By Matt Berliner
The Braves really turned things around this weekend. After the rain out Friday night, they came back with a vengence against rival New York. The Bullpen looks to be ok now, probly had opening day jitters. I also suspect that the pressure of running out of the gate as a team with probly the best bullpen in years might have got to them. Manny Acosta especially seems to have calmed down a bit. It's Soriano that im worried about. He doesn't seem to be able to throw strikes with the confidence he had last season. Jair Jurrjens however has no problems going after the hitters.
The offense is doing great. Kelly Johnson's slam on Saturday really got me excited about his chances of staying healthy all season. I like Martin Prado too, and hope that Bobby can find the perfect blend of playing time for both of them. I like our chances with both coming off the bench when the other is starting.
Defense too looks a lot better. Again, opening day jitters im assuming. Mark Kotsay is doing a great job helping me to forget that we don't have Andruw in center. He gets to the ball and has a great arm. I also haven't seen him ground into a double play yet. (ok im done comparing him to Andruw).
I must admit, I didn't get to see the first six innings of yesterdays game, but from what I've read in the paper and heard from fans, he was masterful. I guess were all hoping that shoulder stiffness can be dealt with. Smoltz says he's a seventh inning pitcher...I hope he is right. Only he knows his body, but I can't help but think Smoltz is just trying to stay playing baseball as long as he can. We all love John and want him to pitch forever, but the reality is, its coming to an end. In all fairness, I want him to pitch as long as he can, but his body and health come first. If he can't do it anymore, we would understand. We as Braves fans can handle it. We've lost key players in trades and retirements before (Lopez, Murphy, Maddux, Glavine).
Off topic, this is probly a forgotten soundtrack, but has anyone heard the Back to the Future Part III soundtrack? It's a great score from Alan Silvestri...just thought I'd throw that out there.
Back to the Braves...So they look really good....we've scored 40 runs in 6 games...and held our opponents to 27 runs. Offense is stellar, defense is sound, bullpen is coming around...and the Braves are .500. Let's keep it up. I want to hear that Braves chatter from all of you while were watching the game...and for those of you in the Atlanta area...go to those games and support our team in person for those of us who can't be there...(I'm in San Francisco). There are Braves fans everywhere thanks to the late TBS.
GO BRAVES!!!
Danica Patrick
DeLeah Caro
Best Players 6-5 and Under
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Comments (12) Add A Comment
i'm sorry but it's way too early to call anything "turning around." if this was mid May, i'll even grant you late April, calling something a turn around might have credence. however, this early in the year, it's nothing.
thejetstolehome:…
Cos Cob/Storrs, CT
Total Comments (2915)
I'm talking more about turning things around since my last blog when they were 1-2, but thanks for your comment and for reading my blog.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
Nice blog! I was at Saturday's game against the Mets and will be going to the April 19th game against the Dodgers. Smoltz pitched very well yesterday, even though the home plate umpire was a tad inconsistent (okay, he s-u-c-k-e-d but let's move on)
On another note: though the club would take a huge salary hit, I think we should just release Hampton and try to pick up someone who is physically able to pitch.
ATLfan15
Total Comments (889)
You're right that if we release Hampton it will be a huge salary hit. We might as well keep him on the DL and use that roster spot on James or Reyes instead of losing Hampton outright. Like Darth Vader, I can sense good left in him. Even if it's only for a month of the season....we should get something more out of this contract.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
Mike hampton has the best job ever. Get hurt every once in a while and make $121mil. But this is a terrific analysis of the first 6 games. I'm curious, though, does anyone think that Soriano should be more of a set up man to Moylan or even Boyer? Both of them seem to have more 'put out' pitches than Soriano. Speaking of the bullpen, how great will it be when Mike G comes back? Which of the bullpen guys might be sent down to make room for him?
Bryan123
Birmingham , AL
Total Comments (2)
Soriano first off...I think has lights out stuff but for reasons unknown he's not throwing strikes on a concistant basis,...right now. Towards the end of last season he was getting lit up and that might be a factor as to why he's not being aggressive. Let him get a few more innings in and maybe he can iron it out before we change the bullpen order. We can comment on Hampton forever. To us he took the money without having to actually pitch. However, we have to entertain the reports that are out there stating no one feels more terrible about these set backs than Mike Hampton does.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
I agee about Hampton. He's not doing us any good being on the DL all the time. I hate it for him and I hate it for the Braves, but if you are not producing (and hasn't since he came to Atlanta) then we need to, unfortunately, cut ties with him.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2385)
you would really be ok with eating his salary? He's not hurting anything being on the DL....were not losing a roster spot...were getting some of that money back in insurance with him on the DL....if we cut ties, we lose some of that insurance money too. He still has a good chance of being serviceable this season.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
We definitely need to do something for next season with Hampton. If we can trade him, that would be good. I guess Braves management thinks we have so much invested in him, they're sticking with him to get a decent return on that investment.
Red Zone
Total Comments (2385)
From what I have heard Hampton is on the 15 day DL, come on, we were AMPED about his comeback less than a week ago. This may in fact be minor. I say give him a shot.
As for the rest, LOVE the blog Oasis. I am in the process of heading home, so I can't see games right now. I have to check scores, so it is nice to hear about what is actually happening. I'm hoping to get MLB Extra Innings this weekend when I'm back in the States. Can't wait to see more from you, also when I get back I'll throw a new pic and a new poll on the group page.
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
Total Comments (6416)
Wow you have a 40-27 run advantage over your opponents but only a .500 record? Thats scary not good and the last time I heard a Brave fan being happy at .500 was never before.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
im not happy about being at .500, but after an 0-2 start....to be 3-3 now makes me very happy. The bullpen blew some games for us the first two games while we were scoring good....but they seemed to have locked it down now....things are good.
RED ZONE... I believe this is the last year on Hampton's contract. He should be a FA at seasons end. He's now on the 15 day DL..>Chuck James will start on Wednesday in his place.
Oasisbraves
San Bruno, CA
Total Comments (30)
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