2006 Braves Season

[cbenson5]

Well Atlanta Braves Freak, looks like you can chalk up another game blown by the bullpen. We can't keep a lead, and we can't hold them where they are when we are behind. Since Chipper probably won't get another at bat, I think I am going to quit watching tonight.

[AznInvasion]

You notice that every ball we hit is caught and hit right at the Nats Defense? Our bullpen is ridiculously bad! Yates = game over braves. Yates throws hard but his control is virtually non-existent and he relies on fastball heavily. It would be ok if he threw it low but his fastballs are up in the zone.

[cbenson5]

I couldn't quit watching. I'm glad I decided to stay around, because it has started to get interesting. A two run shot by Langerhans and Giles just walked. Never Mind, we just lost.

I agree AznInvasion. Yates just doesn't have it right now.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

It's been an ugly year, (1) our bullpen has been horrible, (2) the division streak is over, (3) the Braves won't make the playoffs for the first time since 1990 (the year I was born), (4) I probably won't make a game for the first time since 1996.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I agree AznInvasion. Yates just doesn't have it right now.

Has Yates even had it to begin with?

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Has Yates even had it to begin with?

I don't think so. The Braves are leading the Nationals 7-1 at the moment. Former Brave, Kevin Gryboski is on the mound for the Nats. Smoltzie has only given up 2 hits and he has struck out 6. If Bobby Cox doesn't hand the ball to Tyler Yates or Chad Paronto the Braves will win the game.

[cbenson5]

Has Yates even had it to begin with?

He had a 2.53 ERA for the month of June and a 1.35 ERA for July. In August it is 9.72. I think he has decent stuff and might be a solid reliever. Since we are out of the race, we my as well keep bringing him in and find out if he can repeat his earlier success or if the August Tyler Yates is what we can expect before next season.

I didn't get to watch the game today, but it looks like Smoltz was awesome. Chipper went 2 for 3 with a home run and walked twice. I wish I could have seen this one. I won't be able to watch tomorrow either, but hopefully they will do it again.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Yates seems to pitch much better when we're losing. If we're tied or winning, he's not so good. Have I said that before? Ah well.

Bravos looked great today.

I think from here on out I'm going to stop predictions or thinking "what if they win this series and that, or sweep here, or play better at home" and just see what they do. I hope it's good things!

[AznInvasion]

That's absolutely true about Yates. We need to use him in mopup duty cuz he struggles anywhere else. I think he could be a good middle inning guy one day but he just needs better control and a bigger arsenal would be nice.

[cbenson5]

I get upset everytime Yates is brought in during a close game, but who do we have that is better. Wickman in the ninth has been awesome. With Baez hurt, Ray is probably the man for the eighth. Other than that, we don't have a reliable relief pitcher and Smoltz is the only starter that consistently goes 7+ innings. Yates is certainly not the ideal choice for a close game, but our bullpen is pretty bad (putting it mildly). Hopefully this is an area that will be fixed before next season. I agree with everybody that Yates does not pitch well in close games, but I think he has as good of a chance as anybody else in our bullpen. I mean Paronto and McBride aren't exactly locks to keep a game close, and Villereal is starting now. The reality is the entire bullpen (Wickman excluded) consists of no consistent relievers.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Well we sure did "whoop up" on "dem Nats" the last 2 games.
We have a nice day off today for Andruw and the rest to have a breather.

What will happen againts SF? Will we be 4½ out or 5½ out after tonight?

Go Dodgers! (Beat dem Reds)
Go Braves!

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Every series from here on out is important, but this series will REALLY decide the Braves' season. If the Giants win 2 out of 3 and the Dodgers win the Braves will keep moving down. No matter what we do, we need the other teams to help.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Well Reds and Arizona are losing, so it looks like we'll be 4.5 games out tonight.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Well Reds and Arizona are losing, so it looks like we'll be 4.5 games out tonight.

Only 4.5? It seems like a few games until you factor in 8 teams ahead of you.

[cbenson5]

Things are really starting to look good. We are killing the ball tonight. Chipper had a beautiful homerun and Andruw has hit two tonight. He drove in his 1000 career run tonight. Barry Bonds also hit two home runs, but we are up 13 to 4 now. Hudson didn't pitch great, but he was decent. Hopefully, we can keep it going. This will be three straight wins.