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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > July > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves still have a chance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since the Braves were scheduled to play their 100th game Tuesday night in Miami, this is the optimum time to explain why those choppers and chanters should stop exchanging their foam-rubber tomahawks for ones shaped like white flags.
It’s not over.
For one, the fourth-place Braves have 62 games left to discover ways to become the first-place Braves. Then again, they could slump so badly this summer that they could eliminate themselves by Labor Day from snatching the National League East or a wild-card berth. “I don’t know if I’d say we have a good shot [at the playoffs],” said Braves general manager Frank Wren. “I think we’ve got a shot. We’ve put ourselves in a position where I don’t know if you can describe it as good. We have to play better to have a good shot.”
That’s true. Still, despite their various issues, the Braves have an easier shot at the playoffs than you think.
For instance:
• The Division: These are the same New York Mets who blew that seven-game lead last year with 17 games left to play. These also are the same Mets who exposed their lack of character earlier this season by playing just sorry enough to get the clubhouse-unpopular Willie Randolph fired as their manager.
The Philadelphia Phillies?
Not impressed. Courtesy of an offense that is home run or bust, the Phillies haven’t scored much in a month. They also could use another starting pitcher.
The Mets and the Phillies are ahead of the Braves, along with the Florida Marlins, among just two teams in the majors with 80 or more errors. The Florida offense also is flimsy since it depends on the power game, and it gets worse: The Marlins rank among baseball’s bottom four in team ERA.
• The wounded: Many of the Braves’ injured will become the Braves’ healthy down the stretch. That means they could become the Braves’ catalysts.
Just look at the impressive ways of reliever Mike Gonzalez since his return from the disabled list. So, in the coming days and weeks, the Braves should receive jolts of goodness from a combination that involves Rafael Soriano, Yunel Escobar, Matt Diaz, Tom Glavine, (dare we say it?) Mike Hampton and others.
• The odds: No way the Braves will continue to play this badly on the road and during one-run games. They began Tuesday night’s game against the Marlins tied for the third-worst record in the majors on the road at 16-32. They were a wretched 5-22 in one-run games, including 24 consecutive losses in a row on the road to top baseball’s old record by three and counting.
“It’s been our lack of run production, and everybody needs to step up just a bit,” said Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira. “It’s like one hit here, moving a runner over there, and those one-run losses turn into one-run wins.”
• The schedule: Let’s say the Braves get that road thing and that one-run thing together sooner than later. Let’s say they stay within striking distance of the division leaders. Let’s say the Marlins fade as expected and the Mets and the Phillies are NL East contenders by default.
The Braves would control their own destiny with six games each against the Mets and the Phillies in September.
• The manager: Bobby Cox, a future Hall of Famer, with 15 division titles, five pennants and a world championship.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By tvsportscaster
July 22, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Terrence I love your undying optimism, but if you think the Braves are going to win the division this year, then I want some of those drugs you’re taking.
By frustrated, inc.
July 22, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
terrance (your name should never be capitalized or spelled corrected): I don’t care because I am a citizen of the worst sports town in America.
By Skydawg
July 22, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
And most of all, Braves fans and baseball fans overall tend to forget, the Braves have been in far worse shape and far greater deficits to begin the second half. They still found ways to win division titles. The pitching has not been the problem even with a patched up rotation and pen. Its the offense that holds the burden of this 6 game deficit in the East. If this team gets healthy and finds a way to hit like many thought they were capable of, there is no reason this team can’t make a run in the 2nd half. And the Mets and Phillies have been prone to choke when a little pressure is applied. I’m not giving up yet, but the crack in the door is getting smaller and smaller.
By alex
July 22, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
If the Braves were in this position three, four, five years ago, we wouldn’t even THINK about selling. That’s because those Braves teams were still capable of reeling off wins in bunches. This team just doesn’t have that edge. There’s an overall lack of clutchness. Until we prove otherwise, we deserve to be tagged as sellers.
By TM is Terrible
July 22, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
It would be one thing if the Braves had to jump over one team to take the lead, but three? Another brilliant piece TM. When will the AJC finally smarten up and fire you?
By Terence Moore
July 22, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
To Tvsportscaster,
I didn’t say the Braves will win the division. I said they still have a better chance of doing so than folks may think.
Now whether they do it or not is another matter.
By night train
July 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Still waiting for the Fish to fade? Second time this week I’ve read a submission here at AJC without giving the Marlins their due. Here it is in late July, and Atlanta sportswriters are still waiting for them to fade? Exactly when is that supposed to happen? Hummer’s article last week mentioned the things the Braves needed to do to get in the race. Plenty of blah blah about the Phillies and more ofthe same about the Mets, along with some discussion about Braves injuries. Not once in the whole piece were the Marlins mentioned. I would be more worried about just winning games than about what other teams are or aren’t doing. Don’t worry about what you can’t control, just win what you are able to….save the ink.
By Blog Police
July 22, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Terrance, if you believe that all three teams that are above the Braves will falter, then you deserve the “your and idiot” award for the day!
I am a diehard Braves fan, that knows when to say uncle. It is time.
By dan
July 22, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
Well you have to remember that the Braves are dependant on pitching, which has been a pleasant surprise for rookies, but otherwise lackluster. The problem is that some of our players have forgotten how to swing a bat, which they make an obsurd amount of money to do. You want to win the division, bring in at least two players who hit with any consistency. Without that, it doesn’t matter whether we have Tex or not, we suck (sorta like we are doing right now). Is it time for college football yet?
By Jeff R
July 22, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Too many ifs to count the Braves in the division race. Plus, it’s too contingent on the Phils, Mets and Marlins folding. Whatever their deficiencies, each of these teams are playing better ball than the Braves.
