ajcsportstalk

By Don

August 21, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

Get to .500, then we’ll talk.

By Greg

August 21, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

I think they still have a shot, but they are going to have to go on a teat like win 10 in a row or win 17 out of 20. The Braves should be able to sweep the Pirates, however this doesn’t mean the Pirates are a cake walk. They need to be perfect on the homestand because like I have said the Braves are way overdue when it comes to playing well at home. The Braves need to turn Turner Field back into the “chopshop” of the early 1990’s (1991-1995) when they won 3 pennants and a World Series championship. Boy, I long for those days even thought they lost 2 WS’s in a row, they still around that time were hard to beat at home. Go Braves!!!!!!!!

By sam

August 21, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this

The braves need to take the one game at a time approach since they haven’t done well in projecting records for specific road trips or for home stands. Thhe biggest plus for them during the remainder of the season is the low caliber of teams they aare cometing with for post season play. I think LaRoach and Giles should be traded for pitching and then Thorman and Prado can replace them quite well.

By Mike from the coast

August 21, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Dang, Cincinatti came back and won. Prado looked good tonight. Wouldn’t mind seeing Pete Orr lead off against the righties though.

By Good Lord

August 21, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

Sam, really? Trade LaRoach and Giles for some pitching? Thats your idea?

By sam

August 21, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

I did not say it was original with me! I was just adding my endorsement to what many others have said. Not all comments on the bnlogs are original!!!!

By Mike from the coast

August 21, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

I still say Giles is expendable, but LaRoche despite a few gaffes has convinced me he is worth hanging onto. Despite the failure to make the scoop tonight his defense has been excellent. If he can keep the bat going like he has since the all star break, he’ll be more than adequate as an everyday first basemen. However, in the long run with the bat I believe Thorman has more upside potential.

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

What is the point of writing “Like I’ve said all along” or “Like I’ve been saying here for months” on this blog?

Do you really think anybody could even fact check that, Napoleon?

Shut up & make your point already.

We don’t care if it’s your first or your fiftieth time.

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

Also, Sam, methinks LaRoche isn’t going anywhere and Marcus isn’t fetching anything…

By sam

August 21, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

I am thinking of market value for Giles and LaRoach. The braves should get quite a bit of money and/or players for those two. Prado and Thorman would be at or near the minimum salary level. I think Bobby has about had it with LoRoach. It is my understanding that Bobby has only two rules—be on time and play hard. It is hard to argue that Adam plays hard all the time.

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

All that fuss about Andruw being put on waivers… makes you wonder if Huddy was too and it simply didn’t leak? If it’s so common, he’s surely got to be a candidate with that contract…

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

Sam, you should decide on one misspelling of LaRoche’s name, and stick with it.

By Alex

August 21, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

The Braves have to go 7-2 on this current 9 game homestand, and tonight was a great start by John Smoltz and some timely clutch hitting by M. Prado.

If they can get back to .500 by first week of September, and the Reds continue to play mediocre baseball, there is a legit chance at a WC birth.

By sam

August 21, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the advice Sane Jane. I need all of the help I can get. Loroche won’t be with the braves next year, in my opinion. he is expendable, although a decent player, especially on defense.

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

Fans, remember:

It’s not about going 7-2 or being over .500 (although that would be nice)… the challenge will be passing 7 teams to win the Wild Card. That is much harder, and much less probable than anybody is discussing.

By Mike from the coast

August 21, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Depending on the outcome of the San Fran-Arizona game, the Braves are actually tied for 5th as I write this. Just checked the updated standings on MLB.com.

By Sane Jane

August 21, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

Where will LaRoche be? On pace for 33 or so dingers… making not much more than the minimum… lefty bat… above average defense (minus a few boneheaded plays each year)… given the economic priorities of this ownership… why not?

By fnreitsma

August 21, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

apparently, sane jane is the only intelligent person writing here…at least, thats why sane jane thinks…cause all these wonderful observations are just so mindblowing to us idiots, who also watch the braves day in and day out. we have no idea just how hard its going to be for the braves to make the playoffs

please, blow us away some more with your infinite wisdom.

