Whoops, hit the ground with this one after Mac opened the new thread:
Gads, the woe is me is rampant here. Gotta buck up, campers.
Go Braves!!
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Can’t believe I never noticed before that ‘fired’ is an anagram of ‘Fredi’. It’s even more perfect than Resop’s name being ‘poser’ when spelled out backwards.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 1:47 pm
The failings of the Wild Card are clearly illustrated by the fact that, when competing for a playoff spot at the end of the season, the Braves play a team from their division with the best record in all of baseball, while the Cardinals play a team from their division with the worst record in all of baseball.
Also an anagram for Fredi: “I… derf.” Imagine this as a response during one of his postgame press conferences. For instance:
“Fredi, why did you call for a suicide squeeze with a newly paraplegic Chipper running [crawling] at third and Tommy Hanson attempting to bunt without an actual bat in his hands and his right arm in a sling?”
“Well, see, um, I… derf.”
Of course no one would ever actually ask him why he called for that play, so this might be a bit unrealistic. Go Braves!
According to DOB, Hanson didn’t make his Sunday throwing session. He won’t be a factor at all during this series.
Why would anyone expect the Phillies to put up any lineup other than their best? They’ve been in a tailspin and need to prove something going into the playoffs, too.
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm
As pathetically as they’ve played against pathetic teams, maybe an actual perceived challenge will be good for them. Like, maybe they’ll step up to the challenge or something. Ha. I mean, Go Braves!
Mike N.
on September 26, 2011 at 4:21 pm
So will the challenge of the Phillies be the next jolt this team needs? I believe that will be jolt number 10 for the month.
I’m optimistic. Always am. We’ll take 2 of 3 against the Phils. The loss will be Lowe’s start. Lowe’s loss and Delgado’s dominance in his game will convince the Braves to go with a Lowe-less rotation for the playoffs, and the young guns of Minor, Beachy, and Delgado will carve their names in Atlanta Braves history as they all dominate on their way to a World Series championship.
Repeating a prediction from a prior thread: I think we’re going to take 1 out of 3 from the Phillies, and the Cards will take 2 out of 3 from the Astros. And we’ll lose the playoff game against the Cardinals.
Jeff K
on September 26, 2011 at 4:35 pm
I like that lineup from the Phillies, Manuel is awesome. Make ’em win their way in is the right philosophy.
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 4:43 pm
The Phillies should put their best players on the field. Just as the Astros should put their best on the field. I just wish the Braves would put the best players on the field (Heyward)
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Oh crap, Braves are activating Sherrill and might use him tonight, according to DOB. This has rusty disaster written all over it. I predict he grooves a fastball to Howard that ends up in midtown.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 5:08 pm
I would agree, except I think that if you’re left-handed, you could probably strike Ryan Howard out, and I don’t know if you’ve ever played baseball in your life.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Unlike others here, I just can’t generate any excitement for these sad sacks, even though I can’t look away. To quote Bob Weiss of the Hawks, “We’re going to be exciting. Of course, it was exciting when the Titanic went down.”
GO ASTROS! Please?
Sam Hutcheson
on September 26, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Every time the Braves were in Philly’s position (usually against the Mets at the end of the season) they played their A-team. I see no reason Philly shouldn’t do the same.
32: Yeah, if we see a repeat of “Rusty” Linebrink with Sherrill, I am seriously going to grab Emma and start a picket line around Turner Field.
The guy definitely needs some work, but it better damn well be limited to low-leverage moments in the game. Up a bunch or down a bunch…although if we’re down a bunch it hardly seems worth the effort.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 6:05 pm
“Unlike others here, I just can’t generate any excitement for these sad sacks”
On the other hand: the team has a one game lead with three to play, and thus is playing very meaningful baseball in the last series of the regular season. A lot of team’s fans would trade places.
Thank goodness for Google when Ububba makes mildly esoteric historical references:
“Granny Hamner Is Found Dead
September 13, 1993| Associated PressGranville Wilbur (Granny) Hamner, who joined the major leagues at age 17 and played shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1940s and 1950s, was found dead in his Philadelphia hotel room. He was 66. Preliminary reports said that Hamner, of Paulsboro, N.J., suffered a heart attack. He was attending a sports memorabilia and card show in Philadelphia.
Hamner, a 17-year veteran, was an All-Star from 1952-54. He was the starting shortstop in 1952 and starting second baseman in 1954, becoming the first player in All-Star history to win starting berths at two positions. He was traded to Cleveland in 1959 and retired in 1962.
Rumors he will be dug up sometime in the future to play shortstop in an attempt to unnerve the opposition appear without merit. Possible sources are being investigated.”
I don’t know who else watches via GameDay, but MLB is stuffing more and more commercials onto the service, so that viewers cannot follow the game. The whole bottom of the 1st passed while I saw nothing but commercials!
A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
DEAR GOD A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
AAG rides again. I’ve almost gotten past the cognitive dissonance.
DG
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Does. Not. Compute.
Grst
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Wow, what a terrible 0-2 pitch to AAG.
F
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Did that just happen?
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Jack Wilson wouldn’t have hit for extra bases. I’m so torn between them.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 6:40 pm
How long do you think it would take for Brian McCann to make it around the bases for an inside-the-park homer? Does anyone honestly think he would break the 45-second mark?
EDIT: Maybe the trick is to make sure AAG is playing with a strained calf.
For the record I want to compliment Fredi for not having R-Del bunt here.
UPDATE: And see? Something good happened. A very close play at first, could have been a hit or a rushed play error, but at the very least one of those mythical “productive outs.” The bunt is overrated.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Then you have to retract it for having Bourn bunt.
DG
on September 26, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Plays like that with Delgado make me think about the DH a little more. The last thing this team needs is another injury.
67: For B-Mac to get an inside-the-parker, I think it would to be in Minute Maid, hit to deep center field, roll up that stupid hill and all the way up that flag pole, where it would miraculously come to rest on the top of the staff. Oh, and the flagpole would need to be greased so the centerfielder wouldn’t be able to shimmy up there without the grounds crew coming on the field and cleaning it off.
And our starter is through 3 with a relatively modest 37 pitches. WTF??
Phillip
on September 26, 2011 at 6:52 pm
Don’t get too crazy guys……long way to go….
DG
on September 26, 2011 at 7:01 pm
@73: I wouldn’t say ruined career, but severely injured, requiring surgery, and out for at least one season. It happens way too often, even to the toughest of players who play everyday. I wonder what the poll results would look like if NL managers were asked about adding the DH.
Marc
on September 26, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Wow, I tuned in expecting to see Cliff Lee beginning his 1,000 year dark reign, glad to see we’ve staved off that horror for now.
Lee batted for himself. This never works out when we do it (squeezing one more inning out of the starter), but then again Fredlot’s the one deciding when we do it.
Let’s see, I get back from a meeting, turn on the game just in time to see Rollins homer. I won’t be watching any more of the game.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 7:54 pm
This is depressing. Even EOF can’t save this game.
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 7:54 pm
and there’s your ballgame
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 7:55 pm
‘Stros are in good shape this inning. At least there’s that.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Wandy Rodriguez squeezes in a run. 1-1.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I just feel like the Braves have somehow literally been prohibited, or have forgotten, or I don’t even know what–somehow they’re incapable of coming back from any deficit. So it feels like Victorino out at third is the game-deciding run.
Last time we won was Friday, which was also the last time I got drunk. I’m heading to the liquor store.
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 7:57 pm
I don’t have a problem with the bullpen usage–if anything I probably would have stuck with Lisp once I turned to him in the inning, but at least Fredi has demonstrated some understanding of leverage.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 7:58 pm
So that, as they say, is that. And I’ve learned not to trust scrub teams to hold off the Cardinals. Therefore that, as they say, is tied with two left to play.
Can the Braves force a one-game playoff, or will they simply end the season two games back?
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 7:59 pm
I wouldve handed the ball to Lisp. He’s been pitching well. This offense sucks.
Chipper moves past Ted Williams, ties Dave Parker for 36th all time doubles with 526.
mravery
on September 26, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I just saw a chick on TV with a Boyer jersey. WTF?
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Can the Braves please flip Prado and Gonzalez in the order? What happened to the “hot hand” theory espoused by the manager?
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 8:08 pm
The unplayable Martin Prado strikes out swinging. The little chyron next to the score tells me to go buy Braves NLDS tickets. Just one of life’s excruciating little jokes!
145- Not fair to Rick, who was the second-best player we had in the dark days of the late ’80s.
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Camera showed Fredi being advised by Snitker in the dugout. That’s about right.
braves14
on September 26, 2011 at 8:13 pm
So, what else can go wrong for the Braves?
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Prado is beyond frustrating to watch. He and Bmac both right now.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 8:14 pm
So, do we think this “no coming back from any deficit” thing is a league rule, or a directive from Liberty Media, or a strategic concept that Fredi is pioneering, or what?
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 8:14 pm
4-1 Astros.
(Yay rooting for the worst team in the majors, because you know the Braves aren’t coming back in a million years.)
151: I didn’t see mouths moving, though. Must have been mental telepathy.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 8:16 pm
EOF is EOAwesome
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:17 pm
I don’t begrudge the Phillies for starting all of their guys, but considering the fact that so many of them are banged up, it would be hilarious if one of their key guys got hurt in this–for them anyway–meaningless game.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Flaherty’s ERA just ticked below 1.00. There’s something, I guess.
