The Braves magic number dwindled to 20 yesterday as for the second consecutive day the Braves won 1-0 on an unearned run. The offense hasn't scored an earned run since September 3rd. That's pretty scary. The bright side is that the pitching has been superb. Minor, Medlen and Hudson have been solid the last month or so. Maholm is decent. Hanson had a much better start the other day though his season has still been a disappointment.
The Braves continue to trot Dan Uggla out there and I still think it's the right thing to do because a HOT Dan Uggla can lead this team to a very successful postseason run. Brian McCann is a problem though. He is injured as it has been well-documented and the guy just can't hit right now. I think he'll be getting surgery after the season. The question becomes is he worth locking up for the next 5 or 6 years. Catchers start to become injury prone and their offensive numbers slow as they hit their thirties. I love McCann but we have Betencourt in the minors who is supposed to be a defensive stud and who will be ok offensively. I think you dangle McCann this offseason to see what you can get for him but also try to give him a 3-year deal on the cheap to see if he will take it after a poor year. If we were a team that spends over $150 million like the upper-echilon teams, I'd sign him for whatever but we don't have that luxury in Atlanta.
If the Braves do go the one-game playoff, here are three questions for you.
1) Who would you trot out there to pitch?
2) Who would you want to play and why?
3) Do you start Dan Uggla?
Here are 5 questions for you after this season:
1) Should Fredi lose his job if the Braves lose in the wildcard round? If you say "yes," who would you hire? Inside or outside the organization?
2) Should Frank Wren lose his job?
3) Should the Braves trade Brian McCann?
4) Who is your replacement for Chipper Jones?
Go Braves! 3 game series with the Mets tonight. I'd be happy with 2 out of 3 as the Mets are playing pretty well right now.
Andy
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