Braves, not Phillies, may be the best team in N.L. East
Jason Heyward, Chipper Jones and Frank Wren may be looking at division title this year.
When they were hanging banners for 14 straight seasons, the Braves had more than merely great parts. A team that wins so often and for so long develops a confidence and a belief that can’t be taught, it has to be experienced.
“You want to get back to that point where you walk onto the field every day and you just expect to win,” Chipper Jones said Tuesday. “That was something we had back in the 1990s and early 2000s. That mentality of, no matter what happens, things will fall right.”
The Braves may be at that point again.
Two years ago, they were hovering barely above .500 in early September. Then they rose, as Don King once put it, “from the media pallet of death.” They went 15-2 and pulled to within two games of the wild card lead, only to eventually start dropping parts on the highway. Last year, we watched a perfect blend of imperfect players get back to the postseason despite a blur of injuries and lineups. The last spasm in game No. 162 got the Braves in. They eventually lost to San Francisco, the team that would win the World Series.
They are better now. More importantly, the majority players on this roster can draw on success that their predecessors from the previous few years couldn’t.
Yes, on paper, Philadelphia has one of the greatest starting pitching rotations ever assembled.
But on the field, the Braves project like National League East Division champions.
“We’ve got to play the games – we’ve got to play 162 games,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said when asked how he felt about the fact most are picking the Phillies to win the East. “They have a great pitching staff. But we feel pretty good about ours, too. So in September, let’s see where we’re at.”
The Braves’ last division title came in 2005. It was the last time they hung a banner in Turner Field until team officials decided to commemorate last year’s wild card team with a flag on banner row — only the sixth of 17 wild card participants to do so.
“Making the playoffs is special and it should be recognized,” general manager Frank Wren said.
This team could be more special. Adding Dan Uggla gives the lineup the potent right-handed bat it needed. Jason Heyward is no longer a prospect — he’s a given. Martin Prado is as good an all-around player as there is in baseball. Nate McLouth looks better. Chipper Jones made it through spring without a limp.
The starting rotation isn’t Philly’s but it is top 10 — at least. Closer Billy Wagner is gone. But Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters might be good enough to fill the void.
Think I’m drunk on the Kool-Aid? Maybe. But a lesser team won 91 games last season with a lineup that on some nights looked like that old stuffed bear you kept as a kid, despite the missing arm and the partially detached head.
About the Phillies: They’re good. They’ve won the division four of the last five years. They have a ridiculous top four in the rotation: Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt. (Joe Blanton is Gummo Marx in this exercise.)
But Philadelphia has significant issues:
♦ Chase Utley has been “their heart and soul for the last several years,” Wren said. But he has patellar tendinitis, bone inflammation and something called chondromalacia. That’s Latin for: “My knee hurts.” Utley has risked public humiliation by sitting on a stool while fielding ground balls. His goal is to be back for the All-Star break. Not his projection – his goal. Doctors don’t even believe surgery would help. They’re basically declaring his right knee terminal.
♦ Closer Brad Lidge may not pitch this year. He is one hiccup away from mutating into Mike Hampton. He has had elbow problems, knee problems, biceps problems. Now his shoulder hurts. His tombstone will read: “Doctor, it hurts when I go like this.”
♦ Jayson Werth is gone. He signed a ridiculous $126 million contract in Washington, but that doesn’t diminish what he meant to the Phillies. He brought needed right-handed power.
Philly is more than beatable.
Jones again: “They’ve earned that moniker as the team to beat. But as long as we’re in the mix and people are talking about us, it’s good.”
It will be very good.
By Jeff Schultz
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295 comments Add your comment
clusters are back
March 29th, 2011
8:15 pm
jeff- clusters are back is a drunk guy-me- all happy cuz he posts more in baseball season-he cracks me up….. funny funny character- he should go pro.
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Jeff, based on what we’ve seen so far . . . we was wondering if anybody’s earned a moniker tonight?
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Jeff Schultz……”The Dipper” is what I refer to the player who used to be Chipper Jones. I call him “The Dipper” because of how he said that he would “retire” if he didnt play up to the standards that he’s accustomed to playing.
However, he aint walking away from $28 mil over the next two years. He said he would retire after his injury prone 2009 season….in addition to after the 2010 season. My guess it that after he has another injury filled, non-productive 2011 season…he’ll make one more “give it one more try” proclamation for 2012.
My point is that having to pay him $14 mil to in each of the next two years to bat #3 in the order…is dipping into our chances to put the best line-up out there that can give us the best chance to win.
