6/24/15: GDT - Atlanta Braves @ Washington Nationals

[Garmel]

Braves
1. Jace Peterson (L) 2B
2. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
3. Nick Markakis (L) RF
4. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
5. Joey Terdoslavich (S) 1B
6. Kelly Johnson (L) 3B
7. Andrelton Simmons (R) SS
8. Eury Perez (R) LF
9. Shelby Miller (R) P

Nats
1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Anthony Rendon (R) 2B
3. Yunel Escobar (R) 3B
4. Bryce Harper (L) RF
5. Wilson Ramos (R) C
6. Clint Robinson (L) 1B
7. Ian Desmond (R) SS
8. Michael Taylor (R) LF
9. Jordan Zimmermann

[nsacpi]

Expecting a huge game from KJ

[Russ2dollas]

Would this team be much better with Gattis at C/LF?

I liked the return for him. Long term it's still probably the best move. Loved Folty's potential. Loved that we got a position prospect in some top 100 lists in Ruiz. And the other pitcher seemed like he had a really good chance to be a 4th or 5th starter for a long time and cheap.

Yes Gattis' D in left would be horrid. And he would strike out at ton.

But if Gattis is on this team surrounded by everything else we've done, then I think we're a lot better. Eury Perez is in LF for us tonight.

[nsacpi]

Would this team be much better with Gattis at C/LF?

I liked the return for him. Long term it's still probably the best move. Loved Folty's potential. Loved that we got a position prospect in some top 100 lists in Ruiz. And the other pitcher seemed like he had a really good chance to be a 4th or 5th starter for a long time and cheap.

Yes Gattis' D in left would be horrid. And he would strike out at ton.

But if Gattis is on this team surrounded by everything else we've done, then I think we're a lot better. Eury Perez is in LF for us tonight.

AJ's defense behind the plate is not an improvement.

[gilesfan]

Has Fredi fallen in love with Eury the Blurry?

[Russ2dollas]

Just having fans bid for who plays LF on a nightly basis was turned down when we dumped BJ's money.

Maybe I'm way too high on Terdo. But it seems like Terdo could be our best option in LF when it's not KJ.

I feel like 1, 2, 7 and 6 are the only spots where I'm not a little embarrassed that we have that guy in that spot. Markakis has been good this year at the plate, but he's hitting 7 hitter good, not 3rd hitter.

[Enscheff]

Just having fans bid for who plays LF on a nightly basis was turned down when we dumped BJ's money.

Maybe I'm way too high on Terdo. But it seems like Terdo could be our best option in LF when it's not KJ.

I feel like 1, 2, 7 and 6 are the only spots where I'm not a little embarrassed that we have that guy in that spot. Markakis has been good this year at the plate, but he's hitting 7 hitter good, not 3rd hitter.

I would like to see another club that has a guy with a .391 OBP and 750 OPS in the 7 slot. If anything, Markakis belongs in one of the top 2 spots in the lineup where he could be more of a table setter as opposed to a run producer. Unfortunately, the Braves roster is a bit short on run producers these days.

Currently, as long as Jace, Maybin, Nick and Freeman are in the top 4 spots of the lineup, followed by Uribe in the 5 spot, that's about as good an offense as this roster can provide. This team is 1 impact RHed bat in LF away from being a legit playoff contender.

[Russ2dollas]

I would like to see another club that has a guy with a .391 OBP and 750 OPS in the 7 slot. If anything, Markakis belongs in one of the top 2 spots in the lineup where he could be more of a table setter as opposed to a run producer. Unfortunately, the Braves roster is a bit short on run producers these days.

Currently, as long as Jace, Maybin, Nick and Freeman are in the top 4 spots of the lineup, that's about as good an offense as this roster can provide. This team is 1 impact RHed bat in LF away from being a legit playoff contender.

Are you on the Cespedes bandwagon? Anyone think they know what he'll cost next year?

[nsacpi]

Are you on the Cespedes bandwagon? Anyone think they know what he'll cost next year?

Shin-soo Choo is a comp to consider. He got 130M over 7 years. Yoenis is hitting free agency a year younger. And there has been significant salary inflation from two years ago.

My guess is Cespedes will get 20-22M/year for 7-8 years.

