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Am I Going Crazy?
Written by Jonathan on July 28, 2008 – 10:16 amI qualify myself as a die-hard Braves fan. I’m sure most of the other staff here at BravesBlast does the same, but lately I think I’ve gone to the brink of insanity trying to root for a team that just can’t seem to do anything right. I think I finally realized it last night when, for the second night in a row, I found myself watching the replay of the game (after having watched it live, mind you) hoping for a different result. Something’s not quite right about that. Am I the only one that does that? Probably.
So the Braves are heading back to Atlanta today to kick off a 4-game series against the Cardinals and at this point, we find ourselves 7.5 back of the division-leading Mets. I’m pretty sure that’s the farthest out that we’ve been so far this year and I don’t know if we’re really capable of turning things around. Here’s what we have working against us right now:
- Chipper Jones thinks there’s a good chance that he’ll be returning to the disabled list with his hamstring injury. That’s pretty much how the season has been going for the Braves. We all know without Chipper in the lineup, the Braves just seem to struggle to put runs on the board and win. Although, without him in Philly, we put plenty of runs on the board and still managed to lose. I am at least impressed with Omar Infante’s play as a fill-in third baseman.
- Brian McCann is out for at least a few games after his collision at the plate with Shane Victorino in yesterday’s game. BMac has been our one source of stable offensive power in the past month and now we don’t have him in the lineup either. He was making good use of his time in the cleanup role. Thankfully, it’s only a mild concussion as the results could have been much worse.
- The team morale is surely low. I’m not on the team and my morale is low, so I’m sure they’re not feeling all that great about it either. We finally manage to get the offense going, scoring 19 runs in the last two games. The only problem? Philadelphia scored 22. With those kind of numbers, it doesn’t really matter how many runs you score, it’s going to be hard to get wins on the board.
- Our starting pitching has been mediocre at best. I understand that it’s a rotation that has been hacked together and rehashed too many times due to countless injuries, but it’s hard to win games when your starters just aren’t having great days. There are a few young arms out there that have great potential for the future; I just hope they have time to mature while staying in the Braves system. We however, do need to pick up another mid-veteran arm for the rotation. And on a side note, the bullpen has been great at helping out as much as possible.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg with what’s working against us this season. Without sweeping all the games of the homestand, I don’t really think we stand much of a chance at even seeing third place in the division this season, but who knows, crazier things have happened. Until then, I’ll just sit here, watching the replays of our losses, hoping for a different outcome.
Posted in General | 26 Comments »
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Be very, very careful with concussions. Take a page out of the Mets notebook with what happened to Ryan Church. A concussion could turn into a half a year if the Braves aren't careful.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
That's the truth – and we don't need McCann out that long. He's one of the keys to the offense. Not to mention we have no reasonably halfways decent backup catcher.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Jonathan, I'm with ya – I'm frustrated to no end with the Braves and their lack of performance this year. I waffle back and forth from upbeat and hopeful to depressed and cynical.
I think we're done though. Stick a fork in us, with Chipper and McCann out for a bit.
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Trade us Tex…he can play LF for us.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Yeah. Right. His knees are better than the old man you have at first base. Play him there. Heck, he's probably defensively better than David Wright.
I see you installed IntenseDebate over on TheRopolitans. You liking it?
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I will cry if Tex goes to NY . . . either team . . . I will just cry.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Look for them to bring up Sammons on this one.
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Loving it.
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Me too…joy or happyness will depend on pinstripes or not…
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I don't really think we have much of a chance any more, but I'm a true fan and I'll be dedicated til the end. And right back down in spring training next year thinking we're unbeatable.
They'll still get my season ticket money, so it'll all be okay.
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I think we'll all cry equally if it's pinstripes.
By Andrew_Vazzano on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
It will be orange and black.
By Smitty on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Don't really know if they Yanks will even want Tex as they are pretty deep at that position. HOWever, they don't want to see him going to the Mets, either. I am thinking the Mets, Yanks, or Balitmore.
Any guesses?
Smitty
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I know Tex has some partiality to Baltimore but I don't really see him as a fit there. I don't think he's going to any of those three…
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
There's a few teams that would be interested in him, including a few teams in California that have the cash to do it, as well as New York teams. Who knows, some team could show up out of nowhere and sign him to a long term deal and pretty much stake their entire team's future in him (bad idea).
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This is the one time I want Steinbrenner to outbid someone else for a player.
By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
He's a solid player, but staking your future in him is indeed a bad idea. Wouldn't wish that on anyone.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
As much as I love Tex as a player and former Techie, he never led Tech to the college world series despite being player of the year in 2001, has not made the playoffs in his time in the majors (I know he was with Texas for so long). But since the Braves acquired him, they are actually under .500 and he hasn't stepped up when the Braves truly need him. He's an Alex Rodriguez clone, great offensive player, poor leader and not clutch.
The Braves need a guy that comes through time and time again with runners in scoring position and with two outs. Especially early in the season, we don't have the luxury of having a slow starter on our team, especially this year with Francoeur not hitting like his usual self (he'll be back next year, trust me on this one).
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Good article about Tex just posted on the Braves' website: Braves Mailbag
Answers a few other questions here and there as well.
By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
BREAKING NEWS: Chipper goes on the DL, no that's not the breaking news: Hudson was also placed on the DL as a precautionary move for his forearm tightness (hopefully nothing more). Morton and Sammons were called up as their replacements.
By Cheyanne on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I do the same thing…I was watching Sportscenter after the BOS vs. NYY game and just could not believe it. I could not help but wait for a different outcome. But I have been doing that since Smoltz announced he would have season ending surgery. It seems that the morale on the Braves is at an all time low. They dont have an ace to look too and their most vocal leader is going on the DL. Its bad, but things have been worse! If there is anything that can help the Braves it is a long homestand! Hopefully, BMac gets better soon and they can work together to pull though these intense times!
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This homestand is the last stand . . .but without Chipper, BMac and Hudson . . . I don't see much of a chance. I think the team's status as sellers is fully established now.
By Cheyanne on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Okay so basically its 7-0 and the Braves are looking sloppy…did anyone else see that the Braves have the highest ERA in the league since the break….given that there have been some high scoring games but common…now its 8-0…the Braves need something or someone to light a fire under them…
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
It just keeps piling up at this point . . . I don't know if there's a recovery with only 58 games left in the season.
By Cheyanne18 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Yeah…the only good thing I have heard since the All-Star break is that Smoltz really thinks he is going to come back next year…
By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'd love to see that. I'm just not ready to let Smoltzie go….