Open thread, 6/3, Braves vs. Connie Chungs
B-Mac is out but hopes to be back by Tuesday. This line-up doesn’t inspire much confidence — it will help if Tommy Hanson pitches like the ace we thought he’d be. 1. Bourn CF, 2. Prado 3B, 3. Freeman 1b, 4. Uggla 2b, 5. Diaz LF, 6. Heyward rf, 7. Ross C, 8. Simmons ss, [...]
This stat will depress you
J.C. Bradbury points out that Francoeur has a higher OPS this season than either Jay Hey or B-Mac. And Francoeur’s 2012 OPS (.763) is just slightly above his career mark. Jay Hey’s struggles extend beyond the plate. Last night Don said advance scouts are advising their teams to press the issue with Heyward when it [...]
Open thread, 5/29, Braves vs. the World
UPDATE, 4:45: O’Brien tweeted that Medlen’s been sent down, presumably to stretch out for starting duties. Constanza called up and starting in left tonight, batting ninth. Freddie remains out until at least Thursday, when it’s hoped his new goggles will arrive. On April 29, 2010, the Braves dropped their ninth in a row … to [...]
Not all is lost
There was some good news Sunday: JJ was dominant for the Buford Braves, tossing eight scoreless innings, walking none and striking out five. Don’t know what his fastball was clocked at but recent reports say his velocity is back to where it was this time a year ago. His stay in Gwinnett may be over. [...]
Open thread, 5/27, Braves vs. Maury Poviches
Hard to say which team you’re gonna see: the ’88 Braves or the ’95 Braves. Fortunately, with Brandon Beachy on the hill, you’re likely to see the latter. But there are several concerns: Jonny Venters is totally out of whack. That’s not Roger McDowell’s fault, of course, but is he capable of leading the team’s [...]
First quarterly report: Pitchers
The Braves starters entered play Saturday with a 4.32 ERA, 13th in the NL. The last time Braves starters sported an ERA so high was 2008, when the local nine managed but 72 wins. That Braves team was also 26-22 after 48 games — not to compare the two, but there’s reason for concern. As [...]
Open thread, 5/26, Chipper’s on the DL and I don’t feel so good myself
Mike Minor, the game’s on your shoulders. Perhaps having J.C. Boscan behind the plate will help the young southpaw find his way. That’s right, I said J.C. Boscan. With McCann still battling the flu and Ross dealing with a sore groin the Braves will fill Chipper’s roster spot with the veteran backstop. The odds are [...]
Open thread, 5/25, Braves vs. Marion Barrys
To quote the former mayor, “bitch set me up.” You could see this week coming. The Braves were due a slump, half their line-up was out and the Reds, having just won a weekend series in the Bronx, were starting to play up to their potential. What’s done is done. Time to get back to [...]
Open thread, 5/24, Braves vs Brad “the Animal” Lesleys
Teams slump, and that’s what’s happened the last week. It doesn’t help when two of your best hitters are shelved and a third can’t see. According to DOB, Chipper’s bruise is looking worse and he might be out longer than expected. Since he pinch hit last night, a retroactive trip to the DL is unlikely. [...]
Open thread, 5/19, Braves vs. Esteban Yans
After 40 games in 2011 the Braves were 21-19. Jay Hey and Freddie were each hitting .220. Uggla had dropped below the Mendoza line. Nate McLouth was the starting CF and only Chipper had an OPS over. 800. After Friday’s win four Braves boast an OPS of .800 or better (Bourn, Prado, Freddie and Chipper) [...]
From the Dept. of Irrational Exuberance …
The Bravos are now 6-1 5-1 vs. first place opponents, with all seven games on the road — 2 out of 3 vs. the Dodgers, a sweep of the Cards and tonight’s win over the Rays. CORRECTION: No disrespect, O’s fans. Baltimore, not Tampa, occupies first in the AL East.
Open thread, 5/18, Braves vs. Victor Zambranos
It seems I’m in the minority on this, but I like interleague play. I’d much rather see the Rays or Jays then another series against the Fish or Mets. That said, the Bravos face one of the tougher interleague slates, though they catch a break with Tampa, which is without Evan Longoria and Desmond Jennings [...]
Open thread, 5/17, Braves vs. Nate Bumps
The Braves have the A-team on the field tonight, with Bourn and Chipper back in the line-up and Brandon Beachy on the hump. He’ll be opposed by Ricky Nolasco, who had one great game against the Bravos but has otherwise been mediocre against the local nine, allowing 135 hits in 110 career innings.
Should Braves give Roy Oswalt a call?
While Mike Minor was getting torched by the Fish last night, JJ was giving up 10 runs in Triple-A. You hope at least one of that pair rights himself, but other questions persist. Will Tommy Hanson remain healthy the whole season, and can Randall Delgado stay effective through September? Yes, Julio Teheran has found his [...]
Open thread, 5/16, Braves vs. Charlie Houghs
Bourn and Chipper both have the night off, making for a patchwork line-up that features Pastornicky hitting first, Jay Hey in CF, Matty D. in right and Francisco at third. Needless to say, Mike Minor really needs a strong outing. I suspect the Braves’ overall success buys him more time, but with JJ and Teheren [...]
Open thread, 5/15, Braves vs. Dwayne Henrys
So should we be worried about JV? He says no, that his arm feels great and he’s just been inconsistent with his sinker. I think he’ll be fine. Speaking of fine, the bullpen should be getting better soon as Petah tweets that he’s about ready for a rehab assignment, meaning Chad Durbin’s days are likely [...]
Tommy Hanson proves the strikeout is overrated
Today was vintage Tommy Hanson, and that’s not altogether positive. He struck out 9, bringing his K/9 ratio to nearly a strikeout an inning, roughly equal to his career mark. Yet he only pitched 5 innings. He’s reached the 7th inning only twice this year and last season, in 22 starts, he made it into [...]
Open thread, 5/13, Braves vs. Mike Tysons
If Tommy Hanson can find his groove and lead the Braves to a sweep I’ll be downright giddy about the local nine’s fortunes. Everything is going right. Meanwhile, the Nats suffered another major blow last night when Wilson Ramos tore an ACL, likely shelving him for the rest of the season. Not that I’m cheering [...]
