AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 02
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Starved for quality starters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kyle Davies won’t be ready to rejoin the Braves until late this month. But his first minor league rehab start gave hope that help will eventually arrive for the team’s slumping rotation.
Davies pitched two scoreless innings for Class AA Mississippi against Carolina on Tuesday night, not allowing a base runner and striking out three. He threw 33 pitches, 22 for strikes.
The young right-hander has been on the disabled list since tearing his groin in May and requiring surgery. He will need at least three more starts before he is ready to be activated.
John Smoltz had another strong outing Tuesday night in the 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh, but the Braves obviously need better starting pitching if they are to contend for the National League wild-card.
All the Braves starters except Smoltz have been inconsistent, with Tim Hudson being a major disappointment.
The Braves can no longer expect John Thomson, still bothered by shoulder problems, to be a major factor and Jason Shiell doesn’t look like the answer as the fifth starter.
Horacio Ramirez pitches the middle game of the series against the Pirates and then Hudson goes on Thursday. Chuck James, victimized by homers lately, pitches Friday at Cincinnati, followed by Shiell and Smoltz.
The Reds lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night, so the Braves are now 5 1/2 games back in the NL wild-card standings.
With the additions of Bob Wickman and Danys Baez, the Braves have upgraded their bullpen. The rotation, however, is nothing like what Braves fans have come to expect.
