7/19/15: GDT - Chicago Cubs @ Atlanta Braves

[Garmel]

Cubs
1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Kris Bryant (R) 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Jorge Soler (R) RF
5. Chris Coghlan (L) LF
6. Starlin Castro (R) SS
7. David Ross (R) C
8. Jake Arrieta (R) P
9. Jonathan Herrera (S) 2B

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

[nsacpi]

Expecting a huge game from the Andreltonian.

[NinersSBChamps]

Expecting a poor game from Jace, Tron, Ciriaco, and Perez.

[nsacpi]

Expecting a poor game from Jace, Tron, Ciriaco, and Perez.

Just those four?

[NinersSBChamps]

Just those four?

Well the 2-5 hitters at least know what baseball is. I think those four guys will be the offense tonight. They might even score a run.

[nsacpi]

Well the 2-5 hitters at least know what baseball is. I think those four guys will be the offense tonight. They might even score a run.
You're bursting with irrational exuberance today.

[thewupk]

Braves WRC+ is 89 right now. Good for 10th in the NL. Braves WRC+ was 86 last year and good for 11th in the NL. Very real chance this years offense could end up worse than last years.

[sturg33]

I believe at this time last year the offense was better than this year's version

[msstate7]

I believe at this time last year the offense was better than this year's version

Plug a healthy FF in and our offense will be better assuming we don't lose Kelly and uribe.

[NinersSBChamps]

Who cares what stats say? The bottom line is which offense is more fun to watch?

[Heyward]

I believe at this time last year the offense was better than this year's version

Who cares, neither offense is/was that good.

[Heyward]

Who cares what stats say? The bottom line is which offense is more fun to watch?

Neither?

[NinersSBChamps]

Perfect through 1 inning. 24 batters left.

[msstate7]

Would love to see Peterson get going again. Wish he would try a drag bunt some till he heats back up

[NinersSBChamps]

AJ can deliver right now.

[msstate7]

Least he threw 20+ pitches on a hot day. Unfortunately ciriaco, Perez, and Simmons will probably swing at everything and get pitcher's pitch number back to normal

[NinersSBChamps]

Send him down.

[msstate7]

Send him down.

He's already an offensive liability. If he starts failing defensively, he really has no business here

[NinersSBChamps]

Nice work Jace.

[msstate7]

Ball game. Thanks peterson

[NinersSBChamps]

Best Shelby can do now is a no decision.

[Garmel]

Both Maybin and Peterson's defense cost us that inning. Maybin should have caught that ball that dropped in front of him.

[NinersSBChamps]

Both Maybin and Peterson's defense cost us that inning. Maybin should have caught that ball that dropped in front of him.

THought the same thing when I saw it too. Maybe lost it for a split second or was indecisive on if he should go for it or lay up.

[NinersSBChamps]

Must be nice to have a lineup with real major league hitters in it.

[msstate7]

Why I don't cut off the tv right now, I don't know.

[USMA76]

Why I don't cut off the tv right now, I don't know.

This. Watching the Braves right now just makes me angry.

[msstate7]

Must be nice to have a lineup with real major league hitters in it.

If you dressed Gwinnett's players in Atlanta uniforms, there wouldn't be any appreciable difference offensively. This team is terrible

[NinersSBChamps]

Why I don't cut off the tv right now, I don't know.

I am gonna watch until I can't anymore. Got the free preview of Extra Innings on DTV.

[msstate7]

@DOBrienAJC
#Braves 2B Jace Peterson’s past 20 games: .150 (12-for-80) w/ 4 extra-base hits, 6 RBIs, 6 runs, .218 OBP and .225 slugging.

[NinersSBChamps]

If Freddie does comeback sometime soon (which I don't think he should) I'd let Kelly try some time at second base again. Just to get Jace out of the lineup.

[msstate7]

Peterson with another k. This offensive offense certainly isn't just on Peterson, but he's a huge part. It's peraza time.

[msstate7]

If Freddie does comeback sometime soon (which I don't think he should) I'd let Kelly try some time at second base again. Just to get Jace out of the lineup.

We're going nowhere. Why not let peraza get his shot? I would hate to trade peraza and this be the real Peterson.

[NinersSBChamps]

We're going nowhere. Why not let peraza get his shot? I would hate to trade peraza and this be the real Peterson.

Well I imagine Peraza and anyone else who the Braves want to see will be called up in September.

[CrimsonCowboy]

Thunderstorms right now are messing with my DirecTV signal, so I can't see the game at the moment. Might not be a bad thing.

[msstate7]

Well I imagine Peraza and anyone else who the Braves want to see will be called up in September.

Yeah, I just hope I don't have to watch Peterson lead off hitting .150 the rest of the year. Fredi wrote Peterson's name with a permanent marker at leadoff. Fredi probably won't make a change unless jace is in Gwinnett

[msstate7]

When AJ is your best hitter, you have serious issues.

[msstate7]

We're about to crash and burn at an epic level. Why we extended fredi before the end of the season, I'll never understand. That extension is gonna look really stupid in about 30 games

[NinersSBChamps]

We're about to crash and burn at an epic level. Why we extended fredi before the end of the season, I'll never understand. That extension is gonna look really stupid in about 30 games

The extension looked stupid before it ever happened. Hart and his goons don't care about this season. So whatever the number is in the loss column won't matter because they decided to punt this season months ago.

[msstate7]

The extension looked stupid before it ever happened. Hart and his goons don't care about this season. So whatever the number is in the loss column won't matter because they decided to punt this season months ago.

While I agree we punted the season, fredi got an extension bc of us sticking around in the standings.

[NinersSBChamps]

So hard for a Braves starter to get through five innings.

[Heyward]

We're about to crash and burn at an epic level.

Not a bad thing.

[NinersSBChamps]

While I agree we punted the season, fredi got an extension bc of us sticking around in the standings.

I agree the extension is and was an awfully stupid decision. However we disagree on why it was handed out. I think Fredi was going to get an extension regardless of what happened this season. Hart gutted the team and Fredi didn't whine at least publically and he bought into it all.

[msstate7]

Not a bad thing.

Yeah, it'll help with picks. Gotta figure attendance will nose dive though. Hopefully that wouldn't result in a tighter budget

[msstate7]

In the last 14 innings, we have the same number (3) errors as hits

[Heyward]

Yeah, it'll help with picks. Gotta figure attendance will nose dive though. Hopefully that wouldn't result in a tighter budget

Yeah mainly talking picks.

Regarding budget, i dont think we'll really spend crazy until 2017.

I think we'll sign some players next year but no David Price's of the world.

[stpeteirish]

In the last 14 innings, we have the same number (3) errors as hits

and A J has most of them. Hits, that is.

[msstate7]

Another k for jace... Someone tell me how much worse peraza would be

[Heyward]

Another k for jace... Someone tell me how much worse peraza would be

There's no reason why he shouldnt come up.

If they trade him, at least see what he can do.

And Peraza is 22, Jace is 25.

[msstate7]

3-1 count on markakis and 3-0 count on Kelly... Geez, this is awful

[CrimsonCowboy]

Kevin McAlpin ‏@KevinMcAlpin 5m5 minutes ago
Shelby Miller done after 6. His winless streak hits 11 straight. #Braves offense has given him a TOTAL of 10 runs of support over that span.

[NinersSBChamps]

Should probably look into trading Shelby since he's gonna be wasted here.

[steveAKAslick]

Not a bad thing.

EXACTLY!!! SELL SELL SELL lol

[USMA76]

Should probably look into trading Shelby since he's gonna be wasted here.

Sadly, this is looking far too much like late last year e.g. as soon as a pitcher gives up a second run, the Braves are done. Between the Colorado series and this one, it seems like we've led for something like one of the last 54 innings.

[NinersSBChamps]

This team is going to get no hit sometime soon.

[msstate7]

One problem with a collapse is getting good FA's to sign with us this offseason

[NinersSBChamps]

One problem with a collapse is getting good FA's to sign with us this offseason

It's been an issue for a long time now. Markakis has been our best free agent signing in a long time.

[Heyward]

One problem with a collapse is getting good FA's to sign with us this offseason

Dont think we'll get any top tier guys, so no biggie.

[thewupk]

5 hits in past 2 games?

[NinersSBChamps]

Would love to see Shelby-Sale matchup. Both awful offenses. Would be a joy to watch.

[NinersSBChamps]

5 hits in past 2 games?

Far too many, if you ask me. Cubs should be ashamed.

[thethe]

5 hits in past 2 games?

Would not expect it to get any better. THe sell off is about to happen.

[NinersSBChamps]

5 hits in past 2 games?

And AJ has 40 percent of them.

[NinersSBChamps]

Promote him right now!

[thethe]

Nice to see Jace starting to hit a little more. Its been rough for the past month.

[NinersSBChamps]

Nice to see Jace starting to hit a little more. Its been rough for the past month.

For sure. He's hot lately. 1 for his last 1.

[thethe]

Cubs absolutely stole Arrieta. Guy has been an absolute stud.

[jpx7]

THe sell off is about to happen.

http://cdn-static.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeek/files/2/26//mrburns.jpeg

[NinersSBChamps]

Cubs absolutely stole Arrieta. Guy has been an absolute stud.

Yes they did. In Baltimore's defense Arrieta was pretty bad in his time there. Arrieta always had good stuff, but maybe just getting on a new team was the answer for him.

[msstate7]

Leadoff double with 2-4 up and we can't even get the runner to 3rd. I'm embarrassed by this team

[NinersSBChamps]

Viz is due for another wiz quiz.

[USMA76]

Cubs absolutely stole Arrieta. Guy has been an absolute stud.

It's hard to tell if he's any good or not--after all, he's pitching against the Braves.

[thethe]

It's hard to tell if he's any good or not--after all, he's pitching against the Braves.

Has more to do with him. Look at what he has done recently. Guy has been maybe the most underrated starting pitcher for the last 2 years.

[Dalyn]

Russell sure is having a nice year (again). I thought he was worthless?

[Dalyn]

I have to say...THIS is not more fun to watch than last year.

[The Chosen One]

I have to say...THIS is not more fun to watch than last year.

Why do you hate America?

[thethe]

I have to say...THIS is not more fun to watch than last year.

It got bad...real bad the last month.

[Heyward]

It's hard to tell if he's any good or not--after all, he's pitching against the Braves.

He has a 2.5 ERA, he's been the Cubs best pitcher this year.

He's a legit ace arguably, been a rock for the Cubs this year.

[sturg33]

It got bad...real bad the last month.

Oh... so you mean those of us who said our performance was not sustainable were right?

[USMA76]

He has a 2.5 ERA, he's been the Cubs best pitcher this year.

He's a legit ace arguably, been a rock for the Cubs this year.

I guess I should've put a smiley or LOL after my post. I know he's been pitching well. You have to admit that a good game against Atlanta right now doesn't exactly strengthen a pitcher's resume.

[NinersSBChamps]

Why do you hate Amerika?

Fixed.

[Heyward]

I guess I should've put a smiley or LOL after my post. I know he's been pitching well. You have to admit that a good game against Atlanta right now doesn't exactly strengthen a pitcher's resume.

Sure, but you cant control that.

He's been their best pitcher this year.

[thethe]

Oh... so you mean those of us who said our performance was not sustainable were right?

Not sure if you've been watching but were you aware that one of the best hitters in the major leagues is hurt right now?

[sturg33]

Not sure if you've been watching but were you aware that one of the best hitters in the major leagues is hurt right now?

I am aware...

We're 4 games under since his departure... we were I think 2 games under before. But your boy Jace has come back to reality. Maybin has slowed. KJ has slowed. etc.

[Heyward]

I am aware...

We're 4 games under since his departure... we were I think 2 games under before. But your boy Jace has come back to reality. Maybin has slowed. KJ has slowed. etc.

ANd im sure that makes you happy.

[Julio3000]

Russell sure is having a nice year (again). I thought he was worthless?

"No value" was the phrase deployed, I think.

[Julio3000]

Not sure if you've been watching but were you aware that one of the best hitters in the major leagues is hurt right now?

Yes, missing Freddie hurts like hell, but your head is in the sand if you think that he'd make the difference in this team being a contender vs. an also-ran.

I'm already afraid of that narrative taking hold—we were a legit contender until Freddie got hurt!

Just like "This offense (as it sits 22/30 in MLB in runs scored) is sooooo much better than last year's" and "Markakis is really good!" as he continues a six-week slide to league average.

I've enjoyed this season and I'm optimistic about the future, given the core talent and financial flexibility we have now. But, please, let's be realistic about what we're looking at now. It's a team that tops out chasing .500, not a playoff contender, Freddie notwithstanding.

[NinersSBChamps]

Not sure if you've been watching but were you aware that one of the best hitters in the major leagues is hurt right now?

One of the best hitters? It's hard to say that, but give a number. That's easier to debate. Like top ???

[Dalyn]

It got bad...real bad the last month.

Yes. And we still have a Fredi September to look forward to with THIS team.

[Dalyn]

Why do you hate America?

:fredi:

[thewupk]

Not sure if you've been watching but were you aware that one of the best hitters in the major leagues is hurt right now?

Freeman out hurts. But he is not the reason others have cooled off. Freeman didn't make other hitters hit better.

[thewupk]

One of the best hitters? It's hard to say that, but give a number. That's easier to debate. Like top ???

I posted it in the other thread. But since the start of 2013 he has the 6th most offensive runs and the 11th best WRC+. I'd peg him as a top 10 hitter over the last 2 and a half years.

[Dalyn]

Yes, missing Freddie hurts like hell, but your head is in the sand if you think that he'd make the difference in this team being a contender vs. an also-ran.