He's a good player. But you pay for what you get on the free agent market. Free agent signings seem to hurt more with respect to length of contract than AAV.

[Russ2dollas]

I was thinking Hunter Pence at 5/90......I was thinking 5/100 is what he'd get.

[gilesfan]

depends on if he even loves baseball

[smootness]

I think there's a good chance we look back on the Gattis trade as the worst trade we've made since the end of last year, and it's arguably the one fans liked the most at the time we made it. Most of that will depend on whether or not Folty can stick in the rotation and what Ruiz becomes, but there is definitely an argument that we should have kept Gattis around.

But he obviously can't play in the OF, so his only potential spots are C and DH. The Braves made a determination that we didn't want him as our catcher moving forward, so to them he had little value for us, and the Astros seem to have made a similar determination, as he's been only a DH there. So from that perspective, the deal is still a good one.

I think we could have lived with Gattis' defense at catcher since it seemed to be about average. But our FO didn't like him there, so we got good value in the trade considering that. And with Gattis at C this year, you can argue we would be better, but you can also argue Pierzynski has been better offensively, so we wouldn't be.

[smootness]

Shin-soo Choo is a comp to consider. He got 130M over 7 years. Yoenis is hitting free agency a year younger. And there has been significant salary inflation from two years ago.

My guess is Cespedes will get 20-22M/year for 7-8 years.

He's a good player. But you pay for what you get on the free agent market. Free agent signings seem to hurt more with respect to length of contract than AAV.

Man, that would be an unbelievably awful contract.

[weso1]

I'm not convinced there was a huge market for Gattis. With that in mind of all the major trades the Gattis trade has always been my least favorite. I just felt like it was the trade with the least chance to actually provide us with productive major league players. Now with that in mind both Folty and Ruiz are still really good prospects. It's not like it was a bad trade, but just not as good compared to the others.

[UNCBlue012]

I think there's a good chance we look back on the Gattis trade as the worst trade we've made since the end of last year, and it's arguably the one fans liked the most at the time we made it. Most of that will depend on whether or not Folty can stick in the rotation and what Ruiz becomes, but there is definitely an argument that we should have kept Gattis around.

But he obviously can't play in the OF, so his only potential spots are C and DH. The Braves made a determination that we didn't want him as our catcher moving forward, so to them he had little value for us, and the Astros seem to have made a similar determination, as he's been only a DH there. So from that perspective, the deal is still a good one.

I think we could have lived with Gattis' defense at catcher since it seemed to be about average. But our FO didn't like him there, so we got good value in the trade considering that. And with Gattis at C this year, you can argue we would be better, but you can also argue Pierzynski has been better offensively, so we wouldn't be.

Which is crazy, because it was a good trade regardless, you know? I loved the trade at the time and I still do now. I think Folty has more to work on than many others, but I think it was a smart trade.

Also, I like this lineup. I mean, with Freddie healthy playing first and Terdo in LF, I think this is our best lineup. He adds a bit more needed pop.

[UNCBlue012]

I'm not convinced there was a huge market for Gattis. With that in mind of all the major trades the Gattis trade has always been my least favorite. I just felt like it was the trade with the least chance to actually provide us with productive major league players. Now with that in mind both Folty and Ruiz are still really good prospects. It's not like it was a bad trade, but just not as good compared to the others.

This. Though I really like Ruiz. I pray Folty is a good starter, but he could be a baller closer.

[smootness]

Which is crazy, because it was a good trade regardless, you know? I loved the trade at the time and I still do now. I think Folty has more to work on than many others, but I think it was a smart trade.

Also, I like this lineup. I mean, with Freddie healthy playing first and Terdo in LF, I think this is our best lineup. He adds a bit more needed pop.

I agree. It was a fairly even trade; we got pretty good value for Gattis. But in hindsight, all of our other deals honestly look like we just completely fleeced the other team.

What we did to the Padres this offseason should be a crime.

[nsacpi]

I was thinking Hunter Pence at 5/90......I was thinking 5/100 is what he'd get.

Another good comp. Pence was also about year older when he signed that deal.

[Hawk]

Mark Bowman
@mlbbowman
Mallex Smith has been promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett.

