Game Thread & NAHWAL: SWEEP!
by yondaime4 on May 4, 2008 6:30 AM EDT
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PrintCincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves, May 4, 2008 1:35 PM EDT
Well Reyes walked more than he had been at AAA but I'll take that start with some jitters.
Today we get their former staff ace Bronson Arroyo. I say former partly because Cueto and Volquez have been so damn good for the Reds and partly because Arroyo has been so bad with an ERA near 7. Not impressive. He has not made it out of the 6th inning in a single start this season and has given up at least 3 runs in every one of his appearances. I like our chances.
I gotta say, Glavine has pitched well so far this year, though he only has 4 starts so far. If we can just get one of his solid quality starts we should be good to go in this one and then we get another off day on Monday.
Atlanta now has the best starter's ERA (3.18) in the league and the second best team ERA behind St. Louis of all teams (Cards: 3.37, Braves: 3.38). The bullpen has even moved up in the past week from 15th in the league to 11th now. Surprisingly we are 9th in the league in runs scored (though 4th in team OPS). I think this will right itself the next few weeks though. There are too many hitter on this team and Tex is starting to stroke the ball now (hits in 8 of his last 9 games). With him hitting the offense is a different animal.
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Sweep Time
I’m feeling pretty good about our chances today…last night was a joy, watching us tack on runs late. For once I wasn’t even worried when The Towel came in!
1. 34,111
2. Tex
3. Tex has at least 2 XBH
NAHWAL
1. 33,187
2. Yunel
3. Chipper and Tex – back to back jacks.
Their ace
has always been Aaron Harang, not Arroyo. And the way Cueto’s been pitching recently, I wouldn’t have minded seeing him either.
Pickage
1. 36,363
2. Chipper
3. Yunel gets plunked (as pitchers tire of the flamboyant bat flip on singles zinging past their privates)...chuck and duck boys!
Picks
1. 36,832
2. Frenchy
3. 3 different Braves go yard.
Picks
1. 35,278
2. McCann
3. Acosta pitches perfect ninth for the save
by ghost of tom thobe on May 4, 2008 12:30 PM EDT reply actions
Picks
1. 32,250
2. Tex
3. Chipper, Tex, McCann. & Kotsay each have at least one RBI
Picks
1. 34,020
2. Chipper Jones
3. Glavine goes all the way into the 7th, and we see four relievers.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
picks
1. 33,300
2. mccann
3. Braves hit two home runs
Notes.
Reyes didn’t struggle because he was nervous; he hit a wall in the 5th and Bobby left him in for the 6th foolishly. Also, Arroyo was never the Reds staff ace, because they’ve had Harang. Arroyo is now more like their 4th best pitcher and when Bailey comes back up, he’ll be 5th. I hope we crush him early today! Go Braves!!!
Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!
Flu like symptoms. That damn bug is knocking everyone out at some point.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Ron Gant
He sounds like a golf announcer, and there is a sense of urgency in his voice at all times.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
I love Ron Gant on commentary. He’s so awesome.
I assume Joe is doing the TBS game with Douchebag, er, Chip?
Hear that? Joe’s having an appendectomy. No Chip for him, either.
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Very likely
I’m sure he’s got bigger things on his mind than his job.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
You probably wouldn't "meh" if she were on your lap.
Okay then – Jamie Kotsay or Erin Andrews?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
tough one.
I’m not sure…
and you’re right, no meh if in my lap.
by jug on May 4, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
WE HAVE A JOSH FOGG SIGHTING!
I hope we annihilate him so I can make my buddy eat crow for saying he’d rather have Josh Fogg than Tom Glavine.
OH NO
ITS THE DRAGON SLAYER
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Pujols damn it
The Hawks are down by 18 at half.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
If it were Harang
He would be throwing about 160 pitches and go all nine innings in a losing effort.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
More or less it makes up for the embarassing RBI he hung on Arroyo.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
His stuff...
... is very hittable now. If he’s not spot on, he’s gonna give up a good handful of runs.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Glavine's pissed
Huge lead or not, he didn’t want to give that crap up.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
This is getting worrisome
We’re back into a save situation…
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Poor Tommy
I call Ohman. He’ll get yet another decision from facing one batter.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Poor start...