By fnreitsma

August 21, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

looking back…that seems a little ruder than intended.

By Big Tony

August 21, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Sane Jane, who do you think you are using words like “Huddy” and “dingers” and “waivers” - what, you think you’re one of the GUYS? A BASEBALL MAN? You are a girl, so get back in the kitchen where you belong and bake me some cookies.

By Mark

August 22, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this

Who really cares if the Braves get to the playoffs! It’s not like they are going to do anything.

By Meg Stiles

August 22, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

As typically happens with this blog, the first 5 to 10 entires are reasonably coherent, and perhaps have some meaning. Then things degenerate to name calling, and now gender-baiting? Grow up people - let’s stay on topic.

It breaks my Braves-loving heart to say it, but making it to .500 is the only realistic goal left. The consistency needed to get past that is simply not here, not at the plate or on the mound. How sad to be seeing the end of a tradition.

By Kentavo

August 22, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this

When players badmouth Cox/management decisions, they don’t last with Braves. Look for Giles, who has been honest with the press in his dislike of lead-off spot, to be dealt.

By Alex

August 22, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this

How’s this for being realistic…86 wins maybe all it takes this year to win the NL WC. The Braves are on life support indeed, but if they get hot and other teams falter…which btw is quite possible…have you seen how the Red, D’backs and Padres are playing lately… Those are the three teams that concern me as a Braves fan. They don’t have any more games left against those teams, so they can’t do anything directly and have to hope they play .500 ball while they go on a 10 out of 12 clip, or something like that.

By Brad

August 22, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

Getting over 7 teams?(now only 4) wait, I think you get the point. It doesn’t matter how many team. The braves need to get above 500. right now the reds are only 5 games above 500, they are the only wild card team above 500(three teams have a .500 record) if the Braves can get above 500, they should win the WC.

By Alex

August 22, 2006 01:28 AM | Link to this

Great news about Kyle Davis’s last start in AAA Richmond. They say one more minor league rehab start and he should be able to come back to the Braves. It would be good to have him back in the starting rotation by the end of this homestand.

By Head Coach

August 22, 2006 01:37 AM | Link to this

Great job by Smoltz tonight ! .500 is a realistic goal and they should at least try. After all Smoltz , Hudson and James are pitching great and Davies is on the way back. I would have to say that its just about a 100% certaintity Giles is out of a job. Everybody ie. Prado , Pena and Orr has looked better than Giles at 2B and lets not forget that Aybar can play 2B in a pinch. The playoffs are out of the picture for Atlanta , so Sept 1st will be interesting when the rosters expand to 40.

By Gregs

August 22, 2006 02:18 AM | Link to this

You guys are retarted. Laroche is not going to be traded. He’s in his third year in the majors and is going to be a 30 homerun guy this year. He’ll probably end up with 90 or so RBI’s to boot. We hadn’t had a first baseman this solid since Galaragha and McGriff. The Braves need to be looking at making a young roster for the future. From what I have seen thorman can’t prove to be better than Laroche. Laroche is solid at def and a power hitter. Aybar is probably the future and 2nd, Pena at short, and a question mark at third. Thorman can play left. Andruw at center, francouer at right. Giles needs to be traded. thats it. Chuck and Davies seem like our 1 and 2 starters of the future but Hudson is the number one guy two years from now. Smoltz had one more good year in him.

By Gregs

August 22, 2006 02:25 AM | Link to this

Oh Btw about the Braves chances…The Braves get back Davies real soon. That’ll shore up the rotation for sure. No team ahead of the Braves is better in the WC than the Braves. They just have had some injury problems. There bullpen is perfect right now. They need Davies and thompson. Hudson needs to pitch the same way he has. Smoltz continues his hot streak. The Braves have the best CF, SS and catcher in the NL, one of the best 3B in the nl. Francouer and Larche are solid. Giles needs to die and left field needs to be adressed.

