I just feel beaten down as a Braves fan. I am the most optimistic fan when it comes to the Braves. You can ask anybody. I never give up! I watch every game, attend as many as possible and follow the standings the entire season. That’s why I’m saying we’re not out yet. We easily could be it’s just the Phillies and Mets have decided to not put anybody away yet.
But there is one thing I have noticed on this team: everyone is waiting for someone else to get hot or get a big hit in a tight spot. But it’s not happening. Chipper and McCann are great hitters obviously, but everyone else seems to think the hits will just come. I want to think these guys are working hard but do they feel pressure to produce or not? Do Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur feel they might lose their jobs or get traded? Because they should. KJ and Frenchy take a lot of the heat for this pitiful lineup and that might not be fair. Why not bench these guys or send them to the minors? I would much rather see Martin Prado and Gregor Blanco trying their hardest to take these spots. I know what a lot of you are saying: “This guys thinks he knows everything!” Not really I’m just tired of guys getting a free pass to start everyday and not have to sit if they don’t produce. I feel everybody else is trying (please note Garett Anderson seems hurt or just cares less).

To steal some thunder from that old Rick Pitino interview while coaching the Boston Celtics (Kevin McHale ain’t walking through that door). Someone pass along this message: Fred McGriff and Hank Aaron ain’t walking through that door! These guys are it. With the tight payroll and a tough market to get a big bat this might be your lineup for the season. So, do what you gotta do!

It’s almost sad to watch Javier Vazquez lead the N.L. in strikeouts and post a 4-6 record. This guy’s last 2 games: 16 innings, 6 hits, 5 ERs, and 19Ks, without a win to show for it. And let’s not talk about the lack of run support for Jair Jurrjens. Frank Wren addressed this team’s glaring weakness this off-season by getting quality arms to keep us in games. The hits and runs have to start or we are going to sink very quickly.

With all that has happened this season, I never thought I would write this but it might be time for a new manager in Atlanta. Bobby Cox has helped build this Braves organization to what it is today but this new breed of players need a fire lit underneath them to perform. But I do think Bobby needs to step away on his own. Let’s not botch this situation like we have with some other soon-to-be Hall of Fame inductees.  But maybe Bobby will prove everybody wrong and these guys are about ready to go on a tear. We better hope so or we might be big sellers around July 31st.

In Case You Missed It:

Casey Kotchman is back from the DL. Casey leads the team with 16 2Bs and looks to have a big second half as he did last year.

Tommy Hanson goes for career win #2 tonight @ Cincinnati. His last outing wasn’t great giving up 9 hits in 5.2 innings. I know everyone was hoping for domination and I think it’s on the way. Let him continue to learn a little!

Braves minor league (Double A Mississippi) pitcher Rafael Cruzwas suspened 50 games for a positive test for Performance-enhancing drugs.