Two weeks before the ASG

[NinersSBChamps]

This is the perfect time to put together a much needed hot streak. We have a very easy schedule leading up to the break. Washington has some easy games as well, but the schedule favors the Braves. As of today Atlanta is .5 games up on Washington. 44-38 and 43-38 records for the two teams.

Braves VS Mets (3)
Braves VS Diamonbacks (3)
Braves @ Mets (4)
Braves @ Cubs (3)

Nationals VS Rockies (3)
Nationals VS Cubs (3)
Nationals @ Orioles (4)
Nationals @ Phillies (3)

That's 13 games each and I believe the only off day is this Thursday and that's for both teams. I think a 9-4 stretch for the Braves is very possible. The Nationals could get that same mark or they could lose 6-8 games. This isn't going to clearly put one team ahead over the other, but any sort of momentum we can get and add some more separation will go a long ways.

So I am saying Atlanta goes 9-4 and Washington 7-6 and we are up 2.5 at the break.

Braves: 7-5
Nationals: 7-4

[Dalyn]

9-4 sounds about right.

[nsacpi]

With Melvin leading off I'm looking for 12-1. He is the catalyst. In some ways bigger than Harang and Laird combined.

[NinersSBChamps]

With Melvin leading off I'm looking for 12-1. He is the catalyst. In some ways bigger than Harang and Laird combined.

That is possible?

http://rdemotivational.com/sites/default/files/demotivational_images/demotivational_nid_2963.jpg

[tomahawkchop10]

9-4 is going to be awful tough if Gattis is out, also I feel like we've struggled vs the mets the last year and a half (could be wrong on that though.) I was optimistic about the last road trip, almost guessed right, but I'm ganna have to be a bit of a downer and say we go 7-6.

[cajunrevenge]

Your supposed to make this thread predicting we go 3-10 and are 10 games back in the division by the all star break. Now you jinxed us with your positivity.

[NinersSBChamps]

Your supposed to make this thread predicting we go 3-10 and are 10 games back in the division by the all star break. Now you jinxed us with your positivity.

Looks like I can't win here no matter what I do.

[bravesnumberone]

I said before the Phillies series that we needed to go at least 11-6 if not better in those 17 games before the break. Got off to a good start against the Phillies. Now we need to stop playing ****ty vs. the Mets.

[NinersSBChamps]

Mets gifted us a win last night. I am hoping the Braves will realize they need to step up against the Mets. You can't count on them to fail all the time.

[tomahawkchop10]

Ganna be tough without Gattis. Need Heyward or jup to get hot.

[Heyward]

Gonna say 3-8, we'll be in 3rd or 4th place by then.

[CyYoung31]

Mets gifted us a win last night. I am hoping the Braves will realize they need to step up against the Mets. You can't count on them to fail all the time.

You can't?

[NinersSBChamps]

You can't?

Well I suppose you can. However they will disappoint you sooner or later.

[NinersSBChamps]

Both teams off to a blazing start. I was counting on the Rockies being able to win one game though. I guess last night was their best chance.

[NinersSBChamps]

Well at least the Cubs were able to get one against the Nationals.

[NinersSBChamps]

Both teams are doing what they need to against weaker teams.

[tomahawkchop10]

I've gone #VoteJUp crazy this morning lol cmon chop country let's get one more of our guys in!!

[NinersSBChamps]

Well this isn't quite turning out how I thought.

[NinersSBChamps]

Nats did about what I expected. Too bad the Braves didn't.

[thewupk]

Nats did about what I expected. Too bad the Braves didn't.

A win today and they are still 8-5 in that stretch. Still good despite a 4 game skid in the middle of it. The Braves and Nats both have easy ass schedules this year. They were ranked #1 and #2 in that dept at the start of the year. Nothing has really changed. Sucks to have a long winning streak and not get much separation but the Nats have to be thinking that too. They have played really good baseball since that 4 game series and have actually lost ground.

It's going to be a fight till the end.