By Ron Roberts

August 22, 2006 02:34 AM | Link to this

Screw all this talk about the number of teams the Braves have to pass. Hell, we go ahead or behind a handful of teams with a win or loss quite frequently. Scenario today had us moving into fourth in the wild card with off-days, a coupla teams losing and such…

…it’s about winning. If the Braves do that, they’ll be ahead of the rest. And folks, with Glavine now out, and Pedro ailing, and the Cardinals with no pitching and inferior offense to ours, and nobody in the NL West scaring me, save for L.A., which we made better but has a shakier bullpen than ours now….

…why not us? I agree with the “get to .500” crowd, but damn, if this team could only get in, I think we’d be the more dangerous squad in the NL.

Too bad our GM didn’t have this bullpen conundrum solved before the season started.

Something to consider… if we’d gone at or near .500 in that now infamous 3-20 stretch… say we’d gone merely 11-12… we’d be 2.5 games in front of everybody else in the wild card.

Bullpen patch-job was late.

By sam

August 22, 2006 03:09 AM | Link to this

I believe that a .500 season is a reasonable goal for the braves this year. To expect a wild card birth is a stretch as we can’t/haven’t put together but one good winning streak during the past month or so. If we do win the wild card, it’s ok but doesn’t really make a strong statement as the league is really weak this year. The mets will likely be very ordinary by play off time as Glavine and Martinez are coming undone!

By mart

August 22, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

I gotta say, Sane Jane has the best advice. He knows his Braves baseball. As for the rest of you fools, plan ahead for 2007 (or 2008), but stop wasting time discussing playoff possibilities for this season. It was over in early July when the Braves won 10 of 11 and still found themselves about five games under .500.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

Who would take Giles and why trade LaRoche? Giles is due for a big pay raise and he’s injured. LaRoche provides as much bang for the buck as any firstbaseman. I’m not saying any player should be off limits, but it’s not easy to make trades for equal value.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Gregs,

Francouer?…Solid?…He’s made outs in almost 72 percent of his plate appearances.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this

Francouer is basically a fringe player, which is fine because he’s cheap. But don’t be fooled by his HR and RBI numbers.

By SaltyDog55

August 22, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

Fringe player? Well…give me a boatload of ‘em then! There isn’t a major league team that wouldn’t take him in a flash.

By Dave In Tampa

August 22, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

The Braves need to go 16-3 in September to make the playoffs. They still have a chance. I have not given up. Hudson is coming around. last night spoke for itself with Smoltz(awesome), Wickman has proven himself. Hitting need to pick it up a knotch and keep the middle relief out of the game as much as possible. We also have the ace in the hole in that we have the best Manager in baseball, despite of what the Mets fans think, Go Braves!

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

SaltyDog55,

Francouer is likely to become a star, but this season he’s a fringe player. He’s cost the Braves too many outs. Here you go:

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2562

By Lisa

August 22, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Smokin’

That’s my boy!

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Excerpt from Baseball Prospectus Basics: Measuring Offense by Dayn Perry

Counting stats (RBI, HR, runs scored) aren’t very informative because they’re highly context dependent and don’t account for how many outs a player is using up.

Percentage stats are far better than counting stats, but only in the presence of a sizeable data sample (i.e., plate appearances).

Percentage stats are only negligibly influenced by teammates and lineup slotting, but, like all traditional statistics, they are influenced by ballpark and historical era.

Players at the corner positions generally produce better offensive numbers than those players at the more vital up-the-middle positions.

AVG isn’t really useful unless viewed in tandem with OBP, SLG and plate appearances.

And the greatest of these is OBP because it can also tell you how often a player creates outs at the plate.

By Louis Vales

August 22, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

No need to even worry about getting to .500 this is the NL. Might win the Wild Card with 80 wins. In the East you have to beat out the Nats, a team with a smaller payroll than Chipper, and a Phillies team that tried to give up with the Abreu and Lidle deals, but NL is so bad they stay in it. Let’s not forget the Brewers without Lee and basically no Sheets for the year and the Astros who couldn’t score in Amsterdam, the Diamondbacks who are trying to give away players but teams won’t claim them, the geriatric Giants——You know what maybe 78 wins it!!

