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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Braves set Opening day lineup for 2008 Season

The Atlanta Braves have set there opening day Roster. Here is how they are going to start the season.

The Braves will Carry 12 Pitchers to start the season.

Pitchers: 1. Tim Hudson 2. Mike Hampton 3. Tom Glavine 4. Manny Acosta 5. Jeff Bennett 6. Blaine Boyer 7. Jair Jurrjens 8. Peter Moylan 9.Will Ohman 10. Chris Resop 11. Royce Ring 12. Rafael Soriano.

Batters:

Catchers: Brian McCann, Corky Miller and Brayan Pena.

Infielders: Yunel Escobar, Gotay, Kelly Johnson, Chipper Jones, Prado and Mark Teixeira.

Outfielders: Mark Kotsay, Matt Diaz, Jeff Francoeur and Blanco.


John Smoltz and Chuck James will Start the year on the DL. Smoltz is expected
to come back for the 2nd series of the year against the mets while I expect James to make a few starts in Triple-A once he recovers before making it to Atlanta

Player Profile: John Smoltz

John Smoltz is one of the top Starting Pitchers in the league and has been for the past 15 years, except of course the few seasons he was the top Closer in the league.
He is still going strong at age 40 aside from a few aches and pains. I know he has some soreness right now but I think they are just being cautious and setting him up to start against them Mets next week. Smoltz is good for 12 to 15 wins a year and at least 200 innings barring any major injuries. Look for Smoltz even at age 40 to be the leader of this pitching staff again in 2008 along with Tim Hudson.

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.