The first half officially ended for the Braves a few hours ago after a 14-1 loss to the front-running Phillies. This ties the season series at 6-6, an amazing accomplishment when we realize that Scott Proctor pitched in a few of those games. All kidding aside, the Braves are exactly where I predicted they would be.....within striking distance of the Phils, and leading the wild card.
My prediction was spot-on, but how we have gotten to this point has been very different to how I thought it to happen. The pitching has been stronger than even I expected, the defense has been a lot better than I could have ever imagined, and the hitting, well that's a different story. I predicted with Fredi Gonzalez running the team, we would steal bases and hit-and-run teams to death. However, it's been the speed game that has died. Worst in the majors in steals, our leader Schafer has just 11, and only one other player has even 5. We only have one .300+ hitter in all-star Brian McCann, and the team has a slew of players with sub .235 averages .300 on base %'s. To sum it up: BRUTAL.
The pen has been flat out amazing led by O'Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrel. All get A+ marks. Sherrill and Linebrink have really come on, Martinez gave us some great outings, and Moylen was strong. Gearrin has been OK, and Proctor is what we all that he would be: An overrated pile of HORSESH*T. (Since June 1: 15GP 0-3, 8.25ERA, 1.75WHIP, 12IP, 16H, 5BB, 10K, 4HR)
The starters have been a bright spot. Jurrjens and Hanson have taken that next step into stardom, Hudson has been steady, even brilliant at times. Beachy is showing that he is next to break through, and Lowe has been serviceable. Minor and Teheran are not quite ready for prime time but have great futures.
The bench has been strong after starting the season 0-25 pinch-hitting or whatever it was. Conrad, Ross, and Hinske have all provided power and Ramirez is an interesting option at the end of the bench.
Projected (Healthy) Lineup:
Schafer
Prado
McCann
Jones
Freeman
Uggla
Heyward
Gonzalez
Bench: McLouth, Ross, Hinske, Conrad, Lugo
Stevieincognito's BOLD predictions:
1. Dan Uggla leads the team in HR with 30. He raises his average at end of year to .240
2. Brian McCann finishes with .320 25-90 and is in top 5 for MVP voting.
3. Jason Heyward gets red-hot in August and finishes with .265 20-70
4. Chipper Jones plays in 40 of the last 70. Finishes with .267 13-65
5. We make a trade for a veteran reliever, and a RH bat (gut is saying Willingham), Prado gets on a roll in August, & the lineup scores .75 more runs/game.
6. We add Moylan and Medlen to the pen. Proctor and Gearrin out. Kimbrel saves 46 games. Venters gets 8.
7. Hanson leads the team with 19 wins, Jurrjens gets 18.
8. Second half record: 41-29. Season record: 95-67. Wild card champs, NL champs, WS champs.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
TOP 10 - Favorite Atlanta Braves Ever - Catcher (Blog #19)
This is #2 in a series of my favorite Braves players. Please check out my favorite Outfielders (Blog #13).
Today we move on to the Catchers. Throughout the years we as Braves fans have been blessed to see a number of star catchers in Atlanta, and a few that have left some great memories.
10. Damon Berryhill - A key cog in our '92 and '93 teams, he provided 18-86 in just over 640 at-bats. Not bad for a platoon catcher who just happened to switch-hit.
9. Ernie Whitt - I added Ernie because I enjoyed watching him in the early-mid 1980's in Toronto. By the time he was a Brave, he was well past his prime. Clutch late game hitter on some great 80's Jays teams.
8. Henry Blanco - Hank White was a solid backup and seemed to pick up the odd important hit during his stay. I loved his game behind the plate and gave a huge target, also had a gun for an arm.
7. Francisco Cabrera - Could easily be #2 on my list just because of the immediate thought that comes to mind when I hear the name. Drove in the infamous "Sid Slid" NLCS game winning run in 1992. Easily my favorite Braves moment. However, Frankie was horrible, and didn't really play much more of a role during his Braves career.
6. Greg Olson - Greg with one G. Was our all-star catcher in 1990, but is best known for the 1992 collision with Ken Caminiti at the plate that broke his leg. Olson became the rallying point around my favorite Braves season ever. The cast with the Tomahawk is something I will remember forever!
5. Johnny Estrada - "Chips" was thought to be a throw-in in the Kevin Millwood trade to Philadelphia but was actually an all-star in 2004 and actually received MVP votes. I liked his game and he seemed to be a great teammate. Great transition player between the years of #1, and #2 on this list.
4. Eddie Perez - What is, or was not to love about Eddie? I enjoyed him as a player, and still love him as a fixture in the Braves coaching staff in the bullpen. Eddie was a defensive wizard who provided a few late inning heroics of his own. Ultimate team player, still a leader on this team.
