Milwaukee Brewers @ Atlanta Braves GameThread, Jun 23, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Beer Makers @ Braves

by gondeee on Jun 23, 2008 5:35 PM EDT in Open Threads Comment 71 comments

Milwaukee Brewers @ Atlanta Braves

As the Brew-hah's come to town for three games against the Braves, a quick look at the standings will tell you that the Brewers have been a much better team this year -- perhaps an historically bizarre thing to say. The Brew-crew is 7 games over .500 while the Braves are a measly one game under .500, but the Braves are strangely closer to the top of their division than the Brewers. Atlanta is 4-games in back of Philly for the Eastern division lead, while Milwaukee is 6.5-games in back of the back of the Chicago.

This whole "only 4-games back" thing has me a bit concerned in some ways. The Braves are clearly not playing with that much consistency, yet they are within reach of the division lead. This worries me in that we could limp our way into being just a game or two back from the division lead and still be this schizophrenic team which could suddenly collapse. I realize a collapse is the case in any season, but it seems a lot more likely this season with all of our injuries to key players and the inexperience that has been forced into the rotation.

I wrote a couple of weeks ago that the Braves should consider being sellers this year if they are still languishing around the middle of July, and I proposed that we attempt to trade Teixeira among others. I got a lot of flack and disagreement in that piece by saying that we could recoup a lot of the talent -- in terms of potential prospects -- that we traded away to get Teixeira. I'd like to point out an article written by one of the Braves beat writers today which may validate, or at least give more credence, to what I wrote. This comes from Mark Bowman in his weekly Mailbag feature:

If some of you aren't reading this until Thursday and the Braves have already dropped a few games and once again have been deemed sellers, then of course I believe they'll be selling Mark Teixeira to the highest bidder. If Sunday was the start of one his hot streaks, Wren might be able to make a deal that allows him to replace much of the talent that was lost last year with Teixeira's acquisition.

I'm not the only one thinking these thoughts...
By his comments throughout the piece, I'm also not the only one who thinks this team is unreliable...

Next Game

Milwaukee Brewers
@ Atlanta Braves

Monday, Jun 23, 2008, 7:10 PM EDT
Turner Field

Ben Sheets vs Jo-Jo Reyes

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Complete Coverage >

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Comments

Team unreliable...

I like that phrase. When you have Gotay, Infante, and Norton in the same starting lineup, I’m thinking that’s not a championship team. I know those guys are good to get us through rough spots, but to depend on them – All Three at the same time, no less! – as starters is not a reason to feel like your team can win the division, much less the World Series.

by secondbass on Jun 23, 2008 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's make it offiical

and give it the capitalized treatment:

The 2008 Atlanta Braves: Team Unreliable

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it!

Well, not really…but it sure does fit.

by WienerDog on Jun 24, 2008 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Let’s see what we can get for Tex if we’re still hovering around .500 come trade deadline time. The problem is I don’t know who would really be interested at that point. Most of the contenders in the AL don’t have an immediate need for a 1B/DH. We would probably ask for too much if we were to trade to a NL team.

Here’s some scenarios:
Teixeira and Ohman to LAA
Kotchman, Freddy Sandoval (AAA), Anthony Ortega (AA)

Teixeira and Ohman to CWS
Josh Fields (AAA), Justin Cassel (AA), Jacob Rasner (A), Jack Egbert

Any other ideas?

by BlueVol03 on Jun 23, 2008 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Somebody better pick up the slack...

...and take over my usual 150 posts/night, as I won’t be around for a couple days while in the Windy City. Also required, vomit every time FYF is up.

I’ll be at the friendly confines tomorrow for a Cubs-O’s game. Will be wearing my Braves hat, so if I never post again, I’ve met Al Capone.

Also, I’m not liking the direction this thread is going so far…unreliable and trade everybody.

"Have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Yeah, when we lost the pennant in '87."

by jug on Jun 23, 2008 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lineups

BeerMakers:

Weeks, 2b
Hardy, ss
Braun, lf
Fielder, 1b
Hart, rf
Cameron, cf
Hall, 3b
Kendall, c
Sheets, p

Team Unreliable:

Greg White, CF
Yunescobar, ss
Thumbs, 2b
Boomstick, 1b
Heap, c
Imhotep, 3b
FYF, rf
Brenteria, lf
Stay-Puft, p

Good to see FYF in the seven spot. At this point, I feel better with him there. I think its even better than 8th because BJones is more likely to get on base so the P spot can bunt him over.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 6:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else here?

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Semi here..i will be in and out

by frozen rope on Jun 23, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DAMN IT ALL

Didn’t waste any time getting behind tonight!

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Checkin' in.

Just ate dinner, and i glance one time it’s 0-0, I come back, and its 2-0. Go figure.

I won’t be here tomorrow or Wednesday, going to see Eddie Izzard one night, going to B-Mac Bobblehead Day on Wednesday.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Desperado

Francouer wearing a contact in one eye after going to the eye doc

by OntheGo on Jun 23, 2008 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

tapper to short

by OntheGo on Jun 23, 2008 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who knows, maybe it will help. I’m glad he’s trying something.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heaven Forbid

Prince Semien Fielder giving up that ice cream.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

King Felix

Felix Hernandez hit a grand Slam off of Santana

by woodywoodsaver on Jun 23, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Love JJ's

Short swing. Kind of like Utley’s. But hey, they’re both slugging away, so I can’t complain.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Three. Straight. Doubles.