By realistgrod

August 22, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

Mart - you hit the nail on the head. the Braves are NOT going to win the Wild Card. It’s too late, and the Braves are too inconsistent. Hudson and James are NOT pitching great - don’t be fooled. Even I could shut down the Marlins. People can be so delusional. Let’s just focus on finishing strong (above .500) and re-tool for next year. LaRoche is not the problem people. However, Giles can go. Keep Wickman and Baez. Chipper must remain healthy. Hampton comes back. More consitent play from the corner outfielders - Braves re-claim the Division in 2007.

By Vinnie Boombotz

August 22, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

I love how deluded Braves fans are thinking they actually got a shot at the playoffs. Looks like the Mets will have to pimp smack you guys back to reality when they play your Tomahawk Jock Straps in September.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

Again, who’s going to give us anything of value for Giles right now?

By NC Atlanta fan

August 22, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

No matter what happens this year, the Braves will always be MY team.

By Chopaholic

August 22, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

The guys are playing with some heart and confidence in the pitching. Disappointed to see Bobby felt so bad about not getting Orr into many games that he decided to sit him last night. If it comes down to what have you done for me lately, maybe 5 for 10 and no errors just doesn’t cut it. LaRoche does make some bone headed decisions, but one look at that swing makes you forget many of them. Still no excuses for Sundays brain cramp.

By Tad

August 22, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

First, sweep the Pirates and the Nats and take 2 of 3 from the Giants and the Braves get to a .500 record.

Then 7 games against the Phillies and Mets will be critical. How about 4 or 5 out of 7?

Then 16 of the remaining 23 games are at home (no excuse for a poor record at the TED) and this stretch is against average teams and include the Mets, but they will be nursing their injuries and resting their starters when they come back to town.

The wild card is certainly feasible, but we can’t afford to blow any more games when we get good starting pitching like Cormier on Sunday. Tyler Yates should no longer pitch when the game is on the line because of his bullpen walks (24 in 31 IP). If a reliever gives up a walk, Bobby needs to take him out of the game before he gives up 3 and the game!

Adam Laroche needs to listen to Bobby and understand that he can take a full swing and still get Francoeur to third or home instead of a game-ending DP.

Go Big Bob Wickman! 9 for 9 in save opportunities. Braves were 20 for 43 in that department prior. We could use some of those 23 blown games.

PS- Please stop talking about trading Marcus. We are past the non-waiver trading deadline and his contract will be addressed in the offseason.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

The only way the Braves win it is to go on a Dodger-like stretch. The Braves have underperformed their record based on runs scored/allowed so if we can somehow find a way to jump ahead of all those teams, we can stay up there.

By Jim

August 22, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

I want to stay optimistic, but my heart just tells me it won’t happen. Let’s just say the wild card winner wins 85 games, which I think is realistic given the mediocrity of the NL. The Braves would have to go 26-12 the rest of the way just to get there. Doesn’t seem likely.

By Yars

August 22, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

Some of you have a wild imagination. The Braves are not going to trade LaRoche. He’s still young and doesn’t make much. He’ll be with the team a couple more seasons. Stop blaming him and Frenchy for the Braves pathetic season so far. Frenchy is only in his second season, and he’s putting up decent numbers. He will only get better. If we had both Wickman and Baez on opening day, we would be on top of the NL wildcard and perhaps only 6-7 games out of 1st in the NL east. Blame JS for not addressing the bullpen issue. At seasons end, I hope Giles and Langerhans are traded, and Reitsma, Pratt, Jordan are released. Resign both Baez and Wickman, and shop for a solid LF. If we finish 2-3 games back in the NL wildcard, that would really stink. The pointing the finger game will then begin. Why can’t players be vocal? I’m glad after Sunday’s game, Chipper said what he did about LaRoche. I’m glad Bobby said something too. We’ll see where we are after Sunday’s game against the Nats. We need to win 10 games in a row.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Pete Orr is definetly a fringe player. I think he’s done within 2-3 years. I’m not trying to knock the guy, he made the big leagues. But he’s not really a big league player.

