Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Dips a Bit, but stays High

by gondeee on Aug 3, 2009 8:38 AM EDT

The Atlanta Braves Fan Confidence Poll went back to its old up and down ways last week, as it went from 74 to a 68 percent confidence in the Atlanta Braves. The dip was no doubt in response to losing the three-game series in Florida, but the dip may have been controlled by the team's overall good play in July, and perhaps even by the acquisition of Adam LaRoche.

After losing two series in a row, the Braves have a tough task ahead of them on the west coast this week. They'll face a team in San Diego that they have a tough time beating, and a team in LA that just beat them up at home.

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Other than yesterday’s game, I felt that we still had a chance to come away with a W in each game we played so far since the All-Star break. I feel the Wild Card is ours to lose.

by Walker Wallace on Aug 3, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t know why people’s confidence dipped, other than they are fickle.

The Adam Laroche deal didn’t really upset me much, though I’d honestly rather have Kotcman.

I think we could have won some of these games. Bullpen meltdowns continue, but it happens. Yunel being out to the lineup really hurts. Just goes to show how vulnerable this offense is when one star player is out.

Lots of good things to look forward to though with Infante due back soon. Hudson trying to get back to being healthy could be a nice boost to an already excellent starting rotation. I’d still like to see Huddy in the pen so he doesn’t over tax his arm.

While management hasn’t been great, they’ve made some good decisions. Although I think the McLouth deal was a steal. I think the Pirates and Tigers never want to trade with the Braves again.

Most of all, I think this team, while not great, are a really fun group of guys to watch…play some baseball.

by Sparhawk on Aug 3, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

It felt like we played the same way against the Dodgers like we played the Yanks in 99.

A man walks into a meat shoppe and goes to the counter. The cashier asks, "Thinking about buying some meat?". The man replied, "No, I'm going to buy meat, I was thinking about punanny."

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 3, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

The Dodgers know how to win (I hate this)

They are quick learners and seem to have an answer each game on how to win. If the pitcher is good (like last night) they will have him figured out at least by their third time through the line-up…JJ helped them here by letting a few get on easy in the first four innings there by giving them more “looks” at him.
We were a different team with kotch..It does not mean we will be any worse. His doubles were timely…It might take a little bit for Roachy to fit in with the others…just think, since he was last on our team there is what, 4 or 5 player’s from then still on the team
Yes he might like Petco or Safeco…well at least one of those "co"s…it has the funniest right field where the bleachers jut out a little. Not sure what its function is but I have seen a couple of home runs knocked there..otherwise the only other place I have seen more than one has been ones in the left corner deep…that is another wierd seating arrangment…Its like box seats but they kept the an old building there and stuck some tacky balcony railings up.
Their old field, the “Murph” was kind of ugly…the Chargers still play there…but in a vain attempt to make it look bettter they put palm trees on the field just beyond the out field fences…they looked dead most the time…and attracted bees…had to shut down a game once so they could collect a swarm! (it was before the “Killer” word was attached…don’t know if they were)
I know this is getting long so I will close with this….The Padres may prove to be a good practice before having to face the Dodgers again…then we will see if we have a ~~second~~ no, third gear to go and beat them (2out of 3) in their own house…to take back some of the pride!

by bravestatoo on Aug 3, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

Someone posted on another thread we have to play .650 ball the rest of the year to get to the playoffs. I have no idea if this is accurate but if it is, we’re gonna have to find a way to be more consistent.

We win a couple, lose 1, win 1, lose 2 – it’s maddening how we continue to hover at the .500 mark, never able to get far enough ahead where a loss or 2 don’t really hurt us. Thus, my 6 vote again and it’s been pretty much a 5 or 6 since I’ve been here.

I want to vote higher, I really do…but until they can have more than just flashes of brilliance I’ve decided it’s best that I turn the TV on, grab a cold drink, turn on the laptop and enjoy 1 game at a time. If we’re still playing in October, that’s a bonus.

by NCChopper on Aug 3, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

That was me.

Sports Club Stats (a very cool site if you’ve never been there) says we need 37-20 the rest of the way to have a better than even shot at the playoffs.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Aug 3, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

My confidence took a hit after the LaRoche-for-Kotchman deal. I really like both of them: I thought that the Braves were foolish to get rid of LaRoche to start with, that they gave away far too much to rent Teixeira for a season, and honestly wonder what they were thinking in getting LaRoche again when he’ll be a free agent in November and looking for a multi-year deal when we have Freeman coming up in 2011, leading me to wonder who we’ll get to play first next season (maybe we can get Scott Thorman back from the Brewers). I’ve read all of what everyone has said about this deal in other threads and remain unconvinced. If the idea was to try and win the wild card or the division this season, fine, but the Braves are still missing pieces to compete in the postseason, let alone win the World Series. We have very little right handed hitting, let alone right handed power, leaving this team vulnerable to left handed pitching (which I think is why this team has such trouble beating the Nationals). The starters that we paid a lot of money for last winter have not done as well as expected; the bullpen has an annoying tendency to let opponents back into ballgames. Either the hitting’s great and the pitching isn’t, or the pitching’s great and the hitting isn’t. In fairness, the team has done well since the All-Star Break, and they are fun to watch and nowhere near as bad as what was here in 1988, the first year I was here. Like NCChopper, I’m just going to enjoy the games and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if the Braves prove me wrong and get into the postseason. After last season, anything is an improvement.

by John Holton on Aug 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Thorman's not with the Brewers.

Nor has he ever been. He’s played this season in AAA with the teams for Texas and KC. He’s hitting well with the latter after 10 mediocre games with the former. Also, if we have trouble with left-handed pitching, why is it we’ve played so well against the Phils this year and why is our record so good against lefty starters? Finally, I don’t know who you’re complaining about in the rotation, but they’ve all thrown great.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Aug 3, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions