This is exactly what I was thinking when I was watching. I just don't think that happens if Troy Glaus or Brian McCann are in the ondeck circle. They might decide to tempt fate with Glaus but with Melky back there it's a no brainer. How many homers and RBIs will it take for Bobby to move Heyward up in the lineup? How many losses will it take?
Not sure, needs to happen though. What's worse is that Heyward has walked 16 times this year. That's 3rd behind Chipper and Mac. He also has the highest OBP on the team. So basically, you're best power hitter, and best on base guy is hitting 6th against righties and 7th against lefties. The downfall of this offense has been the leadoff spot, which has a .148 avg. with an OBP of .231, and the 5 hole. Glaus has looked ok the last couple games, but you have to find a way to get J-Hey more AB's. Last night he was left on deck in the 9th inning because he was hitting 6th. That can't happen.
This must be the real reason all of these teams are honoring Bobby Cox when he visits their teams. So he's too busy to realize how badly he needs to fix his lineup. I will cross my fingers that I see Heyward at number four or five when I watch the game tonight. Hanson is pitching so I like our chances in this one.
LOL...thanks for the memories Bobby COCKS! http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/05/senators_spell_bobby_coxs_name.html Video is priceless: May 5: When Braves manager Bobby Cox was honored by senators on Capitol Hill, he received a cake with his last name misspelled. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/36968106#36968106
Heyward left the game with some kind of groin injury or something to that effect. I didn't know it was possible to injure your groin at 20. [Just kidding, sort of] I sure hope he's back tomorrow.
Heyward is Day-to-Day. My guess is Bobby took him out for precautionary reasons. He didn't appear to be hurt. I'm actually surprised its not his back that's hurting. He has been carrying the entire offense this season.
I can't figure out why you don't just start a Phillies thread. Is it more fun to spam other teams' threads?
They just blew a great chance to take a late lead in the bottom of the eighth. The Nats reliever was pretty wild for the most part and David Ross let him off the hook with a easy double play ball with the bases loaded. Of course Ross was the one who broke up Olson's no hitter and became one of the runs that still have them in this one so I can't be too tough on him. I sure hope Heyward is back in the lineup tomorrow night.
They let this one get away from them. This team fails to play fundamentally sound baseball on a frustratingly consistent basis. Two opportunities to get a guy in from third in consecutive innings with a sacrifice and they blow it both times. What a **** frustrating team to watch this year. Willie Harris of all people delivered the game winning hit for the Nats. I have no further illusions that these guys might be contenders this season. If you watch their games you have to know they simply are not. If they ever do get a clue they'll be in a bigger hole than they can likely climb out of. Just my opinion. If they magically contend later in the year feel free to come quote this post and laugh at me for overreacting. I won't be upset if they blow up most of the lineup for next season. A twenty year old is the only one that can consistently go up and take care of his business. Get comfortable with last place.
Yeah, this is by far the most pathetic Braves offense I've seen in my lifetime. Imagine if they hadn't brought up Heyward to start the season? Good god. They'd be dead last in baseball in just about every offensive category without him. If you haven't already, make sure you go to MLB.com and vote J-Hey for the All-Star game. 2nd in the league in RBI's, and number 4 in homers. Kid deserves it.
You're not alone. But personally, I don't see a lot of the Bobby Cox hate. The guy is the same manager he's always been, he just doesn't have the talent he once did. The only questionable part about Bobby is the way he handles the bullpen. But really, he's always had that problem. For the last 12 years, the Braves have always had an elite hitter in Chipper Jones and a nice compliment in the clean-up spot. They had Fred McGriff, Andres Gallaragga, JD Drew, Gary Sheffield. After Sheff left, they had Andruw Jones to pick up the slack. Since AJ tailed off, and was subsequently traded, they've had no legitmate power hitter in the 4 hole. Not surprisingly, they haven't made the playoffs since, even with a decent pitching staff the last couple seasons.
