NL East Race Watch

[Baseball is Life]

Ah...sarcasm... 

See, I used the emoticon so I wouldn't be taken seriously. It's not that hard, people.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The concern about being down to the Braves by 4 games now is tied to why the Nats were strong favorites going into the year.   The Braves were supposed to be in trouble at the start of the year with their pitching injuries.  The Nats were supposed to be the team with both depth and balance.   As it turns out, the Braves got the kind of pitching that even their regular rotation would not be likely to supply, while our starting pitching got at least one stinker out each of our core starters and had our 5th starter implode.  Even though we are 6th in runs scored (115) and the Braves are 26th (89), we've given up close to 2x as many runs as they have (58 v. 105).  Much of that is unearned runs (19 for the Nats, 8 for the Braves).  Our ERA is 8th (3.28), but the defense

I know there are skeptics about defensive metrics, but it is interesting that there is more or less 3 games (30+ runs) by UZR between the two teams. http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2014&month=0&season1=2014&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

[sportsfan882]

The regression begins for the Braves' rotation.

Alex Wood tonight vs the Fish: 5 IP 10 H 7 ER 1 BB 2 K.

His ERA nearly doubled.

[vicki4471]

Watching some of the Braves game last night before ours started (hubby is a Braves fan and marriage is about sacrifice) I realized that they really do have the same issues we have. The offense struggled, they made silly fielding mistakes and it is unrealistic to think their rotation could maintain that level of perfection. I am hoping Harang finally gets rocked tonite. I do not think the division is out of the question but this weekend is crucial. I do not know what is going on with the Mets right now but they are playing very aggressively. I am a bit nervous because the race is so tight. If we lay down and die in Philly we will be in big trouble come Monday morning. However if we  hold our own there, we will be ok. The Braves have obvious weaknesses but the Nats can never hold a winning streak together long enough to exploit those weaknesses. I know its early, but if ever there was a series win in April/May that was must win, its the philly series coming up.

[3bside]

Let's see how the Braves do in May.  They have a tough schedule with a bunch of games against St. Louis, San Fancisco, Milwaukee, Boston and even Colorado who is playing well.  We need to tread water and stay within shouting distance until we get healthy. 

[spidernat]

(hubby is a Braves fan and marriage is about sacrifice)

So sacrifice him already and increase our odds of winning the division.

[vicki4471]

Honestly though it guilts me to say this, Last night I was actually a little relieved we had the lineup we did in the field. Frandsen, for someone who does not naturally play the out field was magnificent in holding the runners. I love Bryce but not sure he would have handled those bouncers off the wall as smoothly and without permanently disabling himself in the process. And Mc Clouth did a great job running down that final out where as I envision Werth playing it on the hop. I know we are suffering on offense but for right now our "subs" are holding it down on defense. Thats the thing when you dont get to play very often, when you finally get that shot you have something to prove, so that extra fire might be just what the Nats need right now.

[vicki4471]

So sacrifice him already and increase our odds of winning the division.
(Image removed from quote.)

I honestly enjoyed watching it last night. A good relationship is all about knowing when to gloat. Enjoying a good Braves ass kicking does not get old. And the fact that he made me suffer when Miami stomped us last time made this all the sweeter. Then our boys won.. So it was a great night.

I peaked in on the Phils/ Mets but honestly that does not matter. We are sandwiched in between them so we just have to win. The Phils series is super important and I'm already worried about the pitching match ups.

[expos1994]

It's a loooong season. The Braves have 17 wins and the Nationals have 15. That's like being in August and the Nats have 85 wins and the Braves have 87. Hopefully we are on top by then... But it's 2 games difference in the Win column. That can be close in under a week. You don't HAVE to be in 1st place until October.

At this point the Nats aren't 'out of it' until they're down by 10. And even then the pressure is off somewhat and it's just about closing that gap through the summer months.

[spidernat]

The Braves have 17 wins and the Nationals have 15. That's like being in August and the Nats have 85 wins and the Braves have 87.

Also, if the Nats and braves have those many wins in August they're both going to win 100+ games.

[imref]

The regression begins for the Braves' rotation.

Alex Wood tonight vs the Fish: 5 IP 10 H 7 ER 1 BB 2 K.

His ERA nearly doubled.

[wpa2629]

And there goes Harang's ERA ...

[Slateman]

And there goes Harang's ERA ...

1.87

[wpa2629]

1.87

doubled in 1 inning

And Marlins just added another run

[HalfSmokes]

1.87

2.55, it'll be over 3.5 by June

[wpa2629]

2.55, it'll be over 3.5 by June

it could be over 3.5 by the 5th inning - he just gave up 2 more runs

[wpa2629]

Harang out

4.2 innings pitched

9 ER
10 hits


ouch

[nobleisthyname]

It was bound to happen. The fact that their luck lasted this long is incredible. This shouldn't even hurt them too bad though since they're getting Minor back. I'm not sure what to expect from Gavin Floyd. He's very meh and coming off of TJ surgery but switching leagues will offset that.

[ZIM4MVP]

Based on social media, Barves fans are missing. Last seen 4/28/14

[imref]

tied with the mets, 2 games back but they've played 2 less games.

[vicki4471]

Ok I am slightly encouraged by looking at the stats for last April and seeing that while the Braves finished at 17-9 just like they are now, we were under 500 at the end of last April. This April we are 4 games over 500. And our injuries are worse this season. So There is a silver lining after all.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Look, if the Braves continued to ptich far better than any team has ever pitched over a season of baseball, it would have been hard to beat them.  They banked a small lead, but we weren't blown out.  That's OK in my book.

[wpa2629]

Swept by the Marlins

[Slateman]

Maybe the Marlins are the Braves' kryptonite?

[wpa2629]

Maybe the Marlins are the Braves' kryptonite?

Maybe - Braves were swept and they did not look good while doing it