolve his approach if the Braves are to make the postseason.
By bravedawg
April 3, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Jair is going to be strong, I think Hampton will be back and once Smoltzie takes the mound we are going to be tough for anyone to face. I don’t think we should worry about the starters going only 5 or 6 innings either. Remember we are not even a week outside of Spring Training and despite our blunders the bullpen is talented and will come around. Bobby is just trying to make sure we don’t push it to far on our starters right away. Ease them in, I mean Hudson went 6 and only had around 80 pitches, Glavine is getting up there in age, Jair is a rookie and Bobby wants to keep his confidence high. They look good, and we haven’t even clicked yet. When we do and we will, Watch OUT! Go Braves.
By ChampDawg
April 3, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Keep Prado at second. Trade Kelly Johnson and Kotsay for a real centerfielder. I don’t think Kotay has the skills/speed for the position nor enough bat.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
HUD47:
Better hold off on that assessment on Prado until he’s been through the league a few times. Johnson’s got what it takes. That said, Martin’s vastly improved over what he showed here in Richmond last year.
By Hud47
April 3, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
I agree with you ChampDawg about Johnson, but I think Kotsay is good for right now. He’s no Andrew, but he’s very fundamentally sound (e.g. Monday night’s throwing assist), and if he can hit .260 and drive in 70 runs, that’s fine.
By Chop Chick
April 3, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the props, PEPr — glad you enjoyed! And I agree with you completely, Cooper. Great point about Bobby needing to change his approach. Not to keep ragging on him after a great win, but just to clarify … those observations weren’t based on three games; he’s had issues with relievers for YEARS. I hate to bring up a bad memory, but the ‘96 World Series has to be the worst example. And the main reason Bob Wickman is no longer with this team (not that I’m arguing for his return, mind you) is that he went off on how often Bobby had him warming up. This isn’t about Leo or Roger … Bobby makes these calls.
By Hud47
April 3, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
richbrave:
I hear what you’re saying about Johnson: he’s a good player, but I just think that, given the opportunity, Prado will be the better player. It may be next year, but I think that he’s ready now.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
CC:
I think your point regarding Bobby’s use of the bull-pen is moot. He’s still in spring training, getting them work and comfortable. Seeing them in situations so he will have a line on particulars when it really counts later in the season. Remember trades can still be made now to improve the team. How to know what moves to make if you’re not familiar with their heads. Cerebral is 50% at least. Cox already has a line on physical. And he does like to throw a player back into the breach when they fail to see how the mental acpects of the individual shake out.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
CC:
WICKMAN?!! He was done. Toast. The league was lighting him up like a pin-ball machine. Complaints about warm-ups were just the last straw. Drunk, fat, and stupid is no way to go through life son (Dean Wermer-Animal House).
By gotigers72
April 3, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I agree that too many bullpen pitchers are being used, but it is not necessarily Bobby’s fault. Glavine only went 5, and Jurrjens only went 5 1/3. Same problem as last year when the starters could not go long enough to keep the bullpen from being eaten up. But it’s early, the starters will begin to stretch out the length of their starts before long.
Loved the way Jurrjens pitched, he just ran out of gas too soon. Love the way he goes after hitters. He said in a post game interview that the thing that bothered him the most was the walk he gave up. Love that attitude! He only gave up one walk, but it bothered him.
I told some friends and fellow Braves’ fans before the season started that IMO Prado should be the starting second baseman. Better defensively by far than KJ, and also will have a better on base percentage and a lot less strikeouts. An almost perfect leadoff hitter. He scored 3 runs last night, which is what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do. I don’t expect Bobby to keep Prado in there when KJ is healed and ready to come back, but IMO Prado is a better overall player.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
One thing to point out. Looking at a reliever’s lefty/righty splits is very misleading. Typically when a reliever is left in against an opposite hitting batter its because either A) the batter is a weak hitter generally or B) he doesn’t light up opposite handed pitchers. The more relevant stat is not how the pitchers throws against righties or lefties, but the batter he’s facing and how he hits against righties or lefties.
