Braves Fall Victim to Longball, Lose to Phillies 5-3
by Jacob Peterson on May 9, 2010 5:15 PM EDT
in Braves Game Recaps
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PrintI knew this would be a tough game, especially when I saw the lineup the Braves trotted out there. They did manage to score 3 runs in the 5th, but only after they were down by 4. The Braves actually should have tied the score in that inning, as the first 5 men reached safely. Unfortunately, Brian McCann struck out and the twin quasars of ineptitude (Matt Diaz and Nate McLouth) grounded out to end the threat. Phillies starter Cole Hamels would be pulled after that inning, but the Braves would not muster even a single baserunner against the Phillies supposedly poor bullpen.
Hamels' final line was 5 IP, 3 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 5 K, and a -0.002 WPA. The Phillies bullpen combined for 4 perfect innings with 5 strikeouts. Chad Durbin was particularly good, striking out 4 in 2 innings.
Braves' starter Kenshin Kawakami struggled keeping the ball in the park for the second straight game. He gave up 3 homers (to Placido Polanco, Jayson Werth, and Shane Victorino), though they were all solo shots. To his credit, he did pitch 6 and 2/3 innings, giving our bullpen a needed respite. He gave up 7 hits and 2 walks (1 intentional) and struck out 5. His WPA was -0.184.
The Braves also had some issues with fundamentals. Particularly glaring was when Kawakami hurt his cause by bunting into a double play. Immediately after the DP, Infante and Prado singled, meaning the failed bunt cost the Braves at least 1 run. Omar Infante was also thrown out at the plate.
On offense, the Braves' heroes were Troy Glaus, Omar Infante, and Martin Prado, who combined for 7 of the Braves' 8 hits, 2 of the 3 runs, and 2 of the 3 RBIs. Aside from those 3, though, nobody else really did much (Melky Cabrera had an RBI infield hit, and Kawakami walked and scored).
Clearly, the Braves need Heyward back. Chipper and Yunel Escobar should be back soon, too. Hopefully the offense will take off then. Today's game did have a silver lining, as Prado seemed to snap his slump with his 2 hits.
Awards
MVPs: Chad Durbin (0.181 WPA); and Jayson Werth-- 1/3, HR, R, 2 RBI, HBP, 0.124 WPA.
LVPs: Matt Diaz-- 0/4, K, -0.143 WPA; and Nate McLouth-- 0/3, HBP, K, -0.116 WPA (I'm really starting to worry about these guys...)
MVPILEs (MVPs in a losing effort): Glaus--2/3, 2 RBI, BB, K, 0.097 WPA; and Infante-- 3/5, 2B, R, K, 0.067 WPA
Clutch Play: Glaus' 2-run single in the 5th (0.131 WPA); the Phillies' highest WPA play was Victorino's HR (0.107 WPA)
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I like that our B lineup managed 3 runs off an admittedly “inconsistent” Hamels. Woulda coulda shoulda, though.
Let’s take care of the Drunken Cheeseheads this week.
When you've said Jason Heyward, you've said it all.........
B lineup? That’s being generous.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
if KK goes 0-10 he needs to go
I however congradulate him for lasting 7 2/3 innings while benching 9 straight haters
...in dixie land i'll take my stand: rooting for Atlanta
...hey
I like to lurk and read the other side’s game threads during games, and let me say you’ve been a real pleasure. Some of you are so smart and funny I actually laughed out loud. Alot of fun…aside from the endless, pointless bleating about the size of our park, and the occasional nasty remarks about our fans…that was kind of boring. Like, oh, you don’t say, mhm.
Anyway, you’ve been great…all in all a class act.
See you all over Memorial Weekend!
Thanks for the kind words. I still think there’s a special place in Hell reserved for Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino.
When you've said Jason Heyward, you've said it all.........
I still think there’s a special place in Hell reserved forJayson Werth andShane Victorino.
FTFY. Werth is a beast- the best revenge wil lbe to sign him this winter :)
Not going to happen – the Yankees already have his pinstripes waiting on him.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you imagine what a Yankees outfield of Crawford/Granderson/Werth could do? It makes me glad the Braves aren’t in the AL…
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
And their rotation anchored by Sabathia, Burnett and Petite….
