Very true. The Braves are hanging with the Nats though the guy that was supposed to be their power hitting clean-up hitter has been mired in a 2 month slump. If he starts hitting the Braves could be unstoppable.

I believe Wang is still on rehab. They could take a chance on Yunesky Maya. They also have Zach Duke, who was a minor league All Star this year.

I never said the Braves had more starting pitching depth, so I'm not sure why your panties are in a bunch.

Braves have had a lot to deal with and we've done a good job. Our best pitcher this season went down with TJ surgery. Hudson missed a month to begin the season. Jurrjens was very ineffective. Hanson has been too of late and now has an injury issues. Yet we've been winning by plugging in guys like Sheets, Medlen, now Maholm.

All I said is that the Nationals starting pitch depth hasn't been tested at all this season really. And it will be in the near future so... we'll see.

Lannan has a 5+ ERA in 19 starts in AAA.
And seriously... Wang?

I never said the Braves had better starting pitching depth. Which was the entire point of your post so... you = fail

And yeah the Nats have paper thin pitching depth and the trade deadline has passed. You threw 2 names. Lannan has been terrible in AAA, Wang has been hurt all year and pretty much the past 5 years. And is sporting a 7+ ERA this season.

You = fail

But Lannan has been just fine in two ML starts.

No doubt, replacing Strasburg with Lannan is a significant drop, but then again, replacing Strasburg with anyone but another top five pitcher would be a drop. Lannan is more than capable of holding his own in a ML rotation. The Nationals could have some trouble if they lose another starter for any reason.

The Braves would have to turn to any number of young pitchers with nowhere near 200 IP in the majors to their credit. IMO, the Braves depth was thin coming out of ST. The addition of Sheets and Maholm has covered some of that. But the Braves have no better options than the Nationals if it gets past the sixth man.

"I'd rather have Lannan and Wang taking the mound for my team than Jair Jurrjens or Julio Teheran."

And everyone here cares so much what youd rather. Would you still rather Dominic Brown over Heyward too?

and Polanco over Chipper.

I'm going to be very interested to see where the Braves and Nationals are in the division standings come August 16th. From August 10th - 15th, the Nationals go out west to play a hot Arizona team and then the Giants. During that time, the Braves play three in New York and then four at home during San Diego. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Braves be within 1 game of the Nationals by that point.

"... the Braves have more depth? Lannan is easily better than Maholm."

I have to agree. The Maholm deal was 90% hype. It did very little to actually improve the playoff picture.

I expect the Braves to win a wild card slot at best. I see absolutely no valid reasons to assume the Nats will tank and that the Braves will somehow be managed better in September.

This is all shaping up to be another classic Braves postseason quick exit, if they even get there.

How does Maholm not factor in making the Braves a better playoff team?

You must be miserable.

Most of Maholm's success has come against the NL Central and he did not even have a winning record until July 13th, less than a month ago.

In other words, during the first 3 1/2 months of the season, Maholm was at or below .500.

Or in other words, there is a stooge born every three weeks. In this case his first name is Frank and his last name is Wren.

Because he's a troll who had to even make up an excuse to complain about Maholm's first start.

The truth hurts, but someone has to look at the reality of the Maholm deal as being just more smoke and mirrors.

Yes, Maholm will win a few and get smacked around by the better hitting teams.

What the Braves needed was someone who can beat playoff level teams. Maholm is simply not at that level.

Maholm defeated the Dodgers, Reds, Pirates, and Diamondbacks this season. He also defeated the Braves two times. In all of these wins Maholm allowed 1 run or less. He also defeated the Phillies by allowing 1 run but it is the Phillies. When Maholm is on he is a great pitcher.

Edit: Maholm also has numerous no decisions of 6.0 innings or more of 0-1 run baseball.

People need to just stop responding to him, hes just begging for attention.

We agree on this.

You obviously have a higher opinion of the NL Central than I do.

And Maholm has a lifetime winning percentage of .437 primarily in the NL Central.

And the fact that he beat the Braves twice doesn't speak too kindly of the Braves offense in terms of making it to the playoffs.

So, embrace the hype and hope..... I'm just simply not impressed, as you are, with Maholm.