Playoff Talk: Astros vs Braves

[J.R.]

This is the only series that doesn't begin until day two of the playoffs.

I don't expect the Houston Astros stacked with pitching will have problems in this short series format. I mean with Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite in the rotation I can't see the Braves beating each or even at least two of them. The ATL will continue to be known as the greastest futile postseason franchise arguably ever. Chop this up to be yet another playoff loss. No doubt about it.

Canucklehead, that is a disgusting avatar/signature ensemble.

[Canucklehead]

I don't expect the Houston Astros stacked with pitching will have problems in this short series format. I mean with Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite in the rotation I can't see the Braves beating each or even at least two of them.

I expect that the same problem that hurt the Astro's in the regular season will hurt them in playoffs. To win you have to score at least one run. The ATL will continue to be known as the greastest futile postseason franchise arguably ever.

But better known as the team who has taken the NL East 14 straight times.


Canucklehead, that is a disgusting avatar/signature ensemble.

I quite like it.

[MadDevil]

But better known as the team who has taken the NL East 14 straight times.

Much like the Buffalo Bills making the Super Bowl 4 straight times, and losing all of them.:nod:

14 straight division titles is quite an accomplishment though, regardless of whether they've won a World Series in that time or not.

[J.R.]

But better known as the team who has taken the NL East 14 straight times.:laughing:

Last time I checked, they don't play to win a Division Title, they play to win the World Series. The Braves can keep winning the N.L. East, because I know that they'll continue to choke when it comes to play the real games. One World Series title in fourteen playoff appearances? Hehehe. Even the Mets have a better postseason winning percentage than that.

[Canucklehead]

:laughing:

Last time I checked, they don't play to win a Division Title, they play to win the World Series. The Braves can keep winning the N.L. East, because I know that they'll continue to choke when it comes to play the real games. One World Series title in fourteen playoff appearances? Hehehe. Even the Mets have a better postseason winning percentage than that.

In the last 14 years the Braves have won all 14 Division titles and only one WS title. I suppose that is pretty bad, JR. Say, how many WS have the Mets won in that time span?

[J.R.]

In the last 14 years the Braves have won all 14 Division titles and only one WS title. I suppose that is pretty bad, JR. Say, how many WS have the Mets won in that time span?Zero.

I'm talking about World Series wins based on the number of times a team has made the playoffs. The Braves are probably the worst team ever in that category.

Braves have troubles

ATLANTA (Oct 4, 2005)

Eager to avoid another first-round exit, the Atlanta Braves come into the playoffs with all sorts of worries.

John Smoltz's shoulder has been ailing, so he'll apparently start Game 2 of the NL division series against the Houston Astros instead of tomorrow's 4:09 p.m. opener at Turner Field.

That's not all. MVP candidate Andruw Jones and celebrated rookie Jeff Francoeur are mired in slumps. Another rookie, Blaine Boyer, may be left off the post-season roster because of a sore shoulder -- a major blow to the shaky bullpen.

The Braves' problems have been reflected in their play. They are barely above .500 (29-28) since the beginning of August and closed the regular season with a four-game losing streak and only seven wins in their last 19 games.

The last four losses can be somewhat excused, coming after the team clinched its 14th straight division title. Manager Bobby Cox used those meaningless games to audition youngsters and little-used players who might help on the fringe of the post-season roster.

Still, Atlanta is hardly on a roll going into the playoffs.

"We need to step it up another notch before Wednesday,'' second baseman Marcus Giles said. "It seems like we've been sitting around on our heels the past few weeks playing not to get hurt. When you do that, you wind up playing not to win, and we have to clean that up before our first playoff game.''Bad shoulder forces Braves to alter plans

Hudson replaces Smoltz as Game 1 starter

ATLANTA (Oct 5, 2005)

John Smoltz slipped out of the Atlanta Braves' clubhouse through a side door, hoping to avoid reporters camped out by his locker. He knew what was coming and, frankly, he was a little tired of talking about it.

Smoltz walked all the way to the parking lot before finally -- with more than a little reluctance -- he stopped by his car to chat.

"Everybody's putting me in a coffin,'' Smoltz said.

The Braves made it official yesterday, announcing that Smoltz will pitch Game 2 of the NL division series against the Houston Astros instead of the opener. Tim Hudson will go in Game 1 today against Andy Pettitte.

Manager Bobby Cox waited until the Braves were travelling home from their final regular-season game before revealing his plans to those involved. He called it a precautionary move, giving the team some flexibility in case Smoltz's shoulder acts up again.

[J.R.]

The final score may be 10-5 in favour of the Houston Astros, but game one wasn't even that close. Atlanta got beat down. Is anyone surprised? Enjoy facing Clemens in game two.

[Canucklehead]

Braves take the second game 7-1 on a great preformance from Smoltz. It'll be tough, but I think Atlanta will be able to steal one in Houston. Go Braves!

[J.R.]

Astros take the third game 7-3 on a great preformance from Oswalt. They take a 2-1 series lead and look to eliminate the Braves tommorow afternoon at The Park Formerly Known as Enron Field. The pitching matchup is heavily in favour of Houston. The game starts only 14 hours after this one ended.

ATL: H. Ram?rez (11-9, 4.63).
HOU: A. Pettitte (17-9, 2.39).

[BURY]

I'm watching the game since the 12th inning. Longest game in playoff history. They are now in the top of the 18th and it's still 6-6. For once in my life I enjoy watching baseball !

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Burke ends it in the 18th. The Braves are eliminated, and for the second year in a row it'll be a Astros-Cards NLCS.

[J.R.]

I always love the month of October. It's the best sports month. There's usually a new NHL season, the NFL is always in full swing and the Atlanta Braves always get eliminated early from the playoffs. The most futile franchise ever loses their first round series for the fifth time in six years. :laughing: Today's game was just another example of how full of choke this team has been over the years, as they coughed up a 6-1 lead in the eighth inning. Everyone may join in and have a laugh with me.

[PDO]

I tried to find a picture of Ozzie Guillen, but couldn't.. so I figured this would do:

http://www.wldcup.com/pictures/euro2004/direct/jun25/por-eng-beckham-pret.jpg