Dodgers Eliminate Braves w/o Stars Kemp & Ethier

[asu66]

Dodgers defeat Atlanta, win NLDS thanks to the power of Juan Uribe

With the NL All-Star OF power of Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier sidelined, others stepped up. Juan Uribe's two-run, eighth-inning HR earns L.A a 4-3 victory, a division series triumph and a trip to the National League Championship Series. Carl Crawford hit 2 HRs earlier in the game.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/ ... z2h75QkLWq

[moehler]

Braves have got to find some athletes, if they cant hit a home run they can't score, the deciding factor in this series was the Braves only hit one homerun. It was also painful watching Geitis playing left field, man, that guy cant run. Congrats to the Dodgers, the better team won.

[mtnjax]

Braves have got to find some athletes, if they cant hit a home run they can't score, the deciding factor in this series was the Braves only hit one homerun. It was also painful watching Geitis playing left field, man, that guy cant run. Congrats to the Dodgers, the better team won.

What do you expect when a catcher is playing in the outfield?

[TheMoody1]

Considering all the injuries the Braves had this year they had a very good season.

[ebapps1]

The Braves were built for a good regular season record, all power, no hitting. They either scored 12 runs or 1 run. When you get to the postseason, you can't have 12 K's per game and have a shot.

[moehler]

honestly, I'm amazed they won 95 games, best bullpen in the majors won them alot of these games

[AppGrad1]

Regular season champs year after year.
Bow out early in playoffs each year....

Hummmmmmmmm? Sound familiar?

[asufan87]

I was surprised at the Braves success as well, particularly has poorly as Uggla and BJ Upton performed at the plate all season and with the rash of injuries they faced. That said, the bullpen was stong all seaon and I believe they were the 2nd youngest team in the majors this year. Minor, Tehran, Wood, and Beachy are all solid young pitchers that could be good for a long time if they can stay healthy. Lots to look forward too, but they've got to find a way to tweak the lineup to move runners and not rely so heavily on the long ball.

[Appsolutely]

I was surprised at the Braves success as well, particularly has poorly as Uggla and BJ Upton performed at the plate all season and with the rash of injuries they faced. That said, the bullpen was stong all seaon and I believe they were the 2nd youngest team in the majors this year. Minor, Tehran, Wood, and Beachy are all solid young pitchers that could be good for a long time if they can stay healthy. Lots to look forward too, but they've got to find a way to tweak the lineup to move runners and not rely so heavily on the long ball.

They need to find a new second baseman. Uggla and Gonzalez are at odds and Elliot Johnson is not the answer. Other than that, the Braves are young and could have a great future. I like McCann, but his contract is up. I think he goes, and Gattis becomes the starting catcher.

[YesAppCan]

Uggla has never impressed me.

[Saint3333]

I thought starting Kershaw was a gamble, but it should set up the next series (hopefully vs. the Pirates) quite nicely.

[Appsolutely]

Uggla has never impressed me.

Agree completely...

[TheMoody1]

Uggla has never impressed me.

Have you not seen his biceps?

[Appsolutely]

Uggla has never impressed me.

Have you not seen his biceps?

Yeah, and I've also seen his batting average.

[moehler]

losing Michael Bourn last year really hurt, he was a leadoff who stole bases, hit for high average, and could really cover alot of ground in the outfield. Ofcourse, the braves did what they always do, they refuse to pay big money on a long term contract and he walked.

[mtnjax]

I was surprised at the Braves success as well.

i think a lot of the Braves' success came from a weak (Marlins, Mets, Phillies) and down (Nats) NL East. Hence why they were 10+ games up on the division at the end of the year

[JTApps1]

I was surprised at the Braves success as well.

i think a lot of the Braves' success came from a weak (Marlins, Mets, Phillies) and down (Nats) NL East. Hence why they were 10+ games up on the division at the end of the year

Bingo. They racked up a ton of wins by playing in the weakest division in baseball this year.

[scatman77]

Dodgers defeat Atlanta, win NLDS thanks to the power of Juan Uribe

With the NL All-Star OF power of Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier sidelined, others stepped up. Juan Uribe's two-run, eighth-inning HR earns L.A a 4-3 victory, a division series triumph and a trip to the National League Championship Series. Carl Crawford hit 2 HRs earlier in the game.

GO CARDINALS!!!


http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/ ... z2h75QkLWq

[SpeedkingATL]

With all the injuries that Braves had it's amazing they won a division. Thankfully they were in the weakest division in baseball this year. Hard to win a division when 2 of your starting 8 are batting well below 200 and the majority of your hitters are not of the "contact" variety. Their pitching should be even better next year with the maturity of young pitchers and 2 key relievers and one starter hopefully returning from injurys. That said the giant contracts of Uggla and BJ are going to be hard to overcome on Liberty's lame budget and have to plan for the upcoming big contracts on Freeman, Heyward, Simmons, Kimbrel and a but of their pitchers. Gotta hope Gattis is the real deal behind the plate as McCann is likely gone too.

Wish they had a different owner that would open the wallet a little more.