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 8:17 pm
This is the most pathetic damn thing I’ve ever witnessed. The worst team in baseball, a team something like 18 games under .500 at home, is doing more to help the braves make the playoffs than they are themselves. Revolting.
162: One of the most pathetic scenarios nobody’s yet mentioned is the Braves losing all three to the Phillies while the Cards get swept by the Astros. The Braves make the playoffs under possibly the most embarrassing methods ever.
163: That’s not an insignificant feat!
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Hopefully Savery is savory for the Braves’ offense.
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Joe: Extremely clueless. Has no idea about Savery’s history.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Random reliever who is apparently a former position player.
Run(s) please.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 8:23 pm
164: You’d have to assume that would be even more embarrassing for the Cardinals, though. In which case, I’ll take it!
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:23 pm
McCann is a mess.
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 8:23 pm
167—No, he’s a former pitcher who failed so miserably that they tried to Ankiel him. (He was great at both hitting and pitching in college.) Then, they let him pitch again, and he did alright.
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:25 pm
In other news, Josh Beckett just gave up a 3-run inside-the-park home run. Saux down 6-2, Rays up 4-2.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
So, time to get some mileage out of this whole team name/mascot thing, huh? Since the players clearly aren’t going to get it done, how about Chase Utley goes to field that pathetic slow roller off the bat of McCann…and suddenly, a tomahawk sprouts from his forehead?
I’m not saying I want the Braves to reach the playoffs through brutal violence. I’m just saying, if it’s between Chase Utley’s life and the Braves making the playoffs…
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Why is Heyward not batting right now?
braves14
on September 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
So, why don’t we hit Heyward here?
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@164 – That would be truly sad. I would at least consider pulling for our first round opponent in that case.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Where’s Heyward‽ Even Simpson is asking.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Bases loaded no outs for STL. Crud.
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Cards have bases loaded no outs
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:28 pm
In a weird way, I’ve recently started to feel sorry for Fredi lately; much of what is going on is not actually his fault. But then he does this. Screw you, Frediot, you joke.
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Cards have bases loaded no outs
No worries. It’s only Freese, Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman coming up.
Stu, Savery wasn’t that bad. Ss John Sickels recounted:
Savery was a star at Rice University, thriving as both a hitter and pitcher. His campaign in 2007 was particularly successful: he hit .356/.435/.505 in 275 at-bats, while going 11-1, 2.99 on the mound. Despite some shoulder problems, scouts preferred him as a pitcher, and he was drafted in the first round, 19th overall. He threw 150 innings in the Florida State League in 2008, but didn’t perform as well as expected, going 9-10, 4.13 with a 122/60 K/BB and 171 hits allowed. His velocity was down from his college days, and scouts were concerned about how he would fare at higher levels.
Savery won 16 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2009, but a 4.40 ERA and a 96/77 K/BB in 151 innings were unimpressive. He was even worse in 2010, going 1-12, 4.66 with a 67/51 K/BB in 127 innings and 154 hits allowed in Triple-A. His career on the ropes, Savery moved to the outfield and first base to begin 2011. He performed well, hitting .307/.368/.410 in 54 games for High-A Clearwater.
However, late in the spring, Savery hit 90-92 MPH during an emergency relief outing for Clearwater. By early July he had his college velocity back, and he returned to pitching full-time. He ended up posting a 1.50 ERA with a 41/6 K/BB in 36 innings between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
RBI Run-scoring double-play groundout, now it’s 4-2 Stros.
Anon21
on September 26, 2011 at 8:29 pm
The exact kind of line drive that Matt Diaz would allow to drop in front of him for a base hit. And did, in the top of the inning.
Oh well. I’m sure glad we kept his bat in the lineup and his glove in the field!
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Freese brings home a run… by grounding into a DP. 4-2 Astros.
172: As ambivalent as I am now about my favorite team making the playoffs, I still would take it if it meant the horrific on field murder of Chase Utley. What does that say about me?
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Pujols strikes out to end the threat. Still 4-2. Wandy’s at 87 pitches, probably only one more inning.
John, it means you give Philly the respect it deserves.
Ugh. I hate Ibanez. Venters was looking pretty good this inning… and that “double” really should have been caught by Chipper, who is not at all right.
DG
on September 26, 2011 at 8:39 pm
If they don’t do it in the bottom of the 8th, it isn’t going to happen. Oh, did I mention I hate Victorino?
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Dont worry Johnny, they werent coming back either way.
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Is it me, or has the Braves infield defense actually gotten worse over the course of the season? I feel like the enduring image from this season, other than any number of hitters popping the ball up, is the sight of Dan Uggla more than 20 feet away from a seemingly-routine ground ball.
Jeremy
on September 26, 2011 at 8:40 pm
This is so depressing.
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 8:40 pm
198—…but fully laid out, diving for it, anyway.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 8:41 pm
How is that ironic, Chip?
(Hint: It’s not.)
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 8:44 pm
201- Like a black fly in your chardonnay, I’m guessing?
Congratulations, Phillies! After facing the likes of the Mets and Nationals, you snapped an eight-game losing streak and won your 100th game!
Soooo embarrassing. Go ‘Stros.
Just got a text from a friend: “Magic number is now three!”
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:09 pm
248- They snapped it yesterday, John.
MikeM
on September 26, 2011 at 9:09 pm
This is quite cruel, to have two years in a row with 5 months of good baseball just to have it fizzle at the end.
Karma balance in store?
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Yeah, Lopez!
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:10 pm
250- No, just management and players that collectively stop giving a damn on Labor Day.
kc
on September 26, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Once the pressure is on, they are all choking. That’s a great characteristic to have.
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 9:10 pm
gotta give the ball to Huddy tomorrow
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 9:11 pm
How many pitches do the Braves swing at outside of the zone with runners in scoring position? Its like they all turn into Jeff Francoeur when someone reaches. Of course it takes a hit because they hate walking.
250: Last year was a genuine case for injuries. And we played damn hard in the NLDS. Gotta be proud of last season. This year? It’s just head-shakin’ sadness all around…
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 9:12 pm
“This is quite cruel, to have two years in a row with 5 months of good baseball just to have it fizzle at the end. Karma balance in store?”
Punishment for laughing at the Mets in 2007-2008.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Thank you, Wilton!
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Nice job Wilton
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Yeah, Lopez! Runners at 2nd and 3rd w/one out = NO RUNS.
Rob Cope
on September 26, 2011 at 9:13 pm
I’m trying to stay positive but I’m running out of reasons too. I hate that we’re scoreboard watching when this was our Wild Card three weeks ago. This sucks.
joelk
on September 26, 2011 at 9:14 pm
I was so scarred by the Braves of the 70’s and 80’s I’m just glad to still be playing meaningful games! Call me old I guess!
Trace
on September 26, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Scoreboard watching the Astros. It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Elsewhere in Collapses for the Ages, the Rays lead the Yankees 5-2, and bring in Kyle Farnsworth to get the final out (their entry in the Battle of Godawful Ex-Braves). They’re now 1 game behind the Red Sox, now losing 6-2 after eight.
krugerindustrialsmoothing
on September 26, 2011 at 9:18 pm
any projection as to who the starting pitchers would be in a one game playoff?
Jeremy
on September 26, 2011 at 9:18 pm
McCann is done. He’s either checked out mentally or injured. Either way, he needs to sit.
csg
on September 26, 2011 at 9:19 pm
#265 – its Beachy if Lowe and Huddy pitch the next two.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:20 pm
And Farnworth gets Montero to ground out to short to end it. The Red Sox lead is half a game.
(I work with a Sox fan, and misery loves company.)
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:21 pm
These players for the Astros feel like third grade vocab. “Shuck”, “Bourgeois”, “Downs”
Mike N.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:21 pm
257- Yea I’m really not looking forward to what my two Mets fans friends are going to say to me if the Braves lose it.
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Astros radio is pretty entertaining. Some possibly senile old man is wishing listener Pete Schweddy a happy birthday. He seemed quite concerned that he may have mispronounced the last name.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:23 pm
I think I was listening to NPR when that guy was a guest. He had some sort of food item.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:25 pm
271- I hope listener Pete has a ball.
Red Sox lose 6-3 in Baltimore. AL Wild Card race is tied.
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 9:26 pm
270—Discard them and find better friends.
Randy
on September 26, 2011 at 9:26 pm
At least the Red Sox collapsed before us.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Great. Two on, none out, Berkman up. Ugh. Why couldn’t that Lopez guy have pitched another inning? He was pretty good.
Our New Insect Overlords
on September 26, 2011 at 9:28 pm
@275
But perhaps not long before, the way Fernando Rodriguez is pitching.
EDIT: Pitching change. Don’t know if it will help, but it’s something.
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Here come the Cards
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Wesley Wright is the new pitcher.
Love the stat line, anyway: 11.2 IP, *3* H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, 11 K.
Gosh this sucks. We’ll be tied for the WC by the end of the night. Ick.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Just root for the Cardinals. This Braves team deserves nothing but contempt.
Our New Insect Overlords
on September 26, 2011 at 9:34 pm
” … and finally, acceptance.”
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 9:34 pm
If Ted Turner were a live, this would never happen
Marc
on September 26, 2011 at 9:35 pm
My trip to the liquor store didn’t work but I do have a tremendous amount of alcohol to consume over the next two days as we blow this thing.
