GDT #57, 6/3/14: Braves (Floyd) vs. Mariners (E. Ramirez); 7:10 EDT

[Julio3000]

SEA @ ATL
Gavin Floyd vs. Erasmo Ramirez @ Turner Field
7:10 EDT, TV: SPSO

The Braves
1. Heyward RF
2. BJ Upton CF
3. Freeman 1B
4. JUp LF
5. Gattis C
6. Johnson 3B
7. La Stella 2B
8. Simmons SS
9. Floyd P

The Seamen
1. Jones CF
2. Saunders RF
3. Cano 2B
4. Seager 3B
5. Smoak 1B
6. Ackley LF
7. Buck C
8. Milller SS
9. Ramirez P

Erasmo Ramirez. The second of his name, actually, since another Erasmo Ramirez pitched, with no great distinction, in the bigs this decade.

He'll have a great nickname—the Eraser—if he turns out to be any good. As it is, he's getting cuffed around pretty rudely—20 runs in 30 big-league innings this year.

So, three-hit shutout, yeah? That's what I would have said, in other years. This team, though? It has got the gravity and the veteran lairdership to do The Little Things That it Takes to Win Ballgames (TM Joe Simpson). So crack the top and remove the bottoms, and let's wipe Turner Field with the Seam—er, the Mariners.

[MadduxFanII]

Justin in the third spot, Freeman batting clean-up? OUTRAGE! I'm going to throw a trash can through the window of a house owned by some guy named Justin.

[Braves1976]

If we are going to bat Freeman 4th, then we should be batting La Stella second and not BJ IMO. I'd also drop CJ to 8th, at least till he hopefully starts coming around. He hit 8th a bit last year early on and did well in that spot. Maybe he could turn things around a bit there again.

[NinersSBChamps]

Lineup construction means nothing to very little.

-Zito

[stpeteirish]

Strange move to flip JUp and FF. Precursor to moving TLS to 2 hole? No idea.

[nsacpi]

Expecting a huge game from Chris Johnson tonight.

[Julio3000]

Jesus. Sorry. I just read it that way.

One job to do . . .

[nsacpi]

I like tonight's lineup. We only have 3 lefty hitters, so it is not a bad idea to put 2 righty hitters between them the way Fredi has tonight.

[Prikichi]

Julio are you sure that's the correct lineup? Because the one David O'Brien posted on twitter has Freeman third and JUp fourth.

[Julio3000]

Julio are you sure that's the correct lineup? Because the one David O'Brien posted on twitter has Freeman third and JUp fourth.

I'm sure it's not. Fixed now. I also could've sworn I fixed it a few minutes ago when I posted the above. Sorry, again.

[nsacpi]

Jesus. Sorry. I just read it that way.

One job to do . . .

Well maybe your typo will give Fredi an idea. I've seen him post here from time to time.

[Braves1976]

I am fine with batting Freeman fourth as I believe La Stella makes sense in the two hole given his skill set. Obviously, we wouldn't go three straight lefties though.

[The Chosen One]

Jesus. Sorry. I just read it that way.

One job to do . . .

You know how to read?:Gasp:

[MadduxFanII]

God dammit, Julio. Way to Oberyn the lineup posting.

[UNCBlue012]

I'd try JUP 3 and Freeman in the cleanup. Why not? Nonetheless, I like all of the guys in the lineup tonight and I'm happy to see Justin with two straight days off, he's needed it.

[UNCBlue012]

God dammit, Julio. Way to Oberyn the lineup posting.

:( Y u do dis. I knew what was coming and still ended up sad.

[Heyward]

God dammit, Julio. Way to Oberyn the lineup posting.

Dont say, GD.

[Julio3000]

You know how to read?:Gasp:

Lo siento, no Inglés.

[bravesnumberone]

Good job, Floyd.

[cajunrevenge]

BJ has been solid since being moved back to the #2 spot. His stats are not that impressive in that time but he has made some really solod contact. If anything I might go TLS/BJ/Heyward/justin/Freeman/Bear/Simmons/CJ.

[nsacpi]

The Gorn!

[Runnin]

The Bear is out of hibernation.

[Fredi Gonzalez]

Nice to see my pregame speech about crooked numbers paid off. I told them I am gonna start benching them if they hit solo homers or only score 1 run in an inning. Thats just laziness.

[CrimsonCowboy]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wijQshd2BAA/TkwAm4LoLZI/AAAAAAAA2H4/ERAqjMVnWgk/s1600/White-Polar-Bear.jpg

[Tapate50]

Single with an error?

I'll take him as a "singles" hitter !

[nsacpi]

This team is too inconsistent. If they were consistently bad I could enjoy them more.

[parkvadawg]

This offense is turrible

[bravesnumberone]

They're really facing a difficult pitcher.

[CyYoung31]

I find it hard to believe that there are still Chris Johnson defenders.

[Garmel]

Freaking CJ.

[UNCBlue012]

That was a really easy out Chris. Dummy

[bravesnumberone]

Yeah, this defense isn't that bad.

[TDlxANDER]

Chris Johnson will destroy this team if it's the LAST thing he does! MWAHAHAHA

[bravesnumberone]

Smart play to cut it there. But more ****ty defense lets Seattle back in it.

[UNCBlue012]

Two runs because of Chris' error on a play I could make. Seriously lol

[thethe]

Gattis is still a failure.

[parkvadawg]

I find it hard to believe that there are still Chris Johnson defenders.

Yep

[50PoundHead]

I find it hard to believe that there are still Chris Johnson defenders.

Someone jumped on me a couple of weeks back for criticizing Wren for his decision to extend Johnson. It's early and all, but we are going to want less cowbell (the sound of the ball hitting Johnson's mitt) going forward. Terrible defender and totally average-driven hitter. Just because you have money doesn't mean you burn it in a barrel.

[thethe]

Man, Francisco would look really good at third base right now. I thought CJ would decline a bit but so far this season is making all the doubters from last year look golden.

[parkvadawg]

They're really facing a difficult pitcher.

Yeah but I could have sworn I've read on 25785476 occasions that high era pitchers shut us down

[thewupk]

Yeah, this defense isn't that bad.

It's not but Chris Johnson is.

[nsacpi]

BJ is way too streaky

[UNCBlue012]

BJJJ

[Garmel]

BJ sucks.

[bravesnumberone]

No, he wouldn't. But it's becoming more and more apparent extending CJ wasn't the greatest idea.

BJ!

[thethe]

Great signs from Beej the last few weeks. That contract might not end up looking bad afterall by the end.

[bravesnumberone]

It's not but Chris Johnson is.

And another bobble in CF. But he hit a damn nice homer so no foul.

[bravesnumberone]

Great signs from Beej the last few weeks. That contract might not end up looking bad afterall by the end.

Can we at least have him prove he's better over an extended period of time (AKA, the rest of the season) before we declare that?

[parkvadawg]

Can we at least have him prove he's better over an extended period of time (AKA, the rest of the season) before we declare that?

He did say might.

[bravesnumberone]

Yeah but I could have sworn I've read on 25785476 occasions that high era pitchers shut us down

It's happened quite often. They look a lot better lately, and BJ's string of success and La Stella being competent up there are a big part of it.

[mossy]

@BRefPlayIndex: In 2014:

#Yankees Brian McCann
.230/.291/.377, 6 HR, & $17,000,000.00

#Braves Evan Gattis
.257/.308/.549, 12 HR, & $520,250.00

[thethe]

Can we at least have him prove he's better over an extended period of time (AKA, the rest of the season) before we declare that?

I haven't declared anything. I know the hordes of BJ haters don't like that they could be wrong in the long run. He obviously has to do it over an extended period but what we are seeing is encouraging. Not even the positive results but the AB's that don't produce hits/walks are looking better. Everything is getting better for him.

