ajcsportstalk

By Concerned Braves Fan

August 18, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know anything about the umpire’s condition yet?

By Greg

August 18, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this

It was a well pitched game. It is shame that Hudson couldn’t have pitched that well consistently the whole season. I think the Braves could be probably 5-6 behind the Mets and could have led the WC by 5 games had Hudson pitched this well earlier in the season, bullpen help would have arrived earlier, Chipper, Ramirez, Davies, and Thompson won’t hurt. I’m goin give the Mets props because they spent a lot more money than other teams in not only the NL east, but other National League teams as well. The Braves won one game, but the question is can they turn it into a very long streak and play almost flawless the rest of August and September? To be honest I still don’t see the Braves getting in because they are inconsistent, I mean watch them lose the last 2 games of the series to the Marlins and fall back 2 games. It has happened way too much!!! I love the way the back of the Braves bullpen is set up with Baez and Wickman, it is just the 3-5 spots in the rotation and the middle relief sucks.

By Greg

August 18, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

Oh by the way, I hope that umpire will be OK!!!!!!!!!!!

By Bigmuddy

August 19, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

I am getting tired of seeing Andrew loaf to first when he “thinks” he is gonna be out and then laugh when the ump calls him out. What ever happened to hustle??? Yes I know he has had a sore knee.

By Brad

August 19, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this

Hudson is 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA in his last 3 starts. The Braves won all three games. Hopefully, he can continue to pitch like this for the rest of the season. Smoltz should pitch like his normal self. What will make or break this team will be how James pitches and how Davies does when he returns. Hopefully the bullpin can do better, we need the pitchers to pitch 7 strong innings, then let Baez and Wickman do their work.

The offense has been fine, The Braves currently are ranked 3rd in runs scored. Of course the Mets and the Phillies are the two at the top, but the Phillies have only scored 9 more runs that the Braves, and the Mets have only 7. Obviously, it is the pitching that has killed the Braves, so if they are going to make a run for the wild card, the starters and the end of the bullpen must pitch well, and hopefully not have to use the middle relief that much.

By IfBravesHadA_GM

August 19, 2006 01:40 AM | Link to this

If John “genius” Schuerholz had picked up a closer at the beginning of the season(instead of 2 after it’s too damned late)then Braves would be going for another division title right now—those are my thoughts on the game and the season!

By fnreitsma

August 19, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this

as homer simpson says, ‘scooby doo can doo doo, but jimmy carter is smarter’…

ok, i’m done. sorry, had too much sweetwater 420 after the braves win tonight.

peace out, players

By UGA 72

August 19, 2006 02:46 AM | Link to this

I think Braves Fans everywhere need to show up the next home stand and be loud and proud of the Braves. They’ve done something no other team in any sport has ever done, and the fan support is terrible. We need to lift them up like they’ve done for the City of Atlanta the past 14 Seasons. Surely there are 40,000 Braves Fanatics in the area. Could we, just one time this year, give the Braves a real Home Field Advantage?

By TONY HARMON

August 19, 2006 03:34 AM | Link to this

AS GREG HAS SAID, THE BRAVES ARE TOO INCONSISTENCE. THEY WILL NOW LOSE THREE IN A ROW. JUST FACE IT. IT IS TOO LATE FOR THIS UNDERACHIEVING TEAM. THEY COULD POSSIBLY HAVE 4 TO 5 PLAYERS HIT AT LEAST 20 HOME-RUNS. THAT GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT PITCHING AND OFFENSE GOES TOGETHER. THEY SHOULD HAVE TRADED ANDRUW WHEN THEY HAD A CHANCE. IF CHRIS RETISMA, BRIAN JORDAN AND TOM PRATT COMES BACK NEXT SEASON, I WILL EAT MY KIDS, SHOOT MY DOG, AND TRADE MY WIFE FOR A HOOKER.

By Doug

August 19, 2006 03:49 AM | Link to this

X-Rays revealed only a bruise for the ump … sounds like good news.

