AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves can see top of NL East from here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If the Braves had been playing in Florida last night, Dan Uggla’s ninth-inning drive down the left-field line would have been fair by inches instead of foul by inches, and the game would have ended with another late-inning collapse.
But because they were at the Ted, it was foul, giving Yunel Escobar the chance to be the unlikely hero with his first career walk-off homer, a two-run shot in the 10th. Escobar’s blast also bailed out John Smoltz, who gave up two runs in the ninth in his first bullpen appearance since 2004.
The Bravos are now 23-7 at home and a Major League-worst 7-21 on the road. But the really amazing thing is that if that trend continues during this homestand (and with breaks like they got last night, it looks like it should), they could actually head out on the road in first place next week.
Atlanta trails Philadelphia by 3 1/2 games and Florida by 2. The Braves have three left with the Marlins in this series, so they could pass them and potentially head into the weekend series with the Phillies less than three games out of first. They’ll have to play their butts off to move into first, but we know they can do that at home.
Here are the pitching matchups for the rest of the series:
Tuesday: Jorge Campillo vs. Burke Badenhop — Campillo has given up only one earned run in the 15 innings he’s thrown since moving into the rotation on May 20.
Wednesday: Tom Glavine vs. Mark Hendrickson — Glavine got a no-decision after allowing only two runs over six innings in his last start, against the Reds on Friday.
Thursday: Jair Jurrjens vs. Ricky Nolasco — Here’s hoping Jurrjens can bounce back from his roughest start of the year on Saturday, when he gave up six runs on nine hits and six walks in 4 1/3.
I think they stand a good chance of winning two of the next three and positioning themselves well against the Phillies, which (provided Tim Hudson’s hammy is OK) could give them a shot at first.
How do you think this homestand will play out? Can the Bravos actually take over first place or is that too much to ask, even with their incredible play at home?
Upcoming TV Schedule
Tuesday: vs. Marlins, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Wednesday: vs. Marlins, 1:00, Peachtree TV
Thursday: vs. Marlins, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Friday: vs. Phillies, 7:30, Peachtree TV
Saturday: vs. Phillies, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Sunday: vs. Phillies, 1:30, SportSouth/TBS
Permalink | Comments (66) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By ChopGal
June 3, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Anyone know what happended with the home plate umpire last night? The radio announcers said he got very upset about something and was dropping the “F bomb” repeatedly so loud that many fans could hear it?
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
CC,
If we win 3/4 from the fish and 2/3 from the phils, i’ll be happy as heck! That is a lot to ask, though. these two teams are battling for first and aren’t up there b/c they’re slackers…
The phillies are hot right now, and need to cool off in the next few games before they get to the TED.
BTW, i’d like to see Utley hit homers at the TED, where the fences are not 52 feet away from home plate…
gooooo braves!
By Jim H.
June 3, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
The Braves don’t deserve to be in as good a shape as they are. Luckily the rest of the division is pretty mediocre too. With all the injuries, road woes, etc. — we are still within spitting distance of the division lead. Hoefully they can get their sh__ together and start winning on the road. And….WHY THE HECK IS BOBBY PLAYING NORTON INSTEAD OF JOSH ANDERSON, AND WHY THE HECK IS BLANCO NOT LEADING OFF?!?!?!?….GRRRRRRR!!!
By jukeandjive
June 3, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
I’ll be happy with 5-2 for the homestand. That probably puts within a game or so of first or possibly on top.
By geekboy
June 3, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
I like the Braves chances. They might not own first place in the division this week, or even this month, but they have more depth than any other team … and over 162 games, depth wins.
Prepare to laugh out loud, but I read somewhere that Hampton will be pitching from the mound this week. IF he could return to the rotation and be halfway effective, it would be a huge boost. (Hudson, Glavine, JJ, Hampton, Campillo/Reyes looks good to me!)
As bad as our power numbers are from the power spots, I think they HAVE to improve (Tex, Frenchie especially). That could cure a lot of our one-run loss woes.
