What I am about to say is so manly and so testosterone filled that you might want to check me for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. While watching the Braves last night put the Rockies pitchers to shame, by massing a whopping five singles, I found myself utterly bored. The manly statement is as follows: In the 8th inning, I was relieved when Laura said that The Bachlorette was starting (I DVR 24 so don't freak out); I was more entertained watching 25 tools with gelled hair fight for the attention of a chick. I had almost forgotten about the Braves lack of production, and baseball all together until faux hawk tossed Jillian a baseball and then responded "I knew you were a great catch." Ok thats enough of that, so if you are still reading this by now then I assume you are really bored. Time to talk about the Braves . . . .
Ok so what is wrong with this offense of ours? To quote Chip Carey last night he is "worred about the Jekyl and Hyde offense." I still think it is a little too early to really be worried, but the time is drawing near quickly. What I am going to do with the short time I have with you today tell some problems we are having and maybe, in my opinion, give some solutions to these problems and point out the positives.
Problems:
- The braves are not getting extra base hits: The braves rank 13th in the NL with a .395 SLG%; 13th in HR (28); we rank 8th in hits and 8th in BA and 6th in OBP; this means we are getting to first alot and thats it.
- We are putting absolutely zero pressure on opponents defense. The braves are ranked last in the leauge in SB with 7 (the mets have 42), and Chip Carey said that we have hit into 32 double plays in only 36 games.
- Jeff Francouer is still bad. Stats 36 games in: .252 BA, 3HR, .272 OBP, .371 SLG ; lets compare that to 36 games in last year: .262 BA, 3HR, .310 OBP, .421 SLG. Yeah he his doing worse than last year
- Schafer continues to strugle; it's not worth even backing this up with stats.
Ok I think that is enough problems to look at right now. So how can we solve these or at least deal with them. There really is only so many things the coaches can do, but lets look at a couple of things they might could do just to mix things up.
- The Braves in general are a great contact hitting team ( we are 4th in terms of not striking out ). We have to hit and run regardless of the count. In general you want to hit and run on you know a 3-1, 2-0 count. We have to start doing this on the first pitch, on 1-0 counts shoot on 1-1 counts. I don't care we just have to start trying to move the defense, make the catcher make a throw, leave a gap at short.
- Let's continue to ride Infante out. When he gets on let him take a shot at second if he feels comfortable.
- Jeff? Ok I have been reading some and I agree with a thought I read. We need to move Jeff up in the lineup maybe even to 5th. We know that he swings at balls and pitchers give him nothing to hit, and why should they? You have him followed by the strikeout kid and then the pitcher. Where is the incentive to throw him a strike, even if he walks you still have got two pretty automatic outs following him. You move him up in the lineup follow him up with Anderson (who is looking really good lately) and Kotchman (puts the ball in play constantly). You force the pitcher to throw him good pitches. He isn't striking out as much he had been, and he is hitting pitches that are balls. Honestly I would put him 5th and tell him to take until he gets the first strike. If he hits pitches that are strikes he normally hits pretty well. I really like this idea.
- Someone needs to teach Schafer how to bunt, the dude is fast. He could bunt for a basehit every now and then. Then the infield will have to be ready for that, which opens up more holes. He isn't swinging and missing as much as he was, he is now hitting lazy pop flys that a little leauge right fielder could catch. A couple of bunt hits would get his confidence up, but a little pressure on the defense, and cause him to have to follow pitches all the way to his bat.
- Runs lately for the Braves have been at a premium, we all know this. We also know that if the Braves get 4 runs in a game we feel pretty good that our pitching will be able to hold them under that. We are hitting into so many double plays that we have got to be playing small ball. Runner on, bunt him over, got two shots at getting him in. I am not a huge fan of this philosophy, because I feel like it knocks out a chance at a big inning, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Braves start doing this earlier in the game. Because like I said all the Braves are doing is getting singles. What's easier for the Braves to do right now? Get 1 single with 2 outs left? or 2 singles with all 3 outs? Take the runs when we can get them.
OK thats about all I got right now. Just some thoughts of mine, and just letting out a little frustration. Thanks for understanding.
Notes
Glavine pitched well in his simulated game. And is supposed to start a couple of rehab starts beginning this Saturday in Gwinett. He hopes to be back the first week of June.
Hudson said he is on pace to come back by the end of August.
Kris Medlen will be making his major leauge debut Thursday night. I am really excited to watch this guy.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment