GDT - Fourth of July - Braves vs. D'Backs

[bravesnumberone]

Arizona:

Inciarte - CF
Peralta - LF
Goldy - 1B
Montero - C
Nitram Odarp - 3B
Parra - RF
Ahmed - SS
Gregorious - 2B
Collmenter - P

Atlanta:

BJ - CF
Not Not - SS
Freddie Free - 1B
Justin - LF
non-baseball lover - RF
Lord BABIP - 3B
Stella - 2B
Lairdership - C
Santana - P

:tchop:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-PNwwZ8Ojs/UajLXNDo21I/AAAAAAAAALg/Spp2yO8oni0/s1600/United-states-of-america-wallpaper_2560x1600_wlogger.com.jpg

[The Chosen One]

Murica.

[CyYoung31]

I'm expecting some fireworks out of Laird tonight.

[Braves1976]

Why does Laird have to always catch Santana when they've not been a good combo for the most part? Plus Laird and Harang have surprisingly been a better combo so it would make more sense to go with him tomorrow and Bethancourt tonight. I also want Bethancourt vs the lefty on Sunday.

[nsacpi]

I'm expecting some fireworks out of Laird tonight.

huge fireworks

[cajunrevenge]

Its good to see Ahmed make the majors. I think he will have a long career as a utility player.

[Julio3000]

Laird is going to explode.

BJ, also, is likely to blow.

Happy Birthday 'Murica, Happy Birthday Chopcountry.com.

[weso1]

huge fireworks

Let's just hope he makes it to the bathroom in time.

[GovClintonTyree]

Happy Choppin' Fourth to all you studs, as well.

For the 18 years I was in Atlanta, I tried to make a habit of running the Peachtree in the morning, then wearing the shirt to Turner later on. Figures that the year after I move, the race starting temperature is in the 60s. There were years I was not sure it was still in the 80s. And I know the humidity wasn't.

[Julio3000]

Plus Laird and Harang have surprisingly been a better combo

That combo definitely got supersized.

[NinersSBChamps]

I expecting Ervin to have one of his best starts of the season.

[NinersSBChamps]

I love listening to Smoltz. I want to hear another joke.

On the real. I wonder how much he loves being in the booth? He should become at least a pitching coach down the road.

[NinersSBChamps]

Lots of ground balls. I like that.

[NinersSBChamps]

BJ has tied his career high with a 10 game hitting streak.

[NinersSBChamps]

Was that Ludacris in the crowd?

[NinersSBChamps]

That's an awesome start!

[rico43]

BJ has tied his career high with a 10 game hitting streak.

http://gistlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/awesome_photos07-e1319578518954.jpg

[NinersSBChamps]

Good poke, Justin.

[rico43]

Fredi needs to get major props for seeing the wisdom of BJ in the leadoff spot. And it only took him 250 games to figure it out.

Place your bets: odds that these are the only runs the Braves score all night ...

[NinersSBChamps]

Will take it.

[Julio3000]

Fredi needs to get major props for seeing the wisdom of BJ in the leadoff spot. And it only took him 250 games to figure it out.

Place your bets: odds that these are the only runs the Braves score all night ...

Glairdership hasn't even hit yet.

[stpeteirish]

Fredi needs to get major props for seeing the wisdom of BJ in the leadoff spot. And it only took him 250 games to figure it out.

Place your bets: odds that these are the only runs the Braves score all night ...

good chance, that's been the mode of operation lately. And we hang on to win without adding on.

[Julio3000]

Glairdership hasn't even hit yet.

Cuz, you know, it ain't over 'til the fat Lairdy stings.

[NinersSBChamps]

PradoWNED

[Braves1976]

I still hate the Laird-Santana combo...

[NinersSBChamps]

La Stella is slow.

[NinersSBChamps]

Come on Simba be patient and sock it!!

[Fredi Gonzalez]

"Goodness gracious, the Nationals staff SHOULD ALL BE FIRED! Everybody and the scouts and Rizzo for hiring them all.

The Braves came out with a plan and executed it to perfection. BJ Upton led off with a single then stole second. The #2 hitter bunted him to third and Freeman drove him in with a single.

