Now is apparently the time on Sprockets when Jason dances.
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Um, the score was 4-3, Sam.
I finally benched Heyward on my fantasy team. You are all welcome.
Pithy. The very soul of wit.
————-
As delighted as I am to see Heyward figuring it out, two of BUpton’s swings last night were things of beauty and reminiscent of earlier this year.
Get both of them going …
I’d been trying to trade for Heyward. He eventually went for Oswaldo Arcia, Aaron Hill, and Glen Perkins. Sold way low.
I’ve been thinking about this a bit.
We’re 45-33, the third-winningest team in the league, and in first place six games ahead of the Nationals. But, if anything, we’ve had a lot of guys either perform to expectations or do worse than expected.
Basically, our offense has been a lot worse than we’ve thought: as mravery (I think) said a few days ago, we’ve traded a few more homers for a ton more strikeouts, and overall we’re not a very productive offense at all. It is reasonable to expect that we will get a fair amount of improvement from the group of Simmons, Upton, Upton, and Heyward, even if McCann and Uggla basically stay where they are and we assume that Freeman can hit .300 with moderate power.
The team is being held together by its starting rotation, which is more or less performing as well as we might have expected, and the bullpen, which frankly is doing better than expected and I think both Fredi and Roger McDowell deserve a lot of credit for getting a whole lot of good innings from Walden, Carpenter, Varvaro, and Avilan after both Venters and O’Flaherty went down. And Alex Wood has looked good, too.
(By the way, Varvaro has more innings than anyone else in the pen, but he only has 38 innings through 78 games. So he could lead the pen with 80 innings pitched, and Kimbrel is on pace to throw somewhere in the 60s. That’s a lot healthier than 2011.)
So our bullpen may or may not stay this lights-out — it’s hard to know just how long David Carpenter can remain reliable, since he was basically a Quad-A journeyman before this year, and he’s basically in the Chad Durbin role. And Craig Kimbrel’s walking a tightrope more than in previous years.
But the offense is almost certain to improve. And while the guys who are overperforming are part-timers like Jordan Schafer, the guys who are underperforming are full-timers like Heyward. Considering that we’ve been playing pretty well this whole time, I think that bodes well for the future.
Also:
Re: Carpenter, it’s not that unusual for 28 year old relief pitchers to suddenly figure it out, and to stay productive through their peak, especially when they average 94.6 MPH on their fastball and stop walking guys.
But if he does lose it, it’s no big deal, Juan Jaime is throwing 100MPH and basically unhittable in AA.
@5 – Alex, that’s the glass-half-full approach and I think it’s the right one. Or, at least the reasonable one.
I worry that Oso’s injury might burst the balloon because (hide your eyes, sabermetricians) his presence in the lineup or on the bench adds the needed testosterone to give this team the swagger (God, I hate that word) it lacks otherwise. (Chipper used to provide that, but in increasingly smaller doses as he aged.)
Here’s hoping Gattis returns intact. Soon.
Definitely more reasonable than the “We’re really the team that has shown up when we’re playing our worst, and the Nationals are really a team that hasn’t shown up yet at all, so we’re doomed” approach.
If winning baseball somehow makes you miserable, why watch?
I can’t fathom how utterly boring this place would be if everyone posted nothing but “go Braves!” and “I heart Chris Johnson!!” and stuff.
Perhaps our definitions of misery are different, but I don’t think the mere act of being critical of a manager or certain players is a sign that one is “miserable”.
I enjoy cheering my team on, but I also enjoy venting about the things that that I perceive are going wrong.
@11 12 – I agree, but you’d think from some of the tone that we are the Royals or something.
Alex, your right and its damn perplexing. My hope is that as Johnson and Schafer pumpkinize that Heyward and at least one of the damn Uptons gets hot or at least plays to their averages. I don’t hold very high hope that Uggla will get better or that Simmons is much more than what he is right now.
I like Barves.
I heart Jeff Francoeur!!!!11111
I think Rob Cope just stumbled upon the site’s new tagline.
Braves Journal: The House that Mac Built
I like Barves.
“Dieter, why you send Oso Blanco to outer space?”
“Because art is dead.”
Alex Wood is my new fav.
I am indifferent to Emma Stone.
So much love in here. I think I’m even starting to like our bunting fool of a manager.
Aaron Hernandez charged with:
MURDER
Wow. What in the world …
@21
And though it’s admittedly very early, their preliminary case against him looks pretty damning. If they can prove a plausible motive, he’s in big trouble.
20- Let’s not overdo things. I can find things to love about BJ and Uggla and Gearrin, but Fredi remains a waste of space.
