5/8/15 Braves@ Nats 7:05 ET

[Garmel]

Braves
1. Nick Markakis (L) RF
2. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Jonny Gomes (R) LF
5. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
6. Alberto Callaspo (S) 3B
7. Phil Gosselin (R) 2B
8. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
9. Eric Stults (L) P

Nats
1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Yunel Escobar (R) 3B
3. Jayson Werth (R) LF
4. Bryce Harper (L) RF
5. Ryan Zimmerman (R) 1B
6. Wilson Ramos (R) C
7. Ian Desmond (R) SS
8. Danny Espinosa (S) 2B
9. Gio Gonzalez (R) P

[Garmel]

Ugh! Gosselin's playing.

[chop2chip]

That's an EY away from being my least favorite lineup of the year.

[thethe]

So he goes with Gosselin for the lefty/right matchup probably but then doesn't play CB. Whatever.

If you shield Peterson from lefties he will NEVER LEARN HOW TO HIT THEM!

Gosselin is a nobody. STOP PLAYING HIM!

[thethe]

The funniest part is that somehow Gosselin is hitting in front of Maybin. You can't make this **** up.

If anything you should put Maybin 6th and move everyone down a spot so you get lefty/right all the way down the lineup. We need a new manager desperately.

[Braves1976]

So he goes with Gosselin for the lefty/right matchup probably but then doesn't play CB. Whatever.

If you shield Peterson from lefties he will NEVER LEARN HOW TO HIT THEM!

Gosselin is a nobody. STOP PLAYING HIM!

Peterson is hitting .300 in a small sample (3-10) vs lefties so far. He also hit them well in the minors too. But it does make it tougher to be sat vs lefty starters and then left in later on vs a tough lefty specialist bullpen arm.

[weso1]

As long as Jace remains the starter, I'm not going to grump about the occasional day off.

[Braves1976]

The funniest part is that somehow Gosselin is hitting in front of Maybin. You can't make this **** up.

If anything you should put Maybin 6th and move everyone down a spot so you get lefty/right all the way down the lineup. We need a new manager desperately.

One reason Maybin should hit ahead of him is that Maybin has more ability to steal bases, easier to set that up batting 7th than 8th. Gosselin isn't the stolen base threat Peterson or Maybin is.

[Dalyn]

Looks great. :tchop:

[UNCBlue012]

Meh. I demand Peterson!

[bravesnumberone]

The funniest part is that somehow Gosselin is hitting in front of Maybin. You can't make this **** up.

If anything you should put Maybin 6th and move everyone down a spot so you get lefty/right all the way down the lineup. We need a new manager desperately.

Too bad your boy couldn't understand this simple fact.

[bravesnumberone]

As long as Jace remains the starter, I'm not going to grump about the occasional day off.

It's not that Gosselin is getting a start. Peterson might have a head cold for all we know. It's that he's hitting higher than 8th in the lineup. Someone should tell Fredi our CF isn't Melvin. He doesn't have to be relegated to the 8th spot.

[The Chosen One]

While true, some hitters probably like the superstition of staying in a spot when they're doing well. Maybin might be one of those guys and wants to stay 8th since he's been doing pretty good there.

Also we have to consider that Fredi does actually talk to his players and talks to them about some lineup discussion. It's not like the last day of school where you see your name on the list for next year's homeroom and see if you know anybody who's going to be grouped with you.

[thewupk]

XYZ baseball that inning

[Julio3000]

This is not a knock on Fredi, per se, but I just don't care to see Gosselin in the lineup.

[USMA76]

This is not a knock on Fredi, per se, but I just don't care to see Gosselin in the lineup.

Go ahead and knock Fredi, you'll fit right in here. 8^)

[Julio3000]

I guess I just don't care to see Gosselin on the roster. If he's up here, he should probably get a start once in a while . . . but with Jace, Callaspo, KJ, and Ciriaco on the roster, I don't see the point in his being up at all.

[50PoundHead]

You really have to work hard to walk Gosselin.

[The Chosen One]

Maybin hit that sucker hard.

[Garmel]

Bad luck for Maybin right there.

[Braves1976]

Maybin hit that sucker hard.

Yea, just right at him.

[jsebe10]

More shoddy catching from the man who's getting a mystery start. I hate that fat fck they call out manager

[dak]

Stultynewicz strikes out the side.

[USMA76]

Storms take out the satellite feed so I've been reduced to GameDay...oh, well.

[thewupk]

Simmons is a hitting fool

[Julio3000]

I missed the 1st inning . . . I see that Tron got hit. Anything suspicious?