[NinersSBChamps]

A win today and they are still 8-5 in that stretch. Still good despite a 4 game skid in the middle of it. The Braves and Nats both have easy ass schedules this year. They were ranked #1 and #2 in that dept at the start of the year. Nothing has really changed. Sucks to have a long winning streak and not get much separation but the Nats have to be thinking that too. They have played really good baseball since that 4 game series and have actually lost ground.

It's going to be a fight till the end.

Oh I agree completely. I can't see either team winning the division by more than 2-3 games.

[Tapate50]

52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?

[nsacpi]

52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?

That's on track for 89 wins. At the start of the season I thought we'd be a 90-95 win team.

First half saw under-performances from Heyward, Minor, CJ. Second base was a disaster until La Stella was called up. The main upside surprise was Gattis.

[Dalyn]

52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?

About right. On pace for 88-89 wins. Likely enough to grab a Wild Card spot.

[Tapate50]

That's on track for 89 wins. At the start of the season I thought we'd be a 90-95 win team.

First half saw under-performances from Heyward, Minor, CJ. Second base was a disaster until La Stella was called up. The main upside surprise was Gattis.

Minor was a huge disappointment. He is due for a bounceback or we are in trouble IMO.

I think we can get into the 90-92 win range.

[nsacpi]

Minor was a huge disappointment. He is due for a bounceback or we are in trouble IMO.

I think we can get into the 90-92 win range.

I still think we'll end up in the 90-95 range. Expecting better second halves from Minor, Heyward and CJ. But someone(s) will get hurt/have a bad second half.

[AerchAngel]

I think JH and Upton the Elder will get better, I hope. Minor worries me because Hugarang and Santana both scare me if we depend on them. Gattis back issues are in the past and CJ holds off on pumpkin status, I think we can have a better second half record, the next month is going to be brutal scheduling wise.

[UNCBlue012]

I'm interesting solely on the idea that the Braves play 11-straight at home to begin the second half and 21 of their first 29 (though they do get the Athletics and Mariners at home). It's really as simple as the Braves have to play better as they come out of the break. Hopefully they can get Gattis back and his bat will be at least relatively close to where it was. But, we need to start making moves like cutting Uggla and added a lefty to the BP and a bat to the bench. IF they do that, I think they're a 92-95 win team.

I don't see Jason starting so slow, though he has been better as of late. Minor just needs to improve, he's a good pitcher that has the shown talent to hold this staff for months at a time. Teheran needs to continue pitching well and Chris HAS to keep this hot streak, or at least have more.

I think the key component to this second half is BJ Upton and Simab though. BJ's been decent in the leadoff spot and if he's going to continue to stay there, he has to get on at a clip of at least .310-.330. Am I saying that's great? No, but he needs too. With that, Simmons has to continue his good work.

I'm not worried with Justin, Freddie or La Stella.

[Tapate50]

I think its also time we adjust Avilan's usage. He is no longer an option for the pen. IMO he should be the first guy moved out if we aquire a BP arm.

Btw, what was the latest on Venters (not that im relying on him at all going forward)?

[CyYoung31]

I think its also time we adjust Avilan's usage. He is no longer an option for the pen. IMO he should be the first guy moved out if we aquire a BP arm.

Btw, what was the latest on Venters (not that im relying on him at all going forward)?

Supposedly going to be back by the end of the month.

[GovClintonTyree]

52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?

I was thinking a bit better. I thought we were a 95 win club reduced to a 92 win club with the pitching replacements. That's still realistic with a good second half. And I am cautiously optimistic we'll get there.

[stpeteirish]

Wren needs to do something; most of the other contenders will.

[jason27nc]

About where I thought we would be with a mediocre manager. Should have at least 6 more wins at this point and would have a separation from Washington.

[CyYoung31]

About where I thought we would be with a mediocre manager. Should have at least 6 more wins at this point and would have a separation from Washington.

I'd love to see another manager do a better job with this team. I'd pay his salary myself if he could.

