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What’s your prediction for Braves’ road trip?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves got that one-run monkey off their back in style yesterday, thanks to Matt Diaz’s game-winner in the ninth — and an earlier clutch hit by red-hot Greg Norton — to wrap up a hugely successful homestand. (They’re on a roll here, and I don’t want to think about Jo-Jo’s blister or Buddy being mowed down.)
Consecutive sweeps of the Reds and Padres gave them their first perfect homestand since 2003 and have them three games over .500 and a half-game ahead of the Mets, only 1.5 out of first … shouldn’t the Marlins be faltering about now?
During this six-game winning streak, they’ve gotten solid pitching and some clutch hitting, and that combination usually brings good things. But the $64,000 question is: Can they take it on the road?
Heading out for four games in Pittsburgh and three in Philadelphia, the Bravos have the league’s best home record (14-4) and its worst record on the road (4-11).
“We got rid of one monkey,” Diaz told MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. “Now we need to shake the other one off.”
I’m hoping that now that they have their feet back under them after this great homestand, they can carry the momentum with them for once.
What do you think? What makes them so good at home and so bad on the road — and will they change that this time? What’s your prediction for this road trip? I’d love to say 5-2, but because the rotation is a little in flux (what else is new?), I’m going with 4-3.
Upcoming TV Schedule
Friday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Saturday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Sunday: at Pirates, 1:35, SportSouth
Monday: at Pirates, 12:35, SportSouth
Tuesday: at Phillies, 7:05, SportSouth
Wednesday: at Phillies, 7:05, FSN/ESPN
Thursday: at Phillies, 7:05, SportSouth
Also, check out photos from the perfect homestand and complete Braves coverage.
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Should the Braves try to trade Teixeira?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves definitely like home cooking. Last night’s win over the Padres gave them another five-game win streak and has them on the verge of sweeping their second series in a row.
I wasn’t sure how last night was going to go when Tim Hudson started mixing it up with the umps in the second inning, but he settled down and gave the offense time to get its act together and come through with a three-run seventh, keyed by none other than new acquisition Greg Norton.
The Braves have yet to lose a game in May, and they’ve done that without much help from their clean-up hitting first baseman, who’s 2-for-16 so far this month. Mark Teixeira has only one RBI in his past seven games and hasn’t gone deep since April 20.
I understand Tex is a slow starter and that he’s saved more than a few runs with that Gold Glove, but maybe Bobby Cox should think about moving him down in the order until he starts to come around.
Sports Illustrated recently offered some food for thought on Tex, breaking down the odds on where the free-agent-to-be may end up. The usual suspects were mentioned, but here’s the most interesting note:
“Red Sox. There’s some thought they could agree to trade Manny Ramirez, move the versatile Kevin Youkilis to leftfield and import Teixeira.”
What do you think of that idea? It’s not at all likely, but do you think the Braves should go along with this rent-a-player exchange? Would you like to see Manny in the four spot for a few months (his contract calls for a $20 million team option in 2009 and ‘10)?
Schedule Note: Today is get-away day, with a 1:00 start (SportSouth).
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Do some Braves fans owe Kotsay an apology?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These Braves sure are a streaky team. After winning five in a row in mid-April, they lost two, won two and then reeled off four consecutive losses before starting May off with four straight wins.
But I’m not complaining. They’re back over .500 and only 1.5 games out of first, so as long as that pendulum keeps swinging farther toward the wins than the losses, they’ll be fine.
In winning their fourth in a row last night, they got another solid performance out of Jair Jurrjens, who notched his fourth win in seven starts this year (he allowed only one run in six innings, scattering seven hits), and Chipper continued to prove he’s the hottest hitter in baseball, coming through with a two-run homer in the third and raising his league-leading average to .426.
Those two guys have been huge in keeping this team afloat through injuries and some hard luck, but the guy who has my attention today is Mark Kotsay.
Over the past 15 games, Kotsay has gone 22-for-57, increasing his average from .220 to .308, including a two-hit, two-RBI game last night — topped off by a stellar defensive play in center.
