6/5/15: GDT - Pittsburgh Pirates @ Atlanta Braves

[Garmel]

Braves
1. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
2. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Nick Markakis (L) RF
5. Juan Uribe (R) 3B
6. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
7. Todd Cunningham (S) LF
8. Pedro Ciriaco (R) 2B
9. Williams Perez (R) P

Pirates
1. Gregory Polanco (L) RF
2. Starling Marte (R) LF
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) CF
4. Neil Walker (S) 2B
5. Jung Ho Kang (R) 3B
6. Pedro Alvarez (L) 1B
7. Francisco Cervelli (R) C
8. Jordy Mercer (R) SS
9. Charlie Morton (R) P

[Garmel]

Peterson's out for some reason.

[nsacpi]

Baby Harang gonna be huge tonight

[MadduxFanII]

Terdoslavich activated, EY DFAed.

Huzzah!

[Julio3000]

Niiiice

[Enscheff]

Odd timing to sit Peterson...after a day off and vs a RHed pitcher. He must be sick or something.

[Garmel]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 2m2 minutes ago

"Jace Peterson has been dealing with some left hand discomfort for the past 2 weeks. X-rays were negative yesterday. Hopes to play tomorrow."

[jpx7]

I would've plopped Terd right in there this afternoon.

[dak]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 2h2 hours ago
Fredi says Peterson will sit again tomorrow. Uribe will play 2B and Johnson will be at 3B

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 2h2 hours ago
Jace Peterson received a cortisone injection yesterday. That is the primary reason he will not play again tomorrow.

[keithlaw]

I would've plopped Terd right in there this afternoon.

The OF defense would really stink

[Julio3000]

The OF defense would really stink

But it's nice to let the kid get a chance to make a splash in his season debut.

[MadduxFanII]

"Eric Young, Jr: Starting Center Fielder and Lead-Off Hitter" was such a weird, obviously bad idea that I think we should all agree to move on and pretend it never happened.

[stpeteirish]

I would've plopped Terd right in there this afternoon.

Me too. He provides a little more pop than Cunningham. If Gomes can play vs RHP Terdo can play vs LHP.

Use Todd as a late game defender.

[cajunrevenge]

Uribe at 2b? What?

[jpx7]

Maybin making things happen early.

[jpx7]

Pirates really respecting Markakis' grass-behind-second power.

[jpx7]

:emot-siren.gif.17:

SVOD Mark-1 reference on the telecast.

[skillet]

I would've plopped Terd right in there this afternoon.

I plopped one a little while ago, does that work?

[cajunrevenge]

Good to see the team get off to a hot start after that morale busting Arizona series.

[jpx7]

Uribe has a bit of the Clay Davis look about the face.

[jpx7]

I plopped one a little while ago, does that work?

Whoa: don't want to dump too much in management's bowl all at once. :FrediGreen:

[jpx7]

"That's how you pronounce it." -- No it isn't, Chip; I know it isn't.

[nsacpi]

Baby Harang setting them up for the triple play

[jpx7]

Walkaki.

[nsacpi]

AJ

[chop2chip]

Joe Simpson got so hot and heavy by AJ's willingness to both bunt and hit the ball the other way.

[jpx7]

"Charlie Morton playing with fire," but Sriracha can't make it burn.

[GovClintonTyree]

Walkaki.

So I'm on an airplane watching the MLB Gameday feed, and it appears that Baby Latin Harang is wilder than a truckload of starving kangaroos. How do you even throw a sinker neck high, let alone 18 inches outside?

Kinda looks like he has no idea where it's going.

[chop2chip]

Good first four innings for Jorge Sosa.

[GovClintonTyree]

Joe Simpson got so hot and heavy by AJ's willingness to both bunt and hit the ball the other way.

Wait til he bunts the ball the other way. Joe will get a giant, engorged boner. Chip will jump on it, like a grenade.

[nsacpi]

Baby Harang toyin with em

[Garmel]

If Perez learns control he will be a very good pitcher.

[Braves1976]

If Perez learns control he will be a very good pitcher.

