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