This is how they get you. Hope. Next thing you know, you're 60 games in and pissed off.

Who needs Home Runs anyway? Braves win 12-2 against Miami marlins and are now 2-0 on the young season:


Top 1st: Atlanta
Nick Markakis singled to left, Eric Young scored ATL 1 - MIA 0
Freddie Freeman doubled to deep left center, Nick Markakis scored ATL 2 - MIA 0
Christian Bethancourt doubled to right center, Freddie Freeman scored ATL 3 - MIA 0
Chris Johnson doubled to deep left center, Christian Bethancourt scored, Kelly Johnson to third ATL 4 - MIA 0
Andrelton Simmons singled to center, Kelly Johnson and Chris Johnson scored ATL 6 - MIA 0
Eric Young singled to center, Andrelton Simmons scored ATL 7 - MIA 0

Top 7th: Atlanta
Freddie Freeman doubled to right center, Jace Peterson scored, Nick Markakis to third ATL 8 - MIA 2

Top 9th: Atlanta
Alberto Callaspo singled to shallow right, Nick Markakis scored, Freddie Freeman to third, Christian Bethancourt to second ATL 9 - MIA 2
Chris Johnson singled to shallow right, Freddie Freeman scored, Christian Bethancourt to third, Alberto Callaspo to second ATL 10 - MIA 2
Cameron Maybin singled to right center, Christian Bethancourt and Alberto Callaspo scored, Chris Johnson to third ATL 12 - MIA 2

I'll take singles and doubles galore over Home Runs any day if it's going to be like this. Good job so far, John Hart and Braves!

I always look at matchups and man the Braves do have a very favorable start to the season....
3 @ Miami
3 Mets(avoiding de Grom, Harvey)
3 Miami
3 @ Toronto
3 @ Mets(once again, avoiding de Grom, Harvey)
3 @ Philly

have a chance to get off to a real good start.

Of course after that they have 3 with the Nats.

(04-07-2015 10:24 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Who needs Home Runs anyway? Braves win 12-2 against Miami marlins and are now 2-0 on the young season:


Top 1st: Atlanta
Nick Markakis singled to left, Eric Young scored ATL 1 - MIA 0
Freddie Freeman doubled to deep left center, Nick Markakis scored ATL 2 - MIA 0
Christian Bethancourt doubled to right center, Freddie Freeman scored ATL 3 - MIA 0
Chris Johnson doubled to deep left center, Christian Bethancourt scored, Kelly Johnson to third ATL 4 - MIA 0
Andrelton Simmons singled to center, Kelly Johnson and Chris Johnson scored ATL 6 - MIA 0
Eric Young singled to center, Andrelton Simmons scored ATL 7 - MIA 0

Top 7th: Atlanta
Freddie Freeman doubled to right center, Jace Peterson scored, Nick Markakis to third ATL 8 - MIA 2

Top 9th: Atlanta
Alberto Callaspo singled to shallow right, Nick Markakis scored, Freddie Freeman to third, Christian Bethancourt to second ATL 9 - MIA 2
Chris Johnson singled to shallow right, Freddie Freeman scored, Christian Bethancourt to third, Alberto Callaspo to second ATL 10 - MIA 2
Cameron Maybin singled to right center, Christian Bethancourt and Alberto Callaspo scored, Chris Johnson to third ATL 12 - MIA 2

I'll take singles and doubles galore over Home Runs any day if it's going to be like this. Good job so far, John Hart and Braves!

I'll go to a couple of games this season since there is no way I'm going to see the Bravos when the move to Cobb County.

(04-08-2015 07:18 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  I'll go to a couple of games this season since there is no way I'm going to see the Bravos when the move to Cobb County.

I understand your initial reluctance. But think about what is happening:

1.Yes, the Braves are moving from their recently built stadium south of downtown (Turner Field, which was originally the 1996 Olympic Stadium, refashioned for baseball and totally built at zero cost to taxpayers) to a brand new, state of the art replica stadium about 15 miles north, near two major interstates, and closer to some of their fan base, with additional office, residential and retail development adjacent. The nexus of all this and the traffic nightmare it will inevitable worsen, may finally push Cobb county (which is demographically more diverse than many people think, especially around that area) to finally join in the mass transportation and heavy rail system that can begin to undo some of the poor planning of the past (MARTA or whatever the new subsequent agency might be called).

