Rivalry Renewed Mets VS. Braves

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Game 1 of the season series vs. the Mets is tomorrow night. Braves send Jorge Sosa to the mound. While the Mets send Pedro Matinez to the hill. A pitching mis-match you could say.

Jorge has been very good on the road. Pedro is always good especially in pressure games. The Braves should plan on taking and fighting off pitches to knock Pedro out of the game ASAP.

Sosa should go back to his free and easy pitching motion and quit falling off the mound toward 1B. I'd say 6 or 7 innings of baseball, limiting the Mets to under 3 runs would be a major success.

I'd use Remlinger, Villareal, and Cormier as much as possible when it comes to the bullpen. I'd beware of bringing in Reitsma, Moylan, Ray, or James much.

The Braves better attack Bradford, Sanchez, Julio, and Heilman as much as possible. The Braves will need to play some solid defense. Limiting themselves to most physical and mental errors. If we can do this, we should have a positive outcome.

If the Mets win game 1, it wouldn't give them as much momentum as it would the Braves if the Braves win game 1 , because the Mets are heavily favored to win by sending Pedro to the mound against Sosa.

Good Luck to the Braves in this series. A rivalry should be renewed.

Currently the Braves are 4 games back.

*This thread will serve for anything pertaining to the Braves and Mets playing each other during the 2006 season.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Oh if we could sticky this thread it would be great.:D

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Oh doesn't it seem that Pedro and Sosa look alot alike.

[grizzly451]

I'd say the Braves take 2 out of 3 games.

Pedro is a good pitcher, but for me a big part of how that game ends is how Sosa pitches. If he can pitch well, then the Braves can stay in the game and have a great chance at winning. Pedro or no Pedro, Sosa really needs a quality start.

[atlbravesfan]

The series with the Mets is very important since they are up 4 games right now. Not crucial, but important. I don't know how healthy they are, but we need to hurry up and get well soon, if that's possible. The pitching match-up is not in our favor. Smoltz will miss the Mets series b/c of the rotation. We will pitch 4, 5, and 1 against their 1, 2, and 3.

9 games in 10 days on the road. Let's come back home with some momentum. I see we play the Mets again when we return home, and if the rotation stays the way it is, we will pitch 3, 4, and 5 against them. Smoltz misses again....don't like that!

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Well, we've reached it. The game is tonight on ESPN.

Key Points:
We'll be okay if Sosa can locate in the bottom of the strike-zone. He is really effective, when he gets the bottom to fall out of that slider of his. Carlos Delgado owns Sosa throughout his career, I believe he has around 4 homers against him. So I'd pitch around Delgado as much as possible. I'm looking for 6-7 strong innings from Sosa to win this game.

The young guys should step-up. Ryan Langerhans should play a key impact on this game. As usual he will be hitting 3rd in the lineup. If he gets on base alot, this will give Andruw more opportunities to drive in runs, and eventually Pedro has to falter. I'm sure his great defense will also play a role. Brian McCann needs to call an extra good game tonight. I don't want to be shy about throwing a fastball at the top outer part of the zone, and then throwing a knee buckling slider low and in. If McCann gets a few hits batting low in the lineup that should play a good role. Pete Orr should hang-tough and be aggressive hitting lead-off. Wilson Betemit should keep trying to hit the ball to all fields. This is what has caused his recent success. And of course if Jeff Francoeur and Adam LaRoche' get their power stroke coming alive in- sync we'll be okay. It'd also be awesome if Frenchy could rack up some assists.

Andruw Jones needs to relax and not press. He needs to stay back and wait for Pedro to throw him some mediocre pitches higher in the strike-zone, and pulverize them. He can't play in to Pedro and hit some pitchers pitches in which the bottom falls out and Andruw looks silly on them or he justs pops them up.

Finally, the bullpen needs to be the best it has been, and can be. Ken Ray needs to get back to the great change-up pitch he has. I'd try throwing it less in and more away from hitters. Remlinger, Villarreal, and Cormier, they just need to stay themselves and not get over-zealous about facing the Mets. James and Moylan just need to be ready in-case we use them. James should throw more breaking balls, and Moylan need to pitch more away. And Chris Reitsma needs to step up and BE the closer. If he gets called in, in the bottom of the ninth, He needs to be throwing bullets. Hard and High and away Fastballs then a low change-up and a knee buckling curve-ball. He needs to be confident and take charge over the bullpen.

