CL
Thought you might enjoy seeing our own comments through the season….
22 Feb 2018, VOR wrote:
“I want the Braves to win this year. I really do. But I want them to win over the next 10 years too. Blowing a big wad in 2018 won’t give our young pitchers the experience they need, and it won’t guarantee us even a division title this year. But it will slow down the final lap of the long rebuild.
The smart executive will allow Nick Markakis to play out his deal this year and take what you get from him in RF. He will keep Ronald Acuna in AAA for April before starting his ML clock. He will allow his young pitchers to learn in the fire and take the hits this year. He’ll watch the team struggle again in 2018.
But in 2019, he’ll have young stud pitchers with real ML experience. He’ll have a budding star in the OF to go along with an established gold-glover. And he’ll have an opening, but he’ll also have means to fill out his young and talented roster with a that one complimentary player that will make the difference.”
1 Mar 2018, VOR wrote:
“Bullpen candidate Luke Jackson should be thanking his lucky stars that he at least got 1 out this spring. That’s all he’s gotten, but at least he did get one. His line this spring looks like this: 0.1 IP, 108.00 ERA, 3 H, 5 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 0 K”
7 Mar 2018, CJones was quoted:
“The young pups are announcing their presence with authority. Exciting to see them gaining confidence. Won’t be long Atlanta.”
7 Mar2018, Ber wrote:
“…lets say all the stars align, other good teams stink, and 84-78 gets you into a 1 game playoff, is it worth retarding someone’s chance to prove themselves?
I was of course like everyone else wanting to send Nick M packing, but you know…you need some vets, especially in this day and age to show a team full of millennials how the game should be played, and when to have some guts, which we now know he does, in spades…”
12 Mar 201, Gil wrote:
“I have opined before that the Braves will make their move in the market next season and strangely, their needs may be less than we think at this point. We know Kakes will be gone as well as one or both catchers.”
14 Mar 2018, Gil wrote:
“So, just who is a lock at this point and who is on the bubble?
Position players who are locks barring injuries: Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, Kurt Suzuki, Tyler Flowers, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis. Also Johan Camargo (either 3rd base or super utility) Charlie Culberson (utility, Swanson body double)
On the bubble are Preston Tucker, Lane Adams, Danny Santana and new comer Ezequiel Carrera.
Likely to get cut, traded or sent down are Chris Steward, Rio Ruiz, Christian Colon, Dustin Peterson and Schempf.
I did not list Acuna but I just don’t see him making the team until mid April due to financial considerations. Everyone knows he will be in Atlanta sooner than later but money is money and I don’t see the Braves front office throwing away a year of control over two weeks.”
16 Mar 2018, Gil wrote:
“Braves sign Anibel Sanchez to a minor league contract and invites to spring training… Okay.. why not? Not a huge risk and you just never know what tweek will fix a pitcher. That and pretty easy to flip/DFA. Almost like hiring day labor.”
21 Mar 2018, VOR wrote:
“We will open the season with Julio, Folty, McCarthy, Newk and eventually Sanchez/Kazmir/Gohara. But let’s just go ahead and call it Gohara because it’ll be his as soon as he’s healthy.
Then at mid-season, I predict McCarthy is gone and Soroka is promoted. The rotation then looks like Julio, Folty, Newk, Gohara, Soroka.
BUT…Max Fried is close himself, not to mention Kolby Allard. Those are the pitchers that are realistic for 2018. Allard might hold off until 2019, but Fried is close now.”
23 Mar 2018, VOR wrote:
“Maybe this comment is a bit premature, but where will Ronald Acuna fit into this batting order? As a righty, he can fit seemless behind (or in front of) Freddie. But do you want to place him there right away? That’s a pretty heavy pressure spot in the lineup.
Maybe initially he bats behind Markakis at #6. But at some point you have to move him up. And to be honest, I think he plays better at 3 than Freddie. He’s a 5-tooler, and his speed would keep the lineup burning behind Ender and Ozzie.
SO while the above is a fair representation of Opening Day 2017, my lineup in 2018 would start with:
Ozzie, 2B (S)
Ender, CF (L)
Acuna, RF (R)
Freddie, 1B (L)
Austin Riley, 3B (R)
.. with a mystery LF and C slotting into the bottom of the order with Dansby.”
25 Mar 2018, Ber wrote:
“The Braves have signed outfielder Peter Bourjos to a major league deal worth $1MM, MLBTR’s Steve Adams reports. 🙄
How exciting….really shrewd move Thoppy. No wonder you won so many division titles in the AL east…
really? A major league deal? really???? well, he hit .223 last year (.241 career BA) with a robust .272 OBP. but Ber, he has speed, he can steal a base or two. No, no really. 16 steals the last 3 seasons, caught 16 times.
so, no power, speed, but can’t steal, can’t hit, can’t walk. Can play some D. Ok….can’t Lane Adams do all of that? Or Santana? makes no sense….”
26 Mar 2018, VOR wrote:
“Here are the certainties:
Rotation: Julio, Folty, McCarthy, Newk
Bullpen: Viz, AJ, JoseRam, Sam Freeman, Peter Moylan, Dan Winkler (2 spots remaining)
Lineup: Ender, Ozzie, Freddie, Kakes, Flow, Tucker, Dansby, Rio
Bench: Zuk, Culberson, Bourjos, Flaherty (1 spot remaining)
I’m guessing Anibal Sanchez will make the team as the #5 starter, but could pitch at AAA until the 5th starter is needed. Rex Brothers seems to be the leader to win the 7th bullpen spot. But who will the long reliever be? Would they go ahead and add Sanchez now as the long reliever, with hopes that Gohara will be ready by late April? No clear answers here yet. Had one of the youngsters – Sims, Wisler, Blair – made a positive impression, he would have seized that long relief role. None did.
And that last bench spot… Lane Adams? Chris Stewart?”
10 April 2018, VOR wrote:
“So as to lineup configuration, I once again have to ask Freddie Freeman to give up his favored 3rd spot and be my cleanup hitter. And I’ve got numbers to back me up.
In 2017, he was clearly the team’s top RBI producer if you extrapolate his numbers out to 162 games. He was just 5 behind team leader Nick Markakis even though he played in only 115 games. He also lead the team in OPS (on base percentage + slugging) by a wide margin ->.989 to .823.
And the stats show that the cleanup hitter comes to bat with runners on base over half the time, more than any other spot in the lineup. That’s where I want Freddie.
So I want my high OBP guys – Ender, Ozzie, Acuna – on base ahead of Freddie, and I want Freddie driving them in. If I can get a guy like Cutch to protect Freddie at #5, or even young Austin Riley when he grows into that role, I’ve really got something going at the top and middle of the order. Follow that with a resurgent Dansby Swanson and a catcher that can at least hold his own and our lineup becomes quite formidable.
There are exciting times to come.”
23 April 2018, VOR wrote:
“This is the “go to” lineup we could see very soon:
Ender, CF (L)
Ozzie, 2B (S)
Freddie, 1B (L)
Bautista, 3B (R)
Kakes, RF (L)
Flowzuki, C (R)
Acuna, LF (R)
Dans, SS (R)”
25 April 2018, Ber wrote:
“Hey it actually maybe be Preston Tucker that either gets traded or released which would be a first the guy leading the team in RBIs but he can’t really play Centerfield can he?”
4 Jun 2018, VOR wrote:
“I am glad we decided to keep “Walk Off Charlie” over Joey Bats…”
26 June 2018, Gil wrote:
“So, the Rays defeat the Nits 1 zip, third straight loss for Schurzer… who would have thunk it? Baseball is weird alright. So, the Nits fall another 1/2 game behind the Braves and the Frillies face the Yankees again tonight prior to the boys from DC coming in to the City of Brotherly Love for a four game set.
The best scenario? Phils lose tonight and then split the series with Washington while the Braves win the next seven in a row… yeah, that’ll do it…”
28 June 2018, VOR wrote:
“Now I’m looking at our rotation and thinking:
#1, Julio Teheran, just came off the DL for shoulder soreness.
#2, Folty, just came off the DL for triceps tightness
#3, Newk, thank God for Newk
#4, Anibal Sanchez, just left a game early with calf cramps; been on the DL already for leg problems
#5, Matt Wisler, cannot even express on a family friendly forum what I want to say about typing his name here”
30 June 2018, Ber wrote:
“I think my views on Anibel have changed….did you all get to catch the early part of the game? He was working on/with Julio T basically every inning. Julio looked terrible in the 1st, walking 2. Fastball was 91-92..and just looked like it was going to be a long night. seemed from the camera on the two of them all the time, Anabel talking to him, showing him how to turn more in his windup, showing where he was finishing up after a pitch….Julio was paying attention….and he did go 6 innings without giving up a run. Not sure why Julio has lost some off his fastball, I am sure he’d like to have 95 MPH every start, but if anyone can show him how to survive without a great fastball, it’s A Sanchez. And no doubt the younger players see Julio , the grizzled vet of 26 listening, they will listen too. so perhaps it would be better to keep him, as long as he pitches well, if he’s helping a bunch of guys not even old enough to drink….”
30 June 2018, Gil wrote:
“After a month long stretch of what could be described as malaise, the Braves pitching staff appears to have found itself and the offense has reawakened.
Fried looked absolutely stellar tonight.
The Braves bats are booming.”
2 July 2018, VOR wrote:
“I think we’ve said it time and time again, Luke Jackson and Matt Wisler are not major league pitchers, Sam Freeman has lost his 2017 mojo, and Pete Moylan is way past his prime. That’s 4 out of the 8 relievers. Half of the bullpen. HALF.
Folks, we cannot make a real concerted push into October with half a major league bullpen.”
2 July 2018, VOR posted from Gabe Burns:
“In St. Louis series:
Starters ERA: 0.00
Bullpen ERA: 9.64″
3 July 2018, Gil wrote:
“Watch the Braves bullpen come in is like Chinese water torture.. Walks, base runners etc. I wonder if Snit buys Malox by the case?”
3 July 2018, VOR wrote:
“Well, our bullpen actually did an amazing job last night. Of course, there was no Matt Wisler, no Pete Moylan, and Luke Jackson did not enter the arena. Sam Freeman did pitch… and of course walked the first couple of batters he faced. But a well turned double play bailed him out.
Credit where credit is due:
Dan Winkler did not have a clean inning, but he also did not panic. And he missed a few bats.
Jesse Biddle has ice water in his veins and some wicked pitches. That 10th inning was something else.
AJ Minter is getting quite comfortable as closer. You can truly see him growing into the role.”
3 July 2018, Gil wrote:
“Yep, at least this team is not a one trick pony. You really don’t know who will be the guy who will deliver the big hit. It is fun trying to guess though.
The key is still the bullpen though.”
31 July 2018, VOR wrote:
“So how impactful was the deal for Adam Duvall, who will now platoon with Ender, playing LF against LH pitchers with RAJ sliding over to CF?
