The biggest news is Brandon Beachy
Its sad that something like this has happened to such a good guy like Beachy. The Braves rotation is taking a massive blow with Beachys injury. Minor & Delgado seem to be too young to really contribute to the team. Though there last 3 starts havent been horrible. But how do you replace Beachy? Mlbs leader in ERA? The Braves best wish would be Jurrjens steps up and can be a top starter again. If he can figure it out then the Beachy loss wont be as bad. But if Jurrjens continues to get lit up the Braves are in serious trouble. They need Jurrjens more then ever now. This is his second and final chance with the Braves. Even if he comes back and pitches well the Braves still lack another good starter that could help them get into the playoffs- Jurrjens, Hanson, Hudson, Delgado, Minor isnt enough . Im very intrested in seeing what will Frank Wren do to replace Beachy.
Another concern of mine is Eric Hinkse. What has happened to him? He was HUGE for the braves in 2010 but since the second half of 2011 he hasnt done anything.In 2010 he had clutch hit after clutch hit even in the playoffs. He hit .256 that year with 11 home runs and 51 rbis. Last year he fell to .233 with 10 hrs and 28 rbis and most of that production came in the first half of the season. This year hes hit .205 1 hr & 8 rbi. Hes lacked the production and power he showed his first 1.5 years with the Braves. I like Hinske alot but I dont know how much longer the Braves can continue to have him be there top guy off the bench when hes not hitting a lick. I cant rememeber the last time he had a good at bat, a big hit, or even a home run. Hes become an automatic out. The thing that may keep him on the team longer is the fact he can play both corner outfield positions and first base- right now all hes doing is defense because his hitting has dissappointed since last year.
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!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
SMOLTZ WEEKEND
I went to the Braves game friday- I had to be there for my favorite brave of all time John Smoltz. There really is just not enough words you can say about what Smoltz meant to the braves for 20 years. While we saw Maddux, and Glavine & other guys come and go and leave for more money smoltz contract after contract took less money to stay with the braves. He was more loyal then any braves player ever. He had a career postseason record of 15-4. Thats the best mark in National League history. He was a elite big game pitcher as there is. Countless times he took the ball with a hurt shoulder or elbow and shouldnt have pitched- but did and pitched his butt off. Maddux was great, glavine was great but year after year in postseason you couldnt count on them to win the big game that you knew Smoltz would win you. There is a reason why Chipper Jones said "if theres a game we have to win theres nobody more I want pitching then John Smoltz"
I have a couple favorite memories of Smoltz-one is in game 2 of 2004 divison series playoffs vs Astros. The braves were losing in the 8th inning and Smoltz came to hit and he walked.He had a great at bat and got on base, once on base he stole second. he eventually scored the tying run. here it is a pitcher giving you a hell of an at bat to get on base and then stealing second. Smoltz was a great athlete. He often would beg Bobby Cox to let him play center field for an inning. There was nothing Smoltz couldnt do. Menatally you wont find a stronger pitcher. Another memory of his that comes to mind is game 2 of the 2005 divison series vs Astros- He had an elbow that was in horrible pain and shouldnt have pitched but went out and willed his way to 8 innings and won the only braves would win in that series. He was matched up vs. Roger Clemens and outpitched him highlighted by Brian MCcans 3 run home run off Clemens. Games like these made Smoltz the pitcher he was. I dont think the Braves will ever see another big game pitcher like the one smoltz was.
As for the current Braves we had a good week- 6 wins in a row. Fridays game was one of the weirdest games you will see this year. scoring on balks, and bad throw on a steal. The pitching has been good over the last 10 games minus the bad performance Sunday. We will need the pitching to step up with the yankees coming to town starting monday. Offense needs to step it up some too. Jason Heyward is showing signs of 2011 &that defiently is discouraging to any Braves fan. The rookie Simmons looks really good though. we know his defense is great and its been nice to see him contribute offensively in his first 2 weeks in the majors. I hope he keeps it up.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
8 game losing streak
Most Braves fans should be fed up with this 8 game losing streak. The offense has been good this entire season but the last 8 games the offense has disappeared. The pitching has been mediocore so this is nothing new but when you dont have the offense to bail out the pitching it makes it worse. Add on that the defense has hurt and you can see easily why we have lost 8 games in a row.
Changes have got to be made. Mccann hasnt hit well this season, Heyward is showing signs of the 2011 season. and Chipper Jones sitting out with injury is becoming a once again familar site. I firmly believe he will be on the bench a good part of the second half. I cant see him staying healthy. I can see Juan F. getting alot of playing time due to Chippers injuries. Its been a special season so far for chipper- but the last 3 weeks Chipper hasnt done much but stay on the bench hurt. I said before the season I would be shocked if Chipper played 100games this year. my estimate was 80-90. seems like that could be legit now.
Something has got to be done with the rotation- Delgado and Minor are just flat out not cutting it- I knew they wouldnt though this doesnt suprise me. It has truly hurt the braves with Jurrjens failures this year. Overcoming his struggles have been hard. Any Braves fan that was confident in Minor and Delgado to me was out of the loop from jump.From spring training I felt we relied too much on inexperienced rookies and needed a Veteran to take some pressure off our young arms. Beachy has been better then expected but besides him everyone else hasnt held up there end of the bargain. If the Braves dont make a move for a starter then they could fall out of position. It seems growing speculation is moving Medlen into the rotation. He defiently is a starters but as I stated last week- moving him from bullpen creates huge hole. You fill a starters roll and lose a big asset in the bullpen. Say Medlen does move to starter then you have Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Medlen and Delgado/ Minor and Ive said a hundred times those guys dont cut it. The rotation is a mess. It is a big weakspot for us. Things have gotten even worse now that the bullpen is getting beat up. I dont know whats wrong with Venters but he seems to give up runs on a nightly basis and Eric O has struggled this year. I can admit that Livan Hernandez has been better then I expected. hes one of the few who haev done there job well out of the pen.
The issue that bugs me most is the Braves seem to have the EXACT ATTITUDE they had during there September collapse last year. Can you imagine the story lines on Baseball tonight if the yankees, or Red sox, or phillies had an 8 game losing streak? but with the Braves its nothing. what will it take for the Braves to wake up? When will they get sick of losing and show emotion? The braves always talk about having a "great clubhouse" well whose standing up and holding these guys accountable? whose lighting that fire and holding the guys accountable? To me the Braves havent had a vocal leader since the day they traded Dave Justice. Teams need that mean streak guy to light a fire when things are dull. Things got dull last September and May 2012 they are dull again. This team is too talented to lose 8 games in a row. I dont use injuries as an excuse either because alot of teams have injuries right now. The Braves have no life right now. Everyones walking around in the clubhouse with the "We will whether this storm" mentality Just like they did last September. It frustrates the life out of me. It starts from uptop- GM Frank Wren seems to have alot of patience with the players and with Fredi G. Its a big head scratcher that Fredi G didnt lose his job after collapse last year. He shows no emotion and fire in him and the players follow suite. I often wonder- what gets under Fredis skin? what makes him angry? this lack of passion and energy is killing the Braves. They need a strong voice in that clubhouse because its obvious management wont step up to the plate and do it. Its a long season I Admit but right now there is atleast2 better teams in the braves divison them then. when will the Braves wake up and act like they care? or is it still September 2011 to them??
Most Braves fans should be fed up with this 8 game losing streak. The offense has been good this entire season but the last 8 games the offense has disappeared. The pitching has been mediocore so this is nothing new but when you dont have the offense to bail out the pitching it makes it worse. Add on that the defense has hurt and you can see easily why we have lost 8 games in a row.
Changes have got to be made. Mccann hasnt hit well this season, Heyward is showing signs of the 2011 season. and Chipper Jones sitting out with injury is becoming a once again familar site. I firmly believe he will be on the bench a good part of the second half. I cant see him staying healthy. I can see Juan F. getting alot of playing time due to Chippers injuries. Its been a special season so far for chipper- but the last 3 weeks Chipper hasnt done much but stay on the bench hurt. I said before the season I would be shocked if Chipper played 100games this year. my estimate was 80-90. seems like that could be legit now.
Something has got to be done with the rotation- Delgado and Minor are just flat out not cutting it- I knew they wouldnt though this doesnt suprise me. It has truly hurt the braves with Jurrjens failures this year. Overcoming his struggles have been hard. Any Braves fan that was confident in Minor and Delgado to me was out of the loop from jump.From spring training I felt we relied too much on inexperienced rookies and needed a Veteran to take some pressure off our young arms. Beachy has been better then expected but besides him everyone else hasnt held up there end of the bargain. If the Braves dont make a move for a starter then they could fall out of position. It seems growing speculation is moving Medlen into the rotation. He defiently is a starters but as I stated last week- moving him from bullpen creates huge hole. You fill a starters roll and lose a big asset in the bullpen. Say Medlen does move to starter then you have Hudson, Hanson, Beachy, Medlen and Delgado/ Minor and Ive said a hundred times those guys dont cut it. The rotation is a mess. It is a big weakspot for us. Things have gotten even worse now that the bullpen is getting beat up. I dont know whats wrong with Venters but he seems to give up runs on a nightly basis and Eric O has struggled this year. I can admit that Livan Hernandez has been better then I expected. hes one of the few who haev done there job well out of the pen.