The Dipper should be batting #6 and Heyward #3 in the order.
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Uggla hitting .203 in spring as he steps to the plate.
Uppercutting his way back to AAA
March 29th, 2011
8:19 pm
Nate Mclouth didn’t learn anything. I still see his uppercut coming through hard. Why can’t he drive the ball in the gaps. pop outs are a sure sign he still has that flaw in his swing!
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Sonny Clusters — We was thinking that David Ross earned the moniker “Rocket Arm.” We was thinking Frenchy had a Rocket Arm back in the day.
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
8:23 pm
Freddie Fly Trap Freeman! Because he can gobble up anything in sight, effortlessly!
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:24 pm
That’s a base hit. Can’t call it fielder’s choice. … But it’s wasted.
DHD
March 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Maybe. Who knows? As Skip said….that’s why they play the games.
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
Next pitcher up: Eric O’Flaherty.
Joe
March 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
How many fans at the game?
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Foghorn Leghorn — I would counter by saying that when Chipper got injured last season, he was playing at the level he’s accustomed to. He was one of the team’s hottest hitters at the time. That’s biggest reason he came back.
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Monikers can be handy. We was always wanting a moniker when we was playing ball but they insisted on just calling us, Clusters. We have been wondering where Chipper was exposed to monikers? Do they have them in the woods?
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:31 pm
When Chipper’s daddy was teaching him to hunt he told Chipper to find some tracks and follow ‘em. That’s how Chipper almost got hit by a train.
Brad
March 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
What station is going to carry the Braves Opener on Thursday??
Curse of the Flat Billed Cap
March 29th, 2011
8:32 pm
Already see a difference between Gonzo and Cox. In the Cox era, Joe Mather would have been on the roster because it was decided when he was claimed off waivers. Matt Young beat out Mather and low and behold…. he’s on the roster and Mather is on waivers.
The Jesse Chavez’ of the world have been penciled in a number of times in the Cox era without actually performing better than their competition. Glad to see that Gonzo will actually take a guys performance into consideration when determining a roster spot instead of of going the Cox route and giving a guy a job just so you don’t look like you made a mistake by claiming or trading for a player.
Brad
March 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
Nevermind now….
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:35 pm
Sonny Clusters — I think you should do play-by-play for spring games. You’d make them more entertaining. You might even earn a moniker.
Peter
March 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
So ill be going to the opener in Washington, and Livan Hernandez is pitching for the Nats. The last time I attended a baseball game that Livan Hernandez pitched was Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS. Fortunately, no Eric Gregg.
Joe Tess Fish House
March 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
No 1 at game B cuz they no the Braves will crash and bern this year
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
Pitching: No. 94 Tim Gustafson.
Foghorn Leghorn
March 29th, 2011
8:38 pm
Jeff Schultz…..I disagree with you on your interpretation of The Dipper being “hot”when he got hurt.
The Dipper was batting around .300 over a 20 game stretch when he got hurt. However, before that, he was batting in the low .200’s. Even with his so called “hot streak”, he ended up batting .265 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs in 95 games.
Chipper Jones has a career average of .306. The Chipper Jones I rooted for for most of his career would have been “insulted” if you said that he was in a hot streak if he was hitting .300 over a 20 game stretch. The Chipper Jones I know would be hitting close to .400 and jacking 10 homers in a 20 game stretch……
Chipper Jones does not play for the Braves anymore. He left the building 2 years ago. The Dipper is who we have playing 3rd base and batting 3rd in the batting order now.
bravofan
March 29th, 2011
8:42 pm
Medlen just said freaking easy haha I love him ! !
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
8:45 pm
Chipper Jones fans I know wouldn’t diss a great leader, Future HOFer, and great clubhouse voice. Chipper Jones fans stick by him, and root for him to come back this year and disprove all you former fans of Chipper Jones who continue to say he should retire. Go ahead and get your Chipper Jones shirts now instead of waiting until he proves you wrong and jumping on his bandwagon later this year.
Joe Tess Fish House
March 29th, 2011
8:45 pm
I agreed with Foghorn. Chiper is whased up. @ many injruies over the years and his old age make him worthless. Frank Wrent need 2 cut Chipper and Hayword lose and try to get some 1 beter.
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
8:46 pm
Hear a faint tomahawk chop starting….
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
Foghorn Leghorn — I know Chipper Jones a little better than you do. He wouldn’t be insulted by my comment. Yours, possibly.
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
8:49 pm
Uggla can tattoo letter high fastballs!