[thethe]

@BRefPlayIndex: In 2014:

#Yankees Brian McCann
.230/.291/.377, 6 HR, & $17,000,000.00

#Braves Evan Gattis
.257/.308/.549, 12 HR, & $520,250.00

I would always laugh when people last year actually thought that giving a contract to Mac was a smart idea. Mac is going to wear down big time moving forward.

[Garmel]

Poor Floyd can't catch a break.

[TDlxANDER]

DANGIT Chris! If you're not gonna make the routine play at least make the spectacular one!

[parkvadawg]

It's happened quite often. They look a lot better lately, and BJ's string of success and La Stella being competent up there are a big part of it.

It happens to every team. We also crush them quite often

[Fredi Gonzalez]

GD it BJ. I said no 1 run innings. Guess Schafer is gonna have to start a few games in a row till BJ stops that ****.

[bravesnumberone]

I haven't declared anything. I know the hordes of BJ haters don't like that they could be wrong in the long run. He obviously has to do it over an extended period but what we are seeing is encouraging. Not even the positive results but the AB's that don't produce hits/walks are looking better. Everything is getting better for him.

I don't think any Braves fan wants to be "right" about him. He was godawful all of last year and for a good part of this year, but I'm also encouraged to see him doing well lately. He could become a difference maker in a good way.

[TDlxANDER]

I would always laugh when people last year actually thought that giving a contract to Mac was a smart idea. Mac is going to wear down big time moving forward.

Prob not as quickly in the AL though. Good move for him and Braves.

[bravesnumberone]

Floyd's stuff straight as an arrow. Thankfully that went foul.

[TURBO]

Gavin doesnt have it tonight. Hes battling though. Hopefully he can give us 6

[TDlxANDER]

I think BJ's biggest problem was Dan Uggla.

[CrimsonCowboy]

We got real lucky there, boys and girls

[thethe]

Gattis now has 32 career homeruns in 497 AB's. Thats amazing. We should bring back the old threads from scout to see some of those golden comments.

[bravesnumberone]

Hopefully, we'll adopt the DH one day and prolong Gattis' career.

[thethe]

Hopefully, we'll adopt the DH one day and prolong Gattis' career.

Every Brave fan should hope and pray that the DH comes to Atlanta. We will have a 45+ HR hitter in the lineup for the next 8 years if that happens.

[thewupk]

Gattis now has 32 career homeruns in 497 AB's. Thats amazing. We should bring back the old threads from scout to see some of those golden comments.

Yeah he has legit power. The NL needs the DH so we can get a full season worth of abs out of him.

[thethe]

He is having great AB's this year. Just continuously improving. He was rushed becuase of a need last year and is still developing. Its exciting to think of what he will be in another year.

[bravesnumberone]

Better, CJ.

[bravesnumberone]

Very Ugglaesque.

[thewupk]

poor ab there.

[UNCBlue012]

Poor at-bat, but it happens.

[thethe]

Damn, his first strikeout.

[bravesnumberone]

Well, damn.

[Tomahawk10]

Anybody know where I can watch game online?

[Hawk]

At the game. Teenybopper overload. Who is this Mahone character?

[UNCBlue012]

Why in the world do we give up hits consistently to John Buck when we play him? He's so awful

[CrimsonCowboy]

Oye

[UNCBlue012]

There it goes. All against hitters around .200. Gavin confuses me.

[bravesnumberone]

Did I miss it, or were they no visits to the mound? God bless, this game should not be tied. :facepalm:

[thethe]

geez....Floyd is not looking good at all. I'd still stick with him while he is working back from Tommy JOhn.

[Tapate50]

Well shat

[CrimsonCowboy]

Can Hale or Wood return to the rotation?

[TDlxANDER]

Our AL pitchers getting pounded by AL teams...

[Tapate50]

Not having your good stuff happens. Let's not over react. He has been excellent so far

[tvsportscaster]

Well, Gavin Floyd can't blame this one on lack of run support, he has absolutely sucked tonight.

[50PoundHead]

Lots o' crooked numbers tonight.