[thethe]

Mark Bowman
@mlbbowman
Mallex Smith has been promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Hope you don't mind but I figured it deserved a separate thread.

[Heyward]

Would this team be much better with Gattis at C/LF?

I liked the return for him. Long term it's still probably the best move. Loved Folty's potential. Loved that we got a position prospect in some top 100 lists in Ruiz. And the other pitcher seemed like he had a really good chance to be a 4th or 5th starter for a long time and cheap.

Yes Gattis' D in left would be horrid. And he would strike out at ton.

But if Gattis is on this team surrounded by everything else we've done, then I think we're a lot better. Eury Perez is in LF for us tonight.

No, Gattis had to go.

His value would have sunk in the NL.

Cant play catcher without getting hurt, and is a sieve in the outfield.

[WaitingFor2017]

Zimmermann made Joey T look downright silly!

[WaitingFor2017]

Take advantage of Desmond's blunder.

[NinersSBChamps]

Lol Maybin is an idiot.

[Julio3000]

This lineup is pretty bleak without the Fred in there.

[Julio3000]

Lol Maybin is an idiot.

He was trying to steal second, which is reasonable with Markakis up there with two outs. Can't score from first on a single.

[WaitingFor2017]

More time for Lavarnway please.

[weso1]

He was trying to steal second, which is reasonable with Markakis up there with two outs. Can't score from first on a single.

Worst case you've got a high OBP guy leading off next inning.

[NinersSBChamps]

He was trying to steal second, which is reasonable with Markakis up there with two outs. Can't score from first on a single.

So maybe make sure the pitcher is going to throw the ball before you try and swipe a base.

[NinersSBChamps]

Just another base hit for Nick.

[NinersSBChamps]

Darn. Joey T just missed a home run.

[Garmel]

I thought Terd hit that off the wall. Damn.

[thethe]

Ace

[WaitingFor2017]

7th inning stretch at the 80 minute mark. I dig it.

[UNCBlue012]

Dang it. Come on miller!

[UNCBlue012]

And Rendon with a single. Thought that was a DP. Dang it.

[NinersSBChamps]

Ace

That's debatable. I think Shelby is the Braves ace. An actual ace when compared to other pitchers in the game is another question.

Scherzer, Archer, Sale, Bumgarner, Felix, Greinke, Kershaw, and Gray I feel are all better.

Zimmerman, Harvey, Fernandez, and deGrom are that next tier. I put Shelby here though. So five pitchers for 30 teams is 150 starting pitchers in the game. Top 20 or maybe 15 I would call aces. So yeah I guess Shelby is an ace. I may have forgot a few names.

[jsebe10]

And Rendon with a single. Thought that was a DP. Dang it.

Of course it probably hit a fckn mole cricket and bounced into LF

[Garmel]

I got a feeling something bad is going to happen here.

[sturg33]

At least the team is built to beat ace pitching.

[UNCBlue012]

Wow Peterson. Dang it. And this is where we lose. No pessimism, just what it is.

[sturg33]

Bad route by Jace... tough play nonetheless

[NinersSBChamps]

And that wraps this one up.

[Garmel]

Two bull**** hits killed us.

[DirkPiggler]

Anybody still want to say these f*ckers aren't lucky?

[jsebe10]

Miller deserves better. Fckn anemic role playing of an offense we have.

[sturg33]

If giving up one run means we lose then the game, then the assumption is that we would have never scored - and thus - no matter what happened would mean the game is over

[Pugfan]

Anybody still want to say these f*ckers aren't lucky?

That single to Rendon doesn't happen if Miller doesn't walk Denard Span. Can't walk single hitters like Span.

[jsebe10]

Anybody still want to say these f*ckers aren't lucky?

I've been saying that sh*t ever since they walked us off with 3 infield singles about 4 years ago.

[UNCBlue012]

If he gets this loss... Both of those singles weren't exactly good pitches. Shelby has been excellent.

[NinersSBChamps]

Imagine that..lead off walk is the reason we lose again.

[jsebe10]

This two singles were excellent pitches.

[NinersSBChamps]

This two singles were excellent pitches.

Which is fine. But not when you walk the lead off batter.

[UNCBlue012]

You idiot. Ciriaco was walked by a mile.

