Atlanta, GA- by Michael "DTA" Leder
In climatic fashion, the Atlanta Braves completed a three game sweep of the Phillies Wednesday afternoon. Philadelphia started the series at Turner Field a game and a half on top of the NL East, but Monday afternoon proved to be the beginning of a downhill slope. The next two games added on to an already impressive winning stretch for the Braves who have won 8 straight games, their best winning streak this year. Starting Braves pitcher Derek Lowe threw a season high eight complete innings Wednesday while allowing just one run in the top of the third. Braves manager Bobby Cox called yesterdays win "huge" for the Braves who have gone to win 18 out of their last 22 games, while the Phillies have lost 11 out of their last 15.
The Braves start a long road trip today, opening with a four game series with the Dodgers followed by another four game series in Arizona and ending with a three game series at Minnesota. The Braves return to Turner Field May 15th for a three game series with Tampa Bay. With the Braves looking the best they have all season, it is a perfect opportunity for our boys to tack on some more wins while they are out on the road. If the Braves can continue to improve like they have all season long, maybe Bobby Cox will decide to stick around for another year. One can only hope.
Ubaldo Jimenez threw the first no-hitter in Rockies history
Love hurts, missed the second half entertaining my mother in law. What a show for the 12,000 at Turner field ( my guess). Effectively changing speeds and a fastball around 100 he cut down a Braves team that looked tired and defeated.
Congratulations ..., lets hope the Braves can get some momentum for the Phillies series.
Martin Prado's projected numbers are unreal.
At this pace he is projected at a .469 batting average, 304 hits, 81 doubles, 142 runs, .541 on base percentage, .594 slugging percentage, and 20 home runs.
Braves week one report card.
The Braves are 3-4 after a memorable opening day. Jason Heyward hype reached a fever pitch, Chipper is hurt, Prado is leading the world in batting average, and Derek Lowe starting 2-0 are the main story lines I see so far. All right lets get down to business.
1b Troy Glaus D
I like his defense and his ability to make contact but when is he going to hit a home run? He hasn't hit one all spring and I am really beginning to question his abilty. I would use him at third base and play Hinske at first base. Hinskes swing looks great although not as good on defense. Troy is having a hard time but I expect him to turn around......eventually.
2b Martin Prado A+
Prado is hitting .519 with a lonely r.b.i. and 4 walks. His presences batting second is invaluable and as I predicted he will have a huge season.
SS Yunel Escobar C+
Had some big hits and ranks second on the team with 6 r.b.i. He looks focused and loose as ever. He should see better pitches with the emergence of Jason Heyward.
3b Chipper Jones B -
Only hitting .167 but was responsible for winning one game last week with one swing. It's not his fault he got hurt and I heard that it is an injury like a hamstring, it lingers for a long time.
OF Jason Heyward A
The 10 strike outs in 26 ab is something to worry about. Jason has risen the interest in the Atlanta Braves baseball to a level it hasn't seen in 10 years. He is tied with Prado for total bases with 17 and leads the team with 3 home runs and 9 r.b.i. He is one pace for a great year.
OF Nate Mclouth F -
He has saved some runs in the outfield but with 2 total bases and 8 strike outs in 17 ab is pathetic. He looks so amped up, maybe Pendalton needs to smoke a doobie with him. Get a grip Nate!!
OF Melky Cabrera F
I like watching the strange fellow play and he looks great in a Braves uniform but hitting only 103. is not going to cut it. I would like to see Matt Diaz but Bobby likes Melky's experience and glove.
Bench C
In 6 ab Hinske is slugging 833. and Infante's versatility is a plus but Diaz hitting 233. isn't adding much punch.
SP B-
Take out Jair's less than stellar game and its not bad at all. Hanson looks sharp and Derek has been a master stabilizer. Look for a great rebound from Jair Jurrjens. I predict 7.2 innings 4 hits and 2 runs.
RP B+
Would be a A + if it wasn't for Wagner's blown save. Saito, Moylan and O'flaherty have yet to give up a run. And Chavez looks like he could delay Kimbrel's arrival.
Coaching B
Bobby was ejected again and that's always cool. But I fear he may stick with Glaus and Mclouth to long and cost him games early.
Jason Treadway
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