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Their rotation is meh. Pettitte’s already talking about not returning, Burnett’s always been overblown, etc. They’re like the Phils, they have one genuine ace at the top, and mediocrity after. You can get by on mediocre pitching though when you spend the GDP of Norway buying a lineup that can club every other team to death anyway.
I’d take Burnett over D. Lowe….
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
That team would be boring as hell to watch. Why the hell would you wanna watch a bunch of established all stars every night?
I mean, this would be my mindset: “Oh fuck, ARod is struggling, but it’s okay because Tex and Werth are gonna pick it up at the plate and CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett are doing work on the mound.”
Where’s the fun in being a fan in that?
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 9, 2010 6:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe not
He doesn’t seem to be the type who’d allow himself to be gelded, like Damon and Giambi were.
lol
My sentiments exactly when people say that Heyward, Strasburg, et al are just going to end up on the Yankees or Red Sox in 6 years so you might as well get used to it.
by soup du jour on May 10, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Re: CBP
Personally, I’m aware that CBP is more neutral than others like to give it credit for, but it’s hard for a lot of people to not be influenced by the local broadcasters who go to great lengths to call CBP is a bandbox, high school-sized field, and other diminishing adjectives that really don’t do the Braves any favors. Not to mention Chipper, Brian McCann, and Bobby Cox complaining about the size as well, which doesn’t do them any favors either; because if CBP is still “so small,” what does that really say about the Braves and their inability to hit homers in a bandbox?
With the exception of today, because Hinske and Infante, as much as I hate to use the excuse of weather conditions, that wind appeared to be whipping hard enough to actually make a difference in ball flight to deny some homers. Polanco’s homer wasn’t high enough to have been altered, and Victorino crushed it into the right direction; but Werth, my goodness he got every bit of his homer, and that’s gone no matter what park in baseball it’s hit at, regardless of the weather.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I thought the ball Infante hit was gone but the wind definitely affected it. Same thing with Hinske except I thought that the ball would hit the wall.
The ball Infante hit was CRUSHED. That would’ve almost been an Adam Dunn HR if not for the damn wind.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
by the way
the worst are over in Pinstripe Alley. All they did for a week after we beat LA was bitch about how the Phillies weren’t “marquee” (their word) enough to play the Yankees. That was pretty poor.
I think one thing that everyone can agree on...
is that anytime you’re dealing with the Yankees you’re dealing with a bunch of ne’er-do-wells.
300 in the game thread is that normal for a Phillies game?
by romone_braves91 on May 9, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I was wondering the same thing, are the rest of us just losers for having 1000+ every game?
Maybe all THEIR fans are, you know, AT THE GAME? zing.
TGP is probably the only blog I don’t read. I don’t agree with a lot of what they say… they just piss me off.
Yeah…you can stay over on Talking Chop just as long as you’d like. I agree 100%.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 9, 2010 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
quick question Ipfist,
Why do Philly fans hate Santa Clause? I know it an idiot in an santa costume that ran on the field, but still.
...in dixie land i'll take my stand: rooting for Atlanta
I'm actually pretty encouraged by this loss
I mean that was about as crappy of a lineup as we could march out there and we still hit pretty well…I mean KK gave up 3 HRs which is bad…but he actually pitched pretty well. I think we might start turning things around…
this was is worst start this year. Every other start has not given up more than four runs, so he while he hasn’t been great he has been ok. Good for a #5 starter
Aye...
This was one of his worst starts, and it still wasn’t terrible. The man doesn’t deserve an 0-6 record. He should have at least a 2-4 record.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds like people say that after every KK start. What does he have to do to actually have peole say he had a bad start? Looks like he pitched pretty crappy.
He is what he is
And that is a league average starter. He’s gonna give you a couple great starts, a couple crappy ones, but mostly be in that 5-6 IP 3 ER range where he’s keeping you in the ball game… which is pretty solid for a 5th starter.
The problem is that we usually become the worst hitting team in baseball when he’s on the mound so any mistake he (or anyone else makes) is magnified tenfold.
