MLB Gameday

[Sharkweather]

Braves have now won 5 straight. LaRoche is killing the ball since returning, 2 HRs today.

Only 3 back in the WC and tied with Florida for 2nd in the East at just 4.5 back, 3 in the W column. We are in perfect position to make a run boys, don't screw this up.

No kidding, LaRoche has been on fire since coming back. This is really exciting.

[NAHSTE]

No kidding, LaRoche has been on fire since coming back. This is really exciting.

He's always been a second-half player. He is absolutely shit during April and May, average during June and July, then in August and September he morphs into this HR hitting machine.

I've always been a Rochey fan, and I'd get shit from my buddies for liking him but honestly if you could start the season 2 months later he might be a perennial .290, 30, 100 guy. He now has 15 HRs, 3 since joining the Braves 2 weeks ago.

So in two weeks he's given us 75% of Kotchman's production. Brilliant out of nowhere WTF type of deal for Frank Wren.

[Sharkweather]

Good read NAHSTE.

One thing that has been an obvious cause for the resurgence of the Atlanta Braves recently and for the overall steady play of the Philadelphia Phillies this season -- pitching. And those two pitching staffs will be on display this weekend when the two teams meet in Atlanta in a series. And be sure, this is an important series because the Braves are still within arm's reach in the NL East.

You've got some strong matchups, with Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens (Friday), Cole Hamels vs. Kenshin Kawakami (Saturday) and J.A. Happ vs. Javier Vazquez (Sunday). If Atlanta is going to continue to surprise and pull off a true Cinderella season, it is going to have to match arms with other teams down the stretch. The Braves have a chance to do that this weekend at home. I'm sure they know they are lucky to miss Cliff Lee, who pitched -- and won again -- for the Phillies on Thursday.

Being six games back in the loss column to the Phillies here in mid-August tells me that it's time for the Braves to make their move. A series at home against the division leaders gives them a great opportunity to do just that. It won't be easy, though, because of that Phillies' lineup and the way those bats are rolling coming off a sweep of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley.

Philadelphia's first six hitters might be the toughest first six in baseball. When you have to deal with Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth, well, that's just not easy. That's almost a blueprint at what you want at each position, and a real grind for any opposing pitching staff.

Despite the fact that there are some unknowns in that rotation, this team has come to terms with the fact that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz aren't coming through that door. The Braves are going about the task of developing young arms from within the organization, but that takes time. A lot of people forget that even Maddux and Co. struggled when they were young. One good thing they have going for them at home is a pitcher-friendly park, and I think all that work is now beginning to reap some results.

The Braves have a lot going for them in that no one really expected much from them this season. That frees them up to go out there and be aggressive, to just let it fly.

Bobby Cox has surely built them up a bit. Any time you have a winner like Cox writing your name on a major-league lineup card, that has to give you a world of confidence. This group won't be intimidated at all, even if it is facing the World Series champions. They'll play free and easy. In fact, there's more pressure on the Phillies. One of the toughest things in sports is to win when you are expected to. Everybody has expected Philadelphia to compete. Not only are the Phillies as good as they were last year, but they might even be better. Right now, their only real red flag is at closer. Brad Lidge just hasn't been the same -- his ERA is 7.42. That just doesn't make the closer a red flag; it makes it a big red flag. It's an uncomfortable feeling for a team to wonder every night how many runs are enough.

All things considered, Atlanta might have an edge this weekend. They have nothing to lose.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn

[NAHSTE]

I wish I was in Atlanta so bad for this weekend. I talked to some of my friends and it sounds like the whole city is fired up about Braves baseball for the first time in a long time.

[Sharkweather]

Well 1-2 vs the Phils this weekend really took some wind out of our sails.

In New York for a 3-game series starting tomorrow. I think a 2-1 result from that series would be acceptable (we throw KK vs Santana, not liking our chances there).

[NAHSTE]

Well 1-2 vs the Phils this weekend really took some wind out of our sails.

In New York for a 3-game series starting tomorrow. I think a 2-1 result from that series would be acceptable (we throw KK vs Santana, not liking our chances there).

Yeah I'll take 2 of 3. I fucking hate the Mets, nothing gives me more joy than beating those overrated and overpaid assclowns.

Good thing we own them.

[Sharkweather]

15-2.... wooooo!

[Sharkweather]

3-2 ... got the series vicotry, great success!

[Buzzman]

Tigers got a much needed victory against the ANgels yesterday, hopefull we can win 1 of the enxt 2 and prevent us from losing our 11th consecutive road series.

[strahanfan92]

^^^LOVED WATCHING THAT. On Shane's ball, I knew right when they showed mccutcheon come in that the ball was gonna fly over his head. That thing just kept rising and rising.. It was great to see him comeback like the way he did.

[Miami Flash15]

TOUCH EM ALL MCCUTCHEN!!!!

Thank you you pesky Pirates!

Phillies lose, Fish win.

[Miami Flash15]

Damn, the Rockies won. Fuh!

[mobbdeep1122]

[zack54attack]

Fuck... C'mon Nats.

Chance for the Cubbies to gain ground.

[zack54attack]

Fuck you Albert Pujols.


I cant wait till everyone finds out your Juiced...



/rant.