[The Chosen One]

Phew.

[The Chosen One]

BABIPPING IN HONOR OF CJ.

[Julio3000]

13 doubles for Freddie. Criminy.

Let's beat the Zombie Expos. Really, there's nothing sweeter.

[Garmel]

AJ is really having a hard time against a lefty. Makes you wonder why he 's playing today.

[thewupk]

13 doubles for Freddie. Criminy.

Let's beat the Zombie Expos. Really, there's nothing sweeter.

If this power stroke continues then Freeman will be a monster

[USMA76]

AJ is really having a hard time against a lefty. Makes you wonder why he 's playing today.

Fredi--it's the answer to every nonsensical question that involves the Atlanta Braves.

[thewupk]

Fredi--it's the answer to every nonsensical question that involves the Atlanta Braves.

:FrediPuzzled:

[The Chosen One]

Goss almost had a double. Then swung at ball 4.

[thewupk]

Goss almost had a double. Then swung at ball 4.

:Sad:

[The Chosen One]

and CameRajon Rondo strikes out because of a late strike 2 call.

[USMA76]

OK ump if you're calling strikes six inches off the ground against Maybin you better do the same thing against the Nats hitters.

[Garmel]

Maybin with more bad luck. That bad call for the 2nd strike cost us a walk and a chance to clear the pitcher.

[USMA76]

Stults dodged a bullet on a long foul ball so he gives Werth another chance on the same pitch to hit one to the Washington Monument.

[The Chosen One]

Andrelton = Baseball GOD

[dak]

Andrelton! Unreal.

[Garmel]

Harper's an idiot.

[The Chosen One]

Harper's an idiot.

This isnt' about Harper. This is about the godlike genius of Andrelton Simmons.

[Braves1976]

Simmons nailed him! Just one of the many reasons I am not interested in trading him.

Now another hit makes that play look bigger too.

[Julio3000]

LOL Bryce.

Tron is a ninja.

[Runnin]

I LOVE Andrelton Simmons.

[USMA76]

This isnt' about Harper. This is about the godlike genius of Andrelton Simmons.

Simmons is indeed in that category. However, when he victimizes a box of douche like Harper it's just that much sweeter.

[Braves1976]

This isnt' about Harper. This is about the godlike genius of Andrelton Simmons.

Simmons has a instincts and a feel for the game you can't teach.

[The Chosen One]

Dangit Gomes. IF you just let Andrelton get that, he could've doubled up Zimmerman at first.

[The Chosen One]

Simmons has a instincts and a feel for the game you can't teach.

In 20 years baseball coaches from youth to professional will stop using the old term "heads up play" and just call it the Andrelton.

[The Chosen One]

The Nats dugout reaction to Harper getting thrown out at first by Simmons was priceless.

[Garmel]

I think Desmond has a hole in his bat.

[USMA76]

As I look at the replay, not only was asshat out but Freeman hit him right in the chops with the tagout. Put that in the category of "life's unexpected joys."

[Braves1976]

I think Desmond has a hole in his bat.

Thankfully Stults found it. :)

[Julio3000]

Andrelton doesn't play defense as much as he plays offense when his team is in the field.

[The Chosen One]

Andrelton doesn't play defense as much as he plays offense when his team is in the field.

Andrelton will be the first player in history to tag a runner out on a caught stealing at 2b after the batter at home plate just walked, and the umpire will call him out despite the walk.

[USMA76]

Unfortunately, it looks like Gonzalez is settling in.

[Garmel]

Thankfully Stults found it. :)

Yeah, Desmond's having a hard time catching up with that 86 MPH fastball. He's got blown away by two of them.

[The Chosen One]

Tron will be the leader of this team by 2017, not Freddie. :FrediGreen:

[yeezus]

STULTS HEARD YALL TALKING AND HES MAD

[thewupk]

lol @ Harper.

[jsebe10]

Can we rattle this mexican turd plZ

[USMA76]

First embarrassing at bat by Freeman in awhile.

[The Chosen One]

lol @ Harper.

Answer my messages on facebook.

[USMA76]

Gomes Ks on strike five.

[jsebe10]

Embarassing AB by Gomes

[Garmel]

This inning has me worried. Stultz is pitching to the heart of the lineup and this is their 3rd look at him.

[USMA76]

This inning has we worried. Stultz is pitching to the heart of the lineup and this is their 3rd look at him.

Couldn't agree more.

[Braves1976]

Damn it Stults, not to him!

[Garmel]

Yep. I called it.

[USMA76]

So this is what hell feels like.