It’s getting really old.
by get swoll yunel on May 9, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
btw
I aswell am starting to really worry about Nate and Matty D, they are not hinting at breaking their slumps…they might become moveable at the deadline?
McLouth worries me the most because he isn’t even hitting the ball hard and getting unlucky. He just looks completely lost up there.
And if you go back to when we acquired him last year, he’s really been pretty terrible in a Braves uniform.
Anyone remember that opening series we had against the Pirates like 2 years ago where Nasty Nate was eating our lunch in every game? Man, I miss that guy.
by get swoll yunel on May 9, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep flip-flopping on McLouth. He’ll put together a couple of ABs where it looks like he’s getting his shit together, and then just look absolutely lost for a stretch of 6-8 ABs.
Diaz has always been a mystery to me. Maybe he’s finally just done, I dunno.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on May 10, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m surprised there was no mention of melkys dipshit move in the first inning. He’s a disaster.
by BullManUGA on May 9, 2010 5:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Very true
I understand that 2-3 of those steps is necessary to maybe crow hop before airmailing, but that doesn’t explain the 13 other steps he took before quadruple-clutching the ball before throwing in the towel and allowing the run to score.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Exactly.
That was an unmitigated disaster. I still don’t understand why he wasn’t pulled. Bobby seems almost trigger-happy to yank Yunel when he fouls up, so why does Spoiled Melk get a pass?
That's an excellent question.
If Escobar had done anything that howlingly awful, he’d be sitting for 2 weeks.
Honestly
Pulling him is hard to do when most of the backups are already in the game, with guys in pain resting. As much as I’d wanted to see Escobar, or Melky benched for boneheaded moves, so often times this year, we haven’t been able to without depleting the bench, and you know how much cushion Bobby likes to have the bench in the event of needing PHs. Like today, pulling Melky means putting in Hinske, because Heyward is only PH, Chipper is only PH, Conrad’s already in, and Ross is the last bat off the bench because Bobby is always saying “what if” with the backup catcher.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
I had next to no expectations for Melk coming into this year, so I’m not terribly disappointed.
McLouth and Matty D are the real head scratchers.
But yeah, I don’t what the fuck happened there either. Isn’t dude supposed to have a pretty good arm, too?
by get swoll yunel on May 9, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I think there’s an old indian burial ground or something under the Ted’s outfield, cuz even though the faces have changed since the beginning of last year, the black holes remain.
I actually started thinking to myself the other day that we could suit up Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp in a Braves uni, and they’d immediately start sucking by virtue of being tainted with the dreaded “Braves outfield stink.”
BRING BACK GARRETT ANDERSON!!!
by get swoll yunel on May 9, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Took a page out of lpfist's book and checked out the Good Phights blog. This gave me a good laugh.
Lidge time. Should I be nervous? Well I am.
by FuquaManuel on May 9, 2010 1:10 PM PDT reply actions
9-1-2. They’ve got Larry and Jesus left on the bench, so it won’t be easy.
by dajafi on May 9, 2010 1:11 PM PDT reply actions
LOL!
Larry and Jesus :)
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Jesus on the bench?
I’m pretty sure Melky was hitting 3rd and in RF today…
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 9, 2010 7:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’, starting to feel better when Lidge takes the hill…but the …fear? knowledge? certainty? that it could all go horribly wrong is still there and probably will be for a long time.
Understanding what fans think of their own teams is interesting, but no the main reason I lurk. The truth is, I have been a Phillies fan my entire life, inherited from my dad and my grandmother. I don’t need to elaborate, you know our history….I’ve experienced pain, much of it at the hands of your Bravos. And they lost the WS on my wedding night…10/23/93. So to see my team, my Phillies, get so much respect, FINALLY…well,. it’s pretty awesome. I treasure each word.
Well, I lurked on your board and to be honest, I couldn't believe how many people were actually bitching.