3. David Ross - Not only is he the best back-up catcher in the bigs now, he may be the best back-up of ALL-TIME. All the guy does is give you amazing game-calling, with a rocket arm and a powerful bat. He knows his role on the team and is the perfect compliment to the everyday catcher.
2. Javy Lopez - It truly is a testament to the #1 on this list that I could put Javy at #2. All Javy did was give us power, multiple endless memories during our greatest time as a franchise, and perhaps my favorite walk-up music ever. Whenever I hear "Limelight"by RUSH, I get goosebumps and think of how many times that music was the warning that we all had that something big was about to happen. I caught 2 baseballs that he hit in Montreal and they are a favorite in my vast and ever-growing collection. One of my favorite players.
1. Brian McCann - Wow! To dethrone Javy Lopez on my list, you have to be great, and trust me Brian McCann is that. MLB's best catcher and truly one of the sports biggest stars, sadly a fact not noticed by National media. Clutch should be renamed "McClutch" with Brian around. From the monumental playoff HR off of Roger Clemens to the numbers that he is putting up daily now, the guy gets better and better. As Chipper Jones says, this is McCann's team. That my friends is high praise. 6 years, 6 all-star games including last years MVP. Can you just imagine how great his numbers would be if our lineup actually got on base? Yikes!
The Atlanta Braves have been my passion for the last 23+ years. I have watched lean years, average years, and a whole lot of AMAZING years. Over this time I have been blessed to see some of my favorite players ever grace the Fulton-County Stadium and Turner Field crowds with many memorable moments.
Today we move on to the Catchers. Throughout the years we as Braves fans have been blessed to see a number of star catchers in Atlanta, and a few that have left some great memories.
10. Damon Berryhill - A key cog in our '92 and '93 teams, he provided 18-86 in just over 640 at-bats. Not bad for a platoon catcher who just happened to switch-hit.
9. Ernie Whitt - I added Ernie because I enjoyed watching him in the early-mid 1980's in Toronto. By the time he was a Brave, he was well past his prime. Clutch late game hitter on some great 80's Jays teams.
8. Henry Blanco - Hank White was a solid backup and seemed to pick up the odd important hit during his stay. I loved his game behind the plate and gave a huge target, also had a gun for an arm.
7. Francisco Cabrera - Could easily be #2 on my list just because of the immediate thought that comes to mind when I hear the name. Drove in the infamous "Sid Slid" NLCS game winning run in 1992. Easily my favorite Braves moment. However, Frankie was horrible, and didn't really play much more of a role during his Braves career.
6. Greg Olson - Greg with one G. Was our all-star catcher in 1990, but is best known for the 1992 collision with Ken Caminiti at the plate that broke his leg. Olson became the rallying point around my favorite Braves season ever. The cast with the Tomahawk is something I will remember forever!
5. Johnny Estrada - "Chips" was thought to be a throw-in in the Kevin Millwood trade to Philadelphia but was actually an all-star in 2004 and actually received MVP votes. I liked his game and he seemed to be a great teammate. Great transition player between the years of #1, and #2 on this list.
4. Eddie Perez - What is, or was not to love about Eddie? I enjoyed him as a player, and still love him as a fixture in the Braves coaching staff in the bullpen. Eddie was a defensive wizard who provided a few late inning heroics of his own. Ultimate team player, still a leader on this team.
3. David Ross - Not only is he the best back-up catcher in the bigs now, he may be the best back-up of ALL-TIME. All the guy does is give you amazing game-calling, with a rocket arm and a powerful bat. He knows his role on the team and is the perfect compliment to the everyday catcher.
2. Javy Lopez - It truly is a testament to the #1 on this list that I could put Javy at #2. All Javy did was give us power, multiple endless memories during our greatest time as a franchise, and perhaps my favorite walk-up music ever. Whenever I hear "Limelight"by RUSH, I get goosebumps and think of how many times that music was the warning that we all had that something big was about to happen. I caught 2 baseballs that he hit in Montreal and they are a favorite in my vast and ever-growing collection. One of my favorite players.
1. Brian McCann - Wow! To dethrone Javy Lopez on my list, you have to be great, and trust me Brian McCann is that. MLB's best catcher and truly one of the sports biggest stars, sadly a fact not noticed by National media. Clutch should be renamed "McClutch" with Brian around. From the monumental playoff HR off of Roger Clemens to the numbers that he is putting up daily now, the guy gets better and better. As Chipper Jones says, this is McCann's team. That my friends is high praise. 6 years, 6 all-star games including last years MVP. Can you just imagine how great his numbers would be if our lineup actually got on base? Yikes!
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