AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 04
Friday, April 4, 2008
Braves vs. Mets — rain, stay away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well I reckon if we can’t be at the Robert Earl Keen show tonight at Variety Playhouse, or the 75th birthday tribute to Willie Nelson just around the corner at Star Bar, then the series opener between the Braves and Mets isn’t a bad option, either.
That’s provided we’re able to get this one in tonight at Turner Field, where the forecast doesn’t look very good. Anything but long rain delays, please.
The only thing the (1-3) Braves need almost as much as a win would be a quality start tonight from Tim Hudson, and another Saturday from Tom Glavine. Because that bullpen is already weary, folks.
It’s been almost 15 years since Bobby Cox used as many pitchers in one series as he did in that eventful three-gamer with the Pirates.
What to make of the Mike Hampton saga? Honestly, I don’t know what else there is to say. I mean, the only thing I would point out to all the understandably frustrated Braves fans out there is to keep in mind, the Braves added depth this winter in part because they knew they couldn’t count on Hampton.
This is not a huge loss, the way it was a year ago in spring training when the Braves made the mistake of counting on the often - no, make that always - injured Hampton to fill a spot in their rotation.
They had no depth, no backup plan then. They do now. Several. Chuck James will come from Richmond to take Hampton’s rotation spot for now, and we’ll just have to wait and see how soon Hampton will be back. Again, it’s not something you should count on, nor should the Braves (and I don’t think they are, regardless of what they might say publicly).
If Chuck’s shoulder isn’t ready, if he struggles, the Braves have Jeff Bennett or Buddy Carlyle available to start. Again, this is not a huge setback.
If the Braves lose John Smoltz, Tim Hudson or Tom Glavine — now that would be a significant setback. But losing a guy who hasn’t pitched for you in over 2-1/2 years, that’s not a major blow to your plans. If it is, you didn’t plan wisely.
Once more on Tex’s struggles: In case you missed it, Bravos cleanup man Mark Teixeira isn’t cleaning up much at the plate. He’s hitting .105 (2-for-19) with one homer and two RBI, leading some in Braves Nation (and on this blog) to fret and project a locusts-and-pestilence season for him and the Braves.
People, again we implore you, don’t worry about Teixiera. He will be fine. If you didn’t see the game last night, he scorched a couple of balls, including one would-be double that center fielder Nate McLouth robbed with a sensational catch.
But nevermind that he hit some balls hard. I’m telling you not to worry about Teixeira because this is not uncommon for him, to start out slow. In fact, given his track record, you’d probably have more to worry about if he was putting up big numbers in the first week.
Because he never has done that in five seasons (he hit for a higher average at the state of ’06, but without a homer), and in every one of those seasons Mark Teixeira has ended up with very impressive hitting totals across the board. One of the game’s best overall hitters in his five-year career.
Here’s how he’s started out in each of his five previous seasons:
2003: 0-for-15 in his first five games.
2004: 8-for-40 (.200) with two homers, 11 strikeouts in his first 11 games.
2005: 11-for-53 (.208) with two homers, six RBI in his first 13 games.
2006: 12-for-33 (.364) with no homers, three RBI in his first nine games.
2007: 16-for-75 (.213) with two doubles, no homers, three RBI in his first 21 games.
Etc. This is weird: The Braves had 2,016 at-bats against lefties last season, while no other NL team had more than 1,792. This season, the Braves already have 86 at-bats vs. lefties. No other NL team has more than 60…. The Braves have lost seven of their last nine games going back to the last week of the 2007 season…. Blog legend David Wright of the Mets has picked up where he left off last fall, going 6-for-13 with three doubles, a homer and six RBIs in the three-game series vs. Florida to start the season. He has a .388 average (76-for-196) with 19 doubles, 12 homers and 45 RBIs in 51 games since Aug. 9, with 34 walks and a .481 on-base percentage. Oh, and a Golden Glove (no comment).
“HONKY TONK HEROES” by Billy Joe Shaver
Low down leaving sun, I’ve done did everything that needs done
Woe is me, why can’t I see, I best be leaving well enough alone
Them neon light nights, couldn’t stay out of fights
They keep a hauntin’ me and memories
There is one in every crowd, for cryin’ out loud
Why was it always turnin’ out to be me.
Where does it go, the good Lord only knows
It seems like it was just the other day
I was down at Green Gables, hawkin’ them tables
And generally blowin’ all my hard earned pay.
Piano rolled blues, danced holes in my shoes
There weren’t another other way to be
For loveable losers, and no account boozers
And honky tonk heroes like me…
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
