GDT #40: 5-16-14 Braves (Santana) @ Lynn (Cardinals) 8:15 EST

[CJC]

1. Jason Heyward (L) RF
2. Justin Upton (R) LF
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Evan Gattis (R) C
5. Chris Johnson (R) 3B
6. B.J. Upton (R) CF
7. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
8. Ervin Santana (R) P
9. Tyler Pastornicky (R) 2B

v.

1. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
2. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Allen Craig (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Matt Adams (L) 1B
7. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
8. Peter Bourjos (R) CF
9. Lance Lynn (R) P


Giving the GDT a shot... here's to 1.000

[Julio3000]

Lance Lynn sounds like a hermaphrodite porn star.

Lets start a winning streak.

[nsacpi]

Expecting a huge game from Melvin.

[CJC]

Cardinals Lineup now posted, Will update OP.
1. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
2. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
3. Matt Holliday (R) LF
4. Allen Craig (R) RF
5. Yadier Molina (R) C
6. Matt Adams (L) 1B
7. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
8. Peter Bourjos (R) CF
9. Lance Lynn (R) P

[UNCBlue012]

Why is the pitcher still in the 8-hole? Take him out and make the lineup normally. Besides that, I really like this lineup!

[clvclv]

B. J. has struck out 13 times in 17 ABs - absolutely no reason HE shouldn't be the guy in the 9-hole if Fredi's going to stupidly hit Santana 8th. If you're trying to get him fastballs, he'll sure as *ell see more of them hitting in front of Heyward than he will in front of Simba.

[tomahawkchop10]

Hopefully we fair better against Lynn today than we did in that spring training ga me where K'd like 10 guys in 4 innings or something like that.

[Hulavol]

I like the lineup! Let's Go Braves! Time for a big winning streak!

[bravesnumberone]

B. J. has struck out 13 times in 17 ABs - absolutely no reason HE shouldn't be the guy in the 9-hole if Fredi's going to stupidly hit Santana 8th. If you're trying to get him fastballs, he'll sure as *ell see more of them hitting in front of Heyward than he will in front of Simba.

What does it matter if he watches them go by?

[The Chosen One]

B. J. has struck out 13 times in 17 ABs - absolutely no reason HE shouldn't be the guy in the 9-hole if Fredi's going to stupidly hit Santana 8th. If you're trying to get him fastballs, he'll sure as *ell see more of them hitting in front of Heyward than he will in front of Simba.

In fairness BJ was getting screwed this past week in San Fran on called 3rd strikes.

[NinersSBChamps]

What does it matter if he watches them go by?

It means every umpire has an agenda against BJ Upton.

Well according to some here.

[NinersSBChamps]

Also this is game 40.

[thethe]

It would be great if Heyward could take off starting tonight.

[jpx7]

Lance Lynn sounds like a hermaphrodite porn star.

Definitely a Buck Angel understudy.

[bravesnumberone]

It would be great if Heyward could take off starting tonight.

I feel like we've been saying that a long time.

[Julio3000]

So, **** the Cardinals. **** their smug Midwestern decentness and their great fans. **** the gateway arch, **** Louis AND Clark. **** Monsanto, Anheuser, and Busch. I hate the Cardinals.

**** little rat-faced Matt Carpenter. **** Molina and his tats. Double **** Pope Tony LaRussa and all who sail under his flag. Mother**** them for not dying of embarrassment after the Holbrook game.

Ok. I'm ready.

[stpeteirish]

So, **** the Cardinals. **** their smug Midwestern decentness and their great fans. **** the gateway arch, **** Louis AND Clark. **** Monsanto, Anheuser, and Busch. I hate the Cardinals.

**** little rat-faced Matt Carpenter. **** Molina and his tats. Double **** Pope Tony LaRussa and all who sail under his flag. Mother**** them for not dying of embarrassment after the Holbrook game.

Ok. I'm ready.

Sorry, the Cards are way down on my hate list. They stay away from jerks like Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez. Wouldn't hate them at all if they didn't beat us so much.

[NinersSBChamps]

I feel like we've been saying that a long time.

He just needs another 1800 at bats.

[TDlxANDER]

Is Citizens Bank Park a ghost town, or what?

[Julio3000]

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff511/poinsett/glaus.jpg

In the name of Troy Glaus, I curse the Redbirds.

[bravesnumberone]

Terrible. ANOTHER swing and a miss on an easy fast ball.

[Julio3000]

Evan does not like not swinging.

[Julio3000]

Haha, Don Sutton is a scientist when it comes to doctoring a baseball.

[Julio3000]

CJ hitting .367 in May.

[bravesnumberone]

Lol.

[Julio3000]

Lol.

That was hilarious.

[Julio3000]

Carpenter turned his head like a Little Leaguer.

[Julio3000]

Two 0-2 ropes by Not Not.

[TDlxANDER]

Base hit by Rev....Hallelujah

[thethe]

Long overdue for Pastor to get an extended look.

[tomahawkchop10]

Atta boy Tyler! Now let's go Jason!

[tomahawkchop10]

At least we got 1. Let's have a shut down inning here!

[TDlxANDER]

Molina is annoying

[bravesnumberone]

I really dislike Molina.

[bravesnumberone]

Damnit, throw ****ing strikes. Just gave you a lead and you're about to give it up.

[bravesnumberone]

Argue about it, BJ.

[Five]

God he SUCKS

[tomahawkchop10]

BJ is a poor defender.

[TDlxANDER]

Someone tell me how good BJ's defense is again

[Braves1976]

That's a gift by BJ, should be caught easy. Crazy calling that a hit, he just misjudged it and broke in and then got back in time only to miss it.

[Braves1976]

Big out there, I'd give him nothing because walking him sets up a DP with the pitcher up.

[Braves1976]

Big strikeout, if he can get Lynn here then the BJ error won't hurt. I mean because it's a sac-fly either way.

He did, great job by Santana after the error.

[bravesnumberone]

Good job by Santana there.

[tomahawkchop10]

Well that throw scared the living crap out of me. Good job by Santana to only give up though, especially with BJ doing what he could to make it more.

[USMA76]

Gift strikeout on Bourjes but nice to get the out and surrender only one run in the inning. Cardinals announcers weren't happy about the call and I can understand why.

[bravesnumberone]

Eh, I don't want to hear any person associated with the Cardinals complain about any call again. Ever.

[bravesnumberone]

Simmons is a god at shortstop.

[tomahawkchop10]

Wow.

[UNCBlue012]

Simmons da gawd

[bravesnumberone]

If BJ could ever learn to do that consistently.

[Braves1976]

Well, you dislike the DP there but it isn't as bad as what Uggla does. He would've struck out and then Lynn has a shot to get out of it. At least with Simmons you know you'll get contact and at least a run.

[Garmel]

Can we please have a shut down inning?

[bravesnumberone]

Give him the lead again, and again he puts two men on base.

[UNCBlue012]

This team literally hates lead. Shut out innings, dang it.

[bravesnumberone]

This team is clinically brain dead. If you don't want to pitch to him, walk him, but don't put it in the damn dirt.

[UNCBlue012]

DP and you can't do something as simple as just pitch in the zone. Giving up the lead, man.

[Braves1976]

Santana gave up a lot of runs on wild pitches in this past just like that. I am surprised that's his first here to be honest. I wish it had came with a big lead, oh well.

[Russ2dollas]

that was a wild pitch....but Gattis' D seems to be become more of an issue the more he plays

[stpeteirish]

new way to blow a lead.

[tvsportscaster]

This pitching staff has made it a habit lately of pissing away the lead the very next inning they get it. It has to be frustrating as well for the offense, who is finally somewhat doing their jobs. Stop PISSING away leads.

[bravesnumberone]

Offense is doing OK. should have more than 2 runs.

[bravesnumberone]

What a sack of **** umpire. When are professional sports organizations going to accept accountability for umpiring/officiating?

[Braves1976]

He got out there but I have liked what I've seen from Pastornicky this week. He has did well every game this week.

[bravesnumberone]

Freeman, wtf are you swinging at?

[bravesnumberone]

Unbelievable we've only scored 2 runs off him.

[Braves1976]

Unbelievable we've only scored 2 runs off him.

Yea, we've wasted some chances. But if Uggla was in the line-up we're probably losing now.

[bravesnumberone]

Does Carpenter get this lucky against everyone?

[Braves1976]

Santana doesn't seem as sharp as usual tonight. A lot more hard hit balls than he usually gives up.

[bravesnumberone]

Wish we could hit like this.

[Braves1976]

Bad location again there by Santana, he needs to pick it up or we're losing again.

[BlackwaterPark]

Goodnight guys!

[USMA76]

4-2 Cardinals, this one's slipping away. Worst start of the year by Santana that I can recall.

[bravesnumberone]

And absolutely nothing from Fredi or McDowell.

[UNCBlue012]

Lynn is pitching like crap. Hit these meatballs. Santana is going a great job of hanging everything too. So stupid.

[Braves1976]

Bats finally wake up a little and our starters stop pitching well. Oh well.

[tvsportscaster]

Yeah, Santana has been very bad tonight, can't get Craig out, and this game is over, and the lead is down to a half game after tonight.

[bravesnumberone]

And after three runs are in, Gattis FINALLY goes out there.

[Braves1976]

BTW, Justin Upton is pretty bad defensively. He couldn't make a good throw to save his life, lol.

[UNCBlue012]

I hate to say it, but there's such a lack of heart with this team. I don't see them fighting, not yet at least.

[USMA76]

Trying to remember the times this year we've come back from a three run deficit.

[NinersSBChamps]

Ho hum.

[bravesnumberone]

Swing at one at your neck, take one in the zone for strike 3.

[NinersSBChamps]

Let me guess BJ got screwed again?

[VirginiaBrave]

The mediocrity continues...

[tvsportscaster]

This crap is getting old. Lance Lynn was there for the taking tonight, and of course, they let him off the hook, and our best pitcher decided to suck tonight.

[NinersSBChamps]

The mediocrity continues...

This team won 90 games last season. They will be fine.

So sick of that garbage.

[jpack1]

BJ is back to being terrible (sans the bloop 2B tonight). He is approaching BJ 2013 territory over the last week. To top it off he is a poor OF. Wren really made a bad move signing him long term.

[USMA76]

The mediocrity continues...

"Mediocrity" would be a vast improvement.

[bravesnumberone]

This team won 90 games last season. They will be fine.

So sick of that garbage.

Hoping this is a joke. They may yet figure it out, but there's absolutely nothing about this team that says 90 wins. They have very little plate discipline or strike recognition, and that has been admitted by their hitting coach. They are hapless against good teams, other than Washington.

[jpack1]

At least Schafer can catch fly balls in CF. Not saying he needs to play because he is not good, but he is really no worse than BJ.

[NinersSBChamps]

Hoping this is a joke. They may yet figure it out, but there's absolutely nothing about this team that says 90 wins. They have very little plate discipline or strike recognition, and that has been admitted by their hitting coach. They are hapless against good teams, other than Washington.

Yes that was a joke.

[USMA76]

We're making a light hitting Cardinals team look like Murderer's Row.

[jpx7]

http://i.imgur.com/EJgwFxR.png

[UNCBlue012]

Yes that was a joke.
It's just weird. We have a really really good team. A team that was ONE game from being the best team in the NL last year. I figured we'd go down a bit this year, but they act like they can't play the game. I think we are all waiting for this slump to end, but it's taking a long time. I don't think the team will be meh all year, but this is annoying. They have too much to talent to sit back and act like they're too good for this.

They need to play the game the right way. Focus on fundamentals, pitching and defense. Just win, baby.

[VirginiaBrave]

When we drop from first we won't see it again. Unless something changes wc might end up out of reach. It's clear the Cards are a better team as are the Giants. The Rockies and Brewers are really good. So we are ripe for the Nats to pick us off...

[CyYoung31]

Okay, this is starting to piss me off.

[CyYoung31]

When we drop from first we won't see it again. Unless something changes wc might end up out of reach. It's clear the Cards are a better team as are the Giants. The Rockies and Brewers are really good. So we are ripe for the Nats to pick us off...

Didn't you say that a week ago?

[NinersSBChamps]

It's just weird. We have a really really good team. A team that was ONE game from being the best team in the NL last year. I figured we'd go down a bit this year, but they act like they can't play the game. I think we are all waiting for this slump to end, but it's taking a long time. I don't think the team will be meh all year, but this is annoying. They have too much to talent to sit back and act like they're too good for this.

