ajcsportstalk

By go braves

May 13, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

this could be bad, we mite get swept out of philly, hey but on the good side, bullpen will get better once smoltz and gonzo are back, and once fracn and texeria start hitting, my beginning of june, we should coast to the division

By D'Andre Williams

May 13, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

www.braveselite.wordpress.com

By proeye

May 13, 2008 5:36 AM | Link to this

But we could suffer another significant injury, and even if Francour and Tex start hitting, it may coincide with Chipper and McCann stop hitting. So the Bravos may not get out of this slump unless they can find some healthy people to play. The key is not Francour and Tex. The key is Jo Jo Reyes and Chuck James. If they can keep their ERAs around 4.00, we may have a chance this season. The Phillies, Mets, and the Marlins really aren’t that good. Just get some consistency with the pitching staff and we will be lightyears ahead of everyone else.

By Luke

May 13, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

I think this may be the kind of series everyone thinks the Braves should lose 2 out of 3 or even get swept, so with that in mind, that’s why I think they’ll win 2 of 3 and surprise everyone. It would be a major momentum boost going into the big homestand as we try to make a little surge in May.

By Dee

May 13, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Pardon the interruption: Since the soccer blog here at the ajc seems to be shut down, I hope you don’t mind if I post a link to a new soccer blog that hits on almost all aspects of the sport.

soccer is futbol

By ChampDawg

May 13, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

When this happens? When that happens? If this? If that? Tex is a slow starter, so-and-so is hurt, blister this, shoulder that, elbow this, back that…. on and on and on and on.

Proeye says “the Phillies, Mets and Marlins really aren’t that good”……….. I got news for you buddy, the BRAVES aren’t that good.

The facts are that James and Reyes are clowns and not MLB caliber, Glavine is washed up (never has been a dominating pitcher unless the ump calls 3 inches off the plate a strike), McCann (defensively) and Franceour (offensively) are overrated, Tex’s “slow start” is now 6 weeks and showing no signs of improving, and the lead-off man (Johnson) is a 250 hitter.

The Braves will finish no better than 3rd in the East.

By Ron

May 13, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

How do we feel? Wouldn’t this be a better spot for some actual reporting on how Jojo feels?

By Rick in Big D

May 13, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Thank goodness we do not have to see Andruw Jones strike out with the bases loaded this year. No matter what you haters say, the Braves will win the East. For this team with so many guys on the DL to be over .500 is ok with me. Go Braves

By bravedawg

May 13, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

I’ll give the nod to JoJo. I think he has pitched much better this year. Really our problem hasn’t just been guys who are cold, it has been lack of situational hitting. Double plays and such. If you look at the games with the pirates we had plenty of hits we just couldn’t get anyone around. If we got a run for everytime we had the bases loaded we would have won for sure. Guys just need to concentrate on the little things. We start doing that we will be fine. I am excited about this series. We are due on the road. Go braves.

By Carolyn Wilder

May 13, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

When Is Bobby Cox going to wake up to the fact that Kelly is not a lead-off hitter? I think he would be much better in the #2 slot or #8 even.

By Mr. G

May 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Jo-Jo will be just fine, but maybe not this year. The Braves pitching is not any bigger problem than the failure of the offense to consistently score runs. The Braves pound poor pitching once they get a lead, battle good pitching early in the game, and are helpless against mediocre lefthanded pitching all the time. The Braves see more lefthanders than any team in baseball because they struggle to score runs against them. Their power numbers against lefthanders must be horrible. The batting average is probably close righty or lefty, but mostly singles. They don’t run at all, and if the temperature is below 65, the runs don’t come. In 1982 Bruce Benedict’s answer to their winning streak success was something like “When we get behind, we catch up.” A simple, stupid, kind of Nike kind of slogan, but if you have that mindset you might be more successful. The Braves have a “we’re down 2, I’ll hit one out” kind of mindset. They are easy to pitch to. Strikes aren’t necessary. Take advantage of their aggressiveness. Good luck Braves.

By dogmeat

May 13, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Champdawg- I agree 110%, Braves are not that good. If they do make play off because everyone else is so bad they would get put out first round as usual. Braves need overhaul from Bobby Cox on down. They Suck!!!No fun to watch anymore. You can predict every move ahead of time.Even predict what Bobby going to say after game..same BS. The Braves will never change till Cox is gone.

By Kashi

May 13, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

This is a poor homework done by Terry Pendalton against lefties starter. We might win division just cuz everyone sux in our division but we will be packing home after a 3rd play off games. Homework… homework… homework and practice make a perfect!

