We’re LIVE, as Hudson and his miracle elbow start for Braves
Braves pitcher Tim Hudson has deserved a lot of high-fives for the season he has had. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
One night after one of their worst performances in weeks, Friday’s 9-3 loss to Milwaukee, the Braves should be in good hands tonight: Tim Hudson is pitching.
I realize Tommy John surgery isn’t the equivalent of bionics, but after a while you start to wonder if Hudson was rebuilt with robot parts. A ridiculous 15 of his 18 starts have been quality starts, which is tied for fourth in the majors. He leads the Braves in wins (9-4), earned run average among starters (2.30), innings pitched (121 1/3) and opponents’ batting average (.219).
He also was the only pitcher in this year’s All-Star Game for either league who is in his first full season coming back after Tommy John surgery (he missed most of last season before coming back in September).
“I’m definitely lucky,” Hudson said. “Just the fact that I was able to come back and be strong and feel like I did when I was 25 — it’s just a blessing. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back. All you can do is give it your best effort and do everything you’re supposed to do and just hope and pray it turns out good. That’s kind of been the case. I never dreamed I’d have an All-Star first half. It just shows the determination and hard work pays off.”
I’ve got some good stuff from him on the surgery including his th0ughts on why he didn’t want a tendon from a cadaver used in his surgery. But I’ll save that for the column later, assuming Hudson has a strong outing against the Brewers, and why wouldn’t he?
A few things before we get started:
♦ After some rain earlier, the tarp is being off the field. There’s no expectation right now that the start of the game will be delayed.
♦ Chipper Jones is out of the lineup with a strained hamstring. He said it “doesn’t hurt just to sit and walk around,” but stopping and running is a different issue. It doesn’t seem to be a major issue, but it’s not known if he’ll be available for pinch-hitting duties.
♦ Also out of the lineup: Jason Heyward, who claimed he’s “just chillin’” and it’s a day of rest. With David Ross catching, that means Jones, Heyward and Brian McCann — most of the heart of the order — are all on the bench.
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239 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
Ross is as good a backup catcher as Braves have had in a while.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:44 pm
I gotta say our offense has been really disappointing against some pretty bad pitching the past couple gamed. I hope they pick it up because we don’t need a repeat of April.
Bellefay
July 17th, 2010
7:46 pm
Lord no Jeff. I love your Tuesday “Count” article. It comes out the same day as Finebaum’s weekly filth and makes me thank my lucky stars I don’t live in Alabama anymore.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:47 pm
Come on Braves this guy is a bum – we should have 4 runs by now.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
7:48 pm
Another AB like that and Huddy’s batting average will drop below .260. He’ll be more upset about that than anything.
Ben Hill, Been Real
July 17th, 2010
7:49 pm
If we can get a runner, stealing second should be easy
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
7:49 pm
Jeff-This is one of the best Braves’ benches and bullpens in recent memory. What have you heard from the trade rumor end about the Braves acquiring another big bopper?
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
7:50 pm
Meant to wrap up comments by saying that they are probably one solid hitter away from being the NL representative in the World Series.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:51 pm
Escobar would have had that.
Sonny Clusters
July 17th, 2010
7:51 pm
Clusters would always run and stretch before a big game and Clusters wasn’t a 38 year old buck commander with bad feet and toes and thumbs and obliques and hamstrings and more. Why don’t the Braves stretch anymore? Union?
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:53 pm
I agree Bobby’s Cox. Of the guys available who would you like to see in a Braves uni?
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
7:54 pm
Jeff-Are you eating or what??? You are supposed to be blogging away. Either that or you HAVE been eating the food at the TED and are indisposed???
mountain_jim
July 17th, 2010
7:54 pm
“Escobar would have had that.”
Yep. Not impressed with Gonzalez defense so far.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:54 pm
Personally I like a Josh Willingham or a Luke Scott, but I wouldn’t mind a Dejesus I would just prefer more power.
