Hudson Shuts out Reds to stop Braves 3 Game Skid

Tim Hudson Pitched 9 Shutout innings Friday Night to give the Braves a much needed boost. Brian Mccann added a 2 run homer and thats all Hudson needed to put this one away. Hudson had the changeup working keeping the Reds Hitters off balance all night long by mixing pitches and speeds. Mcann said he had Unbelievable stuff and was in control all night long. On another good note Mark Kotsay is hitting the ball really well over the last few games and looks to be a solid contributor to this Braves lineup.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chipper's HR not enough for the Braves

Chipper Jones hit an opening day homerun but it was enough for the Atlanta Braves. Tim Hudson pitched well, but Odalis Perez matched him throughout the game, until it was left up to each teams bullpen. Ryan Zimmeran was the hero of the game with a Walk Off Homerun to allow the Washington Nationals to win on opening day in there brand new state of the art ballpark.

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.