Notes:
I hope we can get Renteria back soon. Hopefully if not tonight's game, tomorrow nights.....If Jorge Sosa is sub-par again. Look for the braves to be moving him to the trading block by the time Ramirez is back with the club. So basically Sosa really has to pitch well tonight, no matter which team comes out on top.

Mets Current Record: 8-2
Braves Current Record: 6-7 4 games back.

[Baseball Guru]

The series with the Mets is very important since they are up 4 games right now. Not crucial, but important. I don't know how healthy they are, but we need to hurry up and get well soon, if that's possible. The pitching match-up is not in our favor. Smoltz will miss the Mets series b/c of the rotation. We will pitch 4, 5, and 1 against their 1, 2, and 3.
!


A Mets fan perspective:)

We are pretty healthy for the most part.. The only injury is a little nagging hammy injury to Beltran that caused him to miss yesterdays game... He should be back tonight...

Braves do not actually get our 1,2 and 3 pitchers because Pedro is out of order because he missed his 1st start due to injury...

Here are the pitching match-ups for the series after tonight:
• Tuesday: Braves (RHP Kyle Davies, 0-1, 8.38 ERA) at Mets (RHP Victor Zambrano, 1-0, 5.40 ERA), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Brewers (RHP Tim Hudson, 0-1, 9.20 ERA) at Mets (LHP Tom Glavine, 2-0, 1.50 ERA), 1:10 p.m. ET

You actually get our 1, 5 and 2 starters... The Hudson vs Glavine match-up has the potential to be a good one...

Tough spot for the Braves to come into Shea with the starters not pitching too well and the Mets bats hot to start the season but as I'm sure you all know, throw out the stats and records when these 2 play each other...

I like the Mets to pull 2 of 3 in this series because they are home and probably still, even with the hot start, feel they have something to prove vs the Braves..

Good luck in the series:)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

:waving Thanks Baseball Guru for the Mets point of view. :coffee

This series oughta be a good one. The Braves have won every season series vs. the Mets since 1997. So the Mets are indeed looking to prove themselves. The Braves are just trying to get back on track. Our starting pitching is beginning to come around, and the Mets offense has been spectacular.

Game 2 is a more even match up, and Game 3 should be a classic.

Though I'd Love this Match-up.

John Thomson vs. Steve Trachsel
Tim Hudson vs. Tom Glavine
John Smoltz vs. Pedro Martinez

I hope we can get that before the season is over.

Good Luck to the Mets :) As Don Sutton says " This series oughta be a dandy"

[efin98]

Pedro beats Sosa.
Zambrano beats Davies.

Hudson vs. Glavine in going to be a draw, it will come down to the bullpens.

Mets win that game with Wagner having a dramatic 9th.

[jpenrod]

Pedro beats Sosa.
Zambrano beats Davies.

Hudson vs. Glavine in going to be a draw, it will come down to the bullpens.

Mets win that game with Wagner having a dramatic 9th.

Great analysis Efin! :rolleyes:

Seriously I would be happy with the Braves avoiding the sweep in this series only because of the way our starting pitching has been. I expect Pedro to be too much for Sosa to keep up with, especially the way it looks like Sosa has lost the houdini effect. Davies can hang with Zambrano and I think the Braves line up can get to Zambrano, he is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA and the Braves hitters have been doing alright so far. Game three could be intriguing. I think Hudson is due for a good outing and the way the Braves have hit Glavine in the past I like our chances in this game. That being said I think Glavine finally settled down in his last start against the Braves (maybe his last two) so it could be a close game. If it does come down to the bullpens I do not expect ATL to be afraid of wagner as they have had a couple of late wis against him. Combine that with the fact that Reitsma has had good luck against the Mets and the edge could go to Atlanta.

Like I said at the beginning of my post I would be happy to avoid the sweep but ATL taking 2 of 3 would not surprise me either if our starting pitchers can do what they are capable of. I do not see either team sweeping the series.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

I highly doubt the Braves will get swept. If they do I will be highly dissapointed. This first game is going to be the tester. If the Braves really hang-tough look for the series to go more in the Braves favor.

If the Braves get blown away this 1st game, look for the rest of the series to go the same way. :ughh

Let's get off to a gooooooood start!:)

[ATL22]

No sweep either way I don't think. The Braves have been kinda lethargic lately. Maybe this series is what they need to get them fired up and get the pitching staff going. The offense has been better than expected all year. The Mets have been hot but this is their first real test of the year unless you think the Brewers are for real. I'd venture to say the Braves would have a better record if their schedule had resembled the Mets' thus far. But now it's time to put all that aside and prove some things between the lines where it counts. 9 games with each other in the next 2 weeks. That's half the season total done by the beginning of May and it could definitely set a tone for the division race. I say the Braves would be thrilled to take 6 out of the 9 upcoming games against the Mets and that's certainly possible.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Welcome back ATL22 you haven't posted in a while, great to see you back.:) :waving

I agree. 6 of 9 would be a huge uplift for the Braves. As long as the Braves stay really close with the Mets, I think the Braves have the advantage in the division race. Let's get this one tonight.

