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Monday, August 13, 2007
Braves have major opportunity this week
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They had a chance to make up ground on their East rivals in head-to-head games last week, and the Braves fell a bit short of their goal, coming away 3-3 on their six-game trip to pastoral Shea Stadium and Philly.
But they sent a message to the Mets — four series between the teams this season, four series wins for the Braves, two in New York — and had a chance to win all the games at Philly, where the Phils have won 12 of 16.
Know what? Scratch that last line. Because I hate when teams say they could have won all the games in this series or that. The other team can almost always say they, too, could have had a sweep if this or that had gone their way. So scratch that line.
But seriously, anyone who watched the games in Philly knows that if a couple things had gone… no, stop it. Nevermind.
Here’s the point I’m getting to: This week could actually be even more of an opportunity for the Braves than last week. Because realistically they couldn’t have expected to do more than go 2-1 in each series against the first-place Mets and the Phillies, who’ve won 12 of their past 16 games in that bandbox of a ballpark, where they’ve sold out 20 games this season and where their hitters, by now, know exactly how to use the cozy dimensions to their advantage.
But this week? This week the Braves have an even better opportunity to make up ground, and if they blow this one, then it’s time to start worrying a bit more if you’re a Braves fan. No, the season won’t be over if they come out of this week five games out of first, but they really need to take advantage of this week.
Because the Braves are at home against the Giants and D-backs. Yes, the D-backs are hot, but this ain’t Phoenix, and if you look at their scoring and other numbers, the D-backs are due for a correction.
Meanwhile, the Mets and Phils are on the road. The injury-riddled Mets start out at Pittsburgh, where the Pirates are playing better ball, and the Phillies start out at Washington, where Manny Acta is doing an outstanding job and has the Nats playing their best in a long time. The Nationals a dangerous team right now (did I really say that?), especially at home.
The Braves can put a game or two between them and the Phillies and cut the Mets’ lead to a couple of games by the end of this week, if they play well in these two series. After playing like garbage at home early this season, they’ve played much better at Turner in the past couple months. They’re 12-7 with a .328 team average, 3.52 ERA and 131 runs in their past 19 home games (6.9 per game).
It bodes well for the Braves that John Smoltz and Tim Hudson are starting out the first two games against a Giants team that’s going to be coming to town dragging their butts tomorrow after playing a doubleheader tonight (Monday) in Pittsburgh (they were swept by the Pirates in San Francisco over the weekend, then both teams jetted cross-country for a makeup DH in the ‘Burgh. Brutal.)
Smoltz hasn’t been as overpowering since straining his shoulder, we can all see that. But his numbers — ERA is similar, strikeouts are actually up — aren’t off by much at all. He finds a way to be effective. He’s old and wise. And sore, perhaps.
But he’s not getting any run support, especially at home, and Tuesday will be a great opportunity for the Braves to rectify that, seeing as they’ll probably face a few relievers as the Giants were considering a “bullpen game” in tomorrow series opener, depending how they’re pitching was used Monday in the DH.
Hudson going against Russ Ortiz in Game 2? That’s as close to automatic win as you’ll get, and I don’t care if you say I’m jinxing him. Hudson can’t lose that game against The Vortex (the nickname some in the media have given Ortiz through the years, for his penchant for verrrrry long answers).
After that, well, who knows. But winning the first two in a homestand can really set a tone for a team, and a sweep could give the Braves exactly the kind of momentum they need to carry into the Arizona series.
If Brandon Webb is starting one of those games, as expected, that’s probably even more a guaranteed loss for the Braves than Hudson vs. Ortiz is a likely win.
French Cannon: Jeff Francoeur’s two lasers to home to cut down Philly runners Sunday gave him a majors-leading 17 assists. Tied for a distant second in the NL are Philly’s Aaron Rowand and the Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano with … 11.
Yes, Francoeur has 17, and no one else in the NL hast 11.
By the way, Francoeur has hit .373 with six homers, 30 RBIs and a .410 on-base percentgage in his past 40 games. He’s hitting .348 with runners in scoring position, tied with Edgar Renteria for seventh in the NL.
Andruw? Glad you asked. Andruw is hitting .219 (30-for-137) with runners in scoring position, including .175 (11-for-63) with 20 strikeouts with RISP and two outs.
With two strikes, Andruw’s hitting .140 (32-for-229). After the sixth inning, he’s hitting .185 (25-for-135) with six homers, 41 K’s and a .287 OBP.
OK, I’ll stop.
Circus comes to town: Barry Bonds and his Traveling Carnival of Homers and Hostility are making a three-day stop at Turner. You guys headed out? You glad he’s not going for Hank’s record on hallowed ground (or very near it)?
What’s he up to now, anyway? 790 homers? 840? 9 million? Anybody care? Just wondering.
Sure would be a nice night to wear those Hank Aaron shirts and jerseys, though I gotta say I’m surprised how few of those I see at the ballpark. If I were a fan in the stands, that’s why I’d have on, no question.
Braves should have more Aaron jerseys and hats, everything, at their concessions. No way should it be so hard to find stuff with his name on it. You go to San Francisco, “Mays” jerseys are sold everywhere.
By the way, Bonds was 7-for-14 with four home runs, seven RBIs and eight walks in his past seven games before Monday, after going 10-for-63 (.159) with three homers and seven RBIs in his previous 21 games.
Alright, a tune: Good story about Ryan Adams in the new Rolling Stone with Guns ‘n’ Roses on the cover. Sounds like he’s straightened out and in a good place. Should make his concerts a whole lot better, for sure.
Also sounds like these lyrics aren’t about quite as obvious a subject as we would think. I’ll let you read the Rolling Stone story, though, if you’re interested. Maybe someone know how to link to it or something. I’m clueless at that stuff.
“GOODNIGHT ROSE” by Ryan Adams
We’re going to win
Put your troubles behind you
And go on to bed
Let go of the worry
There’s so much nobody understands
Don’t live your life in such a hurry
Life goes by us all so fast
And the sun will come up again
And I will be here
If you get scared just hold my hand
Tomorrow is yours and who knows
Maybe we’ll win the whole shabang
Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose
Good morning sunshine
A new day begins
And the hustle and bustle of the traffic greets you kindly,
I can tell because you’re smiling
C’mon give ‘em everything that the winning demands
Just one more ribbon Rose
Before the mantle place caves in
And the sun will come up again
And I will be here Rose
If you get scared just hold my hand
Get out of that dress
Go on to bed
The bar is closed…
Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose
Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose
Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose
Goodnight Rose, goodnight, goodnight Rose
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