Gamethread: Mets @ Braves, July 16, 2009 (89/162) WIN

[sdp]

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5703/mets.png
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New York Mets (42-45) vs. Atlanta Braves (43-45)
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Series Matchups
> TONIGHT: Oliver Perez vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
> Friday: Mike Pelfrey vs. Jair Jurrjens, 7:35 PM EDT on PTV
> Saturday: Johan Santana vs. Kenshin Kawakami, 4:05 PM EDT on FOX
> Sunday: Fernando Nieve vs. Javier Vazquez, 6:05 PM EDT on ESPN

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Starting Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Martin Prado, 2B
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Garret Anderson, LF
Matt Diaz, RF
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Derek Lowe, P

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Link Roundup


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Upcoming vs. San Fransisco
Monday, July 20th: Jonathan Sanchez vs. Tommy Hanson, 7:05 PM EDT on SPSO
Tuesday, July 21st: Ryan Sadowski vs. Derek Lowe, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
Wednesday, July 22nd: Tim Lincecum vs. Jair Jurrjens, 7:05 PM EDT on PTV
Thursday, July 23rd: Barry Zito vs. Kenshin Kawakami, 1:05 PM EDT on SPSO

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July 24th-26th: Braves @ Brewers; July 28th-29th: Braves @ Marlins
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Go Braves!

[Middle Man]

Go Braves!

I hate the all-star break. I know it's supposed to be exciting and all that, but I much prefer real baseball. I'm sure the guys appreciate a few days off though, so I try not to complain much.

Sometimes I look at the pitching matchups going into a series and ask myself "how are we not winning 2/3 - 3/4 of our games?" I really do ask myself that, although not out loud.

The last few years, I haven't necessarily felt the Braves were underperforming most of the time; I just felt like we didn't have enough talent. This year, I'm feeling like there's some serious underperforming going on. Does anyone else feel that way?

[Hobbes]

The last few years, I haven't necessarily felt the Braves were underperforming most of the time; I just felt like we didn't have enough talent. This year, I'm feeling like there's some serious underperforming going on. Does anyone else feel that way?
Yes. Even though we don't have a powerhouse offense, they should be better than this. Somehow in our case the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts.

[BraveFan]

Say that 90 wins is the Magic number the Braves need to get to:

Braves must go: 47-27
Phillies only have to go: 42-34

Braves are on pace to win 79 games while the Phillies are on pace to win 90.

To put that in perspective the Braves would have to win at a .635 mark and the Dodgers are the only team in baseball with that high of a winning percentage.

If the Braves win 85 games this season that means they go 42-32 which could be reasonable with an addition to the offense and then the Phillies would go 37-39 which could some how happen if their offense cools. If the Phillies some how get Halladay then we can forget about trying to win the division. I think the Wild Card could give us a better shot at around 85 wins. The Giants need offense and with Randy Johnson and Matt Cain hurt they could easily be worse than the Braves were in the first half and the rest of the Wild Card teams like the Rockies and Marlins could easily fade.

[BraveFan]

Yes. Even though we don't have a powerhouse offense, they should be better than this. Somehow in our case the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts.

Yep and it starts with Chipper who actually has stayed much healthier than the last few years but hasn't been nearly as good. While Mac made the all-star team it seems he has struggled besides that two and half week span after coming off of the DL. Yunel seems to be the only guy who started in the opening day lineup that has hit as expected.

[RiknTN]

Yunel seems to be the only guy who started in the opening day lineup that has hit as expected.


And for some reason everyone wants to trade him. Just who would play short and hit?.......very silly if you ask me (and yet I don't like his antics any better than most)

[luvdembravos]

Say that 90 wins is the Magic number the Braves need to get to:

Braves must go: 47-27
Phillies only have to go: 42-34

Braves are on pace to win 79 games while the Phillies are on pace to win 90.


If the Braves win 85 games this season that means they go 42-32

Your second scenario, 42-32, is about as good as I can see this team performing in the second half based on recent history. No way do we have the goods to play 20 games above .500 over the next 74 games.

So is 85 wins enough for the WC? I doubt it and if we get off to a slow start in the next 2 weeks, we should be sellers starting with Soriano (I love the guy but I don't think he's coming back and he sure would be an attractive piece for a bonafide contender).

[Lauren T.]

They just said on the Braves Live pre-game that BMac led a team meeting in the clubhouse today. I didn't think he had it in him! Good boy!

[Andy G.]

And for some reason everyone wants to trade him. Just who would play short and hit?.......very silly if you ask me (and yet I don't like his antics any better than most)
It's more like everybody has accepted the fact that the Braves will likely trade him, because they're tired of his antics. I won't miss him, to be honest. I get really annoyed when I see a Braves player looking up at the official scorer and yelling "Bull Sh**!", then proceeding to act like a child for the rest of the inning, rather than moving on and focusing on what's happening in the game.

[luvdembravos]

Yeah, I wouldn't miss him much either. He isn't a team player nor does he contribute to team chemistry. But Yunel does have above average talent and he's young so let's not just give him away.

