Baaaaallllin! Go Braves.

Well, the Marlins are up 1-0 in the 6th over the Cards...

Why did Masset throw the same breaking ball just off the inside corner on both the 1-2 and 2-2 pitch? Heyward laid off of it the first time, why do it again to get the count full, and let the runner get a jump and score in the event he hits the fastball like he did?

mhs95_06 wrote: Why did Masset throw the same breaking ball just off the inside corner on both the 1-2 and 2-2 pitch? Heyward laid off of it the first time, why do it again to get the count full, and let the runner get a jump and score in the event he hits the fastball like he did?

Robin Roberts always said you've got to make it happen on 2-2, and never get to 3-2! That's a guy who had complete games in more than half the games he won!

Jason Heyward is the truth

Cards are now down 4-0 in the 7th to the Marlins...

Looks like the reign in 1st will last another night.

Heisey is a stud. The playing time should be close to 50-50 between he and Stubbs

Masset is a quality pitcher. Heyward is just a great young hitter. He got it done. The Reds can't win every night. It's great to see them comeback after an anemic first 7 innings. Leake on the mound tomorrow against a tough customer in Hanson. Have to split heading into Cleveland with a really banged up and bad Indians team awaiting.

Man, thinking back on that last inning, I knew we were in trouble when he count ran to 3-2 to Heyward. Not only did everyone know he was getting a fastball and Heyward was swinging a hot bat, but Prado got to get an early start.

With a hot free swinger like Heyward, I wish they would have just thrown something out of the zone. If he takes it for ball 4, then that's fine. Take your chance with Chipper's diminished bat speed vs 96 mph.

Oh well, bottom line is that you have to do some damage against Kowakomi when he's in there. Not one single run off him and it came back to haunt them.

charliehustle14 wrote: Man, thinking back on that last inning, I knew we were in trouble when he count ran to 3-2 to Heyward. Not only did everyone know he was getting a fastball and Heyward was swinging a hot bat, but Prado got to get an early start.

With a hot free swinger like Heyward, I wish they would have just thrown something out of the zone. If he takes it for ball 4, then that's fine. Take your chance with Chipper's diminished bat speed vs 96 mph.

Oh well, bottom line is that you have to do some damage against Kowakomi when he's in there. Not one single run off him and it came back to haunt them.

Heyward a free swinger? Are you sure about that?

He does K more than 1 out of every 4 at bats. That still doesn't mean he isn't light years ahead of every other 20-year old.

Azubuike24 wrote: He does K more than 1 out of every 4 at bats. That still doesn't mean he isn't light years ahead of every other 20-year old.

That is more due to his taking too many strikes early in the count. Cox and Pendleton have been trying to get him to be more aggressive early in counts.

Azubuike24 wrote: He does K more than 1 out of every 4 at bats. That still doesn't mean he isn't light years ahead of every other 20-year old.

I'd like to see his stat for chasing balls out of the zone. Just because he strikes out a lot... doesn't mean he is a free swinger. For instance maybe he is missing strikes? Or not swinging at all?

karen lotz wrote:

charliehustle14 wrote: Man, thinking back on that last inning, I knew we were in trouble when he count ran to 3-2 to Heyward. Not only did everyone know he was getting a fastball and Heyward was swinging a hot bat, but Prado got to get an early start.

With a hot free swinger like Heyward, I wish they would have just thrown something out of the zone. If he takes it for ball 4, then that's fine. Take your chance with Chipper's diminished bat speed vs 96 mph.

Oh well, bottom line is that you have to do some damage against Kowakomi when he's in there. Not one single run off him and it came back to haunt them.

Heyward a free swinger? Are you sure about that?

Seems like every time I've watched the Braves, I've seen Heyward hit some pretty retarded pitches. And like someone else said, he K's a quarter of the time.

charliehustle14 wrote: Seems like every time I've watched the Braves, I've seen Heyward hit some pretty retarded pitches. And like someone else said, he K's a quarter of the time.

Just out of curiosity, how many Braves games have you watched? They have been on ESPN 2 times and maybe TBS once. What do you mean retarded pitches? They rode the short bus to the plate?

despite the loss...just glad to have that pr*ck Glavine in the booth instead of the mound.

also FWIW...

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300519115

Heyward is known for his discipline and patience at the plate, but with two outs he said he was determined to swing at "anything close."

karen lotz wrote:

charliehustle14 wrote: Seems like every time I've watched the Braves, I've seen Heyward hit some pretty retarded pitches. And like someone else said, he K's a quarter of the time.

Just out of curiosity, how many Braves games have you watched? They have been on ESPN 2 times and maybe TBS once. What do you mean retarded pitches? They rode the short bus to the plate?

I'm not sure how many. vs Chicago, vs Houston, vs. LA, vs Philly, and tonight.
So I guess only 5. Two of those I watched online on MLB Live. And one or two on Fox Sports.

I'm actually a big Bobby Cox and Yunel Escobar fan, so I guess that's why I've watched the Braves. I watch a lot of MLB games but I've watched the Braves more than any other team, other than Cincy of course.

Retarded pitches meaning pitches that you don't think a professional hitter would be looking to swing at, especially when there's less than 2 strikes. Nothing wrong with swinging at those when you're as gifted as him and can do something with those pitches.

Sorry to offend you by saying Heyward is a free swinger. But bottom line is that of those 5 games I've watched, I know I've seen him swing at some pretty questionable/tough pitches. I think Masset could have cheesed him with something outside of the zone instead of serving it right into his wheelhouse.

karen lotz wrote: also FWIW...

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300519115

Heyward is known for his discipline and patience at the plate, but with two outs he said he was determined to swing at "anything close."

BTW, I can research too.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/3202/will-jason-heyward-ever-learn

http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/4/10/1413870/a-look-at-jason-heywards-strike

charliehustle14 wrote:

karen lotz wrote: also FWIW...

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300519115

Heyward is known for his discipline and patience at the plate, but with two outs he said he was determined to swing at "anything close."

BTW, I can research too.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/3202/will-jason-heyward-ever-learn

http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/4/10/1413870/a-look-at-jason-heywards-strike

Good research. Both articles from early April, not even 2 weeks into his big league career. The ESPN article is breaking down EIGHTEEN pitches. Is that enough of a sample size to determine that he is a free swinger?

Maybe he was trying to live up to the unrealistic hype coming into the season and trying to do too much. Maybe he had some nerves considering he is all of 20 years old. If you read any scouting report coming into this season, his plate discipline was listed as one of his stronger attributes, which is saying something considering his skillset.


also, I wouldn't call reading the game recap from today's game "research"

If you saw the catcher...he was set up outside.....so the pitch was supposed to be on teh corner.

but he left it over the plate.

More often then not it is the LOCATION of the pitch, and not the pitcn selection itself, that is the issue. Hernandez called for it on the inside, it was shook off, then switched outside and Masset didnt thro it there.

It was the EXECUTION of that last pitch. We alway say...."why did he throw that pitch"....well....baseball is a thnking mans game. If we as schleps know that a hitter may be set up for a certain pitch dont you think that professional hitter knows it too and would be looking for that?

Just like with Votto. 3-0 he was taking all the way. FB for 3-1 Lefty lefty...we all expected a CB....Votto had to be looking for the breaking ball too because he got a FB right down the middle he coulda killed....but when your looking breaking ball and youget a 97 mph fastball....it is about impossible to catch up with.

I still think pretty much any pitch is a certain sitaution is a good one if it is located well. Last night if Massett pains the corner like they were trying...i doubt heywood hits it.

Red Legs all over the braves today

Reds lose 10-9, despite having a 9-3 lead in the 9th. Giving up 7 runs in the final inning won't win you many games.

sportchampps wrote: Red Legs all over the braves today

TigerNation10 wrote: Reds lose 10-9, despite having a 9-3 lead in the 9th. Giving up 7 runs in the final inning won't win you many games.

We got a regular Peter Gammons here folks. Thanks for the fucking insight.