Can the Braves win the Wild Card

[Bulldog]

Guys, I've been a Braves fan ever since I started watching baseball.
I know the braves are 13.5 games out in the east and 7.5 games out in the wild card with a bunch of teams on top of them.
But after watching Chuck James pitch yesterday, after seeing the way Horacio Ramirez has pitched and seeing the offensive numbers improve I just wanted to ask you guys... can it happen?

Smoltz, Hudson, Ramirez, Thompson, James??
If the Braves pick up a decent reliever and a utility outfield that can hit...
Maybe I'm just getting carried away by a couple of good games but the lineup...

Giles, Renteria, Jones, Jones, Laroche, Frankoeur, McCann, Largerhans...

I dont know guys, are they really done by the All Star Break??
Who do you think the Braves need?? I thought Juan Pierre would have been a nice pickup at the biggining of the year.

[EBone]

Bulldog, I myself can't rule it out. I think they are better than what their record indicates and if the rotation can pull down some innings to help an awful bullpen, I think they can get there but as Mr. Obvious would say, they need a stellar 2nd half. The National League is just awful so it can happen.

I wouldn't trust me though. I bet the Pirates every day.


E

[Razz]

I think so. No one seems to want to win it, and they are certainly showing signs. I love James, and am surprised with how well Ramirez has been pitching. If Hudson turns it around, their starters are as good/better than anyone's in the WC race.
Oh, and I LOVE moving Sosa to the closer's role.

[ego74]

As long as they don't start trading away guys like Smoltz, and try to do SOMETHING to strengthen their bullpen, it's possible.

Cox has proven himself as a manager who gets the players to believe in themselves and that will come into play if they can start winning some of these one run games

[bigboydan]

i really was quesitoning this team a few weeks back myself.

it's all going to depends if chipper jones can play thru that foot injury he has, and be the real team leader that he is. because, with out him being that role model to all those youngsters they have there right now in ATL. they need to learn that winning adtitdude that players like chipper brings to the table year in and year out.

there only like 7 or 8 games back right now, so there still in the race.