AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 10
Monday, April 10, 2006
Not too early to worry
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fans who thought that the Braves should have never let pitching coach Leo Mazzone get away are looking pretty smart right now. But don’t blame all the staff’s ills on Roger McDowell just yet.
McDowell needs a grace period and so do the pitchers.
The weather was awful in California and big scores were the norm in the majors everywhere during the first week of the season. Now that the Braves are back home for a week, we can give the pitchers a more true evaluation.
That said, those in worry mode have a right to be. The bullpen remains unstable, Tim Hudson may not be a true ace anymore and the injury to Horacio Ramirez leaves the rotation without a lefty.
John Thomson, who lost his starting spot in spring training, is now back in and will start the home opener Monday night against Philadelphia. A seven-inning effort is what the Braves need, but that may be asking an awful lot.
Meanwhile, Chipper Jones won’t be in the lineup and Marcus Giles is questionable.
The Braves’ 3-4 record in Los Angeles and San Francisco was bad enough, but all the injuries are even more troubling.
About the only good thing to say is that the Braves are finally back in Atlanta, where the weather should be much better. Who said that California was sunny?