I like Tex better after Chipper but are we seeing another Andruw batting clean up?

By bobby

May 13, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Anyone that thinks this is a good Braves team must be smoking loco weed. They may not be as bad as they have played but it would be a minor miracle if they make the playoffs. I have never heard of any team that has as many injuries as they do. Maybe they need a good conditioning coach or whatever that call them but something is bad wrong.

By bobby

May 13, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Anyone that thinks this is a good Braves team must be smoking loco weed. They may not be as bad as they have played but it would be a minor miracle if they make the playoffs. I have never heard of any team that has as many injuries as they do. Maybe they need a good conditioning coach or whatever they call them but something is bad wrong.

By SR

May 13, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Braves will be lucky to win one game in this series and truthfully, I won’t be a bit surprised if the broom comes out. Average, moribund, mediocre team and that is being charitable.

By MaryS910

May 13, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

While I appreciate Bobby Cox’s patience, enough is enough with Kelly Johnson in the lead off position. He is striking out way too much and is too streaky of a hitter to be in that spot. Blanco, when he’s starting in LF, is the perfect leadoff hitter. I’d much rather have 2 guys on base than 1 when Chipper is up to bat.

The GIDP has got to stop! How many scoring opportunities have been lost due to this? The Braves have these hackers at the plate who chop down at the first pitch they see and boom, another double play.

It’s funny, you’d think it would be the pitching staff in shambles with so many of them either hurt and still playing or on the DL but for the most part, they have been very reliable. I am much more worried about the offense.

If Texeira keeps on like he is (any slow start should long be over), I hope they unload him at the trading deadline so they at least get something for him before he goes the FA route.

Francoeur…some say he should sit but what would that help? He still plays excellent defense and who can the Braves put out there who will do any better? They’ve had several off days lately and then the off day from the rain so he’s had a chance to rest. Yes, there was a doubleheader yesterday but Jeff was saying he loved playing doubleheaders as it gave him a lot of at bats and a chance to see a lot of live pitching and work on a few things.

God, I hope Philly doesn’t sweep the Bravos. But again, Bobby, PLEASE get Kelly OUT OF THE LEADOFF SPOT!

By Kentavo

May 13, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

The Braves players (when not injured) are good - tell me that a team with 6 All-Stars (chipper, Huddy, McCann, Smoltz, Glav, Tex) shouldn’t make the playoffs?

What’s holding this team back is execution of fundamentals (manager’s fault) and misuse of bullpen (manager’s fault).

By Hot Sauce

May 13, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Both pitching and hitting will come around by mid-June. No fear. Dave is in love. Go Braves!!

By scott boras

May 13, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

ya dogmeat all of its bobby coxs fault.you nailed it on the head. your comments were written by a 10y old

By Darren

May 13, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

You have to insert Jo Jo into the starting rotation for the rest of the year. I think the kid has proven he will at least compete. He may have his ups and downs, he may not be as good as Jair is doing. But lets get these two kids some experience. They are obviously both our future. Both have great stuff.

By Jeff321

May 13, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Tex will be great for the entire year once he decides to stop trying to hit everything out of the park. I mean, how else can you explain all the fly outs?

By don

May 13, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Realistically, the only all-stars the Braves have now are Hudson and C. Jones. Smoltz and Glavine won’t make it unless it is an oldtimers game and McCann is borderline. “Big Tex”? Ridiculous. He sure better get started pretty soon because even Joey Votto is having a better year.

By John

May 13, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Has anyone ever seen Francoeur dive for a ball? He has a great arm but other than that his defense is mediocre at best. He lets every ball drop if he feels like he might have to put his body on the line to make the catch.

By fieldofdreams

May 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

These guys will struggle to finish .500. With Johnny down - perhaps for good - it’s time to invest the season with young pitchers with the potential to form the rotation of the future. I blame Frank Wren for this non-sensical mess. Why is Glavine here? He betrayed Atlanta five years ago. Why did we trade four prospects for a rent a player represented by the Devil himself? And why all the money for Kotsay? It’s not like we don’t have outfield prospects. Somehow Wren, the Butcher of Baltimore, has become the GM who assassinated Atlanta. Chop Chick could do better. I could do better. ANYONE could do better.

By DawgFan1

May 13, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Ill give the nod to Jo Jo as well. Remember since his first few starts last year his ERA is around 3.50 (i think) but Chuck James can’t keep the ball in the park and our beloved Braves need to stay healthy if they are going to compete with the Phillies, Mets and yes even the Marlins.

