ESPN.com – MLB – Recap – Braves at Phillies – 09/27/2003
Oh, what a disaster. The Braves led 5-0 but Bobby played the game like spring training, as I’d expected, and the scrubs couldn’t do much. Then John Smoltz, leading by two with two out in the ninth, couldn’t get the save. And Ray King allowed a leadoff double in the tenth — then leaving with something wrong with his left shoulder.
The Braves used ten pitchers, a team record. Mike Hampton started the game but went only two innings, allowing a run on a homer. But then Shane Reynolds came in, somehow not allowing a run in two innings. Darren Holmes had nothing then left the game, possibly with an injury, allowing two runs. Boom-Boom and Gryboski got to the eighth, but Cunnane allowed one run, then the disaster.
Javy Lopez set the record for catcher home runs with his 43rd total of the year, then left the game. The Braves used all three catchers, and the only regular on the field at the end was, I believe, Sheffield. (Julio Franco and Mark DeRosa started and played the whole game.)
The Giants are losing in the first of a doubleheader, but it’s close and early. Right now, they’re a half game behind the Braves, but ahead in the loss column. The Cubs’ magic number is now only one after a win and an Astros loss.
That’s not a performance I want to see again. I guess Smoltz must always have a hard time in Philly, no matter what time of the season. Hopefully Ray King is well; the loss would be even worse if he is out.
I guess we could take solace in the fact that Philly fans are probably thinking right now,”That’s all fine and good, but where was that against the Marlins when it counted?”
Well, it’s set. Braves vs. Cubs. To me, that sounds like more of a prime-time-caliber matchup than Yankees-Twins. Let’s hope FOX sees it that way too. 🙂
They do…
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves
Game 1 Cubs @ Braves Tue. Sept. 30 8 p.m. FOX
Game 2 Cubs @ Braves Wed. Oct. 17 p.m. ESPN
Game 3 Braves @ Cubs Fri. Oct. 3 8 p.m. ESPN
Game 4* Braves @ Cubs Sat. Oct. 4 TBD TBD
Game 5* Cubs @ Braves Sun. Oct. 5 TBD TBD
SF did end up dropping that first game. So now they need to win both of their remaining games _and_ have the Braves lose on Sunday to take home field. Right now they’re up 2-1 on LA in game 2
I won’t rule it out, though – seems like the Braves all but had home field wrapped up that one year when Chipper threw away a ball in a game at the end of a season. That one was painful.
Explain this? Do the Braves have to win today to have home field advantage?
Ed – for the Braves to get HFA, either they must win today or the Giants must lose today. The Giants have already said they will not play a makeup game in NY tomorrow. Right now the Braves are up one win on SF, 100-61 to 99-61.
If the Giants tie the Braves in wins and have one fewer loss, then they get HFA by having a better winning %. If they made up that game tomorrow and lost, they’d still get HFA by having beaten the Braves head to head this year.
So the circumstance under which the Braves get HFA is if they have more wins than the Giants after today.