Guys, this is getting a little much, don't you think? The Braves lost yet ANOTHER one run game tonight, this one 4-3. Although in this one the Braves rallied back from 4-1 to only lose 4-3. Of course, it also deserves mentioning that the Braves yet AGAIN had the 1-0 lead after one, but the pitching staff let Matt Holiday again do his thing to help the Rockies win. 3-4, 2RBI with a big double.
MAN!
But on the plus side, Jair Jurrjens turned in a pretty solid showing, considering Coors Field and his Defense's strange positioning at times.
Mark Kotsay certainly played well, but this team is TOO reliant on the 3-run home run. When it doesn't come, the team is sunk.
Guys, at some point, will some one OTHER than Chipper get a base hit with a runner in scoring position. It isn't hard. Guys have gotten on, let's get them in. Big Tex was the tying run on second base in the 8th, but.....he was stranded at third. Let's manufacture some runs at some point. HUH?
I know Bobby loves to play for the three run home run, but maybe manufacturing runs is something we could MAYBE look in to? Possibly? Oh a guy on second, let's hit a grounder to the right side to get him over. Now let's hit a deep fly ball as a sacrifice fly? IT COULD WORK!
Last night the lineup wasted a gem of a game by Glavine. Tonight the lineup couldn't bring home the tying run when need be. Chipper is playing his heart out, and Kotsay played a nice glove and hit a home run, but he also struck out with Tex at third. Let's get the bat OFF our shoulder and get some of these guys home.
We can still tie the series by winning the next two. Let's look into it maybe?
and on a side note: Wow about Jordan Schaffer. 50 games on an HGH suspension. yeouch. The Braves were planning on using this guy, should any of their starting outfielders go down, and he CERTAINLY would have been a late season call-up. SHOOT, this guy is next year's CF. The ONLY guy happy about this right now is Mark Kotsay (and maybe Josh Anderson and Possibly Brandon Jones). He NEEDS to be playing right now, because I believe his numbers are slumping a tad this year. Something like .114 average. Not good. This guy did some things right in spring training. I hope it wasn't because he was HGHing.....
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Be careful with Lauren...one day she might snap at you
To be honest, with the Braves and the NCAA CG on last night, I missed the first part of the first episode, but I think I got the gist of what happened. Apparently She-Pratt went to LC's birthday party (which is weird since I thought we celebrated LC's birthday party last season, which was less than a year ago. oh well) and this upset BOTH Spencer and Heidi.
When confessing to Spencer about it She-Pratt started crying and he said "You made yourself cry," which she did. She wanted to badly to be on TV she chose a celebreality over her own brother. Then she pretended to cry on TV and that probably really DID piss Spencer off. It would have with me. To be fake when I might actually be angry with you.
Then Heidi is angry with She-pratt after S-P tells her that she is hanging with LC. Heidi says something along the lines of, "she'll be your friend, then one day, she'll just snap and stop being your friend. Watch your back and be careful." Well She-Pratt remember those words of wisdom when you are about to spread a vicious rumor about your friend so your pretend, only-in-a-relationship-with-you-so-he-can-be-on-tv boyfriend can be "famous." Imagine that. You spread a rumor about someone and when that rumor comes back to that person they get angry with you for starting it? Hmmmm.
Well by episode two, Heidi and She-Pratt are over their spat. OK. Heidi is ready for some girls-night-out action so she and She-Pratt hit up the clubs (I am surprised they didn't go to Les Deux, but whatevs). They "run into" Audrina. WOW! and Heidi and Audrina talk. Meanwhile Whitney is making an enemy at her new job as one of the women there doesn't do her job, and Whitney comes up with an idea to "save" the event. Thank goodness the Producers didn't set that one up.
Well LC is jealous of Whitney's new job and wants to go "not work" at that job too.
Whitney is also describing her new job and her first day and interestingly enough it sounds like JUST what she did with her Teen Vogue job, but we won't get into that.
LC then goes and helps out LC and while she is there, Heidi comes over to get her stuff from her apartment which she hasn't gotten in what, a year? (Audrina lets her in after LC yells at Audrina for just talking to Heidi. WOW) Then when LC finds out that Heidi was in the apartment, she goes off on Audrina AGAIN. Wow. sensitive much LC? She came to get her stuff. HOW DARE SHE!
