GDT #35: May 10, 2014 Cubs (Samardzija) @ Braves (Santana)

[Runnin]

Smoltzy sure does talk a lot.

[CyYoung31]

Smoltzy sure does talk a lot.

Good. The more he talks, the less Chip does.

[Runnin]

Good. The more he talks, the less Chip does.

Well, the Bi-annual Cubs Apolgists Report is almost over.

[thewupk]

This amazes me. As bad as this team has been, they're still in first. Talk about not taking advantage of a situation, Nats.

It's just the offense that is bad, though. The Braves are essentially the best fielding and pitching team in the NL. The Nats are second in pitching but pretty far behind the Braves. Their offense is essentially average but where they are having issues is defense. It's the 4th worst in baseball. Defense and pitching wins, in the regular season anyways. The Braves still need (and I think it will be by seasons end) an average at best offense to make the playoffs.

[keithlaw]

It's just the offense that is bad, though. The Braves are essentially the best fielding and pitching team in the NL. The Nats are second in pitching but pretty far behind the Braves. Their offense is essentially average but where they are having issues is defense. It's the 4th worst in baseball. Defense and pitching wins, in the regular season anyways. The Braves still need (and I think it will be by seasons end) an average at best offense to make the playoffs.

The everyday lineup will be good once Heyward and Johnson come around and we replace Uggla. I think we need at least one more bat for the bench though, and two if Doumit doesn't get it turned around.

[sturg33]

To be fair to the Nats, they are missing two of their top 3 hitters…

[Dalyn]

To be fair to the Nats, they are missing two of their top 3 hitters…

To be fair to the Braves, we only have two hitters (and one is currently hurting).