JB @ The Launching Pad

Just before I start.

Chip, I don't hate Mike Hampton. I don't think he's a bum. I don't blog just so I can rip him apart every time I'm alerted to yet another one of his startling and bewildering injuries. Now I've had some fun at Mike Hampton's expense but that's just because his injuries are so comical.

Mike Hampton is just a complete anomaly. His many explanation-defying injuries are just fodder for bloggers (like me) because it gives us something to talk about. And as much as it disappoints me that his comeback is happening in July rather than in April against the Pirates, I've gotten to the point where all I can do is laugh-and I do- at how strange it all is. I mean something like this is too good of a story to just ignore because it defies logic, all expectations, and is just plain bizarre. It's more bizarre than Frenchy's inexplicable trip to Mississippi and back that didn't even last the fortnight it was supposed to. It's more bizarre than our road record and one run loss mishaps at the beginning of the year. But that's just been our season. Bizarre. A tale of two teams, a swath of moves that I just don't get, and now Mike Hampton... in all his ironic beauty, is going to pitch in a crucial series coming off a night that the Braves actually looked very good.

So speaking of two Braves teams, which team showed up last night in Philadelphia?

Was it the team that had been swept twice at home by the Phillies?

The team that had just headed to Miami after dropping a weekend series loss at home to the Natspos?

No, it was the team that some how manages to win ballgames by very large margins and have explosive run production rather than the team that has almost been no-hit twice and shut more times that I want to go find the stat for.

Last night was a great win for many reasons. McCann homered twice and one of those shots was a nail in the coffin, sayonara, man-its-good-to-have-McCann-type, grand slam as part of a 7 run ninth inning in which every Brave hit.

And Jurrjens... He was just on last night. The 2008 NL ROY got his 10th win but check out his line in Philly: 8 IP, 6 K's, 0ER, 3 H's. I love you, Jair.

The Mets won again last night keeping us at 6.5 by today's 3:55pm start. Boo hoo.

And yes as we mentioned earlier Mike Hampton is slotted to start today's game. And if the Braves are going to have any serious thoughts about baseball beyond September, this series (and thus this game and/or tomorrow's) is a must win.

But the Braves don't have to just play great baseball from here on out. They need two things. To play exceptional baseball and Mets Collapse (Version 2.8). But they also need the Phils to keep playing the way they have lately and they need the Marlins to just finally bite it. (So four things).

Folks, the Wild Card ain't coming out of the NL East so just get that naughty little thought out of your head (for those of you who like to say "Well there's always the Wild Card"- bull hockey!). The Wild Card will be a Central team for sure and so in the East it's do or die. If we can manage even getting back within 3.5 games back by our next Mets series (Auguest 19-21) we can control our own destiny. IF.

I said after the All Star Break that the Braves magic number is 44. They need at least 44 wins until the end of the season (and also the aforementioned choking of three other teams) to even have a prayer. So far the Braves are 4-3 since the start of the second half. It's less likely that the Mets will fall apart two seasons in a row even if the Braves do get hot. But let's put it this way. They'd have to get very hot and against some pretty good teams over the next month.

The Brewers, Two Cardinals' series, and the Cubs, are in our near future. Even the .500 NL West leading Diamondbacks are not going to be easy. The only "push over" we have are the Giants but like the Nats I'm afraid they wouldn't mind playing spoiler. And depending on which Braves team shows up in San Francisco... they could.

Here's irony for you as we close. What if Mike Hampton gets a win today? If there ever was going to be a turning point and it's July 26th, how suiting would it be if Mike was part of the Miracle? Because nothing short of a Miracle will keep us in this.

Your thoughts?

Keep Choppin'

PS I still have Mike Hampton's backup ready if Bobby needs him.

~JB, @ The Launching Pad

On the surface a 9-4 road win, and thusly the series win, would seem like a moment of bliss for us Braves denizens.

And yes there are some things to be excited about after last night's win. For instance Hudson's 6 scoreless innings and the nine runs that the feast or famine lineup put together. But this rosy-goggled blogger who's always looking for silver linings can't get too carried away with optimism just yet.

Chipper leaves the game. Hudson leaves the game. And Buddy gives up a fourspot in 1/3 of an inning... the ninth inning. Seems like unless your name is Mike Gonzalez you can't get a scoreless ninth in a Braves uniform. And even Mike has hit a few bumps along the way.

No I'm not looking for reasons to complain but this Jalopy of a season keeps picking up flats. I haven't heard word as of yet about how long Chipper and Tim will be pine riding but news like this after what was turning out to be a 9-0 win sucks the wind out of our already the dreary sails.

Allegedly Mike Hampton is to pitch on Saturday. But if he doesn't make it to the start for some reason Mike Hampton's backup said he's ready to go if needed...

~JB, TV makes me stupider

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So until baseball is on at the weird West Coast time of 4:05pm we flip channels. My wife pauses on some reality show long enough for us to mindlessly try to pick up on the "story".

It's purgatory.

Two and a half hours to first pitch and the last game and series before the Break. For the second time this week we get a rubber game and I'm hoping this one goes our way.

As this series closes out, I wonder what will come of the Braves by the trade deadline. We're 6.5 games out at game start and best case scenario we could be 5.5 or with a loss 7.5. It's not insurmountable but it's such a grey area in terms of what kind of direction to take the team.

The thing is, the Braves haven't had a throwaway season in a very long time. I don't even know what a "rebuilding" year would look like. And to be honest, I don't think we'll make anything but attempts at improvement at the deadline.

Call me optimistic or maybe I just think I know Braves management enough to see them as competitors and not rebuilders when we have the kind of talent (though underachieving or injured) that we do. And 5.5 at best or 7.5 at worst doesn't take us completely out of contention. The question is, is this the kind of team that can pull it off? So far, that team hasn't shown up.

Last Night

Morton gave up only one earned run and got a win.

Frenchy got 3 hits one of them with the bases loaded if you can believe that.

Lillibridge hit his first homer and Chipper had one of the lovely 3 hit nights. I guess the slump is over.

Campillo (3-4) takes the mound tonight and though he's gotten knocked around lately, he hasn't been all that bad.

Whaddya say we end this half with a series win? Perhaps even an inspired, encouraging win that gets us 5.5 back and closing in.

I'm going to wait a little while longer before I abandon postseason hopes. Maybe I'm delaying for myself acceptance of the inevitable, but I'm gonna tough it out a little longer.

So...

What moves are you expecting to see made? Do you think Ohman and Teixeira are on their way before the season closes in?

Are you ready to admit defeat and go into rebuilding mode? If so, who are you hoping to pick up as we get ready for next year?

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~JB, writing a Braves blog, throwing back No Doz, and wallowing in despair

Ok Ok. I admit. I'm not really thinking of myself as Mother Teresa because it's not THAT bad.... is it?

I just hate losing to the Phillies. 

And no I'm not really wallowing in despair. I just can't seem to take a shower, go to work, or even get out of bed today. Good thing I keep the Mac close by so I can still post. 

At any rate.

I think that sums up the last few weeks in addition to last night. 

If you're feeling down, come commiserate with me. Misery loves company.