Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Jurrjens Pitches Well Braves Lose..

You have to be impressed with the Atlanta Braves young pitching stud Jair Jurrens. He pitched well again giving up only 1 earned run over 7 innings and now had an era of just 3.05 on the season. The only problem against the nationals on Wednesday was that Jair did not get any run support and the Braves lost 3-2 in 12 innings.
Hopefully the Braves can salvage game 3 of the series against the nationals on Thursday.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Braves Lose 6-3 to Nationals

The Atlanta Braves had another weak outing from the Bullpen. In a game where Tom Glavine pitched after coming off of the 15-day DL and pitched well for the Braves
only giving up 2 runs in 6 innings. Glavine then handed the ball over to Blaine Boyer to hold it down and he proceeds to give up 4 more runs while the Braves lose 6-3.

Another Sidenote the Braves placed John Smoltz on the 15-day Dl today and
there is some talk that he may end up as the Closer when he comes back since
he is having so much soreness in his elbow. He was a dominant closer the last
time he tried it so I am all for this as long as we have enough starting pitching.Add to Technorati Favorites

Monday, April 28, 2008

Player Profile: Mike Hampton

Mike Hampton has a tough injury plagued last few years and it did not get much better to start the 2008 Atlanta Braves Season. He was scheduled to be one of the Braves starting pitchers and got hurt right before his first start and was put on the 15-day DL. Hampton is now in Triple-A Richmond on a rehab assignment and has
pitched well going 3 scoreless innings in his first outing of the season.
I believe Hampton will make it back this year but I do not see him winning more
than about 7 or 8 games because of his injury problems among other things.
How about Hampton as a shutdown Lefthanded reliver or even closer out of the pen, I think he may have to look into a different role with all of his arm problems.
Just a thought, but im sure the Braves will allow him to start and see how long
he can last.
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Smoltz has bad outing, Braves Lose to Mets

John Smoltz had his first bad outing of the season on Sunday and the Braves only put 3 runs on the board to lose 6-3 against the New York Mets. On a good Note Mark Teixera is starting to hit the ball well and had a couple of more hits and an RBI in Sundays Game against the Mets, while Chipper Jones sat out for the 2nd straight day with Back Spasms and hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals.



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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Bennett Pitches Well, Braves Lose

The Atlanta Braves lost to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday Night 7-2. Bennett pitched 6 innings and was trailing 3-2 when he left the game, but the Braves just could not get anyting going all night long. Everyone in the Braves starting eight fielders had a hit to there credit but they just could not put together any string of hits to score runs. It was another tough night at the Ballpark..

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tim Hudson Leads Braves to Victory

Tim Hudson Pitched 6 2/3 innings Monday night and also drove in 2 runs to help his cause as the Braves Won 7-3. Chipper Jones was in the lineup a day after injuring his quad so that is great news for us Braves fans. Chipper had a hit and an RBI Monday night and his season average sits at .438. It would be something to see him go for .400 this year, but as we all know its a long season and slumps happen so we will have to see.. I expect him to hit in the .350 range.. Mccann also led the Braves lastnight as he had a homerun and a couple of hits. The Braves are on a 5 Game Winning Streak after starting off kinda slow this season.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Jurrjens Pitches well, Braves Sweep Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves have finally gotten on the right track. They swept the three games series with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend. Jair Jurrjens gave up only 3 hits over 7 innings while striking out a career high 8 batters. Jurrjens was hitting 95 on the gun which is the hardest he has thrown all since joining the Braves. Mark Teixiera led the Braves with 3 hits including a Homerun and 3 RBI. Kelly Johnson also added couple of hits and a Homerun. On a down note, Chipper Jones left the game in the 6th with a pulled quad muscle, but he was being precautionary and will probably just take a day off and be back on Tuesday.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

James Pitches Well In Braves Win

Chuck James pitched well tongiht after being called back up from Triple-A to make this start. Mark Teixeira is starting to warm up a big as he drove in 2 of the 4 Braves runs tonight. James got the win after going going 5 innings and only alowing 1run to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jorge Campillo pitched well in relief going 2 more scoreless innings. Another sidenote about the game is Yunnel Escobar stretching his hitting streak to 12 games.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Chipper Jones Homers Twice for 2nd Straight Night!


Chipper Jones is on a tear and just when the Braves needed him. Lastnight against the Florida Marlins he has 2 homers and Smoltz pitched 5 Shutout innings to beat the Marlins 8-0. Mccann, Texiera, and Jones went back to back to back in the game.. Kelly Johnson also added a homer to give the Braves 5 total on the night..

Chipper again led the charge tonight with 2 more Homeruns giving him 6 on the young season, while leading the Atlanta Braves to a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday Night. Jeff Bennett pitched well while filling in for the Injured Tom Glavine who was placed on the 15 day DL for the first time in his 22 year career.
This offensive surgence over the past few days has really come at the right time with the Braves already having 5 pitchers hit the DL this season.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Player Profile: Jorge Campillo, P

Jorge Campillo was called up last week to replace Chuck James on the roster and has done nothing but impress. Campillo pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief against the Rockies this past weekend and has Braves fans really hoping he can keep up this successs. He also came into relief lastnight against the Marlins after Braves Starter Tim Hudson had a rough outing. He again impressed throwing 3 innings and again not allowing any runs and striking out 1. Look for Campillo to get more meaningful innings out of the pen and maybe eventually be come the steady middle relief guy with all the Braves Injuries.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hudson has tough night Braves Lose

The Atlanta Braves are still struggling. With Tim Hudson on the mound Wednesday, Braves fans like myself figured that the losing streak would be over. Hudson did not fair so well. It was like he never had it tonight. His pitches where not hitting the spots he was shooting for and the Braves just got down early. The finally score was 6-5 in favor of the Florida Marlins. The Braves did show some fight back in this one with Francoeur have a big double off the wall to set up the braves scoring 2 runs in the 8th to bring the Braves within one run of the Marlins. They were then shutdown in the 9th to end the game.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Braves Lose Again!

The Atlanta Braves lost to the Florida Marlins on Tuesday putting there record at 5 and 8 on this young baseball season. The Braves just could not get anything going against Marlins Starting Pitcher Scott Olsen, who came into this game with an ERA over 8. Jair Jurrjens took the loss for the Braves putting his record a 1 and 2 on the season. He pitched fairly well giving up 2 earned runs in 6 innings pitched. The Braves offense is going to have to step it up if they are going to get out of this funk. They also are struggling with Injuries to the pitching staff with Tom Glavine bothered by a hamstring and Peter Moylan headed to the 15-day DL with an Injury aswell. Hopefully the Braves can get it all together and pick up a few wins in this series to get back on track. The Marlins would be a good team to get it going against as they are thought to be one of the least talented teams in the Major Leagues.

Player Profile: Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira is one of the top 1st Basemen in the league. The Braves aquired Teixeira in a trade toward the end of the 2007 Season and he hit great. Mark has started off the 2008 Season somewhat slow, but has had some good hits here and there helping to win a game earlier in the Season with a Homerun and then saving it late in the game with a great defensive play. Teixeira is in the last year of his contract and I am hoping the Braves fork out the dough to keep him since this is the firs top notch First Basemen we have had since the likes of Fred Mcgriff and Andres Galaraga. I look for Teixeira to turn it up a notch and hit 35-40 hrs this year and hit around .275. He has always been a 2nd half player, but I hope he turns it on before then.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Glavine Injured, Braves Lose

Tom Glavine was Injured Sunday, while pitching against the Washington Nationals. This was the shortest outing of Tom Glavines career. He only threw 16 pitches before pulling his hamstring. Glavine gave up 2 runs before leaving the game and even though the Braves fought back and only lost 5-4 Glavine still took the loss. Chipper Jones is still hitting well early in this 2008 Major League season, he went 3 for 5 with a homerun and a couple of runs batted in on Sunday. Lastings Milledge went 3 for 3 for the Nationals while Ryan Zimmeran also had a big day driving in 2 runs.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Hudson Shutsdown Nationals

Tim Hudson had to wait an extra day to get his start in, but it was well worth it. Instead of pitching in the cold high altitude of Coors Field, the Braves and Rockies got snowed out and Hudsons start got pushed back to Friday against the Washington Nationals. Hudson threw 8 shutout innings only giving up 3 hits in his 2nd start of the year, putting him at 2 and 0 on the season. Yunnel Escobar led the Braves at the plate going 2-4 with a HR and a couple of runs scored. Matt Diaz also pitched in with 2 Runs Batted In.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Player Profile: Tim Hudson