This is the story of the season … they do good, then they blow all the headway that they made. The players need some serious extra practices to work on the fundamentals they seem to have forgotten. I have seen this team engage in behavior and habits that would cause me to spend 30 minutes shouting at my high school players over.

I’ll be happy if they finish .500 this season. Concentrate on working those fundamentals hard in the off season and come back next year with a big fat chip on your shoulder.

By dustin

August 19, 2006 05:30 AM | Link to this

Bobby COX! please stop playing pratt!! i dont care about the righty lefty matchup…..i can pretty much walk away from the tv when he comes up to the plate becuase i know nothing is going to happen! dont we wanna win NOW?? play Maccan everyday! hes young anyways!! Go Braves!! loyal fan since the 80’s

By Mark

August 19, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this

If the Braves had another quality Starter there would be some hope,but no they don’t.I think the best thing at this point for this season is to finish .500 or better.

By jerry

August 19, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

As far as I am concerned,if the Braves make the playoffs for the 15th consecutive time, then THE STREAK is still on. That’s what it’s all about anyway.

By PA Bravefan

August 19, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

If they can string together 5 or 6 wins then I will believe that they can do it this year! So far they have only shown in conssitency. Hudson is starting to look like he is getting back on track, a little too late maybe. Cramping is his problem? That is 95% of the time correctable by proper hydration. Somebody give the man water regulrarly the day before the game and make him drink it. The day of the game do the same thing. If we can sweep this series and get Davies Back in a week, without Cormier having to pitch again, and have Villareal pitch like he did the other day, there is a slight chance we can get back in this. Let’s face it, no one is running away which has to still give everyone hope!

GO BRAVES!!!

By ATLER

August 19, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Great game Bravos. Let’s not jump to any conclusions like our beloved Braves are going to the playoffs yet. By the way did anyone see what old posterboy (Frenchy) did last night???

By ATLER

August 19, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

Here we go with old Frenchy for the second game in a row. 0 for 4 with 3 left on base. Let’s hear about the homers and RBIs now posterboy fans. All the Frenchy fans must be from his high school.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 19, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I have to see this team win 4 or 5 in a row or put together winning stretch of 8 out of 10 or something to that effect. I said before the Brewer series last week that the next 10 games would make or break the season. The worst they could go is 7-3. Well, for them to do that they would have sweep this series. I would say they have a chance except on Sunday the Braves have Cormier going to the mound and the Marlins have Willis. That doesn’t exactly evoke confidence. They have to win tonight because tomorrow will be tough. The thing is they are still in this because the NL is so bad.

I find it interesting that Cincinnati keeps making all these pitching moves and yet keep running in place. I think the Reds will live to regret making all of these deals. The other teams in the wild card are all medicore at best. I have and will continue to say that if they play like they are capable the Braves are better than all of them. As far as I’m concerned they are third best team in the NL if they play at their best. If they can keep this defict at 4 1/2 or smaller going into September, I like their chances. I think that calling up Salty, Pena, Prado, Thorman, and a few pitchers will really help this team. Bobby can use those extra pitchers to put the quick hook on anyone who is pitching. The added depth on the bench can only help.

I have been one of Pete Orr’s biggest critics but I am starting to wonder if he isn’t like LaRoche and just plays better when he is starting. Everytime he has started this year he has played great. Have him pinch hit and a prayer needs to be said. I think LaRoche’s improved play is a direct result of him getting to play everyday. He said all along that he wanted to play everyday and his prodcution would increase if he did. But, I have this feeling when Jordan comes back that a platoon will be in the works. I hope Cox isn’t that stupid.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 19, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

Good Lord! Yes, we all know that Frenchy swings at everything. Something he actually didn’t do last night, but I guess he will be critcized now for taking pitches. He frustrates me as much as he does anyone else but he is only 22. Look at David Wright two years ago. He made Mets fans wanna pull their hair out but now he is the “golden boy”. Frenchy had a rough night last night but so did Andruw, so what is your point?