[Dreamscape]

I don't think anyone wants to just trade Escobar away...but if you believe a deal makes the team better, don't you have to listen? Andy has a good point...I have resigned myself to believe that Escobar is one of those players who just doesn't fit into a Bobby Cox clubhouse. So, if we are going to trade him anyway, what's the right deal?

[RiknTN]

Ok.....but who is our SS at that point? Henandez until Infante heals?

[Dreamscape]

Well, that's why most deals discussed with Escobar come with the idea that a SS has to also come back.

[Dreamscape]

Not sure how no one mentioned that Braves killer Oliver Perez is on the mound.

Shef walks and Francoeur steps in.

[luvdembravos]

Francoeur's coming to bat this inning. Wish I could see the fans' reaction.

[Dreamscape]

Welcome back to Atlanta, French Prince.

Glad nothing has changed.

[luvdembravos]

Welcome back to Atlanta, French Prince.

Glad nothing has changed.



:D Did he get boos or cheers?

[Dreamscape]

Libid21 is watching and said they clapped for him before the double play and after.

Francoeur can do no wrong!

[Dreamscape]

Four batters in, Braves have seen seven pitches.

This is one of the many reasons the Braves offense really struggles.

[Dreamscape]

Trade value!

1-0.

[RiknTN]

Anderson even runs flat out when he hits a home run.....what a player.....

[Dreamscape]

The more I run down Anderson, the better he plays. He's the anti-Francoeur.

I'm not going to quit for the sake of the Braves.

[-Dr. Brave-]

First time all year the Braves have hit back-to-back home runs.

[Lauren T.]

Libid21 is watching and said they clapped for him before the double play and after.

Francoeur can do no wrong!
On my TV, there were also a healthy number of boos...they outweighed the claps in the beginning, but the claps prevailed.

[RiknTN]

but the claps prevailed.

A healthy dose of antibiotics should help that problem....:D

[luvdembravos]

First time all year the Braves have hit back-to-back home runs.

It must be attributed to the new coke bottle Lauren showed us.

[RiknTN]

On TV they said Lowe has slightly changed his grip on a couple of his pitches. Back to a way he gripped it in the past. He also went to Hanson and asked him how he grips the same pitches. Pretty flattering to a rookie I would imagine.

[Hobbes]

Somehow Prado stumbles and misses making the grab on a DP ball. :wall:

[Dreamscape]

How...Bravesish.

[Hobbes]

Francoeur with a crappy at-bat that somehow nets him an RBI.

[Hobbes]

Mets have scored 3 runs so far this inning and have taken the lead.

[Dreamscape]

This is one forgetable inning for Prado. He's DeRosaing it up.

[Middle Man]

dang defense. even when not making errors, this is not an impressive defensive team. need more HRs.

[nuke_laloosh]

Great hustle by B-Mac to tie the game, but with a very risky head first slide.

[Hobbes]

Wow, McCann bumbling and stumbling and barely makes it into home just before the tag. He unwisely slides head first and jams his hand into the cleat, but looks to have suffered no ill effects.

[Middle Man]

gutsy move to send McCann around to score. (If he'd been out, strike gutsy, insert dumb :D )

edit: seriously though, with 2 outs and the 8 and 9 guys up next, that was a smart time to take that chance

[Dreamscape]

That sprint will give McCann the day off tomorrow.

[nuke_laloosh]

Escobar, almost played that chopper into a infield hit for Pagan. Luckily, his arm saved him.

[nuke_laloosh]

Lowe is through 5, but with 96 pitches, and Joe and Boog aren't exaggerating when they describe the weather as muggy. It's muggy even by Atlanta standards.

[Dreamscape]

Escobar = Jim Edmonds on the Infield.

When Edmonds had range, that is.

[Dreamscape]

Dammit, Castillo, stop using two hands.

[nuke_laloosh]

Will Chipper see more that 1 pitch this AB?

[nuke_laloosh]

Only 1 pitch for Chipper again.

[Dreamscape]

Chipper seems to really be pressing, lately.

The Braves need Chipper to find his comfort zone and quick because this Jeff Francouer-like player isn't helping this team get to .500.

[nuke_laloosh]

Lowe seems to be having an issue with his right leg/thigh

[Dreamscape]

I'm a bit surprised Lowe is still out there.

And it wouldn't be tough to imagine that he would be cramping up in that weather.

[Lauren T.]

That sprint will give McCann the day off tomorrow.
My favorite thing about watching Baby run is you can tell his insides really want to be going faster than his body can go, but there's just more mass than inner force. :D

That #12 for the Mets just struck out. Anyone surprised? :p

[nuke_laloosh]

I'm a bit surprised Lowe is still out there.

And it wouldn't be tough to impage that he would be cramping up in that weather.

Manny now warming up in the bullpen

[Dreamscape]

Gutsy effort from Lowe. If Prado had let that ball play him, Lowe may have attacked him.

