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2012 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves

Posted by on 25 March 2012, 9:28 am

Atlanta Braves logo.

Heading into 2011, the Atlanta Braves were a championship caliber team and played that way for the first five months of the season.

The Braves were the NL’s version of the Red Sox, arriving in September with an 8.5 game lead for the wild card only to blow it and land in a jam. The Braves had to win the last game left in the regular 2011 season just for a chance to play the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Wild Card but that never happened because the Braves lost again, and their October dreams went down the toilet.

It was ugly and while maybe not as embarrassing as the Red Sox, for any team who won 89 games the implosion surely must have humbled them.

The Braves did next to nothing in the off-season to improve, which means Atlanta is confident they can win with what they have. The question remains is the 2011 team determined enough to prevent another season with no October baseball?

Let’s take look….

THE POSITIVES: 

The Braves had all-around strong pitching last season finishing with the fourth best ERA (3.48), while pitching the most innings (1479.2) in the NL; and minus Derek Lowe being traded to the Indians the same group returns in tact in 2012.  Starting rotation looks to be featuring Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens , Mike Minor and Brandon Beachy. All are but 36-year old Hudson are 26 or younger and the veteran ace will be starting the season on the disabled list as he is coming back from off-season back surgery. They also had a recent blow this spring when top-pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino had to have Tommy John surgery and will be out till 2013. The Braves were expecting big things from Vizcaino this season, especially with Hudson still recovering. Luckily the Braves have some depth in the minors and 21-year old top prospect Julio Teheran will luckily step in until Jones gets healthy.

The bullpen looks rock solid with Johnny Venters setting up for the 2011 Rookie of the Year recipient closer Craig Kimbrel, who posted a 2.10 ERA, over 77 innings in 2011. He tied for second most saves in baseball with 46 and that was because he struck out 127 batters. Expect big things from this 23-year old in 2012.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Atlanta Braves’ »

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Congratulations 2011 MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winners

Posted by on 15 November 2011, 12:11 am

Congratulations to Tampa Bay Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson and Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel for being named the 2011 Rookies of the Year.

Hellickson went 13-10 over 29 starts in his rookie season. The 24-year old righty posted a 2.95 ERA, with 117 strikeouts and pitched 189 innings total. That is no easy feat for any pitcher, but for a rookie to put up those numbers in the heavy hitting AL East makes it even more impressive.

Kimbrel set a new rookie record with 46 saves in the regular season. In 77 innings pitched, Kimbrel posted a 2.10 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and had 127 strikeouts. The 23-year old righty was named to the 2011 NL All-Star team, and he swept the ROY voting, getting all 32 first place nods.

Below are the 2011 ROY voting totals:

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

al voting results from mlb.com

Continue reading ‘Congratulations 2011 MLB Rookie of the Year Award Winners’ »

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New York Yankees Fans Are You Ready For Some Baseball

Posted by on 28 September 2011, 2:31 pm
Bench-clearing brawl on June 5, 2008 game betw...

Image via Wikipedia

Tonight baseball nation will be watching, as four teams will be battling but not against each other for the last two coveted Wild Card postseason spots.

In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays (90-71) are tied with the Boston Red Sox (90-71) so if both teams win or lose there will be a sudden death game played tomorrow between these to AL East powerhouses.

Same scenario in the National League, as the Atlanta Braves (89-72) and St. Louis Cardinals (89-72) are both striving to clinch a playoff berth tonight, but if tied the two will also duel it out against each other tomorrow to determine the winner.

This is about as good as it gets for baseball fans, and if you have any friends who are on the fence about loving America’s Pastime this would be the night to make sure they are tuned in.

Here is the TV schedule for tonight’s match-ups courtesy of MLB.com (EST listed):

Wed, Sep 28 7:05 pm Boston Red Sox Baltimore Orioles ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves

ESPN2
Wed, Sep 28 7:10 pm New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays ESPN
Wed, Sep 28 8:05 pm St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros ESPN2

As the best athlete of out generation once said:

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordon

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Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB August Monthly Power Rankings

Posted by on 1 September 2011, 12:06 am

The 2011 MLB season is heading into its last month, as the month of August comes to a close.

