AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > August > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIf Braves make playoffs, they can win it all
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
We’ve focused on the wrong number. It doesn’t matter if the Braves catch the Mets. Going on recent history, it’d be better if they didn’t. The idea isn’t to win the NL East. The idea is to make the playoffs. In the wild-card era of baseball, that’s all it takes.
Four wild cards have won the World Series in the past decade. Only once in that span — heck, only once since 1989 — has the team holding baseball’s best record done it. Over the past seven postseasons, the playoff qualifier with the worst record has won it all twice; the team with the best hasn’t prevailed since 1998.
Because we’re conditioned to the Braves finishing first, we obsess over the division title. We shouldn’t. The number that counts isn’t 3 1/2 games, the margin of the Mets’ lead, but a single game, which represented the spread between the Padres, who carried the best record among second-place teams pending their result Thursday, and the Braves.
The Mets don’t have to fall apart for the Braves to have a chance at the World Series. The Braves have to finish ahead of only the Padres, who don’t have much hitting, and the Phillies, who don’t have much pitching, and the Rockies and Cubs and Brewers, who don’t have much history. Because at this moment, these Braves seem as good a bet as any to win 11 postseason games.
That’s provided they get there.
“Anybody could win,” said Bobby Cox, speaking of the playoffs in general, and pretty much anybody keeps doing it. The Tigers were considered dead last season after they blew the AL Central in the final weekend, and they wound up in the World Series. The Cardinals were, on the record, the second-worst playoff team in baseball history, and they reign as world champs.
This hasn’t been a classic Braves’ bunch. They’ve played a game over .500 since April 11. But they got a lot better at the trading deadline, and no other club improved half as much. There’s no reason this team as now constituted couldn’t be a postseason terror, not even the recent bullpen palpitations.
Case study: The Cardinals lost closer Jason Isringhausen in September last season. Adam Wainwright, the former Braves’ minor-leaguer groomed as a starter, saved four of those 11 postseason victories and didn’t yield a playoff run. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. If Bob Wickman and/or Rafael Soriano continue to wobble and Octavio Dotel doesn’t return, might Peter Moylan be this year’s Wainwright?
Asked if the Braves hold any doubt that they have what it takes to win in October, Jeff Francoeur said: “Absolutely not. There’s a big difference between this year’s team and last year’s. We didn’t make big moves at the trade deadline last year because I think we knew we didn’t have the team. This year we know we have the team.”
They have more professional hitters — meaning fewer flailers, Andruw Jones notwithstanding — than at any time since Fred McGriff and David Justice took their leave. They have just enough starting pitching to win 11 playoff games. Francoeur again: “We’ve got [John] Smoltz and Huddy [Tim Hudson], and that’s the 1-2 punch you need. You need power pitching in October. You need a couple of starters and a bullpen.”
At issue is whether the third, fourth and fifth starters can get this team past its 162nd game. (Thursday’s game wasn’t a promising sign, Chuck James yielding four homers in the first four innings to a Giants’ lineup missing Barry Bonds.) This writer’s belief that these Braves weren’t a playoff team was predicated on the gaps in the rotation, but rotations shorten in the postseason. If the starting pitching steadies over the next six weeks, this could be one crazy autumn.
If the Braves get in, they can win. Yes, it’s a substantial “if.”
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Comments
By Nick Hafer
August 16, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
right on! something special is brewing down at the Ted
By Nick Hafer
August 16, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
right on! something special is brewing down at the Ted
By Bobby Cox
August 16, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
We won’t win the World Series. I’m going to stick with Andruw Jones and let him strike out with the bases loaded a couple of times. I will also stick with my same relievers even when they are struggling so they don’t get their feelings hurt. Unfortunately they will cost us two games and we will lose in the divisional round.
By Colin
August 16, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
NICE JOB CHUCKY U BUM….
By Ralph
August 16, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
Dream on Mark Brad….ley. Takes pitching to win and the Braves don’t have enough, plus AJ in line up sticks. BC getting stupid in his old age. James just gives up 3 runs in 1st is good example of what I said. Mark didn’t I see you and Bond…….
By Georgian in CA
August 16, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
I thought we had a serious shot until this… The Mark Bradley Kiss of Death
By destin
August 16, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
After all the trades over the last couple of years, what pitchers do we have left in our farm system worth a September call-up?
By Colin
August 16, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Good job Bum(and i am not talking about andruw)…he is our starting pitcher..well not a pitcher more of a batting tee…get some give em back…thats a way…
By Colin
August 16, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
I guess Chuck can do everything right….you know give up 4 runs…and not get a bunt down…he is amazing…
By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)
August 16, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Bradley , if you think 84-86 wins are enough for the wild-card , then yes , you might have a valid argument. I think the wild card will take around 90-92 wins. At any rate , we will know by the end of this month for certain whether or not the Braves have any prayer of seeing the playoff’s.
By NEED A RACK
August 16, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
go braves
By Larry
August 16, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Did anyone notice the “can” in Bradley’s heading?
Now that’s courage, huh Mark?
By Blazing Saddles
August 16, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t get too excited Braves fans.
This is the same Mark Bradley who raved about how far the Georgia Tech basketball team would go in the NCAA tournament.
Not exactly Kreskin the Magnificent.
