GDT 8/1/13: Rockies (Bettis) @ Braves (Teheran) 7:10 PM

[thethe]

If we maintain our lead and clinch early, I can see Teheran getting an extra few days rest in September. Problem with that is that you want to keep guys sharp and that's difficult to do if you're sitting ten days between starts.

He has pitched extremely well this year. My guess is that they were working with him on some things in Gwinnett last year and hence the dip in performance. It's my conjecture that they were trying to teach him to pitch to contact a little bit so he wouldn't think he has to strike everybody out to be successful. There's no question Teheran has electric stuff and it's great to see him doing well.

Thats the beauty with Tehearn. He can pitch to contact with his 2 seamer but he can blow guys away with his 4 seamer and slider.

I'd like to see him throw more curveballs to start out AB's to get a quick strike.

[Julio3000]

nobody saw this...

Took me a minute to get it. I was trying to make the Oklahoma thing into a Joe Simpson reference.

[bravesnumberone]

I find it funny that Papelbon was saying "I didn't sign up for this," when he's been one of the main contributors to the Phils' suckage.

Great homestand, and I hope the Braves can play well on this road trip. We've got to start playing much better away from the Ted.

[Julio3000]

Watching JT has been one of the most rewarding things about this season for me.

It's interesting that as much as we made his use (or lack of use) of his changeup into an issue, he's succeeded without it, for the most part. The team's goal for him seems to be to have him able to command both of his breaking pitches well enough to use them in any count. He's throwing the slider roughly 20% of the time now, and consistently keeping it down. I suppose that the curve is keeping guys off the slider and, with about an 8mph differential from it, it's providing some change of pace and deception.

Another impression I've gotten from him, even before this year and when he's struggled, is his poise and intelligence. He seems like he's got what it takes between the ears to accept coaching, stay focused under pressure, and learn on the job. He's intense but doesn't lose his cool. The other things he brings—athleticism (the pickoff move, the bat), some of the enthusiasm of youth—just make him a really fun guy to watch. I'm not bold or knowledgeable enough to project what his ceiling might be, but I think it's safe to say that we haven't seen his best.

[Heyward]

I hope Liberty opens up the purse strings to keep this team together.

Not up to Liberty.

It's if they want to be Braves long term.

I don't think any of them will cost 20+ mil per yr.

[Heyward]

Trade heyward while his value is high.

Should of traded him for Peavy.

Can't believe someone said that.

[Heyward]

No excuse for us not to win that series. Although Lannan has had his days against us.

We do catch a break avoiding Lee and Hamels.

But I won't be surprised if we lose the series.

Not until I see us fix these road woes.

[Heyward]

Cj having the year some nats did last yr. he'll be here nxt year and we will see if he can do it back to back

He's the only one really performing really crazy.

Actually have had a lot of down years.

Uggla, BJ, Heyward, JUp for a few months.

Freeman and Mac are just good hitters.

[Russ2dollas]

He's the only one really performing really crazy.

Actually have had a lot of down years.

Uggla, BJ, Heyward, JUp for a few months.

Freeman and Mac are just good hitters.

Agree. You would hope if cj drops 50 pts in avg that bj would pick up 50.

[GovClintonTyree]

Thats the beauty with Tehearn. He can pitch to contact with his 2 seamer but he can blow guys away with his 4 seamer and slider.

I'd like to see him throw more curveballs to start out AB's to get a quick strike.

Maybe second/third time through the order to switch it up. That curveball is all right. The two seamer is what turns him into a pitcher.

[Nerfherders]

Here's an amazing stat - The Dodgers have been the hottest team in baseball, and actually bucked their run differential by going 28-7, flipping from 12 under .500 to 9 over .500.

If the Nats did that from this day forward (28-7), the Braves would only have to go 16-18 to stay in first place.

[Heyward]

lol at people wanting to put BJ back in the lineup

Just amazing.

Gattis hasn't exactly lit it up lately.

And the outfield defense improves massively with BJ back in the lineup.