7/6/15: GDT - Atlanta Braves @ Milwaukee Brewers

[Garmel]

Braves
Cameron Maybin(R) CF
Nick Markakis(L) RF
Kelly Johnson(L) 1B
Juan Uribe(R) 3B
A.J. Pierzynski(L) C
Pedro Ciriaco(R) 2B
Andrelton Simmons(R) SS
Eury Perez(R) LF
Matt Wisler(R) P

Brewers
1. Gerardo Parra (L) LF
2. Scooter Gennett (L) 2B
3. Ryan Braun (R) RF
4. Adam Lind (L) 1B
5. Carlos Gomez (R) CF
6. Aramis Ramirez (R) 3B
7. Jean Segura (R) SS
8. Martin Maldonado (R) C
9. Kyle Lohse (R) P

[Garmel]

I like the look of this lineup.

[Braves1976]

Peterson should have got a day off against one of the lefties we faced recently, instead Fredi waits and sits him vs a righty that has struggled this year. That isn't how you help a young player break a slump. Good to see Uribe batting clean-up finally.

[jpack1]

This is exactly the stuff that drives people crazy. He's not putting his young player in the best place to succeed. Maddening.

[NinersSBChamps]

Who is scheduled to start Thursday?

[Runnin]

Peterson should have got a day off against one of the lefties we faced recently, instead Fredi waits and sits him vs a righty that has struggled this year. That isn't how you help a young player break a slump. Good to see Uribe batting clean-up finally.
A good rookie who wants to be an everydayer needs to face the toughest pitchers. Facing Hamels was good for him long-term and more important than his mini-slump this year.

[Runnin]

Dayum Kelly.

[WaitingFor2017]

Beautiful swing.

[The Chosen One]

Wish we could've done this against Lohse in the 2012 Wild Card game. :Alone:

[Braves1976]

I am sure Peterson appreciates being sat tonight against a pitcher that has nothing going. He is missing out on this fun which could've been a slump breaker.

[WaitingFor2017]

Ciriaco fails in second straight at-bat with runner on 3rd and less than 2 out.

[Braves1976]

A good rookie who wants to be an everydayer needs to face the toughest pitchers. Facing Hamels was good for him long-term and more important than his mini-slump this year.

Peterson has been facing enough tough lefties lately, he deserved a break and shot to play against the struggling righty instead. If you don't get that then get your head out of Fredi's ass and you will.

[Braves1976]

This is exactly the stuff that drives people crazy. He's not putting his young player in the best place to succeed. Maddening.

Yep, I am tired of it too.

[The Chosen One]

Parra wislered that out of here.

[Braves1976]

It's too bad Uribe's blast went just foul, that was a real bomb. Speaking of homers, that went out fast by Parra against Wisler.

[msstate7]

Nice recovery by wisler

[Julio3000]

Lohse is throwing meatballs.

[Braves1976]

Lohse is throwing meatballs.

Lohse is throwing batting practice just like he has a lot recently.

[WaitingFor2017]

Should at least be a 6-1 game at this point. You still don't feel comfortable with Wisler in this park with a 3 run lead.

[Braves1976]

Bad AB by Uribe, got over aggressive 3-1 chasing ball four outside breaking his bat hitting into a DP.

[msstate7]

2 times with runner on 3rd and 1 out that we didn't cash in. Hope those 2 runs don't bite us

[UNCBlue012]

Maybin is the man. He's hitting .300 now!

[Braves1976]

2 times with runner on 3rd and 1 out that we didn't cash in. Hope those 2 runs don't bite us

Uribe has been great lately too, just got over aggressive that 3-1 pitch chasing a bad one.

[Braves1976]

Nice catch by Perez, that one barely stayed in the park.

[Braves1976]

Chip Carey says Braves team MVP is AJ, lol. Of course he and Joe also assert that he is very good defensively, etc. :)

It reminds me the spin by those two about CJ's defense at third, esp. his first year here.

[Julio3000]

Asshole Juggernaut beasted that one.

[WaitingFor2017]

Bottom of the order coming up, Ciriaco has to do his best to get that to the right side -- two bad at-bats from him.

