Braves vs Dbacks

[Unknøwn]

Friday, May 14 Turner Field | 7:35 PM ET

Ian Kennedy, RHP (2-2, 3.48)

Kenshin Kawakami, RHP (0-6, 5.73)

Saturday, May 15 Turner Field | 7:10 PM ET

Rodrigo Lopez, RHP (1-2, 4.30)

Tommy Hanson, RHP (3-2, 2.30)

Sunday, May 16 Turner Field | 1:35 PM ET

Dan Haren, RHP (4-2, 4.23)

Tim Hudson, RHP (3-1, 2.64)

[RedandBlack4Life!]

Hopefully we can keep up the great hitting and get KK his first win.

[Warrior999]

If we can make their starters work and get into their bullpen which is horrible from what I heard. Got a chance in this series. We need to use the games to get back into the NL East.

[JTRaines92]

Got tickets for Saturday, just need a ride and 3 people to go with... We'll probably lose Friday and take the next two. KK sucks, Medlen needs to take his start.

[#1 pick]

KK doesn't look that bad when watching him pitch.

[atlbravesfalcs7]

0-6 for KK is so unfair. why cant he have a game where we can get 9 and 11 runs?

I still havent given up hope on KK.

Edited May 13, 2010 by atlbravesfalcs7

[Chili Dog]

Sunday should be a good dual, gotta get some tickets

[JTRaines92]

Anyone of you are welcome to use my tickets if you come and get me and get my buddy out of Hampton. You, me, my buddy, and your buddy can go Saturday. You gotta get a ride to come get us and take us to The Ted. The offer is out.

[Chili Dog]

How long does anyone think Heyward @ the three hole will stick? Something I didn't realize until earlier today was that Chipper is 2nd in the NL (4th in MLB) in BBs with 25. OBP over .400, I say Chipper stays at 3rd and Heyward in cleanup. 5th and 6th are a toss up until McCann heats up again.

And Jesus Christ what is wrong with McLouth? Batting .160 something now, smh. Would a minor league stint even do him good?

[RedandBlack4Life!]

How long does anyone think Heyward @ the three hole will stick? Something I didn't realize until earlier today was that Chipper is 2nd in the NL (4th in MLB) in BBs with 25. OBP over .400, I say Chipper stays at 3rd and Heyward in cleanup. 5th and 6th are a toss up until McCann heats up again.

And Jesus Christ what is wrong with McLouth? Batting .160 something now, smh. Would a minor league stint even do him good?

Well, on Tuesday, Heyward was supposed to bat 2nd behind Prado and in front of Chipper, before Chipper was scratched from the lineup. So they may try that on Friday, or switch it to Heyward batting 5th behind Glaus, and then keep rotating that depending on the pitcher. Glaus is hitting too well right now to not hit cleanup.

I'm not too worried about Nate, he was starting doing to do well in the Houston series and decent in the Washington series, but he's been kinda blah since Philly. He has been walking a lot and scoring a run or two here and there. I think a couple of days off might help though.

Edited May 13, 2010 by RedandBlack4Life!

[Chili Dog]

Yes Glaus is hitting well now, but Heyward has been hitting well all season. Wouldn't be a reason to not have Heyward cleanup. Either way, Heywards OBP is .431 (higher than Pujols). Doubtful Glaus will stay this hot, but those are two guys (Chipper and Heyward) with .400+ OBP that will give him more RBI opportunities if you look at it that way. But it's really only a matter of time before McCann starts back to his old form of tearing it up.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Chili Dog

[ATL Fan in the DMV]

McLouth struggled big time in Spring Training too...it is becoming a major concern.

