And the Braves win the NL East

[Curby]

I hope it's not just another prelude to a playoff choke.

The difference this year, is the options that Fredi has for his playoff roster.

And the question is...who will represent the Bravos in the playoffs? Who will be starting pitchers, and what order? There are a multitude of outfielders. Many of which are role/utility players. It's hard to say which ones should play and which are best at the plate. Is Heyward gunshy after getting drilled in the face? How valuable would Shaeffer be? How many "Johnsons" do you play? I've lost track of how many "Johnsons" are on the team.

Do we trust Fredi to make the right decisions? He's done an above average job as a skipper this year.

 

[shoeless joe]

Yep...this team is young and very streaky. Which, if they get hot, they could win the whole thing. The key I believe will be one of the guys like BJ or uggla getting a decent streak going to add to what Freddie, Simmons, and Mac have brought all year. This team is a lot like the 91team but with offense up and down and a front line closer.

As far as fredi Gonzalez goes I actually think he may be better in the postseason than Bobby Cox. Cox was probably. the greatest regular season manager but he was too conservative and too "by the book" come October.

Starting rotation will most likely be: medlen, minor, and Teheran. Young guys but they can shut down an opponent when they're on. If the starters can keep the games close and let the 3 run Homer get the lead or get em back in a game it could be a big run thru post season. If the young arms struggle and the K bug bites it could be a quick exit.

 

[whiskeydawg]

do you think they will try to win the rest of the games to keep home field advantage or rest the starters? They have been playing much better at home so I think they really need that advantage to keep advancing.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

If I was a Braves fan I would try to avoid the Dodgers in the opening series. Kershaw and Grinke have been lights out since July. That is a tough 1-2 punch.

 

[msstate7]

They've gotta go for homefield IMO. 1.5 game lead with 7 games at home against teams with losing records

 

[shoeless joe]

Gotta go for home field. I'd sit a different Guy every day to give em a rest and line up the rotation but I'd try to finish with best record.

 

[MetEdDawg]

100% have to go for home field

52-22 at home (best in baseball), and 40-41 on the road (worst among division winners and 2nd worst out of teams that will make the playoffs). Braves will have a huge home field advantage and those home/away splits tell you all you need to know. Get home field if possible.

Thing that may help is that the Braves play two sub .500 teams at home to end the season in the Brewers and the Phillies. Cards play the Nats and Cubs at home and the Dodgers play @ the Giants and home against the Rockies. Braves have the schedule advantage there over those two teams. With a 1.5 game lead for home field over the Cards, I think the Braves can go 4-3 and probably tie the Cards for best overall record and win the tie breaker with a 4-3 record over the Cards during the regular season.

 

[klong-dog]

We DENITELY need to play for home field ADV. Big mistake if we're trying to rest guys and lose that best record/home field ADV.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

But you're not, so STFU and let them talk amongst themselves.

 

[Philly Dawg]

The Braves were fortunate that the Nationals had as many injuries and other disruptions early in the year that they had. But they were nevertheless a solid team. I don't see them as a real contender, but I wouldn't mind being wrong about that.