In our next episode, it looks like LC gets a "job" offer from Whitney's new company to go and NOT work there. That would be nice. I wonder if LC can text and IM at this new job. That could be a deciding factor.
When confessing to Spencer about it She-Pratt started crying and he said "You made yourself cry," which she did. She wanted to badly to be on TV she chose a celebreality over her own brother. Then she pretended to cry on TV and that probably really DID piss Spencer off. It would have with me. To be fake when I might actually be angry with you.
Then Heidi is angry with She-pratt after S-P tells her that she is hanging with LC. Heidi says something along the lines of, "she'll be your friend, then one day, she'll just snap and stop being your friend. Watch your back and be careful." Well She-Pratt remember those words of wisdom when you are about to spread a vicious rumor about your friend so your pretend, only-in-a-relationship-with-you-so-he-can-be-on-tv boyfriend can be "famous." Imagine that. You spread a rumor about someone and when that rumor comes back to that person they get angry with you for starting it? Hmmmm.
Well by episode two, Heidi and She-Pratt are over their spat. OK. Heidi is ready for some girls-night-out action so she and She-Pratt hit up the clubs (I am surprised they didn't go to Les Deux, but whatevs). They "run into" Audrina. WOW! and Heidi and Audrina talk. Meanwhile Whitney is making an enemy at her new job as one of the women there doesn't do her job, and Whitney comes up with an idea to "save" the event. Thank goodness the Producers didn't set that one up.
Well LC is jealous of Whitney's new job and wants to go "not work" at that job too.
Whitney is also describing her new job and her first day and interestingly enough it sounds like JUST what she did with her Teen Vogue job, but we won't get into that.
LC then goes and helps out LC and while she is there, Heidi comes over to get her stuff from her apartment which she hasn't gotten in what, a year? (Audrina lets her in after LC yells at Audrina for just talking to Heidi. WOW) Then when LC finds out that Heidi was in the apartment, she goes off on Audrina AGAIN. Wow. sensitive much LC? She came to get her stuff. HOW DARE SHE!
In our next episode, it looks like LC gets a "job" offer from Whitney's new company to go and NOT work there. That would be nice. I wonder if LC can text and IM at this new job. That could be a deciding factor.
Why would Patrick Ewing be a LOCK for the HoF?
This point is now moo since Ewing got into the Hall of Fame yesterday, but I read yesterday on ESPN that he was a "Lock" for the Hall before the vote came out. This was the email I sent to Sportsbyfletch contributor Paul Mac...(And before you comment that the word is actually "Moot," I was referencing the Friends episode where Joey explained it as Moo, like a cow's opinion and how it doesn't matter. It's Moo. If you didn't get the reference, maybe you shouldn't be reading my blogs. Or better yet, you SHOULD be reading them even more, so you can collect these pop culture references and use them in your everyday life and impress you friends.)
He never won a title. He never won an MVP. He took his team to the NBA finals where they lost to the Rockets and he was OUTPLAYED by a REAL Hall Of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. Ewing even missed a potential game-winning shot in one of those games if I recall.
He was beaten time after time by first the Celtics, then the Pistons, then the Bulls, then the Pacers then the Bulls and the Heat. Several times They weren't even in the Conference Finals Patrick led them to defeat. Usually they lost to the Bulls or Pacers before the Eastern Conference Finals rolled around.
In fact, NY's best shot at a title came after he was out in 1999 and Spree and Allan Houston and Co nearly shot the Knicks to the title.
Then Ewing went to Seattle and Orlando. He was a joke.
A Hall of Famer? For what? An above average career? Give me a break. I'd take David Robinson over him. I'd take Hakeem over him. Laimbeer, Shaq OR Zo.
Every center we went up against in the playoffs, he was not as good as, except for Rik Smits and the Bulls guys (Cartwright, Wennington, Perdue, Longley) and even
then his team lost. He was always undone by another team's guard because THAT guy (RMiller or Isiah or JORDAN) would always be the better guy on the floor.
For being his team's best player, he could NEVER take them to the promised land that is an NBA championship.
