Are the Braves dead?

[MB]

This team to me, has overachieved. I didn't expect that we'd be close to the playoffs after the off-season moves that were made. I agree that Bobby is hardheaded with his in game managerial skills. I watched every Braves game I could for a good 10-12 years when I was a kid. Remember Dan Kolb from Milwaukee? Bobby stuck with him even though he was blowing saves on the regular. He wants the players to figure out a way to get out of the rut they're in, a la Phillip Jackson not calling timeouts when other teams go on 10-0 runs. I love that about Bobby and I hate that about Bobby. As far as the postseason performances, what could he have done differently? Paid off Eric Gregg? Grabbed a bat and hit a few hrs? You can blame him for the postseason I guess, but most Octobers we've lacked the bats to get it done and look whats happening now. We need bats

[Stealinhome]

This team to me, has overachieved. I didn't expect that we'd be close to the playoffs after the off-season moves that were made. I agree that Bobby is hardheaded with his in game managerial skills. I watched every Braves game I could for a good 10-12 years when I was a kid. Remember Dan Kolb from Milwaukee? Bobby stuck with him even though he was blowing saves on the regular. He wants the players to figure out a way to get out of the rut they're in, a la Phillip Jackson not calling timeouts when other teams go on 10-0 runs. I love that about Bobby and I hate that about Bobby. As far as the postseason performances, what could he have done differently? Paid off Eric Gregg? Grabbed a bat and hit a few hrs? You can blame him for the postseason I guess, but most Octobers we've lacked the bats to get it done and look whats happening now. We need bats

I completely agree with you on all your points. Is there a list of what if's with Bobby and the Braves, yes and it's one hell of a long list. How ever one can also point to all the Braves teams that should not have been playoff teams, and got to the dance any way. I am some what ambivalent about Bobby hanging them up but when I way it all out in my mind, I have to admit it's time to move on.

PS:

I see your Dan Kolb and raise you a "FAT" Bob Wickman...

[Chris7mccabe]

Great line about Wickman man and even thought it was classic it was so unfortunately true. I went to the Nats game today and I must say I liked how Dlowe battled to get out of jams. Also Venters and Kimbrel looked filthy on the hill throwing straight heat. I like this team and now that the Pads won tonight we are still a 1/2 game out of the wc. I truly dont understand everyone coming on this thread saying the braves are done stick a fork in them. All that tells me is how unintelligent people are whether or not they like the braves. The NL West plays each other to finish off the year which completely plays into the Braves favor. Playing the Marlins after tomorrow and a Phils team who will have already clinched and have nothing to play for the last three games in Atlanta is something I like very much. Don't count this team out and I truly like our chances going forward.

[Stealinhome]

Great line about Wickman man and even thought it was classic it was so unfortunately true. I went to the Nats game today and I must say I liked how Dlowe battled to get out of jams. Also Venters and Kimbrel looked filthy on the hill throwing straight heat. I like this team and now that the Pads won tonight we are still a 1/2 game out of the wc. I truly dont understand everyone coming on this thread saying the braves are done stick a fork in them. All that tells me is how unintelligent people are whether or not they like the braves. The NL West plays each other to finish off the year which completely plays into the Braves favor. Playing the Marlins after tomorrow and a Phils team who will have already clinched and have nothing to play for the last three games in Atlanta is something I like very much. Don't count this team out and I truly like our chances going forward.

I am with you I think we get the WC might go down to the last day but I think we get it! Thanks for the points!

[whatsgood5]

Bobby Cox is shit. Biggest series of the whole year and you start rookie pitchers against the Phillies? That's just one dumb ass decision. We need a slugger but Cox managerial skills are below average.

You do realize that he pretty much had no option in that case, right?

Remember Dan Kolb from Milwaukee?

, Ive tried to forget about him...

I see your Dan Kolb and raise you a "FAT" Bob Wickman...

Hahah good one

[limitation]

Good chance that Braves would win Wild Card since Padres and Giants will beat up each others in last 3 games of the regular season.

[empty cookie jar]

them dang ole braves

[Shappy]

I think they are. The Phillies are on a roll and clicking at the perfect time. The Braves don't have a chance against the Phils.

[blackbox]

What will Phils rotation look like in final series with the Braves?

[Eagle1958]

Doesn't matter who wins the wild card or their division in the NL. Eventually they will have to face Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels and they will be done. Just give the Phils the title for the next 3 years.

[nj6]

dead as the red sox

[BRAVES1985]

what a final week this should be

[kickenchicken]

yep nothing left in the tank

[million2one]

Braves are done, they did the same thing last year, losing their last 6 games to miss the playoffs.
Phils pitching will take them to the series, bank it.

[63890000]

they better start playing some ball

[LordVodka]

What a bunch of frauds they turned out to be.

[msj0001]

Braves are making the playoffs its destined to happen in Bobby's last year...NL West teams choke late

[BRAVES1985]

1/2 game lead in wild card!!

[cadillac pete]

The injury to Prado will be big. They didn't play well when he was hurt earlier this yr.

[darkness]

they are goooone

[Stealinhome]

1/2 game up, we got this!

[rhymenocerous]

This team to me, has overachieved. I didn't expect that we'd be close to the playoffs after the off-season moves that were made. I agree that Bobby is hardheaded with his in game managerial skills. I watched every Braves game I could for a good 10-12 years when I was a kid. Remember Dan Kolb from Milwaukee? Bobby stuck with him even though he was blowing saves on the regular. He wants the players to figure out a way to get out of the rut they're in, a la Phillip Jackson not calling timeouts when other teams go on 10-0 runs. I love that about Bobby and I hate that about Bobby. As far as the postseason performances, what could he have done differently? Paid off Eric Gregg? Grabbed a bat and hit a few hrs? You can blame him for the postseason I guess, but most Octobers we've lacked the bats to get it done and look whats happening now. We need bats

He could have NOT let Charlie Freaking Leibrandt pitch to Puckett with the game on the line. That's just off the top of my head. If I thought about for an afternoon I could probably give you quite a few examples of his poor postseason managing. Bobby manages the game in the playoffs like it's one being played in June.

[GOIRISH]

Go Braves, i dont think prados injury will be that big of a deal, they have many good players that can make up for it.

[Waz]

Losing Prado is definitely going to be big as it sounds like he won't be available for the remainder of the regular season. I think he was probably the team MVP this season.

Does anyone know who the Phils will be trotting out in the last series with the Braves? From what I've been reading, they may see Oswalt, Hamels and Halladay, all at reduced innings. I have a feeling that the Phillies don't want to see the Braves in the playoffs, so they're going to play them tough that last series.

[Chris7mccabe]

I agree Prado is going to be a big injury and hopefully we can have him back sooner rather than later. If we could ever sneak our way into the playoffs I think that would be great and then hopefully Prado could come back for the first game of the first playoff series. Also, now that we are a half game up we are currently in control of our own destiny. With the Pads and Giants in the crucial 3 game series to determine the West and potentially the wild card, I think winning four of the next five games will be enough to get us in.

[TheLock]

I find myself oddly rooting for the Braves

[whatsgood5]

The injury to Prado will be big. They didn't play well when he was hurt earlier this yr.

As weird as it may seem, I don't consider this injury to be huge. The way Martin has been playing, Conrad is not such of a huge downgrade as he would have been before Prado became banged up. It's unfortunate that it happened in this manner, but the guy needed at least one fukking day off, yet Bobby kept him in the lineup day after day when the guy's incredibly banged up, and not really helping us, whereas all you have to do is give him a day off before an off day and give him some time to heal. Whatever though, Wild Card looks good.

[jordan23treyz]

To the question are the Braves dead? The answer is absolutely YESS! I mean they may sqweek into the playoffs (which I wouldn't mind for Bobby Cox sake), but if they do there not doing anything. Without Chippah in the lineup they have to rely on Prado and Mccan for their entire offensive production. Its pretty bad when Alex Gonzalez has to be one of ur best offensive players. Just loo at his career totals, the guys only still around because he's one of the best devensive infielders of all time. And Mccan, needs special surgeries just to see a baseball. Prado is just having a good year, he may not have one this good ever again. They Braves just havn't been the same since Maddux, Smoltzy, and Glavine. Who's there top pitcher this year? Derek Lowe whose in the last stages of a decent career. Pitching is just a huge question mark and very inconsistent.