Braves 1-0 in the first inning.

The Nationals never have anything like this as far as preparation goes."

Perspective is a wonderful thing.

[TURBO]

Got a couple breaks there

[Mrs. Meta]

Holy ****, this ump!

Hahah, wow.

[Runnin]

JUp strikes out twice in that at bat and still got an RBI.

[Braves1976]

We should've scored more than two that inning but it could've been only one minus two missed calls in a row. Hopefully we'll keep adding on though.

[Mrs. Meta]

That double play...

http://popcornographyblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/jipants.jpg

[The Chosen One]

With our luck BJ will get to .280 by September then Fredi will give him the sign to steal second up 3 and he'll fracture his ankle on the slide.

[cajunrevenge]

I would take that, that would mean BJ would hit about .330 till then. If that happened I would imagine we win 100 games.

[Mrs. Meta]

I would take that, that would mean BJ would hit about .330 till then. If that happened I would imagine we win 100 games.

...and a playoff series!

:Alone:

[Mrs. Meta]

Laird just made a play no one else makes.

[Runnin]

The Lairdster having himself a game. Nice work on that roller.

[Runnin]

Can we assume now that the reason Fredi kept BJ in the 2 hole for so long was because he eventually wanted to move him into leadoff?

[Runnin]

How does JUstin not swing on an 85 mph fastball right down the middle??? I guess he thought the ump was gonna call it a ball again.

[thethe]

Its good to see that we are taking care of these bad teams. Need to get some momentum going for the second half of the season.

[Braves1976]

I noted JJ hit 92 mph in the 4th inning tonight for the Rockies. He's given up three runs, all in the first, but if he has his velocity back as it seems he could turn things around for his career.

[Runnin]

I like this version of Santana. So he CAN locate.

[Braves1976]

Santana needs to face this team more, he seems to own them for his career.

[jcc03004]

Santana needs to face this team more, he seems to own them for his career.

Just saw Santana hit 96 thought he was more in the 91-93 category

[CrimsonCowboy]

Have to side with B.J. on that one

[Tapate50]

Just saw Santana hit 96 thought he was more in the 91-93 category

I thought that was high for Santanna also, but the same gun has Collmenter at 85-86.

[Braves1976]

BJ cannot buy a close call on a full count while his brother can buy multiple, lol.

[Runnin]

Have to side with B.J. on that one
Gameday had it a strike but didn't see Fox tracks yet.

This habit we have of assuming all close pitches will be called balls is not working for us. It's almost like umps love to make hitters who assume look bad.

[NinersSBChamps]

BJ cannot buy a close call on a full count while his brother can buy multiple, lol.

Thats ironic since BJ is making like 15 million a season.

[stpeteirish]

Santana might be good for another inning. Best game since April for him.

[Braves1976]

BJ needs to donate more to the umps favorite fund like his brother. :)

[cajunrevenge]

OW MY VIRGIN EARS!

[TURBO]

http://li.c-b.co/is/image/LandOfNod/Letter_Giant_Enough_W_234214_LL/$web_zoom$&wid=550&hei=550&/1308310656/not-giant-enough-letter-w.jpg

[CrimsonCowboy]

http://i.imgur.com/P6x0U.gif

[parkvadawg]

Pretty good for a horrible team

[zitothebrave]

It's so annoying that BJ has been getting hits in the leadoff spot. Even if he goes 1-5 Fredi views it as a positive. And I'm over it. Our 2 worst hitters are hitting 1-2. Only in Fredi land does that make sense. Thank god our pitching is rocking again, or we'd be ****ed by wasting so many PAs on our worst hitters.

[Runnin]

8 in a row!

[Braves1976]

Good win, Santana with his best game since he last faced Arizona. While BJ and Simmons had maybe their best game as 1-2 punch at the top of the order. I'm still not sold on BJ batting first or anywhere high in the order but it's good to see him doing better.

[tvsportscaster]

It's so annoying that BJ has been getting hits in the leadoff spot. Even if he goes 1-5 Fredi views it as a positive. And I'm over it. Our 2 worst hitters are hitting 1-2. Only in Fredi land does that make sense. Thank god our pitching is rocking again, or we'd be ****ed by wasting so many PAs on our worst hitters.

Can't you just be happy this team is winning 8 in a row, instead of finding something to bitch about.

[parkvadawg]

It's so annoying that BJ has been getting hits in the leadoff spot. Even if he goes 1-5 Fredi views it as a positive. And I'm over it. Our 2 worst hitters are hitting 1-2. Only in Fredi land does that make sense. Thank god our pitching is rocking again, or we'd be ****ed by wasting so many PAs on our worst hitters.

It's frustrating to say the least

[Mad Dog Murph]

Can't you just be happy this team is winning 8 in a row, instead of finding something to bitch about.

You are surprised by his comment? Zitothebitch

[Braves1976]

I understand what you mean about his timing but he is at least being consistent with his position. I am not suggesting you're not. I am just saying I find it more annoying when poster complain that try to have it both ways.

[Heyward]

I still hate the Laird-Santana combo...

Worked tonight.

You seem to hate alot of things.

[Runnin]

It's so annoying that BJ has been getting hits in the leadoff spot. Even if he goes 1-5 Fredi views it as a positive. And I'm over it. Our 2 worst hitters are hitting 1-2. Only in Fredi land does that make sense. Thank god our pitching is rocking again, or we'd be ****ed by wasting so many PAs on our worst hitters.
It's pretty obvious that putting Simmons and BJ in these spots has re-tooled and re-focused their approach at the plate. They're now giving us productive at bats and the lineup is putting up runs.

But what's most obvious is that Fredi is a much better manager than he gets credit for. He's playing 3D chess while most on here are playing Chinese checkers.

[Braves1976]

Worked tonight.

You seem to hate alot of things.

You're a riot! Plus as usual you either ignore or have no understanding of context. That post was made in response to Laird's poor frame job likely costing Santana a strikeout and the later two out wild pitch that scored a run. Enough said...

[zitothebrave]

Can't you just be happy this team is winning 8 in a row, instead of finding something to bitch about.

No because taking at-bats from Jason and Justin is not condusive to long term winning. 8 game winning streak is simply 5% of the season. 5% of the season isn't enough to justify 100% of the season worth of stupidity.

[The Chosen One]

If we keep winning then we may soon avoid finishing in third or fourth place.

[Braves1976]

Anyone else notice Heyward limping a bit after his last AB? I hope it's nothing serious.

[nsacpi]

It's pretty obvious that putting Simmons and BJ in these spots has re-tooled and re-focused their approach at the plate. They're now giving us productive at bats and the lineup is putting up runs.

But what's most obvious is that Fredi is a much better manager than he gets credit for. He's playing 3D chess while most on here are playing Chinese checkers.

He's a master psychologist, and highly underrated.

[nsacpi]

If we keep winning then we may soon avoid finishing in third or fourth place.

At the least we are postponing the inevitable.

[Bdawg2309]

It's so annoying that BJ has been getting hits in the leadoff spot. Even if he goes 1-5 Fredi views it as a positive. And I'm over it. Our 2 worst hitters are hitting 1-2. Only in Fredi land does that make sense. Thank god our pitching is rocking again, or we'd be ****ed by wasting so many PAs on our worst hitters.

Lol

[Braves1976]

Simmons actually has a track record of hitting better in the two hole. So I don't mind him there as much as others, at least till he goes cold a few games. But I agree that BJ isn't the answer at leadoff anymore than he was in the past despite his current little hot streak.

[Runnin]

At the least we are postponing the inevitable.
Which is all that really can be done.

[thewupk]

8 games in a row and 10 of 11 so far against this stretch of sub .500 teams.

[GovClintonTyree]

I would take that, that would mean BJ would hit about .330 till then. If that happened I would imagine we win 100 games.

Gimme a break. That has as much chance of happening as the stock market doubling under Obama.

[GovClintonTyree]

If we keep winning then we may soon avoid finishing in third or fourth place.

I don't know about that, but as Julio says, we staved off elimination for one more day.

[GovClintonTyree]

Anyone else notice Heyward limping a bit after his last AB? I hope it's nothing serious.