Yea, so far he usually only gets into trouble from walks. If he doesn't walk many he can be dominate at times.

[jpx7]

Kinda looks like he has no idea where it's going.

Each pitcher has walked the other, and neither has seemed particularly awesome at finding the plate—but yea, despite the score, Perez has been the wilder one.

[jpx7]

Strange that Baby Harang can't find a plate ...

[jpx7]

Familiar script.

[WaitingFor2017]

Leadoff walks will get you. I think he's walked the lead off guy in every inning but the first.

[UNCBlue012]

So little caring on this team. Oh well.

[Garmel]

I don't see how we win this one with the bullpen we have.

[GovClintonTyree]

Each pitcher has walked the other, and neither has seemed particularly awesome at finding the plate—but yea, despite the score, Perez has been the wilder one.

How do you get through that many levels of baseball and not learn to bury a sinker?

High sinkers have another name. Meat.

[stpeteirish]

Familiar script.

not really, the bullpen hasn't blown it.

[jpx7]

Chip ... Kang Jung-ho is really not that hard to enunciate.

[jpx7]

not really, the bullpen hasn't blown it.

But that's not the script of the past few days; rather, the starter struggles in mid-innings, letting the opposition back into the game, then the bullpen totally blows it.

[Braves1976]

Perez was just too wild tonight for some reason, but he had a nice finish after the three-run bomb. Oh well.

[chop2chip]

Braves pitchers have really struggled with control this past week while doing, generally, pretty well with the other facets of pitching.

But the regression monster always catches up to those of whom walk.

[WaitingFor2017]

Over. In.

[jpx7]

"I love these high ... ... -resolution cameras." -- Nice, Chip.

[chop2chip]

Perez was just too wild tonight for some reason, but he had a nice finish after the three-run bomb. Oh well.

For some reason? He's been wild since he's been in the majors. The difference tonight was tonight somebody finally got a hit off him after the walks.

I like him, but he has to throw strikes. Ground all pitchers who can't throw strikes don't usually fair too well.

[WaitingFor2017]

Uribe was out, but Pitt has no challenge. Take advantage.

[Braves1976]

For some reason? He's been wild since he's been in the majors. The difference tonight was tonight somebody finally got a hit off him after the walks.

I like him, but he has to throw strikes. Ground all pitchers who can't throw strikes don't usually fair too well.

I never said he hadn't been wild at times. The difference is he kept walking the leadoff man inning after inning and five batters overall and obviously the three run homer too. Tonight he was wild pretty much all night instead of just at certain points.

[WaitingFor2017]

Another instance of Fredi not knowing how to work the bullpen. Does he ever think of extra innings?

[jpx7]

What the ****, Fredi? Seriously, to what in the hell end is he over-managing this game?

[blueagleace1]

Fred's use of the bullpen is atrocious.

[Garmel]

If I see Gomes pinch hit for Cunningham again I'm going to kneecap someone.

[Braves1976]

If I see Gomes pinch hit for Cunningham again I'm going to kneecap someone.

I hope you kneecap Fredi if you must kneecap someone. :)

[jpx7]

Another instance of Fredi not knowing how to work the bullpen. Does he ever think of extra innings?

Fred's use of the bullpen is atrocious.

Relievers are like timeouts: you can't just stash them for later innings. You gotta use 'em or lose 'em. :FrediPuzzled:

[WaitingFor2017]

Great usage, Fredi.

[blueagleace1]

FIRE FREDI NOW.

[Braves1976]

LOL, Well done Fredi.

[WaitingFor2017]

Chip is actually trying to convince us that Fredi is doing the right things....

[jpack1]

Fredi just being Fredi.

[jpx7]

Truly a master tactician: Odyssean levels of cunning.

Maybe Markakis can call his guy and get Fredisseus dumped into Charybdis.

[CrimsonCowboy]

That Braves "bull"pen

[Braves1976]

FIRE FREDI NOW.

If Arizona didn't get him fired as the last straw I must wonder if he has something on Bobby Cox for him to keep protecting him.

