Are you as stunned as I am?

[quick]

In the dark days of April, I gave this team at best a 1 in 25 chance of making the playoffs. Today, the Barves have the best record in the NL despite having a few key players who are still performing below their averages. Who'd a thunk it? I am pleasantly stunned.

Between Bobbys' batting order adjustments and the emergence of Troy Glaus as the best hitting first baseman in the league, we have just roared to the top. Hopefully, Glaus' injury yesterday is as minor as the AJC suggested as he has become one of the truly cornestone players on this squad.

As we approach mid-season, I am seeking projections. Do the Barves keep this up? Are injuries the key to how well the team does, or is something else more important?

P.S. I left out one key option in my poll--Win Wild Card and take Series. If that is your pick, just type it in below.

[Middle Man]

It's too early to be extremely confident, IMO, but I really think this is a solid team that can win the division and make a strong playoff showing. I'm fairly confident that the Mets will fade and I believe it will come down to the wire between the Phils and Braves. I wouldn't say I'm stunned, but I really thought we'd struggle a bit more in the first half of the season and come on strong in the second half after making a couple of offensive adjustments. I also would have expected the pitching to suffer a bit more than it has with JJ and Saito out.

[warefreak]

I couldn't be happier right now to be a Braves fan. I'm in Seattle and when the Braves were in their 9 game losing streak and Seattle was... well losing like they are now I was pretty grumpy.

As far as my expectations I am keeping them low right now so that I continue to be happy as they exceed them. I'm just anxious about the trade deadline cause I want to win now but I am very, very excited about the talent we have so I don't want to see our future mortgaged either.

Generally I would like to have my pie and eat it too.

[luvdembravos]

This past weekend, I saw a couple of people wearing Braves' gear (in northern VA). Coming home from work today, I saw a man wearing a Braves' cap. Yes, fickled Braves fans are getting back on the bandwagon!

IMO, this team is going to make the playoffs and advanced farther than Braves teams of the early 2000's. Glaus, Prado and Hinske may/should "tail off" but that can be countered with increased productivity from Melky, Escobar and Chipper.

It's still going to come down to pitching and if JJ can return to form and Hanson/Hudson stay strong, we're going to be tough to beat, especially considering the fact that this year's bullpen is actually a strength and not a liability.

Go Barves!

[Wahoo]

I believe this team can make the playoffs, but I think everyone should be scared of the Mets. They have the payroll to make a splash and add a guy at the deadline that could really solidify their team. I think the Braves need to consider the same, if they want to make a playoff run.

[Wahoo]

Payroll space is one thing, Wahoo. Having the prospectual depth is another. They have plenty of the former, but not necessarily much of the latter. They might be able to make a splash...but will it be a big time guy? Maybe not. Will it be enough? My guess is no. They're likely to fade over time...it's just not going to come as quickly as the Nationals and Marlins began to fade this season.


I just don't see the fade coming. They are getting Beltran back at some point and if they add another starter, I think would certainly have enough to contend. I hate the Mets, but I think a fade is a given. I remember all the years when the Braves should have faded because of the people they were relying on, and it never happen. I just don't feel as confident in assuming they will fade just because their production doesn't match what's on paper.

[Wahoo]

Fair point, but I still feel as if that one starter you mention won't come in a timely and productive enough fashion.

I don't think they'll get Cliff Lee. I don't think they'll land Roy Oswalt. I know I've preached long and hard (giggity) about the depth of this year's starting pitching market...but I think the best they'll do is a Kevin Millwood. I know I suggested Millwood for the Braves, but the Mets and Braves are in completely different situations. We would have only needed him to be our 5th starter...the Mets would need him to be a #2. That just isn't happening. I just can't picture any scenario where the Mets have enough prospects or luck to be able to land the ace/#2 they need to put alongside Johan Santana (who isn't quite the same either).

Getting Carlos Beltran back and into the lineup will surely help, but they will still lack the pitching once RA Dickey and Takahashi regress to what they are likely to become. For that...I do think a fade is coming.


Again that's assuming that dickey and takahashi regress. I don't consider that a given. They'd hardly be the first players to have fluke career years, and surely won't be the last.

[warefreak]

The Mets don't have very many top prospects but they do have some very good talent that would grab a Cliff Lee and a Roy Oswalt IMO.

One of them is already pitching in their bullpen, Jenrry Mejia, another is Wilmer Flores, and of course they have a VERY good young outfielder named Fernando Martinez, and a first baseman named Ike Davis.

I could see them trading Flores and Mejia for a Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt. They'd probably have to throw in somebody else but both Flores and Mejia are blue chip prospects.

I wouldn't mind that trade because after those 4 individuals (and 2 of them are in MLB right now) they have a VERY weak farm.

[wordslayer©]

I think we will make the playoffs.

What bothers me is this.....I want us to have two power pitchers going in and we don't. I am *hoping* that JJ comes back in a huge way. We really need him if we are going to make a strong playoff run. I would love to see Hanson and a strong JJ take this team into the playoffs. Things could get very interesting.

I am still really liking the Medlen in the starting rotation. They should keep him there, and I just can't see them moving him back into the pen.

[Middle Man]

http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/6/21/1529587/the-braves-5-run-win-streak-is?ref=yahoo

...the Braves are undefeated when scoring 5 or more runs. They are 31-0 in that scenario this year. Stretching back to last year, in fact, they have won 42 straight games when they put up a 5 spot...
...The Braves' streak is tied for the longest such streak in major-league history...

[bravos4evr]

The Barves will win the world series bedcause they have no choice!!! they will stumble through 5011 levels of playoff games, then play the Rays and win in game 7 on a walkoff HR by Troy Glaus.... didn't yall get the memo?

[Lauren T.]

We have Hinske! How can we not go to the WS?! :D

[warefreak]

http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/6/21/1529587/the-braves-5-run-win-streak-is?ref=yahoo


I read that article too. It just proves how good our pitching has been for the last year and that all we need now is a little better offense and we'll be unstoppable!

[Middle Man]

http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/6/21/1529587/the-braves-5-run-win-streak-is?ref=yahoo

Ha, too funny. I'm better than the SI cover jinx.

[KB 34]

I read that article too. It just proves how good our pitching has been for the last year and that all we need now is a little better offense and we'll be unstoppable!
A better offense? The Braves have scored the most runs of any NL team this season. The Braves have 350 and the Reds are second with 343. Considering at one point during the collapse the Braves were 15/16 I'm more than impressed with the offense. I honestly didn't expect to see the Braves offense was that good before I looked at the standings tonight.

I am quite stunned that this team has continued strong in June instead of fading in June like the teams of late. The key for the Braves will be to continue this kind of production. I strongly disagree with the notion that the Braves are underachieving in any way. The offense is the best in the NL right now with some surging and some slumping players, which is the way things work out. The pitching staff is 6/16 in terms of runs allowed. That's not great but I don't think they're underachieving either. The bullpen has been solid and the young relievers will help down the stretch. Hudson has pitched out of his mind, Medlen has stepped up a ton, while Kawakami has struggled. The Braves overall are on pace to win 96 games and considering the crummy start will win a 100 if they keep up this kind of production over the rest of the season. 100 wins would ensure the Braves a playoff spot and I would be thrilled with that scenario.