Braves

By Coach

April 2, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this

Thank you O’Brien , Ive tried to tell everyone that the Mets have a better offense. Four consistent quality starters are the key for Atlanta and the ticket to the playoffs. Smoltz , Hudson and James are money , but can Cormier take what he has done this spring and do it on a regular basis during the season? If he does and these four are healthy the Braves will make the playoffs either as a wild card or division winner. Ninety wins are a near certainty , anything more would be gravy. Mike Hampton , will he contribute anytime this season ? I honestly don’t know. If not , no problem. If yes , then this rotation could be dominant come October. The Braves averaged nearly(4.96) fives runs a game this spring and considering that most of those games included players who are not on the current roster , its a good indicator that the offense could be almost a prolific as they were in 2006. That bullpen is going to be dominant , you can add 10-15 wins just from the bullpen alone. The lack of team speed will once again be evident , but if they play defense , pitch well and score with the long ball and by putting the ball in play it won’t matter during the regular season. The bullpen can’t save games that the rotation has already lost. So , all in all , they look like a fine team in spite of having a mediocre starter in Redman. I believe this team will be competitive so much that I went and got direct TV installed and now I can watch up to 136 games on Fox , ESPN , TBS and sports south this season. GO BRAVES !!!!!!

By Andy--LA

April 2, 2007 5:15 AM | Link to this

Opening day—Finally! I think Redman is going to ba a steal. I think he will be quality—expearenced. I think the Braves are going to love him so much they will send Corimer down when Hampton comes back. I think the starters with Hampton, Smoltz, Hudson, James and Redman will not be good—I think they will be amazing. I think the defense of 1st and second is going to be a a huge weak spot(sadly to say). I like chipper and Renteria but I don’t think they are steallar at defense—just solid. Our outfield defense will be amazing—and Brain McCaan catches a great game—but he doesn’t throw people out great just yet. I love this team, and I think they will do great. If I could add anything it would be a better fielding infield—but you can’t have everything, and as giles proved you can get better defensivly. Go Braves.

By Caelus

April 2, 2007 6:43 AM | Link to this

Am I on? I cannot believe that I am near the top of DOB’s blog feedback. I usually see something like 150 to 200 comments when I access the blog in the morning. Woo Woo.

By eliminating their main weakness from last year (bullpen), the Braves will now be deep in the hunt for the NL East. Let’s hope that they can regain their place at the top this year as who knows what is in store for us without Andruw (free agency) and/or Chipper (injuries force retirement?) and/or Smoltz (retirement) in coming years.

By Braveheart

April 2, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this

Weeeeeeeeeee’re Baaaaaaaaaaaack!

As Larry Bird once famously said, “Who’s finishing second?”

By Richard Cory

April 2, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

And they’re off. The Mets, take a quick lead [mainly because their gate opened first] and it’s going to be a long, and we hope exciting race! I have the names of those who way back in December, would be so bold as to pick the Braves.{Lew, C.L.,Grinch, and several more. I also found myself on the limb with SJA, in picking them to not win the division. I truly hope ‘youse guys’ are right, and we are wrong, but I’m doubtful. Anywho, let’s enjoy some ‘bazeboll’.

By ssiscribe

April 2, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Showtime, folks.

—30—

By KC

April 2, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

What�s the difference between the Braves� lineup and the Mets� lineup? Jose Reyes� that�s pretty much it. It�s funny, to hear the national media talk you�d swear that the Mets have the greatest lineup in the modern baseball era, and that the Braves are middle of the pack offensively. But when you examine the two lineups, you�ll find that these lineups are not very far apart. Let�s start with 2-8, and we�ll get back to Jose Reyes� Mets / Braves 2 � Lo Duca: .318, 5-HR, 49-RBI / Renteria: .293, 14-HR, 70-RBI, 17-SB Lo Duca is a fine contact hitter, but he�s not going to hit .318 every year. Renteria has some pop in his bat and speed on the base paths. No big edge here for either team. 3-6 � [Delgado, Beltran, Wright, Alou]: .288, 127-HR, 420-RBI / [C.Jones, A.Jones, McCann, Francoeur]: .289, 120-HR, 411-RBI Both Alou and Chipper missed significant time last year, so it�s a very fair comparison. And I think you�re going to see bigger numbers out of the McCann/Francoeur duo this season. 7 � Green: .277, 15-HR, 66-RBI / Diaz-Langerhans platoon: .283, 14-HR / 60-RBI In fairness, Langerhans and Diaz combined for about 80 more AB�s than Green, but I would also look for increased power out of that position this year. Langerhans has been swinging with some real pop this spring, and Diaz is stinging the ball a little harder after hitting the weights heavily in the off-season. 8 � Valentin (in 384 AB�s): .271, 18-HR, 62-RBI / Wilson-Thorman platoon (in 383 combined AB�s): .256, 18-HR, 65-RBI Hard to really use Thorman�s small sample size numbers from last year to indicate anything. Last year was the first season in 5 years in which Valentin hit better than .249. The Braves are in the same boat at 1B that the Mets are in at 2B. You�ll get plenty of pop, but probably not a high average there, in either case. All in all, these are VERY similar lineups� except for Jose Reyes. At the top of the post, I said �Jose Reyes� that�s pretty much it�. I don�t mean to imply that Reyes isn�t enough to give the Mets a significant edge on the Braves offensively. He is. That�s why I believe the Mets, and not the Braves, will finish 1st in runs scored this year. But you can�t tell me that the Mets have a spectacular offense while the Braves have a middle-of-the-pack lineup� as the national media seems to imply by fawning endlessly over the Mets lineup, while yawning endlessly over the Braves lineup. There is a real gap offensively between these two teams in the person of Jose Reyes. But as good as he is, he�s not good enough to make that a huge gap. The Braves are still going to finish in the top 3-4 (perhaps even 2nd if Chippers doesn�t miss much time) in the NL this year in all major offensive categories.

By hk

April 2, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

… finally, it’s here !!!

… last season I posted something called Braves ‘MVP’ for hitters from time to time, an extension of charts I have been keeping for the last ten years … it’s a season end projection of runs plus homers plus RBI’s equals an ‘MVP’ number …

… here’s something similar from spring training stats, except it’s a projection based on at bats this spring vs a guess at how many at bats each player might have during the season, rather than games to date vs total games .. on the right is last season’s end MVP number, where available ..

