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This Isn’t A Contending Team
Written by Colin on April 22, 2009 – 12:28 pmLet’s be objective. The Braves, performing as they are now, are not a contending team.
A contending team’s offense can’t go from red-hot to ice-cold.
A contending team’s bullpen can’t blow leads more frequently than they use the restroom. Not to mention 8 run leads.
Sure, we’ve got a decent starting rotation. Sure, Kawakami, Lowe, Jurrjens and Vazquez have performed fairly well so far, but for heavens sake, we started Jo-Jo Reyes against Pittsburgh and expected to win the game?! Sure, our offense started off hot, but they’ve cooled to an exactly middle of the road .265 batting average.
There have been a few side stories that have contributed. Chipper missed some time on his hand (Chipper is always going to sit a little bit). McCann had some weird vision thing come up that has hopefully resolved itself. Tom Glavine busted his shoulder again (who are we kidding: we wanted him to be a reliable pitcher again?)
But a bullpen that blows a 7 run lead? An offense that can’t beat Pittsburgh given a good start? And a team that puts Jo-Jo Reyes on the mound? Seriously? It feels like this season is an extension of last season – where the baseball gods are laughing at us and poking us with sticks. We have to establish some good play before everyone gets in a funk and assumes we’re always going to blow leads – because that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
There are opportunities for us to get into the race. We have to stop blowing leads. The first step to that was getting rid of Blaine Boyer, which we have completed. Now the rest of the bullpen needs to live up to their potential. The offense needs to be more consistent – we win games when Chipper is in the lineup – and having BMac back will help. And people, write your senators and congressmen – it’s time to petition against Jo-Jo Reyes. If we get a law passed that he can’t pitch for the Braves, Frank Wren and Bobby Cox will have no choice but to send him packing. Sure – don’t bring Hanson up yet – let him season for a little bit – but enough with this Jo-Jo the No Show Blo-Blo bit. Let Escobar or Francoeur pitch if we have to.
We can still get into this year. We can become a contender. There are (most of) the pieces of the puzzle we need to contend this year, but the Braves have seriously got to step it up and start playing to expectations. I was emotionally battered enough last year and I don’t know if I can handle the pattern we appear to be getting ourselves into already this season. Buck up fans – let’s stick behind them and cheer for them louder than ever, because they need it. We can contend for the NL East, but a few little things have to change.
Tags: Brian McCann, Bullpen, Chipper Jones, Contender, Jo-Jo Reyes, Rant, Starting Pitching
Posted in General | 7 Comments »
By Kurtis on Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Im with you. The first 2 series looked awesome for us. This series against Washington has been plain painful. We cant lose 2/3 to the worst team ever. Im still optimistic, but I was still very frustrated last night. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs….. and we couldnt get ONE of them home. Unacceptable.
By Jeff on Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
I think the problems with the offense is that we do not have a true leadoff hitter, someone who can get on base a lot with a lot of speed that can create scoring opportunities in a lot of ways. Also we need a power hitting firstbaseman. It is hard to consistently score runs when your best RBI guys are out of the lineup a lot because of injury (Chipper) or because of days off for catchers (McCann).
By Akshay982 on Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Why are you surprised? That's something the Braves have done several times a year even when we were winning division titles.
By Kurtis on Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
well, its a new year. and just like the beginning of the past couple years, im hoping things will be different. the problem now is, we arent winning division titles. so when we let games we should have bagged get away from us, its extra frustrating. who knows, the few blown games could make a difference in the end.
sure, maybe im not surprised by it, but it still sucks.
By Raymond on Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
13 games into the season and already you want to throw in the towel,give it time 155 games left ,just amazing
By Colin Ake on Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
Raymond – I realize there are 155 games left. However, if they're filled with blown leads and an inconsistent offense, that just means we have 155 games of torture ahead of us. Do I think it'll happen? I hope not. I'm a little concerned though.
By Akshay982 on Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
Totally agree with you. It's always disappointing for something like that to happen, it just seems that in a perfect scenario (second and third no one out) that our favorite team (not tongue-in-cheek) finds a way to get nothing out of it.
Hopefully that turns around this weekend in the sandbox in Cinci.