<![CDATA[mrjohnst Blog Posts]]> http://www.atlantabravesnews.com/mrjohnst/weblog/ <![CDATA[Braves Find a Way to Lose Again]]> http://www.atlantabravesnews.com/mrjohnst/weblog/3538/braves-find-a-way-to-lose-again.html http://www.atlantabravesnews.com/mrjohnst/weblog/3538/braves-find-a-way-to-lose-again.html Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:58:16 PDT Four years ago, the pitching matchup of Pedro Martinez-Mike Hampton would have had Cy Young implications. It's safe to say a lot has changed since the Olympics were in Athens, and the Braves were on their perennial perch atop the NL East. The Braves are no longer feared by any of their divisional rivals, at least on the road, and for good reason. In another world, the Braves' pitching staff would have still been completely healthy, and the fact that both pitchers survived 6+ innings would have been an instant classic in 2008 NL East baseball.

But this is no ordinary season.

How do you explain a streak like the Braves are on? Atlanta hasn't won a one-run game on the road in over a year, a span of 27 games. Luck no longer matters. When the Braves win on the road, they do it by the count of 13-4 or 8-2. When it comes down to the 9th inning or extra innings, they tighten up like Shaquille O'Neal at the free throw line. No longer do they question their winning ability; they KNOW they are going to lose.

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