Bubble Screen

amazing walk-off win by the Padres today. Suck it, Joey Votto. I hate you.

I bet you REALLY hate Votto after today.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5612433&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I'd be ok with adding another wild card team in. Considering only 8 of the 30 team make the playoffs, it would at least make things interesting in more cities down the stretch.

I hope they leave it as it is. I don't see a reason to add any teams. Just take the division winners and one wildcard. It waters down the playoffs when alot of teams make the playoffs.

The Braves are choking their way out of the playoffs.

...I got nothin'.

We rollin rollin rollin. Too bad the Braves can't say the same. It will be completely sad if the Braves miss the playoffs.

I just can't see the Braves missing the postseason.

Btw, not sure if you know or not, but the Rangers visit Atlanta next year. I might have to make it down for that series. Love me some Josh Hamilton.

useless without pics

I don't know how to post pics. But trust me on this one. She's smokin'.

She was at the game on Monday night because he was about to record his 1,500 K.

He definitely outkicked his coverage.

Derek Lowe was money Monday night. Btw, he has a ridiculously hot wife.

Don't know if any of you guys watched the Braves-Marlins game today, but its eerie how sharp Joe Simpson is while calling a game. Today during one of the middle innings (forget which one) he made a point that the on deck circles at Florida were too close to the batter's box and whatnot. Fast forward an inning or so, the Marlins' LF, Logan Morrison, was struck in the head by a foul ball off the bat of one of his teammates.

And this isn't the first time he's called something like that. He doesn't get enough credit for the job he does, imo.

I gotta admit, though I loathe the Braves, Jason Heyward is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. I really dig the way he plays ball.

And by all accounts, he's a really great guy, too.

Jason Heyward is on a TEAR, folks!

All I know is that there is no way he ever sees the field (regularly) with this team if we have a completely healthy lineup. And that is even with any defensive skills he might have. I will take Nelson Cruz in RF 100 times out of 100 over Frenchy. He is coming in pretty much as our 5th outfielder.

Our best OF would consist of Hamilton in LF, Borbon in CF because he has terrific range, and Cruz in RF. All three are terrific defensive outfielders.

While I haven't watched much of Borbon or Cruz, I can almost bet you anything that none of those 3 are as good, defensively, as Francoeur. The guy has an absolute rocket. Not too many guys even try to go first to third on this guy. But yeah, if he doesn't hit, he's not likely to see much time. Especially with Cruz coming back.

I'm not sure what to think of the Rangers getting Francoeur. The dude pretty much was at his prime his rookie year, and has done pretty much jack squat since. The good thing about this trade is that we got rid of that scrub Arias. But Francoeur pretty much sucks.

I guess this at least means that I can start wearing the Francoeur shirt I got back in 2005 again...

Well, he is still relatively young. Plus he's a helluva RF. Who knows, all he might need is the right hitting instructor. One that will continue to stress patience at the plate. He's still very capable of repeating that year he hit 29 HR and right at 100 RBI..I think he also hit .293 that year or something.

Plus that is a hitter's ballpark. You have to remember, he's been hitting in two parks that are considered pitcher's parks, so far in his career. All I know is now it will be alot easier to root for the guy, with him not playing for the Mets and whatnot. I wish him well.

haha all of a sudden, the Padres have the worst record amongst the NL division leaders.

This coincides with MissU28's absence from the board.:pfft:

^ no, not for the next four days. GO YANKS!

Whatever. I can't root for the Yanks under any circumstances.:pfft:

GTH Yankees GTH Yankees GTH Yankees!

Yet another epic comeback by the Braves on Sunday.

Yeah, the current Rangers team has very little playoff experience. The only noteworthy guys who have such experience are Vladimir Guerrero and Cliff Lee. Of course, those are two pretty important players when it comes to doing something in the postseason. But anyways...the Rays had no playoff experience in 2008 and they carried their magical season all the way to the World Series.

Basically what I'm saying is that playoff experience in MLB is way overrated. (see: 2001 World Series) Trust me when I say that I will cheer my ass off for the Braves to not only make the playoffs, but to go deep into October. But if the Braves and Padres were to meet in the NLCS, I would take the Padres in 5 games, 6 at most.

I'm not gonna sit here and say that the Padres would for sure beat either the Yankees or the Rays in the WS, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they did. A month or two ago, the Padres were just a cute story. But by now, if you aren't taking them seriously, then you will get burned.

Not to say the regular season is a barometer of how the playoffs would go, but you do realize the Braves have pretty much owned the Padres this year, right? They've taken 2 of 3 from them in each series. In fact, the Padres barely even scored off them in the last series. Just sayin...

Sorry to anyone on my facebook who will notice me using the same comments both there AND here, but meh...

Forget the last few games. As far as I'm concerned, the San Diego freakin Padres are the team to beat...not only in the NL, but in the entire major leagues. I would take the Padres over any team from the AL East. Mat Latos is the biggest stud nobody has heard of.

Meh. I would take the Yankees over them. And I can't stand the Yanks. The Yanks don't have quite the starting rotation the Padres have, but they have a few guys that have been there and won clutch playoff games. Plus they have the best closer of all time. And their offense is head and shoulders above San Diego's.