The Phillies don’t have the pitching, the Marlins pitching is already looking tired, and the Mets are a mess. Go BRAVES!
By southga brave
June 3, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Does Bobby have something against Anderson? Why does he not play him and Blanco in the same outfield? He has a lot of speed and between the two they could cover a lot of ground. It would be nice to see some baserunning threats in the lineup also. I am sure Bobby would still play station to station and wait for the 2-run homer. To put a little pressure on the defense is a lot to ask of Bobby. Is Bobby just in love with Norton in left field? With Blanco, Anderson and Kelly maybe we could manufactor a run on the road! Maybe if everyone would stop talking about the poor road recored the team might stop focusing on it also?
By fieldofdreams
June 3, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
The Braves may have their eyes on first,but they won’t get close enough to lay hands on it. I love the Braves but they’re obviously holding on by the skin of their teeth. Chipper ain’t gonna hit .400 all year. Just a matter of time before they hit a bad stretch and fade fast. Hopefully they’ll deal Texeira for a quality young arm.
By Rick
June 3, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Why are the next 6 games on Peachtree??? ugggg……….
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
fieldofdreams,
change your name to fieldofnightmares
the braves are young. they’re doing fine for being the 4th or 5th youngest team. as they get a little more experience, look for them to do what the marlins are doing…
let’s take this one series at a time…we’re off to a good start
By BravesFan
June 3, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
I am usually a Bobby Cox fan and although he admitted to not reading the AJC, he has got to know that EVERYONE is saying change the lineup. I think he is just being stubborn and doing it his way because he can. But it is stressful as a fan to watch the on-the-road meltdowns and embarrassing games. There is great talent on the Braves but Bobby needs Blanco as leadoff and Yunel in the #2 spot. I hope Chipper reads this and tells Bobby.
By NS from Kennesaw
June 3, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
No question about the telents, the Bravo has it to get themselves deep in to October.
But, other teams have talents too. Therefore, it would take the concentration and DECIPLINE of our talented players to get there. Making sure we do the little thing right (particularly offensively).
By the way, Does anyone know if there is any sport psycologist with the Bravo? I mean, the team is full of hard baseball skills and experienced and players and coaches, perhaps a little exposure to the softskills would help our guys to be more calm with their AB.
GO BRAVES !!
By KyleH
June 3, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Blanco Escobar Chipper Tex Francoeur McCann Johnson Anderson
Maybe? idk i guess it depends on whether pitcher is righty or lefty. I think Bobby should definitly try Blanco as lead off and if that doesnt work try Anderson. I think by putting Escobar in the leadoff, Escobar feels pressured to get on base and is sacrificing his power for easy contact swings. I also think Blanco would be a little more threatening on the base paths.
Blanco walks a lot and often trys bunt singles which makes him sound like a lead off hitter to me. I really like Kelly Johnson at #7. Kelly often hits for extra bases and doing this in the 7 spot would put people on in front of him and pick up some runs.
By notabravesfans
June 3, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Look all of you Brave fans of which I am not, but you have looked good so far at home. What you need to hope for is that your road trips will start to come around. Now to the negative part. I hear some of you say this team is one of the youngestin the majors, the only problem is your pitchers are some of the oldest get some young arms or the season might be over faster than you think. Good luck to you all, and pray for my Yankees.
By LivininAL
June 3, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
I like Norton and Infante but we need a left fielder- if our outfield is not gonna produce homers then we better have super defense and speed on the base paths.
By etownbrave
June 3, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Next 7 of 9 games + PeachtreeTV + DISH = NO TV COVERAGE FOR US OUTSIDE OF ATL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least we will get the games next week in Chicago on WGN. Thank goodness for radio!
By tv man
June 3, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
u may want to re-check those tv listings. i think some of the games are on SportsSouth and Fox Sports South.
By nahjay davnpooh
June 3, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
i like how this stupid woman begins the blog with an assertion of “if this game was in florida, uggla’s homrun would be fair” without explaining WHY. is it because of the dimensions of the field? the high altitude in atlanta? even if it appears common sense to her and should be common sense, you still have to back your assertion - that’s pretty basic.
then the rest of it reads “blah blah blah.” chop chick is an idiot. they should just skip her input and let us go straight to posting comments.
by the way, the braves are way more likely to start losing at home than winning on the road BECAUSE of injuries - both current and upcoming (i.e. you know chipper’s going down eventually), lack of pitching (the young arms aren’t going to bail us out all season) and the lack of offensive unity that has plagued the team all year.
hey chop chick, see how i backed my assertion? it’s not that hard.
YOU SUCK.
By dcp
June 3, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Ron H
Utley’s home runs would be out of any park knucklehead - do you even watch the highlights or just listen to the whining of people about the ball park. His home run last night ended up over the stands and into the bullpen - 420’. Last time I checked that would be out of any park. He also hits them no matter the pitcher - right or left handed. The Phillies hit home runs, no matter the stadium. And Utley is the best 2B in the league - you cannot discount that. If the Braves have any shot at winning the East they need to consistently hit the ball, home and road, as pitching in the NL East is a dead heat - everyone has 2 good pitchers and then 3 question marks.
By Chop Chick
June 3, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
tv man: I checked those listings in three different places, including the Peachtree TV site and MLB.com, ‘cause it didn’t look right to me either, but apparently that’s the case.
And, nahjay davnpooh, I’m so sorry you’re going through life without a sense of humor.
By lay off
June 3, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Nahjay davnpoop, there is no reasoning other than the luck difference for the Braves on the road vs. at the Ted. Use your eyes and brain together to gain understanding before ripping on someone.
By AJCFanatic
June 3, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Are you really questioning Bobby Cox? The guy won 14 consecutive division titles and always makes it interesting for us year in and year out.. You are writing on a fan discussion board because you are a fan and you don’t know jack about baseball compared to Bobby Cox
By nahjay davnpooh
June 3, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
hey chop,
pardon me for not getting the “joke.” i’m not glued to the tv enough to know there was an incident of a fair/foul call - the only one of those i know of involves yankee stadium. and again, if there is some kind of joke, it should be referenced for folks like me who don’t know what you’re talking about.
i probably have way more of a sense of humor than you.
By Manleychick
June 3, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
The Mets will win the division. Everyone thre dirt on them because they got swept in May. They will regroup and finsih. The experience from last September ill help them to avoid that collapse. The Braves will collapse. Not enough pitching. Smoltz to the bullpen really hurt the Braves. I pick them third in the division at the end of the year.
By HAL
June 3, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
that would be assuming chipper can read right???has anyone thought of buying francouer a book like the basics of baseballl/////did he play little league dont know about down south ya all but most places they teach swinging at strikes hitting cut off men backing up the other outfielders etc
By Eli
June 3, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
It is indefensible to keep playing Escobar in the leadoff spot when he is a much better hitter in the 2-spot and to keep batting Blanco 8th so he can keep getting on base in front of the pitcher. Blanco is a textbook leadoff guy!
By don
June 3, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Old Baseball Axiom: Win at home. Play .500 on the road. You’re in the playoffs.
By Carolina Matt
June 3, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Hey…uhh…davnpooooh…why don’t you go start your own blog and crankily rant about how much no one cares about what you have to say.
By NO MORE BOBBY
June 3, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Bobby Ball will finish no better than third place this year. I have already accepted that as long as Cox is manager we wont be seeing another series played in Atlanta. Oh whats that? The NBA Pistons just fired their head coach after 6 strong seasons? Wake up Braves front office and realize we might actually be able to make it back to the postseason with no Bobby Cox!!!
Cant wait for 2010 (but something tells me Cox might still be on the bench messing stuff up.)
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
hey DCP
Chase Utley: 21HR 15 HOME HR 6 AWAY HR
Chipper Jones: 12HR 6 Home HR 6 Away HR
Adrian Gonzalez: 17HR 7 Home HR 10 Away HR
Lance Berkman: 17HR 7 Home HR 10 Away HR
When you’re hitting HRs at a 3:1 (Home:Away) clip, that tells you something. Most of the top HR hitters are hitting HRs at a clip of close to 1:1
Not taking away anything from Chase…he’s having a great year. BUT, it is at a notorious ballpark. The phills lead the NL in HR for a reason.
