Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves

[sportsfan2006]

Series Start: Thursday July 6 2006. 7:35 EST.
Turner Field Atlanta, Ga.


The Reds make their only trip to Atlanta for this four-game set.
Past history says the Reds won’t do much, because they won only three of
10 games against the Braves last year. But things are different this year.
The Reds have made the biggest turnaround for the positive in the National
League this year, and the Braves are falling apart. They’ve even been bad
at home, in their last 13 homes, they have won only once. Pitching has
been the biggest issue, so expect some high scoring games with the Reds,
who lead the league in home runs.

Braves Breakdown (updated thru June 27)
• 4th place National League East Standings
• 32 wins and 45losses ( home 14-20/ road 18-25)

Team Leaders
• SS E. Renteria 67GP’S, 8HR’S, 30RBI’S, .305 AVG.
• 3B Jones 62GP’S, 8HR’S, 37RBI’S, .283 AVG.
• P J. Smoltz 16GP’S, 4W, 5L, 3.89 ERA.

Injuries
• RHP Phil Stockman, strained left hamstring. June 24 DL.
• LHP John Foster, strained left elbow. He had season-ending "Tommy John" surgery on June 7.

Reds Breakdown (updated thru June27)
• 2nd National League Central Standings
• 41 wins and 35 losses(home 17-19/ road 24-16)

Team Leaders
• 2B B. Phillips 67 GP’S, 7HR’S, 43 RBI’S, .310 AVG.
• CF R. Freel 64 GP’S, 4HR’S, 13RBI’S, .302 AVG.
• P B. Arroyo 16 GP’S, 9W, 4L, 2.58 ERA.

Injuries
• 3B Edwin Encarnacion, mild left ankle sprain. He is probable to be back late in June.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

They (Reds) lost a heartbreaker to Milwaukee: 5-6 in the bottom of the 13th.

The Reds have lost their last 5 games, while we're coming off a thrashing of the division-leading Cardinals. I realistically see the Braves taking 3 out of 4 or, dare I say, a sweep. If Hudson can dig down and get his good stuff, we're sitting pretty for the weekend.

This can be a huge turning point for the Braves.

(I still see the Braves in 2006 post-season play)

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

This can be a huge turning point for the Braves.

(I still see the Braves in 2006 post-season play)
Just like that 4 game sweep of Florida in mid-May, IMO that was the high point of this season. All they have to do is take advantage of the opportunity and ride the big win over the Cards.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

My prediction for the game:

7-4 Braves.

[Francoeurstein]

Good luck guys, Tomohawk, like your sig.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Good luck guys, Tomohawk, like your sig.

Thanks. It's true, too! :gt

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Good game to watch so far. Bravos are out in front 4 to 1.

I just saw Adam Laroche make his best double play all year. He caught the ball and took one step to the bag on first to get it. I want to like Adam Laroche (he's a good hitter) but his effort at 1st has disappointed me.

[Tarheelfan44]

Just like that 4 game sweep of Florida in mid-May, IMO that was the high point of this season. All they have to do is take advantage of the opportunity and ride the big win over the Cards.


yeah, those game swere awesome, all pretty big comeback wins. Morale was super high, and chip caray was about to stain his shorts like always.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6885.jpg
Paid Contract with the Braves: 2.2million for 1 year
Paid by opposing hitters: ?



I cannot believe Cox puts in Mcbride and he gives up one hit. He yanks him to put in Mr. T-Ball Homer shot Sosa in who gives up a 2 run single, and keeps him in. Then he gave up the 3 run game-tying homer. Cox keeps him in to finish the inning, and the 3rd out was caught about 10 feet from homer-city in deep left-center field.

When Cox put in Sosa with the bases loaded, I seriously prepared myself for extra innings, and I'm glad I did. Sosa is a travesty.

I hope Sosa's next outting results in a hard-hit linedrive to his elbow which causes him to retire. This guy is just horrible... yet, Cox keeps putting him in when the game is on the line. Great. Either Bobby cares more about his player's morale than winning, or he's getting a bit senile.

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!

[Tarheelfan44]

seriously, bobby multiple falices needs to get over his love affiar with sosa; he sucks.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Sosa giving up the homer had to damage Tim Hudson's confidence after he had a great start.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Sosa giving up the homer had to damage Tim Hudson's confidence after he had a great start.

