Open Thread and NAHWAL: Braves at Rockies (4/9)
by gondeee on Apr 9, 2008 8:45 AM EDT
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PrintAtlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies, Apr 9, 2008 8:35 PM EDT
Okay, surely we’ll get a win tonight, facing Mark Redman -- he owes us big time for his overall suckiness last year. It will also be interesting to see what, if anything, Chuck James has in him for his first start. Maybe it will be like Smoltz’s first start. My prediction is that unlike the first two games which were close low-scoring affairs, this game will be all about who can score 20 runs first.
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NAHWAL!!!!!
1. 24, 899
2. Yunescobar
3. Snow delay.... JUST KIDDING - Kotsay gets an assist in a double play
Picks
1. 27.351
2. Chipper
3. 4 different Braves homer
This game scares me to no end.
I want to say that "If we lose to Mark Redman, I'm killing myself!" But we've all seen stranger things in baseball. All I have to say is that the Braves score four runs or less in the top of the first inning, I'd be weary of Chucky immediately afterwards - I noticed he has a tendency to let his guard down and give up some bonehead pitches when given an extremely early lead.
Heap and Frenchy--where have they gone?? They're a combined 1/13 in the series, and we desperately need them to get string some hits, especially in front of a fine-swinging Kotsay as of late.
1. 24,234
2. Yunel Escobar
3. Mark Teixiera homers twice.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Ugh...
...if the games continue on like this I'll be dead by the All-Star Break.
1. 27,777
2. Chipper
3. Redman and his ingrown toenail are gone by the 3rd.
Please God don't let Redman beat us...
Maybe its just me, but I would rather get beat by 10 runs daily than keep losing 1 or 2 run games. Heres hoping that Chucky can play the role of stopper
1. 23,565
2. Teixiera
3. Redman allows 7 hits, 4 walks and 6 runs over only 3 innings of work.
I concur on death by the All-Star Break
At least they waited until about June to begin systematically trying to kill me last season
1) 28,519
2) Heap
3) Total of 18 combined runs scored between the two teams in a classic and epic (you know it is special if it is both) pitcher's duel.
I've never seen any analysis of it, but it seems like in our peak years if the game was close, the Braves would win. I seem to remember a lot of one run victories in the mid to late 90's. Of late it has been the opposite--if it is close, they find a way to lose.
one run contests
Since our recent demise a couple seasons ago, that's the name of the game - losing those one run games. Seriously, if you take all those games in both past seasons, and put a timely play here or a nice jack there, we would have been in the postseason for sure. We can NOT seem to keep a lead, score late, or whatever it takes to win one run games.
That is our problem. The good teams find a way to win those games. Its too early to freak out now, i mean, Tex and Mac havent even showed up yet, Smoltz is still warming up, Hampton still has a year to milk money..... but if our history suggests anything, we'll need to fix this soon.
Picks
1. 22,399
2. Chipper
3. Braves hit 4 Homeruns
picks
1. 26,739
2. Kotsay
3. Chipper gets up to bat twice in the same inning and he gets hits on both of them.
Picks
1. 27,492
2. Chuck James
3. James gets QS & win
pix
1- 22,567
2- Chipper (apparently the only reliable offense we have...again)
3- We use 6 pitchers.
Picks
1. 22, 468
2. Tex
3. We score at least 4 in two different innings.
Section 435 - A Braves blog. From the upper deck at Turner Field.
by 6stringbeliever on Apr 9, 2008 11:09 AM EDT reply actions
hmm
Call this a pick-to-click or what-have-you, but I have a strange premonition that this will be Chuck James' last major league start.
I don't know why...
Mine
1. 31,249
2. Chipper
3. Chuck goes 7 innings. He may give up 14 runs, but it'll take 7 innings.
Picks
1. 15, 483
2. Escobar
3. Yunel gets single, double, and homerun
Picks
1. 24,964
2. Chipper
3. The Braves do not lose by one run
Picks
1. 18,200
2. Chuck "Copperhead Road" James
3. One of my favorite Braves, Chuck James, has a quality start and earns a W (and possibly another week in the bigs)
picks
1. 21,321
2. Francoeur
3. Frenchy homers with a mate aboard
Support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by supporting my endurance training through Team In Training! http://www.active.com/donate/tntmn/tntmnDBimber
picks
1. 30,030
2. Chuck James
3. Redman & James both have Quality Starts (shouldn't I get bonus points for this for predicting something as shocking as a Mark Redman quality start?)
Bustins
Picks
1. 22,987
2. Chipper
3. A ratio of 3/2 flyouts to groundouts for both teams.
Picks
1. 29,407
2. Frenchy
3. Braves win by 4 or more
I remember '95
Picks
1- 22,450
2- Diaz
3- Diaz has 4 hits, all singles
Picks
1. 17,685
2. Frenchy
3. Redman gives up 5 ERs in 1 1/13 innings.
NAHWAL
1. 19,400
2. Yunel Escobar
3. Snow stops the game after the sixth.
Picks
1. 20,300
2. Diaz
3. Rockies make 2 errors
picks
1. 21,500
2. KJ
3. Chuck gets 'em 1-2-3 in the first.
picks
1. 22,337
2. Francoeur
3. Neither starter makes it to the 5th (if Redman does then the offense has problems)
roster move?
What was the roster move made to account for James being activated? Its gotta be Corky Miller...right?
Pick
1. 29,444
2. Chipper
3. Francouer goes yard
PiCkS
1) 24,500
2) Chipper
3) The Braves score at least as many runs as they've scored in the past two games in one inning tonight (6+)
Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!
Picks
1. 22,839
2. Chipper
3. Braves bats finally come alive. Three HRs.
Picks
1. 23,998
2. Escobar
3. Braves get a PH HR.
Picks
1) 29,150
2) Escobar
3) Redman gives up 3+ runs in the first
Sick pitchers
Just heard on the pregame show that Chucky, Smoltzie and Huddy are all fighting colds...ugh.
Alright...
...we'll try this again. Switched from beer last night (bad luck I guess) back to gin tonight. Anyone other than myself here?
Couple quick things to mention while watching Extra Innings waiting for the game:
- Watching the Mets vs. Phils game I've realized that my hatred for the Mets far exceeds that of my hatred for the Phils (Kyle Kendrick had 6 walks in the 2nd inning!).
- The Tigers offense still looks very stagnent. Cabrera needs to get going.
- The Reds have bumped Phillips and Dunn done to 4th and 5th in the order respectively...who is batting in front of them? Why that would be Corey Patterson and his .298 OBP leading off. Dusty Baker has no business penciling a lineup card.
Dunn done?
That's wierd...meant to say "down in the order".
Need to start hitting preview...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
or making stiffer drinks!
Didn't catch that 'til you pointed it out!
Sorry I didn't respond to "anybody here"...I'm running between rooms...no tv near the computer - I know, a travesty!
something fun
I watched the first 5 innings of Tampa-Seattle and was laughing the whole time at the Rays broadcast. Everything about it was hilarious, I gotta do that more, while drunk.
Terrible call...
...Yunel out on a bunt that the home plate ump said hit him. Replay showed Yunel was at least 6 inches away from the ball.
4 pitches and 2 outs. Ugh...
This just in...
...Chipper is still good. Single up the middle, to which Tex them flies out to right.
My AAB pick is not looking good so far.
And then...
...he hits Tulo, and Helton rips a single off Tex's glove.
I feel the belligerence coming quickly tonight.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
But hey K'd Holliday.
Which isn't to say it still won't go poorly, but one bright spot.
No...
...just that he had elbow soreness after the weekend. Which of course is not good.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep
That was the roster move. Elbow tendonitis. 15-day retroactive from Monday.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you shitting me...
..? Link please.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, hold...I heard it on the radio...I don't think Skip Caray would lie...
Lol
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
"DENVER (AP)—The Atlanta Braves activated left-hander Chuck James from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday and placed right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano on the 15-day DL with right elbow tendinitis.