The issue that bugs me most is the Braves seem to have the EXACT ATTITUDE they had during there September collapse last year. Can you imagine the story lines on Baseball tonight if the yankees, or Red sox, or phillies had an 8 game losing streak? but with the Braves its nothing. what will it take for the Braves to wake up? When will they get sick of losing and show emotion? The braves always talk about having a "great clubhouse" well whose standing up and holding these guys accountable? whose lighting that fire and holding the guys accountable? To me the Braves havent had a vocal leader since the day they traded Dave Justice. Teams need that mean streak guy to light a fire when things are dull. Things got dull last September and May 2012 they are dull again. This team is too talented to lose 8 games in a row. I dont use injuries as an excuse either because alot of teams have injuries right now. The Braves have no life right now. Everyones walking around in the clubhouse with the "We will whether this storm" mentality Just like they did last September. It frustrates the life out of me. It starts from uptop- GM Frank Wren seems to have alot of patience with the players and with Fredi G. Its a big head scratcher that Fredi G didnt lose his job after collapse last year. He shows no emotion and fire in him and the players follow suite. I often wonder- what gets under Fredis skin? what makes him angry? this lack of passion and energy is killing the Braves. They need a strong voice in that clubhouse because its obvious management wont step up to the plate and do it. Its a long season I Admit but right now there is atleast2 better teams in the braves divison them then. when will the Braves wake up and act like they care? or is it still September 2011 to them??
Monday, May 21, 2012
MEDLEN VS MINOR
I Know Braves fans are crying for the change in rotation- put in Medlen and take out Minor. I disagree. I posted a blog in spring training of 2011 stating that I felt Medlen was huge loss during 2010 -he is proving me 100% correct in that standpoint. I have always liked Medlen and what he can do. I know he can be a starter in the majors and am sure he would contribute well to the Braves rotation. That being said I think he is more valuable right now as a reliever. It may be tempting to bump him into the rotation with Jurrjens being sent down, Minor struggling and Delgago still showing rookie problems but he is best where is is right now- in the bullpen
Mike Minor has given up 12 home runs and has straight up looked lost and overmatched. I personally have never been a fan of him. I felt the braves should have traded him at the deadline last year. Iam not suprised at all of his struggles. he was 2-3 with a 7.09 era before he got hit up hard tonight. Medlen on the other hand has been great with a 1-0 record. 22 innings giving up 18 hits with a 2.38 era. what makes him great where he is in the bullpen is he is a guy that can get out BOTH rightys AND leftys. Not many managers can say that out of a guy from there pen. Medlen is so valuable to our pen for that very reason. If you moved him into the rotation who would replace him in the bullpen? Livan Hernadez? No. hes done good in his spot. You move Medlen into a starters role and that bullpen is alot more sketchy. Medlen can pitch multiple innings and get out any batter he faces from any side. The Braves need that- its worked out great so far. I know Medlen would prefer to start because he knows he can. But right now he realizes his role is so valuable coming out of the pen. A
Another fixture is Minor is our lone lefty in the rotation you replace him with Medlen then our entire rotation is right handed.. that is not a good look.. Also people need to remember Medlen returned at the end of the season last year form Tommy John surgery. so if Braves moved him into rotation you would have to monitor closely his innings pitched. You dont want Medlen to pitch more then 200 innings his first year coming off major elbow surgery- after that you would have to shut him down as a starter. As a reliever you know hes not going to throw 200 innings therefore you dont have worry about shutting him down at anypoint this season. and that lies another major reason why hes more effective this year coming out of the bullpen. It sounds great and easy to move Medlen to the rotation but it would benefit Medlen and the bullpen and team overall to leave him right where he is.
