Gamethread: Braves @ Brewers, July 25, 2009 (98/162) LOSS

[sdp]

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7168/brewers.png
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Atlanta Braves (50-47) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (48-48)
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Series Matchups (Braves lead, 1-0)
> Friday: Braves 9, Brewers 4 (W: Vazquez; L: Villanueva) - Recap (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5725053) | Box Score (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2009_07_24_atlmlb_milmlb_1) | Gamethread (http://www.chopnation.com/boards/showthread.php?t=228)
> TONIGHT: Tommy Hanson vs. Yovani Gallardo, 8:05 PM EDT on SPSO
> Sunday: Derek Lowe vs. Braden Looper, 2:05 PM EDT on FSS

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Projected Lineup
Nate McLouth, CF
Martin Prado, 2B
Chipper Jones, 3B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Garret Anderson, LF
Matt Diaz, LF
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Tommy Hanson, RHP

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Link Roundup
Mezydlo: Braves-Brewers Preview (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview?gid=290725108)
Kruth: Flu bug not hampering Hanson (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6034370&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)

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Upcoming @ Florida
Tuesday, July 28th: Jair Jurrjens vs. Ricky Nolasco, 7:10 PM EDT on SPSO
Wednesday, July 29th: Javier Vazquez vs. Josh Johnson, 7:10 PM EDT on SPSO
Thursday, July 29th: Kenshin Kawakami vs. Rick VandenHurk, 7:10 PM EDT on SPSO

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July 31st-August 2nd: Dodgers @ Braves; August 3rd-5th: Braves @ Padres
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Go Braves!

[Andy G.]

I love watching Hanson pitch. He's definitely lived up to the hype so far. His strikeouts aren't where they will be, and he's walked a lot of people. But he's only 22 and big league hitters are having a hard time getting hits off of him. I also like that he seems to really want to master his changeup. If that pitch keeps improving it's only going to make it easier for him to get outs.

[JanShan12]

They say he's battling a flu bug, but is making his start regardless. He's a special kid.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090724&content_id=6034370&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

[Dreamscape]

Quiet two frames between two of the best young pitchers in the game.

[Dreamscape]

Prado is human after all. He fails to get McLouth home after he singled and stole second. Headed to the bottom of the third.

[Lauren T.]

For those of you unable to watch the game, the teams are wearing their respective cities' Negro League uniforms tonight -- the Braves are sporting Atlanta Black Crackers unis and the Brewers are wearing the Milwaukee Bears. I love the look, but I wish a few guys (Bobby, Kotchman, Prince) would wear their pants properly.

[Dreamscape]

One of the few teams that are a worse basestealing team than the Braves suffer from a caught stealing to end the third.

[BigWorm]

Quiet two frames between two of the best young pitchers in the game.

I've heard quite a few people describe Gallardo as one of the best young guns in the game. I guess I just don't see it. His numbers aren't eye-popping by any means and I remember he kinda flopped last year after he was called up. What's the big deal about this guy? Why do so many people love him?

[Andy G.]

McCann threw out Counsell trying to steal second to end the inning. He's really improved that part of his game. Another reason why David Ross was such an excellent signing.

[Dreamscape]

I've heard quite a few people describe Gallardo as one of the best young guns in the game. I guess I just don't see it. His numbers aren't eye-popping by any means and I remember he kinda flopped last year after he was called up. What's the big deal about this guy? Why do so many people love him?
He has electric stuff. The K's are enough to say that. His control has been shaky this year, but I think he can be better.

I'm not sure if you have him mistaken or what, but Gallardo tore his ACL last year and nearly missed the entire year before working his way back to join the rotation for the playoff hunt. He was called up in 2007 and posted a season I think most of us would take from Hanson.

[jamminHANES]

I've heard quite a few people describe Gallardo as one of the best young guns in the game. I guess I just don't see it. His numbers aren't eye-popping by any means and I remember he kinda flopped last year after he was called up. What's the big deal about this guy? Why do so many people love him?

In 255 innings pitched in the majors he has a 131 ERA+. He was called up in 2007 not 2008 and pitched extremely well.

To put it into perspective John Smoltz career ERA+ is 126...

So what numbers are you looking at that aren't eye-popping again? The guys an absolute animal and one of the more overlooked players in the league.

[Dreamscape]

Hanson needs to work on the whole bunting thing.

[Dreamscape]

How sad.

[Dreamscape]

All in all, a good job limiting the damage. Braves need to get him some runs to work with, though.

[Hobbes]

For those of you unable to watch the game, the teams are wearing their respective cities' Negro League uniforms tonight -- the Braves are sporting Atlanta Black Crackers unis and the Brewers are wearing the Milwaukee Bears. I love the look, but I wish a few guys (Bobby, Kotchman, Prince) would wear their pants properly.
Prince's uni could be used as a circus tent after he's done with it.

[Lauren T.]

Prince's uni could be used as a circus tent after he's done with it.
Good idea! I was thinking of his kids playing the parachute game (http://onceuponawin.com/2009/07/23/win-pics-the-giant-parachute-game/) we used to play in PE. :D

[Hobbes]

The ump just took a foul ball straight to the front of his mask. Looks like it kind of rang his bell a bit.

[Dreamscape]

As awful as this sounds...yay, it's not Hanson. Gameday scared me.

[CharlotteBrave]

Shocker.... Greg Norton strikes out.

[Hobbes]

O'Flaherty can't find the zone.

[Hobbes]

Braves lose.

[-Dr. Brave-]

That's twice this year we've lost to Gallardo by a 4-0 score.

Maybe next time, we'll lose 6-0.