The guys Bobby switched for last night were neither weak hitters and they generally either hit much better against one side or hit for much more power. It was a one run game in a game we really needed to get a mental reset after the mess of the previous two games.
By This weekend
April 3, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
The braves need to be getting more than 6 innings from their starters this weekend if they want to play with the mets. The bullpen isn’t improved enough that the team can live with 5 inning outings and have a chance. Glavine hasn’t been a 6 inning guy in 2 years, Jurrjens probably won’t be for the majority of his rookie season, hampton hasn’t reproven he can go deep into games yet, and smoltz has been going less every season. I see this team running into the same problem the mets did last season.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Cooper, you say the results speak for themselves? Like having the second best bullpen era last year when the starters threw the second fewest innings in the NL?
Those results?
By Lee in S. GA
April 3, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Not sure about Prado replacing Johnson just yet. Heck Johnson may be only be behind Utley as the best hitting 2nd baseman in the N.L. His defense should only get better.
By jeff
April 3, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Hampton won’t make it to May Day. Why not go young with the rotation? Move Johnny to the bullpen, and add a couple more Jurrgens type kids to the starting five? That’s what the Braves did in 1990, by the way, and it sure worked then.
By Proud
April 3, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Im really proud of the Braves last night. They got some rest and got their mojo back. Now, keep believin in yourselves(even when we fans get cranky). We know how much you Braves want to win. We do too!!!! Lets win tonight and then kick sum Mets azz this weekend. BOOYAH!
By Bobbymahlon
April 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
I think Cox was on the brink of blowing the game last night leaving JJ in too long. He had pitched great for 5 innings and at this time of the year pitchers are not programed to go much longer than that. You could see he was sruggling and not making quailty pitches. I agree he may use too many relief pitchers but I think at this time of the year he may wants to give everybody work. I thought he would have pitched Bennett in the 6th as he pitched to only one man in the 5th.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Gotigers,
Prado will have a higher OBP? The only thing that’s higher around ehre is you.
Last year Kelly had a .376 OBP in the major leagues. Prado has never had an OBP above .374 at any point in his career, majors or minors. Kelly has had that or better 5 times.
There are valid reasons to say maybe Prado should get more playing time, mostly having to do with defense and Kelly getting tired, but OBP just isn’t one of them. Kelly is one of the better OBP guys in the NL and will only get better as he develops more power (and thus hits more uncatchable balls, plus pitchers pitch more carefully to him).
By FJR
April 3, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
where are these magical jurjjens type guys that you seem to think grow on trees?
Jo-Jo Reyes?
By Edd
April 3, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
PEOPLE !! Are ya’ll not micro-ing everything the Braves do ? It’s easy to second guess, the hindsight 20/20 thing ?!! Lets talk about the great moves Bobby and the Braves make starting back to batting Fransisco Cabrara in the Braves biggest game ever and Bream scoring, that was a great move. It’s like anything else, when it works, it is a great move, when it doesn’t we all say “we” would have done something else. So just enjoy the game , if ya’ll are such great managers, why aren’t ya’ll coaching in the big leagues, oh I forgot , too busy watching someone else coach your kids in 11-12 year old little league,, jus saying.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
one thing I find kind of funny. ESPN permanently lists Mike Hampton as day to day for fantasy baseball purposes, regardless of if he’s actually injured or not.
By Jason
April 3, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Can we please lay off of cox? He has always played the percentages like that, not to mention he’s trying to get an idea of who needs to stay and who doesn’t. He only led us to the playoffs 14 season in a row! That being said, great game last night. The whole team looked awesome. Imagine the pen when we get gonzalez back!
By NailinThisCoffin
April 3, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
hahahahah you braves fans need to stop laying out in the sun, watching nascar and hitting on your sister. i think the rays are starting to effect your brains (or lack thereof).
You drop 2 in a row to the Nats and Pirates who both BLOW
By NailinThisCoffin
April 3, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
hahahahah you braves fans need to stop laying out in the sun, watching nascar and hitting on your sister. i think the rays are starting to effect your brains (or lack thereof).