2. Turner Field is highly likely to be acquired by GA State University, backed by Atlanta Mayor Reed, where the current plan is to keep half of it as the east stands of a new downtown football stadium complex for GA State University- the largest University in the State of Georgia.

3. As well, the old footprint of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, currently a surface parking lot and home of Hank Aaron's legendary home run and the first major World Championship in Atlanta Sports history, will be rebuilt into a smaller college baseball stadium for GA State U using the same field site and dimensions as was the Braves' original home--so recovering an important part of Atlanta's history.

4. Also, the area around the two new stadiums will be augmented with residential, classroom and athletic facilities and amenities in a park-like redevelopment that will add thousands of residents and life to an area that is now and has been for 50 years a wasteland of urban decay, that could probably finally help that struggling area and adjacent ones like Summerhill and Mechanicsville and Peoplestown spur renewal and improvements to provide jobs and quality of life the areas desperately need.

5. Atlanta Mayor Reed will have a very visual legacy to point to as he seeks his next political move, so he is heavily invested in getting this done, and done right.

In the end, something that looked like a tragedy could be the very thing that helps all parties out.

I'll be happy to go to Cobb a few times a season to support the team in person, although until they get better transit connections I will not enjoy the commute as much as hopping on a MARTA train and bus to Turner Field, which is a bit of a long commute, but still the best way to get there. While ideally, they would have relocated the Braves to the Sports/museum/park areas downtown near Centennial Olympic Park (perhaps in the old Georgia Dome footprint once it is torn down) the Braves are a business, and after 50 years of trying in their present location, deserve to move somewhere nearby where they can make a better profit and not look so third-world in their suurou8ndings if they choose to. Atlanta is better than that, and all of this will help everyone out: Braves, City, taxpayers, residents, fans, Transit supporters. It could have turned out a lot worse. Be patient, it will happen.

(04-08-2015 12:29 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  1.Yes, the Braves are moving from their recently built stadium south of downtown (Turner Field, which was originally the 1996 Olympic Stadium, refashioned for baseball and totally built at zero cost to taxpayers) to a brand new, state of the art replica stadium about 15 miles north, near two major interstates, and closer to some of their fan base, with additional office, residential and retail development adjacent. The nexus of all this and the traffic nightmare it will inevitable worsen, may finally push Cobb county (which is demographically more diverse than many people think, especially around that area) to finally join in the mass transportation and heavy rail system that can begin to undo some of the poor planning of the past (MARTA or whatever the new subsequent agency might be called).

You and I both know Cobb has zero intention of joining MARTA or allowing mass transit to enter the area. There is a maglev company that had a test track just west of Powder Springs that when spotted sent Cobbites for their torches and pitchforks.

Quote:2. Turner Field is highly likely to be acquired by GA State University, backed by Atlanta Mayor Reed, where the current plan is to keep half of it as the east stands of a new downtown football stadium complex for GA State University- the largest University in the State of Georgia.

3. As well, the old footprint of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, currently a surface parking lot and home of Hank Aaron's legendary home run and the first major World Championship in Atlanta Sports history, will be rebuilt into a smaller college baseball stadium for GA State U using the same field site and dimensions as was the Braves' original home--so recovering an important part of Atlanta's history.

Yes, that is making lemonade out of a situation the Reed created himself by ignoring the Braves requests for two years and then tripping all over himself when Arthur Blank came looking for new digs, despite the city's leverage over the Falcons. That combined with his determination to keep the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium Authority in place despite it's dubious utility. And this conversion will make four 25-50k stadiums all within 2 miles of the state capital.

Quote:4. Also, the area around the two new stadiums will be augmented with residential, classroom and athletic facilities and amenities in a park-like redevelopment that will add thousands of residents and life to an area that is now and has been for 50 years a wasteland of urban decay, that could probably finally help that struggling area and adjacent ones like Summerhill and Mechanicsville and Peoplestown spur renewal and improvements to provide jobs and quality of life the areas desperately need.

Everyone has been signing that tune everyone since Turner Field was converted. I don't know why GSU's presence is suddenly supposed to be the difference maker in this case. I'm sure you've noticed the distinct lack of development on GT's western border.

Quote:5. Atlanta Mayor Reed will have a very visual legacy to point to as he seeks his next political move, so he is heavily invested in getting this done, and done right.

Bully for him.

Quote:In the end, something that looked like a tragedy could be the very thing that helps all parties out.