And we’re counting on the likes of Glavine and Hampton for a Braves resurrection? Tommy was showing signs of decline late last season. He pitched poorly before going on the disabled list. Hampton…. pure crapshoot. I’d hardly pin my hopes on either pitcher.
Really, in the bigger scheme of things, 2009 isn’t that far off. I’d rather Wren get value for Super Tex and Ohman. Whatever the reports are now, both players’ values will rise as the trading deadline approaches. The Jurrjens deal showed that Wren can extract some really good value for a veteran player. He should be looking for some near-ready prospects that could help the team in 2009. Teams never have enough good young talent in the pipeline.
By Navigator
July 22, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Right Moore, just like Poland just before they were attacked from two sides. The Braves are toast!
By tommy
July 22, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Ya gotta believe! I’m with you on this. It’s still my team if they win or lose and I agree with you. If they get the walking wounded back and stay healthy they have a good chance. We have had an unbelievable amount of injuires this year to what on paper is a great team and I expected more out of. And your last factor never gets the credit he deserves. He is a great old school manager that never belittles a player in public and knows how to win.
By Don
July 22, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
It’s people like you who keep this mediocrity going.
The Braves have no chance, they are not a good team. The team must move forward, make some tough decisions, and move some impending free agents.
By Jay Stiltner
July 22, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
It’ll be an extreme long shot for the Braves to make the post season. However, they can turn this dismal season around, mainly because the NL East is so weak this year.
For starters, the offense has to show some consistent signs of life. Especially on the road. Despite only scoring four runs last night, the Braves proved that they are capable of doing what it takes to win with dominant pitching.
They could help their cause tremendously by playing small ball on a regular basis. Steal bases, bunt runners over, sacifice runners in scoring position with less than two outs and come up with some situational hitting. Eliminating errors and playing solid defense never hurts either.
I wouldn’t say I’m impressed with the Phillies, Mets or Marlins, but I’m less impressed with the Braves. I agree that the streak of one run losses on the road shouldn’t continue, but what have they done to make Braves Nation think any different?
It’s time for these Braves to make a stand. There is enough time left to make serious run, but it has to start on this road trip and continue beyond that. I was actually looking at the schedule last night to see when the Braves play the Mets again.
Just as Terence Moore said, the Braves do play the Phillies and Mets 12 times in September. The thing is that they play 3 against the Mets at Shea and then they play 9 consecutive games against both teams after a travel day. If the Marlins do find a way to slip, the Braves will have many opportunities to cash in against the two current division leaders. I’ll chose to remain optimistic and believe. The last time I checked, the Braves weren’t 10 to 15 games out of first-place.
By GT
July 22, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Terrnece, your impassioned exasperations aside, you haven’t provided one shred of solid evidence that says this team is positioned to improve.
“No way the Braves will continue to play this badly on the road and during one-run games.” - and why should they not continue the same trend they’ve established all season long? Because you simply say ‘enough’? Hey man, if your words carry that much weight, I wish you would have written this column about 2 months ago.
“Many of the Braves� injured will become the Braves� healthy down the stretch.” - And how is this supposed to improve their current detriments? Was Glavine’s performance as a starter this year materially better than our current #5? And who’s to say no one else will join the DL - isn’t this just as likely an outcome?
“Bobby Cox, a future Hall of Famer, with 15 division titles, five pennants and a world championship.” - This is as much a reason the Braves will improve as it is a complete sentence. Seriously, you think a guy who continues to keep a pair of .250-hitting outfielders in the daily lineup and Corky Miller on the 25-man has what it takes to manage anything?
Terrence, I want some of what you’re smoking. Really, I could use a vacation from reality. Between you and Bradley, things must be getting pretty goofy over at the Daily Planet.
By Chris
July 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
No, absolutely not.
Bases loaded with none out in the 4th against the FISH and they DO NOT SCORE.
IT IS OVER
THEY SUCK - SUCK, SUCK, SUCK
MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYERS DO NOT LEAVE THE BASES LOADED WITH ZERO OUT….PERIOD.
THE BRAVES NEED NEW PLAYERS, NEW COACHES, NEW MANAGER, NEW OWNERS, ETC.
YEAH, NEW FANS TOO.
2008 SUCK, SUCK, SUCK
By gayle
July 22, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
OK, the Braves were just shut out on ONE HIT by a Marlins pitcher with a 6.10 ERA making just his 4th start of the year.
For all of you here saying the Braves are going to pull this out…….
shut up! It’s done.
Now, can we start talking about building a winning team again??
By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN
July 22, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Terrance: Teams with sub-minor league talent and a “has been” for a manager don’t win division titles. What the hell was” swing at pitches over your head” Francoeur doing in the lineup again tonight? His at bat with the bases loaded was disgusting. He must have something on Cox to still be in the major leagues. Let’s trade him for Andruw Jones. Frank Wren should fire Cox and his staff tomorrow.
By Robert S
July 22, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Tonight’s game was a perfect example of why the Braves have absolutely no shot, and I think there might be a few on the AJC staff still suffering from delusional thoughts.
A guy just called up from AA no hits the Braves through five innings, and we’re supposed to believe this team has a shot?
The Braves loaded the bases with no one out and failed to score (again), with Frenchy and Kelly Johnson doing their usual “strike out with runners on” routine, and Mark Kotsay living up to my little pet name for him, “The Daily Pop-up.”
And we’re still supposed to believe?
The only thing that is a shame is that Bobby Cox will return to the dugout tomorrow night, and like clockwork he’ll keep putting the same guys in the lineup that have put the Braves where they currently are, where they deserve to be, and where they’ll wind up:
In fourth place, below .500, and without a prayer. Wake up, Terence!!