2013 MLB postseason running thread

Braves have now lost four straight at Turner Field in the postseason.

Since beating the Mets in that wild, Kenny-Rogers-walked-in-the-goddamn-pennant-clinching-run Game 6 of the 1999 NLCS, the Braves are 5-16 (.238) at home in the postseason.

 

The last time the Braves won a series? The 2001 NLDS against the Astros. Yes, the Astros.

 

They followed that up with three successive years (2002-04) of losing NLDS Game 5's at, you guessed it, Turner Field.

Since Sid Bream beat Bonds' throw home, the Braves have played in 11 12 elimination games -- World Series, Championship Series, Division Series, Wild Card games -- at home.

They're 2-9 10 in such contents, nine straight losses coming since moving into The Ted.

 

Kershaw is incredible but who in that Braves lineup scares you? Justin Upton? He of the hot start ended up with 70 RBIs, Brandon Belt territory. Freeman? 109, yes but he had no clue against Kershaw.

Medlen was on a 5-0 streak? He was throwing 89 mph heaters up and over the middle.

The Braves are done (I think).

Here's hoping the Pirates channel the Rickie Zisk (love that name), Willie Stargell, Kent Tekulve vibe and win the WS!!!

 

Cole is dealing early on. 3-0 for the Pirates.

 

Kind of an interesting stat they just showed -- in 190 PAs (156 ABs) w/RISP, McCutchen hit .282 with 54 RBIs. Good enough and obviously he had an MVP-level year overall. But he hit zero home runs in that situation.

 

Braves are done?

It's almost like ... it's almost like they won 96 games and had a winning record against every NL playoff team, including the Dodgers.

Huh.

 

And it took five hours, and I still haven't seen a conclusive replay on TV, but it looks like the umpire got the Gordon stolen base call correct. Here's the key angle:



Simmons caught the ball with his glove on Gordon's butt. On a short hop, no less. He's a freaking wizard.

 

That was great 5 minutes of baseball with Kimbrel's walks sandwiched around the CS, before the final out.

 

If the Braves can beat Ryu in Game 3, I like their chances to win the series in 4. Scheduled Game 4 starter Ricky Nolasco has a 5.11 ERA and 163 hits allowed (23 homers) in 132 career innings vs. Atlanta.

Brian McCann has a .345/.361/.828 slash line with 8 homers in 61 career plate-appearances against Nolasco. Jason Heyward is .348/.444/.652 in 27 PAs.

Of course, the Dodgers could always bring Kershaw back on short rest in Game 4, but I'd be OK with that, too.

 

Surely in an elimination game, you bring Kershaw back, right? The hell with the career stats against Atlanta, if I have to choose between putting my season on Kershaw or Nolasco ... well, not a tough choice.

 

That was a hell of a throw too.