The Official Atlanta Braves Thread

johnny87 · 03-30-2008, 04:59 PM

Starts today.

here is an article discussing the braves greatness

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/previe...son&id=3320120

johnny87 · 03-30-2008, 05:00 PM

Braves were 3rd in the NL in ERA and 3rd in the NL in most runs scored.

There has been substantial improvements made to the pitching staff.

They will also have texiera for the whole year adn got rid of the rally killing machine Andruw who hit 230 with RISP.

I expect to lead the NL in both categories

Defensively,

"In last year's defensive-efficiency ratings by the Hardball Times, the Braves led the National League in fielding plus-minus (plus-58 plays made that an average fielder doesn't make) and outs made outside a fielder's "zone" (454)."

Plus the best manager in the game.

oh my...

Exist 2 Inspire · 03-30-2008, 05:38 PM

Yea we're definitely flying way under the radar...that's cool with me though, as long as we win games...and we will.

StewieG · 03-30-2008, 05:39 PM

The braves are awsome. Im not huge into baseball but I watch every braves game I can.

johnny87 · 03-30-2008, 06:13 PM

Bush is throwing the first pitch out tonight.

Prezidential · 03-30-2008, 07:05 PM

The ball travels well in the new stadium.

I could see Zimm reaching 30 HR and 100 RBI given a full year.

niospecv · 03-30-2008, 07:34 PM

They will do well this year.

**GApump** · 03-30-2008, 08:22 PM

I was going to make this thread if you didn't

Looking forward to the game tomorrow, going to go up a bit early and cookout in the lot before heading in. Hopefully we can pull this one out tonight, Hudson looked really good after he settled in.

Exist 2 Inspire · 03-30-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GApump

I was going to make this thread if you didn't

Looking forward to the game tomorrow, going to go up a bit early and cookout in the lot before heading in. Hopefully we can pull this one out tonight, Hudson looked really good after he settled in.

I was going to go, but my friend ended up not being able to. I've never been to a home opener before, but I hear they're pretty kickass.

johnny87 · 03-30-2008, 08:37 PM

excellent base running by prado. i was gettin nervous.

I wonder who they are going to use right now. This would of been a good spot for yates..

SeanCC · 03-30-2008, 08:38 PM

Do Braves fans really feel they have a shot this year? I'm a Red Sox fan so I'm unbiased but Stark's article on ESPN.com really caught me off guard; I just don't see it. Smoltz is nasty but still one year older and you have to wonder with him. Hudon was up and down (as far as I know?) and has been since he got to the Braves. I didn't realize their offense was as good as it was last year but I really didn't look at them as even favorites in the division, much less for the world series. What am I missing, fill me in someone (not a braves hater at all, just don't see it)

johnny87 · 03-30-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanCC

Do Braves fans really feel they have a shot this year? I'm a Red Sox fan so I'm unbiased but Stark's article on ESPN.com really caught me off guard; I just don't see it. Smoltz is nasty but still one year older and you have to wonder with him. Hudon was up and down (as far as I know?) and has been since he got to the Braves. I didn't realize their offense was as good as it was last year but I really didn't look at them as even favorites in the division, much less for the world series. What am I missing, fill me in someone (not a braves hater at all, just don't see it)

Hudson was very good last year. There bullpen is great. And a great lineup. Very good defesnively. Best manager in the game.

only reason they fell off last year was because they only had 2 starting pitchers. As long as there starters hold up, they have a good chance.

hudson looked great tonight btw. Untouchable after that 1st inning.

Exist 2 Inspire · 03-30-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanCC

Do Braves fans really feel they have a shot this year? I'm a Red Sox fan so I'm unbiased but Stark's article on ESPN.com really caught me off guard; I just don't see it. Smoltz is nasty but still one year older and you have to wonder with him. Hudon was up and down (as far as I know?) and has been since he got to the Braves. I didn't realize their offense was as good as it was last year but I really didn't look at them as even favorites in the division, much less for the world series. What am I missing, fill me in someone (not a braves hater at all, just don't see it)

Hudson wasn't up and down. He won 16 games last year and probably would've had 19 or 20 if closer Bob Wickman hadn't blown a few games. Smoltz was great last year...no reason to think he won't at least be good this year. Same with Glavine...and Mike Hampton is back, so overall the pitching rotation is much much better than last year.

And the hitting should be about the same. Their only losses were Andruw (who hit .222) and Renteria (who's replacement Escobar is just as good).

And...Bobby Cox. Nuff said.

JJP11 · 03-30-2008, 08:43 PM

0-1. nice hit.

USAviator · 03-30-2008, 08:44 PM

Boom Home Run Everywhere

bbacn123 · 03-30-2008, 08:50 PM

ahhh....thats ok. This offense wont be held in check like that very often. Ball carries well to center in washington.

**GApump** · 03-30-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exist 2 Inspire

I was going to go, but my friend ended up not being able to. I've never been to a home opener before, but I hear they're pretty kickass.

Yeah we have a group of 30 going tomorrow, all sitting in the outfield pavilion. Usually I would drink and then go out after, but I have a big day at work on Tuesday so I have to drive back that night. This is my 4th straight opening day, always a good time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAviator

Boom Home Run Everywhere

jeez, hopefully that doesn't mess up Moylan's head, he's a great reliever but he just hung that pitch.

Prezidential · 03-30-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prezidential

The ball travels well in the new stadium.

I could see Zimm reaching 30 HR and 100 RBI given a full year.

Right on the money.

SilvrBckGorilla · 03-30-2008, 09:00 PM

damn...

**GApump** · 03-30-2008, 09:03 PM

Did anyone else catch Pete's call on Bush throwing out the first pitch? "A little high and to the right," with emphasis on the "high" and "right" portions, I chuckled.

kalmamd · 03-30-2008, 09:05 PM

My thoughts:

First and formost, Tim Hudson pitchewd awesome as I expected. We lost this game by a foot literally. B-Mac was 2 feet from a homer and he gets thrown out at second. Tex nearly hits one out. Zimmerman sneaks the game winner over. The offense was offensive. Frenchy looked horrible. Diaz looked bad. Im not that concerned about the offense that much but tonight really bothered me. Odalis Perez is not cy young and he made us look bad. Let's hope Glavine gets us win number 1 tommorrow and the offense shows up.

SilvrBckGorilla · 03-31-2008, 06:16 PM

3-1 Atlanta, top of 4

bbacn123 · 03-31-2008, 06:47 PM

Typical Glavine tonight. Been in some jams but getting out of them with no damage.

Hope KJ is ok

Exist 2 Inspire · 03-31-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbacn123

Hope KJ is ok

What happened to him? I flipped over to the Hawks game and now I come back and Prado is playing..

bbacn123 · 03-31-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exist 2 Inspire

What happened to him? I flipped over to the Hawks game and now I come back and Prado is playing..

He just went out. Did you see the play in the field where dove for the ball and couldnt come up with it? He got a base hit and scored in the bottom half and didnt come back out to field after that. May have rolled over is wrist or something. No word yet though

Exist 2 Inspire · 03-31-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbacn123

He just went out. Did you see the play in the field where dove for the ball and couldnt come up with it? He got a base hit and scored in the bottom half and didnt come back out to field after that. May have rolled over is wrist or something. No word yet though

Yeah I saw the play, and I saw him score...hopefully he's alright.

BTW, Yunel's on frie!!!