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Phils @ Braves: Game 1 Open Thread

Gondeee_tiny by gondeee on in Open Threads

Philadelphia @ Atlanta


We need to come back and start off this homestand on a positive note with a win against these Phillies. The Phils have been the worst team in the NL East over the past 10 days, but that's not saying too much since they are still in first place. This is as good a chance as any to take three games from them and even things up in the division. Alls we need to do is score some damn runs and catch the ball.

Maybe my presence will affect the outcome of this game. I will be in attendance and in the Golden Moon Casino Suite on the first base side... some type of vendor sales-pitch-slash-baseball-game event. But for a free game in a suite, I'll sit through the sales pitch.

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG
2008 - Mark Kotsay 47 170 23 50 8 2 4 21 13 16 2 1 .294 .344 .435

It looks like we might get Mark Kotsay back today, but in the process we will likely see Chipper Jones head to the disabled list. Hopefully Kotsay picks up where he left off for the team.

I really don't like it when I look at the probably pitchers list for the upcoming games and Tim Hudson's name is not on there.

Next Game

Philadelphia Phillies
@ Atlanta Braves

Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008, 7:10 PM EDT
Turner Field

Kyle Kendrick vs Charlie Morton

Clear. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

 

Complete Coverage >

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Whoa, wait

is Huddy injured? Why the empty rotation spot?

by TradeAndruw on Jul 1, 2008 9:57 AM EDT   0 recs

Shhhh!

Don’t jinx us. Bad MO JO.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 2:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Chipper...

Any indication that the DL stint would be retroactive to a date?...or are we looking at a full 15 MORE days without him?

by OntheGo on Jul 1, 2008 10:49 AM EDT   0 recs

I read somewhere that it will be retroactive to the last time he pinch hit…not 100% sure though.

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 1, 2008 11:03 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That makes sense…I’m pretty sure that’s how the retroactive rule works, it can be dated back to the game after the last time you played in any capacity.

by VegasAces on Jul 1, 2008 11:10 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The bigger question… retroactive or not, is 15 days enough for Chipper to get back into playing condition?

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 11:13 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

A very good question indeed…and I don’t like it when Bobby says things like “Chipper’s not close”.

by VegasAces on Jul 1, 2008 11:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

or when he's drooling looking at the ASB break

i mean, we all knew it was too good to be true. Chip in full form the whole season? He has to make things interesting at least.

by traphicg on Jul 1, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully

He’ll be able to come back and make enough PAs to qualify for his long-overdue batting title. The year BMac should’ve contended for it, it just kept felt like he was always coming short in PAs to qualify. It certainly didn’t feel like he missed that much time.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

To the old farts' credit

when playing Chipper and Smoltz really performed at the level that makes us miss them even more.

by OntheGo on Jul 1, 2008 3:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Back-to-back outings by The Beard with 13 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 2 BB and 20 K? Yeah, I’d say I miss that.

PS…I just pulled up his player page and got sad b/c it’s been so long since I’ve seen him. = (

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 1, 2008 3:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

me too,

sad that is….

by sddbaker on Jul 1, 2008 4:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You think you feel bad...

I was offered tickets to see the game where Smoltz threw his 3,000 SO, but I didn’t go because my puppy had obedience class and I was afraid they wouldn’t let me make the class up…

Trying living with that decision.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 4:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

SI.com irks me sometimes

They have this photo gallery of “Memorable 2008 MLB Moments,” and they have crap like individual wins by Cliff Lee, or Josh Hamilton’s return from drug abuse, or Johnny Damon going 6/6. But no mention of John Smoltz fanning his 3,000th strikeout.

Seriously, wtf?

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 4:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't worry about it...

As I am sure that Smoltzie ain’t worrying about it. He has his spot in Cooperstown, forget the haters.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 4:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not worried

I just find it asinine that whomever put together that mish-mash of second-rate events is that dumb to forget about a living legend.

Chipper’s multi-hit games (but not the 400th homer) and Teix’s three-homer game are mentioned, but let’s face it, even if the 400th homer were up there, all three events take a backseat to Smoltzie’s 3,000th K.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 4:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, I agree...

Trust me. SI (and pretty much every other major sports publication) never gets it right.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 4:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Figured that much

Moylan has been with the team since his surgery. It only makes sense that Smoltzie would join the club.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 4:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No, more like 10.

