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.

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.

Smoltz Headed to DL

John Smoltz may start the 2008 Major League Baseball Season on the DL. He has soreness in his shoulder and it may be best for the Braves and Smoltz if he starts off on the DL. They would set it up where he could be ready to start against the Mets on April 6th. He will try to throw later in the week to see if he can make his first scheduled start, but if not they will go ahead and place him on the DL to make room for another pitcher on the roster while he is out.