DOB sums it nicely: He’s hit as many homers as Freddie Freeman or Kris Bryant over past three seasons and has 2nd-most Defensive Runs Saved this season among LFs
Of course he strikes out alot too. He is a classic power bat. But he’s just 2 years removed from being an All-Star with a 31 HR season.”
31 July 2018, VOR wrote:
“The O’s Kevin Gaussman would be a decent alternative if the price on Archer is just prohibitive. They are reportedly “closing In” on another deal.”
31 July 2018, VOR wrote:
“Rotation will now be Julio, Folty, Anibal, Newk, and Gausman, whose last start for the O’s was Saturday.”
3 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“New dates for possible future consideration for countdowns (courtesy of young Gabe Burns):
*NL Wild Card game will be Tuesday, Oct. 2
*NLDS begins Thursday, Oct. 4.
I believe these dates will be relevant for Braves fans this year. 😀”
3 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“I think the team is very focused now, the trades made by Thoppy appear to have allowed the Braves to hit the re-set button. They cannot worry about what the Phillies and the Nats do, they have to only control their own destiny.”
4 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“Wasn’t Anibal magnificent last night? The guy is a master.”
6 Aug 2018, VOR posts:
“In a pennant race, a good ‘pen goes a long way.@Braves relievers were insanely good as they earn Bullpen of the Week honors: https://atmlb.com/2vLls1y #PrevailingMoments”
8 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“Sean Newcomb is becoming the pitcher we have been looking for. He is emerging as a real 1 or 2… right along with Folty. With maturity, Newk is gaining control of his fastball and using it effectively. It’s a good lesson in patience and not judging a pitcher too quickly (cough Kolby Allard) as Sean is now panning out to be exactly what the scouting reports predicted.”
8 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“Upon further review…. The Braves have assembled a pretty nice ball club haven’t they? Not exactly the 2018 Boston Red Sox but they can hang with anyone. It all comes down to timely hitting and stout pitching.”
9 Aug 2018, Ber wrote:
“How about Charlie Culberson? I have to say, I was way wrong about him…I truly couldn’t figure out why he was picked up”
9 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“And what of Luke Jackson? Wow, that was a huge strike out last night. Could it be he is finally putting it all together?”
9 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“So, the Braves are 10-8 now since the All-star break, not exceptional but not terrible when you think of how poorly the Braves have played in years past to start the second half. The Braves go home to face the resurgent Brewers and the Nits fly to ChiTown to face the always tough Cubbies. Meanwhile, the Fightns’ move on to San Diego.
Just win Braves, you hold your own destiny in your hands…”
10 Aug 2018, Ber wrote:
“What a game pitched by Gausman! One of the best games pitched by a brave all year….he looked…smoother to me than the first start”
13 Aug 2018, Gil wrote:
“Good morning all. Big day ahead for the Braves. The premier of Touki Toussaint this afternoon against the fish and then in the night cap, Foltynewicz toes the rubber. An opportunity to add to their lead over both the Phils and the Nats.”
13 Aug 2018 Gil wrote:
“What a really nice debut for Toussaint. I am much more impressed with his stuff than Allard. Don’t get me wrong, Allard is a nice kid with a bright future but Toussaint has “stuff”… And perhaps his most impressive play was covering the first base bag to complete the DP in the 6th.
Ronald Acuna had a day…. Just rocking it right now. I think he is finally getting comfortable.”
14 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“So while the Braves continue with 2 more against the Minnows, the Phillies open a 2-game series with the mighty Red Sox.
I can’t help but grin just a little.”
20 Aug, 2018, Gil wrote:
“Now it’s on to Pittsburg. Amazingly, the Braves are still in first place, even after getting swept 4 games. So there is that.”
21 Aug, 2018, Gil wrote:
“It is still anyone’s pennant to win in the NL East. No one has run away with it but the Nats are a demoralize bunch. The next three days will be a tell as far as the Frillies and Nits go.
And who expected the Mets and the Marlins to help out the Braves so much?”
23 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“And that’s probably the best game I’ve ever seen Julio pitch, and I’ve seen him pitch alot over the years. He used his breaking pitch more last night than ever before. One has to wonder if the Gas Man has been in his ear.”
28 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“Our boys in blue wake up to a 3.5 game lead today beholding to our broken brothers on the beltway.
Beautiful.”
29 Aug 2018, VOR wrote:
“The Braves wake up today to a 4.5 game lead.”
2 Sept 2018, Gil wrote:
“Pretty impressive turn around for the Bravos this weekend. Julio continues to amaze me. Acuna continues to amaze everyone….”
5 Sep 2018, VOR wrote:
“Last night as I was watching a part of the game, it struck me that Johan Camargo has actually become a pretty important part of this 2018 team. Not only is he an incredible fielder at 3B, he’s 3rd in AVG, 3rd in OBP, and 4th in SLG. Also, believe it or not, he’s 4th in HR and 3rd in RBI.”
9 Sep 2018, Gil wrote:
“Shame on me for doubting this team… 6 runs in the ninth to cover up Luke Jackson’s stink..”
12 Sep 2018, Gil wrote:
“Given the youth of this club, it may well be the Braves will celebrate with ginger ale rather than champagne…”
23 Sep 2018, VOR posted:
“Braves Magic Number @BravesMagicNum: 0″
Braves & Stuff 
Thanks Margie, amazing how spot on we have been. And thanks for taking time out for us and posting this up. Really nice work.
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That was a pretty fun look back out ourselves through the season. Thanks for that CL!!
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Quick playoff summary of the National League as we sit here on the morning of Sept. 27, 4 days and 4 games away from the end of the regular season…
The NL Central will have the most impact on the playoff picture as the division runner up will likely have the 1st Wild Card spot. Currently MIL is 1/2 game behind CHC with 3 to play, 4 for CHC. Looking at the schedule, MIL closes with 3 at home vs. DET, and the Cubs also close at home with 1 more tonight vs. PIT and 3 vs. STL.
Let’s first look at those closing 3 vs. DET and 3 vs. STL. Thanks to that schedule, I like the Brewers to overtake the Cubs and win that division, with the Cubs falling to the 1st Wild Card.
Now, over in the West, COL leads the Dodgers by a slim 1/2 game. LAD closes on the road with 3 @ SFG while COL has 4 at home, 1 more tonight vs. PHI and 3 vs. WAS. The Giants are a train wreck, and both PHI and WAS are completely unpredictable. Still, the schedule seems to favor LAD. Thus, I like them to take the West and push COL to the 2nd Wild Card. The Dodgers currently trail the Crew by 3 games in the WC race. It’s still possible for the Cards to sneak in there as the 2nd team, but they’ll be in a slugfest with the Cubs who have a vested interest in closing strong. I’m predicting COL to hold the Cards off.
The Braves are a full 3 games back of CHC and 2.5 games back of MIL for the best record in the NL. Making that leap does not look realistic even if we aren’t technically eliminated from such. But I’m simply not counting on it.
So as of this morning, I am predicting that the Division winners will be, in order of record, MIL, ATL, LAD. And the Wild Card play in game will be contested by CHC and COL.
That will set up a NLDS Series between MIL and the WC winner, and a home NLDS Series between ATL and LAD. And that is a key matchup.
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Now, about last night… Jacob deGrom showed why he is a heavy favorite for the 2018 NL Cy Young Award. On the bright side, Newk looked pretty stout. Actually Jackson didn’t look awful and Wright was what he was, a rookie pitcher who hung a couple of fat sliders which were promptly deposited in the bleachers. Results, the Braves are still in first place and more information was made available to the stat nerds in basements across the world.
Like I said, would not mind it a bit to find deGrom under the Braves Christmas tree this year. But a pipe dream, the Mets would want the keys to the kingdom for him and a large kingdom at that. Nope, better just going for Realamuto and bringing alone the bevy of talent already assembled.
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GIL:
JACOB deGROM? No. Too many prospects in return.
J.T. REALMUTO YES. He might be capable of replacing neck’s bat in the line-up.
Don’t forget we have WILLIE CONTRERAS on the vine. Still green, but he will ripen quickly in my opinion by 2020 I think.
How about bringing up AUSTIN RILEY after a month next season after playing LF in GWINNETT, move ACUNA to right?
I don’t think PACHE’s offense will play up big in the long run, but he might make it on CF defense alone if the bat is at least average. I think 2020 on him as well as CONTRERAS.
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Not an easy path for any of the clubs going forward is there Vee? Other than the Braves, I don’t know who to root for or against so I will just hope for some exciting games.
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Now, let’s take a look at Newk last night. We have all speculated with our own theories as to his big drop in effectiveness after having such a strong 1st half. Is it the heat? Is it the workload? All are viable possibilities. He certainly does sweat alot, and he’s talked about his grip on the record.
But here are things we know for certain, and are measurable:
As of today, he has pitched 163.1 innings this season, the most he’s ever pitched in 1 season in his life.
In 8 starts on regular rest this season, he’s posted a 5.61 ERA (27 ER / 43.1 IP); in 12 starts on extra rest his ERA is 3.30 (44 ER / 120 IP).
That is a telling stat.
Here’s something else that is being missed.
In last night’s start, he threw 88 pitches, 63 4-seam fastballs, 10 changeups, 10 curves and 5 sliders.
In his previous start, he threw 73 pitches, but just 42 4-seam fastballs, 14 changeups, 13 curves and 4 sliders. That’s a greatly reduced amount of fastballs.
As great a curve as he has, when he’s using his fastball and spotting his change, he’s a better pitcher. Period. And that’s exactly what he did last night.
Let’s go back and look at his near no hitter vs. the Dodgers. In that game, he threw 134 pitches, 102 4-seam fastballs, 23 changeups, 6 curves and 3 sliders. 102 4-seam fastballs.
I’m not a professional pitching coach, but even I can see a pattern there.
When Sean is spotting his fastball, he’s can dominate his game. When he falls away from that and relies more on his secondary stuff, he gets beat.
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Now, Swanson. (Transition homage to The Scribe.)
As we all know by now, Dans has a torn ligament in his hand and will miss the last 4 regular season games. But will be able to play in the NLDS?
First, we must acknowledge his importance to this team. I heard a radio guy yesterday describe him as “the glue” on this team, and I think that’s a great metaphor for his significance to the Braves. You can go back to numerous seemingly impossible double plays or the truly impossible plays such as the one in ARI or his many hustle doubles or a plethora of clutch hits with RISP. But the fact is he’s always where he needs to be and always doing the little things right. In other words, he’s a true gamer and has that certain “IT” that makes him vital to the team’s success. He has a captain’s quality, for whatever measurable worth that has. In plain words, he helps this team tick. And as good as Charlie has been both at the plate and in the field, he can’t replace that.