………….. Projected for 2007 … 2006

Player ….. R … HR .. RBI .. MVP .. MVP

Francoeur.. 105 .. 38 .. 124 .. 268 .. 215

A Jones …. 84 .. 31 .. 126 .. 241 .. 277

C Jones …. 36 .. 36 … 98 .. 170 .. 199

Renteria .. 135 .. 11 … 23 .. 169 .. 184

Langy …… 57 .. 19 … 57 .. 132 … 81

Johnson …. 55 .. 14 … 55 .. 124 … —

McCann ….. 56 .. 24 … 40 .. 121 .. 178

Thorman …. 73 … 7 … 33 .. 113 … —

Pena ……. 20 … 5 … 49 … 73 … —

Diaz ……. 29 … 0 … 29 … 57 … —

click here for the details

… go Smoltzy, go Braves !!!

By KC

April 2, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA — While calling balls and strikes during the simulated inning that Mike Hampton completed at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday afternoon, Braves manager Bobby Cox saw a healthy left-handed pitcher who seemingly still has his dominant stuff.

“It can’t get any better than that,” Cox said after Hampton completed the simulated inning against Andruw Jones, Pete Orr and Willy Aybar.

Just 24 days ago, when Hampton strained his left oblique, the Braves had reason to believe that he wouldn’t even begin throwing until the first week of April. But as it stands now, it appears he’s just 10 days away from beginning his Minor League rehab stint.

“He was healthy,” Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell said. “He didn’t have any aches and pains.”

Before suffering the oblique strain, Hampton was battling the inconsistencies created by his return from the Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery that he underwent in September 2005. But over the last two weeks, the veteran left-hander hasn’t experienced discomfort in his elbow or his side.

The curveball that Hampton used to freeze the left-handed-hitting Orr was further indication that his elbow has regained most of its strength. In addition to an impressive curve, Hampton completed the simulated inning with a live fastball and effective changeup.

“That’s the way he throws,” Cox said indicating the Hampton looked like he did during his healthy days. “You’re not going to improve on that stuff. It’s just a matter of building strength.”

According to McDowell, Hampton will throw a two-inning simulated game in Florida on Friday. If all goes well, the Minor League rehab stint would begin with a two-inning stint on April 11. From there, the plan is to add an additional inning every five days, until he reaches the point where he can throw six innings.

If all of this holds true, Hampton would be on schedule to return to the Atlanta rotation during the second week of May.

By KC

April 2, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

What�s the difference between the Braves� lineup and the Mets� lineup?

Jose Reyes� that�s pretty much it. It�s funny, to hear the national media talk you�d swear that the Mets have the greatest lineup in the modern baseball era, and that the Braves are middle of the pack offensively. But when you examine the two lineups, you�ll find that these lineups are not very far apart.

Let�s start with 2-8, and we�ll get back to Jose Reyes�

Mets / Braves

2 � Lo Duca: .318, 5-HR, 49-RBI / Renteria: .293, 14-HR, 70-RBI, 17-SB

Lo Duca is a fine contact hitter, but he�s not going to hit .318 every year. Renteria has some pop in his bat and speed on the base paths. No big edge here for either team.

3-6 � [Delgado, Beltran, Wright, Alou]: .288, 127-HR, 420-RBI / [C.Jones, A.Jones, McCann, Francoeur]: .289, 120-HR, 411-RBI

Both Alou and Chipper missed significant time last year, so it�s a very fair comparison. And I think you�re going to see bigger numbers out of the McCann/Francoeur duo this season.

7 � Green: .277, 15-HR, 66-RBI / Diaz-Langerhans platoon: .283, 14-HR / 60-RBI

In fairness, Langerhans and Diaz combined for about 80 more AB�s than Green, but I would also look for increased power out of that position this year. Langerhans has been swinging with some real pop this spring, and Diaz is stinging the ball a little harder after hitting the weights heavily in the off-season.

8 � Valentin (in 384 AB�s): .271, 18-HR, 62-RBI / Wilson-Thorman platoon (in 383 combined AB�s): .256, 18-HR, 65-RBI

Hard to really use Thorman�s small sample size numbers from last year to indicate anything. Last year was the first season in 5 years in which Valentin hit better than .249. The Braves are in the same boat at 1B that the Mets are in at 2B. You�ll get plenty of pop, but probably not a high average there, in either case.

All in all, these are VERY similar lineups� except for Jose Reyes. At the top of the post, I said �Jose Reyes� that�s pretty much it�. I don�t mean to imply that Reyes isn�t enough to give the Mets a significant edge on the Braves offensively. He is. That�s why I believe the Mets, and not the Braves, will finish 1st in runs scored this year.

But you can�t tell me that the Mets have a spectacular offense while the Braves have a middle-of-the-pack lineup� as the national media seems to imply by fawning endlessly over the Mets lineup, while yawning endlessly over the Braves lineup.

There is a real gap offensively between these two teams in the person of Jose Reyes. But as good as he is, he�s not good enough to make that a huge gap. The Braves are still going to finish in the top 3-4 (perhaps even 2nd if Chippers doesn�t miss much time) in the NL this year in all major offensive categories.

By KC

April 2, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Sorry for the double post

By KC

April 2, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

It seems many, including myself, may have given up on Hampton far too early when the news of his oblique strain came down. Actually, I didn’t give up on Hampton all together. I was still hopeful that he could get healthy and sharp for September and October, but I wasn’t holding out much hope that he could help the Braves much in the division race. I will be VERY happy to have been wrong about that as it now appears I may have been.

It’s funny how the only thing national media only seems to notice about the Braves is the revamped bullpen.

Hudson had an excellent spring, and I read a couple reports that scouts are commenting that he looks like he did in Oakland. Yet you don�t hear about that in the national media. Another thing that seems to go unnoticed� the Braves only had the benefit of Chuck James in the rotation for about a 1/2 season last year. He�ll be in there from day-1 this season, which will give the rotation a big lift.

Hudson doesn�t have to return to Cy Young form� he just has to pitch well (an ERA in the mid-3.00 range oughta do it). If that happens, the Braves rotation is as good 1-3 as any team in the league. Then if we can get a significant contribution from Hampton and/or Cormier (both of which seem to be real possibilities considering the progress of Hampton and the way Cormier has pitched)… this would be as good a rotation as any in the NL, to go along with the best bullpen in the NL. That would most certainly be more than the Mets or Phillies could overcome. Especially since, contrary to popular belief, the Braves have a very good lineup as well.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 2, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

KC: Good comparison and analysis. I definitely agree with you on Reyes - the guy is a terror, offensively, and on the bases. Wish we had somebody like him. As far as lumping 3-6 in the batting order together, I think that you have to break out the 3B position. Frankly, I see Wright as a young Chipper - lots of pop, very dangerous, good clutch hitter. The key, as you stated, will be whether Chipper can stay healthy this year. Also, I don’t think Alou is going to add much for the Muts. He is a shell of his former self, and seems to be even more fragile than Chipper, if that is possible. I do think Andruw will far outshine Beltran this year, because it is his walk year, and he knows how important it will be for him to really put some numbers up.