I'll be happy to go to Cobb a few times a season to support the team in person, although until they get better transit connections I will not enjoy the commute as much as hopping on a MARTA train and bus to Turner Field, which is a bit of a long commute, but still the best way to get there. While ideally, they would have relocated the Braves to the Sports/museum/park areas downtown near Centennial Olympic Park (perhaps in the old Georgia Dome footprint once it is torn down) the Braves are a business, and after 50 years of trying in their present location, deserve to move somewhere nearby where they can make a better profit and not look so third-world in their suuroundings if they choose to. Atlanta is better than that, and all of this will help everyone out: Braves, City, taxpayers, residents, fans, Transit supporters. It could have turned out a lot worse. Be patient, it will happen.

Despite all of that my comment was more about my drive to the stadium than anything else. I had a reverse commute to game at Turner Field since I'm in West Georgia. I could drive all the way in or park at HE Holmes and ride the train the GSU station.

The new location during the week will be impossible for me to get to. There is no route that I can take through Cobb County that won't be packed and the Western Wall of 285 from I-20 to I-75 is a parking lot from 3:50-8PM. Yes it would have been nice if the Braves had relocated to the 'Backyard' just north of the GWCC, but I understand that with the current ownership spending limits the needed to find a way to generate additional revenue.

And you have far more faith in Cobb getting a rail extension than I do considering that was one of the County Commissioners first assurances; that no rail would be coming to Cobb and that shuttle buses would solve game time traffic issues.

(04-08-2015 04:29 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  You and I both know Cobb has zero intention of joining MARTA or allowing mass transit to enter the area. There is a maglev company that had a test track just west of Powder Springs that when spotted sent Cobbites for their torches and pitchforks.

As it pertains to the Braves relocation from south downtown to Cobb in 2017, and fans' ability to easily get to the game and surrounding pregame amenities, and thus further fill the team's coffers: I understand your healthy skepticism. I didn't say these were done deals or would be easy. But if the traffic nightmare is as bad as most suspect (and I used to go through that very are and intersection every day just a few years ago, so I'm very familiar with the area the stadium is going in and how traffic actually works--but also who actually lives there (hint: a LOT of minorities who are pro-transit that some in Cobb don't want to admit actually exist) I also expect the Braves themselves to put pressure and dollars behind politically getting it done eventually. Not in five years time, but in 15-20 years? certainly very likely as county demographics will have permanently shifted by then.

(04-08-2015 04:29 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  Yes, that is making lemonade out of a situation the Reed created himself by ignoring the Braves requests for two years and then tripping all over himself when Arthur Blank came looking for new digs, despite the city's leverage over the Falcons. That combined with his determination to keep the Atlanta Fulton County Stadium Authority in place despite it's dubious utility. And this conversion will make four 25-50k stadiums all within 2 miles of the state capital.

Hey, I'm no Reed fan, not by any means. And the AFCSA you mentioned is complete BS (remember the half-million dollar "fanplex?" Ugh!) Yes, he helped create this as you stated. But many big cities with multiple pro and college teams have multiple different stadiums.

(04-08-2015 04:29 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  Everyone has been signing that tune everyone since Turner Field was converted. I don't know why GSU's presence is suddenly supposed to be the difference maker in this case. I'm sure you've noticed the distinct lack of development on GT's western border.

I agree about GT's western border (although I used to have a client there and that area has also changed markedly from what it was. A lot of residential there now that was just trash-filled empty lots for decades before. It is happening intown slowly.)

I'm saying GSU itself will provide the population (student housing/academic and athletic buildings- if you look at the site plan, it's exactly what this area needs to get jump-started. I'd argue that keeping the Braves there was actually condemning the area to futility for another 50 years at least. GA State is on record as growing as has transformed a previously dead after five downtown into a bustling and thriving community of students and others after business hours. Add a grocery store around Turner area and look out, it will take off. (Plus the Beltline.)

(04-08-2015 04:29 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  Bully for him (Reed).

Again, I agree, and I'm no Reed fan. But if it comes to pass, no doubt he will use it.

(04-08-2015 04:29 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  Despite all of that my comment was more about my drive to the stadium than anything else. I had a reverse commute to game at Turner Field since I'm in West Georgia. I could drive all the way in or park at HE Holmes and ride the train the GSU station.

