Braves Fans- what do you think?

[Rarr]

I am a dedicated Braves fan. And, I really hope that they will be able to beat Arizona in the present series. In order to do so, I feel that the Braves' line-up must come through to give Burkette ample support against one of their most difficult competitiors in the past, Schilling, tonight. A strong sense of unity, like the one that permeated game 2 must also be present.

Assuming that the Braves do take the series over the Diamondbacks- presents me with a mild dilemma.

I obviously do not care about the Yankees one iota. And- I am trying to decide whether I'd like Seattle to come back and whoop-up on the Yankees or if I'd like the Yankees to win so the Braves can K some Yankee A?

Hmm..not having to worrying about facing the Yankees- who suddenly turn into a great team every postseason- is comforting. But the chance of K-ing some Yankee A and reinstating the Braves is equally entertaining.

What do you think?

 

[ATLien247]

I, too, am a dedicated Braves fan. I've come to accept the reality that they'll choke again this year sooner or later...

 

[royaldank]

The Braves this year are like the Braves from any year...they don't have a strong enough bullpen to hang in a big series. Sure, they have good starters, and always have, but down the stretch they killed when the bullpen has to clean up. The bats are decent, but they tend to get hot one game and then shut down for the next.

I don't think the Braves will beat Arizona over the series.

Then again, it's a mute point...Yankees are going to win it all again. They always do nowdays. I'm getting sick of seeing them win every year. I hate seeing the Braves win every year, also, but at least you can bet the house on them folding at some point in the playoffs.

 

[Rarr]

I am being postitive because of the sweep in the Astros series.

I feel that the Braves have the best bull-pen, as far as stability is concerned, that they have had in the past five years. John Smoltz is a fundamental motivation to the rest of the guys in the bull pen.

Come on, be positive- do a lil' Tomahawk Chop for old-times sake. Ohhh Ohh Ohh....

 

[rml]

<< they don't have a strong enough bullpen to hang in a big series. >>



What are you talking about?

John Smoltz helps a LOT this year!

 

[royaldank]

<<

<< they don't have a strong enough bullpen to hang in a big series. >>



What are you talking about?

John Smoltz helps a LOT this year! >>



I'll agree with Smoltz helping you guys a TON this year. But he's not a bullpen man. He's not happy there right now. He wants to start.

If the Braves do get to the WS, then John Smoltz is exactly the reason why. Maybe the Braves should have moved a started into the pen a couple years ago.

 

[burnedout]

As much as I would like for them to win it all this year, I can't see it happening.

I've been a Braves fan since the days of Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro, Dusty Baker.

This year was an oddity indeed. A losing home record and they still go to the playoffs and sweep the Astros. Brian Jordan is finally producing well again. They had some surprising contributions from some unsung heroes against Houston.

Curt Schilling is currently one of the best pitchers in baseball. For some reason, I see the D-backs winning tonight. Yes, if Burkett can get the Braves bats behind him, they have a shot at winning. Maybe it's Schilling's turn to have an off night. We will see.

 

[rufruf44]

Good thing Arizona's bat has stayed pretty mellow so far. Gonzo is a threat anytime he steps on the plate though. If they can beat Schilling tonight, they've a good shot at Lopez tomorrow....unless Big Unit make the start, and he's really scarry..

 

[GTaudiophile]

They's edge out the D-Backs in the NLCS, then choke against the Yankees...seen it before!

Edit: I'm sorry, but I miss John Rocker.

 

[Adul]

Have to wonder, can the braves beat schilling+johnson at least one or twice?


Go dbacks

 

[PlatinumGold]

this is the best bullpen that bobby cox has ever had.

your wrong about smoltz, he's very happy in bullpen, right now. sure he may not wanna be a closer the rest of his career, but he's sure he wants to do it till the end of this season.

bravo's will win it all.

 

[rufruf44]

<< Have to wonder, can the braves beat schilling+johnson at least one or twice? >>



Well, if someone willing to sacrifice themselves and stall Schilling or Johnson on a rush hour traffic accident, I'll say yes

 

[CraigRT]

The Braves rock! i am not the hugest baseball fan, but I do like the Braves.. they are the most consistant team I have ever seen doing well year after year after year... now if only they could win it all for once!!

 

[thraashman]

Hey Yield. The Braves did win it all once. Back in '94 I think it was, they beat the Indians in the World Series. but I guess considering they now have 10 straight penants, and only once won the world series, I see your point. They always screw up the World Series. And as far as missing John Rocker, he was really only fun when we played the Mets, cause that just made the game a rivalry then.

 

[Fiend]

The Braves won the Series in '95. I agree, this is the most confident I have been with the bullpen in awhile. Smoltz is *SOLID*. And yes, he is quite happy there right now...

As for the original question, I have the same dilemna, but I always root for the Yankees to lose. If they win, yes, it would be nice to get some payback. At the same time, if Seattle wins, wouldn't it be great to say we beat a team with their record?

As for tonight, I see it being a 4-3 game that could really go either way, hopefully the Braves will continue to get some clutch hitting from the lower half of the order....

Fiend

 

[SludgeFactory]

I'm pulling for Atlanta in this series, partly because I lived there for a while and partly because Arizona just eliminated my team, St. Louis. Arizona's strength is short series, where their two starters can dominate. Schilling obviously was outstanding in the division series, but then he never pitched an away game either, like he has to tonight. He's been able to exploit the high strikezone better than anyone, but he also gave up a ton of homeruns this season. The Cardinals came close to hitting a few out against Schilling in Arizona in games 1 and 5, so I think the Braves have a chance in Turner Field, a much better hitter's park.

The Braves have got to score runs, which is historically what they don't do in the postseason. Don't worry about Atlanta pitching, they have solid starters and a good bullpen.

Arizona is beatable, their bullpen is below average and their offense is slumping right now. St. Louis would have beaten them if they had more than one good reliever (Steve Kline) and a bunch of crap in the bullpen.

 

[Rarr]

John Smoltz is happy with his new role as a closer. He is happy to be playing baseball and is willing to play any position that the Braves need him to play.

Bobby Cox did say in an interview during one of the last two games that he thinks the Braves' bullpen is the best it has been in 10-12 years.

Go BRAVES.

 

[royaldank]

<< Bobby Cox did say in an interview during one of the last two games that he thinks the Braves' bullpen is the best it has been in 10-12 years. >>



That's not really saying all that much. They have had the sorriest bullpen around for quite a few years. If you want proof, look at their playoff runs...

 

[Mustangrrl]

I've been a Braves fan for years, even back when they truly sucked (well, Dale Murphy didn't suck). I always follow them, sometimes very intensely, and I always hope they kick butt in the post-season... but, you know, they do choke a lot! That's part of the fun of watching it though... it was almost anti-climactic when they won the series in 95, they rushed the field like they were all feeling faint. I wouldn't mind seeing it again this year...
chop chop
~robyn

 

[RC159]

I am a Braves fan. I would rather them go ahead and get beat by the D-back's than have to watch the hated Yank's beat up on them again.