Atlanta Braves II

[RockyTop411]

Originally Posted by joeydupree

Did the Braves win today?

No, lost 10-2. Thought it would've been closer.

[GAVol]

One thing I have noticed is that Gonzalez allows relievers that pitched maybe to 1 or 2 batters, open the next inning sometimes. That is pretty minor, but it's something that you'd rarely ever see Cox do.

[E-Tizzle]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

This is of course the conventional wisdom now, but it's only been the conventional wisdom for a few years. Goose Gossage didn't have any problem coming in whenever the game was on the line. Bruce Sutter didn't have any trouble with it (until he became a Brave, of course). The reason everyone does it this way now is because now everyone does it this way.

The way to use a closer is this: you call him into the office in spring training and say, "You are my best relief pitcher. I'm going to use you about 65 times this year, and I'm going to do my damnedest to make sure those are 65 critical appearances. I don't want to waste you mopping up a three-run win against the Pirates. I'm going to use you in tied and one-run games; I'm going to bring you into bases-jammed situations late in games; I'm going to bring you in when the game is on the line. That's when I need you to be ready."

The existence of the save stat makes managing that way damn near impossible, though. That's the whole reason you see teams wasting their best relievers pitching with a three-run lead against the Pirates.

I have agree with this, and it's unfortunate.

[Escape Goat]

Originally Posted by MadcapLaughs

Joe says Hanson has zero 3 up 3 down innings in 9 pitched so far this season.

Sad stat.
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[Escape Goat]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

Unfortunately, no major free agent will sign in Atlanta unless and until Liberty Media sells the team to an owner who's willing to increase payroll.

I wish Ted still owned them. I am sick as hell of have shat owners that aren't interested in paying what it takes. The braves have a damn good roster, but it could be twice as good as it is. Really, really wish they had a good owner.
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[MadcapLaughs]

not looking good for the bravos today. Cant seem to get Hamels.

[7thgroupvolfan]

Tough loss today for the bravos. 0-5 with RISP today. Pretty good start to the year though.
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[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Originally Posted by RockyTop411

No, lost 10-2. Thought it would've been closer.

It would have been if the Braves had scored 6 more runs............................



Yeah this offense is looking flat. Chipper (with his knee) and McCann (with his cardio) cant carry the team all year long you know.





I hate the Phillies.

[GAVol]

McLouth and Prado have identical OBP's of .289 and have combined for 3 walks. That's not going to remotely cut it.

[Vercingetorix]

McCann, Chipper, and Heyward are off to good starts. Everyone else in the lineup has sucked out loud.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

McCann, Chipper, and Heyward are off to good starts. Everyone else in the lineup has sucked out loud.

Alex Gonzalez hasn't been completely awful . . . but you're pretty much right.

[GAVol]

Mind blowing stat . . . Through 10 games, Jason Heyward leads the team with 8 walks. Nobody else has more than 2.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by GAVol

Mind blowing stat . . . Through 10 games, Jason Heyward leads the team with 8 walks. Nobody else has more than 2.

21 years old, nobody hitting behind him, and he's still walked 8 times in 35 appearances.

He's been on base 15 times, and if you subtract out the two times he drove himself in, he's only scored two runs. You just can't hit Heyward 6th.

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

21 years old, nobody hitting behind him, and he's still walked 8 times in 35 appearances.

He's been on base 15 times, and if you subtract out the two times he drove himself in, he's only scored two runs. You just can't hit Heyward 6th.

Agree . . . He's got to hit higher in the order. You just can't waste a .400 OBP. Heck, let him leadoff even.

[Vercingetorix]

It's got to be Chipper-Heyward or Heyward-Chipper in the 2/3 slots, I think. Either way is fine. You just have to get Heyward up in front of some guys who can pound the ball after he draws all those walks.

Not worried about Prado yet. Two or three more weeks before I start howling about how I'm demoting him from waiter to dishwasher.