tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post114910999867539712..comments2024-03-18T03:54:51.354-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: My Annoyance is Your Gain - A World Cup Preview of Sorts, Part IMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1149861649296463802006-06-09T09:00:00.000-05:002006-06-09T09:00:00.000-05:00I actually picked England to finish second behind ...I actually picked England to finish second behind Paraguay in it's group.<BR/><BR/>http://rdbaker.blogspot.com/2006/06/world-cup-preview.htmlR. D. Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14696930468620878781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1149861076811850242006-06-09T08:51:00.000-05:002006-06-09T08:51:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.R. D. Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14696930468620878781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-1149287841141972982006-06-02T17:37:00.000-05:002006-06-02T17:37:00.000-05:00Sorry to write off-topic, but wasn't last night's ...Sorry to write off-topic, but wasn't last night's Braves' game the perfect way to end the first third of the season? Suspect managerial decisions, the bullpen unable to hold the opposition, unearned runs, and another 1-run loss....welcome to 2006 Braves' baseball!<BR/><BR/>I'm really, really starting to become concerned that the closer situation is going to be the undoing of this team. It isn't simply that the Braves don't have a reliable closer. It's also that the Braves have a manager who so obviously doesn't have faith in his bullpen that he is starting to make really questionable decisions regarding his starters. <BR/><BR/>His decision to pitch Sosa into the 8th a few nights ago was unprecedented. He has extended Smoltz to a degree that is really troubling for a pitcher his age. <BR/><BR/>And now last night....there was no reason in the world that Ramirez should have pitched in the 8th. He was making just his second start off the DL; he's a guy who has had a recent history of pitching poorly and has a demeanor that gives the impression of shaky confidence; he had just dodged a bullet in the 7th; he was pushing 100 pitches. On and On.<BR/><BR/>No way does Cox leave him in if he believes in the guys he has in the pen. And the result is another close loss.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02525308050499798151noreply@blogger.com