"Yeah Chooch, I think that Uggla is funny looking too. Good thing we are covering our mouths so he can't he us making fun of him." Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

The Braves really should have made the playoffs last year.  Their manager proved to be an imbecile as the wheels completely fell off for them down the stretch.  He overused two young bullpen arms and could not rely on them when it mattered most.  Thier terribleness was also the reason that the St. Louis team that I will hate forever made it into the playoffs.  This is just another, in a long line of reasons to hate the Atlanta Braves. 

Brandon Beachy has a stupid alliterative name that gets stuck in your head.  He is one of those players whose name you will attempt to use in trivial pursuit answers thirty years from now.  He has also become a pretty solid major league starting pitcher.  Today, he managed his way through seven innings giving up only two runs and leaving the game with the score tied 2-2.  Just because he is good doesn’t mean that we can’t all irrationally despise him, so hate away everybody.

Cole Hamels did not have his best stuff today.  The broadcast team let us know that he was “grinding.”  He struck out six batters today including inducing a few swings from Dan Uggla that made me smile.  Any time a pitcher can strike out Dan Uggla it makes me happy.  Its true that Cole had to work a little harder than normal in this one.  (more…)

The Phillies lead the major league in victories and have just swept their nearest competitor in a three game series.  This happened to be the first time all season that the Atlanta Braves were swept in a three game series.  The Phillies tied and eventually won tonight’s game against the strongest portion of the Atlanta ballclub:  Their bullpen.  In addition the one member of the starting rotation that evokes anything close to concern looked like his old self again tonight. (more…)