Who should we start in right field? Langerhans. Hey, lets activate Jordan now and put him out there. That’ll get us some wins!!!

By KC

August 19, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

For 2 months I’ve been saying “Don’t sell your Tim Hudson stock just yet”. I was called a delusional optimist for believing that 7 bad weeks wasn’t enough of a sample (when you compare to 7 great years) to sit back and say “Hudson’s hit a wall. He’ll never be the same again”.

So for all of you who have been proclaiming the demise of Huddy: I’m not the kind to say I told you so, but…

By Shaun

August 19, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Like someone said earlier on this post. Pitching and offense go hand in hand. Im through holding out for the playoffs/wildcard here. I’m glad the Braves won but at the same time I am still fuming about there inconsistent play and the terrible personnel decision that have been made that have totally wrecked what could have been one of the best seasons the braves could have had… It has just been all down hill since that fateful Chicago series back at the end of May. Betemits’ gone, the bullpen still sux and we have a AAA starting rotation. Thank you John and Bobby. Thanx a lot. You guys are genious.

www.everythingturnerfield.com

By Brad

August 19, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Don’t blame JS for not having a closer sooner. He tried. He tried during the offseason,and during the season. JS wasn’t given the money to get the closer, so the players chose other teams. He then finally worked out a trade to get them here. But they weren’t available three months ago via trade. The blame needs to be put on the ownership who keeps lowering the budget.

By nathan

August 19, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

KC

I hope you’re right. I’ve been on Hudson’s A$$ all season long. There is no denying he’s been a disappointment this season. It would be great for the Braves if he finishes strong this year, even if they don’t sneak in the playoffs. 1) It should give him confidence going into next year and/or 2) It raises his “stock” if they do choose to unload him this offseason.

But I will remind you…..IT IS AUGUST. His bad season might not be a fluke. I disagree about the “7 bad weeks” comment. He literally has been aweful all year, except for that Mets game earlier this summer (and that was a depleated Mets lineup). To me it’s not a “bad stretch” its the norm. But like I said, I really do hope I’m wrong. I’m not sure if 3 good/great starts in a row are a true sign or not, since if you recall, Sosa even looked good in the closers roll 3 times in a row! LOL!

Let’s hope that Hudson’s turned the corner, and that Smoltz’s last start wasn’t a sign that he’s been overworked this year. Because for as bad as this team has looked this year, and they have looked 1990 BAD. If Hudson and Smoltz can dominate the last 6 weeks of the season………THERE’S STILL A CHANCE, very minimal, but a chance none the less. Plus if they do sneak in, and those two pitchers are hot, we’ve all seen what a team with two pitchers on roll can do in the post season, especially with what this team can do on offense.

But, I suppose before I’d buy post season tickets and make vacation plans, they need to get to .500 first! LOL!

I’m just sayin that the ultimate pessimist, has some hope if Hudson has turned it around.

Have a good day, all!

By nathan

August 19, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Brad

I disagree with you to an extent. I realize that Renteria has been a god send this season. But he still is costing us some money this year. JS could’ve gone with Betemit at SS and then brought up the young guys for SS and had Betemit at 3B when Chipper was out. Like I said, I’m not sure where this team would’ve been earlier in the year without Renteria, but you could assume that they would’ve been better off with Betemit at SS and a closer right away in April. Nobody will ever really know.

But he could’ve freed up money to aquire a closer via trade or free agency. He could’ve traded Giles in the spring. He could’ve done many things.

Yes, the payroll is down from years past. But sometimes you have to “sacrifice” from one area to strengthen another. Obviously we’ve had enough offense to win this year, some of it could’ve been used as trade bait for a reliever/closer.

Say for instance, had we not traded for Renteria and went with Betemit at SS, we could’ve traded Marte to the D-Rays for Baez. Or Linebrink even since SD was looking for a 3B. Maybe they would’ve moved Linebrink last offseason.

