Braves Last Stand For The Postseason, And Sunday's Lineup
by gondeee on Oct 3, 2010 11:07 AM EDT
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PrintThe Braves have one more shot to make the playoffs. Of course, once they do that, how far does anyone think this team can actually go? One school of thought is for the Braves to put their fans out of their misery today, and not prolong the suffering. But none of us want that do we. The Braves need to make the postseason for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to send Bobby Cox out as a winner one last time.
Here's the lineup Bobby will try to do this thing with:
- Omar Infante, 3B - .635
- Jason Heyward, RF - .803
- Derrek Lee, 1B - .839
- Brian McCann, C - .665
- Matt Diaz, LF - .677
- Alex Gonzalez, SS - .600
- Brooks Conrad, 2B - .696
- Rick Ankiel, CF - .676
- Tim Hudson, P
That number to the right of each hitters' name is their September OPS. A whole lot of mediocrity in this lineup right now. One might call our lineup "replacement level" ... barely.
For those asking what the scenarios are that the Braves will clinch the Wild Card, here they are. If we win and San Diego loses, then we obviously clinch the Wild Card, and that would be the best scenario. Yes, we could conceivably force a one-game playoff even if we lose today, and San Diego loses. The most interesting scenario would be for the Braves to win and San Deigo to win. That would force a one-game playoff between San Diego and San Francisco, and the loser of that game would play us in a one-game playoff for the Wild Card. Any one-game playoffs that the Braves have to play would be played in Atlanta.
Regardless of scenarios, the Braves need to simply focus on winning today. Game time is 1:35pm. The Padres and Giants play at 4:05pm.
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That picture says a thousand words (with four of them being present in the picture).
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I feel a win today.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:11 AM EDT reply actions
It looks like Bobby is trying to improve defense today, without sacrificing offense....
1. Swapping Infante and Conrad
2. No McLouth no-throws
3. No Melky
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
The problem is
Ankiel is nearly as brutal as McLouth and Melky in the OF, though for different reasons. Since we traded Gregor Blanco, it’s just been a horrorshow in CF. I said it then and I’ll say it again: I’d rather have Blanco than Ankiel.
The Infante/Conrad switch makes perfect sense though, given Brooks’ apparent inability to make the 3B to 2B throw.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Oct 3, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Nearly"....but not "as
Ankiel may not be a defensive wonder, but he doesn’t run in circles like Melky, and he’ll actually make a strong throw in, unlike McLouth. It may only emphasize how terrible our CF defensive options are, but Ankiel has to be considered the best out of the three.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I just hate watching Ankiel swing
It’s by far the ugliest I’ve seen in a while.
by Undocorkscrew on Oct 3, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Even with all his strike outs, he’s still be a better hitter than Melky the past month or two. :(
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone know if today's game is nationally televised?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:14 AM EDT reply actions
TBS, ESPN or MLBN…..those are my only hopes.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
THOSE **** ****** ****** *******, **** THEM AND THEIR ******* YANKS/SAWKS LOVING *****!!!!!!!!
I just looked it up.
MLBN is showing Padres/Giants
ESPN is showing NASCAR
TBS is showing…..wait for it……Yankees/Red Sox.
- THEM!!!! THEY CAN ALL GO DIE IN A ****** ******* FIRE!! I HOPE THEY ******* SUFFER, THE ******* **** ****** ******* *******!!!!!!! **** THEM ALL!!!!!
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
but, Padres/Giants game is at 4:05PM our is at 1:35PM
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Oct 3, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
They’re doing MLB Tonight and a pre-game show before that.
