Atlanta Braves 2006 run for 15 straight

rudel.dietrich · 04-02-2006, 01:15 PM

Consider this our 2006 Braves season thread.

On paper there are less questions than last year. Off the bat you have two teams that probably will not compete.
The Nationals still need to get their feet on the ground in Washington and probably will be be atop the division half the season like last year.
The Marlins will not be as bad as everyone thinks and could win some key games that the Braves really need to win.

The two main threats have to be another solid Phillies team and an improved New York team.

The Phillies are not drasticly different but they were in the hunt last season and just a small change of fortune could have them atop the division.

The Mets are one of the most changed teams since last season. They did it the only way they know how, tossing money at problems. But it did indeed fill some obvious holes. Injuries will play a big part in their season, but on paper the Mets could easily win the division crown and go deep into the playoffs.

Then it comes down to the Braves themselves. Much less an unknown compared to last year, but still a young and volatile team. Who will hit their sophmore slumps?
Who will take it to the next level and prove they deserve the full time starting role?
Is the pitching staff going to stay healthy? Will Hudson improve? Will Smoltz show his age and fall apart?
Can Jones turn in another monster season? Can Edgar pull his offensive weight and improve his defense at short?
And then the bullpen. the single factor in most of the teams losses and ultimatly there demise in the playoffs.
Can they scratch together enough arms to keep the team in games and leads intact?

All of these questions and more will start to answer themelves Monday at 4:13 PM EST
There in wonderful Dodger Stadium the journey to 15 will begin.

jf7623 · 04-02-2006, 01:29 PM

Everyone thought the Braves were done last year, but many rookies stepped up and another division was there. If the rookies from last year keep their season going they had last year, then I don't see why they can't do it again this year.

NCBeachBum · 04-03-2006, 12:23 AM

My prediction: 87 wins, 2 games behind the division winning Phillies and 4 ahead of the Mets, 1 game behind the wild card winning Brewers.

Eckstein 4 Prez · 04-03-2006, 12:50 AM

I've gone against them several times over the years. After getting burned the last time, I decided I'm picking them to win the division until someone proves they can beat them. I think they edge out the Mets this year, although I think the Mets will edge out the Brewers for the wild card.

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 02:27 AM

Braves, Giants, Cardinals and Astros will make it out of the NL.
I don't understand why everyone is writing off the Astros yet again, team is not that much different than the last two seasons teams.

In the AL I like the Yankees, White Sox, Indians and Athletics.

darkhorse · 04-03-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

I don't understand why everyone is writing off the Astros yet again, team is not that much different than the last two seasons teams.

It has yet to be determined whether the Astros will be granted clemency.

marc · 04-03-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

Braves, Giants, Cardinals and Astros will make it out of the NL.
I don't understand why everyone is writing off the Astros yet again, team is not that much different than the last two seasons teams.

In the AL I like the Yankees, White Sox, Indians and Athletics.

Why in the world is everyone picking San Fran to make the playoffs this year?

Am I totally forgetting a huge offseason acquisition or something?? Cuz personally I see Bonds playing about 70 games and the team losing 90+

PotatoPeeler · 04-03-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc

Why in the world is everyone picking San Fran to make the playoffs this year?

Am I totally forgetting a huge offseason acquisition or something?? Cuz personally I see Bonds playing about 70 games and the team losing 90+

I was thinking the same thing. The Giants will be lucky to finish third in that division this year.

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc

Why in the world is everyone picking San Fran to make the playoffs this year?

Am I totally forgetting a huge offseason acquisition or something?? Cuz personally I see Bonds playing about 70 games and the team losing 90+

That division is AWFUL, no one really improved and the Giants even if Bonds plays only 70 games will be better than last season. Bonds playing 70 games means 5-6 extra winds vs last season. He is that good.

The Dodgers did not really improve at all. There GM is unproven and based on some of his statements so far I see that team having a long miserable road ahead.
The D-Backs have loads of minor league talent. But they are a few years away and probably will not factor in this year.
You can count out the Rockies right now, they need a miracle year to have a shot.

That leaves the Padres, they re-signed some important players. But last seaosn they won the division by a tiny margain. The return of Bonds and the Giants finally having some young players who will play most of the year spells a division winning team.

I see it going
San Francisco
San Diego
Los Angeles
Arizona
Colorado

Whoever wants to make the playoffs out of that group had better win the division, I highly doubt the WC will be emerging from there.

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

It has yet to be determined whether the Astros will be granted clemency.

I think around May 1st or so he will sign a one year deal with Houston.

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 12:16 PM

Is it ok to ever wish for a player injury?
If so, I hope Brian Jordan falls and does non-permanent damage to his knee, or is kidnapped or something.
Sucking up a roster spot over a more deserving younger player.

He worked his ass off in the offseason and looked good in ST. But I just don't think he has a good season left in him anymore.

Edit: Trola

Big Willis 16 · 04-03-2006, 05:19 PM

Great start to the season for the Braves!

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 05:20 PM

Opening day might be a bit boring. 4-0 Braves already with two away in the first.
RBI single by Andruw and a three run HR just over the wall in right for Adam Laroache

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 06:31 PM

What is the deal with LA fans?