You drop 2 in a row to the Nats and Pirates who both BLOW, finally win ONE game and the Braves are awesome! Love the offense and love Jurjenjenjenns. Gimme a break. Its one game vs a terrible club, and one game for your pitcher as well. Take your small packages and put them back in your pants…stop beating off to your Chipper posters.
No one on your starting staff goes past 6, and your bullpen which sucks…will be burnt out by the allstar break, and blow game after game. Your optimism is disgsuting and unrealistic. Atlanta is the crappiest sports town around…and so are you hillbilly trailer park fans. Hawks? Falcons? hahah nice try. Braves will choke it up again this year and miss the playoffs.
Mets bullpen is one of the best in the game right now, they’ve let up 1 run in 3 games…and their top 3 starters are stellar. Thats right, Santana, Maine, and Perez….who owns you in every way.
Suck it Atlanta. Its the Mets year to dominate, and they will start that Friday night in trailer trashville aka Atlanta. Stick to your Nascar and peach picking. The south sucks. Everyone knowns it.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
nailin this coffin,
Since you want to take some pot shots at intelligence, lets lay it out there.
I go to a top 10 law school (university of Virginia), I graduated college with a 4.0 and a double major in math and economics and I was a national merit scholar.
Making stereotypes is easy, but you should be able to put out when you’re called on it, otherwise you’re just some snivelling 30 year old using his mommy’s computer fromt eh basement. If you’re so much smarter than all of us, then now its your turn.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
also, braves choke it up again and miss the playoffs. What did the mets do lat year?
I mean if you’re going to call the braves on something, its kind of dumb to call them on something the mets did too.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
With all the monday morning managers we have around here, I thought some might get a kick out of this.
top 10 things Braves bloggers would do to ruin the franchise, if they had any say
By Jeff321
April 3, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
“It’s like Bobby Cox isn’t satisfied until someone blows it; he’ll just keep going through guys until he finds the one who doesn’t have it.”
That is the best quote this year! But, don’t fret, Bobby WILL find another loser.. And if he has to, he’ll send down one of the better guys to make room.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
JEFF:
Which tree should we pick these Jurrjens-type pitchers from? Your ball. Later.
By Jason
April 3, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Nailin this coffin,
Wasn’t last year the Mets year to dominate???…..hmmmm…..seems like they choked.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
LeeinS.Ga.:
How do you like our new CC? Much better don’t you think?
By George "Boston Braves" Spitz
April 3, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Martin Prado was second in the International League in hitting last year,316,and made just 3 errors.
By Cooper
April 3, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Bullpen ERAs matter more than postseason wins?
The results I speak of = no playoff appearances (last few years) and the string of one and done in the Wild Card round.
The key metrics for a team are overall W/L and postseason performance not ERAs or BAs. They are important but they don’t tell the whole story.
A pen can start off strong & put up great ERAs #s only to peter out in August/Sept. Averaged together the year end stats look good but they don’t reveal the petering out period where playoff hopes are often lost.
Over the course of season a pen or player can have good stats but that can be deceiving.
By Eric from MO
April 3, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Prado may be better defensively than Kelly but come on, he is not a better hitter. Hud”And pop? I believe he hit a triple to start off last night’s game.” A triple normally has more to do with speed.
By FJR
April 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Cooper, you can easily make the case that we would have never had playoff hopes to peter out if the bullpen hadn’t been so good early on.
Last year was all about how few innings the starters pitched, not how the bullpen was managed.
Bad things happen to a bullpen when your starters give the second fewest innings in the NL.
Yes, W/L are the bottom line, but if you’re blaming one aspect of the team, then the stat they are directly in control of (their ERA) is much more important than the teams overall W/L. By your logic, we could say Chipper and edgar renteria had bad years last year because we didn’t make the playoffs.
By Cooper
April 3, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I am not blaming any one area per say what I am say is Bobby is not a strategic guy.