I Know Braves fans are crying for the change in rotation- put in Medlen and take out Minor. I disagree. I posted a blog in spring training of 2011 stating that I felt Medlen was huge loss during 2010 -he is proving me 100% correct in that standpoint. I have always liked Medlen and what he can do. I know he can be a starter in the majors and am sure he would contribute well to the Braves rotation. That being said I think he is more valuable right now as a reliever. It may be tempting to bump him into the rotation with Jurrjens being sent down, Minor struggling and Delgago still showing rookie problems but he is best where is is right now- in the bullpen
Mike Minor has given up 12 home runs and has straight up looked lost and overmatched. I personally have never been a fan of him. I felt the braves should have traded him at the deadline last year. Iam not suprised at all of his struggles. he was 2-3 with a 7.09 era before he got hit up hard tonight. Medlen on the other hand has been great with a 1-0 record. 22 innings giving up 18 hits with a 2.38 era. what makes him great where he is in the bullpen is he is a guy that can get out BOTH rightys AND leftys. Not many managers can say that out of a guy from there pen. Medlen is so valuable to our pen for that very reason. If you moved him into the rotation who would replace him in the bullpen? Livan Hernadez? No. hes done good in his spot. You move Medlen into a starters role and that bullpen is alot more sketchy. Medlen can pitch multiple innings and get out any batter he faces from any side. The Braves need that- its worked out great so far. I know Medlen would prefer to start because he knows he can. But right now he realizes his role is so valuable coming out of the pen. A
Another fixture is Minor is our lone lefty in the rotation you replace him with Medlen then our entire rotation is right handed.. that is not a good look.. Also people need to remember Medlen returned at the end of the season last year form Tommy John surgery. so if Braves moved him into rotation you would have to monitor closely his innings pitched. You dont want Medlen to pitch more then 200 innings his first year coming off major elbow surgery- after that you would have to shut him down as a starter. As a reliever you know hes not going to throw 200 innings therefore you dont have worry about shutting him down at anypoint this season. and that lies another major reason why hes more effective this year coming out of the bullpen. It sounds great and easy to move Medlen to the rotation but it would benefit Medlen and the bullpen and team overall to leave him right where he is.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
MICHAEL BOURN
I loved the Bourn trade when it happened last year. I felt like it was the perfect fit for the offense. I think Braves fans are beginning to see how much he changes this offense. Yes Heyward has done better.Yes Uggla hasnt gotten off to a bad start like last year.. but this offense is going because of Bourn. I dont know why but in my opinion he doesnt get enough love from Braves fans because he is straight killing it right now and no one really talks about him.
He has been caught stealing 5 times this year but 3 of those were horrible calls where he was safe. He is getting on base for the big guys- Mccann,Freeman,Uggla,Chipper,Heyward to do there damage. Bourn getting on base so much is a big reason why Freeman is third in the league in Rbis.Over his last 10 games Bourn is hitting .340 with 16 runs scored. if you go further then that hes hitting almost .390 over the last 20 games. Its safe to say that the Braves offense took off once Bourne started hitting. This guy is the real deal.For the season hes hitting .333 with 24 runs scored,49 hits, 11 stolen bases, OBP of .399 and great defense in center field.
I wish the the Braves would make signing him in the offeseason a priority. I cant see anyone to take his place in the organization.They need to pay him.Yes I know he is 30 years old but we can offer him a 3-5 year deal and keep him here. hes a offense igniter, a .300 hitter, will steal 60 bases, and is a gold glover in center. thats hard to come guy. Braves need to keep this guy in Atlanta beyong next year. he is the #1 reason if you ask me why the offense is doing so much better this season.
I loved the Bourn trade when it happened last year. I felt like it was the perfect fit for the offense. I think Braves fans are beginning to see how much he changes this offense. Yes Heyward has done better.Yes Uggla hasnt gotten off to a bad start like last year.. but this offense is going because of Bourn. I dont know why but in my opinion he doesnt get enough love from Braves fans because he is straight killing it right now and no one really talks about him.
He has been caught stealing 5 times this year but 3 of those were horrible calls where he was safe. He is getting on base for the big guys- Mccann,Freeman,Uggla,Chipper,Heyward to do there damage. Bourn getting on base so much is a big reason why Freeman is third in the league in Rbis.Over his last 10 games Bourn is hitting .340 with 16 runs scored. if you go further then that hes hitting almost .390 over the last 20 games. Its safe to say that the Braves offense took off once Bourne started hitting. This guy is the real deal.For the season hes hitting .333 with 24 runs scored,49 hits, 11 stolen bases, OBP of .399 and great defense in center field.
I wish the the Braves would make signing him in the offeseason a priority. I cant see anyone to take his place in the organization.They need to pay him.Yes I know he is 30 years old but we can offer him a 3-5 year deal and keep him here. hes a offense igniter, a .300 hitter, will steal 60 bases, and is a gold glover in center. thats hard to come guy. Braves need to keep this guy in Atlanta beyong next year. he is the #1 reason if you ask me why the offense is doing so much better this season.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
TALKING PITCHING!!
I have said since spring training I believe the starting rotation is going to be the weak link of the team, which is hard to think because the past couple years its been huge for the braves.I didnt see the struggles of Jair Jurrjens coming. Its very suprising. Mike Minors success has been suprising too. I will say Im not a big fan of Minor but I have to tip my cap to what hes done in April. That being said I dont trust him to win big games in September and down the stretch. The same goes for Randal Delgado. They are just too young and inexperienced to rely on in a big pennant race and in the playoffs. Brandon Beachy has been the staffs best pitcher. I trust in him, though I still think he needs to lower his pitch count to pitch deeper into games.
The Braves rotation will have Hanson,Hudson,Beachy,Minor, and Delgado coming up. Tim Hudson has been good for us for many years but how much do you trust a 36 year old coming off back surgery? Im skeptical of how well Hudson will be this season. Tommy Hanson is great when hes healthy. but how long before that shoulder starts acting up again? Do you trust him for entire season? do you trust him long term? I just cant see him staying healthy to win games like the braves need him to. When I take everything into consideration Brandon Beachy is our best starting pitcher- he has shown he can compete and hold his own down the stretch and against good teams.(how many times has he pitched against the phillies?) I like him alot... but everyone after that is a head scratcher. The offense seems to finally have an idea on how to score and manufacture runs- but now I worry about our starters.YES, we have the best bullpen in baseball BUT we dont need to over work them. and I dont believe Minor/ Delgado are going to give us 6 innings on a regular.
I dont believe the Braves are confident Jurrjens will ever bounce back and pitch big for them. he may or may not be back in Atlanta. He seems to have lost all confidence in himself and forgotten who he was.. I think if the Braves want to be serious contenders they NEED to trade for a VETERAN starter who can be insurance for us. I do not believe the Braves can go deep in the playoffs with this current rotation. I hope Frank Wren is beginning to look at veteran pitchers who could bring some missing muscle to this rotation because as of right now- theres too many question marks.
I have said since spring training I believe the starting rotation is going to be the weak link of the team, which is hard to think because the past couple years its been huge for the braves.I didnt see the struggles of Jair Jurrjens coming. Its very suprising. Mike Minors success has been suprising too. I will say Im not a big fan of Minor but I have to tip my cap to what hes done in April. That being said I dont trust him to win big games in September and down the stretch. The same goes for Randal Delgado. They are just too young and inexperienced to rely on in a big pennant race and in the playoffs. Brandon Beachy has been the staffs best pitcher. I trust in him, though I still think he needs to lower his pitch count to pitch deeper into games.
The Braves rotation will have Hanson,Hudson,Beachy,Minor, and Delgado coming up. Tim Hudson has been good for us for many years but how much do you trust a 36 year old coming off back surgery? Im skeptical of how well Hudson will be this season. Tommy Hanson is great when hes healthy. but how long before that shoulder starts acting up again? Do you trust him for entire season? do you trust him long term? I just cant see him staying healthy to win games like the braves need him to. When I take everything into consideration Brandon Beachy is our best starting pitcher- he has shown he can compete and hold his own down the stretch and against good teams.(how many times has he pitched against the phillies?) I like him alot... but everyone after that is a head scratcher. The offense seems to finally have an idea on how to score and manufacture runs- but now I worry about our starters.YES, we have the best bullpen in baseball BUT we dont need to over work them. and I dont believe Minor/ Delgado are going to give us 6 innings on a regular.
I dont believe the Braves are confident Jurrjens will ever bounce back and pitch big for them. he may or may not be back in Atlanta. He seems to have lost all confidence in himself and forgotten who he was.. I think if the Braves want to be serious contenders they NEED to trade for a VETERAN starter who can be insurance for us. I do not believe the Braves can go deep in the playoffs with this current rotation. I hope Frank Wren is beginning to look at veteran pitchers who could bring some missing muscle to this rotation because as of right now- theres too many question marks.