[ATL22]

Welcome back ATL22 you haven't posted in a while, great to see you back.:) :waving

Thanks GB. It has been a while.....too long really. It's a busy time of year at school from March until early May but I hope to resume posting as a regular on here again.

I think the biggest thing is the Braves have the mental edge. Sure there is a little pressure on the Braves to keep their streak going. None of these guys wants to be on the team that lets that streak end. But the Mets know this has been the Braves division and the measuring stick for all their offseason additions the past two years is whether or not they can dethrone the Bravos. We are still the team to beat until someone proves otherwise and believe me, Willie Randolph and all his boys know that. Deep down I think that adds a lot of pressure to them as they go out there to face the Braves head to head. I'm hoping for a renewal of the late 90's rivalry with these guys. No offense to Met fans but I hate the Mets because as a Braves fan I remember those rivalry days. I don't want to ever see our streak end but I do prefer seeing the Mets or Phillies or somebody be good enough to give us a run for our money rather than us steamrolling to a 25 game division win. If somebody finally steps up and beats us fair and square over a 162 game season then I'll tip my hat to them and say they earned it. I'm hoping for a heck of a pennant race that culminates in a world championship for Atlanta! I think the first big step in that direction comes tonight.

[efin98]

Great analysis Efin! :rolleyes:

Going with my gutt on this one. I don't think it will be anything spectacular outside of the Hudson/Glavine game. Pedro will have a great night but won't have an overwheling lead. The same goes for the Zambrano game. I think the Mets have the better lineup and will have more hits and runs through the series but Atlanta will make their hits count. Which is also why I believe the game between Hudson and Glavine will come down to the bullpens with the Braves coming up big when they need it most...

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Another "Good Game" for the Braves.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: They lose 4-3. Again the Braves had many chances to tie the game and they infact lead at 2 points, but thay blew it.:grouchy :grouchy :grouchy

They're starting to p@#$ me off.

[jpenrod]

I think the Mets have the better lineup and will have more hits and runs through the series but Atlanta will make their hits count.

Do you really think the Mets will have more runs than the Braves through the series? I mean you only picked the Mets to sweep Atlanta, I figure with a pick like that Atlanta might still be able to outscore the Mets. ;)

[atlbravesfan]

Well ESPN has declared the Muts World Champs...a parade is scheduled around noon today. Yankees have been ordered to leave the city. The baseball season is over. Everyone go home. :ughh

[grizzly451]

Any team with Victor Zambrano as a starter will definitely have an uphill battle to the Series.

Wonder what the odds are of Pedro's toe falling off during the season anway?

The Mets are definitely a better team this year then they have been in a while, but already making a prediction like that is pretty much what makes ESPN so laughable anyway. They just need to stick to broadcasting actual games (all sports).

[efin98]

Do you really think the Mets will have more runs than the Braves through the series? I mean you only picked the Mets to sweep Atlanta, I figure with a pick like that Atlanta might still be able to outscore the Mets. ;)

Actually, I picked Atlanta to win one game- the Hudson/Glavine game.

And yes, I think the Mets will score more runs over the course of the series. They will have about three to four more runs more than Atlanta.

[efin98]

Any team with Victor Zambrano as a starter will definitely have an uphill battle to the Series.

Wonder what the odds are of Pedro's toe falling off during the season anway?

The Mets are definitely a better team this year then they have been in a while, but already making a prediction like that is pretty much what makes ESPN so laughable anyway. They just need to stick to broadcasting actual games (all sports).

Remember last year when the Nats were in first place at the All Star game and Atlanta was falling down hurt left and right...fast forward two months and Atlanta is winning the division outright. What happens now doesn't reflect what the final outcome is, it's a war and not a battle...

[jpenrod]

Actually, I picked Atlanta to win one game- the Hudson/Glavine game.

And yes, I think the Mets will score more runs over the course of the series. They will have about three to four more runs more than Atlanta.

Actually you didn't.


Pedro beats Sosa.
Zambrano beats Davies.

Hudson vs. Glavine in going to be a draw, it will come down to the bullpens.

