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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Braves can see top of NL East from here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If the Braves had been playing in Florida last night, Dan Uggla’s ninth-inning drive down the left-field line would have been fair by inches instead of foul by inches, and the game would have ended with another late-inning collapse.
But because they were at the Ted, it was foul, giving Yunel Escobar the chance to be the unlikely hero with his first career walk-off homer, a two-run shot in the 10th. Escobar’s blast also bailed out John Smoltz, who gave up two runs in the ninth in his first bullpen appearance since 2004.
The Bravos are now 23-7 at home and a Major League-worst 7-21 on the road. But the really amazing thing is that if that trend continues during this homestand (and with breaks like they got last night, it looks like it should), they could actually head out on the road in first place next week.
Atlanta trails Philadelphia by 3 1/2 games and Florida by 2. The Braves have three left with the Marlins in this series, so they could pass them and potentially head into the weekend series with the Phillies less than three games out of first. They’ll have to play their butts off to move into first, but we know they can do that at home.
Here are the pitching matchups for the rest of the series:
Tuesday: Jorge Campillo vs. Burke Badenhop — Campillo has given up only one earned run in the 15 innings he’s thrown since moving into the rotation on May 20.
Wednesday: Tom Glavine vs. Mark Hendrickson — Glavine got a no-decision after allowing only two runs over six innings in his last start, against the Reds on Friday.
Thursday: Jair Jurrjens vs. Ricky Nolasco — Here’s hoping Jurrjens can bounce back from his roughest start of the year on Saturday, when he gave up six runs on nine hits and six walks in 4 1/3.
I think they stand a good chance of winning two of the next three and positioning themselves well against the Phillies, which (provided Tim Hudson’s hammy is OK) could give them a shot at first.
How do you think this homestand will play out? Can the Bravos actually take over first place or is that too much to ask, even with their incredible play at home?
Upcoming TV Schedule
Tuesday: vs. Marlins, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Wednesday: vs. Marlins, 1:00, Peachtree TV
Thursday: vs. Marlins, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Friday: vs. Phillies, 7:30, Peachtree TV
Saturday: vs. Phillies, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Sunday: vs. Phillies, 1:30, SportSouth/TBS
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