As for Heyward...I don't think Cox will ever move Chipper from that 3 spot--even if Chipper starts hitting really, really poorly (which he admittedly isn't). I'd hate to put Heyward at #2, but if you put him at #4 he won't get as many ABs. For now, I want Heyward getting as many ABs as he can get, so putting him at #3 instead of cleanup would be more favorable in my book. Just for you though, a Heyward at cleanup lineup would probably look like:

1. Infante SS

2. Prado 2B

3. Chipper 3B (bleh!)

4. Heyward RF

5. Glaus 1B

6. McCann C

7. Hinske LF

8. McLouth CF

9. Pitcher

If I had my way for the Diamondbacks series:

1. Prado 2B (Tablesetter)

2. Chipper 3B

3. Heyward RF

4. Glaus 1B

5. McCann C

6. Hinske LF

7. Infante SS

8. McLouth CF

9. Pitcher

If Chipper's power has mostly left him, he may be a better #2 hitter than #3 with mostly singles and doubles power. He has a very good eye and is racking up the BBs, so having him at #2 while Heyward hits #3 will force pitchers to make good pitches to Chipper (especially if Prado doesn't reach) fearing Heyward's ability to plate runs. With Glaus' hot bat lately, they will have to go after Heyward so as to limit the damage Troy can deliver (Have you seen the dude's May numbers?!).

However, what we do know is that with Chipper out (coincidence) and Heyward at #3 (not so much), our offense raked. As soon as Chipper returns, I fully expect Cox to insert Chip at #3. The days of Heyward hitting #5 and #6 are over...and since he can't hit #1, Cox has some thinking to do.

With Chipper at #2 and Heyward at #3, we continually give ourselves chances to plate runs and strike in any given inning.

What do you guys think?

Edited May 13, 2010 by I Am The Truth

[JTRaines92]

McLouth struggled big time in Spring Training too...it is becoming a major concern.

As for Heyward...I don't think Cox will ever move Chipper from that 3 spot--even if Chipper starts hitting really, really poorly (which he admittedly isn't). I'd hate to put Heyward at #2, but if you put him at #4 he won't get as many ABs. For now, I want Heyward getting as many ABs as he can get, so putting him at #3 instead of cleanup would be more favorable in my book. Just for you though, a Heyward at cleanup lineup would probably look like:

1. Infante SS

2. Prado 2B

3. Chipper 3B (bleh!)

4. Heyward RF

5. Glaus 1B

6. McCann C

7. Hinske LF

8. McLouth CF

9. Pitcher

If I had my way for the Diamondbacks series:

1. Prado 2B (Tablesetter)

2. Chipper 3B

3. Heyward RF

4. Glaus 1B

5. McCann C

6. Hinske LF

7. Infante SS

8. McLouth CF

9. Pitcher

If Chipper's power has mostly left him, he may be a better #2 hitter than #3 with mostly singles and doubles power. He has a very good eye and is racking up the BBs, so having him at #2 while Heyward hits #3 will force pitchers to make good pitches to Chipper (especially if Prado doesn't reach) fearing Heyward's ability to plate runs. With Glaus' hot bat lately, they will have to go after Heyward so as to limit the damage Troy can deliver (Have you seen the dude's May numbers?!).

However, what we do know is that with Chipper out (coincidence) and Heyward at #3 (not so much), our offense raked. As soon as Chipper returns, I fully expect Cox to insert Chip at #3. The days of Heyward hitting #5 and #6 are over...and since he can't hit #1, Cox has some thinking to do.

With Chipper at #2 and Heyward at #3, we continually give ourselves chances to plate runs and strike in any given inning.

What do you guys think?

Same exact as mine. Look at this...

http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19167&p=468041&viewfull=1#post468041

Prado, Chipper, JHey, Glaus, Mac, Hinske, Infante, nate, Pitcher is money dude! +1.

[K26dp]

1. Prado 2B

2. Chipper 3B

3. Heyward RF

4. Glaus 1B

5. McCann C

6. Hinske LF

7. Infante SS

8. McLouth CF

9. Pitcher

This.

When Escobar gets back (should be Saturday), slot him in #6 to break up the lefties McCann and Hinske. Diaz and Cabrera can fill in for Hinske and McLouth versus LHP.

[K26dp]

Nice article asking the question how many other teams Kenshin Kawakami would start for.

[ATLBrave]

Nice article asking the question how many other teams Kenshin Kawakami would start for.

Hmmmmm....echoes the setiments of a few around here.

[K26dp]

Ah, those were the days...

May 13, 1998 - The Atlanta Braves set an National League record and tie a major league mark by hitting home runs in 25 straight games, doing it when Ryan Klesko hits a two-run shot in the sixth inning against St. Louis.

[ATL Fan in the DMV]

25 straight games? Hard to believe. Would love to see us hit more homers (been really good at punching them out lately).

[rcky_mtn_falcon]

Sunday should be a good dual, gotta get some tickets

Yeah I got a group of 9 going down on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing the Braves live this year, I haven't been out to the Ted since around '98.

Saw them a few times out at Coors Field over the last few years.

[Gritzblitz 2.0]

That 1998 team was statistically the best Atlanta team ever. They won 106 games, they were loaded with power and hit for a good average. And of course the best pitching staff in the ML. They had 3 starters with an ERA under 3.00. They were also the best fielding team in the NL that season.

It makes me mad to think back at all of the talent that came through here from 1991 to 2005 and we only have the one World Championship to show for it. We won't see a run of great teams like that come through Atlanta again in our lifetimes.

[slamee101]

Tonight's lineup:

1) Prado, 2b;

2) Heyward, rf;

3) Chipper, 3b;

4) McCann, c;

5) Glaus, 1b;

6) Hinske, lf;

7) Infante, ss;

8) McLouth, cf;

9) Kawakami, p

[ATL Fan in the DMV]

Tonight's lineup:

1) Prado, 2b;

2) Heyward, rf;

3) Chipper, 3b;

4) McCann, c;

5) Glaus, 1b;

6) Hinske, lf;

7) Infante, ss;

8) McLouth, cf;

9) Kawakami, p

No, No, No. Someone PLEASE tell Cox that batting Heyward #2 instead of #3 is just going to allow pitchers to pitch around Heyward to get to Chipper. Hitting Chipper #3 and Heyward #2 allows Heyward to see much better pitches, Chipper will see better pitches (since they can't afford to pitch around him to get to Heyward), and Heyward still gets to hit in the 1st inning.

Ask yourself: If either the Leadoff or #2 hitter get on base, who has a better chance of moving him over or bringing him in--Chipper or Heyward? The answer to that question should ALWAYS, ALWAYS hit #3. If your answer did not start with an "H" and end with a "D," then go fall on something sharp. I kid, but you just haven't been watching the Braves this year.

All that said, we all knew Cox was going to insert Chip at #3. HE NEEDS TO HIT #2 with Heyward at #3.

Edited May 14, 2010 by I Am The Truth

[The Don™]

Agree with I am truth....But you know Chip WILL ALWAYS hit 3 with Bobby there

Don't worry bro, Heyward will be hitting 3 or 4 next year and YEARS to come...

[K26dp]

That 1998 team was statistically the best Atlanta team ever. They won 106 games, they were loaded with power and hit for a good average. And of course the best pitching staff in the ML. They had 3 starters with an ERA under 3.00. They were also the best fielding team in the NL that season.

It makes me mad to think back at all of the talent that came through here from 1991 to 2005 and we only have the one World Championship to show for it. We won't see a run of great teams like that come through Atlanta again in our lifetimes.

Of all of the pre-WS bounce-outs, that '98 team erks me the most. There's no way that San Diego should have beaten the Braves in the NLCS. Millwood was our worst starting pitcher that season, and he went 17-8.

San Diego just had their pitchers (Ashby, Brown, and especially Sterling Hitchcock) catch fire at the right time. It also hurt that Kerry Ligtenburg couldn't get anyone out.

[K26dp]

No, No, No. Someone PLEASE tell Cox that batting Heyward #2 instead of #3 is just going to allow pitchers to pitch around Heyward to get to Chipper. Hitting Chipper #3 and Heyward #2 allows Heyward to see much better pitches, Chipper will see better pitches (since they can't afford to pitch around him to get to Heyward), and Heyward still gets to hit in the 1st inning.

Ask yourself: If either the Leadoff or #2 hitter get on base, who has a better chance of moving him over or bringing him in--Chipper or Heyward? The answer to that question should ALWAYS, ALWAYS hit #3. If your answer did not start with an "H" and end with a "D," then go fall on something sharp. I kid, but you just haven't been watching the Braves this year.

All that said, we all knew Cox was going to insert Chip at #3. HE NEEDS TO HIT #2 with Heyward at #3.

I agree that Chipper should be 2 and Heyward 3, but it's not as dire as you make it out to be. The important thing is that both will get plenty of at-bats.

And despite Chipper's "struggles", you won't see good pitchers pitching around Heyward to get to Jones.