[UNCBlue012]

And Jace doesn't swing at anything.

[NinersSBChamps]

Lol reality setting in for Jace.

[WaitingFor2017]

F*** off, Span.

[UNCBlue012]

Span needs to get out. He's playing way too well.

[DirkPiggler]

I'm starting to hate this Span guy.

[thewupk]

I thought we could score on good pitchers?

[jsebe10]

I'm starting to hate this Span guy.

Fckn pest. He needs a fastball between the #s

[jsebe10]

I thought we could score on good pitchers?

Be realistic man.

[NinersSBChamps]

But we wanted BJ Upton.

[jsebe10]

Sad part is....we've got ZERO power coming up in the 9th.

[NinersSBChamps]

I thought we could score on good pitchers?

No. I think the homers said we could hit them. They do have six hits.

[NinersSBChamps]

Sad part is....we've got ZERO power coming up in the 9th.

As opposed to any other inning?

[jsebe10]

2 runs in their last 25 innings. Pathetic.

[UNCBlue012]

But we wanted BJ Upton. I've been mad for years we didn't get him. He was the guy we needed and Wren didn't see fit to go after him I guess.

[UNCBlue012]

Lead off walk? Didn't we JUST learn not to do that.

[Garmel]

We've hit the ball harder than they have and they have the lead.

[Heyward]

I thought we could score on good pitchers?

Salty.

And they have 6 hits.

Look at the lineup and stop being dumb, this isnt a good lineup, they need to add 2-3 bats this winter.

[jsebe10]

Lol. Fck it. Walk Rendon too. Let's see harper.

[jsebe10]

Better sinker he's thrown all year. Good god.

[jsebe10]

Let's gets some runs guys. Come on.

[NinersSBChamps]

If this 3-5 hitters doesn't strike fear in opposing pitchers, then nothing could.

[Heyward]

Let's gets some runs guys. Come on.

My fantasy team has Storen as closer, so..

Probably wont, this lineup has no freaking power, need some better bats this winter.

[jsebe10]

Nick needs to be hitting 1 or 2. No question about it.

[UNCBlue012]

HAHAHAHA YES

[Garmel]

Here we go!

[Hawk]

Haha **** YOU Bryce, you overeager twat.

[UNCBlue012]

Loaded with no outs!

[NinersSBChamps]

Lol Harper is such a doofus. What a clown move that was.

[Hawk]

Kelly Johnson. Grand slam. Season.

[jsebe10]

Please Kelly hit that btch in the Bullpen

[NinersSBChamps]

KJ is gonna find a gap. About to be 2-1 in a matter of seconds.

[Hawk]

Oh come on Joey.

[UNCBlue012]

STUPID TERDO. Wow.
Tie game though!

[Garmel]

****ing Terd.

[thethe]

That's a brutal out by terdo. Demotion!

[NinersSBChamps]

And go back to AAA now Joey.

[NinersSBChamps]

Terdo says I see your dumb move Bryce. "I raise you a bonehead play."

[TDlxANDER]

Inexcusable base running mistake

[Pugfan]

Simple Joey going full retard

[jsebe10]

Inexcusable base running mistake

Quad A....nothing else needs to said.

[jsebe10]

Harper does not hit this inning. At all costs. Gotta get this cuban bastard out first and walk harper.

[Heyward]

Harper walk-off?

[jsebe10]

No idea why Grilli is in.

[jsebe10]

Harper walk-off?

Promptly.

[Garmel]

Oh, Fredi decides to put Uribe in now. Why is Uribe taking the day off during an important series?

[Heyward]

No idea why Grilli is in.

Hasnt pitched since Saturday.

[Hawk]

Joe Simpson can barely hide his disdain for Harper, and I love him for it.

[Garmel]

Harper's an idiot.

[jsebe10]

Joe Simpson can barely hide his disdain for Harper, and I love him for it.

He's always harped on him. He definitely loathes him

[weso1]

Terd is a perfect example for my theory that you must have a good baseball name to succeed at the major league level.

[Hawk]

Ballsy pitch for the K there.

[USMA76]

Harper's a douche.

FIFY

[Hawk]

Love it.

[thethe]

Should be able to get a useful piece for Grill at the deadline.

