It took Tim Wakefield eight tries to win #200 in 2011. Let’s try not to approach that mark, Tim- Mr. Hudson.
justhank
on April 30, 2013 at 3:13 pm
I have a memory of Knucksie being at 19 wins one of those years we lost 100.
Went into the Astrodome (I think) for the last three games.
Started the first. Lost.
Started the second. Lost.
Started the third. Lost.
Never did get #20 that year.
Not sure that’s 100% accurate, but if it is, it sure captures the futility of that-era Braves.
———–
Thanks, Sam.
timo
on April 30, 2013 at 3:40 pm
2 & 3. The mlb.com condensed game option is awesome. Not sure if you need to have a subscription though?
Adam M
on April 30, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Clearly, Heyward is facing some pushback for his suggestion, misinterpreted or not, that he could potentially be out all of May. It’s probably just bad luck for him that guys like Holliday and Dunn were able to come back so quickly. But every body is different, and every circumstance, even when we’re talking about the same procedure, differs. Meanwhile, Heyward’s reputation as fragile only exacerbates fans’ frustration.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 3:43 pm
MASN just replayed last night’s game. I used DVR to watch the AS seated throw. The shadow of runner’s foot did not disappear until FF had the ball. Close even on slow mo. AS & FF earned the out, it was no gift.
McCain played hurt at end of last year and that cost a couple games.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@7 How well did Holiday & Dunn play when they came back that quick. We have Success! and Reed Johnson.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Dunn had 0.54 OPS+ in 2011.
Holliday hit well, just could not come in for infield pop ups.
Seat Painter
on April 30, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Tim Hudson not going for win 200.
In other news, we have always been friends with Eastasia.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 4:12 pm
JH played 2 games with an “upset stomach”. Took Sunday off and was operated on Monday. Holliday was 3-4 the day before his operation. Maybe JH toughed it too long?
W.C.G.
on April 30, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@7, I guess what I don’t get is the implication that somehow Heyward owes us a non-fragile body. I think too often fans have a “dance, puppet!” attitude toward ballplayers, and try to make injuries into some kind of character issue. And then RGIII tears his knee up on sloppy turf after he’s been limping around, and we’re like oh, yeah, probably shouldn’t have pushed that attitude.
Sam Hutcheson
on April 30, 2013 at 4:22 pm
People want to see talented players on the field for their teams. If they don’t play, fans recognize that. It’s the nature of gladiatorial combat.
Again, no one is suggesting that Heyward either come back before he’s ready to play or is less of a man for not doing so. We’re just noting that he is, in point of fact, a fragile play. J.D. Drew as a fragile player too. It happens.
Fair enough. But fragility, like batting average, is generally past-dependent — it is not necessarily predictive of the future, nor indicative of an innate quality of the player.
If Heyward comes back and plays a lot, will he no longer be fragile?
Sam Hutcheson
on April 30, 2013 at 4:32 pm
If he becomes less fragile, it will be like when Martin Prado became a better hitter than his minor league career suggested. Fragility is a player quality. Some players are workhorses. (Chipper Jones prior to his getting old in 2003.) Some players are fragile and prone to nagging injuries. (J.D. Drew; Nick Johnson)
spike
on April 30, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Well, except for missing what would have been his rookie year with the torn ACL
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 4:38 pm
5- Not quite like that, but in 1978 (when the Braves lost “only” 93), Phil was 19-15 on September 17th. His last 3 starts were at Houston, hosting Houston, and at Cincy. He pitched a complete game each time, allowing eight total runs…
and lost them all, as the Braves were shut out, shut out, and shut out.
Adam R
on April 30, 2013 at 4:46 pm
I saw in the previous thread that in his first three full seasons, Heyward played 143 games on average. Anyone with solid bbref skills want to see how that compares to other starting RFers on average?
Likewise, I’d like to know how other players have fared — whether they tried to keep playing, and if so, how well they did, and if not, how long they were out of action — with the same injuries Heyward sustained that kept him from playing.
krussell
on April 30, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Nobody would be saying anything about Heyward if he had started the season hitting better. Goes with the territory I guess.
I think the reality for a guy like Jason Heyward is that the hometown fans will not shed a tear when he is either traded or allowed to leave in free agency. Just the notion that he could suddenly a miss a month is reason enough for me to suggest we play Gattis in the OF and think about Heyward for the bench or as a trade piece. He’s gotten off to another slow start and has never shown us any reason to believe he is an important piece of this offense.
I believe in Heyward’s potential, but beyond his first major league season he seems so prone to mechanical issues or injuries. Take your pick. I don’t want a nag in my team’s offense.
sansho1
on April 30, 2013 at 7:04 pm
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
sdp
on April 30, 2013 at 7:09 pm
I play for the W on my hat, ya’ll.
PeteOrr
on April 30, 2013 at 7:10 pm
@25 – Maybe we can trade him for Prado and Randall Delgado?
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 7:13 pm
I think Heyward’s still got a decent amount of goodwill left, but he’s not that young anymore. He’s in his first arbitration year, with only two seasons left after this year before free agency. He’s still got a ton of potential, but in your fourth season potential starts to translate into “you haven’t done jack yet.”
Adam R
on April 30, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Well, that’s what happens when we all start talking about stuff we don’t know.
EDIT: Are we seriously going to go down this road with a player who put up a 6.3 WAR last year?
In other news, McCann drops to .273/.385/.909 down in Rome.
PeteOrr
on April 30, 2013 at 7:16 pm
@29 – Do his 2010 and 2012 seasons just not count or something? Are they what you mean by “haven’t done jack yet?”
@33 – Fredi thinks C.Johnson plays better defense. In other news, he also thinks Jordan Schafer is our best defensive outfielder and that Gerald Laird is good at anything at all. Fredi is a moron.
I told you guys Andrelton is coming around. His swing has gotten nice and short in the past week.
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 7:20 pm
That 2012 number was seriously pumped up by his defense, which he’s unlikely to continue at that level (his defense this year has been almost as bad as his offense, according to BR- minus-3 TFR). Expecting a repeat is as likely as a repeat of Uggla’s defensive performance last year. Without that, you’ve got a good but not great hitter demanding nine figures in free agency.
On a happier note, SIMMONS!
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 7:21 pm
And the leadoff batter is not on base, as per like usual, sheesh.