By ra
August 16, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
Bradley dosn’t seem too confident that the Braves can catch the Mets.
By gary
August 16, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Given every player is healthy in September and October, we may only wish Yunel Escobar could pitch as well as he plays infield. Of course, this can’t be. While I’m hopeful, we may be one good pitcher shy of a successful run. But next year really looks good and the fact is in that Liberty isn’t writing us off on their taxes as many originally feared.
By Gene
August 16, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
The Braves are playing pretty good ball in a very weak division. If they make the playoffs, we can be proud. However, in baseball the best team wins over seven games. I don’t see a World Series in the next few years.
By Bobby Cocks
August 16, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
At playoff time, the pecking order of relievers should be based on who’s hot/who’s not. If the closer is stinking, why force a square peg into a round hole? Tell the relievers; “the hot hand gets the closer nod come playoff time.” It would have a tendency to sharpen the entire bullben at just the right time, I would think…
By Gayle Abbott
August 16, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
The good part about the Braves getting in the playoffs is that all those Cardinal or Cubs fans will be able to see their teams in the playoffs.
Before you start saving up for the whole strip of playoff tickets, imagine this. NLDS tied 2-2, Cubs batting, trailing the Braves 3-2 in the eigth inning, one out, men on second and third, Derek Lee at the plate. Bobby has to pull Smoltz after 110 pitches. With the rest of the bullpen spent, in comes Soriano.
Do I need to continue?
The count goes to 3-0 and then Soriano has to throw a strike. Lee hits one that lands somewhere near Skip and Pete’s in the food court.
Cubs win 5-3 and the series 3-2. The Braves have yet another first round exit. The Leyritz curse lives.
By rocketman
August 16, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Bradley is usually dead wrong but this time he’s right. It won’t be easy but if we outscore Florida and Was like we should we will beat the Padres as they get beat up in the West and we squeak by the Phillies. Our offense is dynamite, excluding AJ (if only he went on a tear. Pitching stinks - its too bad we don’t have another option to go to when you can see James wqas going to give up 10 HR’s after number 3 and still we had to wait for number 4 before we pulled him. We won’t make it though if we don’t sweep some of these 3 gsme series against teams like SF - ripe for the picking. James never gave us a chance.
By Zathras
August 16, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
This Braves lineup will light up the back ends of other teams’ rotations. The aces, though, will shut them down. That as much as the weaknesses of the Braves’ own rotation is why they haven’t put together many winning streaks this year. Come the playoffs, they will only see the other teams’ best pitchers, so if they do get it they will be one and done.
By Me
August 16, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
The Braves have made the playoffs 15 times and won it all once. Bobby Cox teams always do poorly in the playoffs because they are poor on the fundamentals. His Toronto teams were the same way. The little things mean a lot when it’s crunch time.
By Nola
August 16, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Can someone tell me why you would rather trust 4 or 5 pitchers to all look good, rather than 2 or 3 to look good??
Got to have Diaz in every day, and more of Harris instead of Andruw. And go to a 4 man rotation. Quit using so many relievers in a game. Use Moylan more in crucial situations. And have Cox thrown out of more games. Can’t see it happening.
By Leon
August 16, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Gayle, This is 2007 not 1907. Sorry but the Cubs are a non-factor.
By kgod999
August 16, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
FIRE ALL THE AJC COLUMNISTS RIGHT NOW! From Moore sucking it up at ESPN at vicks expense, SHULTZ sucking it up from EVERYBODY’S problems, to BRADLEY doing the ultimate sin in sports, coping out by saying a wild card is as good as winning the division. Look, dont get upset because the braves, WITH Texiaria, STILL dont have the PITCHING to win it all. STOP, STOP, STOP, i see the games like you do. YOu made this post because we see the season coming to a close soon and the braves NOT making up any room on the Mets. I love atlanta teams, but truth is truth, the braves pitching STILL stinks.
By Gayle Abbott
August 16, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
Neither are the Braves, Leon.
By falcon80
August 16, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
Every time Andruw gets a hit, or even walks, it feels like a bonus. Like when a pitcher gets a hit or walks. I’d be inclined to agree w/Bradley except for the fact that I can’t remember the last the Braves won three in a row. If you bet against the Braves the game after winning two in a row this year you’d be rich. When was the last time Soriano and Wickman came in and mowed down the eight and ninth inning? Maybe the rest of the East aren’t much better, but I guess it’s possible we could be the ‘06 Cards.
By don
August 16, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
The Braves won’t win squat. They are no better with the heralded “Big Tex” than they were without him. the main change is in the fact that the minor league teams are losing more since all the prospects left for Texas.
By A--ville Ranger
August 16, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
Mr Bradley I want to comment on youe latest article on M Vick.The reason I use the language with you is I detect nothing really human in your writing.You say you have sympathy for Vick as a human yet you seem to have no humanity concerning the low life,sadistic actions by this person who is only human in a technical sense.I believe the reason nothing human comes through in your articles is because they accurately represent you.I truly think you’re a kind of empty vessel who more mimics than anything.
By Braves Fan 79
August 17, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this
Like ive said all year…the mets are going to do their thing…our main competition is the phillies, padres, cubs, diamondbacks. I like the padres because of maddux, but right now the Braves just need to beat teams there supposed to beat…and damn can we get a SWEEP once in awhile!??
