New York @ Atlanta GameThread, May 22, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Mets @ Braves: Time for a SWEEP!

by gondeee on May 22, 2008 8:54 AM EDT in Open Threads

New York @ Atlanta

Sweep_medium

It was really nice to see Francoeur break out last night, and for Teixeira to continue his recent hot streak. If both of those guys get going, then the rest of the league better watch out for the Braves. With the way McCann, Chipper, Escobar, and KJ have been hitting, and our recent string of quality starting pitching we should be really hard to beat. Finally!; the team on paper comes alive on the field.

The evil in me is coming out and I want to see us absolutely pound Santana today. I'm not talking just a few runs here and there, I'm talking multiple grand slams and other assorted run scoring. Then in the ninth inning I want whoever is pitching for the Braves to hit the first Mets batter they face square in the middle of the back with a fastball. In the words of Serpentor, "This I Command!"

Next Game

New York Mets
@ Atlanta Braves

Thursday, May 22, 2008, 7:10 PM EDT
Turner Field

Johan Santana vs Tim Hudson

Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Complete Coverage >

Remember, no NAHWAL today. Not only do I not have the time for it right now, but I'm also way too superstitious to start it up after we've won four straight without NAHWAL.

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+100

Ugh…Serpentor reference? Amazing.

I also concur with: I’m not talking just a few runs here and there, I’m talking multiple grand slams and other assorted run scoring.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 9:16 AM EDT 0 recs

I second

I think our “retaliation” should just be embarrasing them and potentially knocking Johan out early, via the avalanche of runs.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 9:19 AM EDT up 0 recs

If this game went Gondeee's way...

...while Fernando Tatis is watching from the dugout, the Braves will hit around twice in an inning, with Chipper Jones hitting three grand slams, from alternating sides of the plate. The first off Santana, then Jorge Sosa, and perfectly fitting, Scott Schowenweis.

We can dream, right?

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 9:18 AM EDT 0 recs

We can.

I think a riot might ensue in Flushing Meadows . . . posssibly resulting in the destruction of their partially complete new stadium. That would be a fitting end to a great dream.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 9:21 AM EDT up 0 recs

Knockin' out Santana

Aah, that would be the icing on the cake of this wonderful series. Nothing in baseball is better than seeing the Bravos hand the Mets their arses.

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 9:27 AM EDT 0 recs

Short of a WS win that is...

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 9:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

Depends on the WS.

I don’t know, but I thought the last few years of World Series have been kinda blah. All the sweeps, AL domination, teams I’m not interested in, etc… the LCSes have been far more entertaining to me. The last one I enjoyed was 2006, 2001, or 2002, but none of the others.

The Braves knocking out Santana in game 7 of the NLCS would be heavenly, but that would first, require the Mets to actually get into the playoffs, let alone get past the first round.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 9:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah but

If it was the Braves in the WS, it wouldn’t be blah. And it would also be nice to have another WS title to combat the never-ending diatribe from jealous, non-Braves fans that goes something like “Yeah, all those consecutive division titles and only one WS”.

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 10:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

I love that debate

Those people clearly don’t understand the importance of just getting to the post-season alone. Especially in baseball, where only four teams make it in each league, as opposed to the NFL where 1/3 of the league has a shot, or the NBA, where 1/3 of the league isn’t in the playoffs.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 10:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

Exactly

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up 0 recs

I actually had that arguement with my friend who’s a Mets fan last night. We’ve been having this arguement for the past 7 years, only this time he tried to tell me that we never won a WS during that stretch.

He’s funny.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up 0 recs

This is someone you consider

a friend?

by jug on May 22, 2008 10:26 AM EDT up 0 recs

He’s a good guy…he just chooses to root for a terrible baseball team.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

pedro vs. hampton

you could always pull out that bet – who’s going to throw more innings this year

by traphicg on May 22, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

I thoroughly enjoyed...

...the comment on Deadspin after our double-header sweep, along with the Yankees getting crushed by the O’s on Tuesday:

“Unless you’re still basking in the afterglow of that Super Bowl victory, its a very bleak picture in New York right now; steel-reinforced shitstorm umbrellas are being feverishly mass produced there as we speak.”