Also, when Charlie has to step into the regular lineup, who replaces him on the bench? And that’s where we could be exposed. That’s what I worry about in the playoffs… more than the bullpen and more than the starters. I worry about the bench. Do you realize that if Dansby is out, Ryan Flaherty or Rio Ruiz could be on the bench?
I don’t even want to think about that…
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Vee, very astute observation and one that reinforces why rookie pitchers experience such up and down performances. It is not only know how to pitch but what to pitch and when to throw it. Trying to “trick” batters give them way too much credit.
I am reminded of my golf playing days, while I just knew I could make that trick shot around a tree, the smarter play was laying up… Did that dissuade me from trying to be a hero? Nope, and a snowman would quickly make his appearance on my score card.
So it happens with young pitchers. That is one of the big reasons the Braves are a dangerous team going forward. They could easily get three stellar pitching performances in the first round of the play-off as getting swept in which all three starting pitchers fail to survive the first inning resulting the Braves making a hasty exit.
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Julio makes his final audition tonight. Methinks (homage to Journalist Bob) that he will go six inning before allowing the bullpen to exercise their continued auditions. Over/under on Julio giving up a first inning home run anyone?
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Time should make him into more of a complete pitcher. It takes a few campaigns to leaven a thrower into a pitcher.
I guess FOLTY would be a prime example.
Of course, having a child could do it.
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Welcome, Lawrence! Happy to have you here.
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My handle is richbrave on the old DOB blog. Good to see you folks again. Been awhile. GIL and I haven’t consulted with one another on all things BRAVES for several years. Remiss and must make amends.
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You’re so welcome, rich! Please don’t be a stranger!
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Over/under on Julio giving up a first inning home run anyone?
The odds are even (which is one of my favorite oxymorons).
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Julio makes his final audition tonight
I think at this point it’s fairly expected that the top 3 starters will be Folty, Anibal, Gausy. I think the 4th starter conversation cannot start until you know the opponent. We must also recognize that the Top 3 are all RH, as are Julio and Touki. The Cubs and Brewers hit fairly evenly between RH/LH, but the Dodgers have a disparity of .253 vs. RH to just .237 vs. LH. Also, we cannot forget that Newk owned them in his last start against them. If LAD ends up being the West winner and is matched with the Braves in the NLDS, I can see the suits giving Newk a start against them… even if it is with a short leash.
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So what are the Braves’ bench options in the event Dansby cannot return for the NLDS? (NOTE: We should make note here that the rosters can change between series. It’s feasible that even if Dansby cannot return for the NLDS, he could still return for a possible NLCS.)
Well, given that it’s a 5 game series, we’re likely to only carry 12 pitchers, giving us 5 bench spots. Obviously the first spot is occupied by Flow/Zuk. Lucas Duda is also a lock. But after that it starts to get wonky. Adam Duvall has done nothing since his mid-season move to ATL. Preston Tucker is… well, Preston Tucker. Rene Rivera is defensive insurance only. That leaves Lane Adams, Ryan Flaherty and Rio Ruiz.
Rio couldn’t crack the ML roster for most of the season and Ryan Flaherty, although a Godsend in April, does alot of things OK, but not any one thing great. At least Lane Adams has some experience and gives you jet speed as a pinch runner. I think he’s on.
So Flow/Zuk (R), Duda (L), Adams (R). I think it makes sense to keep Rivera allowing Snit to use Flow/Zuk off the bench as a bat without burning your catching insurance.
I should also pause here to acknowledge that some have suggested Austin Riley could be activated to at least give some pop off the bench. I think that train has left the station in that he has zero ML experience and hasn’t even played now in 2 weeks. Plus, you’d have to open a 40-man roster spot for him. That simply isn’t plausible.
Which leaves Rio vs. Flaherty.
If you take Rio, he balances the bench as another LH and does have a little pop. But Ryan Flaherty has saved our bacon a time or two during the regular season and is better defensively. Honestly, there isn’t a good choice here. I wish we didn’t have to rely on either. For me, I’m giving Rio the slight edge for being LH.
Bottom line is simply that the bench was already somewhat thin, and now it could even be characterized as a weakness.
Dansby, get better bro. Take that treatment and get back soon… and the sooner the better. We need ya.
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Yep, not great choices and you reveal an area which the Braves must address in the off season. Flaherty is also left handed so that is a wash but I would have to give the nod to Ryan for his defense as well as his maturity. Like I have said, it is not like this roster is a lock.
And no, There are so many reasons for Austin to not be called up. As much as I cringe at the thought, Adam Duvall may well be on the roster. I guess what we could best hope for as far as Duvall goes is “he’s due”
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Flaherty is also left handed so that is a wash
Uh… yeah. There’s that. 😳
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Adam Duvall may well be on the roster. I guess what we could best hope for as far as Duvall goes is “he’s due”
What I don’t understand is how he hit 15 HR’s w/ 61 RBI before coming to ATL, and had goose eggs in both categories since. Yes, I know he had far fewer AB’s, but the dude only managed 5 hits in 51 PA’s. His .104 avg. in ATL is not only below the Mendoza line, it’s below the fall line.
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And naturally, Duvall gets a chance to “snap out of it” tonight as he gets the start in LF.
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Yes, tonight’s performance could go a long way in determining his fate.
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He’s been reading the ol’ B&S… 😉
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Well, Julio pitched well enough to win last night, did anyone else besides myself see the 3 run dinger given up by Biddle coming when he did not get the call on a couple of close pitches?
It was what it was…. Braves play the Frillies tonight and I expect Duda will get some time at first base.
Folty will be making his final tune up also. I have no great expectations at this point but it would be nice to score the 90th win.
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OK gang… I’ll be out of town for a few days, so checking in to the ol’ B&S will be spotty. Reading will surely happen, but posting will be sporadic. At any rate, I’ll be back in time for the post-season to begin.
Go Braves!
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Be safe, V! We’ll miss you. Enjoy your break!
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Before I go…
Wouldn’t this be crazy?
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Maybe they could huge each other…
But it really is a long shot for the Cardinals right now.
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good stuff CL! thanks for the recap. it’s been a fun season and no matter what happens next week and beyond i think we all have hopes for a bright future for our team.
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Okay, good news/bad news last night. Anibal looked great last night, Jonny Venters not so much. A truth that has remained in evidence since the creation of baseball, if you do not score at least one run, you will not win a ballgame.
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CL, I know that had to have taken quite some time to read and save all those quotes, excellent work! 🙂
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and glad these games don’t really count…bleh
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Christian Yelich IS the NL MVP, if Javy Baez gets it, it’s a crime…
amazing what he has done for the Brewers.
Seems like just the kind of young player to build a team around, but the Marlins know best.
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Yelich has come on like gang busters hasn’t he? I would pitch around him every at bat. Simply not the guy you would want to challenge unless you could throw some dirt in his eyes before they make a pitch…
Newk and Fried both looked good coming out of the pen yesterday. Could we see three kids out there for the first round? Fried, Newcome and Sobaka? Someone is going to stay home but in order to get to the second round, you first have to get thru the first.
Think of the pressure the 4 teams in the games today face, more wear and tear on their pitching staffs, more travel, wheeeee…. Of course MLB is thinking MORE REVENUE……
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Nice!
https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1046922275046461441?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email
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Great to see post-season baseball in ATLANTA. I picked 86 wins, and was not disappointed the club exceeded that level of “w”s. Looking forward to the next decade. One of excellence I believe.
Some on other blogs have postulated that the 3B job was JOHAN CAMARGO’s permanently, and AUSTIN RILEY should be traded forthwith.
Pretty irrational reasoning to my mind. I believe RILEY the far larger talent, and we haven’t yet given his a test run.
No, I believe CAMARGO has a place on the infield in ATLANTA, but longer-term, he would be the player traded, not RILEY.
This spring training will prove that point i hope. I am definitely in RILEY’s corner long-term as the “keeper” between the two.
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Howdy! I’m back in the saddle today… well, sort of. Man that was a long drive…
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We were in South FL (Stuart area) visiting an elderly relative. Not much play time – spent a total of about 1 hour at a beach over the 5 days – but a good and necessary family visit. But the drive… man, the drive…
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OK… so back to baseball…
The Braves playoff roster does not have to be officially set until 10am tomorrow morning. Now that we know who we are facing, and we know both the pitchers and the lineup, we can be more focused in our guesses.
Also, we can take into account Dansby’s progress – or lack thereof – and the performances of a handful of pitchers over the last week of the regular season.
Here is how I see it shaking out–>
Rotation:
Folty, Anibal, Gaus, Julio
Bullpen:
Closer Viz, lefties AJ, Biddle, Touki, and Fried, along with righties Wink, Brach, and… surprise Sobotka, who earned the last spot over Carle with his great stuff and ability to throw strikes. And I’m taking Fried over Venters, who seems to have lost something over the last several appearances to me. Not sure if it’s fatigue on his bionic arm or what, but I think Fried is simply a better bet at this point. And yes, this leaves Newk off the roster for now, unless he edges out Fried.
Lineup:
RAJ, Johan, Freddie, Kakes, Zuk/Flow, Ozzie, Ender, Culby
No brainer. But we’ll miss Dansby’s glove and clutch hitting. We’ll also miss the ability to bring in Culberson at a critical point when we need him.
Bench:
Flow/Zuk, Rivera, Duda, LAdams, Flaherty
This is where it could all go south in my prediction, but I still maintain that keeping Rivera allows you to pinch hit Flow/Zuk without burning our catching insurance. Otherwise, one of their potent bats will not have a chance at making an impact unless there is desperation. This way we have RH thunder with Flow/Zuk and LH thunder with Duda. LAdams is the burner and Flaherty makes it as IF insurance since Culby is the SS starter. Also, who else are you going to add? Adam Duvall? Rio Ruiz? Please…
I like our rotation going in, and I like our bullpen. I know we’ll miss Dans, but it’s nice to have Culberson. Obviously our bench is not ideal, but it is what it is. Let’s hope it’s not our Achilles’ heel in LA.
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I gotta say, I wish we could give a LH a start vs. their lineup. Newk is the only real option as I seriously doubt they’d give young Touki a start in the playoffs, and Fried is in the same boat. But would you bump Julio for Newk? Can you do that?
Maybe that’s actually an option. After all, Newk did nearly no-hit this team. Hmmm…
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During the past week, the big divide seemed to be over Julio vs Newk. The prevailing opinion was if the opponent was the Dodgers, they would go with Newsom and if it was Colorado, the pick would be Julio. The Dodgers have owned Julio while the Rockies have not and the reverse is true with Newsom.
Yes, Jonny has not had his usual stuff for the past month. That could be said of a lot of relievers but I digress…
Yep, the bench sure does look like a place the Braves could stand to sure up next spring. I know I will get bricks thrown at me for saying this but I personally like Rio over Flarerthy at this point.
All that said, JUST WIN BABY….