A lock hall of famer? I think not. But he'll get in because he played for the Knicks. If he had been a Cleveland Cavalier, we wouldn't even be talking about this
And sure enough that NEW YORK MEDIA got their boy elected to the Hall. Good job Patrick. Way to mediocre yourself in. I don't reward that type of thing, but hey, the NBA HoF voters do. Congrats!
He never won a title. He never won an MVP. He took his team to the NBA finals where they lost to the Rockets and he was OUTPLAYED by a REAL Hall Of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. Ewing even missed a potential game-winning shot in one of those games if I recall.
He was beaten time after time by first the Celtics, then the Pistons, then the Bulls, then the Pacers then the Bulls and the Heat. Several times They weren't even in the Conference Finals Patrick led them to defeat. Usually they lost to the Bulls or Pacers before the Eastern Conference Finals rolled around.
In fact, NY's best shot at a title came after he was out in 1999 and Spree and Allan Houston and Co nearly shot the Knicks to the title.
Then Ewing went to Seattle and Orlando. He was a joke.
A Hall of Famer? For what? An above average career? Give me a break. I'd take David Robinson over him. I'd take Hakeem over him. Laimbeer, Shaq OR Zo.
Every center we went up against in the playoffs, he was not as good as, except for Rik Smits and the Bulls guys (Cartwright, Wennington, Perdue, Longley) and even
then his team lost. He was always undone by another team's guard because THAT guy (RMiller or Isiah or JORDAN) would always be the better guy on the floor.
For being his team's best player, he could NEVER take them to the promised land that is an NBA championship.
A lock hall of famer? I think not. But he'll get in because he played for the Knicks. If he had been a Cleveland Cavalier, we wouldn't even be talking about this
And sure enough that NEW YORK MEDIA got their boy elected to the Hall. Good job Patrick. Way to mediocre yourself in. I don't reward that type of thing, but hey, the NBA HoF voters do. Congrats!
Braves lose an Ironic game in Denver
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife. Like the guy that was afraid to fly, then died on his first plane trip.
Yep, when I ironic loss, I mean the loss SUCKED. Alanis Morissette once sang about all these "ironic" situations and maybe in Canada Ironic means something else, but her song wasn't what ironic means in a land with dictionaries. Oh well.
The Braves traveled to the thin air of Coors last night and scored only ONE run in a 2-1 loss to the Rockies. The Braves struck in the first as Escobar scored on a Chipper Jones double, but then the Braves didn't have another baserunner until a walk in the 5th, and they didn't have another hit until the ninth. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And was the pitcher Roger Clemens circa 2002-04 or Pedro Martinez circa 1999-2001? NO. Aaron Cook. WHO? Yeah.
Good thing Glavine pitched a strong 6.1 only giving up 3 hits himself. Blaine Boyer took the loss here, and I am not going to rake him over the coals here. He gave up a two run Rocky Mountain DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG, Colorado in the 9th, to Matt Holi-dong and the Braves lost 2-1.
The only problem I have is, BRAVES YOU ONLY MANAGED THREE HITS? Glaving pitched his butt off and you guys only get three hits? Come on.
Oh well, all of the Braves' losses this year are by one run and the team is now 3-4. Better than getting blown out I guess. You have been in every game this season, which is a good thing. I just want the Braves to WIN some of these close ones. Jair Jurrjens is on the hill and hopefully he can give another great start like last week. If the Braves can only manage 3 hits and one run, he'll need to pitch his butt off, but it still might not be enough.
Ironic, huh?
Yep, when I ironic loss, I mean the loss SUCKED. Alanis Morissette once sang about all these "ironic" situations and maybe in Canada Ironic means something else, but her song wasn't what ironic means in a land with dictionaries. Oh well.
The Braves traveled to the thin air of Coors last night and scored only ONE run in a 2-1 loss to the Rockies. The Braves struck in the first as Escobar scored on a Chipper Jones double, but then the Braves didn't have another baserunner until a walk in the 5th, and they didn't have another hit until the ninth. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And was the pitcher Roger Clemens circa 2002-04 or Pedro Martinez circa 1999-2001? NO. Aaron Cook. WHO? Yeah.