By braint
August 17, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this
No pitching, no pitching, no pitching……you lose. Period. End of story. We have 2 excellent starters and 3 guys that are completely unpredictable. We should have traded for starting pitching or nothing at all. Let’s see - if we kept LaRoche he would have 18 HR & 67 RBI’s…..Tex has 18 HR’s and what, 64 RBI’s? Laroche can pick it better than Tex at first base. Would someone please explain again why we traded LaRoche? If we didn’t, we’d have Salty & Thorman (before his value dropped) to trade for a starter. Just a thought.
By Chief Nokahoma
August 17, 2007 5:05 AM | Link to this
All that’s well and good that any team that makes the playoffs is capable of getting hot and winning 11 games. And having four good starters doesn’t mean much in the playoffs where the off days and short series take away the advantages of a good third and forth starter. Nevertheless, we have to make the playoffs and with only two and half quality starting pitchers, the lack of a better than average forth and fifth starting pitcher is working against us. Without a solid 4 and 5, it is nearly impossible for the Braves to run off 5-6 wins in a row. As it is now, after Huddy and Smoltz, it’s a crap shot. Prime example, last night’s game with Chuck James.
In my opinion, the Braves are still a starting pitcher away from making the playoffs. With the wavier free trading deadline passed, the Braves will have to pull a Houdini act to sneak a quality pitcher past the other playoff contenders that are ahead of them in the wavier clearance line. Good thing we have a GM who is a master of these things.
By Reality
August 17, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this
I would like to get a ounce of whatever Mark smoked before writing this fiction. The Braves have never been worth a damn and never will be. They will be watching the playoffs on TV for many years to come. The usual story here ….
By Big Ed
August 17, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this
Look the Mets are in no better pitching shape than the Braves and have a weaker lineup. The Braves just need to keep pace with the Mets and then take care of business when they meet each other. They have 6 more games to play head to head. We know we can beat them. The last series in New York was great. I think Bradley is over rating the Mets and under rating the Braves. P.S. SIT ANDRUW DOWN.
By D-Cider
August 17, 2007 6:54 AM | Link to this
Most of you, including Bradley, are just smoking very high quality weed if you think this team is going to a WS title. Yes, Cox is right, anybody can win it, but anybody ain’t the Braves. They have proved that too many times in the past. They aren’t even going to make the playoffs with the starting pitching they have. This team has serious flaws.
By Charlie
August 17, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
The Braves are going no where. They are (at best) a third place team in the East. We have 2 starters, Smoltz and Hudson (and Smoltz gets little run support, and little bullpen help). Buddy C. would be a good 4th/5th starter, but no more than that. James is a joke…a two pitch pitcher, with 80’s velocity, NO ABILITY TO LOCATE, and lousy mechanics. What he has won in the majors, he’s done with smoke and mirrors. Lance C. is another who will give up 4 to 5 runs/ 4innings and be done. The bullpen has more tendencies to look like the 2006 version, than what was supposed to be a positive in 2007. Oscar V. showed what he is worth after the gopher ball James fiasco. Wickman,when on his best game, now turns 3 run leads into ties or loses. We trade for Dotel, and 3 innings later, he’s on the DL. And so it goes. The only way the Braves can put together a winning streak (after Smoltz and Hudson) is to score 30 runs in the next 3 games. This group of Braves will be heading home on October 1st because they can’t pitch.
By No Dawgs Here
August 17, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this
Mark, Mark, Mark…. sigh You are going to be SO disappointed. These are not the Braves of old. Fans need to realize that AJ is not the issue. Chipper is an average (at best) 3rd baseman. He salary prevents the Braves from obtaining a real good player and keeping him. Lose Chipper get a better team, it’s that simple.
By Sigh Young
August 17, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this
No Dawgs Here, your post at 7:54 may have been the most idiotic post in the history of the AJC blogs.
And THAT is saying something, my friend.
By scott
August 17, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
well leave a struggling pitcher out thier after he have already thrown 3 home run yeah bobby just sit on your azz and do nothing continue to let a very good outfeilder play who can’t hit a mellon when you have a 300 on base hitter sitting on the bench who can play that position well enougn to get you to a play off . yeah right the it don’t matter what position the braves finnish the regular season thier always be good old boy bobby holding this team back starting the wrong player out there. bobby have gotten to old for this game i like him but it’s time fo him to leave .
By ChampDawg
August 17, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Bradley— God, what a moron you are. That display of great talent that Chuck James put on last night is only one reason why the Braves will neither catch the Mets nor win the wildcard.
By JMar
August 17, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this
I’m just going to assume that No Dawgs Here doesn’t actually watch Braves baseball, because Chipper Jones will be in the top 10 in MVP voting this year while Andruw will be top 10 in LVP.
I think Mark Bradley has it backwards. He says that because of our recent history, we obsess over winning a division title. I think that because of our recent history, most people around here think like he does: that the division title doesn’t mean squat, and that all that’s worth winning is a world series. And that’s simply not the case. Maybe a world series win is the ultimate goal, but the first goal of every team every season in every sport is to win the division.
