Braves vs. Nationals Series Preview: And Away We Go...
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 8:00 PM EDT
in Series Previews & Recaps
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PrintIt's baseball time.
After five long months, the 2011 season will finally kick off in Washington D.C. as the Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals.
This Opening Day won't feel like others. For the first time in 21 years, Bobby Cox won't be in the Braves' dugout. It feels incredibly weird to type that. The Fredi Gonzalez era will begin tomorrow afternoon at 1:05EST, and all eyes will be on the new skipper. How will he construct a potentially lethal lineup on a nightly basis? How will he handle his bullpen? When does the first ejection come? We'll all be eagerly awaiting these answers.
What's New in D.C.?
Believe it or not, the Nationals were among the busiest clubs in baseball this off-season. Their first move shocked the baseball world when they signed Jayson Werth to a monster 7-year, $126 million dollar contract on December 5th. They had been attempting to make a big splash in the free agent market for a few years and they finally pulled the trigger with Werth. They overpaid quite a bit in both dollars and years for the outfielder, but there's no denying his production on the diamond.
In addition to Werth, they added former-Braves Adam LaRoche and Rick Ankiel to bolster the offense. Both should be upgrades in the field as well. Utility-man Jerry Hairston Jr. should also be a valuable piece for manager Jim Riggleman to use on a nightly basis.
While guys like Werth and LaRoche will help out considerably in D.C., they'll feel the effects of losing Adam Dunn to the White Sox and trading Josh Willingham to Oakland.* Neither of these guys were very good in the field, but both could flat-out mash. Fortunately for the Braves, they're both gone and we won't have to worry about them anymore. The Nats also recently traded Gaby Sanchez's best friend, Nyjer Morgan, to the Milwaukee Brewers. He will be missed.
*You have to love the irony of Willingham finally getting traded. Braves fans had been clamoring for his right-handed bat for years and despite frequent rumors and whispers of him coming to Atlanta, he went to Oakland without anyone looking twice. Acquiring Dan Uggla can do that for your ball club.
Despite the multiple changes to the lineup, the pitching staff is pretty much the same as last year's. They acquired Tom Gorzellany from the Cubs in January for three Minor League prospects and signed right-handed relief pitcher Todd Coffey to a one-year deal. Besides that, there wasn't too much going on.
An offensive breakdown, a look at the pitching match-ups, and more after the jump.
Projected Lineup:
Ian Desmond - SS
Jayson Werth - RF
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B
Adam LaRoche - 1B
Mike Morse - LF
Rick Ankiel - CF
Danny Espinosa - 2B
Ivan Rodriguez - C
Pitcher
The Nationals ranked 14th in the National League last year in runs scored, and it'll be really interesting to see how their overhauled lineup performs.
Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman will form a dynamic duo at the top of the lineup and containing them is a must if you hope to win the series. Our old buddy Adam LaRoche, who's one of the more consistent hitters in baseball on a yearly basis, will hit cleanup and attempt to fill the void left by Adam Dunn.
Ian Desmond, Mike Morse, and Danny Espinosa are three promising, young prospects for the Nationals and they're hoping for a breakout year in 2011. Each saw quite a bit of playing time last season and they'll need to adjust to the grind of the long 162-game season if they hope to avoid a sophomore slump.
Rick Ankiel and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez will give the club some valuable veteran leadership in the clubhouse and solid defensive play in the field. Neither of them are very good hitters at this stage of their career, and it's likely that Pudge is replaced by Wilson Ramos by mid-season.
As a group, expect the Nationals to be pretty stationary on the base paths. Nyjer Morgan, who had 34 stolen bases last season, is gone and Roger Bernadina, who had 16, is in Triple-A. Ian Desmond is the only National to record more than 10 steals last year, and most of their regulars won't even attempt to run.
All-in-all, they're a solid group who should be able to put some runs on the board throughout the course of the season.
Pitching Match-Ups:
Thursday, 1:05 EST:
Saturday, 1:05 EST:
Sunday, 1:35 EST:
Bullpen Report:
It may surprise a few of you, but the Nationals had a really good bullpen last year. Gone are the days when you can fall behind early and then make it up against a couple of bums in the 'pen. They ranked in the top-5 in ERA, FIP, and xFIP as a unit. Drew Storen has the potential to be a lights-out closer if his command improves, and guys like Tyler Clippard, Todd Coffey, Sean Burnett, and Doug Slaten are all capable of handling the 7th and 8th inning duties. Expect another strong year out of the Nationals relievers in 2011.