Bullpen - no doubt, whatsoever. We are so much better this year than last - even if this bullpen doesn’t live up to the lofty expectations all of us here have created, it will still be damned good, and much better than last year.

1B - I don’t know that any team can ever “fill the shoes” of a good player who is gone. Experience tells me that if the team is to succeed, more times than not, the offense lost is replaced by someone else, unexpectedly. I look for Langy to have a good, solid season at the plate - this is where I think the offense lost will be replaced.

2B - I was one of those “enamored with the plucky Giles for his reckless style” - I loved the guy’s hustle. I’m optimistic about KJ’s work at 2B and at the plate. Guess time will tell if we really lost anything there, except attitude. KJ’s apparent cool could be a plus, though.

Druw - definitely agree with DOB. I’ll say one thing for Bor-A$$ - if he says he’s going to hold out for something, he usually does - If he says there is no way Druw will accept a trade, believe it, unless some team, mid year, is willing to negotiate a huge long term contract, which isn’t likely to happen. Let’s enjoy Druw while we got him - no doubt he has been, and will always be, a special player.

East - I think it will boil down to us and the Phils. I think the Muts pitching is going to go south due to injuries. However, I see the wildcard coming out of the west again this year - both the Bums & the Pads look strong. So, if we don’t win the East, we’ll be sitting at home again.

By jh

April 2, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

KC…..YOU are a brilliant person (with apparently plenty of spare time to research and blog). You made some good points.

By Rodger

April 2, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

DOB-what dedication! The Braves are off, and you’re still postin at midnight (wasn’t that a Plant song?) I can’t wait for the games to start. Bad news-Mets looked good.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Scalp Em, I wouldn’t call Alou A shell of his former self. Last year in just 98 games he hit 22 HR’S/74 RBI’S/.301 AVG/Slugging at .571…..I would say you’re exagerating a bit. I would take those numbers again in 2007. We’ve got Millege to give him plenty of rest. Millege will contribute and perform this year.

By Rodger

April 2, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Does anyone else get as irritated listening to Jon Miller as I do? I’ve seen various references to folks not liking Joe Morgan, but I would much rather listen to him than Miller and his trumped up pronunciations…ocer and over and over

By Rosalynn

April 2, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Openin’ dah! Jimma and I will be glued to ouah television set this aftahnoon! Jimma has asked me to prepah a special snack for the game and I have decided to make submarine sandwiches for the commandah - and foah dessert we will have a plate of goobahs and some co-cola. When yoah husband was once called “President Peanut” you can imagine that we eat a lot of goobahs at ouah house. Jimma is so glad baseball season has arrived! He has been in a little slump since his book came out and baseball is just what the doctah ohdehed to bring a big, ol tootha smile to mah Jimma’s face. I asked Jimma if he plans to call Bobba Cox befoah the game to offah Bobba some advice from a fohmah leadah of the free wohld. Jimma says, no, Bobba is on his own in the dugout but Jimma said he does plan to call Chippa Jones with some advice about all that unsightla chin haih. Jimma thinks the Braves have a vera good chance to win the pennant this yeah because the bullpen has been fixed. Jimma especialla likes Soriano but he does not trust Wicka. Jimma says that boah Wicka reminds him a lot of Brezhnev and Jimma did not trust that boah at all. Even aftah Brezhnev signed that SALT treata Jimma was suah he was gonna back out - and he had that snuff all ovah his mouth and was just as sloppa as Wicka. Oh, well, I bettah go get stahted in the kitchen so I won’t miss anah of the game. I think Hamilton Juhden and Joda Powell mah come ovah and watch some baseball with Jimma and me todah. Those boahs hang onto Jimma like somethin’ stuck on the railin’ in the Braves dugout. Befoah, I go I would like to make a prediction that the Braves will win todah. I plan to blog a little with DOB during the game. Have a nice dah!

Oh, mah, I almost fohgot to congratulate DOB again foah winnin’ the Best of Cox awahd. Anne surela must have some special plans for DOB aftah awahdin’ him this highla prestigious honah. I know how hahd it is to get Anne to give up a nice canned ham so DOB should feel vera honahed to be supping on a ham from huah. But DOB, don’t eat the gel. That is hoahse cahtilage in theah and hoahse cahtilage is not at all tasta.

Oh, mah, Jimma is still outdoahs watahing the plants, I will blog on. I think from what I read from Smoltz that he is weahin’ his cap too tight. that boah knows some cliches and that boah is dancin’ all ovah the place when someone asks him a question.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Coach-I can’t believe I’m saying this, but, Dude, I agree with all you said. On the Direct TV-you might end up seeing more games than that. I’ve had Extra Innings for several years. With the exception of the Saturday Fox games, which no one else can carry, EI will have all but about 2 or 3 games all season. You may get the other team’s announcers, but at least you should get the games. I sure hope the negotiations continue. The prospect of watching on computer does not fill me with the warm and fuzzies.

By Lee

April 2, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

KC…. Great job on the comparsions of the 2 teams. Reyes just might be the premier leadoff hitter in both leagues now. It is possible he may be the next Derrick Jeter for his repected team. Hopefully this will not make the difference for the Mets winning the divison instead of Atlanta winning it.

I still honestly believe Atlanta must / will win the division on pitching. Through the years it seems like they have had more success on close - low scoring games instead of say 11 to 7 type socres. Winning one run games alone, can almost decide on whether a team wins or loses the division race.

By Rodger

April 2, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Of course thats “over and over and over”

By Lew

April 2, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-The Mets’ offense looked good last night and so did Glavine. We’ll see aboout the rest of your staff. Wagner looked less than sterling. As far as Lastings Milledge goes-I thought you were going to trade him for somebody’s number one starter.

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

The Mets finished third in ERA last year with a pieced-together pitching staff. The Phillies finished right behind the Braves playing half their games in a very poor park for pitchers.

I hope the Braves pitching staff has improved enough to vault them into the top 5-10 but I’m concerned with the rotation after Smoltz, Hudson and James and the bullpen before Soriano, Gonzalez and Wickman.

I don’t know that the pitching “should me much better than New York or Philadelphia’s.” To me it’s not quite so obvious at all.

As much as it pains me to say it, the Phillies could go six deep with decent starters. I think the likelihood of four out of six of them having good to decent years is pretty high. With their offense the Phillies concern me much more than the Mets.

