Braves v. Astros

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 5, 2005, 10:53 am

The Astros have a monstrous rotation and a great closer. That is what you want for sure. Their lineup is light hitting (11th BA in NL, 11th OPS) compared to the Braves (4th BA, 3rd OPS).

The Braves bullpen is vulnerable, but i think Farnsworth is very reliable as a closer. I think opponents hit like .109 against him in September. that's fine with me.

So anyway, today:

Tim Hudson v. Andy Pettite 4:15pm

Petitte ( i spelled it two ways to cover my bases) is #2 in ERA, second only to a teammate and has been like 1.40 in his last 15 spots. So it is a tall order. The good thing is the Braves best LH hitters are switch hitters. Though Pettite is tough on RHs for sure. The young guys like Francoeur will have to lay off of that cutter inside. He's a guy you have to make throw it over the plate.

Tim Hudson is a very solid pitcher with 0.5 career ERA against Houston. Sounds good to me.

I think this is a huge game for Atlanta. They've lost Game 1 of the division series at home for 3 years in a row, and they've lost the series 3 years in a row. I don't want to see them get behind in this series. I'd like to keep the pressure on the Astros.

The Braves rotation has to come up big. Smoltz goes in Game 2 v. Clemens, which is advantage Braves in my opinion. Smoltz is the all-time winningest postseason pitcher, and Clemens is a fucking bitch. The only humans who are bigger bitches than Clemens are the people who like him.

The Astros lineup can be shut down, so it is about the Braves bats getting some big hits, which they haven't done in the postseason lately. Hopefully that will change this year.

Chipper Jones AB H RBI HR K Avg.

Vs. Pettitte 16 6 3 0 3 .375
Vs. Clemens 13 5 2 1 4 .385

Vs. Oswalt 13 3 2 0 3 .231

Andruw Jones AB H RBI HR K Avg.

Vs. Pettitte 18 5 2 0 4 . 278

Vs. Clemens 16 4 2 1 4 .385
Vs. Oswalt 13 3 1 0 8 .267

Marcus Giles AB H RBI HR K Avg.

Vs. Pettitte 3 0 0 0 0 .000

Vs. Clemens 6 2 0 0 4 .333

Vs. Oswalt 11 5 1 0 1 .455

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 5, 2005, 12:02 pm

Lets not forget that Jorge Sosa is 9-0 on the road with a 1.81 ERA. Lets also not forget that Dan Kolb is NOT on the playoff roster....although Reitsma still is. They should have left Ramirez and Thompson home as well and just brought 8 pitchers. We all know that if the starters come out for Atlanta that it had better be the 9th inning and Farnsworth coming in or we are done.

I do believe if our starters hold up and no injuries that the Braves make it to the WS.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » October 5, 2005, 1:02 pm

Astros in 4

for that matter

cards sweep
sox in 5
LA angels of angelness angelosity in 5

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 5, 2005, 2:35 pm

just got my tix for tomorrow night!

Smoltz v. Clemens.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » October 5, 2005, 3:03 pm

braves in the world series.

now thats a gas!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 5, 2005, 4:08 pm

Voronwë wrote:just got my tix for tomorrow night!

Smoltz v. Clemens.

I do fucking hate you.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » October 5, 2005, 4:12 pm

Pherr the Dorf wrote:sox in 5

Heh, talk about hedging a bet

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » October 5, 2005, 4:14 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:
Voronwë wrote:just got my tix for tomorrow night!

Smoltz v. Clemens.

I do fucking hate you.

What, they finally have a sold out game?

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 5, 2005, 4:16 pm

Aren't you a Mets fan? Didn't the season end for you last week?

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » October 5, 2005, 4:18 pm

Yankees fan, but I love NY in general.

Don't worry, you'll be joining the Mets shortly

ringless

again

Do they even remember what those look like? Shit, do the "fans" even know what Braves stadium looks like?

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 5, 2005, 4:24 pm

Actually....they have the ring from '95. Wasn't the last Mets ring from the cocaine bunch?

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » October 5, 2005, 4:32 pm

indeed.

Wasn't the last Braves raping from the cock of the Yankees?

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » October 5, 2005, 5:46 pm

Pherr the Dorf wrote:sox in 5

Red or Black?

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » October 5, 2005, 7:29 pm

They've lost Game 1 of the division series at home for 3 years in a row

Make that 4.

