Jurrjens Impresses In 2008

When Edgar Renteria was traded last year, nobody thought that the young pitcher we got in return would be the Ace of our staff in August.  But here we sit on August 5 - John Smoltz done for the season, Tom Glavine hoping to be able to return this weekend, Mike Hampton having only made two starts, and Tim Hudson out for at least a year after falling victim to torn ligaments in his elbow.  That leaves 22 year old Jair Jurrjens - who had only pitched in 7 big league games before the 2008 season - the ace of the Braves.  The only original starting pitcher who has limited his injuries to falling down dugout stairs is Jurrjens.  He’s the only one who’s stayed off the disabled list.

And he’s one heck of a young pitcher!  At 22 years old, Jurrjens shows impressive command of his changeup and fastball, and the patience and confidence of a much older pitcher.  Jurrjens’ changeup was dubbed “invisible” by Adam LaRoche earlier this year.  So far in the 2008 campaign, Jurrjens is 10-7, pitched 138 innings, and has struck out 97 batters and only walked 49.  Oh, and his ERA is 3.12.  Anybody would take this as a third season in the majors, let alone their rookie year.  He’s quickly become a fan favorite.

Jurrjens is humble too - he regularly gives the credit for winning to others and takes the credit for a loss when defensive or offensive issues could easily be blamed.  Not only is he playing on his and his father’s favorite team, he’s quickly becoming the hero of his home island of Curacao - also home of Andruw Jones (who’s hitting .161 for the Dodgers, by the way).  Jurrjens said of Jones earlier this year “It’s going to be fun to face him - it’s going to be even more fun to strike him out.”  Note that Jurrjens struck Jones out all three times that day - though that can hardly be considered much of a feat.

We’ll see where Jurrjens goes as the years go on - but he is considered one of the bright young pitching stars in the Braves’ system.  From a fan’s perspective, it’s refreshing to see some young pitching talent ready to take the spotlight for years to come.  Welcome to Atlanta, Jair.  We’re glad you like it here.  Stick around - not all of us are going to dress up in scrubs and join Jurrjens’ Surgeons, but we’re all pulling for you.

Discussing The All-Star Break

Back to the regular sized blog post.

So, we haven’t posted in a while, but this would be a good time to discuss the break and such. Chipper, McCann and trainer Jeff Porter are in New York as I write this enjoying the sites, including Yankee stadium, as well as enjoying their four days off. Chipper and McCann have been THE most consistent presences in this line-up, everyone knows that. While they do deserve these four days off, I doubt either would trade in a trip to Yankee stadium to play the final All-Star game their for those days off.

The Braves played San Diego and the Dodgers last week, coming away with their first .500 road trip of any length since WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY back last season when they went 1-2 against the Mets and 2-1 against the Nats from September 10-16, seriously. But going into the break with a road trip like that, even if it is against the worst team in the league in San Diego, is still something to build on.

Looking more into those six games, the Braves pitched out of their mind amazing, they gave up eight runs to LA in three games and eight runs to the Padres in three games. Against San Diego, only seven of those runs were earned and against LA only seven of those runs were earned as well, bringing the team ERA for those six games down to a ridiculous 2.33, yet we only went 3-3, sad.

The two teams we played, from before the season even started, were supposed to be slightly offensively challenged, yet the Braves looked like the team that needed a bat or three or four. In the first five games in the series, the Braves went 1-54 (0.019) in the first four innings, THEY HAD ONE HIT IN FIVE GAMES IN THE FIRST FOUR INNINGS! Throwing in the final game doesn’t make it that much better either, the Braves had three hits in the first four innings Sunday, bringing the grand total up to 4-67 (0.059). That’s just pathetic offensively.

With the Mets heating up and Florida not going away any time soon (they just got Josh Johnson back for the homestretch), this won’t be easy. Philly’s ball park isn’t miraculously going to get bigger and allow them to hit less home runs, and the Mets and Marlins aren’t going to stop hitting either. This team needs some sort of a wake up call and they need it fast, whether it is waving the white flag to trade guys away and tell them, “we’re not invincible,” or get a new guy in the clubhouse and infuse new energy. Heck Mike Hampton pitching might put enough energy into this team to give them some new life. Who knows?

Looking ahead to past the break, the Braves have a sweepable series against the Nats. The pitching matchups have already been set. Aces duel in the first game when Tim Hudson (9-7) takes on Tim Redding (7-3), Jair Jurrjens (9-4) gets the ball in game two against John Lannan (5-9) and Jojo Reyes (3-8) will face off against Odalis Perez (2-7) in the final game of the series.