...for Glavine. They certainly are right when they say that he doesn’t give in to the hitter. Every pitch he threw on a 3-2 count was thrown hoping the hitter would swing, because it was well out of the zone.
Oh thank Pujols for this hitting.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
with a .518 OBP so far this year…sounds about right
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, would you look at...
... Wilfredo Ledezma’s line with San Diego this year:
16 2/3 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 8 BB, 15 SO, 1.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
I'm thoroughly unconvinced...
... that Francoeur is a major league hitter.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes...
...he gets up to the plate and has a honest to pujols good at bat. Other times he looks like a little leaguer.
Make me appreciate Chipper that much more.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Can’t we just get a grand slam and be done with it?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
The Rev?
Anyone know how The Vulture is doing over in Houston? I caught him pitching in one game and he wasn’t doing very well.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
He's about the same...
mid-to-high 4.00 ERA, although he’s given up 6 gopher balls this year—he only gave up 6 all of last year.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking about that earlier today as well:
0-3, 14 appearances, 18 IP, 10 R, 10 ER, 6 HR, 4 BB, 13 K, 4.82 ERA
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Stats
Josh Anderson:
.280 AVG, 107 AB, 14 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 BB, 15 SO, 14 R, 9 SB, 2 CS, 0 GIDP, .339 OBP
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm...
...with Gregor playing as well as he is, what do you guys think happens to Anderson? Or for that matter, Brandon Jones?
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't see them as coveted trade pieces...
... so one of them may end up as a throw-in to complete a trade or they’ll end up coming into Spring camp out-of-options and end up waived. Brandon Jones is a lot of hype and Josh Anderson is essentially a Pete Orr who can hit a smidgen better.
However, I’m pleasantly surprised by Blanco. I wasn’t thrilled with his making the roster, but he’s proved me wrong.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
For Roy Oswalt
Jo-Jo Reyes, Brayan Pena, Josh Anderson, Blaine Boyer, and Chris REitsmop
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Every time Freel botches in the outfield
I think about Torii Hunter’s embarassing missed dive that lead to the IPHR. Wasn’t it Kotsay who hit it too?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
This is a lethal offense...
... problem is, it’s as harmless as a mouse some nights.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
This game
Is going way too long. Most of the 1:35 games are ending right about now.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Adding to the Post Total...
Was in the car, when I got out it was 7-1. Not too pleased at the current score. Glavine was moving right along when I was listening, WTF happened? Did he get rocked or was it a bunch of bleeders?
Glavine got smeared
And Royce Ring is in line for the win after 1 batter faced for being the pitcher of decision when the 5th inning started.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
The ultimate vulture is when a guy gets the out by picking off a baseman who is wandering too far off the bag, and no official pitch is actually recorded.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Like I mentioned above...
...he was nibbling at the corners with alot of people, and he’d get to a full count and instead of pitching a strike he would throw a ball out of the zone and hope they chased.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I saw that comment, but I didn’t know if that was the majority of his problem or just part of it. Either way, it irritates me – with a lead that big, make them put it in play! I swear I learned that in Little League.
Just didn’t look like he had “it”. Dunn hit a rocket for a 2 RBI double, but other than that and Bako’s HR I can’t remember many hard hit balls.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I just laughed my ass off on the cut to the dugout where you see Diaz shoveling a handful of sunflower seeds in his mouth.
yeah, looked like he jammed his thumb. not smart.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I always get goosebumps
When I see those FOX MLB promos that show the previous season’s highlights, milestones, all-star clips, and playoff clips.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Hahaha
Jon Scambi and Ron Gant were talking for the last 2 minutes about how great Jo Jo is as a batter, and then Stay-Puft strikes out looking.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
pitch looked high to me, but probably too close to take.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
The umps are tired of being out.
The strike zones have turned Erig Gregg-ish now.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Freel
Is it just me, or does he kind of have this Dana Carvey / Ross Perot looking thing going on?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
The Hammer...
Has been dropped. Mark is SO getting some tonight. Lucky Pujols damn bastard.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
I just...