[Runnin]

This team may really give me a heart attack.

[Lville21]

Braves have learned that they can't score runs early and then cruise the rest of the way against these AL teams the way it works against the NL teams.

[DirkPiggler]

He is having great AB's this year. Just continuously improving. He was rushed becuase of a need last year and is still developing. Its exciting to think of what he will be in another year.

Impossible. He's 27 years old. No one ever improves at or after age 27. Even if they didn't play for three or four years before that. It's science.

[bravesnumberone]

Lots o' crooked numbers tonight.

:fredi:

[bravesnumberone]

Damn near gave up another one. That needs to be it for Floyd. Let the pen put some work in.

[CrimsonCowboy]

75 pitches by Floyd to get through four innings

[UNCBlue012]

Floyd just doesn't have it tonight, it happens. Give Alex a couple innings here!

[jpack1]

A different game tonight then what we have grown used to. Kinda nice to see runs scored, wish it was just by us though.

[CrimsonCowboy]

In other Braves news, trees being cleared at the new stadium site (pic from Twitter):
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpPvjcdCMAIPWO8.jpg:large

[bravesnumberone]

Sigh. Let's not hit a lull now. Terrible AB, Justin.

[stpeteirish]

A different game tonight then what we have grown used to. Kinda nice to see runs scored, wish it was just by us though.

rather see 5-5 than 0-0; been too much 0-0 this year.

[stpeteirish]

somebody tell Justin we're back in Atlanta.

[jsebe10]

Why does everyone keep recommending Wood as if hes been worth a damn out of pen?

[UNCBlue012]

I pray this team doesn't just stop hitting again... Happens everytime we get a lead and coughs it up, it seems

[jsebe10]

In other Braves news, trees being cleared at the new stadium site (pic from Twitter):
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpPvjcdCMAIPWO8.jpg:large

Lol funny thing is. Mayor "Kasim" Reed still thinks the Braves are bluffing

[skidlee]

Why does everyone keep recommending Wood as if hes been worth a damn out of pen?

He sucks coming out of the pen. He has been much better as a starter.

[jsebe10]

Played high school ball with Smoak in Charleston. He used to have some good weed.

[parkvadawg]

Nice

[UNCBlue012]

My boy LaStella!

[jsebe10]

Ole LT puttin on a clinic boy!!

[jpack1]

TLS not looking shabby that inning with the leather. 2 fine plays.

[CyYoung31]

Floyd has shown his dark side tonight with the long ball. Hopefully, he hasn't hit a wall. Still, he's already eclipsed my expectations after coming back from TJS, and I think Frank Wren deserves to sit back, have a cigar and enjoy his success.

[parkvadawg]

Very nice

[thethe]

The bear keeps on improving.

[stpeteirish]

better pinch hit for Floyd, if we get that far

[jsebe10]

I swear he hits into as many DPs as he turns!!

That's what happens when you swing to hit the ball 499ft and pitchers are smart enough to throw you a breaking ball away. How has he not figured that out yet!?!?!

[jsebe10]

Have a career Buck.

[bravesnumberone]

Get him out of the damn game for God's sake.

[jsebe10]

Floyd needs to go take a cold shower and sit in there Indian style.

[bravesnumberone]

Yes, let's allow him to put two runners on THEN take him out. ****ing moron.

[UNCBlue012]

Why is he still there? Awful managing by Fredi.

[jsebe10]

Yes, let's allow him to put two runners on THEN take him out. ****ing moron.

I'm sorry but the moron is at SS...

[Lville21]

An AL team doing what Fredi should've done -- sacrifice. No reason for TLS not to sacrifice runners to 2nd-3rd with 1 out -- then you had Simmons and a pinch hitter up to try to take the lead.

[jsebe10]

Saunders is about to destroy Avilsn.

[CyYoung31]

Thank God.

[nsacpi]

What a job by Avilan!

[keithlaw]

Floyd has shown his dark side tonight with the long ball. Hopefully, he hasn't hit a wall. Still, he's already eclipsed my expectations after coming back from TJS, and I think Frank Wren deserves to sit back, have a cigar and enjoy his success.

I'm tickled pink by your post

[keithlaw]

Gattis now has 32 career homeruns in 497 AB's. Thats amazing. We should bring back the old threads from scout to see some of those golden comments.

um how bout we dont...

[bravesnumberone]

Guess the offense is done for the night.

[jpack1]

The Ms have some serious arms in the pen.

[bravesnumberone]

Sigh.

[stpeteirish]

oh no, the great slugger John Buck is up...

[bravesnumberone]

WTF is it going to take for this team to stop grooving pitches to him???

[keithlaw]

buck that

[jpack1]

Well this sucks. How does Buck hit like this vs us.

[UNCBlue012]

Another easy win too... Pissed away. Buck is garbage, what is wrong with this team. Sometimes they make me so mad

[bravesnumberone]

Of ****ing course. Gives up the go-ahead bomb and then gets right out of it.

[jpack1]

This feels a lot like that 1st Boston game, which we all know sucked balls.

[jsebe10]

I really want to punch Buck in the fckn face.

[CyYoung31]

Are we really going to blow another game that we should've won?

[bravesnumberone]

Well this sucks. How does Buck hit like this vs us.

Because our pitchers apparently refuse to read the scouting report on him.

[Tapate50]

Should have served Buck the Ol 96r.

[jsebe10]

Of ****ing course. Gives up the go-ahead bomb and then gets right out of it.

He's been sh*t out of the pen. There's really no way around it man.

[tvsportscaster]

The Braves just can't beat AL teams, after tonight, they will be 0 and 5 and this one is inexcusable after jumping out to a 4-0 lead. It's not like the Mariners are good or something.

[bravesnumberone]

Offense throwing in the towel. Like many of us have continued to say, this team is too inconsistent.

[jpack1]

How do we just quit scoring. Through 2 innings we are rolling then nothing. This sucks.

[UNCBlue012]

Last year, the Braves rarely gave up leads like they have this year. It's embarrassing. We should have these games locked up and we just find ways to get out of it.

[bravesnumberone]

For one thing, we're actually having to face good pitching. And that's when we get exposed.

[bravesnumberone]

Gattis pretty much made his mind up he was going to swing before the pitch was even thrown. No concept of the strike zone there after some very good ABs earlier in the game.

Impressive ****ing showing from the heart of our order.

[jsebe10]

To put things into perspective folks....Leone had a Clemson career ERA of over 4 in college.

[stpeteirish]

How do we just quit scoring. Through 2 innings we are rolling then nothing. This sucks.

different pitchers. these relievers are throwing some heat

[bravesnumberone]

The biggest problem lately has been this team's inability to put a team away during an inning. Lots of crap happening with two outs. They are finding ways to lose. That's not a good baseball team.

[jpack1]

Heyward really can go get them in the OF. Guy gets goods jumps and reads on everything.

[jsebe10]

The biggest problem lately has been this team's inability to put a team away during an inning. Lots of crap happening with two outs. They are finding ways to lose. That's not a good baseball team.

I'll take 5 runs from this offense any night. This one is on the pitching. No doubt.

When our pitchers are on a roll out bats suck. When our bats wake up, the pitching sucks. If they are ever clicking at the same time, man look out.

[bravesnumberone]

I'll take 5 runs from this offense any night. This one is on the pitching. No doubt.

When our pitchers are on a roll out bats suck. When our bats wake up, the pitching sucks. If they are ever clicking at the same time, man look out.

That's true. But again, the offense scored five runs early and has just disappeared. You can't just stop. Sometimes you have to be able to score 8 or 9 to win a game. Good teams find ways to do it.

[bravesnumberone]

That pretty much sums up the night right there.

[jpack1]

TLS just gets hits. One poor AB tonight in a big spot but the guy just hits.