If he were placed on the disabled list right now, it would be retroactive to June 26. He would be eligible to come back on July 11.

by FYFs LOBs on Jul 1, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

- Oh, Bobby. -

by sdp on Jul 1, 2008 1:04 PM EDT   0 recs

Question

How’d you bat in your playing days?

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 1:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was Adam Dunn...

Lots of homers, lots of strikeouts, lots of walks.

- Oh, Bobby. -

by sdp on Jul 1, 2008 2:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

So...

An Adam Dunn type? Dunn came in the league in ‘01, when did you retire?

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 2:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I like the move

I know it’s tough to see Chipper on the DL, but every time Bobby used him as a pinch hitter, he’d have to use two other player (one to run for him and maybe another to play the field – depending on the situation).

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT   0 recs

NAHWAL

WTF? Is it over? Can we just play for fun and no prizes or score?

I want to make AAB predictions again.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 4:40 PM EDT   0 recs

i’m the NAHWAL chief, and i’m ready to get tallying. dammit. MAN UP GONDEEE

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 6:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fun Facts

I was thinking today about when Yunel comes back, who will bat lead-off. Many people, such as Joe Simpson, want Blanco to bat lead-off. Here are some stats to roll around in your minds.

Blanco
(lifetime)
1st batter of the game: 0-11, 3 SOs
Overall batting 1st: 48 PAs, .747 OPS
Overall batting 8th: 128 PAs, .761 OPS

(season) 6 SB, 1 CS

Escobar
(lifetime)
1st batter of the game: 68 PAs, 1.077 OPS
Overall batting 1st: 329 PAs, .801 OPS
Overall batting 2nd: 236 PAs, .796 OPS

(season) 2 SB, 4 CS

‘Beard, makes sense of it all. Tell me who should be batting lead-off?

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 4:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Very interesting stuff. Personally I think that Blanco should be batting leadoff with Yunel in the #2 spot. Yunel’s career numbers are inflated pretty heavily there because he had a crazy BABIP of .364 last year (.310 is average). This year it is at .325 which is still higher than it should be. If you look strictly at this year you see that Yunel is at a .352 OBP when batting leadoff, but .391 OPS when hitting 2nd. Blanco is at .375 OBP in the leadoff role. Image getting the two of them on base that many times in front of Chipper and Tex?

Good stuff jug!

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 1, 2008 5:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

I was just thinking about it, because Blanco to me seems to have the “build” and characteristics of a lead-off hitter, but hasn’t had much of an opportunity there this year and hasn’t done much while there. Yunel is just a great hitter, so of course he can play there, but I think he’s too aggressive, IMO. I would love to see Blanco, Yunel, Chipper, Tex, McCann, Johnson, wildcard, pitcher. Yes, FYF will not bat, that way we get back through the order faster and without the possibility of him GIDP.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 6:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And right on cue Blanco goes 2-4 with a BB as the leadoff hitter.

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 2, 2008 9:43 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lookie lookie

Someone decided to not go on the DL after all.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080701&content_id=3041363&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

Who’re we losing instead now?

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 4:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Damn

Something tells me he is pushing it.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 4:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Likewise

But something tells me he’s sick of seeing losses, and I sure hope he doesn’t pull an Eric Byrnes.

My guess is that we can say goodbye to Bjönes, and they’ll move Blanco to LF while Kotsay takes CF back.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 4:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yep

goodbye brenteria jones. we hardly knew ye.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm…this is a pretty big series and I guess he doesn’t want to miss it. That being said, I’m not sure if this is a good idea.

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 1, 2008 5:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You and me both.

Bobby’s usually good about the “one more day rule,” but he has to be seeing the importance in this as well. Somehow, I’m betting Chipper has the benefit of the doubt to veto the “one more day rule” if he was able to prove that he could jog down a base line.

Too bad there’s no DR yet – a designated runner. That way, Chipper can just swing away, and have like Gregor Blanco run the bases for him. That sounds like something, along with the DH that the National League apparently “needs.”

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 5:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Make me puke

The only “DH” I wish the NL would actually employ is a REAL double header.

although I’d make an exception to keep Chipper in healthy. I’m such a hypocrite.

JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net

by JBinATL on Jul 1, 2008 6:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Chipper

only person that gets a DR. When Pujols turns 36, he too may have a DR if he wills it.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That crazy Chipper...

you gotta love him.

by sddbaker on Jul 1, 2008 5:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thats it, he’s legit insane. if he plays in the ASG, i’m kicking him in the teeth

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 6:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

bobby

i think bobby doesnt do anything, but when Chip comes up and says “I’m ready” he’s ready.

by traphicg on Jul 1, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

CHIPPER IN LINEUP TONIGHT!!!

Check out DOB’s blog. Hellz yeah.

by TradeAndruw on Jul 1, 2008 5:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Brett Myers

I read on MLBTraderumors.com that he accepted a minor league assignment anyone else got some info on that. If this is true does that mean we get Cole Hamels instead on thursday?

by gopherbroke on Jul 1, 2008 5:54 PM EDT   0 recs

espn

just announced Meyers IS going down to minor league. They didnt say if the Camel will oppose us.

by traphicg on Jul 1, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

DOB

Said that we will face Hamels Wednesday.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 6:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Shoot

I mean Thursday.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 6:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Now I'm Happy Again.

I’m mean Gotay was an INCREDIBLE fill in the other day. But I think I’ll go with Chipper.

Hey Phillies, Get the Phunk outta my Phace.

~JB

JB in ATL
http://bravesblog.net

by JBinATL on Jul 1, 2008 5:56 PM EDT   0 recs

also. my mental state tonight is…weird, because i have come to the realization that my ex-girlfriend (that i’m still in love with) tried to (and may have) fucked the current WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION. fucking really. GO BRAVES.

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 6:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Hell, Lumbergh fucked her.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 6:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+10

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wait, the fat african-american dude?

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

Triple-H banged Chyna. To some capacity you probably have made contact with some other man’s genitals through association.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 1, 2008 8:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

congrats?

/confused

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No Yunel. But Chipper and Serial KILLA!

Blanco lf
Johnson 2b
C. Jones 3b
Teixeira 1b
McCann c
Kotsay cf
FYF rf
Lillibridge ss
Morton p

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 6:56 PM EDT   0 recs

YES! SK HITTING ABOVE THE STRUGGLING JEFF FRANCOUER!

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

motherfuck, theyre arbitrarily blacking me out again tonight. GREAT

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:03 PM EDT   0 recs

not your night, is it?

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

phillies announcers are already offending me. HELP ME JUG

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

got growler?

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

indeed. filled with the RARE ROOSTER summer seasonal. delicious.

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

wait

shouldn’t you get the game locally, or are you closer to Pittsburgh?

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i do. but the phillies announcers are like…BAD

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sarge Sr. FTL

I'm gettin' out of this town alive...even if it kills me.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 2, 2008 9:47 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

SK!!!!!

Check out my Smoltz Tribute site

http://www.smoltz3000.com

by cgilmo78 on Jul 1, 2008 7:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Damnit

nobody wants to see Blaine Boyer’s wife…MRS. KOTSAY PLEASE!

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:05 PM EDT   0 recs

although

she is pretty smoking.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

one sentence about chipper coming back (didnt even mention what kind of injury), and SK hasn’t been mentioned. yet they have an interview about brett myers. HELP MEEEEEEEE

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:09 PM EDT   0 recs

they just said charlie morton has “good mound presence”. do they really spend all day coming up with this shit?

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Hey all, checking in, live from my living room once again kept company with only the almighty MLB GameDay (and you fine folks) to kept me abreast of the goings-on of our beloved Bravos.

Let the game begin! Tonight is where we show that we’re not dead!

by VegasAces on Jul 1, 2008 7:11 PM EDT   0 recs

two hands!

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:13 PM EDT   0 recs

+1

Didn’t take long for him to get a chance, did it?

by VegasAces on Jul 1, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

A lead-off walk?

WTF is going on here?

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:21 PM EDT   0 recs

BOOOOOOOOOO!

quit throwing over!

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Ya know, I like that the Braves feel a sense of urgency

for this series, despite the fact that they are only 4 GB and still 80 something games left.

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

by jug on Jul 1, 2008 7:22 PM EDT   0 recs

I like that too – gotta start playing like that before its too late.

by VegasAces on Jul 1, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

fucking shift

by bigjoe on Jul 1, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

which wwe star?

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 1, 2008 7:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

the NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, cm punk. who i saw wrestle in armories, hotels & skateparks 4 years ago. wow, old school

by