Mets vs. Braves Series Recap
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 18, 2011 12:01 PM EDT
in Series Previews & Recaps
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PrintThe Braves finished their home stand 4-5, but it could have been worse. Here's the good and bad from the series.
GOOD
Jair Jurrjens: he was nothing short of dominant in his first start of the season on Saturday. If he pitches like this every start, look out.
Run support behind Derek Lowe: see what happens when you score runs? You might actually WIN. Sure, the six runs total in Lowe's four starts is pretty pathetic, five of them have come via solo home run, but you take them however you can get them.
Winning consecutive games for the first time in two weeks: April 3 - 4 to be exact. This team is too good not to be able to do this on a consistent basis. April is too early in the season to panic over a 7-9 record.
The bottom of the lineup: Alex Gonzalez raised his average from .234 to .259 with his 4 for 11 during the series; he also had his first multi-HR game with the Braves. Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to nine games, including hitting his first home run of the season.
Jason Heyward with two hits batting second: then again, he could have two hits in a game batting anywhere in the lineup.
Bullpen: 8 innings, 14 strikeouts, four hits, zero runs. See? Sherrill and Linebrink aren't THAT bad.
NOT SO GOOD
Pinch-hitting: the Braves extended their bench futility to 0 for 23 on the season. Ugh.
Martin Prado: 2 for 12 isn't what you want from your leadoff hitter, but again, it's still early in the season.
Squeeze bunt fail: this definitely was not one of Fredi Gonzalez's smartest decision; this absolutely killed the rally.
NEXT UP
The Braves start a 10-game road trip in Los Angeles.
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Re: Squeeze bunt fail
I was listening in on the radio when that happened and was yelling at it “You idiot! What made you think Hanson can handle a bat?!”
Chance of that play working: 5%. Maybe 10% on a good day.
Chance of Odarp driving in a run with 2 outs: 25-35%
Fangraphs, on Craig Kimbrel: "His strikeout rates look like they’re coming from a video game"
This is gonna be fun
I’m staying up late for the Dodgers game. It’ll be like a TC slumber party!
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
games starting at 7
slumber party indeed
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
Going to miss most of it due to work+ Mortal Kombat launch- but should be good for the next weekend. Working mid shifts at night = I love west coast games.
Glad to know im not the only one excited for MK ha
Shark in the water.
by AvoidTheDolphin on Apr 18, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, so not for you or Mr. Cutestory. But for us here in the East, it’s going to be a late night. I debated about staying up, but it was pretty fun last year so I think I’ll do it again this time around.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
damn skippy
you dont wanna miss out, especially when we start telling ghost stories and messing with whoever falls asleep first and all that fun. I remember in high school looking at when our west coast games were and being very excited when they would be during summer, so i could stay up as late as i wanted. now in college i can stay up as late as i want and the ‘late’ games start at 7.
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
I think it’ll be a fun little adventure. Plus, hating the Dodgers is such a great thing.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
i have a new found disrespect for LA fans after going to a game in atlanta, sitting out in left field and hearing this group of fans yelling to Matty Diaz, who had recently dirtied his jersey by sliding into second, “HEY DEEAZ!! DEEAZ! DEEAZ!!!… YOU SHIT YOUR PANTS DEEAZ!!!!” for roughly three innings. oh and they beat the bejesus out of other team’s fans
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
Yeah, I think they tend to be the needless sort of jerks — jerks for no apparent provocation. The Bryan Stow incident is only the most recent and horrific example of a long-term pattern of terrible behavior among Dodgers fans.
LIVE EDT
Tape-delayed for the West Coast
exactly
Them as well as the Yankees Mets Phillies Red Sox breed just flat out annoy me. Id rather be a Braves fans where simply no one really seems to care about baseball
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
I foresee my husband throwing me out of the bedroom so he can get some sleep whilst I watch the Braves.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
so
hes not a Braves fan or what? unless you have work before 8 AM there is no reason not to stay up. especially for a couple whippersnappers like yourselves
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
Well...
He’s a Braves fan (though not as die-hard as I am), but he has to be out the door every morning by 6am.