PeteOrr
on April 30, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@40 – UZR likes him just fine this year, and a 120 WRC+ with 27 HR as a 23 year old is pretty much exactly what you’d hope for out of someone you’re expecting to become a great hitter.
Edit: He also passes the eye test on defense so far this year, if you haven’t been watching. He’s made some spectacular, rangey plays.
Bill
on April 30, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@36 I’m typing on a phone, so will not get in a rant, but not using fat Juan at all simply confirms fredi’s issues. That cat is a homeless man’s bobby cox. I guess he is league average as a manager, but lord, he needs to get out of the way.
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Roy Halladay’s given up four runs in the first in Cleveland. Doesn’t it just warm the heart?
Simmons is so good at some things and it makes it so devastating when he screw up things like, you know, bunting.
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Home run the first time up ad Fredi thinks he should sacrifice the pitcher over. (Admittedly, Gio made a heckuva diving catch.)
Still, every time I want to say something nice about Fredi, he just does not let me.
And Chris bails us out!
'Rissa
on April 30, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Hudson was interviewed on FOX on Saturday and he mentioned he’s at the point of his career where he watches more tape of his at-bats than he does of his pitching. It appears to be paying off!
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Hit Machine makes sure that wasn’t too big of a miss.
Unlike the gnats hits last night, the Braves hits tonight aren’t cheap in any way.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Radio guys mentioned it again, Hudson is 136-3 when he gets a lead of 3 or more runs. That really is stupid numbers.
krussell
on April 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Why isn’t anyone complaining about all the the first pitch swings we’ve had tonight?
Trace
on April 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm
@40, So you’re using 3 weeks worth of data to say that his defense this year is regressing?
I’ll never understand the scorn Heyward gets from fans as soon as he hits a small slump. (especially one that has everything to do with bad luck: .114 BABIP with a high line drive percentage) He’s immensely talented. From what I can tell, he’s a great teammate and person off the field. What’s not to like? He clearly deserves to be the face of the franchise and to say that he should sit for a 26 year old rookie after posting a 6.3 WAR last season is incredibly near-sighted and, frankly, ridiculous.
@49, I think that could be said for almost the entire lineup. This team can hit the fastball. You better be able to locate it. I would throw 75% offspeed stuff if I were pitching against us. Of course I’m thinking they might be able to adjust to a 59mph curve that doesn’t break…but assuming I had mlb-quality stuff I wouldn’t throw many fastballs to this lineup ever.
I wonder if ESPN has enough time to get that play into their Bryce special.
Piers
on April 30, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Really, Harper fumbling that over the wall made it better than an upper deck homer.
John R.
on April 30, 2013 at 8:49 pm
@102 You have nailed the narrative.
drewdat
on April 30, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Came here to post #105.
Trace
on April 30, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Ok, wow, that was awesome.
spike
on April 30, 2013 at 8:53 pm
you don’t get a good look on the MLB replay, but it almost seemed like if Harper had just run to the wall instead of jumping he would have caught it.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on April 30, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Holy shit, that replay of Simmons just blew my mind.
John R.
on April 30, 2013 at 8:54 pm
@105, 108: A fair accounting of Bryce Harpseco will include the play.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 8:57 pm
I enjoy watching Harper swing at the ball *after* it bounces in the dirt.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on April 30, 2013 at 8:59 pm
Fantastic catch, BJ. He covers a boatload of ground.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on April 30, 2013 at 9:02 pm
My lineup against Zimmerman tomorrow: Success, Simmons, Jupton, Freeman, Gattis, Francisco, Pena, BJ, Maholm.
But Fredi probably keeps CJ and Uggla in the lineup.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Halladay gave up 8 runs in 3.2 innings tonight in Cleveland. He might not be fully back yet.
Delmon Young also homered and is 2 for 2 though, so I’m not sure if the game even counts.
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Bryce Harper plays for October, the ad says.
He’ll only be off by two days. (Regular season ends Sept. 29.)
spike
on April 30, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Fun fact – The Braves lead on Washington is entirely composed of wins against them.
Braves against the field 11-9, Nats 13-8
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Fine recovery by Tim. Grab a shower, and on Sunday, you’ll be pitching for 201 wins.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Stranding a leadoff triple, well done, Huddy.
Trace
on April 30, 2013 at 9:17 pm
Damn, I love that Auburn War Eagler.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 9:23 pm
@120 Hudson was just showing off
MikeM
on April 30, 2013 at 9:25 pm
I was taking care of yard work and just tuned in to mlbtv. I watched the Hudson homer replay five times. Awesome. Like a Coen brothers movie, each subsequent viewing causes me to notice and appreciate something new. My favorite part now is when Harper looks around at his feet for the ball, not realizing that clown defense led to a homer.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Very good stuff by Varvaro.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 9:28 pm
This date 2012 Barves were 4 games behind Natspros, now 3 1/2. If we hold on 4 1/2. 8 1/2 game swing
sansho1
on April 30, 2013 at 9:29 pm
Fun fact – The Braves lead on Washington is entirely composed of wins against them.
Brought to you by the unbalanced schedule!
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Natspros get to rest their bull pen tonight.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Natspros have played 7 more home games that Barves, to be 6 soon
csg
on April 30, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Guy who caught the Huddy HR, just got a brand new signed Mizuno bat and $100 worth of Braves hats from Huddy. Nice work man, that ball is special.
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 9:37 pm
@129 The Clown Ball
drewdat
on April 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Mets lose on a walkoff wild pitch, LOL.
csg
on April 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I want to hate Harper, but I enjoy watching him play.
John R.
on April 30, 2013 at 9:39 pm
@132: Those fly outs to deep left for Harper are infield flies for the average, lesser player. I can see why.
spike
on April 30, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Gattis catching Hudson’s 200th must be quite a thrill for him. Feel a bit sorry for McCann.
Congrats Tim! What an amazing job by him and the rest of the team.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Fantastic night. Huddy should have gotten 200 earlier, but this was pretty special, and he got it at home.
Brian J.
on April 30, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Bryce Begins… the first month of the 2013 season with a losing record. Of course, the Braves’ kicking ass is even better.
And as for Tim, Keep up this pace for a couple more seasons and Cooperstown will come calling.
kc
on April 30, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Congrats Huddy. Wish you can win another 100 games with us!!!