I mean, I still think our staff is better than yours, but with your effing offense…jeezus. Do your phans know how many fans here would get wood over the very idea of swapping our outfields (speak of the devil, i’ve got a semi)?. That was surprising, and although you will see words of respect, you will also see “I hope Victorino dies after being anally raped by pineapples” and “Yunel Escobar smuggled his enitre family from Cuba in RyHow’s nostrils”. So steady yourself. Haha
We’ll get ‘em next time! All in all, the way things have been going I still think we have reason tonbe encouraged! We’ll come around! Go Braves!
by jdmarine on May 9, 2010 6:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
In progress….everyones favorite ARod hater….Dallas Braden going for a perfect game 1 out in the 9th
Cockchafer
AROD >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Braden
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
You just hate AROD cause he’s good and the media tells you he’s an asshole. That’s the sad state of America now days, where the sucessful man is douche and the crappy player is put on a pedestal.
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
A-Rod has always sucked as a sportsman. He tried to knock the ball out of the fielder’s hand in the playoffs, he distracted another fielder so he would drop a ball (while not wrong it was pretty bush league). A-Rod sucks.
Also, he’s cheated. Ya know, both on the field and off.
When you've said Jason Heyward, you've said it all.........
Braden cryed like a baby after AROD ran over a hill of dirt.
Braden = hero/gamer/manly/ect.
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on May 10, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
technically, it was Busch league
but I still like him. I’m not apt to overreact to all the hype. Not saying you are, just. yeah.
I hate A-Fraud because he is an arrogant cheating asshole. He cheated at baseball, he cheated on his wife. He’s not remorseful. He’s the original Tiger Woods. He also ignores baseball’s honor code by distracting infielders on popups and dissing Dallas Braden (who repsonded by throwing a perfect game a couple of weeks later). A-Fraud can eat shit and die.
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
+0 hits +0BB + 0err + immortality > 585 Hrs*
*let cousin stick something in butt in DR
Wha…?
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Hahahah. +1
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 11, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Also,
For the record, crappy players are not put on pedestals. Ask anyone here how they feel about Melky if you doubt that. Braden is anything but a crappy player. Just because he isn’t an ace, or being paid $30 mil year does not automatically make him crappy, and the attitude that he is is the very thing that got A-Rod on everyone’s bad side. I don’t give a damn how much money you make or how many roids you take, there is no place in this game for a shithead that thinks he has the right to walk all over everybody else. Didn’t work for Bonds, not gonna work for AFraud.
Haha, a quote from granny:
Dallas Braden’s grandmother is here and speaking to the press. She says, and I’m not joking, “Stick it, A-Rod.”
Errrrrrrr……..sorry bout the typo! That should read to be encouraged! Still trying to learn type on this touchscreen phone!
by jdmarine on May 9, 2010 6:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Braves have more road losses (14) than the Nats (12) or Mets (12) have total road games. What idiot came up with this schedule?
Melky in the "three hole" LOLOLOL
With crappy overpaid vets of course!
by TheBravestWay To Block A Decent Prospect on May 9, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
Against righties:
Prado
Chipper
Heyward
Glaus
BMac
Escobar
Hinske
McLouth
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 9, 2010 7:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i saw that too!
the phillies board had some whiners and complainers too. Do these idiots realize what we would give for a lineup like the Rays?
there's no such thing...
as “Rays people.” I live 45 minutes from the Trop. They can’t get people in the seats and they have one of the best teams in baseball.
that’s pretty weird. Florida is a funny baseball state anyway. Look at the Marlins.
by romone_braves91 on May 9, 2010 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I've heard that from a friend who used to go there on business before they went to the WS.
He said it was a ghost town…I figured it would’ve gotten better since then though. Damn.
Well no offense
It’s because the Trop stinks. I haven’t been to every single park yet, but honestly, the one that sits at the bottom of my list is no doubt Tropicana. It’s the only one I’ve reminisced about after visiting, and just realized that it wasn’t that great.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
It is a freakin warehouse. The Trop sucks – bigtime.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m either a fan, an idiot or a homer. I feel like 6 games back with the whole team either hurt or sucking is not that bad. If we can get to a decent home stand and win a few, maybe it will carry over to a road trip against less than playoff caliber teams.
Heyward is pretty good
I agree.