[Braves1976]

Bottom of the order coming up, Ciriaco has to do his best to get that to the right side -- two bad at-bats from him.

He should be hitting 8th instead of where he is IMO.

[Garmel]

*sigh* We've absolutely dominated this game but we're only three runs ahead.

[Braves1976]

Wisler with a few too many hangers for my liking so far tonight.

[Julio3000]

Tron is ridiculous.

[Braves1976]

Wisler almost waited too long on that force play, great play by Simmons to catch that and keep his foot on the bag.

[Braves1976]

Tron is ridiculous.

He might be the best I've ever seen around the bag and making ridiculous plays look easy and blocking sliding players with his knee, etc. He's really something special defensively in many ways.

[msstate7]

He might be the best I've ever seen around the bag and making ridiculous plays look easy and blocking sliding players with his knee, etc. He's really something special defensively in many ways.
As fun as Simmons is to watch defensively, he's equally as frustrating to watch offensively at times

[The Chosen One]

As fun as Simmons is to watch defensively, he's equally as frustrating to watch offensively at times

Welcome to the board whoever you are.

[Braves1976]

As fun as Simmons is to watch defensively, he's equally as frustrating to watch offensively at times

Simmons is on another planet defensively IMO so whatever he gives us on offense I count as a bonus. But I'll grant that he is frustrating to watch at the plate when he's going bad, I just wouldn't add the term "equally" to that description in his case. He is just too great defensively for me to go that far.

[WaitingFor2017]

Wisler doin' work.

[Braves1976]

Good inning by Wisler, hopefully he's settling in now.

[msstate7]

Simmons is on another planet defensively IMO so whatever he gives us on offense I count as a bonus. But I'll grant that he is frustrating to watch at the plate when he's going bad, I just wouldn't add the term "equally" to that description in his case. He is just too great defensively for me to go that far.

The "at times" would be the key part. When he starts screwing himself into the ground swinging and popping up on the infield every other at bat, it really disgusts me bc I think he can be a good hitter. Yeah though, it was a stretch on my part

[msstate7]

Welcome to the board whoever you are.
Thanks. I never knew of this board till today. I read about it on miss state message board. I usually post on mlb Braves board, but I like this format much better. Mlb board just way too slow

[WaitingFor2017]

Great replay angle, production guys...just fantastic.

[Braves1976]

The "at times" would be the key part. When he starts screwing himself into the ground swinging and popping up on the infield every other at bat, it really disgusts me bc I think he can be a good hitter. Yeah though, it was a stretch on my part

I understand, fair point about that being very frustrating and I agree he can do better. Hopefully he'll break out of his current slump soon. Also welcome to the board since you're new here. :)

[msstate7]

AJ raising that trade value. Not one to pull for a player to get injured, but I wouldn't mind a 3b or catcher on a contender go on extended dl stint

[thethe]

AJ raising that trade value. Not one to pull for a player to get injured, but I wouldn't mind a 3b or catcher on a contender go on extended dl stint

Lots of the sell candidates have improved their trade value. If we do go into sell mode the team could do nicely.

[Tapate50]

Wisler looking very good.

[thethe]

Wisler looking very good.

Yeah...probably a mid rotation starter but those type of guys are great to have.

[smootness]

7!! Whatup man, good to see you here.

[WaitingFor2017]

Simba swung at ball four 3 times.

[msstate7]

That Simmons' AB was exhibit a

[buck75]

Thanks. I never knew of this board till today. I read about it on miss state message board. I usually post on mlb Braves board, but I like this format much better. Mlb board just way too slow

Good to have you Bulldawg!

[msstate7]

7!! Whatup man, good to see you here.

Thanks for showing me the way

[msstate7]

Good to have you Bulldawg!

Thanks

[NinersSBChamps]

Lots of the sell candidates have improved their trade value. If we do go into sell mode the team could do nicely.

Didn't they already go into sell mode months ago?

[jsebe10]

Food for thought. Never have Perez and Ciriaco starting the same night. EVER

[smootness]

Yeah...probably a mid rotation starter but those type of guys are great to have.