[chop2chip]

STULTS HEARD YALL TALKING AND HES MAD
Unjinx

[Runnin]

You were saying Joe.

[jsebe10]

What a Fckn odd intro for Ramos. Weird Fckn people up there.

[jsebe10]

You were saying Joe.

Nothing.

He's had Harper's cock in his mouth all night.

[USMA76]

This part of the Braves batting order ought to make them wet their pants.

[yeezus]

Unjinx

ugh

[jsebe10]

Get comfortable there Goss. You aint leaving 2nd

[USMA76]

This ump's strike zone sucks balls--and has for both teams.

[USMA76]

Welcome to "The Show," Mr. Ciriaco.

[jsebe10]

Tiny ass Fckn ball park

[jsebe10]

BUNT THE GDAMN BALL FREDDIE.

[USMA76]

Our bullpen is nothing short of a dumpster fire.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Harper:mad0182:

[Braves1976]

Our bullpen is nothing short of a dumpster fire.

Yea, plus we send down Kohn who has very good stuff and hasn't allowed a hit or run. Sure he walks a bit too many but he always has and was effective with the Angels in the past doing it too.

[thethe]

I stand by my statement still. Harper will be the best player in baseball.

[Runnin]

Unwatchable now.

[Runnin]

I stand by my statement still. Harper will be the best player in baseball.
If that is ever true, it won't last long. He's too arrogant and dumb.

[USMA76]

Williams Perez is a future starter in the eyes of the Braves organization...heaven help us.

[Braves1976]

Fredi waves the white flag of surrender aka Trevor Cahill.

[Garmel]

Cahill's coming out so that's the official "we surrender" flag.

[USMA76]

Cahill pitches about as well as the French Army defended the Ardennes.

[Braves1976]

Cahill's coming out so that's the official "we surrender" flag.

Mercy! Just say it!

[Garmel]

Mercy! Just say it!

They didn't give Cahill any. He gave up some more runs.

[Russ2dollas]

I remember thinking that Harper, Stanton, and Haywood was going to be a great RF battle for a long time.....sucks our guy was the one that couldn't scare people at the plate.

[jsebe10]

I stand by my statement still. Harper will be the best player in baseball.

You are crazy as hell. There's a guy in an Angels uniform who would beg to differ. Harper doesn't even come close to the same tools that Trout has. Don't let Harpers facing two series of pure garbage pitching cloud your judgement.

[jsebe10]

There isn't anything that anyone can tell me to convince me differently. This game was lost on poor lineup construction. Piercingly, Gomes, or Goss had no business starting tonight.

[thethe]

You are crazy as hell. There's a guy in an Angels uniform who would beg to differ. Harper doesn't even come close to the same tools that Trout has. Don't let Harpers facing two series of pure garbage pitching cloud your judgement.

Has nothing to do with that. Harpers pure talent exceeds anyones in baseball. He has been battling injuries the last two years.

[WaitingFor2017]

Okay, Fredi, it's time to end the love affair with AJ Pierzynski. Ever since his hot streak, he is now 2 for his last 20 with only one walk in that span. During a rebuild year, play the players who could be a part of the future ala Bethancourt. He can go 2 for 20 and give you better defense and call a better game. AJ can be Shelby's personal catcher.

[jsebe10]

Has nothing to do with that. Harpers pure talent exceeds anyones in baseball. He has been battling injuries the last two years.

Has literally everything to do with that. There isn't a more athletic plsyer in the game right now than trout. Hits for power, avg, can throw and run. You are simply taking what harper has done the last 5 games and rambling.

[thethe]

Has literally everything to do with that. There isn't a more athletic plsyer in the game right now than trout. Hits for power, avg, can throw and run. You are simply taking what harper has done the last 5 games and rambling.

I've said this for two+ years already. This is not a recent opinion I've developed.

[jsebe10]

I've said this for two+ years already. This is not a recent opinion I've developed.

I don't care if you said it the day he walked out of his mother's hot hole...you are going off of what he's done the last 5 games because he ain't did **** till this season.

[thethe]

I don't care if you said it the day he walked out of his mother's hot hole...you are going off of what he's done the last 5 games because he ain't did **** till this season.

Your definition of a player doing well is different than mine.

[thewupk]

I've said this for two+ years already. This is not a recent opinion I've developed.

But you've been wrong for two years as well. Until Harper actually becomes the best player in baseball, he isn't. And while Trout is still playing that's likely to never happen.

[thethe]

But you've been wrong for two years as well. Until Harper actually becomes the best player in baseball, he isn't. And while Trout is still playing that's likely to never happen.

