Open thread, 7/22, Braves vs. Archi Cianfroccos
Before his series started, I would’ve been satisfied with a split. Not so today.
JJ’s start will tell us plenty about his future with the Braves. Another bad outing and he’s on borrowed time.
And the Braves will be right back where they started, spoiling the momentum generated from Friday’s miraculous win and Saturday’s solid performances by Sheets and Delgado.
So much for JJ.
He’ll probably end up somewhere with a pitching coach who will actually help him make adjustments but that’s not here and he’s going to be non tendered, at best. The SP version of Kelly Johnson.
Just what the hell does Roger McDowell do? He sure doesn’t make any pitchers better.
Heard JJ interviewed on the radio after the game. He insists his problems are just a mechanical issue! I don’t know what his fastball was today but when he can get it up to 90-92 he can use his change-up as an out pitch. But mostly he’s been topping out at about 87-88. The fact that he has, on occasion, been able to get his fastball up to speed indicates that he can be salvaged. If we don’t straighten him out, he may be some other team’s Ben Sheets.
That’s exactly how it’s going to go.
That was the 4th game in the last week where the pitching has given up 9 or more runs – two of those by JJ (thought not all of the runs were his).
Bottom line is that until they have at least 3 reliable starters, I don’t think there is any hope to make the playoffs, given the quality of the other teams battling for those wild card spots. Might be best to let JJ work out his issues at Gwinnett the rest of the year if the team can get Greinke or Dempster.
And is anyone else frustrated with this team’s ability to beat a Strasbourg, but look totally inept against the Nats’ version of JJ – John Lannan – and then again to Detwiler? Way too many inconsistencies on this team in multiple areas…
Caz is spot on. We can beat Strasburg, Halladay & R.A. Dickey but not Lannan, Detwiler or Maholom. Inconsistency is this year’s only constant.
We got a 2-0 lead in game three, and it looked like we might sweep the doubleheader and maybe even the series. But the offense then went into hibernation, managing 2 runs over the next 16 innings or so. Frustrating.