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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Braves will win the N.L. East if …

Here are five things the Braves need to do to get back in the hunt for a division title:

Produce some pop

Either the existing Braves hitters need to start hitting for power, or the Braves need to acquire some. The Braves have only 68 home runs in 88 games, which ranks 13th in the National League. Chipper Jones leads the team with only nine home runs, leaving the Braves as the only team in the majors without a player in double digits. (Nate McLouth has 14, but his first nine were as a Pirate.) Jones hasn’t hit one since June 28. For a lineup the Braves had hoped might produce multiple players with 20 or more home runs, only McLouth is on pace to reach that.

...

Hit in the late innings

Overall, the Braves’ offense has struggled, but the lineup has been especially fruitless in the late innings. As a team, the Braves have hit .272 over the first six innings, which is tied for second-best in the National League. But from the seventh inning on, they have hit only .238, 14th in the NL. Look at the dip in numbers for some key hitters late in games, when they face specialist relievers and closers: Garret Anderson’s batting average drops from .313 to .195, Escobar’s from .325 to .217, Casey Kotchman’s from .305 to .210 and Jones’ from .305 to .250.

plus, Francoeur returns to Turner Field Thursday

Coot Veal and Cot Deal Posted: July 16, 2009 at 07:39 AM | 18 comment(s)
Related News: Atlanta, NY Mets

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1. rb's team is hopeful for the new year! Posted: July 16, 2009 at 09:31 AM (#3255950)

Also, if they get a whole new bullpen, as bobby has ruined this one.

2. wjones Posted: July 16, 2009 at 09:46 AM (#3255968)

Yes, the bullpen situation worries me greatly. Last year our starting rotation went down completely and our bullpen took the brunt of it. This year we have greatly enhanced our rotation, and...our bullpen is taking the brunt of it. Moylan, O'Flaherty, Gonzalez, and Soriano are all among the league leaders in appearances. Our starters are rarely asked to go beyond the 6th inning, so it's almost always a lock that at least four pitchers will work the games. Gonzalez is already showing some strain, both in effectiveness and health, and Moylan is just coming off surgery (be very afraid). Acosta is finally getting worked into the mix, but last weekend HE was used 3 days in a row! Maybe when Hudson is healthy, he could pitch in the pen, but that probably won't be until the end of August. Have no idea how injured Campillo is, or whether Bobby would consider giving more innings to Medlen, but something needs to be done, and soon, if they plan to stay in contention.

3. Latnam's first name is Bob Lemon's middle name. Posted: July 16, 2009 at 09:49 AM (#3255974)

The stupid channels have already started running commercials hyping the chance to see Jeff Francoeur's return to Turner Field.

I'm going to the game on Friday, and I was excited about the chance to finally boo Jeff with as much hate as he deserves. Then I started thinking that the "boo" is a sign of respect, and do I want to impart that unto him? Then I further thought that most people would probably cheer for him anyway, and I wept for the state of humanity.

4. Ryan Jones Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM (#3255981)

Then I started thinking that the "boo" is a sign of respect, and do I want to impart that unto him?

For a long time foe, it's a sign of respect. It's not when it's a returning player who you hated when he was with the team, and were glad when he's gone.

Jays fans booing Jeter - sign of respect. Jays fans booing Hillenbrand - sign of hatred and disrespect.

5. Latnam's first name is Bob Lemon's middle name. Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:03 AM (#3255984)

Jays fans booing Jeter - sign of respect. Jays fans booing Hillenbrand - sign of hatred and disrespect.

Good point. The boo is on! Now I've just got to make myself heard over the sounds of adoration.

6. ChuckO Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:04 AM (#3255985)

I chuckle when reading these kinds of articles. They make it sound like hitting better is something that the Braves can do by trying harder, or something like that. The Braves' problem on offense is that they don't have enough hitters with real talent, and the current crop isn't going to morph overnight into the kind of hitters they need.

7. Sam Hutcheson (perhaps some sort of ninja) Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:09 AM (#3255990)

Yes, the bullpen situation worries me greatly.