Weather Report:
We've waited six months for baseball, and we might have to wait one more day to get the season kicked off. The high in Washington D.C. tomorrow is 47 degrees with a 40-75% chance of rain throughout the day. As pleasant as that sounds, there does appear to be an opening during mid-day to get the game in. It's supposed to rain early in the morning and then start clearing up around noon and then pick up once again around 5pm. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.
Something to look for:
The Braves have had a rookie hit a home run in his first at-bat of the season for two consecutive years. In 2009, it was Jordan Schafer. In 2010, it was Jason Heyward. Will Freddie Freeman continue the legacy?
Final Outlook:
The Nationals are a team moving in the right direction, but they're destined for another 5th place finish in the NL East. They should be able to score some runs assuming Desmond, Morse, and Espinosa have solid years, and their bullpen should keep them in games. Their ultimiate downfall, though, will be their starting pitching. Losing Stephen Strasburg for the year really hurts and while Jordan Zimmerman and Tom Gorzellany are solid young pitchers, it's tough to imagine them staying in contention past June or July with Livan Hernandez, John Lannan, and Jason Marquis making most of their starts.
Series Prediction:
The Braves never play well at Nationals Park, but they'll still come out of this series winning two of three. Dan Uggla has a big first series as an Atlanta Brave and the starting pitching is solid each afternoon.
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Bobby to Fredi
One thing I will miss is watching the telecast and having Bobby encouraging the guys after every pitch.
“Come on, Chip!”
“Ball four, kid!”
“Let’s go, Mac!”
I’ve been missing that already.
Sure seems awfully quiet when our guys are at the plate.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
chopper!!!
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I think we need to put a remote mic
on Bobby during all the games, wherever he is, and have him yell his encouragement to the guys.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't forget
The “aw shit” that’s a little too loud for PTV audio feeds from rare time to time
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
...with a delay...
(wink)
Fangraphs, on Craig Kimbrel: "His strikeout rates look like they’re coming from a video game"
ballFOURbaseHIT!
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
same here
right behind the braves dugout!
by davidson_rva on Mar 30, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Excited the season is finally going to begin...
…but confess to being a bit nervous about these pesky gNats.
One thing’s for sure, going from sunny 90s to this frigid damp weather will take it’s toll on their bodies. That’s a tough adjustment to make.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West
Whoops.
Thanks for pointing that out. Poor wording on my part.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
But it would be sweet if for 3 years in a row that our highly touted rookie hits a HR on Opening day
"I came to the Mets to be on a winning team"
-Chris Young
by BravosFanatic on Mar 30, 2011 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Could still be done
by Matty Young. Only guy on the roster with no MLB experience.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I have to admit
this is the first time I’ve seen the full plans for the Nationals, and they do seem to be decently improved. I think I still like our chances better, though ;)
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
O... those pesky Nats
They always find a way to beat us, but hopefully this year it won’t happen this year because it just feels that we lose about 10 games to them every year.
"I came to the Mets to be on a winning team"
-Chris Young
YAY BRAVES BASEBALL!!!!
Such a long, cruel winter it was without you….
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:17 PM EDT reply actions
One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong
Clearly, Lowe needs to work on his game face.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
I don’t care what his game face looks like if he can pick up where he left off in October.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just trying to say
dude needs to grow a Hanson beard.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
Lowe doesn’t seem like the type who would grow facial hair well – probably just a scraggly neckbeard.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
But synchronized beards
work so well for the Giants…
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
FEAR THE BEARD!!
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on Mar 31, 2011 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Lowe looks imtimdating
while Hudson just looks… like he just got asked a challenging question (I couldnt really nail a word for it)
"I came to the Mets to be on a winning team"
-Chris Young
by BravosFanatic on Mar 30, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
contemplative? perplexed?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I must had just had a brain fart
I like perplexed
maybe mystified or dumbfounded or bewildered or even baffled
many words could describe that look
"I came to the Mets to be on a winning team"
-Chris Young
by BravosFanatic on Mar 30, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
It looks to me like he's asking, "Who farted, ya'll?"