Tim Hudson is coming into the 2008 season as the Atlanta Braves #2 Starting Pitcher behind John Smoltz. Hudson is ready for a big year and has started off on the right foot with 1 win already under his belt. Hudson has had problems in the past getting run support and bullpen help when he has handed them the ball with the lead. It is hard to keep going at it when the bullpen loses lead after lead, but hopefully this year will be better with a little bit different bullpen look and maybe Mike Gonzalez will come back strong from his season ending injury, he is expected back around the all-star break. Hudson looks to have a good year this year, I expect him in the 15-17 win area with about a 3.50 era. I look for him to lead the staff in wins and innings pitched as he will have to be the strong arm of the staff with Smoltz getting up in years.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Player Profile: Jeff Francoeur

Jeff Francoeur is a top notch outfielder and the Starting Right Fielder for the Atlanta Braves. He has been working hard in the offseason and has added 10 to 15 lbs of muscle to help him improve on last years numbers. Francoeur has been hitting the ball pretty well to start off the 2008 season and I expect big numbers out of him.
I would say he should hit around .280 and about 35 homeruns while playing solid defense in Rightfield.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Rockies Rock Braves

This game is not even over yet but with the score 12-5 heading into the 9th, I think its safe to say that the Braves got smashed tonight and they just need to call it a night and get ready for tomorrows day game. Goodnight, Lets up for a better day tomorrow or a day off as I am writing this they are talking of Bad weather in Colorado tomorrow.

Player Profile: Mark Kotsay

Mark Kotsay came over in a trade to basically replace the Braves longtime Center Fielder Andruw Jones who left for the Dodgers in Free Agency. Kotsay is a solid player that will just come to the ballpark ready to work everyday. He is a good defensive Center Fielder and has a solid bat in an already deep Atlanta Braves lineup. He has started the 2008 season off a little slow but did hit a 2-Run shot last night in losing effort to the Colorado Rockies. I think Kotsay will have a solid year nothing spectacular, but it is nice to have a guy towards the end of the lineup that can get hot and get on streaks now and then.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Rockies Top Braves 4-3

Jair Jurrjens 2nd start not quite as successful as his first. Jurrjens did not throuw a bad game, giving up a few dinks and dunks that cost the Braves runs, while
Ubaldo Jimenez Pitched solid after the first inning giving up only a 2-Run Homer To Mark Kotsay the rest of the way. I feel like we need to be hitting the ball more, being more consistent to take advantage of our strong pitching staff. When a starter gives up 4 runs or less we should be able to put up enough runs to with these types of games. It is still early in the season and I really like the way this team was built and think the Braves are still well on there way to being a contender.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Player Profile: Matt Diaz


Matt Diaz is definately a top notch Hitter. He will be the main starter for the Atlanta Braves in Left Field this year. Diaz hit .338 last year and .327 in 2006 in limited duty. The Braves are expecting big things from Diaz this year with a lot more at bats. His power numbers should land around the 15 to 20 homerun range with the extra at bats this season. Look for Diaz to have a big season in 2008.

Teixeira, Smoltz Lead Braves to Victory



John Smoltz pitched well in his season debut, holding the New York Mets scoreless for 5 innings before leaving the game with shoulder soreness, later saying it was a precautionary measure. Smoltz and Johan Santana had a pitchers duel going as Santana only gave up 1 run through 7 innings. Aaron Heilman gave up a 2 run Homer in the 8th inning to the Braves Mark Teixeira to give the Braves a 3-0 lead. The Braves bullpen held onto the win allowing 1 run for a game final of 3-1. The Braves swept the Mets in a 2 game series this past weekend as the 1st game of the series was postponed to a later date due to rain.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Francoeur, Johnson leads Braves

The Atlanta Braves took home a win Vs. the New York Mets with an 11-5 victory. Jeff Francoeur had a big night for the Braves collecting 3 hits and 3 runs batted in. While Kelly Johnson was not able to start for the 3rd straight game with a sore knee, Bobby Cox gave him the Opportunity to pinch hit and boy did he take advantage, with a 3-2 count against him Kelly Johnson he lauches one into the outfield seats for a Grand Slam which also helped the Braves pull away and take the first win in this series as the Friday night game was postponed until a later date due to rain.
Tim Hudson had a solid outing giving up 3 runs over 6 innings, while earning his first victory of the season.

