The Atlanta Braves Demise

[Mufasa]

If you think that the Braves are done you are wrong. They still have a shot with the wild-card. Smoltz has said he wanted to retire a Brave. That being said if he goes somewhere he is DEFINATELY a rental. He will return to Atlanta. That being said, I still think that the Braves are buyers and NOT sellers being 5 1/2 games behind the Reds. As much as I am loving what the Mets are doing, I still think the Braves are dangerous.

any true met fan wont count the Bravos out until its over. idc if theyre 10 games back with 11 games left, the mets could find away to mess it up. its in our psyce to fear the worst. as i said b4, id like to see the Braves in the postseason adnd their chances are not horrible. as of this post, 5.5 games out but in 8th place. they could still continue their looooong postseason appearance streak in this way. until the mets clinch the division, the braves are still the NL East champs and NY still has to take it from them.

*also... not that its happening but id still love the mets to "Rent" smoltz. they could rele use some pitching. using yesterdays game as an example, offense is obviously not an issue. 11 run inning including 2 grand slams all in the 6th.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Magic Numbers

Here are the magic numbers to eliminate the division:

Washington 54

Florida 58

Atlanta 59

Philadelphia 60

Any combination of Mets wins and these teams losses equaling up to 60 will eliminate the division.

 

[Mitchell]

Atlanta won't win the division unless a miracle happens. I do not see the Mets blowing a 12 game lead. That being said, if the Braves continue to play as they do, they have a good shot at the wild card.
I disagree that Smoltz would leave Atlanta, be a rental for someone else, and then return next year. First, there are only two weeks left until the trade deadline, and, unless Atlanta falls completely apart, and out of wild card contention, he isnt going anywhere. Second, if he does, it is highly unlikely that he would go for two months, and then come back to Atlanta for 8 to 10 million next year. Likely, they will just keep him. Or, in the miniscule possibility that he were to be traded, he will either stay with whoever he goes to, or go free agent this winter, and sign with someone else. My bet: The Braves stay in the wild card hunt, and he stays put.

Mitch

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Atlanta won't win the division unless a miracle happens. I do not see the Mets blowing a 12 game lead. That being said, if the Braves continue to play as they do, they have a good shot at the wild card.
I disagree that Smoltz would leave Atlanta, be a rental for someone else, and then return next year. First, there are only two weeks left until the trade deadline, and, unless Atlanta falls completely apart, and out of wild card contention, he isnt going anywhere. Second, if he does, it is highly unlikely that he would go for two months, and then come back to Atlanta for 8 to 10 million next year. Likely, they will just keep him. Or, in the miniscule possibility that he were to be traded, he will either stay with whoever he goes to, or go free agent this winter, and sign with someone else. My bet: The Braves stay in the wild card hunt, and he stays put.

Mitch

ticklingfeet4fu If you think that the Braves are done you are wrong. They still have a shot with the wild-card. Smoltz has said he wanted to retire a Brave. That being said if he goes somewhere he is DEFINATELY a rental. He will return to Atlanta. That being said, I still think that the Braves are buyers and NOT sellers being 5 1/2 games behind the Reds. As much as I am loving what the Mets are doing, I still think the Braves are dangerous.

I think you are right. The Braves are still in it. They CAN'T catch the Mets but a wildcard is reasonable.