This week we finally get to face some NL East teams, after having been mired in West and Central teams since the start of the season. The Phillies come to town as the top dog in the East, but having lost two in a row to the Marlins, games in which their offense was shutdown by good pitching. This series should also feature some good pitching, here are the matchups:
Tuesday: Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 17.47) vs. Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.38)
Two of Hanson's four losses last year came at the hands of the Phillies. One was a rain-shortened game, and the other was perhaps his worst game of the year, in which he surrendered 4 runs on 4 walks and 7 hits in 5 innings. Both games were 4-to-2 losses, so Hanson certainly didn't get much run support in either game. Kyle Kendrick has actually done pretty well against the Braves in his career. He is 4-and-1 lifetime with a 3.29 ERA, including a win last year in a four-inning relief stint. Hanson will have his hands full, and so will the Braves in this game.
Wednesday: Roy Halladay (3.0, 1.13) vs. Tim Hudson (1.0, 2.84)
We all remember the dominant game that KK had against Halladay last year, matching him virtually pitch for pitch. KK actually outlasted Halladay in that game and the Braves got their run against a reliever. Roy will likely be just as good this year, so we're going to have to figure out a way to score off of him (as this likely won't be the last time we face him this season), and Hudson will need to hold the Phillies scoreless as long as possible. Huddy has a losing record lifetime against Philadelphia (4-6), but a respectable 3.79 ERA. He lost once to them last year in a well-pitched game, and got a no-decision the year before in another superb game. So it looks like Huddy has the track record that says he can hold them close, once again it will be up to the Braves offense.
Thursday: Jamie Moyer (1-1, 7.50) vs. Derek Lowe (3-0, 4.67)
We all know the season that Derek Lowe has had. We also need to remember that he shutout the Phillies on 2 hits in last season's opening game. He picked up another win later in the season. One thing seems certain this year, and that is that the Braves offense comes to play when Lowe is on the mound. Let's see if they can keep up the run support against Moyer. He's been a mixed bag against Atlanta, but mostly bad, which is good for us. Thursday's start will the 700th of Moyer's career. He might be the only guy still playing who faced the Braves before 1991.
This should be a fun series. Hopefully the Braves keep their series wins going. If they do win the series, they have a chance to share first place in the division with Philadelphia, but it's probably too early in the season to be scoreboard watching like that.
0 recs | 79 comments
Finally
The NL East. Let’s see how we really stack. Let’s Go Bravos!
romone_braves91 - April 20, 2010
:D
This will be a good series. Hudson and Halladay will be a great match-up. Hopefully we’ll give D a billion runs as usual. But we’ll really need them against the Phils
HereComesBream - April 20, 2010 via mobile
Let’s kill these Phuckers.
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
Ohhh the Sillies
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
Lowe is due for a good game.
alligatorimpersonator - April 20, 2010
That’s sounds like the same optimism we had last year. I don’t care how he pitches as long as he gets the W.
romone_braves91 - April 20, 2010
haha
I will be optimistic with Lowe until his contract expires…otherwise, it would be too painful at times.
alligatorimpersonator - April 20, 2010
I think that the Phillies are due some hits
Their line up is strong but I think we take 2 out of 3
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
You guys here about Volquez?
Suspended for 50 games for steroids. Crazy.
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
didn’t really surprise me.
I hope he has a BS excuse. Those are always fun to hear.
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
Is he Dominican? It’s like it runs in the country or something.
That’s where it was supposed to go.
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
He might’ve juiced, but Big Mac was probably the nicest pro player i’ve ever met.
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
I'm sure.
He seems like a great guy. He was doing it for the fans.
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
Agreed. And it’s a lot easier for me to forgive a guy like Big Mac, who was a great guy, than it is to forgive Barry Bonds, who was a total douchebag.
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
Who?
755! :)
schlagdawg - April 20, 2010
Bonds was a nice guy to me..
I met him at the airport in Los Angeles coming back from a tournament, like 2 years ago. He signed my basketball shoes, and we talked college hoops and Braves baseball for like 15 minutes.
Unless you can indict all of the players juicing during that era, it’s really corny to pick and chose which one’s to let slide and forgive, and which one’s to not.. Especially if he’s a “douchebag” or a “great guy”…
Mighty Healthy - April 20, 2010
I agree. Big-Mac is a douche & a coward too. His BS excuse was ridiculous. Did it for the fans my ass!. He did for the paper & the glory, like all the other cheats.
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
Not bad considering he only has 6 hits period.
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
U serious?
B-Mac is a nice guy but there’s no way he’s juiced or he’d have over 100 hr already. Yeah he doesn’t have 100 yet. He has like 93…
HereComesBream - April 20, 2010
Pretty sure that Big Mac is Mark, not Brian
bighop - April 20, 2010
....what
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
he says that he was prescribed a pill in the DR that was to help him start a family with his wife. if it’s true, i think a few people might be made to feel a little small.
Jareth Cutestory - April 20, 2010
So it's testerone?
essentially to help strengthen his little soldiers?
Mr. Sanchez - April 20, 2010
yessir
Jareth Cutestory - April 20, 2010
Is he Dominican?
It’s like it runs in the country or something.
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
Did you really need to repeat your racist statement?
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
How is that racist?
It sounds to me like he believes it’s a big part of the baseball culture there. I don’t think he’s saying Dominicans are more likely to take PEDs simply because of the color of their skin.
Skyagusta - April 21, 2010
Going to Wednesday's game
but excited to see all of them!!! Go Braves!
scorby911 - April 20, 2010
We have to set the tone.....
….and sweep this series!
The entire NL forgets who ran this league for so many seasons.
They need to respect our bats as well as our arms.
Go Braves….one more for Cox!
Oh yeah, we got this guy too!
RipHard - April 20, 2010
"rip hard"
what exactly are you ripping? It is 4/20 after all
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
who the hell is that guy in the pic? He better produce or we might have to let him go.
romone_braves91 - April 20, 2010
You said it!
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
Lineup (Heyward moves up!)
Diaz
Prado
Chipper
BMac
Glaus
Heyward
Escobar
McLouth
Hanson
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
Wish Esco would lead off
Mr. Sanchez - April 20, 2010
+1
Diaz played well Sunday though
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
if Esco bats first, no RBI production.
romone_braves91 - April 20, 2010
If Esco hits 1st
We’ll actually have some one on base for the RBI guys
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
If this continues, should we move prado to hitting 1st?
EyePod - April 20, 2010
He’s the perfect 2 though
BeantownVol - April 20, 2010
he is
however we have another good option for #2 in Heyward
drumzalicious - April 20, 2010
so what I'm hearing is
Prado
Heyward
Chipper
McCann
Escobar
McLouth
Glaus
Diaz
get some producers in the same part of the order, instead of spread out thru it
bighop - April 20, 2010
What a horrific lineup
I mean….wow.
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
glad you like it
bighop - April 20, 2010
I don't think those words mean what you think.
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
English I speak good.
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
I;m reading uo above that folks like Prado leading off and Heyward as a #2 possibility. Just threw that together. I think you missed my sarcasm when I said I was glad you liked it
bighop - April 20, 2010
People were suggesting Glaus bat seventh?
Behind McLouth?
Awesome. You know what I take back my negativity. Greatest lineup ever.
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
Glaus at the bottom was suggested on another thread, this is not my favorite line up, just piecing together some ideas I’ve read here
bighop - April 20, 2010
You might have noticed my heading “So what I’m hearing is”
bighop - April 20, 2010
I heard Obama was born in Kenya
Confirm/Deny?
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
....
What’s weird is that no one calls him Jones. Not even the announcers. It’s just Chipper. But I like it that way :)
HereComesBream - April 20, 2010
I say 5. Esco, 6.Troy, 7. Matty & Nate bringing up the rear.
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
Not bad considering he only has 6 hits period.
FitzFan - April 20, 2010
Prado leadoff would be good. He does it anyway when our leadoff guy gets an out. Mine as well have him go first instead.
romone_braves91 - April 20, 2010
+1
drumzalicious - April 20, 2010
I love this idea...
although to have RBI production from ANYONE, they need folks on base. Scored runs count as much as runs batted in.
Mr. Sanchez - April 20, 2010
Diaz shouldn’t hit leadoff against a righty. I think MattyD has 1 or 2 hits against them this year. I’d rather have McLouth.
Scott Coleman - April 20, 2010
Diaz over his career...
has shown he’s a lower half of the order type, not leadoff. I don’t like the idea of having one of our best hitters in the 7 slot (which Heyward or Esco always seem to be). After Chipper and McCann, that’s our two best hitters, why not put them up higher where they can get more at bats and do more damage?
Mr. Sanchez - April 20, 2010
Yup. I’d like Esco hitting first personally.
Smoltz's Beard - April 20, 2010
But if Escobar is leadin ogg
How will he hit into a double play?
Bronn - April 20, 2010
Jeff Francouer taught him how to do it still, don’t worry.
McGriff the Crime Dog - April 20, 2010
i like that lineup
Mighty Healthy - April 20, 2010
All we need to do is keep the Halladay game close until the crappy relievers come in!
EyePod - April 20, 2010
I don't know why you want to see JoJo Reyes so badly.
DogDaysofSummer - April 20, 2010
I’m upset that this made me chuckle haha
McGriff the Crime Dog - April 20, 2010
Hopefully the Braves fans counter those bastard Thillies fans at the Ted.
I think alot of the fans down south that sold out to other teams over the years might be ready to jump back on the bandwagon. We need everybody. The energy at the Ted could equal victories. It’s up to the fans.
Chief Noc-A-Homa - April 20, 2010
I can't stand the Philthies.
I hope we sweep these assholes.
kreese555 - April 20, 2010
Agreed.
I know at least one Phillies fan I’d like to stick it to:
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/16/1425835/phillies-fan-vomits-on-off-duty
joshmaurer - April 20, 2010
Derek Lowe
should start every game, in my opinion, and pitch 1 inning. Maybe his presence will wake up the batters, and make them realize that they better score A LOT if they dont wanna lose.
Sewanee Braves - April 20, 2010
Simulator says
Braves chances of winning 56.87% and Vegas has it at 62.83%.
Big series even though it is early in the season. The NL East is a combined seven games over .500 It’s kind of interesting to see the Nationals over .500 after more than a dozen games.
vr, Xei
Xeifrank - April 20, 2010
Braves win is in the bag
Chinese food last night, just ate my fortune cookie, “a pleasant surprise is in store for you tonight”
bighop - April 20, 2010
And I thought I was a slow eater…
Lizziebeth - April 20, 2010
+1
Hahaha!
Bronn - April 20, 2010
It’s a good thing I wasn’t drinking anything right then, or I would have totally spit it out!
dunnytwogloves - April 20, 2010
A forgotten treat found on the cofee table!
bighop - April 20, 2010
haha
SouthernPanther - April 20, 2010
We got some love from MLB Network. Even though the Marlins just took two from the Phillies, they said that this is the biggest matchup in the NL East so far. They also said that we have the greatest pitching staff in the division. I’ll take that over Halladay and crew. Not that I ever denied it, I’m just used to the Braves’ pitching staff being overlooked.
Gage23 - April 20, 2010
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