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That Hurts A Little
Written by Jonathan on September 30, 2009 – 10:25 amLast night’s games around the league provided a bit of a stumbling block for the Braves, who went into the night two games back in the NL Wild Card race. Tim Hudson just didn’t have his best stuff, giving up home runs to Uggla and Maybin and allowing 4 runs in 5 innings of work.
Down 4-1 in the 6th, the Braves’ chances were lifted with a 3-run Matt Diaz home run, but the high from this didn’t last long, as Kawakami allowed a run for the Marlins in the top of the 7th. This would go on to be the difference-maker as the Braves fell to the Marlins 5-4.
At that point, eyes turned to the scoreboard to watch the Rockies vs. Brewers game. There was a little hope when the Brewers scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game at 5, but the Rockies ended the game on a 2-run Chris Iannetta pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the 11th.
So five games to go and the Braves are three games back in the Wild Card standings. We have one more against the Marlins and finish up the season with four against the Nationals at the Ted. There’s still a chance, we just need to put together some wins. What do you think? Is there still hope for the Braves this season?
Tags: Can the Braves Make the Playoffs, playoffs, Postseason, Wild Card
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
Home Stretch: 11 To Go
Written by Jonathan on September 23, 2009 – 9:37 amSo not to sound like a bad fan, but chances are, these are the last 11 games for the Braves in 2009. We’re 5 games back in the NL Wild Card and Colorado is playing some tough baseball. Believe me though, I’d love to be wrong on that statement, but I just don’t see it happening.
However, the second half of this season has been exceptional for the Braves. Since the All-Star break, the Braves have played .603 baseball (38-25); a good enough winning percentage to be leading any division in baseball right now, save the AL East. Unfortunately, the games before the break (in which the Braves compiled a 43-45 record) count as well. And while our current 81-70 record is nothing to be disappointed over, it’s just tough to once again miss the playoffs after playing such great baseball. Either way, the team we have seen in the second half of the season is getting closer to the playoff-bound Braves teams of the past.
Since the All-Star break, the team hasn’t really let up. I’ll even go as far back to the beginning of July:
| Month | Record |
| July (Pre-AS) | 7-5 |
| July (Post-AS) | 9-6 |
| August | 17-11 |
| September | 12-8 |
So back to the beginning of July, the Braves are 45-30 and haven’t come close to having a losing month. Equate that out over an entire season and the Braves would win 97 or 98 games. The real question is however, can the Braves make that a reality in 2010? Some things will have to change. The bullpen will need to stop wasting leads. The offense will need to come to life when our pitchers need the run support……..and we can’t get swept by the Reds when fighting for a playoff spot. I think starting pitching is locked up decently for the first time in awhile however.
What else needs to change or stay the same for a playoff run in 2010? Let’s go out and enjoy these last 11 games of the season. Who knows, anything can happen. Just ask the Mets.
Tags: 2009, playoffs
Posted in General | 6 Comments »