Cornfuzed
July 17th, 2010
7:55 pm
I think the Braves need to trade for a Clusters.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:56 pm
Let’s go Huddy – I have a feeling that we are going to need to keep the score low because our offense is looking mighty bad tonight.
jod
July 17th, 2010
7:56 pm
Another run Escobar could have prevented?
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:58 pm
Well that’s about the best u can he for in that situation. Let’s just hope that one run isn’t enough to beat us tonight.
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
7:58 pm
Kris-Dunn would be my first choice if they didn’t have to give up the farm. Or do the Braves trade for an everyday 3rd basemen now to replace Chipper. Would love to see them trade a big package for Crawford as long as they were able to get him to sign a long term deal. Good Damage control by Huddy…
Kris
July 17th, 2010
7:59 pm
jod – I’m sure Escobar would have made that play too. Did I offend you by inferring that Escobar is a better defensive player than Gonzalez?
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:01 pm
We would never get Crawford from TB. They are in the middle of a pennant race and he is one of their best players. I would like Dunn too, but I think he’ll be expensive in terms of prospects.
mountain_jim
July 17th, 2010
8:02 pm
Maybe he can get that run back here.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:02 pm
Whar about Franklin Guiterrez in Seattle? Solid all-around hitter with exceptional defense.
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
Kris-Yunel would have made the play, but Ole’ Frosty has been colder than snow cone at the plate as far as power numbers are concerned.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
This is pathetic – come on Braves this pitcher is terrible!
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:04 pm
Bobby’s — All Wren has said (and I believe him) is he was going to wait until a week before the deadline and see how Heyward, McLouth, Diaz are faring before making a decision there.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:04 pm
Bobby’s Cox – I don’t disagree with you regarding Escobar’s hitting.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
Bobby’s — Already ate but I’m also trying to write a column for an early print edition. There’s a behind the scenes look into my job for you.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:05 pm
Bye bye.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:06 pm
WooHoo Matty D!
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:06 pm
Pitcher for Brewers just gave up a gofer ball to Mattee D. Golf golf shot..
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:06 pm
Only 2nd HR this season for Diaz and it came on 1-2 pitch. He golfed it out.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:07 pm
Alright let’s pound this guy!
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:08 pm
I think he Diaz hit that with a sand wedge.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:09 pm
It’s Diaz-Cabrera-Ross — Murderers’ Row!
jesse james
July 17th, 2010
8:10 pm
Diaz may have the best hand eye coordination of any hitter I have seen.
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:11 pm
Jeff-Agreed On Golf Shot and Club selection…Looked like an old Arnold Palmer autographed club that he used.
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:14 pm
Jeff-Between all us bloggin’ fools, what does Bobby really think of “Ole Fosty” Yunel Escobar??
TnBravesFanFromAthensGa
July 17th, 2010
8:15 pm
Hudson is looking sharp tonight. Need to keep the pressure on and break open a big lead with the reserves… Come on Braves
TnBravesFan
July 17th, 2010
8:16 pm
Ok sorry name was way tooooo long
Long Way Home Brave
July 17th, 2010
8:16 pm
Take the lead
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:19 pm
It’s crazy, but after 6 years as a Brave, this is the first season where Tim Hudson has pitched like the guy I thought he was whe we got him from Oakland.
Stratocaster
July 17th, 2010
8:20 pm
If the Braves could just get a real centerfielder, then they’d really be set. All of the great Braves teams had great centerfielders.
Sonny Clusters
July 17th, 2010
8:20 pm
If our nose was running money we’d blow it all on you . . . that’s what we was thinking when we saw that picture of Sandra Bullock yesterday. Is she at the game?
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:21 pm
There you go Huddy!
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
There’s the hit by Hudson– I’m telling you, he’ll be prouder of that after the game than how he pitches.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
Sonny — Sad to say, I have not seen Sandra Bullock in attendance.
Cornfuzed
July 17th, 2010
8:22 pm
Hudson could teach McLouth a thing or two about hitting.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:23 pm
Stratocaster – that’s a good point about CF’s. Who would you go after?
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:23 pm
Good swing by Huddy…I bet Bobby will give the speed demon the green light..come on Marteeeen