Coop
on April 30, 2013 at 9:50 pm
Great game for Huddy, a night he’ll remember. Gattis, Simmons and Freeman looked good too. Maybe they’ll keep it going for a bit longer. Can’t wait to see tomorrow’s game.
@142 I didn’t write it down, but it was in reference to their comment after the last series about how they were the better club and we were just hot. He was like “Well, if they don’t think we’re the better club, we’ll have to keep pounding them until they start believing it.”
Landogarner
on April 30, 2013 at 10:28 pm
@144 lol, that’s awesome.
fm
on April 30, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Too bad Hudson wasn’t going for his 200th career win, huh?
'Rissa
on April 30, 2013 at 10:34 pm
@144 Haha, go Simmons! I was thinking about that comment today, too. Coming into this series, the Braves were anything but hot. I love beating the Nats!
PaulV
on April 30, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Much easier to play the sub .50089+ NatsPros than the first place Pirates, Rockies and Tigers or second place Royals.
Seat Painter
on April 30, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Hudson did not win his 200th game and did not homer.
In other news, we have always been at war with Eastasia.
Nong Nong
on April 30, 2013 at 11:04 pm
@132
I feel the same way about Harper, and to a lesser degree, this entire Natspos club.
@123
Say what you will about Harper, but he’s a worthy f******g adversary.
Dan
on April 30, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Bryce Begins will be about as awkward as ‘In My Own Words: Francoeur’ if things don’t go as expected.
spike
on April 30, 2013 at 11:19 pm
He’s going to be a very good player for a long time, barring injury. I appreciate the chance to see a potentially great player in the sport at the start of a career.
Tomas
on April 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm
148 — Also apparently much easier than playing the crappy Natspos teams of years past.
Our New Insect Overlords
on April 30, 2013 at 11:44 pm
@150
That he is, but his aggression will not stand, man.
Adam R
on April 30, 2013 at 11:47 pm
“It was Hudson’s night,” Gonzalez said. “Tip your cap.”
THAT’S RIGHT, FREDI. Bow down only to your own players.
Tad
on April 30, 2013 at 11:53 pm
Come on Gaddis please learn how to play 2B … I know its not gonna happen … but poor ole Sruggla .. gotta feel for him .. he plays hard , hustles and roots for teammates .. great teammate but dang he has lost his ability to hit .. and we got him for 2 more years past this one at about 15 mil per
Parish
on April 30, 2013 at 11:55 pm
Anybody live in Ft. Lauderdale? Good lord! Las Olas Blvd on a weeknight!
My friend asks that we nickname Evan Gattis “The Recognition,” in honor of this book, and because I am always in favor of obscure literary allusions, I agreed so long as we are allowed to continue calling him El Oso Blanco.
So, The Recognition had a great game.
DG
on May 1, 2013 at 12:26 am
I’m thinking that 200 wins will become the new plateau for HoF consideration. Can anyone get to 300? I think Verlander and Sabathia have a chance, but they’d have to go injury-free while averaging 15 wins a season for the next 6-7 seasons (Sabathia) or 11-12 seasons (Verlander). I’m discounting Pettitte, Halladay, and Huddy. Anyone else have a shot at 300 that I’m forgetting?
They’ve been saying that no one could get to 300 for more than a decade now, and the line has been crossed several times since then. It requires a freakish longevity, but it could certainly happen.
Dan
on May 1, 2013 at 12:51 am
@159/160, see Mac’s great writing on those who think we’ve seen the last 300-game winner:
It’s funny, because Mac was responding to an article proclaiming Maddux would “probably” be the last 300-game winner. Of course, since then, Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine did it.
Agent-X-
on May 1, 2013 at 1:28 am
@70 Sure, Heyward had a pretty good season over all in 2012, but let’s not pretend like Jason hasn’t had his share of mysterious injuries that sideline or cripple his ability to be a productive player. He’s really only had one commanding season at the plate (his rookie year), and last year was a big step forward for a guy who seemed to completely lose it with the bat the year before. Do you know what Jason Heyward’s WAR was the year he was lost at the plate? 1.9. For a guy who could be the face of the franchise, missing a month of the season to an appendectomy is both startling and cringe-worthy. Who is this guy, David Justice Jr.?? Gimme a moment to digest this.
Some good points are raised regarding Heyward’s contact this year and the fact that he will start to rake sooner or later. Too bad we may have to wait until June to see if that’s going to happen.
I was the one who probably broke open the thought of replacing him with Gattis. What can I say? Gattis needs to stay in the lineup, and sooner than later we’re going to have to cross that river one way or the other when McCann is ready. If Heyward’s too busy rubbing his tummy in the dugout, I’m hoping it’s Evan Gattis in the lineup and not Reed Johnson. 😉
spike
on May 1, 2013 at 2:15 am
Sabathia has as good a chance as anyone.
Hotspur
on May 1, 2013 at 3:06 am
@162 I personally am prepared not to blame Jason Heyward for getting appendicitis. In the annals of physical ailments a human being can fairly be said to have played no part in bringing upon himself, surely an inflamed appendix qualifies for inclusion. When he screws his leg up riding a motorbike in violation of his contract, then maybe we can talk.
(Aside: I was on a plane with Ron Gant the late winter after that happened, Boston-to-Atlanta after he’d been seen by the Red Sox doctors. He looked like someone who had accidentally killed his own dog. I’ve never seen a clearer look of self-recrimination. He knew he had screwed himself and his career in grand fashion.)
Brian J.
on May 1, 2013 at 8:05 am
Sabathia’s only 32. He needs 15 wins a year until he’s 39 or 12 wins a year until he’s 41. That seems pretty likely.
After that, it could be a while, but Justin Verlander and especially Felix Hernandez look like they have good chances.
As for Gattis, it’d make more sense for him to replace BJ Upton; I’m pretty sure Gattis only ever played left field. Moving BJ to right has him both out of posiiton and still sucking rocks at the plate.
Heyward’s probably going to be fine eventually, and a burst appendix isn’t his fault, but we probably need to accept that he’s more likely to be Justice or Gant than Hank Aaron at this point.
Smitty
on May 1, 2013 at 8:40 am
@165
You’re right. Hey, I’d be fine with another Justice
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 8:43 am
A Gant without a motorcycle?
sansho1
on May 1, 2013 at 8:44 am
Honestly, to me the player Heyward most resembles in terms of overall skill set is Andruw. Which makes me both excited for his future and resigned about his reputation.
Adam M
on May 1, 2013 at 8:49 am
Anyone who was expecting Hank Aaron 2.0 might have been overshooting the mark. If we get Andruw, or even Justice, then I’ll be very happy.
sansho1
on May 1, 2013 at 8:53 am
Much as I love Ron Gant, I have to admit that would be disappointing.
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:04 am
Snowing again in Denver, home of first place Rockies
Heyward, Uggla and BJ a collective -1.5 WAR. The NJMVP (Non-Justin MVP) thus far is the entire bench (except Reed Johnson).
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:14 am
Shocked that Pena, Success! and Laird are doing so well.
justhank
on May 1, 2013 at 9:20 am
Pena, Laird and Success! (I like your addition of the exclamation point) are the low-strikeout, relatively high-contact elements of a batting order that I firmly believe contribute to an offense being more than the sum of its parts.
Giants have won two of the last three championships. Not so much when they had the greatest home run hitter of my lifetime – Barry “Solo” Bonds.
Which is why two of those three (doesn’t matter which) should probably be in the lineup at all times.
justhank
on May 1, 2013 at 9:24 am
Speaking of Success!
More than anything, the Astros need low-cost, talented ballplayers, right? That sure sounds like Success! to me.
How big a jerk must he have been for them to simply say “You’re not worth the aggravation”?
Apparently, he has modified the attitude sufficiently to stick with a team that doesn’t tolerate too much of that stuff and had a stacked (so we thought) outfield to begin with.
Has Jordan seen the light? Did getting released by the worst team in baseball actually knock some sense into his head?
justhank
on May 1, 2013 at 9:24 am
Speaking of Success!
More than anything, the Astros need low-cost, talented ballplayers, right? That sure sounds like Success! to me.
How big a jerk must he have been for them to simply say “You’re not worth the aggravation”?
Apparently, he has modified the attitude sufficiently to stick with a team that doesn’t tolerate too much of that stuff and had a stacked (so we thought) outfield to begin with.
Has Jordan seen the light? Did getting released by the worst team in baseball actually knock some sense into his head?
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:25 am
@175 I plagiarize the best.
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:26 am
Playing for Astros is bad for morale. They needed a whipping boy. Nothing yet to complain about Success! Will he be part of a trade again?
braves14
on May 1, 2013 at 9:30 am
The Astros waived Success because he was awful for them and not that young anymore.
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:32 am
Is Gattis that smart to adjust to ML pitching, motivated or just really good. His ability not to swing at balls outside the zone and go the other way is so non Frenchy.
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 9:34 am
Success just made it to ML too early and lost 2 years of development due to injury.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on May 1, 2013 at 9:35 am
I suspect Reed Johnson is on his way out of town when Heyward comes back. He might clear waivers and accept an assignment to Gwinnett.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on May 1, 2013 at 9:37 am
181- I think you mean “…due to being a knucklehead.”
spike
on May 1, 2013 at 9:38 am
@173, at this point do you consider CJ a bench player or a starter? He’s my NJMVP to date.
//and fun fact – Sabathia has the second highest win total through age 29, behind Catfish Hunter and tied with Doc Gooden.
td
on May 1, 2013 at 9:50 am
It is hard for me to believe that Sabathia is only 32. Of course, going 17-5 as a 20 year old is a pretty amazing feat.
Smitty
on May 1, 2013 at 9:53 am
Success! is a good 4th OF that can come in and run for you.
I agree about Johnson. He looks to be on his way out.
JoeCraigMcMurtry
on May 1, 2013 at 9:53 am
184-I had in mind Pena, Schafer and Laird, who’ve managed to put up 1.0 WAR in only about 15 more plate appearances than CJ, who is obviously a defensible choice for NJMVP. But his value has been dangerously BABIP dependent, his defense is still bad, and by the end of May I think he will be back in a straight platoon with Juan, while Simmons will be the runaway NJMVP.
Game, Blauser
on May 1, 2013 at 10:01 am
@175 – Really, you think two of Schafer, Pena and Laird “should be in the lineup at all times”? Your post is chock full of old school anti-logic that would make Joe Morgan proud.
Schafer (.474), Pena (.333) and Laird (.360) are all enjoying crazy-high BABIPs. Only Laird has any semblance of power, and when these three guys inevitably revert to the mean, they’ll again look like the decent role players that they are. I have a little hope for Schafer retaining value at the plate, given that he’s suddenly stopped swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, but keep in mind Schafer came into this season with a career 26.5% K rate, higher than any member of our starting outfield.
What I’m getting at is, I know that strikeouts are frustrating and all, but there’s just no evidence that Schafer/Pena/Laird’s particular style of offense will make this team “more than the sum of its parts”, relative to the far more talented players we have that are currently injured and/or slumping.
I enjoyed this. Jason gave a War Eagle to Huddy last night, then this happened:
@jasonheyward don’t ever say that again Mr Heyward we take that seriously in Alabama, you risking losing lot of fans #RollTide#SecondChance— Michael Willingham (@MWillingham09) May 1, 2013
You’ll be aiet lol. I’ll shout your school out when you get your 200th career win in the big leagues @mwillingham09— Jason Heyward (@JasonHeyward) May 1, 2013
Adam M
on May 1, 2013 at 10:13 am
Giants have won two of the last three championships. Not so much when they had the greatest home run hitter of my lifetime – Barry “Solo” Bonds.
This statement hurts my brain it’s so ridiculous.
PaulV
on May 1, 2013 at 10:19 am
Did Bond’s throw from left field get perhaps the slowest runner in baseball out at home? Sid Bream has speed?
That Laird, Pena and Success! have been useful players is the biggest surprise of the season so far for me. I hope it continues, but don’t expect it to.
Even though Laird hasn’t totally sucked, it’s always a disappointment to see his name in the lineup because it means that Gattis isn’t (particularly with the return of Freeman), and as a fan I want my fair share of bear.
Halladay lost several games before he got over the hump too. Would be super sweet for Tim to do it against the Nats.
No one tells me anything.
timo – where does one find “condensed games”?
I remember “Braves in a Hurry” and really enjoyed that.
Go to MLB.com and scan back to previous games played. They will have the option of a “condensed game” on the options.
Here’s yesterday’s games with “Premium,” “Basic,” “Condensed,” and “Highlights” options.
It took Tim Wakefield eight tries to win #200 in 2011. Let’s try not to approach that mark, Tim- Mr. Hudson.
I have a memory of Knucksie being at 19 wins one of those years we lost 100.
Went into the Astrodome (I think) for the last three games.
Started the first. Lost.
Started the second. Lost.
Started the third. Lost.
Never did get #20 that year.
Not sure that’s 100% accurate, but if it is, it sure captures the futility of that-era Braves.
———–
Thanks, Sam.
2 & 3. The mlb.com condensed game option is awesome. Not sure if you need to have a subscription though?
Clearly, Heyward is facing some pushback for his suggestion, misinterpreted or not, that he could potentially be out all of May. It’s probably just bad luck for him that guys like Holliday and Dunn were able to come back so quickly. But every body is different, and every circumstance, even when we’re talking about the same procedure, differs. Meanwhile, Heyward’s reputation as fragile only exacerbates fans’ frustration.
MASN just replayed last night’s game. I used DVR to watch the AS seated throw. The shadow of runner’s foot did not disappear until FF had the ball. Close even on slow mo. AS & FF earned the out, it was no gift.
McCain played hurt at end of last year and that cost a couple games.
@7 How well did Holiday & Dunn play when they came back that quick. We have Success! and Reed Johnson.
Dunn had 0.54 OPS+ in 2011.
Holliday hit well, just could not come in for infield pop ups.
Tim Hudson not going for win 200.
In other news, we have always been friends with Eastasia.
JH played 2 games with an “upset stomach”. Took Sunday off and was operated on Monday. Holliday was 3-4 the day before his operation. Maybe JH toughed it too long?
@7, I guess what I don’t get is the implication that somehow Heyward owes us a non-fragile body. I think too often fans have a “dance, puppet!” attitude toward ballplayers, and try to make injuries into some kind of character issue. And then RGIII tears his knee up on sloppy turf after he’s been limping around, and we’re like oh, yeah, probably shouldn’t have pushed that attitude.
People want to see talented players on the field for their teams. If they don’t play, fans recognize that. It’s the nature of gladiatorial combat.
Again, no one is suggesting that Heyward either come back before he’s ready to play or is less of a man for not doing so. We’re just noting that he is, in point of fact, a fragile play. J.D. Drew as a fragile player too. It happens.
Fair enough. But fragility, like batting average, is generally past-dependent — it is not necessarily predictive of the future, nor indicative of an innate quality of the player.
If Heyward comes back and plays a lot, will he no longer be fragile?
If he becomes less fragile, it will be like when Martin Prado became a better hitter than his minor league career suggested. Fragility is a player quality. Some players are workhorses. (Chipper Jones prior to his getting old in 2003.) Some players are fragile and prone to nagging injuries. (J.D. Drew; Nick Johnson)
Well, except for missing what would have been his rookie year with the torn ACL
5- Not quite like that, but in 1978 (when the Braves lost “only” 93), Phil was 19-15 on September 17th. His last 3 starts were at Houston, hosting Houston, and at Cincy. He pitched a complete game each time, allowing eight total runs…
and lost them all, as the Braves were shut out, shut out, and shut out.
I saw in the previous thread that in his first three full seasons, Heyward played 143 games on average. Anyone with solid bbref skills want to see how that compares to other starting RFers on average?
Likewise, I’d like to know how other players have fared — whether they tried to keep playing, and if so, how well they did, and if not, how long they were out of action — with the same injuries Heyward sustained that kept him from playing.
Nobody would be saying anything about Heyward if he had started the season hitting better. Goes with the territory I guess.
Oh my.
@mlbbowman
The #Braves have placed Luis Ayala on the 15-day disabled list with anxiety disorder. David Carpenter has been recalled from Gwinnett.
Anxiety Disorder ?? Braves are sure creative with the DL.
Ayala didn’t make the trip to Detroit. Might be a legit thing and why we got him so cheap.
Your lineup for today:
Simmons ss, CJohnson 3b, JUpton lf, Freeman 1b, Gattis c, Uggla 2b, BUpton cf, RJohnson rf, Hudson p.
I think the reality for a guy like Jason Heyward is that the hometown fans will not shed a tear when he is either traded or allowed to leave in free agency. Just the notion that he could suddenly a miss a month is reason enough for me to suggest we play Gattis in the OF and think about Heyward for the bench or as a trade piece. He’s gotten off to another slow start and has never shown us any reason to believe he is an important piece of this offense.
I believe in Heyward’s potential, but beyond his first major league season he seems so prone to mechanical issues or injuries. Take your pick. I don’t want a nag in my team’s offense.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
I play for the W on my hat, ya’ll.
@25 – Maybe we can trade him for Prado and Randall Delgado?
I think Heyward’s still got a decent amount of goodwill left, but he’s not that young anymore. He’s in his first arbitration year, with only two seasons left after this year before free agency. He’s still got a ton of potential, but in your fourth season potential starts to translate into “you haven’t done jack yet.”
Well, that’s what happens when we all start talking about stuff we don’t know.
EDIT: Are we seriously going to go down this road with a player who put up a 6.3 WAR last year?
In other news, McCann drops to .273/.385/.909 down in Rome.
@29 – Do his 2010 and 2012 seasons just not count or something? Are they what you mean by “haven’t done jack yet?”
Wonderful first inning for Huddy, though there were 2 fly balls.
Is Juan F dead? Did I not get the memo? I know he can’t hit lefties, but I don’t think he’s started at 3d in a week.
Yay Hudson! 6 more innings of that and hopefully you’ll get your W.
I want to share this commercial with you all, because they show this every. half. inning.
Italian latex, y’all.
http://www.bedsandsuch.com/commercials/2013-02-60sec-spot1.aspx
@33 – Fredi thinks C.Johnson plays better defense. In other news, he also thinks Jordan Schafer is our best defensive outfielder and that Gerald Laird is good at anything at all. Fredi is a moron.
ANDRELTON!!!!!
Howboutcha Simmons?
I told you guys Andrelton is coming around. His swing has gotten nice and short in the past week.
That 2012 number was seriously pumped up by his defense, which he’s unlikely to continue at that level (his defense this year has been almost as bad as his offense, according to BR- minus-3 TFR). Expecting a repeat is as likely as a repeat of Uggla’s defensive performance last year. Without that, you’ve got a good but not great hitter demanding nine figures in free agency.
