Huge 4 game series begins tonight with the Braves and Marlins at Turner Field. Marlins have a chance to put the Braves in a huge hole while the Braves can make a run at closing the gap in the division to as little as one game.
GO BRAVES!
I don’t expect much out of the Braves this year. Until this team is sold and out from AOL/Time Warner, I’m expecting under .500 ball for several years. Chipper Jones is having a bad year and Andrew Jones has been nothing more than a lifetime .250 hitter. The pitching isn’t there anymore expect for Smoltz. I’d like to see Cox give Smoltz another shot at starting. Can’t hurt at this point and I’m sure he would take the opportunity if it was given to him.
Since TimeWarner put the spending for free agents on a budget, they’ll just be like the other teams trying to keep up with the Yankees in that they’ll be saving money to make a run for the title every few years. The Orioles are the most recent example. Spend like crazy for a few years, then save for a few, then spend again. Until there’s a salary cap, that’s the way it’s going to be for most teams.
Smoltz was/would be a good starter, but his arm could not take the strain to pitch a full season. He can’t even stay healthy being the closer. He may not like it, but if he wants to continue to pitch he needs to stay in the bullpen.
Beckett is on the DL for the Fish, so the Braves have a shot of winning the series if their pitching can produce. Byrd looked great in his first start after his return from the DL, but terrible in his last. The Braves have no stopper in the rotation, so even if they luck up and make the playoffs they won’t be getting far.
[i]Originally posted by CPA_Niner[/i]@Jun 28 2004, 11:38 AM [b] I don't expect much out of the Braves this year. Until this team is sold and out from AOL/Time Warner, I'm expecting under .500 ball for several years. [/b]Took the words out of my mouth CPA...ownership needs to change hands ASAP if the Braves don't want to go through some rough times. Unfortunately, this looks like it could be the year that the Braves give up their reign over the NL East but you can't count them out just yet. Lot of ball left to be played but as a Braves fan, there are certainly reasons to feel a little pessimistic.
[i]Originally posted by jcl49er[/i]@Jun 28 2004, 06:40 PM [b] Unfortunately, this looks like it could be the year that the Braves give up their reign over the AL East but you can't count them out just yet. [/b]Holy crap! You mean we've dominated the Yankees and Red Sox for 13 years? But seriously... this is probably the end of the road for the Braves.
I’m heading to ATL to watch my Red Sox on Friday…They are fading to the Yanks.
My two favorite teams…the Red Sox, and whoever is playing the Yankees.
[i]Originally posted by UNCCTF+Jun 28 2004, 07:47 PM-->
[b]QUOTE[/b] (UNCCTF @ Jun 28 2004, 07:47 PM)
3 out of 4 from the Fish, and the Bravos are only 3.5 back of the efeminate horses. The NL East winner will be the only NL East team in the playoffs, so this will be a good race throughout the summer. The Phillies have the best hitting, and the Marlins have the best pitching when Beckett is healthy. The Braves and Mets aren’t going away though.