[bravesnumberone]

****ing Simmons. Piece of ****. 2-0 and he pops up swinging out of his shoes. This team can be so freaking stupid.

[bravesnumberone]

Why even bother swinging? Absolutely pathetic.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Two awful at bats

[jpack1]

Donut lolls like he missed those pitches by 3 feet a piece.

[jsebe10]

****ing Simmons. Piece of ****. 2-0 and he pops up swinging out of his shoes. This team can be so freaking stupid.

No...just him

He can hit, just doesn't know how to. Expect this his whole career unless he learns to adjust. See BRendan Ryan.

[jsebe10]

Donut lolls like he missed those pitches by 3 feet a piece.

Lol dude you should have seen him in Boston. That fcker wasted our DH spot. Pure hot garbage.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Kevin McAlpin ‏@KevinMcAlpin 8m
Among rookies, Tommy La Stella is now tied for FIFTH with 4 multi hit games. He's been in the Bigs less than a week.

[jpack1]

Ladies and Gents, term used loosely, I think we have found our 2nd sacker

[bravesnumberone]

See if this team can do anything worth a damn.

[jpack1]

Really need a rally here.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Remember how awful Rodney was with the Rays last year?

[bravesnumberone]

Does Rodney realize how big of an ass clown he looks like wearing his hat that way?

[CrimsonCowboy]

Does Rodney realize how big of an ass clown he looks like wearing his hat that way?

Probably couldn't care less

[TDlxANDER]

What the hell is Jason waiting for?

[Tapate50]

JESUS JASON

[bravesnumberone]

This freaking team.

[Tapate50]

What the hell is Jason waiting for?

Canos arms to fall off?

[TDlxANDER]

If I hit a bomb off of Rodney, I'd stand in the batter's box and shoot arrows at it until it landed.

[jsebe10]

He's got one of the best change ups I've ever seen.

[jpack1]

I really got excited with the 4 run first. Thought we were rolling. Man was I wrong.

[jsebe10]

Beat by the fat fck Buck who's been on 5 teams in the past 8 seasons.

[bravesnumberone]

Great effort. Way to piss another one away. Anyone else on this team that grooves a fast ball to Buck should be fined.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Well shoot

[jpack1]

I really hope these blown game don't come back to bite our ass

[jsebe10]

And now the fans are in store to watch that butt fcker's concert tonight.

[NinersSBChamps]

Pretty hard to blow a four run lead. Good work tonight.

[Julio3000]

I obviously broke Justin by hitting him 3rd.

[CyYoung31]

I obviously broke Justin by hitting him 3rd.

I knew it was a bad omen.

[jsebe10]

I obviously broke Justin by hitting him 3rd.

Well fix it bc I am dragging my ass to the game tomorrow lol. I'm 100% positive Laird ass will be in there.

[tvsportscaster]

This team is one of the most frustrating in a long time. You just can't figure them out. Just when you think they might be getting on a roll, something like this happens. It would just be nice to see some consistency.

[bravesnumberone]

That's why I didn't get excited when we swept an inferior team that lost its ace. Obviously, we have the talent, but there are no signs we'll put things together right now. We just do way too much to beat ourselves.

[50PoundHead]

This team is one of the most frustrating in a long time. You just can't figure them out. Just when you think they might be getting on a roll, something like this happens. It would just be nice to see some consistency.

Yeah and the blown leads (that are fairly big leads) make it all the more frustrating.

[Runnin]

This team is one of the most frustrating in a long time. You just can't figure them out. Just when you think they might be getting on a roll, something like this happens. It would just be nice to see some consistency.
It's true. The team doesn't have a lot of mental toughness right now. I attribute it to having a bunch of new players as well as still being so young. Perhaps we're feeling the loss of so many team leaders, too. Hopefully some of these painful losses will help the team start to find its bunker identity.

[UNCBlue012]

I hate saying this, because I love the talent on this team and I'm very positive... but, this team truly pisses me off. They piss me off so much. They're good, they have talent and they know how to win... they've show it before.

The thing I don't get is that we pitch and can't hit for the first month, then we actually hit relatively well the second month and can't pitch. It's killing me.