[WaitingFor2017]

How many 2015 Braves bullpen pitchers will be in the bullpen in 2016? Martin? Grilli (if not traded?)

[jpx7]

If Arizona didn't get him fired as the last straw I must wonder if he has something on Bobby Cox for him to keep protecting him.

He bought those pictures off Keith Lockhart.

[chop2chip]

Why would you fire Fredi? He serves his purpose as the scape goat for everything.

Let's continue to bash Fredi and ignor the fact that our middle relief hasn't had a scoreless inning in a week.

[Garmel]

I hope you kneecap Fredi if you must kneecap someone. :)

Don't worry. He's the first on my list.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Jeff Schultz ‏@JeffSchultzAJC 17s18 seconds ago
When is Braves' "Tryout For The Bullpen" night?

[jpx7]

Why would you fire Fredi? He serves his purpose as the scape goat for everything.

Let's continue to bash Fredi and ignor the fact that our middle relief hasn't had a scoreless inning in a week.

The bullpen is thoroughly mediocre at the top, and total crap at the bottom, but he's putting guys in position to fail—and that's much more galling than erratic pitchers pitching erratically.

Moreover, what's worse is it's like he's not watching the games: Cunniff was throwing quite well. There was no reason to mess with it, yet he pulls him just to get all crafty, burning the team's lone functional LHP reliever (in a tie-game) in the process.

[chop2chip]

The bullpen is thoroughly mediocre at the top, and total crap at the bottom, but he's putting guys in position to fail—and that's much more galling than erratic pitchers pitching erratically.

Moreover, what's worse is it's like he's not watching the games: Cunniff was throwing quite well. There was no reason to mess with it, yet he pulls him just to get all crafty, burning the team's lone functional LHP reliever (in a tie-game) in the process.Oh no doubt that was poorly managed, but he's a red herring. Read this thread. You won't see anyone questioning the bullpen pitchers, but we will have a dozen pages of Fredi bashing.

We could have Captain Hindsight 20/20 and he couldn't successfully navigate this motley crew through a successful night.

[drewdat]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 7m7 minutes ago
When working with a thin pen, I don't understand the need to insert your "lefty" w/ none on and two outs in the sixth

Uh oh. Remember when Bowman started badmouthing Callaspo? Could be the (Hershey's) kiss of death.

[WaitingFor2017]

Somewhat sad to see that Cahill has been one of the more reliable relievers in the last week.

[Braves1976]

Uh oh. Remember when Bowman started badmouthing Callaspo? Could be the (Hershey's) kiss of death.

That would be nice.

[jpx7]

Oh no doubt that was poorly managed, but he's a red herring. Read this thread. You won't see anyone questioning the bullpen pitchers, but we will have a dozen pages of Fredi bashing.

For me—and I suspect for most people—there's a substantive difference in (a) watching a guy like Martin or Cunniff (or even Veal!) struggle to prove himself in the major-leagues, with the potential to perhaps improve, learn, and grown, and (b) watching a guy who should know better, but never will, out-manage himself and put his guys into losing situations.

[jpx7]

"Archimedes Caminero"

Before the bullpen spirals out of control, maybe Hart can work some calculus to get this guy onto the Braves.

[Tapate50]

Boy , couldn't shake the feeling that awful call was gonna cost us a base runner.

[Garmel]

Juan's money.

[Tapate50]

I like this Juan Uribe guy already

[jpx7]

I like this Juan Uribe guy already

He brings just a bit more to the table than Lord BABip.

[Braves1976]

Uribe has been a clutch hitter for us since the trade, I understand why the Dodgers let him go. But I like him and think he might be worth bringing back next year.

[jsebe10]

Oh yea that's it AJ...cuss out the pitcher because your ass swung through a 99 MPH Fastball. Punk ass

[blueagleace1]

Here's the thing about that whole situation that irks me...

