25 Sep
Albie Lopez vs. Rick Matula. Also, game thread: Braves at Nats
Albie Lopez Statistics and History – Baseball-Reference.com
Seasons with Braves: 2002
Notable Stats: 1-4, 4.37 ERA
Notable Achievements: Began a tradition when after the Braves dumped him he went to the Royals, where he put up a 12.71 ERA. A trailblazer.
Rick Matula Statistics and History – Baseball-Reference.com
Seasons with Braves: 1979-1981
Notable Stats: 4.41 ERA, 129 K/126 BB
Notable Achievements: None
no hope!
September 25th, 2009 at 2:40 pmCarpenter tonight in Denver. Wainright tomorrow.
September 25th, 2009 at 2:56 pmAwesome tidbit, Jon Heyman:
“Holliday, the top free agent this winter (just ahead of Jason Bay and John Lackey) who’s hitting .356 since coming to St. Louis, is thought to be interested in a deal comparable to the $180 million, eight-year contract signed by Mark Teixeira last winter.”
You know what, some would say I’m thought to be interested in an 8-year, $180 million deal too. That doesn’t make it any more likely that I’ll get it. And it doesn’t make it any more likely that Holliday will get it, either. Seriously, zero chance Holliday gets that kind of a contract.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:04 pmIf the Mets are going to spend this winter, Holliday will be on their shopping list—but not at those prices.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:15 pmDo it, Omar! You know you want to!
September 25th, 2009 at 3:16 pmPeter Moylan: “He’s the only manager I’ve ever had, and from what I’ve heard, everybody around the league wants to play for him. … I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for him, to be honest. He gave me the opportunity in ’06 to come up and prove that I could pitch at this level, after a mediocre year in Triple-A. And the faith that he showed in me in ’07 and then again this year, coming back from surgery — that’s something that you want to be able to pay back to him, but I don’t know how to do it except to go out there and try and pitch as best as I possibly can.”
September 25th, 2009 at 3:22 pmYeah, but once he didn’t double-switch and the pitcher’s spot was due up fifth in the inning and we scored two runs but Moylan had to hit!
September 25th, 2009 at 3:25 pmso…1 game playoff for the braves and you could have any of our starting pitchers to throw, who would it be? obviously, it would be the next in line because there wouldnt be an off day, but still a fun question.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:52 pmSince I don’t know what I have to do in order to delete this post, I have to post now that I don’t know what I have to do in order to delete this post.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:55 pm#8… the only answer I can come up with is “Not Lowe”… I initially thought Hanson because he seems very “young Smoltz” to me… but then I thought JJ seemed pretty impressive out there too and maybe sort of “young Glavine”… and then I realized Vasquez has been pretty danged good too… and then I thought about Hudson who has had many a good game of his own… so yeah… “Not Lowe”.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:56 pmif I read the schedule right it would probably be Vasquez due to pitch in a 1 game playoff.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:59 pmWhich would in turn mean that Hanson would be set to pitch game 1 of the playoff series.
Actually there are two days off between end of our season and the beginning of the playoffs, so technically it would depend on when that extra day was. If we get a day off then it could be Vasquez or Hanson for either game… or maybe Lowe for game one in the playoffs (though I don’t THINK we’d be that foolish).
September 25th, 2009 at 4:07 pmIt would obviously be Vazquez, and it’s not close.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:07 pmFirst things first. Let’s not get crazy yet.
If we ever got to a playoff, I’d be happy to start Manny Acosta—or Albie Lopez.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:14 pmMay I remind some of you that a) it’s still a longshot to reach a tiebreaker, and b) the Braves generally lose decisive home games?
A man can dream though. I would probably go with Jurrjens. Why is he “not close” to Vazquez, Stu?
September 25th, 2009 at 4:15 pmThe Ted gets the Deadspin treatment:
http://deadspin.com/5367421/why-your-stadium-sucks-turner-field
September 25th, 2009 at 4:16 pmBecause he hasn’t been one of the 5 best pitchers in baseball this year…
September 25th, 2009 at 4:18 pmMatula was a strange case for me. He just kind of disappeared. Did he retire, get hurt, or just drop down to the minors never to return after 1980? Does anyone know? That said, he didn’t suck anywhere close to Senor Smokeless. The proud state of Nebraska gives its 3 electoral votes to Albie Lopez for total sucking.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pmMatula was sent to the minors for suckage. He was in the bullpen for five games, May 30-June 11 1981, and put up a 6.43 ERA. He was used exclusively for mopup duty in blowout losses…
September 25th, 2009 at 4:31 pmI’d pitch Hanson. But the next in line is Vazquez, I guess he’ll do. If he reverses the trend of collapsing when it matters.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:40 pmPlayoff, ya’ll are talking about the PLAYOFFS.