How sweet it is.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 10:00 AM EDT 0 recs

On a slightly broader spectrum

I just like the fact that we’re beating down on the Mets, after they so thoroughly destroyed the Yankees over the weekend. It’s like superiority, through association, or something like that.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up 0 recs

Ha, I like that theory.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 10:21 AM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed

I enjoy it when any NL team beats any AL team (especially when we then beat the NL team). I’m personally tired of the “AL dominance” or at least all the talk I get from the YanSox fans. I’ve just never been a fan of the DH.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up 0 recs

Anybody

have hypotheses as to why there has been a so-called AL domination? My only guess is because AL teams spend more money…Boston & NY spending far and above most other teams…but that doesn’t hold water when it comes to the CWS or some of the other smaller payroll teams.

by jug on May 22, 2008 10:28 AM EDT up 0 recs

You would think

That NL teams would have an advantage playing in NL parks, because AL teams have to eliminate a bat from their lineup, and put in, in lots of cases, an inexperienced pitcher to swing for themselves.

On the flipside, one might think the NL has an advantage as well at AL parks, by not having their pitcher have to hit for themselves. Sure they don’t always have a DH-type player to DH, but in most cases, they have a utility guy or a pinch-hitter who certainly has a better average than the typical pitcher.

So why the AL fares so decently doesn’t quite ring up for me. Intimidation, media-spin, who knows. A lot of people like to say unfamiliarity with certain ballparks. All I know is that for a few weeks a season, I genuinely put aside my dislike for certain teams, and root for the NL squads. Except the Yankees, but only when they’re playing the Mets. I can handle six more losses for the NL, so long as they’re the Mets.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 10:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

[my "rebuttal" is two posts down

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

CWS has the 5th highest payroll in baseball at over $120 million.

2008 MLB Team Salaries.

PS…according to that site it has us over $100 million. Is that true? I know Mike Hampton’s salary is an albatross, but I thought we were projecting it to be around $85 million.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up 0 recs

Dear Pujols

I remember seeing an old salary chart that had New York and Boston at #1 and #2, but Atlanta with Uncle Ted running the show at a distant #3. And those were the only teams to crack the $100 million mark.

This is like looking at gas prices increase. Even the Marlins! They can’t make the joke anymore that Chan Ho Park made more than the entire Marlins squad!

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up 0 recs

+1

I kinda thought “The Curse” and all that was a bit interesting and that it was fun seeing the Bosox win in ‘04, though. Little did I know that the media floodgates would be opened so wide that all we would ever see/hear about in the mainstream is the “YanSox”. I wonder how many fairweather fans the Sox gained that year?

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

True

I did enjoy the comeback the BoSox had on the Yankees. I’ve always despised the Yanks, I just didn’t realize the BoSox were going to become the Yankees.

Jug, I’ve heard any argument that the AL teams have an advantage by having a DH in interleague play. I think they reasoning is that NL teams don’t carry that kind of a bat, and when NL teams play at an AL stadium they’re disadvantaged by putting in a Greg Norman type player to DH. I don’t guess the AL teams are really disadvantaged when they come to NL stadiums and have to bat the pitcher (even though some NL teams have some decent hitting pitchers.) Not to mention, the AL team still has the DH as a pinch hitter.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 10:38 AM EDT up 0 recs

I hear both responses

...but I still find it difficult to believe the DH is the reason the Rockies and Cardinals got swept. In my mind, I would say on average the NL has had and does have better pitching than the AL. I would also say the AL has on average, better hitting than the NL. So, this to me would favor the NL, since better pitching should beat better hitting. But, that doesn’t seem to be the case in reality.

Unfamiliarity of ballparks goes both ways, so I don’t think it can explain much.

Could it just be, that recently the AL has attracted more talent than the NL and actually is better? It honestly doesn’t make sense.

by jug on May 22, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Logic vs. Reality

Logic – we’re trying to discuss it, and logically, I believe the NL should be better.
Reality – the AL has beaten the NL 8 out of 11 years of Interleague, including the last four consecutive years.

Stats and logic aside, I believe there’s a mental aspect. The media heavily favors the AL, namely because of the Red Sox and Yankees, who are respectively 3rd and 1st in all-time Interleague win pct. I have to wonder if this kinda praise that makes them believe their own hype, and more importantly, make their opponents think about it too, while they’re losing.