Denadeb · Post by **Denadeb** » October 5, 2005, 7:54 pm

Call me crazy but I think the braves are getting there ass kicked atm 10-3

Ok 10-4 now but still an ass whooping.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » October 5, 2005, 8:25 pm

Hehe to me the sox are the Red Sox, yah that could be confusin huh. And that's a bet from the heart, the rest are from the head, I have a feelin my bosox are gonna go back to breakin my heart. I'd put money on the other ones (tho the yanks losin is out of hatred for them partly, but I think the Angels are a better team) (add the simple fact that jeter is the classiest guy in baseball, even if he wears pinstripes)

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 6, 2005, 8:47 am

I just do not understand Bobby Cox's fascination with Reitsma. He should have been left off the playoff roster with Kolb, yet there he is doing what he did all year: giving up run after run after run. If you watch this series and anyone but Farnsworth comes in from the bullpen you can turn it off and be assured of the outcome.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 6, 2005, 10:40 am

seriously who else do they have to pitch?

they literally have nobody in the bullpen. they couldnt use Thomson or Horacio, because if Smoltzie's shoulder flares up tonight, or we get down by 4, we have to make a move.

If you hear somebody yelling "CLEMENS YOU"RE A BITCH!!!" in between every pitch tonight, you konw who it will be.

got to get this game though.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 6, 2005, 12:38 pm

You seriously going to the game tonight Voro? Wear a CNN hat so we can spot you!

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 6, 2005, 2:52 pm

Winnow wrote:You seriously going to the game tonight Voro? Wear a CNN hat so we can spot you!

damn right i'm going

from the center field camera (over pitchers shoulder), if they pull back enough to show a big "wind up" type shot, i'll be the guy about 20 rows up flicking 2 birds at Clemens with security dragging me out.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » October 6, 2005, 2:56 pm

I'm no Braves fan but will pull for them tonight. Down with Clemens!

In this case, as Spock would say, "The hate of the one outweighs the hate of the other team"

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 7, 2005, 9:07 am

Thank you John Smoltz...and Brian McCann. I do see a big reason for Smoltz being the game 2 starter now.....he very very rarely lost a game after a Braves loss. He also would be in line for a series ending game 5 if they go that far. I think I would take my chances with Smoltz over just about any pitcher in the league in that situation.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 7, 2005, 12:19 pm

a familiar October feeling was creeping into my gut after Langerhans' throw from the outfield hit the runner, and the Astros went up 1-0. The bases loaded, Smoltz throwing 30 pitches in the first.

i was concerned.

That HR by McCann was so huge it wasn't even funny. I mean that is absolutely as far as that kid can hit the ball, man we were going nuts.

Smoltz settled down and ended up with a nice efficient 93 pitch, 7 inning outing. He should be fine should he be called upon for Game 5.

I'm at a freakin work event Saturday, and i'm on a fucking plane while game 4 is scheduled to be played AND the Falcons v Patriots at the same time....

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » October 9, 2005, 7:13 pm

And the Braves now know why Farnsworth is no damned good. You cannot count on him in pressure situations.

Good luck to the Braves next season. Maybe they'll get past the NLDS.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » October 9, 2005, 8:01 pm

holy shit its over!
sorry braves
good game tho

StupidMcDupid · Post by **StupidMcDupid** » October 9, 2005, 8:14 pm

Good series,history happens,champagne pops,best team moves on!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 9, 2005, 8:28 pm

Fucking bullpen. I guess that series was just a microcosm of the entire year for the Braves. They blew more games this year from the bullshitpen than they may have blown over the last 5 years combined.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 9, 2005, 8:44 pm

yeah bullpen just sucked this year.

they gave this game away offensively, defensively, and with pitches too.

Mplor · Post by **Mplor** » October 9, 2005, 9:08 pm

Tough game for both teams. As much as the announcers like to say that neither team deserved to lose, it seemed more likely that neither team deserved to win.

Garner blew it by totally depleting the firepower of his lineup and I was sure that Chavez's dropped ball at first base would haunt him.

On the other hand, the Braves could never come through with men on in extra innings.

In the end, I guess the Braves deserved to lose just a little more than the 'Stros....

I do think the 'Stros have a better chance against STL than the Braves though. =)

Midnyte_Ragebringer · October 10, 2005, 12:32 am

What a great game.

StupidMcDupid · Post by **StupidMcDupid** » October 10, 2005, 1:25 am

Pherr the Dorf wrote:Astros in 4

for that matter

cards sweep
sox in 5
LA angels of angelness angelosity in 5

Damn Pherr good predictions there

I also think the Angels will come through and beat the yanks in 5.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 10, 2005, 10:45 am

Que Chokejobbo!