A.West
on September 26, 2011 at 9:36 pm
I cannot believe they are going to let Lowe pitch tomorrow. He’s nearly an automatic loss. Should have saved the Lisp today and let him start tomorrow. He’d probably last longer into the game than Lowe. The Braves’ collection of spare relievers could patch together a better game than I think Lowe will.
Of course I’m not watching the games anymore, with the Braves torturing their fans with all round ineptitude and managerial incompetence.
I’m sure Fredi will stick with veteran Lowe, and the Braves front office will stick with mentally challenged
manager Fredi.
ryan c
on September 26, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hey guys, it’s ok. My fantasy team just picked up a run, rbi, and save at the Braves’ expense. Screw real baseball!
Screw this…
Trace
on September 26, 2011 at 9:37 pm
It’s really bad when UGA football is the one team that I pull for that gives me some glimmer of hope. And they’re still not very good.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 9:38 pm
So Molina walks on four pitches, three of which were strikes
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 9:39 pm
My facebook status:
Stupid Fredi Gonzalez. We all want a new car, a new phone… A team with Fredi Gonzalez only wants one thing… to survive. I know that a lot of you ‘who think they’re too cool’ probably won’t re-post this. But a very little amount of my friends will. Put this on your wall in honor of someone who died from Fredi Gonzalez, survived, or is fighting against this now.
Rob Cope
on September 26, 2011 at 9:41 pm
My girlfriend and I are having a great time reading all this humorous “doom and gloom.” Too often “doom and gloom” is not funny at all. Well done, gentleman. Gotta find something to laugh about at this point.
F
on September 26, 2011 at 9:42 pm
I wish it was Thursday. I just want this nightmare to be over.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:42 pm
@299. I love that.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Enerio del Rosario gets out of the jam, but is this just delaying the inevitable?
NickH
on September 26, 2011 at 9:43 pm
With tonight’s loss, the Braves dropped to 9-16 in September. The last time the Braves had a month worse than 9-16 was in August 2008, when that team (which won only 72 games total) went 9-20. On the bright side, there are only 2 games left in the regular season, so the Braves won’t have a chance to match the 20 losses they posted from Aug. 2008.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 9:44 pm
This Houston game is gut-wrenching. I know it won’t end well, but they keep clinging on with the tips of their fingernails. I can’t believe they recovered from that dropped ball.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 9:45 pm
The other story tonight is that the White Sox are apparently about to trade Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins at the end of the season.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 9:48 pm
“The other story tonight is that the White Sox are apparently about to trade Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins at the end of the season.”
You can trade managers?! Is any team interested in Fredi?
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 9:50 pm
@307
The Montreal Expos
F
on September 26, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Oh, look. It’s Jordan Schafer. Save us Jordan Schafer!
Back in 2002, Randy Winn was traded for Lou Piniella.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Yeah, I think the issue is someone has to want him.
The return for Guillen is two minor league players. Nobody has said who yet, that I’ve seen. Also, the trade is apparently going through tonight. This was his last game with the White Sox.
How ’bout hitting one into those cursed Crawford Boxes?
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:03 pm
In the stupidest comment of the evening, Mitch Williams just claimed that a bunch of Cubs fans would change to White Sox fans if the latter hired Ryne Sandberg as manager.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Darn it, ‘Stros. I hate one-pitch ABs.
Smitty
on September 26, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Can we hire Sandberg?
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Come on, Towelie
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Maybe then Chip Caray will switch to being a Braves fan.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Extra innings
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Randy, I didn’t say the softball team had to be good…
Still tied, going to extras.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:09 pm
How the bleeding hell is Yadier Molina hitting .305?
EDIT: Maybe it’s because every time a strike is thrown to him, the umpire calls it a ball.
Milo Hamilton is an idiot. Why would anyone want to spend a holiday weekend at the Molina house? And why would he assume all the Molina brothers live together? I’m so very thankful for Don Sutton and Jim Powell.
The Braves find it impossible to score in this situation… but the Astros are a better team.
DG
on September 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Wow, the Astros are about to keep the Braves from suffering the same fate of the Red Sox today.
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Yes! We put down a good bunt and were rewarded with a misplay and runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs! Man, I really feel good about this ‘Stros team in the future. I think we’ll be pretty good by 2015. Hope they don’t move us to the AL.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Cardinals are about to lose to Carlos Lee, Wandy, Barmes, Schafer, and a bunch of guys I have never seen.
RobBroad4th
on September 26, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Rooting for the Astros feels like trying to hook my father up with his secretary.
Fredi’s having an orgasm right now with that suicide squeeze…
CORRECTION: Safety, not suicide. Still, Fredi must feel really gratified to have shaved a game off the magic number with such a bold strategic maneuver!
Stu
on September 26, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Long live the Astros.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Lets not count are chickens before they hatch, if that’s OK with everyone.
EDIT: Wait….ha ha hah hah ah!!!! Greatest late post ever!!!!
AAR, I’m pretty sure the only ones suffering here are us.
This whole “pennant race” and Dan’s comment bring this scene to mind:
I also watched Terra Nova tonight. It also made a bad evening worse.
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Mac should recap the Astros game instead of the Braves game.
pcbeachbum
on September 26, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Much like Chip, irony sometimes escapes me. But, watching ESPN play-by-play and seeing Jordan Schafer’s picture as on-deck batter and WEARING an Atlanta Braves cap, would it have been ironic if he had won the game?
Fredi postgame quote: “You gotta tip your hat to the Cardinals. They played hard all the way to the end. But you also gotta tip your hat to the Astros, who just really know how to win. And while I’m at it, you gotta tip your hat to the squeeze play – both safety and suicide. Until you know how to do that as a manager, you really haven’t arrived in the big leagues. Cardinals play hard, Astros victory, Braves shave a game off the magic number…It’s days like this we can all feel like winners.”
Actually, the Red Sox are suffering even more — they’re now tied with the Rays. It is a great time to be a Sox hater in Boston right now.
Randy
on September 26, 2011 at 10:35 pm
As lousy as we’ve played, a Braves win and a Cards loss tomorrow gives us the pennant!
Bolger
on September 26, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I hate to be a downer, but everyone knows Derek Lowe is pitching tomorrow, right?
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I still can’t believe the Cardinals choked against the worst team in all of baseball. There’s not a lot of shame in losing to a Phillies team starting their best players. Losing to the killer Bs of Bogusevic, Bourgeois, and Barmes, however, takes some South Park skill.
#395
Well, the Wild Card, but something like that did cross my mind. Astounding, I know.
Then I thought: Could the Astros win 2 more?
PeteOrr
on September 26, 2011 at 10:39 pm
There has got to be a more appropriate name for the thing we have the opportunity to clinch tomorrow. Like “shame banner,” or “coffin drape.” Maybe “adult cloth diaper.” We can clinch the surrender flag tomorrow guys!
Marc
on September 26, 2011 at 10:40 pm
@390
I recorded Terra Nova, would you say it’s a skip?
JoeyT
on September 26, 2011 at 10:41 pm
What makes this sweeter is that we have Lowe pitching tomorrow, and he Knows How To Win.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:42 pm
@392
Yes, that would actually be ironic. Having the score of both games be 4-2 is coincidental, as is every other thing Chip thinks is ironic.
If the Braves and Cards both lose out, thus clinching the Wild Card for the Braves, do you think they would still do a rowdy champagne celebration?
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 10:46 pm
400- Yeah, I would. Avoiding spoilers, the dinosaurs were pretty pedestrian and we didn’t see that much of them, and I’m honestly not sure they understand what their premise is.
403- AAR, actually I’d like to see Fredi honored the way Homer was in that episode- by launching him into space. Shame we don’t have a space shuttle anymore, so it’d have to be on one of our rockets that burn up during re-entry.
404: At this point in the season, I’m feeling just perversely curious enough to find out what would happen.
Adam M
on September 26, 2011 at 10:49 pm
@404
Sadly, yes, I think they would. But frankly it would be fascinating to find out.
Bolger
on September 26, 2011 at 10:49 pm
404: I think the entire team would have to sit shamefully in the corner like Furcal back in the day.
Nick
on September 26, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Frankly, if we win this thing, you’d probably want as wild a celebration as possible. Might make it easier to forget this putrid month and give ourselves a chance in the playoffs. I understand the implications of it, and it doesn’t necessarily look great from a PR standpoint, but if we win it, we can’t be pondering what a travesty it is that we did so. We need to find a way to turn the page.
In 1982, the Braves had a one-game lead on the Dodgers (in the old NL West) going into the final day. Atlanta lost in San Diego; but not long afterward, the Giants’ Joe Morgan hit a HR off Terry Forster to beat the Dodgers.
The Braves celebrated with champagne, just as if they won.
Of course, I’d sure love to see the Braves somehow win these last 2.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 11:00 pm
AAR, there is none. Not the front office, not the manager, not the coaches, not the players. Hell, probably not even a batboy or usher.
PaulV
on September 26, 2011 at 11:01 pm
I want Hudson to have a day off. Beat Phils and let the Colt 45s win.
F
on September 26, 2011 at 11:01 pm
“St. Louis went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position on the night, left nine men on base and hit into two double plays. They also lost two runners on the bases — three if you count Molina in the 10th.”