Good thing Glavine pitched a strong 6.1 only giving up 3 hits himself. Blaine Boyer took the loss here, and I am not going to rake him over the coals here. He gave up a two run Rocky Mountain DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG, Colorado in the 9th, to Matt Holi-dong and the Braves lost 2-1.
The only problem I have is, BRAVES YOU ONLY MANAGED THREE HITS? Glaving pitched his butt off and you guys only get three hits? Come on.
Oh well, all of the Braves' losses this year are by one run and the team is now 3-4. Better than getting blown out I guess. You have been in every game this season, which is a good thing. I just want the Braves to WIN some of these close ones. Jair Jurrjens is on the hill and hopefully he can give another great start like last week. If the Braves can only manage 3 hits and one run, he'll need to pitch his butt off, but it still might not be enough.
Ironic, huh?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Could the Hawks beat the Celtics?
We are getting down to it. Playoff basketball and it seems like Atlanta will play Boston in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Yes the Boston Celtics, who last week clinched the best record in the league, and thus the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks will most likely limp into the playoffs with AT BEST a 41-41 record and 99.999% of America will have them be the sacrificial lambs to be slaughtered by Boston. But I have one question. What if the Hawks knock off the Celtics?
(I will wait for you to stop laughing before I continue.) The Celtics pushed all of their chips into the center before the year started and acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the hope that those two would bring them an NBA title. Only recently did they do something to sure up their point guard situation (signing an OLD Sam Cassell after spending much of the year with Rajon Rondo) and Doc Rivers is still the head coach there.
Meanwhile the Atlanta Hawks FINALLY pulled the trigger and got their point guard in Mike Bibby and he has done nothing but put this team on his back in recent weeks and led them to victory after victory. And if you look back at Bibby’s history of playoff runs on his first year with a team, the Arizona Wildcats won an NCAA title and Sacramento got jobbed out of a Finals appearance, despite Bibby going OFF that entire series against the LA Lakers. I don’t think Bibby can be checked by a too-young Rondo or an ET-clone Cassell. I also like Bibby taking my last shot if I am a Hawks fan, opposed to Ray Allen fighting Cassell for the last shot in Boston.
The number 8 seed also has a history of pushing the number 1 seed. Last season the Warriors knocked off the Dallas Mavericks, who had the best record in all of the NBA and a few years back Denver beat a seemingly unstoppable Seattle squad in a short series. It can happen. Expectations can leave a team tight as the pressure gets to the star players and sometimes they can choke. Ask KG about that next time you see him. It took him HOW long before he advanced past the first round?
Look, I totally see Boston blowing out Atlanta in game one and probably winning game two in Bah-stin, but when the teams come down here, I think Atlanta fans WILL come out and support this team in game three. Atlanta is COMPLETELY a bandwagon town, just look at all of the support the Thrashers got last year for their first playoff game. And after the Hawks take out the Celtics in that game three, I think the team is fired up even more behind Joe Johnson and company. That momentum can take game four. Joe Johnson can and SHOULD be firing up the team as he can call on his experience in the playoffs back with Phoenix. In fact, that is what he said he wanted to do when he signed here with Atlanta, right? Lead them in the playoffs? At least I thought that’s what he wanted to do, not just come here and take the Hawks’ money without giving anything in the playoffs. This guy is an all-star and he might represent the USA in the Olympics. He should step up and I believe he will. As for Josh Smith, you want a big contract, Big Boy? Earn it right here. Marvin, you want people to stop saying Atlanta should have taken Chris Paul? Show us right here. The Hawks just need to step it up. They all have motivation. Now follow through on it.
If the team can send this series back to Boston and then maybe somehow get it back to Atlanta, you never know. Doc Rivers may freak out. KG might get tight. Paul Pierce might try and take over games and get out of control like he has in the past. Rondo might play like the inexperienced guard he is. The Hawks certainly have a chance…. But then Boston could just sweep Atlanta. Then my only question would be “How bout those Braves?”
(I will wait for you to stop laughing before I continue.) The Celtics pushed all of their chips into the center before the year started and acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the hope that those two would bring them an NBA title. Only recently did they do something to sure up their point guard situation (signing an OLD Sam Cassell after spending much of the year with Rajon Rondo) and Doc Rivers is still the head coach there.