There is still no hope here in Chattanooga.
(The no hope thing has worked really well here. That and the braves are 10-2 since my wife brought home the new kitten.)
September 25th, 2009 at 4:58 pmBuy another kitten.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:58 pmAlbie Lopez was 0-4, 7.11 ERA, 1.89 WHIP in his 4 starts. That’s how I’ll choose to remember him.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:03 pmPitching Vasquez in the 1 game playoff seems like an easy call. What more could you want than an experienced pitcher who can blow hitters away?
September 25th, 2009 at 5:16 pm24,
September 25th, 2009 at 5:21 pmVazquez isn’t a “blow ‘em away” type. His fastball is his 3rd best pitch. He’s a strikeout artist, not a true power pitcher. And though this probably has no predictive value of future performance, he has generally gotten roughed up in the most important games in his career.
You people are starting to get hope again. Quit it! The Braves play much better when we don’t have any. So. Stop. It. Please. [/speech]
ps Do feel free to enjoy the winning–it’s quite a bit of fun (and I’m enjoying the fact that we have at least a .500 season). But seriously, quit with all of the hope.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pmMcLouth
Prado
Jones
McCann
Escobar
Anderson
Diaz
LaRoche
Vazquez
bobby cox on the art of filling out a lineup:
September 25th, 2009 at 5:27 pm“eenie meenie miney mo….works for me”.
The Braves only have a 12% chance of making the playoffs.
And you know they’ll lose the Marlins series.
Surrender your hope!
September 25th, 2009 at 5:36 pmYankees vs Red Sox on TBS tonight…just wrong in so many ways.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:37 pmCan any Red Sox fan dislike Bud Selig? Seems they’d almost never make the playoffs in recent years without his wildcard.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:50 pmI will be happy to see ACHE gone at the end of the year. I have no idea why he bats 6th while LaRoche bats 8th.
September 25th, 2009 at 5:59 pmHoly crap, I’m starting for Nats tonight! Even I was pretty sure my career was over.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pmIt’s one of two eight-letter words, Braves14: “Senility” or “Pictures.”
September 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pm#31 because Adam isn’t a CHE.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:02 pm“I will be happy to see ACHE gone at the end of the year. I have no idea why he bats 6th while LaRoche bats 8th.”
But he’s a professional hitter!
(Whatever that means.)
September 25th, 2009 at 6:04 pmA comparison I haven’t seen before:
Fred McGriff as a Brave, 1993: 310/ 392/ 612 (164 OPS+), 19 HR and 55 RBI in 68 games.
Adam LaRoche as a Brave, 2009: 355/ 426/ 622 (174 OPS+), 12 HR and 36 RBI in 47 games.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:06 pmI’m heading to the pound for a kitten now.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:10 pmThanks Orr!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:13 pmYou’re welcome. I’d do anything for Bobby, even that.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:13 pmPete, thank you!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:14 pmWow, Pete found a way to contribute to the Atlanta offense.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pmWhat the heck?
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Nationals are intentionally throwing this game.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pmWow the Nats are bad at this baseball stuff.
I mean, this is like a high school game.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:15 pmJoe Simpson trying to say: “Patience is a virtue”.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:19 pmSo McCann is getting pulled from the game for loafing on that “hit” that should have been an out right? /sarcasm
September 25th, 2009 at 6:21 pmThat’s McCann’s second CI call in the last couple of weeks. He might want to watch out for that.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:30 pmJeffy just homered. 3-0 Mets, top2.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:35 pmLooks like our Jeffy just put the Mets up over the Marlins with a 3-run HR.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:36 pmThat’s the 19th walk of Pete Orr’s career. On his 531st career PA.