21- And a Browns player has been charged with attempted murder. To quote Sideshow Bob, “Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel Prize for Attempted Chemistry?”
#21
And apparently, he’s never watched an episode of CSI or Crime 360.
Say classy, Alex Wood https://twitter.com/robykenobi/status/349981885126033408/photo/1
Just one of the top 1% of the top 1% of players that Urban Meyer recruited.
Dear Jason,
You had a great game.
Please have more.
Thank you.
Coop
The braves have arguably played the toughest schedule in all of baseball. We’ve played more road games than anyone and I believe we just completed a stretch of 48 games in 50 days. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
Talking about how easy our remaining schedule is seems to directly lead to losing series the Mets and Brewers and whatnot. I, for one, have complete respect for the professional teams we’ve yet to play. And I’m going to take it one game at a time.
Ya know, I love my Gators, but man, we have had some hoodlums come through the system. After all, every team has their fair share of run-ins with the law (free shoes/Dillard’s scandals at FSU, the Hurricanes of the late-80s, early-90s), but we’ve had some bad eggs. And yet… Tebow… in the middle of all of this. Weird.
@24 – That’s another thing about the situation: if all the evidence is true, how could he be so dumb? If anything, use all of your money and power to separate yourself as far away from the murder as possible. Have an alibi, leave the country at the time of the murder, call from a payphone, keep it away from your house, anything to throw the scent.
As for the Barves, I really appreciate Alex’s summation of everything. His objective, rational, fan-colored analysis is like music.
Are there still pay phones? Awesome.
Hernandez never saw Goodfellas either.
It’s not always your best and brightest that go in to that line of endeavor.
Why would Mac need a night off with an off-day on Monday and another one tomorrow? I mean, if he asked off, fine. If Fredi just decided to do it… strange, strange man.
27 NFL players arrested since the Super Bowl. That’s… staggering.
http://au.businessinsider.com/nfl-players-arrested-2013-super-bowl-2013-6
@31, Murderers typically ain’t that bright. The dumbest are typically the ones who are convinced they’ve got a foolproof plan.
@36, man, you have got to start using the word “allegedly.”
38- The arrests are public record, so “allegedly” isn’t suitable there. They’ve definitely been arrested, but may or may not have committed their alleged crimes.
arrested is correct, convicted is another thing.
He meant it’s only allegedly staggering.
oh, duh.
been with the kids too much today.
Go Barves!
@36, What happened to Desmond Bryant’s neck? And tongue?
32 teams, 53 players on each team. That’s 1,696 players. 27 players in five months would be a rate of 65 per year, or just under a 4% arrest rate per year. For young men with generally more money than brains, that’s high but not outrageously so.
Frenchy alert.
Top of the first: reversion to norm?
I understand the reasons people think Jason Heyward *should* be a 2-hole hitter in the hypothetical. It seems to me, though, notwithstanding his decent last couple of weeks, that he has yet to show he can actually *be* a 2-hole hitter in the present reality. (The Book, of course, saying that slot should go to your best all-around hitter, which Jason is not now and has rarely been.)
Certainly not saying he can’t ever earn it, but I’m confused as to why he’s been left there so often when he hasn’t yet done so. Can anybody enlighten me?
This is not a good park for Mike.
Cussity-cussing-cuss.
Bah!
Humbug?
Laird. Dropped. The ball.
Okay, Laird. You are partially forgiven.
Maybe we just need to keep Laird pissed off. Seems to help his bat.
We have to score here. Or else.
Well that sets up the inevitable GIDP.
I’m going to guess 5-4-3.
Chris, do one of your patented duck snorts to right. I’m not greedy.
Chris…. dammit.
Oh, my. We’re going to manage to not score after getting runners on second and third with no outs.
After he checked his swing on a breaking ball 3 feet off the plate, was there any doubt he’d get another one, a little close, and swing this time?
And now…Andrelton.
Where will Simmons pop out to?
Short.
Well that was disgusting.
pop out is correct …. boy we miss somebody who can put ball in play like Ramiro Pena … would have been nice to have him play some 3b from time to time.
Do you think that even Andrelton Simmons hates Andrelton Simmons? I don’t see how he couldn’t..
Why is Laird playing? Did McCann have something wrong with him?
Uggla’s walk was of no value at all that inning. We needed a ball in play there.
Ramiro Pena might be out for the season. It’s time to fall in love all over again with Paul Janish and The Rev.
I’m sorry, why are we blaming Uggla and Laird and not the three guys who couldn’t make a productive out (or god forbid get a hit)?
@67 – Ahem. Gerald Laird has hit well in the past against the Royals…
As president of the Andrelton Simmons fan club, I must protest. There are plenty of candidates to hate in that inning,not just my favorite Brave.