If they are healthy then they will win, if not most likely a 4th place finish.

Lets hope for some good luck for a change and stop losing one run games!!

By Tomahawk Matt

May 13, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

All of you Arm Chair Bench Coaches Need to Get A Clue and\or Do Some Research Before You Speak! Check some stats and backup your wet paperbag arguments and complaints with some facts. Do you people really think you know more about managing a baseball team than Bobby Cox?

“What’s holding this team back is execution of fundamentals (manager’s fault) and misuse of bullpen (manager’s fault).” ????? WHAT??? ARE YOU FOR REAL?? …how is the execution of fundamentals the manager’s fault? O wait I forgot the manager is supposed to hit ground balls to the players just like little league practice. Please explain… And Misuse of the Bullpen?? How many injuries have we had in the bullpen? The primary closer Soriano and set-up man Molan are on the DL yet that’s Bobby’s fault, right?

There’s no more reason to believe in the Easter Bunny BUT THERE’S A LOT OF REASONS TO BELIEVE IN THIS BRAVES TEAM!!!

GO JO JO! GO BRAVES!!!

By Tomahawk Matt

May 13, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Here’s two more cents…

This time for JOHN-boy,

STOP WATCHING the FOOD NETWORK and the E Channel and Days of Our Lives.

Try watching a Braves game OR better yet GO TO A BRAVES GAMES!

GO JO JO! GO BRAVES!!!

By Homer

May 13, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Unless the team as a whole grows a backbone, they are too soft. not everyone..but too many. They need to take loosing persnally and not just win but humiliate in the process. We need an attitude!

By dogmeat

May 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Scott Borass you wish. Who put team together? Who is responsible for Fundamentals? Who is in charge of coaches? Who is in charge of training? Who hired TP, and McDowell? Who decides who plays and what they do? Who decides to sign old X-team players dreaming of the past? Who let player hit all year 4th with 200 BA? Who plays favorites with players? Who is so laid back he can’t motivate his players? Who changes what got him there when it comes playoff time? Who don’t know when to change pitchers till they give up ton of runs? Who destroyed J. Divine his 1st year up? Who Thinks players don’t need batting practice before games and infield? Who plays for long ball rather than smart ball? Who’s fault is it they can’t bunt, hit and run etc. YOU gone the point borass? Why just one World Series? BC has had his days! Borass go beat your wife if you got one.

By Barry

May 13, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

I think you are all idiots. Face it, the Braves are as good as any other team in the NL, but they have been very unlucky in one-run games. Win half of those and we’d be 2 games up on the rest of the division.

The Braves are among the best in ERA, runs allowed, hits allowed, and homers allowed.

They have the second best team batting average in baseball. They don’t strike out alot. Please do your homework and look at the numbers before you sound off … don’t try me.

They are among tops in OBS and slugging.

They have been hit by injuries … BAD. They’re horroble on the road, but they’ve lost those one-run games ON THE ROAD. I only fault them for playing to tie in one-run games, and not to win. People who know the game and have played the game understand this, and I’m not talking about Little League.

My only complaint is they have no speed at the top of the order. I agree, Johnson is a 7th or 8th hitter at best. I mean, we’ve gone how many seasons without a bonafide lead-off hitter? Can we address this? Please!?!

All in all, it’s not that bad. They’re playing .500 ball. The elements are all there, they just haven’t really started clicking yet.

So stop your whinning, stop your hating, and look at the positive.

And remember … IT’S STILL MID-MAY. Let’s break out the Haterade in September.

By Robert

May 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Homer they have a attitude! Just like their Mge. They think they can walk on H2O.

By Barry

May 13, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Tomahawk Matt is the man. Took the words right out of my mouth.

By R1U

May 13, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Who won how many division titles in a row??? Who is the manager everyone wants to play for?

Who went from worst to first and never stopped being 1st. Oh yeah, what was I thinking game 7 ‘91 was his fault…he told Lonnie how to run the bases…man everyone knows that!!!

There is soooo much more but I JUST GET TIRED OF BEATING BC…some fans you are——grow up!!! You hit and pitch — you win —-you don’t - you don’t—maybe Steinbrenner has more illegitimate children than I thought. Sounds like NY whining to me.