[Braves1976]

Let Perez run damn it.

[jsebe10]

Uribe has looked fckn retarded as of recently.

[NinersSBChamps]

Jace should be in the ASG.

[jsebe10]

Choke job

[Heyward]

Maybin just missed that, walk off for Washington coming up now.

[UNCBlue012]

Jace is making me really frustrated right now.

[thewupk]

uribe looks unorthdox out there

[gilesfan]

Don't agree with walking Espinosa here. Unlikely for Span to hit into a DP

[jsebe10]

Seriously!?!? You really fckn think you can double up Spann?!?

[jsebe10]

Spann is going to bloop one into left center for a walk off.

[Julio3000]

Joe Simpson can barely hide his disdain for Harper, and I love him for it.

Joe and I are of one mind, for maybe the first time ever.

[jsebe10]

PlZ get this clown out.

[Braves1976]

@mlbbowman 3m3 minutes ago
Masset vs. LHs: .212 BA/.270 OBP
Avilan vs. LHs: .314BA/.340 OBP

[drewdat]

@mlbbowman 3m3 minutes ago
Masset vs. LHs: .212 BA/.270 OBP
Avilan vs. LHs: .314BA/.340 OBP

**** you science

[Braves1976]

@mlbbowman 11s11 seconds ago
Avilan strands a pair at second and third. He's limited right-handed batters to a .158 (9-for-57) batting average.

[Braves1976]

BTW, it's nothing new for Avilan to be better vs righties. I noted that about his minor league stats when we first called him up.

[Julio3000]

@mlbbowman 11s11 seconds ago
Avilan strands a pair at second and third. He's limited right-handed batters to a .158 (9-for-57) batting average.

Decent little ROOGY.

[weso1]

@mlbbowman 3m3 minutes ago
Masset vs. LHs: .212 BA/.270 OBP
Avilan vs. LHs: .314BA/.340 OBP

BABIP?

[Julio3000]

Aardsma, Cunny, and Eveland in the pen. We need a run, like, now.

[Braves1976]

Aardsma, Cunny, and Eveland in the pen. We need a run, like, now.

Thankfully CJ still hits lefties well, now just need KJ to come through here.

[Braves1976]

Well, if one Johnson doesn't screw ya another will. :)

[jsebe10]

Thankfully CJ still hits lefties well, now just need KJ to come through here.

Unfortunately Kelly didn't have an opportunity to watch this guy with an ERA over 4 throw his curve to the 3 batters b4 him so he didn't know he had one.

[jsebe10]

Giles...your pants down around your ankles? Your fck boy is about to come up and walk is off. Don't bust that nut just yet.

[Heyward]

lol Harper vs Eveland, this should end well.

[weso1]

I guess I'll be the one to say it. I want us to lose. Thinks it's better for the organization in the long run. fwiw. I want us to lose every game. Although at the same time I want Jace, Miller and Maybin to continue to be good.

[CyYoung31]

I guess I'll be the one to say it. I want us to lose. Thinks it's better for the organization in the long run. fwiw. I want us to lose every game. Although at the same time I want Jace, Miller and Maybin to continue to be good.

You're a great fan.

[sturg33]

I love how every inning the same folks keep predicting a walk off...

It may very well happen... but what's the point?

[Heyward]

should be it, Eveland is a turd

[Heyward]

You're a great fan.

He isnt wrong, arent making the playoffs, why not get a high pick?

[jsebe10]

Eveland fckn sucks.

[Heyward]

I love how every inning the same folks keep predicting a walk off...

It may very well happen... but what's the point?

Why do you care if people think that?

[Braves1976]

OK, when Viz is ready I'd DFA Eveland. He stinks.

[atl717]

Thats why you don't IBB Ramos. Such a dumb move. Eveland is a fat turd. Get rid of him please.

[UNCBlue012]

Eveland should be sent down soon. He's awful.

[gilesfan]

Fredi burns through pitchers more than anyone I can remember. Once he gets to he pen, he's like he can't let a righty face a lefty unless he absolutely has to.

I mean matchups are great, but at some point you can't throw guys 1/3 of an inning every game.

[jsebe10]

I love how every inning the same folks keep predicting a walk off...

It may very well happen... but what's the point?

