Braves at Mets Series Preview
by Jacob Peterson on Sep 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
in Series Previews & Recaps
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PrintHello again, everybody. As you may have noticed, I've been gone for a couple weeks (I got married!). How'd everything go in my absence? Pretty good? Nobody's panicking or anything like that, right?
Seriously, though, I last posted a story on TC on the morning of September 2nd... Since then, the Braves have lost 9 of 14 games and fallen 3 games back of the Phillies in the NL East. Good job holding down the fort, everybody (kidding). However, it could be worse. We are still leading the wild card (by a slim half-game over the similarly plunging Padres), so if we can right the ship here in the last 5 series, we've still got an excellent chance to make the playoffs.
This series begins the final regular-season road trip of Bobby Cox's managerial career. Hopefully the Braves can hype themselves up enough to make this a winning road trip so that Bobby doesn't have to slink off into the sunset after another postseason-less campaign.
As for the Mets, they've won 7 out of 9 to once again rise above the .500 mark. And before you say, "Well, 6 of those 7 wins were against the Pirates and Nats," remember that the Braves haven't exactly dominated those two cellar-dwellers lately. Let's hope that the Braves can put up a bit more of a fight than the Buccos did. Otherwise, this long September is going to get even longer.
The big Mets news items lately have all been related to (what else?) injuries: Jennry Mejia, Johan Santana, and Jason Bay are all likely done for the year. I'm starting to think that Mets management might not know what it is doing with the whole "Prevention and Recovery" thing.
Pitching matchups after the jump.
Pitching Matchups
Friday, 7:00 ET: Tommy Hanson (5.93 IP/S, 3.54 ERA, 3.35 FIP) vs. Jon Niese (5.98 IP/S, 3.85 ERA, 4.12 FIP)
Big Red has pitched very well in his last 3 starts (4 ER in 20 IP, only 3 BB to 12 K), including a dominant 7-shutout-inning performance against the Mets in Atlanta. Niese, a 23-year-old left-hander, has been consistently solid all year for the Mets. He has hit a bit of a rough patch in his last 4 starts (18 ER in 23.1 IP), though his strikeout and walk rates have been just fine in that time (24 K, 10 BB). In one of those starts, he gave up 8 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits to the Braves. Hopefully Derrek Lee and the Braves' other right-handed batters can repeat that performance against Niese.
Saturday, 4:00 ET: Tim Hudson (6.77 IP/S, 2.62 ERA, 3.81 FIP) vs. Dillon Gee (6.50 IP/S, 0.69 ERA, 4.63 FIP)
Huddy has hit his first extended rough patch of 2010 lately, but I'm sure he'll get back on track soon. We need him to step up and be the ace of the staff. Gee, a 24-year-old rookie right-hander, has made two very good starts with the big league club since being called up this month. His peripherals, however, aren't that great (7 K and 7 BB in 13 IP), so a regression from that microscopic ERA would seem to be in order. Gee was decent for AAA Buffalo this year, putting up good K and BB rates (8.91 K/9, 2.28 BB/9) but giving up a fair number of homers (1.17 HR/9).
Sunday, 1:00 ET: Derek Lowe (5.90 IP/S, 4.22 ERA, 4.03 FIP) vs. R.A. Dickey (6.71 IP/S, 2.80 ERA, 3.63 FIP)
Since having his spot in the rotation skipped, Lowe has surprisingly been the Braves' best starter. He even set a career high with 12 strikeouts his last time out. Hopefully, he can keep up that strong work on Sunday, because Dickey and his knuckleballs-of-many-speeds are a tough matchup. I'm starting to believe that Dickey's renaissance is real; while he is 35 and has never even been average before this season, his peripherals are good enough to indicate that he is now at least a solid starter (though that 2.80 ERA is probably not sustainable).
-----
I know you guys are probably frustrated, but I also hope you haven't given up or anything silly like that. The Braves are still in a very good position, and all it takes is one winning streak to turn our fortunes around. More importantly, what kind of message does it send to Bobby and the players if we start losing hope at the first sign of trouble? They've worked hard all year, and played well for much of it; the only thing we can do is keep watching and rooting.
Go Braves! Let's win this series for Bobby!
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I BLAME YOOOOOOUUU
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Sep 17, 2010 1:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
But I’m to blame, too.
I went on vacation on the 6th and came back on the 16th. The Braves always play like crap when I’m on vacation.
No more September vacations for me. And no more September marriages for you!
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Sep 17, 2010 1:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wondered what happened to you!
Did you have a good vacation?