The saddest thing is that the Braves, with their .525 Interleague record is 2nd best (T-Cardinals), only to the Florida Marlins (.565). We’re clearly holding our weight, despite poor interleague showings the last two years.

Link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/interleague/records.jsp

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up 0 recs

correction...

Boston is 5th in the AL, all-time interleague win pct. Oakland is 2, Minnesota/Seattle T-3rd.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

I just fail to see how the NL is disadvantaged by having a utility guy get 4-5 ABs instead of a pitcher. I think what bites NL squads in interleague, is when they try to tinker around with the lineup because they have a DH. If I were a manager, and I had a lineup that seemed to work well enough 1-8, I’d just make a DH 9th, and hope that they have a better chance of getting on base, and creating in essence, a bonus base-runner for them to knock in. Or maybe I’m just being naive?

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

Not naive. That makes sense to me for the most part. I’m not sure what makes the AL consistently better than the NL in interleague play. It may just be that since the recent inception of regular season interleague play, the AL has just been better. But as a fan of the NL, I’d rather not admit that.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 11:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

I also

was a Boston “fan” for a couple days just to see them come back on the Yankees and to see the Yankees choke. Little did I realize they would then become the YankSox! Of course, that series was more or less symbolic, because Boston’s payroll had been climbing and was already quite high. I will say this, however many bandwagon fans Boston got that year is fine by me, because that series was good for baseball. Anything that gets people interested trickles down and is in some part good for all teams. As a result, most coverage now features Yankees and Red Sox, because thats what a major percentage of baseball fans want to see. So, I guess what I’m saying, is that part of me gets irked about bandwagon fans, Yankees and Red Sox fans in general, but part of me also realizes that its better to have them as fans than not. Its like a Red Sox fan friend of mine always says in response to bandwagon Sox fans, for every shirt or hat we sell them that helps us re-sign Manny/Schilling/Wakefield/whoever.

by jug on May 22, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, it’s like global warming. I’m just tired of hearing about it.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up 0 recs

My greatest fear is the Cubs winning the WS

I imagine a similar effect to what we saw after the BoSox won in 2004. And there are Cubs fans everywhere. I, for one, hope that the Cubs fall on their face this year or else we have a New Boston in Illinois. Outrageous payroll, historical curse, longest dry-spell in baseball, and a strong fan base that once they taste victory will be as obnoxious as ever and will extend to the grandchildren of anyone who once rooted for the Cubs.

by Euruproktos on May 22, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

I don't know

I don’t want the Cubs to win, because the Braves are going to. BUT…

...if Pujols doesn’t will it, and the Braves are eliminated, I would have no problem with a Cubs WS. For the same reasons as I said about Boston, it would be good to get some casual Cubs fans back into it and recruit more people who otherwise wouldn’t watch baseball. Whats good for baseball is ultimately good for the Braves.

I also think that the Cubs fanbase is sufficiently large enough that it could detract from some of the Boston & NY coverage and it would be a refreshing change to see a new team for a year or two.

But, I see all your points, and Cubs fans are possibly more obnoxious than Red Sox fans and it could mean the end of the world.

by jug on May 22, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

“But, I see all your points, and Cubs fans are possibly more obnoxious than Red Sox fans and it could mean the end of the world”

I lived in Boston last year, I didn’t think “more obnoxious” was possible. Though, I must admit I did wear a BoSox hat to a Yankees-Baltimore game . . . just to spite them. And yes, I did have ice thrown on me, even by old ladies. They keep it classy in the Bronx.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

At least you didn’t get run over by a NY fan.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

I did.

Kinda. I got hit by a car at four in the morning in Bed-Stuy when I lived in Brooklyn. I just wanted some Crown Fried Chicken. If I hadn’t been eating it while I was walking back home I would’ve been further in the crosswalk when he ran the light and would be dead. Therefore….Fried Chicken has saved my life.

by Euruproktos on May 22, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

That’s sick.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

... I meant that as a reply to Smoltz. I like fried chicken.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hmmm

Fried chicken…beer…if someone mentions a pickup truck that Mets troll might actually be right about us!

Now, where’s my Red Man…

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Trucks, eh

Not really pick-up, but it’ll do.

by Euruproktos on May 22, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Looks about right

Near certain parts where I may or may not actually live…

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

Lilliput?

funny, you didn’t look that short in your picture. ;)

by Lizziebeth on May 22, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mets colors!

