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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.