But don’t blame it all on payroll, some of it? Yes, we don’t have the open “checkbook” of Ted Turner anymore. But 80 million dollars would and should be plenty of money to build a formidable team if you didn’t have 50 million of it “tied up” into 4 or 5 players. JS has to “think” now. Something he didn’t have to do for 10 years with 3 HOF pitchers in the rotation and an endless supply of cash to spend.

By Brad

August 19, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

JS thought about putting Betemit as SS, but nobody knew if he was ready for an everyday player. It is easy now to look back and see that now. I’m not a realy expert either, and you are right that he probably could have done some more moves with the money that he has. And with Giles, I don’t think he knew he was going to be that bad at the top of the order. Of course, he has turned it around lately. I’m very disapointed in this season, but I think we have the right tools to be back next year.

By nathan

August 19, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Brad

I agree. The way I look at it. This is a perfect opportunity to call up the young guys in September so Bobby can get an extended (not spring training) look at the youngsters up close for next year.

Who knows, being only 4.5 games out, mayber they put a run together in September. But even if they don’t, it should give JS an idea about what he needs to do for next year. But having an idea and actually doing anything about it are two different things! LOL.

The other thing I’m not sure of, is all of the injured players that are returning for next year. (Hampton, Davies, HoRam, Boyer, Foster, etc…) I’ve read so many times that Bobby and JS keep saying that when they get those guys back it will be like adding free agents to the roster. Well as far as I’m concerned Hampton is the only one with a long enough track record, that shows me he’s capable of helping out. And he’s coming off of MAJOR surgery, so who knows what to expect of him? As for the others, like Davies and Boyer, they only had last year as experience to fall back on, so why should we get excited about a young player that had a mediocre (fast start, faster falloff in Davies) rookie year, missed his second year and now is expected to perform? To me Chuck James will still be ahead of Davies due to not having missed a full season. HoRam has been so inconsistant in his career, I’m not sure what to expect of him.

Go Braves in 2007.

By PA Bravefan

August 19, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

I can not believe people are bashing Francouer!!! THe guy has 23 HR and 85 RBI as a 22 year old!!! Yes I get frustrated watching him always lunge for the pitches off of the plate, but, for goodness sakes, he is second on the team in RBI and should get to 100 before the end of the season. If you take out that awful April, he is hitting betwee .280 and .300. During the remember folks, he has only been in th bigs a little over a year!! He was rushed to this level and we must be patient in hi learning process. During the offseason, someone needs to stand everyday and throw him 500 pithces a day on the outside part of the plate. Some in the strike zone and some out, this way he can start to learn where that boundary is to lay off. I feel that when he makes the adjustment and learns the strike zone better, you will see a guy who will hit close to .300 , 30 - 40 Hr a year and always be over 100 RBI. BE PATIENT. Oh, I forgot to mention that he is a very good defensive outfielder, with one of the best arms in teh league! Arecent survey of hte players in the league, rated him as the #1 feared arm in the outfield! Again he is only 22.

By Shaun

August 19, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

I agree with Nathan in an earlier post. Although I’m a huge renteria fan, considering the amount of offense and defense he’s produced this season, I still think that Betemit would have been a huge asset at SS or third base and yeah, he sure could have save a lot of money. But, Coulda, shoulda, woulda. I hope next year the organization will do something about the glaring pitching hole. There is something in the stock world and gambling world called cutting your losses. That means to stop using a losing formula and hoping that it will eventually all come together. Quit with what you have before you lose it all. “Next year when this person is healthy, it’ll get better.” You aren’t really making any changes. Bottom line, the Braves right now have a losing formula, much as I love them. Too conservative.

The pros of this team are John Smoltz, the ONLY reliable starter; Wickman is a wicked Lights out closer, reliable. Reteria is a clutch hitter, and defensive stopper. Jones is still tops in the outfield, though his offense has waned slightly since last year. Franceour still has the potential to be a leader, and McCann, LaRoche and Thorman are pretty reliable.