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

Damn

Just noticed the tomahawk…

still looks like blue and orange on this monitor though.

by WienerDog on May 22, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

Very Blue and Orange

Is that a Mets truck with a tomahawk painted on?

JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net

by JBinATL on May 22, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

Here it is?

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

hell yeah

Levi Garrett is way better than Red Man

by 10-4 on May 22, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah You're Right

Garret didn’t give up nearly as many runs in four starts as Redman did.

JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net

by JBinATL on May 22, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

BEAT SANTANA!

-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-

by sdp on May 22, 2008 10:38 AM EDT 0 recs

Done

...and done.

I guess the Mets are gonna have to look for a new savior.

JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net

by JBinATL on May 22, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

guy at work begged me to switch shifts, so i’ll be able to see this with a cold glass of beer from my growler. HOORAY!

unfortunately, i’ll be AWOL tomorrow. thats probably uh, for the best.

by bigjoe on May 22, 2008 11:15 AM EDT 0 recs

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowler

Just felt like posting it.

by jug on May 22, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yunel

Is Yuni playing tonight? Or is he going to be out for a little bit with the bruised knee? I haven’t heard anything new.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 2:30 PM EDT 0 recs

Not in lineup tonight...

according to ajc.com:
“Escobar took infield and batting practice and could be available to pinch-hit,” manager Bobby Cox said. Escobar was hopeful of returning to the lineup for Friday’s series opener against Arizona.

by Lizziebeth on May 22, 2008 6:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Another thing...

...I meant to bring this up already, but during last nights game on ESPN they cut to a scene which showed Smoltz warming up in the bullpen. I believe it was around the 7th inning.

What the hell was that? Was that a recording from an earlier time, or was that happening live?

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 4:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Could you tell if it was inside or outside?

I was near the outside bullpen in between the 6th & 7th and no one was throwing there.
Somebody else (other blog) said it was before the game…

by Lizziebeth on May 22, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

I was watching the TV from halfway across Sweetwater Tavern and the sound wasn’t on. So I did not get a good view.

The more I think about it I want to say it was inside, but I recall see Eddie Perez and what looked like Jorge Campillo walking in the background. So it very well may have before the game, or even days ago.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wow, Sweetwater Tavern. I haven’t been to one of those in ages. With plane fares what they are now, I don’t know when my next trip back to Virginia’s going to be.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, it was the first time since my little brother’s HS graduation 2 years ago that I’d been as well. Not a big fan of their food, but they have some fantastic “handcrafted beers”.

If I was on top of my game I would have purchased a growler to go, but alas…

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Okay, good

Wasn’t going to criticize them if you still liked them, but I think Sweetwater, and all the other “Great American” restaurants are all kinda mediocre. Food is overpriced and also mediocre, and they serve no purpose but to drink at, honestly. Pujols, I miss Yuengling lager. Can’t get it down here.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 5:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

You can get it in AL

I’ll bring a case on TC day…of course, it might not be so good sitting in my car in the hot August sun…

by jug on May 22, 2008 5:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

I can't answer that question

But I wonder if that happened at the same time when Castillo slugged around with what would be an infield single. Because on the big-screen at the Ted, instead of seeing instant replay of the immediate play, we just got some random clip of Jair Jurrjens converting a 3-1 putout.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 22, 2008 5:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Also...

...quick quote from Baseball Prospectus about Chipper:

Jones’s career year has even extended into the field. Long known as having a leaden glove at the hot corner, this year Jones actually leads all third basemen in Zone Rating, and despite an error last night has a Fielding Percentage of .956 (above the .950 league average) to go with a Range Factor that is exactly average (2.67). FRAA registers Jones doing strong work at third this year as well, rating him four runs above average, which would be the highest mark of his career. That stands in direct contrast to his early career at the hot corner, when he had a combined -7.5 Simple Fielding Runs from his rookie season in 1995 to 2001 (data for 1999 is not available). Since returning to third from left field, where he played in 2002 and ‘03, he has a combined +10.7 SFR in four seasons.

by Smoltz's Beard on May 22, 2008 4:51 PM EDT 0 recs