Besides, they would never schedule a game with less than a 4 hour block. Too many people would be pissed off if they cut away early to go to another game, or if they preempted part of the game with the later starting time.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
MLB Network is doing a version of their nightly show from now til the West Coast game, so they’ll probably do some live lookins.
by EastFallowfield on Oct 3, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the offense (and defense) has been pressing all month, but especially this series. In less charitable words, they’ve been choking. This isn’t a great offense with the injuries, but it’s a hell of a lot better than they’e been playing, and from watching them, it really does seem like the combination of “trying to make the playoffs” and “trying to send Bobby out on top” is just too much for many of them (the end-of-season tiredness can’t help, either). It’s sad, but that seems to be the most likely scenario.
I hope Hinske and Moylan do something crazy in the clubhouse today to lighten the mood. They need it.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
Maybe Moylan will dance naked to techno music like Chipper was saying
They need something to loosen up the clubhouse…. Oh wait, WINNING would do that.
Dancing naked to techno music.....
Wait…..what…!?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah....
I’ve seen Bobby laugh more this season than in seasons past… whether it was David Ross reminding him before every game that this is, indeed, Braves Country… or Peter Moylan in the weight room dancing in his birthday suit to techno music…. Sorry Peter, I had to do it!
Hmmm half my comment was erased?
Anyway, this was what Chipper said in his speech yesterday.
Why!? Actually, do I really even want to know why Moylan was dancing naked? No, I really don’t. Forget I asked.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
i'm about to head down to the ted for this one
hopefully i won’t have to break anything on my way back
If the Braves lose….break Melky, Ankiel and McLouth on your way out.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
They have to alternate….
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Trades/Injuries has made the team in September way different from the one
that won so much in May-August.
by BravesFanScout on Oct 3, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The Reason for the September fall is
This isn’t the same team we had from April-August. We an almost completely different team in September.
The April-August lineup had a lot of: Glaus, Escobar, Hinske, Chipper, Prado, Blanco
The September lineup has a lot of: Lee, Gonzalez, Ankiel, McLouth, Infante
The fact is we ARE a different team in September. A lot of it is due to injuries, but trades have killed us too. We should have kept with Blanco in center and just let Freeman do his thing at first when Glaus started struggling. Also, Hinske hasn’t broken the starting lineup hardly at all this month… We used to be a team with a high OBP, now we are a team full of impatient guys that strikeout a lot.
what thing is freeman doing exactly?
yeah, he has played sparsely… but he isn’t hitting consistently. that is what the braves were afraid of. plugging him into a pennant race is just more unnecessary pressure. the kid is going to be great but i don’t disagree with that decision at all
It's hard to say a guy has been inconsistent when he has only started a couple of games.
I think it is hard for anyone to come off the bench and get hits and that is almost all Freeman has been used for.
by BravesFanScout on Oct 3, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
The only trade that there’s a legitimate complaint about is Blanco for Ankiel. The rest is all due to injuries, or players suddenly not playing well (Infante, Hinske, Melky).
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. I'm just saying that is why this team has struggled. We aren't the same team.
But I do think Hinske should have seen more time in the lineup that he has gotten over the past few weeks.
by BravesFanScout on Oct 3, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
The reason he saw his playing time reduced is because he was slumping badly. He got overexposed from playing too much in the first half. Opposing pitchers started finding the holes in his swing. There is a reason why he’s never been a full-time player.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
But i would have still liked to see him in there occasionally than seeing Ankiel and McLouth
by BravesFanScout on Oct 3, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
*Ankiel and MELKY
FTFY
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem with Blanco is that he’s a singles hitter with speed on a team that doesn’t run. He was a really poor fit for a Cox managed team. Ankiel has been awful, no doubt, but if Blanco was still here everyone would be bitching about how he has no power and questioning why he was playing when every other OF on the team at least had a chance to hit a few homers.
Wait......don't we always win with Ross in the lineup?
And since it’s a lefty on the mound…..
There are 2 Opening day starters on the lineup...
Two
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Anybody know who holds the tiebreakers in the TB/NYY race? They’re still tied. I’d love for the Yankees to get the crappy wildcard again.
DON'T GO TO SLEEP EARLY OR JEFF FRANCOEUR WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS AND LOWER YOUR OBP. - Scott
Phillies Lineup
1. Rollins SS, 2. Polanco 3B, 3. Utley 2B, 4. Howard 1B, 5. Werth RF, 6. Ibanez LF, 7. Victorino CF, 8. Ruiz C, 9. Hamels P
great to see their regulars getting rest. I don’t wish injury on anyone, but you’d think with them continuing to temp fate that I wouldn’t have to wish it for it to happen.
liked this quote
ajcbraves
Manuel has told reporters Hamels will go two innings and Oswalt one. …Bobby Cox wasn’t exactly buying it. But it would be nice for ATL
I’m with Bobby, I don’t buy it either. not after seeing their hitters still in the game in the 8th inning when it was already over.
Phillies have their A+ lineup in there today.
We are going to have to win it fair and square
by BravesFanScout on Oct 3, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I've gotta say I respect Manuel for this...
Some people would say it’s because he’s being an asshole, I’d say it’s because he respect the integrity of the game.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
I've gotta say I wish Manuel would DIAF for this...
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope at least two Phillies players have season ending injuries today.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
im with you
those being dicktorino and utley
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Oct 3, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d be happy with any two out of: Rollins, Dicktorino, Utley, Howard, Werth.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Werth… we could sign him in the offseason :)
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Oct 3, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Check that...
Hamels and Oswalt.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
OPINIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How about over the offseason the Braves work on Ross at 1B? He’s already signed and in the event that Freeman struggles against lefties……..wouldn’t that be a decent offensive platoon partner?
Technically, one of Prado or Infante could play 1B. Hinske can play 1B. Glaus might stick around for cheap (if we want him). Diaz is supposedly already working on 1B. There are definitely options.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Oct 3, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I want more AB's for Ross...
…..he just looks like he can hit any and every lefty on a consistent basis. I know there are options, but Prado definitely needs to be at 2B. And Diaz…….[sigh]
by Undocorkscrew on Oct 3, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Manuel is playing starters
Isn’t possible that Manuel is simply playing his starters to keep their bats fresh? After today they are off until Wednesday. I heard an ex ball player say that he would lose some
of his bat timing during the short all star game layoff so………
That sure happened to the Braves during their playoff run. Manuel is doing the smart thing, keep them playing for wins. Braves just have to overcome that and beat the durn Phillies.
Write your own recap!.....mvhsbball
I have no problem with him playing them some
but to have them in all three games for most of the game is more than just about any other manager in baseball would do in the same situation.
I mean today it makes sense since it is the last game, but that doesn’t explain letting them in the game for almost all of the first two. if he is THAT afraid of their bats getting cold, then they have some serious issues.
Well, they were incredibly inconsistent on offense.....
……for most of the year.
by Undocorkscrew on Oct 3, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I watched what seems like half a dozen Braves teams get put out of the NLDS after clinching early and resting. 100+ wins teams. There is something to be said for trying to win every game. The Phils have dealt with tons of injuries this year, keeping the team going makes sense to me. I hate them, but I certainly respect them.
Write your own recap!.....mvhsbball
Posted on the Thanks Bobby Facebook page
Bobby and the ’91 team watch the Dodgers lose on the big screen on October 5th and celebrate a division win.
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Is that Vinny Castilla I see?
Had no idea he was on the 91 team….
by Undocorkscrew on Oct 3, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Well now you know!
Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Brian Hunter FTW!
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
Can we sign Francisco Cabrera to a one day contract?
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
The Braves have one more shot to make the playoffs. Of course, once they do that, how far does anyone think this team can actually go? One school of thought is for the Braves to put their fans out of their misery today, and not prolong the suffering
"IN THE AIR LEFT FIELD- THAT'LL DO IT!... AND IT KEEPS ON GOING; THAT IS A HOMERUN!"
anyone have a radio station that has the game?
James T Paulson
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