Sounds like they’re doing a Braves impression.
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 11:02 pm
“If the Braves and Cards both lose out, thus clinching the Wild Card for the Braves, do you think they would still do a rowdy champagne celebration?”
Why not? This team has won more games than the 2001 NL East champions.
Marc Schneider
on September 26, 2011 at 11:04 pm
@393,
I gotta tip my cap to John R. 🙂
I guess this is the kind of pennant races MLB envisioned when they came up with the Wild Card. Two mediocre teams fighting it out.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 11:05 pm
416- Yeah. Real good advertisement for the idea of a second wild card, isn’t it? Then you’ll have a race of the cripples like this every year!
Dan
on September 26, 2011 at 11:09 pm
According to an article, a second wildcard team is “all but done” and will start in either 2012 or no later than 2013. The two teams with the best records in each league that did not win their divisions will play a one-game playoff to decide who’ll be the real wildcard team and advance to the NLDS/ALDS.
If that were the rules this year, these last two games wouldn’t even matter: it’d already be a done deal of a one-game Braves-Cardinals playoff.
At least it’s only one game and not a best of five or something. Still don’t like giving more undeserving teams access.
Brian J.
on September 26, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Arizona and Milwaukee both just lost. Milwaukee’s a game ahead of Arizona, but the D-Backs have the tiebreaker. If Milwaukee stays ahead of Arizona, that’s where we go, presuming we don’t complete our pratfall.
F
on September 27, 2011 at 12:11 am
The Angels’ season just ended.
NickC
on September 27, 2011 at 4:12 am
#413, I think the Cardinals are playing on Wednesday afternoon, so conceivably we could have Hudson just throw a side session if we don’t need a win.
Marc Schneider
on September 27, 2011 at 6:42 am
Terry Francona acknowledge that what the Red Sox have been going through has been “trying.” Fredi Gonzalez would have said, “what do you mean, trying? Everything is just fine.”
I have more respect for Francona than this Cox/Gonzalez denial philosophy of, as Jim Bouton said, “not saying shit if you had a mouthful.” I think I could tolerate the collapse better if Fredi at least acknowledged that things are not going well.
But I disagree with the meme going through this thread that the Braves don’t care. Why would they not care after playing six months. Obviously, they look flat, but it’s more likely that they are trying too hard and are pressing. I understand people say things here out of frustration, but I really don’t believe they don’t care. Of course, it would look better if they showed some emotion–threw their bat down, and so forth-but, for better or worse, that’s not the Braves way. But I don’t believe that they don’t care.
PeteOrr
on September 27, 2011 at 6:54 am
Really conflicted over whether to go to the game tonight or not. On the one hand, the atmosphere should be pretty cool barring a blowout loss (by anything more than 2 runs with this offense), but on the other hand, Derek Lowe. He actually pitched well against the pirates last time I saw him.
Kevin Lee
on September 27, 2011 at 6:55 am
“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”
Voltaire
So cowboy up, Derek Lowe. The Cards are heartbroken and you can lead us to a victory!
And for Fredi:
“Keep the faith, don’t lose your perseverance and always trust your gut extinct.”
Paula Abdul
Adam M
on September 27, 2011 at 6:59 am
Wow, that new system manages simultaneously to devalue the regular season more even as it further overvalues the winning of a bad division.
I look forward to a 96-win Red Sox team losing to an 86-win Jays team all the while an 84-win Twins team advances to the ALDS.
Adam R
on September 27, 2011 at 7:28 am
I think we can agree on one thing: after two seasons of the same thing, those ‘probability of making the playoffs’ websites can be thrown out the window. For me at least, nothing adds more annoyance to an obvious late-season collapse than the gleeful posting of “96% you guys! It’s in the bag!”
Use code “Journal” for a 5% discount.
Whoops, hit the ground with this one after Mac opened the new thread:
Gads, the woe is me is rampant here. Gotta buck up, campers.
Go Braves!!
Can’t believe I never noticed before that ‘fired’ is an anagram of ‘Fredi’. It’s even more perfect than Resop’s name being ‘poser’ when spelled out backwards.
The failings of the Wild Card are clearly illustrated by the fact that, when competing for a playoff spot at the end of the season, the Braves play a team from their division with the best record in all of baseball, while the Cardinals play a team from their division with the worst record in all of baseball.
But, hey, we get to root for Wandy Rodriguez…
Also an anagram for Fredi: “I… derf.” Imagine this as a response during one of his postgame press conferences. For instance:
“Fredi, why did you call for a suicide squeeze with a newly paraplegic Chipper running [crawling] at third and Tommy Hanson attempting to bunt without an actual bat in his hands and his right arm in a sling?”
“Well, see, um, I… derf.”
Of course no one would ever actually ask him why he called for that play, so this might be a bit unrealistic. Go Braves!
Braves lineup Bourn 8 Prado 7 Chipper 5 Uggla 4 Freeman 3 McCann 2 Diaz 9 Gonzalez 6 Delgado 1
Heyward is out once again, presumably because we’re facing a lefty
It looks like there might be some rain for the game. Wonder if the Phillies will sit Utley, Howard and Ibanez?
Eh…it’s just a 30 percent chance. I don’t think it’ll play that big of a factor. If we get a shower, the field shouldn’t be soaked or anything.
Hopefully “fired” (past tense) will be the way in which Fredi is referred to by the start of the GM meetings in November.
Am I the only one who thinks that Brad Pitt kinda looks like Chipper on the cover of SI?
Not going to watch the game tonight, so maybe they win this one. But I doubt it. Let’s hope for “Success” and the Astros putting up a fight.
Success had an .810OPS in Houston during August. He’s back down to his normal .531 range in September though.
#7
It’s not just any lefty.
I don’t understand why Prado keeps hitting at the top of the lineup. He’s pretty awful.
Maybe A-Gon will continue his hot hitting and carry the team to the postseason.
I…derf.
@14
Im not sure there is anyone else to put there right now.
@16
I’d give Diaz a shot tonight and then Heyward after that. It worked fairly well last year…
16—Literally anyone else, AGony included.
Braves OPS for month of Sept
AAG 1019
Richardson 1000 (4 ABs)
Chipper 817
Ross 779
Uggla 773
HEYWARD 764
Freeman 730
Bourn 669
McCann 631
PRADO 575
Wilson 522
DIAZ 499
Constanza 400
Hinske 393
Conrad 384
Won’t win many that way.
Anyone know why Aroys hasn’t been used since the 16th?
Sorry for the triple post but this should cheer everyone up:
Phillies lineup: 1. Rollins SS 2. Utley 2B 3. Pence RF 4. Howard 1B 5. Victorino CF 6. Ibanez LF 7. Polanco 3B 8. Ruiz C 9 Lee P.
4-8 Is Murder’s Row
Phillies are going with their A-team. Maybe they want to participate in a third collapse in five seasons (2007, 2008, 2011?).
Really, Phillies?
Fine.
But ya know, if we do win tonight against their A+ team, it should get the Braves over the hump psychologically.
Whether they’re playing Jimmy Rollins at short or the dug-up corpse of Granny Hamner, we gotta find a way to win this game.
According to DOB, Hanson didn’t make his Sunday throwing session. He won’t be a factor at all during this series.
Why would anyone expect the Phillies to put up any lineup other than their best? They’ve been in a tailspin and need to prove something going into the playoffs, too.
As pathetically as they’ve played against pathetic teams, maybe an actual perceived challenge will be good for them. Like, maybe they’ll step up to the challenge or something. Ha. I mean, Go Braves!
So will the challenge of the Phillies be the next jolt this team needs? I believe that will be jolt number 10 for the month.
I’m optimistic. Always am. We’ll take 2 of 3 against the Phils. The loss will be Lowe’s start. Lowe’s loss and Delgado’s dominance in his game will convince the Braves to go with a Lowe-less rotation for the playoffs, and the young guns of Minor, Beachy, and Delgado will carve their names in Atlanta Braves history as they all dominate on their way to a World Series championship.
Yep, that is what’s going to happen. Totally.
Repeating a prediction from a prior thread: I think we’re going to take 1 out of 3 from the Phillies, and the Cards will take 2 out of 3 from the Astros. And we’ll lose the playoff game against the Cardinals.
I like that lineup from the Phillies, Manuel is awesome. Make ’em win their way in is the right philosophy.
The Phillies should put their best players on the field. Just as the Astros should put their best on the field. I just wish the Braves would put the best players on the field (Heyward)
Oh crap, Braves are activating Sherrill and might use him tonight, according to DOB. This has rusty disaster written all over it. I predict he grooves a fastball to Howard that ends up in midtown.
I would agree, except I think that if you’re left-handed, you could probably strike Ryan Howard out, and I don’t know if you’ve ever played baseball in your life.
Unlike others here, I just can’t generate any excitement for these sad sacks, even though I can’t look away. To quote Bob Weiss of the Hawks, “We’re going to be exciting. Of course, it was exciting when the Titanic went down.”
GO ASTROS! Please?
Every time the Braves were in Philly’s position (usually against the Mets at the end of the season) they played their A-team. I see no reason Philly shouldn’t do the same.
32: Yeah, if we see a repeat of “Rusty” Linebrink with Sherrill, I am seriously going to grab Emma and start a picket line around Turner Field.
The guy definitely needs some work, but it better damn well be limited to low-leverage moments in the game. Up a bunch or down a bunch…although if we’re down a bunch it hardly seems worth the effort.
“Unlike others here, I just can’t generate any excitement for these sad sacks”
On the other hand: the team has a one game lead with three to play, and thus is playing very meaningful baseball in the last series of the regular season. A lot of team’s fans would trade places.
So far, so good.
@25
Thank goodness for Google when Ububba makes mildly esoteric historical references:
“Granny Hamner Is Found Dead
September 13, 1993| Associated PressGranville Wilbur (Granny) Hamner, who joined the major leagues at age 17 and played shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1940s and 1950s, was found dead in his Philadelphia hotel room. He was 66. Preliminary reports said that Hamner, of Paulsboro, N.J., suffered a heart attack. He was attending a sports memorabilia and card show in Philadelphia.
Hamner, a 17-year veteran, was an All-Star from 1952-54. He was the starting shortstop in 1952 and starting second baseman in 1954, becoming the first player in All-Star history to win starting berths at two positions. He was traded to Cleveland in 1959 and retired in 1962.
Rumors he will be dug up sometime in the future to play shortstop in an attempt to unnerve the opposition appear without merit. Possible sources are being investigated.”
CHIPPER!!!!!
Larry!
Nice. Delgado, it’s all you, kid.
I don’t know who else watches via GameDay, but MLB is stuffing more and more commercials onto the service, so that viewers cannot follow the game. The whole bottom of the 1st passed while I saw nothing but commercials!
Until CHIPPER!
CHIPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
There’s your run, R-Del. Go get ’em, kid.
Attaboy, Chipper. Lead the way.
Hmmmmm….
I think there’s a problem with the scoreboard, because my TV shows that the Braves are up 1-0.
Hopefully the early run will psych the Cardinals out during warm-ups.
Stupid shift.
Why play to pull with the shift and then pitch away the entire at-bat?
I hate the shift
Read on Twitter that Lee is on a 75 pitch count
I like this Randall Delgado kid. I think we should trade him for Andrew McCutchen.
I think Utley could have headed down to Zesto on Ponce and gotten a soft-serve and still thrown out McCann.
Brian McCann is seriously one of the slowest human beings.
EDIT: WRT footspeed, not intelligence
The last Pirates center fielder the Braves traded for (who has seemingly fallen off the face of the Earth) left a bad taste.
That works. Nice hustle, Matty.
The power and the speed of the Diaz!!!
That was Diaz’ first extra-base hit as a Brave in 2011.
Yeah, AAG… our September slugger.
A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
DEAR GOD A HIT WITH A RUNNER IN SCORING POSITION!
AAG rides again. I’ve almost gotten past the cognitive dissonance.
Does. Not. Compute.
Wow, what a terrible 0-2 pitch to AAG.
Did that just happen?
Jack Wilson wouldn’t have hit for extra bases. I’m so torn between them.
How long do you think it would take for Brian McCann to make it around the bases for an inside-the-park homer? Does anyone honestly think he would break the 45-second mark?
EDIT: Maybe the trick is to make sure AAG is playing with a strained calf.
For the record I want to compliment Fredi for not having R-Del bunt here.
UPDATE: And see? Something good happened. A very close play at first, could have been a hit or a rushed play error, but at the very least one of those mythical “productive outs.” The bunt is overrated.
Then you have to retract it for having Bourn bunt.
Plays like that with Delgado make me think about the DH a little more. The last thing this team needs is another injury.
A bunt single with 2 outs & a runner on third is fine.
67: For B-Mac to get an inside-the-parker, I think it would to be in Minute Maid, hit to deep center field, roll up that stupid hill and all the way up that flag pole, where it would miraculously come to rest on the top of the staff. Oh, and the flagpole would need to be greased so the centerfielder wouldn’t be able to shimmy up there without the grounds crew coming on the field and cleaning it off.
And even then it would be close.
69: Bunting for a hit is a different animal than the sacrifice bunt.
70: Bah! These guys are supposed to be athletes. If a guy is so dainty his career is ruined while running to first, I don’t want him.
37 pitches by Lee, so he’s halfway to his pitch count.
When was the last time we scored twice in one game? I feel like I’m rooting for the Yankees over here.
Weird. Nine pitches in the inning, seven of them to the opposing pitcher.
And our starter is through 3 with a relatively modest 37 pitches. WTF??
Don’t get too crazy guys……long way to go….
@73: I wouldn’t say ruined career, but severely injured, requiring surgery, and out for at least one season. It happens way too often, even to the toughest of players who play everyday. I wonder what the poll results would look like if NL managers were asked about adding the DH.
Wow, I tuned in expecting to see Cliff Lee beginning his 1,000 year dark reign, glad to see we’ve staved off that horror for now.
“Sometimes you got to tip your cap to the rule change.”
Maybe that’s just what our manager would say.
Oh jeez….
C’mon, Randall…
I bring in Kimbrel right here. These are playoff games.
If rusty linestink enters this game in the 4th inning I will combust.
I just inhaled. I kind of forgot what that was like.
Nice recovery.
Whew…..we need about 5/6 more runs before I’ll relax a little.
Coulda been way worse.
Geez, tense game. At least Linebrinkian disaster has been staved off for one more inning.
@84
I sincerely doubt that’s the only situation like that we’ll face in this game.
Oh Chip, talking fielding %’s
Two words I hate hearing…”Good cut” or “Good swing”
Wandy just got out of a pickle. Go ‘Stros.
Lee’s at 70 pitches & due to lead off the 5th.
Heck of a catch by Polanco there.
Best thing Prado has done all month.
Ugh
Lee batted for himself. This never works out when we do it (squeezing one more inning out of the starter), but then again Fredlot’s the one deciding when we do it.
Damn. Warm up the ‘pen, Delgado’s about done.
R-Del needs to brush one of these guys back. They’re all on top of the plate.
Man, its strange having confidence in AAG doing something good.
edit: then he k’s looking
Hibernation Mode. Can’t say it surprises me, just depresses me.
Edit: And Holliday singles in a run, 1-0 Cards.
Frediot needs to go to O’Ventbrel now. But he won’t.
C’mon Lisp. Be good.
It’s the Lisp.
This is going to be a morning recap. A bad one, I fear.
Oh for the love of FSG, I hate Shane Victorino…
I hate Victorino. And Heyward throws him out.
Why didn’t he bring in EOF to start the frigging inning?
Hmm. I’ve been thinking, guys – maybe it’s just not our year? I’ve divined a few subtle signs pointing in that direction.
O’ is in.
Ugh.
Let’s see, I get back from a meeting, turn on the game just in time to see Rollins homer. I won’t be watching any more of the game.
This is depressing. Even EOF can’t save this game.
and there’s your ballgame
‘Stros are in good shape this inning. At least there’s that.
Wandy Rodriguez squeezes in a run. 1-1.
I just feel like the Braves have somehow literally been prohibited, or have forgotten, or I don’t even know what–somehow they’re incapable of coming back from any deficit. So it feels like Victorino out at third is the game-deciding run.
Astros tie on a Wandy sac bunt. Must have been a safety squeeze.
over/under on braves baserunners the last 4 innings – Ill set it at 3 and take the under
Tie game in Gasland!
Bourgeois doubles in Towles. 2-1 Houston.
Astros 2, Cards 1
Last time we won was Friday, which was also the last time I got drunk. I’m heading to the liquor store.
I don’t have a problem with the bullpen usage–if anything I probably would have stuck with Lisp once I turned to him in the inning, but at least Fredi has demonstrated some understanding of leverage.
So that, as they say, is that. And I’ve learned not to trust scrub teams to hold off the Cardinals. Therefore that, as they say, is tied with two left to play.
Can the Braves force a one-game playoff, or will they simply end the season two games back?
I wouldve handed the ball to Lisp. He’s been pitching well. This offense sucks.
nice play old man
Freddie must do yoga. That guy can do a split with the best of ’em.
So much for the pitch count.
Remember when all we had to worry about was Constanza playing well?
Read on Twitter that Lee is on a 75 pitch count
Twitter lies!!!!
Okay, Chipper. Dial up another solo homer.
“Read on Twitter that Lee is on a 75 pitch count”
Never believe Twitter.
There ya go, Chipper!
Hack, hack, hack, Martin. Few things are as gross as a Prado PA.
Chipper moves past Ted Williams, ties Dave Parker for 36th all time doubles with 526.
I just saw a chick on TV with a Boyer jersey. WTF?
Can the Braves please flip Prado and Gonzalez in the order? What happened to the “hot hand” theory espoused by the manager?
The unplayable Martin Prado strikes out swinging. The little chyron next to the score tells me to go buy Braves NLDS tickets. Just one of life’s excruciating little jokes!
Ryan “The Riot” Theriot hit into a DP to end the Cards 4th. Still 2-1 ‘Stros.
@135 Perhaps it’s perverse, but I feel relieved that there’s somebody else on this board as frustrated with Martin Prado as I have been.
Also, Dan Uggla has re-joined the ranks of the wretched.
You’re our only hope, Wandy. Complete game plz.
Fire Parrish.
Chipper could’ve died of old age on second base waiting for a hit there.
I just saw a chick on TV with a Boyer jersey. WTF?
If the Braves can have Star Wars day, they oughta have “Obscure And/Or Non-Star Braves Player Jersey” day. I’d proudly wear my Rick Mahler jersey.
The other hope is Jaime Garcia. He’s been up and down all year, and is due for a collapse.
Right on cue: he gives up a two-run shot.
And Chipper is hobbling. Wunnerful wunnerful…
Can’t believe Rollins isn’t laying a bunt down the third base line.
2-run homer by Matt Downs (who?), 4-1 Astros.
Chipper cant move.
145- Not fair to Rick, who was the second-best player we had in the dark days of the late ’80s.
Camera showed Fredi being advised by Snitker in the dugout. That’s about right.
So, what else can go wrong for the Braves?
Prado is beyond frustrating to watch. He and Bmac both right now.
So, do we think this “no coming back from any deficit” thing is a league rule, or a directive from Liberty Media, or a strategic concept that Fredi is pioneering, or what?
4-1 Astros.
(Yay rooting for the worst team in the majors, because you know the Braves aren’t coming back in a million years.)
150: But Rick is most definitely a non-star. And my favorite Brave of all time.
Anon, I think its more of a Larry Parrish philosophy
151: I didn’t see mouths moving, though. Must have been mental telepathy.
EOF is EOAwesome
I don’t begrudge the Phillies for starting all of their guys, but considering the fact that so many of them are banged up, it would be hilarious if one of their key guys got hurt in this–for them anyway–meaningless game.
Flaherty’s ERA just ticked below 1.00. There’s something, I guess.
This is the most pathetic damn thing I’ve ever witnessed. The worst team in baseball, a team something like 18 games under .500 at home, is doing more to help the braves make the playoffs than they are themselves. Revolting.
Apparently EOF currently has the lowest ERA of all time for a pitcher who appeared in at least 75 games.
162: One of the most pathetic scenarios nobody’s yet mentioned is the Braves losing all three to the Phillies while the Cards get swept by the Astros. The Braves make the playoffs under possibly the most embarrassing methods ever.
163: That’s not an insignificant feat!
Hopefully Savery is savory for the Braves’ offense.
Joe: Extremely clueless. Has no idea about Savery’s history.
Random reliever who is apparently a former position player.
Run(s) please.
164: You’d have to assume that would be even more embarrassing for the Cardinals, though. In which case, I’ll take it!
McCann is a mess.
167—No, he’s a former pitcher who failed so miserably that they tried to Ankiel him. (He was great at both hitting and pitching in college.) Then, they let him pitch again, and he did alright.
In other news, Josh Beckett just gave up a 3-run inside-the-park home run. Saux down 6-2, Rays up 4-2.
So, time to get some mileage out of this whole team name/mascot thing, huh? Since the players clearly aren’t going to get it done, how about Chase Utley goes to field that pathetic slow roller off the bat of McCann…and suddenly, a tomahawk sprouts from his forehead?
I’m not saying I want the Braves to reach the playoffs through brutal violence. I’m just saying, if it’s between Chase Utley’s life and the Braves making the playoffs…
Why is Heyward not batting right now?
So, why don’t we hit Heyward here?
@164 – That would be truly sad. I would at least consider pulling for our first round opponent in that case.
Where’s Heyward‽ Even Simpson is asking.
Bases loaded no outs for STL. Crud.
Cards have bases loaded no outs
In a weird way, I’ve recently started to feel sorry for Fredi lately; much of what is going on is not actually his fault. But then he does this. Screw you, Frediot, you joke.
Cards have bases loaded no outs
No worries. It’s only Freese, Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman coming up.
Stu, Savery wasn’t that bad. Ss John Sickels recounted:
RBIRun-scoring double-play groundout, now it’s 4-2 Stros.The exact kind of line drive that Matt Diaz would allow to drop in front of him for a base hit. And did, in the top of the inning.
Oh well. I’m sure glad we kept his bat in the lineup and his glove in the field!
Freese brings home a run… by grounding into a DP. 4-2 Astros.
Freese grounded into DP, 4-2 2outs
1 run, 2 outs. I’ll take it. Go Wandy.
172: As ambivalent as I am now about my favorite team making the playoffs, I still would take it if it meant the horrific on field murder of Chase Utley. What does that say about me?
Pujols strikes out to end the threat. Still 4-2. Wandy’s at 87 pitches, probably only one more inning.
John, it means you give Philly the respect it deserves.
Wandy pwnd Pujols. Three pitch strikeout.
Poo holes struck out!!!
181—Uh, that’s pretty bad, man. I’ve followed Savery’s career pretty closely.
meanwhile, Detroit has scored 14 runs tonight. What I wouldnt give for 14 in this series much less one game.
Good grief. That was horrible defense.
Edit: Wandy Rodriguez just doubled. He seems to the only one interested in getting the Braves to the postseason.
One run. Six outs. The question on every Braves player’s mind: “I wonder how Pebble Beach is this time of year?”
Furcal hurt his leg and left the game in Houston.
Ugh. I hate Ibanez. Venters was looking pretty good this inning… and that “double” really should have been caught by Chipper, who is not at all right.
If they don’t do it in the bottom of the 8th, it isn’t going to happen. Oh, did I mention I hate Victorino?
Dont worry Johnny, they werent coming back either way.
Is it me, or has the Braves infield defense actually gotten worse over the course of the season? I feel like the enduring image from this season, other than any number of hitters popping the ball up, is the sight of Dan Uggla more than 20 feet away from a seemingly-routine ground ball.
This is so depressing.
198—…but fully laid out, diving for it, anyway.
How is that ironic, Chip?
(Hint: It’s not.)
201- Like a black fly in your chardonnay, I’m guessing?
Still 4-2 Houston after 5.
That was a lethal pitch by Lidge. Gotta tip your cap…
and that looked like a ball
Wandy Rodriguez is currently the only MLB player interested in getting the Atlanta Braves into the 2011 playoffs, it seems.
A WALK!
News at 11.
Okay, Prado. Do not hit into a double play plz.
0 for his last 15. 0-6 in his career against Lidge. Prado!
Oh goody: Prado. Try to contain your excitement.
Edit: Prado singled. Come on, Chipper.
I hope Chipper can hit the ball.
Double steal?
C’mon Chipper. One time.
Time to bunt, IMO.
Lame.
Should have bunted.
Well, poop.
Typical.
Of course. Someone had to ground into a DP.
Cards go down 1-2-3 in the top of the 6th.
Chipper is, after all, on the Braves.
Damn
If the Braves get a base runner in the bottom of the ninth, will Fredi let Heyward hit?
With all the runs we’ve scored tonight, it’s easy to forget we’ve only had 7 baserunners.
This bites.
“This bites.”
Hey, save that for when you see tomorrow’s game.
I’m paying more attention to the ‘Stros battle on my laptop than the lost cause on the TV.
So, if we win and come back off of Madson, I’ll lose the lead in the finals of our Braves Journal league. Screw it…Let’s go Braves!
I post that as Uggla hits a double. I’ll try it again in a second.
Wow, Ibanez is so bad. If the Phillies don’t win the pennant, he’s going to play a part in their losing.
Heyward should hit for Bmac. At least according to the numbers vs Madson.
I’m paying more attention to the ‘Stros battle on my laptop than the lost cause on the TV.
Must we swing at every single first pitch?
Cards are rallying. Come on, Braves. Do something.
Two on, nobody out for the Cards, as Wandy is being removed. I’ll be pretty surprised if the Astros win that game.
Wandy’s still pitching. I believe in you, Wandy!
No! My delay is longer than yours. Farewell, Wandy. Thanks for everything.
Cards have runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out, top 7th, Wandy’s gone, Wilton Lopez in.
were any of the last 3 pitches to Freeman going to be strikes? I hate this team and their refusal to take walks.
CB Bucknor might be more incompetent than Chip.
CB Bucknor is just awesomely bad.
Wandy, Wilton. Wilton, Wandy. [/Letterman]
I do not know you, Wilton Lopez, but your numbers are good. Good luck.
Another swing and miss at a ball at the letters… “Nike.”
McCann with yet another anemic AB. Pathetic.
McCann just looks like he has no interest in being out there. He’s done for the season, I fear, much like the Braves.
Thanks Freddie and McCann.
And that’s it. Now, will Wilton save our bacon?
Pitiful.
lol, this team sucks so bad.
@244 Braves don’t deserve it, but I guess I’m rooting for the Astros anyway.
Congratulations, Phillies! After facing the likes of the Mets and Nationals, you snapped an eight-game losing streak and won your 100th game!
Soooo embarrassing. Go ‘Stros.
Just got a text from a friend: “Magic number is now three!”
248- They snapped it yesterday, John.
This is quite cruel, to have two years in a row with 5 months of good baseball just to have it fizzle at the end.
Karma balance in store?
Yeah, Lopez!
250- No, just management and players that collectively stop giving a damn on Labor Day.
Once the pressure is on, they are all choking. That’s a great characteristic to have.
gotta give the ball to Huddy tomorrow
How many pitches do the Braves swing at outside of the zone with runners in scoring position? Its like they all turn into Jeff Francoeur when someone reaches. Of course it takes a hit because they hate walking.
249: Oops!
250: Last year was a genuine case for injuries. And we played damn hard in the NLDS. Gotta be proud of last season. This year? It’s just head-shakin’ sadness all around…
“This is quite cruel, to have two years in a row with 5 months of good baseball just to have it fizzle at the end. Karma balance in store?”