1. It's the 6th (yes SIXTH) inning
2. Pitcher's spot due up 3rd in the bottom half of the inning
3. If Avilan doesn't get Polanco out then someone (either Cunniff or Avilan) will have to face an opposite hitting batter -or- you burn three pitchers.

Worst case is Cunniff gives up a SOLO homer to Polanco.

*By the way, it's time to cut ties with Cahill and put Cody Martin as the long man.

[chop2chip]

For me—and I suspect for most people—there's a substantive difference in (a) watching a guy like Martin or Cunniff (or even Veal!) struggle to prove himself in the major-leagues, with the potential to perhaps improve, learn, and grown, and (b) watching a guy who should know better, but never will, out-manage himself and put his guys into losing situations.
Sure. I understand that. I didn't like the move when it was made, but does Fredi constantly over manage his bullpen? He seems to be pretty normal with his substitutions with the caveat that he tends to overwork a select few.

We just need bullpen talent. I don't recall too many instances the last few years with Fredi playing the match up game in the 6th inning.

[jpx7]

Oh yea that's it AJ...cuss out the pitcher because your ass swung through a 99 MPH Fastball. Punk ass

Clutch douching. Extra Ultra on the menu tonight.

[Garmel]

The baby-faced assassin couldn't get back to back scoreless innings.

[WaitingFor2017]

So, when do we play the Marlins again?

[GovClintonTyree]

He brings just a bit more to the table than Lord BABip.

He takes a lot more away from the table, too.

[Braves1976]

Simmons looks hurt.

[jpx7]

the starter struggles in mid-innings, letting the opposition back into the game, then the bullpen totally blows it.

There we go.

[jsebe10]

Hahaha. Cutch just straight up Clowning AJ!!!

[WaitingFor2017]

On the verge of losing 3 straight games when scoring 5 or more. That hurts.

[chop2chip]

These bullpen meltdowns have become a thing of comedy. Every night is game of guessing how it's going to meltdown.

[blueagleace1]

Gun to your head..

You HAVE to keep one of the following on our team for 3 more years...

1. Fredi Gonzalez
2. Trevor Cahill

Who you keeping..

[GovClintonTyree]

I don't think Fredi is manager Jesus or anything, but I fail to see how he could assembled this puzzle in any better way.

This bullpen is, quite simply, the worst I have ever seen. Keep Grilli, Johnson, and Avilan and waive the rest. Tonight. Any four posters from this board could fill those slots better.

[GovClintonTyree]

Gun to your head..

You HAVE to keep one of the following on our team for 3 more years...

1. Fredi Gonzalez
2. Trevor Cahill

Who you keeping..


Oh, Fredi, no question. This **** isn't his fault. The bullpen is incidiary.

[Tapate50]

He brings just a bit more to the table than Lord BABip.

Is that a fat joke, because bravo

[skillet]

Has to be the worst bullpen I've ever seen.

[blueagleace1]

Oh, Fredi, no question. This **** isn't his fault. The bullpen is incidiary.

I agree it is horrible but his bullpen usage is pretty horrendous as well.

[jsebe10]

Loved seeing Cutch mouth off at AJ! Serves his ass right.

[NinersSBChamps]

Hopefully some of the delirious people here will realize this team is sewer water garbage. They are much worse than their record indicates. Please don't torment yourselves and think this team is doing anything.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Opposing teams when they see the Braves bullpen:
http://i.imgur.com/LxLl7.gif
Atlanta fans when they see the Braves bullpen:
http://media.giphy.com/media/Wv1LRsa2f2afm/giphy.gif

[CrimsonCowboy]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 4m4 minutes ago
The #Braves bullpen ERA currently rests at 5.01. They haven't had a bullpen ERA north of 5.00 since 1990.

[jpx7]

Is that a fat joke, because bravo

Gov slammed home the alley-oop:


He takes a lot more away from the table, too.

[jsebe10]

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman 4m4 minutes ago
The #Braves bullpen ERA currently rests at 5.01. They haven't had a bullpen ERA north of 5.00 since 1990.

So does that mean we will go from worst to first next year?