Meanwhile the Atlanta Hawks FINALLY pulled the trigger and got their point guard in Mike Bibby and he has done nothing but put this team on his back in recent weeks and led them to victory after victory. And if you look back at Bibby’s history of playoff runs on his first year with a team, the Arizona Wildcats won an NCAA title and Sacramento got jobbed out of a Finals appearance, despite Bibby going OFF that entire series against the LA Lakers. I don’t think Bibby can be checked by a too-young Rondo or an ET-clone Cassell. I also like Bibby taking my last shot if I am a Hawks fan, opposed to Ray Allen fighting Cassell for the last shot in Boston.
The number 8 seed also has a history of pushing the number 1 seed. Last season the Warriors knocked off the Dallas Mavericks, who had the best record in all of the NBA and a few years back Denver beat a seemingly unstoppable Seattle squad in a short series. It can happen. Expectations can leave a team tight as the pressure gets to the star players and sometimes they can choke. Ask KG about that next time you see him. It took him HOW long before he advanced past the first round?
Look, I totally see Boston blowing out Atlanta in game one and probably winning game two in Bah-stin, but when the teams come down here, I think Atlanta fans WILL come out and support this team in game three. Atlanta is COMPLETELY a bandwagon town, just look at all of the support the Thrashers got last year for their first playoff game. And after the Hawks take out the Celtics in that game three, I think the team is fired up even more behind Joe Johnson and company. That momentum can take game four. Joe Johnson can and SHOULD be firing up the team as he can call on his experience in the playoffs back with Phoenix. In fact, that is what he said he wanted to do when he signed here with Atlanta, right? Lead them in the playoffs? At least I thought that’s what he wanted to do, not just come here and take the Hawks’ money without giving anything in the playoffs. This guy is an all-star and he might represent the USA in the Olympics. He should step up and I believe he will. As for Josh Smith, you want a big contract, Big Boy? Earn it right here. Marvin, you want people to stop saying Atlanta should have taken Chris Paul? Show us right here. The Hawks just need to step it up. They all have motivation. Now follow through on it.
If the team can send this series back to Boston and then maybe somehow get it back to Atlanta, you never know. Doc Rivers may freak out. KG might get tight. Paul Pierce might try and take over games and get out of control like he has in the past. Rondo might play like the inexperienced guard he is. The Hawks certainly have a chance…. But then Boston could just sweep Atlanta. Then my only question would be “How bout those Braves?”
Sunday, April 6, 2008
OK Tex, You're off the hook
Big Tex, I must start by saying that I'm s.....ure my calling you out the other day lit a fire under you (What, you thought I was going to apologize?) I called out your "spring training isn't important" statement and you saved the game for the Braves today. The Braves won 3-1 over the Mets, earning a mini-sweep of the New York joke of a team. The Bravos are now back to .500, which is good.
Several things, Johan looked pretty good for the Mets, but not unbeatable. He got into a bit of trouble in the 4th, 5th and 6th, but he got out of it each time. The one run the Braves got for Smoltzie looked like it would hold up until Chipper and Big Tex both scored on Tex's long ball in the 8th. I am glad the Braves had the 3-0 lead because Soriano didn't look comfortable in that closer role. When Gonzo comes back, Bobby SHOULD think long and hard about putting RS back in the 8th inning role and having Gonzo finish the games. He did it in Pitt, I think he could do it here.
Smoltz only went 5, giving up 2 hits, striking out 6, pitching 75 or so pitches. I guess since his spot in the order was up, they went ahead and took him out. The bullpen looked good, up until Soriano. Smoltz I am guessing will go maybe 90 pitches next time, then 100 then get turned loose?
Finally, Kotsay continues to look good out there. His approach at the plate is solid, just raking the ball to all parts of the field. And fielding wise, the dropoff from Andruw I don't think is that great.
Good series for the Braves, and now they go on the road and let's hope they can keep winning series after series. That is Bobby Cox baseball, and if they win 2 of every 3, with an occasional sweep, you are looking at 96 wins and a division.