Whether its starters who flame out after 4-5 innings and crush the pen or a pen that comes in during the 8t-9th inning and blows the game is secondary.
My point was when the yogurt gets deep Bobby doesn’t adjust as well as he could and as a result the team has been less successful as a result.
He has a playbook and sticks with it no matter what. The game has changed and mgt strategy needs to as well.
By NORTHGABRAVESFAN
April 3, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
IT LOOKS LIKE THE BRAVES ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT SEASON. AND I’M GOING TO ENJOY WATCHING THEM PLAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.GO BRAVES.
By justin
April 3, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Not to be rude but you’re off on the Bullpen situation. We have an extra arm out there. Bobby is trying to get all these guys a chance to show their stuff on the big stage before Smoltz comes off the DL. I haven’t read anything above, but I think you’re really reading the pen situation wrong.
By LivininAL
April 3, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
I’m not being critical of Booby But..Why use Bennet for 1 batter? That is not exactly the stereotype of the long reliever/spot starter.
By Eric from MO
April 3, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Cooper is right to a certain degree. Bobby is not a strategic guy. He is a laid back manager who players love. Since players love him, they do as much as they can for him. That is why his teams are always competitive. However in the game, he doesnt make the best decisions.
By Stuart
April 3, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
The link to the list was funny. Fans are fans, they say stupid stuff. However, Bobby and KJ are not beyond reproach.
How many times does BC run out of postion players before the other team? ALOT. How many times do we have no pitchers left and the other team have 2 or more left? ALOT.
Not to be rude, but if you have not noticed this over the years, you guys are not paying attention.
Relievers should not picth two innings each time or anything, but they can pitch to more than one batter when no one is on base or the braves are way up or way behind. Moylan can pitch to lefthanders under most circumstances. Ring can pitch to more than one batter. Bennett is the long man, not a 2 batter guy. That said, I understand getting him work last night, just in case Hampton struggles. I under stand playing the percentages when the game is close, but sometimes BC goes overboard.
Back to the idiot list. No one on here is saying trading KJ for a middle reliever. I think he is the ‘most’ disposable piece we have, i.e. there are adequate alternatives to him if the braves could acquire a must have piece, whether it be a SP, MP, closer, if needed.
Most GMs are not going to eat the Poo Poo platter in a trade. They do not turn off the trade filter and take Thorman and Yates for Nick Markakais. They have to have a piece that works. KJ probably has the most value because he can be a stud. I dont want him to go unless we get a stud back. Besides, he aint going anywhere, PERIOD.
By Lean
April 3, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Perspective? How can we have perspective after 3 games?
The game was to be expected - including the revolving bullpen door. I’m more interested in what this team will do when they play a real team. Sorry, but the Pirates (and the Nats) are below average. The Braves have yet to face formidable pitching or a decent lineup. So, these games have only made the Braves’ growing pains all the more disturbing.
I vote that we be honest with ourselves and not take all the surprising fanfare about the potential of this team too seriously right yet. Think about it: we’ve got one good pitcher in Hudson. Then, we’ve got the “Lordy, Lordy look who’s 40” club. Then the rehab nightmare. Then Jair - who should be good, but you know he’s going to have the essential bad outing stretch here and there.
That’s my perspective. At least I have faith in the lineup.
By M
April 3, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Let’s see 3 games played. 159 to go. Right? It is way too early in the season. There are problems to addressed and roles to be set but not time to hit the panic button. We’ll know alot more in mid-May than early April. As much as I respect Smoltzie, Tommy, and Hamp, I’m not sold on their durability. Father Time has to come knocking sooner or later, right? Got my fingers crossed that the Bravos will give us a summer to get excited about and a reason to cheer into October.
By richbrave
April 3, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Braves up bottom of the third. Bases full of Braves. 2 out. 3-2 count. Clint Sammons whiffs on a high fastball. Go to the top of the 4th.
By bobby
April 3, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Maybe you can’t argue with success but BC’s handling of pitchers has cost the Braves more wins over the years than he has won.