Punishment for laughing at the Mets in 2007-2008.
Thank you, Wilton!
Nice job Wilton
Yeah, Lopez! Runners at 2nd and 3rd w/one out = NO RUNS.
I’m trying to stay positive but I’m running out of reasons too. I hate that we’re scoreboard watching when this was our Wild Card three weeks ago. This sucks.
I was so scarred by the Braves of the 70’s and 80’s I’m just glad to still be playing meaningful games! Call me old I guess!
Scoreboard watching the Astros. It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Elsewhere in Collapses for the Ages, the Rays lead the Yankees 5-2, and bring in Kyle Farnsworth to get the final out (their entry in the Battle of Godawful Ex-Braves). They’re now 1 game behind the Red Sox, now losing 6-2 after eight.
any projection as to who the starting pitchers would be in a one game playoff?
McCann is done. He’s either checked out mentally or injured. Either way, he needs to sit.
#265 – its Beachy if Lowe and Huddy pitch the next two.
And Farnworth gets Montero to ground out to short to end it. The Red Sox lead is half a game.
(I work with a Sox fan, and misery loves company.)
These players for the Astros feel like third grade vocab. “Shuck”, “Bourgeois”, “Downs”
257- Yea I’m really not looking forward to what my two Mets fans friends are going to say to me if the Braves lose it.
Astros radio is pretty entertaining. Some possibly senile old man is wishing listener Pete Schweddy a happy birthday. He seemed quite concerned that he may have mispronounced the last name.
I think I was listening to NPR when that guy was a guest. He had some sort of food item.
271- I hope listener Pete has a ball.
Red Sox lose 6-3 in Baltimore. AL Wild Card race is tied.
270—Discard them and find better friends.
At least the Red Sox collapsed before us.
Great. Two on, none out, Berkman up. Ugh. Why couldn’t that Lopez guy have pitched another inning? He was pretty good.
@275
But perhaps not long before, the way Fernando Rodriguez is pitching.
EDIT: Pitching change. Don’t know if it will help, but it’s something.
Here come the Cards
Wesley Wright is the new pitcher.
Love the stat line, anyway: 11.2 IP, *3* H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, 11 K.
I was hoping on the night the Phillies got their 100th win, the Astros would get their 56th. Perhaps it will still come to pass…
prediction – STL scores 4 this inning
I just can’t tell if we’re small, flightless birds or assorted rodents.
Double steal. Double freaking steal.
If it makes anyone feel better, Philadelphia will probably sweep the Cardinals in the NLDS.
Double steal. Cards have runners 2nd and 3rd.
Edit: And Berkman doubles them both in. 4-4.
Tied. And if Fredi had called that double steal, somehow it would have ended with two men out.
Tie ball game.
Tied game. I’m just so sad.
The Braves deserve this…assholes
Gosh this sucks. We’ll be tied for the WC by the end of the night. Ick.
Just root for the Cardinals. This Braves team deserves nothing but contempt.
” … and finally, acceptance.”
If Ted Turner were a live, this would never happen
My trip to the liquor store didn’t work but I do have a tremendous amount of alcohol to consume over the next two days as we blow this thing.
I cannot believe they are going to let Lowe pitch tomorrow. He’s nearly an automatic loss. Should have saved the Lisp today and let him start tomorrow. He’d probably last longer into the game than Lowe. The Braves’ collection of spare relievers could patch together a better game than I think Lowe will.
Of course I’m not watching the games anymore, with the Braves torturing their fans with all round ineptitude and managerial incompetence.
I’m sure Fredi will stick with veteran Lowe, and the Braves front office will stick with mentally challenged
manager Fredi.
Hey guys, it’s ok. My fantasy team just picked up a run, rbi, and save at the Braves’ expense. Screw real baseball!
Screw this…
It’s really bad when UGA football is the one team that I pull for that gives me some glimmer of hope. And they’re still not very good.
So Molina walks on four pitches, three of which were strikes
My facebook status:
Stupid Fredi Gonzalez. We all want a new car, a new phone… A team with Fredi Gonzalez only wants one thing… to survive. I know that a lot of you ‘who think they’re too cool’ probably won’t re-post this. But a very little amount of my friends will. Put this on your wall in honor of someone who died from Fredi Gonzalez, survived, or is fighting against this now.
My girlfriend and I are having a great time reading all this humorous “doom and gloom.” Too often “doom and gloom” is not funny at all. Well done, gentleman. Gotta find something to laugh about at this point.
I wish it was Thursday. I just want this nightmare to be over.
@299. I love that.
Enerio del Rosario gets out of the jam, but is this just delaying the inevitable?
With tonight’s loss, the Braves dropped to 9-16 in September. The last time the Braves had a month worse than 9-16 was in August 2008, when that team (which won only 72 games total) went 9-20. On the bright side, there are only 2 games left in the regular season, so the Braves won’t have a chance to match the 20 losses they posted from Aug. 2008.
This Houston game is gut-wrenching. I know it won’t end well, but they keep clinging on with the tips of their fingernails. I can’t believe they recovered from that dropped ball.
The other story tonight is that the White Sox are apparently about to trade Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins at the end of the season.
“The other story tonight is that the White Sox are apparently about to trade Ozzie Guillen to the Marlins at the end of the season.”
You can trade managers?! Is any team interested in Fredi?
@307
The Montreal Expos
Oh, look. It’s Jordan Schafer. Save us Jordan Schafer!
Back in 2002, Randy Winn was traded for Lou Piniella.
Yeah, I think the issue is someone has to want him.
The return for Guillen is two minor league players. Nobody has said who yet, that I’ve seen. Also, the trade is apparently going through tonight. This was his last game with the White Sox.
Chuck Tanner was traded for Manny Sanguillen.
Astros one out away from getting to bottom 9. Holliday up, runner on first.
Is it really a straight trade though? As in the exact same thing as getting Bourn for 4 players?
There’s gotta be a slow-pitch softball team that has a sixpack they can spare for Fredlot.
Ozzie Guillen is probably the worst manager in baseball. I am stunned that any team would give up anything for him.
Not only can you trade a manager, the Tigers once traded Jimmie Dykes to Cleveland for their manager. I think it was Joe Gordon. They both sucked.
@314
Seems to be.
Didn’t the Giants get Felipe Alou from the Expos via trade? Maybe I’m just making that up in my head.
Can’t wait to see Ozzie’s antics 18 times a season.
315 I played for Two State Champion Slow Pitch teams, no way Fredi could have coached at that level.
Bottom of the 9th in Houston.
We were compensated for Mazzoni
Astros keep squeaking through. Pujols almost had a 2 run HR, but it stayed in the park, and it’s a tie game in the bottom of the ninth.
Go ‘Stros!
Maybe we can get the Marlins fired manager in two years
C’mon Ashtrays! Let’s go!
How ’bout hitting one into those cursed Crawford Boxes?
In the stupidest comment of the evening, Mitch Williams just claimed that a bunch of Cubs fans would change to White Sox fans if the latter hired Ryne Sandberg as manager.
Darn it, ‘Stros. I hate one-pitch ABs.
Can we hire Sandberg?
Come on, Towelie
Maybe then Chip Caray will switch to being a Braves fan.
Extra innings
Randy, I didn’t say the softball team had to be good…
Still tied, going to extras.
How the bleeding hell is Yadier Molina hitting .305?
EDIT: Maybe it’s because every time a strike is thrown to him, the umpire calls it a ball.
293: Remember Eddie Haas!!!
Milo Hamilton is an idiot. Why would anyone want to spend a holiday weekend at the Molina house? And why would he assume all the Molina brothers live together? I’m so very thankful for Don Sutton and Jim Powell.
Heads up play by the pitcher. Nice.
Yadier Molina haters have to like this sequence of events.
Nice baserunning by Molina
Schafer is batting third for the Astros?
Yeah, he was brought in as a pinch runner.
Hey did they take that stupid flagpole out of that stupid hill in stupid centerfield at stupid Minute Maid Park?
Brilliant baserunning by the Cardinals. Simply brilliant.
Schafer came in as a pinch-runner, I believe.
Bravesque baserunning by the Cardinals there in the 10th. Finish them off, mighty ‘Stros! (I can’t believe I said that…)
Nice baserunning by the Cardinals. Idiots.
My favorite though was Yadier standing in the batter’s box like a dumbass watching his pop fly to left field bounce off the wall.
Alight Houston, time to layeth the smackdown.
All we need is one solo homer by …
by…
by…
Carlos Lee! The Astros still have a respectable hitter left. He must win this.
3 runs in 27 innings, 2 of those on solo shots. Nice work ladies.
Looking at the Astros’ record makes me feel better about our recent woes. 104 losses would be tough to swallow.
That’s a start!
Yes, Big Start!
Yeah, Astros player with four syllable name!
Houston with a leadoff double!
The Astros still have Schafer too. #Gwinning
Yay, Runners on corners no one out.
First and third, nobody out.
Some Russian with a leadoff double
Bogusevic. That name is inherently funny.
Runners now first and third, nobody out after an error on the sac bunt attempt. Sanchez, Schafer and Lee due up.
C’mon, Lastros… a little favor, OK?
The Braves find it impossible to score in this situation… but the Astros are a better team.
Wow, the Astros are about to keep the Braves from suffering the same fate of the Red Sox today.