Next!
By tj
June 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
To nahjay davnpooh
You say you back your assertions. First you say Chipper’s going down, then you say the young arms aren’t going to bail us out all season. I don’t see anything you said to back that up. Care to elaborate? And to all the people who want Blanco ( including Clueless Joe Simpson and Ronnie ( I tell you I was much better than I was ) Gant, to lead off. He is in a steady decline and hit .234 in May. Maybe Bobby wants to give him more time. I almost bet Bobby knows his players better than all who want to be managers.
By ChampDawg
June 3, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
You folks have apparently been watching different baseball than I have and/or been drinking the Koolaid too much.
The Braves will NOT win the NL East. The reason is plain and simple- the Marlins and Phillies are just flat out better teams. Based on what I’ve seen, this simply can’t be argued. Period.
The Phils are on track to win 93 games. The Braves are 30-28 (.517) with 104 games left. The Braves would have to win 64 of the remaining 104 games (.615). I see absolutely nothing about this Braves team that leads me to believe they can win over 60% of the remaining games.
It will take a big turn-around of the on-the-road funk, much better hitting from Francoeur and Tex, better pitching from Glavine, another starter, some help in the outfield, and a manager that knows how to manufacture runs when the game is on the line. In other words, they’ll have to become the Braves they haven’t been so far.
By Eli
June 3, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson has the third best OPS on the team, but Bobby doesn’t play him every day. Why oh why oh why?
By Matt the Brave
June 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Hey Eli, I think that it’s because Kelly’s still ailing a bit with those knees. Last year he played most of the season with knee pain and I think that Bobby’s trying to keep him from going down with bad knees…not sure, though.
The Braves will start to play better on the road, and I’m convinced that having Smoltz, Soriano, and Gonzalez in the bullpen will make that 1-run game record change pretty quickly. I also see the Braves trading for some starting pitching well before the deadline or signing Freddy Garcia. Could be an interesting week for the Braves if Huddy goes down for a while with the starting pitching. Glavine and Jurjens, then pray for rain?
By marcus
June 3, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
this is killin’ me. If we were 0.500 on the road, or even 0.500 in one-run games (combo of blown leads and rallies that came up short), we would be in 1st place. the road woes and 1-run futility are baffling, yet titilating IF we can turn things around.
By McRly?
June 3, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Come on now, Phillies fans…Ya’ll ain’t trying to sell us that same cart of horse manuer you’ve been peddling since ‘94 are ya? Seriously fellas… Ya’ll go ahead and get yourselves down in the cellar where you’ve made your home this last decade or so and relax. The Braves will take it from here.
By Maurice L Zackery
June 3, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
It’s not the Braves are getting blown out on the road. They just loose focus. I think after the All-Star game if they are in first place or a couple of games behind they will start to pull away. This is just like all the other runs they have made in the early 90’. Play 500 ball before All-Star break. Play 700 ball after.
By Newbs
June 3, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
The Braves have been playin great baseball the first 2 months of the season, but they need to play better to win the NL East. the Mets are gonna stay quiet for only so long, and the Marlins havent had anyone, to really bring them back to reality yet, and as for the Phillies its there Division race to lose. but it all comes back to one thing when it matters most. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching.
The Braves have the most pitching depth of any team in the NL East and if they can get their late inning bullpen woes in line they will be the team to beat, and yes i know are starting pitching is young and slightly inexperienced for the most part, but Smoltz and Glavine have a weallth of Knowledge to share with all those youngs pitchers.
If the Braves figure out the Late Inning Pitching Woes then they will be the team to beat in the East, maybe even the league, and thats assuming the combo of Gonzales-Soriano-Smoltz does what it knows how to do. Shut Down Hitters and seal the deal. when that happens i will see you all in the fall classic.