At this point, I'm not even sure I know what this means. Has Buehrle been a mid-rotation starter for his career? Was Tom Glavine one? It seems to me that in the mind of most scouts, there are about 5-10 aces, and every other good starter is either a 2-3 or a 3-4, and there seems to be very little difference.

I just don't like that scouting terminology because it's essentially meaningless.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Great play Maybin!

[thethe]

At this point, I'm not even sure I know what this means. Has Buehrle been a mid-rotation starter for his career? Was Tom Glavine one? It seems to me that in the mind of most scouts, there are about 5-10 aces, and every other good starter is either a 2-3 or a 3-4, and there seems to be very little difference.

I just don't like that scouting terminology because it's essentially meaningless.

Fair enough.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't ever see Wisler being considered one of the top 50 pitchers in baseball. Those two guys you mentioned were at one point in their careers. Wisler stuff doesn't seem all that sharp but he locates it well.

[msstate7]

Food for thought. Never have Perez and Ciriaco starting the same night. EVER

Throw in Simmons and Gwinnett probably has a stronger 6-8.

I'm new so let me clarify that I'm not a Simmons' hater. He's actually one of my favorites, but boy can he be bad at times

[thethe]

What a trade Hart pulled off. Took Preller to school and took his lunch money.

[msstate7]

What a trade Hart pulled off. Took Preller to school and took his lunch money.

And we still haven't seen fried. He might be the best of our young starters

[UNCBlue012]

I just love Maybin!

[buck75]

Still kinda thinkin that Peraza will be called up in a week or so.

[msstate7]

Still kinda thinkin that Peraza will be called up in a week or so.

Straight platoon at 2b?

[UNCBlue012]

Wow. Perez effed that up so badly.

[thethe]

And we still haven't seen fried. He might be the best of our young starters

Wasn't even talking about that trade but yeah...that one too!

[Braves1976]

LOL@ Perez in LF, what was trying do there? He didn't even have play with two outs but twice he tried rushing to throw it and looked silly. No harm done but funny. :)

[UNCBlue012]

Perez is awful. Lol but no harm.

[Braves1976]

Haha, Perez bobble actually helped there as they sent the runner and Simmons nails him by a mile. :)

[jsebe10]

Another Brewer bloop hit. No wonder they've won 8 in s row

[thethe]

Straight platoon at 2b?

Jace stays at second for the rest of the year.

I don't see a spot for Peraza this year unless a trade is made.

[msstate7]

LOL@ Perez in LF, what was trying do there? He didn't even have play with two outs but twice he tried rushing to throw it and looked silly. No harm done but funny. :)
He was just baiting the Brewers. All that bobbling till they try to take a base and then boom! Ok, probably not haha

[Braves1976]

Perez is awful. Lol but no harm.

His misplay gave him an assist. If he doesn't misplay it they don't send him so inning continues. That worked out great. :)

[buck75]

Straight platoon at 2b?

I see Peraza playing 2B, SS, LF & CF (a quasi-utility starter). Think Perez goes back down for a little while.

[smootness]

Fair enough.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't ever see Wisler being considered one of the top 50 pitchers in baseball. Those two guys you mentioned were at one point in their careers. Wisler stuff doesn't seem all that sharp but he locates it well.

I didn't mean that as a shot at you. I know scouts use it, and I understand it on some level. It seems like when they say 'ace,' they mean the extremely rare guys who K a ton while not walking anybody and shutting everyone down...like Scherzer, Sale, those guys. And a guy like Wood is a 2-3 because his K rate isn't quite as good, allows a few more base runners, and on down.

But so many guys out pitch or under pitch those labels, and your 'spot' in a rotation is mostly arbitrary, meaningless, and dependent on your team anyway...that I just don't think it really means much.

[Braves1976]

BTW, I actually like Perez despite the bobbles tonight. I don't like him in LF though, as said when we called him up I noted watching him with Gwinnett he was pretty good in CF, OK in RF but kinda bad in LF.

