Buck's Braves Blog
BRAVES.BUCKBELUE.COM
Braves Quiet at Winter Meetings
The Marlins are the buzz of the Winter Meetings. Got Jose Reyes. Got Heath Bell. Going hard at Pujols. The Mets acquired 3 power arms for their bullpen. The Nationals are reportedly going hard at more pitching. The Phillies locked down Papelbon.
Meanwhile, Wren and the Braves have been quiet. But I wouldn't get down about that. Seriously.
The one obvious need is a new shortstop. It really looks like Tyler Pastornicky is going to get a shot at the job. As a former minor leaguer, I like that. And the Braves have gone public with their belief that this young man is ready for the opportunity. Can't wait to get to spring training to see this.
Pastornicky came over from the Blue Jays in the Escobar trade. He was a 5th round pick by Toronto in 2008. He spent most of last season in AA MIssissippi, where he hit .299 in 90 games. Tyler finished the season at AAA Gwinnett, where he hit .365 in 27 games.
Defensively, he can pick it. He can run and steal. And he has good plate discipline. Got to like that skill set, right? He's a right-handed hitter. Most believe he is a candidate to lead-off, as his major league career unfolds...he struck out in less than 9% of his at-bats last season.
He rarely throws his helment, when he makes an out...so that's a big change from Alex Gonzalez.
As far as trading Jurrjens or Prado, Frank Wren is smart to slow that process down. Once C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle sign, the price tag on JJ goes up...probably get more in return. And if Frank deals Martin Prado, we're going to need a corner OF and a 3B, because Chipper can't play everyday at 40 years old.
So, chill out a little. Don't get down on the Braves for not making a splash, at the Winter Meetings. There is plenty of time to improve the club, before spring training arrives.
Meanwhile, Wren and the Braves have been quiet. But I wouldn't get down about that. Seriously.
The one obvious need is a new shortstop. It really looks like Tyler Pastornicky is going to get a shot at the job. As a former minor leaguer, I like that. And the Braves have gone public with their belief that this young man is ready for the opportunity. Can't wait to get to spring training to see this.
Pastornicky came over from the Blue Jays in the Escobar trade. He was a 5th round pick by Toronto in 2008. He spent most of last season in AA MIssissippi, where he hit .299 in 90 games. Tyler finished the season at AAA Gwinnett, where he hit .365 in 27 games.
Defensively, he can pick it. He can run and steal. And he has good plate discipline. Got to like that skill set, right? He's a right-handed hitter. Most believe he is a candidate to lead-off, as his major league career unfolds...he struck out in less than 9% of his at-bats last season.
He rarely throws his helment, when he makes an out...so that's a big change from Alex Gonzalez.
As far as trading Jurrjens or Prado, Frank Wren is smart to slow that process down. Once C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle sign, the price tag on JJ goes up...probably get more in return. And if Frank deals Martin Prado, we're going to need a corner OF and a 3B, because Chipper can't play everyday at 40 years old.
So, chill out a little. Don't get down on the Braves for not making a splash, at the Winter Meetings. There is plenty of time to improve the club, before spring training arrives.
The Braves Blame Game
That was the biggest collapse in the Atlanta Braves 45 year history. Led the Cardinals by 8.5 games and went 9-18 in September. Thank goodness, the Red Sox were even worse, so the national media had less time to focus on the Braves poor play. But locally, this was difficult to digest.
Now the "Blame Game" starts.
Fredi Gonzalez will get slammed for wearing out his bullpen (O'Flaherty 78 appearances, Venters 85, Kimbrel 79). His first season as manager is now stained with that collapse. Not exactly something you want on the resume', in your first year on the job.
Derek Lowe might get run out of town. He's making top dollar and fell down on the job. That's not a good combination either. Lowe was 0-5 in September, with an ERA of 8.75. Braves might have to pick up more than half of that $15M salary next year, just to get rid of him.
Jason Heyward was supposed to be a star this season. Instead, he barely showed up. Jason hit .227, with only 42 RBI. Not exactly what the Braves had in mind. His confidence and mechanics are shot right now. Wonder how this turns out?
All-Star Brian McCann finished poorly. September was his worst month, hitting .200. That's when the team needed his bat the most. Fans never expected to see that finish.
Frank Wren can't bring this team back together, after that collapse. Got to shake it up now.
Now the "Blame Game" starts.
Fredi Gonzalez will get slammed for wearing out his bullpen (O'Flaherty 78 appearances, Venters 85, Kimbrel 79). His first season as manager is now stained with that collapse. Not exactly something you want on the resume', in your first year on the job.
Derek Lowe might get run out of town. He's making top dollar and fell down on the job. That's not a good combination either. Lowe was 0-5 in September, with an ERA of 8.75. Braves might have to pick up more than half of that $15M salary next year, just to get rid of him.
