Reyes Hopes To Close Out Perfect Homestand

Written by Charles on May 8, 2008 – 12:27 pm

The Braves (17-15) will send Jo-Jo Reyes (1-0) to the mound looking for their second consecutive series sweep. Standing in their way will be the Padres (12-22) and former Brave Willfredo Ledezma (0-0). Both pitchers are short on starting experience this year, but they have both showed promising signs so far. Jo-Jo is coming off perhaps his best outing of his short Major League career last Saturday. Filling in for injured John Smoltz, Reyes limited the Reds to one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings before running into some control issues in the 6th. Ledezma is making his first start for the Padres this afternoon, but he has pitched well out of the bullpen in long relief this year, posting a 1.96 ERA.

Also seeing action for the first time this year will be utility infielder Omar Infante. Infante will be activated before the game today, possibly taking the place of backup first baseman Brayan Pena. Pena has been struggling with some back pain and may be placed on the DL in order to make room for Infante. Infante has batted 4-for-11 (.386) during his minor league rehab starts, prompting the Braves to feel he is ready to join the Major League squad.


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Hudson Looks To Keep Win Streak Alive

Written by Jonathan on May 7, 2008 – 6:00 pm

Coming off his complete game in his last outing, Tim Hudson looks to keep the strong defense going tonight against the Padres in the second game of the three-game series which ends tomorrow with an afternoon game.  With Smoltz out of the rotation, Hudson has assumed the definite role of ace of the staff and needs to put together a series of strong starts to back up that title.  The Braves’ 4-game winning streak is on the line tonight.

Tim has struggled at times this season, only getting into the 4th inning in some of his outings and showing a visible lack of speed and control that he normally possesses.  If he can pitch anything like he did in his last start however, the Braves should be good to go tonight.  Chipper Jones continues to have the hottest bat in the league and I’d love to see more HRs and RBI out of him throughout the rest of this series.  The Braves find themselves back above .500 now at 16-15 and are only 1.5 games out of the lead in the division.


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2008 NL West Preview, Part I

Written by Colin on March 3, 2008 – 2:25 pm

The time comes as spring training continues to develop that we dig into the other divisions in the National League, and today we’re looking at the NL West. 2007 saw the Colorado Rockies win not only the wild card but the NL Championship. Though the Diamondbacks took the division title, both the Rockies and the San Diego Padres were within striking distance down to the last couple of games. The West was definitely the strongest division last year, but what is in store for this year?

Arizona Diamondbacks - The Diamondbacks won the division by the skin of their teeth last year (though they held the best record in the NL), and we can expect them to make a run for it once again this year. They have some great talent on the team in Orlando Hudson and Stephen Drew. They also have enthusiasm (Eric Byrnes), veteran leadership (Randy Johnson), and the ace of the rotation (Brandon Webb). Oh, and they added Oakland’s Dan Haren. They’ll be a very dangerous team, once again expected to finish first in the division.

Colorado Rockies - The Rockies came out last year with a confidence in themselves and took it all the way through the playoffs. They possess one of the strongest offenses in all of the National League - if not the strongest. They play a mile high, which helps a bit, but they’re just good. Their pitching staff was top 10 across the league in ERA, Batting Average Against, OPS, Saves, WHIP, and Quality Starts, so they’re not shabby and have outdone the Coors’ pitching staffs of yesteryear. This year expect to see more of their potent offense playing really good baseball. Holliday, Tulowitzki, and Helton will be sure of that. Their pitching staff led by Jeff Francis, and filled out by Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Hirsch/Morales will probably produce about the same results as last year, barring any unfortunate injuries. I think the Rockies will compete for second with the Padres in this division in 2008.

San Diego Padres - The Padres barely missed out on the playoffs last year, but we’ll see where they land this year. Once again led by a very strong pitching staff consisting of ace Jake Peavy and Chris Young, veteran magician Greg Maddux, and filled out by Randy Wolf and Mark Prior. Their offense features Brian Giles, Khalil Greene, and Adrian Gonzalez - and there’s nothing super special about it. But that’s OK - their pitching staff is easily arguably the best in the NL. These guys are the opposite of the Rockies - if they struggle, it’ll be their offense.

Part II will come soon, so check back for the Dodgers (who have made all kinds of changes) and the Bonds-less Giants. Til then, enjoy the spring training ball.


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Posted in League Analysis |

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