The Morning Aftermath: Pumped, Still Pumped
by gondeee on Oct 9, 2010 12:56 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintI had truly forgotten how exciting postseason baseball can be until last night. I also forgot how exhausting it can be. Last night was emotionally draining. I'm actually glad there's an off-day today.
In thinking about the last two games I was wondering what the most valuable part of the Braves has been, and without a doubt the difference for Atlanta has been in the bullpen. Here is the breakdown:
| IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
|
| Giants Starters |
15.2 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
20 |
| Braves Starters |
9.1 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
| Giants Bullpen |
4.1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
| Braves Bullpen |
9.2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
Lincecum and Cain have been terrific, but the Giants' pen hasn't gotten the job done -- and that's rather surprising since their pen is the second best pen in baseball. Of course, the Braves bullpen was the third-best bullpen in baseball this year.
The Braves bullpen's execution and the Giants bullpen's lack of execution is the difference in this series being tied at one game apiece and the Giants being up by two games.
This Braves bullpen is about to be tested in a way it hasn't been all season, as they will go the rest of this series without their anchor, closer Billy Wagner. He strained his left oblique muscle in the tenth inning of last night's game and walked off the field with the help of the trainer.
The Braves will have the ability to replace Wagner on the roster before Sunday's game, and they will likely choose to activate Takashi Saito, but he has been battling his own injury woes. If Saito cannot pitch, the Braves could activate Jair Jurrjens, who has also been out the last two weeks with an injury, or Scott Proctor, who traveled with the team to San Francisco in case he was needed as an injury replacement.
Whoever is activated to replace Wagner, it will likely be rookie Craig Kimbrel ascending to the closer role. He seems to be the hot hand in the bullpen right now, but the Braves could also use another rookie, Jonny Venters, to close.
Chipper Jones, Kris Medlen, Martin Prado, Jair Jurrjens, Eric O'Flaherty, Takashi Saito, and now Billy Wagner. That's an All-Star team on the disabled list, and yet still the Braves play on.
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I love our bullpen
Even when Wagner goes down, we have Kimbrel or Venters to replace him with and not really skip a beat, that’s a good problem to have
"Whoever’s writing this script, just keep doing it." - Peter Moylan (After game 2 of the NLDS)
I vote we officially change Craig's name to...
Kraig Kimbrel.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
So what was your buddy's response last night after the game??
"Whoever’s writing this script, just keep doing it." - Peter Moylan (After game 2 of the NLDS vs. Giants)
Never got a text back. Funny how that works.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
by Scott Coleman on Oct 9, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That is wierd
I asked my friend, who is also a Giants fan, whether or not he thought Ankiel’s ball had landed yet…..still waiting on a response to that one too
"Whoever’s writing this script, just keep doing it." - Peter Moylan (After game 2 of the NLDS)
And
I asked my buddy whether he thought Bochy blew it by bringing Wilson in for 6 outs for the first time in his career. Never heard back.
He must be out of coverage.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
It wasnt the first time in his career.
Hes pitched two innings two times already this year.
The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb
True—meant for the 6-out SV. Don’t think they’ve called on him to do that, right?
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
They werent save situations
but in both instances he gave up hits and in one game a run. He seems to be like Rivera, a guy who really is pushed if left in past one inning.
The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb
except Rivera has a tons of + 3 out saves in the playoffs…
actually he is 10th all-time in saves of more than one inning (and that includes pitchers like Goosage and Fingers, who exclusively got saves of more than one inning). (and that information is over a year old he could have moved up the ranking since then. )
hate on all the Yankees you want ( I do my best to)…there is nothing you can say bad about Rivera…he is a true historical figure in terms of baseball. He is the best reliever of all time.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
He's also great at
chalupa-eating, apparently.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Who is saying anything bad about Rivera?
Talk about jumping the gun and reading into something too much.
The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb
Not a lot of people know this, but...
Rick Ankiel is actually composed of 90% titanium, incl. his entire head. Oh, I vote Kimbrel to close, Venters 7th, Moylan 8th (he’s looking good again)
This isn't fucking baseball, weasel face
Moylan seems to be a divisive subject around these parts.
Plenty of people are just looking for reasons to be mad at him half the time. He’ll get a soft ground ball, it’ll get booted, and people will start cussing out Moylan for it.
Well that makes sense. He was pretty terrible for a stretch there, but I think he’s got it sorted out.
This isn't fucking baseball, weasel face
Exactly.
When he throws strikes (i.e., 90%+ of the time), he’s golden.