Booing? Tossing a HR ball back onto the field? Flipping off the Dodgers dugout?
When did they grow spinal cords? Are they going to stay all 9 innings and risk traffic?

Big Willis 16 · 04-03-2006, 06:31 PM

Glad to see Andruw start off the way he did last season.

GForce · 04-03-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

The Mets are one of the most changed teams since last season. They did it the only way they know how, tossing money at problems.

I love silly statements like this. You realize, of course, that the Mets simply replaced payroll pared off the books after last season, and replaced expensive players with cheaper players in multiple situations to do so, right?

GH

rudel.dietrich · 04-03-2006, 08:23 PM

Braves can't ever make this easy. Messy messy game against the Dodgers.

11-10 win and the Braves go 1-0

PotatoPeeler · 04-03-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallschirmjager

Braves can't ever make this easy. Messy messy game against the Dodgers.

11-10 win and the Braves go 1-0

Nice to see the bullpen is back this year.

Sublimity · 04-03-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

Nice to see the bullpen is back this year.

At least we're consistent...

PotatoPeeler · 04-03-2006, 09:21 PM

That's the problem.

04-02-2006, 01:15 PM	#1
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Atlanta Braves 2006 run for 15 straight Consider this our 2006 Braves season thread. On paper there are less questions than last year. Off the bat you have two teams that probably will not compete. The Nationals still need to get their feet on the ground in Washington and probably will be be atop the division half the season like last year. The Marlins will not be as bad as everyone thinks and could win some key games that the Braves really need to win. The two main threats have to be another solid Phillies team and an improved New York team. The Phillies are not drasticly different but they were in the hunt last season and just a small change of fortune could have them atop the division. The Mets are one of the most changed teams since last season. They did it the only way they know how, tossing money at problems. But it did indeed fill some obvious holes. Injuries will play a big part in their season, but on paper the Mets could easily win the division crown and go deep into the playoffs. Then it comes down to the Braves themselves. Much less an unknown compared to last year, but still a young and volatile team. Who will hit their sophmore slumps? Who will take it to the next level and prove they deserve the full time starting role? Is the pitching staff going to stay healthy? Will Hudson improve? Will Smoltz show his age and fall apart? Can Jones turn in another monster season? Can Edgar pull his offensive weight and improve his defense at short? And then the bullpen. the single factor in most of the teams losses and ultimatly there demise in the playoffs. Can they scratch together enough arms to keep the team in games and leads intact? All of these questions and more will start to answer themelves Monday at 4:13 PM EST There in wonderful Dodger Stadium the journey to 15 will begin.

04-03-2006, 12:23 AM	#3
NCBeachBum All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Topsail Island, NC, USA Posts: 1,049	My prediction: 87 wins, 2 games behind the division winning Phillies and 4 ahead of the Mets, 1 game behind the wild card winning Brewers. __________________ And ain't that a shame, shame, shame Shame, shame, the way you do Oh, it's a shame, shame, shame Shame, shame on you

04-03-2006, 12:50 AM	#4
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 6,358	I've gone against them several times over the years. After getting burned the last time, I decided I'm picking them to win the division until someone proves they can beat them. I think they edge out the Mets this year, although I think the Mets will edge out the Brewers for the wild card. __________________ Looking for an insomnia cure? Check out my dynasty thread, The Dawn of American Professional Base Ball, 1871.

04-03-2006, 09:21 PM	#20
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	That's the problem. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

04-02-2006, 01:29 PM	#2
jf7623 Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 713 Infractions: 0/4 (4)	Everyone thought the Braves were done last year, but many rookies stepped up and another division was there. If the rookies from last year keep their season going they had last year, then I don't see why they can't do it again this year.

04-03-2006, 02:27 AM	#5
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Braves, Giants, Cardinals and Astros will make it out of the NL. I don't understand why everyone is writing off the Astros yet again, team is not that much different than the last two seasons teams. In the AL I like the Yankees, White Sox, Indians and Athletics.

04-03-2006, 12:16 PM	#11
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Is it ok to ever wish for a player injury? If so, I hope Brian Jordan falls and does non-permanent damage to his knee, or is kidnapped or something. Sucking up a roster spot over a more deserving younger player. He worked his ass off in the offseason and looked good in ST. But I just don't think he has a good season left in him anymore. Edit: Trola

04-03-2006, 05:19 PM	#12
Big Willis 16 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,616	Great start to the season for the Braves!

04-03-2006, 05:20 PM	#13
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Opening day might be a bit boring. 4-0 Braves already with two away in the first. RBI single by Andruw and a three run HR just over the wall in right for Adam Laroache

04-03-2006, 06:31 PM	#14
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	What is the deal with LA fans? Booing? Tossing a HR ball back onto the field? Flipping off the Dodgers dugout? When did they grow spinal cords? Are they going to stay all 9 innings and risk traffic?

04-03-2006, 08:23 PM	#17
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Braves can't ever make this easy. Messy messy game against the Dodgers. 11-10 win and the Braves go 1-0