[jpx7]

So does that mean we will go from worst to first next year?

http://media1.giphy.com/media/73BIcLf96XgS4/giphy.gif

[jsebe10]

Thank God we have soooo much power in the 4 hole coming up now.

[jsebe10]

And that's why our 4 hole hitter has 14 RBI on the year. Because he doesn't drive in runs

[chop2chip]

Thank God we have soooo much power in the 4 hole coming up now.
I think I've seen you bitch about Markakis hitting 4th since he was put there and he continues to prove you wrong.

[drewdat]

And that's why our 4 hole hitter has 14 RBI on the year. Because he led off a bunch

.

[chop2chip]

And that's why our 4 hole hitter has 14 RBI on the year. Because he doesn't drive in runs
He's hitting .336 in the 4th spot this year.

[Braves1976]

Obviously, offense isn't our problem right now. We scored another touchdown tonight and may still score again. This bullpen stinks though for the most part and so does Fredi's usage of it.

[jsebe10]

I think I've seen you bitch about Markakis hitting 4th since he was put there and he continues to prove you wrong.

are you fckn blind? Are you suggesting that this guy should be hitting 4th?

[Braves1976]

Simmons did throw his glove at that ball, lol.

[jsebe10]

He's hitting .336 in the 4th spot this year.

It doesn't matter if he's hitting a 1.000 in the 4 hole. Dude is not a game changer in that spot and doesn't drive in runs

[Braves1976]

Braves can tie this game back up with a late field goal!

[Pugfan]

I don't think Fredi is manager Jesus or anything, but I fail to see how he could assembled this puzzle in any better way.

This bullpen is, quite simply, the worst I have ever seen. Keep Grilli, Johnson, and Avilan and waive the rest. Tonight. Any four posters from this board could fill those slots better.

I agree. impossible to manage this god awful bullpen. Makes the mid to late 80's braves bullpen look like the Nasty Boys

[Braves1976]

Hmm, shades of SF there..

[jpx7]

Ne Plus pushing that batting-average back up. #tradevalue

[Braves1976]

Great AB by Ciriaco. He barely missed a double before that hit too.

[50PoundHead]

Great AB by Ciriaco. He barely missed a double before that hit too.

He keeps this up and Gosselin will never get his job back!

[Braves1976]

Joey T looked very rusty on those swings, I don't get adding him right now. Oh well.

[UNCBlue012]

But how. We scored 8. Get rid of the whole BP.

[thethe]

Any reason why Peterson had a day off?

[jsebe10]

Joey T looked very rusty on those swings, I don't get adding him right now. Oh well.

Tough spot he was thrusted into tonight.

[jsebe10]

Any reason why Peterson had a day off?

Sore thumb. Out till Sunday.

[drewdat]

Any reason why Peterson had a day off?

Cortisone shot for a hand injury, still day-to-day.

[buck75]

Any reason why Peterson had a day off?
Had a cortisone shot in his hand.

[jsebe10]

I look fwd to talking about Tehran's knee in tomorrow's thread after they go to the Blowpen in the 4th inning.

[chop2chip]

It doesn't matter if he's hitting a 1.000 in the 4 hole. Dude is not a game changer in that spot and doesn't drive in runs
Okay hoss. Let's just put Uribe there since he hits homeruns. Markakis can take his .340 batting average somewhere else.

[Braves1976]

Any reason why Peterson had a day off?

He had been playing with a sore hand for the past two and a half weeks. So he had a cortisone shot and will be back soon. Good news is x-rays were negative.

[thethe]

He had been playing with a sore hand for the past two and a half weeks. So he had a cortisone shot and will be back soon. Good news is x-rays were negative.

Thanks all for the updates.

N9t sure if I should be mad I missed this game. Offense continues to score while our pen c9ntinues to get scored upon. Frustrating....

[chop2chip]

Okay hoss. Let's just put Uribe there since he hits homeruns. Markakis can take his .340 batting average somewhere else.
As an FYI, however, Markakis with RISP:

.318/.423/.432

#doesntdriveinruns

[Garmel]

I think it's time to bring up Weber, Kelly and Carpenter from AAA. I know they're green but I don't think they could be any worse than what we have now.