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“If you don’t have MLB Network, a lot of people are telling me YouTube TV does and that they have a free seven-day trial. That seems to be a good way to get game one.”
For all you folks who don’t have the MLB network to watch the Braves game one against the Dodgers Thursday night.
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I know I will get bricks thrown at me for saying this but I personally like Rio over Flarerthy at this point.
If I heard correctly, Rio was one of just 2 healthy post-season eligible players to NOT make the flight west. Trying to remember the other…
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And there’s this nugget, courtesy of the AJC:
The Braves are taking a surplus of pitchers and position players to the West Coast to keep their options open. Infielder Rio Ruiz will not be among them, as the Braves sent him to Florida for Instructional League work.
Which begs the question, IL work on what? OF perhaps? Will Austin Riley be there with him?
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And Bowman clears it up thus:
Snitker expects his NLDS roster to include Lucas Duda, who was bothered by a sore back that developed early last week. Duda took batting practice at SunTrust Park before the Braves traveled to Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon.
“I feel really good about Lucas’ availability,” Snitker said. “We anticipate him being fine.”
To guard against the possibility Duda might have a setback, the Braves have sent Rio Ruiz to their Spring Training facility to get at-bats in instructional league games. Ruiz will only be added to the roster if an injury creates the need for a left-handed bat.
So there’s that.
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OK… now realizing that of all the NL playoff teams, only LAD has the slightest differential of batting against RH vs. LH, as they hit righties slightly better than they hit southpaws. Don’t you almost have to give Newk a start now? And quite honestly, as we showed after Newk’s last start, if he sticks to working his fastball/slider combo with just the occasional curve, he can dominate a game.
That’s a tough call. Glad it’s not mine. We should know shortly, though. I think Snit is supposed to announce his rotation order in a presser in a few hours.
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Gil, I would agree about Rio Ruiz as well…
V, it’s a tough call because of Julio being with the team so long, but, Newcomb would be the better choice.
I just fear the Dodgers cuz the whole team it seems hits homers….Julio would be eaten alive…
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Of course it’s not my call to make and Thoppy has not yet contacted me to ask my opinion so there is that.
Now in other baseball news… The Cubs go from having the best record in the NL to joining the Nats watching from the sidelines. The Braves are huge under dogs, just where the Bravos want to be. Maybe they can sneak up on the Dodgers like the Marlins did to the Braves back in ’97…
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So, the Yankees did to the A’s what the Yankees do… Too bad but I am sure the execs at MLB are delighted. Here is a fact, one team with over 100 wins will not be playing in the ALCS…
So, don’t count the Braves out just yet because in baseball, you just never know…
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Meeting Richbrave for lunch today to hash out all the possibilities for the Braves in 2019. Still need a catcher and an outfielder by my count. I think it will be interesting if the Braves can’t/won’t sing a Bryce Harper if they feel there is someone better than Markakis available in free agency.
Do they make a play for Buster Posey or make the trade for Realamuto or maybe the Buffalo?
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Do they make a play for Buster Posey or make the trade for Realamuto or maybe the Buffalo?
I think Buster’s latest injury now makes his future as a primary catcher a big question mark. He needs to make the move to 1B full time. In fact, he’d be best on a team that can offer him 1B and occasional DH.
I still think JTR will cost waaaaaay too much, especially in our own division. I don’t want to face our own top pitching prospects several times a season. Not gonna do it.
Wilson Ramos is a nice hitter – especially against the Braves – but his defense is somewhat suspect. I’m not sure I want him bringing along my very young pitching corp. But of the 3 you mentioned, he’d be my preference. And as a FA he wouldn’t cost us any prospects, just $$. Also, it’s very doubtful he’ll get extended a QO, so he shouldn’t cost a draft pick either.
If I were GM (which I clearly am not), I would go look at St. Louis and see what it’d take to acquire their young backup Carson Kelly, who would be starting on almost every team except the one that also has Yadier Molina. He’s just 24 and under team control until 2024. I think if you went after him, you could include our prospect William Contreras in the deal and mitigate the loss of pitching. His rise to MLB readiness – 2 more years – more closely aligns with Yadi’s contract and age.
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To be clear, Carson Kelly has not already proven himself at the major league level. In fact, he’s struggled in limited time. But I think it’s important to specify that it’s in limited time. He’s not had th chance at regular playing time and regular AB’s. He did everything necessary in the minors to earn the top prospect status.
Another thing to take into consideration is that the Cards have another good prospect reaching AAA this season. They can afford to let Kelly go.
Given his situation and limited ineffective MLB productivity thus far, his trade value has probably faded a bit over 2018. He might could be had for Luiz Gohara and another middle prospect.
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As much as I like the idea of converting Austin Riley to an OF, my gut tells me he’ll be used as a trade chip this offseason. I just feel it.
I think Thoppy is going to trade for a veteran pitcher… a good one. I think he wants his own version of Justin Verlander to lead this young and talented staff. It’s not going to be cheap.
I think he’ll also acquire a catcher via trade, and I think he’ll acquire an OF via FA. Don’t be surprised if AJ Pollock comes east…. and that’d be quite OK with me.
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TV info
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Scouring for the Braves playoff roster, which was due to be set by 10am. Haven’t found the official announcement anywhere yet.
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BTW- I made a major error in my roster projection yesterday. I listed Touki as a LH pitcher, which of course he is not. And that alone threw off the balance of my bullpen.
So before the official one is announced, I want to revise my bullpen projection to account for the error. In order to do that, one of the RH pitchers has to go, and it’s going to be Dan Winkler. He hasn’t been nearly as sharp over the 2nd half of the season, and I just think Chad Sobotka is a better option at this point. And I need to add back in an additional LH. I think it will be Jonny.
Also, I’m a little skiddish about Biddle, whom himself has been not so sharp lately. I’m on the fence with him. Sam Freeman has actually been better over the last month or so. It’s a coin flip there. I’m changing to Sam.
That leaves me with–>
Viz (R), Closer
AJ (L)
Venters (L)
Sam Freeman (L)
Fried (L)
Touki (R)
Brach (R)
Sobotka (R)
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Here it is:
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I nailed 24 of 25 players… onl missing on Sam Freeman, with Sean Newcomb being on it.
And I’m glad he is. Obviously that’s the better move.
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So, Freeman failed to make the initial cut, interesting…
Yep, I’d be very happy with Pollock. He would be a good bridge to the next wave.
I’m sure the Braves will be scouring their evaluations of every catcher in the baseball. Who might be available and who wouldn’t. So many moving parts and we still have 3 more series to win.
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So many moving parts and we still have 3 more series to win.
Just win 11 more games, right? #1 looks good tonight with Folty on the mound.
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How about this…
5 guys on this roster were picked up at the deadline by Thoppy. Gausy, Brach, Venters, Duda and Rivera were all late additions.
5 out of 25… or 20%.
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Pretty cool…
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oh man, what a first…Folty survived a leadoff homer, and then the bases loaded ….crowd was insanely loud in…L.A.?????
I have been up since my stupid bladder decided 3:45 AM was the time to get up. Stupid brain then decided I had enough sleep…stupid body parts!
So, add that to having to get up 5 ish I will get to see 3…or 4 innings…grrr…at least I can stay up like a big boy tomorrow
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well…as triumph the insult dog might say…..
that was a good game…………………………….for me to poop on!
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Okay, not exactly the beginning we were hoping for but not too surprising. Hoping for better results tonight.
We have the same record as the Rockies so there is that…
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Not a great start, but we must also give credit where it’s due. Ryu was on his game last night. Tip o’ the cap to him…
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Yes, the Braves sorta Ryu’d they had to face him last night. Of course scoring runs is a pretty important part of winning too so let’s help out the pitching staff guys….
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What I said about the 1st game…holds true for this one too.
Man, the braves just don’t look like the regular season team. I know they have been aggressive at the plate, but this is ridiculous. No idea what to do except swing hard in case they hit it.
I know, the dodgers pitching has been good, but…it’s not THIS good, not back to back shutouts. The guy yesterday, he was very good. So was Clayton, awesome curve…but…I saw a lot of average fastballs ( I didn’t know he was not throwing 94-95, at least he isn’t right now) right down the middle. It’s like they were thinking, expect a curve, and react to a fastball. Pretty sure that doesn’t work.
I was telling someone at work before the series started (no one really likes baseball there, soccer, then Football are the sports people talk about ) but one guy is a fair weather fan if the braves are in the playoffs. I said, I was worried about the braves just that I know the dodgers hit a ton of homers, so if it was 2-2 in the 7th, the dodgers would likely hit a solo homer, and win games 3-2.
did not expect back to back shutouts. did not expect the entire offense to stink save Acuna. swing, hack, swing some more!
Smoltz, you could tell was not really a fan of 2 guys playing 162, but was diplomatic about it. but, to be fair, they did get some time off in the last few games, but perhaps they are just too dog tired to do much now…
I am perhaps most disappointed in Camargo’s last a.b.
Was anyone still up for it? I thought, great, mr clutch will get to bat left handed against Jansen, who was not throwing much heat (one pitch touched 95, but most were 92)
I have never in my life seen a guy so close to the plate!!! It was ridiculous! Was he hoping to get hit (acuna had just singled) so FF would be up to possibly tie up the game? I don’t know, but whatever he was thinking, it was a miserable failure in practice. Not once, but twice Jansen threw up and in, but not crazy up and in, and both times Camargo just moved the bat enough to tick it foul both times. Then he struck out. Just weak sauce….
did I expect the braves to win the W.S.???? No…did I expect them to beat the Dodgers? well, if Folty had Smoltz’s brain, he would have pitched better, but he doesn’t. but, Anabel tried, but when the team doesn’t score (and if you are owned by Manny Big Ears, when it’s 3-0, just walk him, don’t try to trick him) its hard to win.
and listening to Bobby Costas (as he was called back in the day in the STL) and whoever was doing the game today, were a bit condescending about the braves, talking about their weak bench tonight (I have to remember , Dansby is a big game guy, and that does hurt the team, but Charlie is normally awesome in the playoffs) and I didn’t think it was that bad….
I didn’t think the Dodgers were that much better than us…but, they do have experience , a lot of it….
bleh….
always a good idea to write about a game right after a loss 😛
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first playoff team since 1921 to be shut out the first 2 games, historic! 😛
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Snit says Newk will get the start Sunday night… Why not? He pitched well in his 2 innings of work last night.
May as well giving all of the kids play-off experience.
I know it is frustrating for Braves fans everywhere to get shut out two games in a row but I feel if the Braves could just break thru, the flood gates could open for the Bravos.
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well, I am not crazy about Newt going on yet another hot night…seems a bit panicky , I’d rather have Kevin Gausman in a do or die…hope I have to eat a lot of crow tonight….
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YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
a bad call by the ump (clearly ball 4 to Acuna) led to Ronald hitting a Grand Slam….up 5-0, lets keep them from scoring today!!!!