By ChampDawg
August 17, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
Another thought— hey Bradley, if winning the division wasn’t the goal and not all that important then why do the Braves proudly display those banners? Being the wildcard winner is like kissing your sister.
By E-Cider
August 17, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
D-Cider: You’re right on that Atlanta will not compete for a WS Title this year. The fatal flaw that you allude to is Bobby Cox. This guy loses in the playoffs because he makes zero adjustments from the regular season. The continuous playing of Andruw over Willie this year sums up why Cox has cost us at least 2 WS Titles and counting. The good news is that he will be gone after the 2008 season.
By Kelley
August 17, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
I completely agree with the article.
Pitching has got to improve (3-5 starters and bullpen)and maybe Andruw has been just waiting until the last six weeks of the season to get hot (I know, I know, but I can dream).
Once a team gets into the playoffs, anyone can get hot and win it all; just look at the Cardinals last year.
Above all else, never, ever count out a Bobby Cox team. He just knows how to win year after year.
I’m looking forward to a pennant chase that goes down to the end of the season for a change. Last year the Braves were out of it and for years before they have won the division title so easily; it will be nice to have the excitement in the end of September watching to see them get into October; and yes, the Braves will be there in October.
By Truth
August 17, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Until BC sits AJ and plays both Harris and Diaz at the same time. AJ is not one of our 3 best outfielders right now.
By Westsider
August 17, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
the Braves don’t have the starting pitching it will take to make it. Either the Phillies or the Padres will get the card
By Phil
August 17, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
You’re out of your friggin mind Bradley. Even if we make the playoffs, which is BIG if, have you forgotten that we have the worst post-season manager in baseball history, that moron Bobby Cox??
Can’t you see he’s already getting into post-season form by continuously using “Home Run Soriano” in the 8th inning in crucial games? Or sticking with Andruw when one of best hitters Diaz sits on the bench?
If we make the playoffs, our only hope would be that Cox gets ejected in the first inning of every game and then let someone else with half a brain manage. We might have a chance to go all the way at that point.
By S. Mauney
August 17, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
What I don’t understand is why JS did not look to get better pitching once the season started. He knew we were short on it when Hampton and Comier did not even make it out of Spring Training and why they even wasted their time on Redmon is beyond me. If no other team wanted him why did the Braves think he would be the answer. I don’t think they should have traded LaRoche, he is just as good as Tex and would be a whole lot cheaper. I hope that we can resign Tex because if we don’t then the trade was for nothing. I don’t think they gave Salty even time to learn first base. They gave Kelley Johnson the entire off season to learn his new position. Could they not have sent Salty bact to AAA and let him learn first base and then he could have started at that position in ‘08. JS should have traded for pitching and I am not talking about “before the deadline”, he knew we needed pitching at the beginning of the season. You cannot rely on Smoltz and Hudson to do it all. Unless the Mets, Phillies and Padres go thru a rut you can kiss this season goodbye, you cannot win a division with a win here and a couple of losses there. You have to have a winning streak of 6,7,8 games in a row which this team has not done.
By SRF
August 17, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
WOW - this is just hilarious.
For years the Braves cruised into the playoffs and then choked almost every year in the first round. (yes there were a few exciting years)
Now some of you are trying to convince yourselves that we can squeak into the wildcard somehow and then suddenly become hot in the playoffs, despite about 12 years of playoff chokes.
Sorry - just not going to happen - this band of misfits and mismanagement just will not make it.
Now if we had a manager who would sit Andruw… Or maybe buy him a Barry Bonds elbow brace ?
By monty
August 17, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I agree wth S. Mauney, I ssid last week that the Braves need a winning streak of some kind to get into the play-offs. Go 15-5 or 14-6. But it’s just hard as heck for these guys to sustain alot of momentum. I really thoght the trade would take them to the next level, but i guess if your pitching isn’t consistent you can’t get hot no matter how good your hitters are.
By Lee
August 17, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley spent about a thousand words to say if the Braves don’t lose, they can win.
Geez, I never thought of that. How stupid of me.
By ugapip
August 17, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
Braves have the hitting to get to the playoffs but do they have the pitching? A guy you may want to start watching in Manny Acosta. This guy looks good. Fastball moves and he throws in the low to mid 90’s. What do ya’ll think?
By Arkansas Braves fan
August 17, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
No Dawgs Here: I hope that their were Dawgs their when you posted about Chipper. Hopefully your Dawgs tied you up and posted for you. Have you actually seen the Braves record when Chipper plays and when he doesn’t? His .430 obp is just awful and his slugging percentage, batting average, fielding, this season is just horrendous.YAP, OKAY! Whoever is critical of Chipper this season should be sent straight to the funny farm.
By Ralph
August 17, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
I wonder what game Bobby Cox is in, when he said that Wickman was doing a good job. Bobby thinks that Andruw is going through a brief slump, that he’ll come out of it before the end of the year. He’ll most likely tell you that James had good stuff, he just gave up to many homers and barely lost the game. Someone in the Braves organization better wake Bobby up and bring him back to reality. Just because he set a good recorder for getting kick out of games doesn’t justify him blowing the season. It’s time to pull out all and play your best and if a pitcher gives up 3 runs replace him, relief pitchers can rest when the season is over. The bit about loyalty to the player has gotten way old and the fans are tired of hearing the same old bull of an excuse.
By ugapip
August 17, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
s. mauney, are you kidding me? Tex is one of the best 2 or 3 1b in the game. Yes, I agree that Salty did not get enough time to learn first but I think they were just trying to increase Salty’s trade value by playing him a little at first. Salty will play catcher for the Rangers next year. By the way, have you seen his stats so far with the Rangers. Not very good!
I do agree with you in that we need pitching help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ben
August 17, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
I wish I had your confidence, but I don’t. They will make it to the playoffs, but after that we’ll have to see.
By Phil
August 17, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Ralph, good points. That moron Cox doesn’t have a clue. I guess Schuerholz is just riding it out with Cox until they both retire. Cox would have longed ago been fired in another organization. Andruw is batting .215 for the year, not just the last month. Diaz is batting 343. Who would you rather see at the plate with runners at 2nd and 3rd, Andruw or Diaz? We all the know the answer to that, except that moron Cox.
It’s time somebody threw a bucket of cold water on Cox and wake him up. I’m sure he thinks Chuck James is another Sandy Koufax and Soriano is another Cy Young. Somebody wake this fool up.
By Dick
August 17, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS!!! I WILL TRADE YOU ANDREW JONES AND CHUCK JAMES FOR YOU WATER COOLER THAT LEAKS. I can’t beleive that Cox is sticking with Jones and James.
By BravesfanfromBama
August 17, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s dismal hitting isnt costing The Braves near as much as the SEVEN blown saves.
By D Lish
August 17, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Bobby “hear/see no evil” Cox claims he doesn’t read newspapers or read baseball stuff online. Why? Because he can’t handle the truth. Cox won 14 divisions largely because he had teams stacked with talent particularly in the starting rotation. Now that pitching has become a weakness, anyone can see that Cox is nothing more than an average manager. I can name plenty of managers that would have won many world series titles in the 90’s with the talent Cox had. One title is a slap in the face given our 5 trips to the big dance and the future hall of famers we had with us. Bobby’s an idiot!!!
By Phil
August 17, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
AMEN D Lish!!!!!!!!!
By Mark
August 17, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
I sure wish I could be that optimistic. But after the string of divisional series we’ve lost including losing 3 of the last 4 on our home field (and not even making the playoffs in 06), i’m not optimistic.
Somebody besides Smoltz and Hudson in the rotation has GOT to step it up or we certainly won’t have to worry about any playoffs….
By STRETCH
August 17, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Well here we go, the Bravos get the Hot Diamondbacks while the Phillies get the Pirates, the Mets get the Nationals and the Padres get the Astros.
To tell you the truth, i dont like our chances this weekend and i see a gloomy forecast for the standings come Monday. I really hope these guys can hunker down and do the job this weekend. Im really not worried about the NL East, but i think ALL OF US should be worried about the wild card!
By Lex Luthor
August 17, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
Have I missed something? Did we find a closer?
By JMar
August 17, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
I love the guys who are jumping all over Bobby Cox for sticking with Chuck James when a) there’s no one better to go to, b) the guy is just in his second full season, and c) it was just a few weeks ago that Chuck pitched five games and gave up five runs TOTAL. Bobby’s not imagining that Chuck can come around; he’s seen it already. And I’d rather send Chuck out there every fifth day than any of the alternatives. Heck, a number of posters were ready to trade Yunel (who has practically saved our season the last week) to get Bronson Arroyo, whose numbers are worse than James with ten times the contract. Y’all need to get a clue that starting pitchers don’t grow on trees and that Bobby can only work with what he’s got. And when you’ve got Hudson and Smoltz pitching 4 games in a series and we never have to see Cormier on the mound, the point that “if we can make the playoffs” has some validity.
By John
August 17, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
The 8th inning of Game 6 in the 1991 series against the Twins was a sign of things to come over the next 15 years. Braves had the lead in the game and the series and Bobby plugs in Charlie Liebrandt to face Puckett. For those who don’t remember, Charlie was a marginal starter with an 80mph fastball on a good night and almost no relief experience. Needless to say, Puckett drilled a HR to left center to seal our fate that night and in the series. I remember yelling at Bobby through the tv to pull Charlie before that first pitch was even thrown. Since that time, I have yelled at Bobby countless times to no avail. Problem is that Bobby is 100% loyal and 0% creative. Loyalty may work over 162 games but creativity is required for best of 7 series against great teams. That’s why Bobby will go down as one of the best in the regular season and one of the worst in the postseason.
By BUZZ
August 17, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
The Braves are a better team with Tex, Mahay and Dotel. Why are so many people so negative? Wow, I grew up here and this blog has too many people who are athelete wanna bees. If you do not like the team, do not watch.
By JJ
August 17, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
I think the way Chuck has been pitching. I would take a gamble with Boomer (David Wells). Sign the lefty for insurance purposes. He never had any run support in San Diego. I think he would do well in ATL.
By Matt
August 17, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
All the fairweather fans need to shut up!!! Get off of Andruw!! Its obvious the elbow and contract(dont care what he says about it) are bothering him.. Meanwhile chipper misses 26 games complaining about his wrist (or was it a pinky toe??) and then smoltz calls him out and all of a sudden he plays every day!! Yea fishy!! Andruw has been hurt since may and never complains (robbing homerun against phillies!!!) Get over it, he’s still the best defensive outfielder in the game!!! And dont care what any of u morons say!! Plays everyday because they pay him too(thats a quote). Ever hear Chipper DL Jones say that????