Play the game. Get outs, get hits. Do what you can do. This team IS better than many of the team's they face. Play like it.

I'm sorry, end rant of anger.

[UNCBlue012]

On the positive, I love Tommy LaStella. The man can hit, and obviously he can play a little defense... not too shabby. He needs to be moved up in the lineup.

[NinersSBChamps]

It's nights like this when I am glad I have retired from the GDT. Well at least during the game.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Looks as though Alex taking it a bit hard tonight:

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 32s
Alex Wood chose not to talk tonight. He was still staring into his locker about 20 minutes after the last out.

[The Chosen One]

It's nights like this when I am glad I have retired from the GDT. Well at least during the game.

You should feel special.

I think many have retired from GDTs particularly because of you. lol.

[CyYoung31]

It's nights like this when I am glad I have retired from the GDT. Well at least during the game.

As are we.

[The Chosen One]

Looks as though Alex taking it a bit hard tonight.

Oh no not you too Crimson... :facepalm:

[NYCBrave]

Very frustrating team this year, makes it tough to follow, especially for the die hards.

[nsacpi]

It's nights like this when I am glad I have retired from the GDT. Well at least during the game.

Hope you have a long and happy retirement.

[gilesfan]

This team is one of the most frustrating in a long time. You just can't figure them out. Just when you think they might be getting on a roll, something like this happens. It would just be nice to see some consistency.

I mean, you can't win every game. With that logic, no team in MLB can be considered consistent.

[gilesfan]

I can't imagine why posters are so frustrated with this team. I sense it's due to an over inflated opinion of the team.

This is not a great offensive club, probably around averageish. 2 very, very good hitters and a third (Heyward) that is coming around to be a solid hitter. Other than that, you have Gattis (all or nothing with a low OBP), Johnson, BeeeJ, Simmons, LaStell (now). That is not an overly talented offensive team. They simply don't get on base enough.

The rotation has performed better than anybody would have imagined if you said the rotation is Teheran, Minor, Harang, Santana, Floyd.

Bullpen is among the best in the league.

The bench is weak, but that's expected with Schafer, Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastor

The team is in first place 2 months into the season. I can't imagine why posters are upset after every loss.

[NinersSBChamps]

As are we.
I certainly miss your dumb ass comments too.

[nsacpi]

I can't imagine why posters are so frustrated with this team. I sense it's due to an over inflated opinion of the team.

This is not a great offensive club, probably around averageish. 2 very, very good hitters and a third (Heyward) that is coming around to be a solid hitter. Other than that, you have Gattis (all or nothing with a low OBP), Johnson, BeeeJ, Simmons, LaStell (now). That is not an overly talented offensive team. They simply don't get on base enough.

The rotation has performed better than anybody would have imagined if you said the rotation is Teheran, Minor, Harang, Santana, Floyd.

Bullpen is among the best in the league.

The bench is weak, but that's expected with Schafer, Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastor

The team is in first place 2 months into the season. I can't imagine why posters are upset after every loss.

People are just frustrated with the lack of consistency. Our pitchers are inconsistent. Sometimes they get hitters out. Sometimes they don't. Our hitters are inconsistent. Sometimes they get a hit. Sometimes they don't. The whole team is inconsistent. Sometimes they win. Sometimes they lose. It is driving me crazy.

[nsacpi]

I certainly miss your dumb ass comments too.

Not as much as I've been missing yours. The good news though is a couple others have been picking up the slack. We have a deep bench of nervous nellies and negative nancies around here.

[UNCBlue012]

I can't imagine why posters are so frustrated with this team. I sense it's due to an over inflated opinion of the team.

This is not a great offensive club, probably around averageish. 2 very, very good hitters and a third (Heyward) that is coming around to be a solid hitter. Other than that, you have Gattis (all or nothing with a low OBP), Johnson, BeeeJ, Simmons, LaStell (now). That is not an overly talented offensive team. They simply don't get on base enough.