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Looks like you are going to get your wish Ber, The gas man coming in from the pen.
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And yes, that was a terrible call on a pitch 8 inches above the zone.
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well…I don’t have a lot of faith in them winning even with it 5-5….the Dodgers all hit homers…the braves have only one guy hitting right now….now, make me eat crow again guys! 😛
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yummy!!!!!!!
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well that was fun!
i look at tonight’s game, actually this entire series, as a gift to future braves teams. when they won the east i sat back and thought hard about the last few years. the rebuild. the losing seasons. the humiliating losses. all of this while we looked anxiously at the minors and scrutinized the numbers of a bunch of kids we wouldn’t recognize if we walked past them on the street. swanson, sobotka, fried, acuna, albies and so many more.
i honestly don’t think the future is now friends. but the future isn’t far away. while i don’t think this team can survive two more games against their current opponent i am very optimistic that our atlanta braves will be very successful for a long time. tonight’s game will go a long way to help cement their future. it was a rocky ride but they found a way to win.
that being said, i like my crow medium rare and i will gladly devour every bite should this team find a way to make it to the next round.
p.s. one more thought, crowd excitement goes along way in helping a team’s morale. the crowd tonight was very excited and it elicited memories of the early 90’s when the ATL was HOT for the braves!
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Well said Chris!!!
I too don’t think this is the year…but, it’s sooooooo nice to see one win at least. I feel for Snit, FF, Nick M, Suzuki, etc….I was about 90% sure the Dodgers were just going to flick another ball over the fence late in the game and that would be that…Amazed Viz got out of that incredible mess in the 9th. He didn’t give up, that’s for sure….
so, a taste of winning, at least for one day, is good for Snit, the players the fans…everyone. and will leave the players hungry to go further next year, and without the pressure of not even winning a game in the playoffs.
Wouldn’t even complain if they won 1 more to force the Dodgers to play a game 5! 😛
Snit should sleep well tonight….
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Newk gave us a nice start to the evening, hot or not. And as you may have picked up in many of my previous posts, I don’t buy into the heat excuse. I think it’s partly a function of him going deeper into a season and throwing more innings than ever before. But I think it’s mostly pitch choice, as has been documented already. The two aspects work together and cause him to be hittable. When he’s rested, he spots his fastball better, a pitch which should be his bread and butter pitch. When he’s fatigued, the fastball stays up in the zone thus he throws it less, relying more on his curve which he cannot locate consistently rested or not. That;s when the walks pile up.
Ugh. The walks. Don’t get me started.
But that aside, I think Snit had in mind all along to use Newk as his “starter” with Gausman piggybacking after a stroll through the lineup. Unfortunately Gausy came in tight. But let’s not forget he’s also relatively young and only has 3 playoff games from 2014 to draw on himself.
Chad Sobotka is for real.
And so is Ronald Acuña, Jr.
And so is Freddie Freeman.
Now… we have to start getting something from Ender Inciarte and Johan Camargo. It’s critical to our success for those guys to be hitting. If we want to fly back out to the left coast, we need something from those two hombres this afternoon.
Now Folty… (Homage to The Scribe.) I like him going in this critical game. He has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. I like that. I’ll put my money on him. If his offense will give him some semblance of support, he’ll equal this series and ride off into the sunset… literally.
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Whew.. What a game… It had a little bit of everything. The Dodgers are tough right now. They should be, they cost enough. Amazing what a few well placed dollars can do for your line up.
It’s games like the one played last night that turn a rookie into a grizzled vet. So, you just never have enough runs against a team which is always in scoring position while standing at home plate.
One game at a time, one pitch at a time…. C’mon Forty, let’s do this….
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Amazing what a few well placed dollars can do for your line up.
Yep. When Brian Dozier is the last guy on your bench… well, you’re doing ok.
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Brewers are a scary team right now but we have all seen how the switch can be flipped at any time. Rockies had a nice run but I think fatigue caught up with them. The spirit might be willing but often the legs are not.
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This team is so much fun to watch!!
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As well as being really, really exasperating at times too. BUT… so young and still learning, think about it, Snit brought in 4 straight rookie relievers. Who does that? Who has to do that? Okay, Fried gave up a tater but Sobotka was money. All I have to say is Gohara who? Just amazing. Hats off to the Brewers but they went all in this season.
Maybe they would trade Yelich for some starting pitching….
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7 October. Quite a good day, I’d say.
(Who has the keys to the doghouse?)
😉
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Ooooohhhhh…
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You realize, of course, that belated birthday wishes are the best kind because they stretch the celebration out longer, right?
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Happy belated CL! glad the bravos were able to give you a nice gift!
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OMG, how did that happen???? I feel so ashamed. 😦
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4:30pm first pitch on the FS1 network.
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LOL 😀 😀 😀
Let’s see…..B&S began back in Dec 2007, it’s now 2018.
Yep. 1 out of 10 is about right.
(I love ya, guys! And thank you for the birthday wishes. At least I can say I’ve achieved my personal best in birthday numbers! They sure are getting big, I tell ya that!)
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Y’all keep an eye on Yasmani Grandal today. He sure would look good in ATL colors… 😉
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Yes.
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Kind of glad it is an early game today. this sleep deprivation thingee is hard on an old man.
I had two things on my to do list today and managed to get both accomplished. Gold Star time…
More baseball…. I am so glad that Viz rediscovered his fastball last night. They were laying off the trick em slider. Those two in you face fast balls that allowed him to strike out Muncy set the tone for the rest of the inning.
I understand trying to hit the edge of the zone but it is resulting in a ton of walks. Sometimes you just have to bow your neck and say here it is, hit it if you can…
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Heck of a ball game today….
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Dansby would have got to that one.
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One day great, next day not so much. Life of a rookie. Sobotka makes a potentially season ending mistake to Manny.
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Oh well…. it has been a great season. As much as I want the Braves to win, I must face the reality of the situation. Now it’s time for Thoppy to go to work and figure out how to bolster the ball club. Machado would be a great place to start.
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What a scene at STP right now!! Great fans!!
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And just like that, the crowd is silenced.
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Well, sadly the better team prevailed. 😔
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sigh Well, the kids can be proud of going as far as they did. They’ll be much more prepared for next year.
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I am so proud of what the braves were able to accomplish this year! No few expected them to even play .500 ball, that would have been a huge step forward!
More rookies than you should have at one time (especially in the rotation) but they played great for much of the season, I think most everyone was tired come September. Look at what even happened to the Cubs….
Dodgers have gone on to the NL Championship series now 3 times in a row…they know how to win…and how to spend more money than a million drunken sailors…they do have a fair bit of home grown talent though…
I really, REALLY don’t want manny weird ears (and weird hair, and he still hits catchers on the head with his bat, I assume that time with Flowers was an accident)
If you are going to go nuts, get Bryce…..TBC 😉
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Well… here we are on the morning after, and you know what..? I’m not really in mourning. Yes, I’ll miss seeing them. It really seems like this season flew by more quickly than normal. But what a year. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team that worked so hard and loved each other so much. It almost makes me wary of how they’ll release and replace. Guys like Nick Markakis are simply more important to the heart of this team than what we see between the lines. And that concerns me a little. But for today, I’ll just look back at 2018, tip my cap, and say “Thanks!” for a great season and a real hope for years to come.
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I really, REALLY don’t want manny weird ears
I think you’re pretty safe there. Our IF is already pretty crowded. And I seriously doubt that A-Train would sign any one guy that would suck up 25% of the payroll all by himself.
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Morning gang, another season comes to a close and I concur, no need for tears. Far more was achieved than was expected. Sure, we can all get caught up in the lofty expectations but hopefully, all the kids will be hungry for more.
I doubt much will happen until after the end of the series now. The official end of the season.
It should be an interesting series between the Brewers and the Dodgers. The story is still unfinished between the Bosox and the Yanks, Don’t be fooled by yesterday’s 16-1 drubbing by the Sox, I recall a similar drubbing put on the Yanks by the Braves way back when. They are still the Yankees, a club that won 100 games this year.
The Astros await their foe.
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Go ‘Stros! That’ll be my mantra now from here to the WS.
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Early prediction for A-Train’s shopping list, in this order:
1. Starting pitcher (?? via trade, FA Patrick Corbin?)
2. Closer (Raisel Iglesias via trade FA Craig Kimbrel, Jeurys Familia?)
3. Catcher (Carson Kelly via trade, FA Yasmani Grandal?)
4. Power bat for lineup (?? via trade, FA A.J. Pollock, Andrew McCutchen?)
5. Power bat for bench (FA Matt Adams, Curtis Granderson?)
I wonder if the Yankees will finally consider trading Clint Frazier once they sign Bryce Harper in FA? (Please don’t throw things at me.) Can you imagine them adding Harper to that lineup that already set a ML record for HR’s in a season? Can you imagine a lineup that starts Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton 1-4? Talk about a murderers row…
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In all seriousness, there’s no way they could add that much payroll. They’d be forced to pay enough in luxury taxes to field an entire other team.
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UPDATE:
The Yankees are not that far fetched after all. They actually have alot of $$ coming off their books after this year (JA Happ, Cutch, Neil Walker) and could also look to trade Brett Gardner to clear a little more.
Instead of being tongue-in-cheek, this landing spot for Harper suddenly seems quite possible. 😯
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Here are the latest odds from Vegas sports book Bovada on which team Harper will sign with:
Cubs: EVEN
Dodgers: +500
Phillies: +550
Yankees: +600
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The biggest downside to the Braves’ season coming to an end is that the presence of the Atlanta Falcons will now be thrust into the forefront in my area.
Thank God for the UGA Bulldogs.
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Two Braves veterans at the end of their deals have already expressed a desire to return to the Braves – Kurt Suzuki and Anibal Sanchez.
I’m not sure if Kakes has also stated such a desire publicly, but he has at least hinted at it.
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Hmmm… here are some quotes from Kakes following yesterday’s season closer, courtesy of local media outlets:
“These fans were great. They were great all season long.”
“It was an honor. I had a ton of fun playing with these guys.”
“I just wanted to let the guys know that I appreciate what they brought every day. Just wanted to let them know it was an honor and a pleasure to play with them. We did a lot of things that people didn’t expect us to do.”
“The team is definitely going to get better, they’re in good position.”
Uh, is it just me or does this sound a little bit like goodbye?
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So, rest assured that this amateur GM will spend plenty of time harping on what I think can be done with this roster heading into 2019. But today, as the dust is still settling from 2018, I am only going to give a quick thumbnail glance at the players on the 25-man playoff roster, plus the injured Dansby. Are they a lock to return? Are they goners for sure? Is the jury still out? Will there be some surprises?
