A couple of weeks ago, I posted a thread predicting the Braves would win the World Series. I still think they have a good shot. Other baseball fans on the forum say that they believe the NL Pennant will go to Philly.
A writer on the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, whom I greatly respect, Mark Bradley, posted a column a couple of days ago, about why the Braves wont blow the lead. I'm aware of the boast I put on here a couple of weeks ago, but... as I read Mark's column, I was like... uhhh.
The Braves have a six game lead in the NL East with 66 games left. A nice size lead, but not.. insurmountable. In 1983, the first year I became a Braves fan, they blew a 6 1-2 game lead they had on August 13th.
I'm well aware that teams have blown far bigger leads far later in the season than this. The 69 Cubs. (9 -1-2 on August 16th, Mets rally to finish 8 games ahead). The 2007 Mets. (Not taunting 4u, just saying, 7 games up, 17 to go, Phillies win division by one game). The 1951 Giants, I believe, came back from a 13 game deficit, and then the Shot Heard Round The World, the Bobby Thomson homer.
The Braves play this week concerns me, even though they have a six game lead. Yes, they won two of three from the Padres at home, a great team, but, including last night's blown save and loss, Billy Wagner has blown games twice this week. Until then, he had been lights out. Wonder if his 39 year old body is catching up to him.
A couple of things in the Braves favor: One, they have many more games left at home, then on the road, and they've played extremely well at home this year. Two, they dont have that many more games left with the Mets and Phillies. Three, their starting pitching is still excellent. Four, Alex Gonzalez has helped them, and they may still make another deal come deadline day.
I honestly dont know what to make of the Phillies. They have so many injuries, that one has to wonder if they will hang around through August, and then make some kind of on fire run where they win something like 10 out of 12, while the Braves play 500 ball for 12 games. If Philly does that, they are back in the race.
I know it's only July. 66 games left. Hopefully, the Braves will hold on, but, I'm aware that theres much more baseball to be played. Mark Bradley should know this as well.
Mitch
A writer on the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, whom I greatly respect, Mark Bradley, posted a column a couple of days ago, about why the Braves wont blow the lead. I'm aware of the boast I put on here a couple of weeks ago, but... as I read Mark's column, I was like... uhhh.
The Braves have a six game lead in the NL East with 66 games left. A nice size lead, but not.. insurmountable. In 1983, the first year I became a Braves fan, they blew a 6 1-2 game lead they had on August 13th.
I'm well aware that teams have blown far bigger leads far later in the season than this. The 69 Cubs. (9 -1-2 on August 16th, Mets rally to finish 8 games ahead). The 2007 Mets. (Not taunting 4u, just saying, 7 games up, 17 to go, Phillies win division by one game). The 1951 Giants, I believe, came back from a 13 game deficit, and then the Shot Heard Round The World, the Bobby Thomson homer.
The Braves play this week concerns me, even though they have a six game lead. Yes, they won two of three from the Padres at home, a great team, but, including last night's blown save and loss, Billy Wagner has blown games twice this week. Until then, he had been lights out. Wonder if his 39 year old body is catching up to him.
A couple of things in the Braves favor: One, they have many more games left at home, then on the road, and they've played extremely well at home this year. Two, they dont have that many more games left with the Mets and Phillies. Three, their starting pitching is still excellent. Four, Alex Gonzalez has helped them, and they may still make another deal come deadline day.
I honestly dont know what to make of the Phillies. They have so many injuries, that one has to wonder if they will hang around through August, and then make some kind of on fire run where they win something like 10 out of 12, while the Braves play 500 ball for 12 games. If Philly does that, they are back in the race.
I know it's only July. 66 games left. Hopefully, the Braves will hold on, but, I'm aware that theres much more baseball to be played. Mark Bradley should know this as well.
Mitch