By KB
August 17, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
As much as I want it to happen - it won’t! We don’t have the starting pitching. Period.
Andrew is so un-clutch I can’t watch him bat. Opposing pitchers pitch him the SAME way every time. 1st pitch low, outside - he swings, 0-1. Second pitch, bouncer in the dirt, he swings 0-2. Next couple pitches he might weakly foul-off trying to protect the plate, or grounds up the middle for the out (or maybe 2).
By the way, I agree with John on the Liebrandt call. Puckett schooled him waiting for the hanger.
By Charles Cox
August 17, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
The best and surest way is to win the division. Too many teams are in the wild card hunt; Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs, Brewers, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Padres - not good odds!
Why does A. Jones continues to start. Harris in CF and Diaz in LF makes a solid 8! Why nor use Aussie as the 5th starter. Bobby Cox wastes so much young talent in favor of poor veterans!
By Phil
August 17, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
AMEN John!!!!!!!!!
By Casey Smallwood
August 17, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Ok, so I know I really don’t need to put any stats together about Mr. Waste of Talent, but I can’t control myself. It is hard to believe that he is hitting worse with RISP after the All-Star .222 Break than he was before .224. Great he has 72 RBI’s in 134 at bats with RISP….think about how many RBI’s Chipper .268 w/ RISP..but .421 since All-Star Break, Frenchy .311 w/ RISP, McCann .290 w/ RISP, Diaz .344 w/ RISP, Edgar .348 w/ RISP, Kelly .325 w/ RISP, Escobar .485 w/ RISP, Harris .386 w/ RISP and Tex .416 w/ RISP would have if they had that many at bats with RISP!!!! Out of all the players listed above….would you have rather seen Andruw up over any of them at the end of the game?
By ATLrocks
August 17, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
I at least think they can win the NLCS because look at the rest of the teams in the NL…they all have major problems also… I cant think of one team who is ahead of another realistically. Its just gonna be the team who happens to be going good at that moment.
By jokurone
August 17, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Bottom line we are not going to win anything playing 500 baseball. we need an 8 game win streak minimun.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Yes. i love these posts suggesting LaRoche is better than Teixeira.
Let’s see. If LaRoche were at first with his slick glove the Braves would have 99 K’s .333 OBP and a .255 average with a wopping .445 Slugging. To boot, the Braves would not have a great Lefty coming back next year and an outstanding athelete coming up within a few years. LaRoche was traded at his peek value. And now the Braves first baseman does this: 82 K’s a .389 OBP and a .292 average with a .536 slugging. Oh, and he’s a switch hitter. I almost forgot, he’s also a two time Gold Glove winner. He is much, much better than LaRoche.
Trade Chipper… that’s a joke right? He’s the most productive 3B in the league.
This team has a chance, just as every other team this close has a chance. Every team has holes.
Winning streaks for the Braves this season: 4, 3 game streaks. 3, 4 game streaks. 1, 5 game streak.
By Robert
August 17, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Bradley, you are either sharing cheap drugs with O’Brien, or you are doing the bidding of your masters in trying to make it seem like the Braves have a chance in the postseason
This isnt a bad team, player-wise. But any of a dozen previous Braves teams that did nothing in the playoffs were better, in some cases, a lot better.
What the heck makes you think that, short of Mike Hargrove’s return to managing, a Bobby Cox team suddenly has a chance in the post-season?
By John Minnix
August 17, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
I like the optimism, but I don’t think a World Series title is in the works this year. Did you see Chuck James last night? He was awful and has been awful for awhile now. Unfortunately, he’s still our best option as a 3rd starter. The Braves are at least one, and probably two, starting pitchers away from having a legit chance.
I like the odds next year though. We will pick up Torry Hunter or Aaron Rowand to replace Andruw in CF. The core of the team will be back and we will have a bit more salary room to pick up a solid free agent starter. My only worry is that Chipper and Smoltz are getting a little long in the tooth and more prone to injury. I think we will have a great shot, though.
Go Braves!
By bmont
August 17, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
bradley, you’re delusional and a total homer. there is not a chance that the braves can go all the way. it is very doubtful that they will even make the playoffs. to quote mora sr, playoffs?!? first of all, i am a braves fan but i’m also a realist. no matter how excited (and clueless) you are, they are still a few arms away from a champion-caliber team. that’s a fact. and even if they did win the pennant in the weak nl, they will get destroyed in the series against the tigers or sawks. by the way, did you happen to catch either of those series?? how many wins did they get between those two teams??
By bravefanatic
August 17, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
bradley is on to something brave fans. since are great threesome has left we have never had a 1-2 punch like we have this year with smoltz and hudson. all we need is the wild card and that is a lock since were competing with the padres. remember the 01 d-backs with schilling and johnson and you couldn’t name the other three starters well we have that 1-2 punch now too. and remember pitching wins in october and if all fails we have one of the best lineups in the ML. don’t worry brave fans
By greg sorrow
August 17, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
If it takes better pitching to get in the playoffs, why do the Braves keep trading all their young pitchers? i.e Adam Wainwright-one of the worst trades in Braves history, Kyle Davies-who isn’t doing good now but might in the future, and all the prospects given away for 18 months of Texeria? The front office is stupid and getting worse.