GO BRAVES!!!!
By Jeff321
June 3, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
AJCFanatic
The last two years we’ve finished in third place. What’s Cox done for us lately?
By lin
June 3, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
sorry peach tree has june 3rd thru 7th i feel sorry for ones who can not pick it up im moving to sc this summer and wonder how many i will miss any one can give me info. west side of state.most like be cable hook up. right now i got all of them on cable. course im big red sox fan as grew up with them hope get few them. i have gotten few here oh i know i can get sport channel but no can afford it.
By nahjay davnpooh
June 3, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
tj,
i backed my assertions, but i can further back my assertions, if you like. the young arms won’t bail us out all year, because, historically, there are only a handful of young arms in the history of the game that had a solid season from day 1 to lead the team to post-season success: fernando valenzuela, roger clemens and doc gooden AND that was two decades ago. campillo, jurjens and reyes don’t come close to that tab because they don’t have the pitching repertoire.
and since you have been living in a cave, chipper gets hurt every year, and he’s hanging by a thread this year, always being coddled, sitting out a game here and there, tweaking a hammy in batting practice, etc. they’re protecting him for a reason.
there you go, retard.
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
BTW, Jordan Schaffer is back. Went 2-4 with a triple, 2RBI and 1WALK in the Mississippi loss.
By Country boy
June 3, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Chop Chic
While I admire your eternal optimism I am not seeing this Braves team play much better than .500 this season. They fail to win close games and fail to win away games. My biggest concern is the “injuries”. Chipper is always grimicing in pain and is due to hurt something. Smoltz is taped together and will be hurt again before seasons end. Diaz, Glavine, Kotsay, Soriano have been out for many games. Moylan never got started and Hampton is content to only extend his arm in order to receive an undeserved paycheck. Somewhere along the line the GM or Manager needs to quit stoking these millionaires and tell them to play ball. The great players like Gibson, Ripkin, Spahn, Aaron played even when they had a little strain or discomfort - but not our Braves. We need to rename the team the *ussies. We have thousands of servicemen in the desert battling heat, roadside bombs, and bullets daily. I am sure they have aches and pains but they go to work and do their jobs for millions less than these Atlanta Braves babies. Save a few like Yunel, Hudson, McCann, Boyer this team needs to grow up and grow a pair of nads- ESPECIALLY Bobby.
By herschworld
June 3, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
the only thing worst than a mets fan is one that can’t spell..why in the world do melt fans keep showing up on this blog..Manlychick get your upper lip waxed and stay outta here!!Chop Chick I’m glad you like my Analogies hope that Sex and City movie was everything you hoped it to be and more..I can’t think of anything I’d not want to see more than a bunch of old broads talking about how they can’t get laid anymore BLA…as far as the braves I think we should win both series..Really like the match ups as far as pitching and looking forward to seeing Campio throwing tonight..He’s the closest thing to seeing Maddox in his prime we got..love junk pitchers ps CC try not to dumb down the blog oh wait that’s the whole point of this thing
By GLEP
June 3, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
I can realistically see the braves going 4-2 or even 5-1 over the remainder of this homestand and effectively tie or take over first place in the NL East.I can also realistically see them go 1-9 on the following roadtrip and contend for last place with Washington.
By timthebrave
June 3, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
To the people that talk about us having to win 64 and that being impossible then the Phillies would have to win 61 by that reasoning so what exactly is your point? What the Phillies have no holes? The Marlins are world beaters? The Mets are unstoppable? All of the teams in the East have holes and it will be a dog fight until the end. Go Braves
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
GLEP,
if the braves go 5-1 on the remaining games, i see them going 5-5 on the road trip. these two series will be a big confidence booster if we prevail.
now, if we go 3-3 or worst in the next 6 games, then i see the road trip being a disaster…
goo braves
By Bravphin
June 3, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
It is reasonable to have tons of faith in the brave ability at home. As of now, it is only place they can win. Even if they win every home game left on the squedule, and dont at least start playing .500 on the road, ending this homestand in 1st place wont last long. I dont care if they are in 1st place now. It is in OCT I want them in 1st, and that wont happen if they conitnue to play differantly AWAY from turner field.