Btw, was it just me or was taking Reyes out of his Friday start against the Padres after four innings because we had guys in scoring position a serious desparation move by the Braves? Buddy Carlyle came in and did a good job finishing it up, but seriously. For whatever reason, Reyes always seems to have a shorter leash than any of the other guys out there.

- Akshay

Jurrjens Masterful, Braves Tank Jays

Jair Jurrjens held the Blue Jays scoreless through eight innings and held them to three hits as he continued his dominant streak as of late.  Jurrjens has pitched 23 and 2/3rds innings of baseball with no earned runs - dating back to June 5 (Seattle scored 3 runs but they were all unearned).  Jurrjens continues to show maturity and composure beyond his years as the Braves got out to a great start to their road trip with a 4-0 victory over the Jays.

Mark Teixeira is absolutely on fire right now - he opened up the game with a two run home run before Jurrjens even went out to the mound the first time.  He added another RBI in the third inning as he knocked Gregor Blanco in on a double.  Blanco added an RBI of his own in the seventh.

Jeff Francoeur continues to struggle - striking out to end the top of the 8th and leaving two men on base.  He was 0-4.  We’ll hope Frenchy an pull through here soon.  Good to see some solid defense on the Braves tonight - Jones laid out for a nice grab in left field, and Mark Teixeira made a couple nice plays at first.

Mike Gonzalez came on to close the game out in the ninth - and he looked good.  Working quickly, Gonzalez retired the side and the Braves walked away from Toronto with a win.  Jurrjens got the win and is now 8-3 on the season. 4-0 Braves.

Let’s hope we can build on it tomorrow!

Braves Beat Rox, Mets Fire Willie

The Braves came out strong behind Jair Jurrjens and 7 2/3rds innings of one-run ball to beat the Rockies last night 7-1.  Chipper went 2-4 and started the scoring in the fifth with two RBIs.   Jurrjens’ extra five days of rest due to his sprained ankle seem to be paying immediate dividends - “I got my changeup back,” Jurrjens said.  The extra rest helped a blister heal.

Up in Queens, the Queens have fired longtime sucky manager Willie Randolph.  I don’t mean that in he was their manager for long, but that he has sucked for most of his time as Mets manager.

Jerry Manuel will replace him as interim head coach.  The Mets also cleaned out some of their other manager positions.  For more info, check out our buddy Andrew’s site over at TheRopolitans.

The Braves are finally up to 10 road wins, taking three out of the last four on the road.  Do you think they’ve turned a corner?  With the starting pitching looking great its last time around, will they continue their improvement?

And as Mike Hampton heads down to the Gulf Coast League for a couple rehab starts, will he ever pitch in Atlanta this season?

Give Us A Break: Jurrjens Sprains Ankle

Jair Jurrjens is doing his best Mike Hampton imitation.

Not only is Jurrjens left handed, but he fell walking down the dugout stairs last night after the Braves’ loss to the Cubs and sprained his ankle.  His ankle did not get better overnight and he’ll miss today’s start.  The Braves and Jurrjens hope he doesn’t have to head to the DL to join the rest of the Braves’ pitching staff.

Jurrjens has been perhaps the Braves’ most solid starter this season - not missing a start - until tonight.  Jurrjens’ right ankle will hopefully heal up before his next start, but with the way things have been going, we may just want to go ahead and promote the entire AAA pitching staff.

The Braves also confirmed that Charlie Morton is likely to start Sunday against the Angels in a game televised by ESPN.  Jeff Bennett is stepping in for the Braves tonight.

Frank Wren was quoted as saying “I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.”

Don’t we all, Frank.  What’s next?  Does anyone have Hudson in the “next Brave to miss a start” pool?

Bad News For Braves’ Elder Statesmen

John Smoltz has a torn labrum - significantly more damage than they hoped to find during surgery yesterday.  His future with the club is “uncertain” at this point.  He’s a fierce competitor, but can he come back from this surgery?  It took the spry Blaine Boyer nearly two years to recover from similar surgery.

Meanwhile, Tom Glavine strained his elbow and was placed on the DL.  Apparently from the first pitch last night his elbow hurt, but he pitched through the pain only to be pulled with the elbow strain.

So there’s the Braves’ two elder statesmen having health issues.  Glavine is on the DL for the second time this season - and the second time in his long career.  Smoltzie is gone for at least this season, maybe for good.  And the Braves are back below .500, trying to figure out how to win on the road and where they can find some pitching.

