By Matt Berliner
The Braves may have started the season 0-2, but the faithful will remain. The march will go on. Don't forget that there are still 160 games left. You may have heard the famous cliche' that every team wins 54 and loses 54...it's the games in between that really determine your status in the race. These two games would have looked nicer in the win column, but we have to move on.
What the Braves have shown me so far....
Starting pitching:
Tim Hudson was dynamite on Sunday. Take away his error in the 1st inning of course and we win the game. He couldn't have looked better after that, retiring the next 24 batters in a row. Tom Glavine looked serviceable. He did at least what was expected of him. Limit the damage, go at least 5 or 6. I'm happy with his performance, though we all look for him to go deeper. You know he's going to have some good games, and a few bad ones. It's inevitable.
Offense:
Let's get out of the way that they started a little slow in Washington and ran the bases very badly.....and that Pittsburgh gave them more chances that you could shake a stick at...but the Braves have shown that they can and WILL take advantage of those situations. We have the lumber to take control of these games.
Defense:
Needs work. One of the 5 best in the NL last year, the Braves can't blame it on opening day jitters anymore. I don't think this will be much of a problem. You have to remember also that Kelly Johnson is still learning second base. Watch out for Prado though....he can defend...and as soon as everyone is more confident in his offensive contributions...Kelly could be forced to share time at that position.
Bullpen:
It's still early, but they looked HORRIBLE. I felt after Glavine left that Bobby Cox was playing the rest of this game like a spring training game. I didn't understand why we were using so many pitchers from innings 6 to 8. Anyway...a lot of situational pitching was going on...match up to match up....and by the 9th inning Cox has to ration them. We have a great bullpen...I think these guys just need to learn their roles and get into a groove. I look for this to improve.
In Closing:
Don't panic. We shouldn't be too concerned right now. Let's see how the rest of the week plays out. Let's get excited about Jurjjens and Hampton....and for that Mets series this weekend.
Go Braves!!!
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Comments (12) Add A Comment
The errors in Tuesday's game is what concerned me the most.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2386)
Yes. Escobar had plenty of time on a throw to first base...Chipper threw one into the dirt and I believe Kelly made a good stop...but thew it away. These things are going to happen but Escobar should have made his play....hands down.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
It's one thing to commit an error. It's really bad when that error leads to runs.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2386)
Jurrjens looks like he is doing well tonight.
Only saw the 1st game I can't see all of them while I'm over here, but I'll be home next week and put that order in for MLB Extra Innings. TBS had saved me from getting it the past few years, but it looks like I have no choice this year.
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
Total Comments (6416)
Just remember last season we started off by sweeping the Phills, look how that worked out for them.
It is a long season.
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
Total Comments (6416)
I'm in the same boat...TBS totally abandoned us....its Directv MLB package time!!! second year in a row...very happy with them. Now we can watch the Philthies and the Muts lose too.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
Bschwartz....thanks for serving our country too!!!
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
I saw Jurrjens pitch for the Whitecaps, and he'll be a good one. Is TBS not showing Braves games anymore at all?
Miguel#94
Total Comments (876)
thanks oasis, thanks for posting your Braves blogs here. I REALLY want to get a good group of Braves fans on here.
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
Total Comments (6416)
I don't think TBS abandened the Braves. I think it was more of Braves management wanting to do something different with their coverage. I don't know what "that" is, but I'm still undecided on how it will work out also.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2386)
Red Zone it was TBS that wanted to cover other teams. By changing thier coverage from only the Braves to just random games they were able to pick up the broadcast rights for part of the playoffs. That was pretty much the reason for the move.
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
Total Comments (6416)
The move is a good one for TBS, but its a bad one for the fans outside Atlanta that want to continue watching what they (me included) concider MY TEAM TOO. However, the baseball package on directv in my opinion is priced fair, and you not only get all the Braves games, but every other game in MLB as well. Its only $189 for the whole season.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
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