On a happier note, SIMMONS!
And the leadoff batter is not on base, as per like usual, sheesh.
@40 – UZR likes him just fine this year, and a 120 WRC+ with 27 HR as a 23 year old is pretty much exactly what you’d hope for out of someone you’re expecting to become a great hitter.
Edit: He also passes the eye test on defense so far this year, if you haven’t been watching. He’s made some spectacular, rangey plays.
@36 I’m typing on a phone, so will not get in a rant, but not using fat Juan at all simply confirms fredi’s issues. That cat is a homeless man’s bobby cox. I guess he is league average as a manager, but lord, he needs to get out of the way.
Roy Halladay’s given up four runs in the first in Cleveland. Doesn’t it just warm the heart?
El Oso Blanco es muy bueno!
Oso likes him some LHP
EL OSO BLACO HAS RETURNED
The bear is back!
44-I’ve always liked Roy Halladay. Wish he wasn’t a Phillie and I could wish him well.
I’m not sure why Gattis gets *any* fastballs at all until he hits some more breaking stuff, but I’m perfectly happy with that decision.
Free out!
Nice that BJ is finding a way to contribute.
Need one more push…
well dang. Get ’em Tim.
So far so good. Let’s hope that no further such threads won’t be unnecessary.
HUDDY WILL NOT BE DENIED
Just missed!
Hudson and Teheran are having quite the battle for best hitting pitcher.
Andrelton should never bunt again. That’s two now.
CJ is a hittin’ fool.
Simmons is so good at some things and it makes it so devastating when he screw up things like, you know, bunting.
Home run the first time up ad Fredi thinks he should sacrifice the pitcher over. (Admittedly, Gio made a heckuva diving catch.)
Still, every time I want to say something nice about Fredi, he just does not let me.
And Chris bails us out!
Hudson was interviewed on FOX on Saturday and he mentioned he’s at the point of his career where he watches more tape of his at-bats than he does of his pitching. It appears to be paying off!
Hit Machine makes sure that wasn’t too big of a miss.
Looked like Simmons was bunting for a hit.
Way to pick ’em up, CJ. Let’s knock him out here.
Stupid frikkin’ bunt. God I hate that crap.
I do like scoring runs early, though.
FREEEMAN!!!!
Unlike the gnats hits last night, the Braves hits tonight aren’t cheap in any way.
Radio guys mentioned it again, Hudson is 136-3 when he gets a lead of 3 or more runs. That really is stupid numbers.
Why isn’t anyone complaining about all the the first pitch swings we’ve had tonight?
@40, So you’re using 3 weeks worth of data to say that his defense this year is regressing?
I’ll never understand the scorn Heyward gets from fans as soon as he hits a small slump. (especially one that has everything to do with bad luck: .114 BABIP with a high line drive percentage) He’s immensely talented. From what I can tell, he’s a great teammate and person off the field. What’s not to like? He clearly deserves to be the face of the franchise and to say that he should sit for a 26 year old rookie after posting a 6.3 WAR last season is incredibly near-sighted and, frankly, ridiculous.
(End Rant.)
Great play by Freddie and Hudson there.
@49, I think that could be said for almost the entire lineup. This team can hit the fastball. You better be able to locate it. I would throw 75% offspeed stuff if I were pitching against us. Of course I’m thinking they might be able to adjust to a 59mph curve that doesn’t break…but assuming I had mlb-quality stuff I wouldn’t throw many fastballs to this lineup ever.
Seems like the Nats are in a hurry to get on over to Cheshire Bridge Road.
Let’s tack on a few more here, guys, and make this game Episode-proof.
Blergh.
Or not. Gosh, BJ.
Of course. BJ was lost and confused out there; after all, he’s never out there for any period of time.
The only thing I hate worse than caught stealings are bunts. Looks like we’ll still be doing a lot of both this year.
Hudson and Freeman got crossed up there or it would have been another nice double play.
Chip with the jinx as they go to break.
So wonderful to see Andrelton on a good run.
Nice at-bat, Andrelton.
CJ needs a couple days off.
Even Tom Glavine doesn’t have the sound on when watching the Braves. He had to scramble to wiggle out of that one!
WOOOOO! Gattis! Looks so much better at the plate tonight.
Gio is at 95 pitches through four. It’s pretty easy to live with
129 (heard that wrong) strikeouts in games like this.Gio would rather be masturbating anyway.
WOOHOO!
HUDDY!!!
That… that was the most perfect thing that’s ever happened on the baseball field.
HUDDY WHOOOO!!!!!
Chicks still dig the long ball!
Wonder how many times ESPN shows that Harper highlight?
Gameday says Huddy went yickety to the opposite field. Please tell me this is true.
Ouch. Huddy’s not gonna let this one go.
I think everybody’s glad to be back home.
94-You have no idea how much better the truth is.
CJ doesn’t need time off. Juan can stay where he is during this stretch.
Can’t wait to see how ESPN frames that homer. He must have done it on purpose.
Simmons just might be willie mays hayes
An IBB down 5 to get to Freeman is… dubious.
A mere mortal right fielder wouldn’t have gotten a glove on that ball, so it only would’ve been a double.
Olé, Adam.
This is the best.
I wonder if ESPN has enough time to get that play into their Bryce special.
Really, Harper fumbling that over the wall made it better than an upper deck homer.
@102 You have nailed the narrative.
Came here to post #105.
Ok, wow, that was awesome.
you don’t get a good look on the MLB replay, but it almost seemed like if Harper had just run to the wall instead of jumping he would have caught it.
Holy shit, that replay of Simmons just blew my mind.
@105, 108: A fair accounting of Bryce Harpseco will include the play.
I enjoy watching Harper swing at the ball *after* it bounces in the dirt.
Fantastic catch, BJ. He covers a boatload of ground.
My lineup against Zimmerman tomorrow: Success, Simmons, Jupton, Freeman, Gattis, Francisco, Pena, BJ, Maholm.
But Fredi probably keeps CJ and Uggla in the lineup.
Halladay gave up 8 runs in 3.2 innings tonight in Cleveland. He might not be fully back yet.
Delmon Young also homered and is 2 for 2 though, so I’m not sure if the game even counts.
Bryce Harper plays for October, the ad says.
He’ll only be off by two days. (Regular season ends Sept. 29.)
Fun fact – The Braves lead on Washington is entirely composed of wins against them.