[Dreamscape]

Superb recognition on the ball by Escobar.

[nuke_laloosh]

Did Joe just say that G.A. hit a "Ric Flair" to center?

[Dreamscape]

I just haven't warmed up to Kotchman. He would have fit in on the early 90's Braves. As a second baseman.

[sdp]

I just haven't warmed up to Kotchman. He would have fit in on the early 90's Braves. As a second baseman.I want my first-round draft picks now...

[Dreamscape]

...I really, really, really hate the sacbunt with your good hitters.

[Dreamscape]

Joe, Bobby needs to learn that the sacrifice bunt is not a good play in that situation. The hitters have failed at it and it's simply not a good idea to send a guy capable of an .800 OPS or higher up there to bunt.

[Dreamscape]

Alright Chipper...pretend it's Shea.

[Hobbes]

Chipper!

[Dreamscape]

That's the Larry I know.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Did Joe just say that G.A. hit a "Ric Flair" to center?

Joe uses that line every single time someone hits a Texas Leaguer. You'd think he'd get tired of saying it.

[wordslayer©]

Random piece of information that you will never forget, even though you'll try:

On average, the amount of hits a team gets is twice as much as their runs scored.

For example, if a team has eight hits, the average is that they will have four runs scored.

Or, if you are a stathead, you might rather look at it like this:

RS=(BH/OPS)x.135+TB-AB

If you are a "watch the game kind of guy" then you might look at it like this:

lotta hits means a lotta runs. Few hits mean few runs.

[Dreamscape]

Braves have left a small village in scoring position tonight. Hopefully, it doesn't bite them in the behind like it...typically does.

[Dreamscape]

Aussie got away with that one to Wright. Just got enough late movement to keep it from being blasted.

[Dreamscape]

Nice outing from Moylan. The return to...well, somewhat near Sea Level definitely helped. And getting Wright out was huge.

Francoeur threw the bat at the ball.

God, I'm glad to see that from the Mets RF instead of the Braves.

[Hobbes]

70% of the fans who responded to the text message poll on the Mets broadcast think that it was a good idea for them to get Francoeur.

[Hobbes]

Wow! GA beat out an infield hit.

[Dreamscape]

...Anderson...running hard?

Seriously, did someone light a firecracker up his butt or what?

[Lauren T.]

Garret...beat out an infield single? ...Really?

I'm so tired, I must be seeing things. 'Night, boys.

[wordslayer©]

70% of the fans who responded to the text message poll on the Mets broadcast think that it was a good idea for them to get Francoeur.

93% of them, one month from now, will want to shove their phones up his a$$.

[Dreamscape]

Jair Jurrjens looks like a better hitter than Kotchman.

But the "Ric Flair" does the job.

Woooo?

[Hobbes]

Norton comes through with the insurance run.

[Dreamscape]

Nice job, Norton.

I like this whole "hit it where they aren't" theory.

[Dreamscape]

Only hard hit ball of the inning is an out so far.

[Dreamscape]

If this team makes it to the playoffs, they are going to need a defensive replacement at third.

[Hobbes]

Braves win!

[Dreamscape]

Inching closer.

Good game. Braves did what they need to start doing. Beat a team that's down and take advantage of it.

[sdp]

Screw the mets

[BraveFan]

Want more good news:

Heyward 4 for 4 tonight with his first HR in Double A. Now he is hitting .441 in Mississippi.

[Lauren T.]

In the post-game show, Bobby said that Gonzo's arm is still acting up and they're resting it for at least three more days; Eric O'Flaherty's back "finally" went out and he's unavailable / day-to-day. Bobby also mocked Mac running the bases, laughing while saying, "First to home is a long way for Mac to run." (Yes, yes it is.)

[Hobbes]

First to third is a long way for Mac to run." (Yes, yes it is.)
You could tell he was done when he got to third. He probably thought that Snitker was just being cruel to send him.

[Lauren T.]

Sorry, meant to type "first to home". That was the actual quote.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/09/99/17/slideshow_1179991_braves.0717_CC6.jpg


Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Met

[Wahoo]

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/09/99/17/slideshow_1179991_braves.0717_CC6.jpg


Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Met


Two d-bags walk into a bar...both wearing Mets jerseys...

[Hobbes]

You know, when I saw Francoeur wearing a Mets uni yesterday I was struck by how much it didn't look weird. Most Braves look odd in another team's uniform, but for some reason he didn't.

[Dreamscape]

Really, in that picture, I would have said Mrs. and Mr. Met.

...I still like David Wright...

[Andy G.]

Really, in that picture, I would have said Mrs. and Mr. Met.

...I still like David Wright...
I like him too.

[Wahoo]

I like him too.


I was actually just kidding with my prior post (except for Francoeur), but yeah, I actually like David Wright. Besides being a VA native, he seems have to a good head on his shoulders. He doesn't seem have let his success go to his head, and is very likable. He's like the anti-Jeter.

[KB 34]

That is one beautiful photo.