Two outs were made with runners on before AS put the ball in play.
I heart Chris Johnson?
Well Johnson had the decency to strike out. If Andrelton had had the chance, his weak contact had 6-4-3 written all over it.
@71, Well, Laird is 0-for-1 career against Mendoza, so he’s got that going for him. But with wraparound off days and facing a righty, it seems like McCann’s the automatic start here.
No argument, but also no need for the 6-4-3 due to previous two at bats.
He hasn’t thrown a breaking ball for a strike yet, but we’ve swung at most of them. Just sit fastball and spit on everything else until he gets some called strikes with the breaking ball.
Minor looks like he’s on the verge of laying his third egg in a row. Interesting.
OMG
Nice play, Andrelton!
jj?
I thought for a moment that might have been another “HE DID IT FROM HIS ASS” moment, but he did not in fact do it from his ass.
And there’s the duck fart to bring in a run.
Hey, guys, that’s what a hit looks like with two outs and a runner in scoring position. Watch and learn.
Minor is throwing batting practice. Gonna find something less miserable to do for a while.
Mikey isn’t looking so great.
That Butler is a very big, very slow man.
And there’s the booming double to keep Minor from feeling bad about letting in a run on a ducksnort.
And this is gonna be a long night for the pen.
I suppose every player weathers a down time during the season. Maybe it’s a good thing that Minor’s getting his out of the way now. Then he can get back on track and dominate the stretch run and (hopefully) playoffs.
FREDDIE!!!
Pretty, Freddie.
Nice catch, Freddie.
Now, get some damn runs.
Because someone has to, I’m going to try to look on the bright side. We can have a player randomly get hot and drive in three runs, and the KC offense isn’t really this good against a pitcher who’s on his game. We can still win this.
Freddie taking on Simmons there in the defensive highlights of the night. Wow!
Barf, gentlemen. Barf.
Yeesh. Mike looks awful.
Well if Mike manages to record another out before allowing a hit, then the Royals will only be batting .500 against him tonight.
Seriously, Chris, you couldn’t have done that your last at-bat?
I heart Chris Johnson
Moustakis looked good there.
Ridiculous for Joe to insinuate that this pitcher has stuff in his hair when Kimbrel obviously doctors his hats.
Ouch, Success.
Are the Braves really leading the Eastern Division?
Never thought I would see a day when I see Francour hit .210 which would make me happy we got rid of him .. then realize he is hitting better than 3 of our starters a 2 of our 3 outfielders … can we get Francour back and let them have BJ Upton .. Francour’s 210 is even cheaper. I wish we could see a lineup tonight of Shaefer – CF, Pena – 2b ( Hurt) , Freeman – 1b, Gattis (hurt) – DH, McCann – c , J Upton -LF , Heyward – RF ,C johnson -3b, Simmons- ss …
@102 .. not for long … here comes the Nats
there ya go ..take one for the team Upton
By all means, everyone, keep talking about how easy the rest of our schedule is.
Wow. This team just can’t seem to score a run these days. Plenty of balls hit hard. At least two hits up the middle taken away by the shift….
You know who Minor probably wishes he could face? The Braves. It doesn’t matter how easy the schedule is: if you can’t score, it’s gonna be a struggle.
Just wait until we get all those games against the Mets, Brewers and Royals. We’ll get it straightened out.
This lineup is making some mediocre to replacement level pitchers look like All-Stars. Painful to watch.
And the game finds Andrelton… Again.
You can’t hide Simmons, not even with the DH. Then again, nobody would notice if Heyward and the Uptons were doing what they’re supposed to do.
There’s a run!
Reed! Someone didn’t get the memo and forget how to hit with men on base.
Reed Johnson! Way to come off the bench and show ’em how it’s done!
Okay, Justin, get a hit, or jj will call you Andrelton.
Justin!!
Jason, you baserunnin’ idjit!
Interesting decision by Heyward there.
Justin got a clutch hit! Woo hoo! Jason… Grrrr….
You go, Justin. Stop, Jason.
Being tied is much better than being behind by three. Thanks, Royals bullpen!
Now, let’s work on going ahead, to make this evening really fun.
That was a really bad time for that mistake.
ran us out of an inning .. with our best hitter coming up … come on guys think for a change.
Just no reason to even think about taking 3rd there.
I’ll take it.
Did Jason get Snitker’d there?
Or was it an attempt to make sure the run was going to score?
I thought the throw would go home.
But, fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life.
Tad, idea… Change your handle to Negative Nancy. Fits ya better.
There goes Avilan, being all tightropey again.
