Look who has the best pitching staff in the majors (again)

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

None other than my Braves (3.69 era and dropping)... nice little team here guys, i love the underdog role this year..

furcal and giles up the middle.
Estrada behind the plate.
JD Drew staying healthy and fitting in well.
Newcomers Thomas and Green doing well.
Chipper back at third.
Smoltz closing the door.
Andruw still golden in center.

arguably the best run program around (sorry yanks). too bad the post season will be here, but guys this reminds me alot of the 1991 team. Lot more excitement in Hotlanta these days..
Bobby, Leo and Schuerholz -- my hats off to you.

REDEYE · Jul 31, 2004

If they get lucky enough to get in the playoffs it will be another 1st rd and out. the only reason they are in first place is because of the rest of the division as been playing pathetic. Anybody would be leading the league in ERA playing flawed offenses like the Phillies,Expos,Mets,and Marlins

JohnnyDeMarco · Jul 31, 2004

SSI
Andruw Jones might be the biggest under achiever ever.

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

your right about andruw but he is still great with the glove... he has been dropped in the order now and probably for remainder of season.

redeye, keep an eye on the record and where it is at by the end of season.. this team has blended together and is definately over achieving.. im just glad the excitement is back.

perfect example of how Leo can work with a pitcher, look no further than J. Wright.

Estrada for Millwood doesnt look bad now. sorry but this team has me excited now..

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

P.S. best move of year, Phillies keeping Bowa long enough and yes i fear the marlins, love what they did the last couple of days, should be a good end to the season..

REDEYE · Jul 31, 2004

Atlanta also has the most overrated manager in baseball in the last 20 years,He singlehandily lost the 91 series against Minny

wilheim · Jul 31, 2004

Marlins much improved after todays trade imo. Paul Lo Duca hit the first pitch he saw in a Marlins' uniform for a PH homer today.

wil.

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

Bobby is not overrated, 12 and soon to be 13 division titles cannot be overlooked.. post season yes, they have stunk it up for the most part.. the 91 series was great (win or lose). Lonnie's fall lost that one by the way.. this year shows just how good Bobby can manage, no disputing that..

kermit16 · Jul 31, 2004

Bobby Cox is by far the most over rated manager in the last 20 years. He should have won 3 or 4 Championships with the pitching He had but all He has is 1 title. Who cares how many times He has won the division ? The goal is to win the World Series and He has blown several with his pathetic managing.

Shotgun · Jul 31, 2004

I don't know Wil, I think the Dodgers got a steal with the deal. LoDuca wears down in the 2nd half, Mota has been overworked and Encarcacion opens up a large whole in the Marlins lineup. Penny gets Lima out of the rotation, and Choi is a young, vastly under-rated hitter. Throw in Finley and the Dodgers have a helluva team.

Nothing compares to the Royals getting one of the best catching prospects in the game for a Rule 5 guy they bought a month ago though.

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

guess your right, winning 13 straight division titles is nothing,,,, listen to people like gammons and kirtchen talk about cox, instant HOF.

REDEYE · Jul 31, 2004

Kirtchen and Gammons rarely talks bad about anybody.Their talent was far superior to anybody elses in that division for several years.Division has been weak for years. Thats got nothing to do with managing.Great pitching coach I'll give you that

SSI · Jul 31, 2004

phillies and mets would settle for 1 in a row.

Journeyman · Jul 31, 2004

This may be Bobby's best work...losing Maddux and Sheffield and Javy and still leading the division??? Please??? Braves are doing a bang up job!

kermit16 · Aug 1, 2004

Once again the Braves will fade and fall away in the playoffs ! That's their history and they will do it again !

SSI · Aug 1, 2004

so kermit, you do think they will make the playoffs again... heck of an accomplishment for a team picked to finish 4th in a 5 team division..

Railbird · Aug 1, 2004

dodgers buthcered their team.

Brent Mayne is a 200 hitter, especially at dodger stadium. Lima is 9-3 I doubt they move him out of the rotation.

Padres have best staff in baseball.

kermit16 · Aug 1, 2004

SSI
Yes, I agree with you that what they are doing this year surprises me and it is Cox's best coaching job by far. Perhaps He has learned by some of his past Post season blunders

SSI · Aug 1, 2004

rail, simply talking about team ERA.

kermit, no doubt this team has stunk it up in postseason, ive suffered through all of them (except 95).. im enjoying this team, similiar to the 91 team..

setting up a team for 162 games is different than setting one up for a short series, we went years without a closer, then smoltz became the closer and our hitting stunk.. not getting hits in clutch situations has killed this team in the playoffs, i cant explain why this happens.. however i like the makeup of this bunch, no pressure at all on them,, id say the marlins have more pressure to win this division than the braves do, they are defending world champs.

SENDITIN · Aug 1, 2004

SSI,

While I wish they had a better Series record, at least they've been in the hunt. Don't know how long you've followed them, but I've been with them since they were in Milwaukee. We had many lean years after the Mets beat us despite having guys like Aaron, Garr(Roadrunner),Carty etc.