By Shaun Payne

August 22, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is only in his second season, and he’s putting up decent numbers.

Depends on how you define decent numbers. You can put up decent HR and RBI numbers but those aren’t the decent numbers that matter as far as run production goes. But his defense is good and he’s cheap. And, like you said, he’s young so he’ll likely become a productive player. But this season, he’s below average mostly because of his horrible on-base percentage/high out percentage.

Excerpt from Baseball Prospectus Basics: Measuring Offense by Dayn Perry: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2562

Counting stats (RBI, HR, runs scored) aren’t very informative because they’re highly context dependent and don’t account for how many outs a player is using up.

Percentage stats are far better than counting stats, but only in the presence of a sizeable data sample (i.e., plate appearances).

Percentage stats are only negligibly influenced by teammates and lineup slotting, but, like all traditional statistics, they are influenced by ballpark and historical era.

Players at the corner positions generally produce better offensive numbers than those players at the more vital up-the-middle positions.

AVG isn’t really useful unless viewed in tandem with OBP, SLG and plate appearances.

And the greatest of these is OBP because it can also tell you how often a player creates outs at the plate.

By Alex

August 22, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Mets fan, how will it feel when you go into post season play with Steve “slow pitch” T. in that game one of a seven game series?:lol: An injured Pedro who is a shell of his former self and no Tommy G…your team is toast. If by some wild chance the mets manage to beat the Dodgers or Cards…definitely will get whipped by the AL champion, whoever it may be.

The Braves with a healthy and rested Kyle Davis in the rotation will have Smoltz, Hudson, James and Davies…plus a 5th starter when needed…I guess Oscar is the man right now. Still better than the Reds, Phillies, Padres and D’backs as far as NL WC contenders go. The question is…can the Braves starting pitching carry them into that WC spot with being consistant and keeping the team in the game long enough to give them a chance to win 8 out of 10 ball games.

By NLCHAMPS

August 22, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

The Mets will be in the World Series. I’ll be the first to admit that the American League will be hard to beat but this I know for sure. The braves and their fans will be watching the World Series on TV.

By bob

August 22, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

One and only one factor overshadows injuries, inconsistencies, ADD, bad breaks and everything else: Management’s failure to accurately assess the bullpen and trade for Wickman before the season. This is not just hindsight. Everyone from first-graders to grandma recognized the problem last Christmas. Wickman could have blown seven saves by now, and the Braves would be leading the wild card race. Four blown saves (more realistic) would’ve left the Braves with a three-game LEAD for the wild card.

By realistgrod

August 22, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Alex the answer is no to the Braves starting pitching. ps. You are right - the Mets will NOT even be in the World Series - unless Pedro and Tommy get well - and soon. They will not get very far with “5 inning El Duque” as their number one pitcher. It all comes down to who is the hottest team when the playoffs roll around - not necessarily who has the most talent. Clearly the Mets have been sputtering - The Dodgers will be hard to beat if they continue to play at their current level. Another Dodgers/Yankees World Series? Please no!

By Train Wreck Bystander

August 22, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

You guys need to shelve the WC dreams.

Being 5 games back is not that much of a hole, true…

but

If Cincinnati collapses, that means the teams between the Braves and the Reds are moving up.

All the teams ahead of us in the WC can’t collapse at the same time. Some of them have to win by default.

It’s not just a simple 5 game deficit that has to be made up.

It really is time to park the bandwagon.

By Brad

August 22, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

you’re right about not being simple about a 5 games. But, like I said earler, the Braves need to get to .500 the 2nd place teams right now are at the .500 mark, so if the reds collaps, the braves will be one of the teams fighting for the top spot. It is very possible for the Braves to win the wild card, but it can’t happen till they get to .500

So all you people that keep saying the Braves have to chance at the wild card, you haven’t watched much baseball before. There is still a little over a month left, anything can happen. Look at the Mets, they are basically done, Pedro keeps getting hurt, and Gavine might be out for the season.

