Where we started, and where we have comes makes all the difference in the world. Coming out of the first series in the season, the Braves were 0-4, and now we are 13-16. Not too shabby.

» Continue reading “Braves take the Pirates, 6-1″

Jair Jurrjens Sent Back to Triple A

Jair Jurrjens was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, only an hour after the Braves’ 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jurrjens (0-2) gave up nine hits and five earned runs and left without recording an out in the fourth inning.

This was the first time in 42 starts since April 29, 2010 against St. Louis where Jurrjens failed to record a strikeout due to a strained left hamstring.

Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a text message after the announcement, ““We optioned Jair tonight to give him a chance to work through his difficulties at the Triple-A level and hopefully come back ready to help us contend.”

Jurrjens is 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in four starts. Last year he led the Braves with 13 wins despite two trips to the disabled list and pitched in his first All-Star game. Since the 2011 All-Star break, Jurrjens has lasted five innings or fewer in six starts including all four this season and has allowed 44 earned runs and 79 hits in 57-2/3 innings. » Continue reading “Braves: JJ to Triple A”

Most people don’t hope they get to work on their 40th birthday, unless you are a major league third baseman who has undergone multiple surgeries, and have decided this is the last go around. That is where Chipper Jones stands as he makes his farewell tour around the league. As those of us who have been used to having Larry Wayne around take a look at the tributes in “enemy territory”, it becomes clear that he is kind of a big deal outside of Atlanta too.

Do not get me wrong, Chipper is not beloved around the league for a multitude of reasons, » Continue reading “Well Played Chipper: Love Him or Hate Him, You Have to Respect Him on the Field…”

It is hard enough to keep up with your own team these days, much less all of baseball. So we have sifted through and found some of the stories that were not headliners, but still info you can use, or at least get a laugh from! » Continue reading “Did You Hear? MLB (and of course Braves) Info You May Have Missed”

TODAY IS THE FINALE OF BO BIKES BAMA, BUT THERE IS STILL TIME FOR YOU TO HELP!

“The reason for this ride is for state unity and to pay homage to the great Alabamians who lost their lives on April 27th, 2011. I am my brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.
-Bo Jackson, Heisman trophy winner, All-Star athlete and proud Alabamian

Jackson has enlisted the likes of Lance Armstrong, Scottie Pippen, Ken Griffey, Jr., Desmond Howard, and Picabo Street and 100 other cyclists to join him along his journey through areas of Alabama devastated by tornadoes in April 2011.

As of now, they are playing ball at the Ted for the 12:10 Braves vs Mets rubber game, but the name on the mound today plays for either team. Bo Jackson is scheduled to throw out the first pitch as he promotes his upcoming tornado relief fundraiser, Bo Bikes Bama.

Lets cross our fingers that the weather will hold out just in time for the Braves to turn this series around after last night’s 6-1 loss against the Mets. The forecast for the weather is not so agreeable, but the starter forecast is looking up. » Continue reading “Forecast for Tonight … Rain … Oh Yea and Randall Delgado and Johan Santana”

If I had told you a month ago that the Braves had all but one loss to the Mets, you would have had me committed. Are the Mets better than everyone thought, or are the Braves worse? Yes and no on both counts.

The Mets are playing as well as they can with the talent they have, but their downfall is their depth. Ten games in the season, they are not affected, but I am reserving judgement until » Continue reading “BIZARRO WORLD: Braves vs Mets Edition”

Click hear to read player perspectives on Jackie Robinson day.

Before the Braves headed home, I voiced my concerns about the same offense problems as 2011, the starters not going deep enough, and the team looked lost without Chipper. I have no idea what happened on the plane ride home, but at least for opening weekend the Braves made progress in each of those areas. » Continue reading “Braves: I Love It When a Plan Comes Together”

Generally, I would not step back and talk about the previous game this late in the day, but as I was writing- trying to write, all I could think about was, “Where did this offense come from last night?” So, here is the glorious box score for you to gaze, and maybe I can move forward.

Ok, so it did not quite work for me. There is a line that did bother me- the Brewers offense, more importantly, the Braves pitching. Jair Jurrjens went five innings, gave up seven hits, and two home runs raising his ERA 7.71. Jurrjens has been a question mark, but Eric O’Flaherty shockingly gave up four hits and three runs bringing his ERA to 9.82. Now, I am moving on, or I will try.

Shortly after Chipper Jones lead his team to the dugout from center field, he ducked out to have his knee drained and will likely be out for tonight’s game as well. Mike Minor is hoping that his team will rally again without Chipper on the field. Minor gave up six runs on six hits last Sunday against the Mets, and could us a little home cooking.