The Atlanta Braves are 4-6..It is still way to early to be concerned-baseball is a long season BUT I can say that Iam dissappointed in the way the Braves played vs Philly. The pitching has been great-I feel bad for Derek Lowe-he has pitched great in his 3 starts this year but only has one win to show for it. The Phillies have suprised me how well they have started the season offensively scoring 7 runs a game-the Braves offense has been the opposite-so far they have not had the big hits or the big innings.You have to tip your hat to Roy Oswalt for his preformance saturday and Cole Hamels pitched great sunday.
The Braves offense will come around Iam confident in that. I think Freddi Gonzalez should try shaking things up a little bit- move Mcclouth down in the order-give Eric Hinske a start at first base.I think Freddy Freeman will be good eventually but Im not suprised one bit by his struggles. I have been presently suprised with Chipper Jones- he really looks good. I would love to see the Braves be more agressive manufactoring runs. In the home opener Friday night the Phillies stole 3 bases in the first inning-thats more steals then the Braves have for the season..The best teams in baseball have speed and know how manufacture the runs. The Braves for the last 20 years have never done that-and I believe thats why the only have one Championship to show for it. Thats a big reason why Nate Mcclouth is so important to the Braves this year. He has great speed but hes not hitting to get on base to steal some. The Braves offense would be so much better if we had those guys who could get on and steal bases- but they sit back and wait for the 3 run homerun and it doesnt come often enough. Iam fully confident that Dan Uggla will come around and produce for us.Its still way to early to panic but losing 2 of 3 to the Phillies in the home opening weekend was dissappointing.The Phillies out pitched,out hit,out ran and did everything the Braves didnt do to win 2 of 3 games.I hope to see different results starting Tuesday with Florida.
IAM A DIE HARD BRAVES FAN OF 21 YEARS.. HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS OF WHAT I FEEL ABOUT THE ATLANTA BRAVES- PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE!
Jordan, I will agree for the most part. I suprised by the Phillies offense, but I believe that it will flatten out. The Braves have a very deep lineup and will get there.
ReplyDeleteI firmly agree that they need to do a better job manufacturing runs. Heyward can run, McLouth can run, but so far it hasn't happened. I would still bat Freeman 7th rather than 8th.
This is where not being a player in free agency kills us. What is the one position that we lack skill and depth at? Left Field. Who was the best left field of our generation on the market? Carl Crawford. Imagine our lineup with him there. Again, I really like Uggla. I believe he is one of the best offensive 2B in the game, but I still believe that we were in a position to get more than what he offers.
I'm not overly surprised by the Phillies. They are generally a championship-caliber team so it is common for teams like that to come out firing quickly. I am, however, impressed by the amount of double digit scoring games they've had so far. Ouch...
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the batting order the way it is. The middle part of our lineup is a real monster. Who in their right mind wants to pitch against Chipper, followed by McCann, Uggla, Heyward, and then Gonzalez? I would think no one. Freeman is kind of week in the #8 spot but I can live with it because of what he brings defensively. Pretty impressive glove and arm for a 1st baseman. Prado and McLouth are cool with me leading things off.
DUSTIN- I AGREE with you- I do think Philly offense will cool off and will struggle- I dont think its as good as it has been so far..
ReplyDeleteMcclouth runnin isnt somuch the problem its him hitting and gettin on base thats the issue. You cant steal bases when your not on base.Im not too crazy about Heyward stealing alot of bases due to the fact he seems like he gets injured easy.
I honestly think Crawford is overrated- hes hitting like .135 in Boston. I didnt want him in Atlanta. Hes a good player but not as good as he got paid. The braves could never afford him.Uggla will hit I promise you that- and his defense has been good thus far. I like him but I do believe the Braves should have made effort to upgrade the out field as well. Martin Prado will be good left fielder my issue is when Chipper gets hurt - because we know he will and Prado has to move to third base- who plays left field???
@ Watercooler- I think overtime Phillys offense will slow down because I think Utley being out and Werth being gone is too much to overcome- but your right the numbers they are putting up right now is nuts.. I cant see it staying like this thought. I think Phillys offense will cool off and the Braves will heat up.
ReplyDeleteThe middle of the lineup is good but when your top part of lineup isnt getting on it doesnt help the middle of the lineup to produce and knock guys in.I dont like Nate in the 2 hole- he just sucks to me- he needs to be moved down. I dont know why you put in there but Nate isnt getting on base enough. I do believe Freeman will come around and start hitting hes just young right now and is still learning.