Also, he’s 41 and I’m 23, so I’m the whippersnapper of the couple ;)
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
Now I ain’t saying she a golddigger…
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Definitely not a gold digger haha
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
Haha you’re 23 you should be married to me ;) (18)
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
18, huh? Sorry, I’m all about the older guys, hahaha.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
I’m 26…that’s older.
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 Apr 18, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
1984 was such an awesome year.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Bummer. I’m all about the older women!
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Plus .. I’m a true Braves fan would never kick you out of the room ;)
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m sure you’ll make some Braves fan very happy someday, but I am happily married to my own Braves fan. He’s into Alabama football (which I am too, but baseball is my #1 love) and I’m into Braves baseball. I don’t think I could be married to someone who knew more about baseball than I do.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
Ahh deal breaker!!! Alabama football no no no UGA football!
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Says the guy pretending to be a counter-terrorist.
I bet that’s not even your real picture.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Your mom stumbled into eharmony.com.
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
+1 lmao
In baseball, you're supposed to sit on your ass, spit tobacco, and nod at stupid things. Perfect life might I add.
by HeywardFTW! on Apr 18, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i KNEW
there was an age difference. i just forgot haha
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
Ugh...
Don’t know if I’ll make it…Hopefully, we’ll be up 23-0 by midnight…
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
Strengthen the bench
You don’t have to be Nostradamus to predict that Brandon Hicks was not going to get a hit yesterday. Sorry, but he just ain’t doing it for me.
Time for plan B for the bench. Call me crazy, but Ross (if you want to even count him) and Hinske aren’t enough, as good as they are. I do have faith in those two, but no one else coming off the bench.
Hopefully I’m just being pessimistic today, so I’m hoping some of you disagree with me.
I'm a little concerned
at how often Fredi has us bunting. It seems anytime Prado gets on with less than 2 out, McLouth will bunt him over, and the Alex Gonzalez bunt the day after he went yard twice. Now honestly if Fredi wants to use the 2 spot in the lineup to sac bunt a couple times a game he should go a head and bat the pitcher 2nd. Now I would rather see Chipper up with runner on second one out than McLouth hitting into the DP to kill the inning, but it says a lot when our manager can’t trust the 1-2 guys in the lineup to set the table.
"Welcome to the show, Brandon Beachy. I think you’re going to stay a while." - Dave Cameron
He's just tryin'ta be one o' them wrinkly-headed "scientific' types.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
I'm a little concerned
by just about all of Fredi’s decisions. I really didn’t want him as a manager, so you’ll have to pardon my bias. It’s not so much the decisions that I can’t stand, so much as the reasoning behind and excuses for the decisions.
“Uggla needs protection.” Um. Protection is mostly bunk, but if you believe that, then why doesn’t JHey need protection?
“Heyward should be a run producer.” Um. Is there a rule that #2 hitters are forbidden to produce runs?
“Why don’t teams bat Pujols first?” Well now you’re just condescending AND wrong, and nothing is more annoying than someone being condescendingly wrong.
“That’s why they call it a suicide squeeze. It didn’t work this time.” Um. No. It was a terrible “gut” call. Just admit it was poor managing and move on, don’t try to justify it.
For the most part, I’ve been ok with his pitching decisions.
OK, I don't agree with the decisions either, but let's be fair.
"Uggla needs protection." Um. Protection is mostly bunk, but if you believe that, then why doesn’t JHey need protection?
Maybe Uggla needs to see better pitches than Heyward does in order to be productive? Given J-Hey’s eye at the plate, I have no trouble believing that. This assumes you buy into protection, of course.
"Heyward should be a run producer." Um. Is there a rule that #2 hitters are forbidden to produce runs?
No, but the traditional lineup theory says that you slot your “run producers” in the middle of the lineup, not at the top.
"Why don’t teams bat Pujols first?" Well now you’re just condescending AND wrong, and nothing is more annoying than someone being condescendingly wrong.
It’s not condescending. He’s trying to provide an example for his idea that there are more important ideas in constructing a lineup than “give your best hitter as many at-bats as possible.”
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Pretty much all of his responses have been smug and ignorant.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
Ignorant, sure
but I have yet to see anything I would consider “smug.”
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
You don’t think that Pujols comment is smug?
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
No, I don't.
I didn’t when I saw the video, either. For him, there are other things that fit into lineup construction aside from “give your best hitter as many ABs as possible,” and he was providing examples that ostensibly agree with that.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Smug: contentedly confident of one’s ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/smug
Here’s a good comment on how asinine of a comment that is: http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=4020#comment-22855
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
The man is being berated with regarding his lineup construction every single day, all the while knowing that the actual impact of hitting Heyward sixth and Nate second is negligible at best. He also knows that the majority of baseball fans are unaware of how unimportant batting order really is, so he can’t really expect people to stop getting pissed off about it.
He’s just saying what he can to defend his decision without making his purpose clear to everyone. We all know why Nate is hitting second. It’s a classic move by a baseball manager that believes that confidence is necessary for a baseball player to succeed. Everyone’s jumping all over him for the decision to hit Nate second, then they’re jumping on him for the way he responds to the direct criticism he’s receiving, and all the while everyone forgets the real purpose of constructing the lineup the way he is.
Who’s he being berated by? DOB asks him a question every couple of days, that’s about it. Us talking about it online is not berating him.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
Maybe he’s not being berated. I get the impression he is, but maybe he’s not. Either way, he’s had to answer far too many questions about this issue in my opinion. I believe his reasoning is simple, but he can’t just come out and say it, because that would negate any confidence he might have instilled into Nate McLouth by hitting him second.
I don’t understand the confidence thing if he’s going to use him to bunt against crappy pitchers like Mike Pelfrey when the score is close. It really seems like he just looks at Nate as an old school two hitter but is afraid to come out and make that type of statement. He’s already lied multiple times, so I would certainly not put it past him.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
I should have rephrased that “when the score is close” statement into, when we have a small lead and it’s early in the game.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
This is the same guy that went to the sabermetrics convention a few years ago, as a fan, without telling people he was Fredi Gonzalez (people recognized him eventually). Anybody who’s the slightest bit interested/informed about sabermetrics knows that the “old school two hitter” is a bunch of hogwash.
That would be a great comment on how asinine a comment that was
…if Fredi had ever suggested it was supposed to be a good parallel. But he didn’t. He used it as one example (in a string of examples, as I recall) of a situation where something other than “give your best hitter as many at-bats as possible” factored into the construction of a lineup.
And thanks, I know what smug means. If I were a better person, I probably wouldn’t even mention the irony of your copying the definition into the conversation for me.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
If we want to be mad at somebody
we should really be upset with the reporter, who phrased the whole “Heyward should hit second” argument simply in terms of at-bats. If he’d been a bit more intelligent about how he posed the question, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
It is just so obviously clear that his comment was smug, that’s really my only point in regards to this discussion we’re having. Every single characteristic of the definition is hit in his one comment.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
I disagree.
But I guess we’re going to have to leave it at that.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
I don’t.
I also wish people would stop getting pissed at his comments regarding hitting Jason Heyward sixth. It is blindingly obvious that the reason Fredi decided to hit McLouth second, and the reason he is so adamantly sticking with it, is because he knows the potential impact Nate McLouth could have on this offense and he wants to show Nate that he and the rest of the organization are behind him 100%.
A lot of fans find this kind of stuff foolish, but baseball managers and baseball players believe that comfort and confidence go a long way towards being productive on the field. This is why Nate’s hitting second and Heyward is hitting sixth, and the fact that Braves fans are finding this so hard to comprehend is very frustrating to me.
Again
bad logic. If that’s the case, what does it say to your talented sophomore that despite having a great rookie season, you’re being moved down in the lineup to a much less important spot? Where’s the comfort and confidence there?
I understand that managing is more than numbers, with real humans with emotions involved. But it’s not isolated to just one human, i.e. Nate. What are the ramifications on your emerging young player to move him back?
Also, would Nate’s impact not be felt if he were hitting sixth and rebounded? Can his impact only be felt at 2nd?
Further, if that is the reasoning, then he should stop with this “run producing” nonsense.
He gives the “run producing” answers because he can’t come out and say, “I’m hitting Nate second in hopes that it helps his confidence, and not because I legitimately believe he’s the best fit for the spot.”
Heyward didn’t have a train wreck of a season in 2010. Nate did. That’s why he feels it’s important to do things that make Nate feel confident and comfortable.
