BBTF's Game Chatter Discussion :: NL East Champion Atlanta Braves at NL Wild Card Houston Astros, 1:05 PM ET on ESPN

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Sunday, October 09, 2005

NL East Champion Atlanta Braves at NL Wild Card Houston Astros, 1:05 PM ET on ESPN

T. Hudson (0-1, 6.75) vs.B. Backe (0-0, 0.00)
Houston leads 2-1.

It wouldn’t be October if the Braves weren’t losing another playoff series I guess. This is a favorable matchup for them, although Backe’s home ERA was only 3.41, compared to a road ERA of 5.83.

SG in ATL Posted: October 09, 2005 at 11:43 AM | 712 comment(s)
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1. Madison Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:13 PM (#1672153)

I don't want to be too critical of a manager who's gotten his team to the playoffs 14 years running, but does Cox manage like this during the regular season? Because he's made a bunch of are bad in-game moves. His intentional walks, his refusal to use Farnsworth in high-leverage spots, and now his starting Hudson on short rest, despite that backfiring on the Braves and Hudson more often than not... and more I'm forgetting.

Not that I mind. I'm an Astros guy. The only one here?

2. Brian White Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:23 PM (#1672161)

Who's this clown behind the plate? Does he realize its only 17 inches wide?

3. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:25 PM (#1672164)

Cox didn't bench Jones "several times." He benched him once.

4. Richard Gadsden Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:25 PM (#1672165)

Not that I mind. I'm an Astros guy. The only one here?

bbchick is an Astros gal here

5. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:26 PM (#1672166)

Jesus christ. Apparently the ghost of eric gregg is at the park today. Bobby cox is going to get thrown out.

And if I'm hudson, I'm plunking backe's ##### ass.

6. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:31 PM (#1672173)

Well, the ump must have an early dinner reservation or something. It's going to be a long day for the braves hitters.

See, IMO a crappy ump helps pitchers who have marginal control, like backe, and takes the advantage away from pitchers who have good control like hudson.

7. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:35 PM (#1672176)

Apparently the ump is NOT calling the same strike zone for both teams.

8. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:38 PM (#1672178)

Hudson looks good. Hopefully he'll be good enough to outweigh this craptastic ump.

9. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:39 PM (#1672179)

Hudson got torched in the first game of the series against Minnesota on regular rest, O'Brien. Shut up.

10. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:41 PM (#1672183)

Hudson got torched in the first game of the series against Minnesota on regular rest, O'Brien. Shut up.

That's what I thought, but my memory wasn't goo enough to say it.

These announcers are slightly better than yesterdays.

11. bunyon Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:42 PM (#1672186)

Yep, Cox manages this way most of the time. IMO, he's fair as an in-game manager. His genius is outside the game - motivating people, putting people in position to succeed, etc. He makes some mistakes, but generally sets people up to do their best and then stays out of the way. It is, as I've said many times here, a technique much more in line with the regular season than the postseason.

12. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:42 PM (#1672187)

Erin Andrews in a tight shirt. Good idea.

13. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:44 PM (#1672192)

Hudson hurt his oblique on the eve of those playoffs and got bombed in both his starts. He started against Boston on short rest the following year and left after an inning. With an oblique injury. If O'Brien wants to harp on a theme, it shouldn't be the short rest.

14. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:47 PM (#1672198)

Any idea how pitches Hudson is good for on short rest? The longer they can stay away from the Braves' bullpen, the better

15. bunyon Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:50 PM (#1672202)

By all appearances, Hudson had better be sharp for nine innings. What a shitty bullpen.

16. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:53 PM (#1672204)

He's probably good for 90-100, which will hopefully get him through seven and bypass the non-Farnsworth portion of the bullpen.

17. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:55 PM (#1672208)

LaRoche!

18. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:55 PM (#1672209)

Whoops. There's your punishment for walking/HBPing the bases loaded.

19. bunyon Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:55 PM (#1672210)

Woooooooohoooooooooo

###### A

20. rembini06 Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:55 PM (#1672212)

Erin Andrews in a tight shirt. Good idea.

I may have to watch this game.

21. bunyon Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:56 PM (#1672216)

Somewhere, my dad is telling whoever he can that Adam LaRoche can't hit.

22. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 01:58 PM (#1672217)

Grand ####### slam. #### you backe.

23. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:02 PM (#1672223)

Somewhere, my dad is telling whoever he can that Adam LaRoche can't hit.

Just like the rest of the knee jerk braves fans. Braves journal has an absurd hatred of him.

The crowd doesn't like the strike zone now. #### you houston.

24. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:04 PM (#1672226)

36 pitches through three.

25. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:05 PM (#1672227)

Hey houston fans, unlike the pitches your scrub was getting earlier, those were actually strikes, so shut the #### up, you redneck #############.

Oh, and the roof thing is stupid. You play in a retractable roof stadium. It's a nice day. Open the ####### roof, or just go back and play in the ####### astrodome.

26. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:11 PM (#1672233)

Backe ought to really try and hold it at 4. Seems like that's a doable comeback on the 'Stros bullpen

27. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:13 PM (#1672234)

Can we stop calling backe a "young " pitcher please? He's 27.

28. bunyon Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:15 PM (#1672235)

Just like the rest of the knee jerk braves fans. Braves journal has an absurd hatred of him.

No, Dad really likes him. He also really likes Giles, though he is constantly calling me to tell me awful his swing is. We have a little routine; Dad calls me and says, "That kid with the awful swing is up." I'll say, "Uh-huh." Then Giles will hit a home run.

Oh, and the roof thing is stupid. You play in a retractable roof stadium. It's a nice day. Open the #### roof, or just go back and play in the #### astrodome.

Amen.

29. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:16 PM (#1672236)

Er, Braves' bullpen.

30. Biff, Red Sox Jinx Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:17 PM (#1672238)

Hey houston fans, unlike the pitches your scrub was getting earlier, those were actually strikes, so shut the #### up, you redneck #############.

Oh, and the roof thing is stupid. You play in a retractable roof stadium. It's a nice day. Open the #### roof, or just go back and play in the #### astrodome.

rb, you have some major anger issues.

31. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:18 PM (#1672239)

Andruw!

46 through four.

32. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:20 PM (#1672240)

Nice to see Sutcliffe riding Berkman for only having a .934 OPS in 468 at bats...

33. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:22 PM (#1672245)

Good to see a hit by giles there.

I guess giles was holding up, making sure the ball wasn't caught?

Stupid espn needs to show me a replay of the andruw play. I was on the can.

34. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:23 PM (#1672246)

He's not riding him, he's making excuses for why it wasn't 1.034.

35. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:26 PM (#1672250)

Normally, a team would be excited about getting to a team's bullpen this early, but given the trouble the braves have had this year with middle relievers, I don't expect any more runs to score.

36. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:28 PM (#1672251)

Who is the Hudson character? It's not the same guy I watch on Wednesday.

37. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:30 PM (#1672254)

Why oh why was Laroche bunting?

38. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:34 PM (#1672258)

Nice to see Sutcliffe riding Berkman for never getting on track after his knee injury...

He only posted a .934 OPS in 468 at bats...

A little down from his normal standards, but easily the 2nd best offensive player on the team in 2005...

39. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:42 PM (#1672263)

[wipes sweat from brow]

40. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:42 PM (#1672264)

Weeellllllll, that was scary.

41. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:46 PM (#1672265)

Good job fan, you're a moron, you'll fit right in in houston.

No way hudson goes to second otherwise.

42. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:51 PM (#1672266)

10 games?! By himself?

Where's randal when you need him?

43. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:52 PM (#1672268)

That sacrifice sure payed off.

44. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:52 PM (#1672269)

That dp is why i hate the furcal bunt. I think he could've worked a hit off of springer.

45. Brian White Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:54 PM (#1672270)

I sure hope the missed opportunities in the last two innings don't come back to haunt the Braves.

And unless Hudson can go 8, they probably will. Ugh.

46. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:55 PM (#1672272)

The problem with rolling over and losing a bunch of games after you clinch the division is that stupid announcers will eventually look back and say you barely snuck in.

47. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 02:59 PM (#1672275)

Well, that's a great ####### inning there. Exactly the kind of innning we needed.

48. Sam M. Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:06 PM (#1672279)

And unless Hudson can go 8, they probably will. Ugh.

I have a question. Since Smoltz isn't going to be available to start a Game 5 anyway, if it really came down to a situation where the Braves had to get a guy out or lose, would the Braves pull a Hershiser* and bring him in in this game?

* - Game 4, 1988 NLCS

49. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:08 PM (#1672281)

Can Smoltz come back tomorrow? On three days?

50. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:09 PM (#1672282)

Cox goes to his starters out of the bullpen all the time, but Smoltz said a few days ago that he wouldn't be doing that until the World Series.

51. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:09 PM (#1672283)

Why in the hell was laroche running there? And how in the #### did he not make it? Was he running backwards?

52. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:11 PM (#1672285)

If that run turns out to matter, I'll be siding with the laroche haters from now on.

53. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:13 PM (#1672286)

He either wasn't running hard, or he is not very fast.

54. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:18 PM (#1672292)

It's a short throw from the corner -- especially that corner -- so you almost never see slow runners get sent on that play. LaRoche was pulling up because he's smarter than his third base coach.

55. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:18 PM (#1672294)

Hudson at 81 pitches through 7. Maybe he can finish. Save Farnsy for the staff game tomorrow.

56. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:19 PM (#1672295)

Boy did we need that double play. I think huddy is spent. He should probably be pinch hit for, and would be, if we had a bullpen, but I wouldn't second guess bobby for panicking and hitting him (he already has two hits) so that he can send him back out in the 8th, as we have no bullpen.

At all.

57. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:20 PM (#1672297)

Sutcliffe made it sound as though Smoltz almost certainly can't pitch tomorrow and definitely can't pitch today.

Which probably means Smoltz will go 2 today and start tomorrow

58. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:21 PM (#1672298)

Mccann is a hero.

59. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:21 PM (#1672299)

Brian McCann, insurance salesman.

60. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:21 PM (#1672300)

Especially with Wandy Rodriguez in there now, Hudson can finish it up.

61. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:22 PM (#1672304)

I would pinch hit for Hudson after that homerun.

62. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:26 PM (#1672309)

Here's hoping that bad Hudson doesn't show up in the 8th.

63. Sam M. Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:28 PM (#1672311)

At this point, it's not looking like they'll need Smoltz for that one critical out, anyway.

So if he can't/won't start tomorrow, who will it be? I'm not watching the game (stuck at the office), but have they said, or is Cox keeping it to himself?

64. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:30 PM (#1672313)

Here we go...

65. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:32 PM (#1672315)

Furcal should have gone to first there.

66. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:32 PM (#1672319)

Dr. Tightpants to the rescue.

67. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:32 PM (#1672320)

Thank god it's farnsworth. I was so scared there for a second.

68. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:32 PM (#1672321)

And Farnsworth comes in.

69. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:35 PM (#1672323)

Although farns does have the look of someone who might give up a dong to biggio.

Good move by bobby bringing him in here. No need to save him for next inning, when it might be too late.

Don't think I didn't notice the sitting down of laroche as well.

70. Dales Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:35 PM (#1672324)

Putting out the fire, with the gasoline...

71. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:35 PM (#1672325)

MLB.com quotes Cox as saying Saturday night it would either be Ramirez or Thomson if it gets to Game 5, with Smoltz available in the pen.

72. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:37 PM (#1672329)

LaRoche would've been able to keep his foot on the bag. That switch defies reason.

73. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:39 PM (#1672331)

LaRoche would've been able to keep his foot on the bag. That switch defies reason.

It appears julio DID keep his foot on the bag, but that switch was stupid, though bobby does that a lot.

74. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:40 PM (#1672332)

What is the point of a "Career Vs. Farnsworth: First at-bat" graphic

75. Brian White Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:43 PM (#1672337)

Come on, Kyle, throw a frickin' strike.