I would also take the Rays over the Padres. Their starters are comparable. And they, too, have a good closer in Bell. And both teams' offenses are pretty even.

I would also probably take the Braves ahead of them. Better manager. Slightly better offense, imo. And both pitching staffs are pretty equal.

The Padres don't have many guys at all who have postseason experience. They could possibly be one and done in the postseason (sorry, MissU28).

Edit: Funny, the team you like is probably the one that closely resembles the Padres (the Rangers). By that, I mean neither team has many guys that have experience. And both teams suprised this season.

This doesn't need to go the distance.

Derrek Lee to the Braves is a done deal. We didn't give up any big name prospects and Glaus is going to the DL which is what I was hoping for. Good job by Frank Wren.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5473305

I hope Glaus can stay on the roster once he gets off the DL. I've liked having him this year. Its too bad that he can't stay healthy. He carried the Braves offense for a month or so there.

And that's great that we didn't have to give up any top prospects. I don't think Wren gets enough credit. Everyone wanted to bury the guy after he got rid of Glavine, and the way that whole thing transpired. But he did the right thing. He's made very few bad choices in his tenure as GM, imo.

You aren't catching the Rangers, dude.

Braves close to landing D.Lee. If nothing else, the defensive upgrade over Glaus with be staggering. Glaus can barely walk at this point. Hopefully Lee's back is sorted out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5473305

NO way Glaus goes to 3rd. Wouldn't be surprised if he is released outright to be honest. But I doubt it.

As a Braves fan, landing Lee doesn't really get me excited. However, he definitely would be an upgrade, defensively, over Glaus. And with Glaus' knees as they are, he would probably be an upgrade on the offensive side as well. Might be the 3-hole hitter they need to replace Chipper.

And im with ya, not a chance Glaus goes to 3rd. If he can't cut it playing 1B he definitely wouldn't over at 3B. I didn't read the article. But if the guy suggested he might move to third, then he's an idiot.

Wouldn't be a bad move for the Braves, they definitely need some offense.

Funny you say that, coming off a game where they put up a 10 spot. However, I agree with you. It would seem that they need to make a move. The Phils are getting healthier by the day.

But I wonder if Lee would want to go to the Braves? I remember him turning down a trade to the Angels earlier.

He definitely has the ERA and the record to warrant very strong consideration. But what I think is gonna hurt him is his lack of strikeouts, and his weak K/BB ratio. I don't think he'd finish top 2 if the season ended today.

Hudson is 14-5 with a 2.13 ERA.

Has allowed just 2 earned runs in last 36 2/3 innings.

Is 5-0 with 0.49 ERA in past 5 starts.

Tied (with Halladay) for second most wins in NL.

If the season ended today, he should finish no lower than 2nd in Cy Young race. And if he keeps pitching like he has lately, he's gonna win it. He's pitching for a first place club. And the Braves are arguably the best team in the NL. Plus factor in that Jimenez hasn't been anywhere as good as he was before the all star break. And, needless to say, he pitches for a team that will miss the playoffs. The more I think about it, Hudson should probably be the front-runner for the NL Cy Young right now.

Edit: And remember, Maddux wasn't really a strikeout pitcher either. And he won a few of these awards.

Tim Hudson is just ridiculous. Definitely has a shot at the Cy Young.

Yea, true, sorry. But he is one of my favorite players to watch, however, I can't root for him because when he does well, the Braves do well, and the Phils have to fight tougher.

I am an overall baseball fan, way more than the NFL. I can watch a Royals Indians game over a Patriots Dolphins game or whatever.

My prized baseball card in my collection, well top 2, are actually braves. I have Some platinum refractor for Andrew Jones at like some # out of 100, and then a game used bat piece of Chipper some # of 30 i think.

But yea, its' sad to see him out of baseball...and i would never ever root for a career ending injury, but it's going to hurt the braves a lot.

I'm just glad i got to watch a .300/300 HR switch hitter in my lifetime.

Chipper will eventually make the Hall of Fame, despite all of the injuries. His numbers are still very, very good. Like you mentioned, he's a career .300 hitter. And he has 435 HR. Would have hit 500+ easily had it not been for the injuries. I hope he decides that this isn't how he wants to go out, and he rehabs, and comes back to Spring Training for one last season. However, I couldn't blame him if he decides this is it. He's 38. And this is Cox's last season. He could go out knowing he was hitting the ball better than he had all season. At the same time, that reasoning could make him believe he has another year in him. We'll see.

As for Andruw Jones. I have a ball he tossed me once. But I never got him to sign it. Based on how his career has gone lately, I don't think it would be worth anything, anyway. Same with the Andruw card of yours. Guy was destined to be great. But he just didn't have that drive, I guess.

If there is one person whose absence would severely debilitate his team, it would be Josh Hamilton. That is why he will win MVP.

Yeah, I agree. He's nearly irreplaceable, imo. And he's a great feel-good story. That SI article a year or so ago was pretty interesting. He's gone through a lot to get where he is today.

I don't have a 2nd favorite team. But I have to admit, I will be rooting for Texas to come out of the AL. Then again, I will be rooting for ANYONE to come out of the AL, other than the Yanks.