Player Profile: Tom Glavine

Tom Glavine led the Atlanta Braves to division title after division title, but then decided in 2003 when he became a Free Agent to bolt for the New York Mets. He was said to have family in New York and im sure they were offering more cash, but in the end there is no place like home. Glavine resigned with the Atlanta Braves for the 2008 season. Glavine has 22 year Major league experience and is definately on the downside of his career. I expect him to hit the 12 to 14 win area this year and help the Braves pick up the Braves out of the 3rd spot in the rotation. Tom Glavine will always be considered an Atlanta Brave in my mind.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Player Profile: Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson is coming into the 2008 Season in his 3rd year with the Atlanta Braves. He will be the Braves starting Second Basemen and will most likely stick as the Braves leadoff man aswell. Kelly Johnson is one of my favorite all around players because of his ability to hit for power and average and also show decent speed at times. Johnson is also much improved as a defensive Second Basemen aswell.
Look for Kelly to have a strong year this year and improve on his numbers from 2007.

Braves VS. Mets Postponed

The Braves Vs. Mets Game for Tonight was postponed due to rain and will be
rescheduled on a later date as a double header.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Braves Smash Pirates

The Atlanta Braves had a big 8th inning to blow open a close game witht he Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. It was Juir Jurrjens first Major league start and he was impressive. He had a shutout going through the first 5 innings as the Braves led 3-0. Juir then somewhat ran out of gas as he gave up a few hits in the Top of the 6th that led to 2 runs. He was pulled from the game in the 6th Inning and was hoping for the rest of his Braves teammates to hang on to the 1 run league so he could get his first win as an Atlanta Brave. They more than did this. It stayed 3-2 until the 8th when the Braves laid it on and added 7 runs. The Braves really needed this as they were 0-2 coming into this game and had had a few bullpen problems along the way. Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer and Yunel Escobar added a three-run shot during the Braves huge 8th inning.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Jair Jurrjens will get his first Start tonight for the Braves

Jair Jurrjens who came over in the Edgar Renteria Trade this offseason, will be the Starting pitcher tonight fot the Atlanta Braves. This will be his first start in a Braves Uniform in the Regular season. He is set to be the Braves 5th Starter when Smoltz comes back from Injury. They will not a 5th starter yet so Smoltz will take an extra week to make sure his arm is ok, while Jurrjens will be the 4th Starter to start the season off. Jair Jurrjens has a good young arm and looks to be a strong contributor to the Braves this season. He will also be valuable out of the bullpen if needed when Smoltz and Chuck James both return, but I am thinking he may pitch so well that he may bump Chuck James from the Starting rotation and hold down the 5th spot himself. Tune in Tonight to watch Jair Jurrjens make his first Atlanta Braves start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Player Profile: Yunel Escobar


Yunel Escobar came up as a rookie last season and really played well in all areas of his game. He played a lot of SS with Edgar Renteria being out and played so well that the Braves decided that Renteria was expendable this year, leaving Escobar as the Atlanta Braves starting Shortstop. He has not only played well defesively, but has the skills and instincts to be one of top hitting Shortstops in the National League. His batting coach Terry Pendelton feels like he can be a solid .300 hitter and he not only hits for average he also has a little pop in his swing. Escobar is a good young player and should be a good leadoff or #2 hole hitter in the Braves lineup this season.

Bullpen Lets Braves down yet again

The Atlanta Braves lost to the Pittsburg Pirates in 12 innings on Tuesday. It was a normal 4-4 Game in the until the Braves called on there Bullpen in the 8th and gave up 4 runs. The Pirates also added 1 in the ninth to be up by 5 runs going into the bottom of the 9th where the Braves scored 5 runs of there own to tie the game and send it in to extra innings. Neither team scored again until the 12th where the Pirates scored 3 and the Braves actually added 2 but it was not enough and the Pirates took home the win with a 12-11 victory in 12 innings.
The Pirates where led by Xavier Nady who hit 2 homeruns including a 2-run shot in the 12th to push the Pirates ahead. The Braves scored many of there runs off of walks and errors from the Pirates. The Braves where led by Yunnel Escobar who had 3 hits and 3 runs batted in. They also got homeruns from Jeff Francouer and Brian Mcann. This was also Tom Glavines first start in his return to the Atlanta Braves, it was somewhat overshadowed by a wild and crazy game.