"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
Yeah, thanks for asking. But Florida is so dang hot….
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Sep 17, 2010 1:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Screw the pitching matchups
Screw analyzing whether “we should win this game” or “we may not win this game”
JUST WIN GAMES
by DreamWithinADream on Sep 17, 2010 1:15 PM EDT reply actions
Well, thank goodness...
Now we know what happened. You’re back just in the nick of time!
Also, congratulations!
"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
The outcome
of this particular grouping of athletic contests is cloudy.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
with a 60% chance of rain
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Sep 17, 2010 1:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That's just the cloud
Of badluck that perpetually hangs over Queens and the LOLMets.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
If the season were a baseball game,
this is the 8th inning and we have to come up with one of those dramatic comebacks for the win. I have no doubt that our team can bounce back and get into the playoffs. Let’s Go Bravos!
by romone_braves91 on Sep 17, 2010 1:27 PM EDT reply actions
I missed you Jacob.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
You missed him because he’s a WINNAR, and you just bring bad luck to the Braves with your series previews and game recaps. You’re on the Phillies payroll, aren’t you?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Sep 17, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Fun stat of the day:
Jacob is 26-17, or a .604 winning percentage.
I’m 24-27, or a .470 winning percentage.
In other words, he’s basically the Yankees, and I’m just slightly better than Brewers. FML.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
by Scott Coleman on Sep 17, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't worry
I’m 1-2, which is a frigid .333. Or unless you want to hang out in your fortress of emo, and declare it SSS.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
So the rest of the way,...
only pac and gondee can do previews. That’s what must be done to be Lowe’s and not Kenshin’s.
Hey now...
Ben is actually .002 better than Jacob this year. No one can touch Gondeee’s numbers though, as he’s sitting above .700 on the year.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
by Scott Coleman on Sep 17, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
No more recaps for you! You’re moving to the bullpen.
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Sep 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This.
So much this!
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Sep 17, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Never going to happen
gondeee will text me once the first sign of bad happens and say something like “I’m going to get hammered, you do the series,” and armageddon will commence again.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
No panicking at all.
There were a few FanPosts about kittens and rainbows, but things have been mostly quiet around here.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
Welcome Back!
Congrats to you and the lucky lady :-)
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Are you a happy goldfish now?
"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
Interestingly,
Lowes stats for the year are now better than JJs.
Lowe: 4.22 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 121/58 K/W
JJ : 4.64 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 86/42 K/W
JJ's been off lately...
I hope he can turn it around, for we need all our pitchers to step it up.
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
wow
you really prefer JJ over Lowe? just wow
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Sep 17, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Congrats on the marriage!
I got married in May (when the Braves were killing it) so hopefully you can bring us back to the days of May.
If I have to explain my username to you, you're obviously a Philly fan.
"Kill my boss?! Do I dare live out the American dream?" - Homer Simpson
True to my word, I won't be watching this weekend.
I’ll be working today and Sunday, and I’ll have all of the Arizona/Iowa festivities drinking and screaming going on tomorrow.
That being said, I would really, really, really, really like to come back to a 3-0 sweep of the Mets.
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
You’ll be amazed at how many Iowans will be there. We’re one of the most well traveled teams. I hope it’s a good game!
"If I’m batting behind him (Heyward), I tell the umpire, ‘Will you please check that ball,’" Diaz said. "And he’d be like, ‘It didn’t hit the dirt.’ And I’d go, ‘It might be flat.’ He hits the ball so stinking hard."
The Prevention and Recovery plan
refers to preventing our players from finishing seasons, and then getting the fans into rehab. Also this is an odd time for me as I’m actually pulling for you guys to sweep us in the off chance the phils can get knocked out of they playoffs this year somehow (and we might as well shoot for some good draft picks). While I have more cumulative disdain for the Braves over the years, the Phils have evoked a lot more concentrated rage the last few years.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 17, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
This is certainly a first. With the way Philadelphia sports fans act, I really hope the Phils dont get into the playoffs, but I think they’re going, just too much star power. Thanks for the kind years, and hopefully Bobby’s last series in NY will be a fun one
Yeah their fans really push them over the top.
that and that scumbag Shane Victorino. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not cheering for the Braves, im just cheering for the spirit of the Phils and their fans to be decimated beyond redemption. Unfortunately it would take a Metsian collapse for the phils to miss the postseason with the team they have, and I’m not sure if karma is willing to lend a hand. However I will miss hating Bobby for sure, he was a worthy adversary.