PItchers:
Folty (R) – lock
Anibal (R) – goner
Gaus (R) – lock
Julio (R) – goner
Newk (L) – jury is out
Viz (R) – jury is out
AJ (L) – lock
Venters (L) – lock
Fried (L) – jury is out
Touki (R) – lock
Brach (R) – goner
Sobotka (R) – lock
Lineup:
RAJ – lock
Ozzie – lock
Freddie – lock
Kakes – goner
Johan – possible surprise
Zuk – goner
Ender – possible surprise
Dansby – lock
Bench:
Culby – lock
Flow – lock
Rivera – goner
Duda – goner
LAdams – goner
Flaherty – goner
I’ll expound in another post or posts later.
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I probably should have also also included the injured Mike Soroka, who is a lock.
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… and the injured Darren O’Day, who is also a lock.
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OK, I made a jumbled mess of that. Lemme approach it from another perspective. Here’s what I see as the only certainties going into the silly season:
Rotation:
Folty
Gausman
Soroka
??
??
Bullpen:
??, Closer
AJ (L)
Venters (L)
Touki (R)
Sobotka (R)
O’Day (R)
??
??
Lineup:
RAJ, OF
Ozzie, 2B
Freddie, 1B
??, OF
??, OF
??, 3B
??, C
Dansby, SS
Bench:
Flow, C
Culby, Util
??, IF
??, OF
That’s not to say that guys like Newk, Fried, Ender and Johan won’t be back; I just don’t see them as dead lock certainties.
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And suffice to say unless a player was injured (Dans, Soroka, O’Day), if he wasn’t on the playoff roster, he’s not a lock for 2019.
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CL, very nice of you to say pray for us….it looks like as of now, we will dodge the heart of the storm, looks like band south of Macon up…um, northeast will get 5-8 inches. we are expected to get only an inch….and as we know, the experts are never wrong! 😛
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Would there be changes to this year’s staff (barring someone leaving for a better position)? Should there be?
It’s my hope that they all return in the same capacities. I think the entire staff did a very commendable job this year.
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More to note as we move into the transition phase for 2019…
–> The team finished 2018 with a payroll of about $123M.
–> There is no more dead money (money paid to departed players) to be accounted for.
–> There are only 5 players under contract for 2019. Estimating typical pre-arb raises and anticipating reasonable arb raises, the team heads into the offseason with a payroll commitment of +/- $67M. That number will obviously be affected should one of our young core players be locked up in a multi-year deal, with Folty being the likeliest possibility for that.
Bottom line: There will be money to spend and prospects to trade. Areas that were weaknesses in 2018 should not be so in 2019. This should be one of the most interesting off-seasons since John Scheurholz chased after Barry Bonds and Greg Maddux.
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Okay Ber, Mother Nature did not want you folks south of Atlanta to feel left out so she is sending you some heavy rain and wind this week. Plus, she did not think Margie got enough weather to date so more rain on her way too. Ya’ll stay safe and know we will be thinking of you all.
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I have my white flag out but if I go up on the roof, I may fall through. I think I’ll just stand on the front porch and wave it.
Ber, Vee, prayers are out for you, your families, and your property.
The weather people are saying we here in NC/SC could get up to another 6″ of rain. I truly pray not. We simply can’t handle any more. The ground is so saturated, it would take very little for more trees to come down. (Here in Wilmington, we’d already had our annual amount of rainfall by the end of July. It rained in August. It rained 33″ in my neighborhood during Florence alone. I don’t know what the month’s total was. And now Michael threatens. Yup. Enough is enough! Some areas are still flooded and debris, etc still lines the roads.) Trying to think of a new place to go live. Hurricanes or tornadoes, earth quakes, floods, blizzards and snow, wild fires. Maybe I should just stay where I am? 🙂
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Ber, Vee, prayers are out for you, your families, and your property.
Thank you!! Up here in NEGA, current estimates say we’ll get between 2″-4″ of rain and winds under 25 MPH. We’ll be just fine. That said, I’ll take all the prayers I can get all day every day. 😀
Down in Scarlett O’Hara’s backyard, Ber is much more likely to be affected by Michael than we are up here in the foothills.
Trying to think of a new place to go live. Hurricanes or tornadoes, earth quakes, floods, blizzards and snow, wild fires. Maybe I should just stay where I am?
Hard to beat God’s country here in NEGA. Blessed!!
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It would be kinda hard to leave this place. My people have been in this area since the 1790s. It’s home. And Kelly & I have been in this house for more than 40 years now. It is definitely home. The very thought of trying to pack up everything and relocate is overwhelming. There’s one room that we use for storage (as does one brother!) and the thought of emptying even that room makes me want to run for cover! 😀 NEGA is beautiful, no doubt. But so is my home between the sea and the river. (Gets wet sometimes, but no flooding on this property. Sits a little higher than surrounding areas.
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There is just no escaping weather. Once you think you are completely safe, the earth can open up beneath you or a meteorite will fall out of the sky and while either event is not really considered weather, I guess ya’ll catch my drift. Nope, you just have to face reality and do what you can to stay reasonably out of harms way.
So while those mental giants in Congress fret about Guam tilting over because there are too many people of worrying that Miami will be under water from “Global Warming”. Al Gore and his cronies are more worried their gravy train will soon dry up because the earth simply refuses to catch fire spontaneously.
Since I got over worrying about Russia dropping a nuke on my head, I have found it much more calming to worry about who the Braves might sign to improve their team each season.
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Vee, while constant upgrades will allow the Braves to renew themselves, I do not anticipate a complete upheaval of personnel this winter. I agree that Markakis is a long shot to return, Ender would only be moved as part of a trade package. A lot comes down to how much of the team is built around free agents.
I agree, while Harper would be a nice add, I just don’t see the Braves tying up that much money in one player.
Duda? Matt Adams? you need a left handed power bat off your bench.
Camargo has not yet grown fully into his body. Culbertson is a great bench player but you do not really need Culbertson and Camago on the bench but then again, they would not be a waste if both were on the bench and you added a Machado to play third. Again, how much of your payroll do you want to tie up with one guy?
So much fun ahead for Braves fans. All those crazy twitter tweets. Ha, at least we know where all the idiots from DOB’s blog ended up don’t we?
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as for Nick M, I’d love to keep him here, but it’s not his age(well, not the main reason) I think he will have to leave. 4 HR’s 32 RBI’s and .258 after the all star break…that just isn’t going to cut it….
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while constant upgrades will allow the Braves to renew themselves, I do not anticipate a complete upheaval of personnel this winter.
Upheaval per se? Me neither. But here’s what I think I have learned about AA. He prefers to make trades versus FA signings. And if you’re gonna add power to the lineup and add a top tier pitcher to the rotation, you’re gonna have to give up more than just prospects. You’re gonna have to tap major league talent as well. With Austin Riley knocking at the door, Johan Camargo has to be considered mildly expendable. And with RAJ having come up as a CF and seemingly able to play a Gold Glove caliber defense, the light hitting Ender Inciarte – and his 4 more years of contractual control – have to be considered expendable.
So to be clear, when I show ?? at several positions, that’s not to indicate that all of those will be turned over. It simply means each could.
One more nugget to keep in mind…
The single most difficult everyday player in baseball to develop/acquire is the RH power hitting 3B. They are a rarity. We have one coming up. The easiest thing to find? Power in the OF. I know we have bandied about the thought of moving Riley to LF, but I’m thinking that won’t happen for the aforementioned reason. So before we get too attached to Johan Camargo, who certainly had a “breakout” season – even if he did disappear completely in the playoffs – it could be time to sell high on someone who never exhibited such potential in any of his minor league years.
And before we toss out moving Johan to SS, I’ll posit that this team sorely missed Dansby Swanson in the NLDS. Who keyed many of the late inning comebacks with clutch hits this year? Dansby. Who kept hard hit balls in the IF even if he couldn’t make the play? Dansby. Who was the one “glue” guy that seemed to be in the middle of alot of important plays? Dansby. He wasn’t as flashy as RAJ, and he wasn’t as slick as Ozzie, but he was as solid as Freddie or Nick as a leader and a foundational piece. I believe he’s much more important to the success of this team than most give him credit for. I sure wish he had been healthy for the NLDS.
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I don’t disagree with your opine Vee, I think Dansby was a cog that was missed. Hey, I love what Culbertson bring to the table but he has a huge hole in his swing. He cannot seem to lay off the high hard ones and can’t hit them either. While a string defender, he is better suited to the utility role, not the everyday guy.
No matter who Thoppy trades, there will be much gnashing of teeth a wailing over the how he has traded away the best player on the planet. I still remember the group that came up with Chipper and Javy. The “Great Eight” they were called. Out of that group the Braves still only kept a couple.
So, the Bosox hung on last night even with Angel Hernandez calling balls and strikes. The Yanks came within a fraction of an inch of winning the game. The difference in a homerun and a flyball to left. I am not a Red Sox fan but even less a Yankee fan so “Let’s Go Stros”….
An oddity little mentioned, the Dodgers, Red Sox, Brewers and Astros all won their series as the visiting team.
On paper, the Astros vs Red Sox looks to be the one between the two best teams but don’t be surprised if the Brewers an Dodgers turns out to be the best series. I think most of the pundits thought it would be the Cubs but baseball can be a heartless game.
To be sure, I am not betting any money on these games, too many umpires with small/large strike zones who can alter the game.
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So odd, one post from around 10 pm showed up,but the other thanking CL for her concern…didn’t
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I know your heart, Ber. ❤
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How’re you doing, Ber? Everything hold up down there?
And how about you, CL? What’s coming your way?
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Nothing much yet, V. Last I saw the forecast track has moved more to the west which is good news for us. The bad news is still rain. Not just whatever we get here but several hundred miles inland.
All that water flows down here. Uncounted rivers and streams all connect into what is called the Cape Fear Basin – which is here. There are still so many places underwater in this area. My heart just cries for those people. FEMA has done nothing to help people with housing. Nothing! Entire big apartment buildings have been evacuated because of mold, etc. even though they weren’t directly flooded. Water damage through roofs. Whole neighborhoods were underwater up to the eaves and those buildings are condemned.
I’ve seen photos of tent “cities” on soccer fields,etc. where people have set up any kind of tents or shelter they can. Some are living in their cars, if they still have cars. I read yesterday (?) that FINALLY after several weeks that portapotties and portable showers have been set up in those places.
Most of the help has come through volunteers from across the US and churches. The Cajun Navy, the Texas Navy and other like them have been here working their hearts out rescuing people and animals. Groups of private pilots have flown in tons of food, clothing and other donations. People who can and have cars or pickups, have carried those things to areas where they are needed. It has been amazing to see what regular, every-day, garden variety Americans have accomplished. Humbling to the extreme!
Best Buy won’t be open for another 2 months. About the same for Staples. The Blockade Runner at Wrightsville Beach is hoping to be open sometime in 2019. Hundreds and hundreds of small businesses are just gone. All those employees now have no income. And FEMA? Zilch. They just aren’t approving loans or assistance that I’ve heard of and I don’t understand why.