This time, more than ever, we’ve got to figure out where we’re going to get some starting pitching, and fast.  I maintain that Charlie Morton is ready - the traditional measure for minor league pitchers is innings pitched, and he’s thrown just under 600 innings.  He’s also 5-2 with a 2.05 ERA and 72 K’s to 27 walks.  Bring him up and give him a shot - he impressed in spring training.

We also likely should trade for another solid arm.  Even if we bring Morton up, we’re pitching Hudson, Jurrjens, Campillo, Morton, and Reyes.  If we want to win and go into the post season, we need another solid arm.  Jonathan’s a big proponent of trading Mark Teixeira for a young arm with some life left on the contract.  I’m not sure what he said Tex is supposed to ask for at the end of the season, but supposedly we may not be able to afford it even without Hampton, Smoltz, and Glavine’s contracts.  I’ll let him explain that more here.

What do you think we should do?  Should we let Jo-Jo Reyes fight it out for that fifth spot?  Can he make it at the big league level?  Is Morton ready, or am I just talking out of the seat of my pants?

I Don’t Have The Will To Title This Game Thread

If it hasn’t been terribly apparent lately, I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to write game threads.  Wondering why?  Well mainly because every Braves road game is the same.  Play great all day long.  Great starting pitching outings, solid defense for most of the game, but no run support.  Then, late in the game (8th, 9th and 11th innings in 3 of the last 4 games), we give up silly runs and lose by 1.  That’s how the season on the road is going.  At home, the Braves are unstoppable.  On the road, I’m pretty sure an infant girls softball team could beat us.  The Braves are sporting an amazing 7-19 record on the road so far this season and how we still have a record over .500 is beyond me.  I’ll always be a diehard Braves supporter until the end, don’t get me wrong, but something has to give here soon.

This afternoon, Jair Jurrjens takes the hill for the Braves trying to turn things around and get them going in the right direction.  There’s still a chance to take this series from the Reds so let’s get it going.  Hopefully Chipper Jones can shake off the rough night he had last night and get the hot bat going again.  Go Braves!

Everyone Loves A Clean Sweep

It was so sweet to be able to go to Turner Field after a long day this week and watch the Braves beat the crud out of the Mets.  We got solid starts from Glavine, Hudson, Jurrjens, and some guy named Campillo making his first start since 2005.  Our starters’ combined lines?

4 Wins, 27 Innings Pitched, 18 Hits, 4 Earned Runs, 3 Walks, 16 Strikeouts, 3 Home Runs Allowed 

Compare that to the Mets and their starters’ combined lines:

4 Losses, 20 Innings Pitched, 33 Hits, 17 Earned Runs, 8 Walks, 6 Strikeouts, 1 Home Runs Allowed

For the record, our best start came from Jorge Campillo.  And wasn’t it great to watch Santana implode tonight?  We can deduce a few things here from these lines - firstly, the Braves played a lot of fundamental ball - only one homer off of Mets starters.  And we didn’t rely on our ‘pen much - an average of just over 2 innings per game.  This is the kind of baseball we need to be playing.  Strong starters are the best foundation for a solid game.

Next up are the Diamondbacks - we can beat them since we’re at home, I’m sure.  We need to learn how to translate this play on the road.  And the Marlins need to start losing.  They’re NOT that good.

The Mets, on the other hand, aren’t that good.  And everybody knows it.  Especially them.  By the way, Jair Jurrjens has the same record as Johan Santana.  Ouch.

Go Braves!  Let’s sweep the Diamondbacks too.

This “Rotation” Scares Me

This rotation can’t win the division.

There, I said it.  With John Smoltz and his bum shoulder pushing him to the bullpen (hopefully if he can heal), our starting rotation looks a wee bit tattered.  Think I’m kidding?  Take a look at the starting rotation.  Hudson has been the Ace so far, with six wins.  Jurrjens has been great with four wins and 41 strikeouts in eight starts.  And then we have Glavine, who is better than his record shows, deserving better than a 1-1 record, but concerning with a 4.41 ERA and a 1-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Past that, it’s not a rotation.  It’s a random weekly game of bingo that decides between Chuck James, Jo-Jo Reyes, and Jeff Bennett and they rotate out as soon as one of them sucks it up.  And it’s not something that will let us compete into September.  At least Chuck’s out of the consideration for now, but that just leaves room for another Joe Somebody to try.

We had depth, supposedly.  But Smoltz has had shoulder issues - and he’s had those sporadically at the end of the season in seasons past.  And I can’t even discuss what happened to Hampton without feeling like I’d be suggesting he could heal.  And until he proves me wrong, I won’t believe it’s a possibility.  But can we make it to September?  I’m doubtful.  Something has to be done.

