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Friday, May 5, 2006
‘Statement weekend’ needed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the disabled list then, Chipper Jones didn’t hear the Shea Stadium chants of “Larry! Larry! Larry!” when the Braves played in New York during April. He will this weekend.
Chipper needs to shut the fans up. If ever the Braves needed their third baseman to be at his Mets-killing best, it’s now.
The teams split six games in April, each winning twice on the other’s field. But the Braves trail the Mets by seven games in the National League East after being swept in a two-game series at Philadelphia.
The Braves have lost five consecutive road games. The streak has to end and end quickly.
Although he hit a homer, Chipper was relatively quiet when the Mets played in Atlanta last weekend. His bat has to be loaded this weekend.
The Braves offense has been very inconsistent, especially on the road. Injuries can no longer be blamed.
The Braves need a statement weekend. They must show the Mets that they will be in the race all season and aren’t going to have their streak of division titles end without a battle.