Like Panama City, things that happen like this take many, many years to recover and it never gets back as it was before the storm.
Sorry for getting long-winded. I’m sure none of this gets in the news. And I needed to vent. (Soap box now returned to storage.)
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Good morning Braves fans. Whew, when a wind blows over a train… what else needs to be said?
A good opine by the AJC’s Mark Bradley (who obviously follows the old B& S). I am posting a link.
https://www.ajc.com/blog/mark-bradley/key-items-the-braves-offseason-list/7PbSz0ymDsNxJw14wyMBGN/
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I had a discussion yesterday with a Nat’s fan about the possibility of Bryce Harper ending up in New York, one of the few teams which could afford to be wrong on him and pay out the wazoo. The problem would be what to do with Mike Stanton?
It made me wonder if the Yankees would be willing to trade Stanton for some prime pitching prospects and eat some of Stanton’s contract, wouldn’t Stanton fit nicely into the Braves outfield? I know, far fetched idea but hey, what else do we have to talk about?
Personally, I think Harper would be a bad fit for the Braves but A.J. Pollack would dove tail nicely. I know Vee has suggested him before and I agree. A plus player who the Braves could afford without bankrupting the team.
I think both the Yankees and the Dodgers are going to be throwing some serious money at Machado this winter. It is my opinion he would be a better fit for the Yankees as a third baseman than as a third wheel for the Dodgers.
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Personally, I think Harper would be a bad fit for the Braves but A.J. Pollack would dove tail nicely. I know Vee has suggested him before and I agree. A plus player who the Braves could afford without bankrupting the team.
100%
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That does make good sense.
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And FEMA? Zilch. They just aren’t approving loans or assistance that I’ve heard of and I don’t understand why.
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency
Keyword: Federal. Might as well be called the Dysfunctional Emergency Management Agency.
Think US Postal Service.
I ordered a package from Amazon on Monday that I was expecting to be delivered today via the USPS. It came from the midwest somewhere, and hit the hub in Hebron, KY late Tuesday. Yesterday it somehow went to Baltimore, and today I can’t track it. I’m guessing it’s not gonna be here today.
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LOL… I have experienced similar results on packages sent via the postal service. Of course with Atlanta being such a “small” hub of course they would divert to the big metropolis of Baltimore… 🙂
More likely, it was diverted because of the hurricane. Hey, not that I know that to be the case but if I were the postmaster it is the excuse I would use…
Now baseball… I am certain Thoppy has the Braves brain trust pondering just such trades/deals as we have blogged about. We know Milwaukee has a glut of outfielders and a dearth of pitchers. Nothing to be done until after the season methinks.
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So funny to watch the pundits go crazy over the stock market sell offs… LOL.. Best advice I can give, DON’T BUY ON MARGIN!!!!
All the rest of it is a casino game for uber high rollers… With other people’s money no less. The last thing in this world I worry about is rich people going broke. I am much more concerned with who the Braves will sign and who they will trade.
My experience is just like baseball, there are winners and losers in every game. So, carry on….
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Pulled up stakes when I saw the warning signs last week. Left a little play money on the table, and got clipped 3% for doing so. After 2001, and 2007 I smelled trouble this week. I guess those two blood-baths were worth something.
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.BY VOX O’REASON
…..Austin Riley knocking at the door, Johan Camargo has to be considered mildly expendable……
The single most difficult everyday player in baseball to develop/acquire is the RH power hitting 3B. They are a rarity. We have one coming up…..
So before we get too attached to Johan Camargo, who certainly had a “breakout” season – even if he did disappear completely in the playoffs – it could be time to sell high on someone who never exhibited such potential in any of his minor league years.
Agreed on RILEY being the larger talent long-term.
And to add a caveat:
Rookie 22 year-old 20th round 2018 pick RH 3B C.J. ALEXANDER just blew through four levels this season.
ORLANDO – 34 AB, .412 BA, 1.118 OPS.
DANVILLE – 82 AB, .354 BA, .927 OPS.
skipped ROME altogether.
FROGS – 80 AB, .325 BA and .836 OPS, 8 BB/17 SO, 3 SB/1 CS;
All three levels, excellent splits home/away, day/night, experienced/rookie pitching, RH/LH.
He was ‘steady-eddie’ pretty much all season.
Meanwhile, his defensive metrics improved to .951% with two errors on 41 chances in FLORIDA. They had been sub .900% in the two rookie-ball levels.
The only negative I could find would be that his offensive numbers declined for each level he advanced. But as this was his first year in pro ball, it would be logical to see him fade a bit at the end of the season both because of his rapid advancement, and the length of the season.
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Thank you Richbrave for your always spot on eye on up and coming talent. A name we had not heard before but someone who we will now follow.
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CL, sorry FEMA has let so many people down…I do think with time, Trump can get a lot of these things sorted out, but the DEEP state is also quite WIDE as well…
we got a TON of rain, in spite of it being a fast moving storm, how did you and your daughter make out this time?
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Yeah, I think the boss is doing all he can right now. “deep and wide” Yep. Agree wholeheartedly!
I read last night that FEMA promises little trailers to be here in TWO MONTHS. I’m sure alll those families don’t mind living in little tents or their cars until some time in December. They should be snug, warm and dry. Portapotties somewhere around. Three communal showers. All the comforts of their now-condemned homes.
OHHHH, don’t get me started on insurance companies!!!!!!!!! I’d be down on my knees all day (assuming I could GET down on my physical knees) praying for forgiveness!
We got rain but not as much as forecast, though I don’t know the exact amount at the airport where the weather bureau is located.
Got more wind than expected! I hadn’t realized how spooked Kelly, the cats, & I still were from Florence. It was an anxious day for all of us. New debris is down but it’s mostly stuff left hanging by Florence. None of my trees went down (and I thank you, Lord!)
At times the tarps were rattling so hard, I was sure we were going to lose them. They appear to be mostly in position, and no new water got in the house, unless it’s somewhere up in the attic. I was just so thankful to wake up to a gentle breeze, crystal clear Carolina blue skies, and sun this morning. And the temps, no longer in the weird 90s, are in the mid-70s. Ahhh. Windows are open!
I feel like I can breathe freely again!
I’m thankful all of us escaped harm. There are so many thousands who haven’t in both storms. They need our prayers!
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Does it bother anyone else that A-Train met with Snit and the other coaches Tuesday morning, yet is waiting until “early next week” to announce the staff for 2019?
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V, that is odd
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I get that AA is very methodical in everything he does. That’s his history. But it sure does make me feel uneasy.
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Good morning all, We managed to get away with a good soaking last night, 6.24 inches of the wet stuff registered in my rain gauge. A beautiful day outside today.
Gordon, sorry you did not get my message last week. Give me a call about getting together soon. 427-5862
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Late Friday night. Been away all day down in SMITHFIELD. Dr. appointment Monday. Let’s shoot for a time and place Tuesday.
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Now baseball… I guess Thoppy is looking for a graceful way of firing a manager who likely will be tapped as manager of the year.
It’s a business after all…. Sometimes it is like having to root for IBM vs Dell…
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I know he said, if I had to guess….but would that mean trading Camargo, or Dansby? Here’s the real question I guess, who would other teams be more likely to want?
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I hope Thoppy met with them to tell them they were all returning and to relax. I couldn’t imagine he wouldn’t bring back Snit. The players seem to love him, he’s done an amazing job with them. What’s not to like? It if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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I couldn’t imagine he wouldn’t bring back Snit.
Me either. But I do wonder about Chuck Hernandez. As good as some of our pitching was, it was mighty inconsistent. And no one can explain Julio Teheran.
And the walks. All the walks…
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Oct. 12, 2018 NL Championship Series begins
Oct. 13, 2018 AL Championship Series begins
Oct. 23, 2018 World Series Begins
Nov. 5, 2018 BBWAA Awards Finalists announced
Nov. 12, 2018 Rookies of the Year announced
Nov. 13, 2018 Managers of the Year announced
Nov. 14, 2018 Cy Young Awards announced
Nov. 15, 2018 MVP Awards announced
Nov. 30, 2018 Non-tender deadline
Dec. 9-13, 2018 Winter Meetings in Las Vegas
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The latest from Fancred’s Jon Heyman:
Atlanta Braves
— No surprise, the Braves plan to present a new contract to manager Brian Snitker, who did a very nice job this year. The Braves love how much the players take to Snitker, and prioritize stability …
— With a new regime, it won’t be a surprise if there are a few changes, though …
— While Nick Markakis had a fabulous season, the Braves do not plan to extend the $17.9-million qualifying offer. If he were on a bigger spending team, it might be extended. But with the Braves, they just couldn’t swing it, not with their budget …
— With Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and of course Markakis …
— The Braves will talk about bringing back Kurt Suzuki. They like the combo, with Tyler Flowers, who previously was extended …
— The Braves were happy with Dansby Swanson’s improved defense. Coach Ron Washington deserves a lot of credit for that …
— Mike Soroka has begun throwing. With him in the rotation, the Braves would be much more formidable …
— Anibal Sanchez said he wants to pitch again next year, he told Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution …
— Braves people understood they were in over their heads against the Dodgers. Everyone around the game did. (But their future is very bright.)
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Nice new counters, CL. 🙂
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grin
Got a notice from the county tax dept.
My car is now officially a “classic.”
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VIRGINIA just gets down and dirty …..”antique” is the term. “Classic” is a much more pleasant euphemism.
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Gordon, the car is a classic. I’m closer to the “antique” stage….. sigh but it’s been a lot of fun getting here! Just think how many birthday candles I’ve blown out! I kinda think a fire permit will be required next year, though. 😀
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Chuckle. Good ‘un.
Same here. Probably get arrested for setting central Virginia aflame. Heh!
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One mistake on my post regarding C.J. ALEXANDER. He’s a lefty not RH. Sorry for any confusion.
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Gordon, with numbers like he is putting up, I wouldn’t care if he batters with his feet…
So, the Yankees have made it pretty clear Sonny Grey can be had for a used rosin bag. Think the Braves might be interested? Pretty sure he can be an effective vet starter in the ALT.
Macado almost won the game for the Dodgers last night. What has happened to Kershaw? His back still barking?
Looks like Makakis will be plying his craft elsewhere in 2019. Rumor has it Snit will get an extension and Hernandez will be coaching somewhere not in Atlanta.
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Rumor has it Snit will get an extension and Hernandez will be coaching somewhere not in Atlanta.
And that makes sense. As I said above, there is no explaining away the mystery that is Julio. As I understand it, he and Roger McDowell didn’t get along al that great, but Roger was able to get the best out of Julio. Chuckie? Not so much.
OK, let’s just look at the basic numbers, shall we?