Further, if you’re so upset about this despite the fact that everyone here should know by now that batting order doesn’t matter anyway, then you’re an irritable fan just looking for things to complain about. Despite the love that members of Talking Chop have for complaining about batting order, this is a non-issue.
Woo, the "insult" card comes out again
When your cat comes and drops a half-eaten squirrel at your feet, is it insulting? Do you feel like your cat is trying to get you sick or dirty up the carpet?
Or do you appreciate that, to the cat, this is an honorable gift?
If Heyward feels slighted by hitting in the 6-spot when Fredi’s saying “I’m batting Heyward in the 6-spot because he’ll be an important run-producer there,” there’s no way that hurts his confidence. The only way that hurts his confidence is if Fredi says or implies something along the lines of “I don’t have a lot of faith in his abilities, so I’m batting him 6th.”
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
The funny thing is
I’m not playing the insult card. I’m just pointing out that if player confidence is so important, then you have to take Heyward’s confidence into account too. It isn’t a one way street. And just because you think it isn’t a dig to get dropped in the lineup, doesn’t mean Heyward would see it the same way. Maybe he would take it as a compliment, I don’t know.
As for the “that batting order doesn’t matter anyway, then you’re an irritable fan just looking for things to complain about.” from Gilley. No, I’m a pretty patient, long time fan. It doesn’t matter much, but it can make some difference. But disagreeing with a manager and posting about it does not make one an irritable fan per se. It just means I think his reasoning is faulty and have pointed out why. I also don’t like the excuses he gives. Such is life.
If batting order is so important, then why isn’t it on the scoreboard?
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
by kimrob1 on Apr 18, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
+7
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 Apr 18, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
This deserves to be green.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
lol
I considered this when I was typing it, but I figured everyone would get it anyway :).
and OMGZ my first green comment!!
Chicks dig the long ball.
DOB: Did you ever hit balls as hard as Jason Heyward does?
Chipper: Is that possible?
And just because you think it isn’t a dig to get dropped in the lineup, doesn’t mean Heyward would see it the same way. Maybe he would take it as a compliment, I don’t know.
This was the entire point. I think Fredi is taking everyone’s confidence into account. Just because batting Nate 2nd would help with his confidence doesn’t mean that batting Heyward 6th would hurt his.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Eh
It’s just faulty. If that’s the case, why wouldn’t it help McLouth’s confidence to be in the “run producing” spot?
And just because Fredi says "I’m batting Heyward in the 6-spot because he’ll be an important run-producer there" doesn’t mean Heyward will certainly take it as inspiring confidence.
Hell, my mom said she left me out of family pictures because I was so handsome I deserved my own. Doesn’t mean I believed her.
It’s just faulty.
No, it really isn’t :)
If that’s the case, why wouldn’t it help McLouth’s confidence to be in the "run producing" spot?
Because McLouth isn’t a “run producer.”
And just because Fredi says “I’m batting Heyward in the 6-spot because he’ll be an important run-producer there” doesn’t mean Heyward will certainly take it as inspiring confidence.
It means he won’t take it as “my manager doesn’t believe I can produce in this lineup,” unless he has some reason to think that Fredi doesn’t actually believe what he’s saying.
Hell, my mom said she left me out of family pictures because I was so handsome I deserved my own. Doesn’t mean I believed her.
If that was a common practice among your friends and family, though, you would.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Batting your best or second best hitter sixth
is not common practice.
I am not a whiny fan by nature. I just have thus far been unimpressed with Fredi’s decisions and the reasoning he presents to defend them. That is all.
Batting them in the middle of the lineup is, though.
The only point I’m trying to make is that there’s nothing wrong with Fredi’s logic. It bothers me when people act like he’s incapable of basic reasoning skills just because he’s got a different set of starting premises.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
I'll agree with this.
He’s not an idiot.
Baseball isn’t an exact science, and, even though I’ve disagreed, and will disagree, with Fredi on some decisions, there’s a legitimate rationale behind each of them.
Other than keeping Snitker at 3rd…is that even his decision? Ha.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
If Fredi put Heyward second and Nate sixth, it wouldn’t hurt McLouth’s confidence. Batting sixth isn’t a bad thing. Nobody is suggesting that, therefore it’s not faulty logic. You’re just trying to build an argument, rather than discuss the Braves.