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:49 pm
Uggla doubles off the wall, misses homer by 3-4 feet.
Conrad running for him.
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:50 pm
To quote Chipper, we wanted to be an announcer bad. We was thinking maybe we could team up with Chipper in the booth later on. Our good English and his witty repartee might work well together. “Did you see Uggla hit that ball?” “Uh, yeah, I did.”
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
8:54 pm
Braves strand 2 more. Still 2-0 through seven. … Next pitcher: Venters.
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
8:55 pm
Finally its time for everyday Johnny!
Richie_Rich1986
March 29th, 2011
8:57 pm
These Chipper Bashers are just trying to get Braves fans wriled up!! Chipper is and has been my favorite player and he will always be my favorite player. Guy has been tearin the ball off the cover this spring. So you know what all you chipper haters yal can suck it!!!
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:58 pm
“tearing the ball off the cover?” There should be a moniker for that.
Sonny Clusters
March 29th, 2011
8:59 pm
We was highly entertained tonight, Jeff. Thanks. It is time to go to the Dairy Queen.
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
9:00 pm
Hey, Brooks Conrad! … He pulls off a 4u-43 double play!
Jeff
March 29th, 2011
9:03 pm
What is the rotation going to look like to start the season after Lowe, Hanson and Hudson… How did Jurrjens feel after he threw yesterday? Will he start the Milwaukee series on Monday, or will Beachy?
Larry
March 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
“David Ross is 2 for 2 in stolen bases”…in the same game?
This indeed could be our year!
Richie_Rich1986
March 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
Jeff,
My understanding is its going to go Lowe, Hanson, Hudson, JJ they are going to skip Beachy’s first start of the season….. From what JJ told me on Sunday after the game he told me it was just a cramp he will be fine to make his start. Keeping my fingers crossed he wasn’t just trying to make me feel better because he knows I’m a big fan of his.
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
9:06 pm
Jeff — No decision yet on Jurrjens. It’s still up in the air and he wasn’t available to the media before the game.
Jeff
March 29th, 2011
9:09 pm
not what I wanted to hear, Rich… Beachy is my first cousin and I was hoping to watch him pitch in Milwaukee. Braves don’t make it to the midwest often enough.
Jeff Schultz
March 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
Richie_Rich1986 — He might’ve thought that then but things change. Not saying they have, though.
TomahawkChoppin'
March 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
I know its not good to speculate..but JS do you believe JJ could be our best trade bait later this year should we need help in another area. Injury prone and almost an ‘Andruw Jones’ type attitude. Not that AJ was a bad player, he just sometimes had a bad attitude. Teams that need starting pitching would be willing to deal for him. Meds coming back off the DL and Beachy and Minor can all join the rotation should we decide to trade JJ. Your thoughts???
Eating Boogers For The Protein
March 29th, 2011
9:10 pm
My god…….Is it baseball season already?
Steve
March 29th, 2011
9:12 pm
I sure hope the Braves can stay healthy! I am reading more and more “experts” pick the Braves to go to the WS. I have seen several pick the Red Sox beating the Braves. Next Friday at Turner Field will be electric with those Phillies in town. Can’t beat opening day. Although last year was the loudest I have ever heard that place when Heyward went deep on his first swing. Jeff, us Braves fan expect live blogs for every home game this year for those of us on nights we can’t make it. You and Mark don’t mind right?
Richie_Rich1986
March 29th, 2011
9:12 pm
Jeff,
Sorry buddy I mean I might not be 100% correct man, just what I hear from being at a lot of spring training games and getting to talk to the skipper and a few of the players….I think I also saw a blog on here a few days ago about the same thing that they are thinking about doing that. I got to talk to your cousin quite a bit this spring what a great guy man. I am a big fan of his, can’t say I was rooting for him to win the 5th starting position but he has good stuff. I was really hoping Minor would make it simply he is our only lefty option really in the rotation. Having to face the Phillies 18 games a year we are going to need a left handed starter.
Eating Boogers For The Protein
March 29th, 2011
9:13 pm
I was watching the Thrashers. It seems they can’t get any breaks from the officials. Can we talk hockey instead?
Billy Batts
March 29th, 2011
9:14 pm
Get your shine box.
Richie_Rich1986
March 29th, 2011
9:15 pm
@ Jeff Shultz,
you know just like I know that major league players try to play down everything like its not a big deal. I like to call it their “PR Answers” …..
Eating Boogers For The Protein
March 29th, 2011
9:17 pm
Are both teams wearing the same uniforms?
Notice I didn’t use the gay variation and say “unis”….