Let me paint a picture for the small Brave fanclub. You will luckily make the Playoffs and then get sept in the first round (thank god because I didnt wanna be stuck having to watch them). And then Bobby Cox will go off and be forgotten and they'll probly loo to Demarco Hale for some answers. I mean they stole half the sox's bullpen last offseason.

GO SOX!

[Waz]

To the question are the Braves dead? The answer is absolutely YESS! I mean they may sqweek into the playoffs (which I wouldn't mind for Bobby Cox sake), but if they do there not doing anything. Without Chippah in the lineup they have to rely on Prado and Mccan for their entire offensive production. Its pretty bad when Alex Gonzalez has to be one of ur best offensive players. Just loo at his career totals, the guys only still around because he's one of the best devensive infielders of all time. And Mccan, needs special surgeries just to see a baseball. Prado is just having a good year, he may not have one this good ever again. They Braves just havn't been the same since Maddux, Smoltzy, and Glavine. Who's there top pitcher this year? Derek Lowe whose in the last stages of a decent career. Pitching is just a huge question mark and very inconsistent.

Let me paint a picture for the small Brave fanclub. You will luckily make the Playoffs and then get sept in the first round (thank god because I didnt wanna be stuck having to watch them). And then Bobby Cox will go off and be forgotten and they'll probly loo to Demarco Hale for some answers. I mean they stole half the sox's bullpen last offseason.

GO SOX!

Pitching is a huge question mark? Seriously? You're talking about the strength of the team. The front end of their rotation is as good as anyone not named the Phillies and the back end of their bullpen is as nasty as anyone's. The problem is the lack of hitting, particularly the long ball, and the ability to keep their team healthy all year.

If the Braves find a way to make the playoffs, I think they have a shot to make some noise based on their pitching alone. I'd take my chances with Hudson, Hanson, Lowe and Jurrjens and Wagner closing things out. I see a good Phillies-Braves NLCS if the Braves can close things out this week.

[whatsgood5]

Pitching is a huge question mark? Seriously? You're talking about the strength of the team. The front end of their rotation is as good as anyone not named the Phillies and the back end of their bullpen is as nasty as anyone's. The problem is the lack of hitting, particularly the long ball, and the ability to keep their team healthy all year. If the Braves find a way to make the playoffs, I think they have a shot to make some noise based on their pitching alone. I'd take my chances with Hudson, Hanson, Lowe and Jurrjens and Wagner closing things out. I see a good Phillies-Braves NLCS if the Braves can close things out this week.

Very knowledgeable/accurate post with the one minor exception being that by the way things are looking, Jurrjens likely won't get another start this season. But either way, that fella is incredibly ignorant to have thought that our problem has been/is pitching.

[jordan23treyz]

Its funny how all you Braves fans are questioning my thoughts on the pitching, when clearly I state that the offense is porous. And other than Hudson the pitching is a question mark; I mean whats your 5 man rotation currently. Hudson, Lowe, Hanson, Jurrjens, and ???! Thats right question marks, like every pitcher on ur staff other than Hudson. Its pretty bad when ur three-four punch combines for a 17-17 record and an era of 4.25. Your a mediocre team that won't do anything in the playoffs. So stop believing in a Championship run when it would be nothing short of a miracle. Give it UP

[Grind House]

Braves in a big way tonight. Gotta have it and Hudson can't keep coming out looking like shit.

[Stealinhome]

big win. just need to keep it up a few more days

[Chris7mccabe]

Everyone in this threads been saying the braves are going to flop, they won't win they blow it every year, that there simply not good enough. Well we're a game and a half up with four to go. Winning three of these games should at least get us a 1 game playoff to get in...... I don't know what else to say besides get the tomahawks out and get ready to use them in the Fils series and in October.................Go Braves

[odtw524]

Braves are done