Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 3 close games ending on the final at bat. Bobby Cox in postseason form. The Braves coming out on the losing end all 3 games. Seriously. This may have been the best series this year. Why didn't Cox either put Smoltz in the game, or intentionally walk Bonds. The Braves let they best hitter in the league beat them 2 games. It better be a different approach come postseason if these two teams play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EL DANDY~! 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Right now, I don't think I can be any happier as a baseball fan in the bay area. Bonds is carrying that team after showing that without him, the Giants just aren't really competitive. Everyone who is injured is slowly starting to come back. They got EY, in a while, their lineup will look like this OF: Bonds, Cruz, Grissom (That's 70 HRs, by the way) IF: Alfonso, Aurillia, Durham, Snow (Throw Feliz, Young, Galarraga, etc...deepest infield in baseball) C: Santiago (Torrealba is always ready) Pitching: Schmidt, Reuter, Williams, Ponson, whoever the fifth is at this point, which can be a number of pitchers While pitching might be subject outside of Schmidt and Reuter (Ponson hasn't gotten used to the NL yet), that offense is to die for. They just swept a team that was supposed to take AT LEAST 2-3 from them...and they're supposed to be the team to beat in the NL. Let's see what team people think is the team to beat in the NL, now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 (edited) When both teams are this evenly-matched, the losses don't seem to run so deep. I'm heavily anticipating the Braves/Giants postseason series (most likely NLCS)- it'll kick some serious ass. Why didn't Cox either put Smoltz in the game, or intentionally walk Bonds. The Braves let they best hitter in the league beat them 2 games. It better be a different approach come postseason if these two teams play. Cox & Mazzone probably figured that it would be better to identify Bond's plate weaknesses, as the countdown to their inevitable match-up in the postseason comes up - sacrificing this game to get an inside track on Bonds might produce something to use. Edited August 22, 2003 by bravesfan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BobbyWhioux Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Man, what a difference a week makes... I had to hear the Giants fan doomsayers at work bemoaning life last week. They should be turning right around about now. A sweep of Atlanta (albeit one that didn't require contending with Maddux or Smoltz, or Turner Field for that matter) will do that to ya. I predicted they'd turn around like this with Bonds and Aurillia returning, but not THIS well. Sweeping the Braves. I'm kinda pumped up. They haven't seen the last of the Braves, of course, and next time won't be a sweep. But this is damn good for the ol' confidence level. 2nd best record in the NL notwithstanding, you don't *really* know if they can hang with the Braves until they play them and beat them. And they just played them and beat them. So, yay. Anyone who watched that series now knows who the REAL MVP is in the NL. Again. And he doesn't HAVE plate weaknesses. Nobody in that Atlanta 'pen not named Smoltz should throw the ball anywhere near the plate when Mr. Bonds is at the bat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Closers don't like to go into games when the game is tied- and the last time they put Smoltz in that situation- Well Pujols raped him. Bonds had gone hitless the whole game so I don't see why they wouldn't pitch to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 And he doesn't HAVE plate weaknesses. He would be batting .650 with 221 homeruns if that were the case. On the "ESPN/Budweiser Hot Seat" Nolan Ryan was asked about this same issue. He responded with "High and away....high and away...then when he's thinking high and away, throw it as inside as you can possibly get." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Closers don't like to go into games when the game is tied- and the last time they put Smoltz in that situation- Well Pujols raped him. Closers SHOULD go into games with the game tied. Not doing so is a waste of a pitching staff, because A. Your closer should be your best reliever, and B. A tie game is a situation where you can least afford a run allowed, ESPECIALLY in the bottom of the 10th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Yes but they don't LIKE to. And considering the game is pretty meaningless- no use in putting Smoltz in there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2003 Yes but they don't LIKE to. And considering the game is pretty meaningless- no use in putting Smoltz in there That doesn't mean he shouldn't be used. No matter how insignificant the Braves think these games are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