By bravefanatic
August 17, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
ha bmont what your forgetting is that smoltz shut the sox out and hudson wasn’t pitching nearly as good as he is now. and those series were pre teixeira we are a completely different team now. so you cant look back to june and say look how they lost so they don’t have a chance.
By bravefanatic
August 17, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
ha greg sorrow did you just say kyle Davies!!! should not have been traded the guy wouldn’t go 1 start without giving up 5 and being pulled in the 5th. and you said he isn’t good now but for the future, look we want to win now we’re not in a rebuilding phase we needed 1 more bat and we did that. and i’ll take 18 months work and a ws title than waiting for kyle davies to develop.
By DavefromChattanooga
August 17, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
I see this club as VERY GOOD one night and VERY AVERAGE the next. They look as if they are capable of scoring runs regularly with the signing of Teixeira and Chipper Jones playing like the Chipper of old (clutch city!!!) This kid, Escobar is going to be a SUPERSTAR in the ML for 15-20 years. As far as what they’ll do in the playoffs it’s as simple as this. Will Dr. Jeckyl show up or Mr. Hyde? G O B R A V E S !!!
By Eric from MO
August 17, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Gene did you see last years world series or even read the article. Rarely does the best team win.
By 39NoleDawg
August 17, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
BRAVES VENT RULES!!!
By stew
August 17, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
When Wickman got hurt didn’t the Braves go on a tear. Soriano was closing and getting everyone out along with Gonzo.They were 24-12 at one point. Gonzo got hurt. Wickman came back and Soriano went back to setting him up. The Atlanta bullpen from that point on went south no pun intended. It’s a shame that what had looked like a potentially bullpen started to resemble last year’s crew. So now it seems that we have six effective pitchers (Smoltz, Huddy, Buddy, Oscar, Awesome Aussie, and Mahay). Don’t kid yourself. The division is there for the taking. The Mutts stepped in doo doo with their pitching and they starting to come down to earth.
By S
August 17, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Looks like none of these morons read what the Bradley wrote. This line sums it all up “If the Braves get in, they can win. Yes, it’s a substantial “if.””
That was the whole blog about, he was not saying “this is the best team in the league” or “Braves have the best starters” or “playoffs here we come” !!!! he is saying that this team has a good chance to go all the way despite the flaws we are seeing right now.
I think this team is built for post season, Carlyle being our third starter. We absolutely have a chance ! …. Go Braves.
If you have a doubt, ask a Met fan if they want to face the Braves in the NLCS, you’ll get your answer.
By The Truth
August 17, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
I would like to get a ounce of whatever Mark smoked before writing this fiction. The Braves have never been worth a damn and never will be. They will be watching the playoffs on TV for many years to come. The usual story here ….
By Ralph
August 18, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Let’s face it the only thing the Braves are going to catch is a cold. The Braves play like a bunch of losers’ and the only thing that will save them is if the season was over next week. Bobby needs every able body that can hit the ball, that is excluding Andruw, who is batting 214, and Teixeira is not that impressive either. Where is Diaz he has the highest batting average and he’s not playing everyday. The Braves are starting to resemble the 2006 Braves, and just like last year, they lack desire and motivation, the last two games are pitful, they play like they are stuffing from a handover. Some people are questioning some of Bobby’s decision making.
By Foster Brooks
August 18, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Lemme have some of that stuff you guys are drinkin’.
By Ralph
August 18, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
The Diamondbacks have completely humiliated the Atlanta, Braves. They have shown that the Braves are not first place quality game. They have been embarrass by quite a few team since the all-star break. Bobby did it again leaving the pitcher in while the opposition scores over 6 runs, knowing that the Braves are not hitting if grandma mosses was pitching, they couldn’t come back. Will someone please wake Bobby up, please one replace A, Jones. Will someone please kick some behinds and wake what is laughably go by the title of a major league team.
By GE
August 19, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
The Braves will never win with the pitching they have at present. Even Smoltz is feeling his age. As a Met fan would say….FORGET ABOUT IT!!!!!
By frank franzone
August 20, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
terrance moore’s obviously black-biased interview on espn today made me want to puke!!!!! just another bro sticking up for another bro who broke the rules. hey terrance…why didnt you just nominate vick the victim…for state governor…while you were at it. you suck buddy!!!!!!
By Scott
August 20, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Of course they can win it all. They have two dominate pitchers and a good offense. Look at the Dbacks, the Red Sox, and some other teams that have won recently. Two dominate pitchers at the top who can’t be beat.
By fred
August 20, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
I am an African American male who was disguted at what I heard in Mr. Moore’s interview on ESPN. So black folks think that a confessed killer of dogs is being railroaded!!! By who? Whitey? Why don’t the black folks who think this way stop knee jerk idiotic reactions like this. Why don’t you look at the fact the Vick should not have hung out with the same losers who eventually turned on him. Vick is a thug just like the thugs he continued to hang with. Throw the book at him!!!!