The new location during the week will be impossible for me to get to. There is no route that I can take through Cobb County that won't be packed and the Western Wall of 285 from I-20 to I-75 is a parking lot from 3:50-8PM. Yes it would have been nice if the Braves had relocated to the 'Backyard' just north of the GWCC, but I understand that with the current ownership spending limits the needed to find a way to generate additional revenue.

And you have far more faith in Cobb getting a rail extension than I do considering that was one of the County Commissioners first assurances; that no rail would be coming to Cobb and that shuttle buses would solve game time traffic issues.

I am very familiar with the wall of traffic on the westside perimeter (I-285) that you speak of at that time. You are very correct. More improvements have been needed for some time regardless of Braves or not.

I do think the Braves think many fans will flow in during the afternoons as there will be many amenities to come spend time in before the game outside the new stadium, which is certainly not the case around Turner Field, nice as the actual park is, it is a wasteland surrounding for 50 years and counting. Few have wanted to do any lingering there before or after games.

I also point out that the newer buses that MARTA Director Keith Parker has been replacing old ones with are as nice as rail trains cars, and faster than the brand new streetcar much ballyhooed. I think it will be a mess at first, but the Braves are committed to making this work, and they will get their fans there whatever it takes.

That said, I am thinking the Braves may not be as bad as most are predicting this season. They will have to play differently, but after the last few seasons of going nowhere, I welcome the change to contact-hitting, run producing by small ball and great pitching and defense. They will have to earn every inning without Kimbrel, but they can certainly give it a go. There is more than one way for a team to win. Tampa Bay proved that.

Gotta love it so far! Braves win again. Beat the marlins in Miami 2 to zip and are now 3-0 on the very young season for their best start since 2007. Bullpen with 10 scoreless innings in relief.

I know we have to see how they do over the long haul, and the other teams in the division are no slouches and will be tough, but at least we get a big shot of confidence that yes, we can win some with this lineup and not be totally horrible this year.

Shelby Miller pitched 5 good scoreless innings, but some new guy I've never heard of Brandon Cunniff gets the win tonight, and Jason Grilli, the veteran who stepped into the closer's job for the Bravos now that Kimbrel is gone to SD, picks up his 2nd save of the young season.

Braves starters combined to pitch 16 innings and gave up just 3 runs in the series.

Top 7th: Atlanta
A.J. Pierzynski homered (363 ft.) to deep right, Freddie Freeman scored ATL 2 - MIA 0

I think that's the Braves first and only homer so far this season. Lovin' the small ball!

Braves head home for an opening series with the Mets on Friday night against Jonathan Niese at Turner Field.

I think this is going to be a very fun team to watch develop this season. Hope the front office uses those draft picks well, and lays the groundwork for a team that can do more than lose in their first playoff series.

So far Manager Freddi Gonzalez is doing well making moves and getting used to his new roster of player. Go Braves! 50 years in Atlanta!

The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

(04-08-2015 09:24 PM)stever20 Wrote:  The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

The Brewers are worse than I thought (didn't know Lohse is their ace) and the Marlins are where I thought they'd be. Without Fernandez their pitching doesn't impress me

(04-08-2015 10:42 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 09:24 PM)stever20 Wrote:  The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

The Brewers are worse than I thought (didn't know Lohse is their ace) and the Marlins are where I thought they'd be. Without Fernandez their pitching doesn't impress me

I'm not saying they're world beaters by a long shot. Merely that they won't completely stink like a lot of people predicted. Hart has put together a potentially scrappy and intriguing team. They could sneak up and snag a wild card.

Ya'll will have a real dog-fight out NL West again this season. But we'll have us some fun in the NL East as well. It's on bro!

Huge performance by Chris Heston. A lower-tier prospect (and I use that word loosely), he added some bulk in the offseason and with it a couple ticks on his fastball. He sat at 90-92 and hit 93 a few times, with a lot of arm side run. His breaking balls had some real nice downward action, and he broke out a nice looking 84 mph changeup late in the game. I'm not saying he's any good, because he probably isn't, but he definitely showed some decent stuff and he will undoubtedly earn himself another start. Fact is even with Cain and Peavy this rotation is one giant question mark. So anything they can get out of Heston would be huge. If peavy makes his scheduled start this weekend, Heston will probably pitch the home opener against the Rockies.