"If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj. --justincredubil02 on Feb 28, 2011 2:30 PM EST
befuddled
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
At Auburn...
looking confused is the default gameface…
by TBuzz on Mar 30, 2011 9:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
...like you apparently did
while trying to come up with the word.
Fangraphs, on Craig Kimbrel: "His strikeout rates look like they’re coming from a video game"
The only one of our SPs who should ever have a beard
is Hanson. And even that is iffy.
Where is Smoltz when you need him?
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Livan's too
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
the first series preview!!!
its been so long!!! so jacked for the start oft he season!!!
"My everything, or nothing. My everything, or nothing. WE gonna fight, til we can't fight no more. We gonna lie down, and bleed a while. Gonna get up, and fight again." -Tashard Choice
by SouthernPanther on Mar 30, 2011 8:23 PM EDT reply actions
excited to start the season finally
hopefully we are better this yr on the road and hopefully we beat the teams we are suppose to beat which is the Nats… we gotta play 162 games to play so lets prove everybody wrong who picked Philly to win the NL east including me haha
by Brian Ahmed on Mar 30, 2011 8:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Not to be THAT guy but....
Lannan*
Storen*
"There's nothing better than a baseball game" - Bobby Cox
Lannan looks spelled correctly. I’ll gladly be the guy who checks the checker!
by TBuzz on Mar 30, 2011 8:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fixed. Thanks.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha. Lannan. John Lannan. Sounds like someone with a weird accent saying Lennon.
"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 Mar 30, 2011 11:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Nats will not be good this year.
The offense will be a bit better (Werth and LaRoche add a bit more than Dunn subtracts), but will still be bad. The bullpen will be good, but the starting pitching will be really bad outside of Jordan Zimmermann. I think 95 losses is likely.
Nonetheless, they won’t be easy to beat on their home field on opening weekend. A series win would be a nice accomplishment.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
But are Werth + LaRoche + Ankiel > Dunn + Willingham?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I just didn’t want to list everybody, so I only did the 3 biggest changes.
Not a huge difference, though. That’s the big thing.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. I kinda worked out that player equation in my head, and it seems roughly the same to me. So, I guess my point was this – did their offense really even improve?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I was also assuming
that Wilson Ramos sees more playing time than Pudge, and that whoever they have at 2B will be better than Guzman, among other things. Morse should be decent. CF was a hole last year too, though I doubt Ankiel helps.
I like this year’s O a bit better than last year’s. But it’s not a big difference.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough. I didn’t take Ramos into consideration. I suppose their offense will be a hair better – maybe enough to score 13th most runs in the NL. Progress is progress.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
And of course,
when Bryce Harper gets there they’ll immediately be #1.
In eyeblack, anyway.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The Nationals starting pitching will likely be pretty bad
But probably still better than last year. Twelve Strasburg starts diverted a lot of attention, but in 2010 the Nationals starting pitching was truly dreadful. Marquis was hurt and his ERA was >20 for the first couple months. Lannan lost his focus and got sent down, and Zimmermann was still rehabbing. Of their top six pitchers (in starts and IP), only Hernandez had an ERA <4.00, and only Hernandez and Lannan (who was very effective after being recalled from the minors) had an ERA <5.00! They had minor league pitchers replacing minor league pitchers for a while there. Guys they had in the rotation last year (Martis, Atilano, Chico, Martin) have been cut from the 40 man roster. This year the Nationals had to demote two starters (Ross Detwiler and Yuniesky Maya) who had good springs and are almost certain to be in the rotation before the season is out.
Lannan and Marquis should revert to their (mediocre) career levels of performance (and Marquis, who is in a walk year, had a great spring). Zimmermann is now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, and unlike previous years the Nationals have some solid options in AAA for when pitchers are injured, struggle or get traded (expect the Nationals to trade Marquis, and possibly Lannan, to a contender at the trade deadline). Even though Hernandez almost certainly will regress, the starting pitching is likely to be better than last year.
I see 75-87 as a likely finish for the Nationals, possibly ahead of the Mets.
75-87? No....
I might’ve bought 72-90.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
72-90 certainly wouldn't surprise me either
95 losses would surprise me. Perhaps not as much as 82 wins would.
It’s the first time since they moved to DC that I’ve actually felt like the organization is really building something. They’re still a couple of years behind the Braves, though – you have to like the way the Braves have set themselves up, with good young ballplayers in Atlanta and still having one of the top minor league systems. I see the Braves pushing the Phillies out of the top spot in the NL East soon, with the Nationals rising behind them.