I agree. Out of all the players (besides Jorge "So-So") Tim Hudson was probably the least happy that the Braves won.

If Cox puts Sosa in again where the game is even remotely close (5 or less run difference) I'm going to... well, I can't do anything cause I'm just a fan. So, I'll just be grumpy for a while. :eek:

[jwkfs]

I agree. Out of all the players (besides Jorge "So-So") Tim Hudson was probably the least happy that the Braves won.

If Cox puts Sosa in again where the game is even remotely close (5 or less run difference) I'm going to... well, I can't do anything cause I'm just a fan. So, I'll just be grumpy for a while. :eek:

He's starting to remind me of Dan Kolb.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

He's starting to remind me of Dan Kolb.

Dead on comparison. The Brewers can have Sosa, too. If he gets worse, he'll remind me of a certain pitcher from 1991 that I'm not sure if anyone recalls: Juan Berenguer.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

What should the Braves do about the pen?? Trade or release all of them and sign new guys? But, really Sosa has been the exact opposite of what he was last year. If you go back into a thread about Sosa from last year, you'll see that when he is good, he is very good, when he is bad, he is VERY BAD.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

What should the Braves do about the pen?? Trade or release all of them and sign new guys?

They could try this:

I. Put Sosa in the stands and sell hot dogs.

But seriously, he does a lot more than lose games, he pulls the team/bullpen down with him. Sit him out for a while (and eat the 2.2million 1 year contract) and let the bullpen get some morale going again.

II. Try for a trade.

I don't know or don't want to know who they could trade to get some relief talent, but it needs to happen soon. If the Braves had a sniper closer and some better relief, they could win 90+ games this year.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Why do they pay $2.2 million? He had an OK season last year and it was an overrated one at that.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

I have no earthly idea why they pay him 2.2. He had a pretty good year last year, and the Braves thought Sosa and Reitsma would do the job in the bullpen.
:(

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

I knew Reitsma wouldn't be a solid option in the pen.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

The two weak points in the 'pen at the moment are McBride and Sosa. McBride is good when he is good but he is waaaaaay too inconsistant. Sosa is just pitching the way he was when...TAMPA BAY TRADED HIM!

If we could somehow lure Damaso Marte away from the Pirates, and he could be our lefty go to guy, I would be very pleased. Then if we could move Sosa, Lerew and Betemit to Minnesota for Nathan I'd be fine with that. We could call up Prado to fill Betemit's shoes, and I doubt he would play much worse than Betemit.

So maybe we could send McBride and hmmm Josh Burrus or Billy McCarthy to Pit for Marte, that'd be a good upgrade. Or move the both of them (them being Sosa and McBride) out of the bullpen and use Startup and Stockman.

Just speculating.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

But honestly, I really don't blame the bullpen for that blowup. I don't think Cox should have sent Hudson out there for the ninth inning, when he didn't have his best stuff.

He should have just turned it over to Ray, and the game would have been over. But maybe Huddy went up to Coz and demanded to finish the game or something, I dunno.

Oh and by the way. That guy Valentin scares me. Seems like whenever his team needs a clutch homer, he always provides it.I remember in '04 he did the same thing off of Smoltzie.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Tough outting for Ramirez last night. Mets lost anyway, and again today so yay for that. Ol' reliable is taking the mound today, so it should be a win or a close one.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Looks like a pitching duel through the first 3 innings today. I hope John can go atleast 7-8 with plenty of run support. It'd be nice to be relaxed during the top of the 9th. :)

[Solair Wright]

Ken Ray gave up one base hit in the top of the ninth with two out. What does the next batter do? He strikes out swinging, enabling Smoltz's 4-1 gem to be counted as another win for the choppers. Tomorrow the Braves NEED to win to ensure a series win.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Great win by Smoltz, but it hurts to see him win when you think about how many he could have.

[Tomahawk Dynasty]

Great win by Smoltz, but it hurts to see him win when you think about how many he could have.

Sure does :(

By the way, isn't it 19 blown saves now? I think they were at 18 before Sosa blew the lead in the 9th on Thursday.