I think the key to the season could be Kyle Davies having a big start in the minors then having a break-through year in the majors. If he does this, I think the Braves are in a good position.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 2, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

rodger, that is a good point but jon miller’s pronunciations usually are the correct pronunciations - just a little suspect to us because we are unfamiliar. for instance, bait-a-meat, would sound just right at a betemit family reunion -but here, it really is considered a trumped up pronunciation. now, joe morgan, on the other hand, leads with emotion and if the facts catch up - or don’t -it never matters. there is no dead air time with joe morgan at the mike. braves fans should be glad the team has such sterling announcers - oh, the humanity! not john sterling! that’s not what jimmy smith was trying to say! journalist has some opening day jitters.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Millege had a real good spring and has showed signs of maturing. We’re got a could of very good prospects in the minors (Gomez/Martinez). That will give Minaya something to offer in a possibel trade for pitching later in the season if it’s needed.

By Mitchell

April 2, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Yeah, DOB. Agreed on all fronts. Well..I desperately want to agree with you on your Kelly Johnson point, so we’ll leave it at that. I just have a fear of the unknown when it comes to him…but he’ll be good, right?

KC—-Great post. Joe Morgan and Jon Miller drove me nuts last night (as they always do) ramping up the Mets’ offensive abilities during the Mets/Cards Game. Are they forgetting who led the NL in runs scored last year? It was not the “offensive powerhouse” New York Mets. They will not be able to simply swing their way to the pennant…and they may not even outswing our beloved Braves (they certainly won’t outproduce the Phillies). Again, great comparisons. See you guys at Turner Field on Friday!

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

KC,

I think most people (even the dreaded national media, at least the smart ones) understand that neither the Mets nor Braves (nor Phillies) will have much trouble offensively.

I guess maybe a lot of people think the Mets overtook the Braves with the losses of LaRoche and Giles, which may be true. But Delgado is likely to decline some and the Mets probably aren’t getting all that much from their corner outfield.

Offensively it may depend on Francouer making outs in less than 70 percent of his plate appearances. He costs the Braves the equivalent of 169 scoreless innings last season (507 outs). That’s about 18 scoreless games.

I think pitching is still going to be the difference between the Mets and Braves. And the Mets aren’t likely to get the same performance out of their pitching staff.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Opening Day and Miz President is back and in fine form. I look forward to hearing from the wife of the Former Head of The Free World frequently this year. Her insights are just what we jaded fans need. Let’s all eat peanuts and watch the Braves win many games. How much better would NY be if they called it the Big Peanut? Maybe if the Mets had a Peanut that rose from the outfield depths we could identify more with them. Sorry, what was I thinking? Identify with the Mets? Oh, The humanity. Maybe if they had a canned ham rise in the outfield. Nah.

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE,

You better hope Minaya’s smart enough to let Milledge take Green’s place soon.

By Edo River

April 2, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Fair assessment BOB. I’ll come back here after the game and see which questions 1 game answered

By MGL

April 2, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

No Chop - Good that you have a couple of good prospects. If the Mets hold true to form, they will trade them for some 40 year old.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 2, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

best of cox. yes, best of cox. this blog is the “best of cox” blog. yet, there are mis-spellings. there is poor grammar. some bloggers never capitalize! there are more first-person posts than third-person here! why is this blog considered a best of cox? yes, it is dob. selfless, untiring, and bold with dob’s posts. baby seal has given dob the seal of approval. anne cox chambers did the very same thing - only it was a canned ham. dob should recognize that not only has regular season begun for the braves - it has begun also for dob - and bloggers like jimmy smith and sja and a few others will endeavor to keep dob humble and on dob’s toes throughout the season - (hopefully, not leading to unnecessary toe stress). and now, blogging with dob during the game - how long will it be before stinky finds a computer to test the mighty dob in a pressure-filled blog situation? and how will dob respond? and will harmony remain on the blog for a time? there is much to consider for it is opening day on the blog, too. jimmy smith promised big news a few days back. well, it is time to reveal the big news. soon, this journalist will have a column. yes, that is the big news. a column. more later.

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Mitchell,

Mets were certainly a good offense and should be almost as good. The Braves took some hits. Still, like I said, neither team will have trouble scoring runs. It’s run prevention that will tell the story and the Phillies scare me most in that category.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 2, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

New York = Big market….. ESPN is playing to their base… Of course the Mutts can win behind Glavin’s pitching. Let’s see how they do when they have to throw the rest of that train wreck out there this week.

Yes, Jon Miller is boring, what else is new? Watch MLB extra innings for a while and you will discover that TBS really does have good TV coverage of the game.

Great news about Hampton, he can still be a dominant pitcher with his stuff and it give the Braves some extra depth for the long season. I am really hoping for a break out year from Andruw with more RBI oportunities with guys on base ahead of him.

Any bets on how long before the New York media turns on the Mets when their pitching staff starts giving up runs in bunches?

By sri

April 2, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Wohooo!!! opening day is here.. Go Braves! watched Glavine yesterday master the Cards… made me wonder, if Glavine had stayed with the Braves would he have been this good today.. Would he have been forced to re-invent himself and forced to make the changes? Do you folks think he struggled the first couple of years with the Mets because of lack of defense behind him? He would have reached 300 wins earlier had he stayed with the Braves, but I feel he is a better pitcher now than he was his last year with the Braves. Any opinions?

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

I said that all spring trainging shaun. But Green did go 2 for 4 last nite. As for your Braves, I think the back end of the rotation will be your biggest weakness and the offense won’t be as good as many of you Braves fans think. I’m just glad the season is starting and the teams can prove their fans right or wrong on the field.

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 2, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

only a few hours until we get going…dang, i can’t wait!!!

By Rodger

April 2, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Just read Kevin Whaley’s 10 memorable openers. Some may not have been too memorable, since he thought Aaron hit 715 in the 1st inning instead of the 4th…

By dannycardwell

April 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

the braves will win the division, go to the world series because of the improvements in the bullpen. langerhans will have a breakout year and start in centerfield next year, freeing up lots of money for even more improvements later, resigning smoltze for 2 more years being the first priority. anytime espn picks us to finish 2nd or 3rd its the kiss of death for the mets and phillies. the future looks good if js dont trade it away as he has done in the past.

By coach

April 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Lew , I tried watching the saturday inaugural civil rights game in Memphis between the Cards and Indians because MLB.com was broadcasting it free over the internet. The feed was slow , the picture was tiny and I switched it off and watched the game on TV after half an inning on the computer. I feel for the people having to watch games on MLB.com , it reeks.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

ChopZone-Didn’t Omar try pawning Milledge off all during the winter and no one wanted him? I love the way Mets fans and all the national media keep taklking about getting that pitcher at the trade deadline. Why didn’t Omar address his problems this winter like the Braves, Cubs and many others did? Where’s all thoses millions we keep hearing about? You’re worried about the back end of our rotation? What about yours, excluding Glavine? ElDuque the ancient and oft injured, Oliver (gee I think I was good one year awhile ago) Perez and your two rookies with a total number of ML innings less than Smoltz threw by himself last year. It sure is nice you have all those injured pitchers coming back-sometime-to rely on. Why not ask us how that worked for us last year? Like I said-Glavine looked good last night, but that’s all you’ve got. No bullpen to pull your fat out of the fire this year, either. Good luck with that.

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

What a great morning eh brave bloggers??? Just finished reading all my positive news reports on those mighty METS. What an execellent, well excecuted team win last night. You guys are in so much trouble. Yeah I know its just 1 game but the execution was as though these guys have not skipped a beat, you guys are in so much trouble. Good luck today, i’ll be watching as you stumble out the gate wondering where it went wrong…..again!!

By Rodger

April 2, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Keep talking about execution, MetroMan, because IF(?) the Mets don’t keep it up, they’ll be executed by the friendly NY media.

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE,

Don’t judge Green by one game. He’s still nothing special.

The offense will probably drop off some and the back-end of the rotation might be a weakness but I also don’t look for the Mets’ staff to repeat their 2006 performance. And I look for some drop off in the Mets offense, also. Delgado, the corner outfield and LoDuca will probably not be as good as they were last season.

I’m not expecting anything except for it to be a close race in the NL East between the top three teams. Nothing would surprise me, though. I’ll repeat it again, the Phillies are the team we should both be concerned about. On paper, I think they’re the best team in the division.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-When you start believing all of that good press about yourself, you’re definitely in trouble. Disdn’t all this National Media predict the Braves downfall since 2002? Didn’t they then turn around last year and call for the Braves winning? They haven’t been right yet. Why should they start now? Glavine will win his 300-never doubt it. The Mets will score some runs-never doubt it. After that-well, keep looking for that guy at the deadline-and hope you’re still in it by then. I just reads that the Cubs are for sale. They spent all that money and now want to pass on the cost. Interesting strategy.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-You mean never skipped a beat like getting their behinds handed to them by the worst team in the playoffs? What happened there, Dude?

By Thrillhouse44

April 2, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Man, I’d love to see Smoltz strike Rollins out on 3 straight to start the bottom of the first today!

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Lew,

I’m not a Mets fans by any means, but objectively speaking the Mets were smart not to throw a ton of money at mediocre pitching like so many teams did.

Also, I’m sure a lot of teams would have liked to have Milledge but why give up a great pitcher (which I’m sure the Mets were asking for) for a corner outfielder when adequate corner outfielders are relatively easy to find. And, if you’re the Mets, why give up Milledge for an older, second-tier starter?

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Metrosexual Man ONE! FREAKIN ONE!! ONE FREAKIN DIVISION TITLE AND NO WS SINCE 1986!! It will be enjoyable to watch the Bravos put another flag (maybe a WS title) up at Turner Field while the Mets spend another summer playing their way into third place. NY sux !! YOU suck!! Hell somtimes even I suck but at least I do it in Atlanta. Hurry up your gonna miss the 7 train!!!

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Say what you will but I’ve never needed a paper to make me a believer. You guys seem a liitle afraid of Philly and thats just fine by me. Besides thats who you have to worry about in a couple of hours so dont let me gloat over 1 measley game that was bound to happen. Lets just see how well the braves execute agaisnt a team that has called everyone out!!

Once the Mets learned to win their first game — they beat the Pirates, 5-3, in 11 innings at Forbes Field in 1970 — they made Opening Day games their specialty, winning 21 of the subsequent 24. And even though they split their last 12 before Sunday’s win, their record on Opening Day, 29-17, yields the highest percentage in the game, .630.

By ssiscribe

April 2, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Showtime, folks. Let’s go! Step one on the way to October is less than two hours away.

For all intents and purposes, the division race was over in late June, and we were out of the wild-card race by August. Eight months is a long, long time to wait. Finally, our time is here.

With so many games in the East the first two months, no better way to start things than with a victory today in Philly.

Showtime. The Scribe abides.

—30—

By dcarp23

April 2, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Interesting set of projections on ESPN.com:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview07/news/story?id=2820932

If nothing else, it indicates that (barring the unforeseen) the division race should be extremely tight throughout.

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Dam caveman 22, Lithonia to Queens is a dam long drive to catch the 7 train!!!!

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Great job! You keep wining the first game and we’ll keep winning the division. Once a again a blowhole NY fan talks trash about one game that don’t mean crap. You should start puttin up banners for game wins. I wonder why ESPN hasn’t run a half hour special devoted to your “opening day” streak? I don’t think Stewart would give you a Booh-Yah for that.

By NRBQ

April 2, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

hk —

I’ve been called slow by some, but I don’t understand your numbers at all:

Chipper’s gonna hit 36 homers but score only 36? No one’s gonna drive him in all year?

McCann will hit 24 homers, and drive in 40. If you subtract the times he scores on his own homers, that will leave him driving in 16 other guys?

Renteria will score 135 runs, but drive in only 23? That seems unlikely.

No homers for Diaz?

Dude! I look forward to seeing some real in-season figures for you to extrapolate.

Anyhow, hope springs eternal today of all days. Good luck to the Braves and all DOB’s faithful bloggers. Please be nice to Carolina Lady.

By Lew

April 2, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Shaun-I’m sorry Dude. We had no money to deal with and went out and addressed our needs. For two years now, all we’vwe heard is how rich the Mets are, yet they come into the season with a much worse staff than they had last year-and it wasn’t that good (except for the pen). If Omar was as great as what Mets fans claim and if they had all this money and tradeable talent, they would have addressed their needs. They didn’t.

By KC

April 2, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Here�s a look at how these offenses compare if you lump Renteria and Lo Duca in and measure 2-6 in each lineup:

Mets - [Lo Duca, Delgado, Beltran, Wright, Alou]: .294, 132-HR, 469-RBI
Braves - [Renteria, C.Jones, A.Jones, McCann, Francoeur]: .290, 134-HR, 481-RBI

And again� Shawn Green is a shell of his former self, and last year was the first time in 5 years Valentin hit over .249. I really don�t believe the Mets have any edge over the Braves at the bottom of the order. I think Atlanta will get solid production from their 1B and LF platoons.