Livan Hernandez
It’s about time we light him up…instead of watching him go 7 or 8 strong with his 65 mph curveball…
by TBuzz on Mar 30, 2011 8:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
65!? Is he on steroids now?
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody remembered 2005 when the Nats were first in East?
They came down to Atlanta to play like a four game series (not sure of the exact number of games in that series) and the fans actually showed up in full force. Braves went out kicked ass, swept the Nats, took over first and never looked back. Good Times. So glad baseball is back.
by romone_braves91 on Mar 30, 2011 8:49 PM EDT reply actions
1st time in 4 years I haven't taken off for opening day.
Bummer, but luckily my new boss is cooler then my old boss and I can stream the games on the big screen at work.
Trading Josh Willingham so you can sign Adam LaRoche
Seems really dumb.
"The WAR folks like yunel apparently. i know this, bobby cox hated going to war with this guy." - Jon Heyman
Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue
Or...
Trading Josh Willingam and letting Adam Dunn go so you can sign Jayson Werth, who will be making $20MM+ as a 38-year old.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's be clear:
Signing Werth wasn’t the problem; the length of the deal was the problem. Werth is an excellent player. They won’t be sorry they signed him… for a couple years anyway.
Letting Dunn go isn’t as bad as it seems; he really needed to be a DH, and the Nats understandably didn’t want to pay him for his terrible defense. A great pickup by the White Sox, but Dunn’s not an NL player.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
I now twitter as @junkstats and blog about made-up stats and general baseball stuff at JunkStats.
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 30, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Well the money was an issue as well. Good luck trying to retain Strasburg and Zimmerman in a few years when Werth is already taking up 1/5th of their payroll.
And yeah, Dunn is certainly an AL player. I’ve just always liked the guy and didn’t want him to leave. LaRoche will be much better defensively, but he’s no where close to being what Dunn was offensively.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone else will have to do the research/extrapolation, but...
If LaRoche could put up the kind of numbers he’s usually good for in the second half in both halves of the season, I would think the difference between him and Dunn would be pretty marginal.
…..
…..
But that is a pretty big if.
"If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj. --justincredubil02 on Feb 28, 2011 2:30 PM EST
The two moves were pretty unrelated
By trading Willingham, they moved a good hitting outfielder who worked himself from lousy to indifferent as a defender … who can’t stay healthy. He’s never been able to play a complete season. And he is eligible for free agency at the end of 2011, and the Nationals have the corner OF positions earmarked for Werth and Harper over the next several seasons. Instead of just letting him go, they picked up a guy who throws 100mph and another prospect that they hope will be the one guy who ultimately replaces Morgan in CF. Neither are top prospects, but then again Willingham was a short-timer who was damaged goods.
The Nationals will definitely miss his bat, though
They're playing Harper in CF
last I heard.
"The WAR folks like yunel apparently. i know this, bobby cox hated going to war with this guy." - Jon Heyman
Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue
They are open to Harper in CF, he will get some work in there
But he’s spent virtually all of his time in RF so far
I will be making my instructors proud and skipping class for this national holiday
Alot harder to get away with in graduate school, but so be it.
You both suck
If I weren’t conducting a dress rehearsal tomorrow, I would skip as well.
"I don't drink beer, I'm an athlete" - Peter Moylan
by Zach Towery on Mar 30, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
i only work 2 nights a week
and i make my bills by double. i won’t be missing any baseball this year :D
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
i dunno why i said i make my bills by double. that was lame. sorry.
BUT I’M JUST SO EXCITED TO SEE SO MANY GAMES THIS YEAR! thank you, MLB.tv. it’ll be like I have TBS again. ahhh….
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
mastermike didn’t learn a thing from this preview.
http://tonyalmeyda.blogspot.com/
by TonyAlmeyda on Mar 30, 2011 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well played. I was waiting for that.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel like I've really missed out
on this mastermike character.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
Oh definitely. He’s been OGT’d a few times, and he’s Jason Heyward’s #1 fan.
http://tonyalmeyda.blogspot.com/
by TonyAlmeyda on Mar 31, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
The best part was he posted that FanPost in the middle of a game where Heyward hit a walk-off.
