AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 04
Friday, July 4, 2008
Can Frenchy straighten things out in Mississippi?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves have decided the best place for Jeff Francoeur to try to get his swing — and his head — straightened out is Pearl, Miss., with manager Phillip Wellman, with whom he has a good history.
Something had to be done, because Frenchy looks completely lost at the plate and his mechanics are shot, but I might have tried sitting him for a series first. Or maybe sending him away for a weekend with instructions not to look at a baseball for three days.
After all, everyone gets in ruts and gets worn down, and a mental break can be just what the doctor ordered. Not to mention that being demoted can’t be good for his confidence, which has to be close to nonexistent.
But that discussion is moot now that the Braves right fielder is heading down to Double A for a stretch. So the questions are, how long do you think he’ll be there and will it work?
In the meantime, the Astros are coming to town and the rest of the Braves have to get their collective act together, too. Now that they’ve fallen seven games out of first, they no longer can console themselves by saying they’re still in the hunt: They have to figure out a way to get back in the hunt.
A series win against struggling Houston would be a good start. Here are the matchups for this weekend:
Friday: Brian Moehler vs. Tim Hudson. Moehler is coming off two impressive starts since joining the Astros’ rotation, giving up only one run in 5 2/3 innings against Boston in his last outing. But interleague play wasn’t so kind to Hudson, who went 1-3 with a 7.17 ERA.
Saturday: Chris Sampson vs. Jo-Jo Reyes. Roy Oswalt is out with a hip abductor strain, and Sampson, who was moved to the ‘pen after starting the season 3-3 with a 6.04 ERA, will make the start. Reyes was the tough-luck loser on Sunday despite allowing only one run in seven innings in yet another one-run road loss.
Sunday: Wandy Rodriguez vs. Charlie Morton. Rodriguez gave up five earned runs in five innings in his last start and has a 10.13 career ERA against the Braves. Morton also was roughed up his last time out, when he allowed five earned runs in only two innings against the Phillies.
Upcoming TV Schedule
Friday: vs. Astros, 7:30, Peachtree TV
Saturday: vs. Astros, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Sunday: vs. Astros, 1:30, SportSouth
Monday: at Dodgers, 10:10, SportSouth
Tuesday: at Dodgers, 10:10, SportSouth
Wednesday: at Dodgers, 10:10, FSN South
Permalink | Comments (78) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