What's YOUR point?

[bravesnumberone]

So far the NL East is being decided by our inability to do the things necessary to beat Washington. That's 1-7 now against them.

[UNCBlue012]

Another dumb loss. We've yet to play the Nationals badly. It's just so frustrating. We should of won though, TERDO with the stupid play.

[jsebe10]

So far the NL East is being decided by our inability to do the things necessary to beat Washington. That's 1-7 now against them.

Yup.

Outside of Harper and Sherzer....not impressed by them one bit.

Shelby deserved better.

[jpack1]

Tough tough loss. We seem to make more stupid plays vs the Gnats than anyone else this year. The worm has definitely turned in this rivalry.

[CyYoung31]

He isnt wrong, arent making the playoffs, why not get a high pick?

I can't fathom why anyone would root for their team to lose.

[gilesfan]

I can't fathom why anyone would root for their team to lose.

I can't either. I can understand rebuilding if you think the team needs too, but can't actively root against them. To each its own, I guess.

[WaitingFor2017]

So far the NL East is being decided by our inability to do the things necessary to beat Washington. That's 1-7 now against them.

I"m convinced Dan Uggla has a voodoo doll that he keeps poking every time the two teams play. It all started with his only worthwhile hit of the year with his 3 run shot to vault Washington to a 13-12 win. What's worse is that 4 of the 7 losses have come in the 8th inning or later.

[sturg33]

Why do you care if people think that?

Because it provides no value at all, is lazy, redundant, and not bold at all.

"We didn't score... they're gonna walk it off now"

OK? Is that what would should do every inning of the game?

"Welp, we didn't score in the top of the 2nd, time for them to"

[weso1]

You're a great fan.

Thank you. Glad someone finally realizes it.

[NinersSBChamps]

Because it provides no value at all, is lazy, redundant, and not bold at all.

"We didn't score... they're gonna walk it off now"

OK? Is that what would should do every inning of the game?

"Welp, we didn't score in the top of the 2nd, time for them to"
No that wouldn't make sense. You can't have a walk off in the second inning.

[WaitingFor2017]

Even the awful Phillies have beaten the Nationals 3 or 4 times this year. The Braves have never hit Fister in the past, so why should we expect our lineup to hit him tomorrow?

Then we turn around and play them again next week without Freeman -- again.

[weso1]

not bold at all.



Dude, my post about wanting us to lose every game here on out was pretty bold. I need some thanks on that one.

[sturg33]

Even the awful Phillies have beaten the Nationals 3 or 4 times this year. The Braves have never hit Fister in the past, so why should we expect our lineup to hit him tomorrow?

Then we turn around and play them again next week without Freeman -- again.

no worries. this offense is built to beat great pitching

[Russ2dollas]

No ff makes it a terrible line up. He's that good. With him we r ok

[sc1767]

So Terdo wins a game and gets sent down, what are the consequences for that horsecrap tonight?

[CyYoung31]

So Terdo wins a game and gets sent down, what are the consequences for that horsecrap tonight?

A starting job.

[sturg33]

No ff makes it a terrible line up. He's that good. With him we r ok

So having a guy with some power helps?

[sturg33]

I blame Shelby for giving up a run. Like he doesn't even care out there

[CyYoung31]

I blame Shelby for giving up a run. Like he doesn't even care out there

Definitely not an ace. Sometimes you have to pitch a shut out.

[weso1]

I can't either. I can understand rebuilding if you think the team needs too, but can't actively root against them. To each its own, I guess.

You all need to get over it. Are you seriously telling me you wouldn't rather have a super high draft pick next draft as opposed to a mediocre finish and a mediocre draft pick? Look, all of my feels are pulling me towards wanting a Braves win, but I have enough common sense to realize that losses benefit us more right now than wins, assuming that we aren't making the playoffs (we aren't).

[sc1767]

A starting job.


Somewhere, George Costanza is thinking about becoming a Braves fan..

[CyYoung31]

Vandy continues to get screwed in this CWS.

[jpx7]

I can't fathom why anyone would root for their team to lose.

I'm not rooting for the Braves to lose, but this season I'm not really very upset by losses, either.

[CyYoung31]

I'm not rooting for the Braves to lose, but this season I'm not really very upset by losses, either.