James was the Braves’ starter for Wednesday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
He was placed on the disabled list March 29, retroactive to March 21, for what the team said was an impingement in his left shoulder. James pitched in only one game in spring training, giving up one hit and no runs in two innings against the Detroit Tigers on March 13.
Soriano picked up his only save of the season Sunday against the New York Mets, pitching a scoreless ninth in a 3-1 win. He has appeared in four games this season, giving up a run and two hits in four innings.
Soriano’s move to the DL is retroactive to Monday."
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
WTF...
...there's no note on my fantasy team!
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
?? Don't know. Just happened 5 minutes before the game.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the update...
...should be interesting to see who Bobby uses as the closer. I'll be very happy when both Soriano and Gonzalez are healthy again.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't say that...
...don't you ever say that...
PS...nice pick by Tex.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Who needs a closer when we lose all the 1 run games?
I keed I keed. and cry. :'[
/cry.
PS...can't believe Frenchy just got a triple off a pitch that looked off the end of the bat. Nice hustle.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn...
...if Kotsay's hit goes up the middle there's a pretty good chance McCann scores.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Aside, baseball-reference is freaking awesome.
For example, did you know that Chipper Jones hits 29 points better the third time he faces a starter in the order? goes from .290 to .319.
Thats crazy
True.
I like the thought of Bobby squeezing, granted it's a crazy play, but Bobby never seems to do that kind of stuff and switching it up might just through people off.
Anyone else...
...listening on XM? I have to say, the Rox radio announcers aren't too bad. No Skip and Joe, but then who is?
Not I...
...but the guys who are calling whatever feed Extra Innings is pumping into my TV are good, IMO.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Just switched over...
...to the Reds/Brewers game and Braun hits a homer to right-center. Kid is good.
just saw
The bunt call. was listening to the radio before...not even close. Is that Angel? He is terrible.
According to Pete.
Acosta is the closer while Soriano is on the DL.
That is about what I expected...
Hope we can put games out of reach before we call on him...Geez.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Stop it!
No hitting! Jeez. Especially that SOB. He's fast ya see.
Is it just me...
...or does Chucky not even attempt to finish his delivery half the time? I don't remember that the last two seasons.
PS...this inning is looking like a clusterfuck. Need another drink.
Egads.
Batters hit 90 points better against chuck in their 3+ PA in one game against him. That's terrible.
thank heavens.
Helton is a beast. A mountain man beast. K's are your friend Chucky, Matt Holliday is not.
Nice play by Diaz...
...NOT! Are you kidding me with that bullshit?
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Like I said.
Stupid Matt Holliday. Why didn't chuck hit him?
BAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I'm getting so tired of being a Braves fan anymore.
What's that...
...4 or 5 shots to the warning track?
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Alright, it's time to put Chipper on the mound.
He's our only hope.
put TP or Roger or hell, Bobby in there to pitch.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh damn...
...I think we're pretty well screwed here. At this rate, my NAHWAL pick will be a +1 by the end of the inning.
Torrealba.
You kidding me. Stupid god damn rockies. Braves.
You know...
...it is Mark Redman, which is the only reason I will continue to watch. But if we havn't cut into this lead by the 5th inning I'm going to watch the movie I got halfway through last night.
Bounce Back Time
Let's get something going right here, Braves. Let's prove we're not completely dead.
Still watching...
...because crappy baseball is still better than having no baseball at all.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Fine...
...There Will Be Blood will have to wait I suppose.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Got halfway through it last night...
...loving it so far. It will be hard pressed to beat No Country for Old Men, though...that was an amazing flick.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
No Country is better.
I love them both a bunch, but No Country was just so amazing. So so amazing.
Yeah...
...No Country is the only movie I've ever seen that has made me contemplate naming it my #1 of all time over Shawshank.
Gone Baby Gone and Assassination of Jesse James were both very good this past year, also.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Did not care for assassination of JJ... Liked Michael Clayton though.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Have not...
...seen that yet. Been meaning to check it out. Juno, not really interested in seeing.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Saw Juno, too. Girlfriend wanted to see it. Actually, I liked it much better than I thought I would. It good for what it is.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure what your style is...
