14's Blog about Sports that don't suck.

It's a concept that has been repeated time and time again this year: the Braves can't win on the road, can't hit on the road, can't pitch on the road. And it's all true. Check out some home road splits:

Home: 3.12 ERA, .236 BAA, 206 K, 100 BB in 265 IP

Road: 4.12 ERA, .241 BAA, 157 K, 80 BB in 203 IP

Home: 163 RS, .307 BA, 25 HR, .376 OBP in 993 AB

Road: 85 RS, .246 BA, 23 HR, .317 OBP in 820 AB

And, of course, 22-7 at home, and 7-18 on the road.

As you can see, the stats are quite dramatic. The W-L record is even more well documented. It obvious the Braves have issues hitting on the road. But is this really new? Not the exactly home-road splits, but the dramatic difference? No, it isn't. You might remember, the Braves couldn't play at Turner last year. They lost, and lost, and lost. Until September. Then they got amazingly hot at home. As their near .500 record in Sep. last year shows, they didn't win on the road. The only thing that makes the home stats look decent last year is the hot September. That has continued into 2008. It should come as no surprise that the Braves are Jeckel and Hyde, depending on where they play. The question is, why?

I don't know. I can't understand it. Why does it go back and forth? It makes no sense. But they need to get it fixed. This is a playoff team. This is a team that could make a WS run if they make it. But that can't happen without getting wins on the road(or at home).

VolPride98 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 19, 2008	Posted on: May 30, 2008 2:33 am Score: 93 The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves Well, your offensive points are very well taken! However, I think it is plain to see that the pitching was not the problem in Milwaukee! 5 runs allowed in 3 games and you only win one! Kudos to the Braves pitchers in this series....and a collective WAKE UP!!! to the bats of the Braves! Well, except Chipper Jones. the guy is unbelievable! [ Reply to Comment ]
Tartans Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 11, 2006	Posted on: May 30, 2008 12:30 pm Score: 95 The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves The Braves lost 1-0 last night to the Milwaukee Brewers. With the loss, the Braves fell to 6-18 on the road, compared to 22-7 at home. Moreover, they are now 2-14 in one-run games his season, including 0-11 on the road. This is not a case of Atlanta’s patchwork bullpen blowing leads late in games. Crazily, Atlanta’s strength this season has been it’s pitching. And that’s pretty inexplicable, considering the team’s best starter (John Smoltz) and two best relievers (Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano) have spent most of the season on the DL and the guy who was penciled in as the fourth starter, Mike Hampton, continues to find new ways to get hurt. The Braves problem is, quite simply, a total and complete lack of clutchness. So what do the Braves need? Two words: Derek. Jeter. After all, who is more clutch than the Captain? Nooooooobody. Of course, it’s unlikely that Jeter will bring his unique brand of situational hitting and machismo to Hotlanta, since he’s under contract through 2010 and he’s got a full no-trade clause. So, Atlanta will probably need a plan B. That backup plan could take the form of a deadline deal for a power hitting left fielder like Adam Dunn or Jason Bay, either of whom could replace Atlanta’s Matt Diaz/Gregor Blanco platoon, bumping Diaz and Blanco to the bench and making Atlanta a deeper team. But I think a trade for either Dunn or Bay is unlikely. Atlanta traded for Mark Teixeira at the deadline last year and that cost them several top prospects. Another late season trade would further depleat the team’s system and I don’t think GM Frank Wren wants to go there. There has been talk that Atlanta will trade for Greg Maddux, allowing the future Hall of Famer to reunite with Smoltz and Tom Glavine. Stranger things have happened. I don’t think Maddux would agree to go anywhere other than Atlanta and I don’t think the Padres would ask for much in return, since they wouldn’t have any leverage. This seems like a possibly low risk/high reward move and I think the Braves might just make it happen. [ Reply to Comment ]
14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: May 30, 2008 1:54 pm Score: 91 The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves Moreover, they are now 2-14 in one-run games his season, including 0-11 on the road. I really don't care about the 1 run losses. I'm much more worried about the home-road splits. The one run losses just mean that the Braves are in every game. I think the 1 run losses will even out at some point this year. I think a Maddux trade could happen. The Pads' shouldn't be asking too much. Bay, on the other hand, is not coming to Atlanta, I don't think. I don't want to give up any more top prospects. The Braves have good pitching depth, but the Pirates will want someone who is MLB ready. The Braves don't have that to give. [ Reply to Comment ]
kings fan 13 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 1, 2007	Posted on: June 1, 2008 12:24 am Score: 89 The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves i believe its all those great braves fans like quigley, when they leave home its such a bummer [ Reply to Comment ]

14 Straight

The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves

The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves

The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves

The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves

The (not so newly) Bi-Polar Braves