Once again, August was no short of drama, as teams battled it out to stay in contention with the hopes of playing in October.

While some teams are on the road to being crowned World Series Champions, others have no choice but to look towards next season.

So, how did your team finish the month of August?

Check out Lady Loves Pinstripes Monthly Power Rankings below:

Agree or Disagree…speak your mind by leaving a comment below the post.

Continue reading ‘Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB August Monthly Power Rankings’ »

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2011 MLB All-Star Rosters Announced

Posted by on 3 July 2011, 5:37 pm

American League:

Starters:

Alex Avila (C, Detroit Tigers), Adrian Gonzalez (1B, Boston Red Sox), Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees), Alex Rodriguez (3B, New York Yankees), Derek Jeter (SS, New York Yankees), David Ortiz (DH, Boston Red Sox), Jose Bautista (OF, Toronto Blue Jays), Curtis Granderson (OF, New York Yankees) and Josh Hamilton (OF, Texas Rangers).

Reserves:

1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 2B: Howard Kendrick, Angels, 3B: Adrian Beltre, Rangers, SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians, OF: Michael Cuddyer, Twins, OF: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox, OF: Matt Joyce, Rays, OF: Carlos Quentin, White Sox, DH: Michael Young, Rangers, C: Russell Martin, Yankees, C: Matt Wieters, Orioles

Pitchers:

RHP: Josh Beckett, Red Sox, RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners, LHP: David Price, Rays, RHP: James Shields, Rays, RHP: Justin Verlander, Tigers, RHP: Jered Weaver, Angels, LHP: C.J. Wilson, Rangers, LHP: Gio Gonzalez, Athletics, RHP: Aaron Crow, Royals, RHP: Brandon League, Mariners, RHP: Chris Perez, Indians, RHP: Mariano Rivera, Yankees, RHP: Jose Valverde, Tigers

National League:

Starters:

Brian McCann (C, Atlanta Braves), Prince Fielder, (1B, Milwaukee Brewers), Rickie Weeks (2B), Jose Reyes (SS, New York Mets), Placido Polanco (3B, Philadelphia Phillies), Ryan Braun (OF, Milwaukee Brewers), Lance Berkman (OF, St. Louis Cardinals) and Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Reserves:

1B: Gaby Sanchez, Marlins, 1B: Joey Votto, Reds, 2B: Brandon Phillips, Reds, 3B: Chipper Jones, Braves, SS: Starlin Castro, Cubs, SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies, OF: Jay Bruce, Reds, OF: Matt Holliday, Cardinals, OF: Hunter Pence, Astros, OF: Justin Upton, D-backs, C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

Pitchers:

RHP: Matt Cain, Giants, RHP: Roy Halladay, Phillies, LHP: Cole Hamels, Phillies, RHP: Jair Jurrjens, Braves, LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, LHP: Cliff Lee, Phillies, RHP: Tim Lincecum, Giants, RHP: Ryan Vogelsong, Giants, RHP: Heath Bell, Padres, RHP: Tyler Clippard, Nationals, RHP: Joel Hanrahan, Pirates, LHP: Jonny Venters, Braves, RHP: Brian Wilson, Giants

 

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MLB Trade Rumors: Braves To Yankees Trade Reaches All New Lowe

Posted by on 4 May 2011, 5:42 am
THE SITUATION:

It is no secret that the New York Yankees have been on a pitching crusade after losing both Cliff Lee and Andy Pettitte this past off-season.  GM Brian Cashman made a lot of heavily criticized moves that seemed desperate at the time, but have actually been the savior and reason behind the Yankees hot start.

Regardless, the Yankees are not going to pass on trading for a possible ace if one is available and again we have Cashman to thank for that.

Cashman has built the Yankees farm system from the ground-up. It also happens to be loaded in all the right places with multiple young catchers who coveted right behind lefty-arms in ranking order of value.