By tj
June 3, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
To:nahjay davnpooh You seem to have a problem with anybody other than yourself who has an opinion. If being 66 yeaars old and folling the braves since before they came to Atlanta means I lived in a cave, so be it. As for as being a retard, I’d never call anybody that but you might want to look in the mirror. with all that said, you only gave speculation. Just because Chipper slipped on a wet field nobody should have been playing on, and got run over fielding a ball in the baseline does not mean it’s going to happen again. It may or may not. If I had a hall of famer hitting over .400 I would protect him too. He actually had a record of playing most of the time untill the last 2-3 years. As for as the pitchers go, thats an unknown not a fact. Time will tell.
Nice talking to you Mr. Nice Guy.
By BA
June 3, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
For more Braves stuff, check this out
By ChampDawg
June 3, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
If you don’t understand the math, go back to sleep. My point was that the Phils are “on pace” and thus far have proven themselves a hell of a lot more capable of winning 60 of their remaining 103 than the Braves of winning 64 out of 104. Duhhh!!!
By ChampDawg
June 3, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Hey Ron H— “Confidence booster” my @$$. Didn’t the Braves just win 6 or more at home or something like that at home to then turn right around and lose 5/6 on the road @ Brewers and Reds???!!! You don’t know crap about what you’re talking about.
By richbrave
June 3, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
CHARLIE MORTON is starting off strong tonight, blowing away the first six DURHAM hitters. Lest you think the BULLS are chopped liver, they took over second in the IL in hitting after the SYRACUSE CHIEFS fell to third place.
MORTON’s setting them up with heat and putting them away, last out with a nasty slider. In his last start against SYRACUSE, he used his curve as a very effective out pitch. Tonight its a mix so far; heat, change-up, and the last one a slider. This young man’s gonna’ be a hit in ATLANTA.
By richbrave
June 3, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
Anatomy of a strike-out. First pitch, MORTON’s 12-6 curve over, strike one. Fastball inside corner at the knees, strike two. Fastball outside, ball one. Fastball outside corner at the knees, sit down. “What does 3 up and 3 down mean to you airman” “End of an inning??” Good Morning Vietnam. Through five: 1 H (swinging bunt), 1 BB, 6 SO’s. DAMM, its Thanksgiving and CHARLIE’s carving turkeys.
By richbrave
June 3, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
10 days ago DURHAM BULLS blasted the R-BRAVES 12-2. Tonight R- BRAVES returning the favor 7-0 through 7 behind BARBARO CANIZARES 3-3 with HR, DIORY HERNANDEZ 2-3 and a HR, and MARK JURICH 3-3 plus a HR.
CHARLIE MORTON now starting to use that jug-handle curve for his out pitch. Through seven, three baserunners: 1 hit, 1 BB, 1 E, AND 10 SO’s.!!!!
By jeff
June 3, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Norton got lucky the infield was in.
By richbrave
June 3, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
CHARLIE MORTON finishes his turkey dinner by carving three steaks from the DURHAM BULLS. He blows away the side in the 8th and VLADIMER NUNEZ mops up allowing one hit with 1 SO.
CHARLIE MORTON’s line 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, O ER, 1 BB, 13 - THAT”s THIRTEEN So’s, . The man’s on fire.!!!! His season’s totals are becoming sick.
By Ron H
June 3, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
hey CHUMPdawg,
you watch. these (marlins and phils) are the two tough teams. i say the braves go 5-5 (or better) on the next road trip IF they (braves) have a successful home-stand. By successful, i mean 5-2 or better.
BTW, by you saying i don’t know crap, does that mean you’re a crap connoisseur?
=)
By GLEP
June 4, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
Frankly, I would consider a 5-5 road trip a vast improvement compared to the previous nightmares we have come to endure this season. You see the real problem of it all is that they play like BRAVES here at home, but on the road they play like squaws.