The cons - all others not mentioned are eligible to be dealt in my book. Pitchers and all. I bet we could get some high calibre pitchers in a trade packaging the strike-out artist Giles & Hudson. I like Chipper but hes so prone to injury. Why not move him to first, where hes less likely to pull a hammy and put a Soriano over there. Or why not just deal him and get another franchise player. THink outside the box!

Anyway, just speculation. Bottom line is, there has got to be some EXTENSIVE changes for next season, up to and including managers, preferably GM’s. Where’s Arthur Blank when you need him?

www.everythingturnerfield.com

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 19, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

PA Bravefan, you are right. I don’t want to hear about how many at-bats he’s had because there are guys who could have twice as many at bats as Frenchy has and would not put up the same numbers. The kid has a lot of growing up to do but he is already a producer. As I said before, where would this team be without his 40+ late inning RBI. Don’t tell me that RBI don’t matter, becuase without Frenchy’s irrelevant late inning RBI this team would be 14 games under .500 instead of seven.

By Brad

August 19, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

The reason Francouer has so many at bats is because he doesn’t walk that much. He has only 11 walks. The other players have had just about the same amount of opportunities. Walks don’t count as an official at-bat. But Francouer is really young and he will be a all star in his career. He has one of the best arms in baseball.

By Alex

August 19, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

If the Braves are to have any chance, even a small one, they have to win games…win now. Win the next two against the Marlins, and sweep the Pirates at home Mon-Wed. BTW…The Pirates have been playing good baseball of late, and we all know that the Braves have struggled at the Ted this year like never before. If the Braves can somehow do that, win those 5 games in a row…That maybe a sign the push to get that WC spot isn’t over yet. I don’t care how they get there, just get to .500. They aren’t going to be taken seriously about any WC race if they aren’t at .500 or better.

By Clyde

August 19, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

Adam Laroche has really come on this year. No one expected him to have a chance at hitting 30 homeruns this year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Shaun Payne

August 19, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

Betemit projects as nothing more than a solid player/great backup. He’s a David Bell type. If you look at Willy Aybar’s minor and major league numbers and factor in his age, he will likely be (or already is) at least as good as Betemit. Also, when Betemit starts putting up decent numbers he’s going to want to be overpaid. Aybar’s younger, so he’s going to be a solid player for a low salary for a longer time period.

The only question I have is why didn’t Schuerholz trade Betemit for relief help and a young infielder in spring training?

I’m not here to defend Schuerholz. I do think he’s one of the best execs over the past 20 years, but he’s not perfect (who is?). He’s made some questionable decisions, but the Betemit trade is not one of them. It made a lot of sense if you “think outside the box.”

By saltlakedawg

August 19, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

For all you Francouer bashers:

Chipper’s first full season: Avg: 265 HR: 23 RBI: 86

Andruw’s first full season: Avg: 231 HR: 18 RBI: 70

By scott

August 19, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

This looks like a microcosm of the brave’s season. Win two, loose three or more. Not enough consistency but look at their starting rotation and the numbers they’ve produced this year. When you are next to last in most of the major pitching categories, your not going to win many games. But above and beyond that, the ability of John Scherholtz and Bobby Cox’s ability to push the right button at the right time didn’t work this year either. Next year will be interesting.

By nathan

August 19, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

saltlakedawg

Nice Post!! The other thing that people forget about when Chipper and Andruw came up, is that they were “minor” parts in an already loaded lineup. Neither of them were relied upon to be the main RBI guys right away, like Francoeur is.

I’m not saying that francoeur will ever have GREAT plate discipline, but hey, he is only 22.

By Ouch

August 19, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

At least the Braves lead the league in goofy nicknames: Smoltzie, Chipper, Huddie, Sally, Stenchy, Roachy and Giles of Langerhans.