They need to play the game the right way. Focus on fundamentals, pitching and defense. Just win, baby.

I hold regular season wins very lightly. Post season success is what is important to me at least. Most people say the playoffs don't matter because they are a crap shoot. I guarantee you if we had more than 1 title they would say otherwise. I don't think this team is really really good. They are a good team. Good enough to beat bad teams, but not good enough against the top teams in the league. Sure they took 2 out of 3 in Milwaukee and they can handle Washington. None of that matters because they won't be going to the playoffs.

[CyYoung31]

I hold regular season wins very lightly. Post season success is what is important to me at least. Most people say the playoffs don't matter because they are a crap shoot. I guarantee you if we had more than 1 title they would say otherwise. I don't think this team is really really good. They are a good team. Good enough to beat bad teams, but not good enough against the top teams in the league. Sure they took 2 out of 3 in Milwaukee and they can handle Washington. None of that matters because they won't be going to the playoffs.

Your first sentence immediately invalidates the following paragraph.

You don't put much stock into regular season wins, yet here you are bitching about the team losing games in May.

[UNCBlue012]

I hold regular season wins very lightly. Post season success is what is important to me at least. Most people say the playoffs don't matter because they are a crap shoot. I guarantee you if we had more than 1 title they would say otherwise. I don't think this team is really really good. They are a good team. Good enough to beat bad teams, but not good enough against the top teams in the league. Sure they took 2 out of 3 in Milwaukee and they can handle Washington. None of that matters because they won't be going to the playoffs.

Eh, I won't go that far. This team is still good enough to go relatively far and good enough to beat out the Nats. The Nats are a team that's just not very good to me. Are they awful? Nah, but they just aren't that good in my opinion. The Braves are still a 90 win team in my opinion.

The Braves just need to get there head out of their asses and realize that you have to work. I know they wouldn't see it that way, but I don't care. Work or get out of the lineup.

[VirginiaBrave]

Didn't you say that a week ago?

I did, I said it all winter, the boys are just on the way proving me right...

[NinersSBChamps]

Your first sentence immediately invalidates the following paragraph.

You don't put much stock into regular season wins, yet here you are bitching about the team losing games in May.
You need to win games to make the post season. You idiots act like winning 90 games and then getting eliminated in the playoffs in round 1 is some great accomplishment.

[BlackwaterPark]

You need to win games to make the post season. You idiots act like winning 90 games and then getting eliminated in the playoffs in round 1 is some great accomplishment.

For this franchise its all that matters

[NinersSBChamps]

For this franchise its all that matters

That makes sense though. Reason why the fans accept that as well.

[cajunrevenge]

You need to win games to make the post season. You idiots act like winning 90 games and then getting eliminated in the playoffs in round 1 is some great accomplishment.

Its far better than losing 90 games. Even a bad team shouod have lucked their way to a series win by now. One of these days the infield screw job kind of calls will go our way.

[bravesnumberone]

At least Simmons is still a joy to watch at short. The one good thing about another uninspired performance.

[NinersSBChamps]

Its far better than losing 90 games.

Yes it is. But those teams losing 90 games win as many playoff series as the Braves do.

[bravesnumberone]

Really not sure why we're even talking about the playoffs right now. It's May, and this team has to prove it can win consistently. Not going to do it the way they're hitting, but it can change just as quickly.

[Dalyn]

Not much fun to watch this team right now.

[NinersSBChamps]

Not much fun to watch this team right now.

Yeah I am going to take some days off from here.

[bravesnumberone]

I love Freddie and Gattis, but that **** right there is little league. Down by 3 runs. You get a leadoff man on. Both swing at the first pitch, and the inning is over. No. Discipline.

[tvsportscaster]

That inning was a microcosm of what's wrong with the Braves offense. No patience, a four pitch freakin inning when you're down three runs. Way to let the pitcher have a chance to get himself in trouble.

[VirginiaBrave]

This bunch needs a good ole fashion football style a** chewing. Been 30 yrs since I have seen lifeless zombies in braves unis.

[tvsportscaster]

Did somebody institute a rule, that the Braves have to put base runners on every inning and that can be any clean innings. Geez.

[CyYoung31]

You need to win games to make the post season.

Ding ding ding. What do we have behind asshole number 1?

[UNCBlue012]

I love Freddie and Gattis, but that **** right there is little league. Down by 3 runs. You get a leadoff man on. Both swing at the first pitch, and the inning is over. No. Discipline.

I don't get how to fix that. I don't. I don't know if we can fix it or if it's just something they need to just STOP doing.

[bravesnumberone]

I don't get how to fix that. I don't. I don't know if we can fix it or if it's just something they need to just STOP doing.

I don't know it's something you fix. It's mostly them pressing.

[NinersSBChamps]

Gattis is a smart catcher.

[NinersSBChamps]

I don't know it's something you fix. It's mostly them pressing.

There is nothing the staff can do besides telling the players to show more patience and be selective with their swings. I assume that is what they are telling them too. However all that goes out the window as soon as they step in the box.

[UNCBlue012]

We have so much pitching talent on this team, it's amazing. Between A. Wood, Hale, Thomas and the guys down in AAA, it's great to know we can be stacked.

[NinersSBChamps]

L

[UNCBlue012]

I'm going to need this team to go ahead and stop playing around and win. Yeah...

[CJC]

my bad guys, I'm 0-1

[UNCBlue012]

I call the thread tomorrow! Hopefully I can get some momentum going. And it's okay CJC! We all lose sometimes, sadly...

[cajunrevenge]

Yes it is. But those teams losing 90 games win as many playoff series as the Braves do.

And thats a function of mlbs screwed up playoff system and luck. The best team is the team that wins the most regular season games. Eventually the luck will even out. If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at Bud Selig. He has cost the braves multiple titles with his wild card bs and stealing the tbs money. The fact that wild card teams made the world series disproportionatly shows that the playoff system is broken. How often do 8 seeds in the NBA make the finals or a 6 seed in the NFL make the Super Bowl... er I mean "Big Game", please don't sue me Roger.

[kendiz]

There is nothing the staff can do besides telling the players to show more patience and be selective with their swings. I assume that is what they are telling them too. However all that goes out the window as soon as they step in the box.

I agree. It's up to the players to be intelligent with every at bat. I don't see much of that with these current Braves...it's just a lot of swinging for the fences.

[NinersSBChamps]

And thats a function of mlbs screwed up playoff system and luck. The best team is the team that wins the most regular season games. Eventually the luck will even out. If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at Bud Selig. He has cost the braves multiple titles with his wild card bs and stealing the tbs money. The fact that wild card teams made the world series disproportionatly shows that the playoff system is broken. How often do 8 seeds in the NBA make the finals or a 6 seed in the NFL make the Super Bowl... er I mean "Big Game", please don't sue me Roger.

So what would you do to fix the playoff season? I am curious to see what you would do instead.

[bravesnumberone]

Out of the three times the Braves made the postseason during their run, when there wasn't a Wild Card team, they won no World Series. They were 3-3 against the WC team in playoff series during the run. In the three times we've made it since the run stopped, we've been the WC team twice.

I suppose we could have stuck with two divisions to each league, giving us a better chance to win if we got in the postseason, and some of you would have found a way to complain about the regular season schedule. Or, we could add two teams to MLB, have two 16-team leagues with four divisions and just do it that way.

The point is: Stop blaming Selig/wild card teams for our overall ****iness come October. You can blame a couple bad calls (Hrbek, Eric Gregg, infield fly) for some. But 90 percent of it has been hitters failing to show up, pitchers getting bombed, starters being left in too long, bullpens failing to hold leads, abysmal defense and boneheaded plays (Hi, Lonnie Smith). Oh, and the inability to win an elimination game at home.

[PurpleBrave]

Once the other team scores 3 runs, we're done.

I can't wait till the Padres come to town. It's going to be 1-0 games in 30 innings. Free baseball!

[KayJayNZ]

Pitching: :tchop:
1st in ERA
2nd in WHIP
2nd in Quality Starts
5th in BAA

"Hitting": :facepalm:
29th in Runs Scored
27th in BA
29th in OBP
23rd in Slugging %age

[cajunrevenge]

So what would you do to fix the playoff season? I am curious to see what you would do instead.

15 game world series beteeen best record in each league in 16 days. I might do something so that #1/#2 in each league play each other in the last 7 regular season games but its not a playoff series.