Nothing wrong with that. Me neither.

[VirginiaBrave]

Tonight's loss may be the one the high draft pick crowd has been looking for. The guys looked dejected. Gonna be hard to bounce back from this one.

[The Chosen One]

A starting job.

Did I miss something? Did Terdo do something wrong? Just wondering.

[VirginiaBrave]

Did I miss something? Did Terdo do something wrong? Just wondering.

No guarantee he wouldn't have been doubled on the grounder to second later in the inning.

[CyYoung31]

Tonight's loss may be the one the high draft pick crowd has been looking for. The guys looked dejected. Gonna be hard to bounce back from this one.

Oh, don't 180 now. Keep the homerism intact.

[Russ2dollas]

So having a guy with some power helps?

I think everyone agrees that it does. Just a disagreement on how much OBP do you sacrifice for power.

I am starting to think we're one guy away from being a good team. If you had a guy like Cespedes in LF who could provide power and OBP and be solid in LF....this team looks totally different.

[thethe]

Freemans power is great because he is first and foremost a great hitter.

[Julio3000]

Tonight's loss may be the one the high draft pick crowd has been looking for. The guys looked dejected. Gonna be hard to bounce back from this one.

How ever will we get to the playoffs, if that's the case?

[gilesfan]

Did I miss something? Did Terdo do something wrong? Just wondering.

One of the dumbest baserunning errors we've seen. Bases loaded...0 outs and he tries to tag from first on a moderately deep fly ball.

[gilesfan]

Tonight's loss may be the one the high draft pick crowd has been looking for. The guys looked dejected. Gonna be hard to bounce back from this one.

Luckily, they have the heart you've been harping on since the beginning of the year and they are about to go on a playoff run.

[VirginiaBrave]

I am not giving up. I am not like half of this board that's been rooting for losses since Heyward, Upton, and Gattis were traded because they wanted a higher draft pick. That's silly. That draft pick might be David Nied. Never able to contribute. I just made the comment they looked a little down. You would have thought it was August or September in that clubhouse last night They have been able to fight back all year and there is still 90 games to go no reason not to think they won't fight back. Although I feel today is as close to must win as a June game can be.

[thethe]

People get too high and too low after wins and losses. Braves are missing by far their best hitter.

They could win the next 3 games and then all of a sudden we are a good team again. I'm going to wait to see where we stand on July 15th and then determine if I want to add a reliever or sell.

[sturg33]

People get too high and too low after wins and losses. Braves are missing by far their best hitter.

They could win the next 3 games and then all of a sudden we are a good team again. I'm going to wait to see where we stand on July 15th and then determine if I want to add a reliever or sell.

Pretty sure you've been pumping the "we need to add at the deadline" line for a while now

[thewupk]

Braves are averaging 2.16 runs per game the last 6 games when we have faced starters Bucholz, DeGrom, Harvey, Strasburg, and Zimmerman.

[thewupk]

People get too high and too low after wins and losses. Braves are missing by far their best hitter.

They could win the next 3 games and then all of a sudden we are a good team again. I'm going to wait to see where we stand on July 15th and then determine if I want to add a reliever or sell.

We could win 5 in a row and we still wouldn't be a good team.

[gilesfan]

People get too high and too low after wins and losses. Braves are missing by far their best hitter.

They could win the next 3 games and then all of a sudden we are a good team again. I'm going to wait to see where we stand on July 15th and then determine if I want to add a reliever or sell.

But this team was able to beat DeGrom, Harvey, and Snydergaard without its best hitter!

[thethe]

But this team was able to beat DeGrom, Harvey, and Snydergaard without its best hitter!

True story.

[thethe]

We could win 5 in a row and we still wouldn't be a good team.

I'm told the playoffs are a crap shoot. If you can get into the playoffs with a modest addition that won't cost an important piece long term then why not go for it?

With the way Shelby Miller is pitching I'd feel fairly confident in a playoff series with our starting pitching as long as the pen could be improved.

[sturg33]

But this team was able to beat DeGrom, Harvey, and Snydergaard without its best hitter!