I'm already afraid of that narrative taking hold—we were a legit contender until Freddie got hurt!

Just like "This offense (as it sits 22/30 in MLB in runs scored) is sooooo much better than last year's" and "Markakis is really good!" as he continues a six-week slide to league average.

I've enjoyed this season and I'm optimistic about the future, given the core talent and financial flexibility we have now. But, please, let's be realistic about what we're looking at now. It's a team that tops out chasing .500, not a playoff contender, Freddie notwithstanding.

Not a single player is going to hit 20 HRs. That hasn't happened to the Braves since 1981.

[nsacpi]

Not a single player is going to hit 20 HRs. That hasn't happened to the Braves since 1981.

We live in an era when power is not that important.

[thewupk]

We live in an era when power is not that important.

Less K's = More Runs

[nsacpi]

A lot of good things can happen when you make contact.

[KB21]

A lot of good things can happen when you make contact.

I've never understood how strike outs were such a great stat for a pitcher but not a problem as a hitter.

[thewupk]

I've never understood how strike outs were such a great stat for a pitcher but not a problem as a hitter.

The easy answer is that it's really hard for a pitcher to be good without striking out a decent amount of guys. A hitter can still strike out quite a bit and still be very productive.

[ATLBraves247]

I am aware...

We're 4 games under since his departure... we were I think 2 games under before. But your boy Jace has come back to reality. Maybin has slowed. KJ has slowed. etc.

How has Kelly cooled? Hitting over .300 in last 7 and 15 games. Do your research before you state ignorant comments.

http://m.mlb.com/player/430637/kelly-johnson

[sturg33]

How has Kelly cooled? Hitting over .300 in last 7 and 15 games. Do your research before you state ignorant comments.

http://m.mlb.com/player/430637/kelly-johnson

Not hitting the homers anymore

[gilesfan]

Unfortunately, the cluster luck of the first 2 months has worn off. People still refuse to believe it and think teams have a special ability to hit with RISP and tie hits together with magical powers.

[nsacpi]

Not hitting the homers anymore

homers are vastly overrated...especially in the present era

[nsacpi]

Unfortunately, the cluster luck of the first 2 months has worn off. People still refuse to believe it and think teams have a special ability to hit with RISP and tie hits together with magical powers.

maybe seitzer went into a slump

[weso1]

homers are vastly overrated...especially in the present era

If you have the right type of hitters, they certainly can be overrated. San Francisco and Kansas City for example are doing just fine despite being in the bottom 7 in homeruns. And then you have teams like the Mariners and the Reds who are top ten in homeruns but bottom ten in runs scored. The problem is that not only do we have guys who don't hit homers, but we also just don't have many good hitters or have guys who can get on base and steal bases. I like Jace a lot and he's a nice player but even I didn't expect him to hit more than .260 or put up more than a .700 OPS. He's leading off for our team, but really he should be at the bottom of the order. We've got bench players batting cleanup.

Now, I will say that clearly you want more homers than what the Braves are doing, but we're also dead last.

[nsacpi]

If you have the right type of hitters, they certainly can be overrated. San Francisco and Kansas City for example are doing just fine despite being in the bottom 7 in homeruns. And then you have teams like the Mariners and the Reds who are top ten in homeruns but bottom ten in runs scored. The problem is that not only do we have guys who don't hit homers, but we also just don't have many good hitters or have guys who can get on base and steal bases. I like Jace a lot and he's a nice player but even I didn't expect him to hit more than .260 or put up more than a .700 OPS. He's leading off for our team, but really he should be at the bottom of the order. We've got bench players batting cleanup.

Now, I will say that clearly you want more homers than what the Braves are doing, but we're also dead last.

At least this year's team plays the game the right way.

[gilesfan]

If you have the right type of hitters, they certainly can be overrated. San Francisco and Kansas City for example are doing just fine despite being in the bottom 7 in homeruns. And then you have teams like the Mariners and the Reds who are top ten in homeruns but bottom ten in runs scored. The problem is that not only do we have guys who don't hit homers, but we also just don't have many good hitters or have guys who can get on base and steal bases. I like Jace a lot and he's a nice player but even I didn't expect him to hit more than .260 or put up more than a .700 OPS. He's leading off for our team, but really he should be at the bottom of the order. We've got bench players batting cleanup.

Now, I will say that clearly you want more homers than what the Braves are doing, but we're also dead last.

Giants are 3rd in theNL in slugging though despite playing in a pitchers park. They are clearly driving the ball.

[ATLBraves247]

Not hitting the homers anymore

he's not a power hitter, what do you expect?

[sturg33]

he's not a power hitter, what do you expect?

I expected his power production to decline... which it has