And if you skip look at only the games since the 9 game losing streak, the team isn’t playing terribly. It just takes a while to dig out of that kind of hole.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
-skip
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 9, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I see what you are saying. I followed the off season and spring training closer this year than I ever have. I honestly felt we had a solid offensive team with no automatic outs. We’ve played for 3 weeks with nothing but automatic outs (exagerration). I know the offense is still there and I know it will eventually show up. I refuse to accept that we will suck like this all season. What will cause that worm to turn is beyond me, but I’m really looking forward to it.
Heyward is pretty good
I honestly believe it will be the release or trade of one of these supernovas of suck we have on the roster. I’d rather pay Melky $3 mil to sit at home and drink mai-tais than Vidro and pick grass in the outfield.
I’d rather trade McLouth. His issues go back a pretty good while. Dismal ST, bad Sept, eye issues, contract getting bigger. Cabrera might get back to .250 with no power, I don’t see McLouth at .260 with 20+HR
Heyward is pretty good
I've come to the conclusion, after seeing Phillies and Rays fans upset with their teams, that every fan hates their team to some degree.
Hates, knows what it would take to fix it, etc. I really and truly believe, for some reason which is beyond me, that McLouth is a GOOD hitter. I believe that. Nasty is a good hitter. I think even Melky is a serviceable option. While it is hard for all of us to wait for the kinks to be worked out, and some feel it will be too late by the time they finally do, I think it’s important to have some consistency in a lineup that is constantly being shuffled around. I actually really like Infante at the leadoff spot, but when Esco comes back and he returns to the bench, I think it’s important to build chemistry in our lineup.
Nasty
Odarp
Chipper
Glaus
Mac
Esco
J-Hey
Hinske vs Righties/Diaz vs. Lefties
Go with that and just stick with it for 2 weeks. I think people would start hitting. And if not, I’d have a date with a razorblade and a bathtub.
Having said that, Melky Cabrera is a 4th outfielder and if I have to see him hit in the 3 spot ever again
I will literally step off the fucking ledge. I woke up and turned on the TV this morning (read “afternoon”) and thought I was still dreaming. That was unbelievable.
You're on to something, but...
I would try to stick Infante and Yesco out there at the same time. We need to try to field our nine best players every night with no regard to salary, team history, who Bobby thinks has grit & moxie or any other ancillary consideration.
Last year, Prado, Infante and Escobar played good D together and moved each other around the bases. Sit Chipper more often until he gets back near 100%
Heyward is pretty good
hahaha, i just got this thought our 3B, SS, and 2B all being of Latin descent
and T Roy standing outside their circle going “Look, I don’t speak SPANISH” in his best Ron Burgundy voice. Hahaha
Freeman would be OK with it next year, he’d have Heyward to sit with on the bench.
Heyward is pretty good
really wish I knew how to strike words because
I think Jake Taylor Chipper Jones might be filling out the lineup card…
Is anyone prepared to say that Infante could shift over to 3rd?
And Chipper gets early retirement? I mean, in order to get them both on the field at the same time it’s either that or LF for him, which I actually don’t mind the thought of.
Infante LF
Prado 2B
Chipper 3B
Glaus 1B
Mac C
J-Hey RF
Esco SS
Nasty CF
Huddy P (cause I like him and he can hit)
Now that’s a pretty fuckin good lineup…
Infante doesn’t have Chipper’s OB%, but otherwise I like him at 3rd more often.
Was there a report today about Chipper saying he’s done after this year?
Heyward is pretty good
No, not that I know of, but I think his (rapidly) declining defense
and lack of production at the plate are having people throwing dirt on him…
I agree the lineup needs to go static soon, but I’d flip J-Hey and Esco in that lineup. Esco’s had a rough start and there is 0 reason to keep J-Hey buried in the 7-hole any longer.
Also, put Melky in the escape pod and blast him to the moon.
While I agree with you, that would make the lineup
L R S R L L R L/R and we both know how much Bobby hates that…I really wish he would stop putting so much fucking emphasis on matchups and situations and just put the best 8 fucking hitters out there….sigh. fuck.
Braves definitely need a consistent line up. The constant shuffling can’t help. Maybe you’re right about McLouth, but he hasn’t shown it for a long time. $6.5 mil next year is a lot of money in the Braves payroll, I’d find him a new home.
Heyward is pretty good
I just look at him, his past production. The kid's a ball player.