So the watch is on for teams, who by beginning of July, can afford to trade a top arm to fulfill either immediate needs to contend or looking to build towards the future.

The 28 (Red Sox not included) other teams are well aware of the talent the Yankees possess in the minors but it will take an ace to get Cashman to budge.

The recent speculation is that Brett Gardner could be a possibility but I wouldn’t bet on it. Gardner has had a rough first month, but his struggles seem to be going away now anyway and once he starts stealing bases again this idea will get squashed.

WHY THE BRAVES CAN GET RID OF LOWE:

This brings me to the Atlanta Braves, who currently sit at 15-15 and this team cannot afford to watch the Phillies and Marlins surge while they sit dead and stale playing .500 baseball.

Pitching is not the issue, as the Braves retain one of the prime rotations in baseball, with Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and Brandon Beachy.

Problem is the lack of bats has been costing the team wins.

Luckily Atlanta has viable back-up arms down in the minors that are major league ready and serviceable at the back end of their rotation. This gives Atlanta some wiggle room to get a much-needed big bat to get their line-up, which consists of Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones hitting.

Newsday’s Ken Davidoff ‘s recent article reminded me of the fact that Lowe had been on Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s radar for sometime; as Cashman almost inked Lowe before the 2009 season but instead went with AJ Burnett.

Lowe was recently busted on April 29th for a DUI; as Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright stated that, last Thursday night Lowe was racing his Porsche down a residential street in the tony Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead and refused to take a breathalyzer at the scene.

So, the 37-year-old Lowe now has legal woes to deal with, but he still made his scheduled start 48 hours after his arrest on May 1st.

Davidoff seems convinced a Yankees and Braves Lowe-trade could be likely down the road. While I entirely agree with Davidoff about Atlanta getting rid of Lowe for a sustainable bat; I don’t believe the Yankees will be the team on the other end of the deal. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: Braves To Yankees Trade Reaches All New Lowe’ »

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New York Yankees: Remember Pitcher Ian Kennedy, Let Me Help

Posted by on 26 April 2011, 1:02 am

After watching the New York Yankees bats waste a great outing from AJ Burnett in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the first of a four game set, I turned to the MLB Network to see what else was happening in baseball.

First came the phone-in from White Sox pitcher Phil Humber and some well-deserved congratulations for stunning the Yankees, getting the White Sox a much needed win. This was Humber’s sixth start in his career and the first time he went past six innings ever, as he had a no-hitter through seven until A-rod broke it up.

This is a typical performance from the Yankees, who are known to get beaten by pitchers they have never faced before, a theme that was repeated over and over by the MLB Network’s round table.

I almost changed the channel after the tenth Brian Wilson beard commercial, but I held out once I heard Arizona Diamondback and ex-New York Yankee Ian Kennedy was flanking the Philadelphia Phillies was coming up LIVE.

Kennedy was part of the Yankees trio of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, and tonight he posted his first complete game shutout tonight against the Phillies.

What is even more gratifying is that Cliff Lee was the opposing pitcher, but I am not done yet. Kennedy became a dad this past Sunday morning at 2:04am and it took the new dad 2 hours and 4 minutes to get the win. Kennedy still has that wicked change-up that seems to be clocking in in the low 90’s.

Goodness, maybe the Yankees let the wrong one of the trio go? Considering Chamberlain is about to hang up his gloves and call it a career; while Hughes is getting an MRI as his dead arm is still well…. dead.

Congratulations to Kennedy, his family and the Diamondbacks for shutting down the predicted 2011 World Series Champions.

Quick note: This is regarding Wilson’s beard; after getting embarrassed by the Atlanta Braves in your own house, don’t you think it is time to shave that thing off. I presume Wilson’s extra paycheck is coming from the beard, but the Giants are not winning. You would think a four game sweep by a team that you beat in the playoffs last season would be enough of a reason to grab that BIC, because no one is fearing much except Timmy Lincecum, who might not even like baseball that much.

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