...but No Country blew my hair back. Best movie I've seen since I rented Oldboy last year.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Michael Clayton is good.
Quite good I thought, but No Country is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's just amazing.
Back to There Will Be Blood, Daniel Day Lewis is probably the best actor of our time. He is amazing. Have you seen My Left Foot? If not, go watch it. Amazing, amazing actor.
Have not seen...
...My Left Foot. Have it in my Netflix queue.
He was great in Gangs of New York, which is a pretty underrated movie.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Just moved...
...My Left Foot to #2 on my Netflix queue. Gotta finish up Ghost in the Shell first...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds very interesting...
...I'm very open-minded when it comes to cinema. I'll let you know what I think.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I also am a big fan of the Cohen Bros. Have you seen Miller's Crossing & Barton Fink? Both excellent films, IMO. I also of course liked Fargo and O Brother. Plus, Big Lebowski? Come on...
Love the Cohen's...
...they've recently taken over the role of my favorite director(s) over Stanley Kubrick.
Fargo is amazing. Big Lebowski is amazing. O Brother is terrific. Miller's Crossing was very good. Barton Fink is in my Netflix queue also.
Cannot find Blood Simple anywhere, however.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
It's true.
And if you want to see him being even more bizarre, check out his role in A Room with a View. That's an out of left field performance. As far as performances though, Javier Bardem is perfect as Chigurgh. Literally perfect.
The scene...
...with him and the gas station clerk is chilling.
"What business is it of yours where I'm from...friend-o?"
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn right.
I was so tense that whole movie, but that scene was just amazing. "Don't put it in your pocket! If you put it in your pocket it will become just another quarter. Which it is."
Ha...
...when the clerk calls it as heads and Bardem goes "Well done!" like it's just a game to him...my jaw was on the floor.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Checkin' in
So, how many revolvers do we need from all of us that said we'd kill ourselves if Mark Redman actually got the duke?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Poetic justice is....
Someone eventually hitting a grand slam somewhere tonight, to bring it to 6-5 for us to lose another one-run game.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
actually, it would be worse if we manufactured 4 more runs the hard way.
by jug on Apr 9, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
And here I was hoping he'd hit Helton...
And let Holliday hit a jack.
Oh Chipper.
He's so very good. So very very good. I still remember getting his autograph when I was a kid. Most awesome baseball memory I have after that shot Justice hit in '95.
Lucky...
...he's never come over to sign autographs before a game at old RFK. Frenchy has done it every time I've been there (hence the picture). McCann and Salty both did it last time I was there also. Even Andruw signed one for my little bro before striking out 3 times that night.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
It was pure luck.
I was a California guy. At a Giants game and for some reason they hadn't roped off the seats right next to the dugout. He knew someone down there and came over to talk, then signed some balls. Getting autographs is a kick.
I'll be at the new...
...Nats stadium early on Sat and Sun with my fingers crossed.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good luck.
A friend of my mom's was a huge braves fan, he had a ball just covered in autographs. Covered. It was pretty cool. He just collected it over the years.
I prefer pictures...
...but I appreciate the comment.
PS...what's up with Diaz? He just hasn't been having good at-bats this year.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I have never been, but I've heard the best place is spring training. They are more willing/able to sign.
I went to...
...Spring Training last year but my fucking roomates were late to wake up b/c we went out boozing the night before. Still saw the Braves win in style with McCann and Andruw both hitting moonshots.
Karma came back to my roomates, when the Red Sox/O's game was sold out.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Balls.
Redman is out. I think that's ballgame. Although I suppose I gave up on that first Pirate's game too.
I'm going to console myself
with the fact I got pit tickets to Radiohead today. This game is just depressing.
Radiohead...
...been meaning to add some of their stuff to my IPod.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
question
anyone been to the Angels stadium? I'm moving to Las Vegas in may and goin to see the braves play there in June, just curious what its like.