(04-08-2015 10:42 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 09:24 PM)stever20 Wrote:  The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

The Brewers are worse than I thought (didn't know Lohse is their ace) and the Marlins are where I thought they'd be. Without Fernandez their pitching doesn't impress me

The pitching- outside of the Latos start hasn't been bad. 9 er in 26.1 ip- 3.08. Alvarez and Koehler both gave up 2 er in 7 and 6 ip respectively. That's not bad.

It's the bats that failed the Marlins. 3 runs in the series.

(04-09-2015 12:26 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 10:42 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 09:24 PM)stever20 Wrote:  The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

The Brewers are worse than I thought (didn't know Lohse is their ace) and the Marlins are where I thought they'd be. Without Fernandez their pitching doesn't impress me

The pitching- outside of the Latos start hasn't been bad. 9 er in 26.1 ip- 3.08. Alvarez and Koehler both gave up 2 er in 7 and 6 ip respectively. That's not bad.

It's the bats that failed the Marlins. 3 runs in the series.

The bats will be fine. I still don't believe in the pitching.

So you think the Padres are glad to get out of Dodger Stadium? Their former player Adrian Gonzalez just went off on them 1st 3 games... .769 (10-13) with 5 homers and 7 RBI. His OPS+ right now is 726! Only 2nd guy in the last 30 years to have 3+ hits in each of 1st 3 games(Chris Shelton back in 2006 the other).

Watching this beast mode Harvey-Strasburg matchup. The former just blew Harper away on 3 pitches. Curveball swing and miss and then swung thru 2 97 mph heaters. He didn't have his best command but he sat comfortably at 95-97 and the curve was sharp. Strasburg looked fine too, although he walked two.

The Mets lineup has the potential to be pretty bad. If Wright doesn't rebound it'll mostly be Duda and a bunch of league average guys. Nobody can predict with certainty what D'arnaud will do, will lagares continue to improve or has he reached his ceiling, will Granderson bounce back at all, will Cuddyer stay healthy and deliver some right handed power? With that pitching staff the Mets would be wise to go after Heyward and Desmond

(04-09-2015 12:33 PM)stever20 Wrote:  (Chris Shelton back in 2006 the other).

Remember that season? He had that monster first half and then fell off a cliff after a few months

(04-09-2015 12:32 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-09-2015 12:26 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 10:42 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 09:24 PM)stever20 Wrote:  The question you have got to ask now are the Braves this good, or are the Marlins a lot worse than a lot of us thought???

The Brewers are worse than I thought (didn't know Lohse is their ace) and the Marlins are where I thought they'd be. Without Fernandez their pitching doesn't impress me

The pitching- outside of the Latos start hasn't been bad. 9 er in 26.1 ip- 3.08. Alvarez and Koehler both gave up 2 er in 7 and 6 ip respectively. That's not bad.

It's the bats that failed the Marlins. 3 runs in the series.

The bats will be fine. I still don't believe in the pitching.

just looking at them-
Henderson Alvarez is 17-14 2.97 with the Marlins in 48 starts. That's not bad.
Tom Koehler is a bit more average- a good 3rd/4th starter type. 15-22 4.10 with the Marlins in 2+ seasons.
Latos- the guy who got rocked is key. He was 56-40 last 5 years with a good 3.27 ERA. 115 era+. Coming back from injury.

key also will be Cosart who was 4-4 2.39 1.188 coming over from the Braves.

If the Marlins can make it by these 1st 2 months they'll be fine. They have a favorable schedule with a lot of division games early.

(04-09-2015 12:37 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  Watching this beast mode Harvey-Strasburg matchup. The former just blew Harper away on 3 pitches. Curveball swing and miss and then swung thru 2 97 mph heaters. He didn't have his best command but he sat comfortably at 95-97 and the curve was sharp. Strasburg looked fine too, although he walked two.

The Mets lineup has the potential to be pretty bad. If Wright doesn't rebound it'll mostly be Duda and a bunch of league average guys. Nobody can predict with certainty what D'arnaud will do, will lagares continue to improve or has he reached his ceiling, will Granderson bounce back at all, will Cuddyer stay healthy and deliver some right handed power? With that pitching staff the Mets would be wise to go after Heyward and Desmond

How did Uggla look 1st AB? Saw he got a single. Had a real laser last night for a double. 2-8 1st 8 ab....

Let's not pretend like latos is the same guy as with the Reds. As I'm sure you've read, his velocity has declined and he's trying to pitch with less of a fastball. I'd have very little faith in him. If the giants rotation is a glaring question mark, the Marlins rotation has to be considered one as well.