"Whoever’s writing this script, just keep doing it." - Peter Moylan
I think we’ll take game 3. No idea about game 4. But all of these injuries are really racking up. I think Jurrjens should be activated.
Judging by how Kimbrel pitched last night, he HAS to be the closer. He was totally dominant.
Jason Heyward is so good, he makes David Wright piss in Ryan Howard’s pants
by heap16 on Oct 9, 2010 1:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
How long ago was that picture…. I don’t remember Venters with hair at all
Following the infamous "astroglide" comment and the challenge for use of word:
"no way the Astros glide into the playoffs."
by BrockSamson on Aug 29, 2010 3:26 PM PDT
Beginning of the season.
DON'T GO TO SLEEP EARLY OR JEFF FRANCOEUR WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS AND LOWER YOUR OBP. - Scott
kimbrel wasn't up then though?
Following the infamous "astroglide" comment and the challenge for use of word:
"no way the Astros glide into the playoffs."
by BrockSamson on Aug 29, 2010 3:26 PM PDT
definitely need Kimbrel as our closer
He’s been unstoppable.
by HudsonsBeard on Oct 9, 2010 1:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
BTW, i've got an extra ticket for tomorrows game
if anyone is interested.
Section 109.
by HudsonsBeard on Oct 9, 2010 1:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This has to be right
Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Saito on the postseason roster. Once he knocks some of the rust off, he could be a solid piece too.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
Can't believe how bad the injuries have been
Just gotta keep fighting. If the braves can scrape out 4-5 runs a night, they can make a deep run. Last night was just freakin awesome! Go Braves!!!
Braves Win! Braves Win!
by Frozen Fan on Oct 9, 2010 1:38 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Is Wags out for NLCS?
If we replace him now we can’t bring him back for NLCS. He would have to wait till the WS. If there is a chance he can come back we probably shouldn’t replace him right?
Yeah, but Cox has already said he's out of the NLCS.
So I guess the Braves are just going to have to make it to the WS, so Wags can pitch again.
Here comes the HR on MLBN!
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
by Scott Coleman on Oct 9, 2010 2:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
which HR? Did someone hit one last night?
/sarcasm
The base paths belonged to me, the runner. The rules gave me the right. I always went into a bag full speed, feet first. I had sharp spikes on my shoes. If the baseman stood where he had no business to be and got hurt, that was his fault. -Ty Cobb
I believe in Craig Kimbrel.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Kyle Farnsworth had best be last on the list
If Bobby goes to Kyle, I will lose my lunch. I really wonder what he thought when he was packaged with Ankiel for the infamous deadline trade… Apparently he likes using him but I cringe when he comes in to pitch. One hopes they turn to Kimbrel since that is what he was groomed to be. Venters is an AWESOME 8th inning guy… it has been his grooming and it sucks to lose Wagner but for Kimbrel to be compared to him, it’s time he step up to the plate (or in this case mound) and prove it. I can’t wait for the next game! Unfortunately here in england, we don’t have the luxury of baseball so I will have to get resourceful and find a way to watch it. Baseball and College football, really miss seeing both of them. :( (and no I don’t have AFN for any AF peeps out there)
You can listen if you can't watch
via freebaseballradio.com
I used it all season.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
You are my
Hero! Thanks a ton… I will be trackin that down tomorrow… I’ll be “workin” on my master’s paper…
by Klemson Krash on Oct 9, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm in Ireland and
every postseason game is being shown on ESPN America (which shows college football as well)
"C'mon Chip!" Bobby Cox
by ByrneSupremacy on Oct 9, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks!
Stupid Sky charges us for those freakin channels… but i may have to relent and give them money if they are giving us those games. :-)
by Klemson Krash on Oct 10, 2010 3:36 AM EDT up reply actions
fortunately, ESPN America comes as default with our provider. However, I did purchase MLBTV throughout the regular season because Braves were on ESPN America so infrequently
"C'mon Chip!" Bobby Cox
by ByrneSupremacy on Oct 10, 2010 5:22 AM EDT up reply actions
anyone know if there will be BP at game 3?
Even funnier,was when Wade said " I feel sorry for whoever has to guard us". Uh, I'm pretty sure there is a defense right here in Boston that specializes in punking teams just like yours Dwyane. Nobody scores on us easily.
Great post, gondeee.
For our team to be in this position, with two chances to win at home and take the series to 7 games, is proof of their remarkable resilance and true grit.
Hrm...
someone’s math is terribly off… I think he’s projecting our WS win… but that won’t go to 7 games. We’ll beat the spankees in 5… :-) Here’s to hoping someone can slow that freakin team down.
by Klemson Krash on Oct 10, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
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