[The Chosen One]

I think we're going to go on a big hot streak in the 2nd half lead by Heyward.

Heyward needs to be hitting 2 or 3. The Freeman loyalty is getting out of hand.

[CyYoung31]

BJ
Heyward
Justin
Freeman
Gattis
Johnson
La Stella
Simmons

Do it Fredi.

[NinersSBChamps]

I has us pegged around 86 wins. So they are doing slightly better than I expected.

[UNCBlue012]

BJ
Heyward
Justin
Freeman
Gattis
Johnson
La Stella
Simmons

Do it Fredi.

This lineup sounds awesome. I can deal with BJ leading off with Heyward, Justin, Freddie and Gattis following.

[CyYoung31]

This lineup sounds awesome. I can deal with BJ leading off with Heyward, Justin, Freddie and Gattis following.

It's really the best of both worlds. It "extends" the lineup and keeps it R/L all the way through like Fredi gets wet for. It also puts our best hitters near the top of the lineup and hitting in succession like we should be doing.

Let's face it, BJ isn't moving from leadoff any time soon.

[CJC]

The Freeman loyalty is getting out of hand.

¿Qué?

[The Chosen One]

¿Qué?

Fredi won't move Freeman in the lineup even when he's struggling.

He should be hitting cleanup with Heyward or Justin hitting 3rd.

[yeezus]

Fredi won't move Freeman in the lineup even when he's struggling.

He should be hitting cleanup with Heyward or Justin hitting 3rd.

Both of those guys have struggled more than Freeman this year, so I don't know why we'd move him from 3. They should go 1-2-3 IMO; Jason, Justin, Freddie.

[The Chosen One]

When Freddie has struggled he's been god awful.

If we're doing lineup shuffling then Justin and Jason at least deserve to be shuffled into the 3 or 2.

[NinersSBChamps]

Not sure why we are making lineup changes right now.

BJ is hitting as well as he has since joining the Braves. Simmons has been productive in the second spot as well.

In April he primarily batted in the 8th spot. .289 batting average, .298 on base, and .489 slugging.
In May he batted almost half the time in the 7th spot and rest between 5,6,8, and 9 spots. His slash line following the previous months was .245, .288, and .250
In June was mainly the 8th spot again. He started hitting second towards the end of the month. .214, .277, and .262
Half of July is in the books as well. He has hit exclusively in the second spot. .375, .434, and .438

You really want move him from the second spot?

[NinersSBChamps]

Simmons batting second this year.

19 games, his walk rate is 8% which is higher than anywhere else, his K rate is 4.6% which is the lowest. I discounted batting 1st, 5th, and 9th because there isn't enough at bats. He's batting .316 with an OBP of .372. Again both are highs in that category. His slugging and OPS are .367 and .739 which are a little lower than what he does from the seventh spot.

2nd or 7th are comparable, but he's hitting for a better average and getting base much more frequently from the 2nd spot.

[UNCBlue012]

Not sure why we are making lineup changes right now.

BJ is hitting as well as he has since joining the Braves. Simmons has been productive in the second spot as well.

In April he primarily batted in the 8th spot. .289 batting average, .298 on base, and .489 slugging.
In May he batted almost half the time in the 7th spot and rest between 5,6,8, and 9 spots. His slash line following the previous months was .245, .288, and .250
In June was mainly the 8th spot again. He started hitting second towards the end of the month. .214, .277, and .262
Half of July is in the books as well. He has hit exclusively in the second spot. .375, .434, and .438

You really want move him from the second spot?

I see the lineup long term with Justin or Jason in the two-hole, and I would personally prefer that. But I think that having BJ as leadoff and Simmons in the two-hole for a little bit is extremely smart given the productive play they've given us. I'd think we'd see Simmons from the second spot before we'd see BJ taken from leadoff.

BJ CF
Simmons SS
Freeman 1B
Gattis C
Justin LF
Heyward RF
CJoh 3B
La Stella 2B

This will probably be what we see for quite sometime.