I see Smith and Perez making a good CF combo in the future, Perez more as Smith's back-up and some speed off the bench. Plus Perez is better vs lefties so we can start him in CF for the lefty Smith against certain tough lefties.

[smootness]

Markakis with all the power.

[msstate7]

Markakis with 0 hr's, but at least he has 19 doubles

[Braves1976]

Markakis with 0 hr's, but at least he has 19 doubles

He is saving the first homer for Baltimore me thinks. :)

[Braves1976]

Uribe with another big hit, can we extend him now please?

[msstate7]

Who are we gonna get to play 3b next season? The FA market is horrible. Should we consider holding uribe for '16 and hope Ruiz is ready in '17?

[thethe]

Uribe with another big hit, can we extend him now please?

He has more value to the Braves next year than what he would bring back In A deal. I would give him a 2 year 12 million dollar deal if he would take it.

[thethe]

Markakis with 0 hr's, but at least he has 19 doubles

Markakis will show more power next year when he can actually work out in thenoffseason. We will love that signing.

[thethe]

Just not a lot of late life on Wisler pitches. kind of lazy breaks.

[Braves1976]

He has more value to the Braves next year than what he would bring back In A deal. I would give him a 2 year 12 million dollar deal if he would take it.

I'd be open to potential 2 year pact with a 1 year deal for next year and vesting option similar to Gomes vesting option in how it vests that also has a team option too. If he likes it here I'd guess he takes such a deal as long as money is fair.

[Braves1976]

Wow, I am surprised Wisler got that call the way AJ pancaked it catching it.

[Garmel]

Ugh!

[Hawk]

Nice throw Neck.

[Braves1976]

Markakis arm isn't as strong as in years past I've noted, even his best throws seem to lack what he had behind them last year.

[Julio3000]

Markakis arm isn't as strong as in years past I've noted, even his best throws seem to lack what he had behind them last year.

Markakis will show more arm strength next year when he can actually work out in thenoffseason. We will love that signing.

[Braves1976]

Markakis will show more arm strength next year when he can actually work out in thenoffseason. We will love that signing.

Hahaha, thanks thethe. :)

[thethe]

Markakis will show more arm strength next year when he can actually work out in thenoffseason. We will love that signing.

Salty

[USMA76]

Why do I have a feeling that those four runs we didn't get in the first three innings will be our undoing in this game? Hope I'm wrong but you can't leave all those runs in scoring position against a hot team in their (hitter's) park.

[The Chosen One]

Time for the house of horrors.

[msstate7]

Why do I have a feeling that those four runs we didn't get in the first three innings will be our undoing in this game? Hope I'm wrong but you can't leave all those runs in scoring position against a hot team in their (hitter's) park.

You're wrong. Once our relievers come in the game, it's over for the opposition haha

[USMA76]

You're wrong. Once our relievers come in the game, it's over for the opposition haha

Oops...silly me.

[Braves1976]

Hopefully the new David Carpenter and Viz will improve our bullpen, of course they could be soso and improve it as bad as those they're replacing were.

[jsebe10]

And Quad A continues to raise questions as to why he's hogging up a roster spot.

[USMA76]

And Quad A continues to raise questions as to why he's hogging up a roster spot.

+1

[NinersSBChamps]

He is saving the first homer for Baltimore me thinks. :)

Nah Thursday when I see him live.

[USMA76]

Hopefully the new David Carpenter and Viz will improve our bullpen, of course they could be soso and improve it as bad as those they're replacing were.

Is it possible for them to be THAT bad?

[jsebe10]

ANOTHER brewer bloop hit.

[USMA76]

Maybin makes a great play a couple of innings ago but now allows an extra base on a ball that he had no chance of catching. Cameron giveth and Cameron taketh, I guess.

[The Chosen One]

Cameron giveth and Cameron taketh, I guess.

Maybin, just Maybin who knows.

[jsebe10]

Here's Skewter....ole big slugging Skewter

[Braves1976]

Maybin makes a great play a couple of innings ago but now allows an extra base on a ball that he had no chance of catching. Cameron giveth and Cameron taketh, I guess.

That also explains in part why his DRS is so poor this year, even in games he makes the great plays he usually misplays one.

[The Chosen One]

That also explains in part why his DRS is so poor this year, even in games he makes the great plays he usually misplays one.

At least he makes great plays, compared to his successor.

[WaitingFor2017]

Grilli should be used next inning.

[Braves1976]

At least he makes great plays, compared to his successor.

Plus last I checked his successor was hitting .150 or so with the Padres. And Maybin has made up for his defense with his bat this year IMO.

[Buzzworm]

Does anyone have any info on the starting pitcher we traded for Sunday from the astro's?
Is he just depth or what?I don't understand why we would need another starter, unless we are about to finally trade the excess of pitching prospects for some bats

[USMA76]

Sure is nice to end a potential Milwaukee threat by doubling up a-hole Gomez (or a-hole Braun, for that matter).

[USMA76]

Plus last I checked his successor was hitting .150 or so with the Padres. And Maybin has made up for his defense with his bat this year IMO.

Maybin's been a nice pickup and infinitely better than BJ Melvin. Great attitude, hustle, and skills. He just makes the occasional head-scratching play defensively.

[Braves1976]

Does anyone have any info on the starting pitcher we traded for Sunday from the astro's?
Is he just depth or what?I don't understand why we would need another starter, unless we are about to finally trade the excess of pitching prospects for some bats

He's actually a lefty reliever, Mitchell Lambson. He was a lefty reliever they didn't need and since we traded a reliever and needed lefty depth we sent cash to the Astros for him.

[mossy]

Never ever thought I'd say this. But AJ has turned into one of my favorite players this year. Feels wrong to admit that, but there it is.

[Hawk]

Stadium organist is tearing it up right now, although it feels a bit macabre.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Praying the best for this fan. Hoping this is nothing serious, only precautionary.

[mossy]

The ER employee in me is aching to know what's happened here. Hopefully nothing too serious, but how often do you see a game delayed. That can't be good.

[Braves1976]

Hopefully that young lady will be okay, sorry to hear she was hurt.

[Buzzworm]

He's actually a lefty reliever, Mitchell Lambson. He was a lefty reliever they didn't need and since we traded a reliever and needed lefty depth we sent cash to the Astros for him.

Ok thanks Braves1976
The AJC didn't say if he was a reliver or starter

[Braves1976]

Ok thanks Braves1976
The AJC didn't say if he was a reliver or starter

Sure, no problem. I was curious about the move at first too.

[mossy]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/JamieSanders/Mobile%20Uploads/B2CD5749-9260-4C8C-8E53-8B6E45F4C6AF_zpseqitt5wk.png (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/JamieSanders/media/Mobile%20Uploads/B2CD5749-9260-4C8C-8E53-8B6E45F4C6AF_zpseqitt5wk.png.html)

I hope I'm fun when I get old. These guys have it all figured out.

[Braves1976]

Ciriaco told Markakis I have more range in short RF than you. JK. :)

[Braves1976]

Hey Lucroy, you want come home with us after this series? :)

[USMA76]

Ciriaco told Markakis I have more range in short RF than you. JK. :)

Markakis didn't get to work on his range in the offseason. It'll be much better next year. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

[CrimsonCowboy]

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

[Hawk]

Nice quick inning by Grilli there.

[Braves1976]

Good win, some great defense overall helped tonight. There were a few misplays but even one of them led to an out. Simmons made some great plays, Ciriaco was good defensively and Maybin had a great catch. Also nice catch by Perez on one at the wall too.

[USMA76]

Good win, some great defense overall helped tonight. There were a few misplays but even one of them led to an out. Simmons made some great plays, Ciriaco was good defensively and Maybin had a great catch. Also nice catch by Perez on one at the wall too.

It seemed like the baseball was greased every time Eury Perez fielded it but Simmons bailed him out by throwing a bullet to nail a potential run at the plate. Overall, not bad.

[Garmel]

I hope they keep this same batting order for awhile. I wouldn't put Jace back up there until he gets outs of his slump.

[The Chosen One]

I hope they keep this same batting order for awhile. I wouldn't put Jace back up there until he gets outs of his slump.

I hope they don't keep the same batting order. I hope at some point Freeman is plugged in.

[Dalyn]

It is getting to the point where Grilli has some real trade value. Hope Hart capitalizes on that.

[KB21]

Kevin McAlpin ‏@KevinMcAlpin 50m50 minutes ago
Over the last 18 games, #Braves starters have posted a 2.79 ERA (34 ER/109.2 IP) with 90 strikeouts & 28 walks

What's most impressive about that is that none of the starters are older than 24 years.

[thethe]

Kevin McAlpin ‏@KevinMcAlpin 50m50 minutes ago
Over the last 18 games, #Braves starters have posted a 2.79 ERA (34 ER/109.2 IP) with 90 strikeouts & 28 walks

What's most impressive about that is that none of the starters are older than 24 years.

And that's how you build a baseball team.

This team is a few games over 500 with a healthy freeman.

[msstate7]

If we can take 1 more from Brewers, we'll have won 3 straight series after we went almost a month without winning a series

[thethe]

5 games back in the division and only 4 in the wild card.

The bullpen surprisingly is pretty good right now. Just tread water till Freeman comes back and the Braves could actually sneak into the playoffs this year.

[Runnin]

Finishing this year over .500, even without making the playoffs, would put a very good vibe on the off-season.

[thethe]

Finishing this year over .500, even without making the playoffs, would put a very good vibe on the off-season.

Agreed. Just a consistent build up to 2017 is very important for this franchise. Thats why I'm not sure that trading off pieces is a smart move this year. If the returns are great then sure capitalize. But, if we are talking about bit pieces then I'm content with just letting it ride. The farm is so stacked right now that C+ prospects aren't going to move the needle at all. But, enhanced fan interest can certainly move the needle in terms of future spending power.

[msstate7]

What's the word on Williams Perez?

[msstate7]

5 games back in the division and only 4 in the wild card.

Here's our schedule up until the trading deadline...

At Brewers x2
At Rockies x4
Break
Cubs x3
Dodgers x3
At cards x3
At Orioles x3
Start a series with Phillies

I think I would hold off on moving pieces till we see how we hold up in that brutal stretch after the break. That is unless someone blows us away with a good offer.

[thethe]

Here's our schedule up until the trading deadline...

At Brewers x2
At Rockies x4
Break
Cubs x3
Dodgers x3
At cards x3
At Orioles x3
Start a series with Phillies

I think I would hold off on moving pieces till we see how we hold up in that brutal stretch after the break. That is unless someone blows us away with a good offer.

I have said numerous times that I want to see where we stand in the middle of July. The team is taking shape finally and it's not crazy to think we could make a wild card spot.

[57Brave]

It's not crazy to think they could win the East!!!

. If memory serves the 1991 Braves were at or close to .500 at the All-Star break and over took the presumptive favorite that was loaded with "the best pitching staff in baseball"

That team was filled with young Braves and Bobby Cox engineered trades and acquisitions of cast offs and baseball gypsies.

Not too far fetched

[msstate7]

I think overtaking the nats will be extremely tough. If we say that FF's return could put us back in it, we have to acknowledge that rendon and werth could do the same for the nats

[50PoundHead]

It is getting to the point where Grilli has some real trade value. Hope Hart capitalizes on that.

Grilli is ulcer incentive, but he's pitched well. So has Jim Johnson. It will be interesting to see if there is interest in either of them at the deadline. They would both supply quality depth for a team that believes it is one bullpen arm short of being a serious contender to win it all.

[Tapate50]

Grilli under contract til 2017 at a pretty good rate 6.5 Mill over the remaining two years, and Jim Johnson is a FA after this year. 1.6 Mill for this years salary which ought to make him a pretty solid bargain at the deadline.

[thethe]

I don't think we should assume that we are going to be sellers at the deadline.

[gilesfan]

Grilli is ulcer incentive, but he's pitched well. So has Jim Johnson. It will be interesting to see if there is interest in either of them at the deadline. They would both supply quality depth for a team that believes it is one bullpen arm short of being a serious contender to win it all.