Sure, we’re first in the league in ERA and BAA, and second in OPS allowed and third in WHIP, but does that mean jack diddly when we have three starters?  It won’t last long, I tell you.  We’ll miss Smoltz as long as his shoulder keeps him pitching two innings late in the game.  We need a strong starter.  And unless Jo-Jo Reyes can keep it up and start pitching like he pitches in AAA ball, where there’s less pressure, or Jeff Bennett turns a page for the rest of the season, we’ll be a team with three consistent starters and two fillers.  It concerns me.

Do we make a move?  We have tons of young outfielders in the minor league system.   Do we bring up Charlie Morton from AAA and see if he is ready for the big time?  I’m just an armchair GM, sure, but I’m not the only one in Atlanta who is a little concerned about our rotation.

Braves Victorious in First of Interleague Play

After falling behind in the 2nd inning, making it even in the 6th, and going ahead by one run in the eighth, the Braves provided a wild and weird victory over their American League visitors, the Oakland A’s.

And let’s just pause to say that we at BravesBlast.com do not necessarily have an opinion one way or the other on interleague play. It can be a welcome addition to a 162 game schedule. Especially if fans are treated to rivalries (Mets/Yankees) or to teams that “everyone” wants to see, i.e., the Cubs or Red Sox.

But Oakland?

Oakland in Atlanta?

All right. Back to the matter at hand.

This was a shaky start to the normally dependable and pleasantly surprising performance of one Jair Jurrjens. It could be argued which new player has made a greater impact; he or Escobar. But the Braves on Friday vividly illustrated the key to success, at least in my mind, to reaching October. And it can be summed up in one word: balance. I don’t care what kind of pitcher you are, you just aren’t going to be hot every time you are on the mound. So your offense needs to step up. And who cares if you are scoring 7 or 8 runs, if your bullpen is hemorrhaging runs like a sucking chest wound?

So Jair steps in, gives a shaky 2-3 innings, and finally gets his head right, pitching through 5 and (mercifully, for him) getting a no decision. Not trying to gripe, here, but he should be thrilled with a no decision. I know the box score only illustrates 2 runs on 8 hits from Jurrjens, but he also gave up 3 walks and got himself into trouble a couple times. Not to mention a botched throw to McCann at the plate.

And speaking of Brian McCann……(and if things keeps going like they did on Friday, Atlanta, as well as MLB enthusiasts the nation over will be speaking of McCann a lot), our stocky man-child behind the plate was extraordinary. Dude tags out a runner after receiving a rocket courtesy from Jeff Francoeur, hits two doubles and a single, with one RBI, and raises his average to .319.

What more can you ask from a backstop, eh?

And I’m with Rue. Andruw who? I mean, I liked the guy just fine. But would I trade him for Kotsay now? Nope.
So we bring in Kotsay to the plate twice on Friday. The first time, in a surreal twist of fate, he faces the pitcher we traded him for; Joey Devine, striking out. The second time, he hits the go-ahead run in with a double, bringing his own seasonal average to .304. Andruw Jones’s average right now? .176

And the bullpen? Outstanding.

And what a treat it was to observe Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde/Closer Manny Acosta absolutely slam the door on the A’s in the 9th.

So right now, the Braves home success continues. Maybe we can show a little more “southern hospitality” to the A’s and send them packing.

Oakland A’s Come To Town

Mark Kotsay gets an opportunity to face his old team tonight as Interleague play starts and the Oakland A’s come to town.  Jair Jurrjens (4-3, 3.10) takes the mound tonight for the Braves and faces Dana Eveland (3-3, 3.23).  Jurrjens looks to add to his team-high 41 strikeouts and Kotsay gets to prove to his old team that he’s worth more than Joey Devine as he looks to continue his solid start.

The Braves have been rocking it at home recently and need to continue that streak until their road woes subside.  We need to take this series to start the 11 game home stand.  Join us as we watch the game for thoughts and commentary on the first Interleague game of the season.

Let’s go Braves!

A True Doubleheader…

So we have a real doubleheader against the Pirates today.  Not a day/night one, but a true one game after another doubleheader.  You don’t see that too often any more, but I’m glad.  The real question is . . . will we get the games in today.  I’m pretty busy today but the last time I looked in on the weather for Pittsburgh, it wasn’t looking too favorable.  We’ll see if it holds out so we can get some of these games in.  I’ll do my best to keep up with the games today but no guarantees.

Jurrjens will be pitching the first game for the Braves while Tim Hudson will make his regularly scheduled start in the second game.  We have another doubleheader in a couple weeks against the Mets; let’s try and start a good streak on those today.