I would say he just isn’t a lead off hitter, which he is NOT, but he’s hit poorly at the 7 and 8 spots too. It’s vexing. I’m terribly vexed. Like when I was watching McCann last week, I KNEW something was wrong with him, I had never seen him look that bad. And sure enough, his eyes. But then with McLouth, the only thing I can think is lack of confidence/no rhythm in the lineup or a different approach being taught by TP. I think we would have another KJ situation on our hands if we opted to trade him.
agreed
plus atleast McLouth can drive the ball and plays good defense
by SouthernPanther on May 10, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
As long as you play above average defense, Bobby will pencil you in every game.
by romone_braves91 on May 10, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
This was not a game we should have won with the Little Giants in the lineup today. We kept it close and got TWO hits in the first inning. Better than any other game we have played in the past week or so it seems.
Yeah, that line up was one for the ages. The #1 pre season worry was injuries, especially if anything happened to Yunel. Too late now. He’ll be back for the homestand, I hope he’s ready
Heyward is pretty good
People are saying “give McLouth time, it’s only a month into the season.” I guess they don’t remember that he was playing just as poorly in Spring Training.
What do you suggest the team should do since you feel like McLouth is under-performing?
by romone_braves91 on May 10, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I got up this morning, looked on Twitter, saw Melky was hitting third and immediately decided I wasn’t going anywhere near the TV during this game. Looks like, despite the latino FYF in the 3 hole, the game was fairly entertaining and maybe I should have given it a chance.
I’m starting to worry now about Diaz and Nate myself. I really thought they were being hurt by losing ABs to Melky, but even playing everyday since Jesus tweaked his love muscle they still seem to suck this year, especially Diaz. How much is Dye asking for play LF? Is there some provision in the rulebook where if your offense is bad enough you can play with 4 outfielders like a softball team does if you REALLY need another bat in your lineup and the only options left in free agency can’t play defense anymore? Maybe we could move to the AL and get a DH or something.
Shouldn't Wes Timmons get a shot at 3B over that Chipper guy everybody talks about?
Dye is awful in the field and he fell apart in the 2nd half of 2010 while playing in a hitters paradise. I’d ONLY take him for a million bucks, but we all know that isn’t happening if he honestly thinks he’s worth $3-5MM.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on May 9, 2010 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
i just got in from mom;s :)
started dallas braden in fantasy. heard this game on radio, was encouraged by kk’s late innings, and like the offense except with bases loaded. all in all, i think with our pitching and lineup we should be able to have a 22-23 win month sometime soon/june
Diaz
It’s time for him to get DFA’ed or benched for all of eternity. He just can’t hit a thing, you know he is going bad when he can’t live up to his nickname as the “lefty killer” that things aren’t going good. He hasn’t ever been able to hit righties, but now hitting just .179 off the southpaws is too much of a concern.
Hinske needs to get more PT. I figured the Braves might give a game or two too Glaus at third with Chipper out and use Hinske at first over Conrad.
Melky hitting #3? Is Bobby losing his mind? Why not Glaus 3 and McCann 4 today? Melky? Seriously?
Our outfield needs to change
Diaz, McLouth, Melky just isn’t cuttin it. We need to get rid of one of them and put the other 2 on notice. I think that one should be Diaz because he can’t really play defense and all of them can’t hit. I’m glad Hinske will get more playing time and I think when Esky comes back Infante should get some playing time there. Maybe we should give Young a shot in the bigs. And does anyone else think we should give a shot to McDonald if the Red Sox don’t ask to much?
by bravesforever16 on May 9, 2010 10:45 PM EDT reply actions
If those guys you just mention don’t pan out either, would you want to get rid of them too? The team is lock the way it is and DFAing or letting players go and calling up AAA players will not make the OF better. We just have to be really patient and hope these guys will perform to their respective career averages.
by romone_braves91 on May 10, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
And
We also need to stop acting like we’re on some sacred quest this season, one that demands we do anything and everything, including a Teixeira-level foolish trade, to win this year.
by Sam Jethroe on May 10, 2010 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
DFAing or letting players go and calling up AAA players will not make the OF better.
