The NL East just got a lot more interesting...

GenericBravesFan · August 30th, 2007, 05:51 PM

With the Phillies sweeping the Mets today we are now 4.5 games out of first place. Obviously this next series with the Mets is huge. With Smoltzie and Huddy going though you gotta feel good about our chances. What do you guys think?

MikeT · August 30th, 2007, 07:56 PM

I feel better now that we are only 4.5 out but we are still trailing the Mess and fPhilfies.A long way to go and a short time to get there..

panda_383 · August 31st, 2007, 09:10 AM

I like the Brave's chances. NY has got to feel hard done by with the way they lost the last three games and the pressure grows for them to perform. This weekend will give an indication of how professional they are. Maybe some more cracks will appear, an ineffective Wagner could really hurt them as it is tough for a manager not to go to his go to guy. However, I suspect NY will rebound and give a good game, hopefully in a losing cause that further deteriorates their confidence. I fear Alou and Reyes. I dont fear their pitching. So cmon Atl. As someone else has already said, its Smoltz and Hudson and pray for something.

Snowman · August 31st, 2007, 11:08 AM

Alou hasn't scared me in several years, frankly. His last year with the Cubs when he could only hit in Wrigley was the beginning of that, I think. Reyes is definitely a threat, as is Wright, and Delgado still concerns me quite a lot. That bullpen of theirs often means you need to have a lead before their starter leaves the game, something we haven't been able to do a lot this year in non-Hudson/Smoltz starts. Hopefully we can pull out a series win, but I feel like these two clubs are awful damned similar, and that their bullpen gives them a slight edge over us.

renny · August 31st, 2007, 11:42 AM

Granted, a small sample size, but in 11 career ABs facing Hudson, Alou has 5 hits with a HR

AVG .455 / OBP .500 / SLG .727 / OPS 1.227

Alou doesn't hit righties as well as he does lefties (good) - but he's been pretty consistent - despite the fact he's been on the DL so much of the season. My bigger worry is the Fox game Saturday. Chuckie does not pitch as well in day games - that coupled with his first start since the DL may spell trouble. Although, Cox has claimed he's looked sharp.

I believe we have a good chance to play well against the Mets, but another concern of mine is that the series itself, with its playoff atmosphere, may drain the team to the point they are on empty by the time the Phils arrive. Hope we wouldn't give it all right back, as we are wont to do.

OTOH - a great series with the Mets might just be the impetus this team needs to go on that elusive hot streak.

August 30th, 2007, 05:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
GenericBravesFan Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 951	The NL East just got a lot more interesting... With the Phillies sweeping the Mets today we are now 4.5 games out of first place. Obviously this next series with the Mets is huge. With Smoltzie and Huddy going though you gotta feel good about our chances. What do you guys think?

August 30th, 2007, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
MikeT Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,598	I feel better now that we are only 4.5 out but we are still trailing the Mess and fPhilfies.A long way to go and a short time to get there.. __________________ You can lead a man to Congress, but you can't make him think. Milton Berle

August 31st, 2007, 11:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Snowman Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 1,340	Alou hasn't scared me in several years, frankly. His last year with the Cubs when he could only hit in Wrigley was the beginning of that, I think. Reyes is definitely a threat, as is Wright, and Delgado still concerns me quite a lot. That bullpen of theirs often means you need to have a lead before their starter leaves the game, something we haven't been able to do a lot this year in non-Hudson/Smoltz starts. Hopefully we can pull out a series win, but I feel like these two clubs are awful damned similar, and that their bullpen gives them a slight edge over us. __________________ That corpse you planted last year in your garden, Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

August 31st, 2007, 11:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
renny Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: along side the veteran presents `) Posts: 2,044	Granted, a small sample size, but in 11 career ABs facing Hudson, Alou has 5 hits with a HR AVG .455 / OBP .500 / SLG .727 / OPS 1.227 Alou doesn't hit righties as well as he does lefties (good) - but he's been pretty consistent - despite the fact he's been on the DL so much of the season. My bigger worry is the Fox game Saturday. Chuckie does not pitch as well in day games - that coupled with his first start since the DL may spell trouble. Although, Cox has claimed he's looked sharp. I believe we have a good chance to play well against the Mets, but another concern of mine is that the series itself, with its playoff atmosphere, may drain the team to the point they are on empty by the time the Phils arrive. Hope we wouldn't give it all right back, as we are wont to do. OTOH - a great series with the Mets might just be the impetus this team needs to go on that elusive hot streak. __________________ "We'll be back next year. We always are, aren't we?" -P Greg Maddux

August 31st, 2007, 09:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
panda_383 Rookie Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3	I like the Brave's chances. NY has got to feel hard done by with the way they lost the last three games and the pressure grows for them to perform. This weekend will give an indication of how professional they are. Maybe some more cracks will appear, an ineffective Wagner could really hurt them as it is tough for a manager not to go to his go to guy. However, I suspect NY will rebound and give a good game, hopefully in a losing cause that further deteriorates their confidence. I fear Alou and Reyes. I dont fear their pitching. So cmon Atl. As someone else has already said, its Smoltz and Hudson and pray for something.