2009 Atlanta Braves

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Pretty rare for a beat guy to go off like this. O'Brien's not on the road trip, guess he's not 'on-duty'...


http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-...comment-147271

I agree completely. He seems to be putting the blame on Bobby but I put it more so onto the GM Wren - the Schafer experiment backfired miserably, I didn't like the Anderson signing and while I understand the trade for McLouth he didn't really feel the need of the team: power. He's a good defensive player that hits .250 average - we already have that in Schafer/Blanco.

It seems like when Atlanta tries to manufacture runs (like sacrifice bunts, SBs, hit & runs) they actually perform pretty well but they keep waiting for the 2-3 run HR and it's not happening.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Yeah, it is painful. When your 5-8 hitters as a unit are the worst in the National League, you've got serious issues. One thing that we can do to make it a bit better is to bench Johnson. The guy is hitting in the .230s and Cox keeps him in no matter what. Why not let Prado or Infante(when he gets well) take over the job? The Francouer and Anderson situation is going to be hard to fix unless we get a midseason trade. We might have to wait until next year to remedy that.

I'm thinking that we might see Infante at SS once he's healthy. After what I've read this past week, it wouldn't surprise me to see Escobar moved before the deadline. I wouldn't mind a middle infield of Infante & Prado. Escobar can make some spectacular plays but we've also seen that's he's capable of absolutely botching them too. At least Prado has been hitting, which is more than we can say about Johnson at this point in the season. I'm starting to feel like I did as a Braves fan in the late 80's. This team just has so many weaknesses, and it seems like every one of them are being exposed lately.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I agree completely. He seems to be putting the blame on Bobby but I put it more so onto the GM Wren - the Schafer experiment backfired miserably, I didn't like the Anderson signing and while I understand the trade for McLouth he didn't really feel the need of the team: power. He's a good defensive player that hits .250 average - we already have that in Schafer/Blanco.

It seems like when Atlanta tries to manufacture runs (like sacrifice bunts, SBs, hit & runs) they actually perform pretty well but they keep waiting for the 2-3 run HR and it's not happening.

Was anyone else scratching their head when we got rid of Josh Anderson a few months ago? I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand now especially since the Schafer experiment did fail so miserably.

I agree with you totally on the manufacturing of runs comment. I've been telling my brother the same thing for weeks now. Stolen bases and sacrifice bunts are eventually going to score you some runs, which is something we aren't doing very well right now.

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I agree with you totally on the manufacturing of runs comment. I've been telling my brother the same thing for weeks now. Stolen bases and sacrifice bunts are eventually going to score you some runs, which is something we aren't doing very well right now.

Last night, 8th inning and the score was 3-1 Reds. Chipper got a leadoff 2B and the next 2 guys (Mac, Garret) hit the first pitch for a lazy flyball out to LF to keep Chipper at 2nd. Joe Simpson (who I'm growing to distaste - I like Boog but I want more analysis from a color man) stated:

"Some of you at home might be asking why they aren't trying to get Chipper over to 3B and eventually score the run. Well with your sluggers you'd prefer to have them try to hit the HR or hit a gapper"

Are you kidding me?!? Apparently he hasn't been watching the same games I have b/c those hits barely ever come...We did score 1 run in the inning (albeit with 2 outs) but that's precisely the Braves' troubles - waiting on someone to hit an XBH. Otherwise, we continually have to link singles together to get a run.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

"Some of you at home might be asking why they aren't trying to get Chipper over to 3B and eventually score the run. Well with your sluggers you'd prefer to have them try to hit the HR or hit a gapper"

Actually, in the case of the Braves I would prefer they do whatever it takes to drive in a run, even if it means hitting slow infield dribblers. Homeruns and gappers would be nice if this team showed capability of consistently doing that.

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Another day, another loss.

[Garydee]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Another day, another loss.

Yep. This is growing old really quick. 0-9 with RISP. We can not hit in clutch situations.

[p_rushing]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I stated this a few weeks ago, but with less than 2 outs, the Braves need to enact a bunt only rule. Unless you are Chipper or McCann, you have to bunt the runner over. If you don't move the runner over, start fining the guys. Problem is excluding pitchers, I beat only 5 players on the team can bunt.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

So the Phillies lose 2 nights in a row, a rarity, and we can't even pick up a lousy game on them. Francouer starts off an inning by reaching 3rd on a single and an error.....with nobody out, and we can't even hit 1 crappy sac fly to get him in? Sheesh!!

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

We should trade for Micah Owings and put him in LF/RF...power problem solved.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

We should trade for Micah Owings and put him in LF/RF...power problem solved.

Good idea. We could also use him for relief in extra inning games.

I wish we would make Prado the every day 2nd baseman, and Diaz the every day left fielder. They are producing today.

[Kohlstar20]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

We went 4-6 against PIT/BAL/CIN. It's sad when we can't even play .500 ball against sub-par teams.

[p_rushing]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

We went 4-6 against PIT/BAL/CIN. It's sad when we can't even play .500 ball against sub-par teams.

I called it, 5 wins at most.


Now I'm thinking they win 4 games verses the AL East. Too much playing up or down based on competition.

[Helios12787]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I remember last season I believe it was Micah Owings destroyed the Braves both on the mound and at the plate lol. I just want to see the Braves add a stereotypical power hitter like we've had in the seasons but usually lose the next due to free agency/the player going to crap after that one miracle season.

When we had Teixeira you saw the difference a single home run hitter could make in a team's offensive production (granted we still didn't make it anywhere but it definatly put some pop in the lineup). Maybe once Freddie Freeman and Heyward get up to the majors we'll still have some form of core left to produce a lineup that doesn't end at the 4 spot.

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Ugh...I honestly can't watch this team anymore.