Braves aren't winning... blame the stars

by gondeee on Sep 9, 2009 10:10 AM EDT

Since the beginning of the San Diego series on August 25th, here is how the Atlanta Braves two "top batters" have fared (BA/OBP/SLG):

Chipper Jones: .154/.296/.244, 7-for-45
Brian McCann: .176/.173/.314, 9-for-51

Just when we needed our big guns the most they deserted us. Including yesterday's win (in which they were actually a combined 0-for-7), we 5 wins verses 9 losses over that span.

An interesting side note here is that Chipper Jones has played the most games of any Braves player this season.

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One thing that is really puzzling is why for the past 18 years Bobby has tended to have the backup catcher be the personal catcher for one pitcher and catch 1 out of 5 games but this year — when the Braves have their best backup catcher ever — he hardly ever starts Ross.

by redwards95 on Sep 9, 2009 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

Because the Braves have their best starting catcher ever?

My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.

by MichaelProcton on Sep 9, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Javi Lopez wasn’t too shabby….

by redwards95 on Sep 9, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

And yet, he rarely caught Greg Maddux (for whatever reason).

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

What a typical, condescending, brainless, one-line snarky statement with no substance from you.

So what if he’s like, “the Braves best starting catcher ever,” McCann isn’t unlike any other catcher in August/September who needs some additional days off. And that he’s been dogshit lately reinforces that.

I’ve also wondered why Ross hasn’t played more when he’s the best option the Braves have had there in a long time—and he’s got a 2 year deal, so it’s not like they don’t think he can contribute. It’s pointless to have had him sit so often recently.

by hoboken_wood on Sep 9, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This has puzzled me as well. Now, Heap is exhausted in the late months and can’t hit the side of a barn. Ross should have been catching every 5th day IMO. We sacrifice nothing in defense (may gain a little) and it lets BMac get much needed rest.

Of course, Bobby puzzles my puzzler in more ways than this one this year.

by NCChopper on Sep 9, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Trade them bums!

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Sep 9, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Just curious, but how can Big Mac have an OBP lower than his BA? Didn’t think that would even be possible.

by Southern IN Chopper on Sep 9, 2009 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

BA uses at bats. OBP uses plate appearances. I’m not sure what the cause is in Brian’s particular case, but sac flies and sac hits I know can make such anomalies happen. They count as PAs, where you don’t make it on base, but not as at bats.

by l0stnumber on Sep 9, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Correct, he had 1 sac fly.

by gondeee on Sep 9, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

As i said in the recap thread

bobby needs to do some lineup shuffling or something, this is ridiculous.

also why trade for a “big power bat” in laroche only to bat him 7th. we arent the redsox we dont have Ortiz, Bay, Youk, and V-Mart. You know people that hit better than him.

here is Adams line since the trade:

AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS
.339 /.415 /.589 /1.004

Here is GA’s line in August

AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS
.260/.288/.370/.658

Sept:

AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS
.130/.231/.174/.405

yet he is consistently in the 5 hole over LaRoche.

I wont even show you diaz’s numbers just know they are better.

it perplexes me how we seem to have the only manager that wont drop a particular batter in the order when they are under performing.

Dodgers dropped Hudson. Heck the Red Sox were on the verge of releasing Ortiz after he had already been dropped in the order. They also dropped Bay etc..

I understand Bobby being loyal but at the same time when your stinking it up you have no right to hit 3/4 in the lineup

by drumzalicious on Sep 9, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

+1

"It's not by chance that I bleed Razorback Red, it's what God intended for us all!"

by rsnookjr on Sep 9, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

YES!

I’ve been saying this for weeks, FUGA has got to be the worst regular #5 hitter in the majors, i don’t have any numbers in front of me, but the # 51 RBIs while batting 5th mostly, sometimes 4th, and sometimes 3rd is just pathetic. I can recall so many times where there’s men on base and he either strikes out or grounds into the double play, and then he gets his home runs with nobody on base, and his singles that keep his average looking pretty for you people saying he’s better than LaRoche, come with nobody on base and 1 or 2 outs. He’s terrible and needs to be batting 7th.

by BravesRaleigh on Sep 9, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Correction

he needs to not be batting AT ALL

by drumzalicious on Sep 9, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Ouch. Seeing those numbers stings a bit.

Seeing FUGA still batting 5th makes me vomit some in my mouth. Even that tastes better than seeing FUGA bat so high up.

LaRoche should be batting 4/5 with Yunel hitting behind him. McCann should either be 4th or 6th in the order. He needs some rest, but hell, the season is almost over now.

by Sparhawk on Sep 9, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I blame Francouer. 41-44 with him, 30-23 without, counting the 1-5 in the last 6. Without his terrible attitude and plate discipline in the lineup, the Braves can already expect to win 10 more games next year over this year.

by CharlotteChop18 on Sep 9, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Rest these guys for the rest of the season. Punt on the season and lets get ready for next year.

Baseball is my life

by That a boy on Sep 9, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree. It’s also time to shut down Hanson and give Medlen more starts. I’d like to see a bullpen audition for next year from Valdez/Acosta et al. Just play the kids, it’ll be more interesting and someone might surprise us.

If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).

Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.

by TradeAndruw on Sep 9, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m inclined to agree. Let McCann and Chipper pinch hit (I know that puts Norton out of a job), let Ross and Sammons carry the weight behind the plate, let Prado and Infante split the time at third, and see what we can do with guys like Kelly Johnson (who’s virtually disappeared—he must have really pissed off Bobby), Reid Gorecki and Brooks Conrad. We have a bench full of guys that haven’t played while Bobby keeps running the same guys out there. The “regulars” are more harm than good at this point. The Braves aren’t going to win with them.

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

In addition to the Ross has needed to play more crowd...

I’d add that this is one of the inherent problems relying on a C to be a major run producer in your lineup. Collisions, bad pitches, the daily grind of that stance, without letting him play some 1B, using Ross more than 1 per 5, or some combination of the two, your C will always wear down at the time you need him most—late season/post season. I love McCann, great hitter, and early in the season he can hit 4th or 5th, but I’d prefer if he was more the 6 or 7 hitter in this lineup for times exactly like this—when the wear and tear and daily grind of catching shows at the plate.

by Mr. Sanchez on Sep 9, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

Good point. Why not LaRoche or even Yunel at cleanup, and the catcher (McCann or Ross) batting seventh?

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

The problems start with managing and coaching.

I know many of you are going to say that the players hit. That is true. But this coaching staff has no clue. They do not read positioning charts, hitter charts, and Pendleton sure as heck does not know how to bring a hitter out of a slump. We have constantly seen hitters come up agressive and hitting until Pendleton starts his crap and he forgets how to drive the ball. Bobby is too predictable and has no clue how to win with a club that does not have three to four steady long ball hitters.

Brian’s problems are stemming from many things, first off the shift that most clubs are using on him now. They have plugged some holes where he used to get hits often. Then Chipper is not hitting so he is not seeing as good a pitch selection. Plus with Anderson hitting behind him he has no one protecting him. LaRoache should have moved to that spot as soon as he came and joined in.

Last thing, the management knew they had problems and did not go after what the team needed. Instead they brought Jordan up too soon and have an idea he is now blown away in his mind. The only one in the minors that MIGHT be ready is Heyward. I would like to see him finish this season in Gwinette and then watch him in RF in spring training. Freeman still needs at least one year facing tougher pitching.

So before you say trade them all away, look at the free agents leaving this year. See what is available to pickup and then imagine who can actually make this club better.

by GeneN on Sep 9, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Here is my assessment about Chipper Jones. I don’t think he has the protection he needs in the lineup. Last year he had Tex for most of the season. McCann is not a cleanup type hitter. I am watching both McCann and Chipper try to do way to much, and pressing, swinging at everything and not being patient and working the count. They are trying to carry the team, and swing for the fences in every at bat it seems. This has caused some messed up mechanics, and very bad habits. If we get a legit cleanup hitter for next year, add a little more speed, say a Crawford or a Figgins, then Chipper and McCann can relax a little, and probably return to form. Not to mention, neither has gotten alot of time off this year, and look exhausted.

by tennesseejed1 on Sep 9, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

At this point, maybe they need to leave Chipper in Texas and let him start his offseason now. Guy looks half-dead out there.

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

PLZZZZZZZZZZ !!!!!!!!

Wait just make excuses like Chipper Jones, LOL !!! Oh man, man I am so tried !!! Chipper you are older and you are only going to get older. Best thing they can do to help Chipper Jones out is to trade him to an AL team so he can be a DH. Or he should simply retire, but don’t hand me any more excuses !!! Look at his salary and you tell me if any of you will accept his excuses, and if you do you have a serious problem.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 9, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

I couldn’t believe the Braves signed him for 4 years last winter. I realize they needed something to divert attention from the John Smoltz affair, but even so, the guy’s falling apart.

by John Holton on Sep 9, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Chipper hasn’t played this many games in years. And he still as an OBP over .400. Give the guy a break.

by eaheckman10 on Sep 9, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s great and all, but obp isn’t everything, especially from you number three hitter. He is slugging .443, which is 100 points lower than his career average.

Has the whole world gone crazy? Am I the only one around here who gives a s#!t about the rules?!?

by TennKen on Sep 9, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions