New York Mets at Atlanta Braves Series Preview
by SCrebel10 on Sep 16, 2011 2:31 PM EDT
in Series Previews & Recaps
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Hello Braves fans. After a day off yesterday, Atlanta begins the final stretch run toward the playoffs with a three-game series against the New York Mets in Atlanta.
The Mets were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday, and they have lost 10 of their past 14 games. New York has a 71-79 record on the season, 27 games back of the Phillies.
Offense:
As a team, the Mets are second in the National League in batting average (.264), second in on-base average (.334), tied for eighth in slugging percentage (.392), sixth in wOBA (.320), and tied for second in wRC+ (102).
Individually, it starts with Jose Reyes. While he has been battling his hamstring injury during the second half of the season, he's still performing well. On the year, he is hitting .331/.374/.484 with a .377 wOBA and a 141 wRC+. Reyes also paces the Mets with 35 steals.
David Wright in 90 games has hit .263/.356/.439 with a 124 wRC+. Lucas Duda has also hit well, putting together a line of .281/.354/.463. Interestingly enough, Jason Bay is hitting worse on the road than he is at Citi Field. Bay on the road in 2011 has hit .218/.295/.329.
Josh Thole is hitting .259/.342/.341 so far on the year, while Ruben Tejada is at .274/.352/.326 and Angel Pagan is hitting .264/.321/.380 with 31 steals. Bay and Wright lead the Mets with 12 home runs apiece.
Pitching matchups and a look at the Mets bullpen after the jump.
Friday September 16th, 7:35 PM EDT
In game one of the series, Derek Lowe (9-14, 4.70 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 3.60 xFIP) takes on Chris Capuano. On the year, Capuano is 10-12 with a 4.49 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and 3.71 xFIP. He strikes out just under eight batters per nine innings and walks 2.54 per nine innings. Capuano features a fastball, slider, and change-up, with the fastball and change being his primary pitches. He doesn't throw hard at all, averaging a velocity of 87.6 with his fastball. In his last outing against Atlanta, Capuano dominated, throwing nine innings of shut out ball while giving up two hits and striking out 13.
Saturday September 17th, 4:10 PM EDT
Game two of the series features Tim Hudson (14-10, 3.32 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 3.58 xFIP) against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. In 2011, Dickey is 8-12 with a 3.43 ERA, 3.79 FIP, and 3.89 xFIP. In his last outing against the Braves, he held Atlanta to two runs and five hits in seven innings of work while walking none and striking out five.
Sunday September 18th, 1:35 PM EDT
In the series finale, Brandon Beachy (7-2, 3.43 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 3.16 xFIP) takes on Dillon Gee. Gee enters with a record of 12-6 with a 4.37 ERA, 4.61 FIP, and 4.41 xFIP. Gee strikes out only 6.47 per nine innings while walking over three batters per nine. When he last faced Atlanta, Gee lasted six innings, giving up four hits and three runs while walking two and striking out six.
Bullpen:
Bobby Parnell -RH
Pedro Beato -RH
Tim Byrdak -LH
Manny Acosta -RH
DJ Carrasco -RH
Ryota Igarashi -RH
Josh Stinson -RH
Daniel Herrera -LH
Carlos Schwinden -RH
Series Outlook:
Atlanta has a good chance to get two out of three from the Mets here, as both Hudson and Beachy have the advantage in their pitching match-ups. Hopefully the Braves have learned how to hit Capuano after getting dominated by him the last time around.
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Getting more than 2 hits off Chris Capuano would be a good start...
It would certainly knock that Zoolander “blue steel” look off his face!
I’m I the only one terrified by those opposing pitchers? I think we are the only team in the league that would be.
Sgt.: Pointed stick? Oh, oh, oh. We want to learn how to defend ourselves against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you eh? Well I'll tell you something my lad. When you're walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after you with a bunch of loganberries, don't come crying to me! Now, the passion fruit.
Not thrilled about having to watch the Braves face those 3 either… At least the Cards are playing in Philly
"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 16, 2011 3:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jason Bay
lolcontract
Freeman isn’t on Heyward’s level in terms of tools, skills, or baseball IQ–but it’s fair to say Freeman has failed to meet the modest expectations in place for him - Capitol Avenue Club (May 28th, 2011)
Beat Capuano please. Will be interested to see the lineup tonight considering these stats
#Braves vs. #Mets LH Capuano: M.Diaz 6-for-16, J.Wilson 10-for-27 w/ HR, Ross 3-for-10 w/ HR, Chipper 1-for-11, Prado 0-for-7
I’m guessing…
Bourn 8
Prado 7
Chipper 5
Uggla 4
Freeman 3
Ross 2
Diaz 9
Gonzalez 6
Lowe 1
by TBuzz on Sep 16, 2011 3:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I feel like Fredi will bat Matty D 5th, moving Freddie and Ross down one. He might even bat Alex second again and move Prado to 8th.
by Ivan the Great on Sep 16, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
And I'm going with
Bourn
Chipper
Sea Bass
Lowe
Diaz
Uggla
Freeman
McCann
Prado
"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 16, 2011 3:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This is quite the lineup. I wonder how Chipper feels about setting the table for Derek Lowe…
by TBuzz on Sep 16, 2011 3:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lowe hits dingerzzzzzz
(and bases-clearing doubles)
by Ivan the Great on Sep 16, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it too late to covert Lowe to a position player???
"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 16, 2011 3:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe he's covering his eyes while he writes the lineups these days
That being said, I’ve been loving the lineups he’s been putting out recently.
I agree
recently his lineups have actually been pretty solid in my opinion.
All while Fredi is surrounded by a bunch of orangutans, trying to teach them how to bunt the rocks and coconuts that angry 300 lb gorillas are throwing at them,
by royhobbs on Jul 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT
Strong Side / Weak Side: Chipper Jones
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/chipper-jones,8431/
by Santaklose11 on Sep 16, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I really don't mind having Chipper batting 2nd
he seems to have settled in fairly well, and he has been hitting well since the move to the front of the order.
He probably also didnt envision Prado slumping like this. You have to be flexible and also you have to know Bloggers have a memory like an elephant.
"I Farted" - Me, everday
FTFY
He probably also didnt envision Prado slumping like this. You have to be flexible and also you have to know Bloggers have
a memory like an elephantinfinite patience.
by TBuzz on Sep 16, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Prado batting 7th isn't so bad
I mean he had to be a OBP guy for half the year as the lead off hitter, then he was moved to batting 2nd which still wants OBP, but you take more defensive swings to avoid Double Play balls if Bourn gets on. Moving Prado to 7th for a bit will let him get his groove back.
Does this mean the Low has been relatively unlucky this year??
4.70 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 3.60 xFIP
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
FIP loves Lowe’s increase in strikeouts (and keeping most balls inside the ballpark).
by LEastCoastBears on Sep 16, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Good Read...
Thanks!
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Pretty much...
Strand rate is about 7% lower than league-average, so his ERA is elevated.
-C
It’s rough to sit through these games and not have someone that can’t hit a Ball?
According to Fangraphs, yea
The xFIP is in line with last season and much better than 2009 and his FIP is easily the best in 2011 of his Atlanta years. He’s also been worth 2.7 WAR with two starts to go (2009 and 2010 were 2.6 and 2.7 WAR, respectively) so yea, despite looking horrible for much of 2011, he’s pitching just as good, if not better, than in the last two seasons, which leaves luck to blame.
His .323 BAPIP in 2011 isn’t helping, nor is the 3.5 BB/9. He’s striking more guys out but he’s issuing more free passes too which ruins the positive effect of the strikeouts.
Compared to his time with the Dodgers, Lowe’s line drive rate is way up and GB rate a tick down in ATL, lending to a big jump in BAPIP.
by crimsonqueen9 on Sep 16, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
To do:
Beat the teams your supposed to beat, i.e. the Mets, Gnats, and Fish. Do that, and your golden.
"I Farted" - Me, everday
BROOMS!
Brooms for sale, get your brooms. Get ’em while their hot! Plenty to go ’round.
Sweep. Those. Mets.
And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT
Also, can we just announce the entire Braves organization for Rookie of the Year. My gawd, Beachy, Minor, Kimbrel, Teheran, Delgado and Freeman. That many rookies producing already is something I’ve not seen before. Not sure Teheran and Delgado would qualify this year though.
Simply amazing!
And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT
Love to see three blow-outs
we have yet to see the sustained offensive potential of this team this season. It would be a good time to get some confidence, build the WC lead (hopefully), and then be able to rest some players for the playoffs (McCann, Bourn, Gonzo, Chip, Uggs, and Freeman esp)
How Lowe can you go?
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"Wang, my third at-bat, he threw me a 1-0 fastball that I fouled straight back, and he came back with another heater, which surprised me." - Freddie Freeman
~
Gaby Sanchez - 1, Nyjer Morgan - 0
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Sep 16, 2011 5:19 PM EDT reply actions
Holy hell....
Capuano is 2-1 with a 1.27 ERA and a .187 BAA in his last 6 starts against the Braves. 34 strikeouts, 4 walks in 35.1 IP……..
How?!?!
Mitch Williams’ bell got rung by the Yankees. He’s talking crazy.
by Plumfool on Sep 16, 2011 7:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
D.Lowe!!!!
OMG top 1st. 4 runs in 5 hits??? Rockies such as Teheran or Delgado much better to send on the mound. Seriously
by Braves.14 on Sep 16, 2011 8:07 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
DFA Lowe now.
Not tomorrow. Not after the playoffs. Now. Right this minute. As in, before this next batter.
by Aaron Meier on Sep 16, 2011 8:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
D. Lowe CANNOT pitch in the playoffs...that is if we get there
If Hanson can’t go, we have to go to Delgado. We will have to eat at least 10 mil of Lowe’s salary to get rid of him this offseason!
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