Yeah
I went there last August...saw LAA/TOR, Guerrero hit two bombs but LA lost. I liked the place for the most part, and you can't beat the weather. Decent food choices as well. Crowd was late arriving but they were into it once they all got there. And man do they LOVE Vlad.
We've got our own Vlad...
...his name is Frenchy.
PS...my love for Gotay grows with an opposite field double. Not sure why the Mets were okay with putting him on waivers.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Going in May
Got tickets to Angels/Tigers on May 26th. Thought it was going to be a good matchup, but with both teams' rotations decimated with injuries, and the Tigers stinking it up, who knows what is going to happen.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
You want to know the worst part?
I can already hear Chris Bermann screaming "Chuck James PITCH!!" like Dave Chappelle on Baseball Tonight, while they show highlights of Torrealba's homer.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Hate Berman...
...has everyone seen the clip of him cursing out the cast of Baseball Tonight?
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
MNF...
...obviously, not BT.
PS...could have really used a non-double play from Escobar right there.
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 9, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
My friend and I used to joke
About how Jose Vidro was a GIDP guaranteed whenever he came to bat with men on first, when he was on the Nationals. The first time I went to Safeco Field, I saw him GIDP to start the game to wipe out an Ichiro single, and then GIDP to end the game after Ichiro tagged Rivera.
We even went as far as to rename the stat to "Vidros."
So far, Yunel has been ice cold with any baserunners on as of late.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
My brother and I...
...had the same thing, only with Javy Lopez. We used to call him "GIDP Lopez" and he would root for him to strikeout whenever there was a runner on first.
Holliday's average...
...has gone from .160 at the beginning of the series to .290+. Caught him at the wrong time.
PS...I HATE RESOP, which translates to "I'm going to finish my movie, have a good night everyone."
not bad
Heap savin' face. I wonder if any announcers are going to point out the concept of "taking momentum from a loss to tomorrow's game."
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Not since Pedro Astacio
Have I seen a slower pitcher. Oh, and look, a 3-run homer. I hope they get this suck out of their system today and tomorrow before playing division rivals.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Wow
Smoltz's Beard got out when the getting was good.
If anyone wants to follow a good game, Pirates/Cubs have a classic going: 4-4 top 15
Results
The attendance for the game was 23,210. With a guess of 23,333, jc25 gets the point.
The pick to click was Brian McCann. One point each goes to:
morri029
supesk6
jc25
AAB picks, one point each to:
supesk6
hbkbraves
mycr0ft
VegasAces
Lizziebeth
I was there
Not more than 6,000 people in the stadium. I hate how attendance is skewed for tickets sold, not people at the game....
Totals so far this week
bigjoe 3
Euruproktos 3
hbkbraves 3
Lizziebeth 3
jc25 2
mycr0ft 2
supesk6 2
VegasAces 2
17843 1
jack_d 1
jug 1
Perrinbar 1
torchy 1
morri029 1
Season totals for NAHWAL
bigjoe 6
Euruproktos 6
hbkbraves 6
mycr0ft 6
VegasAces 6
Lizziebeth 5
jack_d 5
bACEballstud 5
supesk6 4
jug 4
torchy 4
brndn 4
chance13ga 4
ejruiz 4
gondeee 4
gopherbroke 4
GRABtheMIC 4
jess7 4
mccannfan 4
Murphy03 4
Rain Delay 4
secondbass 4
Smoltz's Beard 4
jc25 3
17843 3
godawgs 3
RandyRocks 3
sdp 3
Stook 3
yondaime4 3
Perrinbar 2
10-4 2
755aaron 2
A49erFan77 2
deepinmetsterritory 2
ghos 2
Gmills 2
jcarp11 2
mvandonsel 2
rearnold 2
Stephen Webb 2
theangelicdoctor 2
woodywoodsaver 2
zest 2
morri029 1
6stringbeliever 1
atl14yearsschaffer 1
Bama_Ben 1
epati 1
OntheGo 1
pcongnu 1
RonGantFan 1
Samson 1
Something Profound 1
whunt13 1
WienerDog 1
woogidy 1
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