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 10, 2005, 10:53 am

Mplor i think you summed it up pretty well. Both teams had plenty of opportunities to lose.

The Braves gave the Stros like 5 outs in the 8th inning (where they scored 5), and then blow the game with 2 strikes, 2 outs, to a very mediocre hitter - granted that ballpark is just too small...335 to a freakin power alley should not be allowed.

but then bases loaded with 1 out in the 14th and you can't score.

I thought Garner managed very poorly removing Berkman and a lot of his big guns. He is lucky it worked out for him. He burned through his players way too quickly. He had to have Clemens bat for himself TWICE in extra innings.

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » October 10, 2005, 2:20 pm

He had to have Clemens bat for himself TWICE in extra innings.

If you had any bench players remaining, would you have pinch hit for Clemens? I wouldnt have. Clemens was in there for the long haul. Garner exhausted his bullpen. Clemens was it. And he slammed the door shut for 3 innings. No way do you lift Clemens for a pinch hitter....even if there was one available.

Garner did blow thru his roster....but who in their right mind expects an 18 inning marathon.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 10, 2005, 3:02 pm

Homercles wrote: Garner did blow thru his roster....but who in their right mind expects an 18 inning marathon.

Well obviously, anyone who has seen the Brave's bullpen sure did not expect to see an 18 inning game. Garner was probably less shocked than anyone who has seen Rietsma pitch this year.

Mplor · Post by **Mplor** » October 10, 2005, 10:24 pm

Voronwë wrote:...and then blow the game with 2 strikes, 2 outs, to a very mediocre hitter - granted that ballpark is just too small...335 to a freakin power alley should not be allowed.

For what it's worth, Ausmus's home run in the 9th was to the power alley and traveled 408 feet.

My gf said she'd never seen me so excited, lol.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » October 11, 2005, 1:23 am

"We're tired of the 'classics' that we're losing," Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz, one of the few players not used in the game, said dejectedly after the game. "This reminds me of Minnesota -- 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' -- but we lost. [Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, which the Twins won over Smoltz and the Braves, 1-0.] This will probably be the 'Greatest Division Series' ever played. But we lost."

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » October 11, 2005, 1:16 pm

StupidMcDupid wrote:
Pherr the Dorf wrote:Astros in 4

for that matter

cards sweep
sox in 5
LA angels of angelness angelosity in 5
Damn Pherr good predictions there
I also think the Angels will come through and beat the yanks in 5.

I said I was goin red sox because I was a fan, not cause I thought they'd win, otherwise, looking at my picks, I should have bet A LOT of fucking money

ooloof · Post by **ooloof** » October 11, 2005, 4:46 pm

Sueven wrote:
"We're tired of the 'classics' that we're losing," Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz, one of the few players not used in the game, said dejectedly after the game. "This reminds me of Minnesota -- 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' -- but we lost. [Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, which the Twins won over Smoltz and the Braves, 1-0.] This will probably be the 'Greatest Division Series' ever played. But we lost."

Now that is going to be a classic quote

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » October 11, 2005, 5:11 pm

Typical Braves season the fans have come to expect...

Excellence during the regular season and mediocrity during the post-season.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » October 11, 2005, 6:45 pm

Xyphir wrote:Typical Braves season the fans have come to expect...

Excellence during the regular season and mediocrity during the post-season.

nobody was expecting excellence this season. Hoping for maybe. But expecting a team with 9 rookies to make the postseason is pretty demanding. Since it never happened before this year (9 on the postseason roster).

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » October 11, 2005, 10:57 pm

I think that in all fairness, the Braves should be moved back to the NL West.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 12, 2005, 9:22 am

I guess if any other team in baseball had lost 3 of their 5 starting pitchers, had rookies in 2 outfield spots, catching, 3rd base, had a bullpen that was as bad as the Braves and still won a division where no team was under .500, THEN you *MIGHT* be able to talk a little shit. Hell, if your clowns can't overcome the Braves this year, then you might as well fold those teams because you are never winning that division.

When they cut loose Kolb, Mondesi, Jordan, and a couple other money sink clowns this year (not to mention they will get about 12 million from insurance for Hampton) and shore up that bullpen.....who is going to pick against them next season? If we had any bullpen at all we beat the Astros.

Denadeb · Post by **Denadeb** » October 12, 2005, 10:09 am

Well in all fairness at the start of the season everyone was saying the Astros were to old and to young to be any kind of contender but they turned it around so.