You spoke too soon. Don't feel bad, I turned off the game to watch the Lost finale that I had recorded from Sunday. I was shocked to see what they did in the seventh. I like their chances with Hudson up tonight [how could you not?]. If it weren't for Ubaldo Jimenez he would be a Cy Young candidate.
Little bit o' luck never hurt I guess. They managed a total of 2 hits off of Nate Robertson, one of them a bunt single by McCann against the shift, then took advantage of a horrible Marlins bullpen.
Then they probably won't fare well against Nolasco tonight. But predicting their production is about like trying to pick lottery numbers.
That last part is true. I actually like their chances tonight. They've feasted on RHP over the last month, and while Nolasco stuck out 16 last year against them, the Braves have been much more disciplined this year. Not sure if it's still the case, but for a while they were taking more pitches than any other team in the NL. If Mac is out tonight that could put a damper on things though.
Kawakami has got to be the unluckiest pitcher in baseball. A great opportunity to make a statement in the east coming up in the next few days. And with no Halladay this is a series they really need to find a way to win. They should have Hanson, Hudson and Lowe coming up in the rotation if I'm not mistaken. I think an unsung hero for this team over the past couple of weeks has been Kris Medlen. How good has he been stepping in for JJ? They haven't really missed a beat plugging him in.
First Place on the line in the NL BEAST, the best division in baseball. Three games. Blanton/Hanson Hamels/Hudson Kendrick/Lowe You want some, Philthies? COME GET SOME! The long thought dead 14 TIME King of the Division has returned to slay the impostor that usurped his throne. 'Sup, *****es?'
Peter Moylan decided to let the Phillies back into the game. Three straight doubles. They better not blow this one.
Good all around game today from the first place Braves. With Hudson up tomorrow we've got a great chance to take the series and create a little bit of separation. Depending on whether Jimenez or Halladay slow down at all, you have to think Hudson can be a darkhorse Cy Young candidate. He'd have a better shot if those two weren't pitching out of their minds.
Escobar is picking it back up. So is Chipper. If McClouth ever figures it out again they'll be dangerous. Tim Hudson has a five game hitting streak going. He has been far from an automatic out. The bench has really been the difference to me. Look at what Hinske has done, even David Ross when he gets starts. Medlen has stepped in and filled the starting pitcher role admirably. Bobby will have a decision to make when JJ comes back about whether to send Medlen back to the pen or Kawakami instead.
Hinski is a Bobby Cox guy. The other night Glaus hit a sac fly, then another Brave hit a sac fly, THAT is how Bobby Cox Baseball used to look, and has started to look again. Bobby C fell into the Earl Weaver "three run home run" trap to score runs, lately though..those nobodies and old guys are starting to play the way they did in the early 90's when Lonnie Smith and Terry Pendleton were running herd. Great time to be a Braves fan, hopefully Jergens comes off the DL strong.
I've noticed that as well. They seem to be working the sacrifice flys very well as of late. Fundamental baseball.
That is how the Braves used to play Mal Suerte Italiano, bunt to move the runner over, or a ground ball to the right side to move the runner to 3rd base, sac fly, one run scored. Cox abandoned that for years until this season.
If I'm a Phillies fan, I would be worried that my team put on an 0-5 on the Braves best hitter yet still allowed 9 runs.
Not having their leadoff hitter and #2 hitter (Rollins and Polanco) in the lineup totally screws things up for the Phillies.....Valdez, Dobbs, Francisco, Gload are about the worst bench in baseball. The Phillies are trying to swing for the fences to score runs and that isn't cutting it. Not sure who the 0-5 was on or who the Braves best hitter is, but that's baseball. The Phillies are not scoring against anyone right now. At least the pitching hasn't been as bad. Good thing there are 110+ games left.
He must have been talking about Jason Heyward. He's the only guy I can think of with an 0fer. Prado had an unspectacular game but he did get on in the first. From an average and hits standpoint Prado is the best hitter but Heyward hits for average, walks, and hits for power, I'd say he's the best overall as well. But big Troy Glaus is giving him a run for his money. He had an amazing May. I think the Phillies and Braves right now are perfect examples of what depth on the bench can do or not do for you.
I figured Heyward was obvious lol But Troy has been on a tear. He's without a doubt the player of the month. Doesn't hurt when the three guys ahead of him are also three of the best OBP guys in the league. 28 rbi in one month is monster though. Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk
There's really no doubt that Troy is the most dangerous hitter in the lineup right now. I wish the stupid rain would let up for a while. At least it's early enough to where they won't lose Hudson this time.
like hell they should. Get through five innings, then call it. Bad enough they had to GIFT the Mets a cheap win against us this year.
I think they're going to get through the whole game tonight. 5-0 Atlanta in the top of the fourth. If they get Hudson through five that has to be considered a pretty big victory considering Philly went straight to the pen after the delay.
His pitch count is pretty low. I think Bobby might leave him in a while longer if he gets this side out without too much difficulty.
I didn't stay up for the game. Looks like the Phillies made this one a little closer than the first game. I wonder how things will go today with Lowe up. A sweep sure would be nice. No better way to make a statement than that.
The Phillies can't get out of their own way. That DP in the 7th where Prado threw home to get Ruiz was pathetic. Just bad baseball by Phila. We need the sweep badly.
What a great sweep that was. In three games Philly never even had a lead. Now the Braves have a little lead in the division they can hopefully build on in the coming weeks.
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300602115 I guess nobody has ever told the Phillies that complacency kills. Good to see them fat off of their past success if you're a fan of a different NL east team. I guess they think they're so good their slump will magically end on its own.
Charlie Manuel was probably just upset the players weren't watching the movie made about him growing up: Forrest Gump. Too easy/obvious right?