Jason Heyward was supposed to be a star this season. Instead, he barely showed up. Jason hit .227, with only 42 RBI. Not exactly what the Braves had in mind. His confidence and mechanics are shot right now. Wonder how this turns out?
All-Star Brian McCann finished poorly. September was his worst month, hitting .200. That's when the team needed his bat the most. Fans never expected to see that finish.
Frank Wren can't bring this team back together, after that collapse. Got to shake it up now.
Win or Stay Home For Braves
It's come down to this. One game. Win or get tagged with the biggest collapse in Atlanta Braves 45 year history. And it's difficult to have any confidence, since the guys have lost 4 in a row and 12 of their last 17 games.
But you've got to admit, this is exciting. The season rides on the outcome of this one game.
Try and cling to something positive. For example, we've got Hudson going tonight. He's our ace. And he's another bat in the line-up. And we face Joe Blanton, who is not exactly one of Philly's aces.
It's so easy to slam and criticize right now. So easy to be negative. Check the fan reaction to the many blogs out there. These faceless people are just killing Fredi, Lowe, Chipper and the guys. Ripping them. And no, these folks won't be attending tonight's game at Turner Field.
So, come on out for the finale. Good seats are available. And this Braves team needs your support tonight.
The Braves are our team. This is no time to turn your back on them. This will be a night to remember. Make last minute plans to be there...to cheer them on.
Remember how last season ended?
The Braves and Hudson beat the Phillies in the season finale. Then, they watched the Giants close out the Padres, which clinched the WC spot. A celebration took place, with Bobby Cox leading the way. Special night.
Now, the Braves and Hudson try to pull it off again.
But you've got to admit, this is exciting. The season rides on the outcome of this one game.
Try and cling to something positive. For example, we've got Hudson going tonight. He's our ace. And he's another bat in the line-up. And we face Joe Blanton, who is not exactly one of Philly's aces.
It's so easy to slam and criticize right now. So easy to be negative. Check the fan reaction to the many blogs out there. These faceless people are just killing Fredi, Lowe, Chipper and the guys. Ripping them. And no, these folks won't be attending tonight's game at Turner Field.
So, come on out for the finale. Good seats are available. And this Braves team needs your support tonight.
The Braves are our team. This is no time to turn your back on them. This will be a night to remember. Make last minute plans to be there...to cheer them on.
Remember how last season ended?
The Braves and Hudson beat the Phillies in the season finale. Then, they watched the Giants close out the Padres, which clinched the WC spot. A celebration took place, with Bobby Cox leading the way. Special night.
Now, the Braves and Hudson try to pull it off again.
Postseason Hopes Ride Against Phillies
Wonder what the next 3 days will bring? I do know this: If you can't score, you can't win. And if we can't win, we can't play meaningful October baseball. This has been frustrating. Can only imagine the frustration that the Braves team is feeling right now.
Delgado gets the start in Game 1 tonight. The Phillies throw Cliff Lee at us. Advantage Phils. Can't really expect the kid to go out there and shut down this line-up, can we? Although the Phillies have had trouble scoring runs too, since they shut it down after clinching.
Game 2 of the series has Lowe and Oswalt matched up. D-Lowe was signed to pitch in these big games, but this season has been a disappointment. This could be the end of the road here in Atlanta for Lowe. He's due another chunck of change next year, but the Braves could dump him anyway, if they could find a team that wanted him.
Wednesday is a critical day. Hudson is scheduled to go, but if we do get in...that takes Tim out of the first couple of games in the NLDS series. We need our ace going in Game #1. Our best shot is to wrap this wild-card spot up in the next 2 days. The Phillies have taken Hamels out of Game #3 and will go with a bullpen start (pitch the bullpen for 9 innings).
Of course, we could activate Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine and we'd still be in trouble. Our line-up as gone soft. Can't score. We can get runners on, but we can't get them home. It's troubling. makes you want to scream and throw something.
Maybe it changes today. Perhaps a return home can spark this offense.
Delgado gets the start in Game 1 tonight. The Phillies throw Cliff Lee at us. Advantage Phils. Can't really expect the kid to go out there and shut down this line-up, can we? Although the Phillies have had trouble scoring runs too, since they shut it down after clinching.
Game 2 of the series has Lowe and Oswalt matched up. D-Lowe was signed to pitch in these big games, but this season has been a disappointment. This could be the end of the road here in Atlanta for Lowe. He's due another chunck of change next year, but the Braves could dump him anyway, if they could find a team that wanted him.
Wednesday is a critical day. Hudson is scheduled to go, but if we do get in...that takes Tim out of the first couple of games in the NLDS series. We need our ace going in Game #1. Our best shot is to wrap this wild-card spot up in the next 2 days. The Phillies have taken Hamels out of Game #3 and will go with a bullpen start (pitch the bullpen for 9 innings).