He also has a career .292 On-Base Percentage.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:40 pmThanks again, Pete. You’re being very helpful this evening.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:45 pmThis is Bobby’s true power – he’s terrible at in-game decisions, but the love former players retain for him creates this network of pro-Braves forces around the league, constantly doing their part to help the Braves, no matter what team they play for. Just look at my performance tonight, and Francouer’s timely homer.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:47 pmWell done, Pete. And well said.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:52 pm#49 – doesnt matter if they dont show it on the scoreboard
September 25th, 2009 at 7:13 pmPete helps us again, keeping that fly ball just inside the park and high enough for Diaz to get under it. You’re a real sport, Pete.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:17 pmI have the Roku box w/MLB.tv, and I refuse to pay the cable company’s huge HD prices. I’m flipping back and forth, and it’s weird getting an internet feed on my TV that’s of a much higher quality than the Braves game. I kind of wish I was out of market.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:21 pmIt was just a gut reaction guys, I really didn’t mean to.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:24 pmliberty media is selling steroids!
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-downplay-steroids-report-147117.html
September 25th, 2009 at 7:24 pmHey, we understand that you’ve got to make a good play every so often, Pete. Otherwise, people might get suspicious.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:28 pmSix-pitch innings make me happy.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:44 pmLaRoach 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 5 left on base, mmm…..
September 25th, 2009 at 7:54 pmDon Sutton is speaking blasphemy about how you could pick five names out of a hat for the braves’ playoff rotation and not be disappointed with anybody who might come up first. I’m already worried that there’s at least a 50% chance Lowe would run out there for game one as it is – if Bobby hears Don speaking foolishness, it could be a done deal. Not that I have any hope of the need for a playoff rotation…
September 25th, 2009 at 8:00 pmWhen the team you want to win is behind, you’re suddenly really glad the game is at Coors.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:09 pmDo you let Javy go nine?
September 25th, 2009 at 8:21 pm63,
September 25th, 2009 at 8:22 pmNo. He’s thrown 95 pitches and gave up a homer last inning.
Also worth noting, Javier Vazquez is now 31-for-31 in striking out 5 or more batters in his starts this season.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:23 pmHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pmAllow me to put my foot in my mouth.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:33 pmHelluva game, Javy!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:33 pmFilthy. Absolutely Filthy. 3 looking strikes, on Ryan Zimmerman, no less.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pmJavier Vazquez = Badass
September 25th, 2009 at 8:35 pmYes Ozzie, Javy is a choker. I hear you.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:35 pmJavy, you were awesome tonight.
Let’s beat these clowns every time.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:35 pmThe Rockies have pulled Aaron Cook after 5 shutout innings and only 78 pitches for Eric Young, who walked and was promptly thrown out stealing.
Sort of a mystery move; even with Carpenter having a tough time finding the zone they can’t think they’ll get much more off him.
Haha, and they’ve pulled him to bring in, of all people, Jose Contreras. To face Pujols and Holliday. That’s a…um, bold?… decision.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:39 pm72,
September 25th, 2009 at 8:41 pmCook is coming off a DL-stint and he”s not at 100% endurance yet. This is like a Spring Training start.
Hanson tomorrow and Lowe Sunday. Sounds good and bad at the same time. Oh, that’s right. Lowe is pitching against Leave-on, who has about an 8.00 ERA against us since Eric Gregg retired.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:41 pm@73 Ah, explains that half of it then. Great outing for him.
Still, Jose Contreras?
Holy crap, it worked too.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:42 pmContreras is filthy when he’s healthy and able to locate his pitches.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:48 pmStill no hope (enjoyed the game, however–good start, Javy).
September 25th, 2009 at 8:49 pmLudwick goes deep off of Contreras, and it’s tied.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:56 pmludwick ties it. go cards.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:56 pmI’m the biggest Cardinals fan tonight.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:57 pmNot that it matters a whole lot, but the Mets have the bases loaded in the top 9th with none out and are down by a run.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pmThank goodness, I was really worried there for a sec that the cosmos was becoming unmoored; I guess leaving Contreras in for a second inning finally made Fate get off its lazy butt and do something.
In other cosmic puzzlers, the Mets have rallied back to take a ninth-inning lead over the Marlins.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pmWhat I mean is that they are up by a run in the top 9th.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:59 pmThe Mets’ play tonight was very strange. Don’t they usually play like All-Stars against us and then lie down for everyone else? Someone lost his script this month.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:16 pmwow! the rockies just got royally screwed twice.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:31 pmRecapped.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:47 pm