KTE: Phoning it in, Braves/Mets, Aug 26-28

[Fman99]

So here come the Braves. Their 78-53, 25 games over .500 and in the drivers' seat for the wild card (9 1/2 games up at the time of this writing). They're, you know, good, and stuff. So I hate them for that. And yet I will root for them to beat Philly and the MFYs this October as my 3rd least favorite team to likely be playing for a title. And there will be TONS of seats available in Atlanta for playoff games, so there's that.

Having said that let's quickly jaunt around their lineup and see why they're a gold star and we're a turd on a paper towel.

Catcher -- Them: Brian McCann, perennial All Star, having another solid season, batting .290/.362 (OBP)/.496 (SLG) with 20 HRs and 58 RBIs.

First Base -- Them: rookie Freddie Freeman, who looks strikingly like Private Pyle from "Full Metal Jacket," putting up Ike-Davis-esque numbers at the keystone (.291/.353/.468 with 18 HRs and 63 RBIs).

Second Base -- Dan Uggla, started off atrociously but after a 30-something game hitting streak raised his batting average all the way to a .231 (albeit with power, 30 HRs, leading the team as well as his 66 RBIs).

Shortstop -- Alex Gonzalez, ordinary #s this year (.231/.259/.347) with a little bit of pop (12 HRs, 44 RBIs).

Third Base -- Larry Jones, playing out the string. Fuck you you inbred Georgia reb.

Left Field -- Martin Prado, .272/.317/.407 with decent power (11 HRs, 50 RBIs). Notice a trend here? Most of their team can actually hit.

Center field -- Michael Bourn, who came over from Houston at the deadline and has hit well for the Braves. Currently at .283 with 8 SBs in 104 ABs in a Braves uniform.

Right field -- Jason Heyward, having a classic sophomore slump after showing lots of promise last year as a rook. Currently at .222/.311/.397 with 13 HRs and just 35 RBIs. Getting some rest and playing time for Jose Constanza, another rookie who is hitting a sizzling .372 in 87 ABs.

Bench -- Eric Hinske, David Ross, Brooks Conrad, Julio Lugo. Eh.

Starters: Friday, Capuano vs Tim Hudson. Hudson is better.

Sat, Dickey vs. Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens is better.

Sun, Gee vs Mike Minor. Fuck. These guys actually have identical 4.37 ERAs. I predict a tie.

Closer: Craig Kimbrel, 40 saves and a 1.70 ERA. See the trend here? Other live arms include Jonny Venters, Scott Linebrink, and obese George Sherrill. None with an ERA over 3.6.

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez, first year in Atlanta after managing Florida from 2007-2010.

Former Mets in Atlanta: None. Maybe that's why they're good.

Former Braves in NY: Manny Acosta. Willie Harris.

I may watch some of Friday/Saturday's games, Sunday is on WPIX and I would rather listen to the Reagans fucking than Wayne Hagin at this point.

Let's Go Mets! YYYBBB

[ashie62]

Nice job. That made me laugh several times.

[Ceetar]

Speaking of the weekend, with Sunday's game likely rained out, the Mets are under no obligation to make it easy for the Braves. They certainly didn't back it easy for us back in April.

[bmfc1]

Agreed Ceetar. I saw something about playing a rainout in ATL with the Mets as the home team but the Mets should find a mutual open date and make the Braves fly back to NY.

[Guest themetfairy]

Well presented knowledge Fman.

[ashie62]

bmfc1 wrote: Agreed Ceetar. I saw something about playing a rainout in ATL with the Mets as the home team but the Mets should find a mutual open date and make the Braves fly back to NY.

Can they play a DH Saturday?

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: bmfc1 wrote: Agreed Ceetar. I saw something about playing a rainout in ATL with the Mets as the home team but the Mets should find a mutual open date and make the Braves fly back to NY. Can they play a DH Saturday?

They can, but I think it depends on Fox too.

[MFS62]

Nice job.
If necessary, I'm sure some of the music mavens here can get you those Reagan tapes.

Later

[TransMonk]

Fman99 wrote: Sun, Gee vs Mike Minor. Fuck. These guys actually have identical 4.37 ERAs. I predict a tie.

Classic. Great work!

[metirish]

Sunday game cancelled , Saturday game moved from 4pm to 1pm.

Rubin per AJC.

[Frayed Knot]

metirish wrote: Sunday game cancelled , Saturday game moved from 4pm to 1pm. Rubin per AJC.

What's the Saturday TV situation, still FOX or do the local channels take over?

[Guest themetfairy]

metirish wrote: Sunday game cancelled , Saturday game moved from 4pm to 1pm. Rubin per AJC.

Nothing on Mets.com yet. Any confirmation of the change elsewhere?

[Benjamin Grimm]

With Sunday's game canceled, the Mets should no longer need a spot starter for Monday's doubleheader.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: With Sunday's game canceled, the Mets should no longer need a spot starter for Monday's doubleheader.

Damn , was hoping to see Miquel Batista.

[Frayed Knot]

Marlins, meanwhile, had a DH on Wednesday, have another sked for Saturday (in Philly ... good luck) and then have the one with us on Monday.
I think Jack McKeon might have to take the mound for them at some point.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, the Mets may not need that spot starter on Monday, but, barring additional rainouts, they will need somebody by Thursday, unless they opt to pitch Gee on three days rest, which I doubt. But by Thursday we'll be in September's expanded-roster period.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Well, the Mets may not need that spot starter on Monday, but, barring additional rainouts, they will need somebody by Thursday, unless they opt to pitch Gee on three days rest, which I doubt. But by Thursday we'll be in September's expanded-roster period.

Probably why they brought up Batista instead of Swinden.

[metirish]

99.9% sure I just heard Bloomberg say that Saturday and Sunday's games have been cancelled.

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: 99.9% sure I just heard Bloomberg say that Saturday and Sunday's games have been cancelled.

so the Braves come up to NY for one game, then get three days off at home before playing the Nats.

I hope they have to play a doubleheader on the mutual off day. screw 'em.

[metirish]

screw the Braves, with the MTA shutting down at noon on Saturday it makes sense to cancel the game.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah! Screw the Braves! This whole thing is their fault anyway!

[Frayed Knot]

The games will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on September 8, beginning at 4:10 PM [a Thursday, previously an off-day].
Saturday�s game tickets will be honored for admission to the doubleheader; tickets to Sunday�s game will be handled under the Mets� rain check policy.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I say, just play a triple-header today.