The rotation has performed better than anybody would have imagined if you said the rotation is Teheran, Minor, Harang, Santana, Floyd.

Bullpen is among the best in the league.

The bench is weak, but that's expected with Schafer, Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastor

The team is in first place 2 months into the season. I can't imagine why posters are upset after every loss.

No offense man, but if you're watching the games, I don't see how you can make this post. This team's lack of consistency is insane. There's a LOT of bad teams in baseball this year and I understand we are a top 10 team right now, but most teams are just flat out awful, we are not. We have talent... we just choke. It's still relatively early, so I'm not super upset or anything. Just pissed.

[nsacpi]

No offense man, but if you're watching the games, I don't see how you can make this post. This team's lack of consistency is insane. There's a LOT of bad teams in baseball this year and I understand we are a top 10 team right now, but most teams are just flat out awful, we are not. We have talent... we just choke. It's still relatively early, so I'm not super upset or anything. Just pissed.

The problem is we don't choke consistently enough. We are clutch just enough of the time to make the choking upsetting.

[50PoundHead]

No offense man, but if you're watching the games, I don't see how you can make this post. This team's lack of consistency is insane. There's a LOT of bad teams in baseball this year and I understand we are a top 10 team right now, but most teams are just flat out awful, we are not. We have talent... we just choke. It's still relatively early, so I'm not super upset or anything. Just pissed.

I can't speak for gilesfan, but what I think he's saying that the talent is fairly uneven and one of the problems with uneven talent is that it is going to be inconsistent by nature. I've said all along that this is a team that has some holes and it has to play well to win. The decision to finally put Uggla where he belongs in the Braves' universe is a positive step toward solving some of the team's offensive problems. I have no idea what La Stella's ceiling is, but his floor is well above Uggla's current ceiling. I don't care how much better Upton the Elder is playing this year, it's still not that good. Not a Johnson fan. Simmons is a ball-in-play guy and those guys by their very nature can be extremely inconsistent. Gattis is good when healthy, but I worry that he's going to wear down in the second half of the season and if Laird gets more than 200 ABs, that spells trouble. Bench, as gilesfan points out, isn't that great.

Defense is very strong at some positions and weak at others. Simmons and Heyward can't catch every ball that is hit.

[nsacpi]

It is ironic that Uggla has been our most consistent player this year. And yet he's the one who gets benched. I don't get it.

[NYCBrave]

I can't imagine why posters are so frustrated with this team. I sense it's due to an over inflated opinion of the team.

This is not a great offensive club, probably around averageish. 2 very, very good hitters and a third (Heyward) that is coming around to be a solid hitter. Other than that, you have Gattis (all or nothing with a low OBP), Johnson, BeeeJ, Simmons, LaStell (now). That is not an overly talented offensive team. They simply don't get on base enough.

The rotation has performed better than anybody would have imagined if you said the rotation is Teheran, Minor, Harang, Santana, Floyd.

Bullpen is among the best in the league.

The bench is weak, but that's expected with Schafer, Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastor

The team is in first place 2 months into the season. I can't imagine why posters are upset after every loss.

I'm pretty sure you haven't been watching the games then. We're once again at the bottom of the league with RISP, which is just maddening. We've lost more than a few games we should have won. Our bullpen has let us down too many times already. We had the long losing streak, and none of the hitters are exceeding expectations.

[nsacpi]

I'm pretty sure you haven't been watching the games then. We're once again at the bottom of the league with RISP, which is just maddening. We've lost more than a few games we should have won. Our bullpen has let us down too many times already. We had the long losing streak, and none of the hitters are exceeding expectations.

But sometimes we hit well with RISP, like the last four games. We aren't consistently bad at it.

[gilesfan]

I'm pretty sure you haven't been watching the games then. We're once again at the bottom of the league with RISP, which is just maddening. We've lost more than a few games we should have won. Our bullpen has let us down too many times already. We had the long losing streak, and none of the hitters are exceeding expectations.

Well, the team isn't a good offensive team, what would you expect them to do with RISP?