By NLCHAMPS

August 22, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Bad news for all you brave fans. Turns out that Glavine will be fine and is expected to pitch next week. As for all your predictions of gloom for the Mets, you’re probably the same fans who said “It’s only April. Then in May you said wait til they collaps by the Allstar break. Well here we are in late August with a commanding lead and obviously better than any team in the National League.

By Brad

August 22, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

The mets still have questions with their pitching staff. Glavine hasn’t pitched that well, and Pedro keeps getting hurt. I don’t see the mets doing well in the playoffs with those guys hurt. If they are healthy, they will do fine. But for you comments about bad news for brave fans, I don’t think anybody here is saying that the Braves are going to win the east. We are saying that they will not do that well in the playoffs unless they start playing better.

By NLCHAMPS

August 22, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

What I meant about the “Bad News” was that any “good” news for the Mets is bad news for the brave fans. As for the pitching. With a little over a month to go in the season and a double digit lead we’ll have Pedro and Glavine well rested for the playoffs.

By Brad

August 22, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

ok, I see, I was just making sure nobody was thinking about winning the division. I still think they have a chance for the wild card, but like Smoltz said, focus on 500 first.

By David

August 22, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

There is really no point in writing this article. The Braves are finished and their season is smoking—-its going up in smoke. The Braves have no chance for the wild card because of their inconsistent play. People should stop trying to hang on to 14 years of making the playoffs—-there won’t be #15 this year, especially when you take into account of overall poor play that the Braves have played collectively throughout the season. The Braves will probably finish close to getting the wild card—they may finish two games out of the wild card for the year—but what will this get the Braves for the post-season? nothing, nada, zilch, el zipo… The Braves have folded like a cheap suit and they are going to have to make household changes next year. I’m hoping the Braves will sweep the front office clean and start over from scratch. Remember, getting close means no cigars, and it is only good when you are playing horseshoes—-not major league professional baseball!!!

By KC

August 22, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

A question was posed to me yesterday (in a previous blog) but I didn’t have time to respond until now. Yesterday Basketball Coach wrote: “…even if everything goes perfectly (such as the aforementioned pitchers fully returning to form, Hudson pitching solidly and consistently, and Wickman re-signing), do you believe that the Braves will contend for the World Series next year?”

Yes. I think exactly that. I understand many Braves’ fans have questions/concerns, but I’ll explain why I don’t share their concern over next year’s team.

• “John Smoltz will be 40 next year”: True, but if he’s slowing down you’ll have to point out what I should be looking for… cause I’m not seeing it. He can’t do it at this level forever, but no reason to believe he won’t do it at least one more year.

• “Tim Hudson has been inconsistent… can we count on him?”: Tim Hudson has been quite good since coming to Atlanta with the exception of one recent awful 7 week stretch. For whatever reason, Hudson developed some mechanical flaws that took a while to iron out… but he has. He’s been the Tim Hudson of old in each of his last 5 starts. Last year, he finished with a 3.52 ERA and 14 wins, which should have easily been at least 18 wins with even so much as an average bullpen behind him. This year he was pitching well before that 7 week stretch, and has been excellent since snapping out of it. He’s got 7 years of excellence on his resume VS. 7 bad weeks. It’s only reasonable to chalk that up as a fluke. Tim Hudson is the 2nd winningest pitcher in baseball over the last 7 years for a reason. He’s only 30, and his stuff’s as good as ever. Don’t worry about Huddy.

• “Mike Hampton is coming off Tommy John Surgery… we don’t know what we’re gonna get from him.”: Most of the hindrances pitchers experience in their first year back is a result of returning after only 12 months. All of the doctors that perform this procedure insist that it takes a full 18 months to completely recover. Hampton will have had the full 18 month recovery period, and reports are that his rehab is already going quite well.

• “Horacio Ramirez is injury prone.”: That may be true. However, with 6 starters for 5 positions next year, we’ve got the depth to absorb one or even 2 of our starters being on the DL for a while.

