AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 07
Friday, April 7, 2006
Early ERAs misleading
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was 17 years ago today when Atlanta’s Rick Mahler pitched his third opening-day shutout, tying an NL record.
Just thought I’d bring that up, since Atlanta starters are 0-2 with a majors-worst 13.19 ERA and .448 opponents’ batting average after four games. The four of them have worked a total of 14-1/3 innings, with only John Smoltz (five innings) recording as many as 13 outs.
Now, I’m fairly certain it’s going to get better. A lot better.
But still … man, has this been the worst demonstration of starting pitching you’ve seen in some time, at least from a non-expansion or payroll-purged team?
Leo Mazzone might be smiling, considering the way that his contributions seemed to be minimized by so many Braves who were asked about the ex-Braves pitching coach’s departure to Baltimore in December.
However, folks would be wrong to point a finger at Roger McDowell. Really, this has nothing to do with the new pitching coach, in my opinion and that of so many others in the clubhouse.
Look at the bullpen — they’re pitching well. Take out the four hits Blaine Boyer allowed before he was sent to Richmond and the rest of the ‘pen has held hitters to a .174 average (12-for-69). Even with Boyer’s numbers included (and they must be), the bullpen ranks fifth in the NL in opp. average (.213) and sixth in ERA (3.20).
And you can’t tell me that Leo’s departure has anything to do with first-game struggles of starters John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Horacio Ramirez, who were three of the most adamant when it came to expressing their opinion that Leo’s departure wouldn’t be a big deal and that the starters policed themselves and Roger would be great, etc.
Smoltz said his problem in his first start was was grip in the cold rain, Hudson just came apart in the fifth inning, and Ramirez had a horrible first inning, not unlike so many big innings he gave up last season.
I do think Jorge Sosa could be the one guy really adversely affected by Leo’s departure, since he’s also the one guy who’s come out and credited Leo for turning around his career last season. Mazzone got him to throw more breaking balls to lefty hitters and to simplify his approach otherwise, things like that. Of course, it probably hasn’t helped Sosa that he packed on about 20 pounds since last season and has a belly, but…
Anyway, give the boys another go through the rotation before making any judgments. I’m confident they’ll be fine, at least the Braves hope so. Kyle Davies makes his first start tonight. Who’d have thought, three or four weeks ago, that Kyle Davies would need to be the “stopper” in the rotation? Then again, three or four weeks ago it was still unclear how the Braves would get him in the rotation, back when they were dangling John Thomson for trade and trying to clear a spot for Davies. Now, Ramirez is hurt, Thomson’s back in the rotation, and so is Kyle.
Baseball’s crazy like that. Everything can change so quickly. But a pitching-rich team doesn’t all of a sudden become a bottom-dweller in the ERA rankings, though. And this team won’t, I think it’s safe to say (the Braves hope and pray it’s safe to say).