[Julio3000]

Yeah. But a cortisone shot often means not hurt enough to go on the DL, but too hurt to be any good. Hopefully, that's not the way it plays out, but . . .

[thethe]

As an FYI, however, Markakis with RISP:

.318/.423/.432

#doesntdriveinruns

The irrational hate for Markakis is siloy. The only thing he has done wrong is not being the right fielder that preceded him.

[Braves1976]

Yeah. But a cortisone shot often means not hurt enough to go on the DL, but too hurt to be any good. Hopefully, that's not the way it plays out, but . . .

Fair point, but I am trying to be hopeful he will be fine soon.

[Heyward]

6 runs, 7 runs, 8 runs last 3 games= 0 wins.

Baseball can be a frustrating game.

Bullpen is beyond ****.

[jsebe10]

The irrational hate for Markakis is siloy. The only thing he has done wrong is not being the right fielder that preceded him.

No one is hating Markakis. I'm simply stating that he should not be batting 4th. Plain and simple. And you know that

[Braves1976]

I think it's time to bring up Weber, Kelly and Carpenter from AAA. I know they're green but I don't think they could be any worse than what we have now.

Kelly and Carpenter have been pretty dominate so I figured we'd see them at some point. Carpenter already has big league experience. Ryan Weber has been good too this year, so I'd be fine with giving him a shot too.

That said, I wouldn't trust Fredi to use them right. He's already been known to sit green relievers a week before using them, then they are so rusty they stink no matter how good they are.

[jsebe10]

As an FYI, however, Markakis with RISP:

.318/.423/.432

#doesntdriveinruns

Exactly right.

#doesntdriveinruns

Avg 5RBI a month might be cute for you, but take a look a look at the rest of the CLEANUP hitters in baseball and compare him to them.

[chop2chip]

No one is hating Markakis. I'm simply stating that he should not be batting 4th. Plain and simple. And you know that
Who should bat 4th? Name a player on the team.

[chop2chip]

Exactly right.

#doesntdriveinruns

Avg 5RBI a month might be cute for you, but take a look a look at the rest of the CLEANUP hitters in baseball and compare him to them.
So if he's hitting .318 and not driving in runs then I wonder how many opportunities he's actually getting to drive in runs.

It's Nick's fault though. It always is.

[Julio3000]

I've had my fun with Nick at cleanup, because he hits the ball about as hard as my 9-year-old daughter (to be fair, she's pretty physically advanced and has some impressive bat-to-ball skills), but it's hard to argue with the results. He's getting on base and doing a hell of a job hitting them where they ain't. That's not an endorsement of his signing or of his prospects of doing it in the long term, but for the time being, he's not the problem.

[Tapate50]

Exactly right.

#doesntdriveinruns

Avg 5RBI a month might be cute for you, but take a look a look at the rest of the CLEANUP hitters in baseball and compare him to them.

How many months has he been in the 4 hole? A week or threes worth of games? Maybe?

[chop2chip]

Exactly right.

#doesntdriveinruns

Avg 5RBI a month might be cute for you, but take a look a look at the rest of the CLEANUP hitters in baseball and compare him to them.
He's not compared to the rest of the CLEANUP!!! hitters in baseball. He's compared to the other hitters on his team. Sure, if Stanton or Harper was on the team I would concede he should hit somewhere else in the lineup.

[jsebe10]

He's not compared to the rest of the CLEANUP!!! hitters in baseball. He's compared to the other hitters on his team. Sure, if Stanton or Harper was on the team I would concede he should hit somewhere else in the lineup.

If you want high average, OBP, 5 RBI a month, punchin judy "hitting it where they ain't" out of your cleanup hitter you are in the right spot. Is lack of power causes teams to pitch around freddie to get to Markakis bc he will not beat them with the long ball. IE: Tonight. Is Nick a problem? No. He's hitting well. Should he be in the clean up spot. Fck no.