Of course, we could activate Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine and we'd still be in trouble. Our line-up as gone soft. Can't score. We can get runners on, but we can't get them home. It's troubling. makes you want to scream and throw something.
Maybe it changes today. Perhaps a return home can spark this offense.
Braves in September Funk
This is getting to be quite frustrating, as a Braves fan. This is a time when you want to be playing you're best baseball. Not you're worst.
Again, just getting to the PS is not enough from my seat. Got to get there AND THEN, WIN. Little chance of that, it seems...and that's IF we can get there.
The Braves are 6-12 in their last 18 games. The Cardinals are 15-5, in their last 20. There are only 8 games to play. Can we hold on? Or again, does it matter? What good is it to get there...and then, get swept out of the PS?
Kimbrel and Venters have hit a rough spot. Not long ago, they were almost automatic.
The starters are struggling toward the finish line, with the lone exception being Hudson. This Hanson & Jurrjens rushing back is just not realistic. And it's difficult to feel good about trotting anyone else out there. Beachy is the next best option and he can't go past 6 innings. The bullpen will be extended in the games Lowe and Minor pitch.
And the line-up is about to drive me crazy. So many scoring opportunities wasted.
It's official: the Braves are in trouble.
Again, just getting to the PS is not enough from my seat. Got to get there AND THEN, WIN. Little chance of that, it seems...and that's IF we can get there.
The Braves are 6-12 in their last 18 games. The Cardinals are 15-5, in their last 20. There are only 8 games to play. Can we hold on? Or again, does it matter? What good is it to get there...and then, get swept out of the PS?
Kimbrel and Venters have hit a rough spot. Not long ago, they were almost automatic.
The starters are struggling toward the finish line, with the lone exception being Hudson. This Hanson & Jurrjens rushing back is just not realistic. And it's difficult to feel good about trotting anyone else out there. Beachy is the next best option and he can't go past 6 innings. The bullpen will be extended in the games Lowe and Minor pitch.
And the line-up is about to drive me crazy. So many scoring opportunities wasted.
It's official: the Braves are in trouble.
Wrong Time For Downward Spiral
The Braves are struggling at the wrong time. Lost 7 of their last 10 games. Starting rotation is now Huddy & The Kids. Shocker: even Venters and Kimbrel are suddenly allowing runs. And the line-up is struggling to score. This is scary stuff. Concern has set in.
It doesn't look good. Thought this team was going places. Now, the only place they are going is down. And it's so disappointing. As a fan, you have so much time invested...tuning in every night for months. And now this. We are limping towards the finish line. Even if we get in, it looks like a quick out.
It's too late for Hanson and Jurrjens to make it back. For some reason, the Braves brass are holding Teheran back. Don't get that either. He's dominated this season. But they now have decided to ship him to the bullpen. Looks like Minor and Delgado will get the call these final couple of weeks. What's up with that?
Too many solo HRs lately for the offense. That's been the only production. Solo HRs. Freeman finally broke a 15-game skid, with a 2-run blast, in game two against the Cardinals. Prado has disappeared. Heyward has had a season to forget. It's disappointing.
Things are going so bad even Venters and Kimbrel are no longer automatic.
Sirens are blaring. The season ends in 16 games. This is getting ugly.
It doesn't look good. Thought this team was going places. Now, the only place they are going is down. And it's so disappointing. As a fan, you have so much time invested...tuning in every night for months. And now this. We are limping towards the finish line. Even if we get in, it looks like a quick out.
It's too late for Hanson and Jurrjens to make it back. For some reason, the Braves brass are holding Teheran back. Don't get that either. He's dominated this season. But they now have decided to ship him to the bullpen. Looks like Minor and Delgado will get the call these final couple of weeks. What's up with that?
Too many solo HRs lately for the offense. That's been the only production. Solo HRs. Freeman finally broke a 15-game skid, with a 2-run blast, in game two against the Cardinals. Prado has disappeared. Heyward has had a season to forget. It's disappointing.
Things are going so bad even Venters and Kimbrel are no longer automatic.
Sirens are blaring. The season ends in 16 games. This is getting ugly.
Braves Face Phillies Next!
The Braves hit Philadelphia 7.5 games back, with 23 games remaining. So, sweeping a team that hasn't been swept probably isn't likely. But even then, we'd still be 4.5 back, with 20 to go.
But isn't it more about the Braves finding out how they match-up with these guys, heading into the PS. The Phillies haven't faced the new Braves. The line-up with Bourn at the top. And the one that features Uggla banging. Philly hasn't seen us in 2 months.
Go up there and play tough, win the series...and the Braves send a message. If we see you in the PS, we can beat you. Maybe get in their head a little bit.
Lowe gets Lee in the opener. Hudson takes on that hot-shot rookie Vance Worley in Game 2. It's Beachy versus Oswalt in the finale.
