Braves Thread: Next 9 should tell us what we need to know

[Oxford Godfrey]

Following two run-heavy wins after a drought, we're entering four at LA and three hosting Philly bookending a 2 game spot against the Nats.

We need at least five to six wins in the next nine to get back in the Wildcard.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

I think the Braves will stay in the hunt until the end. They close with 16 of their last 19 against the Nats, Marlins, and Mets. That's a great opportunity to put together a 14-5 type streak and make up ground. The bad part is they don't have any games against the real contenders, the Rockies, Giants, Cards and Cubs, so even if they get hot there is likely to be some scoreboard watching. Of all the teams in the hunt though, I am not sure the Braves overall pitching is not the best. Soriano at the end has been a difference maker.

 

[Oxford Godfrey]

Imagine 2010 if Hudson comes back, though. Ditch Kawakami from the rotation and you've got Lowe, Vasquez, Hanson and Hudson. That's a rotation.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

You gonna let Jurrjens pitch too? I think Hansen and Jurrjens turn into the two best starters in 2010, if not already. Vazquez is always going to be a .500 pitcher with a lot of innings, which is fine. Lowe is 36 and looks to be on the down side of his career. (I was never a fan of that signing in the first place, at least as a #1 starter.) Hudson is a question mark.

 

[Ice fishing and 40 ozs]

We should have Neftali Feliz in there as well....had to have Tex though.

But I agree that rotation is pretty sick assuming T-Hud comes back healthy. hypothetically

If we can avoid melting down against the Nats which has been the case before then I think the WC is still there. Those are the the games that scare me the most .

 

[msudawg12]

you gotta have Jurijens there as well. He has been solid

 

[o_oxfordstudy]

First off i'm a braves fan so yeah i'm a little biased, but i think we still have a shot at the Division. We play 9 games against phillies, 9 against fla and nine against the mets. Like someone daid we don't play any of the guys leading the wildcard, and i'm def not saying we don't have a shot with the roatation we have I think we could win either if our bats stay hot.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

[No message]

 

[alabamadog]

were suggesting that would happen before the deadline, so I could see that happening.

 

[wbc40]

I think things will start going downhill quickly. I would love to see the Braves make a run at the wild card, but I just don't think we have the lineup to get it done (although acquiring LaRoche has definitely helped).

 

[TheHorrorTheHorror]

I think things will start going downhill quickly. I would love to see the Braves make a run at the wild card, but I just don't think we have the lineup to get it done (although acquiring LaRoche has definitely helped).

^^^
i wouldve never said that, or thought i'd hear someone say it. he has been good so far.
after seasons of screaming at 'LaCrotch' striking out with runners in scoring position, i think he'll do fine down the stretch.

edited for spelling

 

[War Machine Dawg]

the only reason we didn't deal him before the deadline is as insurance aGAINST Huddy's return. He's looked great in his rehab assignments so far, but you never know. Assuming he comes back 100%, I think it's certain JV is dealt for a big bat. Now where that bat will play is a different question. I think we re-sign Garrett Anderson, Schafer *should* be ready next season, Church & Diaz will both still be under contract along with McLouth. I also think Heyward will be ready and will be called up in June. I think we see this OF coming out of next spring; CF - Schafer, RF - McLouth, LF - Anderson. That only leaves 1B & 2B as possibilities, but you can scratch 1B, as Freddie Freeman should be ready by 2011 at the worst. We'll look for a one year player (Russell Branyan?) to fill the hole at 1B in 2010. I love Prado at 2B, but if you could get a solid bat there, I could see us moving him to 1B next season as the stop-gap. One thing is certain, it'll be an interesting offseason.

 

[Lion O]

I've never seen an MLB player pull away from the plate the way he does every single pitch like a 9 year old against the hardest throwing kid in the Junior Baseball League.

It pisses me off, along with his smirk and nonchalant attitude.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

Have you seen his numbers the last month? He's hitting .309, .857 OPS, 4 HR, 13 RBI, and 12 R. Considering it took him through mid-June to complete what was essentially spring training, I've been pleased. Dude's still a great hitter, and he's proving it. If he goes through spring training next season, he should be fine. The problem will be what to do with him when we call up Heyward. McLouth is too good to platoon, Heyward won't platoon, and Schafer won't platoon. Next year's OF could get really crowded in a hurry. As for his attitude, if there was a problem, you'd hear about it. But you never hear anything from the team, management, or the media about him being anything other than a great teammate. Next!

 

[Lion O]

I said I loathe him.

His swing makes me cringe.

And his attitude when on the field makes me want to punch him in the face. K looking with 2 RISP? Same face as if he gets a single. He appears to play with zero emotion, and that aggravates me. He looks like he just doesn't care.

 

[ArrowDawg]

.....and their place in the standings. The Braves unfortunately have become more of a budget franchise recently, and their yearly results since 2005 prove it.

I'm still a Braves fan, but reality check tells me they'll fade away once again in these last few weeks. I don't see them being any kind of a real contender again anytime soon, not unless they start spending money again.