By Michael

May 13, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Cox need to be fired. The Braves problems of basic baseball has been going on the past few years. There is no one in the lineup that cannot get down a bunt. Frenchy need to be benched a few games. Kelly Johnson need to be in the #2 slot and Chuck James need to be in Richmond or Rome.

Michael

By Michael

May 13, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Cox need to be fired. The Braves problems of basic baseball has been going on the past few years. There is no one in the lineup that cannot get down a bunt. Frenchy need to be benched a few games. Kelly Johnson need to be in the #2 slot and Chuck James need to be in Richmond or Rome.

Michael

By Michael

May 13, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Cox need to be fired. The Braves problems of basic baseball has been going on the past few years. There is no one in the lineup that cannot get down a bunt. Frenchy need to be benched a few games. Kelly Johnson need to be in the #2 slot and Chuck James need to be in Richmond or Rome.

Michael

By J-man

May 13, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Frenchy needed to be benched??? Did he not just got 5-10 in the double header? Give the guy a break, he’s a pretty darn good hitter.

By Roy

May 13, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

It is time to give Blanco a shot at playing full-time and leading off. I know Kotsay is good but have him share time with Diaz who isn’t hitting right-hand pitching and spell Francoeur occasionally. Bat Johnson/Infante eighth.

By Tomahawk Matt

May 13, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

For those of you first time comment posters or bloggers…

ONLY CLICK POST ONCE!!

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW THE POST BUTTON. IT SAYS “There will be a delay of up to 5 minutes before your comment appears.” I’m tired of wasting mouse scrolling energy on worthless comments that are quadruplicated.

I understand this will be a problem for the Flushing NY Mets fans as they are most often barely able to read.

Michael what is basic baseball? “There is no one in the lineup that cannot get down a bunt.” Michael has mastered the double negative.

Anyone questioning Bobby’s managing skills is NO Braves Fan!!

GO JO JO! GO BRAVES!!!

By Reality Time

May 13, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Yes, bench Francoeur. While he did well in the last two games, he has no consistency, and I am afraid the problem is that he is like Andruw Jones, and won’t listen to any advice. He knows what his problem he, he won’t wait for good pitches, but he won’t address it. At least Kelly Johnson makes the pitcher throw more than one ball to get him out. By the way, Francoeur’s defense has not been stellar this year either.

By nelson

May 13, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

jo jo or jaja ..?

By varoadrunner

May 13, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

WHERE IS MY SAVIOR (MIKE HAMPTON) did he pull another b**b muscle?

By dawsonman

May 13, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

got a good feeling tonight that Jo-Jo will have his mojo. braves win, 4-1.

By varoadrunner

May 13, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

A couple of you had it right and some were so far off that it should be embarrassing to you. Others are jusy frustrated Mets fans trying to spread the frustration.

The Braves can pitch…. they can hit…. they play good defense. What they have are a couple of players who have become larger than the team (in their eyes and only their eyes).

Frenchy comes to mind here - bases loaded - no outs and he tries to pull the outside pitch and grounds weakly into the 6-4-3 double play. A ground ball to the right side would have been wonderful, b ut NO. AND YES, I blame Bobby Cox. Someone that has Frenchy’s abilities needs to be managed. Bobby is not managing… It seems that he fills out the lineup card and then sits back and watches. I know he is as frustrated as are the fans, but he has the power to change things. Maybe sit Frenchy! At least until he will concentrate on hitting the ball where it is pitched. He is acting just like Andruw, with the exact same issues….I MUST PULL! Unlike Andruw, he will hit to right when he has corrected his superiority complex.

Move Kelly to 7 or 8. Seems that Blanco could bat leadoff while Diaz decides what the h*ll is wrong with him. , Swinging at balls over his head (as Matt so poorly did in the last game). His attitude is I will hit the next pitch regardless of where it is. That works for Vlad Guererro but it AIN’T working for Matt. Back to Bobby - He controls all of that. Anyone that wants to consider Bobby the best manager in baseball should take a step back and look a the big picture.

By scott boras

May 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

hahaha dogmeat.nooob

By Either Orr

May 13, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Where JoJo doesn’t pitch exactly like Horatio Ramirez, I think he’s just a HoRam in JoReyes clothing.

Another left hander who the Braves are high on but just isn’t ever going to be anything more than a journeyman lefty. He’ll have a respectable game now and then, but he’s going to be a sub .500 pitcher. Potential never met. Of course, I’ve never seen anything that made me think his skill level was a step above just a lefty filling a uniform.

By scott boras

May 13, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

i was 102% sure mccann was gonna popup with the bases loaded at bat