Several things, Johan looked pretty good for the Mets, but not unbeatable. He got into a bit of trouble in the 4th, 5th and 6th, but he got out of it each time. The one run the Braves got for Smoltzie looked like it would hold up until Chipper and Big Tex both scored on Tex's long ball in the 8th. I am glad the Braves had the 3-0 lead because Soriano didn't look comfortable in that closer role. When Gonzo comes back, Bobby SHOULD think long and hard about putting RS back in the 8th inning role and having Gonzo finish the games. He did it in Pitt, I think he could do it here.
Smoltz only went 5, giving up 2 hits, striking out 6, pitching 75 or so pitches. I guess since his spot in the order was up, they went ahead and took him out. The bullpen looked good, up until Soriano. Smoltz I am guessing will go maybe 90 pitches next time, then 100 then get turned loose?
Finally, Kotsay continues to look good out there. His approach at the plate is solid, just raking the ball to all parts of the field. And fielding wise, the dropoff from Andruw I don't think is that great.
Good series for the Braves, and now they go on the road and let's hope they can keep winning series after series. That is Bobby Cox baseball, and if they win 2 of every 3, with an occasional sweep, you are looking at 96 wins and a division.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
My Man Hudson
Tim Hudson just picked up his first win of the year as the Braves beat down the visiting Mets 11-5 in the first game of their series. (Last night's game was rained out, thus no Extra Innings. Sorry if you tuned in)
The Braves certainly came out ready to play as they jumped up early. Even when the Mets tied it up, the Braves came back and back and back. Every time the Mets came with something, the Braves ANSWERED. That bodes well for the year. Hudson showed why he is the new ACE of the team (sorry Smoltzie, but Huddy is the new NUMBER 1, at least for me)
Chipper played well, Kotsay did some things right, McCann and Frenchy played well and Big Tex, you may be starting to bring it. Your two hits equaled your season total thus far, but you drew some walks and scored so I might stop killing you for a while on this blog. (Sorry, but I did have to bring it up on Extra Innings Thursday night.)
The other thing that should be looked at. While Martin Prado got on base a few times, his deal is with Fielding. And he made a few mistakes in the field today. Throw in the fact that Kelly Johnson hit a pinch hit GRAND SLAM and I think it is time for KJ to man the 5 again. I told Paul Mac last week that KJ's C+/B- defense, but sweet swing is a better option than Prado's B+ fielding yet D- batting. It just is. While I think KJ should be farther along in being a second baseman, I think he is getting there and you can't keep his swing and bat out of that lineup. Plus I want him hitting leadoff and letting Escobar hit second.
Finally, are we still paying Jorge Sosa? Is that why he pitched so poorly against us today? Just wondering. And Santana/Smoltz is still on for tomorrow. That should be classic. I think Smoltzie in front of the home fans will give one for the ages.
But Huddy is still Number One.
The Braves certainly came out ready to play as they jumped up early. Even when the Mets tied it up, the Braves came back and back and back. Every time the Mets came with something, the Braves ANSWERED. That bodes well for the year. Hudson showed why he is the new ACE of the team (sorry Smoltzie, but Huddy is the new NUMBER 1, at least for me)
Chipper played well, Kotsay did some things right, McCann and Frenchy played well and Big Tex, you may be starting to bring it. Your two hits equaled your season total thus far, but you drew some walks and scored so I might stop killing you for a while on this blog. (Sorry, but I did have to bring it up on Extra Innings Thursday night.)
The other thing that should be looked at. While Martin Prado got on base a few times, his deal is with Fielding. And he made a few mistakes in the field today. Throw in the fact that Kelly Johnson hit a pinch hit GRAND SLAM and I think it is time for KJ to man the 5 again. I told Paul Mac last week that KJ's C+/B- defense, but sweet swing is a better option than Prado's B+ fielding yet D- batting. It just is. While I think KJ should be farther along in being a second baseman, I think he is getting there and you can't keep his swing and bat out of that lineup. Plus I want him hitting leadoff and letting Escobar hit second.
Finally, are we still paying Jorge Sosa? Is that why he pitched so poorly against us today? Just wondering. And Santana/Smoltz is still on for tomorrow. That should be classic. I think Smoltzie in front of the home fans will give one for the ages.
But Huddy is still Number One.
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