I didn't see that. I did notice that he hasn't had a hit in a month.

[GovClintonTyree]

He's a master psychologist, and highly underrated.

Sarcasm? It's so deadpan I can't tell.

[zitothebrave]

Simmons actually has a track record of hitting better in the two hole. So I don't mind him there as much as others, at least till he goes cold a few games. But I agree that BJ isn't the answer at leadoff anymore than he was in the past despite his current little hot streak.

Sample size issues about Simmons hits .315/.353/.417 in the 2 hole. You'd rather have that then Justin hitting .279/.363/.505?

Someone performing slightly better in a spot in the lineup isn't justification for taking the bat out of the hands of one of our best hitters. Last year the Braves 1 hitter had 752 PA, the 2 731 the 5 683 and the 6 662. Where would you want Jason and Justin? Ignoring as well that those 2 hitting 1-2 bumps TLS to 7 when he's shown to be a superior hitter so far and the 7 hitter got 643 PA. Hitting your worst hitters 1-2 is and always will be a mistake. I touched on this last year when people thought SImmons hitting leadoff was a good idea. I don't look forward to being proven right again when those 2 get super cold and we start losing games cause Freddie comes to the plate with 2 outs to start every game.

[Heyward]

I do agree with Zeets here.

Heyward/JUp/FF/Gattis should be the top 4 when healthy, after that you can mix/match however you want.

Sadly, this streak bought BJ in leadoff for a little while longer unfortunately.

[cajunrevenge]

Damn streak ruining this team. What we need is a losing streak so long that BJ gets benched, Uggla gets released, and Fredi gets fired.

[zitothebrave]

Sadly, this streak bought BJ in leadoff for a little while longer unfortunately.

The unfortunate thing is based on how basically every MLB manager reacts. He'll stay at 1 long after he stops hitting because of wanting him to "break out"

I hope we still win enough games to win the NL East but I'm becoming less optimistic as the season wanes into the final months as the Nationals are playing much better as well. We'll make the playoffs as even with our lineup at it's craziest wrong, I can't see us not getting one of the wild card spots.

[nsacpi]

The unfortunate thing is based on how basically every MLB manager reacts. He'll stay at 1 long after he stops hitting because of wanting him to "break out"

I hope we still win enough games to win the NL East but I'm becoming less optimistic as the season wanes into the final months as the Nationals are playing much better as well. We'll make the playoffs as even with our lineup at it's craziest wrong, I can't see us not getting one of the wild card spots.

Try to resist starting a thread titled "The Wild Card is Ours." That's all I ask.

[thethe]

I know it isn't ideal but wherever BJ is producing we need to keep him there. I'd rather it not be leadoff but something is working and we are better off with a semi-productive BJ than the worst player in baseball version of BJ.

[zitothebrave]

I know it isn't ideal but wherever BJ is producing we need to keep him there. I'd rather it not be leadoff but something is working and we are better off with a semi-productive BJ than the worst player in baseball version of BJ.

I'd rather have 60 more PA of Jason Heyward.

[nsacpi]

I know it isn't ideal but wherever BJ is producing we need to keep him there. I'd rather it not be leadoff but something is working and we are better off with a semi-productive BJ than the worst player in baseball version of BJ.

That's pure superstition. Placement in the order has virtually no effect on how a hitter hits.

[GovClintonTyree]

That's pure superstition. Placement in the order has virtually no effect on how a hitter hits.
Except when it does.

.268/.302/.415 at leadoff.

.192/.267/.327 elsewhere.

You know this. In baseball, superstition matters. So does confidence. If you think you're hitting because you're getting laid or not getting laid, you are. Or, in Melvin's case, hitting leadoff or not hitting leadoff.

[thethe]

Can't eliminate the human element 100% out of the game. Its not a game played by computer simulations.

[nsacpi]

Except when it does.

.268/.302/.415 at leadoff.

.192/.267/.327 elsewhere.

You know this. In baseball, superstition matters. So does confidence. If you think you're hitting because you're getting laid or not getting laid, you are. Or, in Melvin's case, hitting leadoff or not hitting leadoff.

Let me offer the following for your consideration.

