Wash v Atl-Game 1 loss

[quick]

Well, the Braves lost last night and had 5 measly hits; they left about 11 on base. Strasberg gets pulled and the Bravos decided to take the night off, too.

Glaus needs to sit for a while and rest his legs; he looks helpless up there. His knees are bothering him, he's not driving down and through the ball, and he looks slow to the ball. He looks like he did in April. Let's let Ski play 1st for a good week.

Can't wait to get Blanco back. Melky/Diaz in left, Blanco/Melky in center, and HeyWood in right seems to be the best the Braves have. If Blanco returns and keeps hitting at a .300 clip, this may be enough. Heck, I'd bat the pitcher 8th and Blanco 9th so when Prado comes to bat after the 1st inning he'll likely have someone fast on base.

While the Braves are still in first, they need to right the ship soon. The Phils are coming on, and I suspect they are going to do more by the trade deadline than the Braves are. I do not want the Braves to be looking up at them in another week or two--the Braves should make the Phils burn energy chasing the Braves, not the other way around.

[Agent-X-]

Someone commented elsewhere that we don't need a bat -- I guess I beg to differ.

[quick]

The Braves in 2010 have been beating the teams they are supposed to beat. To give up the ghost to the Marlins and to be shut out by a 38 year old long-reliever looks rough. These are teams we should beat 2-of-3 every time and our losses to these kinds of teams really hurt us last year.

Are we returning to form? Gosh, I hope not.

[Garydee]

Can't wait to get Blanco back. Melky/Diaz in left, Blanco/Melky in center, and HeyWood in right seems to be the best the Braves have.



I wouldn't mind seeing an Infante, Heyward, and Diaz/Hinske outfield myself, with Heyward playing center. That way we'd have three guys that could hit. Infante doesn't bring us much power, but he can hit in the clutch which is something we need in the lineup.

[quick]

I wouldn't mind seeing an Infante, Heyward, and Diaz/Hinske outfield myself, with Heyward playing center. That way we'd have three guys that could hit. Infante doesn't bring us much power, but he can hit in the clutch which is something we need in the lineup.

True, but then you lose Infante as Chipper's back-up and sometimes late-inning replacement, as well as a strong pinch hitter. But, I agree, he does well in left and he is a fine hitter.

[luvdembravos]

Prior to losing last weekend's series with the Marlins, the Braves had won/tied the previous 20. There's no reason to panic yet.

[Garydee]

Prior to losing last weekend's series with the Marlins, the Braves had won/tied the previous 20. There's no reason to panic yet.

I agree but the situation in centerfield has to be improved. The Yankees had enough talent in their lineup to win it all even with Melky in it. I don't think we do. I'm not sure Blanco is the answer either.

[Wahoo]

I agree but the situation in centerfield has to be improved. The Yankees had enough talent in their lineup to win it all even with Melky in it. I don't think we do. I'm not sure Blanco is the answer either.

I'd argue that rightfueld and the bullpen are pretty big concerns. Heyward has hit for absolutely no power since coming off the dl. And our bullpen really could use an extra arm

[Braves N Canes]

I'd argue that of the teams that look post season bound in the NL...that we have the best lineup going. Teams lose games and go through slumps during the season, it happens.

[Dreamscape]

I'd argue that rightfueld and the bullpen are pretty big concerns. Heyward has hit for absolutely no power since coming off the dl. And our bullpen really could use an extra arm
I'd argue that you are nitpicking in terms of right field. Yes, you are technically correct that Heyward hasn't hit for power since coming back. He's also .405 and gotten on base 25 of the 50 times he has stepped up to the plate. The power will come. It may not be smart to rely on your young rookie OF to be your power threat, but that was my argument before the season. Regardless, RF is not a pretty big concern. What Heyward has done is pretty amazing. What are concerns are the lack of production from CF and for the last month and change, 1B.

[Wahoo]

I'd argue that you are nitpicking in terms of right field. Yes, you are technically correct that Heyward hasn't hit for power since coming back. He's also .405 and gotten on base 25 of the 50 times he has stepped up to the plate. The power will come. It may not be smart to rely on your young rookie OF to be your power threat, but that was my argument before the season. Regardless, RF is not a pretty big concern. What Heyward has done is pretty amazing. What are concerns are the lack of production from CF and for the last month and change, 1B.

But that's my point too our lineup is still lacking a slugger. I am nitpicking in that I just don't think the current team is capable of a pennant run (close though)