There's no excuse for walking Luke Scott in that situation.

76. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM (#1672338)

Rally-killing grand slam ...

77. RB in NYC (Now with Christmas Spirit!) Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM (#1672339)

Wowza

78. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM (#1672341)

I hate my life.

79. Sam M. Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM (#1672344)

Holy cow. Holy (forgetting) cow.

80. rembini06 Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:44 PM (#1672343)

I'm not watching the game (stuck at the office),

I seem to remember watching some games down at the SAC, but that was ten years ago.

81. Ted in Murray Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:45 PM (#1672345)

Damn it all to Hell!

82. Brian White Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:45 PM (#1672346)

)&(%)(&#@$*)(&**#)*_@#$&*(%!!!!

Dammit, somehow our bullpen suckiness disease infected Farnsworth, too,

83. rembini06 Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:45 PM (#1672347)

Tim McCarver: That's a great way to kill the Astros' rally.

84. Dales Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:45 PM (#1672348)

The Braves are nothing if not consistent.

85. Sam M. Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:47 PM (#1672353)

You have to admire a team that pulls a double-steal with one out, down by five runs in the 8th.

86. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:48 PM (#1672355)

I was sitting there, thinking that this would be a great place for an intentional bases loaded walk, and listening to sutcliffe's dumbass talk about how if you walk him, you would be worse off that if you gave up a grand slam, and I was thinking that sut was a moron.

Of course, we got robbed on the double play, and farns should not have walked that scrub.

87. Squash Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:49 PM (#1672356)

re: 83, I was actually surprised by Joe Morgan yesterday when he said he didn't agree with Chone Figgins's comment that a triple was better than a homerun.

88. Dales Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:49 PM (#1672357)

The Braves are nothing if not consistent.

89. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:50 PM (#1672359)

I'm glad farns has thrown so many pitches, so that he'll be even easier to hit next inning. That'll be great.

90. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:50 PM (#1672360)

Hoo boy. To the ninth.

91. Greg Maddux School of Reflexive Profanity Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:52 PM (#1672366)

Sutcliffe didn't say you're better off giving up a grand slam, he said you're better off challenging the hitter, because even if you give up a grand slam, you're still ahead. And he's right. If you throw strikes, chances are the guy will make an out. If you don't throw strikes, you guarantee that the tying run comes to the plate.

92. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:52 PM (#1672368)

Anyone want to make a bet on the number of times sut mentions how large laroche's non-run looms?

93. Sam M. Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:53 PM (#1672373)

The good news for Atlanta: they did clear the heart of the Astros' order . . . .

94. Brian White Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:53 PM (#1672374)

Okay, the bad news is that the five run cushion is gone, and Farnsworth has thrown a bunch of pitches.

The good news is that the lead is still one, and the bottom of the order is coming up.

Do the Astros have any threats off the bench left besides Bagwell?

95. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:54 PM (#1672379)

I would rather walk berkman and walk in a run, then pitch to ensberg, than give berkman an opportunity to bat in that situation.

96. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:55 PM (#1672381)

Garner with Stengel-type substitutions there ... moving his shortstop to center field, moving about four guys around.

97. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 03:58 PM (#1672385)

According to the box I'm looking at it would be Vizcaino-Ausmus-Bruntlett coming up. I think the only guys left on the bench are Bagwell and the backup catcher.

98. Bunny Vincennes Posted: October 09, 2005 at 04:00 PM (#1672387)

Wow, this got interesting in a hurry.

99. Urban Faber Posted: October 09, 2005 at 04:01 PM (#1672389)

And to the bottom of the ninth.

Bagwell hasn't had an extra-base hit since he came back but Sutcliffe is talking about how he's going to try to tie it. My guess is he hits for Ausmus.

100. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Tokyo Posted: October 09, 2005 at 04:01 PM (#1672391)

Yahoo has Lane-Vizcaino-Ausmus due.

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Sunday, October 09, 2005

NL East Champion Atlanta Braves at NL Wild Card Houston Astros, 1:05 PM ET on ESPN

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