While it would not hurt McLouth’s confidence to bat sixth, and it does not hurt Heyward’s either, it’s certainly possible that putting Nate second, after the horrendous season he had in 2010, could boost his confidence and in turn help him produce on the field.
There is nothing faulty in that logic.
With the quality of hitters that bat two around the league and the quality of hitters that bat sixth, being bat second is almost an insult.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
The rest of the org is behind him, so let’s have him sac bunt against Mike Pelfrey!
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
The problem is that if Uggla needs to see better pitches, what kind of pitches will Heyward see hitting in front of Gonzalez and his .294 career OBP? That’s the problem with the reasoning. If he believes in protection, then it’s clear Heyward will get none, suffer greatly for it, and not be able to be a “run producer.”
The traditional lineup theory is in itself poor reasoning. I never accept “it used to be this way, ergo it’s right” as an answer.
And I thought the Pujols bit was very condescending. It’s that “You just wouldn’t understand. Here’s what managers actually do. Why don’t you put on your big boy pants and try to keep up” kind of attitude. By his same logic, why not bat Heyward in one of the spots where Pujols would hit?
But again, I’m biased.
The problem is that if Uggla needs to see better pitches, what kind of pitches will Heyward see hitting in front of Gonzalez and his .294 career OBP? That’s the problem with the reasoning. If he believes in protection, then it’s clear Heyward will get none, suffer greatly for it, and not be able to be a "run producer."
More like, somebody has to bat in front of Gonzalez; it might as well be the guy who can see pitches better, is better at drawing walks if he does get pitched around, and can be more effective with pitches that might be a bit more deceptive. The benefit you get from giving Uggla protection might significantly outweigh the benfit you get from giving Heyward protection.
The traditional lineup theory is in itself poor reasoning. I never accept "it used to be this way, ergo it’s right" as an answer.
Just because you agree with someone else’s premises doesn’t mean that they’re exhibiting poor reasoning. More often than not it just means they’re misinformed. In this case, Fredi’s thought process is:
1) “Run producers” sit in the middle of the lineup.
2) Heyward’s going to be more of a run producer as he improves his power stroke.
3) :. Heyward should sit in the middle of the lineup.
You may disagree with point 1 or point 2, but that doesn’t make point 3 poor reasoning.
And I thought the Pujols bit was very condescending. It’s that "You just wouldn’t understand. Here’s what managers actually do. Why don’t you put on your big boy pants and try to keep up" kind of attitude. By his same logic, why not bat Heyward in one of the spots where Pujols would hit?
Providing an example to justify your reasoning – especially when you’re being repeatedly attacked for that reasoning – isn’t condescending. If he had said or implied anything similar to how you described his attitude, then I’d buy it. Instead, he said “There’s more that goes into constructing a lineup than this one criticism you’re leveling at me, I think. I’m not alone on this either – look at these other teams.” You can call it defensive, you can call it evasive, you can call it irrelevant – but there’s no way I see that as being smug or condescending.
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
Yes,
but those two reasons you just gave are polar opposites. Thus, faulty reasoning.
On one hand, it’s saying that AGon, as a poor batter, provides no protection, and Heyward with his ability to draw walks will take advantage of that.
On the other, it’s saying that the 6 spot is a RBI spot. But if he’s not getting pitches, and taking more walks, then he’s not going to be driving in runs.
It also acknowledges his patience and good eye, attributes that would go very well in front of your 3, 4, 5 hitters.
As for the example to justify the reasoning, it’s just a poor example. The Cardinals don’t hit Pujols 6th either. Further, no one was saying Heyward should be a leadoff guy, or even that he has to hit second, just that he should be higher in the lineup than 6th, an assertion backed by his Pujols example.
I think you’re arguing for the sake of arguing. Who cares about that Pujols remark? Are you still suggesting that it was a smug remark, or are you just arguing that it was bad reasoning for his lineup construction? Either way, it doesn’t matter.
Fredi wants Nate to feel confident. So he bats Nate second. He knows that he can spin Heyward batting sixth into a “run producer” thing, so he does just that. At the end of the day, none of it matters, and everybody in baseball is beginning to realize this. The decision to bat Heyward sixth and Nate second has very little impact on the amount of runs we will score this season.
