Since Bobby called the team meeting the Braves are now 4-0 and seem to be, at least mentally, a completely different team, despite being the most injury depleted they’ve been all year.
Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome today. Jair goes 7 strong, saving the bullpen, only giving up 1, continuing his confidence growth. The four hitters that had been scuffling a bit (Tex, K-Jo, Frenchy, Kotsay) all had big days at the plate. The Braves
K-Jo reached base three times, scoring each time, including a big time homer. Looks like he’s starting to really get his confidence back. He also made a great defensive play going to his backhand side, which is where he had problems defensively last year and early this year. Tex had 3 RBIs including the knockout punch in the decisive 8th. Getting K-Jo and Tex hot around the so far sizzling Escobar and Chipper would really make the top of this order impossible to pitch to.
Blaine Boyer came in with just one run lead. He allowed a single to Pierre, who then stole second and third, but he slammed the dorr right there and continued to show that he’s going to be a big part of this bullpen going forward. The kid has closer stuff if he can continue to improve his control. I believe he still has the lowerst BAA of any qualifying reliever in the NL.
With Glavine down, we needed some people to step up and both Chucky and Jurjjens did. Jurjjens and escobar are quickly making wren look like a genius, as the trade of renteria, saving money, getting a pitcher the Tigers desperately need right now and a top flight CF prospect (Gorkyz Hernandez) is looking like a master stroke.
The Braves have a long way to go before they are back to full strength and I don’t want to make too big of a deal out of just 4 wins, but mentally this had to be huge for them.
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3 comments:
Forgot to mention the one negative. Chipper was taken out early, but at this point it just looks precautionary. His quads have been barking a little bit, but it doesn't seem like anything that is going to cause him to miss significant time. It is something to watch though.
Great Series for the Braves, I think Chipper will be ok though.
Jurrjens is throwing awesome I think we made a great deal bringing in a young arm with our pitching staff getting older..
http://www.bravesinfo.blogspot.com
Agreed - fantastic series all around. Chipper's been seeing the ball really well lately. Read an interview where he said he's really started to not only watch video of his own mechanics, but also really study the mechanics and habits of opposing pitchers, and it's showing - he's being far more aggressive at the plate (3.3 pitches per PA, I think, which is far lower than normal), and it's paying dividends.
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