Friday, April 20, 2012
BRAVES OFFENSE IS ON FIRE
The Braves started off 0-4 and had many fans in doubt about the upcoming season. I wasnt worried. This team is way too talented that even an 0-4 start wouldnt let me down. besides its not how you start its how you finish right? That being said since the bad start the Braves have won 8 of there last 9 games so all seems to be well in the life of a Braves fan. This is in big part because the offense has gotten into a great rhythm.
Michael Bourne has began to hit, Jason Heyward has shown early that hes past his horrible season of 2011. I personally didnt worry about Heyward at all this year. I was very confident that his bad 2011 season was a bump in the road. so far so good. The Braves have only grounded into 2 double plays which is great- it seems last year they were hitting into them on a regular basis. The offense seems more laid back and patient this year. I believe the new hitting coach Greg Walker is already proving more benefits to the team in its first 3 weeks then the entire year under last years hitting coach. A new voice was much needed. Heyward, Freeman have been the main catalyst the last couple games. We still havent got much production from Mccann or Uggla and Chipper hasnt played more then 3 games at a time. Im not suprised Chippers been hurt like he has- but what has suprised me is his big hits hes provided. 2 Home runs already.I dont expect him to miss multiple games and hit home runs first game back but It is nice to chuckle about.
This Braves team top to bottom has so much talent. I think Prado is a huge key in this offense. Get Bourne on base, have prado return to the hitter he was in 2010 and that will open the flood gates for Freeman, MCcann, Heyward and Uggla. A nice suprise has been Juan Francisco. I know alot of braves fans dissed him early on in the season but I like him. He is a bit overweight but he has hige power ( 2 home runs in last 3 games) so we havent missed Chipper too much thus far. He is till very young and Iam curious to see how he continues to hit as the season progresses but so far so good- atleast in my eyes. I fully expect the braves offense to be able more potent this year then last year. The best part about there offense to me is there not living and dying by the home run. they are actually taken the extra base and getting multiple hits thats leading to these games scoring 7 plus runs a game. your not going to win in the playoffs just off home runs so the last 9 games the way the offense has produced is something that is very exciting. keep giving good at bats, taking the extra base, stringing multiple hits along, and the home runs will just be extra. The offense I believe will be fine. Its the starting pitching that worries me. I wont talk about that today though. Iam in too good a mood enjoying the Braves actually looking like a legit offense right now.
The Braves started off 0-4 and had many fans in doubt about the upcoming season. I wasnt worried. This team is way too talented that even an 0-4 start wouldnt let me down. besides its not how you start its how you finish right? That being said since the bad start the Braves have won 8 of there last 9 games so all seems to be well in the life of a Braves fan. This is in big part because the offense has gotten into a great rhythm.
Michael Bourne has began to hit, Jason Heyward has shown early that hes past his horrible season of 2011. I personally didnt worry about Heyward at all this year. I was very confident that his bad 2011 season was a bump in the road. so far so good. The Braves have only grounded into 2 double plays which is great- it seems last year they were hitting into them on a regular basis. The offense seems more laid back and patient this year. I believe the new hitting coach Greg Walker is already proving more benefits to the team in its first 3 weeks then the entire year under last years hitting coach. A new voice was much needed. Heyward, Freeman have been the main catalyst the last couple games. We still havent got much production from Mccann or Uggla and Chipper hasnt played more then 3 games at a time. Im not suprised Chippers been hurt like he has- but what has suprised me is his big hits hes provided. 2 Home runs already.I dont expect him to miss multiple games and hit home runs first game back but It is nice to chuckle about.
This Braves team top to bottom has so much talent. I think Prado is a huge key in this offense. Get Bourne on base, have prado return to the hitter he was in 2010 and that will open the flood gates for Freeman, MCcann, Heyward and Uggla. A nice suprise has been Juan Francisco. I know alot of braves fans dissed him early on in the season but I like him. He is a bit overweight but he has hige power ( 2 home runs in last 3 games) so we havent missed Chipper too much thus far. He is till very young and Iam curious to see how he continues to hit as the season progresses but so far so good- atleast in my eyes. I fully expect the braves offense to be able more potent this year then last year. The best part about there offense to me is there not living and dying by the home run. they are actually taken the extra base and getting multiple hits thats leading to these games scoring 7 plus runs a game. your not going to win in the playoffs just off home runs so the last 9 games the way the offense has produced is something that is very exciting. keep giving good at bats, taking the extra base, stringing multiple hits along, and the home runs will just be extra. The offense I believe will be fine. Its the starting pitching that worries me. I wont talk about that today though. Iam in too good a mood enjoying the Braves actually looking like a legit offense right now.
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