Minor and Delgado go in the New York DH.
Wonder if Jurrjens can go next Friday in St. Louis? That's probably going to be Delgado, again. Which might be a good thing. The kid looks strong right now. Jurrjens doesn't.
But isn't it more about the Braves finding out how they match-up with these guys, heading into the PS. The Phillies haven't faced the new Braves. The line-up with Bourn at the top. And the one that features Uggla banging. Philly hasn't seen us in 2 months.
Go up there and play tough, win the series...and the Braves send a message. If we see you in the PS, we can beat you. Maybe get in their head a little bit.
Lowe gets Lee in the opener. Hudson takes on that hot-shot rookie Vance Worley in Game 2. It's Beachy versus Oswalt in the finale.
Minor and Delgado go in the New York DH.
Wonder if Jurrjens can go next Friday in St. Louis? That's probably going to be Delgado, again. Which might be a good thing. The kid looks strong right now. Jurrjens doesn't.
McCann Busts Out in Chicago
Our All-Star catcher got his swagger back, on an afternoon at Wrigley when the wind was blowing in. Great to see. That 1st inning, 3-run bomb, off a Garza change-up, broke an 0-15 slide. Later in the game, Brian delivered a solo shot, to make it 7-3. This was his day, going 2-4, with 2 HR and 4 RBI.
He was saying after the game that his stroke has been a little off, since he came off the DL, with that oblique pull. The last 3-4 days, he has been working OT in the cage. Finally felt confident today.
Bet McCann goes on a tear now. Big September. Finishes strong. Gets in the N.L. MVP discussion.
Bourn looked great in the Chicago finale too. He went 4-5. Dude gets on base 4 times and the Braves have a good shot at winning. His ability to get on base and steal 2nd, to get in scoring position, is just huge. It's been a missing piece in Atlanta, since Furcal exited. Good to have that back at the top.
He was saying after the game that his stroke has been a little off, since he came off the DL, with that oblique pull. The last 3-4 days, he has been working OT in the cage. Finally felt confident today.
Bet McCann goes on a tear now. Big September. Finishes strong. Gets in the N.L. MVP discussion.
Bourn looked great in the Chicago finale too. He went 4-5. Dude gets on base 4 times and the Braves have a good shot at winning. His ability to get on base and steal 2nd, to get in scoring position, is just huge. It's been a missing piece in Atlanta, since Furcal exited. Good to have that back at the top.
Braves World Series Caliber?
The Braves are 1 of six teams that are capable of winning the World Series. The other 5: Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies and Brewers. Giants don't look capable of doing the back-to-back thing. And the Braves just exposed the Diamondbacks. Six. That's it.
This new line-up and the bullpen make it possible. Bourn can create a scoring opportunity. Prado is great in the 2-slot. Run producers are at 3-4-5-6 (McCann, Uggla, Freeman and Chipper). Heyward, Constanza and Gonzalez can be a factor at the bottom.
Give this bullpen a 7th inning lead and it's lights out. Seriously. O'Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel have been dominant. The other contenders know they better have the lead going to the 7th. The Braves have shortened the game to 7.
As strange as it sounds, it's the starters that have me concerned. Lowe's struggling. Hanson is hurting. Jurrjens is no longer the ace of this staff. Right now, it's Hudson and Beachy leading the way. We should be seeing Teheran up here again soon. Test him in September. He might have to go come October.
This new line-up and the bullpen make it possible. Bourn can create a scoring opportunity. Prado is great in the 2-slot. Run producers are at 3-4-5-6 (McCann, Uggla, Freeman and Chipper). Heyward, Constanza and Gonzalez can be a factor at the bottom.
Give this bullpen a 7th inning lead and it's lights out. Seriously. O'Flaherty, Venters and Kimbrel have been dominant. The other contenders know they better have the lead going to the 7th. The Braves have shortened the game to 7.
As strange as it sounds, it's the starters that have me concerned. Lowe's struggling. Hanson is hurting. Jurrjens is no longer the ace of this staff. Right now, it's Hudson and Beachy leading the way. We should be seeing Teheran up here again soon. Test him in September. He might have to go come October.
Vizcaino Debue
The kid was rushing that fastball up there at 96-97. The curve had some downward bite. The stuff looked nasty. There is a lot to like about this guy.
I know what you're thinking: Dude can't throw stikes.
Give the kid a break. His teammates certainly did. He's 20 years old. Started the season in High-A ball. Had to be anxious, when he stepped on top of the mound.
That heater had some movement to it. A late tailing action. Love that. And it sizzled coming up there at 97. He's going to be able to attack with that pitch. Proctor's was too straight.
Sure was awesome to see Venters come in and get Vizcaino off the hook. That debue's now over. Now he can settle in. Can't wait to see him the next time.