Julio in last year of the Roger era…
2016: 3.21 ERA, 167 K’s, 41 BB’s, 1.053 WHIP
Oh, and he made his 2nd All-Star appearance, the first being in 2014, also under Roger.
Now the Chuck era…
2017: 4.49 ERA, 151 K’s, 72 BB’s, 1.370 WHIP
2018: 3.94 ERA, 162 K’s, 84 BB’s, 1.173 WHIP
A general increase in the bad and general decrease in the good. That one doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to analyze.
Also, one has to wonder about the seemingly high rate of shoulder discomfort felt by Braves pitchers this year. I cannot recall the same rate of such injuries in recent memory. Soroka, Julio, Viz and JoRam all dealt with it, and that’s just the ones I can remember. Heck it robbed Soroka of what was promising to be a breakout rookie campaign. Now is that all to be ascribed to Chuck Hernandez? Not necessarily. But it has all happened under his watch. That buck has to stop somewhere.
And I haven’t even gotten to all the walks. Man those walks. Only one team in all of baseball gave up more free passes than the Braves’ 635, and that was the 62-100 rebuilding Chicago White Sox with 653. That is a grave indictment to me, and likely will be the undoing of the current pitching coach.
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Wonder if Leo is available?
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One would think that Atlanta would be a preferred destination for a lot of wanna be pitching coaches. All those young arms with which to make your reputation. I doubt there will be many who would turn the job down and the list of applicants would be lengthy.
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Makes perfect sense.
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Arms, arms, arms……..
FOLTYNEWICZ was exposed by L.A.’s hitters. He stepped up a notch this season, but needs two more to become a #1. I really don’t see him as such going forward.
At this point, he’s ultimately a #2 to my mind. Not enough patience yet. Not getting the calls so, he hurls a fat one, and “boom,” rocket over the fence. Still getting frustrated by calls when the pitch is an excellent borderline one, but the ump calls a ball. Hasn’t learned to adjust to what the ump is calling in that particular game. Very important consideration to becoming a seasoned pitcher.
NEWCOMB should hold a slot. He should improve as he learns how to pitch. Takes time, several years as a starter.
I liked GAUSMAN and SANCHEZ well enough to bring back to spring training and compete, but I wouldn’t automatically grant either of them a slot.
I really have had my fill of TEHERAN. Hopefully, we have enough qualified candidates after spring training to trade him.
I consider the shoulder malady to SOBOTKA the most egregious arm injury this season. He would have been a rising star in the pitching corps this year in my estimation, and I believe in the minds of all the bloggers here as well. Frankly, I think his injury to be a very serious one. More serious than has be advertised by the organization to this point. I have feared it might actually be career ending. I’m wrong, right?
TOUKI TOUSSAINT will grab the #4 slot out of spring training. I really liked what i saw of him in the post-season. I think the kid’s really got a future with ATLANTA.
If LUIZ GOHARA finally takes his conditioning seriously, he could become a force in the starting rotation. Hopefully, personal family distractions are behind him at this point. I really hope the 2018 season made an impression on his mind, and he approaches 2019 with a will to excel.
KYLE WRIGHT appears poised for his first serious look at the 25-man this spring and a/the #5 slot.
I really like BRYSE WILSON as a AAA/ATL floater in 2019. He’s a bulldog with the will to succeed.
When thinking of bullpen holes to be patched for 2019, DARREN O’DAY and PATRICK WEIGEL come to mind as two potential candidates for the BRAVES. Spring training should show us where we stand with them.
Who should find a place in the 2019 bullpen?
The whole danged place is such a MASH unit of maladies, and ineptitude, RH A.J. MINTER appears as the only rock-solid carryover to my mind, and he’s still getting ojt learning to pitch and not just throw. Back-end member.
VIZCAINO if he can stay healthy for the back-end as well. Big if.
I somehow see MAX FRIED in the pen for long-relief. Call me crazy.
SAM FREEMAN was overused and exposed, but used judiciously, he is effective.
Ditto JESSE BIDDLE, and JONNY VENTERS.
Anyway, my two and 1/2 cents at this point.
GO BRAVES…..
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Gordon, that would make a superb lead. May I?
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If you like. O.K. by me. May makes revisions over lunch with GIL. We’re working on a meet.
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Terrific! Thanks. Got a pic of anything you’d like posted in the author slot?
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Not good with those whatchamacallits. Tech savvy, I’m not. Use my photo from facebook if you will.
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Really nice opine RB, I think it is Soroka who has the shoulder injury, easy enough to get the two confused.
I am wondering what the difference was between Gausman when he first showed up and his last couple of appearances.
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You’re so right. I meant SOROKA all the time. SOBOTKA looks to be vying for a bullpen slot on a more permanent basis come spring training.
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Really didn’t see a lot of the before on GAUSMAN. I think once against the gNATS maybe. Strictly a guess, the league finally got a good book on him?
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GIL how about a lunch Tuesday? Unless I’m tied up with my passport replacement, I’m free. Will know for sure tomorrow after i talk with the Post Office.
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That sounds like a winner Gordon.
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I’m down with 12:00 tomorrow at the POLE GREEN TAVERN I think it was. Been five years or so since i was there. Directions please if the name’
s correct.
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Gordon, I sent a B&S invitation to you that I need back in order to enter you as a use and contributor. It’s a WordPress thing. I have your lead ready to post as soon as I get it. 🙂
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I am wondering what the difference was between Gausman when he first showed up and his last couple of appearances.
I have no presentable evidence to back up my opinion on this, but I do recall the suits, AA in particular, at the deadline talking about the Gausman acquisition and mentioning the prospect potential that he had not met in BAL. AA mentioned that they had picked up something in his mechanics that they felt was correctable and would lead him back on the right track. And in his first interviews prior to his first start in ATL, Gausy alluded to the same. In his first handful of starts, it appeared that those changes were exactly what the doctor order. And although he wasn’t bad in September, he wasn’t as sharp as he was in August. I can’t help but wonder if he drifted back toward old habits as the season hit that final grind.
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… as we have expected.
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Hmmm… isn’t that interesting?
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Well, I’ve been scouring extensively (to the detriment of my actual paying job) to find out when A-Train is scheduled to address the media today.
Nada, Nuthin’. Can’t find a thing. I suppose there isn’t a formal press conference scheduled; he’ll just come out of his hole at some point and if he sees too many reporters, he’ll go back in and we’ll have 6 more weeks of speculation. Otherwise, it’ll be an early spring training.
😀
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11am today Vee….
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Probably should have qualified that to say that I scoured extensively except for DOB’s twitter account. Just can’t take the snarkiness. The man must live a fairly joyless life for that much irritability to constantly seep into his social responses.
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… and now awaiting the other shoe to drop. Or kick, as the case may be.
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That is good news as far as I am concerned. I had mentioned many years ago that I thought Snit would be a good fit for Atlanta post Bobby Cox but Freddie was given the job and well, the rest is history.
I thought maybe Snit would be given a one year extension with a club option for 2020 so it looks like Snit got an extra year. Same difference I suppose if the Braves fall short. Managers’ salaries are chump change in the broad scheme of things.
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I thought this was really cute.
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Shocker.
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So, it has been confirmed that Hernandez has been removed as the pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves.
One of the reasons (one of many) the Braves appeared to have a high number of walks was their reluctance to challenge opposing hitters. They were always trying to trick hitters. That said, Julio did not appear to have the stuff with which to directly challenge a hitter either.
Think of the performance of Vizciano against the Dodgers where he walked the bases loaded before using his fastball to put away the boys in blue.
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Ya know, not that I’m trying to pile on Chuck Hernandez now that he’s been relieved (pun fully intended) of his pitching coach duties, but there is one very clear image etched indelibly in my mind from recent weeks.
Do y’all recall the incident in the dugout (the TV taking heads made a big deal out of it) where Anibal Sanchez was working with Jesse Biddle on his curve? You could very clearly see Sanchez talking about arm angle and release point. And amazingly, you could see immediate results when Biddle went back out to the mound.
Why did that advice – let’s call it what it is: coaching – have to come from Sanchez? Where was Hernandez?
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More Braves notes from AA’s “press availability” session, courtesy of the ajc’s Gabe Burns:
–> Anthopoulos stated interest in bringing back Markakis and Suzuki. Didn’t speak on any negotiations.
–> Anthopoulos mentioned trade market is probably better means to improve than free agency, given likely values.
–> Braves made “bigger name” prospects available at deadline, but quantity was issue with other teams.
–> Braves will continue no no-trade clause policy. Anthopoulos will keep open-mind and there may be circumstances that one day change that, but “I hope not.”
–> Anthopoulos: I don’t put untouchable tag on any prospect.
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We’ve assumed as much. The bigger question is by how much?
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I would be shocked if the hire was not from outside the organization.
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So, do managers and coaches have agents/publicist? Asking for a friend… 🙂
It appears that most of what has been covered today in Thoppy’s press session has be a rehash or confirmation of what we have been discussing for months. I guess we will just have to wait until after the World Series to find which free agents will go where. Trades can be made anytime so there is that.
I do look for a couple of current players on the Braves roster to be changing teams this winter. Likely as part of a trade or trades.
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“Probably should have qualified that to say that I scoured extensively except for DOB’s twitter account. Just can’t take the snarkiness. The man must live a fairly joyless life for that much irritability to constantly seep into his social responses.”
sure don’t want to be DOB’s defender, but…we do see a lot of crud on twitter, don’t we? So that is part of it, and I wouldn’t doubt he gets a lot of internet high 5’s from fellow writers, and fanboys for being snarky
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I never see the same amount of sullenness from Gabe Burns, Mark Bowman, Kevin McAlpin, etc. Not from Jon Heyman, Jeff Passan, Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian, and the list goes on. All of those guys deal with the same knuckleheads just as regularly as does DOB, who seems to think it’s somehow “cool” too be such a sourpuss. I mean, if the guy hates his job as much as it appears, why not just bail and go sell records and cigars somewhere?
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So, AA gave just enough info to have everyone guessing as to whom is on the auction block.
Well, why not, it is after all a pretty slow news day for all who are not in Boston and Houston and maybe LA and Milwaukee.
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AA is from the same school of secrecy that John Schuerholz perfected in his heyday. By contrast, Frank Wren, John Hart and Coppy all liked to be free and easy with whatever was on their minds, making for great PR moments but lousy deal positioning.
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POLE GREEN TAVERN? 12:00 tomorrow. I’ll need directions as it was five years ago at our last meet there.
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Sports Page? In the Bell Creek Shopping center. Take I-295 from I-95 to Pole Green Road Exit. Prior exit is Meadow Bridge Road.
Est on Pole Green for about 1 mile and left at the stop light onto Bell Creek Road. Sports Page is at the end of the same strip mall as Food Lion.
My cell phone number is 221-9085. I will turn it on tomorrow just in case.
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Hey, guys! NEW LEAD IS UP!!!
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