I would have to think any team in the playoff push that wants to add an arm will look at those 2. Unless the offer is a low A player that has no future, it really doesn't make any sense to keep Grilli.

[gilesfan]

And that's how you build a baseball team.

This team is a few games over 500 with a healthy freeman.

If that's the case, Freeman is the most valuable player in the history of MLB.

[gilesfan]

It's not crazy to think they could win the East!!!

. If memory serves the 1991 Braves were at or close to .500 at the All-Star break and over took the presumptive favorite that was loaded with "the best pitching staff in baseball"

That team was filled with young Braves and Bobby Cox engineered trades and acquisitions of cast offs and baseball gypsies.

Not too far fetched

Has there ever been a team win a division while being outscored? I really don't know. And we are being outscored by 25 runs right now.

[thethe]

If that's the case, Freeman is the most valuable player in the history of MLB.

You realize that he wouldn't be solely responsible for those wins. It would allow others more of an opportunity to contribute to wins as well.

[57Brave]

July 7, 1991 the Braves were, 39-40 and 9 1/2 back

This is possible and happened here before. Not saying it will
but let's not be selling to fast. With the bullpen straightening out ...
never know

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1991-schedule-scores.shtml

[gilesfan]

You realize that he wouldn't be solely responsible for those wins. It would allow others more of an opportunity to contribute to wins as well.

wut

[gilesfan]

July 7, 1991 the Braves were, 39-40 and 9 1/2 back

This is possible and happened here before. Not saying it will
but let's not be selling to fast. With the bullpen straightening out ...
never know

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1991-schedule-scores.shtml


That team was also +25 in runs scored vs. -25.

[goldfly]

I don't think we should assume that we are going to be sellers at the deadline.

well, we shouldn't be buyers

and it would be dumb to not be sellers

[50PoundHead]

Has there ever been a team win a division while being outscored? I really don't know. And we are being outscored by 25 runs right now.

I'm sure there are several, but the one that came to mind for me almost immediately was the 1987 World Champion Minnesota Twins. They were -20 in the regular season.

[gilesfan]

I'm sure there are several, but the one that came to mind for me almost immediately was the 1987 World Champion Minnesota Twins. They were -20 in the regular season.

I looked them up. Won division despite 85 wins. They would have been in 5th place in the East, lol

[50PoundHead]

well, we shouldn't be buyers

and it would be dumb to not be sellers

I think with all of the trades we've made for slot money, prospect depth has been somewhat depleted to the point where we'd have to move some promising assets to get anything of value. If we believe we are in it, I'd say that standing pat would be explicable. But acquiring anything that has more than a bargain basement price tag would border on the ridiculous.

[Tapate50]

If someone wants something bad enough we should be all ears. Everything is for sale if need be...short of Freddie maybe.

[Nerfherders]

The D-Backs in 2007(?) also had a negative run differential and 90 wins. They lost to the Rockies in the NLCS. It can happen, but it's not likely. We have outperformed our run differential despite a bad bullpen, which is almost impossible.

[thethe]

The D-Backs in 2007(?) also had a negative run differential and 90 wins. They lost to the Rockies in the NLCS. It can happen, but it's not likely. We have outperformed our run differential despite a bad bullpen, which is almost impossible.

The bullpen now has the potential to be decent. Team is shaping put to be good. Just needed time to get the right pieces in place.

[striker42]

The D-Backs in 2007(?) also had a negative run differential and 90 wins. They lost to the Rockies in the NLCS. It can happen, but it's not likely. We have outperformed our run differential despite a bad bullpen, which is almost impossible.

I think the pen has something to do with us outperforming the run differential. Right now we have two very solid relievers in Johnson and Grilli. Avilan is an okay middle reliever. When we're up and can hand the ball off to that group, we usually win. The problem is the rest of the clowns we've had in the pen. In games that we're behind we don't generally put the ball in the hands of Johnson or Grilli. We give it to the losers who get shelled. So in our losses the terrible part of our pen pitches a disproportionate amount and thus results in high runs allowed in those games.