Agreed, his handling of the bullpen is probably his worst offense......but to be honest, he had little to work with. For all the praise heaped on John Schuerholz.... we went into season after season with a pen full of bums for the most part. We'd be in dire need and his answer would be to sign some washed up former Cy Young winner. Bobby's penchant for platooning a position used to piss me off as well..... it worked in some cases, not so much in others. Personally, I believe that if a guy like Jim Leyland had been the manager of the Braves throughout the 90's, we'd have easily won 3 World Series.
Not sure. The Braves, in their stretch of 14 Divisional Titles, really only had a 2 or 3 teams that you could consider great offensive teams. That 96 team that lost to the Yanks was pretty good, and the 99 team (lost to the Yanks again) was pretty loaded as well. Unfortunately, their two weaknesses (hitting and bullpen) were always magnified in the playoffs. They could NEVER get the big hit late in games, and were constantly losing close ball games. In some ways, you could say that teams who have Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz SHOULD make the playoffs every year based on math alone. It didn't mean they were juggernauts. They were average teams with elite pitching built for the regular season.
They have a legitimate power hitter this year finally, but for some reason unknown to anyone besides Bobby Cox he bats sixth in the lineup.
I can guarantee he won't be sixth the whole season. My guess is he'll hit fourth and Mac and Glaus will be moved down. When that happens is anyone's guess though. Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk
They were just saying on the broadcast for tonight's game that Heyward's groin has become worse than initially suspected. He could see time on the DL. This season just keeps getting better and better.
Two hit and shutout by Jamie Moyer. I don't even know what to say anymore. .. the World Cup should be interesting this summer I guess..
They're not even worth watching without Heyward in the lineup. I think they should bring up Cody Johnson and Freddie Freeman. I'd rather see those guys if we're gonna lose. At least they'll provide some sort energy.
I agree 100%. When I heard about Heyward last night at the beginning of the game I knew there was no point in my watching. I didnt' see more than five minutes. I'm sure though instead of bringing those guys up they'll pretend like they're contenders as long as possible.
on the bright side if there is one, we'll be "sellers" this July instead of "buyers," and maybe, just maybe we can find a team on the bubble, in dire need of pitching, that will take Kawakami or Lowe and their contracts off our hands, for a prospect of some kind. i swear if nothing else, let Medlin start in KK's rotation spot and move him to the bullpen.
I think KK did alright today. He gave them a chance to win. It should have been tied in the ninth but that ridiculous wind knocked consecutive homers back to the warning track. If not for the wind Lidge is looking at a blown save at best. When you suck I guess all of those things always work against you. KK is 0-6 now but it's hard to blame him, he has pitched better than Derek Lowe who is somehow 4-3. They nearly took the series from a team that is better. So they stink but I guess it's not lack of effort.
Yikes, not sure what team would take Lowe's contract unless the Braves pay at least half of it and even then not even sure they'd get anything good for him, that's a lot of money for a pitcher on the decline.
I heard about that wind at the CBP today. Good series Braves fans. I am heading to Coor's Field to watch the Phillies-Rockies Monday through Wednesday. It was nice seeing the Mets finally losing and no more walkoffs.
It was a pretty good series for the most part, considering how banged up they are. Unfortunately for Atlanta a good effort doesn't count for much when you still lose. Yeah the wind was crazy. It was certainly Brad Lidge's best friend in the ninth. They were saying Heyward was available for pinch hitting today, not sure if that was actually true. I hope he's back by the time they come home again.
thats something that is making me hold out a bit of hope, along with the players who are dinged up returning to make an impact. the schedule has been wicked so far, with the travel. long road trip, 3 days home vs the Astros, then an even longer road trip. yikes.
I read that Heyward says he's ready to go now, but that Bobby will sit him out today in hopes that he'll start tomorrow. My guess is he will not be hitting 6th when he returns. Hopefully I'm right.
Bobby apparently reads ThePhins.com, because Heyward is batting second tonight. However, he doesn't read it very well, or he would've seen that I said J-Hey should be batting 3rd or 4th. At least Prado is finally in the leadoff spot.
Second? Why on Earth would you move him to a spot where he'll likely see less RBI opportunities? Granted you increase the odds of seeing him in the 9th but overall it would seem like a bad spot for him.
His power is perfect the 4 hole though. It's kind of overkill to have your best power threat and best man with RISP batting second don't ya think?