Braves against the field 11-9, Nats 13-8
Fine recovery by Tim. Grab a shower, and on Sunday, you’ll be pitching for 201 wins.
Stranding a leadoff triple, well done, Huddy.
Damn, I love that Auburn War Eagler.
@120 Hudson was just showing off
I was taking care of yard work and just tuned in to mlbtv. I watched the Hudson homer replay five times. Awesome. Like a Coen brothers movie, each subsequent viewing causes me to notice and appreciate something new. My favorite part now is when Harper looks around at his feet for the ball, not realizing that clown defense led to a homer.
Very good stuff by Varvaro.
This date 2012 Barves were 4 games behind Natspros, now 3 1/2. If we hold on 4 1/2. 8 1/2 game swing
Fun fact – The Braves lead on Washington is entirely composed of wins against them.
Brought to you by the unbalanced schedule!
Natspros get to rest their bull pen tonight.
Natspros have played 7 more home games that Barves, to be 6 soon
Guy who caught the Huddy HR, just got a brand new signed Mizuno bat and $100 worth of Braves hats from Huddy. Nice work man, that ball is special.
@129 The Clown Ball
Mets lose on a walkoff wild pitch, LOL.
I want to hate Harper, but I enjoy watching him play.
@132: Those fly outs to deep left for Harper are infield flies for the average, lesser player. I can see why.
Gattis catching Hudson’s 200th must be quite a thrill for him. Feel a bit sorry for McCann.
///oh, and Tim Hudson, 200 Game winner
Congrats Tim! What an amazing job by him and the rest of the team.
Fantastic night. Huddy should have gotten 200 earlier, but this was pretty special, and he got it at home.
Bryce Begins… the first month of the 2013 season with a losing record. Of course, the Braves’ kicking ass is even better.
And as for Tim, Keep up this pace for a couple more seasons and Cooperstown will come calling.
Congrats Huddy. Wish you can win another 100 games with us!!!
Great game for Huddy, a night he’ll remember. Gattis, Simmons and Freeman looked good too. Maybe they’ll keep it going for a bit longer. Can’t wait to see tomorrow’s game.
And for the second night in a row: Lol, Mets.
Simmons talking some trash! I like it.
@141 What did he say?
I watched the last fifteen minutes of “Bryce Begins” while awaiting Baseball Tonight. Insufferable.
@142 I didn’t write it down, but it was in reference to their comment after the last series about how they were the better club and we were just hot. He was like “Well, if they don’t think we’re the better club, we’ll have to keep pounding them until they start believing it.”
@144 lol, that’s awesome.
Too bad Hudson wasn’t going for his 200th career win, huh?
@144 Haha, go Simmons! I was thinking about that comment today, too. Coming into this series, the Braves were anything but hot. I love beating the Nats!
Much easier to play the sub .50089+ NatsPros than the first place Pirates, Rockies and Tigers or second place Royals.
Hudson did not win his 200th game and did not homer.
In other news, we have always been at war with Eastasia.
@132
I feel the same way about Harper, and to a lesser degree, this entire Natspos club.
@123
Say what you will about Harper, but he’s a worthy f******g adversary.
Bryce Begins will be about as awkward as ‘In My Own Words: Francoeur’ if things don’t go as expected.
He’s going to be a very good player for a long time, barring injury. I appreciate the chance to see a potentially great player in the sport at the start of a career.
148 — Also apparently much easier than playing the crappy Natspos teams of years past.
@150
That he is, but his aggression will not stand, man.
“It was Hudson’s night,” Gonzalez said. “Tip your cap.”
THAT’S RIGHT, FREDI. Bow down only to your own players.
Come on Gaddis please learn how to play 2B … I know its not gonna happen … but poor ole Sruggla .. gotta feel for him .. he plays hard , hustles and roots for teammates .. great teammate but dang he has lost his ability to hit .. and we got him for 2 more years past this one at about 15 mil per
Anybody live in Ft. Lauderdale? Good lord! Las Olas Blvd on a weeknight!
My friend asks that we nickname Evan Gattis “The Recognition,” in honor of this book, and because I am always in favor of obscure literary allusions, I agreed so long as we are allowed to continue calling him El Oso Blanco.
So, The Recognition had a great game.
I’m thinking that 200 wins will become the new plateau for HoF consideration. Can anyone get to 300? I think Verlander and Sabathia have a chance, but they’d have to go injury-free while averaging 15 wins a season for the next 6-7 seasons (Sabathia) or 11-12 seasons (Verlander). I’m discounting Pettitte, Halladay, and Huddy. Anyone else have a shot at 300 that I’m forgetting?
They’ve been saying that no one could get to 300 for more than a decade now, and the line has been crossed several times since then. It requires a freakish longevity, but it could certainly happen.
@159/160, see Mac’s great writing on those who think we’ve seen the last 300-game winner:
http://bravesjournal.us/?p=1183
It’s funny, because Mac was responding to an article proclaiming Maddux would “probably” be the last 300-game winner. Of course, since then, Randy Johnson and Tom Glavine did it.
@70 Sure, Heyward had a pretty good season over all in 2012, but let’s not pretend like Jason hasn’t had his share of mysterious injuries that sideline or cripple his ability to be a productive player. He’s really only had one commanding season at the plate (his rookie year), and last year was a big step forward for a guy who seemed to completely lose it with the bat the year before. Do you know what Jason Heyward’s WAR was the year he was lost at the plate? 1.9. For a guy who could be the face of the franchise, missing a month of the season to an appendectomy is both startling and cringe-worthy. Who is this guy, David Justice Jr.?? Gimme a moment to digest this.
Some good points are raised regarding Heyward’s contact this year and the fact that he will start to rake sooner or later. Too bad we may have to wait until June to see if that’s going to happen.
I was the one who probably broke open the thought of replacing him with Gattis. What can I say? Gattis needs to stay in the lineup, and sooner than later we’re going to have to cross that river one way or the other when McCann is ready. If Heyward’s too busy rubbing his tummy in the dugout, I’m hoping it’s Evan Gattis in the lineup and not Reed Johnson. 😉
Sabathia has as good a chance as anyone.
@162 I personally am prepared not to blame Jason Heyward for getting appendicitis. In the annals of physical ailments a human being can fairly be said to have played no part in bringing upon himself, surely an inflamed appendix qualifies for inclusion. When he screws his leg up riding a motorbike in violation of his contract, then maybe we can talk.