Too bad the road team can’t get the home fans some double cheeseburgers.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stay Puft

Is intimidated right now. I wonder how many walks he’s going to give up until we see Bennett?

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eh,

I don’t blame you guys for stfu-ing. This game is a crap start to a series.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

still here

Feeding Pujolina. Seems like whenever someone goes to eat, we give up two runs.

Blisters again for Jo-Jo? Or just general suckness? As an aside, nice work by Buddy.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stay Puft was removed due to sucking.

The good news is that clouds are forming over Atlanta right now, and I hope it rains, starting in the 6th or something, so they can just call the game.

Ha, I hope Pujolina is not driving you too nuts.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, she’s just doing general baby stuff. Nothing I didn’t expect when this all started.

I agree with you about the rain, that would be excellent.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would no doubt...

Save the bullpen some extraneous work.

So how’s fatherhood going to influence future gambling? Plan on staying at Circus Circus more often?

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Pujolina Mama (aka my wife) and I have been thinking quite a bit about that…money wise, it shouldn’t be too bad. We might wait a year or so before we make our next Vegas excursion, just because we don’t want to be away from her for a long time. But we’ll also be able to save more for the trip at the same time, so it would end up being a good thing in that regard.

As for Circus Circus: I went there once, and if I never step foot in the place again, it’ll be too soon. I only had dinner and played slots there, and it was bad enough. I can’t imagine staying there. Have you ever done it?

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never

Gone to Circus Circus before. Too far down the strip for my liking. I stayed at Stratosphere once, and that was enough of that end of the Strip for me ever.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't blame you

I stayed at the HGV Club last time, and that was great. Only bad part was the closest places to gamble were the Sahara and Riviera. I’m not a huge fan of the Riviera, but the Sahara grew on me a bit.

I didn’t care for the Stratosphere when I stopped in there. Seemed straight out of the 80’s – like I had stepped into the Malibu Club on Vice City.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha

Yeah, that’s true. The only good thing that ever happened to me there was once I saw Ray Charles there once. Was in the neighborhood, knew the lounge singers, and decided to play a tune. Best freebie ever.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

THAT would be awesome

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's one way..

to get a run. At least that means Francoeur can’t do it.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems like we’ve been getting the Virdo-(non) RBI a lot lately.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frenchy's

Obviously been doing some thinking. No movement on three straight pitches?

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Somehow, it pisses me off even more when he doesn’t swing.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In his defense...

...it looked a bit outside on GameDay

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a clean strike on tv.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s GameDay for ya I guess. Piece of crap.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Any idea who that guy is?

He’s semi-famous here now…it’d be funny to run into him on the street.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Found him...

on a stock photography website. Who knows who he’d be otherwise…

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the Braves' defense...

Angel Hernandez is home base ump. Everyone loses while he’s umping.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Buddy continues to roll along. I think he’s found his niche as a long reliever.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately

Sheets is locked in, and doing as well as Buddy.

Good news is that the wind is picking up… and the clouds are getting dark. Sheets and JJ and pray for rain… or something like that.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

buddy

always makes me wanna buy a my buddy

by chance13ga on Jun 23, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sheets going all 9

What are the odds?

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

71 through 6

I’d say pretty good.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know what I do during games like this?

I deal myself hands and hands of blackjack.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope you win

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm kind of like the Braves

I win a hand, I lose a hand. I lose a hand, and then I double-down on a good count, and still lose.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds about right

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least

It’s Sheets. The guy’s been a hard worker and a good guy with unfortunate injury luck. It’s not like we’re losing to like Jeff Suppan.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good point...

and on a related note: any thoughts on Sheets joining our esteemed squad next year? Would we want him?

(Note: this is where some people would throw in “Aside from the injury risk” or “if money is no object”. I call bullshit – all those things count. It’d be a no-brainer if those things weren’t issues.)

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd want Sheets

If injury wasn’t a risk. The guy’s got awesome stuff, plain and simple.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

and if it’s cheap enough (though I doubt it would be), I’d want him with the injury risk too. “Upside potential” is off the charts.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Notice a familiar name?

This is a link to a class A Short-Season (New York-Penn league) team about 2 hours from where I live:

Auburn Doubledays

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

I notice he has zero stats too. I guess for has-beens, they don’t count their stats.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's another one

Find our Old Friend:

Ironbirds Roster

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you...

Googling hasbeens and looking for where they are now or something?

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Friend of mine just gave me a heads-up because a couple guys from the Auburn team were in the Nike store where he works, and he was looking them up. Spoon used to be one of his favorite players so he looked him up too.

So, I can’t take any credit.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Ben Sheets were Roy Halladay

He’d somehow get the first two outs, and then load the bases, and then Gagné or whomever is closing will give up a walk-off grand slam.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do we face Halladay this weekend?

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols I hope not

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whew

We are missing both Halladay and Burnett.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very nice

Of course, as it’s been well-documented, we might have been better off facing them than the no-names.

by VegasAces on Jun 23, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true

We’re going to get owned by Marcum, MacGowan, and whomever else they throw at us. I wonder if they still have Tomo Ohka? He’d be a great candidate for us to turn into Daisuke Matsuzaka against us.

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

by royhobbs on Jun 23, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs