Marc Ryan. Leslie Koerdt, and the Opening Drive went on a Tour of Atlanta with Atlanta Journal Constitution Braves Beat David O’Brien about a six-man rotation and what happens after, Michael Bourn’s contract, and how a person could have a splinter in their hand for six years. Listen to DOB had to say.

The Braves broke their losing streak despite the frustrations of Tommy Hanson matchbox size strike zone. Hanson was frustrated with the home plate umpire’s definition of a strike, mainly because there was not one. My reason for even bringing it up is because Hanson was clearly agitated, and whether it affected his actual pitches or the umpire’s willingness to give him calls, the agitation may have had an effect. It did not affect the bullpen. Chad Durbin, Kris Medlen, and Craig Kimbrel came in and saved Tommy from a loss.

Atlanta turned four double plays in a game where they also had two uncharacteristic errors- errors that were quickly made up for by those committing them. Andrelton Simmons hit his second home run and Michael Bourn, well, being Michael Bourn. Atlanta also got another glimpse of just how good a player and teammate Martin Prado is. Prado played first base in order to allow Freddie Freeman more rest. While not perfect, he got the job done in better than could be expected fashion.

Saturday’s match up pits Brandon Beachy against Jason Hammel. Let’s see if the streak continues.

Atlanta heads to the weekend series with Baltimore on a four game losing streak, while the O’s are winners of six in a row. If Fredi Gonzalez and company have their way, both streaks will end. Tommy Hanson takes the mound to take his shot versus Brian Matusz in the opener.

Braves Line Up
1. Bourn 8
2. Prado 3
3. McCann 2
4. Uggla 4
5. Jones 5
6. Diaz 7
7. Heyward 9
8. Simmons 6
9. Hanson 1

Atlanta has designated Livan Hernandez for assignment and recalled Kris Medlen from Gwinnett. Medlen was sent down to stretch out for a starting role, but the Braves may now need him back in the bullpen more. Stay tuned…

Earlier today I said that when it comes to the Braves and Phillies throw out what you think you know. My head is about to explode, so please try to follow the runaway train that resides inside my head. Here goes… » Continue reading “Braves/Phillies…What Did You Expect?”

The Braves were hot, the Phillies were not, but what happens against anyone else in the league is no factor in what goes on in this rivalry. Atlanta has not beaten Philadelphia since July of last year and have been outscored 51-14 in that time. With Jonny Venters giving up two runs in the eighth, leading the league in scoring and being held to two runs, and most of all, allowing 11 hits to the team that has been able to make contact, it was clear the Phils still had the Braves number.

Tommy Hansen hopes to change that tonight as he faces Roy Halladay…no big deal. It’s not like he faces a guy with a 1.95 ERA or anything. Oh that’s right, Halladay does have a 1.95 ERA and his shortest outing has been seven innings this season. Clearly, Halladay’s losses can be blamed on lack of scoring by the Phillies.

Hansen will be relying on his offense to get back to its hitting ways to get the team back on track, and for the Braves to end their streak, all but Freddie Freeman anyway. Freeman hit his first home run against Halladay and is 3-7 overall. Maybe he was too young to be scared, but hopefully he has hung on to whatever it was that gave him those numbers!

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”

 

James Palmer and Zaid Hakim sat down with Leslie Koerdt to talk about opening weekend.

Jason Heyward ended a streak today, but it was not the one he was hoping to.  Heyward hit a home run on each of his previous opening days.  The first was his first major league swing.  The one that is still alive is woeful hitting of 2011.  Heyward was not alone- the Braves only mustered four hits in the 1-0 loss to the Mets.

Hit came from Martin Prado, Dan Uggla, Matt Diaz, and Tyler Pastornicky.  As exciting as it was to see Pastornicky hit a triple on his very first opening day, it was just as frustrating to see him left on base.

The positives were, as suspected, the pitching.  Tommy Hanson pitched five solid innings before giving a run in the 6th and failing to record an out in three batters.  Kris Medlen, however, pitched out of Hanson’s jam without allowing another run.  In total Medlen pitched two innings, and was followed by Jonny Venters with one inning.

Not to panic though, there are 161 more opportunities to get things right.  The first of which comes Saturday at 1:10 ET when Jair Jurrjens faces RA Dickey in game 2 of 3 versus the Mets.

The Braves released their opening day 25-man roster which actually contains 26 names. (Tim Hudson started today’s game before going on the 15-day DL.)  There are not many surprises on the roster, but the shortstop and 5th starter were the two question marks.

Rookie Tyler Pastornicky beat out Andrelton Simmons in the battle for shortstop.  Simmons surprised many with his defensive skills and early at bats, but his lack of at bats above the High-A level started to show near the end of Spring Training.  Although his glove long term may prove to surpass Pastornicky’s, the Braves have no reason to rush his development.

Randall Delgado and and Julio Teheran both struggled, but the Braves feel better with Delgado starting the season with the big club.

Atlanta Braves Active Roster

Atlanta Braves Active Roster

#	Pitchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
37	Brandon Beachy	R-R	6’3″	215	Sep 3, 1986
40	Randall Delgado	R-R	6’3″	200	Feb 9, 1990
48	Tommy Hanson	R-R	6’6″	220	Aug 28, 1986
61	Livan Hernandez	R-R	6’2″	245	Feb 20, 1975
15	Tim Hudson	R-R	6’1″	175	Jul 14, 1975
49	Jair Jurrjens	R-R	6’1″	200	Jan 29, 1986
46	Craig Kimbrel	R-R	5’11″	205	May 28, 1988
50	Cristhian Martinez	R-R	6’1″	185	Mar 6, 1982
54	Kris Medlen	S-R	5’10″	190	Oct 7, 1985
36	Mike Minor	R-L	6’4″	205	Dec 26, 1987
34	Eric O’Flaherty	L-L	6’2″	220	Feb 5, 1985
39	Jonny Venters	L-L	6’3″	195	Mar 20, 1985
#	Catchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
16	Brian McCann	L-R	6’3″	230	Feb 20, 1984
8	David Ross	R-R	6’2″	205	Mar 19, 1977
#	Infielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
	Juan Francisco	L-R	6’2″	245	Jun 24, 1987
5	Freddie Freeman	L-R	6’5″	225	Sep 12, 1989
1	Tyler Pastornicky	R-R	5’11″	190	Dec 13, 1989
26	Dan Uggla	R-R	5’11″	205	Mar 11, 1980
2	Jack Wilson	R-R	6’0″	200	Dec 29, 1977
#	Outfielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
24	Michael Bourn	L-R	5’11″	180	Dec 27, 1982
17	Jose Constanza	L-L	5’9″	150	Sep 1, 1983
23	Matt Diaz	R-R	6’0″	215	Mar 3, 1978
22	Jason Heyward	L-L	6’5″	240	Aug 9, 1989
20	Eric Hinske	L-R	6’2″	235	Aug 5, 1977
14	Martin Prado	R-R	6’1″	190	Oct 27, 1983