Mets win that game with Wagner having a dramatic 9th.

Since you had said originally that Pedro beats Sosa, Zambrano beats Davies and the mets win the Hudson/Glavine game with a dramatic 9th from Wagner, it would stand to reason the Mets would outscore the Braves for the series. I just thought it was funny to state that after you already had said the Braves would get swept.

Now if you meant to say the Braves win the Hudson/Glavine game with Wagner having a "dramatic" 9th, then your statement of the Mets outscoring Atlanta makes a lot more sense.

[grizzly451]

Remember last year when the Nats were in first place at the All Star game and Atlanta was falling down hurt left and right...fast forward two months and Atlanta is winning the division outright. What happens now doesn't reflect what the final outcome is, it's a war and not a battle...

That pretty much was my point in my previous post in saying thats what makes ESPN laughable, making such a call now. Calling Division champs this early would be a longshot at best, but you would have a much better chance then predicting who's going to win the World Series.



And I just wanted to add Zambrano has actually pitched against the Braves fairly well, last season he was 0-3 but two of those losses were against shutouts by Braves pitchers. I just think he is a complete hit-or-miss pitcher and the fact he has pitched well against the Braves I consider chance more then anything else.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Okay Okay, Braves fans...

We're putting last night behind us, it was a close game, however we were expected to lose, which we did.

Tonight we have a lot better shot at winning, since there is a much more even pitching matchup.

Kyle Davies VS. Victor Zambrano

In Davies last start, he started out awful because he could not locate his fastball. He was throwing it way to high and middle in -in the zone. However he did locate his breaking pitch.

If he can locate that fastball low in the zone, and get that breaking ball to fall off the table again, look for a successful night for Atlanta.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Here's a preview of Game 2.

Game 2 Preview (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060417&content_id=1405438&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)

Could A MODERATOR sticky this thread, because it is going to be used all season

-Thanks GB

[efin98]

Actually you didn't.

Aw crap, I screwed up. You proved me wrong, I thought I wrote somethign else. I retract what I said.


Since you had said originally that Pedro beats Sosa, Zambrano beats Davies and the mets win the Hudson/Glavine game with a dramatic 9th from Wagner, it would stand to reason the Mets would outscore the Braves for the series. I just thought it was funny to state that after you already had said the Braves would get swept.

My mistake, i screwed up the pitchers in the second game. Brain fart that you called me on and I didn't catch.


Now if you meant to say the Braves win the Hudson/Glavine game with Wagner having a "dramatic" 9th, then your statement of the Mets outscoring Atlanta makes a lot more sense.

That's what I meant initially. Mets lose the game but outscore the Braves over the course of the series.




In highsight I am wrong- the Mets got hammered tonight in a 7-1 loss to Atlanta. The Braves have outscored the Mets 10-5 over the series. The Mets need to score 7 runs to prove me right, which I doubt will happen...

[jpenrod]

Aw crap, I screwed up. You proved me wrong, I thought I wrote somethign else. I retract what I said.



My mistake, i screwed up the pitchers in the second game. Brain fart that you called me on and I didn't catch.



That's what I meant initially. Mets lose the game but outscore the Braves over the course of the series.


In highsight I am wrong- the Mets got hammered tonight in a 7-1 loss to Atlanta. The Braves have outscored the Mets 10-5 over the series. The Mets need to score 7 runs to prove me right, which I doubt will happen...

Just so you know I was just having a little fun with you, but I think you can see now why I thought the statements were a little humorous. Of course you are correct that it would be possible for the Mets to lose a game and still outscore the Braves. Ofcourse if you meant that the Braves would win game three and still be out scored....well that ain't gonna happen now.

As for last nights game I do not know anyone that would have predicted that especially the way our Starting Pitchers have been doing. It is still possible for the Mets to take 2 out of 3 and outscore the Braves, but I think the odds are against.

[atlbravesfan]

Davies looked great. Didn't get the ball up liked he did last time out. Way to go kid...1st complete game...hopefully last night is just one of many more to come.

With Andruw's two homers last night, he leads the majors with 22 RBIs.

Since Glavine joined the Mets, he is 2-8 6.31 (12 starts) against the Braves and in 71 1.3 innings, he has given up 50 runs, 89 hits, 12 HR and the Braves have hit .324. Hopefully the tradition continues tonight.

Let's take 2 of 3!

[grizzly451]

Glavine's looked sharper against the Braves his last start or two if I'm remembering correctly. I still like the guy enough that I don't want him to get shelled by anyone, let alone the Braves. BUT I still want the Braves to win, no doubt about that. So maybe Glavine gives up a couple earned runs, a few unearned runs....Braves win 7 to 3.