Injuries are the only thing that have slowed down Harper in my opinion. As long as he is healthy he will prove to be the best player in baseball. At least from an offensive standpoint.

[thewupk]

Your definition of a player doing well is different than mine.

Harper has done well. But what he's doing so far this year (offensively) Trout has done for 3+ years now. And Trout is miles ahead of Harper defensively and as a baserunner too.

[Braves1976]

It is bad enough to get beat mostly by Harper tonight but now we have to read all this Harper is the best player in MLB stuff in the game thread too? Damn, did I join the Nats board and not know it? :)

[thethe]

It is bad enough to get beat mostly by Harper tonight but now we have to read all this Harper is the best player in MLB stuff in the game thread too? Damn, did I join the Nats board and not know it? :)

You know I'm about as big of a Braves homer as it gets. I just feel real strongly about this.

[thethe]

Harper has done well. But what he's doing so far this year (offensively) Trout has done for 3+ years now. And Trout is miles ahead of Harper defensively and as a baserunner too.

Well, to be fair Trout hasn't produced at this level for a whole season but Harper probably won't either.

[Braves1976]

You know I'm about as big of a Braves homer as it gets. I just feel real strongly about this.

Mercy! There I said it! :)

[thewupk]

Well, to be fair Trout hasn't produced at this level for a whole season but Harper probably won't either.

Trout has a 172 wrc+ right now. His 2013 season he was at 176. So yeah he has done this before. He's that good.

[thethe]

Trout has a 172 wrc+ right now. His 2013 season he was at 176. So yeah he has done this before. He's that good.

You can't on one hand say that Trout is a better baserunner and then compare him to Harpers year with using a stat that includes a baserunning aspect. Thats double counting sir.

I should have rephrased but as a HITTER I think that Harper is better than Trout. I've said before that Trout is obviously the superior fielder and baserunner.

[NinersSBChamps]

Safe to say the Braves are going to be the Nats bitch this season.

[thewupk]

You can't on one hand say that Trout is a better baserunner and then compare him to Harpers year with using a stat that includes a baserunning aspect. Thats double counting sir.

I should have rephrased but as a HITTER I think that Harper is better than Trout. I've said before that Trout is obviously the superior fielder and baserunner.

WRC+ doesn't include baserunning on fangraphs. It's separate.

[Runnin]

Harper does nothing better than Trout, including keeping himself healthy and on the field. He plays a less demanding position and still manages to stay hurt whereas Trout has played practically everyday in CF going on 4 years.

[CrimsonCowboy]

I'd take Trout, but Harper is going to be a thorn in the Braves side (as well as the rest of the division) for years to come. I could tolerate it somewhat if Harper was somewhat likable.

[bravesnumberone]

That game was fun to watch.

[CyYoung31]

Remember when we used to own the Nats?

Welcome back to 2011.

[thethe]

WRC+ doesn't include baserunning on fangraphs. It's separate.

I see that now. My apologies.

[thewupk]

I see that now. My apologies.

I understand the confusion. Steals were included up to a couple of years ago.

[thewupk]

I'd take Trout, but Harper is going to be a thorn in the Braves side (as well as the rest of the division) for years to come. I could tolerate it somewhat if Harper was somewhat likable.

Hopefully he goes to the Yankees in a couple of years.

[UNCBlue012]

Has literally everything to do with that. There isn't a more athletic plsyer in the game right now than trout. Hits for power, avg, can throw and run. You are simply taking what harper has done the last 5 games and rambling.

Wait, there are people defending the idea that Harper is better than Trout? Injuries or not, that's just wrong. Trout is better at about every aspect of the game. Heck, even his power numbers are better. I don't like Harper, but I respect the talent and the makeup, but he's not Trout.

[AerchAngel]

I didn't watch the game but I saw the second homer, might as well put it on a T, Rafael Billiard would have hit that pitch out, it was awful. About 90% of MLB players would have crush that Resop fastball. And I dislike Harper like no other but he has a vicious but beautiful swing (like the old timers, Ott, Killebrew and Eddie Matthews) that has ungodly bat speed. You do not throw fastballs to him, he will kill it, Curve and Change up him to death. He can't adjust to slower speeds and if you throw a fastball, high and outside up is his weakness, low and away that catches the zone he will go the other way with it and the bat speed is enough to have no problem clearing the fence.

Cold zone, inside and high, outside and high, inside and low but no two-seamer that tails back to the plate and any offspeed stuff in conjunction with your off the plate high or inside fastballs. Stultz gave him a meatball I just saw. TWO FREAKING MEATBALLS. This is how you lose.