[NinersSBChamps]

If the Braves somehow made a playoff push it will be for nothing. They aren't beating anyone in a playoff series who currently projects to make the post season. The Braves aren't as far off as I anticipated, but there is no reason to be trying to be anything, but sellers at the deadline.

[Dalyn]

With the way Fredi manages in September, the team would need to build a sizable lead in August and hang on for dear life during September. No way this team is building a sizable lead in less than two months (from five down already). It would be silly not to get what we can out of players who will not be part of 2017.

[bravesnumberone]

Kind of interesting that some of the folks who said last offseason had to happen because we weren't near a team that could win in the postseason now want this 41-42 team to be buyers possibly.

[thethe]

Kind of interesting that some of the folks who said last offseason had to happen because we weren't near a team that could win in the postseason now want this 41-42 team to be buyers possibly.

We are in this position because of the moves made. I don't get your argument.

Not sure anyone wants to be buyers. Just don't necessarily need to sell.

[msstate7]

Kind of interesting that some of the folks who said last offseason had to happen because we weren't near a team that could win in the postseason now want this 41-42 team to be buyers possibly.

I wouldn't mind being a buyer for a guy that will around a while. I defibetly oppose getting a rental

[The Chosen One]

With Grilli, we could keep him and sell him off next year and maybe not get as much value for him (if Hart actually wants to try and make the playoffs). Johnson should be gone no matter what.

[50PoundHead]

With the way Fredi manages in September, the team would need to build a sizable lead in August and hang on for dear life during September. No way this team is building a sizable lead in less than two months (from five down already). It would be silly not to get what we can out of players who will not be part of 2017.

I'm thinking the opposite this year. Fredi hasn't been managing with one hand on his throat this year. Unlike his predecessor, I think Fredi feels he has more flexibility when he's chasing the team in front of him as opposed to watching the team behind him. Bobby was the exact opposite. Don't know if there has ever been a better front-runner than Cox.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Fantastic job rebuilding the system by Hart and Co., and although a lot of the fan favorites are gone, he still did manage a way to put together a team for this season that is indeed "palatable."

Well done, sir, well done.

[thethe]

Fantastic job rebuilding the system by Hart and Co., and although a lot of the fan favorites are gone, he still did manage a way to put together a team for this season that is indeed "palatable."

Well done, sir, well done.

How laughable that thought was in the offseason

[sturg33]

There is no way Wren would have been able to trade Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Craig Kimbrel for the anything good

[thethe]

There is no way Wren would have been able to trade Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Craig Kimbrel for the anything good

Very unlikely it would be this good. We sold, bult the farm up and still have a better team than last year.

[sturg33]

Very unlikely it would be this good. We sold, bult the farm up and still have a better team than last year.

Possible. Wren's strength was making trades.

And our team has outperformed its abilities. We are still outscored by 25 runs this year. I guess we should be propping up Fredi G

[gilesfan]

Very unlikely it would be this good. We sold, bult the farm up and still have a better team than last year.

That's really arguable.

[thethe]

Possible. Wren's strength was making trades.

And our team has outperformed its abilities. We are still outscored by 25 runs this year. I guess we should be propping up Fredi G

I think Freddi has done a good and bad job at times. But he was given a team that he could actually manage as opposed to being managed from above as some reports indicated.

[AerchAngel]

With Grilli, we could keep him and sell him off next year and maybe not get as much value for him (if Hart actually wants to try and make the playoffs). Johnson should be gone no matter what.

Which Johnson and no we are not talking your Johnson, even though with that tennis swing it would be better than Chris Johnson.

[smootness]

There is no way Wren would have been able to trade Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis, and Craig Kimbrel for the anything good

He didn't want to; that's the main reason, along with him apparently alienating all the scouts, he was let go.

[thethe]

He didn't want to; that's the main reason, along with him apparently alienating all the scouts, he was let go.

All speculation aparently perpetuated by the evil three headed monster of John/John/Bobby.

[sc1767]

Our run differential puts us about where our record is, at best. I'm enjoying the team, though, a lot more that last year's bunch.