@127
I’m watching on the Fox Sports KC feed and it looked as if at the last moment, Cain threw almost awkwardly to third. Jason made a horrible slide, which made me think Snitker signaled him to third and then Jason made the awkward slide forcing a play and giving Johnson a couple of extra steps to the plate.
It’s cool, y’all. Laird is due up. He’s got this.
TOGA! TOGA!
EDIT: Sorry, I thought we were doing Animal House now.
Nice AB Freddie.
Chance to bunt into a DP here.
omg bunts
I’d ask why we’re bunting, but what would be the point?
What would you even call that? Protecting against the walk?
One time, I’d like to see Dan be useful tonight.
BJ Upton is the best.
Well, apparently the Braves can’t score while I’m watching. I’m going to take one for the team and put the radio on.
Dan Uggla… he’s second best.
You’ve become a Royals fan, Adam?
Well, Frenchy does play there. I love him.
We have a tie late on the road. I like our chances.
Why did the Angels take Hanson for Walden, again?
Maybe they just wanted to say they got a starting pitcher for him, even if he was about to fall apart. I remember Walden’s elbow being a cause for concern, too.
I believe the Angels thought Walden’s and Hanson’s shoulders were equally likely to fall apart. Still might be. But Walden’s been pretty damn good so far.
well that was quick .. good morning, good afternoon and goodnight ..
Frenchy…… Ouch
Careful with Walden here. 15-20 pitches is where he loses his effectiveness.
That’s a dumb move by Yost. Why pinch run one of your better hitters, on first base with 2 already out?
EDIT: Eek.
YES!!
@150: Because Ned learned from Bobby and Fredi.
Ned Yost should be fired tomorrow for that monstrosity. Pinch running at first base with 2 outs? Even Fredi’s not that stupid.
I love it when Heyward hits those outside pitches to left field.
Here’s an idea, don’t steal here.
Gordon is a great LF. That’s a double with almost anyone else out there.
K, Jason, let’s try to stay on the basepaths this time.
Hey! That actually worked for once!
mccann has to come in for laird now right?
McCann needs to hit here.
Ugh.
Really, Fredi? Geez…
So, do we think Fredi is letting Laird hit here because he’s earned the chance, or is something wrong with McCann?
Edit: That stinks.
Fredi must be saving McCann for the later extra innings?
Unreal.
T_T
Depressing…
Fredi goes to Bmac then Yost would go to Collins.
Sure glad you saved McCann for later, Frediot.
@csg
No one was warming up according to Joe and Chip.
Well either way the pitcher is going to have the handedness advantage. So do you want Laird facing his same hand, or McCann facing his same hand?
McCann facing his same hand at least gets him into the game now instead of allowing Yost to save him for Heyward and Freeman in another inning.
#169 – That certainly changes everything then.
Well either way the pitcher is going to have the handedness advantage. So do you want Laird facing his same hand, or McCann facing his same hand?
McCann facing his same hand at least gets Collins into the game now instead of allowing Yost to save him for Heyward and Freeman in another inning.
This may not go well. I would have pinch hit McCann there and pitched Kimbrel here regardless.
Why do players make stupid gestures towards their dugouts after hits these days?
Miguel Tejada? Is he trying to be like Julio Franco and play into his 50’s?
I think you walk Gordon here.
Gotta walk Gordon to get to Escobar.
I’m so glad Fredi saved Kimbrel and McCann.
good thing they saved mccann
Two tactical lapses of judgment in one inning. Get lost, Fredi.
Well, darn it. Tough loss there.
Hope nothing is wrong with McCann. Curious he didn’t start or pinch hit in this game.
Well, I disagreed with every decision Fredi made in the last 15 minutes. And I feel pretty justified.
He sucks.
Well, there’s another game lost of the lead.
McCann needed three out of four days off.
Recapped.
Our best catcher didn’t hit.
Our best closer didn’t pitch.
They walked our hottest hitter.
We pitched to their hottest hitter.
We lost in extras.
Lose and go home.
Seriously, letting Gordon hit there was the worst decision of them all.
Hey why all the sad faces? We’ve still got a 7…er….6…no….5 game lead! We should be in first for at least another week and a half.
@187, 4 in the loss column.
When you make Ned Yost look smart, it’s time to reassess your place in the world.
And it just gets better: Ramiro Pena, torn labrum.
Did Pena stay in that game he hurt his shoulder in? Adrenaline is a crazy thing. That stinks for him to finally have a breakout season and then have to have season-ending surgery. Stinks for the team, too.
Recapped.
Cant believe he pitched to Gordon with a base open .. wait a min ..I can too .. we are talking about the worst late inning mgr in baseball …