So that comes back to my original point. These two lineups are very much alike 2-8. The only difference is that the Mets have Jose Reyes leading off. He represents a definite edge for the Mets offensively, I admit that. But somebody please get a memo to the national media� the Mets won�t be leaving the Braves in their dust offensively, and certainly not in the standings.

Mitchell: Morgan and Miller last night were a perfect example of how enamored the national media is with the Mets offense, while ignoring the Braves’ offensive abilities. I’ll bet anything that neither one of them recognize that Reyes is the only real difference between these two lineups. I just don’t think they’ve put that much thought into forming their viewpoints.

By Greg in TN

April 2, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Top ‘o the season everybody…

There’s nothing like opening day. It’s like Christmas Day when I was a kid.

Hey MetroMan. Dude, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. After all, the Mets definitely looked impressive on opening day 2002 against the Pirates. What did that lead to? Oh yeah, a 75-86 record, good for dead last in the NL East. Bray on and on about anything you’d like, just remember…

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

The target is on your back now. The last time you had it was in 1988 and it’s taken the mets this long (and eight managers) to get it back.

Braves faithful, it’s a fresh start today. mets fans have spent the offseason wearing us out, however 2006 is now in the past. They love to point at the loss of Giles and LaRoche and the back end of the rotation and say we have no chance. The national media for the most part has written us off. And you know what? That’s just fine with me. We’ve run into this before (1982, 1991, 2000-2005) so this shouldn’t be news to anyone.

I’ve looked at this team throughout spring training. IMO, I feel this team will do well this season. The bullpen is greatly improved. I think Kelly Johnson will be solid, not spectacular, but solid. I anticipate a little drop off from the 1B platoon with Wilson and Thorman, but to look at 1B and 2B and say the production there (or lack thereof) would torpedo our offense is pure fantasy and wishful thinking on the part of our NL East bretheren. I think Langerhans will have a better 2007 at the plate and with everything else being the same from 2006, we will be right there in September.

Smoltz will have a great 2007 and I also think that Hudson will pitch well this year. James will continue to improve and I think Redman and Cormier/Davies will pitch well enough in those 3-4-5 slots, especially when compared to the back end of the other rotations in the league.

T-minus one hour, 36 minutes.

By KC

April 2, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Metro Man: All bravado aside… honestly… I think the Phillies are a joke. I’m more worried that LOST will continue its ratings nosedive and get canceled before we find out what the Dharma Initiative is.

To clarify, I don�t think the Phillies are a joke as a team. I think they�ll win between 80-90 games� but I think it�s a joke that anyone has picked the Phillies to finish ahead of Atlanta, and that a few have even picked them to finish ahead of BOTH the Braves and the Mets.

To tell you the truth, I think you and I will finally have something in common soon. I think in 5 or 6 months, we�ll both be laughing at Jimmy Rollins. Because when the division race heats up, the Phillies won�t be in it 2 weeks into September.

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

KC — you need to get a column. Great analysis.

By Braves20

April 2, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

DOB - In answer to your Sunday questions. Yes, bullpen is fixed - weak link is Yates who will be gone (or in a diminished role) by mid season and replaced by Boyer or Moylan. 1st base - No - hell no. This is our biggest chink in the armor. Don’t see them doing much better than spring (.221 combined with 40 plus strikeouts in 130 at-bats). It will take a trade to fix this. 2nd base - no but then Giles never made us forget Lemke. Three different ballplayers. Johnson will be okay. Andruw - yes he’ll be here and maybe, just maybe if JS gets creative, next year as well. Win the NL East yes or at least the wild card. As awful as the Met’s pitching is, they are a slow pitch softball team when it comes to scoring runs. But with a strong bullpen anchored by the big three plus Boyer and McBride, and a healthy Hampton in the second half, we get to the series but alas lose to the Tigers in seven and embarrassing photos of Bud Selig are found in the safe of Direct TV before the season’s end.

By Renegator

April 2, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

DOB or anyone else

Do you think Lagy/Diaz will be a straight lefty/righty platoon or do you think Langy is the starter with Diaz being more of a pinch hitter?

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Its not the fact that Philly may be a joke KC, its the fact that now everyonce can finally see the braves as vulnerable. They finally didnt finish first and Philly has been gainning steam every year. I think they feel they can finally handle the braves and compete with the METS. Thats just water cooler talk form the philthie fans. Besides the braves are looking to regain a swagger, the METS and philthies already have it.

By rammerjammer

April 2, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

DOB, to answer your questions:

1. The bullpen will not be perfect, but will likely produce a 10-15 game turnaround from last season.

2-3. We will see a dropoff at both positions, and we will especially miss Adam if one of our other sluggers gets injured or slumps.

1. Andruw will finish the season, yes, and then leave.

2. The Braves, Mets and Phils are a “pick ‘em.” Any can win it and none will run away with it.

By Drew

April 2, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

DOB, who will Pena be the personal catcher for since Davies didn’t make the rotation?

By BB FAN

April 2, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Metropoitan Man,

Opening day doesn’t mean anything. It’s a long season. I would not get your hopes up too much on last night’s game. The Mets played well but they won because the Cardinals didn’t play well, and practically gave it to them.

Oh and I’m happy for the Mets having the best winning percentage on Opening Day. It hasn’t produced a WS title since 1986. And only one division title since 1988. But congrats on the opening day title.

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Thanks BB Fan, thats all I wanted was a lil’ recogniction.

By TBFnB

April 2, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

And away we go……

By KC

April 2, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Caveman, thanks dude. I thought I was going to puke last night listening to Morgan and Miller. The Braves and Mets aren’t as far apart offensively as most people think.

Is the edge that Jose Reyes gives the Mets over Atlanta offensively enough to atone for the gap that exists between these two teams in the pitching dept?

I don’t think it is.

Not only is their rotation suspect, but they lost 3 significant bullpen pieces. Now, their pen is still going to be every bit as dangerous in the late-innings as last year. But the difference is that their pen isn�t as deep this season.

Last year, they had incredible depth in their bullpen (much like the Braves do now) and they regularly called on their pen in the middle innings (5th/6th) to bail the starters out. But they simply don’t have the bullpen depth to do that with regularity again this season. That means the starters will have to take them a little deeper on average then last season. Is their rotation better equipped to do that than they were last year?

As the season rolls along, the Mets are going to have to pray they get quality pitching from unexpected sources. Because if that doesn�t happen, their pitching will be exposed over time.