Tim Hudson.

8. Dr Love Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM (#3256005)

Tim Hudson.

Will be back when it's too late.

9. TomH Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:28 AM (#3256006)

Really? I thought he was up for a start in the minors soon. What is the expected timetable / role for Tim in 09?

10. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 16, 2009 at 10:31 AM (#3256012)

Too late for the Braves? Or Soriano/Gonzo's arms? Both?

If Cox had just broken in Medlen as a reliever instead of this long-man, doesn't pitch for eleven days crap, there might be another useful reliever in the pen.

I think Hudson is making his 1st rehab start on Sunday. His role is TBD.

11. Colin Posted: July 16, 2009 at 12:07 PM (#3256128)

Hudson will be just one more guy in the rotation who can't go more than 6 innings.

12. flournoy Posted: July 16, 2009 at 12:21 PM (#3256149)

I don't think Hudson will be in the rotation. I think he'll be a seventh or eighth inning guy. I have no idea how he projects as that kind of a pitcher, but it could be fun. With the rotation as solid as it is, I don't see any need to push him in a starting role. Please don't let them trade Vazquez.

13. hokieneer Posted: July 16, 2009 at 12:31 PM (#3256173)

For a lineup the Braves had hoped might produce multiple players with 20 or more home runs, only McLouth is on pace to reach that.

I guess multiple literally means 2 or more, but did anyone look at the Braves opening day roster and see any more than 2 20 HR guys ( Healthy Chipper and McCann). To me this line reads like the Braves organization( or fans or just this author) thought there would be MANY 20 HR players, in the range of 4-5.

14. flournoy Posted: July 16, 2009 at 12:46 PM (#3256188)

I can imagine someone thinking that Jones, McCann, Anderson, and Francoeur would all hit 20, and imagine that one or two of the other regulars might join them. Probably not anyone who posts here, though.

15. Dr Love Posted: July 16, 2009 at 12:59 PM (#3256214)

Too late for the Braves? Or Soriano/Gonzo's arms? Both?

Well it appears it's already too late for Gonzo's arm. Too late for the Braves is what I meant, but if he came back yesterday it's too late for them, but that was a bit of snark. Hudson ultimately won't matter, he'll either be as #11 points out yet another starter than can't/won't be allowed to go past the 6th, which doesn't help any as SP isn't the problem. Or he'll be a 7th inning reliever which won't matter in the long run, as Boog Sciambi said perfectly yesterday this team isn't making or not making the playoffs because of a 7th inning reliever. It's all on the offense and they're simply not capable of getting the job done.

16. Ryan Jones Posted: July 16, 2009 at 01:04 PM (#3256222)

I can imagine someone thinking that Jones, McCann, Anderson, and Francoeur would all hit 20, and imagine that one or two of the other regulars might join them. Probably not anyone who posts here, though.

I figured on Jones, McCann, and Francoeur, only because I expected that Francoeur would be run out there every single day, and wouldn't stink quite as bad as he has. Basically, it would have been a 20 HR in 650 AB sort of season.

17. CFBF: Now With the Dan Werr Seal of Approval Posted: July 16, 2009 at 01:20 PM (#3256242)

Kelly Johnson hit 16 homers in 521 at-bats in 2007. If you squinted real hard you might have been able to see him hitting exactly 20 home runs in a healthy, productive season.

18. Sam Hutcheson (perhaps some sort of ninja) Posted: July 16, 2009 at 01:39 PM (#3256276)

RE: Hudson

He's scheduled for a rehab start in the next week or two. I fully expect him to come back and be put into the 6th-7th inning slot to give Moylan a bit of a breather down the stretch. I expect Boone Logan to start picking up Eric O'Flaherty's role allowing EOF to relieve Mike Gonzalez of some of his load.

RE: 20 HR Braves

Chipper and McCann; Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar were thought to be ready to post 20ish. Some folks thought Matt Diaz had a shot, albeit unrealistically. Others even thought Casey Kotchman and Jeff Francoeur would be in that range.

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Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Braves will win the N.L. East if …

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