AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 22
Thursday, February 22, 2007
How about Chuck to start Game 2?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Welcome to another postcard-perfect day in what would be paradise if it weren’t the western side of Orlando/Mouseland Empire. It’s 70 degrees and sunny, and it ain’t even noon.
So, anyone out there have any doubts about who’ll be the Braves’ opening day starter this season?
Though nothing has been said yet, there isn’t much suspense this time. I’d be shocked if it’s not John Smoltz. Absolutely shocked.
Unlike last opening day, when Tim Hudson got the nod and the figurative “ace” baton (then fumbled it a bit), it seems a given that Smoltz will be the man who gets the honor again this time, like in 2005, when he returned to the rotation from closing for three-plus seasons.
The Phillies certainly think they’re going to be facing Smoltz on opening day, Monday afternoon, April 2 at Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Daily News reported that Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand has Smoltz’s baseball card above his locker at spring training as an opening-day reminder _ and perhaps to distract him from rumors Rowand might be traded before April 2.
What do you folks think? Are you as certain as me that Smoltz will be the opening day starter, barring anything unforeseen between now and then? Should he be? (If not, I’d certainly be interested in hearing your reasoning.)
Assuming we all agree on that one (and I’ll run it by Bobby Cox this afternoon just to see if he wants to confirm yet, thought he usually doesn’t this early), here’s the real question: What about the rest of the rotation?
Personally, if I were the Braves I’d want to break up the left-handers, Mike Hampton and Chuck James, not have them pitching back-to-back the way they’re tentatively penciled in now at 3-4.
And instead of Hampton, I’d have James be the first lefty. Really, I would.
As unconventional as it might sound, I’d have James follow Smoltz in the rotation. I’d go Smoltz on opening day April 2, then come back with James in Game 2 on April 4 (there’s a rainout day built into the schedule on 3rd), then Hudson in Game 3 on April 5.
But I don’t know how the Braves would feel about having Hampton start the home opener April 6 vs. the Mets. That could be a good thing or potentially be a bit of a gamble, having his first start in 18 months come before a packed house at Turner Field, in a game against the defending division champion Mets.
Then again, do you want his first start in 18 months coming in the bandbox that is Philadelphia’s ballpark? Hummm. Decisions, decisions.
But I’d go Smoltz-James-Hudson-Hampton and No. 5, whether it’s Kyle Davies or whoever it is. What do you think? I really don’t think Bobby Cox is going to do it, but do any of you agree with me that having the lefties go second and fourth is better than 3-4, and that there’s no reason James can’t start ahead of Hudson?
I really don’t think Hudson would be offended or anything, especially since he’s said himself that he was entirely disappointed with his own performance last season. Besides, how could he be offended if the reasoning was to break up the lefties?
I know this isn’t the biggest topic of concern with five weeks to go until opening day, but I was just thinking about it now, because we’ll soon get the rotation for the opening week of spring games. At that point, it’ll be easy to count ahead the days and figure out what the tentative rotation looks like, what their plan is, because you just go every-five-days forward to opening day.
However, the fact that Hampton might possibly be held out of his first Grapefruit League turn could complicate that slightly, unless they simply stick Lance Cormier or someone else into Hampton’s slot next week for that first start.
Anyway, something to think about.
Chris Woodward is here. After fearing that his new utility infielder might miss several days with a severe sinus infection, Cox was pleased to see Woodward in uniform and ready to roll at Thursday’s workout. Woodward was on meds but looked fine and energetic, four days after he described as the worst day he’d ever endured for excruciating pain.
Seems like another really good guy, energetic and pleasant personality and all. More importantly, Woodward said his shoulder feels great and he has no restrictions. He had the labrum repaired in October, after playing part of last season with the Mets despite significant soreness and stiffness in the joint.
His stats sunk to career-worst levels. He finished at .216 with a .289 OBP and .600 OPS, with 10 doubles, three homers and 25 RBIs in 222 at-bats and 83 games.
This from a guy who hit .283 with .730 OPS in 173 at-bats in 2005, and totaled 20 homers and 90 RBIs in 661 at-bats during the 2002-03 seasons when he played a lot of shortstop for Toronto.
The Braves believe Woodward will be a key part of their roster because of his experience and versatility. I’ll be interested to see him play this spring, because his recent seasons have not been anything that would lead one to believe he’s an impact guy any longer.
Hey, maybe he just needs to get more at-bats again. We’ll see. He said that’s a big part of why he came to the Braves, because of Cox’s reputation for keeping utility guys fresh with plenty of playing time.
Willy Aybar and Rafael Soriano still aren’t here. At least the visa-problem guys weren’t this morning. Cox said he’s hopeful Soriano will be here today. The Braves would like the reliever to get in a week’s work before Grapefruit League games start.
Aybar, he didn’t have an ETA yet. The infielder was still in the Dominican waiting to get his visa appointment. Soriano had his appointment on Tuesday, supposedly.
It won’t become an issue unless they’re still out when Grapefruit League games begin, which is highly unlikely.
(BLOG WRITE-THRU: SORIANO REPORTED IN THE AFTERNOON, AFTER THE WORKOUT. SEE UPDATE BELOW AND SORIANO STORY POSTED ON THE AJC.COM WEBSITE.
Now back to our regularly scheduled blog.)
And speaking of travel and nomadic existence (OK, that’s a stretch of a transition)….
“ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD” by Tom Waits
My head is spinning round,/ my heart is in my shoes, yeah
I went and set the Thames on fire,/ oh, now I must come back down
She’s laughing in her sleeve boys,/ I can feel it in my bones
Oh, but anywhere I’m gonna lay my head,/ I’m gonna call my home
Well I see that the world is upside-down
Seems that my pockets were filled up with gold
And now the clouds, well they’ve covered over
And the wind is blowing cold
Well I don’t need anybody, because I learned, I learned to be alone
Well I said anywhere, anywhere, anywhere I lay my head, boys
Well I’m gonna call my home
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