Got on to say it was time for royhobbs to post everyone’s fav pic after Kotsay’s jack…guess I didn’t need to!
Gant
Wants Bray tossed. I didn’t really think that was on purpose…Especially to a guy who was 0-3 today.
Yeah, I have no clue why they would bean Tex of all people.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Poor Chipper
Always gets forced out at home in this situation.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
Can we please
Just get a bloody grand slam and be done with it?
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
On the old station...
Dan Haren vs. Johan Santana. Sounds good on paper.
one more time ... for sting!! a sports blog written by two opinionated males
I just flipped over. Not looking forward to playing the D-Backs. Although, Haren has a sub-par beard. going right now.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope we can...
take some of this home cooking on the road. Seems in recent years we stunk at home.
Yeah…road record looks pretty shitty thus far.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Considering they smacked us around last year...
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
by sdp on May 4, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Ugh...
... I hate games like this, but glad we won. Felt like a NYY-BOS game…just a bit under 4 hours.
-RETIRE, BOBBY COX!-
Pretty interesting team line today
AB – 41
R – 14
H – 19
RBI – 14
LOB – 36
Hit nearly .500 and still leave 36 on base
how in the hell did you get 36 LOB? considering we didn’t even have that many runners on to begin with…
Results
Attendance for the game was 33,750. With a guess of 34,000, chance13ga gets the point.
Again, a lot of clicking going on in this game. I think Chipper, Kotsay, and KJ stand out, though. One point each to:
OntheGo
bigjoe
royhobbs
Smoltz’s Beard
chance13ga
AAB picks, one point each to:
bigjoe
sdp
Smoltz’s Beard
epatl
secondbass
Finally
I finally had some time to knock out the NAHWAL results. I’m still in Singapore and my trip actually got extended until Friday, so I’ll be here a bit longer than expected, but Matt is doing a great job (though, I’m sure he’s ready for me to back already).
Here are the totals for week 5:
Smoltz’s Beard 7
musicman 5
Murphy03 4
WienerDog 4
hippybustins 3
Lizziebeth 3
sdp 3
secondbass 3
bigjoe 2
chance13ga 2
royhobbs 2
traphicg 2
yondaime4 2
epati 1
Euruproktos 1
jess7 1
OntheGo 1
Perrinbar 1
RonGantFan 1
sddbaker 1
welby24 1
wtf
Man, I’ve been resoping it up lately. By Pujols though, I’ll get better!
by jug on May 5, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I was wondering if you were a drunken-Gondee omission, or if you just really sucked this week.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 5, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
could be a little of both
I need to go back and check up the lush. But, more than likely he got it right…
by jug on May 5, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Season standings so far
It’s a close race for the season series:
Smoltz’s Beard 20
sdp 20
VegasAces 19
secondbass 16
chance13ga 16
hbkbraves 16
jc25 16
jess7 15
mccannfan 15
bigjoe 13
mycr0ft 13
WienerDog 12
Perrinbar 12
jug 12
torchy 12
jack_d 11
Murphy03 10
Lizziebeth 10
brndn 10
supesk6 9
royhobbs 8
OntheGo 8
morri029 8
pett-man 8
hippybustins 7
yondaime4 7
Euruproktos 7
welby24 7
rearnold 7
Stook 7
traphicg 6
6stringbeliever 6
Rain Delay 6
musicman 5
10-4 5
bACEballstud 5
ejruiz 5
gopherbroke 5
RonGantFan 4
755aaron 4
ghos 4
godawgs 4
gondeee 4
GRABtheMIC 4
NickATL 4
17843 3
Bama_Ben 3
KC Braves 3
RandyRocks 3
epati 2
sddbaker 2
A49erFan77 2
deepinmetsterritory 2
ghost of tom thobe 2
Gmills 2
jcarp11 2
mvandonsel 2
rawleigh 2
Something Profound 2
Stephen Webb 2
theangelicdoctor 2
woodywoodsaver 2
zest 2
atl14yearsschaffer 1
Chopaholic 1
clemsonfan 1
dannycco 1
JBinATL 1
JDMaker1 1
pcongnu 1
Samson 1
subwindow 1
whunt13 1
woogidy 1
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