I give you a group of players with the following quality in the first half of 2013. They hit much better in one spot of the order than elsewhere in the first half. What do you think their second half data look like. Do they continue to hit better in that spot in the second half?

[thewupk]

BJ has gotten a hit every game since being moved back to the leadoff spot. Hitting 293/326/439 - 115 wrc+ in those 10 games. SS and all that and I don't believe he's figured it out but ride the hot hand I guess.

[Tapate50]

Baseball is all about riding a hot streak. It happens with relievers, hitters, bench players, and relievers a lot. Other than regulars, you just ride the hot hands. Gotta find the heat and ride it til it cools. Can't explain it.

[GovClintonTyree]

Let me offer the following for your consideration.

I give you a group of players with the following quality in the first half of 2013. They hit much better in one spot of the order than elsewhere in the first half. What do you think their second half data look like. Do they continue to hit better in that spot in the second half?

I'm guessing you'll prove to me that they don't, that they'll regress. I understand.

What I'm saying is that sometimes it's a feel thing and that that's valid. I know, for instance, without looking at the data, that we are cashing a larger percentage of BJs hits and walks than we are others. And sometimes those subtle little coincidences that aren't grounded in data mean we steal a few. And our Pythagorean shows that we should be worse than we are, and there's really no data to explain it.

And our run differential shows we should win 87 and we win 92.

That's baseball.

So I'm with thethe. Keep him up there while the magic is happening.

[GovClintonTyree]

BJ has gotten a hit every game since being moved back to the leadoff spot. Hitting 293/326/439 - 115 wrc+ in those 10 games. SS and all that and I don't believe he's figured it out but ride the hot hand I guess.

My stats didn't include the last game.

You know, his loss of skill was quite mysterious. Who's to say his regaining his skill would be any less mysterious?

This is a guy who has hit .300 with a .386 OBP in the major leagues.

[thewupk]

My stats didn't include the last game.

You know, his loss of skill was quite mysterious. Who's to say his regaining his skill would be any less mysterious?

This is a guy who has hit .300 with a .386 OBP in the major leagues.

Who knows. I never did expect some of his bigger years in Tampa in Atlanta. I just expected something like a 105-110 wrc+ with plus defense and good base running/steals. He has talent but it starts with his strikeout rate. When it's in the upper 20's or low 30's he just isn't going to be a productive major league hitter. He needs low to mid 20's to be even remotely not bad.

[50PoundHead]

Who knows. I never did expect some of his bigger years in Tampa in Atlanta. I just expected something like a 105-110 wrc+ with plus defense and good base running/steals. He has talent but it starts with his strikeout rate. When it's in the upper 20's or low 30's he just isn't going to be a productive major league hitter. He needs low to mid 20's to be even remotely not bad.

There is the school of thought that strike outs don't really matter and for some hitters, that is true. If Upton were a consistent 30 HR/.350 OBP guy, they wouldn't. He's not, so they do. Has some very good physical tools and I hope he puts things back together.

Like wupk, I wasn't expecting the 2007 or 2008 Bossman, Jr., but I was hoping for something like the 2010-2012. But even in those years the payoff on the K-rate was not very good.

[thewupk]

There is the school of thought that strike outs don't really matter and for some hitters, that is true. If Upton were a consistent 30 HR/.350 OBP guy, they wouldn't. He's not, so they do. Has some very good physical tools and I hope he puts things back together.

Like wupk, I wasn't expecting the 2007 or 2008 Bossman, Jr., but I was hoping for something like the 2010-2012. But even in those years the payoff on the K-rate was not very good.

A hitter can be good and strike out a lot. That is where that school of thought comes from. The younger Upton is an example of this. Someone like say Martin Prado could not be a good hitter with a high K rate. It's just dependent on what other abilities that hitter has like power/walk rate or LD% in Chris Johnson's case. Upton's K rate those years wasn't pretty either but it was still around the mid 20's. His time with the Braves it has been at 30% or higher. That's just not going to get it done especially with him not hitting for as much power as he did in Tampa. In the last 10 games though his K rate has been at the 25% mark and we've seen better results. I think think that is the key for him. Mid 20 K rate and he won't be an abortion of a hitter.