Two Weeks Notice

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As I said on the air last Friday, the weekend series would be a good "playoff-like" three game set to test the Cardinals.  Many responded to me with a laugh and pointed out that the Braves were not going to make the playoffs so...what the hell was I talking about?

Rather than go into all the problems the Braves struggled with this season it was and is my belief that the Bravos, when healthy, can compete with anyone in the league.  They have pitching, though their defense can have lapses as we saw, their offense can come and go.  Not because of talent but mostly because of health. You saw this past weekend what playoff calibur pitching can do, to even a good offense.

This is not a sky-is-falling diatribe.  But instead, it's a pay attention to what just happened and learn that this team has to find a way to be more consistent against intense playoff style pitching.

And one other thing, you can't win the World Series without a dominate closer.  I tried to warn you that a problem at closer was looming over two weeks ago.  Not only was I ridculed, I even heard one fan yell,"Grab your torches and pitchforks!"  Look, I admit that I am angst ridden but more than my angst I'm driven by a desire to see the Cardinals win. And this team as it stands today will not win. 

Figure out why Franklin has lost command of his fastball.  Mental, physical and most likely a combination.  You have two weeks.