The Series Cynic: Braves win eighth in a row...yawn

Cynicism Lineup:



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  • Nate McLouth


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  • Brian McCann


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  • Peter Moylan





Nate “The Not So Great” McLouth went 0-for-5 against the Phils, dropping his average down to a minuscule .178---over 100 points lower than starting pitcher Tim Hudson’s .286 batting average.

McCann, last year’s team RBI leader (94), went 1-for-9 and is on pace to drive in less than 70 runs this season---far less than his 91.5 RBI average over his first four full seasons in the big leagues.

The Braves bullpen pitched well against the Phils, posting a 3.38 ERA in 5.1 innings of work. However, our favorite Aussie (Moylan) gave up two of the three runs on three consecutive doubles and failed to record an out.

Only a cynic would notice...

That despite hitting scorching line drive after scorching line drive, rookie sensation and N.L. Rookie of the Month Jason Heyward went 1-for-11 against the Philadelphia hurlers.

Remember This?

Three weeks ago, one of “the apocalyptic” problems plaguing the Braves was the leadoff spot in the lineup. Bobby Cox clearly reads this blog and decided to plug Martin Prado into the No. 1 slot as he was penciled in as the leadoff hitter the very next game. Hmmm....

Anyway, since then, Prado has led off in 18 of the last 19 games and has posted a stellar batting average of .367 over that stretch.

More importantly, the Braves have posted a record of 15-3 since Prado became the primary leadoff hitter.