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Swagger?? Are you smokin’ crack?? I here you can get 2 twenty rocks for 30 bucks in Lithonia, you must be going broke cuz your mind is in meltdown.

By IllinoisBravesFan

April 2, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

DOB, over at chopnchange.com it says the braves traded for crawford but it has been on the braves website so is it just a lie

By Diamondback.Mac

April 2, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

From an article by Jim Salisbury in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer:

We’re not counting the Phillies out. There’s still enough to like about this club, and let’s not forget two important things: (1) They play in a league in which just about every team has flaws, and (2) general manager Pat Gillick still has five months to fix the team’s shortcomings.

But team to beat?

No. Not yet, anyway.

The team to beat might be in Citizens Bank Park today.

We’re talking about the Braves. Coming out of spring training, they look like the division’s best club, better than the Phillies, and better than the Mets, who have pitching concerns.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070402Could2007bethe_yearUhmaybe.html

By Braveheart

April 2, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

I just can’t believe Opening Day is here. I am pumped up. No more talk about projections and spring training stats. No more looking back at the stats from last season. No more fascinations over minor leaguers. Hopefully, no more Baldelli talk. It’s put up or shut up time, boys. It’s time to let our boys do our smack talking for us with their production on the field. Of course, that will never stop me from telling Mets fans that the Mets Suck! Glavine did last night what we thought he would. Now the rest of their rotation will do exactly what we think it will.

IT’S PUT UP OR SHUT UP TIME, BOYS!

PLAY BALL!

By 5 o’clock tonight, I expect to hear Smoltz wins another, going seven strong, with SlingBlade Gonzalez smoking Utley and Howard in the bottom of the eighth and Wicky going one, two, three in the ninth for a 5-2 Bravos victory with Chipper & Andruw & Frenchy going ya-ya, McCann going 3 for 4, KJ going one for three with two walks, Langerhans going 2 for 4 with a double.

By MS

April 2, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

DOB, can you give us 3 predictions?

-Highest number of wins Braves could realistically top out at, if everything goes right.
-Lowest number of wins if things go wrong and we get hit with multiple injuries. -Number of wins you think we’ll end up at.

Thanks as always for the great work. An hour to go…….

By KC

April 2, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Metro Man: The only swaggar the Phillies have is in their own minds… or at least, Jimmy Rollins’ mind.

They weren’t a post-season team last year. They haven’t proved a damn thing, and they don’t look as good on paper as either the Mets or Braves, nor did their spring inspire any condidence.

And if by “swaggar”, you mean confidence… the Braves have a great deal of it right now.

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Save your insults caveman, the games will silence you after about a week of play. You just make sure I dont bump into you at the next crack rehab meeting. LETS GO METS!!

By Braveheart

April 2, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

it was obviously an April’s fool’s joke, IlliniBrave.

By MS

April 2, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, can you give us 3 predictions?

-Highest number of wins Braves could realistically top out at, if everything goes right.
-Lowest number of wins if things go wrong and we get hit with multiple injuries. -Number of wins you think we’ll end up at.

Thanks as always for the great work. An hour to go…….

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 2, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Openin’ day!…Even TheJackAss is feelin’ good—Real good!…Go Tigers!!!…

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Lew,

The last thing I want to do is stand up for Omar and the Mets…but addressing some needs are much easier than addressing others. And for some teams it’s easier to address needs than it is for others.

Schuerholz did a great job addressing the Braves’ needs but he also was able to trade away a decent, fairly young left-handed starting pitcher and a good-hitting, great-fielding firstbaseman in his prime.

I’m not saying Omar did a better job than Schuerholz or any other GM. And I’m not saying there is nothing Omar could do to improve his team’s possible weaknesses. I’m just saying he was smart not to throw a ton of money at mediocre pitching.

I’m a firm believer in not overvaluing most players, particularly older, mediocre pitchers, no matter how much money you have. Overvaluing players can cost a team a lot in the long run.

Say you have one roster spot left. Say you have a young stud pitcher in the minors with options and you have a veteran mediocre starter you’ve investing tens of millions of dollars in. You have to make a choice: You can either release the mediocre starter and get nothing for the money you spent or you can keep that pitcher and send down the young stud with options. You basically have to send down young stud and get some return on your investment (unless he’s absolutely horrible or injured). But this scenario would likely have never come up if you hadn’t signed the mediocre veteran in the first place. Even if it’s not a young stud, but simply a pitcher with roughly the same value as the mediocre veteran, it’s still better to go with the cheaper option so you can spend that money elsewhere.

Believe me, even if the Mets don’t reach the post-season again this year, they’re better off without throwing all that money at Zito or Schmidt or whomever.

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

The Mets aren’t swaggerin, they’re rumblin, bumblin, and stumblin into another catastrophe of payroll vs. performance. The only guys you got up there with any sense came from the Braves.

By Bob, journalist

April 2, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

HK, Shaun says that you should pay closer attention to the experts … even Joe Morgan thinks that someone will drive in Chipper at least once during the season!

Just enough time to get some cokes and tacos before the game starts!

Later!

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

The end of April will tell alot about the teams in the NL East. Stop talking and play the game. Then we’ll see who’s who and what’s what.

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

rehab?? sorry dude, I would never make fun of your addiction. It would be uncooth to make remarks about something that effects you mind and your life in such a horrible way. It tears down the walls of reality and blurs your logical abilities so much that you end up living in Lithonia, cheering for the Mets, and trying to keep the pipe cool. I’m sure I wont be running into you at the Bank anytime soon.

By KC

April 2, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

I know I’m going to get shot for bringing up his name again, but…

I say when Hampton returns, we trade Redman, Yates, and if necessary, Villarreal to the Reds for Ryan Freel.

I just think it would close the offensive gap between the Mets and Braves to little more than a crack if we could get a legitimate speedy leadoff guy.

We can afford to deal bullpen arms since we have Boyer, Stockman, Moylan, and soon - Sturtze… all deserving of a spot in this bullpen. We have 11 qualified guys for 7 spots. Holy S^*& what a difference a year makes, huh?!!

When Hampton comes back, we’ll also have 7 starters. I think the Braves like having a 6th starter in case someone gets hurt, but we don’t need 7. And if Cormier’s pitching well when Hampton returns, they’ll realy have no choice but to trade Redman.

We have some depth there. I’d like to see us trade from that strength to add some speed to the order.

By MGL

April 2, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

No Chop - Does that mean you will go away until the end of April? Hope so!!

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

KC,

Again, it pains me to say it, but the Phillies have six potentially decent to good starters; no other team in the division can boast that. I don’t think it’s far-fetched to think at least four of them will have good seasons. And with that offense, they look to me like the best team in the division, on paper. (But the games aren’t played on paper, as they say.)