• “Wickman might not be back”: Wickman will be back. He’s already pretty much indicated that he would like to return for another year with the Braves, and he should fit quite well into the payroll scheme of this team. He’ll be back.

With or without a true leadoff hitter, when healthy, the Braves offense is as good as any in the NL. The bullpen will remain solid with Wickman at the helm, and Boyer & Foster coming back healthy. A [Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Ramirez, James/Davies] rotation has a chance to remind us of those 1990’s Braves’ rotations. If this team can remain reasonably healthy, they will have a great chance to make some noise next October.

By Dave from Chattanooga

August 22, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

If “F R I N G E” = 30+ HRs and 100+ RBIs … And the best throwing arm by a RF in baseball at age 22 … That’s TWENTY-TWO!Load me up with some “fringe.” Get a grip, dip! Lay off the pipe.

By Laverne in Stockbridge

August 22, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

Near the end of the season in the late 60s or early 70s they won 13 in a row, so it’s possible, maybe not probable, but there’s always hope.

By KC

August 22, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

Laverne, they’ve done it more recently than that. A few years ago they won 15 in a row. It is possible. Really though, they don’t have to go on that kind of tear. If they can play .650-700 baseball from here on out… they’ve got a good chance.

By bravesfanbob

August 22, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

All this about will they or won’t they make the playoffs! And if they do, they won’t go anywhere! All I know, is that I’ll be watching game #162 because I am a fan win or lose. I haven’t forgotten about your 14 straight division titles, and I haven’t forgotten how bad you were in 1977-1981. But I was there, watching or listening to every game, regardless. I am a fan, and I will be there at the end. And by the way, if you pull this off this year, well it seems a wild card team makes it every year, because they are the hot team at the end of the year. So, I won’t give up! Anyway, thank you for 40 years of some of the best moments of my life…Hank’s 715th, Phil’s no-no, Sid’s slide, Otis’ catch, Marquis’ squeezing the final out…, Maybe there is another one of those this year! And I’ll see it if it happens. I’ll tell you one thing they need to do though… There is an 8 year old girl in Augusta, GA who sings the National Anthem for the Augusta Greenjackets who is the best I’ve ever heard, and is good luck! She has sang it, (according to one of the players), 26 times in the last 2 years, and they are 24-2 in those games. What do we have to lose? Someone in the offices call the Greenjackets, 706-736-7889, and get this girl to Atlanta. Her name is Jaycie, (all I know), but she has the best voice I’ve ever heard. And lets face it, we need all the luck we can get! Her parents told me she has attended 7 Braves games at Turner Field in her life, and the Braves are 8-0, one DH sweep. Someone call!

GO BRAVES!

By Studly

August 22, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe some of the stuff I read in this blog.

Shaun Payne, you wrote:

Depends on how you define decent numbers. You can put up decent HR and RBI numbers but those aren’t the decent numbers that matter as far as run production goes.

What the hell does that mean? HR and RBI’s don’t matter? And the rest of that high society drivel in your post, did you invite George Will over and you and him are sitting in your living room listening to Opera and having Wine and Cheese?

And Train Wreck Bystander, you came up with this gem:

All the teams ahead of us in the WC can’t collapse at the same time. Some of them have to win by default.

These are all .500 ballclubs your talking about. Nobody has to collapse, they can play .500 the rest of the year, but the Braves just need to go on a tear and play way better than .500 to have a chance.

By Nola

August 22, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

Here goes the Cox mentality again. Baez walks two, and you could bring in Wickman to finish 8th and then pitch 9th. Cox’s mentality won’t allow Wickman to pitch any inning except the 9th.

By realistgrod

August 23, 2006 06:33 AM | Link to this

So much for the tear Studly. Oh wait - they are going to wait until the Pirates leave town and THEN go on that tear, I see the strategy - OK! I still say NO PLAYOFFS FOR THE BRAVES IN 2006 -NO WAY. It ain’t happenning. Wake up people face reality. So much for sweeping the Pirates. Now we are in a tie with the freakin Florida Marlins. OUCH!