(Aside: I was on a plane with Ron Gant the late winter after that happened, Boston-to-Atlanta after he’d been seen by the Red Sox doctors. He looked like someone who had accidentally killed his own dog. I’ve never seen a clearer look of self-recrimination. He knew he had screwed himself and his career in grand fashion.)
Sabathia’s only 32. He needs 15 wins a year until he’s 39 or 12 wins a year until he’s 41. That seems pretty likely.
After that, it could be a while, but Justin Verlander and especially Felix Hernandez look like they have good chances.
As for Gattis, it’d make more sense for him to replace BJ Upton; I’m pretty sure Gattis only ever played left field. Moving BJ to right has him both out of posiiton and still sucking rocks at the plate.
Heyward’s probably going to be fine eventually, and a burst appendix isn’t his fault, but we probably need to accept that he’s more likely to be Justice or Gant than Hank Aaron at this point.
@165
You’re right. Hey, I’d be fine with another Justice
A Gant without a motorcycle?
Honestly, to me the player Heyward most resembles in terms of overall skill set is Andruw. Which makes me both excited for his future and resigned about his reputation.
Anyone who was expecting Hank Aaron 2.0 might have been overshooting the mark. If we get Andruw, or even Justice, then I’ll be very happy.
Much as I love Ron Gant, I have to admit that would be disappointing.
Snowing again in Denver, home of first place Rockies
April WAR:
JUpton 1.9
Gattis .8
Simmons .7
CJ .6
Francisco .4
Freeman .4
Pena .4
Schafer .4
Laird .2
RJ -.1
Heyward -.2
Uggla -.6
BJ -.7
Heyward, Uggla and BJ a collective -1.5 WAR. The NJMVP (Non-Justin MVP) thus far is the entire bench (except Reed Johnson).
Shocked that Pena, Success! and Laird are doing so well.
Pena, Laird and Success! (I like your addition of the exclamation point) are the low-strikeout, relatively high-contact elements of a batting order that I firmly believe contribute to an offense being more than the sum of its parts.
Giants have won two of the last three championships. Not so much when they had the greatest home run hitter of my lifetime – Barry “Solo” Bonds.
Which is why two of those three (doesn’t matter which) should probably be in the lineup at all times.
Speaking of Success!
More than anything, the Astros need low-cost, talented ballplayers, right? That sure sounds like Success! to me.
How big a jerk must he have been for them to simply say “You’re not worth the aggravation”?
Apparently, he has modified the attitude sufficiently to stick with a team that doesn’t tolerate too much of that stuff and had a stacked (so we thought) outfield to begin with.
Has Jordan seen the light? Did getting released by the worst team in baseball actually knock some sense into his head?
Speaking of Success!
More than anything, the Astros need low-cost, talented ballplayers, right? That sure sounds like Success! to me.
How big a jerk must he have been for them to simply say “You’re not worth the aggravation”?
Apparently, he has modified the attitude sufficiently to stick with a team that doesn’t tolerate too much of that stuff and had a stacked (so we thought) outfield to begin with.
Has Jordan seen the light? Did getting released by the worst team in baseball actually knock some sense into his head?
@175 I plagiarize the best.
Playing for Astros is bad for morale. They needed a whipping boy. Nothing yet to complain about Success! Will he be part of a trade again?
The Astros waived Success because he was awful for them and not that young anymore.
Is Gattis that smart to adjust to ML pitching, motivated or just really good. His ability not to swing at balls outside the zone and go the other way is so non Frenchy.
Success just made it to ML too early and lost 2 years of development due to injury.
I suspect Reed Johnson is on his way out of town when Heyward comes back. He might clear waivers and accept an assignment to Gwinnett.
181- I think you mean “…due to being a knucklehead.”
@173, at this point do you consider CJ a bench player or a starter? He’s my NJMVP to date.
//and fun fact – Sabathia has the second highest win total through age 29, behind Catfish Hunter and tied with Doc Gooden.
It is hard for me to believe that Sabathia is only 32. Of course, going 17-5 as a 20 year old is a pretty amazing feat.
Success! is a good 4th OF that can come in and run for you.
I agree about Johnson. He looks to be on his way out.
184-I had in mind Pena, Schafer and Laird, who’ve managed to put up 1.0 WAR in only about 15 more plate appearances than CJ, who is obviously a defensible choice for NJMVP. But his value has been dangerously BABIP dependent, his defense is still bad, and by the end of May I think he will be back in a straight platoon with Juan, while Simmons will be the runaway NJMVP.
@175 – Really, you think two of Schafer, Pena and Laird “should be in the lineup at all times”? Your post is chock full of old school anti-logic that would make Joe Morgan proud.
Schafer (.474), Pena (.333) and Laird (.360) are all enjoying crazy-high BABIPs. Only Laird has any semblance of power, and when these three guys inevitably revert to the mean, they’ll again look like the decent role players that they are. I have a little hope for Schafer retaining value at the plate, given that he’s suddenly stopped swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, but keep in mind Schafer came into this season with a career 26.5% K rate, higher than any member of our starting outfield.
What I’m getting at is, I know that strikeouts are frustrating and all, but there’s just no evidence that Schafer/Pena/Laird’s particular style of offense will make this team “more than the sum of its parts”, relative to the far more talented players we have that are currently injured and/or slumping.
I enjoyed this. Jason gave a War Eagle to Huddy last night, then this happened:
Giants have won two of the last three championships. Not so much when they had the greatest home run hitter of my lifetime – Barry “Solo” Bonds.
This statement hurts my brain it’s so ridiculous.
Did Bond’s throw from left field get perhaps the slowest runner in baseball out at home? Sid Bream has speed?
Speaking of Barry Bonds, this is amusing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Signed-Barry-Bonds-Say-No-To-Drugs-Autograph-1987-Donruss-Rookie-PSA-Rare-Auth-/221221377887?pt=US_Autographed_Trading_Cards&hash=item3381d2575f
That Laird, Pena and Success! have been useful players is the biggest surprise of the season so far for me. I hope it continues, but don’t expect it to.
Even though Laird hasn’t totally sucked, it’s always a disappointment to see his name in the lineup because it means that Gattis isn’t (particularly with the return of Freeman), and as a fan I want my fair share of bear.
Recapped. New thread.