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 31, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
2nd, but yeah, pretty much #1...
http://www.talkingchop.com/fanposts/popular/all_time
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 31, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Def the most entertaining, that's sure
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
OGT'd?
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
That sounds vaguely like a warning
dunno if I like that. :p
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
Hah
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
39 minutes on EST.
"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 Mar 30, 2011 11:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
So since mvhsball is doing the series preview, does that mean we’re going to start the season off with a series loss??
by dunnytwogloves on Mar 30, 2011 11:28 PM EDT reply actions
Well, crap
now it’s jinxed.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
by Scott Coleman on Mar 30, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I just watched the game 7 of the 91 ws for the very first time. :(
by Taylor Masters on Mar 30, 2011 11:41 PM EDT reply actions
I’m so sorry….there are people here who know what you’re going through, though. You’re among friends.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I am glad I was only two years old at the time instead of 21. I might have gone into exile if that happened today
by Taylor Masters on Mar 30, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Now watch game 7 of the '92 NLCS
and everything will be ok.
That was the game that ruined me. I always expect late-inning miracles now.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
that was the FIRST
mlb game i ever saw. needless to say, i was a braves fan from then on.
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
It was great
my dad (a big Braves fan through the 70’s and 80’s) was trying to talk me down, because I was really sold on a Braves win. “It’ll be OK when they lose,” etc., etc. But I was convinced they were going to win… they didn’t do very much to break me :)
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
Game 7 of the 1991 World Series was the first time I experienced heartbreak over baseball. In retrospect, I can appreciate it as one of the single greatest games in the history of the sport – it still hurts, though.
"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."
by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Mar 30, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I am watching the game where we beat the Phillies on the Mclouth silent treatmentnow. Earlier I watched the Conrad walk off GS. As you can probably guess , I am feigning
by Taylor Masters on Mar 30, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Gosh, you're a baby.
i’m getting so old.
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
laughable
that LIvan is listed as born in 1975. BAHAHAHA
Wait - Kelly Johnson hits lefties better than righties? That just HAS to be backwards. - Bobby Cox as he looks at KJ's splits for his career
by Jareth Cutestory on Mar 31, 2011 12:35 AM EDT reply actions
It's those old birth certificates.
So easy to fudge the “8” into a “9.”
"If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj. --justincredubil02 on Feb 28, 2011 2:30 PM EST
I got a half-chub just reading the headline
By the time I got to the pitching matchups things in my dorm room were getting #awkward
The only good bug is a dead bug!
It's finally here!
Should I cut Crim Law tomorrow so I can watch the game? No laptops allowed in class.
Silly question.
Mos Def you should. Cut that class like an emo’s wrist.
"If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj. --justincredubil02 on Feb 28, 2011 2:30 PM EST
??
11 hours
we are there yetz??
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on Mar 31, 2011 2:02 AM EDT reply actions
ZOMG
Almost there, it’s like Christmas in March!
I must express my feelings with a great song… We, We, We so excited!
I know Lowe pitched great last September. I also know they trotted him out on Opening Day last year, but c’mon Fredi. He’s at best the 3rd best starting pitcher we have. Start your new era right put Studboy Hanson on the hill.
I'm thinking
this is orchestrated so that we’ve got Huddy for the home opener. If I remember right, after the first couple of rotations, Lowe is effectively our 4th starter.
"…the umps in San Francisco somehow missed Brooks Conrad’s tag at second base on a sliding Buster Posey, who could’ve been called out from a houseboat in Sausalito."
-- Tommy Craggs
7 HOURS!
If this gets rained out I’m killing a small woodland creature.
/knocks on wood for 7 hours starting…now
LESS THAN 5
Fangraphs, on Craig Kimbrel: "His strikeout rates look like they’re coming from a video game"
I love my Braves, but....
How come we don’t crush Livan Hernandez everytime we see him. This guy can locate his stuff real well but last year he had Heyward, BMac, and Chipper looking like new born babies. Limbs were flying all directions from these three and at a 67 mile per hour curveball. They just could not get the timing right and if he beats us today I would not be surprised based on what I saw last year.
by RazorbackBrave80 on Mar 31, 2011 9:09 AM EDT reply actions
I hate Livan Hernandez.......
I still think he had naked photo’s of Eric Gregg!
Chipper could beat the Marlins all by himself....all 9 positions!
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