By Bravphin
June 4, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this
OK, I have some numbers for yall. If the braves continue thier road woes at the same rate, and win every single home game from now on, they will win 92 games. Given thier road woes, it would be best if that was the best record in the NL, because if they get nto the playoffs, and dont have home field advantage , well, thats a GUARENTEED LOSS. An who thinks the braves will win EVERY SINGLE HOME GAME the rest of the way? Even if they do, will 92 wins win this div? If not woud it get a wild card? Food for thought.
By GT
June 4, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Did anyone else notice the trainer with the pill vial on tv when he was talking to Chipper in the dugout. Looks like Chipper had some pain last night. I know he didn’t want anyone to know Chipper was in pain, but he looked like he was caught in the act when he realized the camera was on him.
By ct
June 4, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
This blog is good entertainment. As a Mets fan I have no reason to brag, but the Braves, Mets, and Marlins are not winning anything this year. Philadelphia has the best lineup and bullpen in the national league, bar none. With Hamels and Myers (who you have to figure will turn it around) at the top of the rotation, there is no way the Braves or my Mets will hang with them over 162 games. Now it looks like their 3-5 starters are pitching a lot better as well..As a REALISTIC fan, they are by far the class of this division. With Smoltz finished, the Braves are going nowhere. Other than Hudson, they have no proven pitchers who have thrown a ton of innings. Dont give me Glavine either, look at this stats the past 3 years, he is washed up. Unless we get lucky and a bunch of Phillies get hurt, they are winning the division by 10 games.
By Tomy Fournier
June 4, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Atlanta…in the first place….Mets…second place…Phills…..third place…that’s bigining the second half…andddddddd….Mr. Cox OUTTTTTT….UH…THAT COULD BE GREATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!! GO BRAVE…..WITHOUT MR. COX!!!!!!
By NO MORE BOBBY
June 4, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Ok it’s obvious Im not a Bobby Cox fan and today in the ninth inning I realized I am not alone. When Cox came out of the dugout after the go ahead 2 run homer the remaining crowd let Cox have it with a loud display of BOOOOO!! Thank you!! Nice to know others realize he is washed up as a manager too. But the realization is he is in “control” of this team and he is old. Old people are set in their ways and will not change. So forget him making the changes needed to compete for the NL East. In his mind it is 1994 and his manager tricks still work. THEY DONT!!
I watched him after the 2 run game tying homer today and you could tell he knew he was supposed to go out and remove whats his name (he is such a scab pitcher I wont even say his name) but in selfish Bobby Cox mode he watched the lead get away on the top step of the dugout. Then walked out there in his slow grandpa walk after it was too late.
Going to a Braves games can still be fun (guessing which cap the ball is under on the big screen) but I have come to realize going to Turner and cheering for another NL East pennant is just a waste of time with Bobby Ball.
Cmon 2010!!!
By richbrave
June 4, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
Couldn’t get the R-Braves game on the radio. Rain-out I guess. FRANCISLET BUENO went on the DL yesterday. Another arm down for the count.
Yesterday:
BARBARO CANIZARES goes 3-5 with a bomb to straight-away center. You know, the majestic fly-ball type.
MARK JURICH 3-5 with another blast to left-center.
DIORY HERNANDEZ 2-5 with yet another round-tripper.
BRENT LiLLIBRIDGE another 0-fer night as lead-off hitter.??. Nightmare season for the young SS. Mucho errors as well.
By Ross
June 6, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
Posted 6 Jun 08, just after the humiliating loss to Philly … too bad Kelly Johnson doesn’t get the loss in the record books for his crap play. Chalk up this year as failure, with exception to Chipper’s feats so far.
By John
June 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
An honest appraisal of the Braves is that they do not have the ability to win or, more significantly, the will to win. Why is this kind of play and management being tolerated? Why do the announcers and press not give the whole operation hell? I am a baseball fan and a Braves fan, but I want to see some intelligence applied to the situation and none is in evidence. Yikes!!!!