By bobolink
August 23, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
I’ve been a Braves fan for a long time and huge supporter of Bobby Cox. Reality is that the Braves are not a playoff team this year. If you need support for this comment look at the last two embarrasing games with Cincy.
By Win O.
August 23, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
If it rains 2 feet the drought will be over. The Braves won’t make the playoffs playing .500 ball.
By Ralph
August 23, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
The Braves pitching is not only bad, they are an overall embarrassment. With the Braves pitching helping the opposition win and the umpires helping the opposition win. The Braves don’t stand a snow ball change in Haiti of winning anything, except the biggest flop of 2007. Every team is not only out playing the Braves, they out motivate, they out think and out score the Braves. Seems like all year long the umpires have really shown that the Braves are not one of their favorite team. Are umpires allow to bet on the outcome of a game? No, well… No. they wouldn’t dare. forget it..
By Ralph
August 23, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
When I play baseball some 50 years ago, the umpires use to be a bunch of butt heads and the umpires of today haven’t improve any. I seem games where managers from other teams will argued a call and the umpire doesn’t do a thing about it, and the manager goes back to the dugout, saying what he wanted to say. All Bobby Cox has to do is to show the top of his head and right away there goes the umpire showing his favorite finger, and out of the game Bobby goes. I don’t always agree with what Bobby does, but come on stop showing what a bunch of bullies you guys are and give the man some respect. Remember Bobby didn’t blow the call, guess who did…….
By Sloan
August 24, 2007 6:37 AM | Link to this
The “if” in the title of this column just keeps getting larger. You don’t make the playoffs when you drop 3 out of 4 to losing teams like the Reds.
By Tharasher
August 24, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
I would love to see Braves in playoffs but pitching won’t get them there. Bob Wickman needs to head for the fat-farm in the off-season. How can you expect anyone that much our of shape to perform at a major league level. He might be successful playing softball for a few beers. While the 1-2 punch of Hudson and Smoltz is strong, either or both of them may be tired out by playoff time.
By Get Real Bradley
August 24, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
This is funny. A couple weeks ago you were bashing the Mets because they did such crazy things as Cutting Julio Franco!!! And hiring Rickey to coach 1st. And HOJO for Hitting coach!!! Wow, they were totally crazy for doing all of that…In retrospect… Those moves led to the acquisition of Marlon Anderson, having been one of the hottest offenses in the NL, and stealing bases like stealing candy from a baby. They stole like 10 bases in the last 3 games.
Meanwhile, Atlanta sold the farm for Texeira, also DFA’d Franco, and gave up “met killer Davies” for another injured reliever. They would not even have needed Tex if they would not have traded Laroche for an injured pitcher. Looks to me the the “panic” came from the braves side!
By Bryan
August 25, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
In their last 14 wins, the Braves have scored at least 5 runs. While this looks great, this team needs to learn how to win the ‘2-0’ or ‘2-1’ type games. Otherwise, they don’t stand a very good chance of making it to the playoffs. If they do make it, they will probably get swept in the first round. Runs are great, but pitching always seems to be more important when the competition gets tough (the playoffs).
By Braves are numero uno
August 25, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
The Mets are unbeatable since adding Ricky Henderson as a coach, where is our Ricky? The front office is clueless. 110 year old Franco is going to turn us around? Let’s just buy Lottery tckets!
By Greg
August 26, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
It looks as if the Braves will not make the playoffs again this year. If the Braves were in a position to get 8 wins on this road trip and finish the month of August with 75 wins, then they would make a strong case. That ain’t gonna happen because now they are a terrible 2-4 on the trip! The Braves shouldn’t have lost 3 out of 4 to the Reds. The NL East race is virtually over. I have said this before, Hudson and Smoltz is all the Braves have in the rotation. If Smoltz and Hudson struggle any more, I see the Braves collapsing to 10-15 games below .500!! Getting Teixiera is not enough. They should have traded Andruw Jones for some pitching like Roy Oswalt or Harang from the Reds. I blame Shuerholtz becuase he has hurt the Braves more than helped them. I was excited about Teixiera, but I knew it was not enough without a 3rd quality pitcher. Chuck James has let me down!!!
By Ralph
August 26, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
At this point in the season, the way the Braves are playing, why do they show up at all. From the first inning when the opposition scores, you can see the attitude of the Braves players, here we go again, and the game is lost before it starts. There no desire to win, it doesn’t matter who they play. For every game they win, they lose three, one can tell there is no control, they can’t even bunt ball to advance the runners . They leave a ton of players on base, the batters don’t have any patient and/or they take to many good pitches, The whole Braves team are so mix-up no wonder they can’t bring runners in. Why are the Braves so worry about losing Thorman, he’s the best player the opposition have. They kept this crown and let Salty go, what a joke. The Braves better worry about third place, because the way, these crowns are playing they may in forth place by the end of the year.
By Skeezix
August 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
Won’t happen-not enough pitching and not enough fire in the belly to win the wild card.
By WallyDog
August 27, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Wow, you get paid to write this? Not a chance. Braves don’t have it this year. Injuries, inconsistent pitching. It’s amazin’ that they are still in contention. Now you don’t have a closer. Get real, hang it up. Isn’t your turn to write about Michael Vick?