AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 07
Friday, October 7, 2005
Righting the wrongs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just one thing before we get into the heart of today’s blog: Would those who advocated Chipper Jones stepping aside so that Andy Marte could take over at third base this season, please raise your hands? OK, now go write on the chalkboard 100 times: Chipper Jones is a very good player. Chipper Jones is a very good player….
Just kidding with you. But seriously, I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong about guys — I was wrong about Raul Mondesi, for instance (thought he had something left), and I was really, really wrong about Dan Kolb (thought he was legit All-Star who’d do fine in Atlanta), and I was wrong about the Braves’ chances of making the postseason with rookies playing both outfield corners (didn’t think it was possible) — so those of you who said Chipper couldn’t play third base anymore, or needed to go somewhere, anywhere, to make room for Marte last spring, you people need to admit you were wrong, or at least badly jumped the gun.
I mean, come on, the guy can still play a solid third base, and made a couple of sensational plays last night in Game 2, in addition to being a hitter that Marte can only hope to someday become.
OK, that aside, Smoltz saved the series last night. McCann was huge, absolutely huge. But Smoltz saved the series. Braves had to get at least seven strong innings out of him, and did. Now they’ve got a legit chance to take a 2-1 series lead, though it’s certainly not going to be easy, regardless of Sosa’s 9-0 road record. There’s a reason Roy Oswalt is the only major league pitcher who’s won 20 games each of the past two seasons, folks, and it ain’t smoke-and-mirrors. If he pitched for the Yankees, he’d be a huge star right now, but he’s overshadowed by Clemens and Pettitte in Houston.
By the way, bet you didn’t know Smoltz has never pitched in a postseason loss against Houston in eight games? He’s 4-0 with a 1.97 ERA, .198 opponents’ average and 2-for-2 saves in three starts and five relief appearances against them in eight postseason games dating to 1997 (including three in 2001 and two last season).
And lastly, before I head over to Minute Maid Park for today’s workout, it should be pointed out that Andruw Jones got overlooked in last night’s 7-1 win, but he was very significant. He had three hits, continuing a remarkable run of postseaon raking vs. Houston. Andruw’s hit .462 with three doubles, four homers and 11 RBIs in his past 13 playoff games against them, with at least a hit in every game and multiple hits in seven of the 13.
Don’t know what to make of this: Andruw has hit .393 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 17 career playoff games against the Astros, and .221 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 56 postseason games against everyone else.
In this division series and the one last October, he’s 14-for-26 (.538) with three home runs and eight RBIs in seven games against Houston.
Already, enjoy the night off from playoff baseball, or at least Braves playoff baseball. And get recharged so you can go through the wonderful wringer again tomorrow.