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 17, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Just completely awesome video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVkalfhzvVA&feature=player_embedded
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 love that video
Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?
by KeithsMoustache on Sep 17, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
It sucks
That 2 of our 3 best pitchers are going to miss the Phillies. Our bats are gonna have to come alive before that series rolls around.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand."
Thumbs up
Let’s do this.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 17, 2010 3:12 PM EDT reply actions
Christ, Melky is in the lineup
I know its a lefty tonight but PLEASE do not ever put Melky in the lineup anymore. He is just awful and looks completely lost up there all the time. Free McLouth!
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
I dont get why people were blasting me for hating on Melky who is probably our worst outfielder other than Ankiel
I completely agree
I can’t see any reason why melky should be in over nate.
Melky's worse than Ankiel.
Ankiel strikes out at a Francouerian clip but he’s a decent outfielder. Melky grounds out and run to first, much like he runs in the outfield after balls that get by him on the way to the wall, like a broken legged daschund.
Maybe I'm being a blind optimist
But that off day gave me a strange boost in confidence in this team. I know they haven’t played well lately but something tells me that they are about to turn it on when it matters most. This season means more to them than any of us. They want this for Bobby. They have shown their resiliency throughout the year, bouncing back from several extended suckfests by going on a tear. We all were about to kill ourselves after that 9 game skid and then the team was in first place for over 100 days. That is not an aberration. I believe in this team. GO BRAVES
"The Dos Equis guys want me to be the least interesting man in the world" - Drama
Welcome back! Hopefully we’ll get back to better Braves baseball and better writing from TalkingChop writers…
-Yellow Jackets, Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Thrashers fan!
all the other writers are lazy, right?
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
nah, just one was showing their immaturity the other day in their writing.
-Yellow Jackets, Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Thrashers fan!
I'd argue
He was just expressing in words the frustration a lot of us are feeling
"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann
by HansonManCrush on Sep 17, 2010 5:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
LOL
Who is this immature one you’re talking about?
'Terrible preview...pretty weak, didn't learn anything new. pretty sad." - mastermike
by Scott Coleman on Sep 17, 2010 5:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think he's referring to you.
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
Don’t stop believin, hold on to that feelin…..
/dances around in bedroom like an idiot
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
Now I’m going to have Journey stuck in my head for the next three days, thanks a lot.
by king of games on Sep 17, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
try this one instead. it’s been stuck in my head for 3 days. all girl band. they really rock it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdq59LXlOC0
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 17, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Lineup
1. Single Machine 2B.
2, OBP Machine RF,
3. Hitting Machine 3B,
4, 3FSK series 1B,
5. Heaptron C,
6. Lefty Killer Machine LF,
7. Sea-Basstron SS,
8. Chopper Machine CF,
9. Cyborg P
MORE of these great Bobby Cox and the Delta #6 photos
Can be seen by clicking HERE!
He also got a 2 round trip tickets to anywhere in the world and a lifetime Platinum Skymiles status
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Go Bobby Go! loving the pics
(cough)
Prado
Heyward
Infante
(cough)
: )
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 17, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I love the briefcase.
"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
He looks sharp.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 17, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
he's earned it
how many miles do you think Bobby has flown in his career?
I bet he flies 100 times a year, between road trips, spring training, meetings, vacations, etc.
I learned nothing from this preview.
I fed a fish to a pelican and Frisco bay and he tried to eat my cell phone he ran away
This is not a place of learning, it’s a place of opinion and hyperbole.
by king of games on Sep 17, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a house of learned doctors.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
Swing and a drive...Belted right! Welcome to the Show!!!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 17, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
youre not a doctor
youre a big, fat, curly headed fuck.
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
from a movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSS1MYTTKH4
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
Assuming Chipper returns for 2011....
….roughly how much do you think the Braves will have to spend this offseason? Gonzo’s and Infante’s options will almost definitely be picked up. I don’t see Melky or Ankiel returning. Wagner’s retiring.
So assuming Chipper returns, Wagner retires, Gonzo and Infante’s options are picked up……..what are we looking at roughly?
I don’t know if this is right, but without including Wagner, Melky, Ankiel, Lee, Glaus, Saito, and Farsworth I think we’re somewhere around 60-65 mil for next season so far. I would also assume that KK gets traded over the winter, which would save us some more depending on how much se have to eat.
by king of games on Sep 17, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
who's the girl?
Who’s the girl with Bobby? She’s a cutie!
Bobby must still have it…unless of course that’s his daughter or something haha.
Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world was crucified to me, and I to the world.
by elevenforbraves on Sep 18, 2010 5:29 AM EDT reply actions
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