Yes! We put down a good bunt and were rewarded with a misplay and runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs! Man, I really feel good about this ‘Stros team in the future. I think we’ll be pretty good by 2015. Hope they don’t move us to the AL.
Cardinals are about to lose to Carlos Lee, Wandy, Barmes, Schafer, and a bunch of guys I have never seen.
Rooting for the Astros feels like trying to hook my father up with his secretary.
We win! ‘Stros win!
Hells yeah, Mr. Bogusevic!
SQUEEZE BUNT!
Astros win on a bunt. Fredi is in ecstasy.
Fredi’s having an orgasm right now with that suicide squeeze…
CORRECTION: Safety, not suicide. Still, Fredi must feel really gratified to have shaved a game off the magic number with such a bold strategic maneuver!
Long live the Astros.
Lets not count are chickens before they hatch, if that’s OK with everyone.
EDIT: Wait….ha ha hah hah ah!!!! Greatest late post ever!!!!
I’m not proud, thanks ASTROS!!!
YEE-aahh!
YES!
YES! THANK YOU, ANGEL SANCHEZ! I’M GOING TO THROW UP NOW!
Seriously, one ****ing win clinches a playoff game. Is that too much to ask?!?! (Don’t answer that…)
Come on Astros, don’t ‘pull a Braves’ here.
Edit: they already won it!
Ballgame Houston
Wow. There are no words. The Braves head into tomorrow still up one game. The magic number is now two, ha ha.
Boy, I know it’s been a rough season but it’s really nice to see our guys put it all on the line for the last series. I’m really proud of these guys.
So we’re a game up with two games to play, right?
See, it’s like Fredi always says… bunting is the key to victory.
368: LOL! Like minds think alike. :p And I chose my description very carefully as not to unduly offend…
I was hoping Success would earn his playoff share.
Yep, we just have to win one frigging game to guarantee at least a 163rd game.
Thank you Astros! Do I forgive you now, Chris Burke? FUCK no.
“Yep, we just have to win one frigging game to guarantee at least a 163rd game.”
Saying we gotta jump the Grand Canyon on a tricycle would be just as reassuring.
And we take one more step backwards towards the playoffs.
What do you have against people with Downs Syndrome?
WOOOOOO!
To quote Cannibal Corpse, “Make Them Suffer”!
AAR, I’m pretty sure the only ones suffering here are us.
This whole “pennant race” and Dan’s comment bring this scene to mind:
I also watched Terra Nova tonight. It also made a bad evening worse.
Mac should recap the Astros game instead of the Braves game.
Much like Chip, irony sometimes escapes me. But, watching ESPN play-by-play and seeing Jordan Schafer’s picture as on-deck batter and WEARING an Atlanta Braves cap, would it have been ironic if he had won the game?
@381 LOL. “Bunting is the key to victory.”
Fredi postgame quote: “You gotta tip your hat to the Cardinals. They played hard all the way to the end. But you also gotta tip your hat to the Astros, who just really know how to win. And while I’m at it, you gotta tip your hat to the squeeze play – both safety and suicide. Until you know how to do that as a manager, you really haven’t arrived in the big leagues. Cardinals play hard, Astros victory, Braves shave a game off the magic number…It’s days like this we can all feel like winners.”
Actually, the Red Sox are suffering even more — they’re now tied with the Rays. It is a great time to be a Sox hater in Boston right now.
As lousy as we’ve played, a Braves win and a Cards loss tomorrow gives us the pennant!
I hate to be a downer, but everyone knows Derek Lowe is pitching tomorrow, right?
I still can’t believe the Cardinals choked against the worst team in all of baseball. There’s not a lot of shame in losing to a Phillies team starting their best players. Losing to the killer Bs of Bogusevic, Bourgeois, and Barmes, however, takes some South Park skill.
#395
Well, the Wild Card, but something like that did cross my mind. Astounding, I know.
Then I thought: Could the Astros win 2 more?
There has got to be a more appropriate name for the thing we have the opportunity to clinch tomorrow. Like “shame banner,” or “coffin drape.” Maybe “adult cloth diaper.” We can clinch the surrender flag tomorrow guys!
@390
I recorded Terra Nova, would you say it’s a skip?
What makes this sweeter is that we have Lowe pitching tomorrow, and he Knows How To Win.
@392
Yes, that would actually be ironic. Having the score of both games be 4-2 is coincidental, as is every other thing Chip thinks is ironic.
Hey, if we manage to pull this thing off, it’ll be because of the two sweetest words in the English language: default!
If the Braves and Cards both lose out, thus clinching the Wild Card for the Braves, do you think they would still do a rowdy champagne celebration?
400- Yeah, I would. Avoiding spoilers, the dinosaurs were pretty pedestrian and we didn’t see that much of them, and I’m honestly not sure they understand what their premise is.
403- AAR, actually I’d like to see Fredi honored the way Homer was in that episode- by launching him into space. Shame we don’t have a space shuttle anymore, so it’d have to be on one of our rockets that burn up during re-entry.
404- Of course.
404: At this point in the season, I’m feeling just perversely curious enough to find out what would happen.
@404
Sadly, yes, I think they would. But frankly it would be fascinating to find out.
404: I think the entire team would have to sit shamefully in the corner like Furcal back in the day.
Frankly, if we win this thing, you’d probably want as wild a celebration as possible. Might make it easier to forget this putrid month and give ourselves a chance in the playoffs. I understand the implications of it, and it doesn’t necessarily look great from a PR standpoint, but if we win it, we can’t be pondering what a travesty it is that we did so. We need to find a way to turn the page.
I wish I believed that there was anyone on this team with a healthy, decent sense of shame.
In 1982, the Braves had a one-game lead on the Dodgers (in the old NL West) going into the final day. Atlanta lost in San Diego; but not long afterward, the Giants’ Joe Morgan hit a HR off Terry Forster to beat the Dodgers.
The Braves celebrated with champagne, just as if they won.
Of course, I’d sure love to see the Braves somehow win these last 2.
AAR, there is none. Not the front office, not the manager, not the coaches, not the players. Hell, probably not even a batboy or usher.
I want Hudson to have a day off. Beat Phils and let the Colt 45s win.
“St. Louis went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position on the night, left nine men on base and hit into two double plays. They also lost two runners on the bases — three if you count Molina in the 10th.”
Sounds like they’re doing a Braves impression.
“If the Braves and Cards both lose out, thus clinching the Wild Card for the Braves, do you think they would still do a rowdy champagne celebration?”
Why not? This team has won more games than the 2001 NL East champions.
@393,
I gotta tip my cap to John R. 🙂
I guess this is the kind of pennant races MLB envisioned when they came up with the Wild Card. Two mediocre teams fighting it out.
416- Yeah. Real good advertisement for the idea of a second wild card, isn’t it? Then you’ll have a race of the cripples like this every year!
According to an article, a second wildcard team is “all but done” and will start in either 2012 or no later than 2013. The two teams with the best records in each league that did not win their divisions will play a one-game playoff to decide who’ll be the real wildcard team and advance to the NLDS/ALDS.
If that were the rules this year, these last two games wouldn’t even matter: it’d already be a done deal of a one-game Braves-Cardinals playoff.
At least it’s only one game and not a best of five or something. Still don’t like giving more undeserving teams access.
Arizona and Milwaukee both just lost. Milwaukee’s a game ahead of Arizona, but the D-Backs have the tiebreaker. If Milwaukee stays ahead of Arizona, that’s where we go, presuming we don’t complete our pratfall.
The Angels’ season just ended.
#413, I think the Cardinals are playing on Wednesday afternoon, so conceivably we could have Hudson just throw a side session if we don’t need a win.
Terry Francona acknowledge that what the Red Sox have been going through has been “trying.” Fredi Gonzalez would have said, “what do you mean, trying? Everything is just fine.”
I have more respect for Francona than this Cox/Gonzalez denial philosophy of, as Jim Bouton said, “not saying shit if you had a mouthful.” I think I could tolerate the collapse better if Fredi at least acknowledged that things are not going well.
But I disagree with the meme going through this thread that the Braves don’t care. Why would they not care after playing six months. Obviously, they look flat, but it’s more likely that they are trying too hard and are pressing. I understand people say things here out of frustration, but I really don’t believe they don’t care. Of course, it would look better if they showed some emotion–threw their bat down, and so forth-but, for better or worse, that’s not the Braves way. But I don’t believe that they don’t care.
Really conflicted over whether to go to the game tonight or not. On the one hand, the atmosphere should be pretty cool barring a blowout loss (by anything more than 2 runs with this offense), but on the other hand, Derek Lowe. He actually pitched well against the pirates last time I saw him.
“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”
Voltaire
So cowboy up, Derek Lowe. The Cards are heartbroken and you can lead us to a victory!
And for Fredi:
“Keep the faith, don’t lose your perseverance and always trust your gut extinct.”
Paula Abdul
Wow, that new system manages simultaneously to devalue the regular season more even as it further overvalues the winning of a bad division.
I look forward to a 96-win Red Sox team losing to an 86-win Jays team all the while an 84-win Twins team advances to the ALDS.
I think we can agree on one thing: after two seasons of the same thing, those ‘probability of making the playoffs’ websites can be thrown out the window. For me at least, nothing adds more annoyance to an obvious late-season collapse than the gleeful posting of “96% you guys! It’s in the bag!”
Recapped.