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Tuesday, August 1, 2006
Braves need hot August boost
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves’ dismal homestand didn’t end the their wild-card chances. But a bad road trip certainly will do just that.
The Braves play three games in Pittsburgh, then three more against the wild-card leading Reds in Cincinnati. A sweep would put they right back in the thick of things. At least four victories is mandatory.
It won’t be easy, especially with Chipper Jones out. But the Braves have played their best baseball on the road, with most of their hitters thriving away from spacious Turner Field.
John Smoltz pitches the opener against the Pirates and the finale against the Reds. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he is the Braves’ only consistent starter at the moment.
The lowly Pirates have won five in a row. In fact, they have a winning record at home.
But Pittsburgh made four trades at the non-waiver deadline and the moves weakened the roster for the moment.
The Reds continued to try to upgrade their pitching again with deadline deals and definitely appear to be the wild card favorites. But they remain far from an uncatchable team.
The Braves, though, are 6 1/2 games back and have eight teams between them and Cincinnati. It’s a tall order to pass that many teams.
Losers of four straight, the Braves need to get going fast. August just began, but time is running out.