Chipper told Mark Bowman of MLB.com: “Not to take anything away from Andruw, he’s the best defensive center fielder I’ve seen, plain and simple. But there just haven’t been that many instances where Kots didn’t get to a ball and you said, ‘Well, Andruw would have had that.’”
It sounds to me like the Braves are getting more than they’d hoped for out of their “stop-gap” centerfielder, who may be fully healthy for the first time since 2004. I’ll admit that I hadn’t expected this much from him.
So, what do you think? Do some Braves fans owe Mark Kotsay an apology for rushing to judgment, or is he merely playing the way you thought he would? Maybe the jury is still out for you?
Upcoming TV Schedule
Tuesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, SportSouth
Wednesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, FSN South
Thursday: vs. Padres, 1:00, SportSouth
Friday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Saturday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Sunday: at Pirates, 1:35, SportSouth
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What was your favorite part of Braves’ sweep?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m a little under the weather today, so this will be a short entry. But after the sweep of the Reds this weekend — thanks to Tim Hudson’s gem, solid performances from Jo-Jo Reyes and the bullpen, along with the 25 runs scored — I had to post something.
As Chipper Jones said, the Braves caught the Reds at the right time, and here’s hoping that continues with the Padres (especially since they won’t be seeing Jake Peavy or Greg Maddux).
So what was your favorite part of this weekend’s sweep?
For me, Huddy’s complete-game shutout was the high point on the field, but having Skip Caray back on TV was right up there, too (on Peachtree TV). Two of my favorite Skip moments (quotes may not be exact, but you get the idea):
• “The bases are loaded, and I’ll bet Dusty [Baker] wishes he was.” — Saturday night on TV
• “Pete, you’re a tough guy, surviving all these games you’ve called with me. After only two in the booth with Joe Simpson, I put him in the hospital.” — Sunday, on radio, after it was reported that Joe had an emergency appendectomy Sunday morning.
Upcoming TV Schedule
Monday: off-day
Tuesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, SportSouth
Wednesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, FSN South
Thursday: vs. Padres, 1:00, SportSouth
Friday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Saturday: at Pirates, 7:05, SportSouth
Sunday: at Pirates, 1:35, SportSouth
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What’s your revamped Braves rotation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After a much-needed off-day for the Bravos, we’ll take a step back from the ledge of yesterday’s blog and look for a new start with a new month.
April is behind us (Chipper’s probably the only one sad to see it go), and here’s hoping May will bring better fortunes. Even with all the injuries, wacky weather and travel and the 0-9 record in one-run games, the Braves are only three games behind the first-place Marlins and 2 1/2 behind the Phillies and Mets.
John Smoltz is headed to the bullpen when he returns from the DL and Mike Hampton won’t be ready any time soon (I have to say it — if ever), so maybe it’s time to revisit that spring training blog about the starting rotation.
Jo-Jo Reyes is scheduled to start Saturday’s game against the Reds, and the Braves will need a fifth starter a week later, on May 10, when Hampton had been scheduled to return. Frank Wren is making a few calls, so we may have a new option by then, but if not, that fifth starter is likely to be Jeff Bennett or Chuck James.
Provided Wren doesn’t make a trade in the next week, who do you think has earned a shot? What does your revamped rotation look like?
Mr. Chop Chick put it this way: Huddy and Jair, then handle with care.
Here’s mine:
Hudson
Glavine
Jurrjens
Reyes (on a short leash with Chuck James and Charlie Morton waiting in Richmond)
Bennett (this makes Buddy Carlyle the long-relief guy)
Upcoming TV Schedule
Friday: vs. Reds, 7:30, Peachtree TV
Saturday: vs. Reds, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Sunday: vs. Reds, 1:30, SportSouth
Monday: off-day
Tuesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, SportSouth
Wednesday: vs. Padres, 7:00, FSN
Thursday: vs. Padres, 1:00, SportSouth
Permalink | Comments (92) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
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Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae(Chinhae)city southkorea Fans of Braves!!!! You have to protect John Smoltz. And use Phillip Stokeman to closer. Look!! Joseph Reyes was wonderful whenever he played in AA. He was bad at AA. Therefore,... read the full comment by Santa3247 | Comment on Should the Braves try to trade Teixeira? Read Should the Braves try to trade Teixeira?