I’m ready to accept Mitch Jones over Milky every day of the week and twice on Sunday. At least he may run into one, even if its accidental. At this point Milky is basically guranteed suck.
I still hold out some sliver of hope that McLouth will get better, but the realist in me hopes Schafer rakes at AAA very, VERY soon so’s he can replace McLouth.
I heard Schafer will not be available to the Braves until at least September.
by romone_braves91 on May 10, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Where have you heard that? I troll these interwebs quite often and have never heard that one.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t say he WOULD be available, I just said I really hoped he ends up begin ready soon, because I just have no faith in McLouth. I wasn’t thrilled when we picked him up, and he’s only gotten worse since then.
I don’t get what the buzz is. We knew Hayward was going to be very good right away. I think Schafer will be good eventually as well, but we haven’t seen enough of him at 100 percent in the majors to be able to say he’d be a difference maker in this lineup regardless of when he rejoins the club.
When you've said Jason Heyward, you've said it all.........
KK..
i think wren should help KK get his first win of the year… he should trade him to the nats… for anything… then when he pitches against us…. he will get his first win of the season.. and his first CG shoutout of his career…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAH I agree.
by Goggles Piazzano on May 10, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
we probs should have won that game....
It was just a sloppy game. the werth HBP… the KK DP bunt… sigh…Melky batting 3rd really?
infante getting thrown out at home, after prado or the melk man couldn’t advance infante… only we can blow a leadoff double.
Without great power hitting, you can’t afford to make mistake after mistake.
BMac will get heated up soon. Hes not hitting this badly all season folks. Heyward will be back soon. KK started really poorly last season, then he turned it on…I’m confident Diaz will start stroking it…. he had a .920 ops last season right?
We probably have gotten a little bit unlucky with our HR drought. Glaus, Mac and Heyward will soon start launching and others, prado, escobar, mcclouth, chipper will get some. the lack of HRs is really hurting us.
Hanson and hudson will throw many gems, JJ will get back and throw many gems. Lowe will pitch well every other start… so I’m not worried.
Disappointing
Especially due to satellite snafus. I had to listen to the Braves lose on radio.
by Mr. Glavine #47 on May 10, 2010 12:23 AM EDT reply actions
The lineup
When Escobar comes back, if I was the manager (which I ain’t), I would go with this lineup:
- 2B Martin Prado®
- RF Jason Heyward (L)
- 3B Chipper Jones (S)
- C Brian McCann (L)
- 1B Troy Glaus®
- LF Eric Hinske (L)
- SS Yunel Escobar®
- CF Nate McLouth (L)
I like the righty-lefty balance and I like Escobar in the 7 hole, he hit well last year when getting dropped down in the order. The only thing is Heyward isn’t in a RBI producing spot, but the upside is he will get more PA’s and maybe he could do something when Prado gets on base. Having Chip protected in the front by Heyward and in the rear by Mac could also pay off and maybe produce some RBI’s for him. I say enough of the Diaz and Melky experiment.
Hinske is 3rd on the team in RBI with 9, and he has done it in 32 PA’s.
Hinske has a 1 RBI in every 3.5 PA rate (small sample, but he has been productive). Heyward is 3.30 PA/RBI. Glaus is second in RBI but has a 6.25 PA/RBI rate.
not entirely bad
i have to admit, as far as losing a series goes, that wasn’t such a bad one. it seems like the braves had some fight in them.
my main concern remains that this b team might not be that, outside of heyward (and remember his main concern coming into the season was small nagging injuries) this b team may not be a hell of a lot worse than the a team.
I had hope up until the very last out of the game – which was nice.
It was good to see KK get himself together and pitch a few more innings than it looked like he might at the start of the game.
I’ve been patient with the Melky experiment, but yesterday’s no throw was just about all I can stand now. It’s time to give Hinske some regular playing time… hell, it can’t be any worse.
Hope the Brewers let us get our road trip record decent this time before heading back home.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
You and I gave up on Melky at the same time for the same reason.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Welcome to the anti-Melky party, to both you and NCChopper.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 10, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s the only player on the team who I can’t bring myself to defend….at all.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on May 10, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
He and Conrad are the two that I will no longer defend.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on May 10, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
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