Remember when I made the comment that we beat Grienke and very easily could have beaten Kershaw... the argument was "yeah but we didn't score enough"

[sturg33]

I'm told the playoffs are a crap shoot. If you can get into the playoffs with a modest addition that won't cost an important piece long term then why not go for it?

With the way Shelby Miller is pitching I'd feel fairly confident in a playoff series with our starting pitching as long as the pen could be improved.

Playoffs are a crapshoot... but the team as currently constructed isn't good enough to get there.

[thewupk]

I'm told the playoffs are a crap shoot. If you can get into the playoffs with a modest addition that won't cost an important piece long term then why not go for it?

With the way Shelby Miller is pitching I'd feel fairly confident in a playoff series with our starting pitching as long as the pen could be improved.

Sure if we could help the pen without damaging our long term plans then why not. However the odds are greater that we fade down the stretchn then it is we improve and make the playoffs. And if that happens we will have missed a chance to unload some players that are rentals to possibily help our club in the future.

[gilesfan]

I'm told the playoffs are a crap shoot. If you can get into the playoffs with a modest addition that won't cost an important piece long term then why not go for it?

With the way Shelby Miller is pitching I'd feel fairly confident in a playoff series with our starting pitching as long as the pen could be improved.

Jim Mora comes to mind. We are 9th in the NL.

[thethe]

Sure if we could help the pen without damaging our long term plans then why not. However the odds are greater that we fade down the stretchn then it is we improve and make the playoffs. And if that happens we will have missed a chance to unload some players that are rentals to possibily help our club in the future.

I would agree the odds are that we fade. Team needs to find a way to win some games without Freeman in the lineup. The offense is really poor without the linchpin. We are still getting opportunities but without our big guy in there its less likely we will convert those.

[50PoundHead]

One of the dumbest baserunning errors we've seen. Bases loaded...0 outs and he tries to tag from first on a moderately deep fly ball.

I was following on Gameday and I almost fell out of my chair when I saw the play posted. I was wondering what the heck possessed him to try and tag up. I can see AJ wanting to get to third with one out (and he's no blazer so even that was a risk), but Terdoslavich had the play right in front of him.

[thethe]

David O'Brien ‏@DOBrienAJC 17s17 seconds ago
#Braves have averaged 2.7 runs in 8 games since Freeman left lineup; they averaged 5.3 runs in last 18 games before he left.



I'm guessing that guy is important.

[gilesfan]

That projects out to 421 runs over the course of a season. Lets place Freeman in the HOF right now.

[thethe]

That projects out to 421 runs over the course of a season. Lets place Freeman in the HOF right now.

Over a short sample he could provide a huge spike in runs that won't sustain itself for a full season. The Braves could have won both games against the Nats with Freeman in the lineup. Yes, I'm aware the Nats are down some guys who seem to always be injurred now.

[CyYoung31]

Over a short sample he could provide a huge spike in runs that won't sustain itself for a full season. The Braves could have won both games against the Nats with Freeman in the lineup. Yes, I'm aware the Nats are down some guys who seem to always be injurred now.

I think Gilesfan was being serious.

[thewupk]

David O'Brien ‏@DOBrienAJC 17s17 seconds ago
#Braves have averaged 2.7 runs in 8 games since Freeman left lineup; they averaged 5.3 runs in last 18 games before he left.



I'm guessing that guy is important.

Well yeah he's our best hitter. Also I would be interested to see what the teams RISP in during these 8 games comapred to the prior 18. I would assume our high average is beginning to normalize.

[thethe]

Well yeah he's our best hitter. Also I would be interested to see what the teams RISP in during these 8 games comapred to the prior 18. I would assume our high average is beginning to normalize.

Well Maybins is going down because a pitcher isn't concerned as much to pitch around him.

[gilesfan]

Well Maybins is going down because a pitcher isn't concerned as much to pitch around him.

Or that he was just on a hot streak over a small sample.

[thethe]

Or that he was just on a hot streak over a small sample.

I'm sure pitchers pitch to him exactly the same way with Markakis behind him.

[gilesfan]

I'm sure pitchers pitch to him exactly the same way with Markakis behind him.

Yeah protection. ARggghhhhhghh

[thewupk]

I'm sure pitchers pitch to him exactly the same way with Markakis behind him.

So Maybin is only good when he has a really good hitter behind him?