Yes, the Phils played in a hitter’s park but even when adjusted for park and league, they still were one of the top three teams in OPS. They will score plenty of runs. When adjusted for park and league, their ERA was in the top half of the league.

We are hearing a lot about the Mets but the Phillies are about as far from a joke as you can get.

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Bob if you need some COKE you should hook up with Metrosexual Man. He obviously needs to quit getting high on his own supply.

By michael of b'ham

April 2, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

No Chop, Actually, if you’ve paid attention over the years, the end of April has rarely been a good indicator about the final outcome of the season. The Braves are rarely very good in April. Yet you’d have to agree the last 15 years has been pretty good for them.

By Shaun

April 2, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

The end of April will tell alot about the teams in the NL East. Stop talking and play the game. Then we�ll see who�s who and what�s what.

Weren’t the Nationals in first place at the end of the second half of 2005?

And for the first, what, four months of 2006 the Red Sox looked like they would cruise to the division title.

It’s a long season. April’s just one month.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

What’s the matter MGL? Me visiting the blog shouldn’t intimidate you. You have all these other Brave fans telling you what you want to hear. A little dose of reality never hurt anyone. I will be here all season long to bring it to you baby.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 2, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

I meant it would expose the so called weakness’s each team has. It’s doesn’t mean they can’t be corrected in time.

By Braveheart

April 2, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Did I miss the memo?

Did the Mets clinch last night or something?

Mets Suck!

Frenchy for MVP!

By Metropoitan Man

April 2, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Wow caveman 22, Lithonia is such a horrible place to live. Please sir, give me a City/Town in Ga without a methlab, crackhouse, weedfield, or upscaled cokedout/drunk neighborhood that has not been shown on any local news channel. Now I have none of those addictions you claim but I’m sure your vice is in a closet somewhere you go getter!!

By caveman22

April 2, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Dude , how did you know I keep my vices in a closet?? Did you break into my house looking for something to get your next fix with?? I will pray for you but the METS can go to HELL!!!

By hk

April 2, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

NRBQ …

… no question, I agree on all of your points … this was just straight arithmetic, based on spring actuals ratioed up based on innings played … spring training numbers very small sampling, always large distortions … it’s just interesting to look at …

Bob, yes, I can imagine Shaun is smiling a little bit right now, and rightfully so :))

… say, you remember that awful ‘sing-song-itus the announcers were all afflicted with last season ???… it’s early yet, but so far Chip (who was the worst) is infinitely better !! … Joe (who was not so bad) is better as well …

… McCann, McCann, McCann !!! … all’s right with the world :))

By Thrillhouse44

April 2, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

McCann: 2-run shot!!! I love it.

By Renegator

April 2, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Bats are quiet today. Sounds like April as usual for the Braves hitters. WTG McCann!

By Bob, journalist

April 2, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Was ist denn hier los?

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 2, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

caveman22—weil du sein a fluch esel affe!!!…

By fhc1224

April 2, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

It is amazing to me that when Brave fans evaluate thier players as compared to the Mets, Brave players never get old, never regrees in thier performance from last year, and always will at least match or surpass previous totals but Met players will always show thier age (Glavine, Hernandez)never match last year(Valintine)begin or continue thier enevitable decline(Delgado,Alou, Green) or not develop to expected levels(Maine, Perez, Pelfry, Milledge)The Braves have just as many, if not more, players in each of these catagories, most with bigger question marks. I don’t mind someone pulling for thier team but if you are going to compare then put the hometown biais on the self and do an honest evaluation.

By fhc1224

April 2, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

It is amazing to me that when Brave fans evaluate thier players as compared to the Mets, Brave players never get old, never regrees in thier performance from last year, and always will at least match or surpass previous totals but Met players will always show thier age (Glavine, Hernandez)never match last year(Valintine)begin or continue thier enevitable decline(Delgado,Alou, Green) or not develop to expected levels(Maine, Perez, Pelfry, Milledge)The Braves have just as many, if not more, players in each of these catagories, most with bigger question marks. I don’t mind someone pulling for thier team but if you are going to compare then put the hometown biais on the self and do an honest evaluation.

By LivininAL

April 3, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

hk I dont see Frenchy at the top of the list in runs scored, behind Renteria.. bottom of the order gonna have to have some pop for that to happen and the K is gonna have to come down.

By Eric in Jax

April 4, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Well the Mets rotation is actually better than at the beginning of last season. Oliver Perez was once a devastatingly good starter and seems to have gotten that back. Bonds called the guy the “Lefty with the best stuff in baseball” in the playoffs a few years back. Maine was excellent last season and in the playoffs, Pelfrey is a young 1st round pick and a future #1 starter who I think will match up VERY well with other teams #5 starters.

Mets Corner outfield will be fine, between Alou, Green, Milledge and Chavez I’m happy with it.

Oh and up above someone said the Mets got their butts handed to them in the playoffs? well we lost a tough 7 game NLCS to the team that went on to SWEEP the world series. Worst record in the playoffs would be correct, worst team in the playoffs? That would’ve probably been the Dodgers. you guys did finish behind us by double-digits right? Just checking. Good luck this season, and don’t worry im sure Hampton will come back and be just like he was in his last good season…1999 when he was on our world series roster…bwahahahahahahahaha deep breath hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

By d.c.

April 4, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

The problem with the mets is their mediocrity. Their lineup is superb, and each person on their lineup is capable of an mvp- delgado, beltran, and Reyes to a certain extent. But they won’t. They won’t because they know that they don’t have to bat 100% to get into the playoffs. Delgado and Beltran are 60+ homers capable, but neither will put in the effort to do such a thing until their lineup in turn becomes mediocre and they in turn have to bat superbly to win anything. And by that time, it’ll be too late.

The Braves, on the other hand, know that there are gaping holes in 1b and 2b. Thats why you saw a person like Renteria whack 2 out of the park on monday. Players like Andruw Jones and Johann Santana are great because they step up and make the effort to get their team to win. Why did the Cardinals win the World Series last year? They had talent, and their talent stepped up and worked as a team to win. Teams sometimes need gaping holes to learn to step up and stay in the game, otherwise the team is susceptible to the thing that happened to Detroit late last year.

The reason the Braves will win this year is because they have the ability to protect their gaping holes from losing the game from them. The Mets on the other hand will be at .700 win % coming out of June, but just as the twins took over the Tigers last year, the Braves will take over the mets.

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April 10, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

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By onemillionfromsvn

April 10, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

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