Two weeks before the ASG

thewupk said:
A win today and they are still 8-5 in that stretch. Still good despite a 4 game skid in the middle of it. The Braves and Nats both have easy ass schedules this year. They were ranked #1 and #2 in that dept at the start of the year. Nothing has really changed. Sucks to have a long winning streak and not get much separation but the Nats have to be thinking that too. They have played really good baseball since that 4 game series and have actually lost ground.

It's going to be a fight till the end.
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Oh I agree completely. I can't see either team winning the division by more than 2-3 games.
 
Tapate50 said:
52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?
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That's on track for 89 wins. At the start of the season I thought we'd be a 90-95 win team.

First half saw under-performances from Heyward, Minor, CJ. Second base was a disaster until La Stella was called up. The main upside surprise was Gattis.
 
nsacpi said:
That's on track for 89 wins. At the start of the season I thought we'd be a 90-95 win team.

First half saw under-performances from Heyward, Minor, CJ. Second base was a disaster until La Stella was called up. The main upside surprise was Gattis.
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Minor was a huge disappointment. He is due for a bounceback or we are in trouble IMO.

I think we can get into the 90-92 win range.
 
Tapate50 said:
Minor was a huge disappointment. He is due for a bounceback or we are in trouble IMO.

I think we can get into the 90-92 win range.
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I still think we'll end up in the 90-95 range. Expecting better second halves from Minor, Heyward and CJ. But someone(s) will get hurt/have a bad second half.
 
I think JH and Upton the Elder will get better, I hope. Minor worries me because Hugarang and Santana both scare me if we depend on them. Gattis back issues are in the past and CJ holds off on pumpkin status, I think we can have a better second half record, the next month is going to be brutal scheduling wise.
 
I'm interesting solely on the idea that the Braves play 11-straight at home to begin the second half and 21 of their first 29 (though they do get the Athletics and Mariners at home). It's really as simple as the Braves have to play better as they come out of the break. Hopefully they can get Gattis back and his bat will be at least relatively close to where it was. But, we need to start making moves like cutting Uggla and added a lefty to the BP and a bat to the bench. IF they do that, I think they're a 92-95 win team.

I don't see Jason starting so slow, though he has been better as of late. Minor just needs to improve, he's a good pitcher that has the shown talent to hold this staff for months at a time. Teheran needs to continue pitching well and Chris HAS to keep this hot streak, or at least have more.

I think the key component to this second half is BJ Upton and Simab though. BJ's been decent in the leadoff spot and if he's going to continue to stay there, he has to get on at a clip of at least .310-.330. Am I saying that's great? No, but he needs too. With that, Simmons has to continue his good work.

I'm not worried with Justin, Freddie or La Stella.
 
I think its also time we adjust Avilan's usage. He is no longer an option for the pen. IMO he should be the first guy moved out if we aquire a BP arm.

Btw, what was the latest on Venters (not that im relying on him at all going forward)?
 
Tapate50 said:
I think its also time we adjust Avilan's usage. He is no longer an option for the pen. IMO he should be the first guy moved out if we aquire a BP arm.

Btw, what was the latest on Venters (not that im relying on him at all going forward)?
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Supposedly going to be back by the end of the month.
 
Tapate50 said:
52-43 at the break. About where everyone expected? Better? Worse?
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I was thinking a bit better. I thought we were a 95 win club reduced to a 92 win club with the pitching replacements. That's still realistic with a good second half. And I am cautiously optimistic we'll get there.
 
About where I thought we would be with a mediocre manager. Should have at least 6 more wins at this point and would have a separation from Washington.
 
jason27nc said:
About where I thought we would be with a mediocre manager. Should have at least 6 more wins at this point and would have a separation from Washington.
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I'd love to see another manager do a better job with this team. I'd pay his salary myself if he could.
 
I think we're going to go on a big hot streak in the 2nd half lead by Heyward.

Heyward needs to be hitting 2 or 3. The Freeman loyalty is getting out of hand.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
This lineup sounds awesome. I can deal with BJ leading off with Heyward, Justin, Freddie and Gattis following.
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It's really the best of both worlds. It "extends" the lineup and keeps it R/L all the way through like Fredi gets wet for. It also puts our best hitters near the top of the lineup and hitting in succession like we should be doing.

Let's face it, BJ isn't moving from leadoff any time soon.
 
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