On one hand, it’s saying that AGon, as a poor batter, provides no protection, and Heyward with his ability to draw walks will take advantage of that.
No, I said that Heyward with his pitch recognition probably doesn’t need as much protection as Uggla does.
As for the example to justify the reasoning, it’s just a poor example. The Cardinals don’t hit Pujols 6th either. Further, no one was saying Heyward should be a leadoff guy, or even that he has to hit second, just that he should be higher in the lineup than 6th, an assertion backed by his Pujols example.
Nobody ever said that it was supposed to be a perfect parallel. He was saying “at-bats aren’t everything, that’s why Pujols isn’t leading off.”
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
The more I think about it...
And the more I watch Prado, the more I’m starting to want Heyward in the lead-off spot with Prado in the second spot. Just my preference…
I would not bat Pujols at lead-off, unless I had a team of 8 Pujolses.
I am bi-winning. I win not only here but also there.
I believe the word you're looking for is "Puji."
THE NL WEST WILL NAIL YOU IN THE RUSTY GROIN WITH SOMETHING --TheLetter2
www.duwanis.com
by duwanis on Apr 18, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
a sweep against a pathetic team like the Mets would've been nice
there were some positives from this wknd like the bats are starting to come alive and yay J-Hay is batting 2nd like we all wanted… this is a big road trip we no worse than 5-5 especially since the Dodgers and Padres have their own issues so lets make it a respectable trip we can’t afford to fall any further behind Philly
by Brian Ahmed on Apr 18, 2011 12:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
J-Hay is batting 2nd like we all wanted
BUT HEYWARD BATTING SIXTH = WINZ BRAVES DONT WIN WITH HEYWARD SECOND
/sarcasm
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
by TonyAlmeyda on Apr 18, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
call me crazy but...
i wouldn’t get my hopes up with Heyward batting second… that only happened because mcflair and Abuelo wasn’t in the lineup… but then again i could be wrong… or crazy….
I have the same thoughts.
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 Apr 18, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
NEVER BUNT A RUNNER TO 2ND, UNLESS THE PITCHER IS UP.
That is all.
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 Apr 18, 2011 1:03 PM EDT reply actions
If the following batter has a wOBA > .060 points than the guy bunting him, you can make a case for it. But more-or-less, you’re right. It’s stupid.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
Freeman seems to have used his Sept call up as part of his “adjustment” time in stepping up a level. I’m not crazy about Fredi using the bunt the way he is, I’d rather see Nate or Matt Young trying to reach on a surprise bunt than as a sacrifice. Chipper has been a real nice surprise, Heyward and Prado will come around. A decent road trip and things will be looking a lot better.
"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G
Not to mention Uggla is at least looking a little better
Driving that triple the other day was a good start.
People are like at least I'm not that guy on stage. That guy on stage is like at least I'm not that guy in the looney bin. The guy in the looney bin are like at least I'm an orange
Anyone know the pitching matchups for the series after today?
Can’t find them on Braves.com. Really hope we don’t see Kershaw this series, Lilly scares me enough as it is(not that he’s an excellent pitcher, he’s just a soft-tossing lefty).
Beachy/Kuroda
Lowe/Garland
Jurrjens/Kershaw
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
This
only one we are missing is Billingsley, which i’m fine with, hasn’t he always fared well against atl?
People are like at least I'm not that guy on stage. That guy on stage is like at least I'm not that guy in the looney bin. The guy in the looney bin are like at least I'm an orange
3.35 ERA, 46 K, 19 BB in 37 innings. Yeah, he’s pitched well against us.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio Stop calling Tommy Hanson "Big Red"
I expect at least a series split.....
They should be able to get to Kuroda, Garland, and Lilly(somewhat, at least). The Dodgers offense is struggling, hopefully Hudson can avoid getting burned early tonight.
The Dodgers have a pretty solid rotation, a bit like the Braves actually. Only one guy you can consider as a ‘true’ ace, with the rest filled with solid #3, #4 types. Don’t expect much from that offense though.
by Undocorkscrew on Apr 18, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Who do you consider the “true” ace for the Dodgers? Billingsley and Kershaw are both good, young pitchers.
I haven’t been able to find them, either. I liked the old layout when there was a direct link to the pitching probables on the front page.
I'm a former CTU agent, so don't f--k with me!
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