[Braves1976]

I must say Maybin impressed me in his interview after the game. I am liking him more and more, he seems to have very good character to me.

[jsebe10]

How many months has he been in the 4 hole? A week or threes worth of games? Maybe?

19 games. Similar #s to when he hit in the 3 hole.

[Heyward]

19 games. Similar #s to when he hit in the 3 hole.

What should the lineup be then genius?

[Julio3000]

If you want high average, OBP, and "hitting it where they ain't" out of your cleanup hitter you are in the right spot. Is lack of power causes teams to pitch around freddie to get to Markakis bc he will not beat them with the long ball. IE: Tonight. Is Nick a problem? No. He's hitting well. Should he be in the clean up spot. Fck no.

If he's on base 40% of the time I'd rather see him hitting in the top half of the order. So, yeah, Freddie is our only longball threat, but is 3rd or 4th in the order really such a big difference? If you flip-flopped them, we'd probably be complaining that Freddie only has El Juan 2.0 or CJ or AJ for protection. Beggars, choosers, et al.

[jsebe10]

What should the lineup be then genius?

Eat a dck heyward. Who the fck are you to jump in here being a smart ass you pussy.

[jsebe10]

If he's on base 40% of the time I'd rather see him hitting in the top half of the order. So, yeah, Freddie is our only longball threat, but is 3rd or 4th in the order really such a big difference? If you flip-flopped them, we'd probably be complaining that Freddie only has El Juan 2.0 or CJ or AJ for protection. Beggars, choosers, et al.

Yea...fair enough.

[Julio3000]

I must say Maybin impressed me in his interview after the game. I am liking him more and more, he seems to have very good character to me.

He's been outstanding on that front since day one. I really, really like that dude. Seems like a good guy to have around.

[Heyward]

Eat a dck heyward. Who the fck are you to jump in here being a smart ass you pussy.

I asked a simple question, you complain about the cleanup hitter and was just curious, kid.

I suppose you could try Jace, Nick, Maybin, Freeman top 4 but like it really matters.

[chop2chip]

If you want high average, OBP, 5 RBI a month, punchin judy "hitting it where they ain't" out of your cleanup hitter you are in the right spot. Is lack of power causes teams to pitch around freddie to get to Markakis bc he will not beat them with the long ball. IE: Tonight. Is Nick a problem? No. He's hitting well. Should he be in the clean up spot. Fck no.Funny that Freddie is being pitched around, but his walk rate is at a career low right now and he's having his best all around hitting season this year. Nick's walks and singles must be giving him some lineup protection.

[NinersSBChamps]

The problem right now isn't our offense or lineup construction.

[nsacpi]

The problem right now isn't our offense or lineup construction.

Correct. We have one or two in Gwinnett who should be given a turn in the pen. Can't do any worse than the incumbents..

[CrimsonCowboy]

A list of those who I would rather see pitch in the Atlanta Braves bullpen right now:

Jason Hursh
Peter Moylan
David Carpenter (either version is fine)
Sugar Ray Marimon
Sugar Ray Leonard
Kevin McGlinchy
Greg McMichael
Cortez from the AT&T commercials
Lily from the AT&T commercials
Chip Caray
A.J. Pierzynski

[The Chosen One]

The Anti-Fredi brigade should be thrilled our bullpen sucks.

If we don't make the playoffs because the bullpen continues to blow, Hart can use Fredi as the fall guy and bring in someone else.

[WaitingFor2017]

Gun to your head..

You HAVE to keep one of the following on our team for 3 more years...

1. Fredi Gonzalez
2. Trevor Cahill

Who you keeping..

Cahill. At least you can bury him to be the last man out of the pen and pitch him in blowouts only -- akin to Albie Lopez.

[bravesnumberone]

Realistically, the only thing that will really help our bullpen is going out and trading for guys, and this is not the year to be overpaying for one or two.

[UNCBlue012]

I think the frustrating thing about all of this is that if we can add one, maybe two decent arms, then we would probably be fine. Struggling or not, I trust Avilan and Johnson enough.