[atlbravesfan]

Great pitchers duel today. Looked like the Hud of old out there. What's up with the starting pitchers? That's 3 complete games in the last 5 games! I think a lot of Braves fans probably thought it would be tough taking 2 out of 3. Maybe we can get rollin now.

Tony Pena Jr. had an outstanding day at SS. Andruw hit his 8 HR and now has 23 RBIs!

BTW...sorry ESPN for winning the series. http://www.basketballboards.net/forum/images/smilies/boohoo.gif

http://www.patientgrasshopper.com/pictures/hammer%20and%20nail.jpg

We are still the hammer and the Mets are still our nail!

[foxxx]

Two complete games in a row! So much for our pitching being horrible. The Braves always get off to a slow start but they turn it on when they need to, like when they play the Mets.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Great Game!!! Now Only 3 Games Back!!!

[efin98]

Just so you know I was just having a little fun with you, but I think you can see now why I thought the statements were a little humorous. Of course you are correct that it would be possible for the Mets to lose a game and still outscore the Braves. Ofcourse if you meant that the Braves would win game three and still be out scored....well that ain't gonna happen now.

As for last nights game I do not know anyone that would have predicted that especially the way our Starting Pitchers have been doing. It is still possible for the Mets to take 2 out of 3 and outscore the Braves, but I think the odds are against.

It's all moot now, the Braves snagged the win today thanks to David Wright:laugh

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

You all may find this funny as I did.. :D

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-mets&msg=167836.1&ctx=0

[jpenrod]

You all may find this funny as I did.. :D

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-mets&msg=167836.1&ctx=0

I love the last post in that thread. "Take a look at his noggin" so I did. Here are two pictures from 1996 and 2 from 2005.

[grizzly451]

You all may find this funny as I did.. :D

http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-mets&msg=167836.1&ctx=0


That was a crazy discussion. I loved when that guy posted all those years showing different homerun increases similar to Andruw's.

Andruw couldn't be much more then 210 anyway, that first post saying he was 250 cracked me up. I don't even think Barry Bonds is quite 250, or maybe he is this year I've heard he is heavy then 'normal'.

And the post about 'using steriods to keep you healthy' as why Andruw's played so many games in his career, now that had me laughing out loud.

That guy must be a fanatic Mets fan to be so angry. ;)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Just wanted to congratulate Julio Franco on becoming the oldest player ever to homer.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

The next time he homers, he'll break the record again! So, in essence he breaks a record everytime he hits a homer!

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

The Mets lost to the Padres last night, as did the Braves to the Nats , so we still are only 3.5 games back.:)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

As of 4/23/06 the Braves Trail the Mets by 3 Games.

Mets 12-6
Braves 9-9.......... 3.0 GB
Phillies 7-10.......... 4.5
Nationals 7-11....... 5.0
Marlins 5-11.......... 6.0

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Just bumping up this thread. Tomorrow night at 7:30 Pedro Martinez goes to the mound to face John Smoltz. We have to take 2 out of 3 , and a sweep would be great. A win tomorrow would be a great start.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Here are the current standings.

Link (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/standings/index.jsp)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Game 1 is around 50 minutes away. I'll try to give some updates durring the game.

Braves current record VS. the Mets is 2-1.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Here's the preview...
Preview (http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060426&content_id=1420169&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Braves are down 3-0 going into the 6th inning.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Chipper just clocked 1, Braves down 3-2.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Braves lost 5-2, but I have to say it was a good game. Smoltzie pitched well and left trailing, but the offense couldn't muster any runs. This is a loss that I can feel about because there were just 3 mistakes that were capitalized on and the pitching (other than Reitsma) was superb.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

It was a good game. Just disappointing to lose... The Braves are now 6 games out of first. I'm not panicking yet, but I am ill at ease. We've lost 4 games in a row. And we are 4 games under .500 . But the team hasn't played that bad they just haven't been getting what they needs at certain times during the ballgame.

Let's pray we can take the next 2 games.

[AutographCollector]

As a die hard Mets fan since the day I was born.... I am actually confident that we MIGHT win the NL East this year. We have a good lineup, good pitching rotation, and and some good minor league prospects. When the hell is Millings getting called up?

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

And so far with the way the Braves hav played you have a right to be confident..... so far. ;)

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Braves once again lose...1-0 the final. We are 5 games under .500 and 7 games out of first. I'm sick of losing close games.:mad: :mad: :mad: