Overrated Medlen starts off strong

[Will James]

3 strikeouts in the 1st.

[MetEdDawg]

Low 90s fastball, one of the best change ups in baseball, and a pretty decent breaking ball. Can mix a little 2 seam action in there as well. He's got a lot of pitches and when he's on his game he reminds me a lot of Greg Maddux. I would say not overrated.

[Will James]

BoomBoom earlier was saying that he was overrated. xFIP and Will James disagree.

[MetEdDawg]

He's 34-20 over his career with a 2.95 ERA. Couple of NL Pitcher of the Month awards including winning the September one for this year. He's a solid pitcher and I think has better 3-5 year projections than anyone else in the Braves current pitching rotation.

[BoomBoom]

BoomBoom earlier was saying that he was overrated. xFIP and Will James disagree.

actually i said overachieved.

[msstate7]

actually i said overachieved.

Well he needs to overachieve this 3rd out. Can't fall behind 2-0

[BoomBoom]

Some terrible pitch selection in the 2nd. Fat pitches to Ellis and Uribe when ahead in the count. No excuse to not throw Ellis two low change ups when the count reached 2-2, 2 outs and the pitcher up next. Yes, Kershaw can hit a little, but still.

[msstate7]

Gattis looked like a 7 year old kid fielding his first ball in the outfield there. 2-0 is a huge lead for kershaw

[msstate7]

Some terrible pitch selection in the 2nd. Fat pitches to Ellis and Uribe when ahead in the count. No excuse to not throw Ellis two low change ups when the count reached 2-2, 2 outs and the pitcher up next. Yes, Kershaw can hit a little, but still.
I've never liked Mac behind the plate. Love his bat, but he leaves a lot to be desired behind the plate

[engie]

There was no excuse to let Puig go first to third on that line drive either.

Terrible, terrible fundamental baseball trying to lose games. THIS is the Braves that I know**

[MetEdDawg]

That doesn't happen if BJ Upton doesn't suck at everything this year. He's playing CF and Justin is playing LF, who still isn't that great of an outfielder, but he definitely catches that. I like Gattis but god he is a terrible outfielder. We better pray we can work the counts against Kershaw and get him out after 6 or 7 because I don't see us scoring 2 or more off of him.

[BrunswickDawg]

Gattis is no worse than about a half dozen players who have played outfield for the Braves over the past 30 years. Lonnie Smith and Ryan Klesko were far worse

[msstate7]

Gattis is no worse than about a half dozen players who have played outfield for the Braves over the past 30 years. Lonnie Smith and Ryan Klesko were far worse

Next season he'll be our catcher so I'm not worried about his outfield defense.

Geez ... Is gattis back on drugs?

[Will James]

I've never liked Mac behind the plate.

I very much disagree with this.

I also think he's by far the best option for the Braves at C next year.

[MetEdDawg]

He sat there about 4 steps away from 2nd base and watched Puig slow down to a trot to catch that ball. He didn't turn around to go back to 1st until Puig had almost caught the ball. This could get ugly. Lot of stupid stupid stuff going on right now that is typical of us in the postseason.

[BrunswickDawg]

Next season he'll be our catcher so I'm not worried about his outfield defense.

Geez ... Is gattis back on drugs?

Said the same thing about Klesko when he moved from first to left.... I'm still waiting for Cox to move him back to first...

[msstate7]

I very much disagree with this.

I also think he's by far the best option for the Braves at C next year.

Will, I don't think so. He'll be very expensive and he's already starting to decline as a hitter. The last thing the braves need is another overpaid, under-producing player

[Will James]

Will, I don't think so. He'll be very expensive and he's already starting to decline as a hitter. The last thing the braves need is another overpaid, under-producing player

No it's predicated on the discounted rate of staying in ATL if he wants to, not a long term expensive deal. But side-by-side just comparing the players McCann>Gattis next year IMO.

But Mac has been a good defensive catcher

[BrunswickDawg]

I should have never typed the words "Lonnie Smith" - I am pretty sure by doing so I caused Gattis to channel him on the base paths.

[BoomBoom]

No it's predicated on the discounted rate of staying in ATL if he wants to, not a long term expensive deal. But side-by-side just comparing the players McCann>Gattis next year IMO.

But Mac has been a good defensive catcher

is that just straight up production, or do you think that even taking into account $10M vs $400k for salary (with the difference spendable elsewhere)?

[BoomBoom]

3 strikeouts in the 1st.

Can you make a post about how the Braves can't possibly come back from this? So that it happens.

[msstate7]

Now do we pull medlen in hopes of using him again or just let him eat as many innings as possible? If dodgers score again, I'd go David hale and let him take it for the team

[MetEdDawg]

Pitch sequencing changed drastically from the 1st inning to the 2nd and 3rd. Almost completely went away from the off speed pitch, especially early in the count. I think Medlen threw 5 or 6 curves in the 1st inning. Think I counted 3 total in the 2nd and 3rd. Not sure why we started pounded the strike zone with a bunch of fastballs with this lineup. Very bad decisions on the pitch sequences there.

[Todd4State]

The guy that the M-Braves had catching for them- Christian Bethancourt- is going to be a solid MLB catcher. He made the Future's Game this year.

[msstate7]

The guy that the M-Braves had catching for them- Christian Bethancourt- is going to be a solid MLB catcher. He made the Future's Game this year.

Very good defensively and not so good offensively. The opposite of Mac

[Todd4State]

Now do we pull medlen in hopes of using him again or just let him eat as many innings as possible? If dodgers score again, I'd go David hale and let him take it for the team

It's really hard to bring a MLB starting pitcher back like that on short rest like that because of how they have their throwing routines.

[msstate7]

Elliot Johnson has an error and didnt advance runner. Gattis and Elliot need to settle down

[Todd4State]

Very good defensively and not so good offensively. The opposite of Mac

12 home runs while playing at Trustmark Park with a .277/.305/.436 slash line with 11 stolen bases is very solid. Catcher is one of the hardest positions to learn for pro baseball players- they have to learn how to call a game- which very few of them do in high school, college, or the Dominican sugar cane field. That takes away from their offensive numbers some too.

In fact, MSU is one of the FEW colleges that teaches catchers how to call a game and allows them to do it over time. That should be a huge drawing card for catcher prospects- and might be why we have a commitment from Chase Vallot- and were able to get him away from LSU.

[Will James]

is that just straight up production, or do you think that even taking into account $10M vs $400k for salary (with the difference spendable elsewhere)?

Straight up production. Mac will be over paid for by somebody else. He's worth that money next year, not every year for the next 5 though. BJ deal was dumb as hell and wrenches up a lot of move possibilities.

[msstate7]

12 home runs while playing at Trustmark Park with a .277/.305/.436 slash line with 11 stolen bases is very solid. Catcher is one of the hardest positions to learn for pro baseball players- they have to learn how to call a game- which very few of them do in high school, college, or the Dominican sugar cane field. That takes away from their offensive numbers some too.

In fact, MSU is one of the FEW colleges that teaches catchers how to call a game and allows them to do it over time. That should be a huge drawing card for catcher prospects- and might be why we have a commitment from Chase Vallot- and were able to get him away from LSU.

Didnt realize he had that good a year. All I've read and heard about Christian is he isn't expected to hit on the mlb level

[Will James]

The guy that the M-Braves had catching for them- Christian Bethancourt- is going to be a solid MLB catcher. He made the Future's Game this year.

Yep, which is why I'd try to get Mac back there until he's ready.

I'm not buying into Gattis. Could be proven wrong, but when the pitchers figured out the book on him, he stopped producing quick.

[BoomBoom]

Didnt realize he had that good a year. All I've read and heard about Christian is he isn't expected to hit on the mlb level

yeah, big turnaround for him with the bat this year. Mac is gone because the C situation is locked up, Laird is already signed for next year so will be the backup to Gattis, while Bethancourt goes to AAA and will be the backup C in 2015. And he's not just good defensively, he's supposedly the best defensive catcher in the game.

[msstate7]

Yep, which is why I'd try to get Mac back there until he's ready.

I'm not buying into Gattis. Could be proven wrong, but when the pitchers figured out the book on him, he stopped producing quick.

And then gattis picked it up again. Gattis has been red hot in September. Gattis only has one weakness at the plate -- pitch selection. If he's selective, he's a very good hitter.

[BoomBoom]

Yep, which is why I'd try to get Mac back there until he's ready.

I'm not buying into Gattis. Could be proven wrong, but when the pitchers figured out the book on him, he stopped producing quick.

that's pretty typical for a rookie, especially one that's only had 1 year above A ball. from what i've seen he has a lot of room to grow as a hitter. he just has to learn pitch selection so that he gets better pitches to hit.

[msstate7]

When the braves make the playoffs next season, please start someone game 1 besides medlen. What a garbage performance. Medlen just isn't a big game pitcher. He's solid, but he just can't get the big win. He's now 0-2 in postseason after rolling in regular season up to these two games

[Will James]

he's supposedly the best defensive catcher in the game.

If that's the case he won't be Evan Gattis' MLB backup. Catcher is the most important defensive position and it's not close.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9275754/studying-art-pitch-framing-catchers-such-francisco-cervelli-chris-stewart-jose-molina-others

This article also states that McCann's receiving ability saved the Braves 122 runs given up from 08-13. Mac is a very good catcher. I'd pay for him for 2-3 years until Christian takes over.

[msstate7]

If that's the case he won't be Evan Gattis' MLB backup. Catcher is the most important defensive position and it's not close.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9275754/studying-art-pitch-framing-catchers-such-francisco-cervelli-chris-stewart-jose-molina-others

This article also states that McCann's receiving ability saved the Braves 122 runs given up from 08-13. Mac is a very good catcher. I'd pay for him for 2-3 years until Christian takes over.

I doubt seriously that Mac would sign 2-3 years. He'll be looking for 4-5 years

[Will James]

I doubt seriously that Mac would sign 2-3 years. He'll be looking for 4-5 years

Which is why somebody will over pay.

[msstate7]

Which is why somebody will over pay.

Exactly. I don't want it to be the braves

[msstate7]

Kershaw's pitch count at 65 with 1 out in 4th. If the braves can get a couple runs, they might can get back in this vs dodgers bullpen

[Will James]

Kershaw's pitch count at 65 with 1 out in 4th. If the braves can get a couple runs, they might can get back in this vs dodgers bullpen

Need a multi-run big fly soon

[Will James]

Need a multi-run big fly soon

Like our current topic of interest almost provided

[msstate7]

Need a multi-run big fly soon

Just missed it

[msstate7]

Kershaw at 77 pitches thru 4. Simmons has to lay off that pitch.

[msstate7]

There's guys that choke and then there's medlen. He has given us no shot in this game. Medlen is a regular season pitcher

[msstate7]

There's guys that choke and then there's medlen. He has given us no shot in this game. Medlen is a regular season pitcher

4 ip 9 hits 5 runs

Chipper threw out the first pitch and he may could've outpitched medlen tonight

[Will James]

Medlen is a regular season pitcher

Remember Maddux Glavine and Smoltz only won 1 during their decade+ run in the playoffs

[msstate7]

Need to get a run or 2 here. Who pinch hits for Ayala? Do we pinch for Ayala?

[Will James]

Need to get a run or 2 here. Who pinch hits for Ayala? Do we pinch for Ayala?

Without a doubt Ayala cannot be allowed to hit.

[msstate7]

Remember Maddux Glavine and Smoltz only won 1 during their decade+ run in the playoffs

They didnt just implode though. Medlen cruises straight into the postseason and then falls apart

[msstate7]

Ayala was probably a better option than bj

[Will James]

Ayala was probably a better option than bj

Ayala's career wOBA and wRC+ are better than Upton was this season.

17 career plate appearances. Upton is horrible and should have a section of the bench made of nails for him to permanently sit on.

[msstate7]

I'm sick of home plate ump calling check swings strikes.

[msstate7]

Ayala's career wOBA and wRC+ are better than Upton was this season.

17 career plate appearances. Upton is horrible and should have a section of the bench made of nails for him to permanently sit on.

That was one of the most pathetic at bats I've seen since maybe bj's last at bat. That looked like me facing kershaw. I had as much of a chance as bj.

[msstate7]

Just let walden pitch the rest of the game. He shouldn't be in a meaningful game. He's been horrible since getting off dl

[Todd4State]

Didnt realize he had that good a year. All I've read and heard about Christian is he isn't expected to hit on the mlb level

From who? I doubt he will ever be Yadier Molina or Mike Piazza- but he can hit .250 and hit 10 home runs and he will give you plus defense. Like someone said- he will spend next year in AAA, and probably come up in September and then be the back-up in 2015.

[msstate7]

From who? I doubt he will ever be Yadier Molina or Mike Piazza- but he can hit .250 and hit 10 home runs and he will give you plus defense. Like someone said- he will spend next year in AAA, and probably come up in September and then be the back-up in 2015.

Message board guys. I was repeating what I had heard. I wanna be wrong. Just wonder where we play gattis.